Chapter 18

"Big brother, I'll be waiting at the East Gate."

After the meal, my sister retreats to her room with just those words. I think, "At least wait until I finish washing the dishes." But, it’s not like it’s a big deal, so it’s fine.

I log in after the meal and head to the East Gate. Of course, with the stable speed enchantment. Well, combined with the speed boost sense, it’s a brisk walk, but it’s pretty fast.

At the gate, a crowd had gathered. And at the center was my sister.

"Let’s go hunting. It’s about time we take on the boss MOB."

"Hey, us?"

"Would you like to go with us?"

Well, she’s being approached by both men and women. Maybe it’s because she’s a beautiful girl. I think it’s natural for her to get attention.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"You’re late! Let’s go!"

Mew in her armor. Hey, your armor and sword have changed, just like Taku’s. It’s quite heavy and the color scheme is mostly white, fitting Mew’s character, giving off a paladin-like vibe.

"Hey, hey."

"Just come on."

Maybe she wants to escape the crowd quickly, as she pulls my hand. I can still hear calls from the crowd behind us, but it’s better to ignore them, so I follow Mew.

After we’ve put some distance, I asked why this happened—

"I’m a somewhat well-known player, but when I’m alone, I get a lot of unwanted attention."

"Really?"

"Also, this equipment and armor are custom-made by a friend from the beta version. I get requests to put in a good word or to give them away, which is really tiring."

I see, that’s tough. I’m just taking it easy with solo play.

"Are you listening, big sister?"

"Hey, I’m a male character in the game, but can you call me brother?"

"No way. Besides, you were late, so this happened!"

"Are you telling me to neglect my chores? If you help, it would be better, like drying the dishes."

No way, the game is calling me. Saying things emotionally like that. I sigh and cut off the topic.

"So, what quest are we taking?"

"A women-only quest, and it’s limited to pairs: [Investigation of the Inside of Chris Cave]."

"I don’t know about that."

"To put it simply, it’s a cave investigation in the forest. There’s a counterpart quest for men: [Environmental Survey of the Hyume Pool]."

"Wow. So, quests are requests from NPCs, right?"

"Exactly. And the hunting ground there is just right for me now. I’ve been there a lot during the beta version. Right now, potions are expensive, so I can’t challenge the boss MOB, so I’m leveling up here. But no one wants to come with me. After all, it’s just a game, and the MOBs aren’t real."

"Um, there’s an unsettling atmosphere in this conversation."

"Don’t worry. Big sister, just stay back and I’ll take care of all the centipedes."

Ugh, I want to go home. Even men don’t like bugs, you know.

"I’m going home! I don’t want to go to a place with centipedes."

"You promised yesterday! You’re breaking your promise!"

"Before that, it’s bad not to talk things through!"

"Ugh, I thought we could finally have a proper adventure together."

What’s this? With those teary eyes, ah, I get it. Fine, I’ll do it.

"Fine. But I’ll be doing enchantments from the back the whole time."

"Okay. Watch my heroic figure!"

She was teary-eyed, but now she’s smiling. VR games have such expressive faces, I think to myself, though it’s a bit off-topic.

"But on the way, let me gather some materials. The stones around here are copper and tin, which are perfect for improving my crafting sense."

"Got it, got it. While we’re at it, let’s hunt some minor MOBs. You haven’t been here before, right?"

I’ve actually been here before, but I didn’t get to fight on the way. Unlike the herbivores on the plain, these are more monster-like. Goblins and slimes, green little men and wobbly, murky jelly-like creatures, the game’s staples. Mew swings her one-handed sword and takes them down with one hit, while I use my bow to pick off the goblins from a distance.

After all, my bow doesn’t do much damage to slimes. So I leave the slimes to Mew and focus on goblins. With enchantments, I can take down a goblin with six iron arrows.

I was a bit nervous as they got closer during the long-distance shooting. In the fight with the big boar, my role was more about support and drawing attention, so I didn’t realize how important it is to have better equipment for distant hunting grounds.

For every goblin I take down, Mew takes down one with a single swing. I’m just dead weight.

I thought she’d say something after the fight, but I reload my arrows.

"Finally done."

"Wow, that was a good warm-up, big sister."

"Was that a warm-up? I thought it was serious."

"It was easy, easy. But I was surprised. Big sister, you’ve gotten better with the bow."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"By the way, what’s your current sense like?"

"Ah, something like this."

Held SP: 8

[Bow Lv16][Eagle Eye Lv20][Speed Boost Lv4][Magic Talent Lv19][Magic Power Lv20][Alchemy Lv7][Enchantment Lv19][Synthesis Lv13][Crafting Lv10][Production Sense Lv9]

On hold:

[Training Lv1][Mixing Lv13]

Ah, my senses improved during the battle, and I need the crafting sense to identify the stones.

"Wow. You got Speed Boost. And your Eagle Eye, Enchantment, and Magic Power are pretty high. How did you get those so high?"

"Well, I use enchantments for movement, even though I don’t do anything else."

"Ah, combat skills are hard to level up because you only use them in emergencies. But during movement—"

"This is really convenient. It can replace the attack power sense. What about yours?"

"Um, my senses are like this."

Held SP: 13

[One-Handed Sword Lv7][Armor Lv28][Attack Power Boost Lv31][Defense Power Boost Lv27][Spirit Lv17][Magic Talent Lv24][Magic Power Lv24][Magic Power Recovery Lv14][Light Attribute Lv22][Healing Magic Lv15]

"High levels!"

"It’s normal. And during the beta, my average sense level was 45."

"Wow. Mine are all primary senses."

"Well, after level 20, it’s hard to level up. So it’s good, right?"

Thinking about it, Magi, who got high-level senses with a blacksmith level of 30, and Mew, who switched to a one-handed sword, are really impressive.

"In fact, I’m leveling up faster than during the beta. It’s all about the equipment and money."

She walks ahead, humming a tune. I’ll save up money quickly and make some accessories that will surprise Mew.

I make this vow in my heart.

"Big sister Yun, we’re here. This is Chris Cave. Are you ready?"

Mew turns around, her white hair flying, and she smiles broadly. In her silver armor, she exudes the aura of a paladin, or rather, a warrior maiden.

Behind her, the dark mouth of the dungeon opens.

Ah, before that. Will I survive and come back alive?