Chapter 27

I stood there, reflecting on my party hunting with Tak. I realized that after all, it’s better to have a well-equipped arsenal of weapons and armor.

Over the past few days, I’ve been working on my blacksmithing level by farming and polishing accessories, and I’ve managed to save up 40,000G through potion sales.

I felt quite pleased with myself after receiving money from Magi, which brought my total savings to 40,000G. I thought, if only I could find someone to sell me a bow, as I walked through the town...

I’m being stalked!

No, wait. It must be a mistake. A tall, model-like man and a young boy, both part of a duo, were following me. Oh no, this isn’t a pick-up attempt; it’s stalking. Even when I ran through the streets, they kept up. They must be pretty high-level players.

When I turned around, I could see the tall man’s head and the edge of his cloak from his hiding spot. They knew I was onto them, yet they didn’t stop following me.

Should I send an SOS? But... if it’s a PK, it’s faster to run than to call for help.

I’m confident in my speed, and they won’t be able to follow me to the third town. With that in mind, I decided to run west with all my might.

"【Enchantment】—Speed"

I cast the enchantment and ran. I had already mapped out the forest while gathering materials. I took the shortest route to the quarry. However, the distance between me and the two pursuers remained constant.

They must be top players! But why are they targeting me?

It must be the stone of the earth elemental.

Maybe someone found out I have it. But that’s bad, really bad. If they kill me, they’ll get half of my 40,000G, which is the result of my blood, sweat, and tears. I can’t fight two top players with just my starting gear!

Being stalked by men, and even worse, in danger of losing my life. It’s just a game, but...

I have to run to the third town, use the portal to return, and seek help from someone.

At the quarry, I avoided armadillos and clubs, ignoring sandmen and golems. The two pursuers were blocked by the sandmen. I thought I had lost them and took a breath at the town entrance.

"Phew, finally lost them. What were they? That was scary."

I turned around to make sure they weren’t coming. Relieved that they were gone, I needed to return to the first town via the portal to find someone who could sell me a bow. And armor. Cloth armor. Oh, by the way, that tall man’s clothes were pretty cool. I wonder where he bought them.

With that thought, I used the portal.

"Finally, I found you. You."

To my surprise, the same people were at the portal destination. How did they get back so quickly?

"Really, I underestimated you in your beginner gear. I didn’t think you’d make it to the third town. We’re in pain from respawning."

...I’m such an idiot!

They respawned. I don’t have much business in that town, and if I planned to return, I should have anticipated they would be waiting here.

"Let’s talk, wait!"

I ran again, this time to a place they wouldn’t find me. No, I should hide somewhere and call for help. Yes, Magi’s shop would be perfect. With that thought, I started running.

I glanced back. The two were running at full speed but slower than before. Ah, the death penalty must have lowered their stats.

I ran to Magi’s shop and dove in, leaning forward.

"Ah, Yun... 'Magi, hide me.' Huh?"

I jumped over the counter and crouched behind it, trying to hold my breath and look around for any signs of them. My heart rate was rising, and I was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Someone entered the shop.

"Magi, can I talk to you for a moment?"

It was them. I could hear two sets of footsteps. My heart rate spiked, and I kept my eyes moving, trying to locate them. Even though PKing isn’t allowed in town, I didn’t want to be around them.

"What? What’s up? How’s the speed bonus accessory I gave you?"

Magi’s tone was casual. They seemed to be regular customers at Magi’s shop, "Open Sesame."

"It’s quite fast. With five equipped, the speed bonus makes me comparable to a speed-type player."

"It’s fast. If you use your remaining SP to get speed-related senses, you could aim to be the fastest."

They were calmly discussing the chase with me.

"Still, it’s enough to know that a well-equipped player can overcome performance gaps. Magi, you’re hiding something."

I looked up from behind the counter. Seeing Magi nod and give me an OK sign, I felt relieved.

"What are you talking about? Recently, many blacksmiths have been coming to me for advice, but our rule is to keep techniques secret and sell at fair prices, right?"

"It’s not about techniques or fair prices. I know most of your sense compositions."

"What we want to know is about the mysterious blue potion seller. We’ve heard about the effects of the potions you’re selling on consignment."

The blue potion must be my blue potion! But why would they care? Anyone can make it.

"Ah, so you want to force the recipe out of the blue potion seller and teach it to your alchemists and synthesizers, Claude?"

Magi’s tone dropped. Claude flinched.

"Magi, that’s not it. Claude is just curious. We’re not trying to monopolize it; we just want to know. Besides, the beginner gear player you’ve been dealing with recently is intriguing. Claude, the tailor, also wants to know the source of large furs and hides."

"Listen, Reirei. I don’t know what you did, but the fact that this person came to me for help is enough."

Reirei was silent. Thank you, Magi. You’re more reliable than I am.

"So, what did you do?"

"We just wanted to talk."

"Really?"

Looking up at Magi, her face was scary, even though she was smiling.

"At first, I wanted to talk to him... but, I’ve never talked to a girl in real life. I was waiting for the right moment to talk to him after he left your shop... but he ran away. When he came out of the portal, I panicked, and when I finally talked to him, he ran here in a panic. I thought he might have escaped through the back door."

...So, this guy is just a coward!?

When he called me "you," I thought he was really angry.

"Really, what are top tailors like you doing? And Reirei, for following along. Think about how a girl feels when chased by two men. Even in a game, expressions are real, and the different ethics in a game can lead to misunderstandings."

Magi, you said everything I wanted to say. But I’m a guy. Different ethics, meaning that killing (PK) isn’t a sin.

"Claude looks scary. Of course, he would run."

She finished with a final blow.

"I get it. I’m sorry. Can you help me make amends? I’ll prepare a gift as an apology."

"Please, Magi."

Magi sighed deeply.

"So, what do you think? Will you forgive them, Yun?"

Hearing that, I thought, based on what I heard, they don’t seem to have any ill intent. Maybe I should show myself. They’re a bit intimidating, though. They’re tall.

"Thank you, Magi."

"...You were here?"

Claude looked embarrassed and uncomfortable.

"So, will you forgive them, Yun?"

"I forgive them. Magi said everything I wanted to say, so it’s fine."

"That’s great. You’re a kind girl. I’m happy."

"I’m not a girl. I’m a guy."

"There’s no way such a cute girl is a guy!"

Claude suddenly exclaimed.

Ah, I get it. Claude is like Gunz. He coughed, and Reirei chuckled.

"You were here. Can we introduce ourselves?"

"Sure. The mysterious blue potion seller and archer."

"I’m Yun."

"Ah, so you’re Yun. Nice to meet you. I’m Reirei, a woodworker. I’d love to get bow requests. I mostly get staff requests."

"I’m Claude, a tailor specializing in cloth and leather. I mainly make cloth armor, robes, and leather armor."

Ah, they’re both crafters. That’s why I didn’t see any weapon-like items. It’s surprising to see a mage’s perspective.

"So, what’s the mysterious blue potion?"

Everyone had a subtle expression. I asked, feeling a bit out of place, but the atmosphere suggested I was the only one who didn’t know.