When Players Gather
"So Dean is similar to Alfred, but a ranged type," Bert commented thoughtfully, nodding to himself as he studied their new companion.
Then he turned his gaze to Joe…and had to press his lips together to keep from laughing. After all, seeing the burly, muscular Joe"who in real life was nearly two meters tall and looked like a movie bodyguard"now transformed into a tiny, one-meter-tall bipedal cow was simply ridiculous.
"He's a Minitaur," Sig explained seriously, as if what she'd just said wasn't the most absurd thing in the world. "And it's obvious where that race's evolution path is headed."
However, her expression shifted to barely contained frustration as she added,
"Why the hell did all of you end up with rare races…while Bert and I got stuck as floating damn spirits?"
Luckily, Lua wasn't nearby. Otherwise, she'd probably be asking S.I.a. the exact same question right now.
"It doesn't matter," Bert said, regaining his serious demeanor. "This actually improves our plans. Looks like we won't have to delay as much as we thought."
Meanwhile, Joe was still examining his small, bizarre body. He frowned at first…but as he touched his new muscles and realized they were even harder than those of his real body, he started to see the upside. Especially when he compared himself to Dean, who didn't even have skin or flesh. And, obviously, certain parts were still present in his new form, which gave him an unexpected sense of pride. He glanced sideways at Dean, knowing his old friend understood perfectly"but as always, Dean chose to ignore him completely.
"So this is what you wanted to show us? Adventures, monsters, all that stuff? I'll admit, it looks pretty realistic…but it's still just a game," Joe said with a hint of arrogance.
"And what if I told you that in this 'game,' you can extract mana vials?" Sig said with a mysterious smile.
"I'd say you're insane, my dear niece…and I'd have you committed to a psych ward"assuming any still exist," Joe replied, laughing. Although his laughter died instantly when he saw everyone staring at him with serious expressions.
"Wait…you're serious?"
"The invitations we used to bring you here cost five high-quality mana vials…each," Sig replied, her smile even wider.
"Five for each one!? Ten in total!? You're crazy. You used high-quality vials on some damn invitations?" Joe blurted out, completely stunned.
Even working an entire month as a magic carriage driver, it was almost impossible for him to gather a single one of those vials. The vehicle consumed huge amounts of energy, he had to pay taxes in every region he crossed, and of course, he had to split the profits with the company. Even though it was one of the best-paid jobs in that ruined world, Joe usually squandered it all. Though, to be fair…Dean did exactly the same, even if he'd never admit it.
At that moment, Alfred appeared. His black skeletal body looked similar to Dean's, but the bones were slightly thicker. It was the clear difference between a skeletal archer and one focused on melee damage.
Alfred looked at Dean with total nonchalance, as if he'd expected this all along, and without saying a word, joined the group. Loli was still calmly cooking a few steps away.
"That changes things… If you can really get high-quality mana vials here, this has potential," Joe said, his expression now much more serious.
"A medium-quality vial lets you stay connected for about 100 hours. And a high-quality one, possibly 1,000. Though we don't know for sure yet…we've been playing for days, and ours hasn't even used up a quarter," Bert explained firmly. "And that's not all: time moves twice as fast here, the senses are completely realistic, and best of all, you can adjust the pain level. It's like traveling to another world."
"I'm in," Joe said without hesitating for even a second. "Adventure, realism, and getting paid… That's exactly why I joined Spic Corp in the first place. But here, I don't have to worry about dying every time I cross a dangerous zone."
Dean simply nodded silently, as always.
"I knew you'd be easy to convince," Sig said, puffing out her chest proudly.
"Food's ready!" Loli announced loudly.
The conversation stopped instantly. Everyone quickly gathered to grab the bowls Loli served them with enthusiasm. Joe was the first. He wanted to see for himself just how realistic this all was…and as soon as he took the first bite, he understood.
The smell, the texture, the heat of the freshly made dish…it even burned his tongue a little. He didn't actually feel pain, but the sensation was so authentic that for a moment, he wondered if he was still in a game.
Knowing her uncle well, Sig spoke while she ate:
"In the corner of the menu, you can adjust the pain level. By default, it's set to minimum…but the maximum is double real pain. Fair warning: if you die, it hurts. I haven't tested it completely, but just trying to cut my finger…trust me, I felt it."
"Then I'll set it to maximum," Joe said with a smug grin.
Sig just looked at him like she was watching a complete idiot.
"Oh, looks like the food's here!" said a soft but firm voice suddenly.
Everyone turned. Especially Joe, who froze completely when he saw a beautiful oni woman walking toward them. She wore red clothes and had a serene, almost stoic expression, with a faint smile as she caught the scent of the meal.
"Lua, you're right on time. I already have your portion ready," Loli said happily.
Sig leaned toward her uncle and whispered:
"Don't even think about it. The idiots who tried anything with her got their accounts suspended. And besides…Loli has priority."
"What do you take me for? Some kind of horny monkey chasing after any beautiful woman I see?" Joe replied, visibly offended.
"Yes," Sig said without hesitation.
Joe sighed and shrugged.
"You're right. But if Loli got here first, I'll respect that. Nothing I can do," he said calmly, continuing to eat with delight as if nothing had happened.
While Lua took her bowl of food, her gaze immediately settled on the two newcomers. For an instant, her eyes filled with confusion. They weren't spirits like the others; that was obvious at a glance. However, as soon as the aroma of the meal reached her nose, her mind shifted focus completely. The important thing was eating.
"Lua, maybe we won't take as long as we thought," Bert remarked, watching how she concentrated solely on her bowl. "We'll just help Joe and Dean level up, then head out to attack the mine."
Lua nodded silently. She didn't seem to be fully listening, caught up in the simple pleasure of her lunch.
"Sig, finish scouting the area around the forest to find the mine entrance. If it doesn't show up, we'll just make a hole ourselves. Alfred, help Joe and Dean gain a few levels. You're the best suited to train them. The rest of us don't need to go along, so we'll prepare the traps."
Bert turned to look at his grandfather, who was still busy with his second basket of straw, braiding with enviable serenity.
"You can keep being awesome," he said with a smile, not assigning him any task.
"Loli and I will take care of setting up the trap I have in mind. If you find Edward in the forest, tell him to come here."
With that, the group split up to carry out their respective tasks.
…
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Loli asked, watching intently as Bert set up the improvised trap he had designed.
"We just have to try," he replied calmly, as he tied a small piece of leather around an object. A thin mana thread extended from the bundle, stretching out like an invisible strand. Then they started walking away from the village.
Bert placed the pouch on the ground, took the end of the thread, and walked until he was hidden behind the wall. The thread measured over five meters"enough for a safe detonation. Loli followed him, watching excitedly from her hiding spot.
When everything was ready, Bert channeled mana through the thread. The energy traveled the distance in an instant.
BOOM!
The pouch exploded with force, and several rabbit horns shot out in all directions, slicing through the air with unexpected power.
One of them embedded itself in the wall right next to Bert, who hadn't quite managed to move far enough away. His expression froze for a second, eyes fixed on the explosive trap he'd just activated.
"…Looks like it worked," he murmured, still incredulous.
At that moment, Lua descended from the sky like a silent shadow, landing right in front of them. Bert and Loli tensed, expecting a scolding.
But she didn't say anything at first. She looked at the explosion site, then followed the mana thread with her eyes until it reached Bert's hand. Finally, she glanced at the horn stuck in the wall.
"Mmm…well done," she said, a hint of surprise in her gaze. Then she reached into her bag, pulled out a small pouch, and placed it in Bert's hands. "Maybe this will help you. For me, it's just material for making accessories…but I don't know how to make accessories."
Without adding anything else, she turned and walked away, leaving behind a faint breeze and two deep sighs of relief.
Bert opened the pouch, curious.
…
[Poison Fang ×500]
Type: Material (Uncommon)
Quality: Normal | Weight: Light
Description:
A sharp, curved fang collected from low-level toxic creatures. While not lethal on its own, it contains a small amount of natural venom that can be extracted or used to craft poisoned weapons, potions, or weakening traps.
Common uses:
• Component for weak poison potions.
• Can be fused into small melee weapons.
• Ideal for creating traps or toxic darts.
Bonus:
"[Applied to a weapon: adds a minor poison effect for 3 seconds – Damage: 1 per second]"
…
"This is even cooler," Bert said enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling.
"Then we'll have to build your traps with a lot more care," Loli added with a smile as they both returned to the village center with renewed energy.
As they arrived, Sig immediately stood up. She hadn't joined them earlier because she was scouting the forest with her spider puppets.
"I found it!" she announced proudly. "It's near where the mine is. There's even a huge cave with""
She stopped cold. Something appeared on one of her floating screens, and her expression shifted from excitement to alarm.
"Shit…" she muttered, rapidly manipulating her puppet's controls to make it climb a rocky wall at top speed.
There she saw it.
A red creature, resembling a one-meter-long ant, with enormous serrated pincers and jaws glowing as if they were red-hot. And it wasn't alone. A group of five more followed behind.
…
[Fire Ant]
Level 3 – Insect
HP: 3000 / 3000
Description:
A hardened ant used to mine spirit stones with its flame-coated fangs. Its bites can melt steel and leave burning wounds. Often found in swarms, serving the colony's queen.
…
"…Looks like I also found what we're up against," Sig said, watching the screen as her puppet fled at full speed.