"Hey, we've been talking all this time and you still haven't told me your name," Miguel said, setting the shield down and taking a deep breath.
"My name is Raymond," Raymond replied briefly.
Following Raymond's instructions, Miguel concentrated and imagined the System screen appearing in her mind. After several seconds of effort, a blue, glowing interface finally materialized before her eyes.
"I did it! It appeared!" Miguel said excitedly.
Raymond looked at her, but he couldn't see the System window that had appeared before Miguel. According to the rules of the game, every player's personal panel was visible only to its owner; no other player could see it.
"By the way, why did you already have a sword and shield from the start? You just entered this world, didn't you?" Raymond asked suspiciously. Normally, new players weren't given weapons so quickly.
"I don't know either. I just entered the game, and when I opened my eyes, these were already in my hands," Miguel replied, shrugging in confusion.
"Interesting... Then why wasn't I given free equipment when I started? Maybe the System gave her weapons because she spawned directly in a dangerous area surrounded by goblins..." Raymond thought.
Meanwhile, Miguel carefully examined her System screen.
Three main options were displayed:
[Check Status]
[Start Quests]
[Ask Questions]
She quickly read through them and selected the third option, [Ask Questions], hoping to find a solution to the problem tormenting her the most.
"How can I return to my original male body?" Miguel asked the System with all the hope she had left.
Bright letters immediately began appearing on the screen, as if invisible fingers were typing.
[There are two methods:]
1. Clear the game completely.
2. Use a special spell.
"A special spell? Where can I get it, and how do I use it?" Miguel asked urgently, immediately clinging to the second option.
The screen paused for a moment before displaying another response:
[The special spell is "Exchange Gender." This spell swaps your gender with that of another living human. Its current location is UNKNOWN.]
"What?! Unknown?!" Miguel shouted in frustration and despair.
The answer left her feeling completely helpless.
"I have a proposal for you," Raymond suddenly said while looking at the discouraged Miguel.
Miguel immediately turned toward him.
"What kind of proposal? Is it something that can help me become a man again?" she asked hopefully.
"Honestly, I don't know how to solve that problem yet," Raymond admitted, shaking his head. "But I want to propose that we form a party."
Miguel remained silent and listened.
"In this cruel game world, you can't trust anyone completely. Players like you and me—people who don't fully understand the System and aren't strong enough yet—can easily be killed and robbed of everything they own."
Raymond paused before continuing.
"That's why forming a party and working together would benefit both of us. At the very least, our chances of survival will increase. The battle we just fought is proof of that."
Miguel lowered her gaze and thought carefully.
The proposal seemed strange considering everything she had lost, but Raymond's words made sense.
"I see..." she finally said after a long silence. "Then I'll accept your proposal. But... how can I trust you? You just said yourself that people betray each other easily in this world."
"As for that, I can't provide any proof right now that would make you trust me completely," Raymond answered honestly. "The decision is entirely yours. I'm not forcing you."
For a moment, he remembered his painful past and the ruthless rules of the System.
Then he looked directly into Miguel's eyes.
"But I can promise one thing. If we become teammates, I won't try to use you, and I'll help you whenever I can."
His voice became even more serious.
"Because I have a goal. No matter what happens, I intend to completely clear this bloody game."
The unwavering determination in his eyes made Miguel think deeply.
Despite being a new player, Raymond was determined to conquer this world.
Miguel gradually realized that following him might be her best option.
In her current condition, she didn't have many alternatives anyway.
Only a short while ago, she had nearly died to a pack of goblins. The experience had taught her that traveling alone in this terrifying world was almost the same as choosing death.
Taking a deep breath, she finally accepted.
The moment she did, a new notification appeared on her System screen.
[Do you accept the party invitation?]
[Yes] / [No]
Without hesitation, Miguel pressed [Yes] with a trembling finger.
The party was successfully formed.
At the same time, a blue notification appeared before Raymond.
[Party Successfully Created!]
[Party Name: Not Entered]
[Please Enter a Party Name!]
Raymond stared at the message thoughtfully.
While trying to think of a serious or intimidating name, a strange idea suddenly appeared in his mind.
"There's definitely no party with this name anywhere in this world!" he said, chuckling to himself.
The System window updated instantly.
[Party Name Registered!]
[Party Name: Sigma Team]
Looking at the screen, Raymond smiled, satisfied with his unusual choice.
"To be honest, this name is a little cringe for our current situation," he admitted while grinning. "But that's exactly what makes it memorable."
Miguel looked at the words "Sigma Team" displayed on her screen, then at her new teammate who seemed strangely proud of the name.
She frowned in confusion.
Regardless, they now had a better chance of surviving this dangerous world.
"We should get moving," Raymond said as he stood up and brushed the dirt from his clothes. "I still have an important quest that I haven't finished yet."
Miguel carefully got to her feet and followed.
"Where are we going? Is there any safe place near this savage forest where people actually live?" she asked nervously while glancing around.
"Yes," Raymond answered. "There's a small village just outside the forest. And not far from that village, there's a much larger city surrounded by walls."
Then he became curious about her plans.
"So what about you? Are you heading straight to the city, or are you staying with me for now?"
Miguel thought for a moment before answering.
"For now, going to that city sounds like the better option. I'd like to learn more about this world first."
"Fair enough," Raymond agreed. "Until I finish my quest, you can stay safely in the village and wait for me there. Once I'm done, we'll head to the city together."
"Sounds good to me," Miguel replied while holding her stomach, which growled loudly from hunger. She hadn't eaten anything all day and had exhausted herself during the battle.
"Besides, I need to find something to eat first. At this rate, I might collapse from hunger."
And so, after reaching an agreement, the members of Sigma Team began making their way toward the village, eager to leave behind the dark forest that had become a hunting ground for cunning goblins.