“I’m Eve, by the way,” she huffed as they finished dumping the last Kobold.

  Rue wanted to ask what happened to her dead friend. Until he saw graves with a pile of rock on top of them. There were three of them, lined against each other. Not wanting to let his gaze linger there for her sake, Rue smiled. “I’m Rue. Since we have time to kill now, can you introduce me to the water mage? Us three mages should get along.”

  She let out a laugh, then narrowed her eyes, like she identified something was not right. “You’re a mage? With that transformation skill? And the black sword?”

  Rue gulped; his tongue might be a bit too loose. But he had told Paxwell everything, and he was right to do so. Without Pax, there’s no way he made it this far.

  Before he ran his mouth. Rue remembered that Pax and he had decided to keep the quest just for the two of them. And he still intended to keep that deal, not wanting to add more people. But knowing they got this quest just to aid him does unsettle him.

  Maybe they should know?

  “I hate to do this to someone who saved our lives. But, considering the situation, if there’s anything…” She paused, her eyes begging. “Please tell us”.

  Rue scratched the back of his neck and let out a sigh. “I need to talk to my partner in crime first.”

  “Paxwell?”

  “Exactly”

  “Movement!” A voice shouted. Rue's head turned up toward the mage called Rino, who had taken the watch. His sandy hair rustled atop the watchtower.

  “Is it them?” Eve asked, her voice hollow, and her body shuddered.

  “I don’t know,” He shouted. Rino is not better than Eve. He held the stairs with a shaky arm, and Rue was worried the guy would fall to his death.

  “Any sign you guys agreed on?”

  “Yes, flicker of flame three times,” Rino said.

  “You sure, you’re not missing it?” Eve insisted.

  “I don’t know! We did not expect them to go until morning. I might miss it.”

  “All right,” Rue said, thinking about their next course of action. “I will frontline. You two should get the injured guy down here, just in case we need to run.”

  A spear rested against the wooden body of the watchtower. He reached out to grab it, but Rue stopped himself. He summoned his Ice Sword. With his Time of Obsidian Ice, it will be much better if he masters swordplay.

  “Go!” Rue said to Eve and Rino, who for some reason just stood like penguins. Eve climbed up. The watchtower creaked with their flurry of movement.

  Creating distance for his backliner will probably be the best move. He hoped Rino would have an offensive spell or something. Rue trudged across the small clearing. The familiar eerie forest now feels more intimidating than he remembered; being inside it and sneaking around has made him grateful for so many places to hide. But now, the forest rustles as the morning wind sways thousands upon thousands of leaves, each sound a reminder that any Kobold can hide anywhere.

  His spine tingles in anticipation. Rue smothered any rush of exhilaration building inside of him. He is by no means a swordmaster, but by now, he realised that swordplay is a delicate thing; the sword will serve you better with a clear mind than a berserk body.

  A patch of tall grass moved apart. Rue raised his sword, ready to launch Fireball if needed. Then a man with a scar across his eyes appeared. He smiled as he saw Rue.

  “Look at that! Up and ready for a fight again?” Paxwell grinned.

  Rue let out a shuddering groan; his muscles loosened. He returned the smile, letting his Ice Sword disappear into nothing. “Old man! Been busy, I see.”

  Paxwell rolled his eyes. He moved over and clapped Rue’s back. “All clear! This guy is not hostile.”

  “Are you sure, sir?” A voice called from the grass.

  “Sir?” Rue asked Paxwell.

  “It’s called respect, kid. Something you haven’t learn,” Pax said. He must be referring to being called old.

  “Yes, Emily, I’m sure.”

  “But..” The hesitation behind that voice is concerning. Especially since they can see Rue, and he can’t.

  Four figures walked out, each from a different location, forming a crescent moon formation.

  One of them drew Rue's attention instantly. He has dark skin and a lithe figure that reminded him of a dancer. What he carried made Rue do a double-take. He seemed to have every weapon possible. A bow slung behind him, sword by his hip, long knives on his belt. Even Mage's robe was tied around his shoulder. And most of all, that small smile like he just had so much fun.

  “Emily,” Another guy with blue hair hissed. “Look, he’s with the captain. Drop your bow already.”

  “Em, come on,” A woman mage with a red robe extending to her ankle begged. She stepped to where Emily was. Each step is very slow, like she’s approaching a wild cat.

  “Bow? Is she having a bow drawn on me?” Rue asked in a whisper.

  “Relax, kid.” Pax clenched Rue’s shoulder. But still, Rue wished he had not let go of his sword, not that he could block an arrow with it.

  “Emily had to kill a human just earlier.”

  “She what?” Rue's mouth gaped open.

  “Just relax, all right.”

  “No, Pax, you do not tell me that and then for me to relax!’ Rue hissed.

  “Look, remember when we first met? We settle things civilly.”

  “Civilly, I recalled someone said that’s an interesting word.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  The foliage rustled. A figure rose up. A girl with sunset coloured hair appeared. Her face is as pale as a ghost, with red-rimmed eyes with a slight eye bag under them. She looked at Rue before finally dropping his bow and arrow. Horror was palpable behind those eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” She mumbled under her breath. Rue almost did not hear her as she was a bit far from him.

  “Taking a life is not easy, but surely you understand this kind of situation arises in a place like this,” Paxwell said.

  “I never did think about it,” Rue admitted. The very thought of killing another human is… Alien to him. He had looked forward to his future in this new world. But, if it requires him to take another life. Would he still want it?

  “Well, think about it then. But, before that. How is our Lioness doing?”

  Lioness Health: 33%

  “Not good.”

  “We better hurry, then. We will have a funeral, then complete the quest.”

  “Funeral?”

  The funeral was a brief thing. The Eve party was of six people, all of whom met early in the tutorial. She did a speech with Yom, who had just awoken, only to see the grave of his friend. Rue blanked the whole thing out. It's hard to feel anything for people he barely knew.

  He examined the other attendees, a total of six figures of Paxwell’s team, with various age groups. Each of them offered a brief condolence to the two.

  Then Rue’s eyes landed on Emily’s face. Her face twisted like they were about to turn purple. Her lips bitten, Rue could make out blood trailing down. “Are you okay?” Rue whispered.

  She gripped her shoulder, and her body shook like she was freezing. “Yes, it just…” She nodded toward the funeral, where Eve is crying by the grave with Yom consoling her.

  “Oh,” Rue should’ve realised it. She just took a life and saw a funeral right after. He wanted to ask about the details of what happened. He’s beside her for the exact reason. But, it's probably better to ask Pax… He is not that inconsiderate.

  “Everyone,” Paxwell called out, drawing attention to himself. “We don’t have much time before the Kobolds arrive. They’ll notice the patrol group we’ve taken down soon enough. So let’s gather everything we know and decide what to do.”

  Paxwell continued. “The first thing first is to decide whether any of us wants to abandon the stag quest in favour of going back for the main tutorial quest.” He looked around, in the middle of the circle. “Well, anyone in favor of dropping the quest?”

  Before offering any of his opinions, Rue decided to examine all three of his quests.

  (Bearer of Frost Special Quest Issued)

  (Quest: Promise Between the Damned}

  (A female lion is about to give birth in a dangerous area nearby. Because of her wound, the act of giving birth will be her last arc. Ensure as many cub survive as possible.)

  (Reward: Skill option for two surviving cubs)

  (Reward: Lion of the Morning Class Scroll (Unique) for three surviving cubs)

  (Reward: One Lion of the Morning Skill option for the next skill option)

  (Reward: Frost Chest (Uncommon) for each surviving cubs)

  (Reward: Lion Mane Cloak (Rare) for all surviving cubs)

  (Tutorial Quest: Defeat the Goblins and Boar tribe.)

  Goblins (59/100). Boars (18/50)

  (Reward: Move to next phase of the Tutorial)

  (Reward: Skill Option)

  (Reward: Access to System Shop)

  (Reward: Access to Kill Point System)

  (Reward: 1000 Points)

  (Special Reward: Chest of Beginning (Uncommon) - Will be granted to those who claim the most kills)

  (Special Reward: 5000 Points - Will be granted to those who claim the most kills)

  (Quest: Trial of Frost)

  (Slay Goblins group that has been terrorizing this area. 59/100)

  (Reward: Class upgrade from (Mage) to (Frost Apprentice) upon taking on the quest)

  (Reward: Class upgrade from (Frost Apprentice) to (Frost Class Option) upon completion of the quest)

  His eyes widen upon seeing the Kill. This quest will be completed even if he did not do anything. Which might be a bad thing. Rue had killed ten goblins; he is without a doubt a contender for the highest kill count reward. But, truth to be told, the reward is not appetizing to him. Not compared to the Frost Class Option from Cel’s first quest. What concerns him the most is if he did not contribute the most to the Goblins' kill, would his class option be worse than if he did? Cel had issued the quest to test his resolve and strength. It might be possible.

  “I want to just wait out the quest,” Yom said, speaking softly, with eyes still gazing down at his leg. “I don’t want to complete this stag quest, nor the tutorial. Let’s just wait. All of us together, far away from here.” He lifted his eyes, trying to find support.

  “Nah, I say those who are willing should keep going. I sure as hell want this Frost Skill Option,” A man around Paxwell’s age said. Just like Pax, he has white hair in a similar choppy style, but this guy has a beard so long that it begs to be cut. He wore a padded leather armour, an axe, and a shield lying on the ground in front of him. Thinking back, the warrior class is the best starter class; their equipment spoke that much.

  “Are you serious right now?” Yom asked, glaring at the old man. “Uh, sir,” He added the last part.

  “Like it or not, there’s still the next tutorial kid. It is more dangerous to stay weak.”

  “I'd rather keep going with this stag quest,” A woman mage said.

  “No!” Eve stood, with her mouth clenched. “Let's just go away from here. Has anyone ever tried to leave the tutorial area? We should make our way out rather than play whatever this ‘system’ wants us to.”

  The argument went on; there are two sides among ten people. One side is those who wanted to keep going with the stag quest, led by the old man named Alquin and the red-haired mage in her mid-twenties called Clerence.

  The other side is those who just wanted to try and leave, or at least wait out the Goblin and Boar kill to be fulfilled. This side is led by Eve and Yom. And they’re losing. Only one other person, Rino the water mage who agreed with them.

  Maybe there are three sides, actually, now that Rue thinks about it. The side of Paxwell, Emily, and himself who has not said anything.

  “This is going nowhere,” Alquin is the first to turn the discussion into a barking match. Paxwell had to interfere, reminding him they’re still in the Kobolds area.

  “We could still find other survivors!” Eve insisted. “And take them in, become safer.”

  “Safe?” Rue said. Everyone's eyes went on him. But, he continued, he hates to cut her off, someone who has gone through grief. But, judging by the system's behaviour... It will be dangerous if they do what Eve recommended .“The system punished us for doing exactly that. Most of us are from the camp, right?”

  “You think the system sends the goblin?” Yom asked.

  “Aye, it's possible,” Paxwell said in Rue's support. “I’m granted a quest for myself. Kill boars for rewards. The system rewards activity, so far as we know it. It might punish inactivity.”

  He motioned to the white fur draping his shoulder.

  “The System gave me the quest because I’m the first in the tutorial to find the boar.”

  Pax looked at Rue, his eyes narrowed. And Rue understood what he was asking. It has been going around in his mind also. This quest to save the stag was granted by Cel to others in order to provide reinforcement.

  It's only right for them to know about this.

  “If anyone wants to stay, then we can arrange for a meeting place if they still like to link up once we finish the stag quest,” Pax recommended. “So decide, then gather by me. Rue and I had something to tell everyone.”

  Rue gave Pax a nod. It will feel very shitty if more people died without knowing about the reason behind the quest, especially since he will benefit the most from it.

  Multiple discussions happened, and the talks broke apart into smaller groups. Rue watched and recognized that some of them were friends deciding what to do.

  Rue leaned against the watchtower, keeping eyes on the sprawling forest. He doesn’t want to take too long for this.

  Pax sat next to him, and he cracked his body, letting out a loud groan. “I’m tired.”

  “No time to rest, they’re about to be done,” Rue said, seeing everyone from the Pax group standing on one side and the last three on the other.

  Eve, Yom, and Rino shared a glance with each other. They looked scared, even more than those who wanted to continue the quest.

  “I feel bad for them,” Rue muttered.

  “Don’t be. Soon, all of us might die, and they’re proven to be the smart ones,” Pax said as he stood.

  “Maybe”

  “All right, ready for the negotiation, kid?”