To the southeast of Denebola is the mountain range that separates Northuria and Eolussia. It’s still a great distance away from Rowan Village, but it’s enough to give people uncommon to the area the chills.Ian blows warm air to his palm and tries to warm his face. “I forgot how cold it is here.”I look at him.He’s wearing a dark green sleeveless tee, a wide maroon scarf that covers his shoulder that now I think is only for fashion, a baggy brown pants that reaches slightly under his knees, a belt and holsters to put his knifes, and dark brown combat boots.From wherever I see it, he doesn’t look like prepared for someone who’s asking for a mission. “I thought you come here often?”He returns my gaze with a frown. “I never said that.”“You said ‘I have friends there! We will have a great time!’” I mimicked what he said at the academy’s entrance.He looks at me flatly, his mouth turning into solid triangle. “That doesn’t mean I come here often! And why are you not affected by the cold
There are 4 harvesters that we have to guard, just like in the game. But I have a feeling that it won’t be as hard as in the game.We have 4 people in our team after all, compared to just 2. So I’m sure this will be a breeze.Getting to the orchard was no trouble at all. But there were two monsters right after we enter the orchard.A Bearon, which like its name is a bear-like monster that has bigger ears and paws than ordinary bear; and a Pranta, which is like a cousin to the Pratta species from the tower incident but it has smoother vines and paler appearance.The Bearon ran away when it saw a bunch of humans in the area, while the Pranta, that was happily sucking the tree sap and oblivious to our presence, was easily tore down by Rean. The harvesters wasted no time and immediately started the harvest.There are more than 8 trees here. I didn’t care to count more than that because the area is SO HUGE. I couldn’t notice it in the game because it only shows us the rowan trees as backgr
I don’t remember how many waves are there. But I do remember there are only 4 kinds of monsters that appear in this event.There are also some rest times between waves, so I take some bullets from my pocket and pretend to refill my ORION.The normal bullets are unlimited, at least, for this certain event. But I need to pretend in front of others because there are no such thing as unlimited bullets.None of us needed healing, so we return to our own respective partners and continue working.The harvesters are fast in the third tree too, but they’re obviously sweating. Could they stand until sunset with so many trees remaining?“Chirp!”A bird’s chirp echoes from the other team’s direction.“Oh… Little birdie.” Lynette smiles when she saw a white bird perching on the rowan tree a few feet in front of her.“Piip.” The bird looks like a white canary that has red dots under both of its eyes. But its body size is slightly bigger.It’s looking curiously at Lynette for a while before turning
After the fourth tree, we went back to the village with me covering the rear. That one basket turned out too heavy for me to carry, so Rean carried it instead. There were only prantas following after us, but nothing I couldn’t handle.We had a break after that exciting event, with fruit juices and rowan tarts prepared for us. After the break, however, four villagers with big empty basket each approached us and the chief asked us to cover this one group as well.Rean snatches the mission paper from me to make sure of something. And he frowns right after.“I’m not trying to be rude, sir, but you should’ve followed the client guidelines before you request help from the academy. This mission paper is full of flaws.”“B-But the administrator passed it as a request…” the chief said.“Obviously because it looks like just a simple harvesting mission. Firstly, you didn’t mention that you need a guard to guard your harvesters. Secondly, you didn’t mention how wide is the orchard or field, and l
The forest route to Mimosa village is used by the villagers way before the city’s bypass route. The bypass was made specially for them, to avoid having to go through the dangerous forest route. Because monster spawn would increase in certain times, making it impossible to venture through the forest.But the villagers all thought that the city makes the rowan warmer and that it speeds up the rotting process. A study was conducted to prove this statement. And it seemed that there really is significant temperature change from the city and the village, particularly in the southeast bypass area.“Must be due to pollution.” I replied the man.The man nods away. “I agree too. It does feel warmer in the city rather than my own village. Searing hot especially in the middle. Must be because of the bigger buildings, ey? No refreshments. Hehe.” He pumps his eyebrows as if insinuating something else.I don’t know if he’s referring to the infrastructure only or something else too, because that tone
After we arrived at Mimosa, we were immediately welcomed by the villagers. The chief welcomed us to his house and the lovely grandma who gave us cookies prepared us with warm tea and delicious apple pie.“Mmh! So good! A pie after work is always rewarding.” I scoop another spoonful of pie and moan in delight when the gooey sweetness fills my mouth.Lynette giggles when she saw my reaction. Maybe it was funny to her.Ian looked like he’s already about to die from the sweets. He never liked something too sweet, but he doesn’t want to be rude. So he finishes his piece and chugs down the tea before he approaches the old lady for mineral water.Rean isn’t eating with us, he’s at the couch with the chief and driver, talking about something I don’t care to find out.“Oh my, you must be so thirsty after working.” The lovely old lady chuckles after Ian chugged down the third glass.The half-munk only smiles sheepishly and then sits back with us.“I’ll just put the pitcher right here for your o
Lynette gasps at the scene. “Guys!”“Don’t worry, they’re fine. Pick up the pace, Lynette. We can’t let it free.” I open fire.The bullets latch onto the head and the stem, and green blood spurts out from the new holes. But it doesn’t even flinch. But now it turns its attention to us.“Shaarr!” The monster’s voice sounded like a mix between a rumble and a shriek. It’s weird and ugly.Suddenly something blue seeps from the holes made by my bullets.“Is that the poison gas?” Lynette worriedly asked.“Rean, get away!” I shout to the guy.He notices the warning and jumps away in time as it releases its poisonous gas.Unfortunately, Ian comes out of the bush right as the gas is spraying around it fiercely. He’s immediately sprayed by the gas. It’s impossible not to inhale in it as he was caught by surprise.“Mmppff! Uhk!” He coughs hard.I rush in and drag him out of the monster’s reach.“Shakaaar!”Ian is clutching his chest, coughing and wheezing. He seems to have trouble breathing.“Oh
“We are so thankful for your help. Please, take this in return for your hard work.” The chief gave us a parcel filled with foods and snacks. “Thank you. But I will still report this to the manager and you still have to pay the full price of the upgraded request level.” Rean said. A drop of sweat rolls on the side of the chief’s face. Seems like they really can’t get out of it. Even though money really isn’t the problem but the shame is. “I understand.” The chief said heavily. Ian ushered us to the car first because he wanted to talk to the chief. Probably to soften the blow. He was known to be a speaker among out batch, and he’s good at talking with clients better. So Rean let him. After exchanging goodbyes, we returned to our car and went on our way. “That was harsh, Rean.” Ian commented, referring to his way of talking to the chief. “I was just thinking. If we’re tricked, who knows how many seniors he had tricked?” Rean said as he drives. “Assuming IF he had. He could’ve just