Glenn swept up the Life Crystal and tucked it into his pouch, then checked his Status Sheet.

Experience: 24019/29000

He'd gained 10 more experience from his solo kill, and he still had a whole day ahead to slay more Monsters. He'd just set off to do just that when a woman’s voice called out from behind him.

“Excuse me!” a woman shouted. “Can I ask you a question?”

Glenn spun to find a woman who looked closer to his mother’s age than his own walking down the gentle hill behind him. She had brown hair in a ponytail, and her tan hands spread to brush her fingertips against soft blades of grass. She was tall, slender, and quite attractive in her gray dress and flowing top. More noble clothing, he supposed.

“Yes?” Glenn shouted back. “Can I help you, miss?”

“Come down here, please!” the woman shouted back. “I’d prefer to speak without yelling!”

Glenn hid his confusion at somehow completely missing this woman. Perhaps he’d missed her because she’d been … sleeping … in the tall grass? Yet why anyone she risk that? Glenn constantly eyed his surroundings as he explored, and no one could hide all the way out here.

How in the Six Hells had this woman snuck up on him? Was she a Shadower, like Zack? Despite his knowledge that the Law of Consent would ensure this woman could not harm him unless he allowed it, the fact that this random woman had hailed him in the middle of the Dewdrop Hills felt strange.

As he approached, Glenn wondered what a woman dressed this light was even doing out here among the Monsters. She dressed like Townsfolk, yet she was no one he knew. He knew most everyone in Wolfpine by their face, even if he didn’t always remember their names.

It wasn’t like Wolfpine was a huge town. Fifty people had to settle in the same spot before they could gain Town status, and after deaths, the departure of Adventurers, and the latest two babes delivered by the Church of Celes, Wolfpine currently supported just over sixty people. Glenn was absolutely certain he’d never seen or met this woman before, so she must be from out of town.

And, possibly, from another zone entirely.

While Grassea’s crafting and harvesting resources were nothing compared to Evolan’s, there were common crafting materials that could be more easily gathered here in Grassea. High Level Townsfolk often ventured up from Evolan to gather resources in Grassea, and escorting them offered steady employment to low-Level Adventurers.

So, the most likely reason for the woman’s presence was that she’d come to harvest crafting resources. That made sense. Glenn strode down to meet her where the hills merged.

If she was from another zone, talking to her about her travels would certainly be interesting. And with a whole afternoon to kill, Glenn would absolutely not turn down interesting.

Glenn and the brunette in the gray dress soon stood close enough to speak easily in the gentle curve between both rising hills. Now close enough to evaluate her age, he judged her to be younger than he’d thought, though likely still in her late twenties. He also spotted the hilt of a [Commoner’s Dagger] sheathed in the leather belt around her slim waist. Not Adventurer gear.

Glenn inclined his head. “I’m sorry if it seemed I was ignoring you, miss. I’ve come out here to hunt Grass Boars.”

The woman waved a hand dismissively. “That’s quite all right, young man.” She offered her hand. “Jenny Ambersun, Level 12 Alchemist.”

While it was customary to offer one’s name and Class when meeting another mortal for the first time, it wasn’t required. Yet the fact that Jenny had offered hers first said much for her good intentions.

Glenn clasped her hand firmly and shook it. “Glenn Redwood, Level 5 Unclassed.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Mister Redwood. May I assume you were born here in Grassea? I’m hoping to learn the best places to harvest Milkroot.”

That confirmed his suspicions. Alchemists used Milkroot as a basic component in [Light Healing Potions]. While it grew many places across Balarel, Grassea was rich with it. Grass Sprites gathered around clusters of Milkroot, and clearing them was a service Adventurers performed for Townsfolk.

While creating [Light Healing Potions] would not give an Alchemist above Level 8 any experience, many still made them to sell. Young Adventurers went through potions steadily, and Alchemists had to make crescents like anyone else. Most everyone in Balarel looked kindly on high Level Alchemists continuing to make low Level potions, as it was considered a matter of public service.

Now close enough to examine the woman in detail, Glenn suspected Jenny might be wealthy. Her complexion was flawless, with soft lips and brown hair that looked silky and vibrant. Her nose was cute, her brow well-shaped, and her eyes a vibrant blue.

Only wealthy women had access to excellent soaps and shampoo, so this, along with the woman’s fine clothes, suggested Jenny Ambersun, Level 12 Alchemist, was doing quite well for herself. A wealthy Townsfolk down from Evolan would have the coin to ensure her skin and hair looked phenomenal.

Glenn had scoured the Dewdrop Hills from west to east in his years Leveling there, so he could confidently answer her question. “Milkroot can be found across the Dewdrop Hills, miss, though it grows more thickly along the eastern cliffs. There’s plenty of loose sprouts to collect all over the hills, though.”

“You say the clumps are thicker along the eastern cliffs?”

“Yes miss, a good bit thicker. But the Monsters there can be quite dense.”

Glenn had never collected a single Milkroot—his mother’s admonition to avoid crafting and resource gathering had stayed with him as he Leveled—but the stalks were common enough he knew it by sight. He felt no need to describe the root. Jenny certainly knew it by sight as well.

“Thank you,” Jenny said, and smiled. “What kind of Monsters can I expect to run into?”

“Don’t let the Grass Sprites on the border lull you,” Glenn cautioned. “It’s all Grass Boars, Grass Hawks, and the occasionally wandering Gloamwolf further east. Not to mention the Cliff Spiders in the cliffs. They might be low Level, but they can be troublesome in groups.” And creepy, he added silently.

He covertly glanced past her, searching for her escort, but saw no one. Had Jenny hired a Shadower as well? She seemed utterly alone out here.

Jenny clapped her hands together in obvious gratitude. “You’ve been supremely helpful. Thank you. Please, don’t let me keep you from your hunt.” She strode past him, alone.

Glenn frowned and took another look around. No escort? But she was obviously Townsfolk.

“Miss?” He couldn’t resist calling after her. “Where is your escort?”

Jenny stopped, turned back, and frowned at him. “Why would I need one?”

Glenn hid his grimace. She might be confident in the fact that she was higher Level than the Monsters in this zone, but she wasn’t an Adventurer. Townsfolk gained attributes far less quickly than Adventurers, and those attributes weren’t often conducive to battle. Townsfolk also gained no offensive Skills or Blessings, and the woman’s fine clothing offered literally no protection against Monsters.

The vast majority of Townsfolk Classes relied on a single attribute, Prowess, with additional growth in Divinity and Wisdom for those whose craftwork was magically inclined. Few leveled Vitality. Blacksmith was the only class that offered Strength, and this woman didn’t have the obvious muscles of a Blacksmith, which meant her HP might remain rather low.

Jenny, so far as Glenn could see, carried only a [Commoner’s Dagger], a Common weapon that might not even penetrate a Grass Boar’s thick hide. More than one overconfident Townsfolk from Evolan had been badly wounded or even killed while harvesting resources in Grassea. Many foolishly believed low Level Monsters offered no threat until it was too late.

“You shouldn’t venture to the cliffs without an escort, miss,” Glenn said cautiously. “I’ve no doubt you could handle a single Grass Boar, but they often move in groups. It’s not uncommon to run afoul of a number of them if you aren’t careful. You really should hire an Adventurer guide you.”

Jenny’s formerly pleasant manner departed. “Do I look as if I have the crescents to hire an Adventurer? Hiring one would eat any profit I’d make from crafting my potions. I’m not here to accept charity.”

Glenn blinked. This immaculately-dressed woman absolutely looked like she had the crescents to hire anyone she wished, by Wolfpine standards. But perhaps standards of dress and beauty were more stringent in Evolan. Regardless, it was now obvious Jenny had no one to guide or protect her, and that meant she could get very hurt.

He couldn’t allow that to happen. No true Adventurer would. “Then I’d be happy to guide you, miss. If you wish to gather Milkweed on the cliffs, I’ll act as your escort.” He met her now somewhat surprised gaze. “If you’ll allow me, of course.”

The woman’s green eyes narrowed. “Didn’t you tell me you’re Unclassed? You’re not even an Adventurer yet.”

“I assure you I’m more than capable,” Glenn assured her confidently. “I carry an Uncommon blade and already have my first Skill. I know these hills, our Monsters, and every patch of Milkweed on the cliffs, so I’m certain I can make your collection easier and safer.”

The woman’s momentary bout of annoyance subsided to tired resignation. “I told you, I can’t pay you. I don’t have the crescents at the moment. I made an … unfortunate deal, so now, I need to gather some fresh capital before I can go back to crafting higher Level potions.”

Now Glenn understood why Jenny was out here alone. Yet this changed nothing, at least in regards to keeping her safe. “I don’t require payment, miss. I’m out here hunting Monsters to cull the population and work my way to Level 6. So, I’d simply be doing what I’d do anyway.”

“You expect me to believe you’ll escort me with no offer of financial reward?”

“That’s exactly what I’m offering. I’d ask to keep the Life Crystals of any Monsters I slay on your behalf, but I require no other compensation for escorting you today. Your safety is what’s important.”

She cocked one elegant eyebrow. “I can’t offer you a Quest. All I can offer is conversation.”

“Then that’s how you can compensate me, miss.”

Jenny frowned as if mistaking his meaning. “What could you possibly mean by that?”

“Tonight, after I complete the Ceremony of the Path, I pray the Gods will reward my struggles by making me an Adventurer. I plan to become a Duelist, and I also plan to Level as quickly as I can. If all goes well, I’ll be visiting Evolan in a few years, and I know very little about your zone or its Monsters. So any information you might offer would give me a nice head start.”

“Information,” Jenny repeated doubtfully. “That’s an unusual trade.”

“I only expect what you’d give freely. I don’t expect you to share any tricks about Alchemy. That’s your business. But any notes about geography in Evolan, good hunting spots, Monsters that might prove troublesome, or their weaknesses would be very much appreciated.”

“And what if I can offer none of that? I don’t know much about Adventuring. I doubt I can tell you anything truly useful.”

“Then my offer stands,” Glenn said. “You seem both capable and intelligent, but we don’t get to choose the roles bestowed on us by the Gods. I’m truly worried you could get hurt, and miss, that’s a worry I don’t want to walk home with. So if you’ll permit it, please, allow me to be your escort. I wouldn’t be worthy to call myself an Adventurer if I didn’t offer to help those in need.”

“So I’m in need,” the woman said evenly.

Glenn smiled. “Well, I mean … you need amusement, if nothing else.”

“Amusement?”

“I actually know a good number of jokes, and I can dance if backed into a corner. So if I was out here gathering Milkroot, having some amusement would certainly make it less boring.”

Now Jenny actually laughed. Any remaining hesitance and resignation melted away. “Are all young men in Grassea as charming, generous, and well-spoken as you?”

Glenn refused to blush at her compliment. He had no reason to be self-deprecating. “They’d likely tell you they are, but miss, I think they’d be giving themselves too much credit.”

“Then I accept your offer of escort, Mister Redwood. Every point you’ve made is sensible, and as I plan to stay in Wolfpine tonight, I’ll have plenty of time to mix up some [Light Healing Potions] with the materials we gather today. They are yours in compensation for your service.”

“That’s not necessary, Miss Ambersun.”

“Yet I insist,” Jenny said. “And call me Jenny. I’m no one’s mother, at least not until someone tricks me into petitioning the church for a child.”

Glenn accepted her generous offer. “Then call me Glenn. And those potions will be a great help as I hunt my way across Grassea.”

“I’ll add a special ingredient to make them extra sweet. Now to the cliffs, if you would. I’m afraid you’ve volunteered to collect quite the horde of Milkweed.”

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Description: While anyone can create basic medicines for ailments and aches, only Alchemists can craft magical Potions which rapidly restore Health Points or Blood, cure Poison, or cleanse ailments inflicted by Monsters. Their Skills allow also them to craft Potions that temporarily grant additional benefits, like resistance to fire, immunity to poison, or the ability to see in the dark.

Common Activities: Alchemists gain experience by crafting Uncommon or higher Potions using their Skills, consuming crafting materials, and gain bonus experience based on the Level of the Potion. They also gain bonus experience from creating rare Potions that can only be created with Key Ingredients and once an Alchemist has reached a specific Level.

Primary Role: Equipping Adventurers

Secondary Role: Crafting Rare Items

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Description: While anyone can make Common weapons and armor, Blacksmiths are the only mortals that can craft weapons and armor of quality Uncommon or above. Their Skills also make weapons unusually strong and light, which makes them the choice for Adventurers looking to gear up.

Common Activities: Blacksmiths gain experience by crafting weapons and armor without using Skills, both Common and Uncommon, and gain bonus experience based on the Level of the item. They also gain experience from using their rare Blacksmith Skills to imbue weapons or armor with special properties and gain bonus experience if the gear they repair is gear they initially crafted.

Primary Role: Equipping Adventurers

Secondary Role: Enhancing or Repairing Items

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Description: While anyone can build basic structures, Builders can use their Skills to dramatically decrease construction time, quickly excavate foundations, and fortify buildings beyond mortal means. They are also the only class who can create Safe Stones, with Preceptor Builders responsible for the crystals lining Safe Roads to drive Monsters away.

Common Activities: Builders gain experience by undertaking contracts for Politicians and other Townsfolk to build structures from modest sheds to huge chapels, and can grow quite wealthy. They also gain experience by repairing structures and bonus experience by repairing structures they own. Finally, as they close in the Divine Level Cap, they can create Safe Stones.

Primary Role: Constructing Shelters

Secondary Role: Maintaining Safe Roads

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Description: While anyone can cook food, Culinarians also gain Skills that let them change mundane ingredients into magical ingredients. Their food isn’t just mouth-wateringly good. Some dishes can actually speed healing, temporarily increase attributes, or restore Blood.

Common Activities: Culinarians gain experience by cooking mundane meals without the use of Skills and by using their Skills to create magical meals, consuming Key Ingredients and other crafting materials in the process.

Primary Role: Healing Weary Adventurers

Secondary Role: Feeding Large Groups

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Description: While anyone can plant crops and run a farm, Cultivators also gain Skills that let them speed the growth of crops and vastly increase their monthly yield from both fields and animals. They can also grow rare magical ingredients that no other mortal on Balarel can cultivate.

Common Activities: Cultivators gain experience by planting, tending, and harvesting crops, tending to domestic animals, and successfully growing rare Key Ingredients. They also gain experience bonuses based on the size of their farm and the number of healthy and happy animals they tend.

Primary Role: Feeding Large Groups

Secondary Role: Creating Key Ingredients