Around the same time next morning, the adventurers are there. Bob had the crystals in ready but had it stashed away inside a pouch in one of the bushes surrounding the place.

They continued the conversation from yesterday. It first started with the usual questions but with a more in-depth explanation from the archer. The adventurers gladly answered his questions but they went silent when Bob asks where they’re from.

An unnerving silence crept through the woods. The adventurers fell silent as cold wind brushes through their face which made released them from their shock.

“Uhhh… We’re from Amulis.” The archer replied hesitantly before looking at his companion.

The warrior shrugged his shoulders and the archer looks back at Bob with an awkward smile.

“As far as I know, all adventurers come from Amulis.”

Bob stares at the adventurers without a word as his piercing gaze makes them uneasy.

“We’re not going to break him, right?” The warrior whispers to the archer.

“I’m not sure, but based on everything we have learned so far, he’s probably a special character created by the devs.” He replies.

“Compared to the other NPC’s he’s too…” the warrior stops to think.

“…Alive?”

“Yeah!” He shouted, then realized that they were not whispering anymore.

Bob was about to ask them something but a small smoke from a distance caught his attention.

“If you return here tomorrow, I’ll gladly answer any questions.” Bob went to a nearby bush and throws the pouch filled with crystals at the adventurers.

“But for now, I need to be someplace else.” He grabs his bow and went straight to the direction of the smoke.

Leaving the two who’s still surprised that he just left them.

‘There’s something wrong, I’m sure of it.’ Bob engraves in his mind the conversation that he had just heard.

On the scene where the smoke comes from is the same adventurer who was repeatedly killed previously. Throwing his vials at the bushes and the trees that he passes. The agitated expression on his face is very prominent and Bob didn’t need to wonder why.

He observes him again from a distance to make sure he is ready for another encounter with the alchemist. Luckily the fire didn’t spread and only burn parts of the place before disappearing completely leaving only scorch marks on the grass.

“Farmer!” the adventurer shouts, before throwing another vial at a nearby bush.

The shout startles him but he still didn’t emerge from his hiding place. He tightened his grip from his bow and nocks it with an arrow.

“Farmer!” He shouted a second time. “Come out! I know you’re here somewhere.”

Bob begins to think of what would happen if he shows himself. All train of thought eventually leads to a conflict and with him killing the adventurer. He suppresses his urge to show himself to avoid the conflict but the thought that this particular adventurer already knows about the place and will keep coming back, regardless of what happens.

He then grits his teeth and emerge from his hiding place.

“Adventurer there you are.”

The adventurer’s expression immediately shifts from anger to relief. He runs towards Bob as if he was crying for help.

“Did you find my ring?” He cried.

Bob couldn’t adjust himself immediately to the atmosphere as he thought that he was going to be attacked just moments earlier.

“Y-yes” He hastily replied, before realizing what he just said.

“Great!” he shouted with joy “Where is it?”

“I-uhh… I hid it somewhere near the cave to keep it safe.” He said inadvertently

“Great! Lead the way then.”

Bob becomes confused of what he just did. He never hid it near the cave, he has it with him the entire time since he doesn’t know what it’s for or does it even have any value. He started becoming dizzy of the overflowing thoughts of what he should do.

‘Should I feign ignorance again? Pretend that I forgot where I hid it?’ He mused

Finally, they arrive at the entrance of the cave, where the adventurer frantically searches the area without consulting him. Then he realizes he is searching blindly without any help. But it gave enough time for Bob to think of an alibi.

“I forgot where it is but it is around here. It was dark when I hid it, but I’m sure it’s here.”

A little bit of happiness escapes the adventurers smile before he returns to search for his ring.

Then a thought comes to the farmer’s mind.

“Why is that ring important to you?” He asks casually.

“Without it I can’t access my inventory.” The adventurer replies

“You’re what?”

“My inventory, the one where I keep my things.”

Bob thought he heard him wrong. He sweats profusely and his hand quivers as he pats the ring on his pouch.

“How does… it work?”

“You wear it then you just… do it. Why the interest?”

“Oh nothing”

“Anyways… the ring itself is not important, I could get another one. I just need what’s inside there.”

“Then can I have the ring once I find it?”

The adventurer looks back at him confused then smiled and says

“Can I get something in return?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“What can you give me.”

Bob thought for a moment then said

“I could give you a glowing rock that can be found inside that cave. An adventurer drops it sometime ago.”

The adventurer’s face lit up and accepted it.

As they were feeling very ecstatic, they heard a shout from a distance.

“Over there.”