Were you expecting an event to happen on my way to the woodsman? I mean, I did. I saw the patterns, I know something would happen… but nothing did.

I went to the forest according to the minimap on my peripheral vision and found the woodsman. Something conspicuous about him was his left arm. There was none. He chop woods with only one arm with menacing eyes.

I called out to him and expected an event to be triggered, but things just happened normally. I paid him calds and he gave me the woods… only I have no means to carry it. The woodsman went back to his cabin and gave me a bucket that I can carry on my back. It was free and I have no reason to refuse.

I didn’t think much about it, but it was heavy. Too heavy that I had to rest a few times on the way back.

When I did get back, my STR increased by 1. Apparently stats can also be increased by doing certain actions, somehow I felt like I should know this already, but…

In the end, no event was triggered. No encounter with any monster nor people. Why did I even expect that to happen anyway? A sense of foreboding crept behind my back through the whole quest.

A noteworthy thing from all of this was how the blacks shopkeeper with the thick, red lips’ reaction.

He was so shocked that his eyes bulged out. What’s wrong with him?

“No-nothing, I just thought that you wouldn’t come back at all.”

“...Why wouldn’t I?”

“Ah you see…”

He told me briefly that he assumed I’m a beggar and would probably run off with the money instead of doing the actual quest. Apparently it’s a common thing to happen around the city.

“If you thought I would run off… then why would you still give me the quest?”

“Uhh, let’s just say I have faith on you.”

I tilted my head, not understanding him one bit.

“But why is it a common thing? People running off like that after receiving a quest?”

“Hehehe, you really lived a sheltered life, eh? This city, Lime is far isolated from the capital. The surrounding area is also somewhat safe, only monsters below level 10 would appear. Even that is quite rare.”

“A beginner… city?”

“A beginner- what?”

“No-nothing. Those people who ran, it count as stealing right?”

“Yeah, but they usually escaped to another city after doing their deeds.”

We chatted a little bit while I learned about the city. Somewhere in the corner of my mind, I believed that he was just being sympathetic. Was it because how I looked? I’m not sure, but I’m thankful to him.

Honestly, I don’t think anyone would’ve done the same and explain these things to me.

Lime, a city far off in the east. Known for its most famous… limes. Unlike the average limes, its color is golden and not green. Usually mistaken for lemon by people who are not familiar with it.

It only grows in this city and nowhere else. The lime has a very potent medicinal properties, making them sought by many, but the supplies are not that much. The price escalated sharply since its discovery.

I’m not very sure what to make out of this information, but I listened anyway.

“I’m back!”

“Elva! Where were you all this time!?”

The shopkeeper rushed to the front door where a small figure stood. It was a girl, smaller and younger than me. Blond hair with a brownish skin complexion. Her pitch black eyes caught my attention.

“Playing with Cally!”

“This is already past evening! You worried me sick!”

“Nnno need to worry! Cally’s parent was with us!”

“O-oh, but I’m still worried okay!?”

“Uummm…”

The girl ignored his rant and peeked her head at me.

“Who is this?”

“This is… uh, what’s your name again?”

I never told you my name.

“Name’s Len.”

“Right, and I’m Brall and this is my daughter, Elva.”

“How’r you!”

She made a salute and smiled widely. Is that a trend going on around here? I replied by saluting back.

“Hehe!”

She giggled and ran behind the counter, seemingly contend with my gesture. Well, I guess all’s well, ends well.

“Oh yeah, here’s your payment.”

Wood Fetcher’s Quest has been completed! Calculating Performance… Wood Fetcher Difficulty : F

- Complete within 24 hours: Success

- Use no more than 100 cald: Success

- Carry more than 15 woods: Success

- ???: Failed

Performance Summary: A rank

A rank reward(s)

- 15 calds obtained!

- (Bonus) 30 calds obtained!

Huh? Performance Summary? I didn’t know about this, do I?

“You did great, here 15 calds and some extra. Consider it as pocket money.”

Your affinity with Brall has increased by 10!

Our meeting and talk didn’t last long. I bid my thanks and farewell. I left through the door and Brall was closing the store.

“You don’t have anywhere to go?”

“No. Not at the moment.”

“Hang on.”

He took out a piece of paper and handed it to me. Judging from the design, it looks like a business card.

“Go to the address written on it, tell them that Brall send his regard.”

“I can’t read this.”

“...”

…

Is this the place? A small house on the edge of the city. I’m still a bit further from the door but I already smelled alcohol. Why would Brall send me to a place like this? Who lives here? This is not a base for human traffickers, right?

I walked up to the front door and knocked it lightly. Not even a second passed and the door was pulled open.

And there she was.

Tall.

Wavy red hair.

Sharp red eyes.

What is the pattern?

What could be waiting for me?

What is this small event leading to?

I asked these questions a little bit too late. Where are the puzzle pieces? Was there even a puzzle to solve? No, even before that, there is still more…

Beside the messenger, and Elaine…

What is…

My purpose?

The pattern is messed up. Not aligned to each other, disconnected without a clue on how to be solved. Like a prologue to a story, the mysteries were presented. What’s left is how the protagonist gather the clues together and reach for a happy ending.

However, my tale has already ended. It ended with my death. I was sure I died, but here I am. Alive and breathing. I can feel my heart beated every now and then without a sign to stop anytime soon.

Am I truly me? Am I still Len… or am I someone else? These memories... wait.

Memories?

Memories.

Tower of Memorial.

That’s the key word. Tower of Memorial. Where I met the messenger, maybe if I get into that place again, I can meet her.

But how?

Tower of Memorial. What does memorial means? Statue of memorial, a statue made to remember that person or a certain event. What about a tower? I know nothing about any tower. Should I remember something about the tower?

These questions were the one I’m supposed to ask in the first place.

And to get the answer I’m looking for, I have to get to the tower.

There is no guarantee. No, a guarantee is not needed. I have to. I must go. I don’t belong in this world.

The messenger, a being beyond common sense. I still remember her. She had wings. She isn’t human. A being above human.

I have to meet her once again.

And for that, I will become strong.

“The hell are you?”

Heavy smell of alcohol permeated from inside the house, and her mouth.

“...Brall sent me to you.”

“Brall…? That old man?”

“Yeah.”

“For what?”

“A place to stay for the night.”

She puckered her lips to the side.

“Nope. No place for you. Scram.”

She slammed the door.

Oy, that’s no way to treat a kid. Even I know that.

“Now what…”

I knocked again and the door was opened.

“What do you want!?”

“Help me.”

“No! Go away!”

“I’ll pay.”

Her eyes glinted for a split second there, don’t think I wouldn’t notice.

“How much do you have?”

I took out my pouch and counted my money.

“Uhh… 45 cal-”

“That will do.”

And just like that, all my belonging was lost. She snatched my money just by sweeping her hand. Gentle, yet swift and agile. How did she do that?

“How did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“That move. That was amazing.”

“Ho~, amazing… you say?”

She let out devious smile, a complete opposite of what I just saw this evening.

“Well, I can show you things much more amazing than that, if you are interested~”

“Uh, no, it’s fine. I’m good.”

“Hoho, aren’t you a dear? Hahaha!”

How am I a dear? She invited me inside the house, and I was welcomed with empty bottles of alcohol scattered around. Above the table, the floor, drawers and closets. But somehow, the rubbish bin is only filled with used tissues and papers.

“...”

“Make yourself feel at home!”

“... Where can I sleep?”

“Here.”

“There’s no bed.”

“The sofa is your bed.”

“Huh??”

She sighed while scratching her head.

“45 calds can only get me 3 bottles tops! A rent for a room per night at minimum is 250 calds! You should be grateful I already let you in!”

“...”

3 bottles of what exactly?

Crap, at this rate I will be dead from the cold outside. Forget going to the Tower of Memorial, getting to the next city would be impossible.

Crossing her arms, she spoke with a firm tone.

“Are you listening? Starting from tomorrow you will have to earn your keep! I don’t know how, but for a night on the sofa is 50 calds! Take it or leave it! Understand!?”

And thus, my first day ended with a harsh remark from this lady I don’t even know her name of. The game has officially began in a small city out in the east.

Starting tomorrow, I will have to do more odd jobs to earn my keep and save money at the same time. The path I can take is wide and uncertain. My purpose isn’t that clear either. Truly a pathetic tale.

As I struggled to keep my eyes open, my mind wandered off to the dream world.

There is much to learn in this world, and I won’t give up that easily…

A world where I can meet you again. The hope that keeps my soul together.