Welcome, Player

Chapter Four: The First Quest

-chapter four-

"Hello, player. How may I help you?"

[Blacksmith Shop, City of Gaea⁠—]

NAKAHALUMBABA AKO sa isang mesa habang nag-iisip. Napatingin ako sa labas at nakita kong nag-uusap pa rin ang grupo. I dramatically sighed and slumped my head on the table.

Naramdaman kong may inilagay sa mesa. I lifted my head to see Aeron, the blacksmith, in front of me. May inilagay siyang tasa. He smiled at me.

"Have you thought about it yet?"

I pouted and glanced at the group outside again. Aeron explained my quest a while ago. Hindi daw basta-bastang lumalabas ang Wolf King. Kailangang makapatay ng fifty baby wolves para pumunta ang Wolf King. Gaganapin ito sa Novice Plains. At sinabi niya na kailangang may party ka para dito dahil mahirap ang pagpatay ng fifty baby wolves continuously at may wolf king pang lalabas as last boss. Lalo na't ang grupo sa labas ay Level 11 pa lang at ako'y Level 10.

Fortunately, the group outside lacked two members. To form a party, there must be at least seven members. Ngayon ay sinasabi ni Aeron na magteam up ako sa kanila, which I'm having second thoughts dahil sa nangyari kanina.

"You need their help to complete this quest. After that, when you reach level 12, you can choose your job."

Ang job ay parang isang specific class. May subclasses kasi ang general classes na: Fighter, Rogue, Ranger, Mage, Priest, Tank at Merchant. Ang subclass nito ay tinatawag na jobs. Kailangan mareach ang Level 12 para makapili. Pwede ka lang makapagpalit ng job when you reach Level 45 at may kailangan ka pang bilhin na item dito.

"Pero kahit na sumali ako, kulang pa rin sila ng isa."

"There's already a player who's willing to join the party. She's just waiting for the group to be almost-complete."

She? So babae. Well, mas mabuti na ang may kasamang babae kesa mga lalaki. Ngunit, may tatlong lalaki pa rin sa grupo. I don't want the earlier scene happening again.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Aeron, then I smirked when a brilliant idea came up. Fear crossed his eyes when I stood up.

For an NPC, Aeron can hold a casual conversation. Akala ko nga noong una kagaya siya ng babae sa character customization, pero totoong NPC siya. However, it feels like he has a mind of his own. Weird.

Itinali ko ang tape sa dibdib. Pagkatapos ay ginamit ko ang isang medyo malaking navy blue tunic. At saka isinuot ang cloak. I smiled when my chest isn't standing out anymore. Sunod kong itinakip ang maliit na tela sa bibig hanggang ilong. My hair is in a ponytail, some strands falling beside my face. Ininom ko din ang potion na binigay ni Aeron, one that can make your voice sound deeper.

"Okay, let's do this." anunsiyo ko nang lumabas.

Aeron looked at me and shook his head. Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. Ngiti lang ang isinagot niya.

"I don't think you'll be safe even with that get-up." saad niya.

"Why?"

Tiningnan ko ang sarili sa isang salamin. Mukha naman akong lalaki.

"You can escape males but there are still females."

I snorted. "Yeah, right. Hindi gagawin iyon ng mga babae dahil kauri nila ako."

"You're in disguise, though."

Umiling ako sa kaniya at hindi na sumagot. Nagkibit-balikat lang siya at lumabas sa shop. He spoke to the group who nodded at his words. Then, he motioned for me to get out. Huminga ako ng malalim at kinondisyon ang sarili bago naglakad palabas.