I hugged Kkwi-kku tightly to my chest and headed deeper into the goblin village.
[⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙]
[Beast Forest — Hard]
Sssss—
As soon as we crossed from Normal into the Hard zone, the eerie atmosphere intensified.
This was a hunting ground where goblin warriors, assassins, archers, and the boss monster hobgoblins appeared, but the scenery was so spooky it wouldn't have been surprising if ghosts or undead had popped out.
'It's fine. This difficulty matches my level anyway.'
I swallowed hard and steeled myself.
After battling those two goblins to the death, I wasn't all that scared anymore.
"Kkwi... "
Kkwi-kku trembled at the forest's intimidating aura, burying its head into my chest and folding its ears tight.
"What's wrong? What are you so scared of?"
I pretended to be tough and stroked Kkwi-kku's rear. It was a delicate rabbit, and I was its owner, after all.
"Phew, looks like there are a lot of people over there."
Following the crowd along the forest path, a camp area soon came into view.
Dadadada!
Feeling like a ghost might appear behind me any second, I bolted toward the camp. I'd acted tough, but honestly, the darkness freaked me out too.
'Eek!'
Once I started running, it really felt like something was chasing me from behind.
So I ran even harder.
"Hoo."
After reaching the brightly lit camp, I leaned against a tree to catch my breath.
A short sprint had beads of sweat forming on my forehead.
"Kkwi-woo!"
Translation: Hate the dark, love the light!
Only after the surroundings brightened did Kkwi-kku stop shaking.
But why was this rabbit scared of the dark anyway? Wild animals should be fine at night.
"Kkwi-kku, what are you so afraid of?"
"Kkwi-woo."
Translation: You're scared too.
"...No, I'm human, and you're a wild animal."
"Kkwi-woo."
Translation: I'm a pet now.
"... "
I was speechless at its logical counterargument.
Grilling it wouldn't magically give me courage, and it was a pointless question to begin with.
"Hobgoblin party recruiting! One tank spot left!"
"Anyone want to clear the hobgoblin quest together? I can dish out solid DPS!"
As I cooled off and surveyed the camp, tons of players were recruiting for parties.
'Can't join just any party.'
Hobgoblins were the first boss most players encountered, so the difficulty wasn't high—but that applied to a standard five-man party.
No tank? Obviously a no-go. Tank but all melee DPS? They'd suffer DPS loss on certain hobgoblin patterns. Vice versa too.
If all DPS were fragile ranged, a stray aggro pull could cause casualties.
"Tanks just aren't showing up."
"Should we just go with what we've got?"
"...Dunno if that'll work."
"Ah, let's just go. How long are we gonna wait? Hobgoblins aren't that hard anyway."
Watching the recruitment scene, supports and tanks were indeed rare, throwing balanced party formation into chaos.
'Tanks and supports really are the nobles.'
Join an unstable party to save time? Or hop into a no-tank party for a quick clear?
Many players faced that dilemma.
'Shield guy!'
My choice was different.
If a missing role blocked the hobgoblin clear, just snag talent with some hawking.
This was Silmaria, a full-immersion VR world where anything went.
"Hey, handsome warrior. Here for hobgoblins?"
I rushed up to a shield warrior entering the camp and hit him with it.
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
"Hahaha! Perfect. Party up then."
"Sure, why not?"
[⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ]
[Party invitation sent.]
[Party formed.]
[Party Members — Kwon Ha-yul, Artbox President]
Sales success.
With a tank secured, the other roles would fill up in no time.
"Let me in too!"
Sure enough, a bow-wielding female player rushed over right after we formed.
Hearing yells from behind about where she was going, she was clearly ditching her old party.
Quick thinker.
"Me too!"
"Me!"
Dagger and greatsword users followed in a hurry.
They looked desperate after waiting ages for a tank.
One tank, three melee DPS, one ranged DPS.
No support, but still a solid balanced comp.
"Alright, 10 copper each to join."
"...Huh?"
"What?"
On a whim, I demanded payment.
Just a joke, but their desperation exceeded my expectations.
"Here!"
"...Huh?"
The woman swiftly handed me 10 copper.
I reflexively took it.
'They're actually paying?'
Couldn't back out and say it was a joke.
Guilty conscience? Pfft, free money.
"T-Take mine too!"
"Damn it. Here."
"... "
Suddenly 30 copper piled in my palm.
Unexpected windfall curved my lips.
'Hm?'
Felt a sharp glare; turned to lock eyes with the tank.
"... "
"... "
The tank's intense stare screamed capitalism.
Newbie to the camp, but he'd heard the party leaders' desperate cries and grasped his value instantly.
"Split?"
Shake shake.
He declined my half-half offer.
Sharp calculator.
"...2:1 then."
"Deal."
I handed him 20 copper, pocketed the rest.
Regrettable, but hey, 10 copper bought a cheap meal.
"Whoa, a rabbit? Hi, bunny!"
As our deal wrapped, Ellicia—the bow user—reached for Kkwi-kku on my shoulder.
Whoosh.
But Kkwi-kku snubbed her coldly.
Lucky she didn't get bit, recalling Vincent's case.
"Kkwi-woo!"
Translation: Get your filthy hands off!
Judging by the reaction, she'd hunted rabbits too.
Probably everyone had, worldwide.
'Heh.'
Felt oddly pleased Kkwi-kku's affection was mine alone.
"Oh my, what a picky one."
Ellicia clicked her tongue at the fierce response.
"Haha, Kkwi-kku's shy around strangers."
"How'd you tame it? You a tamer?"
"Not exactly, long story. Let's head out."
"Aw, why? How'd you do it? Tell me! Did you job-change to tamer? How already? C'mon, spill!"
Ellicia hooked her arm in mine, slyly pressing close.
But I wasn't some sucker for that.
'Annoying.'
Chatty girl.
Her yapping grated; tempted to kick her, but nah—took her money.
"Let's move."
Ignoring her, I shoved the tank's back and left camp.
As leader, I claimed center—safest from ambushes.
My safety first, obviously.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Focused Thrust!"
Pook! Kwadruk!
"Kieeek! Keggek— grrr... "
Focused Thrust pierced the goblin assassin's head; a twist finished it.
High evasion, low HP monster.
"Oh, finally?"
The fallen goblin's arm shimmered faintly.
Reached out; the bracer auto-looted, stats displaying.
[⚔ ITEM ACQUIRED ⚔]
[Leather Bracer]
Grade: 1-Tier (Magic)
Physical Defense: 15
Magic Defense: 10
Durability: 25/25
Equip Effect: Agility +3
Nice drop.
Equipped the Leather Bracer right away.
First item in Silmaria.
"Ooh."
Felt lighter immediately.
Agility up from 10 to 13—makes sense.
"One over there."
Post-fight, our tank Artbox President spoke up.
Looked ahead: atop the village's highest point, an unusually burly goblin glared down.
Hobgoblin spawns after 20 goblins in a village.
The assassin was number 20.
"Combat soon. Dodge dangerous patterns on sight."
I warned the party lowly to heighten alertness.
"Kkwi-kku, stay back."
"Kkwi!"
Kkwi-kku nodded and scampered off.
"Krueeeek!"
Hobgoblin roared.
Guides said first pattern: always leap then smash.
Watch legs, dodge on jump—easy.
Guuuung—
'Huh?!'
Staring at its legs, a fireball formed in its palm.
Not in any guide.
'Mutant?!'
Rare mutant monster.
Only knew they were stronger than normal.
"Kieek!"
Fwaaah— boom!
"Kaaak!"
"Wha?!"
Fireball nailed the dagger user.
Too fast to dodge.
"Aaaah... uwaaaah! Help!"
Dagger user rolled in flames.
I backed away to avoid splash.
Fire spreads? Don't wanna burn too.
"W-What?!"
"Shaman! It's a hobgoblin shaman!"
Greatsword user yelled.
Hobgoblin shaman, huh.
Explains the fire magic.
"Kueeek. Kihehehe."
Under moonlight, rotten grin split its ugly mug.
Locking eyes, deathly terror surged.
Goosebumps; grip trembled faintly.
'Quick think.'
Body froze, mind raced.
Can we take it?
Mutant hobgoblin—stronger combat-wise.
No one knew patterns; no one expected mutants here.
'No solid win odds.'
Dagger user's form dissolved to silver dust.
Fire DoT death.
Attempt clear? Effectively four-man start.
'No gambles.'
No death penalty at this level.
But I hated dying.
Hated pain, hated pride hit from lowbie trash.
'Plus...'
Safety first guy.
Win? Good loot maybe. Fail? Death. High fail chance.
'Run!'
Best move: beat feet, strat 36.
"Hah!"
Decided—no hesitation.
I sprinted full-tilt back to camp.
No guilt whatsoever.
No penalty anyway, and running was optimal.
Just who acted first.
"...?!"
"...!"
Locked eyes with rear ranged, Ellicia.
She nodded same instant, bolted with me.
Strange camaraderie.
Boom—!
"Kaaaaak!"
Thick scream behind.
Tank and greatsword hit by shaman magic.
Bought us time, thanks.
'Sorry!'
Dead is dead; live to live.
Paat!
Escape pro, I overtook Ellicia, took lead.
"Huh!?"
She panicked at my speed.
Ignored, kept my pace relentlessly.
"Sssip... hoo... ssip... hoo."
Steady breaths, efficient muscles. Clean sprint.
Shaman's next target? Not me.
"You bastard! Ditching party members?!"
Ellicia yelled behind.
Rich, from a fellow runner.
'Told ya to train running.'
Bastard? Hope she ate that fireball.
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