The morning sun filtered through the blinds of Adrian's apartment, casting long streaks of golden light across the small dining table. The trio sat together, plates piled with simple breakfast fare—buttered toast, scrambled eggs, and slices of fruit. A news broadcast played quietly on the TV in the background, its volume low but audible enough to catch snippets of conversation. The anchor's voice carried a tone of concern as she discussed the growing phenomenon of Reaper's Echo sweeping across the globe.
Sarah leaned back in her chair, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of toast before glancing at the screen. "Did you hear that? They're saying kids are skipping school just to log into this game. Like, full-on disappearing from class."
Adrian sipped his coffee, his expression neutral. "It's not surprising. When something this immersive comes out, people get obsessed. Remember when those VR rhythm games hit the market? Same thing happened then."
Alice shrugged, poking at her eggs with a fork. "Yeah, but this isn't just some dance simulator. This is… different. You can practically live in there if you wanted to. And it doesn't help that the devs made it so realistic. I mean, look at us—we've been grinding for 3 days already, and we're barely scratching the surface."
Sarah smirked, nudging Alice playfully. "Speak for yourself, sis. I'm thriving. But yeah, I guess it makes sense why parents are freaking out. If I had a kid glued to a headset all day, I'd probably lose it too."
Adrian set his mug down, leaning forward slightly. "But it's not just about kids or parents. It's about balance. People forget they have real lives outside the game. Sure, Reaper's Echo feels amazing—it's beautiful, challenging, and rewarding—but it's still just a game. At least…" He hesitated, glancing briefly at the TV. "…for most people."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'for most people'?"
He shrugged, picking at a slice of apple. "I don't know. Maybe it's more than that for some of us. For me, anyway. This isn't just escapism anymore. It's… bigger."
Alice tilted her head, studying him curiously. "You sound like you're talking about destiny or something. Don't tell me you're going full gamer prophet on us."
Adrian chuckled softly. "Not quite. But think about it. Games used to be just entertainment. Now? They're worlds. Real places where you can grow, fail a bit, succeed, all while being someone else entirely. For some people, that's dangerous. Not because of the game itself, but because of what they leave behind in the real world."
Sarah frowned, her playful demeanor fading slightly. "You think anyone could get lost in there? Like, permanently?"
"It's possible," Adrian admitted. "If someone's unhappy or struggling in real life, a place like Reaper's Echo might feel safer. Better. But eventually, reality catches up. That's why it's important to keep one foot grounded, even if the other's running through forests and fighting wolves."
The room fell quiet for a moment, save for the hum of the TV and the clinking of utensils against plates. Alice broke the silence first, her tone lighter but tinged with curiosity. "So, what about us? Are we balanced enough, oh wise gamer guru?"
Adrian grinned, tossing a crumb of toast at her. "We're fine. We've got each other to drag back to reality if things go sideways."
Sarah laughed, pointing her knife dramatically at him. "Good answer. But seriously, if I ever turn into one of those shut-ins who survives on instant noodles and energy drinks, promise me you'll stage an intervention."
"Deal," Adrian said, raising his coffee mug in mock salute.
Alice smirked, adding dryly, "And if you two start arguing over loot drops again, I'm locking myself in my room until you sort it out."
They shared a laugh, the tension easing as they finished their meal.
They split up shortly after logging in, each heading toward different parts of the forest to tackle quests individually. It wasn't arrogance that drove them; it was confidence born from teamwork. After all, they'd already proven they could handle wolves together. Surely solo hunts would be manageable.
Adrian ventured deeper into the woods, his short sword gleaming faintly in the pale sunlight. He moved with precision, targeting weaker wolf packs and focusing on evasive maneuvers to build his Physique. Each step felt lighter than before, his movements more fluid. By midday, he'd collected several Beast Claws, pelts, and even a few fangs, stacking up both experience points and copper coins.
Sarah, meanwhile, sprinted through the fields. She darted between enemies like a sneaky fox, landing swift strikes with her longsword. Her agility made her nearly untouchable, though she occasionally misjudged timing and took minor hits. Still, the thrill of combat kept her adrenaline pumping. By early afternoon, she had amassed enough loot to feel accomplished—and earned herself a level-up along the way, and her newfound Copper Boots, which boosted her speed a bit more.
Alice, ever the tank, charged straight into battle without hesitation. Her Iron Vanguard class allowed her to absorb hits while dealing heavy damage with her new axe. However, by late afternoon, she decided to sell off her old weapon—it was too slow for her evolving playstyle. Instead, she relied on raw strength and momentum to slash her foes with her crushing axe. Her stats climbed steadily, and she returned to the village just as the sun dipped below the horizon.
They reconvened near the merchant stalls in the village square, their faces flushed with exhaustion but satisfaction gleaming in their eyes. As they approached one another, Adrian couldn't help but notice how much they'd changed—not just in levels but also in appearance.
Sarah grinned, spinning around dramatically to show off her new boots. "Check these out! Speed boost? Totally worth it."
Adrian smirked, nodding appreciatively. "Not bad. You look less like a lumbering giant now."
"Funny," she shot back, sticking out her tongue. Then her gaze shifted to Adrian's new gear—a simple copper tunic paired with a dark hoodie. "And you? Trying to look cool or something?"
He shrugged, tugging lightly at the hem of the tunic. "It's practical. Plus, I don't hate it."
Alice rolled her eyes, adjusting her own newly purchased boots. "At least I didn't waste money on aesthetics." Despite her grumbling, she admitted they were comfortable enough for Copper Rank gear, anyway.
After exchanging updates on their respective hunts, they pooled their earnings:
Alice: 34 Coppers Sarah: 21 Coppers Adrian: 26 Coppers
Their combined haul included Beast Claws, ears, fur pelts, and broken weapons scavenged from defeated wolves. Selling these items netted them additional funds, which they immediately reinvested in supplies.
The trio visited the merchants, browsing through available gear. Full sets of armor remained out of reach, priced at 30+ coppers per piece. However, smaller upgrades like boots and accessories were affordable enough to consider.
"I guess we'll have to settle for drops if we want better stuff," Adrian remarked, eyeing a Steel Chestplate priced at 45 coppers. "Armor should start dropping once we hit higher-level zones."
Sarah nodded thoughtfully. "For now, let's stick to essentials. Like potions."
They each purchased two basic healing potions, costing 5 coppers apiece. While not particularly potent, the potions provided a safety net during tougher fights.
"Alright," Adrian said, stashing his purchases in his inventory. "We're set. Let's head back out and see if we can find stronger mobs—or maybe even take down that boss tonight."
Under the dim glow of lanterns scattered throughout the forest, they resumed their hunt. Wolves prowled the outskirts of the village, their glowing eyes piercing the shadows. The team worked seamlessly, alternating between coordinated assaults and individual skirmishes depending on the situation.
By evening, their levels reflected their hard work:
Sarah Carter
Level: 4 (89 / 100 EXP)
HP: 180 / 180
Strength: 9 (+3 from Dragon Knight bonus)
Agility: 7 (+1 from Copper Boots)
Endurance: 8
Stamina: 6
Intelligence: 4
Luck: 2
Physique: 6 (Tier 0 – Unawakened)
Alice Carter
Level: 4 (95 / 100 EXP)
HP: 200 / 200
Strength: 10 (+4 from Iron Vanguard bonus)
Agility: 4
Endurance: 9 (+2 from leveling)
Stamina: 7
Intelligence: 3
Luck: 2
Physique: 5 (Tier 0 – Unawakened)
Adrian Vale
Level: 4 (76 / 100 EXP)
HP: 120 / 120
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Endurance: 4
Stamina: 5
Intelligence: 3
Luck: 1
Physique: 7 (Tier 0 – Unawakened)
Each fight brought them closer to mastery. Sarah's increased speed allowed her to dodge attacks effortlessly, while Alice's raw power decimated enemies in seconds. Adrian, though slower to deal damage, excelled at precision strikes and evasion, earning steady gains in Physique.
As the moon rose high above the trees, casting silver light over the snowy landscape, they gathered near the edge of the forest. Their goal was clear: defeat the Forest Guardian, a mini-boss rumored to dwell deep within the woods. Defeating it would grant significant rewards and potentially push them to Level 10, allowing them to leave the beginner zone behind.
"We'll need to stay sharp," Adrian said, checking his equipment one last time. "This isn't going to be easy."
Sarah smirked, flexing her arms. "Relax, shadow boy. We've got this."
Alice cracked her knuckles, adjusting her new boots. "Yeah, let's just hope it drops some decent loot."