GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Chapter 4.1: Profiling

Vel read the group dynamics quickly. Honka could be appealed to through rewards, Bestiel through politeness. Mora seemed straightforward. Clara was the wildcard—a Platinum enigma.

He offered the basket to Bestiel, who was closest to him. "Here you go," he said, trying to sound as innocent as possible. "Mom said it's roasted root vegetables and some fresh water."

Bestiel took the basket from Vel with gentle hands. "Thank you, young man. Please convey our gratitude to your mother." Bestiel turned to the rest of the group. "Anyone hungry?"

Honka's frown softened slightly at the sight of the food. He reached into the basket, grabbing a handful of vegetables. Mora also took a few, while Clara remained by the fire, still sharpening her sword.

First step done, Vel thought. Now to not seem too eager.

He watched as Honka devoured a handful of root vegetables in a few bites, then turned to Bestiel, tilting his head slightly.

"What kind of work do adventurers do?" Vel asked, tilting his head with curiosity. "Do you fight monsters all the time?"

Bestiel chuckled softly. "Not all the time," he said. "Sometimes we escort merchants, or retrieve lost items, or even help settle disputes between villages."

"But you do fight monsters, right?" Vel persisted, straightening up. "Like... big, scary monsters?"

Honka, his mouth full, grunted in affirmation. "Oh, we fight plenty of monsters," he mumbled, swallowing a large chunk of vegetable. "Big ones, small ones, nasty ones... we've fought them all."

Mora nodded, wiping her hands on a cloth. "We recently dealt with a pack of Gnarlhorns in the Misty Woods. Nasty creatures, with claws like razors."

"Wow!" Vel exclaimed, face lighting up with feigned excitement. "That sounds amazing! Have you ever fought... dragons?"

Honka let out a booming laugh, which quickly died in his throat. He exchanged a strange look with Mora and Bestiel.

"Dragons?" Honka repeated, his voice now laced with confusion. "Lad, dragons haven't been seen in... well, not in living memory. Some say they're just myths."

Mora nodded in agreement. "Legends from a bygone era. No one's seen a dragon in centuries, if they ever existed at all."

Bestiel added, his tone more somber. "The ancient texts speak of them, yes, but... it's hard to separate fact from fiction. It's more likely they were just... exaggerations of other powerful beasts."

That can't be right, Giri thought, his mind reeling. Dragons were fundamental to his design—some Primordials had even taken dragon forms. Yet here they were, talking about them like extinct myths. This world kept diverging from his creation in ways he didn't understand.

He looked at the adventurers, his feigned excitement replaced by genuine confusion.

"But... the stories..." Vel stammered, bewilderment creeping into his words. "I've heard stories about dragons... powerful dragons... breathing fire and... and..."

He trailed off, unable to articulate his confusion.

Honka shrugged, a dismissive wave of his hand. "Stories are just stories, lad. Best not to put much faith in old tales."