[TWO UNKNOWNS BEAT ISEKAI's FIRST UNKNOWN QUEST!]
[NEW VRMMO'S PLAYERS SHOCKED BY EXISTENCE OF NEW DUNGEON QUEST!]
[SEE ISEKAI ONLINE PLAYERS' REACTION TO UNKNOWN QUEST'S COMPLETION!]
[VRMMO PLAYERS GOING CRAZY OVER QUEST NOTICE!]
W-What am I reading?! Every article Star has shown me is filled with nothing but reactions about the <Tested Wilds'> so-called hidden [Quest] and seeing our in-game names displayed as we read through them. There is no way that these can be real, and yet here we are reading them just to find some answers about our crazy encounter earlier. Thankfully, we are reading this back in our inn rooms with Star and Annie with us, so that took care of our privacy issue for now.
"Hey, Star. How long has this been out?" I quietly ask in suspicion.
"Most of them have been out for about a week now, but many people in the forums said they learned from a special in-game announcement called a [World Notice]," Star explains. "As for how those people knew you, there are some forum threads that had several screenshots of you and Kazu wandering around <Initio>, along with some depicting both of you with the famous vending machines and shops you put up before. I hate to say it, but you've been talk of the town since Day 2 or so."
I groan in dismay while burying my face on the wooden table.
"Why does the world of the Internet have to be more complicated than real life?!"
"On the bright side, at least we get some sort of recognition. I mean, we saved Bai Hu and the whole forest from pure chaos around the world. Who wouldn't want that kind of achievement?" Kazu says in the most optimistic tone, yet it's not enough to sway me out of my small embarrassment.
"That is true. But not everyone wants it in this game though. But let's not worry about that right now. Since you two are now talk of the gaming town, you two have to be careful wander around <Initio> on public," Star speaks up. "Your real-life selves haven't been compromised, obviously. But I'm not letting you two get bombarded by crazy fans and players again."
I raise my head as I emerged from my brief state of humiliation.
"You're right. With many players already knowing us online, we can't go out in public lest we risk ourselves of any unnecessary gossip."
"W-What do you mean?"
I hear Annie speak up as I turn to see her frowning with her eyes began to swell up with tears.
"Are you saying Annie won't get to see Kazu anymore?"
Err... Shoot... I forgot that Annie has a thing with my brother. I have to pick my words carefully to avoid making her cry by accident.
"No, it's nothing like that! What I mean is that we have to be careful with how we move around town, such as avoiding crowded areas like the marketplace. Though the real dilemma is that we have to visit a town, not to mention the <Adventurer's Guild> and the <Crafting Hall> if we want to get things done in this game."
"That is true. We do need to get some [Quests] to level up our [Masteries] and craft some items with the latter's equipment," Kazu adds.
"Not to mention I need some help regarding what I've planned for today."
We become silent as we ponder our next move. Preparing our equipment is important to us and we need to do this discreetly than ever. Although, I notice that Star is humming louder than usual.
"I think I know how. But I'm not going to like it."
----
Okay... Not only had we left <Initio> after successfully sneaking out without getting more attention from us, but we have now found ourselves walking through the plains with no signs of our intended destination. However...
"Do you know where we going?" I ask in curiosity.
"Yeah. If I recall, there should be a guild house somewhere here. I just hope he's not doing anything stupid in-game," Star mutters as she scans around the area.
"Uh... right... so what's the point in all of this?"
"Oh, right. Well, remember what I said about Annie's brother joining the game with his online friends, right? Well, it turns out they formed their own [Guild] and recently purchased an isolated small facility near <Initio> as their guild house."
"A [Guild]? Like an organization of some sort?"
"You can say that. It's one of the main features of the game. When you form one, not only do you have access to guild storage and guild house, you and your friends are qualified to join any related events such as a guild war or something. Though forming one can be a bit expensive."
"I see. And you're saying that his guild house has everything we need there, correct?"
"Yep. Some of them are great crafters and they will be happy to help you two out for now."
"Plus, older brother's friend is a great cook! You will love her cooking!"
"That's great to hear! Wind's a great cook, too. And I'm sure she might give him some good pointers. Right?"
Did he have to say that with such a big grin on your face?!
"Anyways, I think we're almost there."
Star then points in front of us, at which I turn to see a farm-like structure not far away from where we are.
"Looks like it. Kaz, make sure you're on best behavior. We're meeting a lot more strangers than before."
I turn to see Kazu smiling as he straightens his robe a bit.
"Don't worry. Besides, my only worry is that you might get overboard when you see their HQ."
Huh? What does that mean?
----
"Starry! I can't believe you and Annie are back for another visit! Group hug!"
I stand there wide-eyed as a cat-woman with orange fur and green eyes and wearing modest leather armor hugs both Star and Annie in front of the entrance. I guess they must be very close to her as we initially thought they would.
"Man, when you said we were going to have guests, you weren't kidding! I'm [Katrine] and welcome to the [Force Blade Guild]!"
"Thanks. I'm Wind and this is my younger brother, Kaz," I introduced ourselves to Katrine. "We're sorry for interrupting with your schedule."
"Hey, no apologies necessary! A friend of Star is a friend of the Force! Come, make yourselves at home!"
As we enter the facilities, I become surprised at what I see there. Despite what Star said, I see several cabins and one-story buildings lined up inside a wooden fence around us, with some kind of training ground in front of us. There, I see some players training with their weapons, spells, and even hand-ti-hand while some are chattering among themselves.
"Still, I can't believe you're friends with the first [Quest] completionists of the game. I tell you, Star. You are one lucky lady," Katrine says, at which Star chuckled casually.
"Hey, it's no big deal. Besides, I met these guys before the hubbub and they're practically our best customers to date," Star says.
"Customers, huh?" Katrine stops and for some reason, starts staring at Star and me with her cat-like smile. "By the looks of it, I think your relationship is a little more intimate than just being seller-customer."
Intimate? What is she...?
...
Oh, damn...
Just staring at Star's face makes my face red before I turn away. It appears that she does the same as I hear her scream when I avert my eyes from her.
"Katrine! Leave my love life along!" I can hear her scream to her friend. "Wind is nothing more than a friend and costumer! Don't make this awkward!"
"Oh, come on, Starry! Look at him. He's blushing red than a tomato like you! Come on, admit it that he's a keeper."
"But my sister also has a thing with his brother. There is no way I have a thing with him with my brother hanging around with Annie!"
Agreed.
"What's wrong with hitting on him a little? Come on, admit it. You're in love with him."
Ugh... I wish I can say something, but all I can do is to keep averting my eyes out of embarrassment.
"Hey, enough is enough, Katrine. You know how the leader's cousin feels about that topic. Or do you want me to call on vice-leader on you?"
Huh? That voice sounds familiar.
"M-Mari! No, no... I'm just teasing her as usual. Just don't tell on me again. I don't want to do gathering duty again!"
Mari?! As I quickly turn around, I see the "black mage-in-training" herself glaring at a fearful Katrine in shock. I can't believe it. In all places around the game's world, I had to encounter her for the third time in a guild house.
"N-No way..." I muttered in shock. "Mari?!"
The white and gray-clad girl turns and smiles upon me.
"Nice to meet you again, "Windy". Glad that your newfound popularity hadn't got into your head lately."
I frown in response to this.
"Come on, Mari. Can't you see we're suffering a bit thanks to our so-called popularity?" I groan in annoyance.
"We?!" Kazu speaks up as I notice him glaring at me. "I spent the whole week studying my butt off for my midterms!"
Ouch... Way to hit my heart with those hard facts, bro...
"Relax, just make yourselves at home. You two had been through a lot lately since Day 1. I just finished setting up our guild dinner and you're free to look around by yourselves."
"Uh, thanks. But you said you just set up dinner. Don't tell me..."
"Yup! Not only I'm a black mage-in-training, but I'm also one of the guild chefs of [Force Blade]!"
Whoa... I didn't expect that...
"Wait, you two already know each other?!" Star asks Mari and me in shock.
"Yeah. We just met during the first day of the game and we added ourselves as friends," Mari calmly explains. "I also helped him and his brother on a [Quest] with that bear monster along with Wind's friend. Though I didn't expect that you two managed to clear the big one at the [Tested Wilds]."
I frown in response to this.
"Hey, I didn't ask for that. Besides, we just did it to help a friend."
"Plus, the forest back then was dying. We had no choice but to intervene!" Kazu speaks up without warning. "I know it's just a game, but we can't let them die from that pl-"
I quickly cover his mouth before he can blurt out any more details about our past excursion out of embarrassment.
"The point is that we just completed a [Quest] like all the others we already got from the Guild. That's all."
"Well, as long you two didn't get any EXP penalties there, then I have no worries!" Mari then turns to Star and Katrine and said, "BTW, the leader just contacted us that he will be coming back to the guild house in just a few minutes."
"You mean Annie's big brother?!" Annie jumps forward and smiles upon hearing that news. "Yay! That means Annie gets to meet big brother again!"
"If he plans to stay, of course. If he decides to leave abruptly again, I'm seriously kicking his ass."
Yikes, I hope that doesn't happen...
"Anyways, let's not dilly-dally here for long. Make yourselves at home. I'll be done as soon as I can."
With that, Mari leaves as Kazu and I waved goodbye. Since we have decided to follow her advice, we spend an hour going around the facilities while meeting some of their members, many of whom recognize us from the rumors. Sure, some recognition is nice, but I doubt this would stay good for long.
And speaking of which, I need to do something about Zac and Damon and them keeping a secret from me...