It's surprising that there are human villages in the Bewitched Forest.
Shidy managed to run up to us and also listened to the story. Right after Little Red finished speaking, it appeared in front of me:
[Quest] Available.
"Delivery of Pies".
Recommended level: 10.
This was expected. Globally, there are two types of quests in Enchantia: story-based and direct. The first type includes ones like this—you interact with a character and complete tasks, often a series. The second type is more common in cities and adventurers' guilds, often requiring you to take down a certain number of various mobs, find some item, gather ingredients, and so on. The key difference is in the reward and conditional interest: in the first case, it's not exactly known what you'll get in the end, while in the second, the reward is clearly fixed. In my opinion, the first option is cooler.
There's also a type of quests created by other players, but that's a somewhat different mechanic.
So, she's asking to be taken to her grandmother. Most likely, there's a short series of tasks here: upon arrival, we'll have to take down the thing she met in the forest, maybe something will come up along the way or after. Definitely—we need to prepare for a boss. I don't know anything about the creatures inhabiting the Bewitched Forest, but if we rely on the original fairy tale, it'll be some kind of doppelganger.
On the surface, there's nothing complex, but level 10... It's still okay for Shidy, but I'm very likely to get badly hurt when fighting a boss that might be even higher, since I have to tank the damage. On the other hand—a colossal boost to XP.
I need to extract more information from Little Red, only then make a decision.
Meanwhile, she's once again dug into the basket and is munching on a pie. And it smells so delicious, like freshly baked, some kind of berry filling. Maybe she'll share?
"Little Red, did your mom allow you to eat grandma's food?" I asked mischievously. She blushed and quickly finished the pie.
"N-no, but how will grandma know how much mom put in? I didn't have time to eat in the morning, I set off right away. You won't tell on me, will you?!" she tensed up.
"Don't worry, we understand everything and don't mind," Shidy smiled and gently patted Little Red on the head.
And here's another advantage of the first type of quests—the AI is made so that they're barely distinguishable from real people. Of course, within the context of the setting.
"Phew, thank you!" Little Red exhaled. "So, will you help me?"
They both looked at me. Well, yes, I'm the party leader, it's my decision.
"First, I would like to clarify a few things with you to understand the situation. First, tell me... Oh shit! Wait a second."
Their faces stretched in surprise at such abruptness, but I didn't care about that. FINALLY. PATRICK. ANSWERED!!! I've never been so happy to hear the sound of an incoming message in my life.
I turned away and opened a chat with him.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Are you alive there?? Did something happen?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): Yo bro, cool, hope you haven't gotten bored. I guessed right about the Dagger of Madness location and there's total chaos going on here)))) I've been fighting with guys all this time, there are about seven of them here now.
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): I don't know what you're doing now, but I VITALLY need your help.
About two hours of fighting?! Really tough. But... how can I help?
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Not bored, accidentally stumbled upon another newbie and created a party with her, we're looking for locations to level up. What kind of help?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): Not bad for a noob! TL;DR, I just barely took down one guy, he was also from the top 100. I haven't fought so fiercely in about five months, in the end we fell under the ruins and I finished him off due to a luckier position. The loot is insane, if you want you can take a couple of items. After looting I realized that I'm in a trap and can't get out on my own, you gotta come to this loc and... I'll explain when you're here.
I reread the last sentence three times to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Tension began to build inside me.
I absolutely don't like this.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Cool! I never doubted your ability to kick ass, but what do you mean by "trap"?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): Just that. Even after healing I have less than half HP and limited mobility. Anticipating your message—there's a powerful magic suppressor somewhere in the ruins. Don't know if it's built into the location or placed by a player, but the fact is I can't open a portal. From this pit under the ruins there's only one way up through that hole, but I can't jump out.
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I've only heard about suppressors a few times.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Wow, sounds creepy. But why can't you jump out? Even on a mount?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): Dean, if I could, I wouldn't be writing all this shit to you. Physically—I can, but I'll die immediately, and that's unacceptable.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Die??? How?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): Trust me, I'll die 10000000%.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): I don't understand at all what I should do. Are you sure I'm suitable for this? Maybe to avoid death you could request help from the guild?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): NOOOO!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT AN OPTION! If anyone in the guild finds out that I ended up in THIS kind of shit, my reputation is fucked.
What the hell is going on there?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): You'll need to... distract someone. Then I can jump out and we'll escape through a portal. We'll have to forget about the dagger—I have critically few resources left, and other players are still fiercely fighting here.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Distract who….?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): I'll tell you when you're near the ruins. I don't want to... scare you.
Very reassuring! I guess he's talking about that fierce brute he mentioned. But even if I ask directly, he's unlikely to reveal details.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Well... Can't you log off now and log back in when "everything is resolved" and no one is left there?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): No, what you need to distract has aggroed on me. You can't log off in combat state.
Do I want to go to these ruins and distract who knows what? Of course not, I'm a fucking level 5! But I'm afraid I don't have the option to refuse. Patrick is my best friend and transferred 2,000 gold for my start just like that, it's impossible to abandon him. And I can also take top player gear from him...
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Okay... where are these ruins? How do I find you?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): The ruins are in the Dead Grove, the deepest part of the BF. You need to get there through other parts. Are you still in the Glade?
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Yep.
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): After it comes the Underwood, comparable in scale to the Glade and not particularly dangerous, but it's better to be quiet; then the Thicket, there it's really dangerous to get stuck due to impassability and many aggressive mobs, we'll always be in touch when you transition; then the Old Forest, the scariest thing there is extremely poor lighting and quite a large number of players, but I still have a connection with familiars and I'll help you avoid them. From there, there's a direct exit to the Dead Grove, you'll find the ruins quickly.
Overcome three locations being low-level??? Is this even possible?!
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): I think it'll take me at least a few hours.
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): No big deal, I'll wait. These guys will be beating each other up for at least another 12 hours, and I don't know how it's possible to get the dagger.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Are you sure you'll last?
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): The chance of falling into this particular area was 1 in 1000000000. I'll be shocked if someone else falls here.
UlTraCaRrySmit3rOfH3av3ns90000 (Patrick Lane): Come on, head to the Underwood, I'll be setting up a waiting spot for myself. Write if anything.
Unknown07 (Dean Carter): Okay, talk to you later.
I close the chat. Actually, the news is crazy. Such a challenge is probably not within the power of all average players. Lucky that I took shadow dust from the rabbit girl, it should help.
But now the main thing is—what to do with the quest and Shidy?
I turn around. The girls didn't waste any time: Shidy sat down next to Little Red and they started talking animatedly. Now she looks like her older sister, but in the context of Little Red being an AI, it looks a bit strange.
"Sorry for the sudden departure, that friend answered me," I addressed Shidy. "He's... to put it mildly, trapped and asking for help, and getting to him is... far. You came to play with a friend, so I'll understand if we split up."
It's bitter to admit, but the party didn't last even two hours.
"Oh, what kind of trap?" she suddenly lit up with interest.
I briefly told her the situation, omitting that Patrick is in the top 100.
"Ha, your friend got into a tough spot!" Shidy laughed. "It's cool that he has someone to rely on. I'm generally okay with keeping you company. With proper clearing of dungeons along the way, we'll level up well. I don't want to play alone."
I didn't expect such an answer.
"Ah... Nice to hear, but aren't you with your friend?"
"We messaged about twenty minutes ago. She said she's busy for at least the next six hours. She advised me to play solo or postpone it until next time. I replied that I've already joined a party and am looking for dungeons."
Definitely fighting near Patrick.
It'll be easier together. However, I'm taking responsibility for her progress and game life, just like a real party leader. And I've never been a leader anywhere...
"Okay. My friend said he's ready to wait for a long time. Let's first decide about the quest, and then we'll see."
She nodded, I looked at Little Red.
"Where was I... Right! Answer a few questions—"
"I already asked her about the details," Shidy interrupted. "What are you interested in?"
My teammate is quite sharp!
"How did she get lost? Did she see anything or anyone else suspicious? Are there any obstacles along the way? What is this village of her grandmother like?"
"Territorially, her village is in the Glade, and her grandmother's is already in that Underwood. When crossing their 'border', sometimes there are anomalous glitches due to local spells, because of which you see light hallucinations and can easily end up in unfamiliar terrain. This is exactly what happened to her. This is the only obstacle that might be there. Besides that creature, she didn't see anyone. Misty Slope is the largest human settlement in the forest... and it's always foggy there."
So, we literally need to escort Little Red from the Glade to the Underwood? Seems like fate.
I leaned over to Little Red and ruffled her hair, just like Shidy. What a cool cloak to touch! My robe, on the other hand, is rough.
"Little Red, we'll escort you to your grandmother safe and sound!" I said pompously. I wanted to continue, but all attention went to another pie she was eating.
She's already eaten about four just in front of us. Why is she so insatiable?
"Thank you so much!" she jumped for joy. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
New [Quest] activated!
"Delivery of Pies".
- Escort Little Red to her grandmother.
- Little Red MUST survive.
I can't mess up my very first quest.