Yunya had finally decided what archetype he wanted to pick, so he suddenly felt a little lost. So, he messaged Whispering Breeze. The way she had talked to him earlier made it seem like she knew more.

“What you said earlier about Red Reef having more than just archetypes, what did you mean by that?”

“Hold on, let’s meet up. Come to the fountain at the village square.”

Yunya raised an eyebrow, not expecting the woman to suggest meeting up for such a simple question.

“Then again, not like I have anything better to do at the moment.”

Yunya wasn’t too far from the square, so it was a short walk. When he arrived, Yunya spotted Whispering Breeze talking to another player.

“Ashen Fall, over here!” she shouted.

Before she could continue, the other player introduced herself. “Hi, I’m Starlit Path, Breeze’s friend. Hope you don’t mind me tagging along?”

Yunya felt the girl was somewhat familiar, but didn’t want to pry too much right now.

“Hi, Ashen Fall. And ‘tagging along’? Are we going somewhere?”

At this point, Whispering Breeze interjected herself into the conversation again, “Yes, of course we are. Someone on the forums said that even though professions can only be unlocked in the big city, you can already find information about them! Apparently, there’s a village elder who has a list of-”

“Calm down,” Yunya interrupted her. “You want to go around and ask different npcs about their profession?”

“Of course. You can never start too early with this kind of thing. Although I’m only interested in professions that would help raise mind.”

“I’ve been running around all morning to find info about archetypes, just talking to npcs. I’m sorry, but I really want some action now. I’m not gonna get any better with this weapon if I never use it,” Yunya said as he pointed at the bow on his back.

“Oh you’re picking archer, despite being a djinn? Interesting,” Starlit Path Said.

“Yes, which is why I need to start increasing my dexterity as soon as possible.”

As Yunya said this, he silently opened his player status and put both of his free attribute points into dexterity. He’d held back earlier since he hadn’t decided on archetype yet, but he didn’t need to anymore.

“Don’t change the subject,” Whispering Breeze complained. “I really want to go visit some npcs with you.”

“With me?” Yunya frowned. “Hold on, why so specifically with me?”

Starlit Path then laughed, “Because apparently, you have a map of the village. She just wants a guide.”

“Star!” Whispering Breeze blushed and mumbled something Yunya couldn’t hear.

“You know maps aren’t exclusive right? You can just go get your own,” Yunya said.

“But…”

“But it’s too much work? Tsk.”

“So you’re not going to help us?”

Yunya swore that if this continued any longer, the woman in front of him would actually start begging.

“Alright, fine. If you do a quest with me first, then I’ll play guide just this once.”

“Hmph, so stingy. Deal.”

Starlit Path, who had been silently enjoying the theater in front of her, then asked, “What quest though?”

“No idea. I’ve been talking to npcs all morning, I don’t feel like continuing that right now. Either of you have an open quest I can join? Or should we find a new one?”

“You despicable human being. You tricked me into joining a quest with you when you don’t even have one?” Whispering Breeze almost yelled her question.

“He’s a djinn, not a human,” Starlit Path quietly remarked. Thankfully, her friend didn’t hear her.

Yunya did, but he felt it best not to poke the bear that was Whispering Breeze even further. Turning his laugh into a cough, he suggested where to find a quest. “Let’s go to the mayor. I’m sure there are some quests available there.”

Along the way, Starlit Path said she would choose warrior, but as a dark elf, she was not picking the way of strength.

“So what weapon then, spear?” Yunya asked.

“Nope. A light, onehanded sword. Something like a rapier. Considering my race, I’ll probably pick a profession to increase vitality or endurance.”

“You’re not gonna double down on dexterity?”

“Maybe. I’m not sure yet. What about you?”

“As a magic archer that already has the djinn race, I will need more dexterity,” Yunya sighed. “Although I’ll take a look at the professions for other attributes as well, you never know if I can find something interesting.”

“You’re right. I should do that too.”

She then turned to Whispering Breeze, who was still annoyed with Yunya for tricking her.

“You’re picking something magic related, aren’t you, Breeze?”

“Obviously. Magic all the way. As long as my profession increases mind, I don’t care too much.”

“Welcome back,” the village elder greeted them.

“Greetings to you too, Eldwin.”

“How can this old man help you?”

Yunya smiled at the self-mockery, before he explained that he was here to ask if the village needed any help.

“We need to become stronger to get our archetype. And if we can train while helping out Red Reef, we’d be glad to do so.”

“You want to help? Looking at the flimsy bow on your back, may I assume you’re here for a better one?”

“Maybe later. It wouldn’t be very nice of me to drag my friends along on a quest if only I get a reward out of it.”

“Hahaha, very true. Alright, let me think for a moment.”

Eldwin looked through the papers on his desk before he furrowed his brows. He started counting all the quests one by one, while occasionally taking notes.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Eventually, the npc sighed, “Hmm, I was going to give you one of the quests here on my desk, but something doesn’t add up. Almost one in eight quests here involves the boars in the southeast forest. I don’t like this one bit, their population should not be this high.”

Turning around to look at Yunya and his companions, he asked “Friends, let me make a personal request. I want you guys to find out the cause behind the appearance of all these boars. And if possible, to solve it.”

Quest Secret of the boars Description Eldwin is suspicious of the sudden mass appearance of boars. He has tasked you with figuring out this problem. Reward 1 silver. Additional reward if you also solve the problem.

All three of them received the same quest. Considering they hadn’t even left the starter village yet, 1 silver coins each was quite decent. And that was just the basic reward.

“You tricked me into this quest, so you better make sure we get that additional reward, Ashen Fall,” Whispering Breeze said with a grunt.

“Relax. As if I would give up on more rewards. Let’s get going shall we.”

“Hold on,” Starlit Path interrupted them.

“Something wrong?”

“If we need to go and deal with this boar problem, we’ll probably end up with a lot of dead boars on our hands.”

Yunya smiled, having an inkling of where she was going. “So what you’re saying is…”

“Yes. Two birds, one stone. Let’s go find a quest that requires boar tusks or something similar.”

The blacksmith Yunya had gotten boar tusks for earlier said he had too many boar tusks already, so he was of no help. However, at the local inn, the cook there said that he didn’t have a specific quest for them, but that he was more than willing to just buy whatever boar meat they could get a hold on. Better than nothing.

This was the third quest Yunya had involving boars, so he guided them to the forest pretty easily.

“Have either of you fought boars before?”

“Not yet.”

“No. Are they that dangerous?”

“Not really. Just need to look out for their charge. On the other hand, once you dodge their charge, you have a free attack. Should be easy for someone with good dexterity,” Yunya said as he directed that last sentence towards the dark elf warrior.

In response, Starlit Path shrugged.

“Hmph, who needs to dodge when you can attack from afar with magic.”

Not too long after, they found the first boars. Compared to earlier, Yunya had it a lot easier. Raising his dexterity made it easier to both dodge and handle his bow, resulting in only needing three shots to kill a boar.

“BOOM”

On the other hand, the wannabe magician was having fun with her magic wand, shooting magic missiles one after another.

“See, who needs to dodge,” she giggled. “This is-”

“Look out!”

Starlit Path was just in time to pull her friend aside.

“Wha-”

Before Whispering Breeze could say anything more, a boar charged past. She’d been so caught up attacking that she forgot to look around her. A boar had appeared behind her, but thankfully it was alone.

“See, that’s why you need dexterity,” Yunya laughed while dodging another charge.

“Hmph.”

“If you keep responding like that, you’ll never find a boyfriend, Breeze.”

“Path!”

Starlit Path just giggled in response before she ran away. Meanwhile, Whispering Breeze vented her frustrations on the poor boars, while keeping an eye on her surroundings.

An hour later, Yunya had a pleasant surprise.

Reached level 2, 1 free attribute point has been awarded.

He immediately put the point in dexterity, to enhance his damage even further. If he previously had to pay attention to dodging the boars, now he could practically do it with his eyes closed if he saw it coming.

“How much boar meat are you guys up to?”

“A little over a stack. Although the quality is not too great.”

“Well, it’s a drop from a level 2 boar. What else did you expect?”

“Fair enough.”

Starlit Path then turned around, looking at her friend.

“How are you, Breeze?”

“I’m fine, just need to let my mana go back up again.”

A dozen seconds later, she stood up again and was ready to go.

“High elves might not have that much mana, but I only need to rest for a little bit before I’m good to go once more,” she said as she stretched her arms.

A little later, they found a hidden clearing, with only two boars in it.

Whispering Breeze’s eyelid twitched, “How can a boar be that big? It’s the size of a damn bear.”

“Elites?”

“No, probably the boss of the quest. I don’t think such a low level quest would have both elites and a boss.”

Yunya kept silent, observing both boars. One of them was slowly walking back and forth. Muscles rippling beneath its skin, each step it took lightly shook the earth. The other one had a lighter skin and was laying down, without making any sounds. This second boar was exhausted and barely managed to eat the grass and some orange herbs in front of it.

“It almost feels like one of them is patrolling.”

“To guard its companion? You think that the second boar might be hurt?”

“I don’t think ‘hurt’ is the right term. I don’t see any scars or other signs of combat. Maybe it’s just sick? Its stomach looks a little bloated.”

“Maybe ‘she’ is pregnant and ‘he’ is protecting ‘her’?” Whispering Breeze giggled as she gestured at the second and first boar respectively.

Quest Secret of the boars Description You have discovered that the cause of all the new boars is the pregnancy from one of the alphas. Eldwin will be pleased if you bring him this news. Reward 1 silver. Additional reward if you also solve the problem.

“What?!”

“Did you just-”

“...”

Everyone was stunned, before looking at Whispering Breeze in a daze.

However, she herself was completely lost for words.

“I don’t know if I should be impressed or disappointed. What dumb luck.”

Awakened by Yunya’s remark, she immediately fired back, “Hey hey, that wasn’t dumb luck! It was an educated guess!”

“Do you always giggle when you’re guessing?”

“I found it funny how smart I was!”

When Starlit Path started laughing, Yunya didn’t bother arguing anymore with Whispering Breeze. Instead, he shifted the conversation.

“Looks like we ‘found’ the problem. For that additional reward, we need to ‘solve’ it. Do you think it means we need to kill the pregnant boar?”

“Probably,” Starlit Path said, but then looked at the other boar, “Although I don’t think her mate will allow us to do so.”

The male alpha was guarding his mate like an overbearing tyrant. Anyone or anything getting too close would be considered hostile. Yunya didn’t have any doubts regarding that. And glancing at its jagged tusks and muscled body, it seemed like it had the qualifications to be considered a powerful protector.

“Look at those tusks. They’re the size of my arm. I’d rather not get hit by those. Without good gear or any points into vitality, I don’t think any of us can take more than one hit,” Yunya groaned. “You guys have any healing potions?”

“We got some earlier.”

“Good. Let’s hope we won’t need them.”

“Agreed. Ashen Fall, you and me attracted its attention, while Breeze attacks from afar?”

“You don’t want me to attack?”

“I don’t think I can handle him alone up close. Keeping its attention on me with two different people attacking from afar is not something I’m capable of.”

“At least you’re honest,” Yunya sighed. “Sure, I’ll help get the big guy’s attention.”

Without an archetype, Yunya only had a little less dexterity than Starlit Path due to being a djinn. He should be able to dodge almost as well as she did.

“Wait. Do we really need to kill the male boar?” Whispering Breeze asked. “If the pregnant one is the problem, we only need to get rid of her, right?”

“In theory, you’re right. But I have a feeling that if you touch as much as a single hair on the female boar’s body, the male will follow you to the end of the world.”

Whispering Breeze frowned. A single look at the patrolling male alpha made her unable to refute Yunya’s remark.

“This bastard better drop some good loot then.”