Kyler's condition.

The three “musketeers” sat around their campfire, enjoying a brief respite from their adventures. Jo was examining his interface-box when he suddenly exclaimed, "Hey guys, check out this new skill I just unlocked. It's called Taunt."

Kyler looked up from sharpening his knife with interest. "Nice, I got Backstab. Can't wait to try it out."

Lil, who had been busy tending to their supplies, paused to join the conversation. "Oh, I got Nature's Grace. It sounds really useful but on the other hand, it costs quite a bit of MP to channel."

Jo looked at Lil and said, "That's amazing, Lil. But don't forget that using your skill wisely, Nature's Grace, costs a lot of MP."

Jo keeps on going. "Yeah, Taunt will be helpful for drawing aggro away from you guys, especially when we face tough enemies."

Kyler grinned. "And Backstab will allow me to deal massive damage from behind. I can't wait to sneak up on some unsuspecting enemies."

Lil chimed in. "Nature's Grace will be great for healing us and dealing damage to enemies we may face. And since I have Fine Sight, I can also scout ahead and find any rare herbs and materials we may need."

Jo smiled. "That's awesome, Lil. We can use your skill to find some of the rare ingredients for crafting as well."

Kyler nodded. "Speaking of crafting, we should try to make some new weapons and armor with the materials we've collected."

Lil added, "Yes, and we can use that common magicrock we found to enhance our weapons or armor with some magic power."

Jo stood up, stretching his arms. "Alright, let's get started. But first, we need to rest up and make sure we're ready for whatever comes next."

Kyler smiled. "Agreed. And we should keep an eye out for any other skills we can unlock. Who knows what else we might discover?"

With that, the trio settled down for the night, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. But as the night wore on, Kyler found himself tossing and turning, unable to find a comfortable position to sleep.

After the night, the trio woke up to start their day with a sense of urgency. Kyler had woken up several times throughout the night, sweating profusely and feeling unwell. Despite his discomfort, he kept his condition to himself, not wanting to worry Jo and Lil.

The group got straight to work, with Jo refining the magicrock while Kyler and Lil gathered materials for crafting. As they began to upgrade their weapons, Kyler's unease grew more apparent. He was sweating even more than before, and his hands were shaking as he tried to focus on the task at hand.

Jo noticed Kyler's condition and asked, "Are you feeling okay, Kyler?"

Kyler hesitated for a moment before replying, "I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all."

Lil noticed Kyler's discomfort as well and suggested, "Maybe you should take a break, Kyler. We can handle the crafting for a while."

Kyler nodded in agreement, grateful for the chance to rest. He sat down, feeling weak and dizzy as he tried to calm his racing heart.

Jo took charge of refining the Magirock and started to upgrade their weapons. The transformation was incredible as their wooden sword, knife, and staff were transformed into a common wooden sword, common wooden knife, and common wooden staff. The new weapons had an added weight to them, and their edges glistened in the sunlight.

Lil inspected the weapons' stats and special effects from her interface box, her eyes scanning through the information. She let out a small gasp of surprise as she noticed the improvements on the weapons. "This is amazing! I can't believe how much of a difference this Magirock made," she exclaimed, her face lit up with excitement.

Kyler held the knife in his hand and felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He tried to shake it off and attributed it to the excitement of the new weapon. He admired the sharp edge of the knife, and the new special effect made him feel more confident in his abilities. "This is gonna make a huge difference in battle," he said, grinning from ear to ear.

Lil inspected the weapons' stats and special effects from her interface box. While her staff's stats remained the same, the only difference was that it was now more durable. But for Kyler and Jo, their weapons had new special effects.

"Wow, Jo, that's an impressive special effect!" Lil exclaimed, her eyes widening with excitement.

Jo grinned, "Thanks, Lil. With this new AoE ability, I'll be able to take on multiple enemies at once."

Kyler felt a rush of excitement as he examined his new knife. "This +5 critical chance is perfect for my Backstab skill. I can't wait to test it out," he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Lil smiled at Kyler's enthusiasm, "I'm sure it will be a game-changer for you, Kyler."

Jo nodded in agreement and added, "And with Lil's healing abilities, we'll be unstoppable in battle."

Lil chuckled, "I don't know about unstoppable, but I'll do my best to keep you both in good health."

Kyler raised his hand, "Speaking of health, I'm sweating like crazy. Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?"

Jo shrugged his shoulders, "It could be the excitement of our new weapons, or maybe we should take a break and find some shade."

Lil nodded, "That's a good idea. We don't want anyone getting overheated or dehydrated."

Kyler shakily shrook his shoulders, trying to regain his balance. He agreed with Jo's idea to find some shade to rest, but suddenly his vision went dark, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Kyler...Kyler, are you alright?" Lil's voice echoed in his ears as he tried to make sense of what just happened.

"Kyler! What's happened?" Jo's voice added to the chaos.

Kyler slowly opened his eyes, everything was blurry, but he managed to pull himself back up.

"Did I just faint?" he asked, looking at Lil and Jo in confusion. His head was pounding, and he felt a cold sweat forming on his forehead.

Lil's expression turned to one of concern, "Yes, you collapsed suddenly. Maybe you've been overexerting yourself too much. We need to take a break and find some shade."

Kyler's face turned pale as he looked at his interface box. He had never seen such a low HP before. "Guys, something's not right," he said, his voice quivering. "I didn't sleep at all last night, and I keep sweating."

Kyler's interface [https://imgur.com/d8hrzoy.jpg]

Jo immediately suggested checking Kyler's interface box to see if anything strange was happening. As Kyler navigated through the menus, his hands were shaking. He felt a knot form in his stomach as he saw his HP bar had gone from 89 yesterday to 25 today. There was also a green/purple-tinged icon under the health bar.

"What's going on with me?" Kyler asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lil rushed over to examine him. She activated her fine-sight ability and scanned Kyler's body. "He's got a debuff," Lil said, her brow furrowed. "It's caused by the slug-bomb attack when we fought the Rabouse boss. It's draining his health and reducing his stats."

Kyler's heart sank as he realized that he was going to be a liability to the team. "What can I do?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

“Let me heal ya!” Lil said. Lil channeled the power of nature, calling forth its restorative energy to heal Kyler's wounds. She focused her mind and poured her magic through the wooden staff, unleashing the full force of her Nature's Grace ability. The air around them shimmered with green light as the energy flowed towards Kyler.

As the power coursed through him, Kyler felt a wave of relief wash over him. The sweat that had drenched his skin began to recede, and the pain in his body eased. Lil's skill was truly remarkable, and he was grateful for her help.

Lil maintained the spell for several moments, her brow furrowed in concentration as she willed the magic to do its work. Finally, she released the spell, and Kyler's health had been restored to 60.

As Lil leaned against a nearby tree, catching her breath, Jo approached her with a worried expression. "Are you okay, Lil? That was a lot of magic you used to heal Kyler."

Lil nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "I'm alright, Jo. It's just...I'm a bit drained now."

Kyler, who was sitting by the campfire, looked up at them with a weak smile. "Thanks, Lil. I already feel better."

Jo put a hand on Lil's shoulder. "We need to find a way to cure Kyler completely. And Wilcurt might be our best bet."

Jo looks at Lil and Kyler, "Guys, I know we don't trust people easily, but Wilcurt is different. He's been nothing but kind to us, and I can't just abandon him now that he needs our help."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

As Jo finishes his suggestion, Lil interjects, "We can't waste any more time. Kyler needs help, and Wilcurt might have the answers we need. Even if I'm drained of MP, I can still manage to heal us if needed."

Jo agrees right away and says, "You're right. We need to act fast." He turns to Kyler, who is looking better but still weak. "How are you holding up, Kyler?"

Kyler manages a weak smile, "I'm feeling better, thanks to Lil's magic. But I don't want to risk getting worse again. We need to find a cure as soon as possible."

Lil adds, "I agree. Let's head to the corn-field and see if we can find Wilcurt. He might know of a cure or have some other helpful information."

With a newfound sense of urgency, they quickly pack up their camp and set out towards the corn-field. As they walk, Lil keeps a close eye on Kyler's condition, ready to use her healing magic if necessary.

Despite their fatigue and worry, they arrive at the corn-field just as the sun begins to rise. They approach Wilcurt's shacks with caution, and their fears are confirmed as they discover the signs of struggle and bloodstains.

As they reach Wilcurt's shack, they realize that there are signs of struggle and bloodstains on the floor. Lil notices a luxurious leather band with the letter "M" tailored to it. Her heart sinks as she remembers Wilcurt mentioning the Marbara family.

Jo clenches his fists, "Those Marbaras again. We have to find Wilcurt and get out of here before they find us too."

Kyler nods, "Let's search the place and see if we can find any clues."

Despite the fear and uncertainty, they search the shack and find a few items that might be useful, including a map of the Flatfield Swamp and some supplies. They quickly leave the shack and head towards Honeywood town, hoping to find help and answers about the Marbara family and Wilcurt's whereabouts.

Despite their best efforts to gather information, everyone they ask in Honeywood town seems reluctant to help. Their inquiries about Wilcurt and a cure for Kyler's debuff are met with fearful glances and stony silence. It becomes clear that the Marbara family's iron-fisted rule over Flatfield Swamp has instilled a deep sense of fear and mistrust in the locals, and no one wants to get involved with strangers.

Undeterred, the siblings continue their search, determined to find a way to save Kyler and rescue Wilcurt. They split up to cover more ground, hoping to stumble upon someone who might be willing to help. Jo heads to the marketplace, hoping to overhear some useful gossip, while Lil and Kyler search the outskirts of town for any clues.

After a few hours of searching, they reconvene at a nearby tavern, empty-handed and frustrated. As they sit in silence, nursing their drinks, they hear a commotion outside. Curious, they head out to investigate and find a group of Marbara soldiers harassing a local vendor.

Without thinking, Jo steps forward to intervene, but Lil and Kyler hold him back, reminding him of their precarious situation. They watch in dismay as the soldiers rough up the vendor and steal his goods before sauntering off, laughing.

Feeling defeated, the siblings head back to their lodgings, wondering if they'll ever find the help they need. They can't help but feel alone and vulnerable in this hostile environment, with no allies and no leads. But they know they can't give up, not when Wilcurt's life and Kyler's health are on the line.

Waited till soldiers left, Jo and Lil slowly walk toward the vendor. As they get close enough, Lil finds out that it is a little girl who just got robbed. - Jo offered some help, while Lil's covered some wounds on the little girl's arms.

The little girl appreciates their help and smiles, introduces that her name is Yves, and these Marbara soldiers robbing local are just something that is normal here at Honeywood town.

Kyler comes in the conversation, “These Marbara, just as same as those people from our world.” Crunches his teeth with a hateful eyes.

They have a little chat between the 4 of them, then after hearing about Kyler’s condition and the missing of Wilcurt, Yves stands up.

Yves tells them that Wilcurt has always been like a grandfather to her since her parents passed away. She explains that she doesn't live with him, but he often helps her out and gives her food and medicine when she needs it.

Yves insists on helping Jo and Lil, saying that she owes Wilcurt a great debt for his kindness to her. She tells them that Froe is the only healer in Honeywood Town, and he might be able to help them find a cure for Kyler's affliction.

Yves leads the way to Froe's shop, and explains the situation. Froe listens attentively and nods sympathetically. "I see," Froe interrupts, "But first, let me heal all of you as a host. And Kyler, my dear boy, come here." Froe raises his staff and calls out the skill "Healing Beacon," which immediately restores their HP to full. Kyler looks visibly better, with some color returning to his cheeks. "Thank you, Froe," Lil says with gratitude. "You're too kind."

Froe chuckles. "It's the least I can do for the brave souls who are willing to risk their lives for the sake of others. Now, about that Shinyflower, it's a rare herb that only grows at midnight when the moon is at its brightest. It can be found near the Marbara soldier camp, but be warned, there are goblins that wander the area at night. It won't be an easy task tho…”

Lil bites her lip nervously. "We don't have much of a choice, do we?"

Froe shakes his head. "No, you don't. But don't worry, I have faith that you three can handle it. Just be careful and stay alert."

Yves tugs on Jo's sleeve. "I can lead you there. I know the way around the goblins."

Jo looks down at her and smiles gratefully. "Thank you, Yves. We couldn't have done this without your help."

Yves beams up at him. "No problem. I want to help in any way I can."

Froe gestures towards a pot of stew simmering on the stove, "Help yourselves, it's not much, but it's all I have at the moment." Kyler thanks Froe and quickly takes a bowl of stew. "This is delicious," he exclaims as he takes another spoonful.

Froe nods and then turns his attention towards Lil, "I understand you're low on MP after your healing efforts. Here, take these." He hands her three MP potions, "They'll recover 20MP each when used."

Froe continues to give them information about the goblins that roam around the area. "They're not too difficult to defeat, but be careful of their sharp claws and teeth. And don't underestimate their intelligence, they often work together in packs."

As night falls, Yves leads the way to the Shinyflower area. The siblings follow closely behind, the excitement building within them. As they approach the area, they are amazed by what they see. The field is filled with glowing fireflies, or what appears to be "flying glowing-yellow fluffy creatures". The moon's light shines down on the field, making it an unforgettable sight for Yves and the three siblings.

"Wow, this is amazing!" Jo exclaims, gazing in wonder at the field.

Lil is equally in awe. "I've never seen anything like this before. It's so beautiful."

Kyler’s body almost stands still, his eyes fixed on the glowing creatures. "I can see why the Shinyflower only blooms here at night. It's like they have their own little light show."

Yves smiles at their reaction. "I'm glad you like it. It's one of my favorite places to visit at night."

[https://imgur.com/0bRgHNj.jpg]

Jo: "This place is incredible."

Kyler: "It's crazy, it's like a 16K picture in our world."

Lil: "No, it's even more than that..."

The three of them were in awe of the beauty of the field, mesmerized by the glowing fireflies and the shining moonlight.

Jo gets his mind back, and reminds the others about the danger of goblins and the Marbara soldiers. Lil uses her keen eyesight to locate the Shinyflowers that Froe mentioned. After some searching, they finally spot them. However, the area is patrolled by goblins who are well-armed with weapons and armor. They wonder how these goblins became so well-equipped.

Jo: "I don't like the look of those goblins. They seem heavily armed."

Kyler: "Yeah, I don't think we could take them on in a fight."

Lil: "We don't have to fight them. We just need to be careful and sneak around them."

Kyler suggests that his stealth-crouch can come in handy in this specific situation, but Lil and Jo hesitate because Kyler is in a bad condition. Yves steps in and offers her help, saying that she knows a secret path to get around the patrolling goblins.

Lil looks at Yves with a hint of suspicion in her eyes, but Jo nods his head in agreement. "Alright, Yves. Lead the way," he says with a smile.

As they follow Yves through the secret path, the siblings can't help but feel grateful for her help. "Thank you for helping us, Yves. You didn't have to," says Lil.

Yves shrugs. "It's nothing. Besides, you helped me earlier when I got robbed. I just want to return the favor," she says with a smile.

The group finally reaches the Shinyflowers, but they have to be careful not to make any noise or draw attention to themselves. The goblins are still patrolling the area, and they can't risk being caught.

Kyler grinned, "This is the time for me to shine more than that Shinyflower, I guess!" Jo and Lil shared a look, hesitant about Kyler's condition.

Kyler activated his stealth-crouch, effectively hiding his appearance, and began to make his way towards the Shinyflower. Jo and Lil kept a close eye on the goblins as Yves led them on a safe path. After a few tense moments, Kyler returned to the group with the precious Shinyflower in hand. "That was close," Lil breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, a fiery arrow whizzed past Kyler's head, nearly hitting him. He quickly dove for cover, narrowly avoiding getting hit. The others quickly realized that the goblins had caught up to them and were attacking.

"They must have tracked our scent," Jo shouted over the chaos of the battle. "We need to take them out fast!"

The goblins didn't let Jo finish his words, as they rushed towards the group. There were about 15 of them, and each goblin was at least level 3. Lil quickly pulled Yves behind her back, while Jo and Kyler readied their weapons.

Jo yelled out, "Lil, get Yves out of here! We'll hold them off!"

But Yves wasn't going to leave her new friends behind. She bravely stepped forward and said, "I may not be a fighter, but I know these woods better than anyone. Follow me, and I'll lead us to safety!"

The group quickly followed Yves as she led them through the dense forest. They could hear the goblins hot on their trail, but Yves was able to guide them through some narrow paths that only she knew.

As they ran, Lil took a quick glance back and saw the goblins closing in. She knew they couldn't outrun them forever.

"We need to make a stand," Lil said.

Jo and Kyler nodded. They stopped and turned to face the incoming goblins.

"This ends now!" Jo yelled as he charged towards the goblins.

The goblins rushed towards the group, Jo quickly stepped forward and used his "Taunt" skill, causing all the goblins to focus on him. Lil and Kyler followed suit and started using their skills to fight off the goblins.

Lil cast "Nature's Grace", healing Jo and causing damage to the goblins in range. Kyler used his combination of "Stealth-Crouch" and “Backstab” to sneak up on the goblins and take them out one by one. Despite his injured condition, he managed to land critical hits on the goblins, which made a significant difference in the battle.

Yves watched in amazement as the group fought off the goblins. She realized that they were not just ordinary travelers, but skilled adventurers.

However, one goblin broke away from Jo's taunt and struck Kyler with its shield, causing him to fall down. Yves rushed to protect Kyler from the incoming attack with her own body.

The sound of the impact echoed through the night air as Yves fell to the ground, blood seeping from her upper body. The goblins closed in, their weapons raised to strike once again.

"Yves!" Kyler yelled, struggling to get to his feet.

Lil quickly used her Nature's Grace to heal Yves, but the wound was too deep, and Yves was losing consciousness. Kyler, on the other hand, was filled with rage and grief.

"Yves, please don't leave us!" Kyler cried, tears streaming down his face. "I promised to protect you, but I failed!"

Yves weakly reached out and touched Kyler's cheek. "I know it just a while since we met, but somehow I feel save around you Kyler...."

The goblins continued to attack, but the group fought back with renewed determination. Jo's sword was a blur as he sliced through the enemies with all of his anger and strength cause the goblin to spilt into half, its bloody splash all over the place, it was a splash of thick, green and fishy smelled blood, while Lil used her magic to heal and attack at the same time. Kyler, with a fierce look in his eyes, charged forward and took down goblin after goblin with his deadly Backstab.

In the midst of the chaos, Yves closed her eyes and smiled. She could feel the warmth of her newly met friends and their unbreakable bond. She knew that even if she didn't make it through this battle, she would always last in their memories.

The battle finally ended, and the group gathered around Yves. Her breathing was shallow, but her eyes were still open.

"Kyler," she said weakly. "Promise me something."

"Anything," Kyler replied, his voice trembling.

"Promise me that you'll find and save grandpa Wilcurt, he’s all I have left!” Yves said, her voice barely audible. "I’m okay, just feel a little bit sleepy, I’ll be shine and bright after."

Kyler nodded, tears streaming down his face. "I promise," he mumbled. "I'll never forget you, Yves. You'll always be a part of us."

With those words, Yves closed her eyes and took a final breath with a smile cover with her own blood. The group mourned her loss, but they knew that Yves would want them to keep going. They all nodded in imagination, all agreed to keep on going for their quest of saving Wilcurt.

End of Chapter 2: Return the Flavor Part 1