A few turns later, they stepped out into the clearing. The rubber ducky topiaries stared at them with dead eyes, no more pleased with their presence than the last time they had visited, and at the same time, no less pleased, either. Vivian regarded the duckies with respect. You, my undying foes… I must face you as my equals!

Unaware of Vivian’s internal monologue, Noah plopped down under a topiary. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and looked up at Vivian. “I’m exhausted.”

“We’re three in and I’ve done most of the work!” Vivian retorted, putting his hands on his hips. Are you seriously complaining to me about the quest you insisted we start, when I told you it was over your level and nearly impossible? Kids these days…

“It’s hard. Magic is hard. It takes way too much SP. Really tires you out,” Noah said, shaking his head. He sat back against the topiary, letting out another long sigh.

“No, it doesn’t. It’s the Tower telling you that. You aren’t actually tired,” Vivian said.

Noah frowned at Vivian, narrowing his eyes. “I’m tired. I am tired.”

“I know you feel tired, but your body is fine. You don’t actually need to rest. Your body can keep going. The Tower makes you feel tired when you run out of SP, but—”

“You’re one of those people, huh,” Noah said, rolling his eyes.

“It’s true,” Vivian insisted, crossing his arms.

“Yeah, whatever. I don’t care. People say that, but I’m tired,” Noah said. His stomach grumbled, and he scowled. “And hungry.”

“That one might be real,” Vivian allowed.

“They’re both real! I’m feeling them, so that makes them real. I only brought one peanut butter sandwich, and I’m hungry,” Noah complained.

Vivian frowned. “Why’d you only bring one peanut butter sandwich?”

“Because I didn’t think it would take longer than a day!” Noah snapped.

“Most quests take more than a day,” Vivian said, frowning. Let alone a Hidden Quest like this one. You should prepare for a long haul if you’re going to take on a Hidden Quest! At least a week.

Ah… this really is his first quest, isn’t it. Vivian sighed deeply.

Noah shook his head. “How was I supposed to know? I can’t afford a walkthrough, let alone an actual guide.”

“Still,” Vivian muttered.

“This is my first time in the Tower. I’m just doing my best,” Noah grumbled defensively. He stood. “Can you get me out of the Garden? I’m going to go pick up more sandwiches.”

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“You can’t leave,” Vivian said.

Noah turned his head sharply. “Excuse me?”

“Not if you want to keep your quest progress. Except for the Main Quest, all quests reset when you leave the Tower,” Vivian explained, shrugging. That’s why most Climbers never leave the Tower. There’s too many Quests to do that the progression-breaking penalty basically ensures a lock-in. Because of that, retired Climbers can make a decent living by just delivering basic goods to the floors they’ve unlocked.

Frustrated, Noah scowled at Vivian. “How am I supposed to do this? I’m starving, exhausted, and—”

“Do you want to save your mom or not?” Vivian asked.

Noah frowned. He looked at the ground. “I want to, but…”

Vivian took a deep breath. He put his hands on his hips. I’m hungry, too. I can risk my life eating yew berries, but I shouldn’t have this kid do the same. Even if I eat yew berries, though… they aren’t exactly enough to fill me up. “There is… a solution.”

“What?” Noah asked petulantly.

“The other Players will have brought supplies,” Vivian pointed out.

Noah took a sharp breath. “Player-Killing?”

Vivian shrugged. “We don’t have to kill them. Just… mug them.” But, you know. Yeah…

Brows furrowing, Noah tilted his head at Vivian. “They’re higher level than us. Weren’t we planning to avoid them? How are we supposed to beat them?”

“They’re isolated, and I know where the Lost Ones are. We can force the Players into bad situations, steal their gear, then use the technique to escape to the clearing,” Vivian said. I don’t like Player-Killing, but it doesn’t really bother me, either. If I have to, I’ll kill them. Still, it’s better if we hit and run while they’re distracted by the Lost Ones. Player-Killing should always be a last resort.

Though, on the other hand, if they die, my young one-day-level-ten Mage will no longer be in danger, so… I can’t say I’m too choked up about the idea of Player-Killing these guys. I need a Mage to face the Ruined Castle. It’ll be so much harder without one.

“Attacking them while they’re distracted… It’s easy for you to kill the Lost Ones. How distracted will they be?” Noah pointed out.

Vivian shrugged. “I don’t need a lot of distraction. It’s not like they’re going to pay too much attention to an NPC. Listen. I’ll head toward a Player, and you follow at a short distance. When they pass me by, I’ll grab their gear. If they notice that I’ve stolen it, I’ll toss it to you and engage them in battle while you escape back to the clearing.”

“What about you?” Noah asked.

“Worst case, I respawn,” Vivian said. He pulled his rake and set it on the ground. Weighing the spray bottle in his hand, he ultimately tucked it back into his inventory. I’ll drop it if I die, but I’m dying in the Garden. It’ll be easy to pick it up later. Besides, 40% Stun? That’s no joke. Especially against Players.

Smearing the poison on the clippers, Vivian straightened up. “Ready?”

Nervously, Noah licked his lips. “Uh… no? Is anyone ever ready to be accessory to murder?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. No one gets charged for crimes in the Tower,” Vivian said.

“Seriously, are you from the First Generation? People get charged for murder all the time!” Noah returned. “Well, on the first floor, anyways.”

“I’m an NPC,” Vivian returned. He grinned at Noah. “Who’s going to charge me with murder?”

“I guess… yeah, that’s…” Noah nodded slowly.

“Worst case, you’ve got a pretty good claim to self-defense,” Vivian said. “Though… aren’t you from a lawless wasteland of some sort? What do you care about murder for?”

“I’m from an Exclusion Zone. It isn’t totally lawless. Besides…” He licked his lips.

“Besides?” Vivian prompted.

“I’m not… in a guild, or anything. Kors’ party is part of a guild. If I kill anyone in the party, the law is the least of my problems,” Noah said.

“What, has no one in the guild been killed by monsters?” Vivian asked flippantly.

Noah hesitated. “That’s…”

Vivian looked at him. “Do you want to be stepped on by these guilds your whole life? Or do you want to step on the guilds?”

“Step on the guilds!” Noah responded, straightening up.

“Do you want peanut butter sandwiches, or do you want to starve?” Vivian asked, punching the air.

“Peanut butter sandwiches!” Noah cheered.

Vivian grinned. “Right! Let’s get started!”