Three hours later.

Namika skillfully executed her [Fast Step], propelling herself toward the level 12 Green Swarm Crocodile. Infused with unwavering focus, determination, and zest, she swung her sword, sending a razor-sharp blade of wind hurtling towards the crocodile, inflicting a significant -17 damage. The creature bellowed in agony, a symphony of anger and pain echoing through the air.

The blinded crocodile on the brink of death, charged at Namika with renewed ferocity. However, Namika seamlessly sidestepped its assault, simultaneously positioning herself for a decisive strike, showcasing her childhood-honed leg movements. She unleashed [Fire Slash], slashing through the air with fiery brilliance dealing -19 damage, killing it.

System: Level 12 Green Swamp Crocodile killed. Normal Rank. Level difference of 5. EXP obtained increased by 5 times. Obtained 90 EXP.

A sigh of contentment escaped Namika's lips as she saw the vanishing body and the dropped loots. Retrieving Stamina potion from her bag, she swiftly consumed one with a single gulp. The piquant and bitter elixir danced on her tongue. After a brief moment, she felt the resurgence of stamina coursing through her, her body reinvigorating.

Namika gracefully bent down to collect the spoils of her victorious battle – a finely crafted dagger, leather jerkins, Crocodile Hide and 11 gleaming Bronze Coins. Clutching her newfound treasures, she surveyed the surroundings.

Noticing Rem approaching with a bounty even more abundant, she joined him, and together they laid out the spoils on the ground. Rem organized the loot, revealing a treasure trove of 6 high-quality equipments at this stage, 8 valuable materials, and a substantial haul of 44 Bronze Coins.

In a calm and composed tone, Rem addressed Namika, "Koyoma-san, the spoils are laid bare. Choose your share from this loot.”

Despite harboring a sense that her contributions in the recent fights might have been less significant, Namika adhered to Rem's suggestion and selected her share with discerning eyes. She opted for the fang-shaped Dagger, the jerkin leather armor, and a pair of boots. In addition, she claimed half of the valuable materials and the glinting Bronze Coins.

After storing his loots, Rem's tranquil voice sounded, "We have concluded playing in this locale. It's time to venture back to the forest for the genuine pursuit of monsters and treasures." Though his tone remained calm, a subtle undercurrent of excitement shimmered in his black eyes.

Struck by his statement, Namika couldn't help but inquire incredulously, "What do you mean by 'playing in this locale'?" For her, fighting here was far from playing.

Namika couldn't discern Rem's expression beneath his blue mask, but she sensed a sly grin behind it.

In a matter-of-fact tone, Rem articulated, "This locale isn't yielding enough experience, is it? Taking on 3 or 5 Crocodiles at a time won't propel you to level 10 in a day. So, we'll venture into the forest, seek out goblin camps, and engage in both slaughter and plunder." A snigger escaped beneath his concealed face.

Namika comprehended the logic, she was currently level at 7 with the experience bar barely reaching a quarter. The meager progress from battling Crocodiles indicated that reaching level 10 would be a prolonged endeavor. The prospect of spending 4 or 5 hours for the next level, and potentially 10 hours or more for subsequent advancements, emphasized the necessity for a more rewarding hunting ground. However, a lingering doubt nagged at her thoughts.

Namika voiced her skepticism sardonically, "Sounds like a brilliant plan, but why didn't we choose this superior hunting spot from the beginning?"

Rem's gaze lingered on her for a brief moment, his black eyes holding a certain intensity. He broke the silence, explaining, "I had wanted to prioritized leveling up my [Shadow Doppelganger] skill first." Fidgeting with his mask, he continued, "Engaging hordes of goblins before then would have been precarious. Buy now that my skill is at level 2, I stand a better chance against those green-skinned midget."

Namika marveled at the mention of the [Shadow Doppelganger] skill. She had witnessed its potency in the previous battles with the crocodiles – a skill that summoned a shadowy avatar, it mirrored half of Rem's abilities, lasting for 30 seconds and capable of following his mental commands. Its remarkable power left her in awe. Though her curiosity had led her to inquire about its origin, Rem's cryptic response about obtaining it through a quest deterred her from delving further.

Aware of the delicate balance in their camaraderie, she had not press for details, not wanting to risk Rem's dwindling favorability towards her, to plummet even more, she had not inquiry about the masked he wore, respecting the enigma surrounding his face and the secrets he harbored.

"Alright, let's forge ahead," Namika affirmed, nodding in agreement to the plan of seeking a more lucrative hunting ground. The prospect of gaining experience in a superior location appealed to her, and the idea of confronting goblins, humanoid monsters perfectly suited for her martial arts, added a layer of anticipation.

However, Rem's hesitant words disrupted the moment. "Koyoma-san," he began, "For the upcoming monster encounter, I think you should observe and let me handle it."

"Why?" Her curiosity mingled with a hint of defiance, elicited a more louder response from Namika than she admitted.

Rem paused, a moment of exasperation evident as he rolled his eyes before explaining, "Your stamina potions are depleted, and engaging in the upcoming fight without them would likely render you paralyzed once your stamina runs out." He shrugged, emphasizing the practicality of his suggestion.

The realization hit Namika as she recalled consuming the last of her five stamina potions just moments ago. Surprised that Rem had been keeping track during their journey and battle, she internally mused, ‘He must have reserved some stamina potions solely for himself, anticipating a solo raid on goblin camps.’

Resignedly, she begrudgingly remarked, "So, you want me to stand still, watch, and ride along with that?"

Rem replied bluntly, "Yes, that would be convenient." The straightforward response left Namika with a mix of frustration and helplessness.

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“...”

The sun cast its luminous rays through the canopy, illuminating the ground strewn with scattered nuts. A gentle breeze carried the invigorating scent of pine trees and earth, enveloping Namika's senses. The terrain beneath their feet crunched with dried leaves and branches as they traversed the untamed thickets and shrubs, devoid of any defined path. Namika found the experience truly revitalizing – the swaying trees, rustling leaves, and the overall atmosphere filled her with exuberance feeling.

In real life, opportunities to breathe such pristine air were rare even for Namika, a girl from a rich family. She couldn't help but reflect on the developers' assertion that this game was a "New World" which might have been true.

This time, venturing into the forest, they abandoned any pretense of restraint in their footsteps, and eschewing camouflage. Rem, exuding confidence, believed he was prepared to confront any monsters that might cross their path. Namika didn't have to wait long to discern whether Rem's demeanor was steadfast or merely brash.

Seven wolves, their fur tinted with a deep red-brown hue, emerged stealthily from the shadows of the trees. Their menacing snarls echoed behind long snouts and protruding fangs, encircling Namika and Rem in a semicircle. The wolves, with hungry grey eyes, assessed their prey.

"Koyoma-san," Rem spoke in his usual nonchalant tone, mixed with a hint of eagerness. "You should stay behind to conserve your stamina. I'll handle them in a minute." He strolled casually, drawing both swords from their scabbards, and despite his seemingly relaxed demeanor, Namika sensed there was no opening in his gait.

Rem aimed the tip of his sword at the largest wolf in the pack, slashing through empty air in a provocative taunt. The wolf which was the leader of the pack was visibly angered, it charged menacingly, growling with dangerous intent, prompting the rest of the pack to follow suit. Rem, agile and strategic, rushed forward, employing his [Jump] skill to vault to the left, exploiting the available space for a more advantageous attack.

Observing the spectacle, Namika couldn't help but sigh. "Damn! That skill is truly useful. I'll have to consider buying that later," she mused, standing by and watching the skilled maneuvering unfold.

Namika observed Rem enveloped in a swirling snowy gusts, his figure casting a distinct shadow that separated from his body, morphing into a black silhouette mirroring Rem's stature. The fight unfolded with suspense as the shadow executed feints, creating openings for Rem's precise attacks. The doppelganger artfully disrupted the wolves' movements, enabling Rem to unleash three black beams and execute a precise [Chop] on a wolf, all while leveraging the crowded space with the seven wolves. In an astonishing scene, Rem managed to killed a level 11 Wolf in a mere 21 seconds. And she too got experience from that kill since they were in a party.

System: Level 11 Giant Wolves killed. Normal Rank. Level difference of 5. EXP obtained increased by 4 times. Obtained 55 EXP.

Witnessing Rem's seamless movements, impeccable timing, and body flexibility, Namika couldn't help but reluctantly and enviously acknowledge that Rem surpassed her not only in prior knowledge of the game but also in martial abilities. Although it was hard for Namika to admit, she recognized and gave credit where it was undeniably due.

Observing Rem's finesse in sword slashing, footwork, and overall body movements, Namika couldn't help but think, 'Looks like he wasn't exaggerating about having a strong backing.'

His fighting mastery suggested a background that had provided him with the training needed for such advanced techniques. Namika reasoned that acquiring these skills without proper training since childhood was near impossible for an average person.

However, it seems as if he had grown more stronger and faster than 3 hours ago, as if he was acclimating to getting more attributes.

The intense battle concluded after just over 5 minutes, when Rem's [Shadow Doppelganger] cooldown concluded and helped him to killed the wolves.

As Rem gathered the scattered loot and stored it in his bag, he casually withdrew another stamina potion and consumed it.

Internally, Namika speculated, 'He must have a considerable supply to indulge himself.'

Initially she was hesitant to inquire as it was bluntly impolite, but curiosity got the better of Namika. She couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "How many stamina potions do you have left?"

Rem casually replied, "I still have 82 vials of them."

The nonchalant response left Namika momentarily taken aback. Doubting her hearing, she sought confirmation, "Did you say 28?"

Rem clarified, "No! I said 82."

Wide-eyed, Namika gazed at Rem, her surprise evident. After a moment, she shook her head and gently inquired, "Would you consider selling the potions?" She was internally struggling with the humility in her request.

Quickly rejecting the suggestion, Rem replied, "No, I don't want to sell my potions for 40-50 bronze only," punctuating his response with a dry laugh.

‘Fuck me and my sardonic tongue’. Namika cursed inwardly.

Recalling earlier, Namika cringed at the memory of advising Rem to sell the potions for 40-50 bronze each, dismissing his attempt to get 1 silver as a potential scam. The realization now bit bitterly—acknowledging that even 2 or 3 silvers would have been a lesser valuation.

Rem continued, "I plan to sell them in the auction house later, where I can fetch a better price," he added with a hint of sarcasm.

Namika sensed the tease in his words and resisted the urge to retort, 'I could offer you a more favorable deal.' Yet, she refrained from voicing it, mindful of her current shortage of coins—a predicament reminiscent of the auction in Blue Burn, days ago.

Namika hesitated but managed to utter, "Can you loan me 10 potions? I'll give you 50 silvers for them later." Her words came out with a hint of jitteriness, but she added, "I'll reimburse the indemnity later."

Namika was not one to easily diminish her presence, but she kept her father's advice that, in a deal, the one with lesser ground should show a bit of humility.

Rem, chin in hand, proposed an alternative, "I have a better proposition for both of us. How about you take care of Bloom members for me?" He let the idea linger before continuing, "They ambushed me before for no reason, and I am a man of vengeance. If you disrupt Bloom's Guild functions by some means, and also publicly announce that you make enemy of them because they attacked me, I'll be your employee or partner or supplier, providing you with potions and equipment... but only when I am free." The last sentence was delivered with careful consideration.

Namika, intrigued by the quality of the suggestions, pondered aloud, "Is your reason for announcing your affiliation with us, to seek a shield by our guild, sheltering yourself from your true enemies?"

This was the deduction that formed in her mind moments ago when Rem proposed his objectives. She surmised that he might have fled from his family, organization, or guild for personal reasons. And when he spotted her in Backwater, the daughter of the Influential Koyoma Family, he wanted to find sanctuary under their guild's protective umbrella.

"Eh!" Rem tilted his head in surprise. After a moment of contemplation, he chuckled, "Your deduction is spot-on. I am indeed hiding from a formidable adversary." He astoundingly admitted, "I've heard that Koyoma Namika is a Tigress unafraid of Lionesses, so... would you partner with me, even if my enemies set their sights on you?"

Rem's provocation was aimed to secure Namika's approval. However, even without his words, Namika was already inclined to partner with him. She asserted, "Even if you join our guild, I would welcome you. I fear neither anyone nor anything; my only fear is a lack of challenges.”

It was her true thought and beside taking care of Bloom, a barely recognize Guild, would be akin to stealing candy from a child for Requiem of the light.

"Very well, in commemoration of our impending and mutually beneficial collaboration, I present to you ten stamina potions, gratuitously bestowed, albeit on this singular occasion," Rem pronounced smilingly, presenting the vials with a graceful stretch.

Namika accepted the gesture graciously, recognizing it as a custom for the one in lower position to offers something while forming alliances.

"Koyoma-san, let's press on. We still have a goblin camp to raid," Rem's jubilant voice echoed through the forest, resonating like the birds' chirping around them.

Namika, reinvigorated by the renewed prospect of battling monsters again, matched Rem's enthusiasm. Eagerly, she followed him, anticipating the encounter with the goblins ahead.