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[Diving into the game, [Isekai Online].]

[Logging in as...]

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"Argh... My back..." I groan as I get up from my sleeping bag. "The bed in my apartment was more comfortable than this camping bag."

I stretch my arms out as I let out a yawn. When I get up, I notice that I'm sleeping under a store stand, and several people in a variety of humanoid species chatting and shopping with other players. I open a virtual mirror from the menu to double-check myself. Short light blue hair, blue eyes, slightly pale skin, shorter build, and a set of white shirt, brown shorts, and shoes to complete the look.

Yes, this is it. This is the first town players spawn in after character creation: [Initio]. According to the official wiki, it's located in the country of , which is the current area we're allowed to explore in. I heard there are other countries and kingdoms nearby, but it won't be released until the first expansion in a few months, which is surprisingly fast considering it has been a month since the release. The only downside is that this country only has a city and town along with a few villages and you need to visit them before accessing its fast travel feature.

That thought aside, I should check on my stats before starting the day right. I open my stats and read my current levels.

[Lowry]

[Stats]

[Race: Insignis]

[Total Mastery Level: 5]

[HP: 350/350]

[MP: 470/470]

[SP: 200/200]

I sigh as I stare at my in-game name again. Of all the names I picked, it had to be . It's a nickname Bryan coined when we were in middle school. I still cringed why did he give me that nickname in the first place? Then again, if it wasn't for him, my bullies at college wouldn't know who I am since I have a reputation for my terrible naming sense. I'm offended, but I can see why.

Heck, everything behind my character's creation was specifically made to make me a wallflower from my appearance to my starting [Masteries].

[Masteries]

[Dagger] Level 5

[Fire] Level 3

[Life] Level 6

[Magical Affinity] Level 4

[Alchemy] Level 8

[Scribe] Level 7

[Magecrafting] Level 1

I shouldn't have the game in the first place due to my limited budget. However, through miraculous means, I somehow got it and a [VeilCon] as my 19th birthday gift. With Bryan nagging me to join in once I told him the news, I gave in, but not before making some adjustments to ensure no one would bug me during the game. I did my research beforehand and I learned that out of the [Races] included in [Isekai], there's the mysterious [Insignis Race]. No one knew about race's true nature other than its [Storyline Bonus] trait and bonus [INT] and [WIS], so its popularity meta-wise is not exactly good. But I am trying to write articles for some extra cash, so I took it and customized my character to be a bit bland despite the light blue hair. As for the [Masteries], I mostly chose some that are easy to use and helpful in my future adventures.

I thought my choices would let me play the game uninterrupted. Unfortunately, I didn't realize they would lead me to more frustration compared to my real-life bullies.

But I shouldn't think about it right now. I need to set up shop and head out to forage for herbs. As I check on my inventory for tonight, I also open up my [Private Message] window to contact my friends.

[

Hey, you busy?]

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[

I should say the same to you, Lowry. I saw some of the [Viper Fangs] scheming around outside the hall. Are you sure you can set up shop without me?]

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[

I think I can manage.]

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[

Okay... Just be careful, dude.]

Well, Bryan is out. He did say he's going to grind his character.

is the name of his character in this game, as in "lycanthrope". Despite that, he plays as a gun-slinging [Human] hunter. But I know that he's a werewolf otaku and he will do everything to show his love such as putting references on everything including video games that don't involve them, even if it affects the stories he's currently writing.

What about Harley? I know that he's playing as a [Human] crafter with a shop not far from mine.

[

By the time you get this message, I got a large commission from a large dungeon party. So be careful out there, Lowry.]

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[

You still owe me an enchantment after you ditch me for those rare herbs. >:( ]

Ugh... I thought he forgot... Then again, I did promise him after that accident. I hope I still have enough stones for the [Enchantment].

I guess I'm going solo for now.

"Huh. I was wondering when we will show your boring face again."

That voice... It's just as I feared.

I turn around and see four men standing in front of my stand. Two of them are wearing armor and the rest wielding a magic staff and a pair of gauntlets.

"Huh. I was expecting the leader, but you four will do," I snark before I point at the makeshift sign nearby. "Can't you see the sign? The store opens at night time..."

"Don't avoid the subject, Lowry. You know why we're here!" One of the armored jerks interrupted. "Unless you want us to make you remember."

I can see him cracking his knuckles. I'm not deliberately dodging the subject, but I'm starting to get sick of meeting their dumb faces again.

"If you think I'm trying to escape, you have trust issues. I'm still going for tonight's exploration, but my stance that it is dangerous to go there still stands. Especially with the recent rumors about a beast prowling about."

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

"You mean that shitty forum post about some "werewolf"? As if we believe in those bogus creepypastas," another armored man scoffed. "Besides, this game is new and there's no way ghosts and glitch monsters exist!"

"I get your skepticism, but if the whole party goes down, then it's all on you for disregarding my warnings."

That should have reached into their peabrains. Instead, I ended up with a fist on my cheek and a stinging pain as I collapsed on my stand. God, even if he's not planning to PK me due to rules against it in towns and cities, it's painful enough to lose some of my [HP].

"Don't get all cocky, Lowry! The boss might be forgiving thanks to your offer, but you're still a weakling," The first armored man reminded.

"With your [Insignis Race] and a bunch of mish-mash [Masteries], you can't beat a [Weak Slime] with your rusty dagger and pathetic magic," the mage added. "Consider yourself lucky we're giving you a chance to grind for [Mastery Levels]."

Again, should I care about my levels or anything?! The only reason I have to grind is for materials and their blackmail. If I reject them, their threat of killing me through an [Ante Duel] might make a reality and I rather not risk it from happening. Then again, I can't say all of that for the same reasons.

Thankfully, they left as they continued laughing at my misery. I stumble onto my feet as I check on my stand's current state.

The [Viper Fangs Guild]. It's a guild full of rowdy players who spend their time harassing players and bully them into servitude. The whole reason I got involved with them was because they almost PKing some newbies outside town. I intervened due to conscience, but that sent me to weeks of torture, especially after learning who their guild leader was. I would blame myself, but it's better than ruining a newbie's first day. Plus, they did give me a share of the dungeon rewards, though not without disgust at the true nature of my situation.

But enough about that. The briefing will start in a few in-game hours, so I should hurry with the forging before they try hunting me down again. Of course, that would mean moving my stand again. I've been moving it several times so those Viper jerks won't destroy my game life's work. It's to the point I have to sleep under my stand instead of renting a room in the inn to protect it. Again, not my brightest idea. My back...

I should stop goofing around. Time for me to hit the...

Huh? What's that on the ground?

I would have ignored that item if it wasn't for my damn curiosity. Dropped items normally disappear in a few seconds and by the looks of it, this strange wooden charm doesn't look like it belongs to one of the players. It's a small plaque with a robe that has a crescent moon etched in burned writing material.

[Strange Moon Charm]

[A wooden charm with a crescent moon etched on the front.]

It labels as a [Key Item], yet it doesn't look like it's related to a [Quest]. However...

[NOTICE]

[You sensed mana in this charm.]

One of my [Magical Affinity] skills says otherwise. But I don't know how to make it all of this. Selling it is out of the question since it's a [Key Item] and it might clog up my [Inventory]...

[Huh? Where did it go?]

I turn to the source of the voice and see a man wearing simple leather armor rummaging around his pant pockets. But rather than having a green crystal floating above the player's head, he has a blue crystal. An indicator that he's an NPC of this game. Most of the players seem to ignore him, which is understandable. To them, he's nothing more than one of the minor NPCs occupying the town. But with the charm in hand, I have a few guesses he's more than that.

"Hey," I call out while offering the charm to the NPC. "I think you drop this."

The NPC notices the charm and screams in shock. [The charm! I thought I lost it forever!] He quickly snatches it and smiles at me next. [Thanks for finding it, good stranger! You save me from my wife's wrath!]

What a jolly guy. I don't want to know about his wife, though. However, while the deed is done, I know there is more to this than giving the lost item to the NPC cliche.

"No problem. Although you should keep that charm more securely," I suggest. "Not all adventurers here are good and they might pull a wool over your eyes if you're not careful."

Normally in video games, players ignore NPCs if they don't offer anything important such as shops, quests, and story beats. The reason is that they act as fillers and often give out hints and tips about the game. Some of them do talk to them, but it's mostly to find some humorous quests and references from other media. However, as I continue to play [Isekai], I learn that interacting with the NPCs is one of the main factors in finding the game's defining feature.

[Hidden Quests].

As its name implies, they are a type of [Quests] that cannot be found through normal means. According to the official wiki, you have to interact with some NPCs along with fulfilling certain requirements. Some require unique items and some may need to use their roleplaying experience to help them uncover them.

Ever since I learned about them, I uncovered some of them in . But most of them are nothing more than fetch quests, and no offense to them, but the rewards were leaning between commons to abysmally useless in crafting or battles. I did get some setting info, sure. But I don't know if I count them as "hidden". This guy might not be different, but it's worth a try getting a [Quest] from him.

[Thanks for the tip, kid,] the NPC says while pocketing his charm. [I wish I could talk more. But I need to attend my duties.]

Duties, huh? I might smack him for that "kid" comment if it wasn't for that important detail. Though, I blame myself for my poor design taste.

"If you need help, you can drop by at the . I'm an adventurer and I'm willing to take it as an official [Quest]."

[Thanks for the offer. But I actually need a pharmacist. The usual one I visited is out of town and my village's stock is almost running out of potions. With the recent attacks going on, the village doctor might not heal most of the injured on time.]

So he's not from this town, huh? That's a first for me. There's also the fact this one might involve crafting. I did want to save the remaining ones, but I can't skip this one out!

"How many injured are currently in so far?" I ask.

[About 7 left, two are currently in emergency care. Why do you ask?]

Good. I might lose a lot of stock, but it's all for the NPC.

"I may whip up some potions for your troubles. Give me a minute."

I quickly set up my [Advanced Alchemy Kit] on my stand along with a lot of herbs such as [Vis Herbs] and [Magus Roots]. While I am weak in battle, I am very skilled when it comes to [Alchemy]. It's probably because I spent some free time making potions to sell that I may have gained a lot of [MEXP] in the process. I wish I could say the same with [Magecrafting], but I don't know how beyond using [Enchantment] and using a crafting menu is a pain. But thanks to that, I can make a bit more high-quality [Healing Potions] and a bit faster with [Mass Production].

Of course, just as I start crafting, I see another notification popping up, confirming my suspicions after meeting the villager NPC.

[QUEST APPROVED!]

[You have accepted a [Hidden Quest], [A Potion for a Village] **!]

[Hidden Quest: A Potion for a Village **]

[You decided to help out a villager's home from the pain of the attack. Buy or create 7 [Healing Potions] to give to the villager.

Recommended Party: 1]

Well, two stars are not much, but I'm okay regardless of the difficulty. After about 4 minutes of crafting, I managed to create 10 of them with quality between 11-14. A bit much, but that's the power of the [Alchemy Mastery Level 8].

"Here you go. 7 high-quality [Healing Potions] along with a few extras and a few bottles of [Mana Potions]." I give almost a dozen bottles to the NPC.

[W-Wait... Are you sure about this, young man? I was asking for a few bottles, but this...]

Yeah. A few extra ones are a waste, but it's not just for the [Hidden Quest's] extra rewards.

"Saving a few lives is better than saving some stock. I'll deal with my own problems while you take care of yours. Just think about repaying once there are no more injured."

That sounds a bit too cool and cringey, but I'm trying to be genuine without feigning my true intentions.

[Well... I didn't expect you to be a good Samaritan, kid. What's your name?]

Huh? Is he asking my name already? That's oddly quick, but he doesn't look like a bad guy to me.

"It's , sir."

[Lowry...] The NPC stares at me with a suspicious look in his eyes. Then he smiles and says, [You look like a weakened puppy, but you have the heart of a wolf hiding in the shadows.]

I raise my eyebrow. "...Huh?"

[Oh, forgive my rambling. My name is and I would like to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. I will be staying here until nighttime, so see me at the inn if you like to chat.]

"Uh... Yeah. See you soon and give my regards to the patients!"

I wave goodbye to the NPC as I pack up my things and head off to forage.

[NOTICE]

[You have completed the [Hidden Quest], [A Potion for a Village] **!]

[Due to your generosity, an extra reward will be given to you shortly.]

Huh. Didn't expect some extras already. But looking at the window, I'm more confused than ever. Fenrir Greyheart. He's an odd guy, but again, he has a good judge of character. I wonder if we meet again as he said.

Well, I can't find that out right now. Besides, the [Viper Fangs] jerks are waiting and I can't afford to waste more time for my sake.