The hum of the VR pods faded as Adrian, Sarah, and Alice blinked into existence within Reaper's Echo . The village square greeted them with its familiar frost-laden charm—lanterns flickering softly against the pale morning light, snow crunching underfoot, and NPCs bustling about their daily routines. But something felt different this time. It wasn't just the eerie stillness that had settled over the area; it was the players scattered throughout the scene.
"Back already," Sarah muttered, stretching her arms dramatically. "Feels like we never left."
Adrian scanned the surroundings, his sharp golden-brown eyes catching details others might miss. His gaze landed on a group of players huddled near the weapon vendor. Some wore mismatched armor pieces—two chest plates layered awkwardly over each other, while others sported three sets of gauntlets for no apparent reason. One guy even had a helmet shoved sideways onto his head like some kind of bizarre fashion statement.
"They're already stacking gear," Adrian observed dryly, pointing toward the chaotic ensemble. "Looks like they're trying to break the game's physics engine."
Sarah squinted at the sight, her lips curling into a smirk. "Oh, come on. That can't be comfortable. Who stacks two breastplates unless they think gravity is optional?"
Alice snorted, crossing her arms. "Probably the same geniuses who thought triple boots would make them immune to frostbite."
Despite the humor, Sarah's expression shifted to determination. "We need armor too. And fast. Those wolves aren't gonna kill themselves."
Adrian nodded, though his mind raced ahead. He'd logged back in last night after everyone else had left, spending extra time grinding mobs outside the village. While Sarah and Alice were still Level 1, he'd pushed himself to Level 3, thanks to careful combat tactics and his growing Physique . Still, he knew their teamwork could handle tougher challenges than most beginners dared attempt.
They headed straight for the quest board—a wooden slab covered in parchment notes fluttering gently in the breeze. Players milled around it, debating which quests to tackle next. Adrian stepped forward, scanning the available options.
Quest Selection
Frost Herds : Gather hides from wandering beasts in the fields.
Wolf Hunt : Clear out packs of wolves threatening nearby farms.
Cave Bears : Investigate reports of aggressive bears deep in the caves. (Requires Level 5)
Sarah leaned closer, her eyes lighting up at the mention of the cave bears. "That one," she declared immediately. "Bears sound badass."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "Badass or suicidal? We're barely Level 1. Well, except Adrian, apparently." She shot him a teasing glance.
He shrugged, opening his status screen briefly to confirm his stats:
Adrian Vale
Level: 3 (42 / 100 EXP)
HP: 120 / 120
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Endurance: 3
Stamina: 4
Intelligence: 3
Luck: 1
Physique: 5 (89 / 100)
"Yeah, I stayed late last night," he admitted. "Grinded a bit. But between my Assassin skills and your tank classes, we've got this. Besides, we'll level up along the way."
Sarah grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Sold. Let's go punch some bears."
Alice sighed but didn't argue. "Fine. But if I die because someone forgot to heal me, I'm haunting all of you."
With their decision made, they set off toward the outskirts of the village, following the narrow dirt path that led to the forest's edge. The air grew colder as they ventured further, shadows stretching long across the snow-covered ground.
The entrance to the bear-infested cave loomed ahead—a jagged opening carved into the mountainside, framed by icicles dripping slowly in the chill. Before they could step inside, however, a group of four players approached them, grinning broadly.
"Hey there!" one of them called out, clearly addressing Sarah and Alice. "Mind if we tag along? Looks like you're heading somewhere fun."
Adrian studied the newcomers warily. They were dressed in mismatched starter gear, their weapons looking more decorative than practical. Their leader—a lanky guy with messy hair and a crooked grin—was practically drooling as he stared at Sarah and Alice.
"Oh, look at that," Sarah whispered theatrically to Adrian. "Our fan club arrived early."
Alice rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Please. If they wanted to join us, they'd have asked without staring like we're rare loot drops."
Adrian stepped slightly in front of the sisters, his tone polite but firm. "What do you want?"
The leader chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, uh, we noticed these lovely ladies and figured we'd offer our protection. Y'know, since bears are dangerous and all…"
Sarah laughed outright, loud and mocking. "Protection? From what? Your terrible fashion sense?"
One of the other guys chimed in, oblivious to the sarcasm. "Yeah, totally! We'll keep you safe. Plus, we've got experience. Played tons of beta versions!"
Adrian exchanged a glance with Alice, who looked like she was two seconds away from swinging her mace. "Experience, huh?" Adrian said smoothly. "So… how many bears have you killed?"
The leader hesitated, then blustered, "Uh, well, none yet. But we're ready! Totally prepared!"
Sarah crossed her arms, leaning casually on her sword. "Let me guess—you saw two hot girls and decided 'heroic rescue' was your best pickup line."
Their faces reddened, confirming her suspicion. Adrian smirked faintly, enjoying the spectacle. "Thanks for the offer, but we're good. Try practicing on wolves first."
Defeated and embarrassed, the group slunk away, muttering excuses about finding easier prey. Once they were out of earshot, Sarah burst into laughter.
"Oh my god, did you see their faces?" she crowed. "Priceless."
Alice smirked, adjusting her grip on her mace. "Idiots. Like we'd need their help anyway."
Adrian shook his head, amused but focused. "Alright, let's get moving before more distractions show up."
The air inside the cave was damp and cold, carrying the faint scent of moss and earth. Shadows stretched unnaturally long across the jagged walls, their edges blurred by the flickering glow of lanterns scattered throughout the cavern. The sound of dripping water echoed softly in the distance, punctuated occasionally by low growls that reverberated through the stone corridors.
Adrian led the way, his short sword drawn and held at the ready. His heightened Agility allowed him to move silently, scouting ahead for any signs of danger. Behind him, Sarah and Alice followed closely, their weapons gripped tightly—Sarah with her longsword resting casually on her shoulder, while Alice hefted her heavy mace like it weighed no more than a feather.
"Remember," Adrian whispered over his shoulder, "we take them one at a time. No rushing unless we have to."
Sarah smirked, though her voice carried an edge of seriousness. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Stealthy Assassin. Just don't get too cocky this time."
Alice rolled her eyes but nodded. "If you two start arguing mid-fight again, I'm letting the bears eat you first."
Before Adrian could retort, a deep growl rumbled from deeper within the cave. Two massive bears emerged from the shadows, their fur matted with frost and dirt, claws glinting ominously under the dim light. Their eyes burned with hostility as they locked onto the intruders.
System Notification:
You have entered combat territory.
Enemies: Cave Bear (Lv. 4) × 2
Health: 200 / 200 each
"Alright, team," Adrian said calmly, crouching slightly into a defensive stance. "Let's show these guys why they shouldn't mess with us."
The first bear charged directly at Alice, its massive form barreling forward like a freight train. She braced herself, planting her feet firmly into the ground. As the creature lunged, she swung her mace with brutal precision, connecting squarely with its jaw.
Damage Dealt: -52 [Blunt Force Impact]
Bear HP: 148 / 200
The impact sent the bear stumbling backward, dazed but far from defeated. It retaliated with a swipe of its claws, narrowly missing Alice's side.
Damage Avoided: Evasion Successful (+3 Physique EXP)
While the bear recovered, Sarah darted in, her longsword slicing cleanly across its flank. Her movements were fluid and practiced, a testament to her Dragon Knight class.
Damage Dealt: -35
Adrian slipped behind the bear, striking swiftly at its exposed rear leg. His blade found purchase, earning him bonus damage for positioning.
Damage Dealt: -30 [Backstab Bonus]
Physique EXP: +8 (Evasive Movement)
With combined effort, the trio whittled down the first bear's health until it collapsed with a final roar, its body dissolving into motes of light.
Combat Rewards:
+25 EXP per player
+2 Beast Pelts
+1 Bear Claw
Round 2: The Second Bear
Before they could catch their breath, the second bear surged forward, targeting Sarah this time. Its claws slashed wildly, forcing her to dodge repeatedly. Despite her agility, one strike grazed her arm.
Damage Taken: -20 [Piercing Bite]
Sarah – HP: 150 / 170
"Ow! Jerk!" she shouted, retaliating with a flurry of strikes. Each slash nicked the bear's hide, chipping away at its health.
Damage Dealt: -18, -20
Alice stepped in next, delivering a devastating overhead swing that cracked against the bear's skull.
Damage Dealt: -44 [Crushing Blow]
Bear HP: 92 / 200
Adrian danced around the creature, baiting it toward him while staying just out of reach. When it lunged, he ducked beneath its jaws and drove his blade upward into its exposed belly.
Damage Dealt: -29 [Backstab Bonus]
Physique EXP: +7 (Dodging + Quick Counter)
Finally, with a well-timed mace strike from Alice, the second bear fell, leaving the cave momentarily silent once more.
Combat Rewards:
+25 EXP per player
+2 Beast Pelts
+1 Bear Claw
After the battle, the group took a moment to recover. Sarah leaned against a rocky outcrop, inspecting her wound, while Alice adjusted her grip on her mace, breathing heavily. Adrian checked his status screen, noting the steady climb of his Physique stat.
Adrian Vale
Level: 4 (67 / 100 EXP)
HP: 120 / 120
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Endurance: 3
Stamina: 4
Intelligence: 3
Luck: 1
Physique: 6 (45 / 100)
Sarah and Alice had both reached Level 3, their Strength and Endurance stats improving significantly thanks to their tank classes. They exchanged a few jokes about how much easier battles would be once they acquired proper armor, but Adrian remained focused, scanning the cave for anything unusual.
Just as they began gathering loot from the fallen bears, a low rumble shook the ground beneath their feet. Dust trickled down from the ceiling, and the temperature dropped sharply. From deeper within the cave, an ominous shadow loomed larger than life—a towering figure with glowing red eyes and claws that gleamed like polished steel.
System Notification:
New Enemy Detected: Alpha Cave Bear (Lv. 7)
Health: 500 / 500
The beast roared, the sound echoing deafeningly through the cavern. It stepped fully into view, its sheer size dwarfing the previous bears. Its muscles rippled with power, and its gaze locked onto them with predatory intent.
Adrian froze, his mind racing. At Level 7, this creature was far beyond a player's current capabilities. Even with their combined strength, taking it on would be very hard, judging by its presence.
"Well…" Sarah muttered, tightening her grip on her sword. "That's new."
Alice swallowed audibly, gripping her mace tighter. "Uh… Adrian? Any bright ideas?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately. His eyes darted around the cave, searching for an escape route or some kind of advantage. But before he could formulate a plan, the Alpha Cave Bear let out another thunderous roar and charged straight at them.