After a good night's rest, I woke up in a good mood. Following that, I got up and did my usual routine. Soon, I thought of what I had to ask Sung.
'Oh right, I still have to confirm those.'
I went to the living room to check if Sung was there, but like the usual morning, there was no sign of him. The only ones in the living room were Lulu and Trin, chatting.
"Good morning, you two," I greeted.
"Good morning," They both replied in unison.
'They're really getting along well.'
I went to take a newspaper and then sat on the couch. I decided to wait for Sung to return. While waiting, I put down the newspaper and surveyed the room. Behind the couch was a drawer, and above was a painting of a person, it didn't look like either Trin or Sung, although there are some resemblance, the person in the painting was equally, if not, even more beautiful.
'Maybe it's someone they know, a relative perhaps.'
I decided not to dig much into it. While still surveying around, I realized how cozy this house was. The warm white color of the walls makes one comfortable.
'Maybe this is why we feel at home even though we have only been here for a few days.'
While thinking this, I heard an interesting topic the two were discussing.
"Trin, when do you think we could join you when you train?"
"Well, both of you are still weak, so you can't join me yet. So, I will train you both first, with weaker monsters."
"I see... I hope we're not troubling you much."
"Not at all. I have always wanted to teach people how to fight. Though I'm not as great as my brother, I can still fight strong monsters."
"All right, thank you."
"Of course."
With that, they strayed away from this topic. But fairly soon, the door creaked open, and the figure that appeared was Sung.
"Oh, you're back already?" Trin said with a tone of surprise.
"Yep, there was not much to do, and I also heard an interesting piece of information," He replied.
"What is it?"
"It seems like the humans have finally made contact with some of the other races, including us elves."
"Well, it's to be expected. We were able to see the bright light in the forest, so they would too. Like them, you and I investigated the light, and that's how you met these two."
"Yeah, the only reason they only observed and haven't made contact until now was probably to understand what humans are and to be careful of potential danger."
"So, how did they make contact?"
"From what I heard, they just went to one of the camps with a group during sunlight."
"Pretty straightforward."
"Yeah, they probably deemed humans not dangerous."
'Not dangerous? You all have yet to see how insane humans are,' I lampoon as I thought about all the things humans have done on Earth. 'Well, I guess it's because they have only been observing for a while, and I don't think those people would do anything that would put them into danger for now, since they're new to this world and have yet to understand a lot.'
"I hope there's not going to be much of a problem," Lulu said, with a serious face.
"I agree," Sung replied. "But we can't really tell what would happen in the future. So let us put this behind our minds," He added with a chuckle.
All of us nodded in unison.
Soon, I voiced out a question to Sung.
"Sung, I have been curious. Why did you knock on the door when we first came here? But not anymore, every time you or Trin enter?"
"Haha, I didn't think you would ask something like that. Actually, the knocks were a code, two and then three after a pause. It's not the best code, but it's just for basic security. After all, we are in a forest," He replied.
"I see... I understand. It has just been on my mind, that's all," I said, feeling enlightened.
"No, no, it's actually a good thing that you know this now."
"Umm... Also, I talked with Lulu yesterday about equipment and such..." I added, with a hint of embarrassment.
"Oh, of course, just tell me what weapon you want, and I will create one for you," Sung assured.
A beaming smile could be seen on my face after he said those words. I could almost jump from joy.
'But I know better,' I thought as I looked at my pinky toe.
"I have decided that the weapon I want to wield is a dagger."
"All right, but it will have to wait as making a permanent object will take a lot of mana, so I will make you a temporary one for now."
"Thank you so much, Sung!"
At this point, I want to call him 'Brother Sung', but I think that's asking for too much. We have only known each other for a few days.
"No problem," He said. "While we're on topic, I'll also make you both some basic armor and such," He added.
Lulu and I nodded with bright smiles on our faces.
'It feels like we're being spoiled. I feel a little ashamed for depending on him so much,' I thought.
"Why not train today?" Trin chimed in.
"Can we? I would love to do that right now," I replied.
I looked at Lulu, and she nodded as well.
"I would love to as well."
"I can create basic equipment for the both of you right now. I'll also join your training this time, although I will only be on the side to make sure you're all safe," Sung stated.
"We couldn't ask for more," Lulu replied, and I nodded at her words.
Sung then walked to the side and started focusing. This was the very first time Lulu and I would be seeing real magic.
*clap*
Sung clapped his hands, and it started glowing. As he opened it, indescribable words could be seen between his hands. Soon, an object started outlining itself to form a normal looking dagger.
"This is for you, Sim," Sung handed me the dagger, and I accepted with trembling hands due to the excitement. "It will last a month or so. I didn't put much mana, so you wouldn't overpower weak monsters and end up not getting stats and experience (1). Once it disappears, your actual dagger will be ready by then."
"Tha - thank you," I thanked with unfocused eyes, marveling at how amazing magic truly is.
Sung nodded. He then went back to focusing and created two sets of basic light armor, armored pants, and boots.
My eyes sparkled during all of this process. Lulu as well was admiring everything. As he handed the items to us, we regained our senses.
"Put these on. If you don't know how to, Trin and I will teach you," Sung said.
We nodded and had them teach us how to wear the equipment.
'Who from Earth would know how to wear these? Well, there are those people who are obsessed with this kind of stuff, I guess.'
With the equipment on, we were ready to go. For the past few days, this would be our first time going outside.
'This is it!'
Trin opened the door and led the way.
***
As we were walking in the forest, I realized how peaceful it is, at least for now. We didn't really get to see much the first time due to the night, but now that it's bright, it looks much more calming than eerie.
"For now, we will be going against a weak monster called a slime," Trin stated as we walked through the forest.
'A slime! As expected from a fantasy world.'
"Although I called then weak, you both still need to be careful. Slimes have elemental powers imbued with them so they could spit flame, water, earth, or wind," She added. "Besides, as I said, you both are weak and have probably never fought like this for your entire life due to the peace in your world, so it's better to be always careful."
Lulu and I nodded in agreement because what she said was true.
Soon, we slowed down on our tracks, in front of us is a small patch of field within the forest. Sung then walked to Lulu to tell her something.
"Let me create some bullets for you, I won't put too much mana on them, so you don't kill the slimes with one shot and I will only give you a limited amount so that you have to think carefully when to shoot. That way, you'll be able to raise your stats," He said as his hands started to glow and produce bullets.
"All right. Get ready. The slimes are here," Trin said. "I won't be helping you out, but if it gets too dangerous, I will step in," She added.
"Understood," we replied.
With the dagger tightly held in my hand, I readied myself. I waited for Lulu to ready herself as well. I nodded to Lulu, and she nodded back.
"I'll go in front, and you'll stay back. That way, you can shoot and reload without any issues."
"Okay. That sounds good."
We then walked toward the field and saw small transparent circular blobs with different colors that bounced or moved like a slug. The slimes were the size of a basketball.
We searched for a lone slime so that we would have less trouble the first time we fought. Soon, we found a single transparent white blob behind some bushes.
We readied ourselves, but I was still shaking from nervousness. We walked toward the slime, and it noticed us as we got closer to it. I trembled the moment its dot of an eye looked at me.
*bang*
Lulu initiated the fight. The gun's explosive sound seemed to be much more silent, probably because the bullet is made with mana, not gunpowder, making it not alert other slimes.
As the slime got shot to its side, it staggered a little, but soon, it shot out a small blast of wind.
*swoosh*
It hit my abdomen, it was like being hit by a fist of an adult man. Not expecting how strong its attack was, it made me groan and get pushed back.
'What the hell. I thought slimes were supposed to he weak!'
I got back on my feet and ran to attack the slime, but before I could, it pounced on me and made me stagger and groan again.
*bang* *bang*
Lulu shot at it again as it landed after the pounce. With the slime slowing down, I quickly regained composure and slashed at it with my dagger.
*swish*
'Huh?'
My eyes widened in surprise because the dagger only bounced from its body.
The slime attacked with a blast of wind again, but this time toward Lulu. Unlike me, she was quick to react and managed to only get hit on her left arm, making her grunt a little.
I attacked it again with a slash, but as expected, it only bounced back. Maybe my strength was too weak, or something else was the factor. So, I had to change my strategy.
As the slime readied to pounce again, a weak noise could be heard. Lulu shot it.
When it was stopped, I quickly stabbed at it, and the attack went in. But the slime could still move, so I swung the dagger inside it and cut half of the slime (2). It soon stopped moving and then disintegrated.
'We did it!'
The only thing left behind from the spot of the slime was a mucus-like substance and a small white crystal.
"Yes!" I cheered as I look back to Lulu, who was also smiling from our achievement. But what I failed to see was the red slime far behind her.
*fwoosh*
A small ball of fire shot out from it, and before I could call it out to Lulu, she was already hit. Lulu groaned from the pain. Even though we're wearing armors, there was still the impact from the attack and the heat. I quickly ran to Lulu's side and faced the slime.
"You okay?" I asked her in concern.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
The slime didn't give enough time for idle chatter. It fired off two small balls of fire that we dodged just in time. As we dodged, it tried to pounce on me.
What met its body was my dagger, so it just bounced back to the ground. As soon as it landed, Lulu, far back, shot at it twice.
*bang* *bang*
As it staggered, I stabbed at it, and like last time, I swung my dagger, cutting its side in half. But this time, the slime was still alive. My guard was down, thinking it was dead. It shot out three balls of fire, and all of it hit me.
I groaned loudly and fell on my knees as I felt the pain on my body.
*bang* *bang* *bang* *bang*
I heard multiple shots fired. Lulu was reloading her revolver by the time I stabbed the slime. She shot the heavily injured slime a lot to kill it and confirm that it actually died. This time, the slime finally disintegrated and left a mucus-like substance and small white crystal.
"Sim, are you okay?!" She voiced out her concerns as she ran to my side.
"Y - yeah, I'm okay," I lied as I let out a groan and sweat dripping from my face.
Soon, Trin and Sung appeared by my side. Trin placed her hand on me, and it started glowing green. Indescribable words could be seen in the glow. A moment later, my body felt better, and the pain was gone.
...