Dylan was curious about the spark frog so he decided to use the "shared senses" skill. In an instant, Dylan's perspective shifted to the spark frog. He saw nothing but fog. There's no tree or creature in the vicinity.
'Where the fuck did this bastard go?!' A question mark appeared on Dylan's head.
Unexpectedly, Dylan's perspective changed again. From the first perspective to the third perspective. It was as if he was playing PUBG and the spark frog was his character. Though he can't control its body, he can only issue instructions using their shared soul link.
'Move forward.' Dylan commanded.
The spark frog obediently followed the instructions and hopped forward happily. Dylan was surprised that he could see one hundred meters of the surroundings with the frog as a center.
Even then, he could see nothing but the blue sky above and the thick fog that seemed endless.
'Well, there's nothing here. Notify me once you come out of this place. Be careful, okay?' Dylan said to his frog self before leaving.
...
"Sir, are you okay?"
Dylan woke up in a daze after perspective returned. He looked at the blonde young boy looking at him.
The boy has freckles, amazingly blue eyes, an oval-shaped face, and sunken cheeks. He wore a simple white long-sleeve shirt and dirty blue jeans with cuts and holes in some places.
"I am okay. Why?"
The boy grinned. "You're looking at the people walking as if you're staring at their soul and you're asking why?"
"Not my fault if they're scared." Dylan let out a shrug.
Why the fuck would he care about them?
Dylan patted the blonde kid in a good mood. "What's your name? How old are you?"
The blonde kid stood straight and saluted. "My name is David. I'm about to turn 16 this July. In the future, I want to become a qualified soldier! Bring an honor to my family and this town!"
With a strong yearning in his eyes, the kid puffed up his chest. "How about, sir?"
"Dylan," Dylan chuckled at the antics of the young man in front of him. "As for my age, I'm just a little older than you. As for my dream? I just want to bring peace to this world." Dylan lied through his teeth. With a strong moment, he said those words without shame.
Hearing such a big goal, David couldn't help but look at Dylan in a different light. He didn't expect such a person to dream of world peace!
"Sir Dylan, you're not from this town, are you? I'm quite familiar with the faces who come and go here. It's the first time I've seen your face."
Dylan nodded. He realized that the young man in front of him could be useful as a guide to this town.
'I don't have money to stay even for a day in an inn. It wouldn't be good to sleep on the cold floor of the streets. I need to make money as soon as possible. How do I do it? How to earn money?'
Dylan was in deep thought. David, on the other hand, didn't disturb him.
'Just as I've thought. He's a new face. It would be bad if the Jumongjun Gang targets him for fun. I should warn him about them.'
David could smell trouble. He could see that Dylan was alone. No weapons. No money on him.
Such newcomers are easy to be bullied by the bad groups in the town.
"Oyyy, don't you have something that I can help with? A task or something?"
Dylan's eyes lit up, and they asked David with expectation.
David was a level 5 NPC. Dylan wants to see if he could trigger tasks like in the game.
"Me? Well, I just want to tell you to follow me around or those gangsters would lay their eyes on you." David said helplessly.
-
*Ding!*
[Side quest triggered! Due to low CHA. The quest triggered is only low difficulty. Please improve your CHA attribute and favorability with the NPC as soon as possible!]
...
Name: Come to safety.
Difficulty: F rank Quest.
Requirements:
-Follow David's lead to a safe place to avoid the sight of Jumongjun Group.
Mission Reward: 50 copper coins. +30 David's favorability. 150 exp.
Penalty: Once failed. The Jumongjun Group would go after you.
Time limit: 1 hr.
'Fuck yes!'
Dylan cheered inwardly. 'With 50 copper coins. I'll at least be able to eat and drink. That would only leave sleep as a problem. I only need to follow David to succeed.'
"Let's go," Dylan said in a good mood.
David nodded anxiously and walked. "Follow me."
Just like that, Dylan followed behind. He felt exhausted after fifteen minutes of brisk walking. The worst is, that David walks very fast due to his superior attribute to him. Dylan could keep up but he needs to expend more energy.
David and Dylan were now far away from the entrance of the town. They walked past tens of people. On the way, Dylan and David encountered dozens of pigeons pecking white rice at the ground. Ahead of the pigeons, was the Church.
"We're here." David seems visibly relieved after they reach the church.
Dylan glanced at the church up and down. "..."
*Ding!*
[Side Quest Success! Receives 50 copper coins. +30 David's favorability. 150 exp. The rewards are sent to your inventory.]
[David now considers you as a friend! Congratulations! You can now receive more difficult tasks from him.]
David became happy as he received the good news. Unfortunately, he didn't level up even with the 150 exp gained.
"Am I safe now? Those goons won't target me any longer just because I'm near the church?" Dylan asks David for clarification.
Dylan doesn't want trouble yet. After all, he was too weak. Even David has a higher level than him!
How about those so-called Jumongjun Gangs? Surely, the members of such a group are adults that have an average higher level than normal people. After all, they kill and earn expenses unbeknownst to them.
NPC levels up similar way to the players. That is, they gain exp through tasks, training, and killing, but unlike players, they're unaware of it. They only knew they were getting stronger but didn't know the exact reason why. Even a high-level NPC would only attribute their strength growth to the accumulation of time and their hard training. This is the advantage of players.