Nico stood in the clearing, adrenaline still coursing through him as he surveyed the aftermath of his explosive display of power. The muscular guy—Magnus—lay unconscious, and the petite green-haired girl was staring at him with wide eyes, her expression shifting from shock to intrigue.
"W-what just happened?" she stammered, her hands on her hips as she took a step back, sizing him up. "Did you really just obliterate Magnus?"
"Um, yeah, about that," Nico said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I didn't mean to go that far. He just kinda… charged at me, and well, instinct took over."
She squinted at him, skepticism etched on her features. "Instinct? You made a level 1 fireball look like a spell from a grandmaster."
Nico shrugged, trying to downplay his skills. "I mean, it's just something I'm really good at. I guess I didn't expect it to be that powerful."
The girl crossed her arms, and Nico couldn't help but notice how her tunic accentuated her figure. She had vibrant green hair that cascaded down her back, framing her face in a way that made her look both fierce and cute. He shook his head, trying to focus. No distractions! You're in a fantasy world now.
"I'm Lila, by the way," she said, raising an eyebrow. "And I can't believe you just took down Magnus. He's one of the strongest fighters in our guild!"
"Nice to meet you, Lila," Nico said, attempting a friendly smile. "And I guess I'm just a lucky level 1?"
"Lucky?" Lila scoffed, stepping closer. "You're hiding something, aren't you? What's your real level?"
Nico paused, considering his options. Should I tell her? He had all the skills and spells maxed out, but revealing that could lead to complications.
"Honestly, I just woke up here, and I'm still figuring everything out," he said, trying to sound genuine. "I'm not hiding anything. Just… trying to survive, I guess?"
Lila studied him for a moment, her expression softening. "Alright, but I'm keeping an eye on you. If you're really level 1, you'll need all the help you can get in this world. And if you're not…" Her voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
"Fair enough," Nico replied, trying to defuse the tension. "So, what's next? Do we help Magnus, or should we just leave him there?"
Lila rolled her eyes. "We should get him back to town before he wakes up and starts making a scene. He's not the type to take losing lightly."
"Right! Let's do that," Nico agreed, glancing at Magnus, who lay sprawled on the ground. How heavy could he be?
As Lila approached Magnus to check on him, she bent down, her green hair falling forward as she leaned over. Nico tried not to stare but found himself captivated by the way her tunic hugged her form.
"Hey! A little help here?" Lila called, breaking him from his reverie. "He's heavier than he looks."
"Oh, right!" Nico rushed over, grasping Magnus's arms. They hoisted him up together, awkwardly maneuvering his bulk between them.
"You're stronger than you look, Noob," Lila said, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Maybe there's more to you than meets the eye."
"Just call me the Noob with Hidden Talent," Nico quipped, grinning despite the awkwardness.
As they made their way back to town, the scenery shifted from the dense forest to a more vibrant landscape, with colorful flowers lining the path and birds chirping in the trees. Lila occasionally glanced over at Nico, her expression a mix of curiosity and contemplation.
"So, what's your deal, really?" she asked after a while. "Why were you out here alone? Most level 1s stick close to the town."
"Honestly?" Nico replied, trying to sound casual. "I just wanted to explore and see what this world has to offer. I didn't expect to be thrown into a fight on my first day!"
Lila laughed lightly, the sound brightening the air around them. "You're lucky you ran into me and not one of the more… hostile adventurers. They wouldn't be so forgiving."
"Right? I'll take my luck where I can get it." Nico chuckled, feeling more at ease.
As they approached the town, a bustling marketplace came into view. Colorful stalls lined the streets, filled with all manner of goods—potions, weapons, magical artifacts, and delicious street food.
"Welcome to Dawnspire," Lila said, gesturing to the vibrant scene. "This is where all the adventurers come to gear up and restock. You'll love it here!"
Nico's eyes widened as he took in the sights and sounds. "This place is incredible!"
Just then, Magnus stirred, groaning as he came to. He blinked at the bright sunlight, his memories flooding back. "What happened? Why do I feel like I got hit by a meteor?"
Lila shot Nico a knowing glance. "Oh, you know, just a level 1 noob showing off his skills."
Magnus shot up, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger. "You! You little—" He turned to Nico, his eyes narrowing. "You'll pay for that! I demand a rematch!"
"Rematch?" Nico said, holding up his hands defensively. "Can't we just call it a day? I didn't mean to hurt you!"
Magnus huffed, crossing his arms. "You're lucky I'm not in fighting condition. Next time, I won't go easy on you!"
Lila stepped between them, holding up a hand. "Alright, alright! We don't need any more fights today. Magnus, you need to cool off. And Nico, let's focus on finding you some gear first."
"Gear sounds great!" Nico replied, eager to change the subject and avoid further confrontation.
As they walked through the marketplace, Lila took the lead, pointing out various shops. "Here's where you can buy potions, and over there is the weaponsmith. If you're serious about adventuring, you'll want to gear up."
Nico nodded, trying to take it all in. "Thanks for showing me around, Lila. I really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it. Besides, you owe me one for dragging Magnus back here." She winked playfully, and Nico felt his heart skip a beat.
"Yeah, sure, I'll repay you somehow!" he said, trying to keep it light while his mind raced with possibilities.
As they continued through the bustling market, Lila leaned closer, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "And if you ever need help with those 'hidden talents' of yours, you know where to find me."
Nico turned to her, surprised by the shift in her tone. "Are you serious? You'd want to train with me?"
"Of course," she said with a mischievous grin. "But I expect some fun in return—after all, who wouldn't want to have a powerful level 1 as a friend?"
Nico laughed, feeling a rush of excitement mixed with the awkwardness of their budding friendship. If this was how his new life would unfold, he was all in.
"Alright, then! Let's see what trouble we can stir up in this town!" he declared, a grin spreading across his face.
With a newfound sense of adventure and the potential for exciting escapades ahead, Nico stepped into the marketplace, ready to embrace his new life as a so-called level 1 noob with infinite power and an unexpected ally by his side.