"Haa…"
The flash of Sena's sword flickered, a pale blue Aura dispersing the moment it sliced through the panther's neck for 5 damage, beheading it.
"Finally, we've killed enough."
After killing eleven Night Prowlers together, the pair gained enough experience to level, with Sena's Mana reaching zero in several battles, causing her Aura to dissipate and grow weaker, lowering her bonus physical damage.
[◊ Night Prowler—Slain ◊]
• Gained 10 Experience Points
• Gained Panther Pelt
• Gained Panther Fang
◊ You have reached level 3
Julian Pendragon • Shadow Mancer (SSSR)
• Gained: 1 Magic + 1 Speed
• Gained Spell: Shadow Bind
Kang Sena • Sword Master (A)
• Gained: 10 HP + 1 Attack
• Gained Skill: Mocking Blow
A surge of warmth flowed through Julian's body like a stream of cool water while he leaned against a tree with his arm resting from the series of battles.
Julian's eyes watched Kang Sena who bent over while panting, her cheeks shining from the beads of sweat flowing down her cheeks.
"I gained a skill~ Julian, I can protect you better now!"
He couldn't help but narrow his eyes, watching her jump up and down, covered in dirt yet in the midafternoon sunlight she shone like a sword fairy.
"I also gained a nice spell that will help if we get surrounded."
"I see~ please help me, Husband."
Hehe ♡
The atmosphere was calm—they spent an hour fighting non-stop, so after having their health and Mana restored, the pair started to take a break.
Because this game was closely linked to a divine existence, things like rest, sleep and eating in the game also benefitted the human body.
'I believe there was someone who remained logged in for an entire month.'
Julian remembered the story from his past life.
It was astonishing at the time because people still hadn't fully accepted the truth and only played the game for fun. But the moment she came out, her body had fully adapted to Avalon. Thus, she could use her skills in the real world.
'I remember being a little curious at that point, probably one of the many chances I could have taken to save Sena.'
They were having a rest and eating some items that Sena seemed to have bought from the small village when playing with Maria.
Julian didn't go straight to the quest giving
When the monsters started growing stronger, it would be too late for them to develop their fighting instincts and mastering skills.
'When I log out, I'll have Sena party with Maria to learn more about the game and quest.'
"Hehe~ this food really tastes like a pork cutlet sandwich."
The games' food carried vivid and rich flavours, the pork cutlet sandwich juicy and savour. As the meat melted in his mouth, he couldn't help but gaze at Sena.
"It's delicious, but I would like to enjoy your homemade cooking sometime." Julian followed, remembering that he never ate Sena's food before.
Sena was mid-bite when he spoke, causing her to gaze at him with a mouth full of her sandwich.
Cough
Suddenly, she acted strange and started choking on her food, before turning away with a huff, peeking at him from the corner of her eyes.
"Who would cook for you, idiot."
'The distance is difficult to measure.'
Julian's sense of distance with Sena became difficult to judge because of their messy relationship. Though they weren't dating right now, their actions and atmosphere felt otherwise. He wanted to confirm and solidify things, but his guilt over breaking up with her lingered.
"That's a shame."
"…"
His response caused her to turn to look at him, still avoiding his gaze when he looked at her, but Julian could feel her stare and interest in him.
However, the lunch soon ended before they could discuss the subject further.
"Are we going to head further into the forest, Julian?"
The atmosphere became a little awkward because neither of the two pushed further, and took the step to break their current relationship and their slight distance. Despite their flirting and chatter, there was a slight wall separating them.
"I think so, but there's something we need to be careful of here. Once we leave the tutorial zone, other players and elite monsters will appear."
"Elite monsters?"
Sena didn't often play games, but she enjoyed a few gacha games in the past, since she always had money to burn, so some terms weren't foreign to her.
"Think of them like powerful monsters that drop good loot and lots of experience."
"Hm, but aren't we strong enough?"
Julian didn't deny that their part could probably take a weaker elite.
Maybe a spellcaster or attack focused elite, but if it was a defensive or speed type, then he believed they might struggle.
"It would be best if we could have a healer, but the pod is a little limiting…"
"Do you not like it?" Sena asked, while they continued walking towards the dark spot on the mini-map, a small cave in the winding forest. "—Being so close to me?"
Julian turned to face Sena, noticing her change atmosphere that changed, less confident and a sense of weakness in her softer voice.
Rustle
He noticed the sound, but ignored it, instead his fingertips started to flicker with a black aura.
Julian carefully approached Sena who held her sword in front of a dark bush, while looking at him with her massive opal eyes filled with uncertainty.
"What are you thinking, in the middle of a forest full of monsters, little girl." His voice was stern, but his body crept towards her with his eyes narrowing. Julian's gaze focused on the trees and bushes behind her.
"Eh?"
"Focus, if you really think I didn't enjoy it, then why am I here now?"
Sena's eyes widened as her cheeks turned red. "Was being stupid?"
Growl!
Julian wanted to discuss these things, but not now. But he didn't blame her because to Sena it was still a game, and not playing for a few hours didn't matter. Because of this, he planned to tell her more after they left the pod.
"It's not stupid, let's talk after we finish playing, talk about us and the future."
Julian's eyes flickered towards Sena, just as a massive beast appeared from the bushes, moving behind her.
"Really… huh?"
A hulking ape, with black and golden fur, almost two metres tall with bulging muscles and sharp teeth, as it released another savage roar and lunged at the pair with a terrifying force, barrelling towards Sena's back.
'Dumb ape.'
Without hesitation, Julian raised his hand, a dark, swirling shadow gathering at his fingertips. His gaze hardened, and the shadows coiled around him, pulsing with a sinister energy.
"Shadows Grasp!"
With a violent burst, three shadowy hands shot from the ground, their fingers like grasping claws. The first hand slammed into the ape's leg, the second wrapped around its chest, and the third seized its throat in a crushing grip.
"Julian?"
Sena gazed at Julian after whispering his name. He pulled her back and pushed her to the side, while facing the ape himself.
The animal roared and threw itself around, but the shadows held it in place. Julian's cold and firm aura was visible in the form of the black and purple hands.
—Skill: Command
"Sena, forget everything on your mind and Attack."
Because she was distracted, he finally used his Shadow Mancer skill to make her attack the Elite.