With Nariku walking beside him, Rin cast a sideways glance at the boy. "What weapon are you using, Nariku?" he asked, casually, as if it was just conversation.
"A spear!" Nariku answered without hesitation, still brimming with that ever-present smile.
What the hell happened while I was trenching through the forest? Rin frowned internally. Why is he so happy all of a sudden?
Still, the answer made sense. A spear is good for a beginner. Longer range, simpler movements, easy to grasp. It keeps him at a safe distance while letting him feel useful. Convenient. Rin's fingers flicked through the shop menu in his mind, scanning for options.
Then, something caught his eye.
---
Name: Card of Mania
Grade: Rare
+3 Strength
+2 Speed
+1 Intelligence
+1 Mania
Effect: +100% power when smiling
Note: This item is exclusive to you.
Price: 20 gold
---
An exclusive item? Rin's eyes narrowed. The system really is shaping me into the villain archetype. I like it.
And that stat—Mania. Unfamiliar. A secret stat, most likely. Maybe Hairu has one too, Rin considered. It'd explain his unnatural leadership and ability to command others.
He bought it immediately.
Then he kept scrolling until he found something simple, something practical for appearances.
---
Name: Spear
Grade: Common
+1 Strength
Price: 3 gold
---
23 gold total. With his initial 20 plus the 10 gold Hairu gave him earlier, Rin could afford both easily.
The deck of cards—his real weapon—he tucked into his inventory. The spear he carried in-hand, for show. No one needed to know what truly made him dangerous.
He turned toward Nariku, plastering a calm smile on his face. "Hey Nariku, let's go scouting again."
"Yeah, yeah, sure!" Nariku replied with his usual cheerfulness.
This is creeping me out, Rin thought, hiding a grimace behind his smile. He's way too attached. Still, he could be useful if I play this right.
---
Hairu's POV
Back at the village, Hairu paced near the central crystal. The information Rin provided was nagging at him.
A goblin village? This close?
That wasn't supposed to happen yet. Still, the proximity worked in their favor for now—at least only patrols were nearby.
Hairu glanced at the silver watch he had bought from the shop.
---
Wave Timer
Next wave in: 16:28
---
Sixteen minutes.
The next wave might be more brutal. We can't afford to lose the crystal. And that punk—he's still wandering around without a clue. I need to check the south gate and make sure no one screws this up.
He took off, boots thudding lightly against the damp village ground, heading south.
Rin's POV
Back in the forest, Rin and Nariku moved carefully among the trees, the wet soil muffling their steps.
"So Nariku," Rin asked, keeping his tone light, "why are you so happy all of a sudden?"
Nariku looked up at Rin, head slightly tilted. "What do you mean, Rin? You were nice to me. I'd be really sad if you were gone…" His voice trembled, and his eyes welled up again. "You're the first person who helped me when we were in that room…"
Rin sighed internally. This boy is far too fragile… But he smiled softly, crouching down to pat Nariku's head. "Alright, alright. No need to cry again, okay? I'm still here."
Nariku sniffled but nodded, hugging Rin tightly. Rin let him. If I don't keep him together, he'll fall apart—and that won't benefit me.
Then, a sharp sound echoed in the distance. A warhorn.
Rin's eyes narrowed. A warhorn? The village is under attack already? That's… sooner than expected.
He glanced back toward the village but didn't move. Nariku's face was still buried in his chest.
"We should stay here for now," Rin said, voice gentle. "If we go back now, we'll just get in the way. The frontliners can handle it."
"Are… are you sure?" Nariku asked, his voice muffled.
"Yeah," Rin said with a soft laugh. "Let them be the heroes for now."
But in Rin's mind, a different thought played.
Let the goblins do the hard part. If some players die, that's fewer people I have to deal with later. The quest said 'any means necessary,' after all…
He held Nariku close, his smile calm and reassuring. The boy didn't need to know what kind of person he was following.