Kapitel 11: Quest

Having successfully completed his first task, Richard allowed his gaze to wander across the dimly lit tavern. The familiar scent of beer lingered in the air, a lingering reminder of his impulsive journey to this place.

His initial objective had been met, but now he found his attention drawn to a wooden board adorned with an array of tattered parchment quest notices. Curiosity piqued, he approached the board, his eyes scanning the various offerings. Among them, he discovered several quests that perfectly matched his F rank status:

'Gather 20 Calisto herbs', 'Retrieve 10 slime cores'…

Contemplating his options, Richard mused aloud. — They're relatively nearby. I could set out tomorrow morning and return by nightfall. — Two particular quests had caught his attention, sparking a glimmer of interest within him.

But before making any hasty decisions, he decided to take a seat and savor a warm meal, a coveted perk bestowed upon adventurers. The day's offering was a piping-hot soup infused with an assortment of vegetables and meat. The meat, unfamiliar to Richard, offered a unique taste, akin to a delightful blend of chicken and pork.

The tantalizing aroma of the meal lingered, and Richard's appetite urged him to savor more, yet the constraints of his F-class membership allowed only one daily serving. He knew that when he advanced as an adventurer, the rewards would become more bountiful. With determined steps, he returned to the quest board and selected both tasks.

Upon his return to the academy, he rested soundly through the night. The following morning, Richard wasted no time. He equipped his trusty sword and set forth to complete his quests. On his way, a familiar face appeared on the horizon, Elara.

— Hey, Elara. It's great to see you. — Richard flashed a warm smile, to which she responded in kind.

— G-Good to see you too. Where are you headed? — Elara's curiosity was piqued. It was unusual for first-semester students to venture beyond the academy's confines.

— I'm off to tackle a couple of quests for the adventurers' guild... — His words were nearly complete when a sudden idea struck him.

— Actually, do you want to join me? I could really use your help. — Elara's puzzlement was evident, aware of the guild's requirements and wondering how Richard could afford the fees.

Richard thoroughly explained the quests to Elara, showcasing the tasks listed on the parchment as he gauged her reaction. Confusion flickered in her eyes; the desire to accompany him was apparent, but she harbored doubts about her ability to contribute effectively.

— Dealing with those slimes might be easier with an extra pair of hands, you know? Having someone by our side can make a world of difference. — Richard's words were persuasive, and he gently took her arm, leading her along on the journey.

As they embarked on their adventure, Elara couldn't help but question her own capabilities. The recurring thought of "Will I truly be of assistance?" echoed in her mind.

Richard and Elara trekked through a dense forest, its towering trees forming a natural cathedral overhead. Shafts of dappled sunlight pierced the thick canopy, illuminating the vibrant undergrowth that carpeted the forest floor. The air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and the sweet perfume of wildflowers.

As they ventured deeper, the distant calls of forest creatures created a symphony of sounds, while playful beams of sunlight danced across the mossy path before them. Richard marvelled at the sheer beauty of this enchanted forest, its serene grandeur a stark contrast to the challenges that awaited them.

As they journeyed for roughly an hour, Richard couldn't help but admire Elara's unwavering stamina; she appeared to be tireless.

"She's incredibly strong, maybe I can help her build confidence." he contemplated. He believed that harnessing her strength could prove invaluable in the future.

— Before we confront the slimes, how about I show you how to throw a punch? — Richard suggested. While he wasn't an expert, he had watched enough UFC in his previous world to grasp some basics of boxing stances and arm positions.

While attempting to guide Elara through the basics, Richard himself displayed a degree of clumsiness. He exhibited a rudimentary boxing stance and threw some punches for her to observe. When it was Elara's turn to replicate the movements, she initially appeared somewhat awkward and uncoordinated.

After all, he had never battled a monster before, and he feared the danger that the slimes might pose, especially to someone as inexperienced as Elara.

As Elara continued to practice under Richard's guidance, her punches began to evolve. At first, her movements were somewhat awkward and unrefined, but with each successive attempt, she showed noticeable improvement.

Her punches became more precise and deliberate, mirroring the form of someone who had been training for an extended period. The initial clumsiness gave way to graceful execution as she adapted to the boxing stance and punch technique. Richard watched with growing admiration as Elara's dedication and exceptional talent, as she transformed her punches into something that more closely resembled the skill of an experienced fighter of his past world.

After about an hour of dedicated training, Elara had made remarkable progress, refining her punching technique. As they were about to conclude her training, hope seemed to wane for any slime sightings. But then, as if by some stroke of fate, Elara's keen ears picked up an unusual sound in the forest. The pair ventured deeper into the wilderness, with each step, their anticipation building.

Hidden within the dense forest under a canopy of emerald leaves, they discovered the source of the curious sound, a remarkable round slime. It resembled a glistening sphere of liquid crystal, its translucent form refracting the dappled sunlight filtering through the foliage. The slime emitted a faint, otherworldly glow, and its surface seemed to ripple like water in a silent dance. Its mesmerizing appearance contrasted sharply with the vibrant, earthy colors of the forest. The very sight of it was a testament to the incredible diversity and enigmatic creatures that inhabited this new world.

Richard was mesmerized when he saw a creature that only was known as fiction in his world, each day he keeps being surprised by this world. An excited smile showed up in his face, he grabbed his sword.

— Let me be the first. — His voice was filled with anticipation as he rushed toward the round slime. At first glance, it appeared entirely immobile, and he presumed it would be an easy opponent. However, his initial vertical slash met with a baffling surprise.

As Richard's sword struck the creature, it didn't cut through as he had expected; instead, it rebounded from the slime's flexible, rubbery body. The unexpected bounce nearly sent Richard tumbling off balance, but with a bit of effort, he managed to stay on his feet.

Undeterred, he launched another vertical slash, but this time, the slime was quicker. It leaped at him like a bullet, leaving him with minimal time to dodge. The round slime connected with his belly, the impact akin to being struck by a professional boxer. However, Richard's sturdier physique enabled him to endure the blow.

Gritting his teeth, he persisted. With a swift, horizontal slash, his blade cleaved through the slime, leaving it severed in two. The confrontation was brief but intense, a testament to the unexpected perils of this captivating world.

As the sword cleanly sliced through the slime, the creature dissolved into a viscous, translucent goo. Amidst the goo, a smooth, round, and gleaming white object remained, glistening in the forest's filtered light. The corners of Richard's mouth curved upward into a satisfied smile. It was the sought-after prize, a slime core, the tangible evidence of his triumph over the enigmatic creature.

As Richard continued his journey through the lush, forested area, he stumbled upon a vibrant, small meadow. Amid the dense foliage, a delicate flower stood out. It was the Calisto Herb, its name whispered among adventurers and herbalists for its rare medicinal properties.

The Calisto Herb, with its pale pink petals, glistened in the dappled sunlight. Richard couldn't help but be captivated by its gentle, understated beauty. The petals held a subtle charm, like a secret treasure hidden within the wilderness. Its heart was adorned with a vivid orange stigma and stamen, a striking contrast to the surrounding greenery.

As Richard knelt down to examine the Calisto herb, Elara's ears perked up at a faint, ominous rustling in the underbrush. Her voice trembled with a mixture of fear and urgency as she whispered. — Richard, I think I heard something coming.

Before he could respond, the forest suddenly came to life. From the depths of the woods, six glistening, gelatinous figures emerged with surprising swiftness. These creatures, about the size of watermelons, had semi-transparent bodies that caught and refracted the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. The slimes oozed and squelched with a collective intent that was not immediately clear to Richard or Elara.

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