"Move ahead." Jake instructed Hephais, as he appeared like a ghost before the shocked young woman, who jolted back and lost her balance.
The assassin gave Jake a knowing glance, then vanished as quickly as he came with just a whisper of a sound. He already knew what his boss had in mind.
"Hey, you alright?" Jake inquired, more out of courtesy than genuine concern, regardless of how sweet and innocent this stranger seemed.
Seeing him extend a hand to help her up, the young woman froze in terror, throwing a wild punch at him. Jake caught her fist effortlessly, looking perplexed. Trying to break the tension, he remarked,
"Nice swing. What's your name?"
"N-Nuwa. Y-you're not an enemy?" She finally realized, although she continued to eye him warily.
I've shown Crunch and Lord Phenix, but understand that all the other Myrtharian Nerds are doing the same thing (either they're taking a dip, or hunting at home like Jake and Hephais, or they're swimming or hunting in enemy territory). It's just that since this continent is so vast, they have little chance of running into each other.