Chapter 24: Unexpected Development

While they were staring and silently listening to this fully armored man delivering a passionate speech about how much he hates goblins, someone suddenly put a hand on Renan's shoulder which caused him to flinch and turn around.

"Yo, my guy! Are you by any chance Renan?"

The person asking him was a tall youth with spiky long red-hair, amber pupils, and sharp pointy ears. He wore the standard beginner outfit that the system gives you at the start of the game, and a big sword was strapped diagonally on his back which made him look imposing.

"Fuse, please don't use my real name when we're inside the game, okay?" Renan said to him a wry smile.

"Oh? So it is you! Yo, my bad, my bad man. I guess I am supposed to call you Lobo here, right?" Alec smiled back heartily while patting his shoulder a couple of times.

Noticing that a person showed up behind them unannounced and was now talking to Renan, Ars curiously turned around to observe the newcomer. Alec must have noticed her as well because she was standing oddly close beside his best friend Renan. Therefore, he switched his attention towards her for a moment and also did a quick observation of his own.

"So are you going to introduce me to this cute lady of yours, Lobo?" Alec prodded.

"Oh yeah, this is my first party member, Miss Ars."

Renan put a hand on her back and gently pushed her forward as if prompting her to speak up. Ars took the hint and nervously walked forward while holding out a hand in front of him.

"Umm… My name is Ars… It's a pleasure to meet you…"

After briefly making eye contact with him, she lowered her head instantly and waited for him to take her trembling hand to do a handshake. Seeing her acting all cute and nervous like a lost puppy, he couldn't help but find this somewhat funny to watch. Nevertheless, he firmly took her offered hand in his, which made her reflexively twitch in reaction, and slowly shook it with some eagerness.

"It's great to finally meet you, Ars. I heard a few things about you already from my good pal Lobo over here. And I know that you're initially wary and anxious around strangers, but I hope that you can trust me enough to protect your life at all costs. From now on, I'll become the party's bastion and shield in order to protect everyone, while simultaneously being the first one to die to the enemies. I look forward to working with you."

Alec balled one of his hands and smacked it against his chest as he did a glorious bow. Meanwhile, Ars hurriedly did the same by bowing towards him, except for the smashing a fist on the chest part.

On the other side, Renan happily witnessed the two of them making acquaintances and smiled contentedly. Then, clapping his hands together to get their attention, he said to them: "Well then, I think it's time we head out on a quest, shall we? And I still remember clearly about that goblin base we found yesterday on our trip to the Dark Forest, Miss Ars. Should we maybe go and raid that place for some loot?"

But, just as his two companions were about to give him their reply, the crowd behind them abruptly parted ways for a certain someone to get through and arrive before them.

"Hey! I heard goblins, where are the goblins?! What about those damn goblins that you lot are discussing about!?"

If he was to take a guess at this guy's identity purely based on his manner of speech, then Renan didn't even have to turn around to know who it was talking (yelling) to them. Unfortunately, he still had to regard this guy's existence at the very least, or else he would just be seen as a proud and good-for-nothing youth by everyone. And so, without any other choice, he could only turn around and engage this loud-mouthed man in a conversation.

"Mr. Goblin Hunter, was it? Could you maybe lower down your volume a bit, because we can perfectly hear you just fine thank you." Renan said to the man with narrowed eyes.

"What!? My voice! Oh, ahem…!" He tried clearing his throat, but the voice that came out next was still slightly ear-piercing and gravelly. "Sorry about that, but anyway…! I heard you lot utter the word goblins. So, what's that about?"

"Hmm? Nothing special, we just recently found a goblin base and we're thinking of ransacking the place since goblins look like the type of creature that would store stolen treasures in their homes."

Renan replied with a shrug of his shoulders, but what he got as a response was something more dramatic than what he could have hoped for. He didn't know if it was just him; no, it most definitely wasn't just him. But weirdly enough, he could distinctly hear the rough, panted breathing of this man known as the Goblin Hunter like he was on the verge of exploding out—and he did.

"Gah, gah, gah…" He took in a deep breath through his nostrils before screaming at the top of his lungs, "GOBLINS!!! I FINALLY FOUND YOU BASTARDS!"

Everyone on the scene was instantly dumbfounded, especially Renan and his two other companions, who had to receive the brunt of his unexpected yell that was full of thunder. His ears were practically ringing at this point, that's just how deafening this man's shout was. But as quickly as he shouted, his voice also returned back to normal just as fast.

"Come here, child. Let us have our talk in private, shall we?" He spoke in a low tone as he put an arm over Renan's shoulders.

Next, without any warning, he began leading Renan away from the crowd and, presumably, out of the town square entirely.

"Hey, wait up man!" Alec said while quickly following them.

Even though she was confused by the whole situation, Ars decided that tagging along, for now, would be the right decision to make here. Besides, they still promised to go questing together just moments ago. And unbeknownst to them, the surprises of today were only beginning.