Main Quest: HUNT THE ARCANE PACK Part 4

"Huh, are you for real?!" Trey roared.

"!!?"

Everyone looked at the tray with a puzzled expression.

Trey's outburst sent shockwaves through the party, leaving them all momentarily stunned. His accusations were like a sudden storm on a clear day, catching everyone off guard.

"Klent, your job is to cover our holes. Why didn't you do that when the monster attacked our healer? You just stood there like a statue," Trey accused, his frustration palpable.

Klent, the mage, stammered as he attempted to form a response, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I-I didn't expect Naida to draw aggro so quickly. It was a mistake on my part."

Naida, the healer, bit her lip, feeling responsible for the situation. She had acted on instinct to save Andy but had unwittingly drawn the monster's attention.

Kuonh, however, bore the brunt of Trey's anger. "And you, you leave formation without thinking about how it affects the party! To top it off, you threw away your weapon. What are you going to do if another monster appears? Let the whole party die? Tsk! This is why I hate newbies."

The swordsman's accusations were sharp, and his words felt like a personal attack. Kuonh's expression shifted from surprise to a mix of frustration and hurt as Trey berated him.

"Trey, wait a minute," Andy, the tank, interjected, trying to defuse the tension. "We're a team, and we all make mistakes sometimes. Let's not point fingers here."

Trey's eyes blazed with resentment as he fixed a piercing gaze on Kuonh. His voice dripped with frustration and urgency. "This isn't a playground for amateurs. Lives are on the line here, and a single misstep can cost us dearly. You do realize what will happen if one of the entities in this world takes our lives right? we will be gone in this world forever!"

Kuonh clenched his fists, struggling to find the right words . He had made a snap decision to protect Naida, but it had clearly upset Trey, who seemed to value strict adherence to formation above all else.

As the party members continued to exchange heated words, it became evident that their first victory had uncovered underlying tensions and differences in approach. NEuEarth was proving to be more challenging than they had anticipated, not just in terms of monsters but also in managing the dynamics within their group.

Kuonh's gaze locked onto Trey's, and he uttered a single word, "You."

Trey, his expression a mixture of confusion and irritation, retorted, "What?"

Kuonh couldn't help but chuckle wryly at the irony of the situation. He then humbled himself, bowing before his party members. "I apologize, everyone."

The others, including Trey, reacted with surprise, their eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Eh?"

Kuonh continued, his tone sincere and introspective. "What Mr. Trey said is absolutely right. I don't regret my actions, but that doesn't change the fact that what I did wasn't the right approach for our party. I got overconfident. I thought that my previous experience in this MMORPG had prepared me, but I've come to realize that I still have much to learn."

He turned his gaze towards Trey, his eyes filled with determination. "Thank you, Trey, for this valuable lesson. I hope you'll continue to share your knowledge with us in the future."

Trey found himself taken aback, his initial frustration diffusing as he observed Kuonh's unexpected response. It became apparent to him that he might have come on a bit too strong during his scolding.

"Well, I guess as long as you've learned from it, it's fine," Trey conceded, his gruff exterior softening slightly. "Just don't do it again."

Kuonh nodded fervently, his sincerity shining through. "I won't! And I genuinely hope you'll share more of your pro tips with me." He nods, displaying his gratitude.

Trey, feeling a bit embarrassed by the sudden shift in dynamics, looked away as he mumbled, "I'll think about it."

The other three party members observed the exchange with bemused expressions, not entirely sure what had transpired but glad to see the tension had dissipated.

In that moment, the tension that had hung in the air began to dissipate. Kuonh's willingness to admit his mistake and learn from it had a profound impact on the party. They understood the importance of unity and cooperation in this unfamiliar world, and Kuonh's humility had paved the way for a more harmonious team dynamic.

*

The party ventured deeper into the forest, moving with caution as they sought an advantageous battleground. They knew that facing the Arcane in the dense woodland could be a perilous endeavor, as the creature could ambush them from behind the thick trees at any moment.

". . . . ."

*cracks*

Navigating through this dense forest was no easy feat. Every step they took was accompanied by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures. The tension in the air was palpable as they remained vigilant, acutely aware of the lurking danger.

After a few minutes of careful advancement, the party stumbled upon a relatively open area within the forest. They exchanged glances, their unspoken agreement clear: this was the place they had been searching for. The space was more suitable for their strategy, offering a clear line of sight and enough room to maneuver.

With cautious steps, they moved toward the open area, eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of the Arcane. They knew that even in this seemingly advantageous location, they could not afford to let their guard down.

"Look, guys, over there," Andy's keen eyes caught sight of this relatively open area with fewer trees and a large boulder that resembled a giant "C" in shape.

His comrades nodded in agreement, recognizing the strategic potential of the location. With the three more Arcane that they need to kill, they had limited options for where it could emerge, and this open area provided them with better visibility and room to maneuver.

Reaching the chosen spot, they paused to catch their breath and recuperate. Klent addressed the group, his voice laced with determination, "Let's take a break for a minute, then continue the quest." The respite was brief, for the looming presence of the Arcane reminded them that danger still lurked nearby, and their quest was far from over.