SUDDEN QUEST! ARCANE ALPHA!

  "I see. There must be an Alpha inside that forest, giving direction to the other monsters...."

"!!"

The realization struck like a bolt of lightning. There had to be an Alpha lurking within that forest, guiding the other monstrous creatures, and that Alpha's presence had set my internal alarm bells ringing in unison. Panic welled up within my mind, threatening to consume my thoughts entirely.

"What should I do? Should I...?" The paralyzing grip of fear began to take hold of me, but I quickly silenced the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me.

No, I needed to stay focused. I couldn't afford to let panic take control. The existence of an Alpha is still not certain; it could just be another bizarre variation of the Arcane species, much like the other one that we had encountered.

"One at a time," I stated firmly, my resolve returning. Beside me, Naida nodded in agreement, and together, we steeled ourselves to face the arcanes that standing in front of us.

"Here I come!"

In that crucial moment, I moved with lightning speed, launching a swift and decisive strike against the already injured Arcane.

"Gyaa!" the Arcane cried out in agony, its body illuminated before shattering into countless glimmering fragments that dispersed into the air.

[1 ARCAN killed]

I reaped the rewards of our battle, gaining valuable experience and silver while also securing a few Arcane body parts.

+300 exp +40 silver

Item: +1 Arcan claw

"weakness"

But there was no time for celebration. I had found a rhythm, a way to predict and strike at the red strings with precision. This newfound skill was turning the tide in our favor, and one by one, the Arcanes fell before us.

*slash*

[CRITICAL]

[1 ARCAN killed]

Again and again, I delivered critical blows, each one marked by a sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of victory.

+300 exp +40 silver

Item: +1 Arcane Fang

"You did it!"

Naida began to express her optimism, and Kuonh was about to respond, saying, "Yeah, one at a time, at this rate we will be able to surviv--."

But before he could utter another word, a sudden, resonating sound reverberated through the forest, sending a shiver down their spines.

*TAAAAANG*

A message materialized before their eyes:

[FIELD BOSS APPEARED]

A new quest notification followed:

[Sudden Quest: KILL ARCANE ALPHA]

*togs togs*

The forest seemed to tremble with each ominous footstep. Like the thudding heartbeats of impending dread,, growing heavier and louder as it approached. Then, emerging from the dense foliage, a colossal and nightmarish figure loomed before us.

This Arcane was unlike any we had encountered before, easily three times the size of its brethren. Its fur, a deep crimson that seemed drenched in blood, gave it an even more grotesque appearance. Its teeth and claws were wickedly sharp, and the most terrifying sight of all was the bright yellow name above its head, blending ominously with orange.

A mixture of yellow and orange. The appearance of this crimson Arcane stood in stark contrast to hope, its menacing visage of:

[DESPAIR]

Naida couldn't help but shiver as she gazed upon the monstrous Arcane that had appeared before them. It was as if a cascade of negative thoughts had been unleashed, each one threatening to drown her in despair. But even in the face of such overwhelming dread, she refused to succumb.

Desperate for courage, her eyes turned to the figure standing in front of her. Unconsciously, her lips curled into a small, almost amused smile. In the midst of this dire situation, she found herself laughing softly at the irony.

She understood that even in the face of the worst-case scenario, she was still grateful to have ventured into this virtual world, in this amazing game.

No matter what happened, she was determined never to give up again. She would keep trying, over and over, whether in this world or in the real world.

*

On the other hand, Kuonh's eyes blazed with determination as he focused his weakness skill on the formidable Arcane Alpha. However, the message that appeared shattered his confidence:

[unable to scan because of the difference in level]

His internal monologue took a dark turn.

"ah.. we are fucked," Kuonh mused, adopting a somewhat playful tone to mask his anxiety.

He knew deep down that this situation was far removed from the encounter with Woody. This was a whole new level of danger, a "nope GTFO" level. There was no way he could take down this colossal beast in his current state.

Escape?

The word echoed in his mind, taunting him. But they were trapped in the heart of the forest with at least five normal-sized Arcanes encircling them. A cold sweat trickled down his face.

And in that very moment, an idea emerged in his mind. It was an idea so unpleasant, so unappealing, that he didn't even want to consider it. It was the sort of idea that could infuriate anyone, yet it was born out of desperation, a last resort, the type of decision you make when your back is against the wall. Kuonh knew he might have no other choice, and that realization weighed heavily on his heart.

*GRRR*

Kuonh's mind raced as he grappled with the gravity of the situation. He couldn't help but recall the words of Miss Rapha, echoing from his earliest moments in this immersive world: "If you die against the entity in this world, your account will get deleted, and you won't be able to play this game ever again."

Those words had seemed like distant warnings, part of the introductory tutorial to this incredible new reality. But now, in the presence of the imposing Arcane Alpha, they took on a harrowing significance. 

As Kuonh stared at the massive, crimson Arcane Alpha, he couldn't help but envision a grim scenario. He imagined himself being swiftly defeated by this monstrous entity, vanishing from the breathtaking world that still held countless unexplored adventures and mysteries.

The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. In that moment, he understood that he was no different from Naida. The fear of losing this incredible, newly discovered world had woven its grip around his heart as well.

I don't want to lose this world.

Kuonh swallowed hard, his gaze never wavering from the enormous Arcane Alpha looming before them. It was a moment of sheer desperation, and in the face of this terrifying adversary, he finally spoke up.

"Miss Naida," he began, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes, "I've just come up with a plan to get out of this predicament."

Naida's face lit up with an expression of eager anticipation. "Really?" she replied, her voice filled with a fragile but rising hope.

Kuonh nodded resolutely, "Yes," he affirmed.

Naida's face radiated a joyful smile as Kuonh confirmed the plan, but her elation was short-lived. She couldn't see the expression behind Kuonh's mask as he put down his sword and walked to the side, creating a clear path for the massive Arcane Alpha to advance to where she is.

Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by Naida's quizzical "Eh?" as she heard the sudden shift in Kuonh's voice, now graver and more ominous. The weight of his words descended on her like a leaden shroud.

"The thing is," Kuonh began, his voice bearing a heavy burden, "the plan involves you dying in this place."

--End of volume003 adventure log 2: main quest--