Pepper?

With Sir Nibblesworth at his side, Jack ventured deeper into the forest, the dense canopy above casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

The environment of 'Odyssey' was rich in detail, from the rustling leaves to the distant calls of unseen creatures. The forest felt alive, a vast and uncharted territory that promised both danger and discovery.

As he navigated through the thick underbrush, Jack's instincts were on high alert. The forest was known for its hidden threats in his previous life even for characters at the appropriate level and he was still level one, and he knew better than to let his guard down, even with his newfound friend by his side.

It wasn't long before Jack sensed something amiss. There was a subtle disturbance in the natural cadence of the forest, a faint but persistent sound that seemed out of place.

He paused, listening intently. The sound was rhythmic, like footsteps carefully treading over fallen leaves, trying to be stealthy but not quite silent enough.

Realizing he was being followed, Jack's grip on his pen tightened. He scanned the surroundings, eyes darting between the trees and dense foliage, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound.

Sir Nibblesworth, sensing his master's heightened alertness, let out a low, ghostly hiss, its eyes glowing brighter in the dim light.

Resolved not to be driven into haste by the unknown follower, Jack maintained his steady pace, each step deliberate and measured.

Jack's mind worked rapidly, crafting a plan to confront his mysterious pursuer. He knew that every encounter, especially the unexpected ones, could be a pivot upon which his fate could turn.

This unknown entity, shadowing him with such persistence, was a variable he needed to understand and control.

As he walked, Jack subtly altered his route, weaving through the trees in a pattern that might seem random to an untrained eye. However, each turn was a calculated move, designed to bring him gradually closer to a clearing he had mentally marked before.

This clearing, with its wider space and fewer hiding spots, would serve as the ideal stage for the impending confrontation.

With each step towards the clearing, Jack feigned ignorance of his follower's presence. He needed to give the impression of being unaware, lulling his pursuer into a false sense of security.

Upon reaching the edge of the clearing, Jack paused, feigning interest in a cluster of flowers nearby. This momentary stop was his silent signal to Sir Nibblesworth. The spectral rat, understanding its master's intent, drifted quietly into the underbrush, blending seamlessly with the shadows.

Then, in a swift, fluid motion, Jack spun around, his eyes darting across the clearing to the spot where he had calculated his pursuer would emerge. His Pen was poised, ready to channel whatever magic or might it possessed.

From the dense foliage at the edge of the clearing, a figure emerged, contrasting starkly with the muted greens and browns of the forest. It was a girl, clad entirely in black, her attire blending seamlessly with the shadows of the trees.

What was most striking about her, however, was her hair – a vibrant, fiery red that seemed to burn with a inner light. The color was so vivid, it appeared almost otherworldly against the backdrop of the forest. Her hood was up, casting her face in partial shadow.

Her presence was enigmatic, her attire suggesting that of a rogue or assassin class player, common for those who preferred stealth and agility.

Jack observed her quietly, his initial posture of defense relaxing slightly, but not entirely. Her approach, while no longer secretive, still held many unanswered questions.

Their eyes met a silent acknowledgment passing between them. She was the one who had been following him, but her intentions were yet to be revealed. Was she a friend, a foe, or something else entirely?

———————-

- 10 Minutes Earlier -

In a secluded nook near the edge of the forest, a group of players huddled together, their attention fixed on Jack as he deftly defeated the Level 7 rat with his Mystical Scribe's Pen.

Among them was the fiery-haired girl, now known to Jack as the mysterious follower, her name was Elara.

"Did you see that?" one of her group members, a tall, lanky player named Theron, said with excitement. "He took down that rat with just a pen! We should follow him; he might lead us to something big."

Another, a healer with the username Lyra, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, someone with skills like that could discover hidden quests or rare items in the forest."

Elara however, was not convinced. Folding her arms, she shook her head. "I don't know, guys. It feels wrong to tail someone like that. Plus, he looks like he knows what he's doing. We might just end up in trouble we can't handle."

Theron, undeterred, pressed on. "Come on, Elara, when have you ever backed down from a challenge? Besides, we won't interfere. We'll just see where he's headed."

Lyra added, "And you're the best among us at stealth. If anyone can follow him without being noticed, it's you."

Elara sighed, her gaze drifting back to where Jack had disappeared into the forest. She was torn between her instinctive respect for another player's privacy and the curiosity that Theron and Lyra had ignited.

Finally, with reluctance, she nodded. "Alright, I'll do it. But at the first sign of trouble, I'm out. We don't know what's in those woods, or what he's capable of."

With that agreement, Elara had set off alone, her black cloak blending into the shadows as she followed Jack at a safe distance.

Her steps were light, her movements cautious, always mindful of the delicate balance between curiosity and intrusion.

——————

- Present Time -

Now, as she stood before Jack in the clearing, the memory of that conversation played in her mind. She had been against the idea from the start, and yet here she was, caught in the act of following him.

A flicker of recognition sparked in Jack's mind. Her fiery red hair, her confident stance, and the aura of danger that seemed to cling to her – they all clicked into place, aligning with a memory from his previous life.

This was no ordinary player; she was known in the game as Pepper, a name that had become synonymous with stealth, skill, and lethal efficiency. " Who would have thought that she started in this village of all places."

Pepper, the best assassin in the realm, was a legend in her own right. Her reputation was built on countless successful missions, and her ability to eliminate targets with chilling precision.

She was the one players turned to when they needed someone eliminated discretely and decisively. Her services were sought after by many, and feared by even more.

The most iconic feature about her, one that had become a chilling trademark, was her bright, fiery pepper-red hair.

It was said in whispers among players that if you saw that flash of red, it was already too late. By the time her presence was known, Pepper would have already struck, leaving nothing but a trail of silence in her wake.

"Nice to meet you, Pepper," Jack said with a knowing smile, his tone light and teasing.

"Pepper?" she echoed, unaware of the significance behind the name. "That's not my name. It's Elara."

Jack's smile broadened slightly, but he offered no further explanation. Revealing his knowledge of her past life and his reincarnation was not a card he was willing to play.

Instead, he smoothly changed the subject, "So, Pepper, what brings you following me into these woods? Curiosity? Or something more?"