"Duo Adventure Quest: Lila's Problem Solved II"

27th Day of September, Saturday Early Morning

Somewhere in the Outer Part of the Verdant Hollow

Adventure Stronghold (5th Building)

The morning sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of trees in the Verdant Hollow, casting dappled shadows across the ground. Accel and Lila stood outside a small adventure stronghold, preparing for her first quest. Lila adjusted her gloves nervously, glancing at the mission scroll.

"This is it," Lila murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She tightened her grip on her gardening tool—a reinforced trowel repurposed as a weapon—and took a deep breath.

Accel, standing beside her, gave her an encouraging nod. "Remember, it's a newbie-level quest. We'll collect the herbal plants first, then deal with the lesser slimes. Focus on one task at a time."

Lila nodded, though her hands trembled slightly. She was dressed in light leather armor with green accents, blending practicality with her Gardener System's aesthetic. A small satchel hung at her side, ready to store the herbs and plants they were tasked to collect. Despite her nerves, there was determination in her eyes.

The Herbal Hunt

The forest was alive with the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Lila carefully examined the forest floor, looking for the medicinal herbs described in the quest details. Her System Interface projected small markers over certain patches of vegetation, guiding her to the right plants.

"Here's one," Lila said softly, kneeling to pluck a bright green herb with jagged edges. She handled it delicately, her movements precise and practiced. As a Gardener, identifying and collecting plants came naturally to her System, but it still required her focus and effort.

Accel watched her from a few steps away, arms crossed. "You're doing well. Check for pests or signs of decay before storing them."

Lila nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. "This one looks fine," she said, placing the herb into her satchel. She moved to the next marker, feeling a small accomplishment with each successful collection.

As they worked, Lila began to relax. The repetitive task of gathering plants calmed her nerves, and she found herself smiling faintly. "I didn't think I'd enjoy this part so much," she admitted.

"Good," Accel replied. "But don't get too comfortable. The second part of the quest will be harder."

Lila's smile faltered, and she glanced at the trowel in her hand. "Right... the slimes."

Facing the Lesser Slimes

After gathering the required herbs, Accel led Lila to a clearing where several lesser slimes wobbled aimlessly. The translucent creatures were small, about the size of a melon, and their gelatinous bodies shimmered in the sunlight. Despite their harmless appearance, they were still monsters, and Lila would need to defeat them to complete the quest.

"Here's the plan," Accel said, gesturing toward the slimes. "Pick one, approach it slowly, and strike when you're ready. Aim for the core inside their bodies—it's their weak point."

Lila's hands trembled as she gripped her trowel. "You make it sound so easy," she muttered, taking a hesitant step forward.

"I'm here if things go wrong," Accel assured her. "But you have to do this yourself. If I step in, you won't learn what it takes to be an adventurer."

Lila swallowed hard and nodded. She approached the nearest slime, her heart pounding in her chest. The creature noticed her and jiggled slightly, its gelatinous body quivering as if in a challenge. Lila raised her trowel, her arms shaking as she swung it down.

The blade sank into the slime's body, but she missed the core. The creature wobbled violently, lashing out with a small, wet tendril that struck her arm. Lila gasped and stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock.

"Stay calm," Accel called from the sidelines. "It's just a scratch. Focus on the core and strike again."

Tears pricked at Lila's eyes, but she gritted her teeth and steadied herself. She lunged forward and swung the trowel again, this time striking the core directly. The slime quivered and dissolved into a puddle, leaving behind a small crystal shard.

"I... I did it," Lila whispered, staring at the remains of the creature. Her legs felt like jelly, and her breathing was ragged.

"Good job," Accel said, nodding approvingly. "Now, there are four more."

Lila turned to him, her face pale. "Four more? Are you serious?"

Accel crossed his arms. "You need the experience. The more you fight, the faster you'll level up."

Lila hesitated but forced herself to continue. Each encounter was a struggle, her fear and anxiety threatening to overwhelm her. By the time she defeated the last slime, her arms and legs were trembling uncontrollably. She turned to Accel, her expression a mix of exhaustion and frustration.

"You just stood there!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking. "You didn't help me at all!"

"I told you I wouldn't," Accel replied calmly. "This was your fight, Lila. You needed to do it on your own."

Without warning, Lila slapped him across the face. The sound echoed in the clearing, and both of them froze. Accel didn't react, simply standing there and letting her anger wash over him.

"I was scared," Lila said, her voice breaking. "I thought I couldn't do it, and you just watched. Do you know how that felt?"

Accel met her gaze, his expression softening. "I do. But now you know you can do it. That's what matters."

Lila bit her lip, tears streaming down her cheeks. After a moment, she nodded. "Fine. But don't expect me to thank you for it."

Accel smiled faintly. "Fair enough."

The Reward

By the time they returned to the Main Adventure Outpost, the sun was beginning to set. Lila handed in the herbs and slime cores at the reception desk, and the clerk tallied up their rewards. She stared in shock as the clerk handed her a pouch filled with gold coins.

"This... this is a lot," Lila said, her voice trembling.

Accel stepped beside her. "I split the reward. You take seventy percent, and I'll take thirty."

Lila turned to him, her eyes wide. "Why? You did just as much work—if not more."

Accel shook his head. "This was your quest, Lila. You earned it. Use the money to help your family."

Lila stared at him for a moment, then smiled through her tears. "Thank you, Accel. I mean it."

Accel nodded. "You're welcome. Now, go home and rest. You've earned it."

As Lila left the outpost, clutching her reward tightly, Accel watched her go with a sense of satisfaction. It wasn't an easy day, but it was a step forward—for both of them.