Rewards

"It's snowing... that time of the year again" a young boy, age 9, sat next to a window.

"When are they coming back?" The young boy hugged his legs tighter while looking ouside from a window.

No matter how long he looked through it, the only thing outside was a white ocean that engulfed everything.

It's been three years since the boys' parents left for a reason that was left unexplained, leaving him to live alone on that cabin pretty high up in the mountains.

*growl*

"The food I've gathered should last me all winter... I have to... eat less... I have to... wait for them"

Even after three years of waiting, he did not lose hope that one day, his parents would return home. Becoming a happy family once again.

"!!!"

Shadows!! And they were neither a monster nor an animal's. Human shadows!! However, there were five shadows, and none of them felt like the young boy's parents.

Running to the kitchen, he grabbed a kitchen knife and positioned himself in front of the door, the boy had no previous training on how to fight, as most of the food gathered was through primitive traps he learned to set up, and berries he picked from the forest.

Footsteps were heard outside.

"I be likin' this spot, I wager it can craft a fierce-lookin' base." a man's raspy but loud voice was heard first.

"It takes like... three... four hours to come here from the nearest town" another man, a bit younger this time.

"I like this place" a horse neighed after a young woman expressed her thoughts

"Yea, lots of open space for training" a much more expressive woman this time

"We'll have to take care of this place though" an old man made the last of the five shadows that were seen "I can see cracks everywhere I look"

They didn't sound like bad people, but the boy was still afraid, three years of not interacting with another human being, he was afraid.

That door suddenly looked enormous, as if it was only designed for giants to use.

But it opened. For the first time in three years, it wasn't the boy that opened that door.

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I've gotten too used to that wooden ceiling.

Alen's feelings are merging with mine insanely fast.

And that dream... so that's how I met them...

"That smell..." it's stew "I hope it's Magnus' stew"

I stood up and remembered my most recent adventure on that goblin dungeon.

It doesn't feel right. Using the game's logic, I shouldn't have been able to clear it alone. Alen shouldn't have been able...

Is it because it's not turn based and I have more freedom? Or did something change compared to the game?

*growl*

Ha, I guess I have more important things to do right now.

I made my way outside my bedroom, down the stairs, and I finally stopped before walking the final step down.

"Alen" Milly was in front of me, holding six wooden bowls "come, we have a surprise for you"

"I can kinda guess what it is" I could feel a faint smile forming on my face.

"Oh, we wanted to surprise you" she sounded kinda dissapointed

"As long as I'm with all of you, I'll be happy"

"Don't go sayin' that when we're not around" Karla claimed as she sat me on a chair in our dinning room.

"We also want to hear that" Magnus complained, but you could see he was smiling from ear to ear.

"Why be ye sayin' such scallywag talk? Ye fool!" while he looked like a rude man that didn't care about anything, Barret had his emotional side "If ye be sayin' that, say it to our mugs"

I felt a hand on my hair, patting me.

"You sleep for eighteen hours just to wake up to your favorite food, Magnus' special red stew, with a mix of different kinds of meat and potatoes" That was Khyle, who also brought a large pot, full of what we were goning to eat "We'll give you your dungeon rewards later. Right now, lets celebrate your victory"

"Congratulations Alen" Milly handed me a bowl overflowing with my favorite food.

This feelings, even if they're not mine, are resonating strongly with me.

If these are Alen's feelings, they truly felt like my own.

Every member of the [Crescent Moon] stood silent, waiting for me.

"Thanks..." I started eating and celebrating with everyone, it truly felt like this was the happiest I've ever been...

Due to the fact that I woke up when the moon was out. I wasn't sleepy, even when it was way past midnight.

By this time Magnus already fell asleep, Barret passed out from all the alcohol he drank.

My reward from completing the dungeon is a sack full of golden coins. They told me i can buy anything I want with them, though I'll have to ask them to buy it for me, as they're still a bit worried about me leaving this place.

I think it'd be best if I save most of the money I earn and only spend it on equipment like a spare set of daggers, throwing knives, and lockpicks.

It seems I still have some time before the game starts. So I'd better prepare myself as much as I can.

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