17 - What to prepare?

Civilians gathered in front of Gridlock and Dexter after their fight. Some congratulated Gridlock on his overwhelming victory, while others cursed Dexter for his actions, fearing they would die under his rain of arrows. Only Stella stood up for him, pleading with the angry crowd to calm down.

But Dexter didn't care—his mouth hung agape at the system prompt.

[!!!]

[Newbie Guide (Unique): Learn from The Forgotten #4 [✓]]

[Reward: Unknown]

[Newbie Guide: Proceed to Small Village and talk to Capt. Audrey [_]]

'Yes! After three years of endless dying and pain, I've finally completed that unreasonable quest. Now, it's time to leave the tutorial area!'

'Learning from Gridlock was already the greatest reward I could've gotten. But still… it's unknown. Is there more? Is it still not finished yet?'

"Old man… I think I'm ready now—ready to go to the Warring Kingdom. I'm really thankful… for everything you've taught me."

"Yeah… it's been so long… and fun." He smiled faintly.

"Stella! Prepare our things. We're leaving for the Warring Kingdom." He called out to Stella, who was still busy calming the civilians.

"Can't we stay here?" Stella said reluctantly.

"Honestly, you can stay if you want. I don't really care… but ask Master if he wants you here."

Stella looked at Gridlock with puppy-dog eyes, but he only snorted in response, making her lower her head.

"I… I think I'll join you, Dex… but can we leave later? Not today… I need to say goodbye to the villagers," Stella said.

"Okay, no problem. I also plan to cook a lot of food for my Master," Dexter replied, smiling at Gridlock.

…

The three of them spent the remaining day in Gridlock's hut, eating and laughing.

"Kid… try to refrain from selling your uniquely crafted items in the Market. It could bring you serious trouble. If you're going to sell something, stick to standard gear—what people normally wear. Remember, in the Warring Kingdom, it's not just the soldiers of each nation you should be wary of, but everyone living there. And… if you ever reach the Uncharted Zone, don't associate yourself with the clan I founded. I don't know the politics there, but I do know it'll be dangerous for you…"

Dexter just laughed it off. He had once been a pro-gamer, and after retiring, aside from working nearly ten hours a day, he spent his free time playing games—Eldrion Online being one of them. So, he knew what he should and shouldn't do.

'Yes, it's true that selling my unique crafts could disrupt the game's balance, but where's the fun in that? What's the point if I'm the only overpowered one here?'

"And… you need to stay alive if you want to see your sister again," Gridlock interrupted Dexter's thoughts.

Dexter's smile faded. He looked at Gridlock, biting his lip, fists clenched.

'Peaceful living has made me complacent… Just because Stella learned the Resurrection spell doesn't mean I can't die… What if we both die? Who would cast Resurrection then? Damn it…'

["Ert!" Party Invitation to the Target is Not Allowed]

Dexter tried to invite Gridlock to his party, but the system still wouldn't allow it.

"Master… is there really no chance for you to join me on my adventure?"

Gridlock simply smiled at him, leaned back in his chair, and let out a deep sigh.

"Me joining you would be far more dangerous than you going alone. Didn't I tell you that all the kingdoms—including my own former clan—are hunting me down?"

"But still—"

"No. Be a man, Dexter. I'll tell you this—you'll become much stronger than me. I admit it. If not for my equipment, I'd be the one needing your Resurrection spell. So take pride in that. You nearly defeated me, and that was only with inferior gear."

Dexter stared at Gridlock, unsure how to respond.

Then he retrieved a bottle of wine from his inventory and set it on the table, motioning for Stella to fetch some glasses.

"Hey… aren't you too young to drink?" Gridlock asked.

"Naaaa, old man, this is our last night together... Shouldn't we drink until we can't walk tomorrow? Maybe I'll stay another day if that happens..."

Stella happily placed the glasses on the table and, like a proper waitress, poured wine into both their glasses.

"Stella... you can try some if you want, just don't drink more than you can handle," Dexter said.

"Really? I can? But... I don't like the taste. It's really weird, and the smell is awful—very low-class."

"Tsk... Did you really have to say that, 'Princess'? Just drink it, damn it," Dexter replied, annoyed.

'The system really captured the essence of women—always finding something to complain about...'

The three drank merrily until Stella dozed off at the table, while Dexter and Gridlock continued gulping the wine like beer—no elegance, just endless consumption.

"Old man... didn't know you were so weak against alcohol. Should I have brought juice instead?"

"Bah! Don't talk nonsense, kid. Look at yourself—you're redder than Stella's napkin..."

"Fuck! Old man... didn't know you'd go there... gross..."

"Fuck you, brat! It was just a metaphor, idiot..."

"You really expect me to believe that?"

Their laughter never ceased, and though loud, it still wasn't enough to wake the drooling Stella.

"Drinking would be much more fun if we had cigarettes here, old man," Dexter said, reminiscing about his lonely nights before being unknowingly abducted into the game.

"What's a cigarette?" Gridlock asked.

"How to explain... It's something you inhale and exhale smoke from—a very thin stick filled with dried leaves," Dexter tried to explain.

"You mean rolled dried leaf from Sunscar?" Gridlock asked.

"They have those here? Seriously? That's great news!"

"Bah! What's so great about it? Inhaling that stuff gives you mana regeneration, but the side effect of dizziness is terrible for combat. Only idiots use it... Well, I don't know—some people in Sunscar just smoke it for no reason."

Dexter's slit eyes widened at Gridlock's sudden revelation.

'Now I know where to go first in the Warring Kingdom!'