Chapter 13

The warm orange light of lanterns flickered inside the Adventure Mart casting moving shadows on the wooden shelves. The air held the cozy smell of old wood dried herbs and dust. Adam stood still before the shopkeeper's worn counter his eyes locked on the bright blue message box that had just appeared.

Mission Successfully Triggered.

Mission Provider Mister Being (Shopkeeper).

Adam looked from the glowing words to the shopkeeper. Mister Being the old man with a face like a wrinkled map and sharp intelligent eyes leaned forward. His old hands rested flat on the counter. His expression shifted showing a hint of desperation. "Young man" Mister Being began his voice steady but with an underlying tremor of urgency. "I find myself in a tough spot. I've been needing some help with a pretty big task."

Adam tilted his head slightly to show he was listening. He remained silent waiting for the old man to continue. Inside his mind raced. Receiving a secret mission from a regular shopkeeper this early in the game was unexpected but it was a golden opportunity. These kinds of quests often yielded far better rewards than the standard tasks posted on the village message board.

"It's about supplies," the shopkeeper continued his expression serious. "The village needs meat you see. And some other parts. To be exact I need someone strong and skilled enough to collect 200 kilograms of raw meat from the Fang Wolves out in the forest. And while you're at it I also need 40 of their sharpest fangs." He sighed softly. "It's not easy I know. Those wolves are dangerous. But" his eyes met Adam's again a flicker of hope in them "the reward will definitely be worth your time and effort."

As Mister Being finished speaking Adam's game screen updated again. Another sharp blue window displayed the mission details.

Mission Details

Objective Collect 200 kg of Fang Wolf raw meat and 40 Fang Wolf fangs.

Reward 25 Silver Coins and 50 Copper Coins.

Provider Mister Being (Adventure Mart Shopkeeper)

Adam read the details closely. 200 kilograms of meat and 40 fangs was a significant undertaking. It meant hunting down many wolves. But his eyes focused on the reward 25 Silver Coins and 50 Copper Coins. A tiny smile touched Adam's lips. 25 silver was a fortune this early in the game. Most players would be lucky to earn a single silver coin after days of grinding simple quests. With that much money he could buy crucial supplies and rare materials long before their prices skyrocketed with the influx of new players.

"This is perfect," he thought. "This is exactly the kind of opportunity I need to get my plans going and get way ahead of everyone." He was already planning to hunt wolves. This mission just made that task incredibly more valuable.

Mister Being watched Adam's face carefully. He saw the spark of interest in his eyes. The old shopkeeper leaned in closer his voice full of hope. "So what do you say young man? It's a dangerous job I won't lie. But you look like you know how to handle yourself. Will you help an old man out? Help the village?"

Adam did not need to think. The risk was acceptable and the reward was exceptional. He mentally focused on the mission window and selected the 'Accept' button. A soft chime only he could hear confirmed his choice.

Mission Accepted!

Mister Being must have received a notification as well because his worried expression vanished instantly. A wide smile of relief spread across his face. "Oh thank you!" he said his voice warm and thankful. "Thank you very much! That takes a huge worry off my mind. Be careful out there but please try to get the items as soon as you can. I'll be right here waiting."

Adam gave a curt nod. He opened his inventory and stored the 150 copper coins he had just earned. He adjusted his gear feeling the weight of the task settle on him not as a burden but as an exciting challenge. As he turned to leave he looked back at the hopeful shopkeeper. "I'll get what you need," Adam said his voice calm but firm. He pushed the creaking door open and stepped back into the village.

The bright sunlight made him blink. The noise of the village square rushed back players chatting sellers shouting the distant sound of a blacksmith's hammer. The air felt warmer here filled with the messy energetic buzz of a new world. He started walking away from the market muttering quietly to himself a habit from his past life. "This mission is exactly what I needed." He imagined the new players arriving tomorrow struggling with basic quests for a handful of copper coins. "If I can finish this quickly the silver I earn will give me a huge head start."

A sly grin appeared on his face. "And with that kind of money buying up this shopkeeper's useful stuff will be a great first step before prices go up." Mister Being might end up selling his best items right back to the person who earned the money from him.

Adam walked towards the edge of the village. His path took him past open fields where groups of other players were already hard at work alongside farmer NPCs. Some awkwardly carried sacks of grain while others tended to rows of digital plants. The air filled with the low sounds of their busy work. "Looks like they found the basic farming missions," Adam noted without slowing. He saw their expressions some focused others already bored. It was the kind of slow grinding task he was determined to avoid. He chuckled softly. "They can have fun with their little chores." His eyes looked toward the line of trees in the distance where his real challenge and his real reward awaited. "I have bigger things to do."

He walked faster his boots crunching on the path leading away from the farms. The forest stood before him like a quiet ancient protector. Its huge trees formed a dense canopy blocking most of the sunlight. Long moving shadows lay across the ground making the entrance look dark and imposing. He stopped at the edge where the dirt path ended and the wild forest floor began. The sounds of the village faded behind him replaced by the soft rustling of leaves the buzzing of unseen insects and the occasional call of a bird.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the woods. The ground immediately changed from hard-packed dirt to soft soil cushioned by fallen leaves and moss. The earthy smell grew stronger. "Finding your way around a place like this isn't easy for most people," he mumbled. He looked at the thick bushes and the lack of clear paths. "Without special skills or even a good sense of direction most new players would get lost in here very quickly."