“Adventurers who have received a Falna possess bodies far stronger than those of ordinary people.
Under the same conditions, one who has received a Falna is considerably stronger than one who hasn’t.”
Xia Jia slid his finger across the quest list, selected one, and handed it to Kuroneko as he continued:
“Of course, this isn’t absolute.
Excluding those with racial advantages like Dwarves and Elves—oh, and there’s a certain gap between mercenaries and farmers, too.”
Emmm, it’s like Kyougoku Makoto versus Hikigaya—both are human, so there’s absolutely no comparison, but if you run into a girl from Saki, it might be a completely different genre…
Kuroneko took the quest sheet Xia Jia handed her and read: “Hunt Goblins, turn in 10 Magic Stones…
Value: 5,000 Valis.”
“Monsters outside the Dungeon are all very weak.
Goblins are not even as strong as elementary school students,” Xia Jia explained as he led Kuroneko to register the quest.
“Dungeon?”
Xia Jia paused for a moment, patted his head, and said casually: “It’s similar to a large-scale grinding spot.
The specific number of floors isn’t clear yet, but just think of it as a large leveling dungeon.”
Kuroneko had some recollection of this and asked: “Is that the…
big hole sealed by the gods of the lower world that caused the world to fall into crisis?”
“That’s the one.”
Xia Jia snapped his fingers, finished registering the quest details, and led Kuroneko toward the city gates.
“Aren’t we bringing any weapons?
And that thing of yours, is it really…” Kuroneko looked at him with full suspicion.
Although Xia Jia was currently wearing armor, the only thing he had that could be considered a weapon was a tennis racket…
How could a tennis racket possibly appear in this world!
It’s completely irrational!
Kuroneko’s face darkened: “Is this considered a bug?”
Xia Jia acted out his role as the guide faithfully: “As I said, this is a real world.
If you wanted to, you could even make a matchlock musket, or a ‘Big Ivan’ [Tsar Bomba].”
As he spoke, Xia Jia seemed to remember something.
He rummaged through his backpack, pulled out two spheres wrapped in iron rings, and handed them to Kuroneko.
“Take these for self-defense.”
“What are they?”
“Think of them as oversized firecrackers.”
You actually went and made them!
Kuroneko looked completely stunned.
The two walked side-by-side until they reached the outer gates of the city, where Xia Jia flagged down a carriage.
“To the Forest of Lolan.”
The carriage driver thought to himself, Where on earth is that?
But he didn’t ask further and drove off toward the forest outside the city.
Besides, mercenaries had been heading that way lately; it seemed some kind of abnormality had occurred.
Inside the carriage, Xia Jia continued to explain the concept to Kuroneko—that this world was just a game:
“Because my magic power is insufficient, I can’t provide too much ‘Existence Power’ for you, so we need to make the most of our time.”
Maintaining the spatial gate while ensuring there was enough power for two players to exist for several hours was also one of the goals of this test.
He didn’t have a ‘System’ to test specific numerical values.
The ability growth gained from skills was quite ambiguous and wouldn’t be displayed on the Falna.
Kuroneko nodded, then asked hesitantly: “Are all the mercenaries like that?”
Along the way, Kuroneko had reined in the aura of her “Evil Eye”—it seemed that was because of the mercenary earlier.
Xia Jia merely frowned in response…
The darkness of this world was omnipresent; only a few were truly willing to save the world.
When all was said and done, the main reason he lied to the young players and told them this was just a game was to reduce their psychological burden.
Unlike him, these people would inevitably feel panic and helplessness when faced with a different world.
Unlike himself, who had spent years preparing for this, mastering combat techniques while also dabbling in “super-ability” athletics.
However, Xia Jia couldn’t do much about Kuroneko’s concerns, so he just gave a simple explanation:
“Whether they are adventurers or mercenaries, they are all people who lick blood off the edge of a blade.
Those in Orario are fine, but it’s hard to say when it comes to this group outside the city.”
“Most of them are failures chased out of the central metropolis, remnants of the Evilus, or adventurers whose Familias were disbanded and who eventually ended up hiding out here to make a living.”
Xia Jia explained the relationships between the various factions simply.
In short…
“The water here is very deep.
It’s best not to get into conflicts if you can help it.
But you don’t need to be overly cowardly, either.”
Xia Jia remembered that in the DanMachi game, there was an LV6 who steered a ship; it was said he belonged to the Osiris Familia, which had been wrecked by Hera and Zeus…
I hope I don’t run into a ‘salty veteran’ like that…
Xia Jia shivered and continued: “Punks like that guy earlier are just small fry.
They rely on looking fierce to scrape by, so a little punishment is enough.”
“Don’t worry, if you can’t stand that kind of behavior, you can also wait until you recover your youkai energy and take them all out at once.
Besides, maintaining public discipline is the duty of our Astraea Familia.”
Listening to Xia Jia’s teasing, Kuroneko finally curled the corners of her lips.
She flicked her short bangs, covered her lips with the back of her hand, and smiled wickedly:
“Heh heh heh, naturally.
When the seal of the Night Demon Queen is broken, the holy black flames will surely reduce them to ashes!”
Seeing Kuroneko regain her spirit, Xia Jia smiled: “Then, without further ado, let us begin our adventure for two!”
Two…
two people!!!
Kuroneko suddenly realized something…
A man and a woman, riding in a carriage together to sightsee…
Isn’t this…
a, a, a date!!!
No, no, this is just a game!!
But…
but!!!
Kuroneko’s cheeks burned, and she didn’t know what to do…
“What’s wrong?
Excited?” Xia Jia teased. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“I, I am not!” Kuroneko turned her head away, looking at the dense forest path and the wild deer occasionally darting out by the roadside, breathing in the scent of nature.
“It’s truly incredible that such a realistic game could be made…”
Isn’t it…
I just dragged you straight into a different world.
Xia Jia rubbed his nose: “I told you, this is the real world.
How about it?
Much better than that so-called SAO, right?”
“Heh, you really can say anything,” Kuroneko seemed to have returned to her sharp-tongued self as she retorted: “At least they wouldn’t let the players start out without a stitch of clothing.”
But they would burn your brain out!
Literally.
Xia Jia complained to himself, but could only smile sheepishly: “I’m really sorry about that.”
“Hmph.”
After riding the carriage for nearly two hours, Xia Jia finally tapped the driver to signal that they were getting off.
The driver thought, You two spent the whole way flirting, and now you finally remember I exist.
Xia Jia gave the driver the remaining 500 Valis and waved goodbye.
“Well, I’m truly penniless now.”
“Hah?
Then how are we going to get back?” Kuroneko was shocked.
“There will be a way.
At worst…
run?
We could run back?” Xia Jia tested weakly.
“Hah?
Do you think that’s even possible?”
“At worst, at worst, you can just log out, and I’ll run back myself…”
Kuroneko was speechless, hands on her hips, glaring at Xia Jia, looking like a girlfriend angry because the itinerary had been messed up.
But this dissatisfaction came as quickly as it went.
It was just a game, after all; sightseeing was a way to play, too.
“Let’s go.
Don’t we still have work to do?”
“Ah, oh.”
Xia Jia scratched his head and led Kuroneko into the depths of the dense forest.
“According to intelligence, monster activity near the city has been frequent lately, and there are signs of them leaving their nests in large numbers.
Our mission is to reduce their numbers to ensure the safety of the trade routes.”
Xia Jia explained the purpose of this trip: “I’ll be primarily responsible for the combat.
Your task is to get a feel for combat in a realistic state, and if conditions allow, you can choose to challenge some weaker monsters…”
The forest in the DanMachi world was not like the mountains near the city; it was overgrown, the terrain was complex, and there were so many vines blocking the way that walking was quite exhausting.
“If it weren’t for the game, I definitely wouldn’t want to run into these deep mountains.
Forget about fighting; just walking for a few minutes would be enough to tire an ordinary person out.”
For a shut-in like Kuroneko, a fifty-meter dash would be enough to leave her panting.
It was only because she had received a Falna that she could adapt to the current situation.
They explored the dense forest for nearly forty minutes.
Xia Jia’s expression changed abruptly as rustling sounds began to echo from all around them.
“Careful!
Get down!”
He shouted a warning and pulled the racket from his back.
In an instant, five or six rocks came shooting toward Xia Jia and Kuroneko.
“We’re surrounded!
And…
they’re old acquaintances!”
Xia Jia swung his racket violently, batting back most of the incoming rocks.
After a few muffled grunts echoed through the forest, he settled back into his receiving stance.
Through the bushes, over a dozen green-skinned Goblins emerged, their eyes ferocious as they glared at Xia Jia.
Kuroneko crouched on the ground, her expression tense.
She glanced at a tree that had been struck by a rock; a layer of bark had been blasted away, exposing the fresh wood beneath.
It would definitely hurt to get hit by one of those.
“Although I feel a bit ashamed, I don’t think I can stand up!” Kuroneko said softly: “Are you really sure you can handle this?
Even if it’s a game, I don’t want to be made to do ‘this’ or ‘that’ by Goblins…”
Heh, where did your ‘evil aura’ go…
Xia Jia didn’t look at Kuroneko, but the corners of his mouth curled upward: “Who do you think you’re talking to.”
He gripped the racket tighter and pulled a green sphere from his pocket: “I can’t beat someone using the ‘Tenbu Horin’…
but these puny little Pitcher Goblins…”
“Don’t underestimate an athlete, classmate Kuroneko!”
Kuroneko…
So…
why on earth are you playing tennis in a fantasy world game!
Player Xia Jia!
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught “Equilibrium”?
l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I’m a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh!
— Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter220)
“Is this chat group even serious?” (Chapter125)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal!
(Chapter250)
Can Playing Games Save the World?
65 Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I’m Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 145
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
I Can Copy Unique Skills 115
Summoning an Evil God, but the 75
Supernatural Multiverse 110
My Harem Is Indescribable 100
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105
“I’m just a Valkyrie passing through.” 67
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
Still playing traditional Honk 80
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85
What Should I Do After Switchi – Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon?
55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 80
Checking In in Demon Slayer 85
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85
My Best Friend Into a Slime?
80
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero?
75
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 85
Why did they assign me to Uma 75
MYGO Beauties 70
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 75
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80
Honkai’s Otherworld?
Wait—Who Are You People?!
100
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 60
The Uma Musume Who Became 60
I’m Definitely Not the King of 80
After Maxing Out Every Class 80
Naruto: I’m Konoha’s Local Men 44
Honkai: World Modulation Mode 57
I, the Elden Sword Saint 50
Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 43
No One Knows Pokémon Better 50
I, Sakazuki, Won’t Go Down Tha 45
From Trilobites to Titans 45
Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 55
DanMachi:
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught “Equilibrium”?
l (Chapter 80) Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178) Zenless Zone Zero: I’m a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 ) TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110) Yu-Gi-Oh!
— Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter220) “Is this chat group even serious?” (Chapter125) I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal!
(Chapter250) Can Playing Games Save the World?
65 Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77 From Junkman to Wasteland 66 Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31 I’m Grinding Proficiency Like 46 From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220 Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42 Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65 Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185 From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20 The Way the Umamusume Look at 68 Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248 Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65 Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76 Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66 My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65 Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230 Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154 I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40 The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125 Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67 Uma Musume: From Beginner 145 Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85 Uma Musume: I Want All 120 I Can Copy Unique Skills 115 Summoning an Evil God, but the 75 Supernatural Multiverse 110 My Harem Is Indescribable 100 Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105 “I’m just a Valkyrie passing through.” 67 Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105 Still playing traditional Honk 80 The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85 What Should I Do After Switchi – Volume2/3 Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78 Hell-Difficulty Dungeon?
55 Transmigrated as Sukuna 80 Checking In in Demon Slayer 85 The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100 I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85 My Best Friend Into a Slime?
80 A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90 What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero?
75 Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 85 Why did they assign me to Uma 75 MYGO Beauties 70 DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 75 The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80 Honkai’s Otherworld?
Wait—Who Are You People?!
100 Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 60 The Uma Musume Who Became 60 I’m Definitely Not the King of 80 After Maxing Out Every Class 80 Naruto: I’m Konoha’s Local Men 44 Honkai: World Modulation Mode 57 I, the Elden Sword Saint 50 Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 43 No One Knows Pokémon Better 50 I, Sakazuki, Won’t Go Down Tha 45 From Trilobites to Titans 45 Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 55 DanMachi: