New Game Plus: I crave challenges

Everyone was affected upon watching this touching scene.

Hearing people enter her house, the young woman turned around in shock, pointing at the players.

"Who are you? P… please leave! My grandfather isn't doing well."

But the old man spoke with a cough:

"No. *cough* Onriel. These are precious guests. It's alright."

"But grandpa…"

Onriel's eyes turned wet as she looked at the weak old man.

"Adventurers. You came at the right time. I know you have helped the village greatly. Are you willing to aid this old man?"

Liam was surprised by the smooth progression. Normally the elder only talked to players if they completed quests in the village.

Liam hoped to skip those tasks, betting on Silver Blade's outrageous charisma stat.

But Cyclone and Silver Blade had already fulfilled quests in the village, thus easily clearing all obstacles.

Liam sent a message to Silver Blade:

[Bleary Mirage: Do you want to talk?]

[Silver Blade: I don't know what's your goal. You do the talking.]

Liam nodded as he addressed the village elder:

"Don't worry, old man. We are here to help."

"Good, good. Listen, youngsters. A while ago ruthless pirates have settled on Bone Island. They plunder along the coast and didn't even spare our peaceful village.

Those scoundrels took the village as hostages to force my beloved granddaughter to hand over a magical treasure, the Blue Blood Trident. *cough cough*

If I were still in my prime those pirates wouldn't even dare to appear before me, but unfortunately…"

The old man sighed, prompting Onriel to grab his hand tightly.

"Anyways. I'm sure you understand. Bring back our trident and you will be rewarded handsomely."

[Do you wish to accept the quest 'Retrieve Blue Blood Trident'?]

[Yes]

[No]

Liam naturally pressed [Yes]. This was the reason he came here for, after all.

Recalling the entire quest line, Liam even came up with another idea. It might be interesting to see if his companions could lead the quest to a good ending without his deliberate direction.

For now, one might not think too much about it, but the old man had quite the impressive backstory.

"Old man, we will naturally help you."

"Good. Just talk to Onriel when you are ready. She will help you get to Bone Island."

"But grandfather, I can't leave you alone now!"

"Don't worry. I won't die just yet. But you need to get a hold on our trident now. *cough* This takes priority!"

Onriel looked at the old man, the worry apparent on her face.

 "Ok. I will do it.

Please, adventurers, make your preparations."

With those words Onriel turned around, caring for her grandfather again, both of them ignoring the players.

Liam was just about to talk when a low sniff could be heard. Everyone turned to Silent Acacia, who only showed the group his back.

"Are you…?"

Cyclone wore a mischievous grin as she sneaked up on the young man. She suddenly jumped past him, staring at his face.

"Got y…!"

Cyclone stopped. Silent Acacia looked perfectly normal as if the story didn't touch him at all.

"Why are y… you jumping around?"

Silver Blade snickered. Liam inwardly praised the young thief's ability to adjust his face as he waved at his group to leave the hut.

Outside, Silent Acacia received a message, relaying it to Liam:

"The friend I invited has arrived."

"Great. Tell her to wait at the village entrance, we will be there in a second."

"What are we doing next?", asked Cyclone.

"We have to look for something. It won't take long."

With those words Liam led his group around the hut, approaching a pile of barrels at the back.

All kinds of old fishing tools were stacked here. Rods, pants, knives, whatever one needed.

"Bah!"

Cyclone complained as a nauseating stench wafted from the tools.

She refused to step closer while Liam began to search the pile.

"How long do you need?"

"Only a few seconds. It should be somewhere here."

Liam rummaged around, pushing a pair of trousers away. Finally, a blue covered book peeked through the rubbish.

"Got it."

Liam pulled out the book, holding it in the air triumphantly, prompting Cyclone to turn her head away.

"What is this?", questioned Silent Acacia.

"It's a lore book."

Silver Blade took a good look, barely able to decipher the title.

"Blunnriel, the half-human hero.

Is it important for this quest?"

Liam inwardly praised Silver Blade's intellect, but he didn't want to give too much away.

"I don't know. Who wants to read it?"

Everyone looked at Bleary Mirage skeptically.

You straightforwardly pulled out this book. But now you tell us you don't know anything about it?

However, Silver Blade didn't mind. She spoke up eagerly.

"Let me take a look."

"Sure."

Liam handed the lore book over to his friend. He could already foresee that Silver Blade was the type of player enjoying the game's world and the stories it had to offer.

Next, the team went back to the village entrance while Silver Blade was engrossed in her book.

"Blunnriel, the half-human hero.

It's not certain where he grew up. But the first time he appeared in the limelight was when he repelled an attack by the merfolk against a human island.

Wielding a blue trident he defeated the powerful enemy combatants, becoming a hero of humanity."

Silver Blade's eyes lit up. A trident! Blunnriel must be related to the old man in the hut!

"Afterwards Blunnriel lived his life helping humans, becoming a guardian of the island he saved.

But one day one of humanity's powerful mages, Yagen, came to the island. Blunnriel felt honored and invited him for a discussion.

But suddenly, the mage attacked. Yagen's loyal followers appeared and invaded the island.

When the inhabitants questioned them, the attackers stated that Blunnriel was half-merfolk and should not be allowed to live.

But Blunnriel accused Yagen of being greedy for his trident, stating that only his own bloodline could wield its real power.

In the end Blunnriel relied on his trident to barely bring everyone away, he as well as his son getting gravely injured in the process."

Silver Blade closed the book with a sigh.

"Hello, Cyclone to Silver Blade, are you there?"

Silver Blade was startled, looking at the people gathered around here.

"Finally, for a second I thought we lost you."

"Cyclone? What's going on?"

"You were so engrossed in your book, that you didn't register anything else."

"Really?"

Silver Blade had a disbelieving look, prompting a red-headed female mage to giggle.

"Silver Blade, this is Balm, a good friend of mine. Balm, this is Silver Blade."

"Nice to meet you. How come I don't know you?"

"Well, I don't think we met before."

Silver Blade looked at Cyclone with a questioning gaze. The blond woman smiled awkwardly.

"Let's talk about it later."

Liam picked up on the awkward atmosphere and interrupted by introducing the other new party members.

"Silver Blade, these are Radiant Shield and Sun's Knight, two helpful warriors I met today.

And this is Quickstep, Silent Acacia's girlfriend."

"A pleasant first meeting on a radiant beach will warm our hearts."

"Hi. Hope you guys are ok with me tagging along."

Silver Blade didn't react to Radiant Shield's strange words but stared at the tall female warrior, who got introduced last.

She had a great figure, her brown hair shaved on one side, with a warm smile on her face. One of her hands tightly embraced Silent Acacia.

"You're Acacia's girlfriend?"

The young thief averted his head shily upon Silver Blade's words, but his girlfriend smiled radiantly.

"Yes! Since half a year ago! Isn't he the cutest?!"

With a jolt of her arm Quickstep pressed her boyfriend closer, the poor man almost unable to brave, but his face showing no resistance.

"Oh, well. Congratulations."

"Indeed. A blooming love is a sight for sore eyes!", added Radiant Shield.

Next to him, Sun's Knight rolled his eyes.

"Can't you talk normal for once?"

"I can. But we are about to embark on an important story quest. I thought we should set the mood."

"Well, I think it's funny.", commented Balm.

Liam was glad that the group was off to a good start. Stress among group members was one of the most troublesome problems when questing together.

While everyone got to know each other, Liam took the lead, entering a merchant for common goods. Everyone bought two basic health potions at 30 copper each.

This was Liam's way of being cautious, preparing against unforeseen difficulties.

Afterwards they walked down towards the pier, where Onriel was waiting next to an old, large fishing boat.

"Adventurers, are you ready to head for Bone Island?

Please, come aboard!"

Liam had already shared the quest with everyone, allowing the newcomers to get on the boat as well.

Onriel showed her expertise as they drifted out towards the sea.

"Wow!"

Silent Acacia couldn't help but exclaim aloud as he watched the beautiful scenery.

Seagulls played in the wind; the low waves brandished against the boat.

Some distance away a large cliff could be seen, white foam decorating its base.