New Game Plus: I crave challenges

Radiant Shield put his weapon away with a joyful look. He couldn't wait to reach level 15 and equip his new hammer.

Luckily the EXP from the fight had already pushed most of the party to level 11, shortening the distance slightly.

Meanwhile Cyclone divided the rest of the loot, showing little interest in the green and white items.

The jailer dropped a key as well, which was handed over to Bleary Mirage.

"Good job guys. Let's let those poor souls out."

"Sure."

"A deed worthy of heroes."

The party talked happily among themselves as Liam approached the cages. Three of them were still intact, containing prisoners which looked at Liam with hopeful eyes eager to finally regain their freedom.

The veteran didn't delay, opening the doors one by one, aiding the unlucky prisoners in escaping.

"They could've at least thanked us…", grumbled Cyclone unhappily.

"Don't worry. They are part of a quest. Although we skipped it, you can go back and claim the reward. I'll give you directions later."

"That's more like it."

Liam's explanation dissolved some of the party's dissatisfaction as they reached the last cage.

A single goblin could be seen inside, wearing a way too large pair of yellow trousers and a strange tattered brown hat.

The goblin appeared surprisingly lively despite his imprisonment, beginning to talk as soon as Liam opened the door.

"Adventurers, it's good to see you! I knew someone would come to save me, Ruxor, the greatest fisherman to ever grace the three oceans and myriad lakes!"

"Can you imagine? I was happily going about my business, skinning a one-hundred-meter big fish I just dragged on land, when those deserters appeared and ruthlessly kidnapped me!"

"Speechless, right? Yeah, I couldn't imagine it as well! I felt like back then when some audacious see anemone dared to swallow me!"

The party wore strained smiles as the goblin continued rambling, conveniently boasting about all his achievements.

Liam soon had enough. But he didn't dare to forcefully interrupt the goblin, fearing to drag down the relationship, causing the goblin to hold back the reward.

But luckily the veteran had a great idea, sending out his secret weapon.

Silver Blade rolled her eyes reading the message sent by Liam. She stepped forward, carefully interrupting the goblin.

"… do you know what a clown fish is? Don't underestimate those silly little…"

*cough*

"Sir Ruxor. Sorry for interrupting you, but we need to leave. Else these deserters might notice what happened here."

"Oh, young lady, you are naturally correct. I still have fish to catch and oceans to conquer!

Let me thank you again for the timely help. Here, take this famous fishing tool of mine.

Increase your skills and seek me out again! I'm sure we will work well together in the future!"

Notifications flashed before the party's eyes telling them that they automatically accepted a quest and finished it instantly.

Balm smiled brightly as this was the final push towards reaching level 11, being the last in the party to do so.

Suddenly Balm felt a gust of wind besides her. She watched with bewilderment as Ruxor dashed swiftly like the wind, disappearing behind the wooden wall.

"How did those deserters capture him with that speed?"

Cyclone was baffled as well, but even Liam didn't have an answer. This was simply how the game's setup.

Meanwhile Silent Acacia was more interested in the quest reward. He retrieved it from his inventory, holding an object in the form of a lantern, its center surrounded by a net made of thin metal.

Acacia furrowed his brows as he checked the object's description.

"This thing is made to fish with electricity?"

The hunter pursed his lips, ridiculing the 'world's greatest fisherman' in his head.

Listening to Acacia the party began to joke around while Liam led them back to the cliffside.

"Let's go guys."

"Mirage… can't we take another path?"

"Come on, it's not that bad. Just don't look down."

Liam smiled while setting an example, climbing the first rope ladder agile like a monkey.

"He's doing that on purpose, right?", grumbled Fortune, her camera trained on Liam.

"We don't have much of a choice…"

The party sighed and cursed as they one by one scurried down the cliff. Radiant Shield felt his stomach churn and roll. As soon as he made it to the floor, he laid down refusing to move.

It took a while until the party followed Liam out of the forest. They returned to Svebrial City, directly taking the teleporter.

A moment later the party found themselves in a town of average size.

Watchful Eye looked around, speaking with a grim face:

"The atmosphere is rather bloody."

"Mhm."

Silver Blade agreed solemnly looking at the soldiers in heavy armor patrolling the street.

"What's going on here Mirage?"

"We reached the empire's border. Traveling some more we would enter orc territory.

Although there is no open war between the two powers, orcs come here from time to time to raid the villages and towns."

"Oh, so are there any good quests here?"

"There are but they are somewhat out of our league."

"A pity."

"It's alright. We aren't here to fight orcs. We have a snake to kill."

"Finally!" Cyclone exclaimed happily, looking forward to her new class. She also wished for new skills to flaunt around.

Under the young woman's urging the party moved quickly, leaving the town in the direction of the empire's center.

They traveled along a dirt road for a while before turning towards the wilderness. A deep gorge opened up before them, a narrow path leading downwards.

Excited screeches echoed between the rocks. Soon, black dots could be seen in the sky, swooping down towards the party.

It was the first time they had to deal with flying opponents. The fight proved to be difficult as the tanks had a hard time drawing aggro. Thus, everyone had to keep up their focus to dodge the birds' attacks.

Luckily the opponents were only level 14, too weak to obstruct the path for long.

The party continued deeper into the gorge, gradually leaving the birds behind.

Soon, they reached the bottom. A fantastical scene presented itself. Multiple lakes of all sizes laid before them. Their water was crystal clear, supporting a small ecosystem of plants and animals.

A refreshing smell of nature permeated the air.

At the edge of the lake scenery fishermen could be found, staying perfectly silent as they held their rods into the water.

A few carts stood around, carrying barrels filled with beautiful fish, their blue scales sparkling in the sunlight.

"Wow…"

Everyone looked around with astounded eyes taking in the picturesque scenery.

"Is this where we should fight a boss?"

"Yeah. Don't worry, the lake won't be destroyed."

"I hope so…"

Silver Blade felt somewhat reluctant as she followed Liam towards the muddy paths running between the lakes.

"You ready guys?"

"What?"

Liam's friends were confused. They didn't understand what to look out for as the scenery was peaceful and the fishers apparently didn't seem to be in danger.

But as soon as the party got close to the lakes, croaking could be heard. With a splash two large, ugly toads jumped out of the water, their tongues flashing at insane speeds.

"Ew…"

Fortune shuddered in disgust, managing to dodge the attack purely by instinct.

"Keep those ugly things away from me!"

The content creator hastily hid behind Silver Blade, urging the tanks to do their jobs.

Naturally two toads couldn't trouble the party. They quickly died under a rain of attacks.

More croaking could be heard as the party continued. From time-to-time toads jumped out of the lakes, barring the path.

Fortune scrunched her face. Treading through muddy paths, constantly being attacked by ugly toads was certainly not her favorite hobby.

But luckily, she kept her complaints to herself, earning her Liam's silent praise. It was important not to demoralize the party.

Soon the party arrived on a larger piece of land between two smaller lakes, where the ground was more solid.

Silver Blade let out a sigh of relief as her eyes swiped over a formation of smaller trees not far away. But suddenly she paused in surprise.

"Guys, look."

The other party members followed the tank's finger, finding a familiar old man sitting on a low branch. His face showed a worried expression as he patted the large bag next to him with his hand.

"An old man in need of ai…"

Before Radiant Shield could finish his words, Cyclone's delighted exclamation interrupted him.

"Meyhran! My favorite NPC!"

The others looked over in surprise, confused by the bright, foolish grin on Cyclone's face.

"Who is Meyhran?"

"An NPC who lets you draw from his bag when you complete his quest. He gave us the first unique quest.", explained Silver Blade.

"What? You cleared the first unique quest?!"

Quickstep turned towards the female tank in surprise.

"Sure."

"W…"

"Who cares about some quest in the past? Hurry, let's see what the old man has to say!"

Cyclone's hands felt restless as she urged the party to hurry up, approaching Meyhran with the look of a child seeing santa.