PFC Chapter 52: Baby Steps
Chapter 52: Baby Steps
Chapter 52: Baby Steps I'm Alan Warden, Chief Technician of The Santa María. Due to a series of unfortunate events, I have become the weakest User in this entire virtual world... and I'm supposedly the one to save humanity.
He gasped for air while tossing aside the now-useless iron tray, the corpse of the Weasenox beside him.
"We did it, Alan," Ashley said from behind him.
"Yeah... I'm finally level 6... How marvelous..."
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"We're celebrating tonight because Alan has finally leveled up. Yay!" Amelia beamed, opening a bottle of beer.
"So what? Are you going to toast 94 more times?"
"Come on! Stop being so cranky! Baby steps, Alan, baby steps."
"At this rate, The Singular will conquer all of Novus," Alan muttered before munching on his burger.
"So! What are your plans for tomorrow?"
Alan glanced at Ashley, who was silently chewing.
"We've got wind of a dungeon northeast from here. Eurola's very first dungeon. I'll get better gear there."
"I hope it turns out great." Amelia smiled warmly at him.
"I hope so too..."
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"Nothing on the second floor," Ashley informed as she entered the library, where a grim-looking Alan was sitting on a pile of books.
"So that's it?" Alan asked, looking around at his surroundings. "Count Dylak's Mansion, huh? I bet this place was very popular back in the day."
Ashley remained still, discerning his expression. "We could kill the Weasenox again."
"Nah. It'd just give me a third of the XP this time, and that means buying another 'kitchen shield' from that guy. I don't think it's worth all that hassle."
"It's okay. I can use my knife and fight in the front lines while you provide support."
"And how do I do that? I can't use your bow. You'd get all the XP, and if I don't dodge in time, it'll kill me in one hit. Let's forget about the Weasenox for now."
"We could ask Amelia if she--"
"Amelia has helped us enough," Alan raised his voice, before exhaling. "Sorry, but I have to do this on our own. If we depend on Amelia for every single obstacle we face..."
"Let's ask someone from Unus Town if they know about other ways to get XP, then."
"I know how. Making errands. But only if an NPC gives you a quest, and by now, all of them have been turned into servants." He lowered his head. "I'll... I'll come up with something tomorrow..."
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And just like that, two more days passed without any progress. Ashley offered to
"Hey, maybe you could answer this." Alan rewinded one of his previously watched videos until finding a scene, showing a wolf-like beast engaging in combat against a mage. He paused. "Can you train monsters to fight for you?"
"Yeah, there's a class called Monster Tamer, you know?"
Alan quickly thought of Sloochie, and Amelia's comment about her Monster Tamer skill, level 1.
But I don't want anyone from Slime Village to fight for me. At least I know there's a way now. Baby steps, Amelia, baby steps.
"Paul!" Alan called aloud, startling him.
"W-What is it now?!"
"You've been pretty helpful today! But can you help me with something else? I'll compensate you, I promise."
Clara's forehead wrinkled. "B-But I was the one that explained to you what..."
"Count with me, Alan!" Paul replied, proudly. "What do you need?"
"This town's weaponsmith doesn't sell low-level weapons anymore. Do you know someone that could sell me their old gear, or where I could get some?"
Paul crossed his arms and shut his eyes for a moment. "Hmm... Everyone has already gotten rid of their gear, even me, so... Ha! It's so obvious! Follow me."
"Y-You guys leaving already?" a soft-spoken Clara said, watching them go without saying goodbye.