Author's Note: This chapter is written in Leya's POV. Aaaand I'm back again!

Disclaimer: Ragnarok Online belongs to Gravity and Lee-Myoung-Jin, the one and only.

I blinked several times, looking over the quest details from top to bottom, over and over again.

Destins, the new friend I just acquainted with, opened up his screen and double checked again.

"It is indeed, the same..." My voice trailed off slowly after studied the quest title and its content for couple of moments. The redhead nodded, a faint smile curved on his lips. "Guess we're lucky after all. We have a common goal now, and I have a feeling this will be done in a jiffy."

I replied with a soft chuckle, "Y-yeah... You're right."

Somewhere in my mind, I was glad that I have finally found someone that's on the same boat as I do. I wouldn't need to feel I am the only one getting this special quest and that I have to finish it alone in 48 hours, without getting killed or something.

If it weren't for the same quest we shared together, I shudder to think of my fate here. I have neither friends nor people that I knew who — at least higher level than me and wouldn't mind assist a newbie completing this quest.

Albeit I met Sarah first, but the girl seems way busier than anyone else. I couldn't wait for her response any longer. With limited time strapped like a dead weight to me, I decided to go with Destins, the man from Morroc as he slowly introduced himself while we walked into the forest depth of Prontera South.

"... I know it sounds crazy but that's how I was 'bound' by this quest..." said him, pulling up his glove and unveiled the 'tattoo' to me. Gosh, it looks as gross as mine, I gasped at the thought of it. Seriously, what kind of mess did we just got ourselves into...?

I drew closer and placed my 'tattoo-ed' hand next to him, as if comparing. "See this version of mine. It has 8 thorny wings while yours with a grotesque-looking crown... And 6 wings too." — "What do you think they want from us, etching such tattoo to our palm?"

"I have no freaking idea." Destins's voice deepened, and went on to pick out a Green Plant situated next to him. "Perhaps, a contract or something." said him again, eyes looking down.

The redhead then pulled up his Quest screen, and examined over for a few good minute. "Hmmm..." — "We'll go for the Mead as for now. 20 sacks of Wolf's Blood... Sounds just right for your level, Leya." Destins mused lightly, as his pair of crystal blue orbs focused on the task details.

"Let's head to Prontera Forest. There's surplus of wolves and its pack hoarding that area. I knew a good spot to fast-grind and you'd be level 25 in no time." — "By then, we'll get to the next task slowly and in accordance to your level. Sounds fair enough?" I on the other hand, wasn't paying much attention to Destins' words. I knew I could count on him in 'power-leveling' me but there's just something occupying my head currently. I just can't helped it...

"I—uh... I need you to help me a little." said me, a bit of nervous per se. The young assassin immediately looked at me, with concern in his eyes. "What's up? Say it, Leya."

"I can't die while proceeding this quest."

There goes the long silence between us. Honestly speaking, it's kind of complex to explain my 'condition'— of who I am and how do I ended up here, to the new comrade of mine.

"Heh... You mean you can't be 'killed' in here? Maybe you meant, can't exhaust your Hit Point here, hmm? Don't you worry. I have brought enough Yggdrassil Leaf with me." — "In case anything happened, this item would come in pretty handy." said him with confident voice.

I shrugged. "No— you don't get it, Destins. I mean, I really can't be killed in action, at here precisely."

Destins's face grimmed. He does not seems to be truly convinced with the way I declared about the 'terms' in the quest that came specifically for me. "What are you talking about? We people of Rune-Midgard carries Yggdrassil Leaf wherever we go, once we're out of town. I mean, sure we are prone to dangers and risking our life for the romanticism of adventures, but I don't get the issue behind your fears of death."

"Well, it's kinda complicated." said me, forcing a smile at the same time.

In the reality, I may lost my body somewhere after the accident. Perhaps in gruesome way that I'd be so terrified talking about it. Yet, my consciousness still as clear as daylight. I literally have most of my senses here, as if I've been granted a second chance in life — but a rather different sort of life.

Surely the redhead would stated my fears nonchalantly as death is not the biggest issue in the adventurer's book. But, I just don't have the mood to think about those nitty gritty. It is a game after all. Characters died and then they re-spawned at the nearest safe zone, or resurrected by priests or Yggdrassil Leaf.

But, not me.

"L—let's just put it this way... Please make sure I stayed alive along the quest, and we'll complete this together, alright?" I chirped, trying to sound as positive as possible.

"Oh and I brought plenty of White Potions too. The veteran adventurers just passed it to me when I was at the inn the day before. These surely would be great help." I smiled, assuring the young assassin that we'd be alright.

Destins finally beamed a little. It might take a while to get used to this new party of mine. I do wonder what prompted him to be so into my story, as he'd always strike me as someone that concern about my past and present, more than anything else. Sometime, I can't shake off the feeling that we might knew each other before, but it was a distant thought to be honest.

Standing still, I boldly grabbed his hand, and shake. "Let's cooperate, and see this quest to the end, Destins. My new partner." said me, grinning happily. The assassin stood still for a moment, and then replied with a soft smile. "Pleasure to be your company, milady."

Despite I'm overwhelmed with fears — of uncertainties and the 'death' penalty that awaits me if I ever failed this quest; however, I can't deny the fact that I could feel a major tingling sense of new adventure with Destins, in this broad world of Rune-Midgard. My blood suddenly boils with excitement. Unexplored regions, questing, establishing affinity with NPC, MVP with bestie, joining guild and whatmore. If I am still alive somewhere, out there; let me tell you this — whatever happens to me right now, it is indeed surreal.

Imagining putting up VR gear and living inside the game. That's how I feel right at this moment. But I'm not. And that's what I'm gonna find out anyway — the way to return home. My home. And the only method for me to get through this, is to unlock the keys hidden in the quest I've taken from the hooded NPC.

After checking my gears for final time, and packed enough food to lasts us a day in the wilderness of Prontera Forest — I embarked my first journey with Destins, a level 55 Assassin from Morroc that I have befriended.

... And that — is the beginning of our unforgettable adventure

CHAPTER 4: THE BEGINNING

Author's Footer Note: Ahhh! It is a short chapter indeed. I struggled for some ideas actually. I hope I would improve even more on storytelling-wise as the chapters go. Stay tune for more adventurous and action in coming chapters. And I might plan to switch this to M Rating, possibly in the future.

Thanks for reading! Please SUBS, FAVE Ragnarok Online: A Valkyrie's Oath too!