Don't Underestimate Foraging
Don't underestimate foraging for grass. When we're broke, we joke about having to graze on grass to survive. Of course, the people saying that stuff always have enough cash left for at least some instant noodles with kimchi. It's a joke from the start. Who'd actually blow their money to the point of munching real grass, unless it's some anime? And folks who really end up like that just mysteriously vanish without a trace.
Munch, munch.
Foraging for grass isn't easy to begin with. You have to know how to weed out the poisonous ones, and some plants turn toxic depending on how you harvest them or the environment. Even non-poisonous ones are trouble. From carnivorous plants to monster spawn disguised as flora—threats lurk everywhere.
Take the Raplas, for example. It's got these six massive petals like poison mushrooms and a cauldron-like body. That torso is ridiculously huge—taller than the average adult male, not to mention the weight.
Anyway, this insane flower roots its body in the ground and dangles fruit high up. It sprays a sweet scent in all directions to lure prey. That aroma has a hypnotic effect; if you don't snap out of it, you'll find yourself drawn right to the Raplas.
The scent-led victim feels an uncontrollable greed for something sweet, regardless of their own will, and approaches the fruit. One step, two steps. The moment they step on those petals—bam. The petals snap shut, trapping the prey inside. Soon after, you hear the crunch-crunch as it devours them.
The first time I saw that spectacle, it was intense. For a while after, every time I chewed something, I'd swear I heard bones crunching, and I couldn't eat.
Does that mean you just avoid Raplas entirely? Nah. Just steer clear of that alluring scent, and it's not that dangerous. Easy to handle. And get this—it's edible! Not the fruit; that's basically a poison bomb, and even touching those leaves seems like it'd infect you. But surprisingly, those leaves are safe to eat.
That said, don't hack away too greedily. If it senses an attack, it whips out massive vines for self-defense. One hit, and it'll cleave a person in two. But if you just snip off the tips of the big leaves, the Raplas lets you take them without a fuss. They grow back anyway. Like trimming your nails, for humans.
So yeah, plants that seem risky at first glance can actually be useful if you know what you're doing.
Slurp, slurp.
I got carried away there, but the point is: foraging is a high-skill, surprisingly tough job. And I've made grass my staple food my whole life. I'm at expert level, not just in plant ecology but harvesting too.
So.
"What's all that...?"
"Herbs."
Chaerin-ji, crouched with handfuls of grass clumps, looked up at me. Her gathered herbs were a mess, and she was covered in dirt everywhere—a total beginner specimen. Mine? Perfect condition, clean body, and way more volume. I gave a little shake to the basket strapped to my back, showing off the packed herbs inside.
This is child's play.
"That's all of it...? Why'd you pick so much?"
Why? You stockpile food when you have it. Who knows what'll happen next.
Isn't that basic common sense?
Or maybe not? Is she beating around the bush, asking me to share some?
"Not sharing."
"I don't need any...."
Nope. I munched another mushroom from my hand.
Munch—
"Why are you eating that one too...???"
"Not sharing."
"I don't need it...."
Nope again. Women are such tricky creatures.
Munch, munch. A faint spicy tang spread in my mouth. My tongue swelled a bit—must be some poison.
"...But is that really safe to eat?"
"Yeah."
"You're bleeding."
"Nope."
"It says Paralyzing Poison inflicted..."
"You're seeing things."
……
Splat—
Aigoo.
After submitting ten herbs to the Adventurer's Guild per the quest and completing the request, my level shot up by five in a flash. I'd gained ten levels while foraging earlier, so now I could finally go slime-hunting.
But first—
"Ugh...! I almost died...!"
"You didn't almost die—you did die."
One respawn on the hospital bed later.
"I don't die from just any poison."
"You died."
"Didn't."
Chaerin-ji's pitiful look stabbed me in the chest. Don't stare like that; it's embarrassing.
"...Sigh. Don't pick up random stuff to eat next time, okay..?"
"…"
"...You won't, right?"
Grin. Who knows? Depends if I feel like foraging.
Chaerin-ji's gaze turned a shade chillier. Dodging her eyes, I hopped off the bed.
A fancy bed that felt slightly out of era. Supposedly from one of the hospitals founded by Leonardo Ivan, the era's top technician, magician, and doctor. That's why they have stuff like this.
Anyway, time to hunt slimes.
To hunt monsters, I need a weapon first. So we stopped by the blacksmith's workshop.
Clang-clang—
"Oho."
In the dimly lit workshop, a dwarf hammered a glowing yellow-hot iron lump. He didn't even glance our way, pounding away with total focus. Almost obsessive.
Should I say something?
"Excuse me~"
Chaerin-ji's voice filled the workshop.
Clang-clang—
But the hammer ignored her, striking on.
As Chaerin-ji geared up for another try—
Clang!
"...What do you want?"
The dwarf's heavy mouth moved. His fierce gaze shot to me and Chaerin-ji. Not angry, though. My sharp eyes could tell. It's just his default blank face—eyes so intense it looks pissed.
Chaerin-ji, oblivious, trembled a bit as she spoke softly.
"U-um... We want to buy a weapon..."
"What're you after?"
"Uh... well..."
"A katana. Best quality you've got."
My voice cut between the shrinking Chaerin-ji and the gruff dwarf.
"I-I'm a harp user... You probably don't have those, sorry..."
Chaerin-ji mustered her courage, only to deflate again. Fair enough—where'd they sell harps in a smithy?
"Katana and harp? Both on the second floor."
They do. We followed the dwarf up to the second floor.
And the katana there was...
"Crappy."
"It's starter gear, duh. Weirder if it was good."
True, but you know that vibe? Some cursed katana gathering dust on the wall that nobody buys. I even asked the dwarf, just in case.
"How'd I sell that? Transfers the curse."
Sigh. Guess I'll take the priciest one. Where'd the money come from? Sold the leftover herbs (70% poison plants) to the alchemy workshop. The NPC was thrilled.
'Uhehe... With this much, I could brew dragon-slaying paralytic poison...!'
...Good call, right? Didn't sell everything, though.
'Oh? Just the poison ones. Not into medicine~'
They wouldn't take 'em.
...They're not poison.
Anyway, we headed down to settle up.
"50,200 credits."
Blown the herb cash (now poison-tainted) in one go, we stepped outside.
"Hm~ Hm~"
"...That happy about it?"
"Yep."
Say what you want, I'm a sword gal at heart. Spent my life wielding blades; without one, I just couldn't settle.
Sniff—ha—
I pressed my nose to the katana and inhaled. Mmm~ that familiar iron scent. So soothing.
From now on, you're Chunsik.
"…."
Chaerin-ji's gaze turned bug-eyed disgusted. What? So what. First time seeing a sword lover?
Ignoring her stare, I strode boldly to the quest board—
Why's it so crowded?
The vast Adventurer's Guild's left wall, quest board area—packed with people.
I need a quest...
"Excuse me, coming through...!"
"Pardon~ make way~"
As Chaerin-ji and I pushed through the crowd—
"Hey? Konchi~"
"It's Chaerin-ji. Konchi~"
"Konchiwa!"
Someone spotted us and called out. Chaerin-ji replied,
"Oh, Konchiwa~~ Nice to see you~"
? Konchi? Konchiwa? Sounds like a snack name mixed with Japanese greeting.
"What's that?"
"Huh? Oh, this? It's my stream greeting. Those are probably viewers."
"Ah."
Makes sense for a streamer—some fans recognizing her catchphrase.
Come to think of it, I know zilch about her.
"Chaerin-ji, you famous or something?"
She stared at me, eyes wide like she never expected the question. What? Super famous?
After a beat of silence, she muttered,
"I'm kinda at 300k on MeTube..."
"Ah."
Famous, huh. Didn't know.
Anyway, past the crowd, amid the quest flyers, one stood out.
WANTED
DEAD OR ALIVE
Something familiar about that flyer. Feels like there should be a straw hat pic. No way they parodied Luffy? With this game's tech power? Nah, it's a parody. One Piece is old-school for 2062 folks.
Anyway, instead of a straw hat, some statue-like avatar glared out. Handsome avatar, but... off. Unnatural.
Thinking about it, most avatars I'd seen felt that way. Does picking avatar make 'em all like that? Glad I went realistic.
"Bounty poster, right?"
"Looks like."
PK's allowed in fields by default. But is that okay? How do newbies survive?
"Most players hate random PKers, so it's fine. Shops and guilds hit 'em with penalties."
"Ah."
Chaerin-ji knows her stuff. Be my full-time guide, you.
"And just call me Chaerin."
"Nah."
"Huh?"
Chaerin-ji's cute. Not plotting to tease her or anything. For real.
"...No more tips if you don't?"
"Ah."
Can't have that.
"I'll share some herbs."
"How much?"
"Enough for level 10."
"Deal!"
And just like that, I got a dedicated guide, and Chunsik.