The One With Starter Equipment

Jarvis walked along the paths besides Gear. Kiro had informed him that she was going to do some reconnaissance so there was no need to wait for her. Ruyi trailed behind him, and Loni had returned to the tattoo on his neck.

"This village doesn't see any traction, so everyone knows who each other is and there is no flow of money. Because of it there's no such thing as professions, people merely work to contribute."

"I noticed a lack of blacksmiths. . .", Jarvis mentioned.

"There is one, located a bit farther off from here though. The old man mostly only makes farming equipment and repairs."

"Gear! It's good to see you, who's that next to you?", greeted an old woman.

"Ah Miss Greenery! This is Jarvis, it seems like he stumbled in here much like myself!"

"Ah we haven't had a visitor in a long time, should I make some tea?"

"Perhaps later, I wish to show him around."

"That's kind of you. You've always have been good help."

"I only do what I can to repay!"

"You don't owe us."

"I still just try to help about, we all contribute."

"That we do, that we do."

Gear lowered his voice, "That's Miss Greenery, she tends to the medical assistance here. Greenery isn't her actual name, just a nickname that stuck a little too much."

"She seems nice.", Jarvis acknowledged.

"That's until you ignore her careful instructions. Then she gets a bit mean."

A reminiscent smile formed on Gear's face, "Anyway let me show you the blacksmith. That old man and his granddaughter have been really kind to me."

Taking a sharp turn Gear headed down an old beaten path while gesturing for Jarvis to follow. It lead into the forest, weaving through the trees. A mist clung to the trees, acting almost like a fog.

"Lem! I'm here!"

Through the mist clung trees a small building revealed itself. Just from a glance you could tell there was a blacksmith that lived there. Old worn stations were next to it, the tools showing no sign of neglect.

An old man opened the door and grunted, "It's you, Lemon is getting some food for dinner so she's not here."

"At this hour?"

"That's none of your concern."

"It's getting dark. . ."

The old man sighed, "This is true, could you find her and bring her back to me?"

Gear turned to Jarvis and lifted his arms into a shrug, "Like that I was just given a side quest."

"That was all it took?", Jarvis frowned.

"With just a little effort you're given these quests. The rewards are just enough to think that it's worth it."

Turning back to the old man Gear responded, "No problem! I'll be right back with her."

"Thank you.", the old man nodded before closing the door.

"Sorry Jarvis, you mind helping me real quick? I'll share the quest."

"No problem, shall we head back?"

"Yeah, if we complete this quest he might invite us for dinner. That way I don't have to stay out at night."

"You make it seem like it's dangerous."

"While this is a small village, the things that roam here are Second Stage."

Jarvis felt that nagging sense of something being off again. This time he pushed it a bit further, "You've been trapped her since the start?"

"Almost, but yes."

"So. . . How'd you survive if the things here are Second Stage?"

Gear's expression darkened, "I faced hell, that's how."

Since the beginning. . . Jarvis suddenly realized why Gear's outfit was so familiar. It was the basic armor granted to those of the Warrior Class. Also known as the Starter Armor!

"So that equipment of yours?"

"Yup! Been with me since the start! I had to learn how to repair it from the old man, that's the only reason why it lasted this long."

It was well known that equipment made up around half a player's strength. Even more so for those who lacked proper training. Between simply increasing your damage and defense to various miscellaneous effects, equipment played a large role in your progress.

Yet Gear had the starter equipment and reached Second Stage? Jarvis wasn't confident in replicating such a feat, his book was the main reason why he was even here.

In fact the Party's equipment played a large role in their survivability in insane odds. If they all had the starter equipment—there would have been no surviving.

"You've been through quite a lot I would assume."

"It's been a rough ride, you'll realize why when it comes dark. Let's hurry up! We still got an hour or two!"

Gear picked up the pace, and Jarvis followed behind. Questions floated about in his head, but for now he'll keep them to himself. Something wasn't right. . .

He should share these concerns with Kiro after her reconnaissance.

. . .

"Gear?"

"Ah, there you are! It's getting late and your grandfather is worried."

"I was just conversing with Orin, I didn't realize it got so late."

Gear offered to carry some of what was in Lemon's arms, "Let's get going back, I'll help you!"

"Thank you, I got more than I planned to. . ."

After grabbing a basket full of miscellaneous items Gear began to walk back towards the blacksmith. Lemon trailed behind while asking, "And who is this?"

Jarvis introduced himself, "I'm Jarvis, I stumbled in here."

Gear added, "Much like myself!"

"Welcome to our little village Jarvis. While we don't do much, we all contribute here and there."

"So I've heard."

"It's not often we get visitors! Would you both like to stay for a meal? I got more than we need."

"I-"

Gear interrupted, "If you don't mind having us!"

He turned towards Jarvis and gave a small stare, warning him not to turn it down. Jarvis frowned with a bit of confusion but agreed, "I don't mind staying if you're willing."

"Wonderful! It looks like we won't be getting any leftovers. Grandpa makes a good stew! I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"Looking forward to it."

Suddenly Lemon looked upwards with a frown, "That's a bit sooner than usual. . ."

Gear followed and concern spread across his face, "I thought we still had time! Let's speed things up."

They moved quickly, Jarvis felt his ears twitch and the forest seemed to rustle about. An uneasy feeling rose up his spine, "What's going on?"

Gear shook his head, "Not now, I'll explain when we're safe."

"Safe?"

"Just move!"

'Something is coming.', Ruyi warned.

"I can feel it."

Jarvis slid to a stop, the book freeing itself from its holster and hovering within his palm. Gear clicked his tongue, "They're not supposed to appear until night."

"What exactly are you talking about?"

"Chimeras, the reason why you can't escape this forest is to keep them in."

"That doesn't make sense, just have someone stronger take care of them."

"You would have to wipe them out completely, the rate they duplicate would cause an infestation. Even if a First Stage one escapes it can quickly spiral out of control."

"Do we fight?"

"No, causes to much noise. Our best bet is to cause a distraction and make a run for it. Does anyone have something to start a fire?"

Lemon clutched the basket in her hands, her body quivering, "I shouldn't have stayed out so late!"

Jarvis asked, "What draws their attention?"

"Sound or whatever they see, it depends on the Chimera. They vary greatly."

"Ruyi!"

'On it!'

Despite being a Kitsune Ruyi excelled only in one form of magic, and that was illusions. Although she lacked talent in the other categories her talent with illusions grew exponentially. As she trailed Jarvis she usually kept up an illusion to hide her presence. Now she dispelled such an illusion and revealed herself to Lemon and Gear.

The tips of her tails began to glow and the air shimmered. The pages in Jarvis' book flipped and a painting flew off the pages. A large wolf made its presence known, "Chaotic mana is present Jarvis, what do you need of me?"

"Distort the sound with wind, we need stealth."

Gear was momentarily dumbfounded, he had never seen such beasts before. Much less one that talked. Jarvis spoke to snap him out of it, "I created a bit of safety, is it safe in the houses?"

Lemon answered, "Granny Rey made them sound proof. We just have to make sure the windows are properly sealed."

"Good, let's move."

The tip of Extreok's nose twitched, "Foul smelling mana, it dabbles in that of the world's heresy."

"World's heresy?"

"An ancient passage that even the world rejects. Thus it was deemed heresy. To partake in such rites is a dangerous task, for it makes the world reject not only your creations but also you."

"So these creatures come from that of heresy?"

"Smells like it."

Gear added, "No one here knows where they came from, I've tried figuring that out myself. All I know is that they're not something you want to come across."

Jarvis still had yet to catch even a glimpse of a single Chimera. Although his curiosity was burning he felt like finding one wasn't a good choice right now. All signs pointed towards them not being friendly, and causing trouble wasn't on the list of things he wanted to do.

With the help of Ruyi and Extreok they managed to get home safely. As Lemon saw the old house she ran up to it and jumped into the arms of the blacksmith who was waiting anxiously.

"Oh you're home, thank goodness."

Turning towards Gear and Jarvis he thanked, "You saved my daughter, please come on in. The least I can do is provide a meal and a safe place to stay."

Gear raised a hand, "Then I hope you don't mind because we'll be intruding."

"Please come on in!"

Raising a hand he gestured for Ruyi and Extreok to enter the book while mouthing 'thank you'. They morphed into streaks of color and returned to their drawn pictures on the book's pages. Entering the house the old blacksmith gestured for the other two to sit, "Rest for now, Lemon and I shall prepare the food."

Jarvis sat down and looked towards Gear, "Alright I helped, but I want something in return."

"Makes sense, what do you want from me though?"

"I want to know what is going on here. Extreok rarely says anything about the ambient mana."

"Extreok is. . . ?"

"The wolf."

"Figured. Alright, but that's a long story."

"We have time."

". . . Fine, just know that I'm not entirely sure what's happening here. I'm only a survivor."

Gear got into a comfortable position, "Before I begin you should know how I got here, I'm confident it's not the same way you did."

"I wish to know all I can, so tell your story."

Nodding in acknowledgement Gear began to tell his story. . .