Nostalgia World Online 2-2 part 1

Chapter 2-2 : Head Hunting Princess’ Unlucky Day (part 1)

The next day, I logged in and went straight to the forest. I was planning to go to Lake Clar to replenish some tree seeds I had used in the PVP event. The trees around there were sturdy and grew fast. They were perfect to be used as weapons. I also wanted to see how the Squidspiders were doing.

However, as I jumped from tree to tree, heading toward the lake, I heard someone screaming.

「AAAAaaa!!」(??)

「Hm?.」(Alice)

I changed direction and headed toward the voice. I found two people dressed in beginner’s armor surrounded by a pack of Erst Wolves.

「Dammit! You alright?」(male beginner)

「Not good. I’m bleeding!」(female beginner)

「Those two… Are they beginners? They’re in big trouble. Fighting against multiple Erst Wolves at once is tough for beginners.」(Alice)

I observed the situation from high up while crouching on a tree branch.

There were a male player holding a sword and a female in a robe holding a magic staff.

The female one was sitting on the ground. Her robe was stained with her blood. It seemed that she had been attacked by the wolves and currently was suffering from the ‘bleeding’ status.

Meanwhile, the male one was holding his sword forward, protecting the girl.

「I wonder if they’re a couple. Should I help them?」(Alice)

It was only a matter of time before the wolves killed them.

It reminded me of my first death in this game. I was killed by an Erst Wolf, and I remember it didn’t feel good at all.

I guess I can’t just abandon them.

「Shit! They’re coming!」(male beginner)

The wolves surrounding them started to move again. They simultaneously charged toward them with their mouths wide open, ready to tear them apart with their sharp fangs.

However, before they could reach themー

「【Earth Shileds】!」(Alice)

I cast a spell and erected earthen walls from the ground around the two.

「What theー」(male beginner)

The wolves who were not expecting it crashed their heads into the walls and were stunned.

「Now! Kill them!」(Alice)

「ー!?【Horizontal Slash】!」(male beginner)

「【Fireball】!」(female beginner)

Despite being confused, the two beginners used the opportunity to quickly attack two of the wolves that were stunned and successfully killed them.

However, there were still three remaining wolves.

I wanted them to finish off all the wolves since those were their prey, but I think it’s too difficult for them, at least with their current abilities.

I don’t want to kill-steal other people’s prey, but I guess I have no choice.

I kicked the tree branch I was crouching on and descended at high speed toward a stunned Erst Wolf on the ground.

I activated my【Sever】Skill, drew my wakizashi, and quickly cut its head off. Right after, I dashed toward the remaining wolves and did the same.

One. Two. Three.

ーSlash! ーSlash! ーSlash!

Three heads of the wolves were flying almost at the same time and then dropped on the ground along with their headless bodies.

「Phew…」(Alice)

「Wow! She’s so fast!」(male beginner)

「That’s so cool!」(female beginner)

I sheathed my blade and turned to the two.

「Thank you for saving us!」(male beginner)

「Thank you very much! But… Why don’t these bodies disappear?」(female beginner)

「Oh, you’re right. Is it a bug?」(male beginner)

They were looking at the headless wolf bodies on the ground with puzzled faces.

「A, ah, it’s not a bug. You don’t have to mind it. More importantly, you’re still beginners, right?」(Alice)

The bodies remained because of my special skill,【Hunter】, but it would be a pain to explain it, so I quickly averted the subject.

「Yes, we’ve just started.」(male beginner)

「Then you shouldn’t be here. I suggest you hunt monsters in the grassland north of town. It offers a better view than this forest, and the monsters there are not that difficult to kill. It’s a nice place for beginners.」(Alice)

「I see. Looks like we’ve gone too deep into this forest.」(male beginner)

「We’ll be going there then.」(female beginner)

「Wait, you’re bleeding, right? You won’t make it if you don’t heal. Here, take some potions.」(Alice)

I took out three bottles of HP potions and handed them to the bleeding girl.

Dying because of the bleeding status doesn’t feel good after all.

「Are you sure? I heard that potions are expensive nowadays.」(female beginner)

「Don’t worry about it. I have plenty of them.」(Alice)

「Really? Thank you very much!」(female beginner)

She drank one of the potions right away. I think she will be fine now.

「We’re lucky to come across a kind veteran player.」(male beginner)

「You’re right. Well then, we’ll be on our way.」(female beginner)

「Alright. Be careful.」(Alice)

They both bowed with gratitude and headed toward the north.

It’s an online game, not a school, but helping them makes me feel like a senior. I couldn’t help but smile as I saw them off.

「I hope they won’t encounter any more wolf packs. Now then, I should continue as well.」(Alice)

Now that the problem is solved, it’s time to continue to the lake.

I turned around and looked for a tree to start my run. I found a tall tree nearby, but before I could climb it, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

「Aaa! I finally found you!」(angry girl)

「Geh!」(Alice)

I flinched and slowly turned around.

I remembered this voice, and as expected, the internet idol from yesterday was standing there. She was pointing at me while glaring with a grumpy face.

Behind her were several people who seemed to be her loyal followers. I noticed a veteran player from yesterday as well.

「Umm… Who are you again?」(Alice)

「Don’t play dumb with me!」(angry girl)

Of course, I remember her. I just want to avoid her…

「How dare you run away from me, the current most famous internet idol, Umika-sama!」(angry girl)

Ah, that’s right. Umika. Rin mentioned that name last night.

But… This is the first time I’ve seen someone call herself with “-sama”.

What an arrogant idol…

「Uhh, if I’m not mistaken, you were asking where I bought this kimono, right? You haven’t found Lynette’s shop yet?」(Alice)

「I don’t care about that stupid shop right now! I’ve been looking for you!」(Umika)

「Looking for me? Why? Don’t you have anything else to do?」(Alice)

「Th, than’s rude! I’m busyー Super busy! But I spent my precious time just to find you, so be grateful!」(Umika)

「Uhh, okay… So, what do you want?」(Alice)

「I want you!」(Umika)

「Huh? What do you mean?」(Alice)

「I want a veteran player I can use. You must join me!」(Umika)

「What?」(Alice)

Join her? I wonder if she wants to form an exploration party with me.

「Umika-sama is recruiting you.」
「She’s telling you to join her fan club.」
「You should be proud!」(followers)

The followers behind her explained it to me.

So that’s what she means, huh? But…

「I’m sorry, but I’m not really into internet idols or something like that.」(Alice)

You can’t be a fan of an idol if you don’t like them. Besides, I can’t imagine myself becoming one of her followers who always follow her wherever she goes. I want to play this game freely.

「What?」
「I can’t believe she refuses Umika-sama’s invitation!」
「What an ungrateful girl!」(followers)

Uwahh… Her followers are angry at me…

「Calm down, everyone. I knew she would refuse. Thereforeー」(Umika)

She pointed at me and smirked, looking confident for some reason.

「You! I challenge you to a PVP match!」(Umika)