"It's snowing... that time of the year again," a young boy, age 9, sat next to a window.
"When are they coming back?" he whispered, hugging his legs tighter while staring outside.
No matter how long he looked, the only thing visible was a white ocean of snow that seemed to stretch infinitely.
It had been three years since the boy's parents left for reasons never explained, leaving him to live alone in that cabin high up in the mountains.
Growl
"The food I've gathered should last me all winter... I have to... eat less... I have to... wait for them."
Even after three years of waiting, he hadn't lost hope that one day, his parents would return. That they'd become a happy family once again.
"!!!"
Shadows! And they weren't monsters or animals.
Human shadows! But there were five of them, and none of them felt like his parents.
Running to the kitchen, he grabbed a knife and positioned himself in front of the door. He had no training in combat—he survived by setting primitive traps he learned on his own and gathering berries from the forest.
Footsteps approached outside.
"I be likin' this spot. I wager it can craft a fierce-lookin' base," a raspy but loud male voice was the first to be heard.
"It takes like... three, maybe four hours to get here from the nearest town," commented a younger-sounding man.
"I like this place," added a young woman, just as a horse neighed behind her.
"Yeah, lots of open space for training," said another, more expressive woman.
"We'll have to take care of this place, though," said an older man, the last of the five. "I can see cracks everywhere I look."
They didn't sound like bad people, but the boy was still afraid. Three years without human interaction had changed how he saw others.
The door suddenly looked enormous—as if it were made only for giants.
And then, for the first time in three years, it wasn't the boy who opened it.
---
I've gotten too used to waking up to that wooden ceiling. It's becoming less unfamiliar by the day.
In just three weeks, Alen and my own feelings had merged quickly.
And that dream... so that's how I met them...
"That smell... food... I hope it's Magnus' stew."
I stood up and remembered my most recent adventure in that goblin dungeon.
It doesn't feel right. By game logic, I shouldn't have been able to clear it alone. Alen shouldn't have either...
Is it because this world isn't turn-based and I have more freedom? Or did something change from the original game?
Growl
Ha, I guess I have more important things to worry about right now.
I made my way out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and stopped just before the last step.
"Alen," Milly stood in front of me, holding six wooden bowls. "Come, we have a surprise for you."
"I can kinda guess what it is," I said, feeling a faint smile forming on my face.
"Oh, we wanted to surprise you," she said, sounding a little disappointed.
"As long as I'm spending time with all of you, I'll be happy."
"Don't go sayin' that when we're not around," Karla teased as she sat me down at the dining table.
"We want to hear that too," Magnus added, smiling from ear to ear.
"Why be ye sayin' such scallywag talk, ye fool!" Barret scolded playfully. Despite his gruff appearance, he had a soft side. "If ye be sayin' that, say it to our mugs!"
I felt a hand gently patting my hair.
"You slept for eighteen hours just to wake up to your favorite food—Magnus' special red stew, with a mix of meats and potatoes," said Khyle, bringing over a large pot. "We'll give you your dungeon rewards later. Right now, let's celebrate your victory."
"Congratulations, Alen!" Milly handed me a bowl overflowing with my favorite meal.
These feelings—whether or not they're originally mine—resonate deeply within me.
If these were Alen's feelings, they truly feel like my own.
Every member of [Crescent Moon] stood silently, waiting for me.
"Thanks..." I said, beginning to eat and celebrate with everyone. It truly felt like the happiest I've ever been.
---
Since I'd woken up with the moon high in the sky, I wasn't sleepy—even though it was well past midnight.
By now, Magnus had already fallen asleep. Barret had passed out from all the alcohol.
My reward for completing the dungeon was a sack full of gold coins. They told me I could buy whatever I wanted, though they'd have to make the purchases for me—they were still a bit wary of letting me leave the base alone.
I think it's best if I save most of the money and only spend it on essentials—like a spare set of daggers, throwing knives, and lockpicks.
It seems I still have some time before the game truly begins.
So I'd better prepare myself as much as I can.