Upon reaching his hometown, Jasper landed from the cart. His home was outside the city walls. He approached his home from a distance, reminiscing about old memories. Despite his childhood's painful moments, he still missed it—his father, his stepmother before she turned into the cruel version of herself, the food, the warmth of the walls, and the laziness.
As he turned his back to go, a familiar voice called for him. "Young master?"
Jasper froze. He didn't even need to turn his face to know who it was. This familiar voice was none other than Julian—Cuthbert's son. He was five years older than Jasper. He was a good guy, but he didn't interact much with Jasper because Maida forbade him.
"I don't know who that young master you're talking about is, but I'm not the person you're looking for," Jasper said, then started stepping away.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry for bothering you, sir. My young master is already dead."
Huh? Jasper couldn't believe what he'd just heard, but he couldn't ask Julian about it either.
He kept walking until he faded into the distance, walking toward his childhood hideout.
Whoosh-shush! Tick-tick! Whoosh-shush!
Jasper pushed through the branches and leaves guarding his secret refuge. Deep in the forest, not too far from his former mansion, lay his hidden sanctuary, concealed by dense foliage and towering trees—a place of solace whenever despair found him. At its heart stood an ancient tree, its massive roots seeming almost in motion, as if the tree itself was slowly walking across the forest floor. Beneath one particularly twisted root, he had hidden his treasure: a money bag prepared for the day his father might cast him out. Though his planning had seemed excessive then, he couldn't blame himself. After all, only God knows what tomorrow brings.
For years, he had squirreled away whatever coins he could conceal in his clothing, building his emergency fund coin by coin. Now, counting his wealth—988 gold and 51 silver coins—Jasper felt both pride and uncertainty. For most fifteen-year-olds, this would be unimaginable wealth, but for the son of Zoliland's greatest merchant, it was merely a trifling sum.
Lost in contemplation, his body suddenly reminded him of its stinkiness. The nasty smell from the long distance drove him toward a nearby pond. As he gazed at his reflection, he confronted the reality of his appearance. His face was ghostly white, drained of all vitality. Thick, twisted veins in shades of crimson, emerald, and sapphire spread across his skin like the roots of a dying tree, pulsing faintly as if carrying some unnatural poison. His brow was bare—no eyebrows, no lashes—giving his face an unsettling, unfinished quality. His eyes told their own horror story: whites webbed with angry red veins, pupils unnaturally dilated into pools of darkness. His lips, cracked and colorless, occasionally twitched as if attempting speech that wouldn't come. Without hair, his features appeared even more alien, his skull-like visage enhanced by the sickly glow of his veined, translucent skin. Every part of his face seemed to writhe with quiet malevolence, as if poison within him was alive, transforming his humanity into something otherworldly and terrifying. The first time he was seen in Hope City, he was nearly killed, mistaken for a monster. The streets grew empty as he walked; the inns didn't accept him. Only Joseph welcomed him into his stable, and a few orphan kids spoke kindly to him.
"Famous for my ugliness," he murmured to himself. "If people think that I'm dead, I'll give them what they want. I need to hide my face and find someone to help with my business. I think I need to buy some slaves." He stripped off his clothes and jumped into the cold water.
Feeling refreshed, Jasper reclined on a rock, submerging his body with only his head above water. He closed his eyes, contemplating a future where he could live happily with a beautiful wife, a bunch of kids, and no nobles or merchants aiming for his life. After a few minutes, he sank completely beneath the surface, allowing the cool water to caress his face before emerging. Fortunately, the afternoon sun still hung high, perfect for drying quickly.
He got out of the water and leaned back on the ancient tree. "Power On." A screen appeared in front of him that he hadn't seen for more than two weeks. Excitement filled every part of his body.
"I missed you, my lovely game."
Jasper had left his character in a severe condition last time—he'd gotten distracted by the parchment he obtained and all the events that happened after. Jasper—the character—was stationed in the plain where he'd been left. Going back to the royal city, Serenith, Jasper rested after bandaging his wounds. The next day, he restored all his stamina and most of his HP.
Leaving his house with his direction pointed toward the mercenary guild, a character with a "!" sign above his head blocked his way.
"What's the problem with this guy blocking my way?" Jasper questioned, with the thought of punching this character if possible.
Jasper entered Option → Basic Knowledge, checking a list until he found what "!" meant.
! :
Alert/Notice.You've been spotted.Quest or Dialogue Trigger.A side quest.Surprise/Shock.Turn-Based Battle Trigger.Interactive Prompt.
Going back to the game, he talked to him.
The merchant Erling:
"I heard you obtained a special loot from the Horned Rabbit. Would you mind giving it to me? I'll give you a good weapon in return."
Two choices appeared:
[Agree]
[Ignore]
"Hmm… A good weapon could help me fight stronger monsters, besides, this parchment is of no use to me now. Let's trade it for a better weapon."
[Agree]
Ding!
Successfully traded [Horned Rabbit Hunting Strategy (Parchment)] for a medium-quality sword!
"I really want to go hunting right now! But I don't have any more potions—I wasted all my money just to beat those rabbits last time."
Sigh.
"Let's go to the mercenary guild. Probably, I'll find a good quest to do there."
Entering the guild, he went around speaking with everyone. He went to the receptionist, who welcomed him with a smile.
"Oh, Jasper, how can I help you today?"
[Request a mission]
[Sell]
[Talk]
[Leave]
"Oh ho! A new choice added. Let's see [Sell]. Hmm… I can sell all the monster parts that I have."
[Slimy goo – 5c] x1[Horn – 18s] x25[H.R. Meat – 5c] x30[H.R. Skin – 12s] x20
"Why is the Horned Rabbit meat that cheap? Only 5 copper each—ridiculous! I'd prefer eating it than selling it at this price. And why can't I sell the sword? Hmm… I think the guild here is like the real one; it will only accept monster-related items."
After selling everything but the meat, he ended up getting 690s and 5c, turning from poverty into richness in mere seconds. Closing the selling window, he went back to see the quests:
Help Misty find her. – 2CCollect 5 Slimy goo. – 2BProtect Baron Chad's youngest son while he is training outside the city. – 2gCollect 20 Comodo Claws and fangs. – 6S…
"Hmm… What should I do? I don't find those quests interesting… Forget it, let's collect 5 Slimy goo. Sigh. It could've been 4 if I didn't sell what I had. Well, it's a slime anyway—what could go wrong facing a slime?"
After buying some potions, as soon as he entered the Black Forest, the screen started flashing.
Jasper – Lv. 1
HP: 600/600 | SP: 500/500
[Attack]
[Guard]
[Items]
[Flee]
VS
Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Metal Slime – Lv. 1
HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 5/5
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Four at once!?! This is bullying, you nostril goo! How am I supposed to fight the four of th— Who is this Metal Slime, shit?! I'm sure you're the one who brought your fellow slimes with you. Can't you be a man… I mean, a slime, and fight me man-to-slime?! With your pathetic 5HP, I'll one-shot you and focus on the others."
Round 1
Jasper – Lv. 1
HP: 600/600 | SP: 500/500
Metal Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1
HP: 5/5 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Metal Slime)
[Dodge] – Jasper lunges with his sword, but the Metal Slime rolls to the side, dodging the strike!
SP: 485/500
"What? He dodged my attack! Thankfully, no one saw me, or I'd really be a laughingstock."
Slimes' Turn:
4 Slimes attack!
[Dodge] – Jasper dodges effortlessly, laughing. ("Too slow!")
(SP - (15x4) → 425/500)
Round 2
Jasper – Lv. 1
HP: 600/600 | SP: 485/500
Metal Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1
HP: 5/5 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130
"I don't believe I can't hit you twice."
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Metal Slime)
This time, Jasper's sword clangs against the Metal Slime!
Damage dealt: 1.
Metal Slime HP: 1 → 4/5
(SP -10 → 415/500)
"Huh? 1 Damage dealt? What kind of slime is that?"
It's a Metal Slime, dear user.
"Huh? Hey, I'm pleased to hear your voice, Miss Armbrace. Can you tell me about this monster?"
…
"Yeah, I know my luck with women. And now, an armbrace is ignoring me."
Slimes' Turn:
2 Slimes and Metal Slime attack!
[Dodge] – Jasper dodges again, taunting them.
(SP -45 → 370/500)
A slime lunges at Jasper!
Damage dealt: 40.
Jasper HP: 40 → 560/600.
Round 3
Jasper – Lv. 1
HP: 560/600 | SP: 370/500
Metal Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1
HP: 4/5 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Metal Slime)
"Jasper strikes 'clang'!
Damage dealt: 1.
Metal Slime HP: 1 → 3/5
(SP -10 → 360/500)
"This Slime is making the fight harder."
Slimes' Turn:
3 Slimes unleash a COMBO ATTACK!
Damage dealt: 50+48+52
Jasper HP: 150 → 410/600.
Jasper's eyes widened in shock, and he kept slapping himself.
Metal Slime attacks!
"The Metal Slime follows up with a piercing needle strike!"
Damage dealt: 60.
Jasper HP: 60 → 350/600.
"Hey!"
Round 4
Jasper – Lv. 1
HP: 350/600 | SP: 360/500
Metal Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1
HP: 3/5 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Metal Slime)
"Jasper grits his teeth and slashes again!"
Damage dealt: 1.
Metal Slime HP: 1 → 2/5
(SP -10 → 350/500)
Slimes' Turn:
4 Slimes attack!
[Dodge] – Jasper dodges, now breathing heavily.
(SP -60 → 290/500)
"Nice!"
Round 5
Jasper – Lv. 1
HP: 350/600 | SP: 290/500
Metal Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1
HP: 2/5 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Metal Slime)
"Jasper delivers a blow!"
Damage dealt: 1.
Metal Slime HP: 1 → 1/5
(SP -10 → 280/500)
"Next round, you die. You already made the readers grow bored of you!"
Slimes' Turn:
"The Metal Slime panics, orders others to cover him while escaping!"
Metal Slime flees!
"????" Jasper… (Blue Screen)
"Your mom is a slime!" Jasper—the character—out of anger, tried to taunt the Metal Slime to come back.
Stops!
The Metal Slime stopped as if it was cursing back, then continued its escape.
3 Slimes attack!
[Dodge] – Jasper barely dodges, sweating. ("It's your boss' fault for what's about to happen.")
(SP -45 → 235/500)
Round 6-7+...
Jasper – Lv. 1
HP: 350/600 | SP: 235/500
Metal Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1 | Slime – Lv. 1
HP: 1/5 (fled) | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130 | HP: 130/130
With the Metal Slime gone, Jasper focuses on the remaining slimes:
Nearly every attack was critical.
The slimes keep attacking, but Jasper dodges all.
Battle Result:
Jasper wins!
HP Remaining: 350/600SP Remaining: 10/500EXP Gained: 90Loot: Slimy Gel x3Skill acquired: [Trashy Swordsmanship Lv. 0.1] (Stare 👀)
"..." (Silence)
"F. You!"