The next day.
Under the pale dawn light of Aincrad, Ren stepped out of the inn with steady strides, letting the crisp morning chill wrap around him like an invisible cloak.
His breath formed thin wisps of vapor as it blended into the air, vanishing beneath the dim sky.
The cold wasn't unbearable, but it was enough to clear his mind after a restless night spent contemplating his plans to make money, what he needed to do to survive in this world.
The cobblestone streets beneath his feet were still damp with morning dew, silent yet not entirely deserted, as if Aincrad itself was slowly waking from a long night.
Along the sides of the road, a few players had already begun preparing for the new day. In the shadow of a small blacksmith shop, a group of players sat together, their polished iron armor reflecting the flickering light of the forge behind them. The clinking of metal echoed as they checked each piece of their gear, discussing the strategies for the day ahead.
Not far away, a cautious-looking player carefully examined his inventory outside an apothecary, his expression serious as if debating whether to buy an extra healing potion.
They all had their own goals, their own plans to pursue, their own paths they had chosen.
And so did Ren.
He tightened the strap of his sword, letting the bustling morning atmosphere pass him by, then headed straight for the quest board.
If he wanted to make money quickly, this was the best choice.
The massive wooden board stood in the central plaza, a lively spot teeming with players coming and going.
Fresh quest notices were pinned across its weathered surface, while a few players nearby debated over rewards and difficulty, their eyes lighting up whenever they spotted a promising opportunity.
Ren quietly slipped into the crowd, scanning the rows of black-inked words on the worn parchment sheets.
Lost Sheep Retrieval: 150 Cor
Herb Collection: 200 Cor
Boar Hunting: 300 Cor
Defeat the Alpha Boar (Field Boss): 2,500 Cor
Etc...
Ren frowned slightly. The usual quests offered far too little money, if he took them one by one, it could take him weeks, even months, to save enough to buy a house.
Quests like retrieving lost sheep or gathering herbs were safe, but their rewards were hardly worth it for his current situation.
But the Alpha Boar quest was different.
A field boss always came with a worthy reward, not just Cor, but also valuable equipment or rare materials that could be sold for a high price.
If lucky, he might even get an item better than what he was currently using. But at the same time, it was far more dangerous than regular monsters.
An Alpha Boar wasn't something to take lightly. With superior strength, thick defenses, and surprising speed, it was a nightmare for the inexperienced.
Without teammates, there was no way he could take it down alone.
Just like when he had fought the Alpha Wolf, a nightmarish battle where his body had nearly been torn apart under the beast's deadly aura.
Ren was still considering his options when a voice suddenly spoke beside him:
"You aiming for that boar too?"
Ren turned his head.
Standing just a few steps away was an unfamiliar player, his sharp gaze sweeping over the quest board before settling on the notice with the 2,500 Cor reward.
Stocky but solidly built, his muscular frame was visible beneath the iron-scaled chainmail draped over his broad shoulders.
His burnt-orange hair was spiked like cactus thorns, emphasizing the rugged angles of his face.
A small goatee and a pair of sharp brown eyes carried an unreadable expression, half inquisitive, half subtly challenging.
Strapped to his back was a sizable one-handed sword, faint scratches on the metal hinting at countless battles fought.
Ren stayed silent for a moment, his gaze flickering to the weapon on the man's back, assessing him before replying.
"Maybe... maybe not."
The stranger smirked slightly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"If that's the case, interested in teaming up?"
Ren studied him again. The way he stood, the way he spoke, there was no hesitation, no lack of confidence.
That meant he had real combat experience or, at the very least, enough strength to believe in his own abilities.
But the real question was, could Ren trust him?
Ren didn't answer immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting to the sword on the man's back.
Its size and design suggested a weapon built for raw power, requiring solid strength to wield effectively.
Such a weapon excelled in strong, heavy slashes, but was likely slower than more agile blades like rapiers or daggers.
The stranger noticed Ren's scrutinizing gaze and smirked, as if he knew exactly what was going through his mind.
"Hmm? You don't trust me?" His tone was teasing, but not offensive.
Ren narrowed his eyes slightly. "Shouldn't that be decided after I know your name?"
The man paused briefly, then chuckled.
"Ha! Fair enough. Name's Kibou."
A short, easy-to-remember name. But more importantly, Ren felt like he had heard it somewhere before.
Was it in a conversation between players at the tavern? Or had he simply overheard it in passing while observing people in town?
Kibou didn't give him much time to think. Tilting his head slightly, his expression held a flicker of curiosity.
"And you?"
Ren hesitated for a moment before replying, "Ren."
Kibou nodded, as if confirming something. Then, his gaze shifted back to the quest board, once again lingering on the words Alpha Boar.
"Listen, this quest isn't simple. A field boss is nothing like regular boars, it's fast, strong, and knows how to counterattack.
If you're not careful, it could send you flying before you even have a chance to react." Kibou's voice was calm, not exaggerated, just a simple statement of fact.
Ren already knew that. But he stayed silent, waiting to see what Kibou would say next.
"We can split the reward fifty-fifty. I'll handle defense and draw its attention, while you focus on attacking its weak points.
With two people, our chances are better than charging in alone and dying for nothing."
The proposal wasn't necessarily bad.
If Kibou could really take on the role of a tanker, Ren would have the chance to target Alpha Boar's weak points without worrying about an immediate counterattack. A simple but effective strategy.
However, there was still a problem.
Ren spoke slowly. "How do I know you won't betray me at the last moment?"
No.
Ren didn't say the word, but his gaze conveyed everything.
Kibou raised an eyebrow, waiting for a clearer confirmation. When he didn't get one, he shrugged and let out a dry chuckle, one without the slightest warmth.
"You're really cautious. But think about it, why would I do that?"
His tone sounded like a question, but it wasn't.
"I can't take down this boss alone, and if I try anything, you can just retreat and let me die by myself."
Ren remained silent. Kibou had a point, at least from a tactical perspective. But the issue wasn't the strategy.
The issue was the man standing in front of him.
Ren studied Kibou for a long moment. Beneath his gloves, his fingers curled slightly, a habit he had when making a decision. Finally, he let out a slow breath.
"I refuse."
This time, Kibou didn't bother to hide his surprise. His eyebrows rose, and a sharp glint flickered in his eyes. "Really?"
"I don't make it a habit to put my back to someone I can't trust."
The wind passed between them, carrying a heavy silence. Kibou stared at Ren for a long moment before he laughed again, softer this time, but deeper.
Ren continued watching Kibou. If it was just about tactics, his reasoning made sense. But something still made Ren hesitate.
Kibou noticed that hesitation too. His lips pressed into a thin line before he shrugged, a faint smirk on his face.
"I see. So, you're just like them?" His voice was slow, as if making an offhand remark, but there was a hidden sharpness beneath it. "Only thinking about your own benefit, not giving a damn about anyone else?"
Ren didn't reply right away. His gaze darkened slightly.
He knew who Kibou was referring to. The beta testers, those who had played in the game's test phase before its official release.
People who knew this world inside out but, for the most part, chose to remain silent, leaving new players to struggle in confusion and despair.
Ren had memories of them. Not pleasant ones. But…
Kibou observed Ren again, this time more closely. His eyes scanned the sword at Ren's waist, not exactly rare, but clearly not something an average newbie would easily acquire.
Then, his gaze moved to the armor. Not top-tier, but definitely not cheap.
For players who fought to survive each day, even small details like that could become a suspicious sign.
Kibou's expression darkened. "Hey." His voice dropped slightly, losing its earlier casual tone.
Ren looked up, meeting Kibou's sharp gaze staring directly at him.
"Are you a beta tester?"
Ren froze for a brief second.
A short pause. But for Kibou, it was enough.
His face hardened, his grip tightening on his sword hilt. "I knew it…" He scoffed, but there was only bitterness in his voice. "Let me guess, you're just like the rest of them? Taking advantage of what you already knew and leaving everyone else to fend for themselves?"
Kibou's voice grew louder, unable to hide the anger bubbling beneath it.
"All those beta testers are selfish bastards who abandoned the confused players, hoarding the best quests and resources for themselves!"
The words echoed across the bustling quest square, drawing a few glances from nearby players. But Kibou didn't care.
Ren didn't reply immediately.
He wasn't a beta tester. But did it matter? Kibou wasn't looking for an explanation, he was looking for someone to blame.
"I'm not a beta tester." Ren finally spoke, his voice calm but unwavering.
Kibou narrowed his eyes, as if deciding whether to believe him. But the doubt in his gaze didn't fade.
"No." Ren's voice dropped lower. "I'm not like them."
Kibou smirked, unconvinced. But instead of pushing further, he simply shrugged, turned on his heel, and raised a hand as if to end the conversation.
"Fine. Good luck."
Ren stood still, watching Kibou's figure disappear into the distance.
The cold indifference just now, it wasn't hatred. It was disappointment.
And somehow, that unsettled Ren even more.