Project Nexus: Beyond Reality
Episode 11: The Search for a New Member
After the intense battle with the Dire Fang, Renji and his team knew one thing for certain—the battles ahead were only going to get harder.
The fight had pushed them to their limits. Even though they had emerged victorious, Kai had taken heavy damage, Eve had used most of her spells, and Airi had nearly run out of arrows. If they wanted to keep progressing, they needed another member—someone who could support them in battle.
And so, they decided to return to Hamlet to look for a potential recruit.
A New Reputation
As they walked through the town gates, Renji immediately noticed something odd.
Dozens of players were watching them—some whispering, others outright staring. A few even pointed in their direction.
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Are we famous now or something?"
Eve crossed her arms, scanning the crowd. "It definitely feels like it."
At first, none of them could figure out what was happening. But then, Airi snapped her fingers.
"They know about the quest," she said, glancing at Renji. "That Dire Fang quest wasn't an ordinary mission. It was high-level, and we completed it."
Kai smirked. "So, we're basically legends now?"
A group of players walked past, whispering excitedly:
"That's them—the team that took down the Wandering Beast."
"They must be high-level already."
"I bet they're aiming to clear the game."
Hearing that, Renji kept his face neutral, but inside, he was deep in thought.
This world… this game… it's more than just fighting. Reputation matters too.
For now, though, they needed to focus on their goal—finding a healer.
The Tavern Meeting
The team made their way through town, ignoring the stares and comments until they reached the tavern—the best place to find solo players looking for a team.
Inside, the atmosphere was lively. Players were drinking, laughing, and discussing recent quests. Some were comparing loot, while others were forming parties for upcoming dungeons.
Renji walked up to the tavern owner, a burly NPC with a scar across his cheek.
"We're looking for a new member," Renji said plainly.
Before the owner could respond, a murmur spread through the tavern. Players turned toward them, some standing up, others excitedly whispering to their teammates.
It only took a few seconds for Renji to realize the problem.
They all want to join us.
Before the tavern owner could even start speaking, he suddenly stopped, sighed, and then leaned in close to Renji.
"If I say anything, this whole room will explode with people begging to join your team," the owner muttered.
Renji nodded. "I figured as much."
The owner glanced around, then subtly pointed toward the back corner of the room. "See that guy over there?"
Renji followed his gaze and spotted a lone figure sitting at a small wooden table, half-hidden in the shadows.
The man wore a long dark-blue cloak, his hood pulled low over his face. He was flipping through the pages of an old tome, seemingly uninterested in the noisy tavern around him. A faint golden aura surrounded his fingertips, disappearing whenever he turned the page.
Renji narrowed his eyes. "Who is he?"
The owner leaned in closer. "He's a healer. One of the best I've seen in this town. Not only that, but he specializes in buff magic—he can enhance your strength, speed, and even resistance to damage."
Eve tilted her head. "Why is he sitting alone?"
"Because he's picky," the owner said. "He's been here for days, refusing every team that asked him to join. Claims they're not worthy or something."
Leon smirked. "Sounds arrogant."
"Or just smart," Airi added. "He probably doesn't want to waste his time with weaklings."
Kai stretched his arms. "Well, if he's looking for a strong team, he just found one."
Renji took a deep breath, then walked toward the man in the corner. The rest of the team followed, drawing more attention from the tavern crowd.
The Lone Healer
As they approached, the man didn't look up from his book.
Renji stopped beside the table. "You're a healer, right?"
The man flipped another page before responding.
"I am." His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable sharpness to it.
"We're looking for someone with your skillset," Renji said. "Join us."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, the man finally looked up.
His hood slipped back slightly, revealing piercing silver eyes. He studied Renji first, then slowly glanced at each member of the team.
After a few seconds, he smirked.
"You're the ones who killed the Dire Fang, aren't you?"
Kai grinned. "You've heard about that?"
"Everyone has." The healer closed his book, tapping his fingers against the cover. "Interesting. I wasn't planning to join any team, but…" His silver eyes locked onto Renji's.
"Convince me."
Renji crossed his arms. "What do you want to know?"
The healer leaned forward slightly. "Why are you playing this game?"
Renji blinked. "What do you mean?"
The healer tilted his head. "Are you trying to win? To become the strongest? Or is there another reason?"
Renji thought for a moment.
Most players were here to level up, get stronger, and clear the game. But for Renji… this world felt different.
He met the healer's gaze. "I want to survive. And to do that, I need a strong team."
The healer's smirk widened. "A practical answer. I like that."
He extended a hand. "Name's Seiji. I'll join your team—but only if you can prove you're worth my skills."
Leon chuckled. "And how do we do that?"
Seiji's silver eyes gleamed. "Simple."
He stood up, stretching his arms. "We fight."
To Be Continued...