Ryu walked faster, crossing the rolling grasslands. The silhouettes of the buildings in the distance were now starting to take on a clearer shape.
houses with thatched roofs, several low stone towers, and a simple wooden wall surrounding the core of the settlement.
Thin smoke rose from the many chimneys, carrying the scent of burning wood and something cooking—a smell so tangible, it made Ryu's stomach growl.
The sounds of the crowd became clearer: the roar of chatter, the clink of metal tools, the cries of children, and even uncontrollable laughter.
This was the sound of life, far different from the silence of the forest he had left behind, and far more interesting than the monotonous city noise of his home world.
Eventually, Ryu arrives at a large open wooden gate, guarded by two NPC soldiers who wears leather armor and holds a wooden spear.
Their faces looked so alive, as if they were really on guard. One of the soldiers nodded at him as he passed, with a faint smile.
Ryu stepped inside, and a new world greeted him. He was on a busy gravel street.On the left side, a medieval-style tavern radiated warm light from the torches inside, with a strong aroma of beer and cooking.
In front of the shop, several NPCs sat on wooden benches, chatting and laughing. On the right side, the blacksmith's shop emitted the sound of clang! clang! of iron being hammered, and the pungent smell of charcoal.A large wooden noticeboard was covered in scrolls of parchment stuck to it, no doubt containing missions or news.
People, or rather NPCs, moved dynamically around him. An old farmer with a basket of vegetables on his back, a young woman busy drying clothes, children running around chasing each other. Ryu could see the details of the wrinkles on the farmer's face, the rough weave of the woman's clothes, and the mischievous expressions on the children's faces.
Everything is so authentic, so lifelike. There is no lag or glitches that he usually finds in other VR games.
A small notification appeared in the corner of his view:
[Welcome to Eldoria Village!]
[Location: Eldoria Village - West Gate]
[Auto Quest Detected: 'Visit the Goods Vendor']. Reward: Gold Coins (x5)]
An automatic mission to visit an item vendor was already in his log, but Ryu's instincts as a Thief—and his deep curiosity—urged him to gather information first.Taverns and notice boards are the best places to start.
He decided to head to the tavern first. The faint aroma of beer, spices, and grilled meat greeted him as he approached the sturdy wooden building.From inside, laughter and lively chatter could be heard, a symphony of life that he missed so much in the real world.
Ryu pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside. The dim light of torches illuminated the room, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls.Several wooden tables were filled with NPCs, from tired-faced farmers to adventurers in battered armor.
A burly bartender, with a bushy beard and a stained apron, was busy taking orders behind the long bar.
Ryu chose an empty seat in the corner, not ordering anything yet, just wanting to soak in the atmosphere and listen. Their conversation sounded so natural.Some farmers complained about pests attacking their fields.
A young couple discusses stronger monsters beyond Whisperingwood. There is also talk of a "Traveling Merchant" who supposedly often comes to Eldoria, bringing goods strange from afar.
Ryu listened intently. The Wandering Merchant. That must be the NPC who sold the goods that his auto-mission had been referring to This indirect information feels more satisfying than simply following the mission arrows.
He also heard complaints about wolf packs becoming increasingly bold in approaching the village, and rumors of increased Goblin activity in the old mines to the north.
After feeling that he had gotten enough "passive information" from the tavern, Ryu got up and left the place.The clamor behind him slowly faded as he walked towards the conspicuous noticeboard near the gate.
The noticeboard was made of rough-hewn old wood, covered in scrolls of parchment held in place by nails.Ryu approached, reading them one by one. There were announcements about harvests, warnings about wild animals, and several requests for help that seemed to be missions.
A scroll of parchment caught his attention. The handwriting on it seemed somewhat hasty:
[REQUEST: Ranger Assistance]
My personal belongings have been stolen by a band of Goblins in the eastern part of Whisperingwood.Anyone who dares to help recover these items will receive a commensurate reward.
Signed,
Aldus, Ranger.
Ryu smiled faintly. A mission! The perfect mission for him, a nimble and cunning Thief. It was also in the Whisperingwood, an area he was already familiar. He can get more XP and loot, while helping an NPC. It's much better than the boring routine in the real world.
With information about the Wandering Merchant and the new mission from the Ranger of Aldus in mind, Ryu felt ready to move forward.