Level 25? More than ten of Rue’s own level. How is that even possible? A strange pride he did not know he had shattered already. Benedict, who clearly noticed this, grinned, holding a smug face.

  Rue let out a silent ‘tch’ and moved on to Eve’s group.

  Turns out, both Rino and Eve are also level three, just like Yom. Maybe level three is not low? He might be overreacting.

  His worries about him falling behind in general level fade away like a passing wind. Rue let out a sigh of relief.

  “Hold on, what was that sigh about?” Yom asked, his face twitched.

  “It’s nothing,” Rue smiled.

  He moved to Paxwell, who is level eight. Alquin, Clarence, Emily, and Gilbert are all around levels six to seven. Now it makes sense to leave Yom behind. True, having a frontliner who might break easily is much more dangerous than having Mages with low-damage spells. But, looking at it another way, the group that has Rino will be pretty burdened. Wouldn't it be better to leave him also so he can protect Eve?

  Maybe burdened is too hard? Rino can safely get experience by attacking from the backline. It could be a worthwhile investment. Right investment… How long will this group stay together? he wondered. Will all of them survive this quest? The whole tutorial? Rue should hope so.

  “For the leader of the ambush team will be…” Paxwell looked around, and his gaze landed on Alquin. “Alquin will lead one group, I will lead the other.”

  Alquin stepped forward. “Rue, Emily, and Rino. With me! Let’s go, no more talking!” With that, the old man headed toward the forest.

  Rue had expected Rino to go where Benedict is. But, maybe both Pax and Alquin prioritize the effectiveness of one party more than balance. Pax team is truly spoiled in every way: A Scout-Rogue, Mage, Archer, Warrior. On the other hand…

  The Alquin team is. Warrior, Archer, unreliable mage, Half and half Warrior mage. Maybe Rue was placed with Rino since he can cover two roles?

  “Come on!” Rino tapped him on his back. He gave Rue a grin. It’s reassuring to see him being confident, at least.

  “All right,” Rue fist bumped him.

  “Careful, alright, kid!” Pax called as his own team of four started to walk the other way. “Watch out for your Magic Vein!”

  “You're too old, man!” Rue shouted, waving a hand. He wanted to be on the Pax team if he could. He had learn to lean on him in the short time of theirs. But the party's needs will come first. He trusts Alquin and Pax's decision.

  Rue and Rino turned to wait for Emily, who was saying goodbye to both Eve and Yom.

  Alquin luckily did not rush them as the old man waited by a tree trunk.

  Emily and Eve shared a hug and held each other's hands. “Be careful,” Eve said to her. She peeked over Emily's head and shouted. “You too, Rue and Rino!”

  “Yeah, both of you, too,” Rue said, knowing full well that what they're going to do is anything but careful.

  Emily finally joined them, her bow bop tangled with her yellow hair.

  They made their way to Alquin. The old man is eerily calm; he has laid out their equipment on the ground. Two long ones stood out.

  (Long Bone. (Uncommon))

  Uncommon equipment is better than any they had. Other than the Bone sword, there's a bunch of common stuff littered around. Rue had earned plenty of spears that he no longer cared about. The seven daggers he has are pretty nice, too, but he doesn't see any need to carry all of them; they will just encumber him.

  Rue had his own sword that he traded with Benedict. This one he will keep, as having the sheath is nice. He took one of the Long Bone. With nowhere to store them, he decided to just carry it.

  As for the other one…

  “Alquin, do you want to use this one?” Rue asked.

  Alquin gave the bone sword a grunt before shaking his head. “I'm already too comfortable with this one, lad,” he tapped his axe.

  Rue inwardly groaned. This means they would've to leave this. Well, maybe he can lend it to Yom? But, he would rather Rino or Emily use it.

  “What about you two?”

  “It's too long for me. Besides, I have already decided to commit to the Archer class. I could use more daggers, though,” Emily scratches her neck. She already has two daggers at her hip.

  “Sure, it's not like I need seven of them.”

  “Thanks,” She said, then picking up another two, sheathing them near her own daggers.

  “Rino?”

  “Me? You sure?” Rino guffawed.

  Rue raised his eyebrow. Rino acted like he was not worth it.

  “Better for you to have some defense, besides, you're not carrying anything. It's not like the tutorial gives us a staff,” Rue crouch, picking up and pushing the Long Bone and another dagger to Rino.

  “Thanks, dude,” he grinned. He set the dagger to the side of his robe. “Truth to be told, I'm regretting my choice of picking the Mage class.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  —--

  It's not long before they encountered their first Kobold party. Rue peeked over a stout trunk with Alquin by his side.

  “Six of them,” Emily's voice whispered above them. She was sitting on a branch with busy leaves to cover her.

  “How far?” Alquin asked.

  “Uh, sixty paces? Twenty meters?”

  “Not just ten minutes and we already found one group, will Eve and Yom be safe?” Rino said in a low voice that Rue almost did not hear him.

  “When I think about it, those two might be in more danger than us,” Rue muttered.

  “They can just hide, right? There are plenty of trees like this one,” Emily said, tapping a branch.

  “Focus on the three of you. We will take them, don't let any escape,” Alquin half barked. “We will use our sixth tactic.”

  Sixth tactic. Yes, the sixth one… what was it again?

  “Rino! You remember it?” Alquin pointed his axe sharp to him.

  It took Rino everything not to yelp. The boy did not stand straighter with sweat running down his forehead.

  Rue also panicked a bit. He looked at Emily, who shook her head at him. She also did not remember!

  “I swear, kids these days… we start with Rue sneaking to get around their flank, he will release a fireball, and Emily releases a mana arrow at the same time… so their attention splits two ways. Then I charge in with Rino behind me. Rue you stay in your hiding spot, if any run, then take them down. If all of them engage me, then charge in and take their asses.”

  Why is his job the hardest one?

  “And don't use that black ice armour unless necessary. Your Magic Vein is not in good condition.”

  “All right, got it,” Rue gulped. Then he turned toward Emily, who had given him a thumbs-up.

  “I think I can down two of them before they realize,” She said as she gripped the trunk beside her for dear life. Rue wondered if she could even shoot, knowing her fear of height, he almost suggested that she go down, but that would be throwing the archer's advantage.

  Rino formed a fist and held it to Rue.

  Rue fistbumped him lightly, embarrassed by his long response. “If I’m gone, then don’t hesitate to leave me,” he said, waving a hand as he strode toward the deeper forest.

  “We’re not leaving anyone!” Alquin voiced out.

  Rue tiptoed around the dense leaves, grateful for their length. He cannot afford to crawl as it will take too long. According to Emily, the Kobold went toward where Rue is heading right now, so he had to beat them there first.

  He advanced, speeding up from trunk to trunk while keeping an eye on where the Kobold was supposed to be. It’s quite concerning that he has not seen them yet. But, maybe it’s a blessing since it could mean he’s fast. As he crept closer and closer, he found a good position, and he was confident of it. Perfect grass foliage to shoot a spell from, and a couple of trees that are taller than the others. He has two options to climb up.

  Rue crouched, pushing apart grasses, now hoping for the Kobolds to come. His earlier fear has been replaced by quivering anticipation. His head is warm, and a cool heat spreads around his body. He tried to roll his shoulder to calm himself down, only to realize he was calm, disturbingly so. This Kobold… Rue did not fear them. Especially if there’s no bone Warrior. Granted, he could not and will not use magic if possible, but still, this is very doable.

  The loamy scent of the forest wafted through his nose, warm and cool. Mixed in also with the herbal odor that confuses his senses. Then the stillness broke, a voice forced Rue to put everything to his hearing, foregoing his smell. Leave rustle, and immediately dread churned in his stomach. The sound did not come from his front; it came behind him.

  Rue turned carefully, trying not to make any sound. Luckily, the grasses still covered him – although it's not dense. If anything with a sharp eye jumps out… They will find him.

  A figure walked out in front of him. A lone figure. Its skin is green, just like the grasses around it. A goblin? Rue stood, his Bone Sword held with both hands.

  This goblin is humanoid. It’s tall, as tall as Rue himself at least. Its body is slender, so graceful like a dancer. ‘It’s’ is not right, the goblin is clearly female with that pointy oval face covered by black cloth beneath a dress, long dark hair cascading near her feet, and a female figure. Her body is willowy, strong, but without any apparent muscle. Two long blades that resembled his Ice Sword but with a grey colour, tied by a sash. She wore a stuffy brown dress that split around her legs with a green sash tied around her hips.

  Cursing his luck, Rue decided to kill the Goblin before any kobolds emerged behind him.

  (Goblin. Lvl 15)

  Level 15? The goblin is slightly higher level than he is. And judging by its equipment, it’s probably better with bladework.

  Is a retreat an option? He could fight his way back toward the group, but that would draw the Kobold's attention.

  Rue drew a deep breath, his vision zeroed in on the female goblin. He sprang forward, Long Bone swept across to the Goblin's head.

  The Goblin drew both of her swords, wielding both in each hand. She caught Rue Long Bone forming an X. She twisted, dropping Rue’s sword down. His heart lurched; now the goblin had a clear strike at him. Letting his long bone go, Rue skittered back, trying to summon his ice Sword. The cold coalesced around his hand, but he stopped the spell because of a bizarre sight.

  She dropped both of her swords and raised both hands.

  Is she giving up?

  Picking up his Bone Sword, Rue lifted it again toward the Goblin. He did not trust it, the memory of the slaughter still replayed in his mind, now especially as he saw one. But, it’s just… this one seemed so different. Much intelligence. Much more…

  Human.

  Still moving forward, Rue thrust forth his Bone Sword. Momentum carries it, passing the dropped blade on the ground. With his sword to the Goblin's neck, her death is in his hand now. But the goblin did not show any sign of panic. Her eyes are big, much bigger than his own, than those small goblins. Those yellow eyes stared at him full of… determination.

  “What are you?” Rue asked. “What do you want?” He pressed on.

  (Rita had invited you to her party)

  (Accept/Refuse)

  “Huh?” Rue blinked at the prompt. He almost dropped his sword in surprise.

  Party? Has it existed?

  Why though? What's the point when you can just naturally form a group? There must be an advantage, right? But the system hasn't taught them how to do it. They might not be meant to be able to use it yet. Besides, this one is coming from a goblin.

  ‘ac. Aaceep’

  A voice stuttered in his head. Rue immediately recognizes it’s the goblin somehow speaking to his mind.

  It’s very weak and frail. He did not feel threatened by it.

  “Accept?” Rue asked. And the goblin gave a nod.

  She moved her hand slowly, toward the black cloth that acted as a mask around her nose, down to her neck. Rue let her; she might have tried to talk.

  The goblin moved down the cloth, revealing her nose and mouth that appeared feminine, which sent a chill down Rue’s spine. They looked just like human. If they’re the ones that attack from the get-go… What would happen?

  Then she smiled.

  A normal smile.

  “Just what are you?” Rue muttered. He accepted the prompt. Curiosity got to him, but more importantly, if it did not mean harm, then Rue needed to tell it to go away. He still needed to deal with the Kobolds.

  ‘Greeting, Humans!’ A cheerful voice boomed inside his head. Rue winced. ‘Ah! Forgive me! I can only telepath clearly with party members. My Mind stat is still very low, you see. Also, we won’t understand each other's spoken language.'

  ‘What do you want?’ Rue replied, briefly taken aback by how natural it was.

  ‘To help you! I’m a HuGoblin! Unlike the rogue one, we are smart!. And we’re kind! Very Kind! You're fighting the Kobold, yeah? I want to save some of my friends from the camps.'