Chapter Eleven: Companions on the Road

After a while of quiet sobbing, Xu Yang finally managed to stop. Zhao Nan, with his head lowered, was wiping his own palm. The flesh had been broken by a bite, and blood was still seeping out.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to. But you—why did you do such a thing..."

No, Xu Yang, this isn't right. He was the one who did something inappropriate—he should be the one apologizing. Why are you apologizing over and over?

Xu Yang felt a surge of grievance. She wanted to scold him, but seeing his hand still bleeding, she softened. Maybe, she thought to herself, he hadn't meant it either.

"Hey, take this!"

Xu Yang tossed Zhao Nan a healing potion. "This works really well. If you're hurt, it'll heal you right away!"

Zhao Nan glanced at it, then looked dumbfounded.

"An Instant Heal Potion!"

"Where did you get this?"

"The old lady gave it to me. She told me if collecting moonwort became dangerous, I should take it."

"Did you read the item's description?" Zhao Nan asked in a low voice.

"Of course I did."

"And you still want me to use it?"

"Aren't you hurt?" Xu Yang replied as if it were obvious. "It's an apology... But don't get me wrong, I didn't bite you on purpose. Wait, you were wrong first—why should I apologize?"

Zhao Nan couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, feeling a little awkward inside. But thinking carefully, if Xu Yang weren't so kind-hearted, she probably wouldn't have received a god-tier quest.

NPCs in the game, though system-generated, were no less intelligent than humans—especially those with special quests, who were practically sentient.

Zhao Nan sighed. Though he felt reluctant, he pushed the Instant Heal Potion back to Xu Yang, his tone much softer now. "Keep it. And don't take things like that out so casually—save it for yourself."

"But your wound..."

"It'll heal on its own after a while," Zhao Nan said indifferently. "Unless the injury is fatal, you can recover just by resting."

"You seem to know a lot," Xu Yang blinked. "When I first saw you, you weren't afraid at all—so calm it was shocking."

"Maybe it's like my old homeroom teacher used to say—I've played so many games I've gone crazy, so I'm quick to accept changes like this." Zhao Nan easily found an excuse for himself.

"But now, it seems like someone like you is better suited for this new life." Xu Yang lowered her head, a bit forlorn. "I'm not. I always feel lost, and as soon as things are quiet, my heart gets blocked up with worry."

"You'll get used to it," Zhao Nan tried to comfort her. "For now, get some sleep. This is a safe zone—no monsters can get in."

"But what about you?"

"I'll keep watch."

...

"Hey, aren't you tired?"

"No."

"How about we take turns?"

"No need."

"But this isn't right. I can't keep owing you favors."

"Then just remember them. Maybe one day I'll need your help."

Zhao Nan gazed up at the stars, their brilliance filling the sky. If Earth hadn't turned into a game world, perhaps he'd never have seen such a sky.

"Then promise me—if you ever need help, you have to tell me!"

"Alright."

Reassured by Zhao Nan's reply, Xu Yang finally drifted off to sleep. Zhao Nan sighed. He wondered if this woman could keep going in the days ahead; people like her, too soft-hearted, always suffered losses.

He patted his forehead lightly, forcing those worries aside, and began pondering information about the mage class. He'd need to research the best way to assign attribute points.

...

Dawn.

Xu Yang woke abruptly from a nightmare, cold sweat covering her body. She found she'd somehow moved next to Zhao Nan in her sleep, her head resting on his thigh.

She sat up in a hurry, just as Zhao Nan opened his eyes.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

Zhao Nan shook his head. "I was just resting my eyes."

Suddenly, her stomach let out a loud rumble, making the beautiful teacher blush with embarrassment.

"Eat this," Zhao Nan said. "You might not get another chance to feel hunger for a while."

"What is it?"

"Elven Biscuit." Zhao Nan added, "Most things right now come with a description. If you don't understand, check it yourself. Stop asking about everything."

Xu Yang made a sound of acknowledgment, looked at the biscuit, and took a bite. She stuck out her tongue. "This tastes awful."

Zhao Nan ignored her, stood up, and stretched his limbs after a night of sitting. He took out a biscuit for himself, chewing as he opened the map in his backpack to study the surrounding terrain.

After a moment, Zhao Nan nodded. "Let's go. If we hurry while some monsters are still asleep, we'll make good time."

"Where?"

"To collect moonwort."

"But that's my quest, isn't it? You’re not doing this just to help me, are you?" Xu Yang couldn't help feeling grateful.

Zhao Nan shook his head. "Don't misunderstand. I have the same quest—at most, we're just traveling together."

"Still, I feel like I owe you another favor!"

"Think what you like. By the way, what class are you?"

Zhao Nan was curious. Xu Yang was unarmed, making it hard to guess.

"Guess!"

"Forget it," Zhao Nan said, turning away. He had no interest in playing guessing games. Whatever her class was, she wasn't likely to be much help in the short term.

Xu Yang stamped her foot in frustration and followed, fuming in silence. She wanted to see just how impressive Zhao Nan really was—always acting like he was above everyone else. She hoped the rabbits would beat him up and make him beg her for help. Then she'd finally teach him a lesson about respecting his elders!

But Xu Yang was completely wrong. The rabbits, which she thought were cute but were actually quite terrifying, couldn't even get close. Whenever Zhao Nan flicked his staff, a fireball would explode them instantly.

Not a single rabbit they encountered survived Zhao Nan’s one-hit kills.

They were all players, all new to the game, yet the difference was overwhelming.

Xu Yang numbly followed behind Zhao Nan, watching rabbit after rabbit fall before him. She didn't know how long they'd walked before she suddenly bumped into his back.

"Why did you stop?"

Without much explanation, Zhao Nan pointed ahead.

Before them stretched a vast meadow, red bulls running in all directions. Beyond the field rose a towering mountain, and at its base was a narrow passage, barely two and a half meters wide.

"The moonwort is in the valley beyond that passage. We have to get through here to reach it."