PRSR | Chapter 9.2

“Ready?”

“Lunch box, dinner box, sleeping bag, butchering knife, a defensive dagger for Soul, my snacks. All packed.”

“What about mental preparation?”

“My heart is always ready for Soul.”

“Then let’s head out.”

When we arrived at the field, it was already crowded with Awakened who had the same idea as us.

They started murmuring as they saw me. Given the number of Awakened and their proximity, even my non-Awakened ears caught their whispers quite clearly.

“That’s the one. The pajamas.”

“That person is so remarkable?”

“The level is too high for any items gained in the Tutorial Field to be of any help.”

“Is that why they wear pajamas?”

“Pajamas, you know, the veteran look.”

“Ah.”

Don’t understand. Don’t nod!

‘Should I change clothes now?’

I regretted coming in pajamas. If only the Awakened hadn’t all simultaneously looked up, I might have dashed back to the inn.

I pretended to be a regular Awakened, staring into space like the others, though I saw nothing.

“Soul, there’s an update on the quest.”

“What does it say?”

“The monster wave starts in ten minutes. Prevent the monsters coming from the east field.”

Rio read the updated information from the Quest Window.

“Duration of the wave is one hour. If more than 20 NPCs die, the quest fails.”

“NPCs?”

“It looks like this. You don’t read it as ‘engpeecee,’ do you?”

Rio waved his fingers in the air, sketching three letters: NPC. He must have figured out what it meant from our past conversations.

Where did he leave the C, though?

“There’s a big population here, 20 seems really tight.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect Soul.”

“It’s the city we need to protect now, not just me.”

“Just trust me.”

Luckily, the monster wave was confined to one location, so at least there was no need to worry about how the Awakened on the opposite side were doing.

It took roughly five minutes to move from the middle of the field where the Awakened were standing to the city entrance. Even though the field was vast, their direction was fixed, so properly positioning the Awakened should allow for smooth progression of the quest.

And I wasn’t the only one who thought this.

“Monsters will swarm from the opposite side of the city. We need to place high-level people at the forefront to reduce the number of monsters reaching the city.”

Two Awakened stepped forward to coordinate the situation. With only ten minutes to prepare, people followed them quite well due to the time pressure.

I was probably the only one unaware that these well-known Awakened, or ‘rankers’ in game terms, were among us.

“Those above level 50, please come this way!”

The standard for a high-level Awakened was level 50. It made me realize just how strong Rio was.

No wonder the field monsters of the port city were sent flying. What you expect when a level 100 romps around a level 50 hunting ground?

‘The field monsters are of lower levels, but achieving level 100 here is impressive. Well done, talent 80.’

The Awakened coordinating the situation approached me when I, known among people as the ‘very strong pajama-wearing Awakened’, didn’t join those over level 50.

“Excuse me… Awakened sir. If it’s alright with you, could you please join this group?”

He was exceedingly cautious. He seemed certain I was well above level 50, not even bothering to confirm it.

What do I do now? I’m level 0. But since I can’t reveal that, I followed their instructions for now.

“Wow, that’s the guardian. I’ve never seen one before.”

“He’s really handsome.”

“I wish my game character was born looking like that.”

“Shh, shh. They might hear you.”

The Awakened discussing me and Rio hurriedly looked away when our eyes met.

“Did you hear? They said Soul is handsome.”

“That’s about you.”

Rio’s gaze softened as he no longer saw the other Awakened as threats. “Those with melee skills, please stand at the front, and those with ranged skills, at the back. Anyone here with area skills?”

“Anyone who can buff or heal, over here!”

The situation was organized swiftly. Awakened above level 50 were positioned based on the type of their skills, either in the inner field or the outskirts, while the rest were appropriately placed along the paths leading to the city.

Awakened with healing or buffing skills were stationed in safe locations, guarded by some of the combatants. Like Shin Youngho and others who were not of sufficient level but had suddenly been dragged to the port city, some Awakened were assigned to stand by at the city entrance to evacuate NPCs in case of an emergency.

“Those two directing the situation, they were the ones who stepped up to hunt goblins when we first landed in the field.”

“I don’t know them.”

“That figures. You were hiding in my pocket back then.”

“Even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have known. I only have eyes for Soul. Why would I remember anyone else’s face?”

Even in this setting, Rio was wagging an imaginary tail, pulling what was essentially a ratty move… or rather, a mousy one.

“Excuse me, Awakened sir.”

While we were standing in our assigned spot, waiting for the quest to begin, one of the two directing the situation approached us. It seemed less like he had something to say and more like he wanted to greet the famous pajama-wearing Awakened and make a good impression.

Just in time. I had something I wanted to address as well.

“Please take good care of us.”

“Likewise, please.”

“And you too, Guardian sir.”

The Awakened hesitated to shake my hand when he caught Rio’s fierce glare and withdrew his hand.

“There’s been a strange rumor going around; this friend here is not a Guardian but an Awakened.”

The Awakened looked taken aback by the unexpected clarification. Normally, I would have explained leisurely, but there was less than a minute left until the monster wave.

I quickly spilled what needed to be said.

“This one here has offensive skills. I handle defense. The one who swiftly takes down monsters is this one. Aside from the pajamas, any rumors you’ve heard are probably about my party.”

“Ah, I…”

Rumble.

Before the Awakened could finish speaking, the ground trembled significantly.

“That sounds like something big coming this way.”

“Ten seconds until the quest starts!”

Someone shouted with vigor.

The Awakened I had been talking to added hurriedly, unable to finish what he started.

“Then, please handle the defense!”

With that, he rushed back to his position.

Other Awakened nearby who might have heard our conversation glanced our way. Even with only ten seconds left before the wave, some were whispering, spreading the news.

‘That settles it.’

I intended to make it clear to the others that Rio was the offensive type and I was defensive, even if that wasn’t entirely accurate. If rumors spread that I had both a guardian summoning skill and defensive abilities, I wouldn’t have peace even back on Earth.

This would also help reduce unwanted attention towards me. We decided it was better for the focus to be on Rio, who actually had the capability to protect himself, rather than on me, who lacked such skills.

People were interested in me not because I was a fashion leader on the field, but because they saw me as a strong Awakened, a potential competitor or ally. If it was clear that Rio was not my Guardian but my equal, attention would shift from me to him.

“I’ll transform you from a handsome gray-haired Guardian to a handsome gray-haired Awakened.”

“I liked being Soul’s Guardian better.”

On the battlefield, those with offensive skills often shine more than those with defensive ones.

“Monsters!”

The battle began.

As planned, Rio dashed forward as soon as the monsters appeared.

“Wind Cutter!”

The approaching monsters fell in droves.

“Wow!”

“What? What is that?”

While some cheered, others glared at Rio, feeling like he had stolen their thunder.

As expected, all attention was now focused on Rio.

“This will be over quickly.”

“We might not even need the full hour.”

“That guy is incredible. He’s an Awakened, not a Guardian? I want him on our team.”

As the first large-scale quest unfolded, the tensed Awakened relaxed and those who had survived the Wind Cutter charged at the remaining monsters. They swung their swords a few times and then looked at Rio with amazement.

“Why is he so strong? Weren’t the monsters supposed to be numerous but weak?”

“He wiped out dozens in one go!”

“If that’s the range attack, how strong are his regular attacks?”

Even those who tried to downplay Rio’s abilities were soon admiring him after joining the fight.

I couldn’t help but feel proud.

“Wind Cutter!”

Rio charged at the monsters again, using his skill once more. The wind burst from his sword’s tip, sweeping across the field like blades in the shape of sword swings.

Monsters within range suffered fatal injuries and fell, while those barely outside the reach were swept up or knocked over by the wind.

“Did it get stronger than before?”

“That’s impossible.”

The only reason it seemed less powerful before was that Rio had been cautious not to harm any Awakened standing nearby. Now that he was really letting loose, no monsters stood a chance.

“Monster wave? That’s nothing.”

Could it be that no one else but Rio was needed? It felt like the peace of Earth depended on our house mouse.

“Yaaaah!”

“It’s over!”

“We finished a one-hour quest in ten minutes!”

“We did it!”

As others stepped in to finish off the remaining monsters, the wave was quickly subdued. Rio returned to my side amidst cheers, his face glowing with pride from having completed his task.

“Good job.”

“I’ll take praises in kisses.”

“Not in front of everyone.”

“Let’s head back to the inn, then.”

One group of Awakened stepped forward to check if there were any monsters left on the field, while the others stood by and waited. The Awakened who had made a point to greet me before the wave started came back to find me and Rio.

“Great job out there. It was truly an amazing performance. I’d like to keep in touch even after we return to Earth… Could I get your contact information? Here’s mine.”

The Awakened handed over a business card. It wasn’t a neatly printed card on fancy paper, but rather a piece of parchment that was squarely cut and hand-written with his name and a contact number from Earth. The name on the card was Kim Myung-seok. Though he was talking to both me and Rio, it was clear he was more interested in Rio. There was a minimum level of politeness he maintained, but his attitude was visibly not the same towards me.

I was satisfied with his reaction, though it seemed Rio was not pleased with even that level of attention.

“Where are you looking at, looking at Soul like that?”

You can’t look with your eyes closed, can you?

“I apologize if it was uncomfortable. Did I perhaps…”

“Monsterssss!”

Kim Myung-seok had barely finished his sentence when the scouting group came running back, screaming at the top of their lungs.

The ground trembled lightly.

Kugugugung.

It wasn’t the kind of vibration that a few Awakened running with all their might would cause. This was more like hundreds of massive creatures stomping—only that could cause such a rumble.