Dexter and Stella arrived in the small village under the afternoon sun. Stella and her mule panted wearily from their journey while Dexter explored cheerfully, his energy undimmed.
"Baby girl, give me the raw materials. I'll craft something for you…"
Stella gratefully handed Dexter the heavy materials, sighing in relief as the weight left her shoulders. The sudden lightness made her smile—finally free from that exhausting burden.
Dexter grinned, already envisioning what he'd craft from her haul.
Dexter headed to the village's free crafting station, his hands moving skillfully as he refined the raw materials. Within minutes, he produced a full set of Tier II beginner's gear and a sturdy staff, presenting them to Stella with a satisfied grin.
"This should help you survive... you better not die here, baby girl. I'll go finish my quest. Also, practice using that staff. If we exit this tutorial zone, you'll be my ambulance," Dexter said as he mounted the mule.
"But where are you going? DND… can I join you?" Stella asked.
"I don't think you can. It's exclusive to me. Better stay here for the night. Tomorrow, when I come back, I'll bring you something to eat." Then, Dexter tossed her a coin.
"Go buy something to eat at the shop over there… it sells some porridge. I think that's enough for the night. See you tomorrow baby girl!"
Dexter rode off, leaving Stella clutching the meager coins with a pout. Once a princess accustomed to luxury, she now stood like a beggar—her stomach growling, her pride stung by the pitiful sum. The porridge shop's flickering lantern mocked her fallen status—a newbie.
...
The portal's glow faded as Dexter stepped through, instantly spotting two bandits lying in wait. Before they could react, his crude sword flashed—two quick strokes, two lifeless bodies. Another routine elimination, as easy as breathing. He stepped over their corpses without breaking stride.
"Master! I got your materials…" Dexter shouted as he entered the hut without knocking.
[Newbie Guide (Unique): Learn from The Forgotten #2 [✓]]
"What took you so long?" Gridlock asked, sitting on a small chair.
"I helped an NPC with her struggle. She almost died to those foxes…"
Dexter set the refined materials on the table. Gridlock leaned in, studying them with an expert's keen eye. "Not bad," he muttered.
"Well, at least these materials are decent… Go make some food. I'll teach you what to do tomorrow. Did you buy any ingredients for cooking?"
"Huh? You didn't tell me to buy ingredients, and you didn't even give me money…"
"Bah! You know how to craft—you could've sold something and bought ingredients. We can't always eat grilled fish, you know… Tsk, tsk. Before lunch tomorrow afternoon, buy ingredients and make something that isn't grilled fish."
Then Dexter smiled evilly.
"Master… you wanna try some grilled mule?" he said with a smirk.
"What the fuck… who wants to eat mule?"
Surprisingly, the mule outside began thrashing, as if it understood Dexter's plan.
"See that? You fucking idiot. Be efficient in everything. Sure, you could buy a new mule, but what's the point if you're just gonna waste your money? Save it for the future, you idiotic kid." Gridlock sighed.
'Why did I ever take this loinclothed idiot as my apprentice?' he thought.
"Go get some fish and grill it. And don't fucking cook the mule… you gluttonous brat."
...
Night fell, and both Dexter and Gridlock happily ate the fresh fish—even the mule, which usually ate grass, was given some.
"Master… is it okay if I bring a companion here?" Dexter asked.
"And where would you let them sleep? I don't even let you sleep here! Go build a makeshift house by the shore and do whatever you want there. Don't bother me—especially at night! I don't want to hear any… indecent noises while I'm sleeping. Don't fucking ruin my rest; I'm too old for that."
"What the fuck? Are you calling me a pervert?" Dexter grumbled.
"You loincloth-wearing idiot, you're barely dressed! Just that scrap of cloth and the boots you stole from me. Now tell me—does that not make you a pervert? I don't even know how the village let you walk around like that…"
"Master… where's that villager outfit you gave me again?"
"Get it yourself from my room. I'm too lazy to fetch it…"
Dexter stood and entered Gridlock's room—a simple space with no decorations, just a small cabinet, a bed, and a cupboard beside it. He took the villager clothes from the cabinet and put them on.
[Tier II Villager Clothes (Masterpiece) - Crafted by 'Gridlock']
'Good thing I leveled up my equipment. Now I can wear Tier II gear…'
"See? You can wear clothes. Why didn't you wear them last time I gave them to you? You shouldn't be picky when someone gives you something... You didn't even thank me... You ungrateful little shit."
"How the fuck could I thank you when you never give me a chance to talk, old man? Well... thanks anyway!"
Gridlock smiled, genuinely appreciating Dexter's attitude—neither humble nor arrogant, just straightforward and easy to talk to. There were no pretenses with him, just honest conversation.
"Alright, old man, I'm heading out," Dexter said with a casual wave.
"See you tomorrow..."
...
Dexter left the hut and went to his makeshift tent by the shore.
'At least now I know Master will let me bring a companion. But will the system allow it? If I can have Stella here as my servant, she could handle cooking and cleaning while I focus on crafting and training.'
"/help."
[Hi, FlyHighLikeAButterfly! What do you want to know?]
"/how much time until tutorial finishes?"
[Tutorial will end in 9 years, 8 months, 23 days.]
"Still way too fucking long!"
"But not enough for my training... Damn it, why didn't I pick a combat-focused game? Now I have to train both crafting and fighting simultaneously... I'll need to double, no, triple my efforts to make up for these wasted tutorial years."
'Wait for me, Alicia... Your big brother will definitely come back for you...'