Barry the Lumberjack has issued you the quest: Guidance
Quest Details: Receive guidance from Barry (Gorillakin) on the method of using axes
Completion Reward(s): Axe Mastery (Passive), 1 Free Point
Requirements: Strength 10, Dexterity 5
Additional information: Barry feels sorry for you. He mistook you for a bandit and then a girl. He is also wary of your mental state and feels it would be best to teach you something while you reside in the village
Do you wish to accept the Quest[Accept/Decline].
Looking at the additional information, Leo couldn't honestly say that it didn't irk him but the reward in itself was something that he couldn't quite possibly ignore. However the requirements broke his heart.
The chance to prove himself to be a mans man was dashed just like that. He didn't even meet half of the strength requirement Barry was looking for!
Groaning, he looked Barry in the eyes, his own threatening to burst into tears as he said through clenched teeth.
"I-I'm sorry. I don't think I am strong enough to learn from you yet."
"Haha~! No worries Kiddo. Feel free to come back when you think you can handle it!"
Barry didn't take any offence but was unaware of Leo's inner turmoil at being unable to initiate his quest. Barry smacked Leos back as a form of encouragement but his massive hands and strength made it feel like he smashed a block of wood against his back.
"Oh look who's finally back. Took you long enough!"
Barry turned and raised his voice when he noticed someone approaching the cabin.
"You really like to complain for an old man...Who's this? A guest?"
The newcomer's cool voice was something Leo knew all too well. Turning around, he saw a beautiful young woman wearing a brown leather vest, black leggings with 2 small axes attached to her waist standing there. One of her hands was on her hips, her face was frozen, eyes widening in shock when she saw Leo.
"Uhhh...Hi Sis..Hehe...."
A nervous chuckle escaped his lips. He never expected that the apprentice Barry was speaking of was his own sister!
With a few exceptions, Luna looked almost exactly the same as he remembered when his eyes were still good. The new long rabbit ears on the top of her head and ruby red eyes accentuated her cuteness.
Leo became nervous when his sister didn't say anything. He had forgotten to go look for her in the game up until now and his current state of dress was less than ideal.
Barry was wondering what sort of relationship between the two of them and couldn't resist the urge to ask the question.
"Do you know that brat?".
"Oh y-yeah. She is my SistAAAAAAAGHH"
Leos nervous confirmation ended in a scream as Luna launched herself at him, practically tackling him and bear hugging him as she loudly cried with tears streaming down her face.
Gone was the cool and sophisticated yet still cute girl, replaced by a blubbering mess who cried at reuniting with her brother. She didn't want to let him go and squeezed him tighter.
An alarming damage number flashed above Leos head as he felt his bones being crushed from her overbearing hug. Growing up with her, he knew that she was strong but this was ridiculous! One hug and he was almost dead.
"H-hey! Let go of him! He will die if you dont!"
Barry panicked as he moved forward to try and pry Leo from Lunas grasp. It took a minute or so but Barry was able free Leo giving him a chance to breathe.
The tears of a foolish sister only became stronger seeing her brother alive and well. The relief that washed over her seeing him alive and in good shape felt like a massive burden off her back was too overwhelming for her. She sank to her knees in front of Leo bawling, trying to wipe her eyes with her hands as they kept falling, even her nose began to run to run.
"Sis...its okay! I'm okay.... We will all be okay"
Leo consoled Luna, moving to give her a gentle hug himself while still trying to catch his breath. He gave Barry a look of gratitude for saving his life from what would have been an embarrassing death.
It took nearly 10 minutes for Luna to stop crying and to compose herself. She stood up, dusting her legs as her ears burned a fiery cherry red, the shame of crying so uncontrollably was a big blow to her pride.
She coughed a bit before growling
"Today never happened. If you even breathe a word about this, I will make you wish you were dead...".
Her voice fading as Leo began laughing softly.
"Whatever you say Sis. Your words are the law right~?"
A bright smile plastered on his face. Even if today was just a dream and this was the end, to him it was still be a happy family reunion.
"Thats right. You should always listen to your beautiful and wise older sister! It is a little brothers duty to make their big sister look good...OK?!"
Luna put her hands on her hips and tried to look serious.
There was a brief moment of silence before both of them burst into laughter, their cheerful demeanour showing how much they loved and missed each other. To the both of them, it was almost like they had gone back in time to a point before everything had gone downhill.
Barry watched his apprentice smiling and laughing so happily after reuniting with her sibling, something that he had never seen from before. He had thought the girl had been a little cold, every one of her smiles or laughs around him had felt forced at best. He was gratified to see that she could truly smile like a girl her own age should.