Main Quest: HUNT THE ARCANE PACK Part 5

The party decided to take a much-needed break after that intense battle. As they settled down, each member takes out their food from their inventory, creating a picturesque scene of camaraderie amidst the wilderness.

"I'm so hungry" said by Andy.

Kuonh, still relatively new to the intricacies of gaming and the virtual realms of NEuEarth, watched his companions in fascination. They seemed so accustomed to this world already, so effortlessly blending the virtual with the real. As they put out their various foods, he fumbled with his inventory, trying to figure out where he had stored his provisions or do he even have food on his inventory.

Trey, one of the experienced gamer of the group, noticed Kuonh's hesitation. With a sly grin, he plucked a rice ball from his inventory and without warning, flung it toward Kuonh. The rice ball sailed through the air, a perfect arc that seemed almost cinematic in the digital landscape.

Caught off guard, Kuonh barely managed to snatch the rice ball out of the air before it collided with his face. He blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned by Trey's unexpected action. A moment later, Kuonh broke into a sheepish smile and muttered his thanks.

Trey's expression shifted from mischievousness to a mix of annoyance and maybe embarrassment as he averted his gaze. The others in the party either looked away or chuckled softly.

As the party members enjoyed their break and shared virtual food, they began to engage in light conversation, eager to know more about one another. Kuonh couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with this diverse group of players.

"So, where's everyone from.. if it's ok to ask?" Kuonh asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Klent, the party member known for his gaming prowess, joined the conversation enthusiastically, "I'm from Korea. You know, a lot of Koreans are good at gaming."

"Korea, huh?" Kuonh replied, genuinely impressed. "I've heard that South Korea has a thriving Eesports scene. It's amazing how gaming has become such a big part of the culture there."

Klent nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "That's right. We take our gaming seriously. But I have to say, this game is unlike anything I've ever experienced before."

"And where are you from, Trey?" Kuonh asked, eager to include everyone in the conversation.

Trey, who had been relatively quiet until now, finally spoke up with a hint of curiosity in his tone. With a bit of reluctance, Trey replied, "I'm from India."

Kuonh nodded with understanding. "India, a land of diverse cultures and traditions. It's a pleasure to have such an international party."

Naida, the party's dedicated healer, chimed in with a note of pride in her voice, "I'm from Japan!" Kuonh couldn't help but smile beneath his mask at Naida's response.

"I'm from the Philippines" Andy say with a smile. Kuonh replied saying "I have friends from Philippines that living next to me!"

Their eyes locked for a brief second, sharing the surprise and connection they felt in that instant. Kuonh, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy and nostalgia, disclosed, "I'm currently living in Japan," as he scratched the side of his mask.

Naida, who had been silently enjoying the conversation, was taken aback by this revelation. She turned to Kuonh with a look of surprise, her eyes widening. "Wait, you're currently living in Japan?"

Kuonh chuckled, feeling a connection with his party members that transcended borders. "Yes, I am. It seems we're closer than we thought, even in the real world. How about we hang out sometimes? It would be a blast adventuring in real life too!"

". . . . . ."

"that's..."

Naida's response carried a hint of sadness as she explained, "I appreciate the offer, but actually" she smile a little as she continued "I can't walk in real life, which makes it quite challenging for me to meet you up physically."

"!!"

Kuonh felt a pang of sympathy and regret for not considering this possibility earlier. However, before he could respond, Naida continued with a reassuring smile, "But it's alright, Kuonh. In this new world of NEuEarth, I can walk again, and I feel more alive than ever. So, you see, I can explore this virtual world with all of you, and that means a lot to me."

Kuonh's heart warmed at Naida's optimism, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for taking the ability to walk for granted. He looked around at his party members, who had gathered, sensing the seriousness of the conversation.

Andy went "no way", his voice tinged with surprise. "Wait, so how can we understand each other?" maybe he also said this to change topic.

Kuonh and the others exchanged another glance they know what they should do, they all smiled and tried to get back on enjoying their conversation, all of them are equally baffled by Andy's question. "Of course,"

Kuonh replied. "I'm actually speaking Japanese all this time."

Andy added, "It's strange. We can understand you perfectly even though you're speaking in different language."

Trey, always quick to analyze things, shared his observation, "I think this game has an auto-translation feature. It's translating what you say into our respective languages with your original voices."

The party members nodded in understanding, the mystery of their seamless communication resolved. It was yet another testament to the advanced technology that had brought them all together in this virtual world.

Trey then continued. "This is all interesting and all, but can we get back to the game?" he grumbled.

The party members shared a laugh at Trey's expense, realizing that not everyone was as keen on chatting as they were. Nevertheless, the revelation about the game's that might be using auto-translation feature had brought them closer together.

**

After that. The party quickly devised a new strategy to confront the Arcane in their chosen battleground. They saw this large boulder as a natural fortress, a place where they could force their monstrous foe to confront them head-on. With this plan in mind, they aimed to control the battlefield and prevent being ambushed from multiple directions.

Their tactics were straightforward: Andy, the sturdy tank of the group, would venture out and agitate a single Arcane, luring it back toward their prepared position. By doing so, they aimed to avoid being overwhelmed by a horde of these formidable creatures.

As they readied themselves for the next encounter, a sense of unity and determination filled the air. They knew that they had already overcome significant challenges together, and this newfound strategy would further solidify their teamwork. With their roles and responsibilities clear, they were ready to face the Arcane once again.