Chapter 13
“Hmm, I guess it’s nice to see that handsome face too.”
It was a face you could never get tired of looking at.
I’d bumped into him this morning as well, and now seeing him again made me worry a little—would I be considered a stalker?
But the library he was in was a space any member of the hero corps could use. I wasn’t going there aimlessly; I had plans to make, so…
Hmm, hmm. It was a little ridiculous to feel guilty and make excuses to myself when no one was saying anything.
So, I arrived at the library.
The moment I opened the door, that distinctive atmosphere I liked hit me.
As befits a hero corps with a long history, the library had a vast collection of books. I couldn’t even begin to guess how many volumes were packed into the wall-to-wall bookshelves.
The library was dim. Natural light was blocked to protect the books.
Still, the magical lamps scattered throughout gave off a gentle, warm glow.
Yes, this is it. Ah, libraries are the best.
In that atmosphere, Adrian was sitting at the librarian’s desk.
He was wearing reading glasses he usually didn’t wear, writing something with a quill pen.
The scratch of the pen on paper was satisfying.
Even seeing him work looked like a work of art.
As I admired that…
“Ah, um… the… ‘Ultimate Shooter Elaine,’ right?”
The moment he spoke, the perfect atmosphere shattered completely.
I seriously needed a name change. Really.
A name that even makes the usually serious Adrian hesitate before speaking?
Apart from Belinda, no one had teased me about my name yet, but embarrassment was unavoidable.
Blushing, I greeted him.
“Hello, Adrian.”
“Do you need any help?”
“Oh, no. Please continue your work. I’ll quietly handle my own business.”
I said that awkwardly and moved over to a desk prepared for reading.
Although I’d been to the library often in my life, being alone with the librarian was new, so it felt a bit awkward.
“Oh, this is nice.”
I worried that the dim light would make it hard to see, but each desk had a lamp.
I turned on the lamp, took out my notebook and pencil.
“So, I need twenty Rainbow Stones right now.”
I wrote down the number I needed.
How did I usually get Rainbow Stones in the game?
The answer was simple: real-money purchase. Recharge.
But now recharging was blocked, which was frustrating.
Other than recharging or quest rewards, they were usually given when achievements were completed.
Achievements were like challenge tasks that gave small rewards upon completion. Rainbow Stones were among those rewards.
“How do I check achievements again?”
The moment I thought that, a pop-up appeared. It was the achievement system window.
There were so many challenges that I’d need to scroll down to check everything.
I discreetly glanced at Adrian. I didn’t want him to see me reading through thin air.
Luckily, he was focused on his work again.
“Good, then.”
I checked achievements one by one and noted the ones that gave Rainbow Stones in my notebook.
Hmm, most were related to gathering and crafting.
In this game, aside from combat, there were gathering and crafting systems—mining ores, refining them, making weapons, etc.
Some crafting, like learning cooking, could be done at the dormitory dining hall; other gathering and crafting tasks were scattered in different locations.
The problem was, I hadn’t even finished the main story, and I was a total newbie at gathering and crafting.
But to get Rainbow Stones, it was necessary.
The grind for gathering and crafting was about to begin…
I sighed deeply and organized the list.
Every time gathering or crafting reached skill level 5, one Rainbow Stone was given. Same for levels 10 and 15. Early levels were easy to raise, but later ones became harder.
For now, the goal was to reach level 5 in everything. That would give 4 from gathering and 8 from crafting.
That’s already 12.
Exploring Mid Isle Island also gave one achievement reward. Completing the mini-map by exploring every corner of the island unlocked it.
Checking the mini-map pop-up, most areas except near the market and hero corps buildings were still covered in black clouds.
Exploring should fill that quickly.
Even so, seven remained. I’d also need to work on main quests.
Some main quests gave Rainbow Stones, and leveling up to complete the trainer’s quests would reward new skills and Rainbow Stones.
“Alright. Then… let’s make today’s plan.”
Since I woke up early, there was still plenty of time.
If I moved efficiently, I might get three or four Rainbow Stones today.
After fully planning, I tidied my desk and stood up.
Suddenly, I felt someone’s gaze and turned. Adrian was looking at me.
When did he start watching?
I had been sneaking glances at him while planning, but eventually got absorbed in my work, forgetting he was there.
Startled, I coughed awkwardly, and Adrian turned his head slightly in concern.
“I was curious about what you were working on. My apologies if I intruded.”
“Oh, I see… I was just making a plan. Since I just started my hero corps life, I was figuring out what to do first…”
I couldn’t honestly say I was planning to gather Rainbow Stones to change my nickname, so I said that. Adrian sighed.
“I already told you this morning, there’s no need to work so hard. Being diligent doesn’t make the goddess notice you.”
“Oh, um, yes, you did say that.”
I had answered that I wasn’t exactly diligent.
Looking at my actions, though, I might as well have been a passionate new recruit—misunderstandable.
But I couldn’t reveal the truth now.
The misunderstanding was deepening. I could only give a nervous laugh.
“Th-This situation is different from what you think…”
I was working hard with a purpose, not to save the world.
So I was postponing combat situations where I might risk my life and just focusing on my tasks.
“I’ll take care of myself, so please don’t worry.”
That was all I could say.
“…Your words flow smoothly.”
Adrian frowned slightly and continued writing.
He gave off an extremely intelligent vibe.
“I-I’ll be going now.”
Feeling embarrassed, I quickly greeted him and left the library.
I felt a little odd, as if I were running away.
Before the misunderstanding grew further, I felt a strange sense of duty to change my name quickly and show some idleness afterward.
I’m not diligent! Not a selfless hero!
Yet for now, the undiligent me had to be diligent.
Because I desperately wanted to change my name as soon as possible.
“There’s no time to waste. Move quickly before sunset.”
I put off clearing Adrian’s misunderstanding and hurried.
My first stop was the blacksmith. I bought the cheapest axe, sickle, and pickaxe for gathering. I also picked up a fishing rod and bait at a general store.
Buying everything left my wallet extremely light, which made me tear up.
Of course, this was just a metaphor—my money was in the inventory, so I didn’t feel its weight.
Next stop was the hero corps office. I approached the quest board I had ignored earlier and checked the listings.
“Unfortunately, quests that give Rainbow Stones are only main quests.”
Rainbow Stones occasionally appeared in hero corps side quests.
When playing the game, I’d have to compete with other users to claim them first.
Here, there weren’t many competitors. Maybe just NPCs like Darren, Lena, and Leo?
Would they even take quests? In the game, they didn’t, but here, it might be different.
I selected the main quest I remembered.
Patrol the outskirts of the island!
A quest to patrol the outskirts, defeat monsters, and return.
Patrolling the island would also fill the mini-map and give one Rainbow Stone.
Reaching level 5 along the way allowed me to learn a new skill from the trainer and get another Rainbow Stone.
I could also fish on the coast and increase my gathering proficiency in the mines and forests.
A perfect plan. Two birds with one stone.
But how did I accept the quest?
Staring blankly at the quest note, I took it to Belinda.
“Um, how do I accept a quest?”
“Oh, that quest? Give it to me.”
I handed over the note. She wrote my name on some paperwork.
Life in this world combined cutting-edge digital holographic screens with analog handwritten documents.
“If you happen to encounter a monster attacking humans, defeat it and bring back its magic stone. I’ll give you extra reward.”
Belinda adjusted her glasses and said.
She said the chances were low, but I already knew the future.
“That monster is definitely coming.”
Of course, it wasn’t a strong monster—just the classic low-level slime.
I could handle that easily with my current combat power.
With that in mind, I picked up a lunchbox at the dining hall and headed to the island’s outskirts.
