Storing his fishing rod in his inventory, Fenix pondered his next move. He had already gained all the cooking skills and had just acquired the fishing skill. The only thing left for him to learn was potion-making.

  Fortunately, this would not be a difficult task for him. Though the beginner town cked an apothecary, Fenix knew of an NPC who resided in the nearby forest and could teach him the skill.

  This forest was abundant with various herb patches that were scattered throughout the woods, waiting to be harvested. According to NPC gossip, the woman could often be found collecting these herbs.

  Some even cimed she was a descendant of a powerful healer, as evidenced by her godly aura and countless stories of her healing abilities. And as any skilled pyer knows, listening to NPCs can reveal valuable information and secrets.

  In the future, many male pyers would seek her out, hoping to gain her favor and potentially win her heart. After all, in this game, a pyer could actually date an NCP if they wanted to and, if a pyer was of age and willing to marry an NPC, they could do more. However, only a few ever ventured that far, reasoning that if they couldn’t get a real girl, an NPC would be second best.

  ~

  Fenix carefully navigated the dense forest, his eyes scanning every inch of his surroundings for any sign of the woman. After trekking through the wild for nearly an hour, he stumbled upon a small clearing and saw her there, bathed in the soft light filtering through the leaves above.

  She wore a flowing white robe and knelt on the forest floor, examining a freshly picked herb in her hands. As Fenix approached, he noticed her wicker basket held only a few herbs.

  "Excuse me, miss," Fenix said, trying not to startle her.

  As she looked up, he could see that she was stunningly beautiful, just as he had heard. However, her beauty was almost too perfect, like someone who had gone overboard with pstic surgery and now resembled an uncanny valley.

  “How may I help you, young man?” the woman asked, standing up and brushing off her robe.

  "I saw that you were gathering herbs and was wondering if you needed any help," Fenix replied, though he already knew why she was here.

  Pyers must never be too direct when trying to get what they want from NPCs; instead, a roundabout approach is necessary in order to receive a quest. These NPCs are extremely intelligent, ensuring that no two quests will ever be the same.

  For example, although the previous cooking quest started with a crying little boy, it could have gone in countless different directions. Some pyers may have had to cook a grand meal for the mayor of the town, while others may have had to gather rare ingredients from dangerous locations. Regardless of the differences in quests, the end result remains the same: a reward is granted.

  The woman's disappointment was evident as she spoke, "Sadly, I can't find usable herbs in these woods anymore. They have become infested with parasitic bugs that use them as their food source."

  "Do you need help getting rid of them?" Fenix offered.

  "Why would you want to help me? We've just met," the woman asked curiously.

  Fenix looked down, feigning shyness. "Well, I've always been interested in potion making and thought maybe you could teach me a thing or two."

  “Very well. If you help me get rid of those insects, I will teach you the basics,” the woman replied with a kind smile.

  [System: A quest has been created!]

  Bug Hunt!

  Quest Description:

  A mysterious young woman needs your help to exterminate the insects that have infested the woods and contaminated the herbs she needs for her potion-making. These bugs have been destroying the herb patches, making it impossible for her to gather the necessary ingredients. Eliminate 20 insects to ensure the herbs can grow without interference and restore bance to the forest ecosystem.

  Reward:

  200 EXP150 bronze coinsLearn: Potion Making & HerbalismFenix confidently promised,” Don’t worry I won’t let you down. I will get rid of all of them for you.”

  The woman handed Fenix a worn, wrinkled map with scribbled directions and marked locations. She also gave him two potions.

  One was called Benzo Apyrene, a gss bottle swirling with thick smoke that could provoke the insects and drive them out of their hive for easier killing. Fenix thought that the potion was aesthetically pleasing, with its swirling fog and dark colors, but he knew that the most dangerous things were beautiful in their own way.

  The other potion was called Organophosphate. It looked almost like water except for the gray flecks that danced within its clear liquid. The woman told Fenix it was for spraying around the area after he dealt with the bugs to prevent more from coming.

  ~

  Following the map's directions, Fenix arrived at a massive, cone-shaped hive. It shimmered in the sunlight, its golden exterior gleaming and beckoning like a forbidden treasure. The surface of the hive was intricately patterned, almost like an ornate sculpture. However, a sticky, gooey substance coated the walls, giving the imposing structure an eerie and foreboding aura.

  A rge hole in the center of the cone led into what felt like a dark cave. The entrance was rimmed with the same sticky material, adding to its unsettling appearance. Fenix couldn't see inside, but he could sense movement and activity lurking within, a constant hum of life hidden in the shadows.

  He quickly drew his weapons and donned his newly acquired armor from his previous battle with the spider. Now he was ready to go.

  Sneaking up to the entrance of the hive, Fenix tossed in the smoke potion as instructed by the old woman. As he waited for it to take effect, he readied himself for battle. Suddenly, a massive insect burst out of the opening, its size rivaling that of a rge dog. Its wings buzzed loudly as it charged towards him, hungry for a fight.

  "Seriously? Another giant bug?" Fenix grumbled as he raised his weapon and prepared to strike the creature.