“Huh?”

A beautiful woman with bright red hair stood before me.

Her hair shimmered in the sunlight, even more dazzling under the desert sky.

Her radiant smile lit up her beautiful face, and her eyes curved into a pleasant arc as she looked at me.

I stared blankly at her face.

Wow.

She was gorgeous.

Where had I seen her before?

Oh.

During my second attempt at the *Orc King’s Cave*, I had noticed a red-haired woman glancing in my direction.

It had been dark at the cave entrance, and she had been at a distance, mixed among the crowd. I didn’t get a good look at her face since I quickly slipped away.

But I was sure this was the same woman I saw back then.

Now, under the sunlight, I could see her clearly.

She was really beautiful.

Even her figure was stunning.

Her hips and waist curved gracefully, and her chest was... well, large.

I felt a pang of jealousy.

She probably customized that, right?

Absentmindedly, I touched my own modest chest.

The comparison was obvious.

Maybe I should have tweaked mine in the character creator a little more?

Her sleek uniform, which emphasized her toned body, had a cute pig face embroidered on the front.

It was the exclusive outfit you could only obtain as a rare drop from the *Orc King’s Cave*.

Since it was a bound item, you couldn’t get it from the auction house. It was a rare find.

I was envious.

I didn’t manage to get one.

Even though these thoughts raced through my head, they lasted only a few moments. 

Meanwhile, the red-haired woman approached me.

For some reason, I felt irritated.

She may have been beautiful, but she was a thief.

She had sniped the *Pames Scorpion* that I had already marked as mine by hitting it with a long-range attack.

Sure, I hadn’t attacked it yet, but I was a swordsman—my class was all about close combat.

I had to get close and draw the monster's aggro before I could start swinging my sword.

It’s basic courtesy not to attack monsters another player is targeting up close.

But I timidly averted my gaze, avoiding eye contact.

People were scary.

Forming connections with others was even scarier.

The thief-woman leaned down to meet my eyes, her face now uncomfortably close.

“Hello?”

“...”

I didn’t respond.

The best I could do was pretend to ignore her and not immediately run away.

I didn’t want to talk to a thief.

I was making that clear with my whole body.

Hopefully, she’d take the hint and leave.

“Uh, hey, can I speak informally with you? I mean, hi? How old are you? Is it okay if I use casual language?”

You already started speaking casually, why ask now?

“Hunting in the *Pames Desert* means you must have finished farming the *Orc King’s Cave*, huh? There aren’t many players in this area yet. If you’ve already completed accessory farming, you must be one of the few advance parties. That’s really impressive!”

She beamed at me with her sparkling eyes, full of admiration.

What’s her goal? Why is she complimenting me?

I wouldn’t get a single copper for her flattery, so I wished she would just leave already.

“Ahem. You seem like an advanced swordsman. Do you have a fixed party? If not, do you want to party up with me? Our team has a tank, but they’re often busy with work. Ah, but it’s not just a fill-in role! I’m not inviting you just because your customization is adorable or because I selfishly want to party with you, not at all!”

She waved her hands defensively, trying to explain.

Yeah, right.

It was obvious. When their tank couldn’t make it, they needed me to fill in.

But I wouldn’t fall for that trick.

I was a solo player, and I wanted to keep all the loot to myself.

If I joined a four-person party, my earnings would be cut to a quarter.

That wasn’t happening.

Without another thought, I decided it was time to leave.

I had no reason to stick around.

“Ah, wait!”

Even though I hadn’t said a word, my rejection should have been clear by now. Why was she still calling after me?

I glanced over my shoulder.

The red-haired woman looked a little disappointed, waving at me with a forlorn expression.

“C-Can you at least tell me your nickname?”

“...”

I don’t share my nickname with thieves!

I wanted to shout that at her, but I swallowed the words.

A strange emotion crept up in my chest.

Damn it. Looks really are a scam.

That pretty woman probably won over lots of people just with her appearance.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit charmed by her looks, too.

I sighed, letting out the emotion as I answered.

"...Drizzle Rain."

Her eyes widened suddenly, and she quickly covered her mouth.

What’s her deal?

“Wh-What? Drizzle Rain? That’s such a pretty name! Can I call you Rain? Do you mind if I send you a friend request?”

*Beep.*

A system window popped up in front of me.

[Exorcist 'Chris' has sent you a friend request.]

In *Astra Online*, you could send friend requests if you knew the other person’s username.

“Eek.”

I didn’t want any friends.

I’m a solo player. If people send me messages, it’ll be annoying.

Since my return, I had become seriously withdrawn.

I couldn’t stand the thought of forming connections.

Even in real life, I hadn’t made any new acquaintances.

Players were still people.

Even if it was a game, I had no intention of making companions.

*Beep.*

I squeezed my eyes shut and hit “Decline.”

Her face fell slightly, a hint of sadness showing.

Seeing that expression made me feel a strange pang in my chest.

But I ignored the sensation and hurriedly left the area.

I needed to escape.

Someplace far from where that red-haired woman could see me.

---

*Boom!*

Chris finished off another *Pames Scorpion*, her eyes darting toward a distant figure.

There was a fight going on.

No, calling it a fight would be an understatement. It was more like watching a beautiful scene unfold, like an intricate painting.

A *Pames Scorpion* lunged at a young girl, its venomous tail raised high.

But in that moment, the girl’s eyes gleamed, and her sword traced a graceful arc through the air.

*Clang!*

*Thwack, thwack, thwack!*

The scorpion’s stinger was deflected by the girl’s swift swordplay. At the same time, a sharp thrust pierced through its tough carapace.

*Spin.*

*Slash!*

The girl spun in place, unleashing a *Moonlight Slash*, a skill that swept through the nearby scorpions.

*Screeech!*

The 16th-level swordsman skill, *Moonlight Slash*.

An enhanced version of the basic *Slash* skill.

Maybe it was because the girl was the one using it, but to Chris, it looked incredibly beautiful.

Without thinking, Chris let out a soft murmur.

“Wow.”

She had seen many swordsmen fight.

But the girl’s swordsmanship was on a completely different level from the others’ clumsy skills.

How high had she ranked her skills?

Her blocks were so precise that she seemed to perfectly anticipate where the monster’s attacks would come from.

No field monster could so much as scratch her.

Her thrusts easily penetrated the tough armor of the *Pames Scorpions*, and her *Moonlight Slash* would be impossible for even elite dungeon bosses to avoid.

The girl wasn’t just beautiful—she was also a master swordsman.

Chris forgot all about hunting as she clasped her hands together, mesmerized by the sight of the girl fighting.

Then the girl’s gaze flicked toward Chris.

*Whoosh!*

The girl turned on her heel and bolted.

“Huh?”

Chris let out a disappointed cry.

Had she gotten too close?

She should’ve kept her distance and watched from afar.

*Boom, boom!*

Chris casually killed another passing *Pames Scorpion* before cautiously following the girl, her figure growing smaller in the distance.

Even while keeping her eyes on the retreating girl, Chris didn’t forget to level up.

The girl’s white hair fluttered behind her as she ran, the silvery strands resembling the tail of a silver wolf, teasing and beckoning Chris.

Chris was captivated by the girl’s cute appearance and customization, but there was another reason she was chasing after her.

“Her voice... it’s like a songbird’s.”

That brief moment she heard the girl’s voice—angelic and soft like a child’s—had captivated her completely.

In *Astra Online*, you could customize your appearance, but you couldn’t change your gender or voice.

Which meant the girl had that sweet voice in real life, too.

Judging by her youthful voice, she was probably a minor.

That would explain her small stature. It wasn’t because of customization.

But how was she playing *Astra Online*, an adult game?

Chris felt a growing desire to meet the girl in real life.

“Drizzle Rain.”

Rain.

Chris rolled the beautiful name around in her mouth.

“I won’t let you get away.”

No matter what, she was going to befriend her.

*Swish, swish.*

Chris stepped lightly over the sand as she carefully approached Rain.

*Whoosh!*

But Rain, like a ghost sensing her presence, sped off again, her

 short legs moving as fast as they could.

*Shuffle, shuffle.*

*Whoosh!*

In the middle of the *Pames Desert*, an unexpected chase ensued.

Even during this invisible pursuit, the *Pames Scorpions* were continually slain by the duo, Chris and Rain, as they dashed toward the first town in the desert region, *Pilia Village*.