Chapter 87: Preparations (2)

Jake shook his head.

"Grinding is fun since I can see my efforts grow on the game panel and feel them in my muscles..." Jake explained, "But I am about to be destitute of resources. I also want to learn a jewelry craft, so I must pick up a miner subclass and finally step into the dungeon!"

Jake's excitement washed over his exhaustion.

He rolled on the ground and lifted his upper self, resting his eyes on Ingrid's face. "Mining sounds fun!"

"Are you a masochist?" Ingrid asked.

From afar, Viktor nodded. He somehow heard that.

"What do you mean, Master?" Jake tilted his head, "I'll pick up a miner subclass and a title so I can get ores much easier without stressing too much! I also went ahead and researched on various forums the best spots for mining in the forest dungeon of The Warmonger Empire."

Jake didn't like spoiling himself this much and would rather find ores naturally without anyone's help.

That said, he listened to Robert's advice. He couldn't waste so much time and should rather rely on the game systems to get his resources faster to focus on what was the most important to him.

He wanted to mine ore to get various jewels and learn about them.

The closer he was to a sight, the more Jake wanted it!

The gem for it was of a legendary grade, so Jake compelled himself to hold back his excitement and diligently prepared for it.

This was one of his preparations.

Ingrid's usual calm expression slightly twisted, "So if you didn't have any responsibilities, you would have gone raw to the dungeon with a pickax and helmet?"

Jake nodded. "Yeah."

Though Ingrid may have been similar to Jake, she followed the rules to the fault. If none of the rules disallowed her from picking up conveniences to finish any of her tasks easier and faster, she would go for it.

That was what differed her from Jake.

That was also the reason her pretty face contorted more.

"A masochist, really," Ingrid commented.

Viktor nodded.

"I don't understand what you're talking about," Jake shrugged, "It's like exercising, isn't it? I didn't know before that exercising could be this fun, though. This game world really opened my eyes to that! If I only had more time for the gym in real life..."

"At least jog for fifteen minutes daily," Ingrid strictly chimed in her few cents.

It'd soil his plans, as he wanted to teach her lesson himself.

One of his plans was to see how he'd fare against a skilled player around his level.

El Boss Queen's stats seemed to be beyond what players her level had, and she was a smart woman, so she filled all the criteria for Jake to test himself.

That was when Ethan noticed Jake.

He left the group and ran to him!

"Archer!" Ethan shouted.

Jake waved at him and brought him to the street's side.

Without anyone bothering them, these two exchanged greetings.

Ethan carried the conversation, "I wanted to see you after the recent incident... couldn't find you, though. Do you want to join us? Come and practice with us! I already talked over it with Umi."

"Umi? That girl who chased me away?" Jake chuckled as he asked.

Ethan nodded.

"Already on the first name basis?" Jake smiled.

Ethan replied, "My nickname is Ethannnnnn... I didn't want a nickname for this game, and I like calling people by their names. It creates a veil of trust."

"Sounds like a one-sided veil of trust," Jake said, adding, "even if you are telling me that, that is."

"I am a loyal man," Ethan said with a strong voice, "You can take this however you want. I just want you to know that you're welcome to our group. We, archers, shouldn't throw a wrench in the works. We must support and encourage each other."

Jake gazed into the man's eyes.

He smiled and said, "I'll be back to the training grounds sooner than you think. I will return and show them who's a boss here."

Ethan blinked a few times.

Jake chuckled, "Keep training. I'll cook up more than you think."

After those words, Jake left Ethan alone and disappeared into the bustling crowd.

Ethan stared at where he had been, wondering aloud... "What does he plan? And how come I believe in him so much?"

A charisma stat would have helped Ethan a lot here.