As Pepper, alongside Aitoile and Bilac, set off for the Shindai Iron Ruins, a major stir erupted in the Pepper Hunt War forum thread, known as the search for the elusive player. The catalyst? A certain player: Laser Kajiki.
[Info] Pepper Hunt War, Part 1 [Urgent Recruitment]
…
346: Rukuruku (New)
Can't find Pepper anywhere…
347: Primichia (Veteran)
Thirdrema's huge…
348: Issunbo (New)
Can't beat that Marsh Digger…
349: Thunder Nut (Veteran)
Seriously, where'd that damn Pepper go?
350: Full Pull (New)
Thirdrema's back alleys are a maze, man.
351: Bugnarak (New)
If we could just figure out a pattern or the areas he's hitting, we might manage… maybe.
352: Seapan 7th (New)
Plenty of players have Traveler's Cloak, but ones with the Blade-Proof armor set and the cloak? Super rare. And their player names never match.
353: Bentleman (Veteran)
I've checked shops, no dice. Is he moving across rooftops or something?
354: Add (Veteran)
Alright, I'll scout from high spots next time. Might spot Pepper.
355: Curry Jones (Veteran)
Thanks, man. We'll keep mapping Thirdrema's alleys and asking around.
356: Devil Bat (Veteran)
Got it.
357: Marmara (New)
Aye aye, sir!
358: Laser Kajiki (New)
Hello!
359: Ganbatcho (New)
Yo, Laser Kajiki, welcome!
360: Basashimusashi (Veteran)
Got any info, Laser Kajiki?
361: Super Alloy Tofu (Veteran)
We're at a standstill!
362: Tottoro (Veteran)
New thread, and it's still like this!
363: Tambourine (Veteran)
Turning into a chatroom…
364: Rukuruku (New)
Can't find him, so the thread's stalling hard.
365: Laser Kajiki (New)
Oh… really…?
366: Bugnarak (New)
…Hm?
367: Seapan 7th (New)
Yo, Laser Kajiki, something good happen?
368: Kekekera (New)
Yeah, what's up?
369: Murakumo (Veteran)
What's going on, Laser Kajiki-han?
370: Laser Kajiki (New)
Hi, Kekekera-san, Murakumo-san. Actually, I met Pepper-san and got him to accept my friend request!
371: Kekekera (New)
…What?
372: Murakumo (Veteran)
…Huh?
373: Add (Veteran)
WHAT!?
374: Tottoro (Veteran)
Hold up, hold up, HOLD UP!?
375: Bronze Eight (New)
Wait, wait, WAIT! For real!?
376: Bentleman (Veteran)
Uh, no… what? Really…?
377: Issunbo (New)
NO WAY!?
378: Rukuruku (New)
You're kidding!?
379: Murakumo (Veteran)
Okay, lots to ask, but first… what's Pepper like? Can you tell us, Laser Kajiki-han?
380: Laser Kajiki (New)
Pepper-san matched the traits you all mentioned. He's got heterochromia, kinda intimidating, but super kind-looking. I wanted to get to know him, so I gave him a dozen MP Potions. In return, he gave me an Empire Bee Larva.
381: Primichia (Veteran)
Laser Kajiki uses "boku"? …Wait, an Empire Bee Larva!?
382: Seapan 7th (New)
That's the item you get from defeating the Empire Bee Queen without damaging her nest, right?
383: Kekekera (New)
More than that, it's a key ingredient for high-potency stamina potions. Sell it to a shop or apothecary, and it's worth a ton of Mani.
384: Bentleman (Veteran)
Giving that away without hesitation? Damn, Pepper…
385: Add (Veteran)
His strength's legit if he can solo Lycaon and pull that off.
386: Marmara (New)
Wait, if he took down the Empire Bee nest, he's probably got more than just the larva, right?
387: Tambourine (Veteran)
Maybe Empire Bee Queen, Worker, or Hunter materials… or even Empire Honey.
388: Murakumo (Veteran)
That honey's sweet even diluted. Try it on pancakes—it's heavenly.
389: Primichia (Veteran)
Stop with the sudden dessert terrorism! Now I'm craving pancakes…
390: Super Alloy Tofu (Veteran)
So, Laser Kajiki, what'd you and Pepper talk about?
391: Thunder Nut (Veteran)
Yeah, spill the details.
392: Curry Jones (Veteran)
Info, please!
393: Laser Kajiki (New)
Um… Pepper-san said important info would have to go through Messenger Bird, and he can only share so much.
394: Primichia (Veteran)
Limited info… intriguing.
395: Thunder Nut (Veteran)
So, he's got a ton of sensitive info?
396: Add (Veteran)
Guess we gotta ask directly… Wait, Laser Kajiki's his friend now, so he can use Messenger Bird to dig deeper.
397: Bentleman (Veteran)
Yeah, simple plan—get the info that way.
398: Basashimusashi (Veteran)
Laser Kajiki, you're our only connection to Pepper right now. Feels weird asking a newbie, but can we count on you to get info?
399: Laser Kajiki (New)
Um, okay… But honestly, I just want to talk to Pepper-san normally, no info agenda.
400: Laser Kajiki (New)
I was curious about the person who earned Lycaon's recognition. Meeting him and getting his friend request was amazing.
401: Laser Kajiki (New)
Pepper-san probably sees me as just another player, a one-time encounter. But that moment was priceless to me.
402: Laser Kajiki (New)
If we meet again, I just want to chat normally, no info chase. That's what I'm hoping for.
403: Bentleman (Veteran)
A light…! There's a light among us…!!
404: Super Alloy Tofu (Veteran)
This feeling… is this what a heart is…?
405: Bronze Eight (New)
Too dazzling!!
406: Bugnarak (New)
My eyes—!!
407: Basashimusashi (Veteran)
Stop, Laser Kajiki! Your words pierce the hearts of most Shangri-La Frontier players!
408: Primichia (Veteran)
Too pure… I can't look directly at him…
409: Add (Veteran)
Our hearts are too jaded, as usual.
410: Murakumo (Veteran)
MMOs rarely have "equality." But a player like Laser Kajiki-han can change a game's vibe for better or worse. You're… a rare gem.
411: Super Alloy Tofu (Veteran)
Truth, Murakumo. Absolute truth.
412: Issunbo (New)
Games mirror the harsh real world. That's why players like him shine so bright.
413: Kekekera (New)
Yeah… maybe you're right…
414: Rukuruku (New)
Mhm…
415: Bronze Eight (New)
Ditto.
416: Laser Kajiki (New)
Uh… everyone okay?
417: Primichia (Veteran)
We're fine, fine… just tearing up a bit.
418: Add (Veteran)
Laser Kajiki, don't become like us…
419: Curry Jones (Veteran)
Ignore the MMO vets' griping.
420: Bentleman (Veteran)
Stay you, kid.
…
Not All "All Players Are Evil" Isn't True
--------------------------
Hey everyone! 👋
If you're enjoying this story and can't wait to read more, you can now get early access to upcoming chapters on my Patreon!
Your support will help me a lot and give you the chance to explore the world before anyone else. 💫
👉 Check it out here: [patreon.com/Greyhounds]