An hour and a half into climbing Eiko Saisho's Dead Volcano Lake, Pepper, Aitouil, and Bilac encounter a bizarre sight. Brookeslumber—vicious pelican-beaked, ostrich-bodied monsters known for capturing pioneers and hurling them into the crater lake—charge toward them in a flock of over five, beaks wide open.
"Gyoe!?" But sensing Lycaon's Curse Marking on Pepper's right hand, they pivot 180 degrees, fleeing in panic.
"So that's why Sensei said I could handle it now…" Pepper muses.
"They turned real pretty," Aitouil observes.
"Night King's prey—don't mess with it," Bilac chuckles.
The climbing route is notoriously brutal, even for high-level players, due to Brookeslumber's relentless pursuit. Yet, the unique monster's curse lets Pepper's party ascend unhindered.
"Nice to avoid a fight, but I wanted to test my evolved skills and scroll techniques…" Pepper sighs. Lycaon's Curse helped, but its drawbacks usually outweigh benefits. As they climb, the mountain slope gives way to a blue sky and clouds.
Pepper sprints to the crater's edge—a 10km-wide natural marvel, its inactive bottom now a lake where a slip means certain death. "Stunning view," Aitouil gasps. "Somewhere here's the Gear Mechanism," Bilac says. "If she anticipated theft," Pepper adds, circling clockwise, they scan the crater's inner walls for anomalies—protrusions, irregularities—eyes sharp like in an exploration game. Bilac's ears perk, and Aitouil pulls a tube from her pouch, spinning it to peer inside.
"What's that, Aitouil?" Pepper asks. "My treasure from the boss for my birthday. Wanna see, Pepper-han?" She hands him a vintage monocular telescope, revealing distant walls up close. "Thanks, Aitouil." Returning it, he explains, "Lookout tool for spotting danger early. Glasses led to telescopes, then binoculars and stargazers—human ingenuity for better sight."
"Got it. Aitouil, keep scanning the walls with that. Report any oddities to me or Bilac-san," Pepper instructs. "On it!" she replies. With the telescope boosting their search, Pepper plans to find the Gear Mechanism, mine Bluelet Rock, and level to 40 for Radiant Solreia. But fate has other plans, tossing a landmine their way.
"...Hear that, Aitouil?" Bilac's ears twitch. "Yeah, a familiar voice," Aitouil confirms, peering through her telescope. A flock of Brookeslumbers charges, one carrying a player headfirst in its beak, screaming, "AAAAAAAAH!?"
"Something's coming," Pepper says. "Birds with a player in their beak, heading here," Aitouil reports. A chill runs down Pepper's spine—charging birds, a trapped player, and the deep crater lake behind them spell disaster. "Whoever designed these birds has sick taste! Bilac-san, Aitouil, on my shoulders! We stop the lead bird and save that player!"
"Got it!" Bilac says. "Yes, Pepper-han!" Aitouil agrees. No one else can save the player. Pepper activates Skate Foot and Ballistrider, boosted by 11 Agility points from leveling, sliding down the slope. Equipping Lake Pepper Dagger reverse-grip, he leaps before the Brookeslumber flock Aitouil spotted.
"Gyoe!?" As the lead bird turns to flee, Pepper stacks Neck Snap and Ladder Slash, topping it with Vorpal Sword Art [Half Moon Sever]. Like an executioner, with an athlete's focus, he decapitates the Brookeslumber in one strike. "Gyoe…" Its head severed, it vanishes with a weak cry, dropping Blue Toy Ostrich Feather. The player tumbles free.
"Phew, one-shot neck chop. A miss would've been bad…" Pepper sighs, pocketing the feather. "Pepper-han, isn't this someone we know?" Aitouil tugs his cloak. Turning, Pepper freezes. The dizzy player—swirling eyes, blue mage robe, oversized wizard hat, 150cm-tall boy avatar—is unmistakable.
"Those birds… toying with pioneers, what rotten creatures!" Bilac fumes. "Unforgivable! I'll make them yakitori—Pepper-han?" Aitouil notices his shock. Setting the rabbits down, Pepper inhales deeply and roars toward the crater lake:
"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE, LASER MARLIN!?!"
An Unexpected Intruder
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