Karen's Plan

"No way." Huny's jaw dropped as she stared at her junior. "You're a born hero?"

"What does that mean?" Beans asks, fascinated.

"It's like this, Gobo. Most heroes just appear. It's like they fall outta the sky. We don't know where we came from, we only know that we've been put here with basic stats and the capacity to grow if we kill monsters. Villagers will pick us up quick and ask us to do all kinds of jobs for them, from slaying monsters to collecting firewood to delivering letters. Random person appears, ask him to do a job; it's a simple logic from their standpoint. From ours, too."

"Then a born hero is-" the goblin begins.

"A born hero has parents here," Huny quickly continued, unwilling to let him interrupt her mid-explanation. "They've had hero stats since a young age--sometimes at birth, but some waken to it as late as their teenage years. A lot of the strongest heroes were born heroes: they had a head start on leveling. On the other hand, sometimes born heroes have it the hardest."

"Why is that?" you have to ask.

"Nobody gives me quests!" Karen cries, the exasperation apparent in her voice. "I've been Karen for forever! Even when I ask, everyone just treats me like a little village girl. 'Oh, it's Raven's little girl!' 'Oh, Karen! Still trying to run off on adventures?' 'Can't wait until you join your mother in the family business, Karen!' Ugh!" A small shudder passes down her spine. "I'm a hero. I'll prove it."

An awkward silence fills the air for many long moments.

"So? Now what?" the knight demands, largely to end that pregnant quiet.

"Hm? What do you mean?" you ask, puzzled.

"I mean, what do we do? Are we going to fight now? Are you going to try to take me prisoner? Because I won't go without a fight."

"Well, I really don't want to fight a cute girl like you. We're looking for ways to earn experience so we can make it to the next town. If you want to come with us, you'd be welcome."

"Eh? But monsters can't leave their zone, right? It's where you respawn and all."

"I can't say I've tried before. We swap rumors about out-leveling your zone and being able to move to a new one, although until about two days ago I didn't believe it possible. Having a name might affect that, too."

"And if all else fails, a monster can contract with a hero and follow them anywhere, right?" Huny chimes in. "So yes, we're leaving this starting village and all the absolute douchebags that are in it. You in or not?"

Karen stares open-mouthed for a moment--and sorta cross-eyed, you realize after a moment. "Your mouth did a really weird thing there..." she comments.

"Yeah, I said a word the Filters can't let you hear. Just answer the question."

"I...Like I said, a hero doesn't beg or-"

"But we form parties. You have been in a party before, right?"

"Um..."

Huny stares open-mouthed. The rest of you just stare. Karen feels very self-conscious beneath all that attention. "It's not my fault! All the other heroes treat me just like the villagers do! None of them would take me along. I finally gave up and found a chance to run away, even if it was alone."

"Hang on... You haven't had anyone show you the ropes?" Huny asks.

"No?"

"Then you've probably never been to old man McDunkin's place."

"Who?"

"Perfect!" Huny declares emphatically. "We have a quest. McDunkin always needs more supplies for his 'experiments,' and he'll give you a random accessory the first time you help him. It's a fetch quest, so we won't even have to slay monsters. Everyone can agree it's a good idea all 'round, right?"

"It sounds good for her, but why are you so excited?" you ask the rogue.

"Because anyone in her party will get an XP bonus even if they've done this quest before."

"That's good for you, but we..." Beans pointed out.

"You will...okay, I don't really know. Who knows? Maybe McDunkin will give you a quest, too. And if not, there will probably be something you can do to gain experience." Huny gives you a pointed wink.