NPC Code: Red Riding Hood

"I think that we all have a system after becoming players inside this game. That glowing light on your left eye, Match, that's your power. It enables you to reach your full potential. And I think that the glowing scarlet eye that you have generates fire in your body. It means that every time your left eye glows, you get power. The fire thingy that you have," I explained, hoping that the twelve-year-old Match could understand.

"I could only activate mine by unconsciously thinking about it. It was like, 'I need this power right now!'. After a second, my eyes would glow white. And then I would feel the surge of arcane flowing inside of me, letting me feel I could do anything that I can. Arcane is the thing that we used to make magic. Sometimes we call it mana. That's what my system told me. That power allowed me to heighten all my senses, dodging other attacks that my body could evade. Now, go ahead and try. That's all I can give you as per my advice, Match," I added, and sat on the dry log.

Match grunted and clenched her fists, attempting to activate the left eye I had mentioned. She had her smile dangling with her eyes, yearning to tap at the power without having to use it and burn her hands. I readied myself and expected something would come out and become disastrous afterwards. However, the girl failed to do so and raised a question mark above her head. Match tried forcing herself once again, but the power had ended up with a blast of a fart.

I did not know if the event was fortunate for me or unfortunate for Match. But what mattered most to me was that Match did not suffer any injuries at all. If a fire would have broken out, the monsters could track us down, with the players that had fallen far behind.

"Sorry. I am trying, okay? But it didn't work like I thought it would be," Match expressed, with her entire body sinking on the ground.

She was both humiliated by the sudden release of gas and failed to activate the glowing eye. I moved beside Match and shuffled her already crazed hair, hoping to cheer her up. My plan succeeded as the little girl raised her head and flashed me a smile.

"Teach me how to do it! Teach me how to do it, Red!" Match chanted, and ran around me.

I could not help but let out a burst of laughter and replied, "Okay. Just be still and listen carefully, okay?"

Match gave me a nod. She released a fiery aura of determination, telling me she wouldn't fail this time around. I could only hope for her to activate that crimson light in her left eye.

My mind was like wheels churning up something that I could suggest to Match. I had nothing I could give her as my advice, but I had to. How could I not teach this lovely girl that wanted to defend herself from trouble?

After humming a complete minute, I was ready to give her something.

"Rule number one: Assess the environment and your enemy. If you feel like your opponent is stronger than you, run away. There is no point engaging the enemy."

The little girl shook her head up and down, digesting everything I had said. With words such as "What's next? What's next, Red!?" I carried on the following rule.

"Rule number two: you can never win a fight alone for now. You need to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. I am no veteran on the battlefield, but I know when to fight and to retreat." I continued.

It was like this even before killing Arthur and La Finta. I only took their life behind their backs. They did not know a damn thing about what came in their way. However, fighting against Mer, the players, and even Wolf made me realise I was not ready at all.

"Okay... but when would be the part where I can move around and fight!" Match asked, and swung her fists in the air. Because of her terrible posture, just like last time, she fell to the ground, flat on her face.

It took her ten seconds before rising from the soil, refusing to admit defeat or embarrassment from what she did.

"That's rule number three: if you can kill a rabbit for our lunch-without using your fire skills, I can teach you to activate those eyes," I concluded.

Match's eyes expanded upon hearing such a statement that came from me. She junked the idea in her head and quivered her face.

"But I don't want to kill a rabbit," Match replied, and paused for a second. "Do I even have to kill? I can defend the two of us without killing anyone, right?"

The smile on my face vanished upon hearing Match's words. "Sometimes that happens. Other times, it won't. Be strong enough to know that, Match."

I called out for a brief break as the two of us huddled around the campfire. The two of us planned on continuing our journey, while I schemed to give Match an exercise to train her body.

After finishing our meal, we took out the bonfire, collected the trash, and went on our merry way. Match and I walked for five miles and took temporary breaks on our trip. There was a safe spot on the meadow, the same as last time, and made the land our territory.

The place had countless domesticated animals such as swines, bunnies, and wild chickens we could hunt along the trip. We could save our prize for later use, since the trek would cost us around two months before arriving at our destination. One month from now, the two of us might land in the village.

But for now, stacking up and preparing for our futuristic meals did not sound like a dreadful idea.

"You need to pick up the pace and strengthen your stamina before doing anything rash," I instructed the running Match.

I plotted to train the little girl to catch a hare with her own hands. If Match could achieve that goal, she might be ready to defend herself with a weapon. Sometimes those animals could barely even fight against creatures. But I never let my guard down, given those mammals were still wild animals in the forest.

"When can we start training seriously?" Match said, and puffed out some air stored inside her lungs.

"Soon. But not for now. After running without catching your breath. You also need to become as stealthy as possible. So that nothing could catch you."

For three days, we did just that. Match sprinted around and played tag with me. The best way to train her while having fun was to make the exercises a game. I knew how little children like her would love to entertain themselves with such a game. And by the looks of her face, Match had a grin while trying to catch my bottom.

While we were chasing one another, I trained my skills to perfection. I attempted to learn the limits of my spell [shadow walk]. My system told me the skill's descriptions, but it did not explain its limits. All I knew was the usage of my ability, but not the entire concept.

But in those few days, I understood the entire idea of [shadow walk]. It was an ability that granted me brief stealth during the day but increased its duration during the night. It also nullifies sounds, heat signatures, some detection spells, and even footprints left on the soil. The spell acts like a cover that envelopes one's body from the senses of a creature.

However, the spell also had its weaknesses. But as of now, I did not know what those weaknesses were for the skill.

Those three days became five days. The Match-who had been gasping for air, had her body bulked up. She got herself some muscles instead of fat in her arms and legs. While chasing me around, I ordered her to punch the air or grab something along the way. Thanks to the creeping plants, her arms turned out to be more masculine than what I thought they would become.

But her image remained the same despite the changes inside her body. Match was still the adorable kid who loved to play and joke around whenever she had the time.

We were also fortunate enough to gather berries imbued with arcane. This magic increases both our mana and our stamina, improving both our spell casting and body. According to my system, these nourishments were rare products inside the forest. I also knew these products during my time selling vegetables and fruits from the market.

This mini advantage helped Match overcome her doubts about getting better within a few days. After a week, things had changed from good to better.

Match could now run close to my speed. Her reaction time also improved, given that Match dodged my hands before reaching for her body.. She could also run for a mile without gasping for oxygen.

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