As I stepped into the Orc Forest, I felt a wave of nostalgia.
"Wow."
It's been so long, Orc Forest!
The massive trees towered overhead, sunlight filtering through the thick leaves. Inside the forest, beams of sunlight scattered in all directions, painting an indescribably beautiful scene.
This was a sight rarely seen back in South Korea—a unique beauty found only in the forests of the fantasy world of the Astria Continent.
It felt as though I was reliving the awe I had experienced when I first returned to the Astria Continent.
The vast forests of *Astria Online*, which players traverse, are often hunting grounds or battlegrounds for various factions.
But enjoying such scenery was one of the ways to fully experience the Astria Continent.
Of course, I had spent plenty of time in the Northern Elven Forest during the previous expansion pack, but the forests in the central part of the continent offered a different kind of beauty. The species of trees were different, and the plants thrived in varying conditions.
To be honest, back then, I was so focused on leveling up that I didn’t really take the time to look around.
*Tatatat! Clang!*
*Screeech!*
"Oh."
I noticed a male player dressed in beginner adventurer gear. He was wielding a sword—most likely a swordsman—fighting an orc. He was tall, but his face looked rather young. High school-aged at best?
The *Orc Forest*, this beginner hunting ground, was immensely vast. Not only this forest but most of the continent's hunting zones covered large areas for players. Dungeons were handled through instanced fields, generated for individuals or parties.
*Astria Online*, despite being divided into servers for North America, Europe, and Asia, didn’t use channels. It was essentially one open world. The vast hunting zones made it unlikely that players would overlap in the same spot. That’s how this game dealt with such inconvenience.
They said the game follows the flow of the continent's history. Where would the real history of this continent lead? How were things playing out in the other national servers?
Was I guiding this continent toward a bright future?
*Swoosh!*
*Screeeech!*
My thoughts were interrupted as the swordsman finally managed to take down the orc. The orc collapsed, spewing milk, and the young swordsman wiped the sweat from his brow and sheathed his sword.
Then, he looked in my direction.
"Ah!"
I flinched and quickly tried to calm my racing heart.
Rain, what are you doing? Why are you startled?
It’s just a high school kid, a newbie.
I’m a proper adult woman and a veteran player.
Forcing an awkward smile, I waved at him casually.
"Uh, hi?"
"Ah! You're the girl from the commercial!"
He pointed at me, his expression full of surprise.
And his face was slightly flushed. Why?
He approached awkwardly, his gaze darting away from mine, and knocked on a nearby tree with his fist.
"...?"
"Uh, um, are you the girl from the ad?"
Why wouldn’t he make eye contact while speaking?
And why is he speaking so informally, calling me a girl?
I barely managed to hold back my puffed-up cheeks and responded sharply.
"Hmph, a *girl*? This game used to be rated for adults, you know? If someone appeared in the ad back then, shouldn’t you assume she’s an adult?"
"Huh... You're an older sister?"
He looked completely shocked. Judging by his reaction, even though he was tall, he was definitely still a kid.
"An older sister...? Yes, I’m your *noona*."
This was the first time someone had called me "noona."
It was a pleasant-sounding word. What a cute kid.
Looking up at him, I gave a confident, mature smile, trying to exude the air of an adult woman.
---
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After fending off the high school boy, who kept trying to chat with me and even sent me a friend request, I wandered around the Orc Forest, observing the newbies.
My purpose for coming here today wasn’t to offer power-leveling services or bus rides to the newbies. With the Safety Filter in place, it wasn’t even enjoyable to hunt. Instead, I figured it might be a good chance to revisit areas I had passed through before.
Besides, watching this was kind of fun.
*Clang! Slash! Thud!*
"Hiyah! Ha!"
"Hey, you’re pulling aggro toward me! Hit harder!"
"You should manage your damage output better!"
A pair of kids—one a girl who looked like a fighter, and the other a boy who seemed like a spirit mage—were battling a high-level orc.
A female tank and a male DPS? Now that was interesting.
I watched them with shining eyes, hiding behind a tree as I observed the cute newbie duo’s battle.
A smile crept onto my face without me even realizing it.
"Hehe, they’re adorable."
Were they in middle school?
Most of the new players I met today were taller than me, but this group seemed about the same height as me. I hadn’t encountered anyone smaller yet.
*Screeech!*
*Thud!*
"Yay~"
The boy and girl high-fived each other after taking down the elite orc. Smiling from behind the tree, I turned my attention to a sudden field announcement.
[Field Boss 'Orc Warrior' has appeared in the Orc Forest!]
"Oh."
I’d fought that one before.
It drops cute outfits and the first rare equipment piece for many players.
"Orc Warrior!?"
"A field boss! It sounds close by! Hurry, let’s go! If we’re late, tons of players will swarm it!"
As the two kids rushed off, I quietly followed them through the trees, keeping them in my sight.
---
*Roar!*
*Clang! Clang!*
"Ahh!"
"Kyaa!"
The massive *Orc Warrior* roared, its enormous axe sweeping through the area. Some newbies were knocked down, spilling milk from their wounds, but most of them successfully blocked or countered, minimizing damage.
The *Orc Warrior*, the first major field boss that new players encounter, was designed to teach them how to use counterattacks and evasive techniques effectively. It was a friendly training dummy that helped players get used to boss mechanics. By the time they could successfully defeat it, they were ready to take on the first elite dungeon, *Orc King's Cave*.
*Clang! Clang! Boom!*
The ranged players maintained their distance, bombarding the boss with magic, spirit attacks, talismans, and arrows. Meanwhile, the melee fighters, including martial artists and swordsmen, learned to time their blocks and counters to deal with the orc’s attacks.
While watching from behind a tree, my eyes landed on a small girl who stood bravely in front of the *Orc Warrior*, fighting head-on.
"Oh."
She had short, bright brown hair and big, sparkling green eyes. The sword in her small hands moved quickly and skillfully.
*Clang!*
The girl blocked the *Orc Warrior’s* massive axe with perfect timing, then pulled her sword back to thrust right after the block.
*Thud!*
I could tell immediately. Among all the newbies, this small girl was dealing the most damage and had secured the *Orc Warrior’s* aggro.
"Good job."
And, of course, she was the cutest one here.
Sweat beaded on her forehead, her large green eyes full of determination and focus. Her reaction speed and skill timing in battle were impressive for such a young swordswoman. Watching her fight made me feel like I was seeing a younger version of myself.
*Clang! Slash!*
"Hah!"
With a shout, the small girl swung her sword with all her might.
Her battle cry was adorable too.
Clasping my hands together, I silently cheered her on, eyes full of anticipation.
Go, little one, go!
"Ah!"
Caught up in dodging the area-wide axe swing, no one noticed what I did—except me, since my full attention was on the girl.
She staggered, her foot slipping slightly. Maybe the game’s synchronization was still difficult for her to adjust to after just a few hours of playtime.
*Screeeeech!*
The *Orc Warrior’s* axe came crashing down toward the stumbling girl with a fearsome sound. If I left her alone, she would take a heavy hit and start spilling milk. Of course, she wouldn’t actually die, but I couldn’t bear to watch such a cute girl get hurt.
Veteran players aren’t supposed to interfere with newbie hunting. But before I could even think, my body moved on its own.
*Slash!*
"Screeech?"
Before I knew it, I had reached the *Orc Warrior’s* front and lightly swung *Astaroth*. The *Orc Warrior* stood there, dumbfounded, holding the now half-sliced axe handle.
"Screeech!"
But the confusion didn’t last long. Enraged by the loss of its weapon, the *Orc Warrior* charged at me with its body.
I scratched my head as I dodged the incoming attack.
"Oops, sorry."
I felt bad for the *Orc Warrior* and the newbies.
---
"Wow! You’re super strong!"
"Super strong? That’s the *master* player from the game ads! A real pro!"
"Eek! Can I call you sister? You’re so... I mean, you’re beautiful!"
Suddenly, I was surrounded by excited newbies.
The young players gazed at me with wide, sparkling eyes. Some blushed as they talked to me
. Some were my height, but most of them were taller, and I found myself completely buried among them.
"Ah, haha."
I gave a nervous laugh and stepped back a bit.
From a distance, I caught sight of the small brown-haired girl giving me a quick nod before quietly disappearing into the forest.