MMORPG: Rise of the Peerless Pumpkinmancer

"It's a long story--" Pumpkin Girl's voice suddenly echoed, only to suddenly halt as two bodies rushed into her embrace.

She couldn't help but give a helpless smile at the wolf/human acting spoiled, hugging her endlessly. Her heart suddenly felt so full as she patted their heads gently.

"Thank you." She softly murmured.

She knew the trouble they had gone through to save her, realizing how lucky she was. Thanks to her involvement with Jack, she understood just how little an "NPC" should have mattered to a Brave, and yet...

"Woo!" (As long as you're alright!)

"Of course she's alright! She's not one to kick the bucket that easily. She knows I wouldn't forgive her otherwise." Jack teased, but relief was nonetheless painted on his face.

He looked like a man that had attained enlightenment, one that didn't have any worry in the world anymore. He had found her again, and that was enough.

The scene couldn't have been more wholesome....

Yet the guards in the back glanced at the same scene with bulging eyes, some even forgetting to breathe. Was this really the headstrong Pumpkin Queen?!

She who had somehow instilled fear in them was now gently patting a random guy and wolf that had come from god knows where?!

More importantly, said wolf was totally a ravenous beast mere moments ago. This "cute wolf" would have already turned them into corpses if it hadn't been for their number advantage!

Even the terrifying seaweed tree, one that drank literal blood as sustenance, was looming shyly in the background. Why did it seem like it wanted to participate in the group hug?!

This vision was such a shock that it had many doubting their own sanity:

"Can anyone tell me what's happening?!"

"Perhaps we're already all dead...."

"Should we even be here?"

They flailed their legs/tails uncomfortably, not knowing what to do. Seeing their state, Pumpkin Girl turned their way.

"Men, we have esteemed guests. I expect all of you to show utmost professionalism and dignity. Whoever fails to do so will be deprived of food for a month!"

"U-understood!" Horrified gasps resounded, the guards barely managing to stutter an answer as they hurriedly scampered out the room.

The man and wolf duo glanced at one another with wry but knowing smiles. Her cooking was that great! She refocused on them, her eyes as gentle as morning dew.

"I guess I have a lot of things to explain, don't I. Here's how it happened...."

It all began on a beautifully peaceful morning full of sunlight, pumpkins, and blood.

There were a couple of "rats" as usual, but the living trees had captured them all (truly a fantastic job!) This was regular business, with the noise that came with it.

For the "rats" it went:

1. Yapping about their guilds

2. Pathetic attempts at a deal

3. Uncontrollable Sobbing

4. Begging for forgiveness

5. +Trauma, - $$$

But that day was quite special, for some bloke actually proposed a worthwhile deal. Unbeknown to him, the guy actually had pretty valuable information to trade.

After a while of t̶h̶r̶e̶a̶t̶e̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ haggling, information about a Legendary Mermaid Treasure was obtained! It was the almighty...Always Wet Conch!

Ignoring the doubtful (at best) name, this item could generate near-endless water, much like a 4 x 4 water well. It also happened to be just what Jack had been looking for!

As soon as Pumpkin Girl had heard of it, she naturally reacted as one would expect of a girl Jack had chosen...

1. Went on an adventure

2. Infiltrated enemy territory

3. Created a base using cookies

4. Proceeded to search far and wide for the treasure

5. Profit!

[Error! Error! Verifying Files Integrity!]

[This NPC is supposed to be a Farmgirl!]

[NPC Growth Factor Over 9000?!]

This seemed like an unbelievable exploit, but technically the soldiers were only lent to her. They protected this area, and her, waiting to be dispatched shortly.

As for how she had spent her time here...

"So I raised this little one to help me scout the area. It's made of seaweed and can share the senses of its wavy green brethren, well kinda...." She proudly patted her chest.

"Woo?!" (That's amazing!)

"You used the gemstone as a catalyst to invoke it, right?" Jack's remark instantly had her beam. As expected of him, he had easily seen through her!

It was what a player would consider an "event item" or an "amplifier" in magic terms. It didn't last long, it had a bunch of restrictions, but it could make miracles possible.

Now that the gem was shattered, the poor seaweed monster would wither soon enough. The pitiful thing was overflowing with joy, unaware of its upcoming doom. #Make-a-Wish Candidate!

"Woo..." (Sorry for disturbing you!)

The little wolf was already bowing its head, apologizing. No wonder she had seemed dead back then: she had simply been very focused! But she wasn't mad, far from it.

"No, it's a good thing you came. Otherwise, I might not have made it." She began shivering uncontrollably as she reminisced about her earlier experience.

"Woo?" (Seaweed magic's super scary!!)

No wonder it tasted so bad! It had to be forbidden magic! People said Demonic Magic was evil, but it was nothing compared to this! But its master only chuckled in response...

"It's not the magic, but the scope. Seaweed might seem simple, but how many are there in the entire lake? Way too many! The flux of information had to be brutal, to say the least."

Pumpkin Girl hurriedly nodded, her eyes still filled with fright. She had almost lost herself in the process, had nearly become a seaweed herself.

Her return was all thanks to him. She had heard his voice and finally remembered that she was human...and all the fun things she needed her human body for!

She blushed for an instant but soon appeared solemn:

"But that doesn't matter, I found it! I know where to go. North of here is an abyss, one that is as long and deep as my love for you!" She seriously exclaimed.

"Endless, I see...."

"Woo..." (...)

The little wolf didn't even register their flirting. It was already imagining itself diving deep inside an abyss, void of light and full of water. How would they even light the way?!

Still, they had to go for humanity's sake. They needed that water thingy to create that bigger thingy called a water park! -- Oh, and prevent their realm from exploding...

"Sadly, I wasn't able to see much. There are no seaweeds anywhere near the place, and-- What is it?!" Pumpkin Girl didn't miss Jack's frown.

"This is bad, real bad. I've seen seaweeds grow in the lair of a water dragon, yet they don't grow near the abyss....that place won't be simple."

"You mean..."

"Monsters don't mind the grass, and neither do most sentient creatures. Either it will be abominations or something even more perverse...."

-- Gulp! --

The little wolf was already panicking, its hair raised, but Pumpkin Girl couldn't help but be taken aback. Once again, he was casually talking about meeting a dragon!

At that moment, she once again steeled her resolve. She didn't mind waiting for him at the farm, but she wanted to become worthy of accompanying him should he ever need it.

She'd have to train and-- She was suddenly ambushed by an intense kiss, one that literally stole her breath away.

"Don't sweat the small stuff: one step at a time."

"Alright. What's the plan for now?"

"I'll check the abyss with Moon Moon while you rest here. I still need you to live a long life so you can't push yourself too much. We'll need deep diving gear for now and--"

"Perfect! Follow me!"

She grabbed his hand, taking back control of the situation as she dragged him away. They left a sad, lonely seaweed monster back as they quickly exited the room.

She proceeded to parade him around the base, all guards gawking at them like local celebrities, often whispering among themselves while drooling.

"God, I'm so jealous of that guy!"

"He must be up all night if you know what I mean!"

"Of course! Infinite Pumpkin Cookies! Infinite Midnight Snacks!"

As for any lewd comments about the Pumpkin Goddess herself...they bloody knew better! It was one thing to lack cookies, but another to get a cookie bounty put on one's head!

It didn't take long for the party to reach a messy room that was nonetheless very well guarded: the treasury room...if it could be called that.

The whole thing was pretty much where the soldiers dropped the loot they randomly obtained while patrolling (hunting). There was a LOT of junk!

A good merchant would have instantly realized the value of all that trash loot combined, but a great merchant would have understood that it wasn't worth the trouble it'd cause.

"Why are we here exactly?" Jack couldn't help but ask.

"Take your pick. I'll trade for whatever you think is helpful." There were so many items in there glowing brightly; surely one would be helpful, right?

Nope....it was all trash, shiny trash.

The problem wasn't the quality but the fact that the pressure would drastically increase where they planned on going. The usual lake items wouldn't suffice.

Jack casually grabbed a few items before shaking his head.

"I'm afraid we'll need a bit more stuff than that. But don't worry, I know a few mermaids that might just help...." Jack reassured.

"Mermaids? You actually know some?"

"Woo!" (They all wanted to marry him!)

The little wolf happily chimed in, only to raise its head in confusion. Why did the air seem colder all of a sudden? Oh well, whatever.

An innocent wolf happily followed its master...