Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 10: The World in Dreams

No wonder Avalon Guild was so desperate and willing to pay any price.

Alex's rationale made sense, but Ethan felt compelled to remind him.

"Vice Guild Leader Johnson, it's clear to anyone with eyes that the danger level of the instance is off the charts. The guild leader's relative surviving is almost impossible." "We are aware," Alex's otherwise impeccable demeanor cracked slightly. "But the guild leader insists: alive or dead, we need confirmation." Ethan nodded.

"So, does this mean Mr. Walker agrees?"

Ethan shook his head.

"Hey, what's the matter with you?" Emily Johnson couldn't hide her fiery temper, "Are you playing games with us?"

Susan Harper leaned in, propping her chin with a hand.

"Mr. Walker, if you have any conditions, feel free to state them. Don't be shy."

"I won't join Avalon Guild, but I will help you with the Huaiyin instance."

Ethan's clear eyes fixed on Alex sitting across from him.

"This is my response. Whether to accept it is up to Avalon Guild."

"You're not joining the guild, yet you want to help us?" Emily's astonishment was evident. "What are you, some kind of saint trying to save everyone?" Ethan cracked a sly smile.

"I won't take your silver contract, but I'll propose other terms. Don't worry, they will be within your acceptance range."

Susan looked at Alex, who sat in silent contemplation before making a decision.

"Fine. But just to be clear, whether Avalon Guild fulfills Mr. Walker's conditions depends on his performance in the Huaiyin instance."

"Of course, you won't be disappointed."

The business car smoothly drove through the streets, passing a commercial district. Ethan, gazing at the receding scenery outside the window, suddenly spoke up. "Ah, I have another request."

"Go ahead," Alex replied.

"Since I'm leading the team and staking my life on Avalon Guild, it's only fair that Avalon Guild obeys me for a few days, right?"

"Don't push your luck!" Emily nearly leaped up in frustration.

Ethan shrugged and turned his head away.

"If you don't agree, then forget it. Stop the car, I want to get off."

"Hey, you are..." Emily was exasperated.

"Emily," Alex called her full name in a stern voice, silencing her protests.

Avalon Guild needed Ethan's help and had to keep him onside.

"As long as it's not too excessive, we'll follow your lead."

Ethan's face lit up with a grin.

"That's more like it."

Emily was almost choked with frustration.

"Alex, you're just letting him get away with this-"

Susan added fuel to the fire.

"What's the harm? We're relying on him now."

"Even you, Susan..."

Alex gestured for silence, any further discussion could wait until they returned.

Ethan paid no mind to their silent exchange. He leaned against the window and suddenly spotted a supermarket.

"Ah, I just remembered something!"

"What now!" Emily's impatience was evident, no one else but her.

Ethan turned, flashing a smile at Emily.

"I need to buy something."

The car stopped in an inconspicuous corner, and Emily reluctantly got out of the car.

"Get me a 'Little Genius', uh, a player bracelet! And a 'Newcomer's Guide' too."

Ethan's request rang in her ears.

Emily Johnson, hand in pocket, kicked a pebble in frustration.

"Avalon Guild already has bracelets, why does he need one now!"

Her disgruntled figure receded into the distance as Alex Johnson turned his attention to Ethan Walker.

Ethan, truly exhausted, struggled to keep his eyes open.

"The player bracelets sold in supermarkets are basic, with limited functions, and prone to damage. If you need a bracelet, Avalon Guild can customize one for you," Alex spoke softly.

Ethan shrouded in the oversized Avalon Guild team jacket that Susan Harper had found for him, shook his head tiredly.

"I just want the cheap one. You, Avalon Guild... might tamper with it..."

"Dozed off?"

Susan tugged the oversized jacket up over Ethan.

"After all, a 3S instance takes a lot out of a player."

With no further need for negotiation, Alex relaxed back into his seat.

"Vice Guild Leader," Susan dropped her coquettish facade, her face etched with deep concern. "Is this feasible? Ethan has only completed one instance. He emerged out of nowhere, his past is a blank slate." On the way to District 1089, Susan had already researched Ethan's background.

This player had no record of registration with any guilds, nor any previous game footage, indicating his first entry into the White Tower as a personal player.

All this suggested Ethan was a pure newcomer.

Yet, in investigating his personal history, Susan found no valuable information.

No parents, no school records, no employment history.

He seemed like an extraterrestrial, appearing out of nowhere in the game.

If compared, his emergence resembled the sudden appearance of the White Tower.

Susan, while passing him the contract, touched his hand - he was warm, human.

But this still didn't inspire trust in Ethan for her.

Alex, too, seemed troubled.

"We're in desperate straits and can only tentatively trust him. This is also the guild leader's decision."

Emily returned from the supermarket with a player bracelet and a copy of "Newcomer's Guide," hastily signing autographs for fans who recognized her, and rushed back to the car.

"Let's go, let's go," she said, closing the car door. "The fans are catching up!"

As the car started, she returned to her seat and turned to see Ethan deep in slumber.

Her nose almost twisted in irritation, throwing the items into Ethan's lap.

"Didn't he say..."

Susan's high heels tapped Emily's shin, and she lowered her voice.

"Let him rest. For now, he's one of us, Avalon Guild's own. Emily, be nice."

Emily felt like she couldn't voice her grievances.

"Alex is like this, Susan too. Everyone's biased towards him! He's not even part of our guild yet. If he joined, would you all applaud even if he tore the guild apart?"

"What are you talking about," Susan's finger with danxia-painted nails poked Emily's head. "Why would we let him tear the guild apart?"

"I knew you were still sensible, Susan."

"What if he gets hurt?"

Alex cracked a slight smile, and even Susan struggled to contain her laughter at Emily's vexed and speechless expression.

Ethan appeared to be sleeping soundly, oblivious to the outside world.

But his sleep was not peaceful; his brow was furrowed, his body occasionally trembling.

Ethan was indeed asleep but found himself in a peculiar dream - too real to be merely a dream.

He stood outside the desolate school gate, where no one was present. The security room's window was shattered, emitting a mournful whistling when the wind blew through. A signboard lay against the wall, white with black letters.

Huaiyin Fourth Middle School.

"Brother."

A ghostly voice resonated, and Ethan looked down to see Little Red Riding Hood with her face split into four parts, hissing with a long tongue.

One hand still clutched the hem of his shirt.

As he looked down, Ethan noticed a black player bracelet on his wrist, which he hadn't worn before.

He tapped the screen, which already displayed his personal information.

Name: Ethan Walker

Level: Iv990