Host, Please Be Honest! What Exactly Are You?

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Location:

Crankshire Woods,

Grintal outskirts,

Vardos Country.

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The faint laughter of 12 youths bellowed softly in the wind.

Maybe they didn't realize it, but they quieted their voices the further they ascended the forest region.

It was amazing to say that even though vegetation filled the scene for as far as the eyes could see, the ground itself was still sharp, rigid, and full of risks.

Who-who~

Owls sang and flew about.

Creak. Creak.~

Nightly crickets followed in tune.

Croak croak~

The frogs also joined in melody, showing their dominance in this musical war.

The younger wore adventure attires as though ready to take down whatever the night held dear.

They laughed and nested to mask their inner fears of getting attacked by some forest animal.

"Hey... Jenny... You're still checking the wildlife? Haven't you already done that a hundred times now?"

The girl Jenny was on her phone, checking what animals inhabited this forest region.

It was because this place was relatively safe that they chose to do this dare.

Well, think about it. Who would put a graveyard that people probably visit once in a while in a race that had bears, mountain lions, and other dangerous animals?

The government would never approve of it.

So they chose to take the dare. But you know, gaining the courage while sitting indoors in one's comfortable home was far different than actually getting out into the dense forest region.

Jenny was still checking, though he knew it was ridiculous.

And on their live broadcast, the barrage was having fun watching their interactions.

"Bad man Chris! You let you leave our goddess Jenny alone!"

"That is, the goddess is just being careful, so she would know how to protect you all!"

"That's right! The Goddess is a top student, a Velma in your Scooby doo ploy. So don't interrupt the genius when she's thinking!"

"Nonsense! You all leave our husband, Chris, alone! Even a blind man can see he was only trying to liven up the mood."

"Yeah! Yeah!... Chris!... We love you!"

"Big Brother Rudolf, you're looking dashing today!"

"Goddess Emily! I'll send you 10 goldfish if you smile!"

(**the anchors can revive gifts in options: Goldfish, cooked fish on a plate, a cola, a car, a house, and a rocket.)

For example, a goldfish might be 5 Vyns in Dorian's currency. And a rocket was worth thousands of Vyns.

Anyway, the currency in Vardos Country was Tins.

....

Like so, the barrage was having fun watching the interactions between the group of 12.

Today, these anchors had teamed together for an ultimate challenge as they usually do every 4 months.

Many people looked forward to these challenges of theirs.

The collaboration made each anchor gain more views, followers, and money.

There were 2 food anchors, 2 beauty anchors, and a study anchor, Jenny, who built her following through cracking puzzles, studying, and other things of that sort... There were also 3 game anchors and 4 outdoor anchors.

Hey... The collaboration did wonders for their packets.

They had been doing this for over 2 years after realizing they were all in the same school, sometimes taking classes together.

This was probably why the collaboration was strong and lasted so well, since they got to know each other outside public eyes too.

Jenny adjusted her glasses. "Everything is just as before. We didn't miss any information. There should be no dangerous animals here."

​ Even though they knew this, hearing the confirmation once more placed their hearts in a relaxed state.

Bianca playfully threw her hand over Jenny's shoulders.

"See?... Chris was right. You're getting too worked up, Jen... There's nothing but frogs, crickets, and those damn bugs that keep coming my way. I mean... I know I'm good-looking, but this isn't the attention I want!"

Pfft~

The barrage in the live broadcast laughed merrily, typing the words 'Classic Goddess Bianca.'

She was always so narcissistic in a cute way.

Jenny smiled, and the others also chuckled.

Hey... Their tension from earlier had now vanished.

.

The path they now crossed wasn't as bushy as before, with a fairy-like meadow and a clear stream murmuring up ahead.

"The stream! We finally found the stream!" Chris exclaimed, his voice raising an octave.

Yes! Yes!

Like a little boy out on an adventure, it felt good to reach the first signs on the map.

Good! They were on the right track!

Because today's dare was an adventurous one, they decided to draw out the map in a treasure-hunting style. The only thing they did include were coordinates.

It was entertaining to watch Jenny and the other outdoor anchors use their compasses and skills to point them in the right direction.

They could use the internet to check up on the news... But it would be cheating to use online location tracking or anything against the rules for today's challenge.

Hah...

Everyone has broad grins, making their way toward the stream as fast as possible.

"Wait." The one called Rudolf stopped them. He was an outdoor anchor. The barrage wondered what he was up to, but he soon answered their questions before they could ask. The other outdoor anchors already knew what he was about to say. They just nodded in agreement as his words were indeed right.

"When heading for a water source, no matter the time outdoors, one must be vigilant... Indeed, there might not be any very dangerous animals inhabiting these regions. But never get too comfortable." Rudolf stated, and another Outdoor anchor also added to his bit.

"He's right. There are still a few wild boars in these regions. If they are out in a herd, things might get tricky for us. No matter how 'safe' you feel the outdoor world is, you must always remain on your toes."

The barrage was again impressed by their show of skills.

"As expected of big brother Rudolf. I want to say I've learned more from him than any of my teachers in school... Is this bad?"

"Upstairs, you're not alone. I'm also the same. I've learned from anchor xxx too!"

"Ahhhh~... My father asked me why I was kneeling late at night. I showed him the live broadcast, and now he's kneeling beside me too!"

"Tsk. As expected... Knowledge is power!"

.

With the outdoor anchors leading the way, everyone also lowered their voices, vigilantly advancing towards the stream.

Though they didn't see any bigger animals, they did see several other laser intimidating ones taking a night drink, maybe before they head to their forest homes to rest.

Everyone immediately felt that if they were in some big Forest, they would have gotten attacked if they ran towards the steam as they initially did.

Everyone could be said to have learned a thing or 2 from this matter.

Emily, the food anchor, looked at the outdoor anchors with a tilted face. "So we cross the stream now?"

Rudolf nodded.

The stream was at most knee-deep.

If they had taken another path, they might have had to roll up their pants, take off their shoes, and cross.

But because this path was primarily used by many who visited the mass graveyard, there were flat stones of various heights firmly placed and wedged deep into the stream.

They looked like they had stood there for decades.

It was because of research that they knew this was the most popular path many took during the day.

Maybe during the daytime, 1 or 5 people passed by regularly. But by night, no one was in sight, especially with how far this mass graveyard was from the city.

It was placed in the outskirts, high up on troublesome terrain.

Many visiting wouldn't stay here past 6 P.M.

.

Hoop!

Rudolf and another outdoor anchor first led the way, hopping onto the flat-surfaced stones.

From there, several boys raised their hands, supporting Jenny, Emily, Bianca, and another girl to take the first step on the stones.

With the ladies gone, the remaining boys followed along.

The barrage went on and on about chivalry and the gentleness of these boys while also enjoying the adventurous spirits exuding from their screens.

"Ahhhhhh!~"

What happens? The group suddenly grew tense until they understood that Bianca had almost lost her footing when a little fish jumped out and slapped her ankles.

Good heavens!

For a moment, a part of them couldn't help thinking of the ridiculous rumors of this place being haunted.

Hah…

But that would be crazy talk.

Phew~

It was just a fish.

Well, then... Onwards they go.

1, 2, 3...

Success!

The group made it across the overly broad knee-deep stream.

That is, it was so wide that one might confuse it for a small river.

The gang quickly pushed off their earlier discomfort, laughing and heating to liven up the mode again.

Soon, things did get better, and their spirits were finally uplifted.

"Wait!... I see it!"

Someone exclaimed, and everyone focused on the sight he pointed at.

It was true!

Look over yonder; they could see a poorly maintained gate now covered with vines and vegetation of all sorts.

There was also a cracked, stony stairway leading up to the gates.

Everyone swallowed hard.

This was it...

The mass graveyard!