Yuto logged in the next day, finding his character right where he had left off—in the chaotic guild hall of the Potato Brigade. A banner reading “SPUDS UNITED” swayed over the fireplace, though no one seemed to know how or why it got there.  

Within moments, Lilya’s rogue popped up in the guild chat.  

[Lilya]: You’re here! 😁 Ready to earn your keep, Rookie?  

[Lilya]: Too bad. It’s Potato Brigade tradition. You’ll love it. Or hate it. But mostly love it. Let’s go!  

Before Yuto could ask what new absurdity awaited him, she had already invited him to a new group. The screen filled with names:  

---

Yuto groaned. Everyone knew that escort quests were universally hated in MMOs. Tedious missions where NPCs wandered off or got stuck, forcing players to babysit them across dangerous zones.  

[RookieKing]: Do I have to?  

[Lilya]: Yes. It builds character. 😉  

Nugget added helpfully: [Nugget]: And we need it for guild reputation points. So technically, it’s for the greater good.  

[Corn]: As all noble deeds are.  

Yuto reluctantly accepted the quest. His group appeared near a bumbling NPC named “Sir Mash,” an elderly potato farmer who insisted on narrating every step of their journey.  

[Sir Mash]: In my day, potatoes weren’t just food. They were life.  

[RookieKing]: This NPC is worse than you guys.  

[Lilya]: Told you it would be fun. Now get him safely across the Spudplains. 😏  

---

The mission proved as annoying as Yuto feared. Sir Mash moved slower than a snail, stopping frequently to deliver potato-related wisdom. Every time Yuto’s group cleared enemies ahead, the NPC wandered off to inspect random scenery.  

[RookieKing]: WHY DOES HE TALK SO MUCH.  

[Corn]: Patience, young spud. The path of the potato is long and winding.  

Meanwhile, Nugget and Miki were throwing random emotes at each other, dancing around the wandering farmer as if this was just another party. Yuto sighed.  

---

Then things got worse. A random player from another guild appeared on the horizon—a rogue named ShadowBane—and immediately began trying to steal Sir Mash for their own quest.  

[ShadowBane]: Hand over the NPC, or prepare for PvP.  

[Lilya]: Lol, good luck with that. You’re messing with the Potato Brigade.  

Yuto wasn’t sure if he was supposed to be impressed or embarrassed, but it seemed like ShadowBane didn’t want to test them. The rival rogue disappeared into the woods, leaving Sir Mash and the gang to continue their miserable journey.  

[RookieKing]: Is every day like this for you people?  

[Lilya]: Pretty much. Welcome to the Potato life. 🥔  

---

They finally reached the destination: an outpost nestled at the edge of a forest. Sir Mash turned slowly to face the group, his virtual face crinkled with gratitude.  

[Sir Mash]: Thank you, brave adventurers. In your honour, I bestow the title of... Tuber Guardian.  

Yuto stared at the screen. [RookieKing]: Tuber Guardian? Really?  

[Miki]: Wear it with pride, Rookie. Not everyone gets to be a potato hero.  

[Nugget]: You’ve earned it, buddy.  

A notification popped up: “Congratulations! You’ve completed the quest: A Farmer’s Last Spud.” Yuto let out a breath of relief.  

---

Back at the guild hall, the team shared their victory in the chat.  

[Corn]: Another day, another legendary quest completed.  

[Miki]: Legendary is... one word for it.  

[Lilya]: You did good, Rookie. I’m impressed you didn’t log off halfway through.  

Yuto smirked. [RookieKing]: Thought about it. Several times.  

[Lilya]: But you didn’t. That’s what counts. 😉  

Something about her messages always felt a little lighter than the rest—like she was genuinely glad to have him around, even though everything about this guild was absurd.  

[RookieKing]: I’m still not calling myself Tuber Guardian.  

[Nugget]: Oh, but we will. Forever.  

---

Later that night, as the group logged off one by one, Yuto hesitated at the logout screen. He lingered longer than usual, scrolling through the guild roster. His eyes landed on Lilya’s name—just sitting there, glowing quietly online.  

Without thinking too hard about it, he sent a message:  

[RookieKing]: See you tomorrow?  

A reply came almost immediately.  

[Lilya]: Duh. The Potato Brigade doesn’t quit. 🥔 Same time tomorrow.  

Yuto smiled—just a little—before finally logging off.