Chapter 6: The Elder’s Quest

The Village Elder reached into his robe and slowly pulled out a rusty key.

"Wait."

The single word immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Dozens of eyes turned toward the back of the crowd as Ethan stepped forward.

"It’s him."

"The lunatic."

"Why is he here?"

One of the young men beside Lucian frowned.

"Elder, don’t listen to him."

"He’s the one who attacked Lucian as soon as we arrived."

"He almost killed him."

The Village Elder looked at Ethan with surprise before nodding slowly.

"So... you’re Ethan."

"It seems your name has already spread through the village."

Ethan didn’t deny it but looked at the rusty key the elder took out..

"I’d also like permission to enter"

The Village Elder shook his head.

"I’m afraid I can’t allow that."

"The Training Grounds were sealed years ago."

"Only those who have earned the village’s trust may enter."

"I can’t hand the key to someone I’ve just met."

Ethan nodded.

"I understand."

"Then let me earn it."

The Village Elder looked at him.

"...Earn it?"

"I’ll complete any quest you need."

The elder looked surprised. "This...",

Before he could finish, Lucian finally spoke.

"Elder, what exactly is that key?"

The Village Elder looked down at the bronze key in his hand before letting out a quiet sigh.

"It opens the Forgotten Training Grounds beneath our village."

"Long ago, it was where the young people of our village trained."

"They hunted monsters there and grew stronger."

"But the price was too great."

"Too many died."

"In the end, the previous elders decided to seal it and it has remained closed ever since."

His gaze turned back to Ethan.

"I didn’t expect you to know about it."

"Even many people born in this village have never heard of the Training Grounds."

A wave of whispers spread through the villagers in the crowd.

"So there’s really a place like that beneath the village?"

"I’ve lived here for years and never heard of it."

"No wonder it’s been kept secret."

Just then, the familiar voice echoed in Ethan, Lucian, and the others’ minds.

[Regional Quest Issued]

[Protect a Novice Village]

Content: The Laughing Fiends have begun to move, threatening the lives of the villagers.

Protect a Novice Village from the incoming attack.

Rewards:

• Experience

• Reputation

• Rewards based on contribution.

Failure:

• Rewards reduced according to contribution.

...

The notification disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"So we really are getting quests now?"

"It says protect a Novice Village..."

"Then we should stay here."

Several people immediately made up their mind to stay in this village.

Ethan remained calm.

Just as he had expected, the system never specified which Novice Village.

"Village Elder."

The old man turned toward him.

"If there’s anything you need done..."

"I’m willing to help."

The Village Elder looked at Ethan for a long moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

"...There is."

He slowly reached into his robe and pulled out a neatly folded letter.

His expression softened.

"My daughter lives in Ashbrook Village."

"I’ve been telling myself she’ll be safe."

"But..."

He looked toward the eastern forest.

"...I can’t shake this feeling."

"I want someone to deliver this letter to her."

"I know it’s dangerous."

"So I won’t force anyone."

Silence fell over the courtyard.

Not a single person stepped forward.

Everyone had just received the system’s quest.

Leaving the village now was the last thing on their minds.

"I’ll do it."

The calm voice broke the silence.

The Village Elder looked up in surprise.

"You will?"

Ethan nodded.

"I’ll deliver the letter."

Before the elder could respond, one of Lucian’s companions frowned.

"Elder, you can’t trust him."

"Who knows if he’ll even go?"

"He could take the reward and disappear."

Another quickly agreed.

"That’s right."

"He attacked Lucian for no reason."

"Why should anyone believe him?"

The Village Elder slowly raised a hand.

The courtyard immediately became quiet.

"I’ve heard plenty about this young man today."

He looked at Ethan.

"But I’ve also lived long enough to know that rumors don’t always tell the whole story."

His voice remained calm.

"And since I’m the one issuing the quest..."

"I can decide its conditions."

He extended the letter toward Ethan.

"If you accept this commission, you must complete it."

"If you abandon it without a valid reason..."

"...your reputation with Novice Village will fall to Hostile."

"From that day onward, no resident of this village will entrust you with another commission."

He paused before asking,

"Do you still wish to accept?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ethan reached out and accepted the letter.

"I do."

The moment the letter entered his hand, another notification appeared before every outsider.

[Quest Accepted: The Elder’s Letter]

Objective:

Deliver the Village Elder’s letter to his daughter in Ashbrook Village.

Reward:

• 100 EXP

• 5 Silver Coins

• Reputation with Novice Village

Failure:

• Reputation with Novice Village will become Hostile.

• All village commissions from Novice Village will be permanently revoked.

Only then did Ethan lift his eyes toward the old bronze key resting in the Village Elder’s hand.

"But before I leave..."

"I’d like permission to enter the Training Grounds."

The Village Elder looked at Ethan for a long moment before chuckling.

"You really are an interesting young man."

He rubbed the old bronze key between his fingers.

"I was already planning to open the Training Grounds today."

The Village Elder’s gaze swept over Lucian and the others.

"Not for everyone. Just a few."

He paused, his eyes growing distant.

"The people of this village have paid enough for that place. I’ve buried too many youngsters because of it. For years, we’ve kept it locked away, but times have changed."

"If the village truly has a chance to survive what’s coming, then perhaps the Training Grounds shouldn’t remain closed forever."

"I certainly didn’t expect you to volunteer to carry my letter."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"But you’ve accepted the commission, and I’ve already given you my word. You’ll come with us."

He turned toward the others.

"Lucian, Elena, you five as well. The rest of you stay here. We won’t be gone long."

Without another word, the Village Elder turned and began walking. The crowd instinctively made way for him.

Ethan followed.

After a brief glance at him, Lucian did the same.

Soon, the eight of them disappeared into the village.