Chapter 127

"My reward details are a bit different from those of the wizard."

"How so?"

"Well, first of all, we both got…" Bigfoot started explaining.

Gold, experience points, Dharma achievements were almost similarly awarded, but the main differences lay in the relationships with NPCs across the continent.

Bigfoot had managed to make his name known, albeit slightly, to the king, the blacksmiths, and amongst the dwarves, while Kiri, on the other hand, had established a significant presence among the wizards of each continent. She even managed to make a very, very faint impression on the legendary race of Dragons.

"I always suspected that dragons existed, but I didn't expect to find out this quickly that they actually do. It's all thanks to you, Seojin. Really, thank you."

"So, dragons are the magical masters here too, I suppose?"

"As far as I know. But it's certain that they are not on this continent."

"That's good to hear."

"I'm just grateful…"

Unlike the consistently stoic Bigfoot, Kiri seemed a bit more humble than before. Though it was a game, she was a wizard aiming for growth. The fact that she had encountered a Dragon, even on a minor scale, was enough to excite her.

But that was as far as Seojin's curiosity went.

"It sounds like both of you had a decent harvest. Congratulations. I'll wrap up the quest. You two head back to the guild first."

"Us first…?"

"The rest is an additional quest I got separately. It's too much to share."

"We might be able to help! If it's about contribution, any additional rewards can go to you…"

"You know it's not about that, right?"

Zip. Bigfoot's mouth closed. A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind. Should he ask again, or should he back down now?

The conclusion was obvious.

"…Understood. Thank you again."

"I'll inform you immediately if I get any information related to dragons! Thank you so much!"

"That would be nice. Oh, by the way."

Seojin added casually.

"You two seem to be getting along quite well."

"Us?"

"We do have the same goal."

"No, no. Not that."

Hadn't they heard the same thing before? Seojin was referring to something else.

"All that talk about machinery and magic."

"…Ah."

"That's…"

The two people hesitated awkwardly. Instead of probing further, Seojin just shrugged.

"I don't mean anything by that, only that it's nice to see. I always like seeing people from different fields coming together and working hard."

"Ri-right! We decided to do that. We didn't want to waste time meaninglessly. Right, Bigfoot?"

"Ye- yes. Right. I thought machinery was the best, but magic is also a very, uh, useful skill. I learned a lot through this."

"That's good to hear. If the two guild masters feel that way, I expect the Resistance and Red Tower can achieve much more by joining forces."

"…Yeah, that's likely."

"You should get going then. I know you must be busy."

Seojin had thrown the bait.

Whether they would bite or not was entirely up to the two guild masters.

The two soon disappeared with a flash of light. Seojin then turned to Merhen.

"Sorry for making you wait."

"Not at all. Planning to merge the guilds?"

"That'll be for the good, but if I can't, then that can't be helped."

"Are you going to accept them as companions?"

"Depends on how they act. Am I the kind of person to make such promises?"

Merhen shook his head. Seojin always had his own special criteria, known only to himself. Once those conditions were met, one could unknowingly find themselves in his inner circle.

"So, what did you get? Anything special?"

"The Pope knows my name now. I can get more special favors from the temple… discounts on potions and buffs, that sort of thing?"

"Not bad."

"What about you?"

"I got…" Seojin chuckled. "Quite a few special things."

* * *

Rewards of the unofficial world quest. Though he put it off to deal with later, Seojin could tell at a glance it was extraordinary.

Achievement: The Importance of Experience has been enhanced.

Achievement: An Exceptionally Great Storyteller has been enhanced.

The Importance of Experience 3

*All skill durations increase by 20%.

[The Bearer of Legends]

*All stats increase by 50%.

Tale: "The Sleeping Desert" has been registered in your journal.

The people of Salevania recognize you as a "Person of Note."

You've achieved a legendary feat! Your "League" has increased!

With the League increase, you are given a "Choice" opportunity!

Acquired: achievement — True Friend.

*You've reached maximum affinity with the elves of Salevania!

The King of Valaran vividly remembers your name! "Ah, that friend, a real treasure of our Valaran!"

You've acquired a "Skill Slot Increase Coupon."

Acquired: large amount of Dharma points.

Acquired: large amount of EXP…

Acquired: 10,000 gold.

"…You've really got an enormous reward," Merhen commented immediately upon hearing Seojin's reward list.

It was an unofficial World Quest of all things. Naturally, basic rewards like experience points and gold were tremendous, and all additional rewards were given on a continental scale.

"It's on a different level. Totally different," exclaimed Merhen.

It felt like it was only a while ago that he felt amazed for receiving 1,000 gold. However, Seojin had received ten thousand gold, and the rest were tremendous rewards too.

Among them, the reward that seemed the most special was…

"The NPCs of Salevania consider you a 'Person of Note.' That's the really ridiculous reward."

"Right?"

"It's not limited to Valaran. It means all NPCs on this continent. From kings of various countries to religious leaders."

Meaning, the moment he announced himself as Seojin, he would be treated differently.

It wasn't all sunshine and roses, however.

"It also means more people will be wary of you. Like countries hostile to Valaran."

"Like the Empire?"

"The Empire, too, but there may possibly even be attempts to win you over."

The Camilton Empire. It was the largest country in Salevania by land mass, but was also a place without any starting points for players. Meaning, it was entirely inhabited by NPCs.

To forge a connection there, one must level up and build relationships from the ground up.

"Ironblood can't even say a peep in the Empire, they say. Same with other nations."

"Do you really think so?"

"No, not exactly. That's just the surface level. There must be high-rankers we don't know about, who must've made close ties already."

As with any game, unless the game company announced it during specific announcements, most regular players wouldn't even know some of the game mechanics.

"The perks depend on who uses them, but with you… it's self-explanatory."

"Do you know what 'League' is?"

"It's a bit different from Asgard's system."

The reward message also mentioned an increase in League.

Merhen explained, "Normally, your League increases by one for every 100 levels. It also increases by one for extraordinary achievements."

"So, I'm at level 1 now. And it'll rise again once I hit level 100?"

"Seems so."

"Does that make me the same League as Robert?"

"Probably? Unless Robert did something special."

When Robert's Character Info was revealed to him before, the message said that the complete information couldn't be accessed due to insufficient "League."

"Not bad. Quite good, actually." Seojin's lips curled up into a smile.

The king's favor, becoming friends with the elves, nothing was as impressive as this.

The "Character Info" showed everything about Baron Bolton just by facing him.

What if he could fully obtain Robert's information?

"Heh, really good."

"…What are you going to demolish now?"

"Demolish? What?"

"When you're about to start something serious you always smile like that. Didn't realize you make that face? Your voice sounds the same as when using voice chat."

"Do I? Anyway, that's what League is, huh."

"Poor them, whoever they are. Truly unfortunate."

"No need to feel sorry for them, and let's settle the rewards here."

"Going to Shahav?"

"Not yet, one more thing left to do."

Entered: Auction House.

While Merhen looked puzzled, Seojin began searching for an item.

Thanks to the gold from the quest, his pockets were full.

Source of Life: 12,000G

Purchase complete.

The Source of Life. It was an item he had once obtained in Berne.

Source of Life

* A precious fruit from the Tree of Life, a condensed mass of natural energy. Can be used to grow elemental spirits or traded as currency with elves.

* Valued at 1200EE by elves.

* Spirit's experience +83,600 when used.

* Obtained through trade. The effect is halved.

"…Gasp!"

He could hear a gasp from Flappy. She looked as if she'd seen something incredibly amazing, her mouth agape.

"Th-this…"

"Remember it?"

"Do I remember? Of course! Where did you get…"

Whoosh! Flappy's head whipped towards Seojin.

"You're giving it to me! You must be! What a wonderful human!"

"It's not for you."

"Knew it… Wait, it's not?"

"It's not."

Flappy's face fell, the last thread of hope hanging on.

But the next words quickly let her let go of any lingering desire for it.

"I've got to save them. That's what it's for."

"Oh. If it's for that.. well can't be helped. I didn't really want to eat it anyway. I'm not into that sort of thing, really."

"Good attitude. You're truly a role model for other elemental spirits. Kind spirits should be rewarded, right?"

"…Reward? What kind of reward?"

Hope returned to Flappy's eyes. Seojin grinned, answering how she expected him to.

"I'll get you another one soon."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"For real? You promise?"

"Sure, a promise. Ah, elemental spirits don't make promises like this, do they?"

"I can just start doing it this way now! What's the problem?"

Flappy softly touched her fist to Seojin's.

"It's a promise."

"Of course."

"What on earth are you two talking about?"

Merhen asked, watching blankly. From his perspective, Seojin had suddenly pulled out some expensive-looking item and was fist-bumping a spirit.

"We've reclaimed the forest. Right?"

"Right."

"And it's a forest inhabited by elves. A land not originally permitted to humans."

"…Right."

"So, naturally, there should be spirits, right?"

Merhen's eyes widened.

"Spirits?"

"Watch. This may just be…" Seojin held up the Source of Life. "A bigger deal than the quest rewards."