Chapter 131

You have arrived at a new location.

Capital, Valaran

Entry Requirement Met: Level 100

Messages rose along with the light.

The next moment, Seojin could see "civilization" filling his field of view. And his immediate response, was,

"Wow."

Amazement.

It was bustling with life, on a scale incomparable to any place he had visited before. Even compared to other fairly large "cities," such as Erzebet, the capital was on a completely different level.

"This is amazing."

"There are too many humans. I'm already getting dizzy," Flappy grumbled.

Yet, she was just as wide-eyed.

Nordic-style architecture filled the area, and the NPCs were clad in medieval attire, but above all, it was bustling with players, all busy doing their own thing.

'It wasn't an exaggeration when people said that the real game starts at level 100.'

That statement, until now, felt like an exaggeration. This was because people said the same thing about level 20, and then level 40, so after a while, it just felt redundant. Frankly, "ok cool" was all the impression Seojin had whenever he arrived at a new place.

But this place, the capital of Valaran, was different.

Overwhelmed—Honestly, Seojin felt that overwhelmed from the moment he arrived. If it were just a simple Nordic-style game, it wouldn't be this impressive. What lay underneath was a field of engineering far-detached from reality, and the epitome of fiction—magic.

"I never thought I'd see airships actually flying."

Sure, he had seen it multiple times through a monitor.

But now?

A massive airship, large enough to block the sun, was flying right above his head.

'A marvelous steampunk ship, indeed.'

Seojin grinned.

'If one's just enjoying the content, leveling up fast doesn't seem so bad.'

For Seojin, rapid leveling was a detrimental, but for a player playing for pure enjoyment, it was different.

'Now I see why people buy experience capsules.'

Seojin thought, looking at a capsule occupying a slot in his inventory.

The recent unofficial world quest. He received a massive experience reward, and after reaching level 100, the rest was converted into this capsule.

'Selling this should bring in some money… not that I'm strapped for cash right now.'

Seojin shifted his gaze around slowly. Players and NPCs were wandering around. Not just in the streets, but also in and around buildings.

'They should be around here.'

Right before leaving for the capital, Morgan had added. "Someone will come to meet you. A messenger sent by the king. Once you meet them, you will be permitted to see His Majesty."

Someone to convey the king's message should be coming.

'Should I wait for them to approach first? Or…'

Fundamentally, NPCs follow the system's flow, meaning it was right to think they were observing him from the moment he entered the capital.

"Hmm, Flappy."

"I'm on it."

Flappy took flight.

Using her optimized abilities for search and stealth, she began looking for the person sent by the king.

'This should be better than just waiting around.'

The value of an adventurer is decided by capability. This would be even more pronounced considering the NPC he was about to encounter was the king of a nation. A slight mistake could mean missing out on potential rewards.

As he was waiting tensely,

-I see something strange.

Flappy found a lead.

-Strange? In what way?

-This space here… so I mean, the humans sitting here… they're all a bit odd.

-The humans?

-Nothing special about them. Too ordinary, perhaps? One person could be like that but… it's like they have no purpose.

No purpose—Seojin pondered over these words.

This was the capital. The busiest city in Valaran, and, at this time, most citizens should be at work.

-Hmm, it's really somewhat iffy. How do I put it? It's like they are sitting because they have to, not because they want to. I know it doesn't make sense but…

-No, Flappy.

Flappy seemed unsure even as she spoke. The expression used was not suspicious, but strange. But Seojin was already certain.

-I'm on my way. Where are you?

* * *

Rachel quietly looked up at the sky. The sky was clear, occasionally obscured by passing airships. At first glance, she seemed like a resident of the capital enjoying a peaceful afternoon.

Then, a man approached her.

"Nice to meet you."

"…And you are?"

"The one you're looking for."

The man sat down across from Rachel as if it was his own seat.

"A coffee and a sandwich, please!"

He even had the leisure to order from a passing waiter.

Rachel stared at him as if he were the strangest person in the world, but he was confident.

"How long do you plan to keep this up?"

"Are you crazy?"

"Crazy enough to have accomplished those things. Fortunately, my craziness has somewhat benefited the person you follow…"

"If that's the case…."

Further confrontation was pointless. Rachel nodded.

"What a coincidence that I met a decently crazy person. Pleased to make acquaintance."

"So…"

"It means I was indeed looking for you."

Rachel openly revealed her identity. She had no intention of hiding it. Anyone with the slightest qualification could have found her. But confirmation was necessary.

"How did you find me?"

"That's my bread and butter."

"To stand before him, you must have no secrets."

"Tough criteria. Risking my life just to meet him."

Rachel's eyebrows rose.

"That's quite a disrespectful way to put it."

"No, I know he's not after my life." Seojin waved his hand dismissively. "But I do know that he is very interested in me, and that it's out of goodwill. Actually, you're right. He is indeed a figure I need to meet free of secrets."

'Then what's your problem?'

With a mix of displeasure and curiosity on her face, Rachel watched Seojin shrug.

"What bothers me is you. Pretending not to be interested while listening intently, and the others around us doing the same."

"What are you talking about?"

"You've been waiting for me to come here, right?"

"Yes. But that's—"

"You must be under his direct command, or something along those lines. All of you, I mean. Honestly, if I were His Majesty, I wouldn't have set such a small expectation for me." Seojin smirked. "See, even now. I mentioned 'His Majesty,' and you didn't stop me."

"I can't deny that. My reaction was inappropriate."

"You had no reason to hide."

"That is also true. But we only follow his orders and obey. You need not worry."

"That's what you think. His Majesty would too. But if you were so certain, the Ironblood wouldn't be roaming around like this."

"That's…"

"You can't catch them, right? Even His Majesty doesn't seem to know when and where information is leaking."

Click. Rachel put her hand on her sword scabbard with a fierce expression.

"Careful with your words, adventurer."

"Then you should have done better. Just now, too, right? You demanded my information first."

"Because that's our principle."

"And if my distrust turns out to be true, who do you think will suffer the consequences? Me? People like you? Not at all. Losing me as an asset would directly lead to a loss for His Majesty."

"You are… hmm."

The anger on Rachel's face faded away, replaced by an almost friendly demeanor.

"I have come to realize that you truly have the interests of this land's ruler at heart. This is indeed a pleasant revelation."

"Just from the few words I said?"

"If there were even a hint of falsehood, your aura would have been disturbed."

'…Aura?' Seojin wondered internally, considering whether she possessed an ability similar to Maya's Insight.

"I'll speak to His Majesty about your concerns. Until then…." Rachel flinched after speaking.

Then, unexpectedly, she raised her right hand and extended her index finger.

"Do you see this? I, Rachel, am a loyal servant to the royal family."

"…Your index finger?"

Her tone suddenly changed.

Rachel shook her head solemnly.

"Your abilities are indeed outstanding. But if you lack the necessary dedication, you cannot meet His Majesty."

"…?"

"Your League is sufficient. However, you lack the minimum cultivation. Return after proving yourself."

SYSTEM: You have not met the required conditions.

Rachel, Knight of the Royal Family, demands a "Proof of Worthiness"!

'Ah, so this is about…'

Seojin understood the situation.

'She's reverted to a passive state?'

In certain situations, some NPCs would become passive. Redrix, the Smith of Berne, was like this when he handed out the class change quest.

'There must be something specific I need to say in that situation. And lacking qualifications means….'

He had a rough idea.

Seojin stood up without hesitation.

"Understood, Rachel. I'll return after proving myself."

"I will wait for you here."

* * *

There's an expression that goes: Someone is in a league of their own, oftentimes used when comparing oneself to someone far superior.

Midgard too, had a system about "League," which applied to all players above level 100.

Before then, levels and stat points determined strength, but after that, the "League" could make someone vastly inferior even at the same level.

"Usually, the first League increase happens at level 100. But it doesn't happen immediately upon reaching that level. You did the Tower of Choices quest in Movelon, right? It's similar to that. You have to complete another quest like that to elevate your class."

After the festival.

Merhen explained so before leaving first.

"It's not complicated. It's basically that each class type has different abilities, and the presence or absence of a class has a huge impact, whether in PVE or PVP. Oh, if you fail the quest, you can just wait a week. But if you do exceptionally well on your first try, there's a small bonus."

The effect of the "League" varied between classes and player's characteristics, and was determined during the quest.

And lastly.

"I don't know the starting conditions, since your class isn't ordinary. But don't worry, it starts in the capital. Says so on the homepage."

Different NPCs gave out the quest for different classes.

This meant Seojin, as a Silver Tongue, would receive and perform the quest differently to those with other classes.

'What Rachel said essentially means that my League is already sufficient since it was increased before, but my method wasn't through the normal route.'

The "normal route" would be acquiring a class after reaching level 100.

This process would involve gaining the "minimum cultivation" she mentioned.

So then.

'I guess I need to quickly increase my League first?'

It seemed he needed to adjust the order of his plans.