Chapter 144

Rachel, a knight of the Royal Family, watched the adventurer approaching at a leisurely pace. She raised her right index finger, revealing the emblem of the Kingdom of Valaran, the symbol of a sword and shield.

"The sword and shield. The emblem of the Kingdom of Valaran."

"Welcome, adventurer. Pleased to see you again."

"Good to see you, Rachel. May I see His Majesty now?"

"Not yet. We've been waiting for you."

"So, you're ready to convey the message. Where should I wait for you?"

"We will come to you. Anywhere within the capital is fine."

As Rachel stood up, the surrounding guests simultaneously rose to their feet. It became clear that all NPCs here were the swords of the King of Valaran.

"I'll sit tight then," the adventurer said.

"We shall meet again soon," Rachel assured.

With a gesture from her, shadows leaped from the ground, their movements with the agility reminiscent of thieves. In reality, only Rachel was armed with a knight's sword, while the rest were in casual attire.

'They must be actual thieves,' he thought to himself.

It took less than a minute for all the NPCs to vanish.

"…Huh? Where is…" a confused waiter's voice echoed across the room.

"Sir, do you know where the others went?"

"Something urgent must have come up. They all left at once."

"Ah…" the waiter muttered, slightly bewildered.

"Is that mine?" he pointed to the coffee and sandwiches on the table.

"…Yes," the waiter confirmed.

"Thank you. Just leave it here," he said, leisurely enjoying the meal before standing up to leave. The waiter still looked stunned as Seojin stepped outside.

-That was fast. I would have missed them if I was using just my eyes.

Flappy's message popped up.

-Where are you now?

-Inside the palace. Found a secret passage in the basement of a nearby house.

True to their role as the royal shadows, they hadn't used the main entrance.

-Keep following them, and if it gets dangerous, stop. Got it?

-I'll make sure it's safe. Continuing the pursuit.

Flappy responded. Despite her usual grumbling, she always remained professional in urgent situations. This time, her dedication was driven by another reason.

"The auction house," Seojin murmured, thinking about the reward that awaited after this task.

Source of Life: 11,700G

Source of Life: 11,300G

Source of Life: 11…

The listings for Source of Life appeared as soon as Seojin searched. Once a pretty rare item, its value had slightly decreased.

I've obtained the item named the Source of Life. (Method Shared)

Seojin had shared the method of obtaining it, though not every detail of the process in Bern. He had merely hinted that the term "Tree of Life" was connected to the "Source of Life." That alone was enough to release the item onto the market.

Item purchased.

Thanks to that, he spent 11,000 gold, a thousand less than the last price.

'I'll give it to her when she returns. Hmm, wonder if it'll cause a change this time,' Seojin thought, recalling how Flappy had grown from a weak elemental spirit into a high-tier one with the first Source of Life.

Though she had been consistently consuming mana stones, there hadn't been any noticeable growth.

'This might be worth the anticipation.' Imagining her delighted reaction brought a smile to face. He closed his inventory. There was still time before someone from the royal family would arrive.

"Shall we go?" Closing the inventory, Seojin decided to visit Valaran's famous craftsman, Ferguson, before meeting with the royal envoy.

* * *

"Wow."

The capital's street of blacksmiths.

As soon as Seojin entered Ferguson's workshop, he couldn't help but be amazed.

"Trail. When did you get here?"

"You!"

A familiar tawny face came running. It was Trail, the blacksmith of Dunkehr, who, thanks to Seojin, had made a connection with Ferguson.

"So, when did you… Ah yes, I did hear from Master. That a welcome adventurer had arrived."

"Master?"

"The master smith took me in as his apprentice. So this was all thanks to you. I'm truly grateful. How can I ever repay this kindness…"

"It wasn't my doing, Trail. It was your skill that was enough. All I did was coincidentally make Master Ferguson aware of that fact."

Holding up a golden necklace, Seojin grinned cheekily. Trail was lost in the sparkling gold. He was struck by a thought in that instant.

"So that was it."

"Yes, it's because of this necklace you made."

"How could this be…"

For some reason, Trail's expression suddenly darkened.

"…This wasn't made with my strength."

"But you did make it yourself."

"I thought I told you before. What I intended to make was a full armor set, but the gold moved on its own… Ugh!"

Thump!

Trail clutched the back of his head.

"What's with the whining?"

"…Master?"

Master Ferguson glared at his new apprentice. "Didn't I tell you? Being a blacksmith means sometimes finding oneself in such situations."

"Master Ferguson."

"Wait a moment. I have something to say to my foolish apprentice."

Trail hunched his shoulders. The sight of the big man doing so was awkward, but the master's name made it natural.

"The metal moved on its own, did you say?"

"Yes, Master."

"Your hand did not feel like your own, and the hammer crafted it in the air on its own?"

"Yes, Master. That's what happened."

"You've just progressed to the next level, you foolish disciple. Sometimes we produce results that surpass our abilities. But that doesn't mean they aren't our creations."

"…Indeed."

"That necklace was surely made by your hands. The fact that you can't do the same thing again doesn't change that fact. So, my apprentice."

Ferguson raised his eyebrows.

"Isn't that proof of your skill?"

"But…"

"I remember Frid. The masterpiece forged at the end of his life, Evilbane, wasn't that his skill?"

Trail's mouth snapped shut.

Anyone else would not have dared to even mention Frid's name, but the person who stood before him had the right.

"That was…his skill."

"Exactly. Your job is to strive to consistently create things like the one you did by chance."

"Thank you, master."

"Now, then if you understand, then go back to work. You're not seasoned enough to be conversing with guests."

"Yes!"

Throwing a glance of gratitude at Seojin, Trail turned back inside. Ferguson looked at Seojin again.

"Hmph, what a foolish punk. But he does have his decent sides."

"Seems like it."

"Thanks to you, I found a gem in the rough. Luckily, I have a way to express my gratitude now."

"I've already received enough…"

"Always too many words, you."

Seojin smirked slyly. Ferguson clicked his tongue but didn't seem displeased.

"Do you know why I could speak to my apprentice just now like that?"

"Because you must have experienced many similar situations in your time."

"Exactly. And today was no exception."

"Really?"

Ferguson spoke calmly.

"While working on the task you gave me, I experienced a situation just like that young man."

"That means…"

"The finest creation of my life has just been made."

* * *

It was a workshop exclusively for Ferguson's use only. In that place, there lay something like a golden medal.

"…Is this it?"

"The shape might seem odd. I felt the same, but then I realized. It's hard to find anything on this land comparable to this item."

"May I take a look?"

"Well it was originally yours. Do as you please."

Seojin picked up the medal. He first examined its appearance. Surprisingly, the patterns engraved on it were constantly changing. Sometimes a grotesque pattern resembling a demon's face would emerge, and at other times, patterns that soothed the heart just by looking at it appeared.

'Amazing.'

It wasn't just because of the patterns. Perhaps it was directly affecting Seojin's psychology.

Medal of Despair and Glory | Legendary

*A medal painstakingly crafted by this era's master smith, Ferguson Diselheim. Materials like demon horns and the divine mineral Orichalcum were used in its creation. The master perfectly handled these demanding materials.

*The medal's pattern changes constantly, according to the wearer's will. When one who can recognize the pattern sees it, they can't help but feel its prestige.

*Shows considerable effects on all NPCs of divine orders.

*Shows considerable effects on all NPCs of demonic orders.

*Shows sufficient effects on all NPCs who can recognize the pattern.

*Silver Tongue Exclusive.

"…This is insane."

"Yeah, 'insane' seems about the right word. I lost myself in the moment of its creation."

"Insane is an exclamation of amazement used by adventurers. Mr. Ferguson, this is really… an incredible item."

"Well, I am a master smith."

"And I am an adventurer."

"An adventurer who has definitely shed the guise of a novice."

The two looked at each other and laughed.

But a moment later, they calmed down. Ferguson looked down at the medal again, and Seojin did the same.

'This is absolutely insane.'

All NPCs of divine and demonic orders.

This meant NPCs that followed gods and demons.

Perhaps even the Luna Order that was chasing Seojin.

Just showing this might be enough to shake them off.

'One more card to play against the king.'

It was encouraging. To gain so much from a place he just happened to visit.

"I'll use it well, thank you."

"You better. If it was anyone but you, it would be a waste."

"I'll use it as if my life depends on it."

"Do as you will. And what about that adventurer friend of yours? I'm getting curious now. You don't strike me as someone without discernment."

"Ah, she…."

-Seojin! I just entered the capital! Somehow I got in despite my low level?

"Just arrived. I'll call them over."

* * *

The Kingdom of Valaran. Overwhelmed by its majestic presence, BunnyRabbit's eyes widened in awe.

"Amazing…"

Despite knowing it was just a game, the sight was enough to give pause. The airships especially, occasionally blocking out the sun, were the primary reason for BunnyRabbit's admiration.

"Incredible. This is amazing."

Her level was 31.

Normally, she wouldn't have been able to enter the capital, but the class change quest neatly bypassed the system's restrictions.

While she was looking around, she spotted a familiar face in the distance.

"Seo… Uh! Over here!"

She almost accidentally called out his ID.

Seojin, who was constantly in and out of Valaran during every major event, waved happily to her.

"BunnyRabbit, you're here quicker than I thought?"

"Fortunately, I was able to catch a ride on a carriage. Redrix was so happy. He said if things go well, he definitely wants me to introduce him…"

The events in Berne flowed from her in a torrent.

She had stayed there quite a while, and during that time, she seemed to have grown quite close to the villagers. When BunnyRabbit left, the atmosphere was almost like a farewell party, she said.

"Ah, and Count Bolton came to greet me too. He asked me to express his praise to you Seojin."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. That gentleman has ears, you know. He must have heard of all you've done. And I also told the chief everything you said to tell him…"

"BunnyRabbit."

Seojin smiled and raised his hand to stop her.

"Let's start with the class change first. At this rate, we won't finish talking even by the end of the day."

Class change. The words snapped BunnyRabbit back to reality. If she completed this quest, she too would become a "Hidden Class" like Seojin.

"…Yes! Absolutely!"