Chapter 28 028

Bunnyrabbit started learning smithing, beginning from how to hold the hammer. She was so enthusiastic that her grumbling self from before seemed to have disappeared entirely.

Seojin's gift, the blacksmith hidden class, would be a great help to achieve her goal, no matter what that was.

That was why she thanked Seojin several times.

"I'm glad you're here. The supply of equipment will be more stable thanks to you."

"Of course I'll help you! I have to skill up my blacksmithing mastery anyway. I'll do my best to help!"

She couldn't just go straight to Ferguson yet. She had to get Redrix's approval first.

The path to the capital would be opened once she was skilled enough to be recognized by Redrix.

After that? Normally, carrying out a specific quest of master Ferguson would complete the quest.

'Actually, getting approval from Redrix won't be easy…'

Seojin looked at the Bunny wielding a hammer enthusiastically.

'Guess I don't have to worry, though.

Bunny was bound to pass this test. She was that kind of character, and it also probably played a role in Hailstorm Co putting her on him.

'Ferguson made things so damn easy for me.'

He was able to draw BunnyRabbit's attention away, and also secure the supply of equipment.

For a while, she would just hole up in the blacksmith's shop and wouldn't bother him.

Seojin returned to his work.

Main Quest: The End of The Story!

* The end of your long journey is just around the corner. Your final choice will decide how this story ends.

* Main Objective: Reach at least 320 visitors per day. (2)

* Achieved: Gain support from Baron Bolton.

* Optional: Gain support from over 90% of Berne's residents(55%).

* Optional: The more supplies, the better. Make sure to secure enough supplies. (67%)

* Default Reward: 1500%

'It's going well here, too.'

Thanks to his speech in the plaza, the quest was progressing at a faster pace than before.

Securing enough supportive residents and supplies was only a matter of time.

In the end, it was up to Seojin's advertisement skills on how the final quest would go.

In addition, the village's "life" also rose significantly.

The tree of life is beating vigorously!

Life Remaining: 68%

It was a remarkable number compared to when he first came to the town.

The only thing was that Seojin still didn't know exactly what it was.

'Merhen said he didn't know anything either, and there's nothing in the communities too. Should I ask BunnyRabbit to buy me a membership for the paid info site first?'

No, that was problematic. It was not yet time to reveal Seojin's true intention. For now, it would be better to pretend as a game nerd who was only focused on the current quest.

'First of all, it's an event only for very few top-ranked users.'

No wonder, as a dying town itself was a rare case.

Even if any other players wandered into the town, they would have missed the opportunity.

The only clue was what Merhen said a while ago.

"The name is Tree of Life, but I heard it's not a tree. Actually, that's not for sure either. It's just a rumor among players."

'It might be some sacred stuff that props up this village or something…'

The only thing he could be certain of was that he would be able to obtain a "fruit" once he nurtured it to the fullest. Whatever that was, it was bound to be very expensive.

'I'm going to find it at all costs by the end of the quest.'

Next was a side quest.

Side Quest: Troubleshooting!

* Reduce the Goblin population close to Bern by at least 90%.

* Morgan Feriah, leader of the Royal Human Resources Team of Valaran, has prepared an appropriate reward for your services.

He had to wait for the knight of Baron Bolton to finish the quest.

'Being the longest-serving guard, he must know something. Information that might be with the knight.'

No matter how easy it was, he had to at least show him his sincerity.

It was a Royal knight, so their ways could cross again at any time.

* * *

Sir Craig was the strongest knight of Baron Bolton's army.

He got off the horse elegantly as soon as he noticed Seojin.

Seojin approached him with a big smile.

"Sir Craig."

"Seojin."

"I should show my gratitude to the Baron for sending me you willingly. I'm more relieved to see you in person."

"The baron has high expectations for you, kind adventurer."

"I'll have to live up to his expectations. Take this first."

Craig took the note indifferently.

"Please bear with the informality as the situation is dire. It's a rough layout of the goblin distribution from about half a year ago. The latter half is my estimate of the current numbers based on the data."

Craig checked the detail. It was clear that Seojin spent a lot of time making it, judging by the detailed information.

'Are there other enemies?'

The baron said it was merely goblins. Even hundreds or thousands of those tiny beasts wouldn't even leave a scratch on his armor.

However, goblins were the only target according to the memo.

'Maybe he hasn't heard I'm a Royal Knight?'

Whether he has or hasn't, it was a grateful act. Only a few adventurers are considerate like this.

But Craig soon changed his mind. 'That's not it.'

This memo was not given out of concern for Craig. On the lower portion of the memo was a "recommended route" for Craig to take, based on Seojin's current estimates.

This man was clearly aware of Craig's prowess and set up a plan to finish the work as quickly as possible.

Craig said, turning to Seojin again, "Much appreciated."

"I'm sorry I can't be more help. Unfortunately, our forces will only hinder you."

"I alone am enough."

Seojin smiled confidently. Craig added a word.

"I will proceed based on your info."

"Thank you."

"Okay, I'll see you again after the mission. Well, then." Craig then hopped back onto the horse.

He just arrived in the town but seemed like he had no intention of resting.

'Such a true knight.'

Seojin nodded, looking at Craig's back.

Those stoic knights placed virtue on temperance. They never sugarcoated their words with empty rhetoric. If he said he appreciated it, it meant he was truly grateful.

'So my first impression wasn't too bad. Of course, I saw him once in the manor, but I didn't have time to talk to him at all then.'

That was all for the preparation. There was nothing more Seojin had to do for additional conditions.

At best, intervening to a certain degree whenever there was a little trouble.

For a moment, Seojin looked around slowly.

The town's problem was almost solved thanks to the considerable investment and Seojin's effort.

It barely resembled the past self, and-

'It's time to get ready.'

Because of that, it was in danger.

The Ironbloods drove Berne into this state, but now the town was "normal" to anyone's eyes.

'They'll send someone to check the moment they catch a whiff about this. Maybe I'll be lucky and they won't give a damn, but I always have to prepare for the worst.'

Anyone, from players who cleared other towns and came to Berne as a tourist or even once who blindly came here head first, could leak a word on the community and the Ironbloods would catch it.

Seojin checked several scenarios in his head and grinned.

'The main game starts now.'

* * *

Player Kim Toltol kneeled on the highest peak of a bleak rocky mountain.

It was a hunting ground of Ilynea.

"You have proved yourself. Leave this place and grasp true power."

An old man before him announced the end of the final quest.

Finally, he was able to get out of Ilynea.

"Will you choose the next settlement now?"

"Can I look around other town before moving on?"

"You are well qualified. You can go to Berne and Altagon."

Toltol was wondering all along—how other towns would look like?

A town specialized in PVP and a town abandoned by players.

Toltol wanted to see how the two settlements were.

Especially Berne.

"I'll go to Berne."

"I will send you to Bern. It'll take ten minutes."

His vision was covered with bright light as soon as he heard it.

It looked like a teleport or something like that.

Kim twitched his lips out of curiosity.

'Just how bad is it that people say in unison not to go there?'

In both online communities and three crossroad, Berne was mocked and ridiculed.

Toltol shelved the idea of choosing it as he was told that he would have to start over the moment he did so, but now, he was able to check it for himself.

However, when he arrived…

"What?"

…he couldn't help but feel that something was off.

"Not that way! Fill up the warehouse on the left first and move on!"

"Excuse me, coming through… Argh!"

"Hurry up and bring me iron to the smithy! They said they need more!"

'I don't think this is what I expected.'

It was strange. The atmosphere was quite different from what I had seen and expected in the community. The faces of the NPCs were full of life.

Of course, he couldn't see any players nearby, but it was far from the ghost town that people described as.

"It's strange…"

"Excuse me."

Then a new player popped out from a thin air.

Looked like he was a tourist as well like Toltol.

He was translucent like him, as a mark of a tourist.

"This is Berne, right?"

"Berne… I think that's right. It's too different from what I saw in the community, though…."

"I know. I heard was a dying town but look at the energy. Did I come to Ilynea by mistake?"

"Ilynea? Are you from Altagon?"

"Yeah, I just cleared the town."

"…I'm from Ilynea. So this is really Berne, then."

"I guess so… Well, have a good day."

He vanished into thin air. He must be too disappointed and just quit side-seeing.

However, Toltol did not give up easily just in case.

'Did I miss something?'

Toltol took the time to examine every corner of the town.

And the conclusion he came to was that the players were overly afraid for no reason. He was unsure what it was like back when Robert made those walkthroughs, but at least now, it was full of energy.

'…What a bummer.'

Leaving Berne. Yes/No

Thinking that he should visit Altagon instead, Kim left a grumbling thread on the community.

What's terrible about Bern? It's nothing special. Did anyone actually come here?