Chapter 94 094

Encountered key NPC: Shahav resident - Jin.

Information updated: Jin

*Jin is part of the same group as Maya and is very strong.

*Age: unknown

*Name: unknown

*Affiliation: unknown

So, Seojin had been correct. Jin truly was a key figure, and his information was further enhanced as he displayed his true abilities to some extent.

Key figure for achieving the perfect ending. Total progress limited if relationship is lost.

The system message even stated that Jin, like Maya, had to be on Seojin's side.

"You said you wanted to go out of curiosity because Maya seemed so desperate."

"Even fools would know she was hiding something."

"Let's just tell him now, Maya."

"Are you serious?!"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Then you must be crazy!"

Jin nodded.

"Well, well. Now I understand why you're curious. She's practically tempting you. Unfortunately, there's no treasure there."

"That's not my purpose."

"What could you possibly want then? The thrill of adventure?"

"That's more like it."

"How convenient for you adventurers. Why would you be scared of anything if you can't die? The gods really favor your kind."

Jin shook his head.

"You're going then?"

"Yes."

"Is there anything that could stop you?"

"Not until my curiosity is satisfied."

"What a pity."

"It's okay, I can handle it myself."

"Uh…."

Jin was also at a loss for words, as Seojin had the upper hand this time. Perhaps he had planned it that way from the beginning. In the end, Seojin made the first proposal.

"There's a reason why I shouldn't die, right?"

"Yes."

"So, all I have to do is prove that I won't die there."

"I know that adventurers don't die permanently, but that's not the issue."

"I said that I won't die."

"You're being arrogant."

"You can't protect the entire Sleeping Desert."

"...."

"What if I leave and find another way to the desert?"

"Hm…"

Jin let out a deep sigh, and Maya looked even more despondent as they realized Seojin was beyond their control.

"There's no point in stopping me, I'll get there. I don't have to do this, but I want to make a bet with you."

"A bet?"

"What if you lose?"

"I'll give up completely."

"That would do more harm than good for you. You must be confident that you can win."

"I'd like to have a guide too, though. I heard you know the desert like the back of your hand."

"That's true."

Jin was curious as to why Seojin was insisting on taking a bet he didn't need, unaware that Seojin had to win him over no matter what. That was the only reason Seojin was still lingering in Shahav. The preview clearly stated that he should accompany Maya and Jin there.

"I don't see what you'll gain from this bet?"

"I'm a compulsive gambler. The higher the stakes, the greater the thrill."

"Okay, Maya."

Maya looked at Jin from the corner of the house.

"What do you think?"

"We shouldn't accept. What if we lose? The principle is non-negotiable."

"What if I refuse?"

"I'll stay on guard. I can sense anyone approaching."

"What about stopping hundreds of adventurers?"

"…That's not possible."

Jin nodded.

"So, Maya agrees too."

"I do not!"

"At least she's willing to consider it. Now, the terms are important, right? Any suggestions?"

"How about a duel with us?"

"Let's be fair."

"I see," replied Jin, crossing his arms and pondering.

It was hard to take him seriously with his youthful appearance.

'Or maybe it's the way he talks,' Seojin thought.

Maya and Jin seemed to have the same goal, but they approached it differently. Maya was rigid while Jin was more flexible.

"I don't have any good ideas. Let's just go with your way," Jin said.

"Are you sure about that?"

"You've been planning this since you first suggested it, right? That you'd make us accept your terms at all costs."

"At all costs is a bit of an exaggeration."

"Only slightly. So, name your terms."

Jin was obviously right.

"Adventurers take contracts whenever they go to a new settlement."

"That's right," Jin agreed.

"But the results vary widely, as does the gratitude of the clients…"

"I'll complete all of the official contracts here in Shahav'perfectly.' I mean, I'll draw out only the best results,"

Seojin said.

"Oh, you're stricter with yourself than I expected. And by official contracts, you mean…"

"Main quests."

Seojin claimed that he would complete every quest flawlessly, gathering all the concealed bonuses and extra clues.

"Is that even possible?"

"I'm not sure."

"It sounds quite challenging."

"It would be even more challenging for you to assist me in the sleeping desert."

Jin grinned.

"I'm up for it. How can we ensure it? Should we make a vow?"

"Well, I have something much more convenient than that."

Seojin grinned like a salesman as he produced a piece of paper.

"I obtained this contract from a mages guild . Sign it."

* * *

Maya was at a loss for what to do.

The adventurer was already a thorn in her side, and her friend Jin had only made things worse.

"I didn't expect you to accept," she said

"What did you think I'd do then?"

"I trusted you'd refuse it somehow."

Maya knew that she had been irresponsible and that she was the reason for all of this.

"What now?"

But she was anxious. She had never imagined such a situation before and it was weighing heavily on her. She felt suffocated, even though she could breathe calmly in the middle of a sandstorm. Jin gave her a gentle smile.

"The contract only outlines our duties, and we're not obligated to lift a finger for that guy."

"So?"

"So, we could intervene before he completes the contracts."

"Do you want me to intervene?"

"It's up to you."

Maya stared at Jin, who seemed uninterested. She knew he wasn't pretending and that he would just watch how things played out while munching on snacks, as always.

'I caused this, and I have to stop it,' Maya thought.

But something was bothering her.

"What if it's a trap?"

Seojin wasn't stupid, and Maya couldn't believe that he had accidentally left out such an important detail.

"So, you think he's trying to lure you to intervene?"

"He knows what I'm capable of, yet he didn't try to stop me."

"I think he's challenging you."

"What the…?"

"He wants to impress us by enduring our interruptions. He's confident."

"Confident?" Maya squinted in disbelief. S

He knew of Maya's skills but was still allowing her to obstruct him, thinking he could handle it?

"Only a crazy person would think like that…"

"Why on earth does he want to go to the Sleeping Desert, even if it means dragging us along? He's insane."

"…Ah."

Maya couldn't argue with that. After staring blankly into space for a moment, she spoke in an excited voice.

"So, I can interrupt his quests however I want, right?"

"Yes."

"No holding back?"

"No holding back."

"Then it's a different story!"

The adventurer's arrogance had completely changed the situation.

"I'll be back!"

Maya rushed out of Jin's house with excitement, leaving Jin alone with his thoughts. He muttered to himself.

"He reminds me of that guy."

Maya didn't seem to notice, but Jin had a more detached perspective and could see the bigger picture.

"He's acting just like that guy…"

It could be a ridiculous idea or a striking truth.

"Well, I don't really care."

It didn't matter much to Jin. And with that, he stepped outside with a bag of snacks to play the role of the audience.

* * *

In the burning desert near Shahav, there were various types of monsters, including the desert gnoll, a goblin-sized creature with a dog's head.

Compared to other monsters in Shahav, players could hunt them relatively easily.

"Damn, it's hiding again!"

"Let's give up and just kill some gnolls. We can't dig up all of the sand."

That was because gnolls were the only monsters that walked on the ground, while others were either airborne or ground diggers, making them more challenging to hunt.

However, killing only gnolls wouldn't be considered a perfect success.

-She's here. Looks like she's rigging monsters.

Maya intervened as Seojin expected, prompting him to make a move. He had to gather edible monster meat first.