Liam scanned the scene, figuring out the situation. This was the first unique quest which players encountered after leaving the novice village.
Unique quests could only be completed once and were usually rather rare. However, the game placed one around every novice village as a form of introduction.
Not even Liam remembered all of them as they didn’t affect the big picture much. But as he looked at the ferocious wolves, he felt an itch in his mind.
Why…?
Liam pondered for a moment as he looked around. He froze as his eyes fell on an old man standing by the roadside, a distressed look on his face.
That old man!
Although Liam didn’t recall this specific quest, he wouldn’t forget about a famous NPC like this the old man in rags, carrying a large bundle on his back.
That’s it. This was actually the first time Mehyran appeared!
At this moment a loud shout drew everyone’s attention.
A young man with long blond hair stood at the front of the crowd, raising a flashing sword in the air. Most Nephilim usually decided to hide their wings, a convenient option offered by the game, but this man displayed them openly.
“Everyone! We can’t go on like this! Those wolves are clearly a hindrance we have to overcome! Let’s work together! Form small groups and fight as a unit!”
The few people staying back looked at each other.
“I’m in.”
“Sure, let’s work together.”
“I just want those wolves to die! They almost cost me a life!”
Even at this moment players were dying in the fight. Many had indignant expressions, cursing the wolves’ entire bloodline.
Liam eyed the blond man with some appreciation. A good leader was worth a lot. Especially later on when the game opened the guild system, they would become important.
Since everyone was eager to overcome those wolves, it wasn’t too difficult to work together. Under the blond man’s lead, they discussed for a few second before over a dozen groups separated from the crowd.
Liam’s companions were conversing as well. They were eager for the fight. Cyclone was just about to run out when Liam grabbed her shoulder.
“Don’t be eager to throw your life away.”
“What? Do you think we have no chance? But we have equipment!”
“The level difference can’t be bridged so easily. You should always keep this in mind.”
Cyclone pouted but didn’t dare to engage the fight anymore.
Talin and Malin were surprised, realizing that Liam apparently had some knowledge. At least judging from Cyclone’s reaction, it could be seen that they trusted the man’s judgement.
“Bleary Mirage, if you think the fight can’t be won then what should we do?”
Liam pondered for a second before sending the two brothers a party invite.
Seeing them accept, he explained in the party chat.
[Bleary Mirage: The players are on the right track, but we don’t need to go through so much trouble.
We have a secret weapon.]
[Cyclone: What do you mean?]
Liam grinned as he turned towards Silver Blade.
[Bleary Mirage: Can you talk to the old man over there?]
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Silver Blade rolled her eyes at Bleary Mirage, but she didn’t hesitate. The young woman made her way through the crowd.
A few other players noticed her actions, discussing among themselves.
“Someone wants to talk to the old man again?”
“We have already tried, that guy is just frightened but doesn’t help at all.”
“Yeah, he’s not even giving out quests.”
Liam grinned upon hearing those discussions.
The old man could indeed give out a quest. But he only did so if he felt that the players had a chance to succeed.
However, with Silver Blade’s ridiculously high charisma stat they might be able to move the old man.
Silver Blade could also guess Liam’s thoughts as she approached the old man. The NPC’s name was floating above his head in white letters, indicating his neutral stance.
“Hello Sir Mehyran. Is your path barred by those wolves as well?”
Mehyran turned his wrinkly face towards Silver Blade, squinting his eyes while keeping a fearful expression. A second passed, feeling like a long time while Silver Blade’s heart beat nervously.
Liam was also somewhat surprised that the old man didn’t react immediately.
But finally, he spoke the words Liam wanted to hear.
“Yes! Those damn beasts! Why are they threatening even an old man like me?!
Look! I don’t have anything on me but the shirt I wear and the boots on my feet. Not even a bit of tasty flesh could be found.
I just want to wander the world, looking down from the highest mountains and stepping foot on the vast plains.
Could it be that my path ends here?”
Silver Blade was affected by the old man’s distress, her eyes softening.
“Say, maybe I and my friends can help you somehow?”
Meyhran’s eyes betrayed his inner struggle. But eventually he gritted his teeth.
“Fine. Adventurer, naturally I know how dangerous the world can be. I didn’t come unprepared. Here take these and burry them. Talk to me after you are done.”
[Do you wish to accept the
[Yes]
[No]
Of course, Silver Blade quickly accepted.
Cyclone meanwhile scrunched her face, whispering to Bleary Mirage.
“Didn’t the old man just say he has nothing on him? How could he pull those items from his bag suddenly?”
“Haha. I think he is hiding even more things in his bag.”
Suddenly Talin’s and Malin’s eyes lit up.
“Hey! We are thieves! We start with the auxiliary skill [Steal]. What do say? Should we…”
“Well, I wouldn’t do it if I where you.”
Liam discouraged the brothers but with one glance he could already tell that they had made up their minds.
He could only sigh and wish them good luck, planning to kick them from the party after the quest was done.
At this moment Silver Blade came back with a small black plate in her hand, showing it to everyone.
[Meyhran’s minor flame trap
Category: Quest; Magic
Effect: A flame erupts dealing 1000 fire damage in a 10m radius. The flame burns for 20 seconds, dealing 100 fire damage per second. Chance to inflict burn status.
Meyhran’s favorite way for getting rid of pests?
Can only be placed in quest area; can’t be sold, dropped, or traded.]
Everyone drew a sharp breath.
“A green item!”, exclaimed Cyclone with shining eyes.
Silver Blade nodded as she looked at Bleary Mirage.
“I received a unique quest. But those flame traps can’t be traded…”
“Don’t worry. You first need to share the quest with us.”
“How do I do this?”
“Just think ‘journal’ in your head and you will find it.”
Silver Blade nodded, suddenly finding the image of a notebook yellowed by time floating in front of her face. It recorded all her current quests.
[
[Step one: Place Meyhran’s minor flame trap in the marked area.]
It took her a second to figure it out before sharing the quest with her party members.
Liam saw the notification, and found the quest items appear in his inventory as well.
“Good. We have five quest areas. Let’s separate and place the traps.”
Noticing a few players eyeing them, Liam hurriedly urged his group to scatter. He knew that if he explains that they received the quest because of Silver Blade’s high charisma, others might not believe it.
Some would probably even get hostile, pressuring him to reveal the ‘real method’.
Thus, Liam quickly vanished into the forest. Sprinting on the uneven terrain he reached the area marked on the map.
Fate of Crunaboul had a very limited map, only showing some important points except for the area already discovered by the player. Even party members were only marked as green points.
Still, it was enough to locate the quest area, which was a small clearing in the forest.
But as soon as Liam stepped into it, a rustling came from a bush nearby.
Two small grey wolves trotted out, fletching their teeth at Liam.
Suddenly a massage appeared in the party chat:
[Cyclone: Eh, there are two wolves here?!]
[Talin: I’ve met two as well.]
[Malin: What? How should we win this?]
[Bleary Mirage: Don’t worry. Those are not the level five wolves. But if you think you can’t win, team up!]
[Talin: Help! They are chasing me!]
[Bleary Mirage: Leave the quest area and they should leave you alone!]
A second passed in silence.
[Talin: Whew, I did it. Can someone come here?]
[Malin: Yeah, I’m coming.]
Liam waited for more messages, but nothing came. He nodded in approval, knowing that Cyclone and Silver Blade were confident in fighting two wolves alone.
Closing the massage window, Liam focused on the monsters ahead.
“Maybe you guys should have teamed up.”
Liam chuckled to himself as he dashed forward. His sword quickly slashed down, leaving the wolf no time to dodge.
[-30!]
A big number popped up. Common wolves were obviously no armored soldiers. With his new equipment Liam only needed three normal attacks per opponent, ending the fight quickly.