Chapter 12: Prophecy...Again!?
Now then, I’ve reached rank C in the Adventurer’s Guild but it didn’t seem to provide me with Fame…
Let’s see here...the times I received Fame was when I got my hidden class, got S rank and above skills, got a seemingly unique or new stat, and...well, that’s pretty much it?
I had El search for other ways this past month but the only reliable one was the quests.
If I achieve a great quest, my Fame will increase.
But how could there be any great quests in rank D and below?
Fame is also increased when given a certain Title...the wiki says that Titles are gained from series of situations. For example, one guy had unknowingly killed 10 000 slimes, he gained the title of [Slime Slayer].
But if that’s the case, how come I, who had traveled worlds and back, didn’t gain any [World Traveler] title?
I’ve thought of two reasons why.
One, maybe there’s no such thing?
Two, I need to travel to more than 3 worlds to gain the title? Maybe 5? But how am I supposed to find worlds!!!???
Old Todd said that the [World Key] can travel to any worlds but...so far, I am only able to travel to those that I have unknowingly visited...how exactly did Gildas use this thing?
I can only sigh at my weird luck.
I truly don’t know if I have good or bad luck. In any case, as long as I keep increasing my LUK, I wouldn’t worry about my luck in the future anymore right?
It’s obvious that I can’t find a Title just because I am searching. Maybe if I killed 10 000 of the same kind of monster, I would gain the slayer title but...as expected, I don’t have the patience for that...If it’s like this, it’s better to keep doing quests and hopefully, gain a title on the road…
I went to the Adventurer’s Guild again to look for a C rank quest that requires one to travel to another city. This way, I can finish a quest and travel at the same time.
I still need to complete 100 C rank quest or 50 B rank quest in order to advance...200 D rank quest is fine too but that would be too troublesome…
Let’s see here...oh, this one’s good.
Name: Escort to Kiel City
Rank: C
Details: At 4:00 am tomorrow, look for Niel Goase at the north gate and escort him and his merchant group to Kiel City.
Members: 7/10
I took that and walked to the receptionist who was already too lazy to even scowl at me.
She probably figured that she can’t get rid of me just by looking at me with disgust so she turned to indifference.
When she saw the quest I took, her eyes lit up and excitedly completed the process.
...Since I took a quest that requires one to go to another city, she probably knew that I am going to leave [Drachedge] and start doing quests in [Kiel]...seriously, what a horrible person…
After that, since I had nothing to do, I went around the city one last time, hopefully finding some lucky encounter or something...
Dunno if God listened to me or what, after turning in a corner, I bumped into an old friend.
“Oh? If it isn’t Lucas!”
...It was the Crown Prince of the [Drachedge] Kingdom, Lanslet Drachedge!
Weird fact: This city is called [Drachedge] because this is the capital of the [Drachedge] Kingdom! If you ask me, it seems a bit too arrogant or lazy to name the capital after the kingdom itself which is already named after the King’s family but such is reality.
But why is the Crown Prince, of all people, strolling the city without any protection!?
Ah, there’s a red haired knight by his side this time...ehh, he’s also scowling at me…
“Lans-, I mean, Crown Prince, is there something you need?”
“Haha, since I already called you Lucas, it’s fine to call me Lans.”
Lans just laughed at me when I tried to act polite…
“Then...Lans...how come you’re walking around here?”
“Oh, it’s a bit too stuffy in the castle so I came out to get some fresh air. How about you? Up to something this time?”
“Haha, nothing much. I’m just strolling for a bit since I’ll be leaving for [Kiel] tomorrow. I took an escort quest in the Adventurer’s Guild you see.”
I must say...it feels weird talking to royalty this casual…but he didn’t seem affected by my negative Fame...
“Hoo, escort quest huh? Hmm...what was your Adventurer’s Rank again?”
“Hm? I don’t think I ever told you before...it’s rank C now.”
Lans hummed, seemingly thinking of something.
“C huh?...Your aura seemed to be way darker than before. What happened? Were you cursed? Ah, it must be a negative Fame huh? What did you do?”
Eh? He knows about the negative Fame effect?
Wait, he can see my aura?
As if knowing what I was thinking, Lans laughed and explained.
“Haha, you see, I have a special skill that let’s me see people’s aura. Before, your aura was as bright as the sun! But now, you are covered in a dark aura. It took me a while to recognize that it was you.”
“Ohh...yes, it is indeed a negative Fame. Moreover, it’s -27 000...My Fame used to be way higher but...because I had to use some kind of cursed skill two times, my Fame dropped by 100 000! I’m still trying to think of ways to increase my Fame back!”
No idea how to explain [Dragon’s Wrath], I bitterly smiled as I show him my jet black left hand instead.
However, what I didn’t expect was that Lans’ eyes actually lit up and looked at me with excitement!
“I see...so you were-!”
Lans stopped himself and calmed down.
…
“...Lans...don’t tell me I have another prophecy at my back!?”
“Eh? *Cough* More importantly, I have way to increase your Fame. You said you were going to [Kiel] right? Fumu, I have a quest for you. This should increase your Fame by 30 000! Moreover, you will gain a Title as well!”
...Answer my question dammit!!!
What the hell!? So other than that damned prophecy of Gildas, I still have another one!?
And for the Crown Prince to know about it...is seems that this prophecy is just as huge as Gildas’ prophecy!!!???
Or maybe it was the same?
“Oi, that prophecy, it doesn’t involve some weird key right!?”
“Eh? So you were also th- *Cough* no no no, I don’t know what you are talking about? What prophecy? Ah, right, the quest! The quest!”
SO IT REALLY IS A DIFFERENT PROPHECY!!!???
What the hell!?
Am I Percy Jackson or something!?
“Ahem, you see, I heard that there’s a problem in the [Church] branch at [Keil]. As long as you help them, you will certainly be able to remove your negative Fame! Ah, right. If you just appear there, they might kick you out. Let me write up a letter for you.”
Further avoiding the subject, Lans talked non stop and pulled out a paper and quill.
Then, he folded the bottom and the top and sealed it with a wax and stamped his ring.
His ring seemed to be synonymous to his signature or something. Probably means royalty or whatever.
“Here, hand this to the [Church] branch and they will treat you well.”
You have received a B rank quest: [Child of the Prophecy I: Letter from the Prince]!
Prince Lanslet Drachedge had entrusted you a letter of introduction to the [Church] branch in [Kiel]. Reach [Kiel] city safely and hand that letter over to them.
Reward: +1000 Fame
“...Lucas, I just took a bath and got out. How come you already got involved with something big again?”
“El...believe me, I kept asking that question to myself...”
It’s written clearly that the title of this chain quest is [Child of the Prophecy] and judging from how Lans had been acting, aren’t I that child!?
I’m already 21 years old! How am I still a child!!!???
Ah, maybe it’s not really me?
Maybe the prophecy about me is that I need to find this child?
Then why is Lans not telling me about the prophecy!?
Also, what’s even more unsettling is that this is a B rank quest...isn’t it just handing a letter in [Kiel]? Is it the journey then?
The escort quest was only ranked C...but this one is B...it seems...something will really happen on the road to [Kiel]!
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
What the hell!? Why did I get myself involved with this!!!???
“Hey, this prophecy thing, what the hell is it about!?”
“*Cough*, look at the time, I think I can hear my royal father calling me! Well then, I wish you all the best!”
“Ah! Oi!!!”
...The bastard actually ran away!!!
+ + +
“...Prince, to actually use your father as an excuse...”
“Fawkes! Don’t mention it again!”
Lans’ face became red in embarrassment as he thought about what he did.
Normally, he wouldn’t use his father as a joke or an excuse, because it reminded him of how close they were back when he was a child.
Speaking to Lucas and fooling around with him actually made him think back to his childhood and unconsciously joked like that.
After a while, Lans sighed.
“Is there a reason why you didn’t tell him about the prophecy? Is he really the one?”
“Nn, you should know that according to the prophecy, I would have an encounter with ‘him’ while walking in the city. That was why I had been strolling a lot recently. The first time I met him, I only thought of it as a coincidence. The second time however, and that arm of his, has made me convinced that he is the one I am looking for. Only, when he mentioned another prophecy involving a key, I didn’t expect that he was also that person from the other prophecy...for both prophecies to coincide...it seems...a storm is coming...and Lucas...he will be at the eye of the storm.”
Lans looked back at the direction where Lucas was and a strange light lit in his eyes.
“A storm that will envelop every worlds. A storm of good and evil...I just hope, he won’t tear himself apart by it.”
He stood there silently, it was unknown what he is feeling or thinking.
Suddenly, he laughed dryly.
“As for why I didn’t tell him...well...what will you do if you suddenly find out...that you will be a father soon?”
+ + +
I stood there, frozen and in a daze as I watch Lans and his knight walk away.
After they left me just like that, I secretly followed them in [Stealth] to see if they would say anything about the prophecy.
Only...I didn’t expect...didn’t expect…
“Lucas! Confess!!! Who did you have sex with in the last 9 months!?”
“Your honor! I didn’t do anything!”
“Guilty! Guilty!!!”
El shouted non stop in my head to the point where I became dizzy.
“B-but...I’m still a virgin!!!”
“Who cares!? I read in the internet that Jesus was born from a virgin mother! Maybe you did the same thing! Ah! What if it’s me!? Bastard! You didn’t suddenly impregnate me right!!!???”
“I didn’t!!! How can I even know about how to do that!? I’m not a God!”
“Hmph! Hmph! Still want to make excuses! Quickly go finish the quest! Then we’ll see whether you’re lying or not!”
Like that, El selfishly decided that I follow up on the quest...uuu...even though I don’t want to have anything to do with anymore prophecies!!!
But if I don’t do this quest...then I will be constantly haunted by that ‘child’ of mine in my head!
No choice then, I need to do this quest!
I need to know...am I still a virgin or not!!! This is important!!!
My social life depends on it!!!
+ + +
The next day, I walked towards the north gate listlessly.
After what happened yesterday, El had shouted at me not to enter my own [World Home] and made me book an inn instead…
I was also unable to fall asleep as I kept thinking about my ‘child’...As a result, my mind is still stressed out and I became mentally exhausted in the morning.
When I got the the north gate, I saw a bunch of caravans and a carriage as well as a few people. 9 of them should be players, or rather, Earthlings.
As soon as they saw me walk over, they set out.
“Good, we’re all here. Let’s leave.”
A middle aged man with an expensive looking robe said and walked inside the carriage, not even giving me another glance.
The other 9 players saw me and nodded towards me before walking alongside the guards.
It seems that other than the players, the merchant also hired guards. All in all, there are 13 guards, 7 merchants including Niel, and 10 players.
There’s 1 carriage for Niel and 3 caravans led by the 6 merchants with him. 1 guard was sitting beside the coachman for the carriage, another 1 who is inside the carriage with Niel, 3 guards station on each side of the carriage making that 8 guards who are protecting Niel. The rest of the 4 guards are at the back protecting the rear.
Looking at this formation, the players could only split into two and guard both sides of the caravans.
I let them split up first and went to the remaining spot at the left side.
I wonder how long it will take us to reach [Kiel]?
I wanna ask someone but...my negative Fame still scares me. I feel like I went back to my loner days in college…
“Hey, white hair. What’s your name?”
Huh?
Surprised, I turned to my left and saw a pretty elf girl smiling at me.
...Eh? Did I trigger another flag somehow?
Nah, probably just some idle talk. Yep, since there was nothing to do, it would make sense that she would talk to someone who was near her.
“Lucas. You?”
“Name’s Evie. Like you, I’m also a Thief!”
Like me? Ah, right. I am using daggers as my main weapon here so it would make sense for her to think like that.
“Strange though, you’re using two daggers? You got a [Dual Wield] skill?”
Eh? You need a skill to wield two weapons in your hands?
Well...to others, this is indeed a game but...I thought it was always fine to wield two weapons as long as you hold them?
“...Yeah. Something like that.”
Since it’s too troublesome to explain, and I might rouse suspicions, I just answered so.
“Ohhh! Is that weird dark atmosphere about you also a skill? Or as I thought, is it your temperament?”
Evie’s eyes glittered.
Ah? Is she talking about my negative Fame?
Earlier, Lans said that I had a dark aura...can she also see auras?
No, she said atmosphere...I see. So having a negative Fame makes people see me as someone who had a cold and dark temperament like a criminal. This explains why they would avoid and disdain me.
But to this girl…for some reason, she thinks my disposition is cool…
Her class is also Thief...maybe her interests are with Thieves? Or Assassins? Oh, if I remember correctly, there’s an Assassin’s Creed game where one of the female characters was named Evie...
“...It’s not a skill.”
Feeling that it would be troublesome to get involved with this pretty elf any longer, I answered simply and looked away.
Go away, go away, go away!
“O-ooohh!!! So cool!!!”
...Fuck, it backfired!!!
Just as I was about to retort, I saw something move with my [World Eyes].
I took a small dagger in my sleeve and threw it straight at the enemy!
The dagger successfully stabbed the guy’s head and died immediately.
The guards hurriedly drew their swords and looked around in caution.
“O-ohh! Lucas! That was amazing!!! Are there more daggers hidden in your sleeve? What kind of equipment did you use!? Where did you buy it!?”
“...”
Annoyed, I ignored her and walked towards the enemy to retrieve my dagger.
A guard also came forward and searched the body.
“Judging from the initiation marks on his body, this man is from the [Rock Hill Gang]. He’s probably a scout sent ahead to see if there would be passing merchants in this road.”
A guard who was inside the carriage got out and nodded.
“Boy, well done! This should delay them for a while. Let’s set up camp in the clearing up ahead and prepare for traps.”
“Yes sir!”
The one in the carriage seem to be the guard leader as everyone listened to his order.
The other praised me and we all went forward.
“So you also have the [Knife Throw] skill!? I also have one too!”
No, like I said, if you can just throw a knife, why do you need a skill for it!?
Evie, the assassin fanatic, kept talking along the way as she talked to me about the greatness of assassins, ninjas, thieves, and so on.
...Ugh...I regret choosing this class as a cover…
After a while, we reached the clearing and everyone set camp.
The players all scouted the area around the perimeter. Swordsmen and warrior stayed close to the camp, the archer looked for vantage points, mage and healers stood behind the swordsmen and warrior, and the thieves busied themselves with placing traps around.
The players’ classes had 2 swordsmen, 1 warrior, 3 thieves including me, 2 healers, 1 mage, and 1 archer.
I didn’t bother placing traps since I don’t know how. I just stood beside the mage and waited.
Why the mage?
Well, firstly, mages deals the most damage so they are likely to be the first target other than the healers.
Secondly, she is stationed beside the healers so I can go help the healers as well.
Thirdly, she looks hot in her skin tight dress she’s really sexy…*cough*. Forget I said anything.
Besides. She was near a tree so I had a shade and a tree to lean on while we wait.
I climbed the tree and leaned on a branch. Fumu, with this angle, I can see her cleavage quite well...I mean *cough* I can protect her well in case of emergency. Yep. I have absolutely no ulterior motives…
“Pervert! And you still say you didn’t impregnate someone with that pervert face of yours!”
“*Cough cough*! But I really didn’t!”
“Pervert! Scoundrel! Hentai!”
“Oi oi oi! Where did you learn that word!?”
“Hmph hmph! This queen will no longer pay attention to you! I need to do a pregnancy test, who knows if you really did impregnate me somehow and I suddenly become a virgin mother like Virgin Mary!?”
“...”
“Huhuhuhu. I don’t want to be known as Virgin Elenna and give birth to Jesus. Huhuhu.”
“...”
God, if your listening. Please kill me now!!!
----------------------------------------
Status
Name
Lucas
Level
10
Race
Human - Dragon
Gender
Male
Class
Wanderer
6
Stamina
7750
Mana
7800
Qi
100000000000
Spirit
1840
Cultivation
Peak Martial Emperor
STR
114
INT
112
SPD
113
DEX
111
VIT
110
LUK
173
Fire
55
Earth
10
Water
234
Wind
10
Light
221
Dark
10
Ice
10
Lightning
10
Holy
15
Space
16
Fame
-27000
Rage
0
Sealed
Elena Shenxue