Savior of the Mermaid Village
The party that had become the saviors of Arhof returned to the mermaid village and reported their progress to the village chief.
"Truly impressive. Thank you for killing or enslaving all those who tormented us so relentlessly."
They then handed over Gordon Yoroki, the ringleader of the perpetrators, bound and helpless.
"Here is the culprit himself, Captain Gordon."
Namgung Seojun had brought him along so the chief could vent their pent-up rage however they pleased, but the chief shook his head.
"No. Our god has strictly forbidden us from harming humans under any circumstances. No pretext should ever be given. We are only to defend ourselves and nothing more."
Despite losing 30% of the village population over time, the chief refused direct punishment to avoid conflict with humans.
"Understood. Then I'll handle him myself."
Seojun decided to deal with Gordon personally. With the Gordon pirate crew disbanded and Romuji's high-ranking officials ousted, the issue was resolved.
Yet the quest didn't end.
Seojun pondered why. "Did I only help them escape immediate danger, but not truly save them?"
His Super Sense tingled in affirmation, confirming his hunch was spot on. The Nameless God sought more than mere temporary relief—a fundamental solution.
As dusk fell, Pharos stood on the coastal cliffs beside Arhof.
"Ascqssss."
Chanting an ancient incantation, a magical bird flew in from afar, landing on his shoulder. He untied the note from its leg and read it, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by a cold expression.
"...Well, wrapped up nicely."
Pharos erased the message with mana, then inscribed a new one before sending the bird off.
'!'
He flinched, sensing something. Moments later, Namgung Seojun appeared along the path.
"Oh? What are you doing here, Pharos?"
Feigning nonchalance with a smile, Pharos replied, "Hahaha, just out for a stroll."
"Same here. The sunset and twilight are so beautiful, I stepped out from the inn."
"Ah, I see."
"Shall we walk together for a bit?"
Pharos nodded with a grin at Seojun's suggestion. It was Seojun's Super Sense prickling that had sparked the idea. They strolled along the cliffside beach, though Seojun had spotted Pharos exchanging messages with the bird from afar. He played ignorant, as his trait urged. He'd approached with deliberate noise to ease into conversation naturally.
As they walked, they discussed the quest.
"The quest hasn't cleared. Seems like the village needs more fundamental help."
"Oh ho... is that so?"
"Once we leave, it'll be attacked again. That's probably what needs fixing."
Romuji, the goddess's city, already harbored baseless hatred for Arhof. Though the leadership purge addressed the incident, rank-and-file priests and residents simmered with subtle vengefulness.
"We need to protect the village at its roots. Any ideas?"
Eager to end the awkward stroll, Pharos answered Seojun's question.
"There is a way. From my experience, try using merchants."
"Merchants?"
Pharos elaborated. "Conflicts between humans and other races are common, especially with the goddess cult's exclusivity. Veteran adventurers often resolve them by involving fellow humans—merchants, specifically."
"How?"
"Merchants go anywhere for profit. A goddess-worshipping city or village can't attack one without repercussions."
"Ah!"
As Arhof neared, Pharos added his final words to the awed Seojun. "Exploit human greed. If the village proves valuable and profitable, human merchants will safeguard trade at all costs."
He slipped back to his inn ahead.
From this, Seojun concluded that a branch from a sizable merchant guild in Arhof would shield it from Romuji's threats and complete the quest.
Two weeks later, in a café in a small city five hours from Arhof, Namgung Seojun and Gisohee sipped drinks while awaiting someone.
"They're late."
As she grumbled, two men in merchant attire entered.
"Namgung Seojun, right? From the Susung Merchant Guild."
Pharos's introduction had dispatched these reps from the mid-tier guild. They couldn't ignore his letter, signed by a main god's apostle candidate, priest Pharos, and devotee Pinara.
Mid-level executives had come to this outpost town to meet him.
"Apostle Candidate, what brings you?"
"As I wrote, I'd like a Susung branch in Arhof."
"You know establishing a branch isn't simple."
Villages often traded with merchants via periodic visits, but permanent outposts were rare.
"Arhof's remote location makes it unprofitable."
Seojun nodded understandingly. "Fair enough. Then give me a chance to convince you why."
The executives agreed.
They sailed five hours on the Prokho to Arhof's harbor.
"Nice village."
"Good waves, decent harbor size."
"Distance aside, conditions are solid."
After Seojun's brief intro, they disembarked. He first showcased prepared specialties.
"Start with the village's local products."
The mermaids' first offering: pearls. Their deep-diving prowess yielded high-quality ones from ocean depths. The executives inspected them hands-on.
"Top-grade quality."
"But sizes vary, and quantity's limited."
Great profit potential, but sorting and scarcity were issues.
"Next specialty."
Second: scale armor from mermaid sheds. Village women dried and crafted them into sea-proof gear, ideal for floors 30+.
They examined and tried it on.
"Light and tough—not bad."
"Custom handmade? Scalable production? Better product value than expected."
Always in demand for ocean zones; adjustable sizing and output made it viable.
Still, not quite enough for a branch.
"A bit short."
"Agreed."
Tradable via routes—no outpost needed.
But Seojun had one more ace.
"And there's a hidden treasure here."
"Really?"
He led them to a nearby beach, where their faces lit up.
"King Slap habitat."
King Slaps were massive sea king crab monsters—poor combat/exp yield, but edible with king crab flavor and size. Prized for cuisine.
"Their habitat."
"Yes, rare King Slap grounds."
As they calculated mentally, Seojun sweetened the deal.
"Station combat merchants at a branch. They hunt idly for profit. Your guild hires fighters for that."
One or two daily, processed, meant solid income.
"Villagers don't eat them, so no local issues."
Urban sites were regulated; here, abundant numbers allowed free hunting without extinction risk.
Calculations complete: 2-3 combat merchants at a branch could sustainably cull and profit long-term.
"This setup justifies a branch for steady trade."
He confirmed Arhof's investment worth.
Thus, Susung's outpost was greenlit.
A week later, a large Susung ship arrived. Merchants traded immediately.
"Just 10 silver—or a small pearl—for this food sack."
"Spices here. Cash or barter."
"Buying all scale armor types."
Mermaids sold pearls and armor; merchants offered food, spices, fishing gear, weapons.
Meantime, a prefab wooden building labeled 'Susung Merchant Guild' rose in a corner.
"Chief, please look after them. These two will run the branch awhile."
The lead executive greeted the chief, introduced the pair, and formalized it.
Then, the message appeared.
Quest completed.
The Nameless God bestows an achievement upon all involved in the quest.
The Nameless God first granted achievements to everyone involved. Seojun's party, Captain Kang Inho's crew, and Susung affiliates all received it.
As they marveled, more rewards followed.
Rewards granted to quest participants.
The Nameless God bestows specially crafted Seaweed Potions.
◈ A potion with an intensely seaweed-like taste.
◈ Permanently increases Strength and Agility by 1 each.
◈ Effect applies only once; no benefit from multiple uses.
In gratitude, the Nameless God gave stat-boosting potions to all participants.
"A stat-up potion!"
"Sell it for 100 gold easy."
"God quests? Rewards on another level!"
The group gawked at their Seaweed Potions. Seojun examined his when another message popped for him alone.
Additional reward for quest leader Namgung Seojun.
10,000 Merit Points coupon granted to Namgung Seojun.
The quest giver and leader received extra Merit Points from the Nameless God. Thus ended the quest.
That night, Arhof's chief visited Seojun's inn.
"We are eternally grateful, benefactor."
The chief bowed deeply; Seojun politely replied it was just his duty.
"This is all I can offer."
He presented a faintly fishy necklace.
"A mermaid token. Any mermaid you meet will trust you and offer aid, however small."
A precious item the chief owned only one of. Seojun's Super Sense hinted it'd prove useful someday, so he accepted carefully.
"I won't refuse. Thank you."
"No, thank you for saving our village."
With that, Seojun perfectly resolved Arhof's plight, truly saving them.