Siren's Heart (3)
"What? Where'd you go... Huh?"
As I entered the oceanarium with Han Ji-min, Ji-na, who had arrived first, approached me. Spotting Han Ji-min standing beside me, Ji-na instantly switched to alert mode. Her sharp glare was like that of a rival eyeing her competition.
"Who's this?"
"You know Director Han Sun-hyuk, right?"
"Director Han Sun-hyuk? Of course. But how do you—I mean, Oppa—know him?"
"This is Han Ji-min, his daughter."
"Oh, really?"
"Hello."
"Hi. I'm Bal Ji-na."
"Ah!"
Han Ji-min let out an exclamation at Ji-na's introduction.
"I've heard a lot about you from Dad. He says you're incredibly talented for your age."
"Really?"
Ji-na's wariness softened a bit at the praise. Why is she so straightforward?
"We'll talk later. Let's head in first. Mom and Dad are already inside, right?"
"Yeah. Come with us, Ji-min."
"Sure."
Ji-na, Han Ji-min, and I entered the oceanarium to see the Siren's Heart. It was already crowded with people, all wearing excited expressions in anticipation of the gem.
Soon, a man with striking white whiskers entered under the escort of S-rank heroes, carrying a cloth-covered box in his hands.
Oh? That's Jenaraider. And that guy's... Tough Guy, right?
The S-rank heroes guarding the man were familiar faces. One was Jenaraider, who'd become my ride-or-die mount in the fight against Shadow Killer. The other was the muscular hero I'd seen from afar, Tough Guy. A-rank heroes were also standing vigilant watch inside and outside the oceanarium, their eyes scanning every corner sharply. The security was fortress-level tight.
This won't be easy.
With this lineup and manpower, most villains wouldn't even dream of stealing the Siren's Heart. Of course, for Elis waiting at home, I'd snag it no matter what it took.
"Honey, look over there..."
"Yeah. But that spot won't be easy either."
"....."
Meanwhile, they're holding a strategy session.
Mom and Dad were subtly surveying the area, plotting their move without drawing attention. A special gem crafted from a monster's heart? No way the infamous master thieves would sit this out.
Should I try snatching it from them after?
Stealing was more their expertise than mine. It might be easier to let them nab it first, then take it off their hands.
Nah... that'd kill the fun!
Backstabbing family for the Siren's Heart didn't sit right. Better to make it a friendly competition.
"Thank you all for attending."
The man stepped to the center under the protection of the two S-rank heroes and spoke up.
"I'm Samuel Sos, director of the Acardan Museum. It's a great honor to show such a precious gem to our distinguished guests today."
Clap clap clap clap clap!
The crowd applauded Samuel Sos's words. Why are they clapping?
Once the applause died down, the director continued.
"First, allow me to give a brief explanation of the Siren's Heart. Twenty years ago, [C. Norend. Siren], commonly known as the Siren, crossed the sea and attacked Dark City. If not for the brave heroes..."
He was just repeating what I'd already heard from Ji-na and Elis. Dragging it out instead of showing it right away. Guy knows how to tease.
After about a minute detailing the gem's creation, the director placed the cloth-covered box inside a glass case.
"And now, I present... the Siren's Heart!"
He whipped off the cloth, unveiling the Siren's Heart to the world.
"Wow!"
"Oh my god..."
"It's so beautiful!"
"Wonderful! Beautiful! Elegant! Unbelievable!"
"Sob sob... To see the Siren's Heart in my lifetime... I can die without regrets now... Thud!"
The crowd gasped in awe. Some even teared up and fainted.
The Siren's Heart was a head-sized droplet-shaped gem. The ceiling lights reflected off it, amplifying its mystical allure.
"The Siren's Heart holds a very special power."
The director held up a small vial for everyone to see.
"This contains seawater. If we sprinkle it on the Siren's Heart..."
He reached into the glass case and poured the seawater onto the gem.
Then, something amazing happened.
"Singing?"
"Oh my god..."
"So beautiful..."
Incredibly, as the seawater touched it, song emanated from the Siren's Heart. Listening quietly, an image formed of a beautiful woman humming by the sea. It was pure melody, yet brimming with beauty—something you'd never tire of hearing.
"It's... so pretty... right, Oppa?"
"....."
Ji-na, deeply moved by the Siren's Heart, nudged me. But I couldn't respond.
Because—
Relic Discovered: Processed Siren's Heart
Acquire the Relic: Processed Siren's Heart!
🎁 Special Reward: Granted upon clearing this quest.
—a message like that had appeared.
A quest?
*****
As viewing time ended, the crowd dispersed. Some clamored for more time with the Siren's Heart, but the director coldly refused for security reasons and took it to the museum basement. With two more days of viewing tomorrow and the day after, people swallowed their regrets and left.
Mom and Dad headed home, and I returned to the house with Ji-na, where Elis waited.
"Hey, you okay?"
"....."
"Hey!"
"Whoa! Why yell?"
"You weren't answering."
"Were you calling me? Why?"
"You sick or something? You've been quiet since."
"Do I look sick? Just savoring the afterglow."
Ji-na leaned back in her chair, relieved.
"Okay? I thought you were hurt and was worried... not! Yeah right. But damn, it was pretty. And the song from the seawater? Gorgeous."
"Yeah."
I absentmindedly agreed. The Siren's Heart was beautiful and mysterious, sure. But right now, something more important demanded my attention.
Acquire the Relic: Processed Siren's Heart!
🎁 Special Reward: Granted upon clearing this quest.
An urgent quest...
Quests had never popped up before. Why now?
Let's sort what I know.
This world—game—Dark City has no quests. Quests exist to guide stories smoothly, but there's no fixed story here. No story means no quests. Forcing one would contradict the infinite freedom where players' choices create the narrative. It's never happened before.
But now it has. Why?
'Special reward.'
I focused on that. The Siren's Heart isn't a story prop. It's a tool to give players this 'special reward.' What convenience does the creator want to offer?
Tutorial system?
First thought: tutorial system. Exactly what I crave. View anyone's status regardless of superpowers, navigation, people-finding—omnipotent.
But not likely.
Tutorials are for newbies. Am I one? Four level-10 superpowers, forces rivaling S-ranks. I've outgrown newbie status. Zero chance.
Damn, no clue.
I pondered but got nowhere. Makes sense—they wouldn't hide it if deduction alone sufficed.
Was gonna steal it anyway...
For Elis dying to see it, theft was planned. But with a quest? Now it's mine.
Might end up clashing hard with Dad if luck's bad.
Mom's no threat. Her thief-specialized gear and powers suck in combat. Real worries: guarding heroes and Dad. Called a master thief like Mom, but his power's no joke.
I pulled up Dad's superpower info from before.
Fog.
Base is fog. Generate it, turn into it to pass walls, weigh it down for battlefield control.
But the real threats: Fog Veil and Unidentified Monster. Fog Veil blocks all senses perfectly. Unidentified Monster? A savage beast in the fog—no one knows what, just that it's brutally strong. Even level-10s struggle.
Time to prep thoroughly.
Can't go in lightly or I'll get burned. For this Siren's Heart grab, I'll throw everything I've got.