Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Suspicious Companion? (1)
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A few days later.
*Knock knock knock.*
Someone was knocking on the door from early morning.
"Who is it...?"
It was a messenger sent by Katarina. He urged me that Katarina was urgently looking for me.
What the hell is going on this early in the morning?
I hadn't even eaten breakfast yet, so I headed to Katarina's mansion feeling a bit irritated.
"You're here."
"What the hell is this ab—"
Before I could finish speaking, my vision flashed.
'Again?'
[Linked Quest Activated!]
[Quest: Suspicious Companion?]
...A linked quest all of a sudden?
I hurriedly pulled out the old book from my pocket.
Sure enough, the book's pages now held the details of the new quest.
[A suspicious companion has appeared. Begin the adventure together.]
[Quest Rejection Reward: A Fine Horse]
[Quest Acceptance Reward: ???]
'I can't even see what the reward is?'
Before I could think it over, I felt Katarina staring at me suspiciously. I quickly closed the book, tucked it away, cleared my throat, and looked at her.
"...Ahem, so what is it?"
"I have important news."
"It had better be really important."
Lately, Katarina kept summoning me and trying to drag me into various things, so I replied with a hint of annoyance.
"Someone volunteered."
"Pardon?"
"Someone volunteered for the Deep Sea Dungeon conquest."
...Already?
Someone had already volunteered?
I'd figured it would take at least a month.
I looked at her in surprise. Katarina clapped her hands twice with a triumphant expression. Clap, clap.
"..."
Then, a shabbily dressed man appeared.
His hair and beard were so overgrown that his face was barely visible. What, some kind of stray dog? With his hunched posture and sallow complexion, he didn't look like a proper mercenary at all.
"Lloyd... that's my name."
Lloyd.
At least, it was a name I'd never heard before.
"You volunteered."
"...Yeah."
"You know exactly what this entails?"
"I do."
...Damn, half his responses were curt.
But he looked older than me, so as a Confucian-raised guy from the East, I let it slide smoothly without making an issue of it.
"Have you confirmed all the details on the rewards and risks?"
"Yeah."
"...Well, fine."
I nodded toward Katarina.
The reason I wasn't bothering to test his skills...
'For such a shabby appearance... that sword is exceptional.'
That's right.
The sword at the man's waist was no ordinary blade.
It was so large even an adult man would struggle to lift it with one hand, gleaming with mithril's distinctive luster.
He'd wrapped the hilt tightly in leather, but he couldn't hide the exposed shine in places.
Swords like that don't wait to be chosen.
Swords like that choose their own master.
Only those with the qualifications could wield such a special blade.
So, he undoubtedly possessed considerable skill.
'No one would volunteer for something like this without certainty unless they had a death wish.'
Besides, if he were a total fraud, Katarina would have weeded him out already.
The timing of this [Suspicious Companion?] linked quest felt a bit off...
'In cases like this, the rewards are proportionally huge.'
Experience points, maybe a special item, or even a unique title. The side benefits would be great, no doubt.
'Not bad.'
I glanced at him and asked.
"Will you stay at the merchant guild's lodging?"
"No. I'll arrange my own."
"Then come with me."
"..."
Lloyd thought for a moment, then nodded.
I received some funds from Katarina and left the mansion with Lloyd. And then...
"...Wait, that horse?"
I squinted at the horse Lloyd had brought out.
Isn't that the one I claimed first in Galopik?
'Wasn't I right? I did see it at Rabata Port.'
Lloyd mounted the horse and quietly looked at me, as if telling me to hop on behind.
'...Damn, I can't bring that up now.'
I'll let it slide, generous soul that I am.
So that's why the rejection reward was 'a fine horse'?
I climbed onto the horse. Even with two grown men aboard, it didn't seem fazed—definitely a good horse.
'The stable owner in Galopik said for sure a <knight> took this one...'
Lloyd didn't look like a knight at all. Not even close.
Unless he was some wandering knight.
'What the hell is this guy?'
I had a ton of questions, but the mood wasn't right for asking.
We returned to the inn in silence.
I rented an extra room for Lloyd.
"We're not heading to conquer the Deep Sea Dungeon right away."
"...Then?"
"In about a month, the waves will calm. That's when we'll go for the Deep Sea Dungeon."
"I see..."
"In the meantime, the Katarina Merchant Guild will cover lodging, meals, and other expenses. If you need anything or have requests, just tell me."
"..."
He was overly taciturn.
Before he could retreat to his room, I quickly grabbed him.
"...What?"
"We have a month. In that time, I'd like you to train my disciple."
"..."
"She's skilled with the sword. Talented, but she still needs polishing. I think you can help."
"..."
When he didn't answer right away, I grew a little uneasy.
"Of course, I'll pay you handsomely."
"...Did that kid volunteer for the Deep Sea Dungeon conquest too?"
"Yes."
"..."
Lloyd fell silent, lost in thought. After a long pause.
"Fine."
He gave a curt reply and entered his room.
I called out to the closing door.
"Then, see you tomorrow."
The door shut. No response.
'What a weird guy.'
Agreeing without even discussing pay.
...Anyway, with the last party member secured, preparations for the Deep Sea Dungeon were nearly complete.
If El and Roshanak's training went well over the next month...
'Conquering the Deep Sea Dungeon shouldn't be impossible.'
Of course, I'd need solid strategies and perfect item prep.
Items could be sourced through the Katarina Guild, so no worries there.
"..."
But why did I feel so uneasy?
Anyway, I had a late breakfast with El and Roshanak. Then I dropped El off with Lloyd and Roshanak with Iris before heading to the market district.
To find special items in Ekaitz's market, where 'if it exists, you'll find it.'
Near the square, a festival for the Buck Moon was in full swing. Songs echoing everywhere, the mouthwatering smells from street food stalls, and the lively clamor of merchants and onlookers filled the market.
"Deep-sea abalone skewers for just 20 coppers!"
"Blackberries pickled straight from the Dark Forest! Try some!"
"Inverted Solen magnifying glass! At a steal of a price!"
"Hey, young man! Interested in this indigestion remedy made from snow mountain rabbit droppings?"
I pushed past the throng of vendors toward the square's center.
At the center, an event sponsored directly by the Ekaitz Alliance Council was underway.
'Not too late.'
I wove through the crowd, filled out a participation form.
Getting 'that item' here would be a huge boon for the Deep Sea Dungeon conquest.
After submitting the form and lining up, I entered and spotted 'that item' displayed as the prize in the distance.
[Sage's Water Bottle]
The Sage's Water Bottle was the item used by Ilodia, the sage of Rosan said to have lived 500 years without eating or drinking.
It was Ilodia's sole possession, containing the last sip of water he took before dying.
Rumor had it that drinking that water granted Ilodia's wisdom.
Thanks to Ilodia, one of the world's three great sages, the Sage's Water Bottle was quite famous, but no one knew its actual effects.
Only the legend of gaining Ilodia's wisdom persisted.
'Of course, I already know what this item can do.'
Every Buck Moon, the Ekaitz Alliance Council dangled the [Sage's Water Bottle] as a festival prize. But the 'trial' to claim it was notoriously brutal, so despite countless challengers each year, no one had ever won it.
Well, this year would be different.
Because I'd claim the Sage's Water Bottle.
*Dooong!*
The bell signaling the event's start rang out.
*Waaaaah!!!*
Cheers from the excited crowd erupted alongside it.
"Will anyone pass the trial this time?"
"No way. Even that famous Rosan elephant failed last year."
"No one but the Empire's Saintess could do it."
"Hahaha! Should be fun to watch!"
Murmurs rose from all around.
What was the 'trial'?
Simply, 'lifting' the Sage's Water Bottle.
By any means necessary, lift the Sage's Water Bottle.
That was the sole condition.
Yet no one had ever succeeded.
Even the continent's strongest warriors couldn't lift it, they said.
Despite it being just a palm-sized ordinary bottle.
Only the Barak Empire's Saintess had ever lifted the Sage's Water Bottle.
Hence the rumor that only a god could do it.
Of course, that rumor would end today.
Because I had arrived.
"Graaaaaah!!!!"
The queued participants strained desperately to lift the Sage's Water Bottle.
Some yanked the neck with all their might, others used magic, some tried binding it with items...
Everyone attempted in their own ways, but none succeeded.
One by one, those who had charged in full of resolve exhausted themselves and staggered out. I watched leisurely.
And...
"Next!"
It was my turn.