Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Trade with Charlson
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Trade with Charlson
📍 Grade: B
⏰ Description: Charlson, head of the Agen Trade Council, is in trouble.
⏰ Objective: Uncover and resolve the issue.
🎁 Warning: Failure to uncover the problem may result in penalties.
A system window appeared before Woojin along with the notification.
The moment he saw the quest details, Woojin couldn't hide his feigned surprise.
'A quest from the Dark Forest that's B-rank?'
A B-rank quest meant an event valuable enough to potentially influence the continent's history, depending on the outcome.
That's why nothing this significant had ever happened in the beginner area of the Dark Forest.
"Anything that happens in the Dark Forest? This guy's awfully confident."
Woojin looked up from the quest window at Charlson's words.
"What's your level, lad?"
"40."
Charlson let out a hollow laugh at Woojin's answer.
"Puhaha—!! You crossed the Snowfield Zone at that level? You're a mad one. But fine. It's not something someone at that level could handle anyway."
Charlson waved his hand, signaling him to leave.
"Tell me what you need. It was an entertaining chat, so I'll give you a good price like I said at first."
Though his words were kind, disappointment was clear on Charlson's face.
'This isn't good.'
He needed to change the flow.
This wasn't some simple hunting quest from the Adventurer's Union.
In Evil Tail, quests C-rank and above had to be obtained by players themselves.
NPCs and players.
Quests were born from the myriad relationships that intertwined between those two existences.
Those quests, forged by countless players, became the ingredients that altered the continent's history.
Absolute freedom.
That was the unique selling point of the virtual reality Evil Tail, made possible by the AI Ethan, who was not human.
'A world created by artificial intelligence.'
That's why Woojin realized he couldn't treat the NPCs as mere programs.
'Treat them as people with emotions.'
"Level isn't everything."
Clang—.
Woojin pulled a small coin from his pocket and tossed it to him.
"What's this?"
The moment Charlson saw the Dead Man's Toll on the floor, his face stiffened.
"You've traveled the Central Continent, so you've heard of it, right?"
"No way... Are you connected to the Genesis Unit?"
"I am. Quite deeply."
Charlson's eyes wavered.
'Quests from the Dead Man's Toll are B-rank.'
By showing a high-rank quest, he demonstrated his capability.
"A man named Gareth came here earlier. He said he lowered his level to resolve something in the Dark Forest."
"And?"
"Why would he do that?"
Woojin stepped closer and spoke to Charlson.
"It means operating from the Central Continent might actually hinder resolving the issue in the Dark Forest."
If he showed his ability along with his value...
"Can you... really solve it?"
Charlson's voice trembled.
From his expectant expression, Woojin instinctively knew.
The flow had changed.
'Treating them as people, not programs...'
Ironically, that also meant they weren't perfect.
"Of course."
With Woojin's answer, the quest window updated with new content.
"I have two sons."
Once the mind games ended, Charlson leaned back in his chair, looking somehow weary as he spoke.
"It's been 40 years since I took over this trade council. I'm old now, and I've been thinking about who to pass it to."
"Hmm, and?"
"The eldest is cautious but lacks adventure. The youngest is bold but too impulsive."
"Parents always worry about their kids."
Woojin's mind drifted to his own family for some reason.
"Exactly. Thanks to that, they're competing fiercely to outdo each other. Recently, I entrusted the council's affairs to the eldest for the first time."
Charlson rubbed his forehead as if it ached.
"That seems to have made the youngest desperate... Lately, a dungeon was discovered in the Dark Forest."
"Ice Cave?"
"Heh, you even know that? Almost no one in the Dark Forest does yet."
It was something he'd heard by chance from Gareth, but Charlson, unaware, nodded in admiration instead.
"One of our trade council staff found it while searching for frostgrass herbs."
Woojin nodded.
"It's uninvestigated... and the youngest went in alone."
Charlson sighed deeply.
"It's been two days already. I tried forming an investigation team, but it's not easy."
"Why?"
"Last night, monsters started gathering around the Ice Cave."
Charlson pulled a map from his drawer.
"This is where the Ice Cave appeared."
He pointed to a spot.
'What? That's...'
Woojin's eyebrow twitched.
'Where Lake Darin was.'
"Ice Trolls hiding deep in the forest suddenly set up a base here, and Ogres appeared too."
Ice Trolls were estimated at level 47.
They traveled in small packs of three or fewer, so not a huge threat.
They weren't hard to hunt but rare, making them unpopular with players due to low efficiency.
"Ice Trolls setting up a base? I didn't think they were that type..."
"That's why it's strange. Reports say over a hundred have gathered around the cave."
Woojin's face hardened slightly at the unexpected number.
"Ice Trolls are trouble, but the real problem is the Ogres. They're not pack hunters either... but five were spotted around the cave."
Estimated level 55.
They were the apex predators of the Dark Forest.
"Most of the dispatched teams died, with only a few escaping with their lives."
"With those numbers, it'd be tough for Dark Forest folks... Didn't you ask the Central Continent for help? They'd hunt for rewards, even without EXP."
"Of course we did. But..."
Charlson couldn't hide his troubled expression.
"Those level 50 and above can't enter the Ice Cave area."
"Why?"
"No idea. Some unknown barrier blocks Central Continent people. The Red Tower sent investigators to find the cause, but..."
Charlson had no time.
He couldn't just wait with his son possibly dying inside.
"Did investigation teams go inside the cave? Any underground passages?"
"Underground?"
Charlson tilted his head.
"No such reports. Do you... know something?"
"How would I know about a cave that appeared three days ago? Just asking since it's the place to go."
"Hmm... Fair enough."
He'd hoped briefly, but shook his head at Woojin's reply.
"We sent an official request to the Central Continent Union. Even if they can't, they might have recruits."
"Any gathering?"
"Not yet. We're waiting, but it's tough."
It was a beginner zone, but still the highest-level area there.
To hunt that many Ice Trolls and Ogres, you'd need at least thirty level 45+ players.
'Thirty people...'
Now Woojin understood why the quest from Charlson was B-rank.
'It's a raid quest.'
"Anyone else you personally asked besides me?"
"No, you're first. One person won't cut it in this urgency... but who boasts about good deeds?"
Charlson shrugged.
"Good."
'Gareth must've come after seeing the Union's notice.'
Raid quests required a minimum number of people.
'So right now, I'm the only one who can proceed.'
He held the key.
This was his chance.
"Alright. Shall we make a deal?"
Tap. Tap.
Woojin flicked the Ice Cave on the map and said to Charlson.
"I want the Scales of the Earth as an advance payment."
Charlson stared at him.
"Scales of the Earth? Do you know how much that's worth?"
Thud—.
Woojin dropped a money pouch in front of him.
"I can afford it. It's not about money. It's about trust."
Just from the heavy sound, Charlson knew how much was inside.
"I want to see if you'll trust me enough to hand it over."
Woojin pressed on relentlessly.
"In exchange, I'll take my success reward after bringing your son back. No matter what you give me."
"Really? I could give you something worthless."
"I said it's about trust."
Charlson stared silently, then pulled something from his pocket as if resolved.
"Take it."
It was a small key.
"Key to my private warehouse. Even Central Continent rarities inside. Go get the Scales while I prepare."
Charlson said to Woojin.
"If you're showing trust, make it convincing. Take one thing you want."
An unexpected offer.
Jingle—.
The key on the ring made a pleasant, crisp sound.
"Whoa..."
Luen gasped involuntarily at the massive warehouse behind the building.
"This is a private warehouse? As expected of Agen's council head."
Click—.
Woojin unlocked the door.
Woooong...
The plain-looking key triggered magical wards; dozens of barriers flickered and vanished as the lock released.
"Let's go in."
Inside the open door wasn't a warehouse—it was a treasure trove overflowing with dazzling goods and treasures.
Armor lined one wall, weapons the other.
Every piece tempting enough to make one's mouth water.
Name: Severing Sword
Grade: A
Description: Beloved sword of Mack, the Butcher.
▶ Cutting power increases 1.5x for 1 minute from the moment blood touches the blade, stacking up to 50 times.
Woojin drew one from the display. The blade, spiked like a beast's fangs, trembled as if craving blood.
"...Impressive."
Luen shivered slightly, sensing the sword's edge, and spoke to Woojin.
"Yeah, all top-notch stuff."
Thud. Unlike Luen, Woojin examined it indifferently and set it back.
"But all useless."
"...Pardon?"
"These are all smuggled goods. Take them straight to the Central Continent, and you'll get run through."
"Eek...?"
Woojin now understood why Charlson showed him his trove.
"To use smuggled items, you need an additional permit from Agen."
These flashy pieces were shackles Charlson meant to fit him with. He'd surely demand a new deal for that permit. 'Trust my ass. Sly old gnome.' "Playing it like this, huh?"
Woojin's lips curled up.