Chapter 499: Quest (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 499: Quest (4)
Melbeth. An alliance made up of non-human noble houses.
Using my title as Baron Yandel, I was able to join them and acquire support for my Anabada Clan. In actuality, the clan itself didn't receive much physical money from this deal. Instead, Melbeth simply provided a place for us to establish our clan house, and at a cheap rate. They also gave us the option of taking out loans through their shared fund in the future.
A request...
That was why this request was so critical. Even though he used the word "request," it was more like a clause in our contract.
If I fulfill their request, they'll be willing to treat me better. I'll be that much more valuable to them.
In terms of the game, this was something like the Achievement system. By fulfilling a quest, you were able to rise in rank, and you gained new privileges accordingly.
Still, before blindly accepting their request, I first needed to check if it was even feasible.
"What is the request?"
Rather than asking about the reward, the details of the quest had to come first.
"Information."
"...Information?"
What a complete curveball. Normally, a request was under one of three categories: hunting, gathering, or fighting. But they wanted information?
Viscount Goodrix sipped on his tea as he began, slow as ever, to fill me in. "So... as you know, something incredibly big has happened recently."
"Don't beat around the bush and be straight with me."
The viscount, who was used to talking in a roundabout way like the noble he was, choked on his tea at my abrupt demand. He coughed to clear his throat. "Well, I'm talking about how your name was written on the Stone of Honor. As you know, it says that a hidden area of the labyrinth has been unlocked. And that likely refers to a new floor," he said, finally getting to the point.
Well, he's still not making the point all that clear, though.
Still, even though he wasn't as direct as I would have liked, I knew what he was getting at. Since I was the one who had accomplished the feat in the first place, he wanted information directly from the source.
"Baron Yandel, aren't you already planning to explore the new area next time? We would like you to share the results of your expedition with us. Whether it really is a new floor, where the entrance is, how to get in, what's inside, and other such information."
Hmmm...
As I mulled it over, he elaborated, "Ah, and like I said before, this is a request that has been formally recognized by Melbeth's council. Upon completion, you will be paid accordingly."
"What's the reward?"
"It depends on the value and rarity of the knowledge you provide. After all, we don't know anything about this new area yet. For all we know, the location of its entrance and how to get in might be something that any adventurer could find after a bit of searching, making it common knowledge. If that's the case, there's no reason to offer more than a common reward. On the other hand, if you can provide information nobody else knows, it becomes all the more priceless, and thirteen houses have already agreed to compensate you appropriately."
"Thirteen?"
"Well, everyone has a different opinion on the value of this opportunity. But it's already been decided that your reward will be paid through the shared funds of the thirteen houses that have opted in."
In other words, the other houses had all deemed this request a waste.
"So that's why you're meeting with me as the representative of the thirteen instead of calling for a formal meeting with all the houses present."
"That's correct. Unfortunately, we were unable to gain the majority vote when the idea was first suggested. Ah, but there's no need to worry. It has still been officially approved, and as such, shared funds will be set aside for the request, so there won't be any issues with you receiving your reward."
As he detailed the cumbersome process of securing funding, the downsides of working in politics became more and more apparent. Still, groups like this had their advantages.
"So... do you need time to consider?"
"Not so much time, but I would like to ask a few questions first."
"Of course."
"What are you planning to do with the information?"
Viscount Goodrix took a moment to think things over, then said, "Do you know what the most expensive rank-nine essence ever sold in history was? It was the Deep Salmon. It's not even all that good compared to other rank-nine essences, yet it sold for 3.2 billion stones. Do you know why?"
It was my first time hearing this story, but I could easily guess.
"...Because it was the first of its kind."
"Exactly. Because it was the first essence ever found in the ninth floor's Rift, the Magic Tower paid as much as they could to get their hands on it. It was simply worth that much to them."
Even so, when I asked him if they wanted my information so they could make money off of it, he shook his head, saying that wasn't the case.
"Since ancient times, newly-opened areas of the labyrinth have always offered a wealth of both treasure and opportunities. Take, for example, Myulmarin, Slayer of Sea Dragons. Since he was the first to ever defeat the Sea Dragons, he gained incredible power and political influence. No one who has defeated the Sea Dragons since has received similar accolades for doing so."
"So?"
"The information we receive from you will be given to other adventurers of each non-human race. Only those that can be fully trusted, of course."
"You want to use my information to help make them stronger."
"That's right. The stronger non-human adventurers become, the stronger Melbeth will be as well."
Although he kept talking in that long-winded, roundabout way, I now fully understood why Melbeth was making such a request of me. And their argument was convincing enough to sway me as well.
"Of course, I understand you might be displeased about sharing valuable adventuring knowledge that you worked so hard to acquire with us. Nevertheless, I promise that we will keep it confidential and only pass the information along to those we fully trust."
With all the details laid out, he asked me once more if I would take on the request. My reply was instant. "All right. I accept."
There's not even a penalty for failing this quest. So there's nothing to lose by accepting it, right?
"Then I'll see you later."
After leaving his house, I headed home and gathered my party members to share the news of our new quest. Some had concerns, but no one objected since we could always reevaluate later once we found the hidden area and scoped it out.
Tick, tock.
After discussing our plans until late into the night, I headed upstairs and laid down. Amelia and Erwen sat on two chairs by the bed, watching me.
In other words, the other houses had all deemed this request a waste.
"So that's why you're meeting with me as the representative of the thirteen instead of calling for a formal meeting with all the houses present."
"That's correct. Unfortunately, we were unable to gain the majority vote when the idea was first suggested. Ah, but there's no need to worry. It has still been officially approved, and as such, shared funds will be set aside for the request, so there won't be any issues with you receiving your reward."
As he detailed the cumbersome process of securing funding, the downsides of working in politics became more and more apparent. Still, groups like this had their advantages.
"So... do you need time to consider?"
"Not so much time, but I would like to ask a few questions first."
"Of course."
"What are you planning to do with the information?"
Viscount Goodrix took a moment to think things over, then said, "Do you know what the most expensive rank-nine essence ever sold in history was? It was the Deep Salmon. It's not even all that good compared to other rank-nine essences, yet it sold for 3.2 billion stones. Do you know why?"
It was my first time hearing this story, but I could easily guess.
"...Because it was the first of its kind."
"Exactly. Because it was the first essence ever found in the ninth floor's Rift, the Magic Tower paid as much as they could to get their hands on it. It was simply worth that much to them."
Even so, when I asked him if they wanted my information so they could make money off of it, he shook his head, saying that wasn't the case.
"Since ancient times, newly-opened areas of the labyrinth have always offered a wealth of both treasure and opportunities. Take, for example, Myulmarin, Slayer of Sea Dragons. Since he was the first to ever defeat the Sea Dragons, he gained incredible power and political influence. No one who has defeated the Sea Dragons since has received similar accolades for doing so."
"So?"
"The information we receive from you will be given to other adventurers of each non-human race. Only those that can be fully trusted, of course."
"You want to use my information to help make them stronger."
"That's right. The stronger non-human adventurers become, the stronger Melbeth will be as well."
Although he kept talking in that long-winded, roundabout way, I now fully understood why Melbeth was making such a request of me. And their argument was convincing enough to sway me as well.
"Of course, I understand you might be displeased about sharing valuable adventuring knowledge that you worked so hard to acquire with us. Nevertheless, I promise that we will keep it confidential and only pass the information along to those we fully trust."
With all the details laid out, he asked me once more if I would take on the request. My reply was instant. "All right. I accept."
There's not even a penalty for failing this quest. So there's nothing to lose by accepting it, right?
"Then I'll see you later."
After leaving his house, I headed home and gathered my party members to share the news of our new quest. Some had concerns, but no one objected since we could always reevaluate later once we found the hidden area and scoped it out.
Tick, tock.
After discussing our plans until late into the night, I headed upstairs and laid down. Amelia and Erwen sat on two chairs by the bed, watching me.
"Tersia, you don't have to be here as well."
"I don't want to leave. I'm going to stay here and protect Mister too."
...Are they still not on good terms? We've been together for so long now. Why does nobody get along?
Tick, tock.
I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the clock on the bedside table.
[Your soul has resonated and is being drawn into a different world.]
Half a month had already passed.
***
When I opened my eyes, I was back in Hansu Lee's room. I headed over to the computer to turn it on and enter the forum.
[Long Live Korea's Independence - 0 people are online.]
They're not here yet...
I would just go in when the two of them showed up later. In the meantime, I checked the message board. As expected, people were already posting things.
[Did you all see the patch notes?]
I still can't believe I'm using that term in this world. How the hell are there still hidden areas?
BurtusMaximus: Top reason why Dungeon and Stone is a god-tier game: over 10 years old, free, and still getting patched.
└these99: In return, it won't let you go home.
└BurtusMaximus: Exactly. It really is a god-tier game. As in, dear god, please send me back home now.
Looks like this patch was even more shocking to the players than the natives of this world, I thought.
Even though there were also posts about what happened at the black market and Magic Tower, most people were talking about the new area of the labyrinth.
[But how come a new patch came out when Bjorn defeated the Lord of Terror?]
Did he do something wild like throw its dead body on a frying pan and eat it? Weird that there would suddenly be new DLC when all he did was beat it.
Futuralis: Because he did it in a team of 5.
└AI_DIDIGO: Fact 1: It wasn't a team of 5, but rather 4.
└Futuralis: Then maybe the condition was defeating it in a group of 4?
└AI_DIDIGO: Fact 2: Bjorn Yandel wasn't the first to clear it in a group of 4.
└Futuralis: So what's the conclusion?
└AI_DIDIGO: Conclusion: There is a 92.24571% chance that Bjorn Yandel defeated the Lord of Terror after meeting a special condition.
└Writer: This guy's whole schtick is hilarious.
└Nyacreeps: But it's true though. Even the royal researchers think that Gabrielius's Achievements activate when someone triggers a special condition.
The players talked with each other, throwing around multiple theories for why the labyrinth got a sudden update. I was hoping that something useful might come out of the discussion since everyone was working together to figure it out, but in the end, no one had any idea what the special condition I triggered could have possibly been.
Well... it doesn't really matter at this point.
After looking through the forum, I scrolled back over to the chat room again.
[Long Live Korea's Independence - 2 people are online.]
All right, both of them are in there.
I hurried into the room and when I entered, two heads turned in my direction.
"Big Bro! You're here!" Baekho Lee ran over to me and bowed down in an exaggerated way.
Hyeonbyeol, meanwhile, simply glanced at me. "Oh, you're here?"
When I walked past the two of them to sit on the sofa, Baekho quickly sat down next to me. "Big Bro! Did you know? Me and Hyeonbyeol were having a conversation before you came. And it turns out, she still has feelings for you!"
"...Huh?"
Baekho's opener knocked the air right out of me.
I gulped, shooting a look at Hyeonbyeol, whose expression was stony. "...I never said that. You don't believe him, right?"
"O-Of course not. Of course I don't believe it."
"Bro! Are you disappointed? I don't know why Big Sis is acting so cold. When I asked her if she would ever date you again, she was blushing!"
Oh... So that's what happened... What a relief.
I'd been seriously starting to wonder if I could ever look Hyeonbyeol in the eye again.
"...I wasn't blushing. And even if I did, how was that the conclusion you came to?"
"Haha. Silence is practically a yes in itself."
"Baekho Lee... you're a piece of trash." Hyeonbyeol ended the conversation right there, no longer falling for Baekho's crap. She then glanced at me, a fierce look in her eyes.
"Hyeonbyeol, I got it. I never trusted this guy in the first place. And Baekho, stop fooling around."
"All right!"
"He seriously pisses me off..."
Even as I smoothed things over, the annoyingly cheeky look on Baekho Lee's face never faltered. Hyeonbyeol's fists and jaw clenched at the sight of it.
When did the two of them become so close?
I was curious, but I didn't bother asking. If I did, I worried that Hyeonbyeol would fly into another rage. Not to mention the fact that I could only meet with Baekho Lee here once a month for an hour, so I couldn't waste any more time.
"Hyeonbyeol."
I decided to send Hyeonbyeol away while I talked to him. When I called her name, she immediately cooled down, her brows unfurrowing. She already knew what I was going to ask her. Thanks to that, I didn't need to say much.
"I have something to discuss with Baekho ..."
"...I'll be back in an hour." Hyeonbyeol glared at Baekho one more time before leaving the chat room.
"Phew! She's a funny lady, right? Even though she always acts so intimidating, whenever she's with you she becomes so shy and quiet..."
"Baekho."
"Yeah?"
"Don't tease her too much."
"...All right. I won't play any more pranks on her."
I sighed inwardly. How in the world could I control this kid?
While I was contemplating that, Baekho Lee switched gears. "By the way, bro."
"Yeah?"
"So about Kitty... I mean, Missha Karlstein. Did you meet up with her?"
"Yeah. Thanks to you." Of course, and maybe it was because so much time had passed, things between me and Missha were still awkward and distant. Still, I was sure that, with time, they would get better.
All right, then it was time to ask a question of my own...
"But Baekho."
Now that Missha had been safely returned to me, I could finally pose the question I hadn't been able to ask him last time.
"What is the Records Stone?"
It was time to stop being jerked around and written into corners by a story I didn't even know.
"Tersia, you don't have to be here as well."
"I don't want to leave. I'm going to stay here and protect Mister too."
...Are they still not on good terms? We've been together for so long now. Why does nobody get along?
Tick, tock.
I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the clock on the bedside table.
[Your soul has resonated and is being drawn into a different world.]
Half a month had already passed.
***
When I opened my eyes, I was back in Hansu Lee's room. I headed over to the computer to turn it on and enter the forum.
[Long Live Korea's Independence - 0 people are online.]
They're not here yet...
I would just go in when the two of them showed up later. In the meantime, I checked the message board. As expected, people were already posting things.
[Did you all see the patch notes?]
I still can't believe I'm using that term in this world. How the hell are there still hidden areas?
BurtusMaximus: Top reason why Dungeon and Stone is a god-tier game: over 10 years old, free, and still getting patched.
└these99: In return, it won't let you go home.
└BurtusMaximus: Exactly. It really is a god-tier game. As in, dear god, please send me back home now.
Looks like this patch was even more shocking to the players than the natives of this world, I thought.
Even though there were also posts about what happened at the black market and Magic Tower, most people were talking about the new area of the labyrinth.
[But how come a new patch came out when Bjorn defeated the Lord of Terror?]
Did he do something wild like throw its dead body on a frying pan and eat it? Weird that there would suddenly be new DLC when all he did was beat it.
Futuralis: Because he did it in a team of 5.
└AI_DIDIGO: Fact 1: It wasn't a team of 5, but rather 4.
└Futuralis: Then maybe the condition was defeating it in a group of 4?
└AI_DIDIGO: Fact 2: Bjorn Yandel wasn't the first to clear it in a group of 4.
└Futuralis: So what's the conclusion?
└AI_DIDIGO: Conclusion: There is a 92.24571% chance that Bjorn Yandel defeated the Lord of Terror after meeting a special condition.
└Writer: This guy's whole schtick is hilarious.
└Nyacreeps: But it's true though. Even the royal researchers think that Gabrielius's Achievements activate when someone triggers a special condition.
The players talked with each other, throwing around multiple theories for why the labyrinth got a sudden update. I was hoping that something useful might come out of the discussion since everyone was working together to figure it out, but in the end, no one had any idea what the special condition I triggered could have possibly been.
Well... it doesn't really matter at this point.
After looking through the forum, I scrolled back over to the chat room again.
[Long Live Korea's Independence - 2 people are online.]
All right, both of them are in there.
I hurried into the room and when I entered, two heads turned in my direction.
"Big Bro! You're here!" Baekho Lee ran over to me and bowed down in an exaggerated way.
Hyeonbyeol, meanwhile, simply glanced at me. "Oh, you're here?"
When I walked past the two of them to sit on the sofa, Baekho quickly sat down next to me. "Big Bro! Did you know? Me and Hyeonbyeol were having a conversation before you came. And it turns out, she still has feelings for you!"
"...Huh?"
Baekho's opener knocked the air right out of me.
I gulped, shooting a look at Hyeonbyeol, whose expression was stony. "...I never said that. You don't believe him, right?"
"O-Of course not. Of course I don't believe it."
"Bro! Are you disappointed? I don't know why Big Sis is acting so cold. When I asked her if she would ever date you again, she was blushing!"
Oh... So that's what happened... What a relief.
I'd been seriously starting to wonder if I could ever look Hyeonbyeol in the eye again.
"...I wasn't blushing. And even if I did, how was that the conclusion you came to?"
"Haha. Silence is practically a yes in itself."
"Baekho Lee... you're a piece of trash." Hyeonbyeol ended the conversation right there, no longer falling for Baekho's crap. She then glanced at me, a fierce look in her eyes.
"Hyeonbyeol, I got it. I never trusted this guy in the first place. And Baekho, stop fooling around."
"All right!"
"He seriously pisses me off..."
Even as I smoothed things over, the annoyingly cheeky look on Baekho Lee's face never faltered. Hyeonbyeol's fists and jaw clenched at the sight of it.
When did the two of them become so close?
I was curious, but I didn't bother asking. If I did, I worried that Hyeonbyeol would fly into another rage. Not to mention the fact that I could only meet with Baekho Lee here once a month for an hour, so I couldn't waste any more time.
"Hyeonbyeol."
I decided to send Hyeonbyeol away while I talked to him. When I called her name, she immediately cooled down, her brows unfurrowing. She already knew what I was going to ask her. Thanks to that, I didn't need to say much.
"I have something to discuss with Baekho ..."
"...I'll be back in an hour." Hyeonbyeol glared at Baekho one more time before leaving the chat room.
"Phew! She's a funny lady, right? Even though she always acts so intimidating, whenever she's with you she becomes so shy and quiet..."
"Baekho."
"Yeah?"
"Don't tease her too much."
"...All right. I won't play any more pranks on her."
I sighed inwardly. How in the world could I control this kid?
While I was contemplating that, Baekho Lee switched gears. "By the way, bro."
"Yeah?"
"So about Kitty... I mean, Missha Karlstein. Did you meet up with her?"
"Yeah. Thanks to you." Of course, and maybe it was because so much time had passed, things between me and Missha were still awkward and distant. Still, I was sure that, with time, they would get better.
All right, then it was time to ask a question of my own...
"But Baekho."
Now that Missha had been safely returned to me, I could finally pose the question I hadn't been able to ask him last time.
"What is the Records Stone?"
It was time to stop being jerked around and written into corners by a story I didn't even know.