Hidden Quest

'Success.' I smirked as I gazed at the altered quest details. Even the reward had changed. What was once just a rare set item had now become [???].

But it wasn't all good news. The monsters ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠listed in the quest had jumped from D-rank to C-rank.

'In Dimension World 1, C-rank monsters started at minimum level 30. And with an SS-rank difficulty, you'd need at least level 50 to even attempt it...'

"Hmm."

In Dimension World, there were three main ways to boost your stats. The first was the basic ability points you got—five per level. The second was through repeated experience. Swinging a sword nonstop would raise strength, or studying magic would boost mana, that sort of thing.

But stat gains from experience were inefficient. Hunting Snow Polls had only netted me +2 strength, +1 agility, and +1 vitality.

In truth, gaining four points by level 10 was only possible for me. 'I killed monsters using only basic attacks, no skills.'

For most players, by the time they hit level 10 and did their first job change, they barely gained any points beyond level-ups. That's why stat differences in Dimension World came down to the third method: items.

From equippable gear to consumables, the game was full of stat-boosting items. 'For instance, relic-grade accessories like necklaces or earrings not only pumped stats but let you use skills or spells just by holding them.'

Potions and scrolls did the same, and their prices skyrocketed over time.

'When Rerto Karen declared his run in Dimension World 1, he bulk-bought level 1 stat scrolls. Given his personality and the cash he dumped in, Dimension World 2 must've stung. Yet he's been suspiciously quiet.'

The Los Clan, who should've been the most pissed, had started the game without a peep. Only one possibility: Rerto Karen and his execs had drawn insanely broken stats.

I wondered what ability he'd gained through the Memory Borrower title.

'No way he'd shut up without reason. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠And him openly posting about the Memory Borrower buff on the community? Suspicious as hell.'

He'd claimed after testing it on his clanmates that the buff wasn't that useful. 'But it feels like he's striking first. To me, that post screams the opposite.'

Shallow ploy. It looked like normal info to casuals, but it was a blatant warning. 'I'm Rerto Karen, and I say it's nothing—so you keep quiet too.'

The other eight clan leaders had no reason to flaunt their edges either; they'd all hush it up.

'Whatever. Doesn't matter—he can't surpass me.'

I flashed a faint smile. My confidence wasn't just from the Memory Borrower buff syncing my memories, letting me wield both swordsmanship and magic.

'A level 10 challenging a dungeon full of level 50 monsters? Suicide.'

But I could do it. I had the one weapon even the eight clans couldn't touch—mine alone.

It wasn't in the system. It was knowing this world.

'Which means I know the strats—the full walkthroughs.'

I turned to Kael. "It's a well-known tale that before the northern hero Gullak left, he passed his sword art 'Chil-ya' to the Kalun Tribe. No one from the Eltia Iron Kingdom to the Deus Union doesn't know the War God Gullak."

"And?"

"It's also famous that he taught it to one person. You, Kael Harun."

His face hardened at my words, but his response stayed even. "The north doesn't bar those who come. It's the law of great nature. But don't think we'll let you run wild."

It was a warning. Kael still harbored hostility toward me.

'In Dimension World, you pick a starting point at character creation, but factions aren't set. You build rep, climb ranks, and earn your place.'

'To the Kalun Tribe, I'm still just an outsider.'

Rep-building repeat quests took forever, and buying merit points was eight-clan territory.

I lacked both time and cash.

Shing—

I slowly drew my sword. 'So to make them trust me, I need another way.'

A way only I could pull off.

"But do you know this? Before Gullak died, he passed his sword art to one more person."

"...Nonsense."

Whoosh—!!

Before Kael could reply, I slashed the air.

"...!!"

His face stiffened at my domineering diagonal sweep.

Buwoong—!Sang—!!

The tyrannical blade flowed like wind, flexible and swift, stopping its final thrust right before Kael's face.

"How do you... know Chil-ya?"

'Bingo.' I sensed my hunch was spot-on.

"You know only those versed in Gullak's swordsmanship can enter the Sword Grave. Gullak told me to find it."

"Impossible... Master told you the Sword Grave's location? Then why not go yourself—why tell me?"

"You're his true disciple. I only learned a form or two."

Pure lie, of course. I'd just mimicked what Kael used in our clash.

But it worked perfectly. 'Good thing my swordsmanship level is high. Otherwise, I couldn't imitate it.'

Time to drive it home.

"Like Gullak's dying wish, I believe his sword belongs in the north. Only you can bring it back to the world."

"...Master said that?"

The flood of alerts confirmed my lie had landed perfectly.

"So, will you come with me?"

Kael's eyes wavered at my question. The prime relic from the Sword Grave would be Gullak's sword, no doubt. As a hidden dungeon, the blade itself was likely at least Heroic-grade.

'A shame to lose the sword's power, but...'

What I truly wanted wasn't Gullak's sword.

'I couldn't use it anyway.'

In my dreams, as I conquered the north before dying, I'd remembered Kael Harun's dying words on his deathbed. After endless effort, I'd found the Sword Grave and claimed Gullak's sword.

'But only claimed it.'

I'd retrieved it, but couldn't keep it. Later, I learned Gullak's sword was a sacred weapon usable only by Northern Plateau tribesmen.

'And only those who'd mastered his Chil-ya sword art.'

To me, it'd be useless.

"...Can you really find Gullak's sword?" Kael asked, voice trembling.

"Yes."

A dungeon with a useless sword for me. But I had another reason to go.

'The other relic there.'

My eyes gleamed. What I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠truly sought.

'The key to the Illusion Rock Altar.'

Thump—thump—thump—

I pressed a hand to my chest to calm my pounding heart, lest Kael hear it.

'Players solo dungeons to avoid item sniping.'

Gullak's sword was worthless to me, just as the other relic held no value to northerners.

'Go with someone who doesn't need the items, and it's solved. Especially if they're high-level—perfect.'

I grinned at him. The blue Lv.75 by Kael's name shone brightly.

'Level 75... Top players hold back levels for hidden quests, and on day two, max is around 20. Even for an NPC, that's insane.'

No—insane didn't cover it. The 75 glowed Rare-grade blue for elite NPCs.

"Nothing to lose, right? But we'll definitely find the sword."

I extended my hand to Kael. He stared at it, face stern, then gripped it firmly.

"If you help, that is."

In Dimension World, a handshake wasn't just courtesy.

'Dungeons are all about the carry.'

I squeezed his hand lightly and smiled.