Chapter 16
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Conductor's Path
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Following Charles's guidance, Yuhyeon headed to the second floor of the cathedral.
The elder's room was located at the very end of the second-floor hallway.
"This is the elder's room. I'll be on my way, so you two can talk at your leisure."
Yuhyeon looked around, taking in the sight of the cathedral.
The neatly organized hallway, the antique portraits hanging on the walls.
It was immediately clear that the elder's room was a space only a select few could enter.
After all, hadn't Charles said he was the first outsider to ever meet the elder?
What kind of person could the elder be?
Knock, knock.
As he gently rapped his knuckles on the office door, the elder's deep, dignified voice came from within.
"Come in."
"Excuse me."
When he opened the door and entered, Elder Germano greeted him from a wooden wheelchair.
"Oh, you've arrived. It's a pleasure to meet you, musician."
"Greetings, Elder."
The elder then spoke in a benevolent tone.
"It is an honor to have such a distinguished guest here. I should have been the one to greet you first, but as you can see, my mobility is limited."
"The honor is all mine for being invited."
"I'm glad to hear you say that. Please, make yourself comfortable."
At the elder's gesture, Yuhyeon gave a small nod and sat on the sofa.
The elder then offered Yuhyeon a cup of pre-prepared black tea.
"This is black tea from Ger Village, famous for its tea leaves. Please, have a taste."
"Thank you."
Yuhyeon's gaze fell upon the teacup.
From the elegant, antique shape of the cup to the fragrance of the tea leaves that tickled his nose.
Even without tasting it, he could tell it was a high-quality black tea.
"I have heard much about you. They say you are a performer so remarkable you even managed to change Geye's mind. Furthermore, Olsen, our village instructor, has been singing your praises. He says your martial skills are as outstanding as your music."
"...You're too kind."
Yuhyeon replied awkwardly.
Lately, he felt he was receiving an undue amount of praise.
All he had done was work hard.
"There's no need for modesty. Before coming to this village, Olsen was a distinguished knight of honor in the kingdom. To be acknowledged by such a man means you can think more highly of yourself."
The elder said with a benevolent smile.
"The reason I've asked you here today is because I have a favor to ask of you."
"A favor? Is it perhaps related to the ritual ceremony?"
"It may well be related to the ritual ceremony."
The answer sounded rather ambiguous.
Could it be a request unrelated to the ritual? As he pondered for a moment, the elder added.
"Musician, have you ever heard of a being known as the Conductor of Melody?"
"The Conductor of Melody... you say?"
"The very first bard, a legendary figure who united the continent with music. He could play every existing instrument and was as proficient in martial arts as he was in music."
Yuhyeon, listening intently, quietly asked back.
"Is this year's ritual ceremony related to him, by any chance?"
"It couldn't be more related. The musician who participated in the very first ritual ceremony was none other than him. He was a great benefactor who bestowed an unprecedented blessing upon our village with his special performance. Thanks to him, peace reigned in the village for a full five years."
"Five years?"
Yuhyeon's eyes widened.
He had heard the ritual was held once every year.
But to bestow a blessing worth five years with a single performance...
What kind of performance could that have been...
As a fellow musician, it was only natural for curiosity to bloom in Yuhyeon's heart.
However, just from hearing this much, it was difficult to grasp the connection between the ritual and that bard.
What kind of favor was he about to ask? Yuhyeon was still pondering.
"There is a ruin behind this village. It is also known to outsiders as a 'dungeon'."
"A dungeon, I've heard of them. An underground labyrinth where monsters appear."
"That's right. However, it's not an ordinary dungeon, but a rather special one..."
The elder's tone grew serious as he continued.
"That place was created by the Conductor of Melody. He said it was a special space he created to leave his will behind. I would like you, musician, to investigate that ruin."
With those words, a message appeared before Yuhyeon's eyes.
Ding!
Linked Quest: The Conductor's Path (1)
Grade: Legendary
Condition: One who possesses outstanding musical and martial skills.
Reward: Conductor of Melody (Legendary)
Failure: Unable to change class to Conductor of Melody.
Description: The elder has designated you as the successor to the Conductor of Melody, recognizing your mastery of both music and martial arts. This is a truly great challenge. If you clear all the given trials, you can change your class to the legendary 'Conductor of Melody'.
"......!"
Yuhyeon's eyes widened as he stared at the quest window.
He instinctively knew this was not a quest just anyone could receive.
Moreover, the reward explicitly stated the keyword 'Legendary' class.
A level 1 legendary item went for twenty million won; the value of a legendary class would be immeasurable.
Why would a quest like this be given to me?
Could it be that the linked quest, the reward from the unexpected quest, had been triggered here?
Otherwise, it made no sense to receive such a quest from the elder, with whom he had no prior connection.
"I am making this special request because you are the one who has earned the recognition of both Charles and Olsen. The Conductor himself said that only those proficient in both music and martial arts could enter the ruin."
As the elder spoke, his eyes narrowed for a moment.
Countless talented individuals had passed through Hemona Village, but none had ever received the Conductor of Melody quest.
Not even that transcendentally talented player, Hwarang.
Among those skilled in martial arts, there were none skilled in music, and among those skilled in music, there were none skilled in martial arts...
The maximum level an outsider could reach in the beginner's village was a mere 10.
In such a situation, who could possibly excel at both martial arts and music?
It was perhaps only natural that in a hundred years, no one had appeared who could meet the dungeon's entry conditions.
"Of course, even I do not know what reward you will receive for completing the quest. That is something only the Conductor of Melody would know. However, of this I am certain."
The elder spoke to Yuhyeon with a powerful tone.
"To glimpse the path of a musician who can move the hearts of the gods will, I have no doubt, be a great opportunity for a musician such as yourself."
Unlike the elder, Yuhyeon had seen the quest details and knew the reward.
But what truly moved his heart wasn't the reward, but the elder's words.
"The hearts of the gods..."
A musician who could move the hearts of the godswords that brought to mind the great, history-making musicians of old.
What musician would refuse the chance to glimpse the life of such a person?
For someone who lived for music, it was nothing short of a miracle.
"This is a task that only you can accomplish, Yuhyeon. You are the only outsider to have ever received the acknowledgment of both Olsen and Charles."
In truth, Yuhyeon's start had been the same as everyone else's. He began with the same tutorial quest, swinging a wooden sword.
But despite it being the same quest, he had received special training and ultimately earned Olsen's recognition.
This was the fruit of his own efforts.
Then there's no reason to miss this opportunity.
If a world existed that recognized his worth and willingly gave him a chance, all he had to do was accept that chance with a grateful heart.
At least, that was the kind of person Yuhyeon was.
With that thought, he answered in a firm tone.
"I will go."
"Oh, I was hoping you would take on this task. I'm so relieved. I will tell Charles to grant you access to the ruin."
Ding!
You have accepted the quest.
Legendary grade quests contain trials.
You can only succeed in the quest by passing all trials.
An additional quest condition popped up out of nowhere.
Yuhyeon's eyes widened as he read the message.
Uh no way. For real?
Linked Quest: The Conductor's Path (1)
Trial 1: Clear the Deep Forest Dungeon (within 24 hours of accepting the quest)
Trial 2: ???
Trial 3: ???
An unexpected time limit was attached to the quest.
Worse, the details for Trials 2 and 3 weren't even listed.
But the ritual is right around the corner!
His original plan was to accept the quest and go after the ritual was over.
That plan had been derailed from the very beginning.
If it's 24 hours, that means there's only one day of rehearsal left before the performance...?
It seemed he had accepted a quest far more arduous than he had anticipated.
"Wait, is that really true? You have to proceed with the quest within 24 hours?"
On the way to the ruin, Charles's eyes widened in astonishment.
"It seems tomorrow's rehearsal will be difficult. I can't be a burden, so I'll practice separately in my spare time. If you all need it, I can draw up a practice curriculum for you, and I'll check on it later..."
"Heavens, what are you saying! Don't worry about it at all. We can just practice among ourselves."
Charles said, waving his hands dismissively.
It was sudden, but he couldn't give Yuhyeon more work to do when he was about to leave for a dungeon.
It was definitely, absolutely not because he found it inconvenient for Yuhyeon to be stationed at the cathedral teaching music all the time.
"Alright, here we are."
The place Charles led him to was a hidden area in the beginner's village.
It was a location that had never once been opened in Hemona Village before.
In other words, it was an unreleased area, unlocked for the very first time by a user.
Clank.
Charles unlocked the padlock on the door leading into the dungeon.
Yuhyeon's eyes narrowed as he looked at the dungeon.
So this is a dungeon...
A sense of anxiety washed over him at the terrifying aura and darkness emanating from the underground staircase.
This was his first time entering a dungeon.
That meant he couldn't receive help or advice from anyone.
"My son told me something. He said to win a fight, you must use any means necessary."
Charles said in a deliberately calm tone.
"He also said that if you trust in what you've done so far and act on it, a good result will follow."
Ding!
The trait 'Fanatic' has been activated.
"This is a return scroll. If any problems arise inside the dungeon, please don't hesitate to use this scroll to escape."
Charles said, taking out something he had prepared from his pocket.
"This is a compass. It would be terrible if you got lost. This is a lantern. Wouldn't it be terrible if it was dark inside? These are some extra potions I brought just in case, and this is..."
Soon, enough items to fill his inventory were handed to Yuhyeon.
You have acquired a Hemona Village Return Scroll.
You have acquired a Compass.
You have acquired a Lantern.
You have acquired 10 Low-Grade Health Potions.
.
.
.
All of this?
Yuhyeon's eyes widened as he received the items one by one.
Return scroll, compass, lantern... all were essential items for an adventure.
Among them, one item in particular stood out.
Hemona Village's Special Chocolate
Description: A chocolate with an exquisite, sweet taste. Can restore a small amount of health. It is also very delicious.
...Is he giving me this in case my blood sugar drops?
Was he perhaps worried that his sugar levels might plummet from intense combat?
Or was it to help maintain body temperature if the dungeon's temperature suddenly dropped?
And that wasn't all.
Moisture-Rich Aloe Lotion
Description: A lotion with excellent moisturizing effects.
High-Quality Wet Wipes
Description: Good quality wet wipes that can wipe away any stain.
At this rate, he could set up a household in the dungeon, not just go on an adventure.
Though he did wonder if he would ever have a reason to use wet wipes in a dungeon.
I'm just grateful he's being so considerate.
Touched by the unexpected kindness, Yuhyeon spoke with a heart full of gratitude.
"If I run into trouble, I'll use the return scroll without hesitation. You don't need to worry so much."
"You really must not get hurt! There is nothing more precious in this world than one's own life. You must return safely."
Charles said, his tone filled with genuine concern.
Somehow, he seemed more worried about Yuhyeon than Yuhyeon himself was about entering the dungeon.
At this, Yuhyeon gave an awkward smile and said.
"Don't worry about me. You should head back now. I'll get myself ready and head into the dungeon."
As Yuhyeon spoke firmly, Charles finally seemed a little more at ease.
"Then I will be on my way. I wish you a safe journey, Yuhyeon!"
And after sending Charles off.
"Alright, shall we go?"
Having neatly organized his inventory, Yuhyeon walked toward the dungeon with a determined expression.
As the underground staircase drew nearer, an indescribable dark energy washed over him.
When he was right in front of it, a familiar notification sound pierced his ears.
Ding!
You have discovered the Deep Forest Dungeon.
You are the first user to discover the Deep Forest Dungeon.
For 24 hours, EXP gain is increased by 50, and item drop rate is increased by 20.
Achievement Unlocked!
You have acquired the title 'Found a Hidden Dungeon (1)'.
All stats except Sanctity and Charm increase by 1.
It was a notification that was always pleasant to hear.
The first thing that caught Yuhyeon's eye was the reward for being the first to discover it.
A 50 increase in EXP gain and a 20 increase in item drop rate.
Didn't that mean killing two monsters would have the same effect as killing three?
The increased item drop rate was a crucial buff for most users who were desperate to find rare items.
The most interesting part was the effect of the new title.
Title 'Found a Hidden Dungeon (1)'
Description: A hidden title given only to the user who discovers a dungeon for the first time. The title's effect will be upgraded as the number of discoveries accumulates.
So the stats keep increasing with every discovery.
It was a title whose effect upgraded cumulatively each time he was the first to discover a dungeon5 discoveries for 5, 10 discoveries for 10, and so on.
For now, it only raised his stats by 1, which seemed a bit disappointing, but considering its growth potential, it was a very attractive title.
Someone who started at the beginning must have achieved incredible growth with this.
Someone had surely achieved a massive stat boost with this title.
Just as Hwarang had achieved explosive growth through Olsen's sword in the early days.
That was the privilege granted to the pioneers who were the first to discover things.
And that opportunity has come to me.
And now, here he was, standing on the path of a pioneer.
Before a dungeon where he could obtain the legendary class of the first bard.
I got such a great reward just for discovering the dungeon...
He couldn't dare to imagine what kind of golden rewards lay ahead.
Of course, that was only if he managed to explore the dungeon safely.
"Hoo."
Yuhyeon took a deep breath and slowly advanced toward the underground staircase.
Ding!
Would you like to enter the Deep Forest Dungeon?
The beginning was at hand.
The start of a great achievement, a path no one had walked before, a path he alone would walk.
Yuhyeon spoke firmly, his voice filled with strength.
"Enter."
It was the beginning of a grand journeya legendary class quest.