Chapter 27
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Whale's Weapon Shop
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Welcome to Lutetia, adventurer!
The gatekeeper said to Yuhyeon with a bright smile.
Yuhyeon replied to the guard with a smile of his own.
Thank you.
After passing through the gate, Yuhyeons gaze fell upon the scenery of Lutetia.
Straight concrete roads stretched out before him, flanked by streetlights and trees. In the far distance stood a massive castle, likely the royal palace.
Canals crisscrossed the city, reminiscent of the grand avenues along the Han River, and the central square teemed with a massive crowd.
It was a city that exuded an overwhelming presence and atmosphere.
So this is Lutetia
The scenery was vastly different from the previous town.
The sheer size of the city was one thing, but above all, the number of players was on another level.
Looking for party members!
Anyone for a dungeon run! Experienced players only, aiming for a 10-minute clear!
The crowd was so dense it was no exaggeration to say he was standing in the middle of a chaotic marketplace.
If he stood still, he wouldnt be surprised to be swept away by the sheer force of the crowd.
So this game had this many people.
Yuhyeon thought to himself with a mesmerized expression.
According to Sangcheol, this second city was where players stayed until level 40, which was why so many of them gathered here.
Did he say there were about a thousand more cities like Lutetia for class advancement?
He had heard that there were tens of thousands of small places like Hemona Village, and nearly a thousand large cities like this one.
It was a good thing Sangcheol was also in Lutetia; if the Whale's Weapon Shop had been in another town, he might have missed him again.
It was a fortunate situation in many ways.
He told me to go to the guild first.
Lutetia was what was known as the Town of Assignments.
A place where one had to stay until level 40 and complete 100 quests to move on to the next town.
To receive those quests, one first had to go to the guild of their respective class.
Since Ive already changed my class
Yuhyeon had just completed his class change to the bard class, Conductor of Melody.
Also, he had to go to the guild to clear the hidden quest given by the goddess Cecilia.
Yuhyeons gaze soon turned to a signpost.
District A - Swordsmanship, Archery, Martial Arts, Spearmanship
District B - Cooking, Weaving, Gathering, Tailoring
District C - Magic, Alchemy, Potion Making
District D - Black Magic, Curses, Sorcery
Yuhyeons eyes widened as he checked the locations of the guilds.
Just how many guilds are there?
As a game that boasted infinite freedom, the number of classes was also immense.
A rough count showed there were well over a hundred.
Yuhyeon let out a small smile.
Its going to take a while just to get to the guild.
Perhaps just finding the Bards Guild would be a long journey in itself.
An elegant yet warm sound echoed inside the Bards Guild.
It was the sound of a flute, one of the wind instruments played by blowing into it.
A woman held a flute to her lips and continued to play.
The sound was clear and the rhythm was precise, but strangely, her posture was as stiff as a machine.
As if someone was controlling her.
When her performance finally ended.
Youve met all the conditions. Shall I process your class change?
replied Rachel, the Bards Guild clerk and class change NPC.
Yes! Ill change my class to Bard.
Please wait a moment.
Unlike the traveler who was overjoyed at meeting the class change conditions, Rachels expression was completely dry.
Are there even real conditions? Its not a real performance, they just check if youve put points into the skill
The condition to become a Bard was Performance Skill Level 3.
In other words, anyone could become a Bard just by ranking up the Performance skill three times.
Therefore, Rachel had to listen to the same sounds and playing styles every day.
Hundreds, sometimes even thousands of times a day.
So tedious, so boring
It had been three years since she started listening to such mechanical performances.
Rachel swallowed a deep sigh that the traveler wouldn't hear.
Performers these days are all like this, so whats this about a Conductor of Melody
According to Guildmaster Marina, there was a special being who could cast magic while performing music themselves.
Someone who harmonized with nature through performance and united the continent with music.
Of course, it was a story passed down like a myth, so it was hard to believe it literally.
Rachel! Im going to find the Conductor of Melody! Look after the guild while Im gone!
It had already been over a month since the guildmaster left the guild behind, saying she would find that Conductor of Melody.
Legends are legends for a reason.
Theres no way shell find them.
Rachel sighed at the thought that she might be left alone forever at this rate.
How long would she have to guard the guild alone, listening to these mechanical performances
Hello, is this the Bards Guild?
Just then, a handsome, silver-haired man cautiously opened the door and spoke to her in a polite tone.
Rachel quickly responded with a somewhat cliché but kind smile and attitude.
Welcome to the Bards Guild! Are you here for a class change?
The main reason a new traveler came to the guild was for a class change.
She naturally thought the silver-haired man was also here to change his class, but his reply was rather unexpected.
No, Ive already changed my class.
Youve already changed your class? Then what brings you to the Bards Guild?
For the first time, something different came out of Rachels mouth, which usually repeated the same mechanical phrases.
Why would someone who had already completed their class change come to the Bards Guild?
Ah, could it be that hes already obtained an Epic or Unique class?
She had heard that sometimes people completed their class change in a previous town through some mysterious experience.
Rachel asked cautiously, her heart fluttering with excitement.
Could it be that youve obtained a class like Wandering Poet or Piercing One?
Wandering Poet and Piercing One were Epic and Unique classes, respectively, that branched off from the Bard class.
They were special classes that bolstered the Bards inherent weakness in combat and could only be obtained under specific conditions.
Ah, no. Thats not it.
Oh Im sorry. Then what?
In response to Rachels slightly disappointed question, the man scratched his cheek in embarrassment and said.
The class I changed to is called Conductor of Melody.
What?
For a moment, Rachel doubted her own ears.
As she blankly mulled over the mans words, Rachels eyes and mouth slowly widened in astonishment.
C-C-Conductor of Melody?
It was the moment someone she had only thought of as a figure of myth appeared in reality.
Id like to see the guildmaster. Is that possible?
Th-the guildmaster?
Yes.
P-please wait a moment!
Yuhyeon tilted his head at the clerks flustered reaction.
G-Guildmaster Marina is out for a bit.
Of course, she omitted the fact that Marina had left to find him, the Conductor of Melody.
There was no reason to chatter on about it when the fact hadnt been confirmed.
Rachel tried her best to continue speaking in a calm tone.
W-what is your name, adventurer?
Its Yuhyeon.
May I check your status for a moment?
When Yuhyeon gave a small nod, she took out a mysterious orb and placed it on the table.
By placing a hand on the orb made of magic stone, she could check his status.
She intended to use this to confirm that Yuhyeon was indeed the Conductor of Melody.
Please place your hand on the magic stone.
Okay.
As Yuhyeon placed his hand on the mysterious orb, a blue light spread out.
Unlike other bards, it was a blue light that flowed with a sacred energy.
Yuhyeon was the first person she had seen emit such an intense aura.
Tiring!
Nickname: Han Yuhyeon
Level: 10
Class: Conductor of Melody
Strength: 33 (28) Dexterity: 28 (23) Intelligence: 27 (22) Vitality: 30 (25) Mana: 27 (22) Divinity: 10 (10) Charm: 30 (30)
Remaining Stat Points: 50
Remaining Skill Points: 9
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N-n-no way!
Her eyes went wide as saucers as she looked at Yuhyeons status window.
Confirming his class as Conductor of Melody was surprising enough, but what was even more shocking were his stats.
It was a far cry from the level 10 status windows Rachel was used to seeing.
These are the stats of a level 10?
A newly class-changed level 10 Bard typically had 50 in their main stat, Intelligence, and 5 in all other stats.
This was also the reason why Bards struggled so much when hunting.
But what about Yuhyeons stats?
His Strength and Dexterity are high enough to belong to a combat class, and then there are his titles and skills
Unbelievably high stats, countless titles, and skills.
This was the first time she had seen a traveler with such a dazzling status window.
And he even had unspent skill and stat points.
What kind of life did one have to live to build a status window like this?
If we assume he allocates all his remaining stat points, his level would be at least
Rachels jaw hung open.
Is it done?
Y-yes!
Yuhyeons words snapped Rachel back to her senses.
Uh, n-now what? Sh-she told me to contact her if the Conductor of Melody showed up.
This was the first time she had encountered such a special case since she started working at the guild.
There was no manual for how to handle this, and her mind was filled with the thought of reporting to the guildmaster.
I will contact the guildmaster right away. As soon as I get a reply, Ill let you know, adventurer.
Yes, I understand. I heard theres something like an adventurers journal
Ah! I-Ill explain.
Her mind a jumbled mess, Rachel finally took out the adventurers journal to show him.
It was a sort of adventure guide given to Bards who had completed their class change.
Ahem! Th-this journal contains 100 quests, and you must clear all of them to become an official adventurer. Only then can you leave for the next town.
So I have to complete all 100 of them?
It might seem like a lot, but there are also life quests like cleaning the town or delivering mail, so youll finish them quickly.
Yes, I understand.
Yuhyeon nodded with a simple expression.
Well, Sangcheol had already completed 90 of them, so there seemed to be no reason to be intimidated.
The guildmaster is out, and Ive received the journal. I guess its time to go.
Just as he was thinking that to himself.
U-um, i-if you dont mind
Rachel spoke cautiously, her face flushing.
C-could I ask you for a performance, adventurer?
Tiring!
A quest has been generated.
Normal Quest: A Performance for Rachel
Grade: E
Restriction: Conductor of Melody
Reward: Greatly increase affinity with Rachel
Failure: Slightly decrease affinity with Rachel
Description: Tasked with the duties of a class change NPC, she is weary from listening to the same performances every day. Playing for her will greatly increase your affinity with her.
Yuhyeon smiled softly as he read the quest window.
Another request for a performance.
It was the second request for a performance, following the one from the goddess Cecilia.
If were going to be seeing each other regularly
If he was going to see her again, there was no harm in raising her affinity beforehand.
How many fortunate coincidences were born from a good first impression?
With that thought, Yuhyeon spoke in a simple tone.
Is there an instrument youd like to hear?
Th-the piano!
At Rachels request, Yuhyeon walked over to the piano in the hall.
Then, as he always had, he began to play naturally.
Wow
And so, for the first time in the three years she had worked at the guild.
Amazing
She finally heard a performance more enchanting than any she had ever heard in her life.
The Adventurers Journal.
After leaving the Bards Guild, Yuhyeon sat on a bench and opened the Adventurers Journal.
Adventurers Journal
1. Clean the plaza
2. Deliver the pile of mail
3. Find the owner of the lost cat
4. Eat delicious food at the tavern
5. Perform on the street
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.
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This looks fun.
Yuhyeon murmured to himself as he quickly scanned it.
Just as Rachel had said, the journal was a diverse mix of daily quests like cleaning the town, bard quests like performing in the plaza, and combat quests like hunting 10 Silver Wolves.
I can see the game companys consideration, wanting players to adapt to this world.
Some might call it simple labor designed to increase login times.
But Yuhyeon didnt have such negative thoughts as he looked at the journal.
He could tell just by looking at the quests written here.
4. Eat delicious food at the tavern
Giving a quest to eat delicious food?
To offer such a quest in a space where you could eat as much as you wanted without gaining weight, no matter how he thought about it, it seemed like an effort by the developers to provide players with an enjoyable experience.
Besides, Ive only been clearing legendary quests until now.
Moreover, he had walked a path that was anything but ordinary.
With Guildmaster Marina away, Yuhyeon wanted to enjoy Wonderland like a normal player for a change.
Thats right, I have the instructors letter of recommendation.
Yuhyeon suddenly remembered the letter of recommendation he had received from Instructor Olsen.
Find the Whales Weapon Shop in Lutetia. The answer you seek will be there.
The instructor had definitely told him that.
That there would be a blacksmith in a Lutetia weapon shop who knew about the Conductor of Melody.
I have time, and my sword is broken.
He was just about to take a look around the city before starting the journal quests anyway.
His sword had been destroyed during the last dungeon run, so it seemed like a good time to buy new equipment.
He had about 60 gold on him, so he had plenty of money.
Yuhyeon looked at the signs and slowly wandered through the alleys.
Theres definitely a lot more here than in Hemona Village.
Befitting its name as a large city, Lutetia had many different shops.
There was a fruit stand selling fruit, a craft shop selling various accessories and art pieces, and even a mechanical engineering shop filled with clockwork and all sorts of new inventions.
Emma, is the meal ready yet?
Its almost ready.
The place was so crowded that workers were getting their meals from nearby restaurants.
After walking deep into the area, he saw the blacksmith district, where many artisans were gathered.
Blacksmith District
A-27: Willems Blacksmith
A-28: Millers Blacksmith
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.
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Wow this is the blacksmith district?
The narrow alley was packed tightly with blacksmith shops.
A huge crowd was passing through the area.
Clang! From blacksmiths forging metal to players who came to buy items.
Khahaha! I finally bought it! I hunted for a whole week just to buy this!
A player shouted with joy as he bought a sword from a blacksmith.
Hmm?
Yuhyeons gaze naturally turned in the players direction.
What kind of sword did he buy to be that happy?
Yuhyeon admired the display rack of Willems Weapon Shop, which the player had just left.
It was stocked with a wide variety of swords he had never seen in the beginner town.
Willem spotted Yuhyeon and called out heartily.
Hey, adventurer! You here to buy a sword too?
He took a sword from the display rack and showed it to Yuhyeon.
Looking for an iron sword like the last customer? Then take a look at this. Its the best piece Ive ever made!
Tiring!
Willems Iron Sword (Rare)
Level Requirement: 10
Class Requirement: None
Attack Power: 15
Attack Speed 5, Accuracy 5
Bash 1
Description: An iron sword made by Willem. Skilled smithing has imbued the sword with magic.
Its a sword that even has the Bash skill! Its an option everyone loves, regardless of class, gender, or age.
Willem said with a confident expression.
To buy an item with stats like this at the auction house, itd cost you well over 10 gold. If you want to buy it, Ill give it to you for a special price of 8 gold!
Willems sword could easily fetch 10 gold at the auction house.
If the previous customer hadnt bought one for 8 gold, he would have charged the full price.
However, despite Willems goodwill, Yuhyeons reply was rather unexpected.
Thank you for the offer, but Im looking for a specific shop right now.
What shop are you looking for? Bows, or maces? Im the old hand around here, so just ask!
Willem thumped his chest with his fist as if to say, you can count on me.
Do you happen to know where the Whales Weapon Shop is?
What? The Whales Weapon Shop?
His spirited expression soured into a deep frown.
What do you want with that crazy old man?
Crazy?
That old man is a lunatic who just collects a bunch of junk. Hes a disgrace to blacksmiths, I tell you.
he said sneeringly.
A blacksmith whos interested in music, making useless instruments! He doesnt even stick to the duties of a blacksmith.
Yuhyeons eyes widened as he listened to Willems story.
A blacksmith who handles instruments? Then hadnt he come to the right place?
Rumor has it he used to be quite skilled, but then he got fixated on strange things
Where is it?
You havent been listening to a word Ive said, have you? Im telling you, you wont get anything from that old man.
Id appreciate it if you could tell me!
If you want to make things hard for yourself, I wont stop you. Go to the end of the street!
Yuhyeon smiled and gave a nod of thanks.
He then walked in the direction Willem had pointed.
He said it was at the very end.
At the end of the alley, Yuhyeon found a shabby weapon shop.
The Whales Weapon Shop
Is this it?
It was a blacksmith so old it looked like it could collapse at any moment.
Strangely, a fragrant scent was wafting out from inside.
A bittersweet aroma, like pine resin.
Yuhyeon cautiously opened the door to the weapon shop and spoke.
Excuse me. Is anyone here?
Yuhyeons eyes widened as he looked inside.
!
Swords, sheet music, and even a ukulele-shaped instrument were displayed on the shelves.
This isnt a blacksmiths shop
It was as if a place resembling a music shop was welcoming him.