Chapter 68
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Bounty Quest
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Genius of Music in a Virtual World
Chapter 68
Upon logging into the game, Yuhyeon immediately sent a whisper to Sangcheol.
Yuhyeon: You busy?
Jijon Sangcheol: Nah, whats up?
Yuhyeon: I need to level up. Can you recommend a good grinding spot?
He wanted advice on hunting grounds from his friend, who was an expert on the game.
Jijon Sangcheol: Whats your current level? What gear are you using?
A flood of questions came back from him.
He asked whether Yuhyeon needed to grind for power-leveling or to make money.
Yuhyeon: I want to go somewhere I can level up the fastest, rather than earn money.
Jijon Sangcheol: Then this place should be perfect for you. Go to the Adventurers Plaza and start by clearing bounty quests.
Yuhyeon: Okay, thanks!
Bounty quests
Following the recommendation, Yuhyeon arrived at the Adventurers Plaza.
It was the same place as the bulletin board that allowed entry into the Elder Trents dungeon.
He said players grinding routes are usually split in two.
Sangcheol had recommended two main leveling routes.
One was to solo play in a hunting ground populated by monsters that were easy to kill.
The other was to find party quests that gave a lot of experience, like bounty quests.
And he told me to be sure to run the instanced dungeons twice a day.
Among them, he said it was best to consistently complete the instanced dungeons, which were limited to two entries per day.
Of course, that was an exception for a bard, for whom it was difficult to find a party.
Ive done a lot of soloing, so lets try a bounty quest first.
Between the two, Yuhyeon decided to try the bounty quest first.
It was to accomplish one of Lutetia's 100 tasks: Try Party Play.
Hmm.
Yuhyeons eyes narrowed as he scanned the bulletin board.
1. Bounty Quest Exterminate the Rat Swarm (Rank: F)
2. Bounty Quest Spider Cave Purification Operation (Rank: E)
3. Bounty Quest Tomb Raider's Grave Sweep (Rank: D)
.
.
.
The bounty quests were classified into various ranks.
F-rank is a simple errand
E to D ranks were for hunts that could be cleared solo.
Starting from C-rank, a lot of monsters appeared, requiring party play, and he heard the difficulty spiked from B-rank onwards.
A-rank, in particular, demanded a high level of difficulty, almost equivalent to a hard dungeon.
Sangcheol recommended D or C.
Among the many ranks, the difficulty Sangcheol had recommended was D to C.
He said its the most suitable difficulty for easily finding a party.
Unlike instanced dungeons, which ended in a single run, bounty quests had a large volume.
He heard that depending on the quest, clearing it could take two to three days, or even as long as a week.
Of course, the experience and rewards would be greater, but that wasn't the issue.
Having to spend a long time with strangers.
The problem was not knowing what kind of party members he would meet.
The biggest issue was whether he would encounter a troll user who intentionally sabotaged the party, or a normal player.
Hmm
Given his lack of information, it seemed best to follow his friends advice and start with a D or C-rank quest.
And among those, a popular, mainstream quest that many users chose.
Just then, something suitable caught Yuhyeons eye.
11. Bounty Quest Peace to the Eirn Mountains
Rank: C
Condition: None
Reward: 50 Gold, large amount of experience, additional rewards based on contribution
Failure: None
Description: The Golden Goblin tribe has invaded the once peaceful Eirn Mountains. Bring peace to the mountains by fighting the tribe.
The Golden Goblin tribe
50 gold and a large amount of experience; the rewards seemed quite decent.
Plus, additional rewards based on contribution.
Isnt this pretty good?
A quest like this seemed like a reasonable first choice.
Just as Yuhyeon was thinking this to himself.
Looking for a Golden Goblin party?
A man's voice reached Yuhyeons ear.
He turned his head at the unexpected voice and saw a sharp-looking man.
A man dressed in safari-style clothing, reminiscent of an explorer.
Looks like youre looking at the same quest as me. I was wondering if youd like to party up if youre looking for one.
Ah, yes.
Are you looking for a party?
Well
Yuhyeons mouth closed for a moment at the direct question.
He was hesitant to readily accept a party invitation without any information.
As if reading his mind, the man spoke urgently.
For your information, itll be very easy if you party with me. Im leveling an alt right now. I already know the quest strategy, too.
He then added, as if to appeal to his strengths.
Ive already recruited one other person to go with us, so we can leave right away.
Someone else, too?
See that blonde woman over there? Shes a party member, too. Just waiting until were full!
Where the man gestured, there was a blonde woman holding a bow.
She seemed to be a stranger to him as well, greeting Yuhyeon with an awkward nod.
See? We can go as soon as you join!
Hmm
Yuhyeon nodded his head, murmuring to himself.
What are everyones classes? Im a bard, by the way.
Ill be taking the front line in combat. That person, as you can see, is an archer.
So we just need a healer or a mage, then?
Well, that would be nice, but
The man let out a small sigh and said.
I havent been able to find anyone for two hours now. For some reason, theres no one doing bounty quests today. Maybe because its a weekday afternoon.
And three people are enough for a C-rank quest. Most importantly, I know the strategy. You can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
The man then confidently thumped his chest.
Is there any reason to refuse?
A user who claimed to be on an alt had even appeared.
If he really was an experienced player, he would be more than capable of doing the work of two people.
If things go south, I can step in to help.
Besides, Yuhyeon had already defeated elite monsters twice.
There was no reason for him to fall behind in a C-rank quest that everyone else was doing.
Since they were ready to leave, he wouldn't have to go through the trouble of forming a party either.
All in all, the situation isnt bad.
With that thought, Yuhyeon spoke plainly.
Okay, lets go together.
Yesss, excellent!
The man beamed, a wide smile on his face.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The sound of a carriage leisurely rolling across the plains echoed.
The driver, in a good mood, was humming a tune, and the horses steps were light, as if it too enjoyed the cool breeze.
The scenery is nice.
Yuhyeon sat in the carriage, admiring the surrounding landscape.
Colorful flowers peeked out from between the greenery, a cool breeze, and the fresh scent of flowers.
A beautiful scene, much like the one he had seen in Hemona Village, unfolded before his eyes.
This is what healing is all about, isnt it?
Was it called a rural living experience these days?
He had heard that it was becoming a trend for people exhausted from corporate life to go down to the countryside and live there for a month.
Yuhyeon felt he could vaguely understand their feelings.
Everyones so quiet.
The man who had recruited the party said, glancing at Yuhyeon and the woman.
It seemed he found the silence unbearable.
Well be spending at least a day together, maybe two or three if its long, so I thought we could introduce ourselves.
Yuhyeon responded positively.
My name is Yuhyeon. Im a bard, level 25.
Whats that box you have next to you? Ive been curious about it.
Ah, this isnt a box, its an instrument.
Yuhyeon said, showing off the cajón he had placed beside him.
The blonde womans eyes sparkled for a moment as she looked at it.
Isnt that a cajón?
It is.
Wow, really?
She asked the question herself, yet seemed surprised by the answer.
Im very interested in musical instruments. I wondered if it could be a cajón, but Im just so surprised that it really is.
Youre interested in instruments? What kind?
I dont really have a preference but Im interested in string instruments these days.
Oh, string instruments!
Yuhyeon was about to reply excitedly, finding a topic of common interest for a change.
Alright, alright, lets finish our introductions first and then continue our chat.
The man cut in, as if he had no intention of being left out of the conversation.
Im Kain. My class is the Epic-rank Explorer, and my level is 32.
Oh, an Epic rank?
Yuhyeons eyes widened.
Kain replied as if he had been waiting for it.
Yes, an Epic rank! Thats why I abandoned my old character to raise this alt.
He then shrugged his shoulders.
Now, its the ladys turn.
Im Yunaring. As you can see, my class is Archer, and Im level 30.
She spoke in a more relaxed tone, perhaps because of their earlier conversation about instruments.
Looking at her, Yuhyeon murmured softly.
Your bow and arrows are a bit big, arent they?
She was equipped with a bow that looked twice the size of those used by other archers.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was about the height of a person.
Ah, due to class restrictions, I can only use longbows.
Yunaring said, looking satisfied.
But I like it because its a weapon not many people use. Its a bit heavy, though.
Choosing the mainstream Archer class but then picking the most non-mainstream longbow. Aah, thats true passion!
Kain nodded his head repeatedly, as if he approved.
Somehow, our party is full of players with a passion for the unconventional. An Explorer, an archer who only uses a longbow, a bard
An Epic-rank Explorer.
An archer who could only use an unranked longbow.
And on top of that, Yuhyeon, the bard.
Could it be, thats why he was in such a hurry to recruit me?
Yuhyeons eyes narrowed slightly.
He finally understood why this party had been formed so hastily.
Why Kain hadn't been able to find members for two hours, and why he hadn't bothered trying to form a four-person party.
He had trouble finding people because of our classes.
Yuhyeon let out a short, hollow laugh.
But what could he do? They were already in the same boat, so they had to see it through.
Kain, you said youre on an alt, right? Can you tell us about the strategy for this quest?
At Yuhyeons question, Kain answered excitedly, as if he had been waiting.
Hmm, the strategy. Well, the real work is just getting to the Eirn Mountains. Its a whole days journey from here, so going back and forth is the hardest part.
Kains detailed explanation continued.
Theyre called Golden Goblins, but goblins arent that strong, so subduing them isnt difficult. Youve all had combat experience, right?
Ive run raid dungeons.
That should be more than enough. The dungeons are actually more difficult.
Hmm, is there anything else we should know?
Hmm, something to know
Kain clapped his hands together and said.
If were lucky, a side quest might pop up on the way. You know, like a group of bandits appearing, or saving a merchant in trouble.
A side quest?
Yuhyeon asked with a puzzled expression.
Side quests appear randomly, and theyre quite rewarding. Since were doing them on the way, theres no wasted travel time, and we get a reward, big or small.
What else was there to tell?
After pondering for a moment, Kain continued.
Oh, and if youre really unlucky, a troll sometimes appears in the mountains. I think its level is around 80?
Level 80?
Yunarings eyes widened as she listened silently from the side.
C-can we even kill that?
At our level, absolutely not, so just run without looking back. I heard the appearance rate is less than 2, so dont worry too much.
Ah, really? Phew
Yunarings expression relaxed with relief at hearing the low appearance rate.
Haaa, I wish a side quest would pop up on the way.
Having finished his explanation, Kain muttered, looking bored.
My bodys getting stiff.
Only the snorting of the horse pulling the carriage filled the plains.
The atmosphere was so peaceful that one could have taken a nap with that sound as a backdrop.
Yaaawn
Just as Kain let out a big yawn.
Kill them! Kill them all and plunder whats in the carriage!
Hiiik! R-run away!
P-please spare me!
Screams and shouts mixed together could be heard from a distance.
Whats this? Are these the bandits Kain mentioned?
Yuhyeon, watching the situation from inside the carriage, thought to himself.
Up ahead, a group of men in hoods were surrounding and threatening a merchant.
From the looks of it, they seemed to be bandits.
There are about twenty of them
Just as Yuhyeon, having finished his quick calculation, was about to grab his weapon and stand up.
Were in luck. We got the side quest with the biggest reward.
Kain said, drawing his sword as if he had been waiting.
T-ring!
A quest has been generated.
Side Quest: Subdue the Bandits Threatening the Merchant Caravan
Rank: D
Restriction: Users who have accepted the Peace to the Eirn Mountains quest
Reward: Experience and a small amount of gold, a linked quest related to the merchant caravan
Failure: Cannot proceed with the Peace to the Eirn Mountains quest
Ill take the front line. Yunaring, please cover me from behind.
Kain then skillfully directed Yunaring and Yuhyeon.
As if to prove that he was a capable player.
Yuhyeon, can you provide buffs?
Yes, I can.
Yuhyeon said, sitting on top of his cajón.
Ill help whenever you need it.
Haha, thank you for the offer, but I can easily handle bandits like them on my own.
Kain said confidently and dashed forward.
Yunaring also raised her longbow and covered his back.
Then lets go!
Fighting!
T-ring!
The side quest will now begin!
Subdue the Bandits: 22 bandits remaining
Soon, only Yuhyeon was left alone in the carriage.
Buffs, huh.
This was officially the first time Yuhyeon was giving buffs to other players, aside from NPCs.
I think this is the first time Im giving buffs to party members.
He had never met another bard before, nor had he ever received a buff, so he had no one to compare himself to.
However, considering the buff he had given to Cedric, he thought it would by no means be lacking.
Well, it should be fine.
With that thought, Yuhyeon began to lightly tap the cajón.
Dung dung. Dung!
Without imagining the incredible event that was about to unfold.