STGB Episode 499

Quest 4

The Noble Alliance of Various Races, Melbes.

After joining them, I was able to secure support for House Jandel as well as for Clan Anabada.

In the case of the clan, I practically had to beg for their support, and the items they provided weren’t particularly significant.

The only benefits were that the clan house, which we currently use as our residence, was given to us at a reduced rate, and that we will be able to take out a loan from them in the future.

‘Requests…’

This is why ‘requests’ have become so important.

‘Requests’ are more like conditional contracts than outright benefits.

‘How well I handle this request will determine my standing and the benefits I receive. My position will rise significantly.’

In gaming terms, it’s similar to a reputation system.

Completing quests increases your rank, and with it, the benefits you receive. Of course, I have to measure the bed before I stretch out.

“What kind of request?”

Rather than asking about the reward, I first wanted to know the details of the request.

“Information.”

“…Information?”

This was completely unexpected.

Requests usually fall into one of three categories: hunting, gathering, or combat.

But information?

I gave him a look, urging him to explain further. Lord Goodrix sipped his tea and continued.

“Well… there’s been quite a big incident recently, hasn’t there?”

“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.”

The Viscount, who had initially tried to speak in a roundabout, noble manner, coughed awkwardly and got straight to the point.

Well, not exactly straight to the point.

“The inscription on the Stone of Honor. After some investigation, it seems that the hidden area likely refers to a new layer.”

Now I could understand what he was getting at.

“Baron Jandel, you’re planning to search unexplored areas in the next expedition, right? We’d like you to share your findings with us. Whether the hidden area is indeed a new layer, where the entrance is, how to get in, and what’s inside.”

At my question, Lord Goodrix paused for a moment, as if to organise his thoughts, then spoke.

“Baron, do you know what the most expensive level 9 essence in history is? It’s the Abyssal Fish. Although it is not significantly better than other level 9 essences, it sold for 3.2 billion stones. Do you know why?”

It was the first time I’d heard this story, but I could guess the reason.

“Because it was the first.”

“Exactly. The fact that it was discovered in the 9th-floor rift was enough for the Mage Tower to pay such a hefty sum. Being the first carries immense value.”

When I asked if it was all about money, the lord shook his head.

“Throughout history, newly discovered areas have always held countless treasures and opportunities. Hero Mulmarin, the Dragon Slayer, is a prime example. The power and privileges he gained from being the first to slay a dragon were something no one in any labyrinth has been able to achieve since.”

“So?”

“The information we receive from you will be passed on to trusted explorers from various tribes.”

“You want to use the information to help them grow stronger.”

“Exactly. The more power the explorers from various races gain, the greater our power will become.”

Although the Viscount’s explanation was unnecessarily long, I could clearly see why Melbes had made this request.

And I was convinced.

“Of course, Baron, you might find it unfair to share your valuable expedition findings with us. But I promise you this: the information you provide will only be shared with trusted people who will keep it confidential.

With that, the Viscount asked if I would accept the request, and I replied.

“Alright. I’ll take the request.”

After all, it wasn’t a quest with a penalty for failure.

I have nothing to lose by accepting it.

“Then I’ll see you later.”

After leaving the Viscount’s estate and returning home, I gathered my team to share the details of the new quest.

There were some concerns, but no objections.

We discussed our future expedition plans late into the night before finally heading to bed.

Amelia and Erwin sat in two chairs in front of my bed.

“There’s no need for you to stay, Tersia.”

“No way! I’m here to watch over you, mister!”

Why are they all acting like this when I will only be gone for a short while?

Tick, tock.

I closed my eyes, counting the seconds on the clock on my bedside table.

[The character’s soul resonates and is drawn to a specific world]

***

As soon as I woke up in Lee Han-soo’s room, I turned on the computer and logged into the community.

[Long Live Korean Independence] – 0 users online.

Good, they haven’t logged in yet…

It wouldn’t be too late to join after they have entered, so I first checked the community forum.

As expected, posts were already flooding in.

[Did you guys see the patch notes?]

This is what they mean when they say it feels like getting hit in the back of the head.

Is it for real that there’s still a hidden area?

[BurtusMaximus: It’s a free game that’s over 10 years old and still getting updates.]

[ㄴthese99: But it won’t let you go home.]

[ㄴBurtusMaximus: Seriously, what a shitty game. Now let me go home, you damn bastard.]

The patch notes seemed to have shocked the players.

[But how did Bjorn manage to defeat the Lord of Terror to trigger this patch?]

It’s weird that defeating it triggered a patch.

[Futuralis: He did a 5-man clear.]

[ㄴAI_DIDIGO: Info 1, it wasn’t a 5-man clear, it was a 4-man clear.]

[ㄴFuturalis: Then maybe a 4-man clear is the condition.]

[ㄴAI_DIDIGO: Info 2, Bjorn Jandel wasn’t the first to do a 4-man clear either.]

[ㄴFuturalis: So what’s the conclusion?]

[ㄴAI_DIDIGO: Conclusion, there’s a 92.24571% chance that Bjorn Jandel fulfilled a special condition before defeating the Lord of Terror.]

[ㄴPoster: This guy’s concept is funny.]

[Nyacreeps: But it makes sense, the royal researchers also believe that there’s a high probability that Gabriellius’ achievements were triggered under certain conditions.]

Players were throwing out all sorts of possibilities about the sudden patch.

I thought maybe the collective intelligence of the community could provide some clues, but I still had no idea what that ‘special condition’ might be.

‘Well… I guess it doesn’t matter now’

After skimming through the board, I checked the chat room.

[Long Live Korean Independence] – 2 users online.

Okay, they’re here on time.

As I entered the room, the two greeted me immediately upon sensing my presence

“Hyung-nim! You’re here!”

Lee Baek-ho bowed exaggeratedly.

“Ah, you’re here?”

Hyun Byeol glanced at me coolly.

I walked past her and sat down on the couch, and Lee Baek-ho immediately sat down next to me.

“Hyung! Do you know something? Before you came, we talked and Hyunbyeol Noona said she still has feelings for you!”

“………Huh?”

An incredibly awkward subject to start with.

I swallowed hard and glanced to the side, where Hyunbyeol’s stiff expression greeted me.

“…Oppa, I never said that. You’re not believing him, are you?”

“Ah, I know. Of course, I don’t believe him.”

“Hyung-nim! How can you say something so hurtful! Noona, too! You didn’t say that? Weren’t you blushing earlier when I asked what you’d do if he asked to get back together?”

Ah… so that’s what happened.

…What a relief.

I was worried about how I’d face Hyun Byeol from now on.

“…I wasn’t blushing. And even if I was, how does that lead to that conclusion?”

“Hmph, silence can sometimes be a powerful affirmation.”

“Mr. Lee Baekho… you’re a scumbag, you know that?”

With those words, Hyun Byeol refused to engage with Lee Baek-ho’s antics any further.

She simply glared at him with sharp eyes.

“Hyun Byeol, that’s enough. I’m not going to believe him anyway. Baekho, stop messing around.”

“Yes, Hyung!”

“I’m really pissed…”

When I mediated the situation, Lee Baek-ho said in a condescending voice, and Hyun Byeol clenched her fists tightly.

‘When did these two get so close?’

I was curious, but I didn’t voice it out loud.

If I did, Hyun Byeol would definitely have another outburst.

Lee Baek-ho and I only get to meet once a month in this community, and even then it’s only for an hour, so we have to make the most of our time.

In that sense…

“Hyun Byeol.”

I decided to send Hyun Byeol out to have a conversation.

Just by calling her name, her expression twisted, so it seemed she already had an idea of what I was going to say.

That made it easier for me to keep it brief.

“I need to talk to Baek-ho for a bit… you understand?”

“…I’ll be back in an hour.”

With that, Hyun Byeol shot Lee Baekho one last glare before leaving the chat room.

“Phew! Isn’t she really fun? She’s super tough, but kind of fumbles around you, which is interesting…”

“Baek-ho.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t be so rude.”

“…Okay. I won’t play around anymore. Happy?”

Sigh… how am I supposed to handle this guy?

While I was thinking, Lee Baek-ho noticed my mood and brought up a new topic.

“By the way, hyung.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you meet Nyang Nyang… I mean, Misha Karlstein?”

“Yeah. Thanks to you.”

Perhaps because of the time that had passed, there was still some distance between us, but time would fix that.

Yeah, so…

“Anyway, Baekho.”

Now that Misha had safely returned, it was time to ask the question I hadn’t been able to ask during our last meeting.

“What’s the Record Stone?”

I was tired of being left out of conversations where I was the only one who didn’t know what was going on.

 

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