Chapter 60: My choiceI had a fifty-fifty chance of accepting her request until then. If I didn"t like it, I was clearly ready to say no, regardless of her pitiable situation.
However, the message before my eyes made me accept her request. I was swayed by the Grade A quest in particular. The rewards of Grade A were much better than I thought. I felt good about 25 million golden rings, a significant amount of EXP, 1,500 coins, and a random box containing one accessory bordering the “precious” and “legendary” grades, but I especially liked the 300 extra stat points.
Of course, I might get a jackpot from the legendary grade accessory in a random box, but it"s only a probability at this point. So, I liked the 300 remaining stat points better which was something pretty tangible because of Mutual Growth that could increase it to 750 from 300.
Besides, the Grade A quest had more requirements than the Grade B quest, with no guaranteed success.
But I decided to help Kihanna after all.
“Sure, let me help you until you can build a city with a good name,” I said cheerfully, for the fruit seemed too sweet and delicious for me to give up for fear of failure.
As soon as I made the choice, a message rang.
[You have chosen the Grade A quest: ‘Light the lamp of hope for the Salte clan."
-If you take more than one month without making any progress, the Salte clan may be disappointed and will destroy the quest itself.]
When I chose the Grade A quest, a condition was suddenly attached to it, which I hadn"t seen before. But I didn"t care because I could understand that kind of restriction. And I had a strong supporter behind my back.
“Thank you so much, Asirante.”
As soon as I accepted the Grade A quest, Kihanna offered her thanks, bowing to me deeply with tears in her eyes.
So, I was more puzzled as to why she gave me that quest with such urgency, for my sister told me that I would hardly receive the kind of quest that asked me to fight with users. Even if I had one, I would receive it only when I was recognized by them. In other words, it was a very rare quest. Besides, I"ve never achieved anything that made the NPCs recognize me.
Oh, of course, I achieved something extraordinary in Revival Legend, and its predecessor, Forgotten Legend. In particular, I achieved the max level in the third closed beta.
‘Come to think of it, I"ve made a tremendous achievement…"
At that time, I didn"t take my achievement seriously because I took it for granted. But when I looked back, I was the only one on earth who achieved the max level in all three closed betas.
“Then I"m going to tell the seniors of my clan about this news. If you happen to contact me or the Salte clan, you can stop by the tavern called Maant, located near the western gate of Pioneers" City. And finally, I"m so grateful that a strong man like Asirante has decided to help us instead of declining our request.”
After bowing deeply again, she moved out fast. She had a smile on her face, although she cried. Watching her, I whispered, “Log out.”
Anyway, I was ready to fight. I would be busy from now on, so I needed some rest.
The next morning I had a quick breakfast with cereal and immediately accessed the game.
And for the first time here I moved to the Teleport Zone in the center of the Safety Zone of the muddy swamp instead of the hunting ground outside, for I earned 3 skill points.
“Move to Pioneers" City.”
[You are now moving to Pioneers" City.]
Pioneers" City soon came into my view. Although I saw it once before I moved to the muddy swamp, I"d never entered it before.
Tramp, tramp.
I moved to step inside Pioneers" City this time, but I had to stop. Unlike Kotum Castle, the stronghold I visited before I came here, there were some guys blocking it.
“You have to pay 30 golden rings as the toll fee.”
They stopped me and asked for the fee arrogantly.
“Toll fee?”
Of course, they can collect tolls. That"s why I bought the trashy boots only a few days ago for 70,000 golden rings on the pretext of using them as the toll fee in the muddy swamp.
I know that giant guilds occupy the hunting grounds offering good items and excellent EXP, then make money in the name of tolls or use fees or monopolize such places. But they were all hunting grounds without exception.
However, as far as I knew, there was no city that charged fees or tolls, where the users could learn skills in the tower of a central square, shop, auction house, blacksmith as well as a tavern and cafes where they could relax. In the quest description, it was written that the Kahwa Guild received the toll fee from users. But I thought they charged it at the hunting ground. Never did I think they would collect the toll fee in the city.
“I have to pay fees to go into the city?” So, I had to ask because I might be mistaken.
“Yes. Each time you enter Pioneers" City, you have to pay 30 golden rings.”
It was a ridiculous situation, but I held back the urge to snort at him.
I took out 30 golden rings and handed it over.
“Pa.s.s.”
I pa.s.sed by the security guards and stepped inside.
But I stopped for a moment and asked them, “Are you guys the members of the Kahwa Guild?”
I asked just to double-check because if they were not, I would be in trouble.
“Yes, the guild that occupies this place is named the Kahwa Guild. Anything wrong with that?”
“No, nothing.”
When one of them blurted out his words threateningly as if they didn"t like my question, I replied meekly like a puppy lowering its tail. Then he took his eyes off from me and looked straight.
Tramp, tramp.
I also moved into the gate slowly. First of all, I headed for the tower in the central square where everything important in the city was located.
[It is a tower where heroes" abilities are recorded.
-Acquiring restrictions depending on individual abilities.]
When I approached the tower in the central square, the familiar message rang.
“Search ice-type skills.”
Since I didn"t intend to learn other skills, I immediately started searching for ice-type skills. Then two more messages rang.
[Ice-type skills are currently available.]
[Ice-type skills are currently upgradeable.]
-(Level 2) -> Level 3 Ice Ball. (Level 3 max. 20,000 golden rings required.)
: Throws a fist-sized lump of ice cubes at enemies within 30 meters.
: Attack range and damage increase depending on Intellectual Power.
: Level 1, 2, and 3 Ice b.a.l.l.s are available.
-(Level 2) -> Level 3 Ice Bolt. (Level 3 max. 20,000 golden rings required.)
: Throw Ice Bolt with penetrating power at the enemy within 30 meters.
: Attack range and damage increase depending on Intellectual Power.
:Level 1, 2, and 3 Ice Bolts available.
-(Level 2) -> Level 3 Ice Weapon (Level 3 max. 20,000 golden rings required.)
: Additional damage inflicted on the opponent by covering the weapon with cold ice.
: Additional damage by ice, depending on Intellectual Power.
: Level 1, 2, 3 Ice Weapons available.
-(Level 1) -> Level 3 Ice s.h.i.+eld. (45,000 golden rings required.)
: Erect a thin Ice s.h.i.+eld in front of the user.
: Thickness of the Ice s.h.i.+eld increases depending on Willpower and Intellectual Power.
: Level 1, 3, 5, and 7 Ice s.h.i.+elds available.
-(Level 2) -> Level 3 Multiple Ice Arrow (55,000 golden rings required.)
: Fires 5 Ice Arrows at the enemy within 25 meters.
: Attack range and damage increase, depending on Intellectual Power, up to 10 Ice Arrows.
: Level 2, 3, and 5 Multiple Ice Arrows available.
All the upgradable skills showed up first among the skills I had.
“Upgrade them all.”
Before I went to sleep last night, I agonized over it a lot, then made the decision to upgrade all the skills at Level 1 and 2, for I needed to maintain Level 3 in the case of Ice Weapon for the effects of its synergy with the Ice Emperor"s Guardian Sword.