Chapter 126: First Map Cleared! To Xin’s astonishment, the object was a key like none he had ever seen before.
It was a work of artistry and intricacy, an exquisite masterpiece crafted with painstaking detail. The key was adorned with delicate engravings and filigree, its surface glinting with a silvery sheen.
The head of the key was shaped like a finely sculpted dragon, its eyes and scales meticulously etched into the metal. Each twist and curve of the dragon’s form seemed to come to life, exuding an aura of ancient power.
As Xin examined the key, he couldn’t help but be entranced by its craftsmanship. It was clear that this was no ordinary key.
[CONGRATULATIONS! You have unlocked one of the necessary items in the quest, THE SECRET PRISONER!]
As I thought. Xin mused to himself.
He swiftly concealed the intricately crafted key within his inventory before the others could see it. He decided to keep its significance hidden for now, a secret he would eventually reveal to his companions when the time was right.
Xin then re-joined the group, and Rever couldn’t contain his curiosity as soon as Xin approached their location.
"What did you find?" he inquired eagerly.
"Just a regular item," Xin replied, feigning disinterest, keeping his knowledge of the quest’s to himself. The moment to unveil the truth would come later when he felt the timing was right.
Xin’s unease regarding Midnight Duchess lingered, and he remained wary of the possibility that Rever might accidentally reveal the quest to his guildmates.
The consequences of such a revelation could be dire, as others might swarm in to compete for the quest’s rewards.
In light of these concerns, Xin chose to bide his time. He recognized that as the quest’s primary holder, he had a unique advantage; no one could wrest the quest away from him. Their only viable option was to join forces with him in a group effort to complete it and share in the rewards.
However, Xin harbored another worry — the inevitable questions his companions would ask about how he had stumbled upon this quest.
After all, many adventurers had ventured into the fortress over the years without discovering it.
If he disclosed the existence of the very, very, very rare golden tool that had led him to the quest, he risked becoming a target, as such a valuable item would surely draw unwanted attention.
Xin felt like he was overthinking too much, but since before, he was a cautious person and likes to think of the possible consequences of his actions –– except for the accident in the stairs. That was a lapse of sight from his part.
Rever let out a disappointed sigh. "Seems like this was a waste of time, then."
Yuzuro, however, was in good spirits, caressing the Bronze Staff she had acquired. "Not at all. I can probably sell this for a decent price," she mused, a smile gracing her features. "Free items are never a waste."
Rever’s expression soured further. "That staff might only be worth Ten dollars at best. That’s hardly worth the effort."
Undeterred, Yuzuro shrugged. "It’s still a profit, considering it was free."
Victor then reminded them of their impending classes and work. "Let’s wrap up the quest," he urged. "We still have class tomorrow."
Agreeing with Victor, the group returned to the Ice Room with the key they found before. Unlocking the door revealed the long-awaited resting place of the Earl, a priceless coffin steeped in significance.
A prompt then appeared on Xin’s screen since he was made leader by the group.
. <Retrieving the Coffin will automatically teleport you back to the Earl’s mansion. Do you still want to retrieve it?>
<YES>
<NO>
Xin pressed <YES> and everything was a blur for a moment and the next thing they knew, they were outside the door of the Earl with the coffin no longer in their possession.
They returned the cherished coffin to the Earl’s grateful son, who showered Xin and the others with gratitude and rewards. EXP, Gil, and various items flowed their way as tokens of appreciation.
The noble son’s heartfelt thanks and the knowledge that they had provided solace to a grieving family were rewards in themselves.
The noble son honored them with a position of distinction in his fledgling kingdom, accompanied by a generous financial reward. He spoke of how dwarven history would remember their names, just as he had told previous players.
Through their actions, Xin and the group earned the respect and trust of an influential figure in the dwarven realm. This newfound relationship opened doors to potential future partnerships, business ventures, and quests that could bring even greater rewards.
It only meant that the players’ [Relationship Level] with the inhabitants in the Abandoned Fortress increased a little.
However, Xin had already achieved a maximum level of rapport with the noble son.
In return, he had secured a piece of the Fortress’s lost secret map, another item that is required for the quest.
"Looks like it’s time," Rever remarked, a lazy yawn escaping his lips as he stretched his arms over his head. "I’ve got work waiting for me, so I’ll catch you guys again tomorrow."
With those words, his form gradually disintegrated into shimmering particles before he vanished.
"See you tomorrow, Xin, Victor, and you too, Midnight Duchess. Hope you’ll join us for the second quest," Yuzuro chimed in with a friendly tone.
Midnight Duchess replied, "Rest assured, I’ll be here tomorrow."
Her response elicited a vexed click of Victor’s tongue.
As Yuzuro bid her goodbyes and logged out, only three of them remained.
However, Victor and Midnight Duchess wasted no time in launching into another round of banter, this time debating who should log out first.
"Shouldn’t you be in bed by now? You wouldn’t want to ruin that pristine complexion of yours by staying up late," Victor jape.
A mischievous smile played on Midnight Duchess’s lips as she volleyed back, "And who says we’re in the same time zone? Perhaps you should be the one catching some sleep to prevent more wrinkles from dotting on your face."
Their exchange continued, so engrossed in their verbal sparring that they failed to notice Lord Schrodinger bidding them farewell as well.
Soon enough, it was only the two of them left in the group, locked in their witty war of words.