Chapter 19: Frica’s Hero (1)
The Sacred Flare eliminated the darkness, but the cave's peculiar quietness made Kai get chills.
Is this what it feels like to explore an abandoned house?
He had never done it, but he imagined exploring a spooky, abandoned house in a remote valley. For Kai, who couldn't watch a horror movie without a cushion to hide behind, it was an unwelcome place.
A familiar spot caught Kai's eye as he walked slowly inside.
"This is…."
Kai dashed forward and looked around, then nodded.
I’m certain. This is the wall where Deyrok leaned against during the Helik’s Trial.
It was more than just a similar-looking place as the position and appearance of the rocks were exactly the same.
"But…."
There was no trace of the blanket Deyrok had been lying on or the campfire that had been lit.
Kai went deeper inside. With his great sense of direction, it wasn't difficult for him to reach the spot where he first met Amy.
"There’s nothing here."
No body, no bones. Not a single trace was visible.
It's the same space, but it was all an illusion.
A sense of relief washed over him.
"Phew, that’s a relief."
The fact that it was all an illusion meant that Amy didn't die on this cold floor at the prime of her life.
Now….
A smile formed on Kai's lips as he turned his head. The portal leading to the Forgotten Temple was still glowing.
The place itself is the same.
Entering without hesitation, he found himself in a familiar place.
Kai then familiarly summoned his minions.
[6 gnoll skeletons are summoned.]
This was enough. Kai cast buffs on them.
Click, click, click!
Tap, tap, tap!
The gnoll skeletons moved their jawbones as if they were happy!
Kai smiled approvingly and gave a nod. "Alright, now search."
Click, click?
"Our goal is items."
Upon receiving the order, the gnoll skeletons began to search the spacious room. They thoroughly searched, turning over collapsed walls and broken stones. After about 3 minutes, one of the gnoll skeletons came running to Kai with a rather luxurious-looking helmet.
"Oh!" Kai was certain. He then smiled, remembering it was Au's helmet. "Item information."
[Steel Helmet]
Grade: Rare
Defense: 320
Magic Defense: 289
Requirements: Level 45+ Strength 93+
Durability: 2/84
"Of course."
A level 45 Rare helmet! A Rare item that could easily be worth at least a million won.
Kai praised the gnoll skeleton that found the helmet, "Good job. You're exempt from the search operation. Take a good rest."
Clank, clank!
The gnoll skeleton's shoulder bones wiggled with joy! Seeing this, the movements of the other gnoll skeletons began to speed up.
As expected, healthy competition does indeed improve efficiency.
Kai waited leisurely with a satisfied smile as the remaining two Rare items also came into his possession.
[Shoes of the Wind]
Grade: Rare
Defense: 95
Magic Defense: 87
Movement Speed +25
Agility +3
Shoes that are faintly imbued with the power of the wind. Wearing them increases your movement speed.
Requirements: Level 46+ Agility: 100+
Durability: 15/97
[Scholarly Gloves]
Grade: Rare
Defense: 87
Magic Defense: 82
Spell Power +5%
Intelligence +2
Gloves favored by the renowned scholar and Wizard Stigma during his lectures. Infused with his experience, they slightly enhance the wearer's spell completion rate.
Requirements: Level 43+ Intelligence 90+
Durability: 7/79
".....!"
Kai finally understood why they were so desperate to get him.
"If they dropped items like these, it's understandable why they would go mad."
Of course, that wasn't enough to forgive them.
"Now then, let's go."
These items were now destined to find new owners.
"I wonder how much they'll sell for."
Of course, they would go to a wealthy new owner.
***
Kai couldn't relax on his way down the mountain, worried that the Crimson Sunset guild could have sent other members after him. Therefore, it was almost lunchtime by the time he arrived back at Frica Village.
"At least I made it back safely," Kai sighed with relief and took another look at his inventory.
The sight of the sparkling rare items made his stomach full.
I'll have to list them at the auction house later.
The auction house kept both the seller's and buyer's information anonymous. However, Kai suspected that the area around the auction house would be swarmed with members of the Crimson Sunset guild.
There's no need to stir up trouble.
The value of the items wouldn't decrease if he sold them a few days later.
Kai decided to sell the items safely elsewhere. With slight disappointment, Kai headed straight to the blacksmith.
Maxim was sitting on a chair, wiping sweat and quenching his thirst. "Here again? Seems like I'm seeing you quite often."
"Haha, seems like it. I've brought some good materials today."
"Oh, really? Let's see the materials first, then."
Blacksmith Maxim closely examined the loot left by the wyrm lizard.
After carefully inspecting them, he shook his head, "I'm giving this advice because it’s you. Take these materials to the city. There, you'll be able to make higher quality equipment than what we can produce here. These materials are not something that can be fully handled in a place with such poor facilities like this countryside."
"Oh...!"
In other words, Max’s equipment wasn't sufficient to fully handle these materials.
Kai collected the materials with a disappointed expression, "Then I'll head to the city as you said."
"Honestly, it's a pity for me too. But it's a better choice for you."
"Thank you for the advice."
"What for. If you act in other cities as you do here, plenty of people will like you there too."
It was advice that wouldn't have been offered if Kai's reputation in the village wasn't high. Grateful, Kai smiled and left the blacksmith.
Then there's no more reason to stay in this village.
If he reported the completion of the quest to Chief Bunther, there was no reason to stay in a place lurking with the Crimson Sunset guild members. His level was suitable for moving to the next area as well, so it was time to venture into the broader world.
"First, I need to complete the quest."
Kai made his way to the village chief's house.
***
"Thank you, truly! You are a hero to our village!"
Ding!
[You successfully completed the quest: A Village in Crisis!]
[+110,000 XP]
[Acquired 10 gold.]
[Gained free access to all Frica Village shops.]
[Special title acquired: “Hero of Frica Village.”]
Kai smiled back at Chief Bunther, who was hugging him.
"It was something I had to do. The villagers shouldn't have to live in fear forever."
"Oh, of course! But who else could have done such a marvelous job!" Tears welled up in Bunther's eyes as he patted Kai's hand. "If there’s anything you need, just let me know. I'll help with whatever I can!"
"Actually, I was thinking of moving my base to another city after this request."
"Oh darn…." Bunther genuinely looked saddened. "Do you have a city in mind?"
"Um..."
Kai thought of a city nearby where he could comfortably level up and which was within his level range.
The Great Lord's city of Barden is huge and convenient for activities, but it's too far and my level is too low for that. So, Glendale, being closer and moderately sized, seems like the choice.
Kai made up his mind and said, "I think I'll probably head toward Glendale first."
"Oh! That's great!" Bunther's face lit up, and he sat down at his desk, opening a drawer. "I happen to be quite acquainted with the lord governing Glendale."
"You, sir?" Kai looked surprised.
Glendale was a significantly large city, not comparable to Barden Castle, but still substantial. Therefore, it was quite unexpected for the chief of Frica Village to have connections with Glendale's lord.
Bunther handed over an envelope with a proud expression, "The current lord of Glendale, Baron Arsen, visited Frica Village when he was young to visit Sir Patrick's grave. That encounter has somehow lasted to this day."
"Sir Patrick? Who is that?"
"Oh dear, you've never heard of him?" Chief Bunther tilted his head in confusion before explaining, "My apologies. I assumed you'd know as a Cleric of the Solaris Church... Sir Patrick is called a legendary Paladin of the Solaris Church. He was one of the heroes who emerged when the demonic armies invaded the continent hundreds of years ago. Moreover, he's the one who founded this village."
"A legend of the Solaris Church..."
"His grave is grandly built near the village. Therefore, those who admire him or Clerics in training visit at least once when they go on pilgrimages to the holy sites.”
"I see," Kai politely responded and received the envelope Bunther was offering. It was a luxurious piece of stationery, sealed with wax, quite out of place for a rural village. "What is this?"
"It's a letter of recommendation. If you take it to Baron Arsen, he will surely assist you."
Kai was surprised.
In other words, this envelope was a quest item that could facilitate a meeting with an aristocrat. For a player, who was often treated no better than a common soldier, meeting an aristocrat was as difficult as reaching for the stars. And now Kai could meet a noble, not just any noble, but the Baron who governed Glendale!
It’s blooming. My life's flower is blooming brightly!
The flower that had been nourished on water alone for twenty-two years was finally blooming its splendid petals.
Kai looked at Bunther with eyes full of affection. "I will never forget your kindness, Chief."
"It is I who will never forget your efforts, thank you. You are always welcome here."
The village chief saw Kai off to the front of his house.
"Oh, by the way, Chief."
"Hm? What is it?" At Bunther's inquiry, Kai whispered something into his ear. "I see… Crimson Sunset, you say? Understood. I'll keep an eye on them."
Ding!
[The influence of the Crimson Sunset guild in Frica Village has significantly decreased.]
[Village Chief Bunther's affinity toward the Crimson Sunset guild members has dropped significantly.]
"Thank you."
Satisfied, Kai left the village chief's house. Of course, he didn't immediately leave the village. He made a round of the village, greeting all the NPCs he knew, and took advantage of the free shop use reward to gather as many potions and repair kits as his conscience allowed.
Now, I'm ready.
After completing all his preparations, Kai climbed a hill where the whole village of Frica could be seen.
"Frica Village…."
He had entered the village in his late 30s level-wise and lived there until now, level 55. It was also the area where he had spent the longest time during his gaming experience. More importantly, it was the place where his life had changed.
"Thanks for everything.”
This place held many memories. He had formed parties with many players for hunting, and he knew the names of all the village NPCs. Even the sights of gnolls he had grown tired of somehow felt nostalgic now that he was leaving.
But now, it's time to leave.
Where there were meetings, there were partings, and with partings, came new meetings.
"...."
No longer was there the naive newcomer who first entered the village on the hilltop. Instead, there only stood an excellent adventurer who had learned much, realized more, and become experienced.
Frica’s hero, who was taking one last look at the village landscape, quietly disappeared.
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