Chapter 3: Ending for the Good-Hearted (3)
Wyrm Lizard. A field boss monster with a minimum level of 65… Why is something like that here?
The Frica Village where Kai was usually active was an area for adventurers between levels 40 and 50. A Red Gnoll Chief at level 51 was known as the strongest monster in that area, but there was suddenly a Wyrm Lizard.
Ugh. Did I get transported to a completely different place when I entered Helik's test?
Kai’s head throbbed.
He massaged his unusually aching head and said, "What about the exit? Is there no exit?"
"Well… there is, but..." Amy trailed off.
"Then it’s settled. Let's get out of here together. If you guide me, I'll protect us with holy magic."
Kai had faith in his Sacred Barrier skill that had a very high level. It wouldn’t block the Wyrm Lizard's attacks forever, but it should be enough for a few times.
"Sorry, but I can't because my leg is like this... You'll have to go on your own," Amy showed a bitter expression as she pointed to her leg.
Kai now noticed she had bandages wrapped around one of her legs.
While looking at her leg he said, "Are you worried about being a burden?"
"I can't walk on my own. I can't be… a burden to you."
"...."
After considering her words seriously, Kai shook his head and then rolled up his sleeves to lift her onto his back.
"Here we go."
"Ahh! W-wait...! What are you doing?!"
"What does it look like? I'm carrying you. Stop squirming and sit tight on my back. You're heavy."
"I-I’m not heavy!"
"Yes, you are."
Kai calmly carried the smelly woman on his back. It wasn't a sudden burst of heroism he hadn't known he had.
I can't just leave her here and then lose sleep over it.
Considering the possibility of escaping a Wyrm Lizard with a broken leg was zero percent, leaving her here in her current state was as good as killing her.
"I need someone to guide me, and you need a leg. Isn't this mutual aid, a win-win situation?"
"Why are you going to such lengths... I should tell you, I don't have any money."
As Amy showed signs of fear, Kai chuckled.
"Who asks a beggar for money?"
"Umm..."
Kai took an old blanket from his inventory and held it over his shoulder, offering it to her.
"Wrap this around yourself. I saw you shivering earlier. It's cold."
"Th-thank you. I'll accept it despite being ashamed..." Amy obediently wrapped herself in the blanket. She felt her body warm up and began to guide the way. "Turn left at the fork up ahead..."
As Amy directed, Kai silently walked on. After about ten minutes, they reached a place where a campfire was lit. Someone was sitting on the ground near the fire, leaning against the wall.
"Huh? How did you...?"
It was a stern-looking old man. He was startled when he noticed Amy and awkwardly got up. His attire was similarly grubby like Amy’s, but his was made of fine material.
The old man looked at Kai and his eyes widened. "A man? I’ve never seen you before!" Then the old man's eyes lit up as he gestured to Kai, saying, "Well, either way, good. Hey, you. If you’re on your way out, take me with you."
"...."
Kai then furrowed his eyebrows and observed the old man.
Who is this old man?
Kai carefully set Amy down on the ground. He felt her flinch, but she didn’t try to hold onto Kai as he let her go.
"Oh, come on over,” the old man said.
As Kai approached him, the old man revealed his yellowed gold teeth with a smile. "Indeed, there's no law against surviving. Who would've thought I'd meet a reliable young man in this cave."
"Enough of that. I need to check something." Grabbing the old man's thick outerwear, Kai forcibly stripped it off.
"H-hey! What in the world are you doing...?"
Clunk, clonk, clunk.
As Kai shook the coat upside down, food and jewels hidden in various pockets poured out endlessly. Moreover, several layers of blankets lay where the old man had been sitting.
Seeing this, Kai's gaze turned cold. "You have plenty of food and more than enough blankets. Why didn't you share any with Amy?"
"What, what are you talking about? I did share. S-she must have eaten all the food already!"
"That's not true," Kai firmly denied.
If one carried someone on their back and their stomach growled, then that sound was as loud as thunder in a quiet cave.
As Kai's gaze became even colder, the old man hastily continued, "A-alright! I thought she was already dead!"
"That's different from what you said before."
"Well… I'm old, it can't be helped."
Kai took his eyes off the old man and looked at Amy. "What's the truth?"
"...After I hurt my leg, he stole three blankets from me."
Hearing this, the old man spat out his words in defense, "Now, are you really believing that crippled woman's words? Listen up. I'm Deyrok, the vice-chairman of the Milo Trading Company. I'm of a different social status than such a lowly woman to begin with! Oh, right! If you help me get out of this cave, I'll pay you. How much do you want? 50… no, I'll give you 100 gold!"
"100 gold you say..." That was a tremendous amount offered, equivalent to 10 million won in cash. "It's definitely a lot of money."
"Of course! I'm the vice-chairman of the Milo Trading Company..."
"But it's a pittance for buying my self-respect." Kai naturally dropped his formalities. "Besides, you seem to be under a big misconception. I'm not really someone desperate for money."
"What do you mean... More money is always better, isn't it?"
"That's true, but it's not necessary to sell out what's important to get it."
"I can’t believe someone would reject such wealth... Are you crazy?"
"I'm sane, that's why I'm making this choice. I don't call someone who's lost their mind over money sane."
Deyrok trembled at those words. Regardless, Kai's thoughts remained consistent.
I don't help those who aren't worth helping.
Kai's motivation to help others started with a candy he received in kindergarten. He liked the moment of helping someone and receiving a reward for it. The feeling of accomplishment made him feel alive.
Especially since I started playing MID Online...even more so.
NPCs always asked for help, and when their requests were fulfilled, XP points or items were rewarded.
A world exactly as I had wished for.
As long as quests existed, MID Online was paradise for Kai.
Roooaar!
“Aghh!”
From the other end of the cave's passage, a thunderous roar similar to a dinosaur echoed.
Amy and Deyrok immediately turned pale.
Overwhelmed with fear, Deyrok frantically pulled out gold coins from his pocket, exclaiming, "W-we can't delay any longer! If we do, not only us but you too will die! I know a shortcut! Protect me, and I'll guide you to it. Those of us who can survive should, shouldn't we?! And I'm willing to pay any amount. I’ll give you 150.. no, 200 gold!"
"...."
Not being tempted would be a lie. Though Kai wasn't desperate for money, 20 million won was a significant amount. However, Kai had a principle he had lived by for 22 years.
"I only help those who are worth helping. That's my rule."
His gaze was stubborn yet upright, as if he didn't know the existence of negotiations or shortcuts.
After seeing Kai’s eyes and realizing he couldn't persuade Kai, Deyrok's expression turned venomous as he said, "So, you choose death? Fool! May you fall into hell!"
Despite the curse hurled at him, Kai just smiled. "It's just a game after all, so why not experience it for once. Perhaps demons will appear."
There was nothing more futile than showing kindness to those who didn’t deserve it. They mistook kindness as a right. Kai had seen too many such people and never wanted to repeat those annoying experiences. The time and effort spent on such unworthy people seemed a waste.
"K-Kai… It's okay for you to leave me here..."
How could two people as different as night and day coexist in the same place? One begs to be saved in exchange for money, while the other selflessly tells him to leave. Of course, Kai rejected both offers.
"Forget it. If I leave you here, I won't be able to sleep at night."
Just as Kai firmly decided, the roaring sound grew closer.
The Trial of Helik or whatever, looks like I'm going to die before it even starts.
The next moment, as the cave shook as if hit by an earthquake, a message appeared.
[Are you confident you won't regret your decision?]
"What's this?"
Even Kai was taken aback at this moment. He had never seen such a message since he started the game.
Am I confident I won't regret my decision?
The answer came easily. There was no need to ponder. As long as he followed his set principles, he wouldn't regret the outcome.
"No regrets."
Simultaneously with Kai's resolute answer, the scenery changed.
***
What's this now?
Kai tilted his head. The gloomy cave had vanished, and a bright, lively garden came into view. From a fountain with angels carved with platinum, rainbows sprouted instead of water, and turning his head, he saw stairs made of clouds. It was a place that perfectly fit the description of paradise.
"Cool."
It was a sight only possible in a game. Kai couldn't help but admire the view.
At that moment, another message popped up.
Ding!
[Job Change Quest: You have successfully completed Helik’s quest.]
[Linked Quest: Connecting to Certification of Eligibility.]
[Certificate of Eligibility]
Difficulty: S
Helik, God of the Sun, is the greatest in the land. But forces of darkness stronger than one could imagine lie in wait to make their move. Having long anticipated their plan, Helik has been searching for a vassal to enact his will.
Become his envoy to protect this world against evil and bring prosperity to its people.
Quest requirements: Pass the Trial of Helik.
Quest reward: Acquire Solaris Cleric (Mythic rank) job class.
"...What?"
Kai doubted his eyes.
What rank?
Until now, there had only been one rank for hidden classes revealed in the game. That was the Hero Rank. Being promoted to that job meant one could follow in the footsteps of the heroes recorded in the continent's history.
But… this isn't Hero Rank.
It was a Mythic Rank, and not just any Mythic Rank, but a hidden class of the Church of Solaris, a faction known as the strongest in the continent.
Mythic Rank. That's undoubtedly a higher class than Hero Rank.
As his thoughts reached this point, Kai didn't hesitate to respond.
"I accept."
[To proceed with the Job Change, you will be transported to a specific location. Do you accept?]
"Yes."
[Transporting to the Room of Confirmation.]
The next moment, Kai found himself in a pure white space with nothing around.
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