Free Web NovelChapter 28: Ch 28: Criminal Grimblade
"I will get it done right away, Master!" the bald man declared and turned around, sprinting toward the city gates with surprising speed for someone who had looked so incredibly lazy just a moment ago.
Raidan chuckled inwardly as he watched the player run off.
With his multiplier system, that simple +1 ATK reward could turn into something spectacular once the quest was completed.
Raidan took a bun from the lady shopkeeper and munched on it happily.
No sooner had he done that, a familiar figure was seen walking toward him.
It was his first Quest Seeker, Leo, the little boy.
Seeing him, Raidan immediately gulped down the remaining bun and adopted the persona of a Master Swordsman.
After noticing his reserved nature, the boy was a little hesitant.
"Master Grimblade, I completed your quest yesterday. Do you still remember me?" he asked in anticipation.
Only then did Raidan look at him, offering a warm smile.
"Ah yes, young adventurer. I remember you. You brought me the slime cores I needed to cleanse my blade. I must thank you for that, young hero."
Leo’s chest puffed up with pride upon hearing the praise from the mysterious Master Grimblade.
"I do, Master! And I have grown much stronger since then. But I want to get even stronger. Slimes are too easy now. Please, give me a dangerous task. I want a real challenge. something with great rewards!"
Raidan raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised by the kid’s ambition. He looked at Leo’s small frame, noting the basic leather armor and the Trainee’s wooden sword strapped to his waist.
The boy was eager, perhaps a bit too eager.
But from a purely logical standpoint, harder quests meant better base rewards. And with his multiplier system, higher base rewards for Leo meant an astronomical payout for Raidan once the quest was completed.
Raidan stroked his chin, maintaining his wise and solemn persona.
"Courage is a double-edged sword, young hero. It can cut a path to greatness, or it can lead you straight into the abyss. Are you truly prepared to face the genuine horrors of this world?"
Leo bobbed his head up and down.
"I am ready, Master Grimblade. I will not fail you."
After that, Raidan couldn’t dawdle anymore. He opened his Quest Creator interface and began typing out the parameters.
"Very well. The dark forces I am investigating have begun corrupting the beasts in the Whispering Woods just outside the city. Go there, and cull the infected."
Ding!
[ System Notification: You have received a new quest ! ]
[ Quest Name: Cull the Corrupted (Rank: E+) ]
[ Objective: ] Hunt down and defeat 15 Corrupted Shadow Wolves in the Whispering Woods. Collect their tainted fangs as proof of your victory.
[ Time Limit: ] 24 Hours.
[ Difficulty:] Hard
[ Failure Punishment: ] -400 EXP and forced exit.
[ Rewards: ]
+1,200 EXP
+2 ATK, +2 AGI
10 Silver Coins
Leo smiled widely when he saw the generous coins ans attribute points. For a player of his level, gaining multiple raw stats from a single quest was like striking gold.
But of course, the danger was very real. He might die as well. But he must take the risk. He had to.
"I accept the quest, Master! I will bring you the fangs by tomorrow!"
Raidan replied,
"May your blade strike true, young hero. Do not let the shadows consume you."
With a respectful bow, the young boy also turned around and ran off toward the city gates, ready to risk his life for the sake of getting stronger.
Raidan could only pray the boy would survive and grow.
Just then, he noticed it was getting near noon.
His stomach also growled.
Raidan decided to go to the Shrine for lunch, since he couldn’t shake the memories of the innkeeper’s family getting killed just yet.
However, just as he was about to leave, several city guards wearing knight’s armor and equipped with long spears surrounded him.
"Halt! Raise your hands, criminal!"
Raidan raised his arms in disbelief. "Criminal? What crime did I commit, guards?"
"Criminal, we have a report that yesterday you killed a civilian in broad daylight. We have witnesses as well," the lead guard said.
Only then did Raidan remember the incident where he had accidentally killed a burgler who went after Fiona.
It was all a misunderstanding.
"Guards, this is all a misunderstanding! I didn’t kill the man with evil motives. He was harassing a passerby. It was entirely an accident."
The lead guard didn’t buy his words. He snarled as if Raidan had murdered one of his own kin.
"Shut it, punk! We are ordered to take you into custody immediately. If you resist, we will use force."
"Great!" Raidan could only mutter in exasperation.
There were countless criminals roaming around the city, and yet he was the one who got caught, and for no good reason nonetheless.
The guards, seeing Raidan so docile, went to restrain him using Mana Detaining cuffs.
However, just as they reached up to grab his arms, all of a sudden, Raidan vanished.
Using his 150 points of Agility, he fled. freewebnøvel.coɱ
He knew getting caught in this city would result in zero assistance from anyone, and he didn’t want to be reliant on anyone.
That is why he chose to flee and steal another face.
Meanwhile, the guards were still searching for him.
Even though their levels neared 15 or 16, their Agility wasn’t as high as Raidan’s. So they couldn’t chase after him at all.
And now, he needed a new identity, and he needed it fast. The persona of Master Grimblade will have to stay hidden temporarily. freewebnøvel.coɱ
Slowing his pace as he approached the quieter district near the city’s grand archive, Raidan scanned the area for a suitable replacement.
His eyes soon landed on the perfect target.
Walking alone down a secluded cobblestone path was a young man of slender build, dressed in neat expensive robes.
He had short green hair and carried a stack of heavy, leather-bound books.
Raidan moved in absolute silence.
In a split second, he appeared behind the scholar and delivered a strong palm strike to the back of the man’s neck.
Bam!
The scholar went limp instantly, and Raidan caught him before he could hit the ground.
"Well, your face will do for now."
