Chapter 39

“F-forty...?”

'Is he serious...?'

'Impossible. There's no way he could get through the yetis at the entrance to the snowfields at that level.'

Not one of them believed him.

“Damn it. Are you joking? How could you possibly get here at that level?”

“Believe me or don't. That's up to you.”

“Hmph. You're making fun of me. What a weirdo...”

The mage shook his head and opened his book again, apparently unwilling to speak to Woojin any longer.

“Is that really true, big guy? You made it through the snowfields at only level forty?”

Weden sidled up to Woojin, his eyes shining.

“I already told you. Decide for yourself whether you believe me.”

“Then what are you going to Hundred Flowers Valley for? I assumed you were going to do the final Warrior quest.”

“Just curious. I hear there's plenty of fun to be had there.”

“Curious? Oh...”

Weden nodded as though he understood.

“H-ha ha... Right. There's all sorts of things to do in Hundred Flowers Valley. No wonder you're curious.”

With an awkward laugh, he quietly returned to his seat.

Apparently, he had gotten the wrong idea and assumed Woojin was visiting the brothels.

“You shouldn't tease the young fellow. You don't have the eyes of a man on his way to a brothel.”

“I wasn't teasing him. His imagination did all the work.”

“Heh heh. He's at that age.”

“What about you? Why are you going to Hundred Flowers Valley?”

Woojin pointed at the tawny feather ornament hanging from the dwarf's waist. It signified a fifth-grade hunter, a badge awarded only to those who had reached the central continent.

In other words, Gareth had to be at least level fifty.

“Ah... You've got a sharp eye. But you're wrong about my level. I'm only forty-nine myself.”

“... Hmm?”

“I lost a level, you see. I don't have to repeat the final quest like Weden, but I do need to level up before I can cross the portal again.”

“Lost a level...? Did someone PK you?”

“Ha ha, no. I did it on purpose.”

His hearty reply only left Woojin looking more baffled.

“A new dungeon was discovered in Hundred Flowers Valley.”

“A new dungeon?”

That piqued Woojin's interest.

“Indeed. An official notice came to the central continent not long ago. Apparently, they found a place called the Ice Cave.”

DING!

Just then, a notification appeared.

[You have obtained information about a new dungeon.]

▶ The Ice Cave in the Snowfields

▶ You heard new information at the shelter you reached while escaping an avalanche.

▶ This may be of interest to Kahira.

[Related Quest: A Contract with Kahira]

▶ Gather more information on this subject.

“... Huh?”

Caught slightly off guard by the unexpected notification, Woojin stared at the window.

“What is it?”

“No, nothing...”

'Right. Kahira said dungeons were a kind of rift. So this is how the quest can continue.'

Considering himself lucky, Woojin checked the window's final instruction again.

'I need to gather more information...'

“Could I enter the dungeon too?”

There was no surer way to learn about something than to see it firsthand.

“Well, I don't see why not. From what I've heard, only players level fifty and below can get the entry quest in Hundred Flowers Valley. Though... ahem. I'm not sure about level forty.”

Gareth faltered, casting a concerned glance at Woojin.

“Don't tell me you lowered your level just for this.”

“Doesn't it sound fun? High-level players couldn't do it even if they wanted to.”

Even Woojin, who was rarely surprised, could only shake his head at that.

“Ha ha ha!”

Seemingly delighted by his reaction, Gareth let out a hearty laugh and opened the cabin door.

“The snow's stopped.”

He pointed down the mountain.

“It's cleared up enough to see Hundred Flowers Valley over there.”

Just as he said, an enormous snow-covered harbor lay in view.

* * *

“I've heard it called all sorts of things. A village of failures, a lawless zone...”

Hundred Flowers Valley, an enormous harbor with countless ships at anchor, was nothing like the rumors.

Sailors hauled cargo along the waterfront, while the noisy cries of merchants rose from the square farther in. Its stone buildings were larger and taller than those in Parta.

“Livelier than you expected, isn't it?”

Woojin nodded at Gareth's question.

“On the surface, at least.”

Gareth pointed at the sailors and merchants.

“The only lively people in this city are NPCs. The players are beyond those back alleys.”

“Why?”

“For much the same reason Weden reacted the way he did when he spoke to you. Hundred Flowers Valley lets people indulge in shady things they can't do in real life.”

Hundred Flowers Valley offered every kind of diversion, from drinking and gambling to the fighting pits.

“Rumor has it you can even get drugs here.”

“Drugs? That's allowed?”

“They say alchemists modified the hallucinogens used on monsters during hunts.”

“Alchemists...”

“Since they're used inside the game, no actual substances remain in your body. Apparently, that's left the government in a difficult position.”

[Evil Tale] used capsule-style virtual reality equipment that engaged all five senses throughout the body. Inevitably, that led to unforeseen developments.

“I'm not sure whether to call that impressive.”

Woojin gave a wry smile at Gareth's explanation.

“I hear they'll be discussing it with the company soon.”

'If only they'd pay that much attention to my problem.'

Woojin clicked his tongue, wondering whether any of those unforeseen developments could possibly be as absurd as his own situation.

“Um...! I'll be going on ahead.”

“Oh, right. The inn that gives the Warrior quest is this way, isn't it?”

“Yes. You made the trip much easier. Thank you.”

“Don't mention it. Well, fate brought us together. Once you reach the central continent, stop by the [White Tavern]. Tell the owner my name, and they'll give you what you need.”

“Oh...! Thank you!”

Weden, who had no real connections on the central continent, answered with a smile.

“Have fun, everyone!”

“Such a pleasant fellow, isn't he? It's youngsters like him who really enjoy the game.”

Gareth sounded approving as he watched Weden bow and leave.

“Excuse me...”

Just then, after Weden had gone, the mage standing behind them hesitantly addressed Gareth.

“If you mean the [White Tavern], are you with the Ulda Alliance?”

“Oh... I can see why the Naian Clan would recruit you. You're still in the Dark Forest, but you seem to know a thing or two about the central continent.”

“I-it's an honor!”

“An honor? Come now. Enough of that.”

“No... I'm sorry I didn't recognize you.”

The mage lowered his hood and bowed, suddenly stiff with nerves, nothing like his earlier self.

“My name is Kim Chan.”

“Ha ha, there's no need to apologize. I never told you who I belonged to, and it isn't as though we've had any trouble with each other.”

Woojin watched the mage's sudden change in attitude with a puzzled look.

“Well, I'd best get moving myself. See you all again. Khan, you should stop by sometime too.”

“I will.”

With that, Gareth caught the look in Kim Chan's eyes and departed almost as though he were fleeing.

“Ah...”

As Kim Chan sighed in disappointment, Woojin asked,

“Is it really that surprising?”

“You... You heard he's with the Ulda Alliance, and you don't care?”

“Is that so strange?”

“Unbelievable. I thought you were impressive for coming to Hundred Flowers Valley before you even reached forty, but you're just a clueless newbie.”

“I'm not even forty. Of course I'm a newbie.”

Kim Chan's lips twitched as Woojin countered him at every turn.

“The Ulda Alliance is the strangest group in Evil Tale. It's full of eccentrics who are obsessed with the game.”

“I think Gareth made that clear enough.”

“By eccentric, I don't just mean weird. Those people delve deeper into Evil Tale than anyone else.”

Kim Chan seemed to grow more excited as he explained.

“Kerga is the undisputed top player in Evil Tale, but those people are doing something even he hasn't managed yet.”

“What's that?”

He raised a finger and answered in a tense voice, as though imparting some momentous revelation.

“A World Quest.”

Even Woojin's previously calm expression shifted slightly at those words.

'They said even a B-grade quest could affect the continent's history, depending on the outcome.'

A World Quest's grade could not be estimated. Known as ungraded quests, they were considered entirely separate from ordinary ones.

Quests in [Evil Tale] weren't designed simply to award experience; they were scenarios in their own right. World Quests had the greatest influence of all, and it was known that [Ethan], the AI that built this world, determined the direction of the next update based on whether those quests were cleared.

“True... A World Quest is another matter.”

“Ugh, how could I not recognize someone like that? I must've been out of my mind...”

Kim Chan stamped his foot like a child and sighed, sounding genuinely regretful.

“You'll have another chance to meet him. You're heading to the central continent anyway, aren't you?”

“Another chance? I told you, they're all eccentrics. You heard him mention the White Tavern, right? They only meet people they've approved.”

“Hmm.”

“Damn it... I must've gotten on his bad side. He invited you two to the White Tavern, but not me.”

“That's why you should always mind your manners.”

“Everyone in the Ulda Alliance is at least level sixty-five... So he's probably on an alt. Who could he be?”

“How about leveling up and heading to the central continent instead of worrying about that?”

Woojin, too, made to leave.

“W-wait!”

[Mage Kim Chan has sent you a friend request.]

“... Hmm?”

Woojin looked from the window that appeared before him to Kim Chan, puzzled.

“When you visit the White Tavern... could you let me know too?”

Kim Chan shifted awkwardly as he asked.

Being a game, [Evil Tale] also had a [Message] feature. It could deliver a message regardless of the recipient's location or status. That had been standard in older games, but things were slightly different in [Evil Tale].

Although the feature detracted from realism, the administration had announced that, for the players' convenience, it would charge for [Messages] rather than remove them. As a result, each [Message] became a paid item costing five gold to send.

Players who added each other as friends, however, could use [Messages] for free.

“You know you can only have three friends registered, right?”

Kim Chan nodded at Woojin's question.

“As long as you know.”

[Khan has declined the request.]

“Wh-why?!”

“Why should I add you as a friend?”

“Wh-what?”

“I don't particularly want to be friends with someone who sends a request to a person he's just met because he doesn't want to pay for a message.”

“Seriously? Why be so petty about it?”

Kim Chan sounded incredulous.

“I was being considerate of you. Once I'm on the central continent, I can earn that easily, but you'll still be stuck in the Dark Forest.”

His absurd excuse only seemed to confirm Woojin's judgment, and Woojin sneered.

“Considerate? If I were you, I'd have handed over the five gold for the message before asking for the favor.”

“...”

“The portal fee is ten gold, isn't it? At your level, you must have saved at least that much. If you're going to ask for a favor, at least show some sincerity.”

Kim Chan's face reddened.

“If you want to survive on the central continent, you'll have to learn what manners are all over again.”

“Wh-what did you say...?”

Woojin turned to Ruen.

“Manners aren't a matter of convenience.”

Kim Chan's face twisted at his words.

“Ruen, let's go.”

“Y-yes!”

Ruen glanced at Kim Chan, who stood rooted to the spot, then hurried after Woojin.

* * *

“... Will that be all right?”

“What will?”

“That man.”

Ruen asked as they headed deeper into the alleys, searching for the location Peron had told them about.

“Couldn't you have just accepted his request?”

“I could have. But I'm under no obligation to. He went about it the wrong way, and I simply pointed that out.”

“Hmm...”

“You have to show respect yourself if you want the other person to show it in return.”

“Yes. I'll remember that.”

Woojin turned farther into the alley, and an extravagant building appeared, entirely out of place in the shabby neighborhood.

KNOCK, KNOCK!

He rapped the door knocker. A small shutter near the top of the door opened, and sharp eyes peered down at him.

“Who are you?”

“Teron referred me. I'd like to meet Charlson, the head of Azen.”

“The chairman doesn't have time for the likes of you. You've got no business here. Piss off.”

SLAM!

With that icy reply, the shutter closed.

“Hmm.”

Woojin stared at the closed shutter and gave a wry smile at the cold reception.

A chill ran down Ruen's spine. For some reason, the sight of that smile gave her goose bumps.

KNOCK, KNOCK!

Woojin knocked again.

“I told you to piss—Aaargh!”

As the shutter was flung open, Woojin thrust his blade through the gap.

“...!”

Ruen covered her mouth and let out a startled breath.

“Master, you just said we should be polite...”

“This is being polite.”

“Oh. Yes.”

“Y-you crazy bastard!”

The doorkeeper had scrambled backward and fallen flat on his back. Staring at the sword protruding through the opening, he shouted in disbelief.

BANG!

The door burst open, and the burly doorkeeper stood before Woojin.

“How dare you! Do you know where you are?!”

“I just told you where this is.”

“... What? You insolent little shit, who do you think you're talking to—!”

“You were rude first.”

The doorkeeper's face contorted at Woojin's reply.

“Everyone, get out here!”

At his shout, people began pouring out of the building.

“What's going on?”

“What bastard's causing trouble here?!”

Several burly men surrounded Woojin in an instant.

“M-Master...”

Looking at them, Ruen addressed Woojin in a worried voice.

“Please, just don't kill them.”

She meant it with all her heart.