by Park Saenal
“…”
“Prince Dulandal is curious about the prisoners in the Abyss. If the prisoners trapped in the Abyss are the dukes… I don’t know what kind of severe suffering they will experience before the emperor returns. It is Prince Dulandal’s conjecture that the fourth prince will use them to create an uproar.”
“Wait. Wait a minute.”
The scale of the case was too large. He didn’t think it was something that a knight like him could handle. In the first place, there were too many things he didn’t understand.
“Isn’t this too exaggerated? The fourth imperial prince doesn’t have the authority to arrest the dukes.”
“There is no authority, but there is power.”
“…?”
“The second imperial prince officially denies it, but the ancient weapons called the magic machines are actually an enormous force. Additionally, the fourth prince’s innate ‘red energy’ is comparable to the level of the first imperial prince. Even the dukes can’t let down their guards against him.”
“N-No. Still, it is strange. Isn’t Duke Basara the sixth cousin of the fourth imperial prince? Yet he placed his sixth cousin in the Abyss?”
“What is strange about that? Prince Dulandal and the fourth imperial prince are half brothers, but haven’t they been pointing their swords at each other for a long time?”
“…Ah.”
Medieval times… Factions, power, empire… Now Resh realized that the world of knights that he had long dreamed about wasn’t a beautiful and noble world. The senior knight patted Resh’s stiff and tense shoulders. “I don’t know why, but there is news that the emperor’s return has been delayed by four days. There is enough time. Within the next six days, secure a list of prisoners in the Abyss. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“H-How can I do that myself?”
Resh had properly stepped in shit. Although he was ready to sacrifice his life at any time for his lord, wasn’t this going to him dying a dog’s death? He was in big trouble.
“Who told you to go by yourself?”
At this moment…
Ttiring~
There was a loud noise as the details of the hidden question emerged in front of Resh.
[Abyss Exploration]
[★ Hidden Quest ★
Senior Knight Bell has high hopes for your connections as a wanderer knight.
Use your connections to explore the Abyss and secure a list of prisoners.
*Two players can join you on the quest! Quest members will earn the same rewards!
Quest Clear Conditions:
1. Activate at least 15% of the Abyss Dungeon map.
2. Secure a list of prisoners.
Quest Clear Reward: Level +3 Affinity. with Dulandal will open. One unique rated skill book. The title ‘Peek at the End of the Underground’ will be obtained.
Quest Failure: Level -5.]
“…”
The rewards were tremendous. The difficulty was high, and there was a considerable penalty if the quest failed. Could he refuse the quest? Of course not. That was because a knight’s obedience was more absolute than that of a soldier. After a moment of contemplation, Resh was forced to respond, “…I’ll try it.”
‘A knight doesn’t always walk along a comfortable road.’
Trials and adversities would naturally follow. Resh was fascinated by the knights who overcame trials and adversities to become heroes.
‘Let’s do it. I have no choice but to do it.’
The only question was where to find two helpers. In the real world, Resh boasted great interpersonal relationships and had many connections. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any high rankers among his connections. He was already lost from thinking about where to find a colleague who could carry out such challenging quests with him.
‘Shall I look there?’ Resh was reminded of a community called ‘Chivalry.’
It was a small community of people who envied knights. Although it was small in scale, the community’s history was deep, and many of its members had started Satisfy as soon as it was released. In particular, Resh had noticed a new member with the strange ID of ‘Pepsi is an Insurgent.’
‘Based on his posts and comments, he has a high level. Let’s ask him for cooperation.’
Resh immediately logged out and accessed the site.
***
[Rash Guard has left you a note.]
“Huh? What is going on?”
Lee Seonung, the young man called Coke in Satisfy, was delighted to see the alert on his smartwatch. Chivalry was a community he had joined after becoming Lord’s knight. Rash Guard was the knight he got along with the best among the members he met there. Coke enjoyed his conversations with Rash Guard, who had been very helpful in sharing information.
[Title: To Pepsi is an Insurgent.
Good morning, Pepsi-nim.
This time, I received a very big assignment from my superior. It is about exploring a country’s dungeon and getting a list of prisoners. There is a huge conspiracy involved. It is a quest that can be done by a total of three players, including me. The difficulty is very high, but the rewards are great. If Pepsi-nim is over level 340 and you are ready to take risks, I would like to ask you to participate in the quest. Please reply.]
“Hrmm… A quest that requires at least level 340…”
No wonder why this person knew a lot of information. His level was quite high. Coke thought for a moment before replying to Rash Guard.
[Title: Rash Guard-nim.
Hello, Rash Guard-nim!
Fortunately, my level is a bit over 340. However, I’m a bit nervous because you said that the difficulty is high. I can’t give you a definitive answer until I know more information! ㅠ.ㅠ]
The reply arrived immediately.
[Title: Quest Contents.
[Abyss Exploration]
[★ Hidden Quest ★
Senior Knight Bell has high hopes for your connections as a wanderer knight.
Use your connections to explore the Abyss and secure a list of prisoners.
*Two players can join you on the quest! Quest members will earn the same rewards!
Quest Clear Conditions:
1. Activate at least 15% of the Abyss Dungeon map.
2. Secure a list of prisoners.
Quest Clear Reward: Level +3. Affinity with XXX will open. One unique rated skill book. The title ‘Peek at the End of the Underground’ will be obtained.
Quest Failure: Level -5.]
I don’t doubt Pepsi-nim but I have removed the names of some people to prevent information leakage. The rest of the information is true.
As you can see, the rewards are very great. It is a quest with a minimum difficulty level of SS.
I don’t want to force you to participate to the point of sacrificing yourself.
I’m just asking for help.]
“Wow…” Coke read the contents of the quest and unwittingly expressed his admiration. A unique rated skill book, a title, and three levels…? There would be unconditional benefits if he could participate in the quest. Since Rash Guard had been in the Chivalry community for several years and his community history was quite clean, he was reliable.
The excited Coke sent a message straight away. The reply arrived immediately. The conversation between the two people proceeded like a live chat.
[Pepsi is an Insurgent: Have you already found the other party member?
Rash Guard: No. I haven’t found anyone yet.
Pepsi is an Insurgent: Can I recommend someone?
Rash Guard: Um… Then is Pepsi-nim willing to participate?
Pepsi is an Insurgent: Yes.
Rash Guard: Then let’s meet in Satisfy. After I meet with Pepsi-nim, I will confirm our power and decided whether to accept the recommended person or not.
Pepsi is an Insurgent: Yes, I understand. Still, you will naturally accept it.
Rash Guard: ?
Pepsi is an Insurgent: The person I’m recommending is
Grid ㅎㅎ
Rash Guard: ㅎ]
‘He is a frivolous person.’
Resh frowned at Pepsi is an Insurgent’s attitude. It was unexpected to mention the ID of a supreme person here. It was too much to joke about this. It wasn’t funny or touching. Resh thought that Pepsi was a young student or an immature adult. He was anxious that he was being deceived by someone on the Internet.
Still, he shook his head and connected to Satisfy again. He told Pepsi to send a friend request, but he didn’t hold any more expectations. The feeling that he should find someone else had already risen steadily. Then he logged into Satisfy.
[The player ‘Coke’ has requested to be your friend.]
[The player ‘Grid’ has requested to be your friend.]
Unexpected notification windows popped up. Resh burst out laughing.
“He really knows a Grid.”
Satisfy was a game enjoyed by two billion players. Duplicate IDs were allowed. The possibility that this Grid was ‘Overgeared King Grid’ was close to zero.
[You have accepted the other person’s friend request.]
[Bringing up the updated list of friends.]
[Name: Coke
Level: 367
Guild: Overgeared Guild]
“Eh?”
[Name: Grid
Level: 399
Guild: Overgeared Guild]
“Huh?”
It was real…? Resh lost his soul.
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Chapter 1061
“These jerks.”
Between level 398 and 399, it might only be a one-level difference, but the experience required to level up was at least twice as much. Grid had speculated this. However, he was mistaken as it wasn’t twice as much, but 10 times as much. It had been a fortnight since he had gotten stuck in the Ruins of the War God. Apart from when he visited Reidan for the Ultimate Transformation, Grid had hunted continuously, yet he had only gained 0.09% experience. Since the Ruins of the War God was currently the most difficult hunting site, this wasn’t a natural phenomenon.
‘It is because it is like this that I couldn’t level up by hunting Berith. Shouldn’t I level up at this point?’
Grid was well aware of his own strength. He knew he was much stronger if his level was equal to that of an ordinary ranker. Could other people fulfill the demanding experience requirement when they didn’t have overwhelming hunting abilities? Grid thought it was hard.
‘In a year or so, there might be a perception that level 399 is an interval level.’
There would be a period when most users were stuck at level 399. Thinking about it, Grid realized how precious a quest which gave levels truly was. At this time, the minus levels he experienced when he just became Pagma’s Descendant was more precious.
“It’s hard, it’s hard…”
Grid was suddenly overwhelmed. He thought the operators would be giggling while watching him be in pain, and they would do it while ripping at fried chicken.
‘…No, even they aren’t perverted enough to watch while ripping at friend chicken.’
While Grid was shivering, a whisper came. The whim of the war god was still maintained, so the ruins didn’t restrict communication or magic transfers.
-Grid, Grid! I’ve received a request for a quest that looks good!
-Oh, really? Congratulations.
-I can do this with Grid!
-With me? Is it a cooperative quest?
Grid was intrigued by Coke’s whisper. He wasn’t curious about the contents of the quest but the rewards. If it was an experience quest, then he wanted to participate in any way.
-What are the quest rewards?
-One unique rated skillbook! Coke shouted confidently.
It was a chance to earn a unique rated skill! For Coke, it was a dream come true, and he thought Grid would be happy. However, Grid didn’t have a very excited response.
-Is that all?
-Ah, no! It also gives a title! We can obtain an affinity with someone!
-…
During the time he investigated the Overgeared Guild, the high ranking players had an average of 12 titles. On the other hand, Grid had overcome all types of trials and had more than 30 titles. Additionally, most of his titles were superb. He didn’t have much expectation for a new title. The thing that interested him was affinity with someone.
-Affinity with who?
-I want to know that too…
-Our Coke has grown a lot~ He can joke around now~
-I-It also increases the level!!
-Where’s our pretty one?
***
In the capital of the Overgeared Kingdom, Reinhardt…
“It is suspicious in many ways,” Lauel responded in an uncertain manner. “Who would share a hidden quest with someone whose face they don’t know? I think there is more than a 99% chance of it being a trap or a prank.”
“Rash Guard is a senior member who has been active on the Chivalry site for over 15 years, and he usually behaves very well. I don’t think his credibility is low.”
“Look, Coke. Do you think the Internet is a good space? Additionally, how great is the website called Chivalry that 15 years of activity can be an indicator of trust?”
“Chivalry is a community site where knight enthusiasts come together to discuss knights. There is a 20-year tradition…”
“It is a place where you just gather. Half of the medieval knights were ruffians who plundered the people to live or bragged whenever they opened their mouths.”
“Prime Minister Lauel!! Those words are overkill!”
“No, I’m not talking about Satisfy’s knight players but medieval knights.”
“Do you know Jude? You are mocking knights right now!”
“Hey, don’t fight. Just calm down,” Grid, who was listening quietly, calmed the situation. He had a slightly different idea from Lauel, who did not trust the unidentified informant.
“Lauel, you are talking curtly because I know that you’re worried about us. However, your suspicion is a bit wrong. Is there anyone in the world who would share a hidden quest with a person whose face they don’t know? It is possible if you don’t have any friends.”
“…”
It was a cheap and low sensibility. Grid once had no friends and fully understood the position of Rash Guard.
“There is a quest that requires two more people to clear, but you don’t have any friends. What do you do then? You have to find people on the Internet.”
“…It is a possibility.”
“Let’s go quickly. It is better to get together first to find out if the quest is true or not.”
“In any case, it could be a trap so be careful.”
“I’ll block him if I feel it is fishy.”
“I understand. Request to be that person’s friend and set your level and affiliation to open mode. I think it is better to naturally encourage them to reveal their level and affiliation.”
It was a process to determine if they were a trustworthy person. The convinced Grid nodded and sent a friend request to ‘Resh##3.’
##3 meant he was the third person to create that username. Out of two billion players, there would be thousands or tens of thousands of Resh. Being third meant he was an early player. It was as expected.
Name: Resh
Level: 363
Affiliation: None
“High ranker Resh!”
Coke was stunned when he saw Resh’s information on his friend’s list. Lauel watched from the side and was somewhat surprised. Only Grid was bewildered.
“Why? Who is it?”
“He has been in the top 1,000 rankings for five years. He has never appeared in public and hasn’t done any guild activities. Thus, everything is veiled, but his name is one of the best.
“Five years?”
Everyone would suffer twists and turns. As long as they weren’t a genius like Kraugel or the Overgeared members, even the most outstanding person would suffer a dr
op in the rankings. It was great to maintain a steady top ranking for five years despite all the competitors.
“Wow, Resh is Korean.” Coke was a bit excited. It seemed he had been interested in Resh for a while.
Lauel’s doubtful and distrusting attitude softened further. “I think you can make contact. He is someone with a lot to lose and is less likely to set a trap for Your Majesty.”
***
The capital of the Saharan Empire, Titan—Grid and Coke met Resh here and were amazed. They never dreamed that Resh would be a knight of the second imperial prince. The player must’ve accumulated a lot of achievements to be promoted to a position directly under an imperial prince.
“I was actually a bit hesitant… Then I remembered that Grid has a close relationship with the dukes, and this gave me courage,” Resh said everything honestly.
This quest was inside the empire. He was very concerned if he should cooperate with the Overgeared King—the king of a kingdom they were at war with. However, his worries only lasted a short time. During the Berith raid, Grid had shown off his friendship with the empire’s dukes.
“This… The situation is serious.” Grid felt uneasy after he received the quest information and grasped the full story. The dukes he thought would improve the relationship between the empire and the Overgeared Kingdom were currently in crisis. In the worst case, the emperor might persecute the dukes without wanting to improve relations with the Overgeared Kingdom.
Resh comforted him, “A few days before the dukes arrived, the emperor had already left the capital. It is extremely unlikely that the emperor is behind this. There is only one suspect, 4th Imperial Prince Edan.”
“Hmm…”
Edan—he was the son of Empress Marie, who brainwashed Asmophel and demonized Piaro as a traitor. Grid gritted his teeth. ‘They are in a crisis because of me.’
It seemed to be due to Piaro’s exposure. Edan must have felt a sense of crisis and handled the dukes in the emperor’s absence.
‘I think it will be serious if the Yatan Essence comes out here.’
One of the most fraudulent items in Satisfy was the Yatan Essence. The Yatan Essence showed the ability to destroy personality using the power of the evil god. Grid had already seen the power of the Yatan Essence through the Asmophel and elf episodes.
