15 Chapter 14
"Then what should we do sir?" Rose abruptly interrupted the cold silence.
"That personal hidden quest involves investigation of the rumored hidden ruins in Mystic Forest of Sahara and during the exploration; they'll stumble upon the remains of the guild leader, is that right?"
"Yes sir. That quest was supposed to be that easy. However, once they discover the exact location of that hidden ruins earlier than expected and finds the missing guild leader who is still alive at the moment, the burden of the consequences might be heavier than what we should expect."
Christopher heavily sighed.
"Is the dungeon right now totally concealed?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. How about the guild leader? How long do you think he'll last?"
"He'll probably last for around two to three months in game time sir."
The conference turned silent once again for a moment. The staff took turn to ask questions and Rose answered them in a very honest way possible. On the other hand, Christopher wandered in his thought and remained silent and passive during the exchange of words.
"Still, if the ruins is discovered by chance, isn't it still impossible without attaining the quest? I believe that dungeon is only accepting qualified players."
"It was supposed to be like that. However, the problem is, Jaycee and Denver already had that quest. It'll only take for at least a few days for them to discover the ruins. If they really discovered it by that time …"
A staff raised its hand.
"Why is that?"
"Jaycee Kim is a renowned genius of the country. I think that explanation is enough for you all to understand. If he uses his brain to its full capacity, don't you think it's possible for him to find the ruins by that time?"
That same staff scoffed in his seat.
"Who would use their brain while playing the game?"
Rose sharply gave that staff a look as she emphasized, "Sir, anything is possible within the game. It would be best if you throw away those biased rationality of yours."
That staff clicked his tongue as he shifted his gaze away. The conversation briefly went into a stalement. Moments later, another staff raised its hand.
"Is the 'three dogs' really that threatening? I mean, they're just pets,aren't they?"
Rose shifted her sharp gaze to the staff that asked her a sudden question and said, "Watch your words, sir. They might be just pets from your perspective however, they're considered gods from way back the ancient times. Their existence itself shouldn't be known to everyone this early in game. Particularly, hearing that the 'three dogs' exclusively appearing in South Korean Server will surely cause some serious international dispute. I believe you'll also go mad if the public suddenly runs their mouth saying that the creators are biased towards their own country."
"Then can't we just change the reward for that quest? I mean, isn't it much better to take the risk of touching the game's algorithm despite the bug appearance chances? It's for the greater good of greater number after all. I don't know why we are hesitating to do this."
Christopher instant butted in and insistently said, "No. We will never do that."
That same staff followed up and said, "Why is that? Sir, I am totally confused as to why you are acting so strange like this. This is not the reason why I joined this team. Even after player 'Jaycee' took the Quest #5, you are so insistent of not touching the game's algorithm. You said you'll personally watch that kid but one day after you said those words, that same kid is causing another chaos in the game. I can't sit back here and watch that kid ruin the game's flow anymore."
The remaining staffs agreed the motion and murmured to each other.
"Silence," Christopher coldly commanded.
As per his word, the crowd went silent.
"We won't touch nor change anything …"
"No matter what, we will never change the game's algorithm. Nope, to be exact, we can't change it."
All of the staffs were extremely confused to what he had said. They gave each other swift glances and were hesitating to ask.
One staff bravely spoke up and said, "Sir, what do you mean by we can't change the game's algorithm? Isn't it us who designed it? Do you perhaps doubt our skills?"
The air around Christopher gradually turned dense and cold. With a petrifying cold glare, he stressed, "That's because …"
Christopher decided to let his whole team in a secret he desperately hid from them. After telling them the entire story, the staffs froze on their seat and couldn't speak no matter how they tried to. Even Rose, who was known for her undying composure, was completely swayed and baffled. Under that deeply tensed atmosphere, a staff furiously slammed the meeting table as he stood up.
That staff remained silent for a couple of seconds after standing up before him frustratingly yelled, "Sir, what do you mean by that?! There's no time for messing around! No matter how you put it into words, it's just …"
That staff paused in an instant after seeing Christopher's extremely serious expression when he briefly took a glance at him. All the staffs swiftly gave each other quick glances filled with their doubts towards the current situation.
Rose snapped out and said, "Sir was that perhaps a pun? It isn't funny."
Christopher sternly looked at Rose and said, "I wish I'm also joking but …"
Everyone in that room had their heads dropped down after hearing what Christopher said.
"That's …"
Rose let out a heavy shaky sigh. Her hands were slightly trembling despite her being collected as she processed every single thing she heard.
"Terrifying …"
Glum, hopeless air gradually filled the meeting room as the distressing silence prolonged.
Rose brushed off the silence as she said, "Then is there anything we can do sir? If what you said is true then, why didn't you stop the release of that game?"
Christopher sighed before he answered.
"It's because of 'her' …"
"Her? Who is that he-!" she paused with an exclamation point.
After the realization of who might be this 'her' Christopher was talking about, Rose's eyes widen in an instant.
"Impossible …"
Christopher slightly nodded and said, "Mmm … What you're thinking is right …"
"Athea … She …"
"She's alive not only in flesh but also in soul …"
***
"I've been waiting for you two, Adventurer Jaycee and Denver."
Julius immediately put his etiquette lesson into practice as he bowed down and greeted the baron.
"I present my sincerest self to the hero who led the State of Afruvite into victory against the Holy Kingdom, Baron Rael Graciano. Thank you for inviting us to the estate of the renowned hero."
Denver was totally surprised seeing his friend acting so polite and well-mannered.
'What's with him? Why is he so serious when this is merely a game interaction? He's weird at odd times. Well, whatever …'
Denver just rode with his act and greeted the baron with the same words Jaycee used to greet that person.
"I present my sincerest self to the hero who led the State of Afruvite into victory against the Holy Kingdom, Baron Rael Graciano. Thank you for inviting us to the estate of the renowned hero."
He sounded so very awkward but despite that, the baron did not care about that or their excessive greetings. He just laughed his chest out out of the blue that caught only Denver off guard.
"Raise your heads, will ya?" Rael said while suppressing his laugh. "Sorry for the sudden disgraceful act of mine. You guys are just so funny that I can't contain myself from laughing any longer."
The two obediently raised their heads like what Rael wanted them to do.
"Seeing a well-mannered adventurer really caught me off guard, I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be sorry sir." Jaycee bluntly replied. "It is merely a common sense to greet those who are of a high status with respect. People who can't even distinguish when they should politely behave are no different than a goblin."
[ Affinity with the Barony increases from 300 to 320. ]
'Huh? Why did my affinity with him increase? I didn't even do anything?'
As Jaycee snapped out, he just found himself being patted by the baron in the shoulder.
With a sincere smile, the baron said, "I like you and your ability to use words efficiently. You greatly reminded of that person back when we were still in our prime."
[ Affinity with the Barony increases from 320 to 350. ]
[ Affinity with the Barony increases from 350 to 370. ]
[ Affinity with the Barony increases from 370 to 400. ]
[ Affinity with the Baron reaches the first stage of Mutuality ... ]
[ You have gained the 'Eye of Scrutiny' … ]
'Hmm? What's this now?'
[ Passive Skill: Eye of Scrutiny ]
Rating: F
A skill given to players who reaches the first stage of Mutuality with any living beings ( monsters, human beings, or even stray souls ) of the other world.
*Grants the user the eye to inspect some information and current disposition of any living beings of the other world.
*Cannot be used to players.
*The depth of the information the user can get is based on the rating of the skill.
CP Attained: 0
'What's this? Why do I keep on getting something without doing anything?'
'Well, whatever. Should I try it?'
'Eye of Scrutiny …'
[ Enabling the skill 'Eye of Scrutiny' … ]
[ The skill 'Eye of Scrutiny' is now enabled … ]
Shifting his gaze towards the baron, Jaycee's eyes widen in surprise. A weird pop up screen was seen floating around the baron.
'This skill is more useful than I thought.'
[ Status ]
Name: Rael Graciano Feliciano
Age: 35
Level: ??? ( Unlock the second stage of Mutuality to unlock this option. )
General Information:
*The third son of the State of Afruvite, Feliciano dukedom.
*An esteemed person who led the State of Afruvite to victory against the Holy Kingdom of Fascia.
*He might appear to be strong and vicious, however; in reality, he's an outgoing and a very humble person.
* ??? ( Socialize more with this person to unlock more general informations. )
Personal Relationships:
* ??? ( Unlock the second stage of Mutuality to see this option. )
Special Skills:
* ??? ( Unlock the third stage of Mutuality to see this option. )
( Unlocking the third stage of Mutuality might grant the user to inherit this person's skill. )
Current Disposition: Composed, Delighted
Player's Affinity ( Current ): 300
