Mountain of Frustration

Grid trudged through the unforgiving terrain of the Loran's Mountain Range, each step more exhausting than the last. His tattered adventurer's equipment, which had once been considered a cost-effective choice, had seen better days. 

The armor was worn, the cloth bindings frayed, and the iron plates dented from the relentless attacks of high-level monsters. The only item that stood out amid the battered gear was Grid's greatsword, a weapon that had become an extension of himself.

A bead of sweat trickled down Grid's furrowed brow as he navigated the rugged mountain paths. 

There were no checkpoints in this perilous region, no friendly NPCs offering guidance or respite. 

Grid was on his own, battling against nature's relentless challenges and the fearsome beasts that called these mountains home.

He was rummaging about his previous failure in reaching the location of a cave his guts told him it would be the location his quest asked him to get.

Grid sighed in frustration as he muttered to himself, "This quest better be worth it."

[Earl Ashur's Secret Request (S)]

The quest had a simple description where it was telling the User about Ashur's intrigue and desire to explore the greater mysteries of the Loran's Mountain Range. He was recuperating his diminished spirits from his second death for today, but he was constantly cursing out at the one who sent him on this quest.

It had lured Grid into this treacherous wilderness, promising rewards that seemed to grow increasingly elusive.

Resting against a sturdy boulder, Grid couldn't help but unleash a torrent of complaints. His voice echoed through the mountainous landscape as he berated Earl Ashur for the torment he had endured. Grid's frustration was palpable as he ranted to the uncaring mountains.

"I hope you stay constipated for life, Earl Ashur!" Grid fumed, his eyes flashing with irritation. 

"How could you send me on this journey, when all the monsters in this region are level 300+ and beyond? My character is nowhere near strong enough to handle this."

Grid's voice cracked with exasperation as he railed against the quest that had led him into this nightmare. He leaned against the boulder, his chest heaving with exhaustion, as he pondered the unfortunate turn his journey had taken.

"I thought that if I got my Reputation with Partrian to Friendly, the Earl would also look at me with friendly eyes. But, he is just torturing me. I lost all my progress this following month, from level 86, to 80…"

"Hah, damned quest. Fuck you Earl Ashur, I hope your descendant remain limp and infertile."

The mountains seemed to mock Grid's grievances, their towering peaks towering over him. The roar of the high-level monsters in the distance added to his sense of despair. 

Grid muttered one final curse under his breath before a deafening roar shook the trees and boulders, reminding him of the dangers that lurked nearby.

**ROOOOARRR**

In his relentless complaining and cussing, the monsters of the forest he respawned in took notice of the annoying human, and released a roar in his direction that shook the sturdy tree he took refuge in.

"SSIBAL!"

Grid exclaimed as he clambered up the boulder, seeking a safe vantage point to evade the monsters' attention. "Go away, you monstrous bastards. Don't aggro me."

Grid's heart raced as he scrambled through the dense underbrush, each rustling leaf a tormenting reminder of the relentless monsters that pursued him. 

The path he had chosen was fraught with peril, winding its way through the mountainous terrain, where colossal creatures with levels exceeding 300 roamed freely. It was a perilous action now that he died two times for today, and he questioned the sanity of his endeavor.

His eyes darted left and right as he darted towards a towering tree that stood like an ancient sentinel in the heart of the forest. 

He hoped that this massive wooden behemoth would shield him from the monsters' prying eyes. The gnarled roots at the base of the tree acted as natural steps, and with nimble agility, he began to ascend, each leap taking him closer to his desired haven.

Clambering upward, his fingers found purchase in the rough bark of the tree. His muscles screamed in protest from the relentless exertion, but he didn't dare stop. He couldn't afford to; his life depended on it. Sweat soaked his brow as he reached a sturdy, somewhat flattened branch that offered him a precarious but effective refuge.

Huddled against the trunk of the tree, Grid gasped for breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He peered down, his eyes wide with trepidation, as the monsters continued to prowl beneath him, their monstrous forms casting grotesque shadows on the forest floor. 

The ground seemed to tremble with their presence, and their roars sent shivers down his spine.

With bated breath, he watched as the monsters, like nightmarish sentinels, circled the tree, searching for their elusive prey. His breaths came out in short, shallow gasps, and beads of perspiration dripped from his furrowed brow. Every passing second felt like an eternity, and the tension in the air was palpable.

Grid was acutely aware of how vulnerable he was. One false move, one ill-timed cough, and he'd be exposed. His cheap adventurer's equipment offered little protection, and the only thing that separated him from the jaws of the menacing monsters was the height and concealment of his arboreal sanctuary.

Time dragged on, and Grid's patience wore thin.

'Please, fuck off for me. I'm not tasty at all.'

Sweat clung to his brow, and his breaths came out in ragged huffs. The relentless monsters had given up their chase, returning to their routines, and Grid was finally able to let down his guard.

Only when he no longer heard the monsters roaring at him, did he calm down, allowing his Stamina to recover for another journey toward the End of this Mountainous Journey.

He fished out his portable interface capsule and, with a defeated sigh, accessed the Satisfy Forum. The device projected a holographic screen in front of him, and he navigated to the familiar domain he spent so much of his free time in.

Having nothing better to do in the meantime, he opened the Forum he liked to lurk around and read various threads, but his best activity on the Forum was to complain about how the game is too hard and broken, how the quests aren't balanced, forcing players into suicide missions.

Yet this time, he shifted from the Korean Region Forum, and turned into Global to check on the global superstars of the Satisfy Game, and what new methods of climbing the ladder appeared.

It was thanks to a user on the forum called 'Mathias' that he managed to have an easy climb to level 86, and his ascension would have continued if not for being dragged down by NPC's like Earl Ashur.

Grid muttered quietly, "Mathias... You helped me so much, but you can't save me from this cursed quest." There was some visible appreciation for the individual named 'Mathias'.

'This guy again is on the Top of the Global Thread, and pinned. What's up with this guy, does he have a connection with the Mod Team?'

Grid's eyes were reading using the translation in his Capsule the thread of a user called 'Vecna' who had a simple title to his post [Heroes in Need (???)]. Out of curiosity, he opened the thread who was viewed already by thousands of users who were intrigued by the contents of the post.

'What?? Does this feel akin to a quest? Wait…'

"War against the Orcs in the Saharan Empire?" Grid muttered to himself. "I'm stuck in this godforsaken mountain range, and the real action is happening there?"

'Man, why have I picked Eternal Kingdom out of all places. Why did I thought I would have more chances inside the smaller kingdom, when all the Global Rankers are inside the Saharan Empire?'

He sighed, realizing he was stuck in the Loran's Mountain Range, unable to join the action in the Saharan Empire. Grid cursed Earl Ashur's quest for depriving him of an opportunity to level up and become a true hero.

'Fuck, if it wasn't for this garbage quest I'm undertaking, I would have changed locations and join the Empire. They seem to treat players better than in Eternal, since, look at what this guy says.'

'He is working tiredly with the Administration of the Summit's Crest to ensure that each 'Hero' who arrives in the Como Territory to be escorted toward the Town under the threat of the Orcs.'

'The Rewards are advertised to be generous, and from the comments, this guy Vecna is legit, since he has the [Elite] and [Trader] tag as a User. Must have made quite the sales in the past.'

Grid, who was sad that he couldn't join on the slaughter fest against the Orcs, and easily cruise to some level ups, had to be stuck inside the Loran's Mountain Range. It wasn't as if he had a Return Scroll in his inventory since he thought his quest would take at maximum one week IRL.

With nothing better to do, and seeing how this 'Vecna' guy was so popular with the Global Audience, out of curiosity he searched his name on the Forum. 

Various posts and threads, from larger to smaller, were discussing the guy, the oldest post had him as a "Scammer" but later the populace shifted their opinion into a Hidden-Ranker with a magnanimous heart for selling Epic and Unique Items and Skill/Spell Books.

'Man, this is how it feels to be Popular? Look at them eating from his palms, no questions asked now.'

Moving along the posts, he clicked on another one which seemed to be 1-2 weeks old, it was a video taken from Valoria City of the Saharan Empire. The protagonists of the Video were Vecna surrounded by two beauties that would make any male stir up, and Bloodhound and his gang.

'Bloodhound? That Bloodhound whose annoying face is always on the TV, similar to Yura? He is a PK High-Ranker, but… also a damned chaebol.'

As the video played on, Grid watched in awe as Vecna outshone Bloodhound. The tension and rivalry between the two was evident, with Vecna calmly and confidently holding his ground. 

Grid couldn't help but stare in awe into his holographic screen, shocked that Bloodhound was put in his place by the blonde western guy. 

'Damn, this Vecna guy is cool. He made Bloodhound run with his tail behind his arrogant ass. Good on him, but… but, why is not me instead.'

'Surrounded by beauties and in the center of attention. Why do I have to do this stupid S-rated quest??'

Grid sat alone in his temporary hiding spot high in the trees, still brooding over the video of Vecna and the other high-profile players from the Saharan Empire. It was easy to see why he was growing increasingly frustrated with his circumstances.

"Why can't I be the one taking part in these epic adventures and gaining the admiration of players from around the world?" Grid thought, his voice tinged with frustration. "I've been stuck in this forsaken mountain range, cursed by a seemingly impossible quest, while others get to shine."

The frustration continued to fester as Grid thought about the missed opportunities and the time he had spent away from more exciting quests and encounters. The game of Satisfy was filled with countless possibilities, yet he found himself trapped in the Loran's Mountain Range, trying to survive against the high-level monsters far beyond his abilities.

"Maybe it's time to rethink my strategy," Grid pondered aloud. "I've been obsessed with completing this quest, but what has it really gotten me? The constant deaths, the setbacks in my progress, it's all been for what? A few reputation points with Partrian and a chance to earn favor from Earl Ashur?"

As Grid reflected on his journey, he shook his head, remaining resolute on continuing Earl Ashur's quest. He sacrificed too much by now to turn and abandon this task. There was something he was defeating most of the players in Satisfy, and that was a mule-like dedication at achieving a goal.

The news of the Quest launched by Vecna and Reginald didn't stay idle, and reached the ear of a particular young woman.

Inside a bustling Leather Workshop in Armsland City of the Eternal Kingdom, there were two young women, Jishuka and Laella, perused the displayed Leather Armor and various accessories. 

What began as a simple shopping excursion quickly transformed into an animated conversation.

Laella leaned in closer to Jishuka, her face radiant with curiosity. She discreetly displayed a post from the forum on her holographic screen, her finger tracing the text as she spoke. "Jéssica, look at this," Laella whispered. "It's about that Vecna guy we've traded with before."

Intrigued, Jishuka turned her attention to the post and began reading. As she read about the quest launched by Vecna and Reginald, she couldn't help but agree with Laella's enthusiasm. The potential benefits of the quest were undeniable, especially with the challenging Warchief Orc at its center.

Jishuka's thoughts raced as she considered Vecna's rapid progression. She couldn't hide her amazement. "Ayoo, que porra é essa?! How could he get to level 132 so quickly? I've only known him for close to two months."

"Isa, are we playing the game the wrong way, or something?"

Laella chimed in, sharing the same astonishment "What's that coming from?"

Jishuka shook her head. "Check his level… Last time when I checked he was level 75."

Laella's curiosity led her to check Vecna's progress more closely, and the results left her nearly speechless. "Wait, don't tell me…" doing her own research, Laella to could barely keep her petite mouth in check. 

"Jessica, at this rate, he will overtake the Tzedakah Guild, by that time we'll not be able to have the upper hand in negotiations. Have you tried to recruit him into the Guild?"

Jishuka chuckled, her smile playful. "What's with the sudden interest? Are your competitive instincts kicking in?"

Laella's cheeks colored slightly, and she playfully nudged her friend. "Heh, stop teasing me."

Jishuka couldn't help but tease her further. "Oh, really?"

Laella rolled her eyes, then leaned in to share a more serious thought. "Alright, maybe just a bit. The way he put Bloodhound in his place was impressive. I never imagined he was so strong."

Jishuka nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "Indeed, he seems to possess an incredible strength, far beyond what you'd expect from an ordinary player. I can't help but wonder if he has something more than just an Epic or Unique Class."

Laella raised an eyebrow, considering the notion. "It's only been a year since Satisfy's release. It's hard to believe someone could have acquired a legendary class in such a short time."

Jishuka shared her insight, "And, what if he is that Legendary Class circulating around the Forums? I'm not stupid to deny the possibility. And it's also explains his high-rate in leveling."

Laella agreed, a hint of excitement in her voice. "A Legendary Class... There's something about his Spellcasting and Skills. He combines both Blood and Shadow, and his features and eyes… like a Vampire."

"Mhm, I know. I've rewatched my exchanges with him and he should be a Vampire Player."

Laella pondered Vecna's unique status. "He's not just limited to a class; he had a race change as well. This could explain why Bloodhound has such a grudge against him. He might have taken something from Bloodhound or stolen his class."

Jishuka shook her head, doubting that theory. "I don't think Bloodhound cares much about the lore or the mechanics of the game. He's too focused on PvP and PKs. Vecna, on the other hand, seems like the kind of player who delves deep into the details and explores every aspect of the game."

As Jishuka and Laella delved deeper into their conversation about Vecna's remarkable achievements and speculated on the secrets behind his power, little did they know that their discussion had unknowingly resonated in the intricate web of Satisfy.

Inside the opulent Davian's Mansion, a quiet and elegant atmosphere enveloped the room. Vecna sat across from Maribel, a chessboard spread out before them. The pieces were arranged with precision and care, creating a picture of strategic tension.

"I got you this time. Hehe, I'm winning this game. Say goodbye to your undefeated streak." Maribel teased, her smile lighting up the room.

The soft curve of her lips hinted at a perpetually amused demeanor, and her porcelain skin glowed with an otherworldly luminescence.

Vecna, ever composed, met her challenge with a hint of amusement. "We'll see about that."

Just as he contemplated his next move on the chessboard, a sneeze overcame him. It was a sneeze so sudden and unexpected that it sent Maribel into a startled jump, her hand jolting, and several chess pieces quivering as a result.

"What's wrong? Don't tell me you've got sick from overworking yourself? You can relax, and look after your mother. Come back to play chess with me, and also walk around the gardens with Ely."

Vecna, quick to regain his composure, offered a wry smile and a gentle apology. "My apologies, Maribel. It's not that… it feels as if someone is cursing behind my back again."

Maribel raised an eyebrow, her worry deepening. "Pardon?"

"What you heard."

Maribel, her heart still racing from the surprise, couldn't help but laugh softly. "You and your instincts, Vecna. Even in the midst of a chess game, you sense the world outside. Well, make your move before I capitalize on your momentary distraction."

Vecna's keen eyes never left the chessboard, but he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. 

'Gosh, is this what 's coming in my direction now that I started showing my presence to the world?'