Ranker and The Quest

From the previous series, there was a shackle that bound some of the players. The shackle was not tight. On the contrary, it was rather advantageous for them.

Who didn't want to continue their journey on a new release of a successful series?

A new novel from a best seller author? Of course, no one wanted to miss it.

Fans of the last year's football league's champion? They would wipe out the merchandise. Was it enough? No. They would brag to their rivals and showed the world how successful their team was.

The most hype game announced their next series? Even casual players wouldn't be able to hold their adrenaline.

The continuation of the series meant an equal footing. Chances opened. That only reason was enough for them to stayed all night long awake.

Anyone who couldn't join the previous game at the earliest time before would try their best to grab the front seats.

That was for people who actually played the game. How about the others? The game itself had its own genre for a non-gamer.

Any branch of a prestigious company, even the schools, and the government department couldn't deny its existence.

Who could ignore an 8-hour sleep while maintaining your work efficiency?

There was nothing they could take advantage of in the previous series rather than just the time dilation and the over-world scenery, but they still dig it.

With that alone, students could read their lesson material in a fresh environment. Professional hold meetings.

And what happened when there were more of what they could do inside?

The series promoted new features, and it covered a lot and more possibilities.

Experts would have a lot of things that they could discover. It could help them with their real-life works, or gained fame ingame with their capabilities.

Harden was one of them. He was a chef with idealism. Delicious food to satisfied his customer. It was simple and basic.

The problem was that his approach was a bit miss. In his spare time, he modified the already popular foods and released new menus based on it.

Since he had the basic, Arie's invitation to play as a non-competitive player was still reasonable for him.

He was a top player on the leaderboard. For someone like him who has proven as one of the strongest players in the continent, it might be a waste for such a talent.

But, there was a 'prophecy'. It was said during the meeting of the '20'. The best 10 of each PvE and PvP players gathered to had a ceremonial of achieving such a feat.

With the privileges and the rewards, they didn't need to think about how to satisfy their daily needs. They could 'enjoy' their life for the next 5 years.

During the speech of the WoS' executive representative, 'she' announced a 'shackle'. At the very least, that was how Arie felt about that.

As the requirement to claim the rewards, they must continue their journey and play the game. Simple and nothing to lose. But, that was just the premise. 'Prophecy'.

'Prophecy' in this kind of age was hilarious. Anyone just treated it as a sweet word. But, it was enough. That was the purpose of a 'prophecy'.

Ignore it and once it proved, your belief would instantly grow stronger.

"..So that's the quest for you, Ranker. Explore the path."

Not so long since the gathering, the invitation to build a faction of the Ranker was proposed. The others didn't believe it either, but maximizing the chance stated by the 'prophecy' was the approach they come in agreement with.

But, since the beginning, Arie and Harden took it differently. They perceived such a thing as 'prophecy' as a challenge to conquer.

They wanted the throne, but they would do that in a different manner.

And for that, Viro became the chosen one. The original plan was for Arie as a blacksmith, and Harden as a chef. They would try their best to supplied Viro.

Along the way, Avia and Korkainie were the hidden gems they found to support the plan.

"What's his actual class anyway?"

"Korka? Alchemist. Potions mixture and stuff. A 'healer'."

'Healer' was a lie to cover it. It was to deceive the other. After all, even Berdian didn't know their plan.

"And what's his quest? Avia will become a warrior."

"Related to hunting. He has not decided between support nor damager. His advance quest intersected between this choice."

A sigh once again from Arie.

"Sigh. We can look for other people. I can reset too."

"And become a jerk? Hahaha sure if you can."

"Of course I can't. I held this principle the most."

"Well, no one will spare you if you reset a 'gem' character."

"But, isn't the game messed up? How can they reveal such a thing."

Absorbed in the topic, Harden left a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha! He deserved it. That guy has become worse than trash in the community."

"But, it might be different since the level reset was mass released."

"Do it then."

A nonchalant response from Harden was not enough for him to raise the white flag.

"At least, after the class officially announced."

"Dude!"

Since that was the expected response he wanted, Arie was satisfied and left a giggle.

"I know, I know. Whose stupid enough to reset 'The First Who Unlocked Inventor'. Although, the name was bad enough to keep."

"Well, you'll get another high-grade title with the connected quest."

"Well, an appraisal was harder, after all. I don't mind it as long as no one able to read it."

"Well, let's bet at my title, then. I have two successive. Maybe, you'll get a 'partner title' when you help me."

"Yeah, I agreed on helping you. Vi and Avia had to do a solo hunt after all."

"Oh? A solo hunt? Korka's quest has nothing like that."

"And what would it be?"

Organizing his thought, Harden tried to recall the memory.

"Witnessing a mythical-level event, if I'm not mistaken. And since my quest was at a mythical level, it should be an easy quest. Just need to pass the Lv 30 trial and done."

"Well, okay. Let's do it after I have lunch."

Arie said that while standing up and observing the AI beside him.

"How's it? Did you get a nice grasp of the conversation?"

"I have recorded the conversation. Some parts are missing, but I put some variable to fill it temporarily."

"Okay, good job. Then, is it okay to bring you to the game for a long time? Are my priorities too high?"

"I have shared some of the authorities to the 'housemaid'. I can assign a 'housekeeper' if you are worried about the security level."

"That's enough, then. It's settled."

"Affirmative."

"Oh, did you put a displeased emotion on your face?"

Arie said that while took a closer look at Silv.

"Our microexpressions are prov-"

Behind, Harden hit Helper again to stop her commotion.

With a giggle, he logout out of DICE and 'the coffin'.

"Oh, homework?"

Leaving his room and on the way to grab some food, he found his brother typing on a keyboard. Sheets spread out on the table.

"Yup. A story like before."

"Well, okay. Don't tell them too much."

"That's one of my concerns. Almost what I did with you so far were all too extraordinary. I can restrain myself from bragging, but what should I write, then?"

"The mess at dawn?" Arie continued while eating. The distance between him and his brother was not that far.

"That's extraordinary. We were on TV, the prove was solid, but..."

"I got it. That's why you don't play with your classmate, right?"

Viro just answered it with a shrug.

"You can talk about the elf sisters wait, that's not good either. The salamander was good enough, I guess. Ilya's existence seemed too extraordinary, but you can conceal it. Pretend not to know her as an NPC should be enough."

"I see. Okay, full score." Viro showed thumbs up as his approval.

"How's the quest?"

"Ah, that's right! There's more hidden stuff on it. Leana appraised it and said that I need more catalyst. She asked me to search for any items that can store or collect."

"Hm.., More hidden stuff? That shouldn't be possible. Well anyway, Any ordinary item can do?"

"Yes, she said 'any'."

"That's bad then."

"Bad?"

"Of course, don't use a bad item for a high-grade quest. That's a rule. I'll give you my 'boar spirit'. It's indirectly storing spirits. So, I guess it will work."

"How's it?"

"I mean, from a different perspective, the 'item' stored a boar's spirit."

"I don't think it works like that. Well, there's no harm in trying. So, you come with me?"

"Nope, I'll join Harden while you solo hunt. He asks me for help. "

"Ah, okay. The quest split us, huh."