Departure

After leaving Kurosawa's residence. Gerard went to the previous pub where they talked about the plan. When he entered the pub, he saw the familiar faces of the players.

"Just about time." He softly mumbles to himself.

The pub is still lively even though the sun is about to set. The pub is full of hardcore adventurer NPCs that were singing, arm wrestling, and laughing merrily.

When he reached the table, he took his sit on the vacant chair that was reserved for him. The players are about to stand up to give him respect but he quickly raises his hand implying it is not okay to stand up.

"Everyone, please. Since we are already set on the journey, a secret one. Starting from now, you can talk to me like you talk to other heroes, this will leave suspicion in our group."

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

"Anything Mr. Payne!"

Gerard nodded his head. "Good. Let's start. First, Lina, I want to ask if no one followed you?"

Lina on the other hand is aware of what was happening ever since the information about Sky Heaven predicted the major event in the West Town exploded in the forum, she expected core groups or even government communities will start following her and Sky Heaven. Fortunately, she takes a precautionary measure in advance, so as of now, the radar or her measure didn't give her any warning that someone was tailing them when she and Sally return to this pub.

"I can assure you, Mr. Payne, no one is following us."

Then Gerard turns his head on the remaining players. These players are warned also by Sally so they become also aware of the weight of this quest.

"Same on our end, Mr. Payne. No one noticed us enter this pub."

Gerard smiled. "Everything is settled then. Next, Sally." He turn his gaze at Sally and the latter knew what he is on about.

"Mr. Payne, I would be glad to tell you that we are able to finish the quest. Please check."

Then Sally handed over the Ogre's weapon, exactly 5 ogre maces.

Gerard was quite pleased with the result. If those 5 man teams that Sally formed last time, they will surely fail to finish this quest quickly. Luckily, the Sky Heaven arrived in West Town just in time.

Gerard then received a notification prompting another tab that the items were already sent to Sally, only the monetary reward is yet to be given to Sally for the quest to be totally completed.

Having much these gold coins in his space inventory, Gerard didn't care much. What's a few Silver Coins to him?

After transferring the Monetary Rewards to Sally so his rewards were received as well, making the quest finally completed and saved to his quest log.

He didn't bother to review his rewards since he already knew what his reward was.

"Well, that's good news. You can accept the mission I sent earlier."

"Yes!" Sally responded beaming with a smile and enthusiasm.

After a few seconds, the Supreme System prompt him Sally accepted the quest, forming a party, him as a Party Leader and the rest as the Party Members.

"Let's start." After saying his pitch, the atmosphere in their group turns serious, and it is quite funny amidst of noise inside the pub, they almost do not become aware of it. This is because they are too focused on Payne Blanc alone.

"Sally."

"Yes!"

"I want to know if the 20 escorts that will help us once we get out from the West Town already made their move?"

"Yes! The first 20 heroes under my guild secretly made their move after we secured teleportation scrolls. If my assumption is correct, they are now on the way and close to our rendezvous. While the remaining 5 heroes are just waiting outside the adventurer guild, waiting for you to commence the escort quest."

"Umu. That's good. Once they reached the rendezvous team, tell them to rest. They have a long march ahead."

"Understood." Sally quickly responded with enthusiasm.

"Then how about the supplies? Did the 20 Gold Coins enough to buy all the necessary food for 32 headcounts?"

This time, it was Aliyah who answered his question.

"Yes. Mr. Payne. Food supplies, Tents, and other necessities were already secured."

Angel and Lex beside her nodded their head.

It seems it is Aliyah's group is responsible for supplies.

"Then how about potions?"

This time it is Lite who answered him.

"Mr. Payne, the HP and MP Potions are all secured. It will last us for a week for 32 people. So please, remove your worries about potions and focus on well-being for this expedition!"

Everyone, including Gerard, was speechless. Is he trying to gain my favor? Well duh, you already did. If not for you, I won't be in this chair and talking to you guys.

"W-well that's good to know. It seems that our preparations are settled. Let's go. We have a long march ahead."

"Yes!" They simultaneously responded.

The first two who leave the pub are Sally and Lina, they return to their base of operation and from there, they will use the teleportation scroll and teleport to the crossing where Gerard and the 5 escorts under Sky Heaven will head.

After waiting for a couple of minutes, Aliyah's group leaves as well to teleport on the crossing.

From there, they will wait for Gerard to arrive.

Gerard cannot help but sigh.

"If only I can use a teleportation scroll!!!!!" He cannot help but felt envious of the certified players registered in the Supreme System Server.

Unfortunately, NPCs are not allowed or cannot use teleportation scroll. Although merchants create and procure teleportation scrolls, these will be solved by players alone.

Many Adventurer NPCs envy the players to be able to use teleportation scrolls. Although there's an available skill for teleportation, but the requirement to earn it is mind-blowing.

So Gerard needs to meet the requirements to earn the [Skill: Teleportation].

If he can only use a teleportation scroll, he certainly didn't want to go through this escort quest and just head to Oak City to save time.

After visiting the plan again on his mind, Gerard stands up and heads outside.

Adventurer guild it is.

After walking for 10 minutes, Gerard stops his track in front of a particular 5-story massive building. Above its big and sturdy front door indicated Adventurer Guild.

The adventurer in this virtual game is derived from any light novel anyone can read. Protecting people from monster invasions or sieges and cleaning up territories that were full of monsters. And traveling around the world to discover new places or dungeons.

Speaking of dungeons, there is only one known dungeon that existed in every country and was active before and slumbering as of the moment.

In Japan, the only dungeon is located near the heart of Japan, which is the Edo Kingdom in this game. Meaning it is close to West town compared to other kingdoms and regions.

Although it is far away from the northernmost and southernmost regions, all players can use a teleportation scroll to reach it.

But in this phase of the game, the dungeon is still slumbering. NPCs and Players are forbidden to go near it due to the miasma that was surrounding it.

He bet, the original residents of this world tried to get rid of that miasma, unfortunately for them. It is part of the game. When everything advances to a certain level, the dungeon will surely be active again.

Gerard shook his head softly as he clear his mind from his current thoughts.

He then treads forward and opens the door.

He was greeted by plenty of NPCs that were dressed according to their main job class.

Gerard activated his Supreme System and in that instant, he saw the information of NPCs above their head.

[NPC: Roy]

[Main Job Class: Swordsman]

Level: 31

[NPC: XXXX]

[Main Job Class: Archer]

Level: 24

[NPC: YYYY]

[Main Job Class: Assassin]

Level 18

[NPC: ZZZZ]

[Main Job Class: Mage]

Level: ???

It seems that his supreme system won't be able to display the basic information higher than level 50.

Other NPCs ignore him while others stare at him.

There are a few girls that were thunderstruck because of his face.

"What a handsome face…"

"Hey, wake up. He might be handsome, but he is sure a weakling. Look at him."

"I'm looking at him and all I can see is his face…"

Gerard can only smile wryly inside his head. But what the second NPC said to her friend is true. Usually, strong people attract more girls compared to just looks alone.

After lingering for a couple of minutes, Gerard left the guild and went outside.

He was then greeted by five players from the Sky Heaven core group.

"Are you perhaps, Mr. Payne Blanc?" One of them respectfully asked Gerard.

"Yes. Are you the five heroes tasked to escort me to reach the crossing?"

"Yes, just what like Mr. Payne just said. We will assure your safety during the journey."

"I'm glad." Gerard smiled. "Is there anything you need to buy first before we start?"

"Everything is good on our end Mr. Payne, we can leave right away if you like."

"Then, let's go." Gerard timidly reply and start walking forward while the five players followed suit.

Many players glance at them with confused expressions. It was known players cannot take quests directly from the adventurer guild due to the level gap. But who said no one can receive quests from the guild indirectly?

"Hey, are that NPC just leaving the adventurer guild?"

"Yes, and those five players certainly from Sky Heaven! It seems they received an escort quest!"

"How is that possible?"

"Brat, no one said you cannot receive quests from the adventurer guild indirectly. It seems Sky Heaven's previous achievement increase their influence."

"Oh, you mean because they won the Major Event, the current Count favor them and through the Count, they were able to receive quest indirectly from Adventurer Guild? That makes sense."

Gerard sighed in relief hearing the gossiping of players around.

This is why he planned to hire these 5 players from Sky Heaven, removing suspicion around him and the Sky Heaven so he can proceed better with his journey to get the missing amulet.

Gerard then hastens his walking.

Meanwhile, a few pairs of eyes were watching them silently, and their faces expresses disappointment.

One particular player quickly calls his Guild Leader. It was only a couple of seconds before his call was answered.

"Guild Leader Bran Wen! I have an urgent report. It seems the influence of Sky Heaven increases due to their achievement in Major Event."

"Tsk. I know that much. Are you taking me for a fool? Of course, due to their achievement, more players will come to respect them, hoping to join their useless guild!"

"No, Sir! I am not…It is just that…"

"Just what?!"

The Vice Guild Leader James flinched when he heard Bran Wen shout at him again. He can only grit his teeth and respond.

"Their influence not only increases, but they also had the backing of a Count and adventurer Guild in West Town!"

The other line went silent for ten seconds before angrily start venting his anger to James.

"Damn it! Is that true?!"

"Y-yes Sir, that's all true. My subordinate provides proof that the knights of the Count constantly take with Sky Heaven members. And right now, I just witness five members of Sky Heaven indirectly receive quests from Adventurer Guild!"

"FUCK!"

James flinched again, thinking that his decision might be wrong joining this core group.

After a few seconds, Bran continues.

"Don't do anything now. Don't attack them and let them be for a while. It will be a drag if we attack them under the watch of the Count and Adventurer Guild. Keep observing them, I'll come personally to West Town after a week. I just needed to do something that needs my attention."

"Yes, Sir. This will be done."

The other line went silent. James can only sigh and start arranging things to hold off their plan from attacking and ambushing members of Sky Heaven.

He received an order earlier to ambush and start to PK the members of Sky Heaven. It is okay to PK outside of towns or Cities and they won't get penalized. But learning that the Count and Adventurer are currently coordinating with Sky Heaven, it is only obvious to stop their plan.

He dialed a name and the call connected.

"Tell all the members to back off and cancel the plan. If anyone attacks Sky Heaven, they will be relieved immediately. Understood? Good."

James sighed once more.

Life is hard.