Chapter XLIII - The Hidden Quest

Marcus was at a loss for words. Hidden Quests couldn't be recorded as they were designed by the AI on the fly for each character based upon what actions they had taken through the game.

He had received plenty in his past life but it wouldn't do him any good as his play style this time around was leaps and bounds different than how he had progressed.

Hidden Quests had the potential to increase a character's abilities, but failure also came with a hefty penalty and could potential break the character.

It was the embodiment of high risk, high reward. If he could complete the quest he had no doubt that he would repair his Mana Circuit, he wondered if he failed if he would never be able to use mana ever again…

The Scholar lead Marcus to the stairs as the guards nodded and both raised their hands towards the magical barrier separating the floors and as the energy dispelled the Scholar continued up prompting Marcus to follow.

On the second floor the Scholar went up to the next receptionist desk. As Marcus approached, the clerk nodded and stood up and lead them to the desired section on the second floor.

"You're quite lucky Baron Nobody, anyone would at least need to be recognized as a Viscount to be allowed access to the second floor of the Royal Library." The clerk said with a smile as he extended her arm to the section of the shelves stocked with countless books. "Here are all the records regarding Mana Circuits from a millennia ago. Please take your time."

Marcus and the Scholar bowed to the clerk as she took her leave before they began reviewing the books...

***

In an unsettling forest on a continent far, far away... a young boy was fleeing through the decrepit trees as he was breathing heavily and frantically looking back but seeing nothing...

He dared not to stop and continued to bob through the brittle branches. His heart was pounding in his chest and with every rapid breath he took it felt as if his lungs were on the verge of bursting.

'I never should I have listened to him and chose to play this game!' he cursed his current situation as tears began streaming past his cheeks and whishing through the air behind him. He screamed as he lowered his head and forced himself to run harder.

He couldn't see his pursuers but he knew for certain they were after him, he couldn't allow himself to be caught. He was a younger child, couldn't have been no older than 12...

His long white hair was trailing behind his long dark ears. As the tears streamed from his deep crimson eyes, he was running on fumes heaving heavily as he began lamenting even worse this terrible predicament. His skin was akin to being covered from head to foot in soot and the worn leather armor was in tatters. The trousers were cut in multiple locations and his boots could hardly be considered such as they were dilapidated beyond repair.

As he was running he heard a wolf howl in the distance and he began panicking even worse, his mind creating the worst possible of scenarios....

'Not the Wolf Corps! Anyone but those ruthless people!' he cried inwardly as his vision became even more blurred. As he was running he failed to lift his foot over the root and tripped as he went headfirst into the dirt. His already damaged clothing became even more ragged as he had skid his knees and palms.

He groaned softly as he tried to lift himself up off the ground but collapsed down once more, he began crying and curled up into a ball as his body refused to run anymore...

It didn't take longer but multiple howls were heard and they were getting closer and he began sobbing even harder. He had given up completely and decided to accept his cruel fate when all of a sudden he was lifted up and thrown over someone's shoulder...

"W-w-wh-who a-a-ar-are y-yo-you?" he said between his sobbing. But the figure did not answer with words and raised his palm towards the young boy's face and whispered incomprehensively as the child fell asleep...

***

Artox groaned as he casually made his way all the way from Sterling City back to Vhul Village... He had been talking mad voodoo on Nobody the entire trip.

"Everyone is running off doing who knows what and for you know who but I have to go ALL the way back to this blasted forest we met at and waste my time killing millions of these useless pixies?!?" He grumbled to himself.

Behind him a group of Professional Class Players were trailing along all holding flowers in their hands instead of weapons. They had been scared to interact with Vice Master Artox as it appeared his attitude knew no bounds, they were completely flabbergasted at how he could speak about Nobody like that.

One of the smaller players, a Gnome named Jerome chimed in "But isn't this an incredibly important, top secret task given by the Guild Master?"

Artox shrugged without looking back "You may be right, but it doesn't change the facts, it shouldn't have been me! I have so many important things I could be doing right now..." He replied back nonchalantly.

Jerome responded once more.. "But... doesn't that mean he trusts you more than anyone...?"

Artox stopped in his tracks and turned around and pointed towards the small gnome "You think so?"

Jerome was caught off guard and disappeared behind of the larger guild member's legs and responded a loud "Yes!"

Artox grinned wide and threw his hands behind his head and began whistling as he turned around and continued to lead the group towards the Illusory Forest...

***

Marcus was frustrated he had spent hours sifting through these ancient tomes and had found nothing remotely pertaining to a fried Mana Circuit... He ruffled his hair, if he continued to read his brain would join his Mana Circuit and fry itself!

"Maybe... We need to go to the third floor..." Marcus sighed as he suggested to the Scholar.

The Scholar was in much better shape than Marcus, he was beyond elated to be reviewing these texts as he had never been able to ascend to the second floor in the 30 years he had been employed by the Royal Library.

"Are you crazy?!? I could be killed just for asking!!" The Scholar exclaimed in a hushed tone. Marcus groaned, 'this was torture!' he thought. He had never read so many books in his entire life, going through university was easier than reading all these scrolls and tomes.

He had completely given up and threw the scroll at the Scholar "Follow me, I'm done playing with these games." Marcus stood up and walked towards the Clerk and the Scholar scrambled to stop him from making this foolish mistake but as he grabbed onto his shoulder Marcus had already asked the question.

"Greetings Admin, the required information is not available on this floor, I request permission to continue the search up to the third floor." Marcus said shaking his arm free from the Scholar's grasp who was continually tugging on his bicep.

The Clerk looked up to Marcus and squinted behind her glasses "You wish to ascend to the third floor, which is reserved for Earl or higher? Please, return to your search or return to the first floor." She dismissed him before returning to her work behind the desk.

Marcus was beyond frustrated at this point... He was nowhere near Viscount, let alone Earl... How was he going to continue his search... This was useless... Did he really have to go through without a Mana Circuit? Will I need to get rid of this Dive Visor and buy another one to create a new character? Marcus groaned loudly and began walking back towards the designated section hanging his head in defeat...

'CLEAR THE FLOOR!!" A loud booming voice rang out throughout the second floor as both the Admin and all the Scholars quickly descended down to the first floor. The Scholar assisting Marcus began to follow and turned around and motioned him to come along as he quickly ran down the stairs.

Marcus was completely defeated and began dragging his feet hanging his head in dejection. Unfortunately for him, he was not fast enough and the barrier separating the second and third floors dissipated and 6 high level Paladins began to descend with an undecipherable hooded figure was in between them.

"Halt!" The leading Paladin stated "Why are you still upon this floor? Do you have a death wish? Approaching the Crown Prince is a Capital offense punishable by death!" He ranted on and on without giving Marcus a chance to reply...

"That's enough, he's clearly a lowly Baron, leave him be!" The hooded figure stated as he stepped forward and removed his bright red hood revealing his loose blonde hair and golden eyes. He smiled at Marcus and greeted him.

"As you may have presumed, I am Jacob von Sterling, Crown Prince of Sterling City" He said in a voice that was as thick as honey and oozed his status above everyone else.

Marcus quickly took a knee and bowed before Jacob "This humble Baron greets the Crown Prince! I am called Nobody my liege."

Jacob grinned and covered his mouth with his hand "Well it's rare to find a Chosen One who knows the ways..."