Preparing for Quest

He was able to collect 500 golds on short notice? That amount on short notice?

Gerard cannot help but be mortified a little.

A Count is the third highest rank in noble society, next to Viscount. Although Alvis Arman is a Count, throwing 500 gold like it was nothing.

If this 500 gold can be exchanged in this phase of the game, it can be exchanged for tens of billions of US Dollars. That is what the current market value of Gold Coins is. Fortunately, the exchange system is still not taking effect or else if it does, he might betray the Count in this instant and slowly sell the coins to other players while hiding from the Count.

Gerard shook his head, cleared his mind of ill-thought, and ready himself for the notification he was anticipating.

In that instant, a familiar tab appeared in front of him.

[System Notification]

[The Host received a quest]

[Count Alvis Arman has issued a quest hoping you'll find the missing Noble Family's missing amulet.]

[Condition: The Host has 5 days to find the missing amulet. If failed, the West Town will perish and rewards will not be redeemed.]

[Rewards upon completion]

+75 Silver Coins

+75 Eternal Coins

+5 Skill Points

+5Mastery Points

+50% Experience

Hmm not bad.

Gerard was quite happy with the rewards if the quests has been fulfilled and in the condition that was laid upon. But his heart shrank when the Supreme System only gave him 5 days, fortunately for him, he knows where is the missing amulet and it is quite far away from the possible location that was mapped by the Count to players and to the map he received together with the cloth containing 500 gold coins.

If happened he didn't know where the missing amulet is, and he might have died of a heart attack.

Traversing the land where the amulet can be located is very dangerous. That was why he needed companions.

And who might be these companions? Well, it's already in front of him.

Just when he open the door to head outside the Midnight Inn, he was greeted by familiar players.

Lina and Sally from Sky Heaven Group.

Aliyah, Angel, and Lex.

And Lite, the first player who triggered a quest from him. And if it's not for him, who knows what Gerard might have become without the Supreme System?

These 7 players bow their heads and greeted him respectfully. But what made him confused was the reverence reflecting in Sally's eyes.

"Mr. Payne. Good morning. We are sorry that you passed out after the Special Monster died. Please forgive us."

Sally and Lina made the first pitch and lowly bowed their head.

Actually, Gerard is quite uncomfortable with this kind of respect. He was not used to being respected in this way but needed to play along with them. After all, he was an NPC in front of them.

"Please, raise your head. Dealing with that much damage really took a toll on my body. Besides, I am not used to fighting so it was expected.

Lina and Sally silently cursed Gerard for being down to earth. These two girls keep living up to their fantasy that the NPC in front of them is a Legendary Elite NPC and used the reason for passing out to escape scrutinizing eyes of players around them if he was found out.

And at the same time, they felt grateful. If these players learned that an NPC helped them to land the last hit, Payne Blanc will become mainstream in this virtual game. And no matter how evil they may sound, they didn't want them to find out about Payne Blanc. They want to hoard Payne Blanc for themselves.

As of now, their Guild is the talk of everyone playing in the Kingdom. When one opened the Forum, all the post is about how Sky Heaven secured the last hit for themselves. Who is the NPC that helped them? How did they predict a Major Event will appear in West Town?

For them, Sky Heaven becomes shrouded with mystery. They are one of many core groups fighting for dominance in Amethyst City, yet one day they suddenly decided to leave Amethyst City.

It is rumored first they were defeated by their rival guild, the Bone Shade.

But when someone posted about the Major Event, they were shocked to see Sky Heaven attacking the Special Monster like they were in a dungeon.

Since then, many rumors start to spread in the Forum.

Sally and Lina didn't care much. All the members of the Sky Heaven group are grateful for their Guild Leader and Vice Guild Leader, if not for them, they will not get the fame they are having now.

But these two girls, are grateful to Payne Blanc. He gave them an ongoing chain quest, and he also helped them secure the Special Rewards.

Speaking of Special Rewards.

They received dozens of upgradeable equipment, including weapons for all job classes and 500 Silver Coins.

As per Payne's condition, Sky Heaven will give half of the share to Aliyah's group which they did. Lina's heart ached terribly when she parted ways with another 500 Silver Coins and dozens of upgradeable equipment.

But they cannot breach the contract after all the said contract is overseen by Supreme System Server, if they tried to breach it, they will receive severe punishment. So they can only act in good faith in front of the contract and give the share of Aliyah's group.

Lina's train of thought halted when Payne asked them.

"How's your group doing?"

"Sky Heaven is doing great thanks to you. We are also in the process of completing the chain quest we received from you. I apologize again if Sally is here and let our skilled players handle the quest.

Gerard is not shocked to hear it from Lina.

"It is okay, as long as the condition is met, there is no problem."

Even though Sally who received the quest is not here, she can choose to participate in completing the quest or not. All players have a free to do so. As long as the condition is met, there will be no problem.

That was why these core groups and government communities are expected to be the first to establish their own country.

If one of them gets a quest, they have plenty of players to help the player who gets the quest. Saving them a lot of time and resources. And at the same time, giving them an advantage over their peers.

That was why average players dream of joining the guild.

Then Gerard turns his head to Aliyah's group that is standing and keenly listens to their conversations.

Gerard would like to point out that listening to other conversations is quite rude but it seems that due to what happened yesterday, Sky Heaven and Aliyah's group relationship turn from a cat and dog fight to good.

"Mr. Payne, thank you so much. If not for you, we won't receive half of the special rewards. Please, if you need something, do not hesitate to tell us. We are willing to do it for free as payment for your good intentions."

Sally and Lina were surprised. They didn't expect that Aliyah will instantly thrust the momentum and even offered to do one job for free.

The two gorgeous ladies were regretting not being shameless.

They were about to retort when suddenly, they heard Payne Blanc drop another quest, and a big one at that!

"Anyway, it seems you guys are here. I want to offer you another quest. But this quest will require a lot of effort and a very dangerous one. More dangerous than yesterday. So if it's not your cup of tea, you can always decline. If not, come follow me."

All these players were stunned and woke up from dazed when they realize Gerard is already covered quite a distance from them.

They fasten their pace until they reached enough space for them not to be suspicious of following a certain NPC.

Good thing, the two groups are determined to hoard Payne Blanc so they inwardly agreed not to follow Payne in an obvious way.

After all, they become famous not only in the Forum but in the West Town as well. This is true for Sally and Lina. Right now players halted and take a look at them while discussing things.

"Hey! Hey! Isn't that the Guild Leader and Vice Guild Leader of the sole core group in this Town? The Sky Heaven."

"Yes! They are my angels. Look at their gorgeous face and slender body. I swear, once I finish conquering this game, my next goal is to conquer their heart! HAHA!"

"In your dream dumbass. They won't even glance at you, this is true if you stand beside me."

"Huh?! What did you say? You want a fight?!"

"Aren't those players who help the Sky Heaven? It seems that they have a closed tie with Sally and Lina, what do you think?"

"Well, this is to be expected. They planned everything and made everyone think they are losing in landing the last hit which made everyone drop their guard down for a while and strike in the last possible second. They are too cunning! A well deserves Guild Leader of a famous core group."

"That reminds me, what do you think would happen now in the West Town?"

"Hmm. That's a difficult question. As of now, the position of Town Chief is still vacant but since Count Alvis is still here, it means he has some plans. Besides, staying here means he'd like to see it through."

"What do you mean?"

"Aren't you listening? Staying here means he wants his quest to be a success. I'm not worried that much. What I'm worried about is the Sky Heaven staying here."

"You're right. They are the first and sole core group in West Town. They are forces to reckon with. I wonder if they hoard all the grinding resources in West Town."

"I won't worry about that. Their Guild Leader might be cunning but her name precedes her reputation. And she's not some dumbass like their rival core group."

"Oh, you're talking about Bone Shade? I heard they're too reckless and unreasonable. Speaking of, I saw a few members of Bone Shade earlier."

"It seems that the shabby town they ridiculed draw them over here. This day will go to be interesting."

Meanwhile, Gerard went to a crowded pub where all different walks of life gathered and always celebrate like there will be no tomorrow.

Gerard is not dumb. Due to what happened yesterday, government communities and core groups will send their players here to investigate Sky Heaven. This is also going according to his intentions. He didn't want to reveal himself yet in public. Because if he does, he might actually die. After all, he just lost the most important perks in his system. Unkillable SNPC. According to the information, his invulnerability against players is lifted.

If this had not happened, he might shamelessly attract more players for him to issue quests and received awards.

But he still intends to do so after securing the secret land behind the missing amulet.

Upon entering, Gerard went ahead and sit at a secluded table.

Sally and others followed suit. They were relieved that Payne Blanc is moving according to their wish.

No wonder Sally and Lina still thought of him as a Legendary Elite NPC who'd like to lie low.

After everyone settled, Gerard make his pitch.

"Since you followed me until here. It only means you want to participate. Well, then. Let's start."