Helping Out

By the time he had returned to the barracks, it was already well into the afternoon. As Valyr did not have any other plans for the day other than meeting up with Vera to get the elixirs concocted, as well as meet up with Tristan after his quest was completed, he decided to head straight to the dorm and get some well-needed rest until the time for night patrols came up. With the routine Valyr had gone through the past week, he thought that he deserved to get that much rest.

However, as if it was destined to happen, a man Valyr rarely saw appeared in front of his field of vision just as he was about to head to the corridor that led to the dormitory. Naturally, the man noticed Valyr's presence as well, looking at him in the eye as his expression turned to that of slight relief. "Oh, Valyr. Just the man I was trying to look for, actually."

"Is there anything you need from me, Damian?" Valyr asked in response, noticing the somewhat relieved expression on Damian's face.

Damian nodded. "There is. To be honest, I kind of feel bad for asking you about this since it's only been a week and a half after you've arrived here. However, we need all the help we can get."

"We?" Valyr raised his eyebrow as he scratched his cheeks. "What's wrong?"

Taking in a deep breath, Damian let out a long sigh before explaining. "It's like this. In about a week or so, a monster tide is going to hit this village."

"A monster tide?" Hearing these words come out of Damian's mouth, Valyr's eyes could not help but widen in shock, recalling how dangerous monster tides were.

From the name itself, monster tides were events where a great number of monsters would attack a settlement like a tide, its goal nothing more than to destroy the settlement it collided with. Although players and NPCs alike have speculated that there was a greater reason as to why these monster tides happened, such as the world trying to maintain a precarious balance between people and monsters, everyone knew that they had to fend off against the tide if they didn't want to end up becoming homeless, or worse, dead.

"Yes, a monster tide," Damian replied with a nod. "We've recruited everyone with Rank 1 classes to aid the village guards in defending against the monster tide, although we've also been recruiting all of the able-bodied people who want to volunteer and help out in the cause. We need as much help as we can get for a matter like this, after all."

"In any case, this is actually the main reason why the village guards was established. Our main purpose is to help the village defend against monster tides. After all, one is enough to remove the village off the map," he continued. Just as he was about to continue persuading Valyr to help out in the monster tide, he could not help but notice that Valyr had grown stronger yet again, giving off the feeling that he was nearing a Rank 1 class holder in terms of power.

'When he first arrived here, he was only Level 1. How did he get this strong in just a week and a half?' Although Damian was curious as to how Valyr had achieved his current level of strength, he placed the matter at the back of his head for now, thinking that Valyr would be able to contribute more than the others just from the power he sensed from him so far.

"Hmm…" As monster tides were events that signified a lot of danger, that meant that a plethora of rewards awaited those who helped and survived the ordeal. In fact, that alone was enough reason for Valyr to accept, thinking about the possible things he could obtain if he participated. However, he did not want to make it seem like he was too eager about the calamitous event, deciding to mull over it for a bit. "Do we know how big the monster tide is?"

"Originally, it was a medium-scale monster tide," Damian told him. "However, with the monster tide coming from afar, portions of the tide separated from the original tide and attacked the settlements they passed through, gradually making the tide smaller with each separation. Best-case scenario, we'll be facing up against a small-scale monster tide. Worst-case, a small-scale monster tide nearing medium-scale."

"I see." Valyr nodded, recalling everything else he could remember about monster tides. 'If I remember correctly, small-scale monster tides are capable of demolishing villages, while medium-scale monster tides are capable of demolishing towns. On top of that, the strongest monster in a small-scale tide is on par with the strongest person one could find in a village… well, that's not good.'

Taking in a deep breath, Valyr looked at Damian before nodding. "Alright, I'll help out in defending the monster tide."

"Thank the heavens," replied Damian, letting out a light sigh of relief. Looking at Valyr with a more relieved expression than before, he told him, "Of course, your efforts in helping us defend against the monster tide won't go unnoticed."

As he said that, a screen appeared before Damian as he interacted with it for a while. After that, a notification sound resounded in Valyr's mind, prompting him to check what Damian had sent him.

Ding!

[You have received a new quest: Monster Tide.]

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[Monster Tide] (Emergency Quest)

Difficulty: C

In a week, a small to medium-scale monster tide shall pass through Astarto Village, with the village taking the brunt of it. Because of that, Damian and the others have been recruiting all of the help they could get in the village in order to defend against the calamity. You have decided to volunteer in helping the others defend against the monster tide, which the others will naturally thank you for.

However, don't go thinking your efforts will go unnoticed. Rewards far greater than your wildest imaginations await you if you put in the work.

Requirements:

> Help defend against the monster tide (0/1)

> Make sure at least 50% of the village remains intact (100% > 50%)

Quest Rewards: 50 contribution points (Astarto Village Guards), 25 merit points (Astarto Village Guards), and 50 XP per kill (Maximum of 1000 kills). Reputation +500 within Astarto Village

Quest Penalty: Reputation -100 within Astarto Village, Level -1

[Note: This quest shall automatically appear in 7 days!]

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'Per kill?' As his eyes focused on the reward section of the quest, Valyr could not help but go wide-eyed, considering that he could possibly earn up to 50,000 XP if he was able to kill a thousand monsters. However, what piqued his interest even more was the amount of contribution points he could stand to earn. After all, if he killed 20 monsters in the tide, he would have enough contribution points to buy two of the other skills he needed for his Rank 1 class. With the possibility to earn more, only the heavens knew what he was able to buy.

Closing up the screen, Valyr looked at Damian, who looked back at him with a slight smirk on his face. "I'm guessing you noticed the rewards, huh?"

"Yes." Valyr nodded. "However, I'll only be able to earn a lot if I kill a lot."

"That is indeed true." Damian nodded in agreement.

Just as Valyr thought that their conversation would end there, a screen appeared in front of Damian once more as he tapped on it for a bit.

"Since you've only been in this village for a week, think of this as an apology and a gift from me. Use it wisely."

Ding!

[You have received 500 contribution points.]