Chapter Nineteen: So Many Tasks!

After repairing my equipment at the weapons shop, I immediately made my way to the armor shop. Earlier, while chatting with a little boy on the street, I heard the shopkeeper needed some help.

Just as expected, after a few words, I received a quest:

[The Blacksmith’s Dilemma]

Quest Details: The blacksmith Hughes has been crafting fine armor for the army but is missing a rare copper ore found only on the eastern outskirts of the city, at Half-Mountain. The blacksmith’s apprentice was drafted to Sunset Town to fight the plague-bearers, leaving no one to mine the ore. Hughes hopes you can gather 20 pieces of this ore from Half-Mountain. Beware, though—these ores are usually guarded by One-Clawed Werewolves. Be extremely careful!

...

I checked the werewolves’ level—monsters between level 18 and 20. Given my current strength, it might be a stretch, but I accepted the quest anyway.

“Ding~!”

System notification: You have received the “Miner’s Iron Shovel”! You have learned the skill “Trial Mining”!

I glanced at the shovel—an iron tool made for mining, with no special attributes and a pitiful attack of 1-1.

As I left the armor shop, I noticed an elderly bard in front of the grand cathedral, singing ancient ballads while a soldier tried to drive him away.

I walked over and spoke to the soldier, who looked at me with a troubled expression and said, “This bard is singing songs forbidden by the Church. If we drive him away again, the royal clergy might burn him at the stake as punishment!”

I quickly asked what song had been banned, but the soldier fell silent and, no matter how I pressed, only urged me to leave.

Damn, this must be a hidden quest!

The bard collected his battered violin and slowly wandered into a nearby alley. I hurried after him and asked, “Why are your songs forbidden by the Church?”

The bard lifted his wrinkled, grimy face, his eyes dull and distant. “Young man, that was two years ago. Many have already forgotten, but Princess Misha still lives in agony. I thought I could save her, but it seems it’s all too late.”

“Can you tell me more? Maybe I can help, even just a little.”

He sighed. “Three years ago, a mysterious plague swept across the continent. The kingdom summoned the most renowned healers, but none could stem the disease. Even the summoned orc witch doctors were helpless. Princess Misha herself sought the plague’s source, but returned empty-handed. The year after her return, she too fell ill with a strange disease. The royal healers declared her incurable and feared she might spread the plague, so the king, heartbroken, imprisoned her in the underground vaults of the Plague Cemetery, west of the city. Just recently, a band of filthy necromancers appeared at the cemetery. Who knows if the princess can survive any longer!”

The bard muttered under his breath, “If only we could find Golden Needle Grass, perhaps the princess could be cured. Why was the king so cruel?”

I immediately replied, “Where can I find this herb? I might be able to help.”

A glimmer of hope returned to the bard’s eyes. “Really, young man? You’d help me?”

“Ding~!”

System notification: Will you accept the Healer’s Plea?

Of course, I chose Yes, and the quest followed:

[The Healer’s Request] (Unique)

Quest Details: Help the healer Lance find Golden Needle Grass. This plant grows in the valleys of Half-Mountain and is guarded by the exiled orc shaman, Nikola. Defeat Nikola and bring the Golden Needle Grass to Lance.

...

So this bard was once the famed healer Lance; no wonder he still clings to the hope of saving the princess. He’s already discovered the cure. There must be follow-up quests ahead. Given Lance’s current state, he probably can’t rescue the princess from the necromancers himself.

Having accepted three quests, I wandered around the city for another half hour without finding any more. It seemed I’d exhausted the available city quests.

I opened my communicator and contacted Xue Han: “Found any quests?”

She replied, excitement in her voice, “I got a quest to clear out a farm. What about you?”

“I got that one too. Let’s do it together. Meet me at the eastern city gate.”

“Okay.”

Soon, Xue Han arrived, her beautiful face bright with a sweet smile. Was she really so happy just to get a quest?

Without further ado, we set off toward Matthew’s farm as directed. Dusk was falling, and a thick mist drifted over the abandoned fields.

Not far ahead, several dilapidated wooden shacks stood scattered among overgrown fields, while snake-headed monsters prowled through the tall weeds.

“I’ll focus on healing and casting curses. You take the lead,” Xue Han said calmly. Clearly, she understood the game mechanics.

With a wave of her delicate hand, a cloud of gray mist enveloped the nearest snake-headed man.

[Snake-Headed Man]

Level: 13

Attack: ???

Defense: ???

...

I lunged forward with a heavy strike, immediately following with a combo—“142,” “52,” and “58” floated above the monster’s head. The quick succession of hits pushed it back slightly.

At level one, my combo skill could only hit twice, sometimes just once. I wondered if, at higher levels, I’d be able to chain seven or eight strikes together. The speed of the attacks was impressive, and targets struck by the combo became briefly stunned—undoubtedly the skill’s greatest advantage. Striking first was vital.

Working with Xue Han’s curses, defeating monsters was effortless. Sometimes, after slaying seven or eight in a row, she’d finally cast a major healing spell. At level one, her major heal could restore over 120 health—quite impressive, although it required about five seconds to channel.

We cleared the farm field by field, and when the last monster fell, both of us had collected all the snake-man eyes required for the quest.

I checked the time; it was already 9 a.m. Xu Lin and the others hadn’t called us for breakfast, probably because they saw we were busy questing. I was holding up fine, but I wondered how Xue Han was doing.

“Hungry?” Xue Han blinked at me.

I smiled inwardly. “Let’s log off here and eat, then come back afterward.”

“Mm.”