Capítulo 55: Luni's Emotional Upheaval

The next thing on my list after visiting the Blacksmith's was submitting the Quests. I headed towards the Borsica's Herbal Shop which was just a few tents away from Buka's.

Despite how unpopular the Cross Grass Valley had become after falling behind in levels, there was still a steady stream of one or two players below Lv3 coming to accept Borsica's Quest.

HP recovery items were just that rare and popular.

I joined the very short queue outside the shop and waited my turn. As I waited the ideal chatter of other players fell in my ears.

"Do you know an unknown Hemp Ladder dropped down mysteriously from one of the platforms in the Valley. Do you think it might be some Game event?"

"I don't know if it is an event or not but I saw someone post a video of the situation on the Cliff Platform. There are Cross Grasses everywhere! If you can get on the Platform you can complete this quest in just 20 minutes!"

"That's the only reason I am here, even though I am an Lv3 player. Spending just 20 minutes to exchange for an HP recovery salve is worth it."

It seems my actions were once again the topic of discussion on forums. Although, no one knew it was me.

After six hours, when the map resets, the rope ladder will once again return to its original condition - a rolled up bundle lying in a corner of the Platform - and none will be wiser.

It was my turn soon. I smiled, reveling in the knowledge that no one else knew about, and stepped forward to submit the quest.

The quest submission was a simple affair. Borsica took the Grass stalks, counted them while inspecting their condition and approved the quest submission.

She then placed five copper coins and a small, green-tinted bottle of HP Recovery Salve in my outstretched hand and shooed me off to make way for the next player.

The simplicity of the process and the realism amazed me.

Borsica acted like a typical office worker who is annoyed by the repetitive chore and yet performs it diligently. Her nasty glances at players who tried to chat her up to raise favorability only made her character feel more real.

I could only imagine how Luni would react when I delivered him the news of how I had killed the legendary Red-Fleece Ram.

Soon, I was standing before the man himself. I took out the ten sheepskins and presented them to Shepherd Luni.

"I have killed 10 Biter sheeps as you asked."

Shepherd Luni did not show any reaction to my words and merely checked the sheepskins before turning to fetch the Jar of Sheep milk from the shelf.

"I also encountered a Red Fleece Ram and luckily I managed to kill it."

Undeterred by his lack of response, I finished delivering the important news. The hand of the shepherd which had reached out to grab the jar froze inches away from the object. He retracted it and slowly turned to face me.

"Do you speak the.. truth?"

The Shepherd asked in a firm voice with a slight edge to it, sounding nothing like his previous mild and soft spoken self.

"This is the proof." I nodded and took out the Ebony Horn and a small piece of Red Fleece to back my words.

Shepherd Luni lunged towards me and snatched the two objects from my hands with wide open eyes.

"The Red Fleece Ram is really dead. The killer of my father is dead!"

The young man whispered in a choked voice as he affirmed for himself the authenticity of the two objects.

This was the same Luni who had held back his emotions when his father's burnt and broken body was discovered in the Cross Grass Valley. He had hidden his grief and channeled his emotions into a fierce vow of vengeance.

But now, as I presented him with the news of the Red-Fleece Ram's death, I sensed a shift in him.

The mention of the Red-Fleece Ram brought a torrent of emotions to the surface. Luni's face tightened as he struggled to maintain his composure, but the locked-away grief and anger sought a way out.

He fought to suppress the sob that threatened to escape, but the dam he had built around his emotions had burst.

Tears welled in Luni's eyes, and they flowed freely, tracing a path down his weathered cheeks. It was a moment of profound release, a catharsis that he had been unable to find until now.

I turned away to spare the man his dignity, offering him a moment to gather himself as his emotions flowed.

I was once again amazed by how beautifully each of the characters was developed. Not only did they have their own quirks and traits, they also had a story associated with it.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Luni had gathered his emotions. A visible sense of relief was apparent on the smile that graced his face.

"Deathless Samar, you have done me and the entirety of our Village a huge favor. However, I am not a man of worldly possessions. Nothing I have can express my gratitude."

Luni bowed his head, slightly ashamed that he could not give me an appropriate reward.

Now the ball was in my court. It was up to me to decide how I should proceed.

I could be greedy and demand his entire remaining stock of Sheep Milk. He would gladly give it but it would not help me build up any favorability with him.

I could choose a smaller reward to build favorability but that would put me at a disadvantage in the short term. Moreover, if I could not cash in the favor, it would be as good as not receiving any reward.

Since I was going to the Elven Forests soon, I needed funds to build a stockpile of Arrow Forging materials and Medicines. Selling jars of Sheep's Milk could help me do exactly that.

Yet, the number of Sheep's Milk Jars in stock was just 22. Even if each jar sold for 3 Coppers, I would get only 66 coppers which were not enough for my needs.

This put me in a dilemma- Favorability or the remaining stock of Sheep's Milk; What should I choose?

comentário 1 comentário

Votar

ENVIAR PRESENTE

Load failed, please RETRY