บท 10: A smart choice
[Shoutout to fanmy1 and TKru! Thanks for the power stones so early in the story!]
Looking at these men you can tell that they know the inner workings of the economy. I know my fair share, but I never had a land token in the past. After drinking some tea with them I take this opportunity to ask them about the land token. "May I ask you all something?" They take a pause and look at each other. Baron Jackson is the highest ranking official here so they are waiting for his response.
He sets his tea down and interlocks his fingers and sits them on his lap. "I'm sure than we can help you with whatever you need Slayer Zern." I am glad that they can see some of my stats, my title is still hidden which is good. I open my inventory and place the land token on the table, everyone is drooling at the sight of it. I guess the value is more than I thought it was, at least to the NPC's.
Baron Jackson is the first to pick it up and inspect it. "This is an authentic land token all right. What do you plan to do with it?" So he is testing how much I know about this item, they may want to try and get it at a lower price than its actually worth.
I look at all the expecting faces and I can tell that they are all interested in the item. "I know that I can purchase a home or open a store with it. I was hoping that one of you might be interested in the opportunity to open a store with me." I can tell that they are all wealthy men and are nobles. This could be something that forever helps me in the future, and if I can get an NPC to take care of the hard work and I could make constant income from it. It will make my future so much easier here than it was.
They exchange looks between each other and I can tell not a single one is going to make this easy on me. "Some of us are interested, but I don't see a reason to shove all the work on to one of us." These guys are smart, but I am not interested in negotiation and politics right now.
I give a knowing nod now that I have my answer. "I understand, it will probably be better for me to sell this off to another person like me or just build a home. I don't have the time to run a shop." When I said those words their expressions changed, they thought they would turn the negotiation in there favor. Instead its gone now.
One of the more wealthy and older ones speak up at this decision I have made. "Now wait a minute young man. I am interested in your token, how about I take care of everything and I'll give you 25% of all profits from the store?" When he said those words fury entered the eyes of the other people here. Owning a shop is really beneficial for anyone and nobles hate losing an opportunity like this.
I am not against the deal, but I do want to have more stake than that. "If you bring it up to 40% the token is yours. You could also do whatever you want with the business." The man gives a smile, I may have asked for little more than what he was planning to give up. I'm not going to be running the business so I have no reason to ask for more.
The man gets up and I follow suit and we shake hands. "You got yourself a deal young man!" It is the first time I will make passive income in Ancients World. I get a system prompt as the noble picks up the token.
[You have just opened a shop]
[The NPC Vernus Nicolas will be running the shop in your stead]
[You will receive 40 gold a week starting next week]
Now that I see this I cant help but be stunned from the number I'll be making. Just who is this guy. I inspect him and I can see why I'll be making so much gold.
[Vernus Nicolas Lvl.100 tier 2]
1,400,000/1,400,000 HP
I cant view the detailed information yet because I am not strong enough. He doesn't seem to be any type of warrior or magician. So all that leaves is a merchant, merchant NCP's don't usually have such high levels. I guess that means he is not your common place merchant NPC. The others around the table are not looking happy in the slightest.
One even voices his opinion and he is around the same age as Vernus. "That was a real underhanded move Vernus. Next time this happens it wont be so easy for you." There seems to be familiarity between the two. Vernus laughs in response to the mans words, they are on very friendly terms it seems.
Baron Jackson is the next to speak and I didn't expect what he says next. "If you are looking for a quest, I have one that I need done now." I never heard of the Baron giving a quest to a player in the future, this may be another class or priority mechanic.
The other nobles leave now that everyone got there fill of fun for the day and now it is just Baron Jackson and I. "I am always interested in a quest." He nods and laughs joyously. He gets up and indicates for me to follow. We enter a room full of maps and old documents. He approaches the table and hands me a piece of paper. I get a system prompt once its in my hand.
[Quest: The Old Ones]
[Description: Help Baron Jackson secure a magical artifact for the rebellion against Herold]
[Objective 1: Head to the Ancient ruins of the Dryads]
[Objective 2: Retrieve the Horn of The Forest]
[Quality: Legacy]
[Rewards: Hidden]
[Do you wish to accept the quest? Y/N]
I cant believe I get to see a legacy quest with my own eyes. This is 2 levels lower than a divine quest. I honestly don't know if this is a smart choice to do this or not. I may be strong, but quests don't define what level you should be. For all I know I could face level 100 tier 2 monsters and bosses. However, this is the beginner area. Nobody can leave the starter areas till level 10. There are 3000 square miles to explore. I know a lot about the game, but I don't know everything. The Ancient ruins of the Dryads was never in the future. That only leaves the fact that its a hidden location.
The Baron is waiting for my answer, with everything that I have it would be a waste not to try and complete it. I'll have to get a newer sword today before I leave. That means I get to sell those 12 wolf pelts. "So Slayer Zern, are you interested in this quests?" I nod to him at the same time I think yes to accept the quest. He turns his head to the giant map behind him and points to a specific location.
I look at it and its almost a 150 miles into the forest covered mountain. He sees the grim look on my face and chuckles. "Don't worry we wouldn't make you walk there on a quest this important. We will lend you a griffin to travel there. It would take weeks by walking, but with a griffin you can make it there in about 15 hours." I breath a sigh of relief, mounts aren't implemented into the game yet, so I know I wont be keeping the mount.
Players will be able to purchase mounts once they reach Level 120. You could also capture mounts in the wild, but that is incredibly difficult. "I'm grateful for your generosity Baron Jackson." After I said that the system announced throughout the world.
[World-wide Announcement: The Gods shine favor on the NPC that has helped The Son of Arch-Angel Michael in his quest!]
The announcement rings for 1 minute and 30 seconds like it always does. The NPC's hear a different version. Soon Baron lifts his head after he received the news by magic from the church like they always do. "So I was right. You are The Son of Arch-Angel Michael." I stood out to much and now my cover is blown. This damn announcement doesn't help. He looks at my worried face and sighs. "Don't worry Slayer Zern, I'll keep your secret to the grave. If you wanted to be known you would have revealed yourself." I still feel worried, but he has been a trustworthy person so far. I should give him a chance.
I just let it go since he is the only person that knows at the moment. If people do find out I'll know who to blame. "I'll leave today once I get my supplies ready." I know where the sables are and the Baron issues a note for the sable to lend me a griffin. I leave the property and make my way to the blacksmith. I give the wolf pelts as credit to him and he gives me a steel sword that is much better than my iron sword.
[Well Crafted Steel Sword req. Lvl.5]
[Damage: 400]
[Durability: 500/500]
[Quality: Common]
This will do great until I reach level 10. Once I reach level 10 I can start using my other swords I have in my inventory. The silver sword I have will be better against monsters than this will be. This has twice as much durability than the silver sword though. Dead's Bane and the silver sword will make a great combination. This is just a place holder for now.
Now that I am done with the blacksmith I make my way to the stable and show them the paper with the seal. I get a griffin and I inspect it.
[Tamed Griffin Lvl.45]
35,000/35,000 HP
[Warning: This type of mount cant help you fight]
This is your typical mount in Ancients World. Special mounts can help you fight and grow stronger with you. Now that I have everything and nobody is watching I take off with the map that the Baron gave me. Now I have big task ahead of me. Unknown to Cera this quest is another butterfly effect with his presence. Blue Chaos became The Son of Arch-Angel Michael 2 years into the game, by that time Herold Marcus the II was already dead. This is causing new quests and events to happen. Things his knowledge of the future will not help with.
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