Second World

Gruff continued his explanation, ”if you win, you will get the same amount of glory points based on the stage level you are in. If you beat stage ten, then you get 10 glory points.”

”So itʼs basically the reverse from the challenge points.”

”Thatʼs right.”

”Your status in this faction will be based on the stage number you are at. For example, I am at stage 79. All executives have to beat at least stage 75. Because of that, Iʼm still considered as a low-level executive.”

He was at stage 79? Jack thought and decided to inspect the guy. He had never inspected him before despite meeting him a few times already.

Gruff (Rare Elite Human, Angusticlavian), level 65

HP: 790,000

Crap, the fellow was at the same level and grade as Duke Alfredo. His HP was even higher than the Duke, but considering he was melee-oriented while the Duke was magic-oriented, it made sense for him to have higher HP. No wonder he did not show any respect to Commander Quintus. The Anglusticlavian besides his grade must be his rank within this faction. Wait, he was this strong but could only reach stage 79? How difficult would stage 100 be?

”If I cannot beat the next level, can I repeat the same level again?” Jack asked.

”You can,” Gruff answered.

He pondered a bit more before asking, ”If the glory points gained are the same as the stage number, then itʼs better if I just repeat the same stage again and again. If I beat stage 1 a hundred times, I will get the same glory points as beating stage 100 one time. Considering the difficulty, if I am not too keen on getting a high position in this faction, this will be a better way to get glory points.”

”You will be right, if the items and skills are all available for exchange from the start,” Gruff said.

”They are not?”

”If they are, it will be stupid to implement such a system now, wouldnʼt it? As you said already, people will not find the need to challenge the higher stage if so. If you are still at the low stages, you will only get basic and advanced skills the most. Higher grade skills and items will be unlocked only if you have defeated higher stages. In addition to that, challenging the same stage level which you had defeated before can only be done a maximum of five times a day, so you canʼt hoard too many glory points that way.”

”I see…”

”Apart from that, there will be other perks for beating higher stage levels, and you will receive benefits that come with the rank. What they are, I will let you find them out yourself.”

”Well, alright then. Since I canʼt attempt any challenge at the moment. I guess I will take my leave first.”

”Wait! What are you so in a hurry for? Donʼt you want to hang out with your pal here?”

”Elderly pal is a more correct term. Arenʼt you ashamed of acting like a youth here? I know you have something you want, just spill it out already.”

Gruff gave him a wry face, before turning serious and said, ”I need a favor, you can consider this as our League of Champions faction quest, you will be rewarded with challenge points upon completion.”

”I thought you said such a faction quest is rare?”

”I did also say us executives have the authority to issue them now, didnʼt I?”

”What is it about?” Jack asked.

”I need you to visit a town called Thesewal. At there, search for an officer with the name of Guss. Listen to his instruction as my representative and complete the task that he gives.”

Jack soon heard a voice notification of this faction quest. Apart from the challenge points for rewards, it also granted experience points and coins like other normal quests.

Jack did not accept the quest posthaste. Instead, he said to Gruff, ”old man, did you forget already? I am going out on an expedition tomorrow. Where can I find the time to do this quest of yours?”

”Donʼt worry, you will visit this town during the expedition,” Gruff replied.

”What?” Jack was confused.

”I know the route the expedition will take. The army will make a camp in this town before heading out to the Fulgur region. Thesewal is one of the fortress towns that defend our border, and it was one that is closest to the Fulgur region. The army will take a rest and resupply in this town before heading to the border.”

ʼIs that true?ʼ Jack asked Peniel in his mind, who also had the knowledge of the geography of this kingdom.

”In the route that I estimate the army will take, this town does happen to be there. I also believe that the expedition will make a stop at this place.”

Jack then said to Gruff, ”even if I visit this place, you donʼt think the army will wait for me to complete the task from this Guss person, do you?”

”It will take the army at least two days to resupply. You should be able to complete the task by then. Guss has told me that it is just an easy task that takes one to two days to complete at most.”

At this time, he felt a tingling in his mind. At first, he wondered what it was all about, but then he somehow knew it was the trait of his Investigator talent. The NPC in front of him had just told a lie.

”The guy just lied,” Jack heard Peniel said.

ʼOh, you felt it too?ʼ He asked.

”I was linked with you, remember? Pretty handy talent you have there.”

ʼNot so reliable though, the description said I have the chance to detect lies. So it doesnʼt work all the time, only a possibility. It only happened now after so long since I got the talent. It canʼt be this is the first time a native lies to me, can it?ʼ

”So what say you?” Gruff asked, unaware of Jackʼs internal conversation.

”You donʼt know what the task is about?” Jack asked instead.

Gruff shook his head.

”Will there be a penalty if I fail to carry out the task?” Jack asked again.

”No penalty. No, no. There is nothing to worry about. Even if you canʼt complete it in time, you should be able to continue again after you finish your matter in that temple you people are heading to. You can just go back to Thesewal once you are free.”

Doesnʼt sound so convincing, Jack thought. Still, there was no tingling, so he could be speaking the truth. Or this could be the case when the talentʼs ability to detect lies was not triggered. Such an uncertain ability, Jack complained in his mind.

After pondering for a bit, he had decided to just accept the quest. Though Gruff might be lying, it should not be anything ominous. The guy had been nothing but helpful since the first time he met him, with a tint of playfulness though. He had even gifted him the Shadow Bear Tasset which he still wore till now.

”Good lad!” Gruff declared after Jackʼs acceptance and smacked him on the back.

Motherf**ker! Did he forget he was a level 65 Rare Elite? Jack cursed in his mind as he bore the pain on his back.

He opened his quest window to take a look.

Go to Thesewald and listen to Gussʼ request

Difficulty: B

Rewards: 3 gold coins, 25,000 Experience points, 10 Challenge Points

B-level difficulty, should still be manageable, Jack thought. He had also done B difficulty quests from the Adventurers Association before. Although B level was difficult for his level, he could still manage it with his dual-class and equipment advantage. Perhaps he had been too apprehensive due to detecting Gruffʼs lie.

”Can I go now?” Jack asked him.

”You donʼt fancy a round of drink with this old pal of yours?” He asked back with a grin.

”Pass,” Jack said, then added. ”See you later.”

😉