Chapter 27: Quest
Sam bent down to pick up the bronze coin when he noticed a gold coin just beside him. In his entire life, he only witnessed the might of a legendary gold coin when Master Kaf took him to a city and was bargaining about the price of a material. The shopkeeper was very stubborn and adamant about not increasing the price of the material by a single bronze coin. However, the moment his Master flicked out a gold coin, the shopkeeper lost control of himself and sold the material at a highly reduced price. That was the coolest shit he had ever witnessed. Flicking a gold coin, everyone comes to you and starts rimming your a*s. What else can be more badass than that?
'Holy shit! I'll pick this up after I pick my bronze coin.' He resisted the urge to jump from excitement and immediately picked up the bronze coin and went for the gold coin but before he could do so, a white light shone from the gold coin and blinded him.
"I see that you are a kind soul. To give up such a large amount of wealth to someone of your caliber is something very rare. In fact, in my two billion years of life, I have only encountered a gracious soul like you not more than hundred-and-fifty-eight times. Very well then, you shall receive both the bronze coin as well as the gold coin. Take it!" An indistinguishable halo appeared in front of Sam.
'Ah, that bronze coin was mine to begin with and it's already within my hands…' But he didn't dare say anything. He had read his fair share of fairy tales and knew not to screw up. Taking the gold coin hovering in front of his hands, he made a ninety degree bow. "I shall forever remember the generosity and kindness of Your Grace. My kindness is not worth a dirt in the sand compared to yours!"
"Good. Good. You have not failed to get on my good sides. Now, before I bid farewell to you, I can grant one of your wishes. Tell me boy, what do you want?"
Sam's brain engine rotated as he tried to think of the things he wanted to achieve. "I wish to be granted the power to control the life and death of beings. I promise to not use this to my advantage and if I do so-"
"That can't be done. While I do have the ability to give you the power, that goes beyond nature"
Sam wasn't overly surprised. He slumped down on the rock and sighed. "In that case, please cure that boy." He wanted to try his luck and break through the natural cycle of life and death not wanting to be controlled by the "outsiders". But as it turned out, he couldn't do so. His next choice was to make him "real" but he realised how selfish he would be if he asked for that. Not to mention, the halo of a man in front of him was also probably not "real" so he doubted even he could grant his wish.
"It isn't 'cure'. I need to bring him back to life but I could do that. However, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes."
"Your wish has been granted! Farewell!"
The halo disappeared quickly as Sam got up and went near the woman and boy to check.
"Ah! Sister!"
"Huh? Kio?" The woman let out a startled cry.
The three-year old boy rubbed his eyes and tugged on her sister's clothes. "Let's go home. I'm sleepy."
"Alright, just sleep and we'll be home!" She tried to sound cheerful but her voice quivered. The boy however didn't notice that and fell asleep in her arms.
Sam smiled and showed a shocked expression. "Woah, he woke up?"
The woman silently nodded.
"I guess we are lucky. Let's start ascending." He could have bragged about making the boy come to life but it was simply meaningless. She was a village woman. What gains could she possibly give to him? Nothing. He knew he would regret this decision in the future but he didn't care. He saved a life and that is something to be proud of.
***
"Thank you again." The woman bowed with the boy in her hands.
Sam waved his hand. "No big deal."
"How can this be nothing? You have to come to my house for a meal. I know I'm poor but that's the least I could do."
Sam was about to deny when he noticed the woman's persistent gaze and sighed. "Where do you live?"
"I live in the city and I presume you are from the city as well. Stop by the Delish Inn anytime at night."
"Got it." Sam agreed. 'The Delish Inn is near our mansion.'
He walked back to the abandoned farm where he saw Rewen was no longer slaying chickens and was laying down in the grass. He went near him and kicked him lightly.
"What? Where did you go?"
"I saved a life."
"Is that the best?"
"I'll tell you on the way back home. So what level did you reach? It seems like all the chickens have been slayed."
"Here's my status."
---
Level: 10 (0/1000)
Class: None
Social Status: Peasant
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 6
Constitution: 7
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 6
Luck: 6
---
"Is this a good allocation of points?"
"I don't know. Neither do I care. I'm just playing the game for fun."
"Hm, shall we go?"
"Yes, let's go."
Along the way, Sam explained the miracles he encountered today and Rewen was more than flabbergasted by the story. Although he couldn't be sure, he guessed the mysterious man to be a mod. "Ah, I'm green with regret!" Sam exclaimed out loud.
"Who told you to be a saint?"
"You wouldn't understand the situation I was in. I felt so obligated to save the boy."
"Sure. By the way, do you have some Yellow Steel?"
"I have about four kilos. Why do you need it?"
"I will make a Rank 2 spear."
---
[Create a Rank 2 weapon (0/1)]
Rewards: 1500 EXP
---
This was his daily mission. The amount of EXP is enormous so there's no way he would miss that.
"Why all of a sudden?"
"A daily mission."
"Oh? I'll help you. Would that work?"
"I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. To be safe, don't help."
"That's surprisingly rude."
Chatting along the way, they reached home.
Rewen went to his room and didn't know how to spend his time. Master Kaf and his mother haven't returned yet. "Well, might as well take a stroll."
He knocked on Sam's door to see if he could accompany him.
"What?"
"I'm going outside for a stroll. Wanna come?"
"No. I'll take a nap."
"Alright."
Rewen left his house and went to the marketplace hoping to find something interesting.
The marketplace was crowded. He browsed through different shops but didn't really buy anything. As he was going from shop to shop, he noticed an old man standing motionless between two shops.
"Something wrong, old man?"
"Aii, my house is raided by jackrats. I'm now homeless." Jackrats were huge rats.
---
Quest: Help the old man.
Rewards: 1000 EXP, +2 Morality
---
[Accept] [Decline]
It was a game quest. Without thinking much, he accepted the quest.
"I can help you."
"You will? Unfortunately, I have nothing to give you."
"Don't worry. Where do you live?"