Chapter 16. Hidden dungeon (2)

Chapter 16. Hidden dungeon (2)

'There are books everywhere I see.'

Ian thought in shock as he looked at the enormous library, located near the central plaza in the capital of Althiem empire, Arth.

What was more amazing that all the books were untouched and they were looking brand new, but there was a strange feeling about them.

Looking around the library, Ian suddenly found a book that seems interesting.

It was a book with a red cover over it and the title of the book was 'The devil'.

Just the title was enough for Ian to start reading it. As he opened the book, he realized that it was a journal. He read through the first page.

<11/23/1252>

First day of writing my journal.

I started my adventures with my childhood friend Zoe and Brad.

<11/25/1252>

We went through our first battle today. Zoe was injured but Brad saved her like a prince from the old tales. I think he likes her.

<11/28/1252>

I started missing our hometown today. Zoe was also sad, it seems like she was having the same feelings as me. I comforted her and we talked for a long time.

<11/29/1252>

We finally managed to defeat a goblin general today. I finished him with my sword. My confidence went up because of that. Zoe was happy for me but Brad seems to be in a sour mood.

<12/1/1252>

We managed to hunt a group of bandits. It looks like we are getting stronger but the atmosphere between Zoe and Brad seems to be bad.

<12/3/1252>

Today, something great happened. We managed to find a hidden dungeon. They say that hidden dungeons are a source of immense wealth but they are dangerous too. I'm anxious!!

<1/24/1253>

We entered the dungeon. There seems to be an eerie feeling to it but only goblins appeared. It seems to be easy but Zoe has a bad feeling about it.

<2/2/1253>

Zoe nearly died in today's battle. I'm worried about her. Brad and I had a fight because of that. He was blaming me for it. Maybe I should haven't started this adventure?

<2/14/1253>

It was an undead dungeon!! As we went further, undead started coming. If not for Zoe's holy magic, we would have died.

<2/15/1253>

We are now exploring the end of the dungeon. No treasure has appeared till now. Is it an empty dungeon? My mind is troubled.

<2/16/1253>

We fell into a trap but we managed to survive. I saw Zoe looking at me strangely. Was it my hallucination? Anyway, we are close to the end.

<2/18/1253>

We fought the dungeon boss today. It was a skeleton knight. We fought bravely and I was able to finish it off but I got too many injuries. It is hard to even write the journal. Will I die?

<2/20/1253>

We found an immense treasure in the dungeon. We are rich. Thanks to a potion we found, I was healed. Zoe was happy for me but Brad was anxious. I wonder why?

<2/25/1253>

We left the dungeon and I proposed to end this adventure and Brad and Zoe agreed with me. I just want to live a peaceful life with a girl I love but where will I find one?

<2/27/1253>

Something shocking happened today. Zoe confessed to me. She said she loves me. My heart was beating hard when she said 'I love you' to me. I realized I love her more than anyone else.

<3/1/1253>

I and Zoe decided to marry. She even kissed me. Ah, I'm so happy but Brad looks disturbed. We had a few drinks today. He said he will cheer us up. I hope he can get over this heartbreak.

<3/11/1253>

We got married. I feel like the luckiest person alive. We decided to go settle in our hometown. Zoe even started calling me honey. My wife is the cutest!!

<3/13/1253>

I feel like something bad is going to happen. Is it just my feeling? Or is it something else?

<3/14/1253>

My wife, Zoe, she got raped and killed and by Brad to the booth. Her screams are still resounding in my ears. I ran away seeing her dead body. I hate myself!!

<3/17/1253>

Revenge! Revenge! That's the only thing in my mind. I went to the same dungeon. I decided to explore it again.

<3/21/1253>

I met the devil!

'What am I doing?'

Ian thought as he hurriedly closed the book he was reading.

He has to say that it was interesting, it was even close to some of the adventure stories he had heard in the fantasy world.

But he doesn't have any time to waste. He never thought that his strange habit will kick in seeing the books.

Actually, Ian was a bookworm once.

'My master used to say that I should become a magician because of my reading habits.'

It was a habit that he has developed in the fantasy world. As Ian was transported to a world with swords and magic, there was obviously no television or entertainment.

The most you will get was bards singing ballads on the roadside or old people telling stories.

As there was nothing to do, Ian started reading books. Coincidentally, his master used to own many books.

That's how he got this habit from.

One may ask why he was not getting good grades if he's a bookworm. There was a simple answer to that.

Studying and reading books are fundamentally different things. For Ian, fantasy novels and math textbooks are like people are different continents.

'Let's search for information about the Nar herbs and the flame winged birds.'

Ian quickly found a book about herbs which was titled 'Herbs and its effects'.

There was information about Nar herbs inside that. Ian quickly went through them and then look at the information about the flame winged birds.

There was an entire book based on them. The whole book was based on the ranting of a mercenary against the flame winged birds.

It was nonsense at first but through the middle parts, it provided Ian useful information about them.

After reading through all of it, Ian quickly headed towards a weapon store. He needs to buy some weapons to clash against the flame winged birds.

The weapon store was one of the shops that were often frequented by customers, especially the players.

You can even say that it was one of the busiest shops in the whole capital. The revenue generated was also not small, overall the business was prosperous.

Chime!

With a chiming sound, Ian entered the shop. There were many players already there, some were looking at the weapons and some were repairing their swords.

No one gave a glance at Ian. It was because of the beginner's clothing that made him look like a complete noob.

"How can I help you?"

An employee came towards him, his tone a little cold. It was because the employee didn't know if Ian can even afford a weapon.

Ian also didn't mind it. He knew the value of appearance and clothing more than anyone else in the world.

"I want to buy a weapon, it would be good it's something like a spear or a trident."

"So, you are looking for a pole weapon."

Ian nodded his head and the employee-led him to a corner.

Pole weapons were usually the type of weapons in which the fighting part of the weapon is attached to a long shaft. In easier words, they are weapons like spears.

'This looks good but I need something heavier.'

Ian held a common grade spear in his hand as he contemplated whether he should buy it or not. In the end, he decided against it and asked.

"Are there any better ones?"

"There's one but it's expensive. I don't know if you can afford it or not."

"What's its price?"

"It's 2 gold."

It was the same amount of gold Ian has gotten after selling the equipment Grando and his friends had. Ian casually handed the employee 2 gold.

"Please come this way!!"

The employee's tone suddenly changed to one of a polite and Ian can't help but think that even the NPCs were materialistic in nature.

'The world was never a utopia, to begin with.'

Ian grimaced over that thought and held the spear in his hand. He looked at its stats.

* * *

-Rating: Uncommon

-Effects: Attack power+10, Movement speed+20

-Requirements: Level 15 , Strength+15

-Durability: 100/100

The weapon of an old mercenary known as Thales. He sold it to a master blacksmith and after repairing, it has become like its young self.

* * *

"I will buy it."

"Please come again next time."

Ian quickly left the weapon shop and headed towards the Grenuo forest. The forest was located north of the capital and it was not a forest beginner will frequent.

It was because of the monsters in this forest were too high leveled and gruesome for beginners but Ian has to take the risk.

"Who is that player?"

"He is going towards the Grenuo forest while wearing the beginner equipment."

"He must be insane or a mad guy."

"He seems to be a noob who thinks that he's the best since he has defeated the monsters in the Training Dungeon."

The jeering of the other players hurt his ears but he ignored them and kept walking. Once he was outside, he only has to walk for thirty minutes to reach the Grenuo forest.

The Grenuo forest was a pretty vast forest with many species like goblins and tigers living here. It was also an ideal place to hunt for players who are above level 30.

But Ian's current level was just 17. The Grenuo forest was not a place where he should be in but he was taking the risk.

'I have to lower my presence.'

Ian thought as he tried to walk through the bushes, hiding from the monsters walking around in the forest.

He was cautious and for an emergency, he even had the Blaze dagger in his hand but he was still walking while hiding his presence.

It was not because he was afraid of them but it was because he would die fighting them.

Ian was not a fool to fight with them at his current level. The only reason he was even doing this quest was that it was easier to kill flame winged birds.

They were small in stature and their only ability was to tackle people with their fiery wings.

'So, this is the cliff.'

Ian slowly managed to find the steep cliff. It was a tall cliff and it will take at least half an hour to climb to the top.

'But what is this house doing here?'

Near the cliff, there was a strange house. It was closed and Ian didn't know if it was someone's home or not.

"Who will even want to live here?"

Ian muttered that and went towards the house. It was made up of wood and it looked like it could easily sustain a storm or other natural calamities.

Knock! Knock!

Out of his curiosity, Ian knocked on the door and it was quick to open.

From the door, a man who looked to be in his 40s appeared. His appearance was shabby and he has a rough beard but there was a gentle smile on his face.

He examined Ian from head to toe before asking.

"Are you here to gather the Nar herbs?"

"How do you know that?"

"People will only come here because of those herbs. I have seen countless people come here, in the past months, they have even increased but only a few of them have managed to get their hands on those herbs."

The man explained with a gentle and honest smile but Ian simply answered.

"If some people can do it, then why can't I?"

"I like your confidence. What's your name chosen one?"

'How did he know that?'

NPCs would only be able to differentiate between chosen ones by seeing the small blue light above their heads.

A player can turn off this feature and blend in with the NPCs. Ian also did that but the man in front of him was able to recognize him.

"Who are you?"

Ian could not help but ask.