Chapter 29: The Quest

It was early in the morning when Rei slowly woke up from his bed, blinking his eyes multiple times to adjust with the lighting of the room, gathering his soul for a while before he could get up from the bed.

Rei yawned and opened the window a bit to feel the sunlight coming through.

"Hmmm~ such beautiful morning." Rei spoke as his eyes scanned the unfamiliar scenery through the window of the village's inn that he was staying in.

'Indeed.'

"Oh, you're there Houston?"

'Yeah, I've just trained spear skill.'

"Ohhh, so how was it?"

'I guess it's so-so but I slowly get the hang of it...' Ray trailed off for a while before he spoke again, 'Hmmm...does that god said anything else to you ever since that day?'

"Nope, he told us that he will be watching and won't interfere with what we're doing."

'I see, he's such a weird god.'

"Tell me about it..." Rei sighed, recalling what happened a few days ago

******

Exactly four days ago, at the day of the departure...

[Notice!]

[Chatroom]

Ifrit: "Yeah! Don't forget about me!"

"Huh?"

In the midst of their journey, a [Notice] board with [Chatroom] feature came out before him and the one who sent it was...

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[The Fire God] and [The Fire Spirit King], Ifrit.

"E-eh?! O-old man?!"

[Chatroom]

Ifrit: "Hahaha! It's been a while, Kiritsuka Rei. It is I, the God of Fire–Ifrit is here!"

Rei was suprised when the god who sent him into this place decided to finally talked to him after so long.

"W-what is this about?! What happen?!"

Ifrit: "It seems you are confused, it's been two years since we can finally talk like this after all! "

"W-well of course, but how come you never talked to me ever since that day?"

Ifrit: "Ahhhh, I was pretty busy taking care some documents and stuff like that, also creating this chatroom feature for us to talk."

"Even gods are taking care of documents..." Rei murmurred, a bit suprised that gods like him were doing paperworks, "...and you made this feature?"

Ifrit: "Of course! Even though I was lower-class god, I can still make things like this"

"I-i see" Rei nodded, "Wait—you were lower-rank?"

Ifrit: "I was originally a Spirit King which is the highest-rank that could ascend into God hood, hahaha! am I amazing?"

"...does that mean there're other gods who are higher than you?"

Ifrit: "Yepp, and that's why I couldn't defy them when they wanted to see you. For example... Athena. She loves your wisdom and feat and so she decided to give you title and skill."

"I see, then let me get this straight...why did you decided to show up now."

When Rei asked, Ifrit was silent for a while before he spoke again.

Ifrit: "Well what else? I came to watch my player who have done so much in these past 2 years of course."

Behind the screen, Ifrit was smiling.

Ifrit: "Besides, I also came to meet this person who have been helping you when I'm not around, am I right? Mr. Ray Houston."

Rei widened his eyes then smiled.

"You can come out now, Houston."

'Finally, it was suffocating for not talking. It's a pleasure to meet you, God of Fire–Ifrit.'

Ifrit: "Hooo~ I see, he does looks the same as you." Ifrit chuckled.

"You can tell?" Rei asked since Ray wasn't that visible and stayed inside his body all the time.

Ifrit: "Hahaha! Of course I can, I'm a God you know."

"Oh yeah..."

Ifrit: "Hey, don't look at me with that stare will you. And I know you have been cursing at me about not telling you clearly about this world."

Rei stiffened when he mentioned it, totally caught off guard.

Ifrit: "Hahaha, it's fine but now I decided to tell you all about this world, be happy and grateful!"

"Okay okay..." Rei sighed a bit and resumed his walk, "But is it okay for Houston to hear about this?"

Ifrit: "Well how about you ask him yourself?"

"Houston?"

'I don't mind, I'm actually curious about this world since I was born here.'

"That's what he said..."

Ifrit: "Well don't be too shocked about it okay? I'm just lower-rank god so I can only tell you some of it, about your fate and the future, I can't decide them all. Understood?"

"Understood."

They answered and then Ifrit took that as his cue to start speaking.

Ifrit: "Like I said before, This world is called Astria. A fantasy world where magic and swords exist like in medieval era. But one thing's for sure is that this world is based on a certain otome game."

'Otome game? What is that?' Ray asked first.

"Ummm...it's a game or somesort of novel-like story where the main character is a girl and she need to have a date with certain person in the game?" Rei explained.

'Uhhh...what?' Ray blinked in confusion, still not getting it.

"Basically it's a novel story for girls but they can choose their own decisions and words spoken by the main character of that novel."

'I-i understand...so this world is based on that so-called otome game?'

"Like he said, but what's the name of that game?"

Ifrit: "Oh? It's called [Fantasia Love, Doki-doki ♡ in Magic Academy]."

"Fantasia– what now?" Rei was quite suprised hearing that name, becoming even more confused.

Ifrit: "[Fantasia Love, Doki-doki ♡ in Magic Academy]."

"Uggh...it suprises me you can said that without twisting your tongue." Rei winces after seeing Ifrit casually repeated the name.

Ifrit: "Hahaha, well when I'm bored I play this game sometimes."

"You did?"

Ifrit: "Yeah it was really popular in God's Realm and because of that, one of us created this world that was based on that game."

'So does that mean, the future I had was...'

Ifrit: "Just like in the story...the world was in despair but it was soon be saved by [The Saintess] who would appear in this world."

"And that [Saintess] is the protagonist of this game?"

Ifrit: "Exactly, you sure know this stuff despite not playing this game."

"Well I know someone who played it before..." When Rei spoke those words, a sudden image of a black haired girl with long hair appeared for a moment inside his head.

Ifrit and Ray didn't question him on that part as they observed Rei for a moment before they continued with their conversation.

"Okay, I understand now...but do we– no, I mean does Houston have a role in the game before?"

'What do you mean by that Kiritsuka?'

"In the game, there're a few roles such as the [Protagonist] and the [Male Target], the rest is the enemy of the protagonist like the [Villainess] and also [Supporter] which has a role to help the [Protagonist] finish the game."

'I see...so knowing about that, we can revise your plan.'

"Old man, do you know about his role?" When Rei repeated his question, Ifrit was silent for a moment, considering it.

Ifrit: "Hmmm, that will be a secret. I cannot reveal such things to you yet because that is a very confidential information."

"I see..."

Ifrit: "Now don't be like that, I can't tell you about it but I can tell you what you're gonna do next."

"What is that?"

Ifrit smirked and snapped his finger.

*SWONG*

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[Notice!]

[Quest : "The One Who Forge The Legend"]

The God of Fire–Ifrit, had decided for player "Rei" to forge 7 kind of weapon with *Legendary* Rating on it together with Mastery Skills.

[Requirements]

Sword [1/0] Sword Mastery [1/1]

Spear [1/0] Spear Arts [1/1]

Bow [1/0] Archery Mastery [1/0]

Katana [1/0] Iai Mastery [1/0]

Axe [1/0] Axe Mastery [1/0]

Shield [1/0] Shield Arts [1/0]

Staff/Orb [1/0] Magic Mastery [1/0]

Reward:

●Unique Skill : [?????]

●Title: [??????]

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"What?–..." Rei was taken off guard after a panel suddenly came out, but that's not all.

=======================================

[Notice!]

[Quest : "True Flame"]

The God of Fire–Ifrit, giving player "Rei" another quest, to gain [True Flame]. It is said that this flame is the hottest and the purest kind of flame.

[Requirements]

Skill : Blacksmith Flame LvMax [1/0]

Title : Blessing from Fire Spirit King [1/0]

Item : The Fire Essence of The Fire Dragon King [1/0]

Reward:

● Unique Skill : [True Flame]

● Title : [The One Who Become Fire Itself]

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'This is...' Ray who shared the same vision with Rei, was left speechless.

Ifrit: "I welcome you to the new feature I have been working on these past 2 years. That is, a [Quest] feature!"

"Eehhhh..." Rei stared at the chat monitor unimpressedly.

Ifrit: "W-what's with that look!? This great me is helping you with this quest! and to top it off you can get [Unique Skill]!"

"[Unique Skill]?"

The two of them asked at the same time, "Wait, even Houston doesn't know it?"

'Well...I never met with someone who have it and don't know the difference between them.'

Ifrit: "Tsk, Tsk, well then let the great me explain it to you both, [Unique Skill] is a skill that can be acquired through blessing or hard work. And every Unique Skill varies on each individuals, the difference between Normal Skill and Unique skill is greater than you can imagine."

Ifrit: "Some of the [Unique Skill] has complex rule on how to activate them, but because of that some of them can hold enormous power that could control or destroy any country or bending the rule of the world."

Ifrit: "So which is why, you, who are just a mere [Blacksmith] is now going are given the chances to acquire the strongest fire skill of all...the [True Flame] by my blessing."

"[True Flame]..." Rei gulped from hearing that name but...

'[True Flame]?! Isn't that from that legend?!'

"Houston?"

Ifrit: "Ohho, it seems someone knew about it?"

'Of course I know...that skill...no, that fire is the purest fire of all...that could refine any kind of material and it can be used to incinerate any kind of enemy...melting everything it touches.'

Ifrit: "Indeed, it's true the legend said that but that's not all...I will tell you later about it."

Ray couldn't help to feel impressed and excited of this chances he was given.

Ifrit: "But remember, this skill can be acquired by fulfilling a few requirements which you can read it again from the quest description."

Rei went back to see at the description and the requirements for it.

"Let's see...ummm...[Blacksmith Flame LvMax]; [Blessing of the Fire Spirit King]; and [The Fire Essence of the Fire Dragon King]."

'He already received [Blacksmith Flame], but still Lv1.'

=======================================

[Blacksmith Flame]

MP cost: 100

Cooldown: 75 sec.

Maintain the skill: -10 MP/1 sec.

A flame that has been bestowed by the God of Blacksmithing–Hephaestus. A flame that can only be obtained by the most hardworking blacksmiths. This flame can create heat that almost reached 3000°C, which is perfect to forge a weapon and item.

=======================================

'In my past life, I never got this skill before...maybe because Rei is the one who do it now.'

Ifrit: "Hahahaha! I choose him after all so don't underestimate him! But seriously, it's impressive for you to get this skill in only 2 years because it's quite difficult for most people to obtain it."

'I guess we are lucky to get this one first, then what's left are those item.'

Ifrit: "Well don't be so at ease, the rest item is gonna be hard to earn especially for [The Fire Essence of The Fire Dragon King] since you need to find a very rare creature, a [Dragon]."

'Indeed...[Dragon] is already considered to be one of the most Legendary Monster that has both high intelligence and unparalleled strength. It's understandable if they are hard to find.'

Ifrit: "That's right, but for [The Blessing of The Fire Spirit King], you don't have to worry about it because you can obtain this blessing from this great me! But in order to get it, you need to go to one certain place."

"And where is that??"

Ifrit: "I will tell you later when the time comes. I mean you both have places to go right?"

"Yeah...I guess you are right, but...what's with the other quest?" Rei asked while pointing at it.

'Hmmm? Let's see...this quest called [I Am The Weapon Master], the requirements are...hmmmm...HMMMM?!'

Ray was shell shocked upon seeing the requirement, while Rei went slack jawed.

"What's with this quest?!"

Ifrit: "Fufufu~ amazing right?"

'How is that amazing?! These requirements is insane!'

Ifrit: "Well, it's the first and exclusive quest only for you!"

'Exclusive my ass!' Ray yelled in anger.

Ifrit: "Now, now, calm down first~ as you can see, the requirements are insane indeed but how about we look at the bright side."

'Huh?'

Ifrit: "You can see one of the rewards have this [?] mark on them right? and you must be curious why it's like that, right?"

Both of them actually thought about it and then finally nodded.

Ifrit: "To tell you the truth...I...don't know what that is (ﾉ≧ڡ≦) TEE-HEE!"

"Oi!?"

Ifrit: "Ahem, the thing is...I collaborated with the God who created this world. We both agreed to create this feature to help people who transferred here..."

Rei raised one of his eyebrows, "O...kay?"

Ifrit: "But then that guy found out about you. And with my help, he created this exclusive quest for you.

Ifrit: "This [Unique Skill] will reveal itself when you meet all of the requirements and it will help you greatly with your journey."

Ifrit finished explaining and Rei couldn't help but be suprised that the other God would go as far as doing all this for him.

'Hmmm...but why did this God closed the information of this skill?'

Ifrit: "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"

That definitely get on Ray's nerve while Rei chuckled.

'Oi?!'

Ifrit: "Well after he created this [Quest] I also asked the same thing...and you know what he said to me?"

Without waiting for their response, Ifrit continued to talk

Ifrit: "He said [Cause it won't be fun at all, since a game needs a bit of spice to make it fun. Let them expect things and work hard for it, rather than just taking a shortcut like that, they won't enjoy...what it means to be truly alive.]"

Rei was silent after seeing the text that Ifrit sent to him, quoting what seemed to be the exact words from the God who created this world.

'Somehow, those words are similar...to Houston.' Rei murmurred in his thought.

"I see...so I need to work hard even more to see what it is? Heh, this world never went easy on me...but I'll took that challenge." Rei spoke determinedly

Ifrit: "Hoho~ well then I'll look forward to it!"

"Yeah!" Rei replied with wide grin from behind that helmet while Ray just shrugged his shoulder with a smile on his face, feeling budding admiration and pride towards this young man who just took on the most difficult challenge he would ever face.

When they finally closed their conversation, on their way...a voice came out of nowhere.

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"PLEASE HELP ME!!"

A shout came not too far away from where Rei stood.

He felt like something bad is going to happen but he decided to move towards the source of that voice.

To be continue...