Old man

Loud and heavy breaths were the only thing that got through Jay's ears. Too tired to even stand, Jay used his spear as a supporting stick to keep his knees off the ground. This wasn't how he imagined playing the game.

He had initially thought this would be fun and would have made new companies on the way but what he was doing was complete hell. The pain he was never supposed to feel, he was feeling every last bit of it. The fatigue that wouldn't affect his mental was affecting him.

[Fatigue: 72/100]

"You still have a lot more to go before you collapse." Said Uriel from behind.

Jay's stats had increased by a small margin, but it was at least something. In total, strength, agility, constitution, dexterity, and perception all grew by .57. Willpower was the only one that grew by whole numbers, and that was five.

At that moment, Jay forced himself up with the help of this spear and walked forward, lifting his spear to cut down the leaves that blocked his path. But this time, when he slashed away, he was met with a different scenery right before him.

A jungle temple made with polished stone. Just from the carvings on the walls and pillars of the temple, it was right to say the people building this were experts in their craft. The whole structure was at least fifty meters in height, and no indication if there were any lower grounds inside.

Shifting his eyes towards the entrance covered with moss and vines, something random immediately caught Jay's full attention.

"An old man?" Jay mumbled and tilted his head. Right next to the entrance to the temple was an old man sitting down on the stone tiles.

Although bald, his rough beard was still growing, and his wrinkles crinkled even more when the old man caught sight of Jay limping towards him.

'Is it an NPC?' Jay thought as he slowly approached. Looking on top of the older man's head, his suspension was proved correct; the old man was indeed an NPC. There was just no way an old person could be playing VR games like these. They would probably have a stroke from powering on the headset.

But there was something that bothered Jay quite a bit—glancing at the information on top of his head. The only thing written was [Old man. Level:???]

Uriel strolled behind Jay and examined the old man without any interest at all.

"Hoho!" The old man laughed, then coughed. "I didn't expect to find any more people in this place!"

Jay flinched at the old man's sudden burst of laughter but quickly calmed down and asked, "Why is it weird?"

"Not weird, just something unexpected. This place isn't something that can be accessed just like that. Maybe because you have a pretty angel by your side." The old man chuckled a whisper in Jay's ear.

"I heard that old human." Uriel voiced. "Maybe in a few years, I'll see you up there."

"Hoho!" The old man laughed, but then his expression turned back to normal in an instant.

'Kid, can you hear me?' The old man's voice played inside Jay's mind. 'Don't look around.'

'What the? Is this you?' Jay thought, thinking this voice would be able to hear him. He then looked up at the old man for confirmation.

'Yes, it is me.' The old man confirmed. 'This might be weird, but I'll help you out if you help me out.'

'What do you mean?'

'I'll say it. I hate angles.' The old man boldly proclaimed. 'I know you want the absolute power of that woman behind you.'

'W-what are you saying? I don't-'

'You're scared that she might kill you for whatever reason.'

Jay tightened his lips when he heard that. Indeed he was afraid Uriel would one say, find out and try to seek revenge.

'Then listen to me, I'll give you an item that would have her under your leash, but you have to do something for me.'

Jay turned around towards Uriel and then back at the old man. 'What do you want?'

'I need you to enter this temple and retrieve my wife in there, but inside there's a monster waiting for you. I myself cannot enter as I'm forbidden to, but you can.'

—-

You have triggered an Rank A quest, [Unfreezing the heart]

Quest summary: You have spared an old man from death, and he is now asking for help in return for your freedom. The man's wife is stuck inside the temple and forbidden to enter by the almighty one. The husband cannot save her. Enter the temple to save her.

Quest tip: You were tasked to save the wife.

Quest note: The reward rate is fixed.

—--

'Alright. I'll do it." Jay grinned while accepting. It would mean a lot if Jay could get the ticking bomb off his ass as soon as possible.

"Let's go inside," Jay said while turning over to Uriel.

"What did he tell you?" Uriel sighed and shook her head.

And as the actor Jay was, he lied, "What are you talking about? Wasn't he just laughing?"