Episode 9

The frontier "Skydevil's Lair" didn't seem to be just a frontier.

- Determine the grade of the unexplored area.

-Judged to be a 'very important' frontier associated with SSS-rated quests.

It was judged to be 'very important'.

'Again. That's what you think.'

Again. I thought it was related to the SSS grade, which was also related to the large trunk of the system. Of course, the rewards will be good.

-3 step-up points.

Han Joo-hyuk couldn't say anything for a moment.

'A step-up point?'

Step-up points. A point that allows you to pass through the 9th section of the horse.

'It's awesome!'

Doesn't that mean it can be used when going from 89 to 90? The reason why the best rep players in the world right now can't make it to 90 is because of the step-up section. When he became Kao, what he was most worried about was the step-up point. If you get a job, you can easily get these step-up points. I couldn't get a job.

'If you follow this quest steadily, you'll be able to earn steady step-up points.'

I felt that confidence.

'This is a keep.'

Having it doesn't make it disappear, nor does it mean that there is a usage restriction level. It was not used in the section where it was relatively easy to step up, and it seemed very good to use it later when it reached a high level.

'There's one place where you can get step-up points right away.'

Amantium Dungeon. If you go there, you can also get one step-up point. I decided to keep it for now.

Luxor led the way.

"This way."

***

Han Joo-hyuk wanted to curse. After traveling on the warp portal, I just walked for five days. At least Han Joo-hyuk's physical strength is not that of a normal character, otherwise Oda might have starved to death.

'Nope. Can't you see any of his monsters?'

If you catch a monster, even monster meat will fall off. I'm starving to death now. The good news is that there's a valley in between. Thanks to this, he did not die from lack of moisture, but if he leaves it like this, it seems that even Asa will do it.

'Let's be patient a little.'

Wouldn't it be so funny if stat 99 starved? I haven't eaten anything in 5 days now. On the sixth day, I wanted to beat him. But I persevered. On the seventh day, Han Joo-hyuk arrived at a village or something. It was a 'village-like place', not a 'village'.

'This is where it is... Village?'

Hwajeonmin Village located on the side of an unnamed mountain. This was also a place where a person with about a week of stamina came up and was located in a remote place where many players would not even dare to climb.

"Luxor. Is this the right place?"

"Yes, it is."

Humble shacks that can hardly be called huts. Whether it is a large torch or an altar burning in the center of the village, something strange that cannot be identified.

'What's the setting?'

Even if he only takes the Seven Elders who are now following him, the monster will be left to eat.

Somehow these guys. He seemed so accustomed to hunger. Han Joo-hyuk felt that something was going wrong.

'This. I'm feeling very nervous.'

I feel like Master has here too.

"Oh...!"

"Oh! The Absolute has come!"

The skeleton is the hut. No, it appeared in a shack. Do you know. I'm sorry to even call it a shack. From there, almost at the level of a hut, one by one, appeared.

'Does this make sense?'

It's a place where there are masters like the Seven Elders on their backs. Why do you live in such a backward and pretentious place? Even if I beat a few monsters, I will eat well and live well.

"The Supreme One has come to save us!"

"Look! The flames of the central altar are shining!"

In fact, it's even a sorry thing to call it an altar. A pile of stones in a round shape was piled up and a fire was lit in the middle of it, and the closer Han Joo-hyuk got, the more fierce the fire became.

'This is somehow....'

I feel uneasy. As I drew closer to the altar, I heard a notification.

- The central altar confirms Arthur's qualifications.

-Check the latent 'deep heart hole' in the body.

- Confirm that you have the appropriate qualifications.

The central altar seemed to be acting as an NPC.

- Soquest is given.

And this quest is,

-'Rebuild a crumbling village!' has been triggered.

It's a call to revive the town. A minor quest is a quest within a major quest, which means something like a 'path' within the entire quest. If you progress by breaking several small quests, you can clear the big quests.

'It's hard for me to keep fit.'

Now I only made 8 million won and invested some in equipment,

'Revival of this town?'

It seemed that only by completing these tasks could he complete the life quest.

"Let's bow to the Absolute!"

The village has about 800 residents. Most of them can't eat, they can't wear it. Only 5 elders, including the 12 who had not yet been seen, seemed to be able to properly pretend to be human.

A very old man walked over with a cane.

"Have you come, the Most High."

***

Han Joo-hyuk could understand this setting.

For a long time, the villagers worked together to raise the "12 Elders." That's 800 people and raised 12 people. The 12 traveled across the country looking for "descendants of the Absolute."

And most people in this village can't go down this mountain. He has already lost his stamina. Here. The unexplored "Skydevil's Lair" is a barren environment where it is very difficult to find food. There are no monsters, no animals. Nor is it an environment in which farming can be cultivated. It is an environment where there are no trees that bear fruit.

Han Joo-hyuk said.

"Why don't you bring food and the like from outside?"

The NPC who is talking to Han Joo-hyuk is Carls, the oldest person in town known as 163 years old. Carls is said to be the town's spiritual squire and prophet.

"That's it... It's impossible."

"Why?"

"We can't bring anything inside that is outside of the Warp Portal."

The setup looked like that. This means that it is impossible to procure food or other supplies from outside. There is nothing to eat inside. So it was similar to 800 NPCs stranded on a desert island. They were starving to death, waiting for the Absolute.

'So the first thing I have to do is...'

Feeding them is the beginning of solving the essential requirements for human life: righteousness, food, and Lord.

Carls spoke with a pensive expression on his face again.

"Also, we can't walk outside. There is also a risk of being discovered here... Because even 12 elders could lose their lives. We are fortunate now that the Most High is here, but until then, our lifeline depended solely on them."

The 12 elders are lighting fire in the eyes on the Empire's side. The 12 Elders must be powerful NPCs, but they can't deal with all the knights of the Empire. There are also knights of the Empire who are as strong as or stronger than elders.

Han Joo-hyuk stood up.

"Your hunger and craving. I get it all. I haven't been able to take care of you guys because I've been so absorbed in cultivation."

In fact, I didn't even know there were people like this. Han Joo-hyuk decided to faithfully fulfill the role of the Absolute or Supreme Being, which they so desperately desire.

"Listen to Luxo."

He decided to take Luxo, who seemed to be the most loyal, that is, Luxo, who was the darkest in Hosung, down the mountain.

"How long can you survive without me?"

Now I am holding on with only vegetables and water, but even that has reached its limit. Everyone is on the verge of starvation.

Luxor's expression darkened tremendously.

"It's going to be long... It's a fortnight."

"We are revered of nothingness. Am I wrong?"

Of course it was wrong. I don't know about them, but it's not Han Joo-hyuk. Mu's '' is also not interested. I just want to eat well and live well.

"That's right."

"Where will you learn that martial art and use it? Shouldn't you repay those who raised you in the martial arts you are mastering?"

"...."

Carls and Luxor, of course. Eleven elders listened to Han Ju-hyuk. Indeed. It was absolute.

"A fortnight is enough. I, too, am being pursued by the Empire, but I cannot betray those who have waited for me, and I swear to immortalize my body for them."

"...."

The atmosphere became solemn. A notification came.

- Loyalty increases.

-Skydevil NPCs' likability increases.

It is good. He's doing very well. Han Joo-hyuk chuckled.

"Luxor, follow me. I will settle your plight."

Other elders also stepped forward.

"We'll help."

Even though they can't fully trust that Absolute now, they still admired the words of the Absolute a little. They could turn away from them. The prophet Carls said: 'He certainly exists in the world. But we don't know if He will help us or not. So you have to pray.' So they thought.

'Maybe... He may indeed be the one who will lead us.'

Han Joo-hyuk shook his head.

"Nope. One is enough. It will be faster and easier."

Why?

'I think he'll listen the best.'

In other words, it's a hukou NPC.

"Let's go. Luxor. I'll get food as soon as I can."

Han Joo-hyuk paced quickly, followed by Luxo. Those who heard the rumors or were close to skeletons almost waited to come out.

"Absolute!"

"Holy Spirit!"

He bowed. Rumors circulated that the Supreme Being, despite the pursuit and threats of the Empire, was throwing himself down for themselves. The town had a population of only 800, so word spread very quickly.

One of the NPCs burst into tears.

"I knew you were coming...."

However, another NPC had doubts.

"But how?"

The most important thing now was food. To get it, you had to bring it from outside the warp portal. They've never been out of town, and they've never really seen a warp portal. But they also know they can't bring anything through the warp portal.

"If you didn't get out of here... Nothing from the outside world can enter."

Isn't that why they live so poorly and hard? Haven't all hope been lost now? Can the Absolute break that law?

Carls struck the ground with his cane.

"You're thinking stupid things!"

The NPCs gathered at the central altar tilted their heads. What's stupid.

"The Supreme Being was not born in this village."

"...."

The NPCs didn't really understand what he was saying. Isn't that obvious?

"He came in through the Warp Portal. Do you still not understand?"

"... Oh!"

Only then did I realize. Arthur, the Absolute, came in from outside. The Absolute, too, means 'the things of the outside world'.

"Is the Absolute the Absolute! He is different from us. He is the one who connects this place with the outside world."

The Absolute paced quickly.

'I'm going to die of hunger!'

He had a stat 99 body, so he wouldn't starve anyway, but the crazy feeling of an empty stomach bothered him. It would be better if I could operate the Deep Hole of the Heavens, but that wouldn't be the case.

Anyway, when he arrived at the warp portal again, he chuckled.

'The quest might not be as difficult as I thought.'

Already confirmed. Items in your inventory can be moved through the Warp Portal. If so, why not bring porridge or whatever in your inventory that can feed 800 people?

'Good.'

Very good.

"Luxor. Han Shi is in a hurry. Clean up all the creatures around you, and if you come across a monster stone, take care of it. It's the same with items."

He takes Luxo, a hukou but powerful NPC, to hunt and gain experience. Get monster stones and items too. In the meantime, I was lucky enough to get 20 White Stones, 3 Yellow Stones and 3 Blue Stones.

Seven days later he reached the Lephnia Mountains again. I had already spoken to my brother. Magic bags were airlifted, and 7 porridges were bought in advance as a matter of urgency.

"My brother. It's all good. It's all good, but what the hell are you going to do?"

I know my brother was lucky enough to earn 1 million. Of course, the mistake profit from taxes is about 8 million won. But this brother suddenly seems to be crazy. Why do I suddenly need canned porridge? 5,800 gold each. If it's 400, isn't it <> million gold? Why do this all of a sudden. Who is the enemy line?

"If you use it this way, your brother's entire fortune will be taken away quickly, are you thinking?"

If my brother goes somewhere to play hukou, I can't stand still as a younger brother.

"My brother's life suddenly got a little better, and if someone tells me, I'll never ... Huh?"

Han Se-a was genuinely worried about Han Joo-hyuk. Originally, she doesn't tend to nag Han Joo-hyuk very well. But this time was different. Besides, my brother doesn't have a source of income to talk about. I can't even get a job because it's Kao.

Then, Han Joo-hyuk held out something.

"I'll pay for this."

"Is this?"

Han Se-ah stared at the shiny stone that Han Joo-hyuk held out.

"Huh?"

She opened her mouth. It was unbelievable.

"This is really... Is it a blue stone?"

It wasn't just one dog.

"My brother. Is this real?"

She was speechless.

"Awesome...."