Chapter 25: A Reliable Friend (2)
Artier stared intently at the reward displayed in the quest.
‘They’re giving me an Attribute Enhancement Stone?’
An enhancement stone was an item that could be equipped on gear to enhance its stats.
Among them, the Attribute Enhancement Stone had the effect of adding attribute damage to equipment, like the Burning Ancient Longsword Artier was holding, or conversely, granting attribute resistance.
‘It would be nice to have, but…’
In the early parts of <Cross Destiny>, enhancement was not as important as one might think. Equipment from this period was practically no different from consumables.
Rather, what caught Artier’s eye was the part related to affinity.
‘If I build up affinity with a large guild, I could receive help later on.’
The power of a large guild is indeed a great help.
In fact, it was like receiving help from a knight order.
Moreover, unlike with knight orders, there was no status gap, so they were easier to deal with.
……But.
“I’m sorry.”
Still, no.
Artier shook his head.
“I have something I need to do right now.”
“Is that more important than crushing the bastards who backstabbed you?”
Trophin asked, his expression hardening.
He had a sullen look, but his eyes were sharp and fierce.
It was visible to the eye that his affinity had dropped.
‘The reward is a shame, but I have to stick to the plan I made at the beginning.’
Artier took a deep breath and nodded.
“The attack of those monster bastards, the Hellmorphs, has nothing to do with our infighting.”
To the Hellmorphs, both the Magica Mercenary Corps and the Derth Mercenary Corps were just humans to be hunted.
The infighting among humans had no effect on them at all.
“Even if the other mercenary corps do not participate in the monster subjugation, I will focus on dealing with them.”
“You… you think you can do that alone?”
Trophin asked back in bewilderment.
He had just declared that he would face the entire Hellmorph force by himself if he had to.
“Why do you think I’m alone?”
Hey Artier, can you hear me?
As soon as he said that, as if on cue, a communication came through.
Thinking the timing was exquisite, Artier smiled and responded.
I can hear you. Did you find it?
I found it. It's slowly approaching the central plaza now. Just as you said, there are no other creatures around it.
Great. I’ll be there soon.
Ending the communication, Artier looked at Trophin.
Trophin, who had already sensed something, stared at him blankly before finally bursting into laughter.
“Hahaha! Don’t tell me, you weren’t alone after all?”
“……?”
What is he talking about?
Before Artier could understand, Trophin’s words continued.
“Of course, there’s no way a strong guy like you would be wandering around alone.”
“Pardon?”
“Which organization do you belong to? No, I don’t need to know. If even I don’t know about it, it must be a that secretive organization.”
“No, I mean…”
It seemed he had a pretty big misunderstanding after seeing Artier communicate with Bow.
“In that case, it makes sense that you didn’t like my proposal.”
Trophin took out a contract from his bosom.
“Then how about this? Let’s form an alliance with us!”
“An alliance?”
“We’ll take care of the Magica Guild from our side. In the meantime, you guys deal with those monster bastards. How about it? It’s not a content that violates the contract, right?”
[The quest has been changed.]
The Derth Mercenary Corps, to which Trophin belongs, is requesting to form an alliance with you, limited to this defensive battle.
The Derth Mercenary Corps will check the Magica Mercenary Corps to prevent them from interfering with you, and in the meantime, you must make the Hell Soldiers retreat from the city.
Reward for acceptance: (Player exclusive) Rare-grade armor, Greatly increased affinity with Derth Mercenary Corps
Penalty for refusal: The relationship with the Derth Mercenary Corps becomes hostile.
[Warning: This quest has a very high difficulty at your current level.]
[Warning: The player currently does not belong to any large organization. If this fact is exposed to the alliance target, the quest will be marked as failed, and the relationship with the Derth Mercenary Corps may become hostile.]
‘A quest could be created like this?’
Artier flinched after checking the warning message.
This quest was created because Trophin misunderstood his identity.
Naturally, it was not a normal quest, and the penalty for getting caught was no joke. He could be hunted by a large mercenary corps.
‘But the reward is too good…?’
A great increase in affinity meant they would definitely become an allied faction.
And rare-grade armor, no less.
‘The only grades higher than rare are unique and legendary. Those are hard to get even in the late game.’
No matter how much you use equipment like consumables, there are still levels.
Rare-grade was the best equipment one could get in the early stages of the story.
And with that grade, any piece of equipment could be used without problems until the late game.
Gulp.
The sound of swallowing saliva echoed loudly.
Conscience and reward, which one should I choose?
No matter what, this world was now reality. To be blinded by greed and make the wrong choice would be…
“Alright. Let’s make a contract.”
The reward was too good to refuse.
‘I just have to not get caught… right?’
[You have accepted the quest.]
“Hahaha! I’m counting on you, friend!”
As they placed their hands on the contract, a translucent chain formed between Trophin’s and Artier’s wrists and then disappeared.
After the contract process was over, the contract automatically tore in half, and Trophin, who took one piece, said with a smile.
“So, are we going right now? Those guys over there too?”
“No. For now, only I will go.”
“Huh?”
Artier turned his head towards Gerard.
Gerard was glaring at Artier with a stiff expression.
“What are you…”
“Gerard, can you gather the survivors as we discussed, by splitting up?”
Artier hastily cut him off and winked one eye.
Seeing that, Gerard sighed and nodded.
“Alright, I understand.”
“You can probably follow these people.”
Artier pointed at Trophin and said.
“Huh? With us?”
“These people are going to gather survivors within the city from now on.”
In any case, if they followed Trophin, they were bound to encounter those who had contracted with the Magica Mercenary Corps.
Wouldn’t it be more convenient to follow them and gather people like that, rather than moving separately?
“Well, it was something we were concerned about too, so I guess it’s fine.”
Trophin was bewildered, but soon nodded.
“Then I’ll be counting on you.”
Artier left the collapsing building and started running towards the path Bow had told him about.
By slipping through the broken alleys and jumping over collapsed walls, he could quickly cross the path that he would normally have to take a long detour for.
You’ll have to explain all of this later, Artier.
You’re going to explain, right, little brother?
Master, were you from some secret special forces unit?!
What? I knew it, you bastard.
…….
Belatedly, the communications from his companions echoed.
‘If this goes wrong, it might not just be the Derth Mercenary Corps I’ll be making an enemy of.’
Katdeuk.
Climbing up a nearby building, Artier began to leap between the rooftops.
A huge cloud of sand rising in front of him came into view.
“You’re here, Mr. Secret Agent?”
As Artier landed on the nearest roof, Bow, who was already waiting, greeted him.
As soon as Bow saw Artier, he didn't hide his sarcastic tone.
“……I’ll explain later.”
“Yeah, please do. I absolutely refuse to get involved in any secret plans.”
That was enough joking around.
Bow pointed to the main road of the town, which had become a ruin.
“It’s over there. If you’re right, that’s the main body controlling the monsters in this vicinity.”
Artier’s gaze followed the direction Bow’s finger was pointing.
There was the most hideous creature he had ever seen.
‘Still ugly…’
None of its facial features were distinct.
It had no nose, its mouth was torn wide open, and it had four thin eyes.
To top it off, its upper body had the form of a human, while its lower body resembled a spider’s torso and legs…….
“Honestly, it’s not a face I want to see twice.”
It was so bad that even Bow had to say this.
“Same here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Pardon?”
“About that plan to take care of that thing.”
Bow looked down at Artier and said.
“Of course, since your skill was activated, there must be a chance of winning. But I’d appreciate it if you could tell me the detailed plan now.”
The most important people in this operation were Artier and Bow.
Because the two of them had to deal with that Hellmorph, the main body of the monsters, alone.
“Indeed, I think it’s time to tell you.”
Artier nodded and opened his inventory.
A moment later, in his hand were two healing potions and a small, octagonal disc with unknown characters written on it.
“What’s that?”
“First, take this potion.”
Artier handed one of the two potions to Bow and displayed the disc's information in the air.
[Tablet of Strife (Special)]
A stone tablet on which ancient magic is recorded. When mana is infused, it deploys a Domain of Strife in a 20m radius.
Option: While in the Domain of Strife, attack power increases by 100% and defense power decreases by 100% for all, friend or foe.
This tablet was one of the two items Artier had brought from the ruins.
When Artier explained the tablet’s effect, Bow froze for a moment, then tapped his mask and muttered.
“So, that thing’s power doubles, but in return, its defense becomes so weak that a light tap will make it crumble?”
“Yes.”
“That’s meaningless. If its power becomes that strong, there’s no way even you can block it with a sword.”
Even if he used Parrying, there was a weight class difference.
It would be less than taking a defenseless hit, but he wouldn't be able to completely nullify the impact.
“Then I just have to not get hit.”
“Huh?”
Artier smiled brightly and began to take off his chainmail armor one by one.
“What are you doing?”
“I told you, right? Defense becomes meaningless.”
At the point where defense became 0, the chainmail armor was just heavy and would only hinder his movements.
Artier, now wearing cloth clothes and leather boots, swung his arms here and there.
His whole body was overflowing with vitality, as if he had just taken off a heavy sandbag.
“Bow, you just need to move around this area and shoot your bow.”
“Is that really it?”
“Yes.”
In any case, he wouldn't understand the rest even if I explained it now.
Before Bow could ask any more questions, Artier threw himself off the roof.
“See the rest for yourself.”
“Huh?”
[The Tablet of Strife is activating.]
Flash!
As Artier crammed half of his mana into the tablet, a red light erupted from it as if bursting.
A moment later, a giant colosseum had been created in front of Artier.