Chapter 17

As with any RPG, choosing a class is a very important decision that determines your future playstyle. One moment's choice could make the game easier or open the gates of hell. There are countless games where players are divided into commoners and nobles based solely on their class.

Any decent player would want to enjoy a happy game life with a good class. Lase was no different.

The biggest reason Lase players were desperate for a good background faction was the class system. The better the background faction, the higher the chance of getting a good class.

"Hahaha."

-...

Karppe burst into a hollow laugh at the three classes that appeared before his eyes.

The better the background faction, the better the class. Conversely, the worse the background faction, the worse the class.

The rank of the Demon Horse was 0 stars. The class offered by this lowest-tier background faction was as follows:

1. Farmer (Common)

2. Fisherman (Common)

3. Shepherd (Common)

"Hahaha! Hahahaha!"

-...

"Farm, fish, and livestock. Yes, indeed. The foundation of the world is primary industry. Basics are important! That's what you wanted to say, right? I understand."

-Well, that's... what I meant.

"So, stop fooling around and give me a proper class. Before I get angry."

-Just a moment, just a moment! I'll try again!

After saying this, the Demon Horse let out a strange "Hup!" and a new notification window appeared before Karppe.

1. Farmer (Common)

2. Fisherman (Common)

3. Lumberjack (Common)

"..."

-...

"Question."

-Yes, what is it?

"Are you trying to make me do a second job as the strongest farmer, a legendary fisherman, or a guardian of the World Tree?"

-There are no such classes...

"Right. I thought so. Just checking. Next question."

-What is it?

"How do you change your background faction?"

-Hey, hey! Just a moment. Just a moment!

The Demon Horse began to plead desperately.

-What kind of relationship do we have that you're making such a fuss over just a class...

"What kind of relationship do we have? We just met today. You said we weren't close before, right?"

-Oh, that was just a joke. If I had to pick the closest person in my thirty years of life, it would be you. The system even recognized it. Our relationship value is at its maximum. That means we're very close, doesn't it?

"Phew. They say my fate is turning for the better."

Karppe sighed deeply.

"Do you have to get your class from a background faction?"

-Not necessarily. You can get it from quests given by NPCs or by achieving certain accomplishments. There are often hidden classes on that side too.

"Oh, really? Then I'll go that route."

-Of course. I've already thought through that path. However, there is a minor issue.

"Minor issue?"

-The fastest quest you can do is only available at level 45.

"Great."

That meant he had to level up to 45 with one of those classes.

"Level up to 45 by farming, fishing, and herding? Ugh. I can't do it! Change the background faction!"

-Not necessarily. You don't have to level up by farming. Even a farmer can hunt with the right gear. I'll prepare some amazing items for you, Karppe. Please, don't change the background faction.

"Your fluctuating formality is a sign that you're losing it, huh?"

-First, let's deal with the guerrilla quest that's right in front of us, bro.

"Phew. Right. Let's deal with the urgent matters first."

Karppe put the acorns and chestnuts in his inventory and moved to a new location.

* * *

The City of Beginnings, Reashin, was still bustling with activity.

Even though the game had been open for half a year, there were still many new players, and they were enjoying the game in their own ways.

"Here! I've brought the requested wild dog skins!"

"Wow, impressive. Truly the skill of a messenger of the gods."

"That's easy. Do you have any other quests?"

"Haha. I like how enthusiastic the messengers of the gods are. Let's see, the wolf pack near the forest..."

In Last Savior, NPCs are generally friendly to players.

To the residents of Lase, background factions were like gods, and the players chosen by these gods were revered as "messengers of the gods."

With these messengers eager to solve the village's problems, how could the NPCs not be friendly?

"Hmm. The setting is that the players are messengers of the gods chosen by the gods."

-Well, in reality, players choose the background factions.

"These people should know that there are gods of farmers and fishermen."

-...That way, Karppe. Over there, you'll find a junk dealer NPC.

Karppe and the Demon Horse headed towards a large church next to the central fountain in the square.

"Completing the junk dealer quest gives a random reward, right?"

-Yes. The junk dealer will give you one of the items he's collected. Sometimes it's a jackpot... Hey, hey! They're here!

At the Demon Horse's excited shout, Karppe's head turned naturally.

Near the outskirts of the church, where people rarely looked.

A man who was clearly not there a moment ago now stood there, pulling a large cart filled with junk!

"Looks like a junk dealer."

Without hesitation, Karppe ran towards the junk dealer NPC. At the same time, a yellow exclamation mark appeared above the NPC's head.

"Hey, you. You seem to be carrying some junk. How about we trade some of your junk for mine?"

Ding!

[A hidden NPC 'Junk Dealer' has offered you a trade.]

[Do you accept the guerrilla quest 'Junk Trade'?]

"Ugh."

Last Savior was definitely a devil's game.

A hidden NPC's guerrilla quest.

How could just four words make someone so happy? Karppe smiled contentedly and nodded.

"Of course, I'll accept—"

"Hey, isn't that—?"

Just as Karppe was about to accept the quest, a group of people appeared in the distance, shouting at him.

"Damn, someone's already there?!"

"Hey, wait a moment! You can't just accept quests here!"

The group, spouting nonsense, were members of the Mammonism guild.

"Wow, they came so quickly after the NPC appeared. If I had been a bit slower, I would have missed it."

-They couldn't have known. They were probably patrolling this area by chance. But it's too late now.

As the Demon Horse said, the Mammonism guild members were rushing over, but Karppe was just one step away from accepting the quest.

If he could just get the reward and leave, all the problems would be solved...

"Huh?"

-What? Don't dilly-dally. Finish it before they get here.

"But, I can't accept it? Accept! I want to accept!"

Karppe panicked and shouted, but the quest didn't progress at all.

No, it didn't just fail to progress.

[The guerrilla quest 'Junk Trade' has been canceled.]

"..."

-Canceled?! This has never happened before?

The unexpected situation made both of them panic.

Meanwhile, the Mammonism guild members were closing in.

"What do we do?"

-This is driving me crazy. Ever since I got involved with you, nothing goes as planned.

Just then,

"You."

The NPC, who had been staring blankly at Karppe, spoke.

"You don't serve any god, do you?"

At the same time, the yellow exclamation mark above the NPC's head turned green.

-This is unbelievable. There was something like this here?

The Demon Horse muttered in disbelief.

His expression was even more astonished than when he learned he had been preserved as a background faction.

-Is this how things are going to turn out? You're really something.

"Why? What's so special about a green exclamation mark?"

-It's what you want most in this situation.

"What I want?"

What could it be?

When Karppe asked, confused, the Demon Horse chuckled.

-You said you didn't want to be a farmer, right?

Ding.

[Congratulations! You have discovered a hidden job quest 'Descendant of the Mage King'.]

[You have obtained the title 'Different from Others'.]

"How about it? If you're okay with it, I'd like to move to a different location to talk."

Karppe nodded involuntarily at the NPC's question.

[You have accepted the quest 'Descendant of the Mage King'.]

"Feels refreshing. Shall we go?"

The junk dealer NPC said this and then tore a scroll from the cart.

Flash!

A short flash enveloped Karppe and the junk dealer.

"What, what? Where did they go?"

"Teleport? Isn't teleportation impossible in the beginner city?"

"This is driving me crazy. If we miss this, we'll never hear the end of it. Hey! Send more people!"

By the time the Mammonism guild members arrived, they were already gone.

* * *

Karppe found himself in a space made entirely of stone.

Stone altars and statues lined the area, giving it a temple-like feel.

-From now on, we'll talk in your mind. Players might think you're whispering or broadcasting if you talk to yourself, but NPCs can't do that.

'In my mind? Like this?'

-Yes, I can hear you clearly