Chapter 90

"......Second Job Change?"

Confused by the unexpected notification, Carpe muttered to himself.

"No, why is this happening now? I thought the Second Job Change happens at level 50?"

-This is my first time seeing such a case. It seems that Mythic jobs start at level 45.

"Even you didn't know? I thought you had a Mythic job once before?"

-That was after I hit a high level and did a special job change...... It's not like you, who climbed step by step. Of course, I never did a Second or even a Third Job Change. So, I couldn't know.

"Hmm. I see."

Carpe nodded.

He had always thought the Second Job Change was mandatory at level 50, so he was a bit flustered. But thinking about it, starting earlier would have been much better.

After the Second Job Change, you get an 'Intermediate Skill Pack' as a reward every 10 levels!

That meant he could unlock the Intermediate Skill Pack 5 levels earlier than others.

"Phew. I'm a bit nervous about this."

-What? Why are you nervous about this?

"Now I'm finally getting rid of the newbie label."

The Second Job Change is the benchmark that distinguishes between newbies and veterans!

Even if a user has a high level, if they haven't completed the Second Job Change, their credibility drops drastically. Even if they are right!

There was even a meme in the Lase-related community that users who haven't completed the Second Job Change haven't been granted 'human rights' and thus can't speak like humans.

-Haha. These days, newbies are speaking like humans even without human rights. Latte would have never imagined such a thing. The world has really improved.

*bark bark! growl!*

*Sigh.* I finally opened my mouth today after completing the Second Job Change. I was so frustrated before.

*Clap.* Congratulations on escaping the beast.

-......Were you really paying attention to such trivial matters?

"Not exactly. It's the moment of getting an upgraded job. It's like a promotion in real life, so it's natural to be a bit nervous."

Carpe took a deep breath again and glared at the notification window.

What kind of difficult task could it be that the notification window even gives a warning?

It was undoubtedly a very picky quest, befitting the name 'Mythic.'

"I'm ready."

Come on, give me the Second Job Change quest!

Carpe glared at the notification window with wide eyes, but it remained unchanged.

"Why isn't it giving me the quest?"

-Of course not. The Second Job Change quest is given by the Background Lord, just like the first job.

When a player reaches level 50, the Background Lord gives the Second Job Change quest.

And depending on how the player completes the quest, 'three' Second Job Change options appear.

For example, if a player chose a Priest as their first job, they could choose one of the following: 'Priest,' 'Paladin,' or 'Monk.'

-But your case is different. You didn't change jobs through the Background Lord but through a hidden NPC. Naturally, the Second Job Change will also be through an NPC.

"Oh. I see. Then I should go find Drek again."

-Probably so.

"Great!"

Hearing this, Carpe wanted to return to the castle immediately.

But since he was currently riding the high-level bus, he decided to wait a bit......

-Oh, right. When you reach the Second Job Change level, your level won't increase until you complete the job change. No matter how much you hunt, you'll stay at level 45.

"......What?"

Carpe looked at Cheonma with an expression that said, "What kind of nonsense is this?"

-What? Why are you nervous about this?

"Because I'm finally getting rid of the newbie label."

-But that's not the reason. It's just a coincidence. When you get stuck at the job change level, the experience you earn accumulates. Once you complete the Second Job Change, the accumulated experience will surge, allowing you to level up quickly. Don't worry.

"Wow...... That's a relief."

Carpe let out a sigh of relief. It was the most heart-stopping moment he had experienced recently, even more so than fighting the fragments of the Servant.

"Haha! It feels great to be on the move again. What? You. Why do you look like you've come back from the dead?"

"It's just...... I was a bit surprised."

"Seems like you have a small heart. Don't worry. I'll make sure to train you thoroughly in this aspect. Anyway, you've caught quite a few of them, right? Did your level go up?"

"Yes. Thanks to you, it went up easily. But......"

Carpe informed Drek that he had reached the job change level and needed to meet him again.

"Ho. A Second Job Change, huh? That's very exciting! As the descendant of the Demon King, you'll surely change to an incredible class."

Gillian burst into laughter.

"Then we can have even more interesting sparring sessions. Great. Good. This isn't about leveling up. Let's return immediately...... Oh."

"What?"

"Come to think of it, I brought the scroll to come here but not the one to return! Haha. I must be getting senile in my old age."

"Then what should we do?"

"Well, there's no other way. We'll have to walk back! It won't take as long as you think!"

"......I have a return scroll, so I'll go back first."

"Unfortunately, that won't work. The magic flow in this area is unique, so only the dedicated scroll can activate it!"

"......"

"Don't make that face. This is also part of your training!"

*Haha!*

Gillian's hearty laughter echoed throughout the hills.

* * *

After much hardship, Carpe returned to Lamark and immediately sought out Drek.

But he encountered an unexpected problem.

"Haha. A Second Job Change, you say? I'm not sure about that."

"......What?"

Surprisingly, Drek was not the NPC for the Demon King's Second Job Change!

Even though he was the one who led Carpe to become the Demon King's descendant.

"I'm sorry I can't help you. Haha. I'll search the ancient texts and let you know if I find any clues."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

Carpe could only watch as Drek left.

"Hmm. It seems you've run into some trouble."

"Indeed. I didn't expect this."

Carpe scratched his head. If it wasn't the Background Lord or Drek, who was supposed to give him the job change quest?

"Wow, I knew the Second Job Change quest would be difficult, but I didn't expect I wouldn't even be able to start it."

-It's an unexpected situation. But since it's related to Arkham, there might be clues if you search the area.

"Ugh...... This is giving me a headache."

Carpe frowned, and Gillian patted his shoulder.

"It seems things aren't going well. You know what they say? The busier you are, the more you need to take a break. Most of life's worries disappear after a good sweat."

"......When did that become the meaning of that saying?"

"Come on, sparring is the best way to relieve all your worries and concerns. Get ready. Since you helped me level up, it's only fair that I help you back."

"Then just a bit more."

But even after the sparring session, the job change NPC didn't appear.

The next day.

Carpe boarded the Gillian bus again and received the Sausk slaughter quest. Although he couldn't level up, he could still accumulate experience.

After completing the Sausk slaughter, the sparring sessions with Gillian continued at the castle.

This turned out to be much more beneficial than expected.

Occasionally, random stats would increase, but more importantly, the combat methods against overwhelming opponents were ingrained in his body.

Combat experience that didn't show on the status screen accumulated in Carpe's body.

Day after day, time passed, and Carpe grew steadily, but he still couldn't find any solid leads on the job change.

"Huff. Huff. Good work today."

"Huff. You did well too. Your growth speed is truly amazing. Today, I finally took a hit. *Haha!*"

As Gillian said, there was a slight scorch mark on the side of his armor. Carpe's magic had finally hit its mark.

"Do all outsiders grow like this? The development speed is terrifying."

"Well, what can I do? I'm still far from beating you."

*Haha!* It would be a waste to be caught up by young ones after all the experience I've accumulated! Let's take a short break and then spar again!

After spending a lot of time with Gillian, Carpe's intimacy with him had already reached the maximum.

And through their friendship, Carpe learned a few things.

First, Gillian was over 160 years old.

He didn't look like he was in his late 50s, so it was quite a shock to hear his age.

He had been the general who protected the royal family since the reign of the previous king of Lamark.

"Do you know? What the king says when he doesn't want to go to the palace."

"......What?"

"Exactly, 'mumbling and grumbling!' *Haha!*"

-......Here he goes again. For heaven's sake, don't encourage him! It's driving me crazy!

And he delivered overwhelming dad jokes that matched his age.

Carpe was a bit miserable due to the constant dad jokes.

"Commander! I have an urgent report!"

"Hmm? What is it? Carpe, I'm sorry. I'll have to leave for a moment."

And he was busier than expected.

As the commander responsible for the border, Gillian had many tasks.

The assistance to Carpe was happening amidst these busy tasks, which made Carpe feel even more grateful.

But life in the Lamark castle wasn't all good.

There was another issue that troubled Carpe besides not finding the job change NPC.

"The king has refused another audience. He still doesn't recognize you as a descendant......"

To obtain the third artifact, the king's approval was essential, but the king kept rejecting Carpe's requests for an audience.

"Huff. I apologize on his behalf. It seems the king is afraid to meet you."

"Scared? Why?"

Carpe was puzzled by Gillian's words. What had he done to make the king afraid?

Gillian gave a bitter smile in response to Carpe's question.

"Originally, it was a secret...... But since you're closely related to Lamark, you should know."

Thus, the royal family's secret spilled from Gillian's mouth.

The current king of Lamark, 'Cryon Lamark,' was originally not meant to be king.

He was the second prince, and he had an older brother.

Unlike the ordinary Cryon, the first prince excelled in appearance, character, and ability.

It was natural for the king and many others to focus on the first prince.

The second prince greatly admired and followed Gillian, but Gillian himself admitted he favored the first prince more.

"I should have paid more attention. I should have cared more."

The princes grew up in such an environment.

And when the previous king passed away, an unexpected event occurred.

The weak and timid second prince staged a coup!

"His inferiority complex, built up from constant comparisons, must have been the reason."

Gillian's face was filled with regret.

No one expected it, so they couldn't respond properly, and the coup succeeded surprisingly easily.

The first prince went missing due to the coup. Gillian was on the battlefield and couldn't do anything.

"......I was more self-critical than angry. After all, the second prince's inferiority complex was created by us."

Getting angry and deposing the second prince wouldn't bring back the first prince.

Gillian had no choice but to recognize the second prince as the next king, the only remaining royal bloodline.

"Here's where you come in. As you know, Lamark is the successor to the Arkham Empire."

A coup had just taken place, and the descendant of the ancient empire appeared?

Moreover, the only descendant of the founding king.

For the current king of Lamark, whose legitimacy was questionable, it was a situation where he couldn't help but feel threatened.

Carpe was flabbergasted upon hearing this.

"But I'm not interested in the throne?"

"I know that. But the king's acceptance is another matter. Don't worry. I'll go and talk to him soon......"

At that moment,

The door to the training ground opened, and a man who looked like a civil servant entered.

"You...... Are you Euler? The king's messenger?"

"Yes, General. I've come to deliver the king's message."

"Oh. So the king has finally agreed to an audience. Of course, he should......"

"On the contrary...... He has refused."

"Refused?"

"The king said he cannot recognize you as a descendant. If you want recognition, you must complete his tasks. He will grant an audience afterward."

At that moment, a notification window appeared in front of Carpe.

Ding!

[Second Job Change Quest – Descendant of the Demon King]

[The king of Lamark does not recognize you as a descendant of the Demon King. Complete his tasks and earn his recognition.]

[Defeat the 12 trials set by the king of Lamark.]

[Quest Completion: Second Job Change complete, proceed to the next quest for the Demon King's artifact]

[Quest Failure: Second Job Change fails]

"......What?"

The Second Job Change NPC...... was the king?

Finding the NPC unexpectedly, Carpe felt a surge of relief.

'This is working out! With 12 trials, it's definitely a tough quest. As expected of a Mythic level.'

-That's right. It has a Hercules-like feel...... It's not a normal quest. You should be prepared.

'Ah. But I'm so relieved. It was really frustrating before.'

The thought of resolving both the job change and the Demon King's artifact at the same time made Carpe feel good.

But not Gillian.

His expression crumpled as the king's messenger droned on.

"......So, if I want recognition, I have to complete tasks? Three of them?"

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Haha. I must be getting old. What did he say?!"

Gillian let out a furious voice.

"After 800 years, a royal guest visits, and he doesn't even welcome them, let alone recognize them?! Go tell the king immediately! If he's serious, he should be prepared for a scolding!"

"Y-Yes, sir! I'll pass the message right away!"

The king's messenger quickly disappeared.

A short while later, he returned with a pale face.

"T-The king said you only need to complete three tasks......"

Ding!

[Your intimacy with NPC Gillian has reached the maximum!]

[The quest difficulty has been significantly reduced!]

[Complete 3 out of 12 tasks!]

"......Wow."

Gillian, what are you......

Carpe couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

The 10-star player who became strong through luck.