Chapter 4

Chapter 3

An Unwanted Quest

This is a quest that is far from welcome.

Is it because the reward is unsatisfactory? Not at all!

'The reward is so good it makes your eyes widen...'

3,000 gold, when converted to cash, is approximately 3.6 million won. This is a value close to what I would earn by working hard for about 40 days without a break, so it was incredibly tempting.

However, what was even more impressive was the status of being the son-in-law of a baron.

All stats +20!

I currently have nine stats: Strength, Vitality, Agility, Intelligence, Dexterity, Composure, Indomitable, Presence, and Insight. If I add the stat of Dignity, it will become ten in total.

If all these stats are increased by 20 each, I will gain a total of 200 stats.

Since I can get 10 stat points for each level up, 200 stats are equivalent to 20 levels. As a bonus, I can also marry a beautiful noble lady, making it an incredibly rewarding quest.

'This will also open up my career path. But...'

The reason the reward is so good is precisely because it is a high-difficulty quest.

A whopping S-rank quest!

'The Wrath of Baron Ashur' was also an S-rank quest.

At the time I received that quest, I was level 79, but the difficulty was so high that I died dozens of times during the quest and dropped to level 73.

And the time it took was a full three months!

With my current -1 level, I have no means of clearing an S-rank quest with a time limit. Why would I accept a quest that is bound to fail?

'Besides, if I fail, I lose 2 levels.'

The thought of my level dropping to -3 made me shudder with fear and anger.

'But why another S-rank quest for me?'

S-rank quests are not something that can be easily obtained. Even top-ranking players with levels over 200 have only received a handful of S-rank quests in the past year, as revealed in a broadcast interview.

Yet, I, who am not even a high-level player and am currently at -1 level, have received another S-rank quest, which is puzzling.

I recalled what Doran had said.

'As you know, this temple of Yatan is filled with evil energy. Ordinary people fall into fear just by staying here for a short time. But from my observations, you remain unharmed no matter how long you stay. You even laugh to yourself, showing a sense of ease. Are you, in fact, an incredible expert?'

There was a hint in this statement.

It seems to be a quest generated by staying in the temple of Yatan for a certain amount of time without falling into a state of fear.

This is likely the result of my title's characteristic of reducing the probability of status abnormalities and my Composure stat.

Is it good? Is it good?

'If it were a forced activation quest, I would have been in trouble. This title's characteristic and Composure stat are trying to make me quit the game.'

I answered without a moment's hesitation.

"I won't do it. Look for someone else."

[Quest rejected.]

Though I rejected it outright, Doran did not back down.

"A person like you is hard to come by. Don't be so heartless and please help me. A precious life is at stake!"

[Doran is desperate. Do you understand his plight and accept the quest?]

What a ridiculous notification. Do I look like I'm in a position to consider someone else's situation?

I immediately dismissed the notification and said,

"You're mistaken. I'm weak and incompetent. I can't help even if I wanted to. Understand that and take care of it yourself."

[Quest rejected.]

"You know, the followers of Yatan use powerful black magic! I can't rescue the young lady on my own! Please don't turn a blind eye and lend me your strength!"

[Doran is not giving up. Do you accept the quest?]

"No, I don't have the ability to begin with..."

[Quest rejected.]

"You're too humble! How many people have the skill to remain unafraid in this place?"

[Doran is relying on you. Do you accept the quest?]

Sometimes, there are such persistent quest NPCs. They have their own reasons and are desperate.

Yes, I understand Doran's feelings. If he returns empty-handed after coming to rescue his master's daughter, he will surely lose his life, so he has no choice but to be desperate.

But what about my situation? If I help and fail, my level will drop again?

Why should I go through such a terrible experience for someone else? It's a natural principle of life that I should prioritize myself over a stranger I don't know. The biggest problem is that I don't have the ability to help in the first place.

"Please help! I beg you!"

Doran even knelt down.

I looked at him and was certain.

This guy has been ignoring everything I've said. Or he thinks I'm lying.

'Probably the latter. Is staying in the temple of Yatan without falling into a state of fear really that impressive? I've never been here before, so I don't know.'

I met Doran's gaze directly and explained with an unprecedentedly serious attitude.

"I'm sorry, but I really don't have the strength. I can't help. Don't waste your time on me. Contact the baron's family immediately and request reinforcements."

[Quest rejected.]

"It's an urgent matter! The young lady's life could be in danger while you go to request reinforcements from the baron's family! You are the only one I can rely on! I beg you!"

[Doran is pleading for your help. Do you accept the quest?]

I've reached my limit of patience.

"Ah, you frustrating guy!! I really can't help! Get lost!!"

"Show mercy for a human life!"

"What? You're not leaving? Damn it. Fine, I'll go. I'll go!!!"

I rejected the quest again and turned my back on Doran.

It's a terrifying quest that will drop my level by 2 if I fail. I'm afraid I might accidentally accept it, so I want to get away as quickly as possible.

But my feet, unlike my mind, did not move quickly.

My movement speed had dropped by 100% due to exceeding the weight limit by 200%.

Doran, seeing my turtle-like pace, misunderstood and teared up.

"You, despite your harsh words, are actually conflicted... Whether to help me rescue the young lady or not..."

"..."

"Stop being conflicted and help me quickly!"

[Doran, filled with hope, pleads again. Do you accept the quest?]

"Rubbish! I can't help!"

[Quest rejected.]

I ignored him and hurried my steps, but my speed remained slow.

Doran's misunderstanding only deepened.

"Perhaps you have very important business, but is it more important than a human life? I beg you!!"

"I can't! I can't!!"

"Don't lie to yourself! Aren't you also struggling? That's why you can't leave immediately, and your steps are filled with hesitation!"

"Hesitation? That's nonsense! I'm walking slowly because I'm carrying a heavy load, that's all!"

Doran continued to chase me, and my slow pace could not shake him off.

[Do you accept the quest?]

[Do you accept the quest?]

[Do you...]

'What a ridiculous situation!'

I gradually became anxious as the notification kept appearing despite my repeated rejections. It was time to make a bold decision.

'I can't keep being dragged around like this. Even if it means becoming hostile with him, I have to firmly reject it. After all, he's not an NPC I need to maintain a good relationship with, so there's no loss in becoming hostile.'

I drew Mamon's greatsword and glared at Doran.

"I clearly said I can't help. If you don't leave immediately, one of us will get hurt."

Doran, sensing the atmosphere, took a step back and said,

"I really wish you could help..."

[Doran makes a final, heartfelt plea. Do you accept the quest?]

Ugh!

How many times does this damn notification have to appear before it's satisfied!

"I can't help! Even if I could, I wouldn't! I won't help!!"

Stressed to the limit, I could no longer contain my anger.

I shouted and swung Mamon's greatsword nervously, to clearly express my final intention to Doran.

But...

Crack!!

"Ah!"

A heavy impact sensation traveled through my hand, and a scream echoed.

I turned my gaze to follow the blade of the greatsword, which had swung to the side.

And I witnessed it.

A Yatan cultist, wearing a robe, had been struck directly in the neck by my greatsword and collapsed.

A chill ran down my spine.

"Why did this crazy guy have to walk next to someone who wields a sword..."

As I glared at the cultist, foaming at the mouth and lying on the ground, a new notification appeared.

[You have become hostile with the Yatan Cult.]

[You can no longer receive the blessings of Yatan.]

[The followers of Yatan will attempt to kill you upon discovery.]

The atmosphere in the temple changed drastically. I was now surrounded by dozens of Yatan cultists, and Doran placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you!!"

"Huh?"

<Rescue the Baron's Daughter>

Difficulty: S

Irene, the only daughter of Baron Stein, is a beautiful and pure maiden. The followers of Yatan have kidnapped her to this underground location to offer her as a sacrifice.

As someone who opposes the Yatan Cult, you cannot tolerate their evil deeds. You are determined to rescue Irene.

Quest Completion Conditions: Rescue Irene within 1 hour of accepting the quest.

Completion Reward: 3,000 gold, a low chance of becoming the baron's son-in-law.

*Baron's Son-in-Law: Unlocks the Dignity stat, all stats +20.

You will be treated as a viscount, gaining power and honor. You can enter the social circles of the nobility and receive a monthly maintenance fee for your dignity. This can also be a shortcut to a high-ranking position or even a lordship.

Quest Failure: Level -2.

[Quest accepted.]

"Wow."

This 'Rescue the Baron's Daughter' quest seems to be a forced quest when you become hostile with the Yatan Cult.

"Heh heh heh..."

I can't even swear. No, it's more accurate to say I don't even have the energy to swear.

'Another level drop... To -3 levels!'

What terrible luck. Perhaps I sold my country in a past life.

"Who dares to harm a follower of Yatan! Are you not afraid of Yatan's curse!"

"Yatan is all-powerful! Your sins have already been discovered by Yatan! You will never be saved!"

"You will pay for your blasphemy against Yatan!"

The Yatan cultists, surrounding me, shouted in anger. Their eyes, filled with madness, were brimming with absolute enmity.

'I'm going to die, right?'

The Yatan cultists are black mages. Black magic has powerful curse abilities, making them difficult to deal with.

'Is black magic the problem right now...'

My current level is -1. My Strength and Vitality stats are both 1. Even with the 5 Strength points from the option on Mengel's Plate Armor, my total Strength is only 6.

My health, calculated from these stats, is a mere