Chapter 173: Side Quest

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> Ace | LC: 131 | EXP: 212/651 | LVL 7

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> HP ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ 115/115

> MP ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ 95/95

> STA ▰▰▰▰▰▰▱▱▱▱ 62/100

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> Class: ROGUE

> Known Abilities:

• Dead Lantern

• Mirror Knifel

• Shadow Leap

• Wall Runner

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> PERKS

• +15% Magic Damage

• +10% Critical Chance

• Backstab Damage

• Light of the Believer

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> [ BAG ] [ MAP ] [ SHOP ] [ QUESTS ]

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"Hmm... I should check a few things."

I opened the system map and examined the icons scattered across it. Most of them were side quests I’d already noticed before, but one marker immediately caught my attention. A large white question mark enclosed inside a glowing circle rested farther down the road.

Curious, I hovered my finger over it. A small window appeared. Mystery Encounter, Description: ???

I raised an eyebrow. "Okay... now you’ve got my attention. What even is this thing?"

I closed the map and started walking toward the marker.

The sun had already begun to sink beyond the horizon, painting the fields in warm orange light. Evening was settling over the countryside. Farmers were gathering their tools before heading home, children chased one another through the dirt roads with wooden sticks pretending they were swords, and smoke drifted lazily from the chimneys of nearby homes. A tavern stood a little farther off to my right, its front door constantly opening as laughing customers wandered in while others stumbled back out with mugs still in hand.

After several minutes, I reached the center of the white circle. The large question mark vanished. In its place, a much smaller marker appeared a short distance ahead.

"Hmm."

Following the indicator, I looked toward the edge of the forest.

There, standing atop a broad stone platform, was a massive statue.

It depicted a warrior mounted on a rearing horse, sword raised high above his head as though leading thousands into battle. His cloak billowed behind him despite the stone, and the sculptor had somehow managed to carve fierce determination into his expression.

Several people had gathered around the monument.

Some knelt with their heads lowered.

Others placed flowers, braided cords, or small wooden carvings at the foot of the pedestal before quietly stepping back. A young father held his little daughter in his arms and encouraged her to touch the base of the statue before whispering a short prayer. An elderly couple stood hand in hand with closed eyes, murmuring words too quiet for me to hear.

"May Vaelor bless my son with his strength," an elderly woman prayed while kneeling before the monument. "And may my daughter’s newborn carry his courage."

Beside her, a young hunter rested his bow against the stone and bowed his head.

"Guide my aim, Lord Vaelor. Let me return home with food before winter."

Another man traced the symbol carved into the pedestal with trembling fingers.

"Thank you for bringing my brother home alive."

"Please help my mother. And punish my uncle’s kids. I beg of you."

"Help me feed my kids... help me get stronger for them, o’ Mighty Vaelor."

The atmosphere felt strangely peaceful.

Nobody spoke loudly. Even the children who accompanied their parents seemed to instinctively lower their voices.

The shrine itself stood in a quiet clearing at the very edge of the forest. Ancient trees stretched behind the monument, their branches swaying gently in the evening breeze. Looking back over my shoulder, I could still make out the tavern’s chimney rising above the rooftops in the distance. It wasn’t far, though the sounds of laughter barely reached this place anymore. To my left, the city’s stone walls stretched along the landscape, reminding everyone that civilization remained only a short walk away despite the secluded feeling of the shrine.

I quietly approached the statue.

As soon as I stepped onto the platform, a soft golden light spread across the engraved stone beneath the monument.

"Excuse me," I said politely.

The people made room without complaint, watching curiously as I walked toward the glowing platform. I stopped in front of it and narrowed my eyes. Letters had begun appearing across the stone.

"Can’t read that. What kinda language is that?"

Before I could inspect them any further, the familiar blue system window materialized in front of me.

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- NEW CHALLENGE

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- Do 10 Push-ups

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"Okay... Ten push-ups?"

Guess I could do that once I reached the dormitories.

I stepped back from the shrine and opened the system map once more. The white marker was gone.

"Huh."

So the challenge had been registered the moment I found it. Interesting.

I closed the map and looked toward the tavern I’d seen from the shrine. Since I was already here, I figured I might as well take a look inside.

After a short walk, I saw that the building wasn’t particularly large. A weathered wooden sign hung above the entrance, gently creaking in the evening breeze. Warm orange light spilled through the windows, carrying with it the smell of roasted meat, ale, and fresh bread. Compared to the quiet shrine, the tavern felt alive.

I pushed the door open.

The chatter of patrons immediately filled my ears. Merchants sat around one table arguing over prices, a pair of hunters laughed loudly while comparing antlers they’d brought back, and an elderly bard lazily strummed a lute near the fireplace. A serving girl weaved between the crowded tables, balancing several mugs without spilling a drop.

At the same moment, the system map automatically opened in front of me.

"Oh?"

Instead of showing the outside roads, it now displayed the inside of the tavern.

There was a single blue question mark. It hovered above a man sitting alone at the far end of the room. He stared into his untouched mug with distant, exhausted eyes.

"What am I going to do..." the man muttered. "Gods, help me. Solvane, guide me with your light."

I walked over.

The man looked up as I approached.

He looked to be somewhere in his mid-forties. His dark hair had been cut short, though streaks of gray had already begun creeping in around the temples. A plain brown robe covered most of his body, and deep bags under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept much lately. He looked less like a drunk and more like someone who had simply run out of ideas.

"Hey," I said with a small nod. "I couldn’t help overhearing. Sounds like you could use some help."

"Some help?" he muttered with a tired laugh. "Kid, I need a miracle."

I pulled out the chair across from him and sat down, resting one arm on the table. "What kind?"

"The kind that saves my ass." He rubbed both hands over his face before looking at me again. "Do you know the Holiers?"

"The Holiers?" I asked. "No."

"Well, they’ve got me by the throat, boy." He sighed heavily. "I owe them a lot of coin."

"How much?"

"Fifty gold." He let out another long breath. "I’m fucked, excuse my language."

"You can’t pay?"

"I can." He shook his head. "Or I could. Some damn bandits stole my cart. The coins were hidden inside a secret compartment in the back."

"Smart." I leaned forward slightly. "Where’s the cart?"

Before he could answer, a familiar notification appeared.

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• SIDE QUEST ACCEPTED

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Find the stolen pouch and bring it back.

Rewards:

• 100 EXP

• 50 LC

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The system map expanded again. A large yellow question mark appeared on the western side of the map, covering a broad area instead of a single point. So the system didn’t know the exact location. Just the general search area.

"I don’t know where it is," the man admitted. "That’s why I’m finished. If I knew where those bastards took it, I’d post a request at the Guild."

"How about I recover it for you?" I asked, crossing my arms. "How much are you willing to pay?"

"You?" He chuckled. "No offense, kid, but you don’t exactly look experienced."

"Try me. Fifteen gold, and I’ll bring it back."

"Ten."

"Fifteen."

"Eleven."

"Fourteen."

"Twelve. That’s my final offer."

"Twelve it is." I nodded. "Where exactly is the hidden compartment?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Why would I tell you that? You’d just take the coin and disappear." He pointed a finger at me. "Bring me the cart first."

I couldn’t exactly argue with that since he didn’t know me.

I stood up from the chair. "Alright, fair enough. Where can I find you afterward?"

"I’m here every evening after work." He gave a tired nod. "Same table... always the same table, kid."

"Got it."

"May the gods watch over you."

"I’ll settle for good luck."

He managed a faint smile as I turned and headed toward the exit.

A side quest. Finally. If I wanted to get stronger, I’d have to level up. And these quests would surely help me along the way.

The whole marriage investigation had kept me away from the system for far too long. Now that Jack was dead and everyone responsible for Jelda’s murder had paid for their crimes, I could finally breathe again and start focusing on getting stronger.

"Stolen cart," I muttered as I stepped back outside into the cool evening air. "Sounds simple enough."

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