Drake stood before the seamless rock face where the hidden passage to the Alvari training ground had vanished. The [Well-Used Longsword] felt solid, his 90% [Basic Slash] SCR a testament to the pressured training, but the abrupt lockout left a lingering frustration. He stepped back, the normal sounds of the Verdant Threshold returning as he moved away from the waterfall's cascade.
He leaned against a tree, replaying the sequence leading to the discovery using [Perfect Recall]. It wasn't just one clue. First, the memory of the forum post mentioning a "bugged texture," served up instantly by his recall when he saw the odd shimmer on the wall near Hobgoblin Hills. Then, interacting revealed the hidden compartment and the [Cryptic Note]. Finally, deciphering the note's riddles required cross-referencing its archaic phrases with other stored memories – the exact wording of Old Man Fitzwilliam's rambling story about a 'weeping cave,' the Guard Captain's offhand comment about 'Shadow Creek Valley,' the precise visual memory of the waterfall's location relative to the twin peaks. Individually, these details were trivial background noise, the kind of NPC chatter most players would tune out or forget moments after hearing it. But linked together by his perfect, searchable memory? They became a key, unlocking a valuable secret.
"The real power of [Perfect Recall] isn't just analyzing combat failures... it's connecting everything. Every random comment, every signpost, every item description... it's all potential data waiting for the right context. I've been approaching NPCs like quest terminals, just trying to get the objective and move on. That's inefficient here. Information is a resource."
This game, Legacy of Alvari, clearly rewarded more than just fast reflexes and optimized grinding. It rewarded attention, observation, and interaction. Drake resolved to change his approach immediately. He needed to build his internal database.
He turned back towards Veridian Rise, his stride purposeful. The journey was quick, his focus inward, already planning his information sweep.
Arriving back in the small settlement, Drake didn't head for the next quest marker. He started methodically. First, the Guard Captain near the entrance. Instead of just reporting his boar hunt completion (if that was even still relevant, he'd taken so many side paths), Drake engaged him in conversation.
"Captain, anything new to report on the patrol routes? Seeing more wolves up north?" Drake asked, adopting a respectful tone.
The Captain, a grizzled man leaning against a post, straightened slightly. "Aye, adventurer. Always wolves. And those blasted Hobgoblins in the hills seem bolder lately. Keep sharp out there. Heard any strange rumors yourself?"
Drake patiently listened, asked follow-up questions about specific areas, recent incidents, strange sightings – anything the Captain might offer. He didn't rush; he let the conversation flow naturally, [Perfect Recall] silently cataloging every word, nuance, and hesitation.
He moved on to Elara, the herbalist. After turning in the Moonpetal Ferns earlier, he now returned. "Elara, you mentioned needing supplies earlier. Are there any other rare herbs in the Threshold you know of, perhaps ones that grow only in specific conditions?"
Elara, wiping her hands on her apron, seemed slightly surprised by the continued interest but responded warmly, perhaps influenced slightly by his developing reputation even if she didn't consciously recognize it. She spoke of Glowcaps found only in deep shade, Sun-Kissed Moss that required high altitudes, and repeated her warnings about the dangers of the Gnarled Briar Patch to the east. Drake listened intently, asking about growth cycles, specific locations she might have heard hunters mention, potential medicinal uses.
This became his pattern for the next several hours of in-game time. He visited every single interactable NPC in Veridian Rise. The blacksmith wasn't just asked about repairs; Drake inquired about ore sources, strange metals found nearby, legendary weapons whispered about. The general merchant wasn't just for selling vendor trash; Drake asked about trade routes, recent caravan arrivals, odd requests from customers. The tanner wasn't just asked about hides; Drake prompted him about unusual animal tracks or beasts seen far from their usual territories (recalling the tanner's earlier comment about shimmer-moss).
He even engaged the generic 'Villager' NPCs. Instead of walking past, he'd offer a greeting, ask about their day, inquire about local landmarks or oldest families. Most offered simple, repetitive lines about the weather or needing more firewood. But occasionally, one would offer a unique tidbit – a grandmother's tale of strange lights seen over the Standing Stones generations ago, a mention of a collapsed hunter's cabin forgotten in the western woods, a warning about quicksand near the sluggish river.
To any outside observer, or any typical player, Drake's actions would seem incredibly tedious, bordering on pointless. He wasn't gaining EXP at nearly the rate he could by grinding mobs. He wasn't acquiring loot. He was simply... talking. Listening. Recording. Building his mental database, treating dialogue not as flavor text to be skipped, but as potentially critical intelligence. His [Eidetic Execution] applied just as much to this information grind as it did to combat or SCR practice.
He was finishing a long, rambling conversation with Old Man Fitzwilliam (having patiently heard the 'singing crystal' story for the third time, ensuring every landmark mentioned near the Standing Stones was perfectly recorded), when the system alert chimed brightly.
<< SYSTEM ALERT: Your dedication to engaging with the inhabitants of Veridian Rise has been recognized! >> << Achievement Unlocked: [Dedicated Listener]! Description: You listened patiently when others rushed past. Sometimes, wisdom hides in plain sight. Reward: Title. >> << Title Acquired: [Known Hand]! Effect: Slightly increases positive reputation gain with NPCs of the Veridian Threshold regional faction. Initial NPC disposition towards you is slightly improved. >>
Drake paused his conversation politely. "An achievement and title... just for talking? [Known Hand]... improved disposition and rep gain. So the system does track and reward this level of interaction directly." He examined the title's effects. The boosts were minor, but in a game likely filled with faction grinds and NPC interactions crucial for quests or information, even a small edge was valuable. More importantly, it validated his entire approach.
His information sweep of Veridian Rise complete, his [Perfect Recall] archive significantly richer, Drake felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He now possessed a wealth of local knowledge, rumors, and potential leads that most players would never uncover. Whether any of it would prove useful remained to be seen, but he was now equipped not just with his blades and skills, but with information. He turned away from the village, ready to venture back into the wilds, eager to see if the voices he'd listened to held the keys to future discoveries.