"No. I don't have any gear to lend you," Gul shook his head after giving Malik's condition a thought, and the slight smile on Malik's face vanished at once. He thought he had successfully convinced the NPC, not knowing that the old man hadn't bought his idea yet.
Is this NPC joking with me or what? How can he issue an A difficulty quest for me and expect me to accomplish it like that?
"Then I'm sorry I won't be able to help you then, at least not in this my current state," Malik turned around and started leaving. "And I don't think you'll see any other adventurer to help you since everyone's focus is on the Beginning Tower," Malik added without waiting.
"I'll just go to the Beginning Tower. If something happens to your daughter, I'm sure she'll never forgive you since you had the chance to help her now."
Gul gritted his teeth. His thought was that what if Malik ended up running with his equipment or died outside without rescuing his daughter? He's going to lose it all. He's going to lose on both ends. But Malik's words had incited him.
If I miss this chance, I might not get another, and it's true—my daughter might not forgive me. No other adventurer will risk going to the Nurturers' Nest. This adventurer is a noob and isn't aware of the dangers there. Should I gamble on him?
"Wait... Young Adventurer... Please wait," Gul called out, rushing to Malik, who stopped walking with a frown on his face.
"I've agreed to your condition. I'll lend you my gear," Gul said to Malik, whose lips curled into a smirk which he quickly hid before turning around.
It actually worked out as planned.
"Thank you, Mr. Gul. I'll make sure I bring your daughter back to Lont," Malik replied with a short bow as a wide grin appeared on his face.
---
[You've accepted the hidden quest — Retrieve Gul's Daughter]
[Gul has borrowed you his gear to assist you in this quest.]
[Congratulations on successfully convincing Gul to lend you his gear. Intelligence +1]
---
"Farewell, Adventurer. The God of Protection shall be with you," Gul prayed for Malik, who offered his gratitude before turning in the direction of the Lont Forest after receiving the gear from Gul. He had the map with him, so it was easier to pinpoint each location.
To think my intelligence actually increased by 1 after all those long talks... Just 1. This system must be really mad, Malik cursed as he pulled up his system interface. He wanted to check the item he had just received from the retired knight.
"Inventory," he called out, and a list of items appeared in front of him.
---
[Lont Knight Armor - Bronze Grade]
Defense +20
Strength +10
[Lont Knight Headgear - Bronze Grade]
Defense +5
[Lont Knight Boots - Bronze Grade]
Agility +10
[Sharp Sword — Bronze Grade]
Attack Power: 70-100
Attack Speed: 50
Effect: Increase Strength by +7
Requirements: Guardian Knights, Swordsman
---
"Aah... Bronze equipment and a bronze sword... The old man has good stuff," Malik chuckled lightly. "To think I'll be this happy with bronze-grade materials. Haha."
"Equip," Malik said, and the system equipped him with the Lont Knight Gear. He felt his stats undergo a change instantly.
"Although I'm not a Guardian Knight nor a Swordsman, I should still be able to equip this sword. In the Western Region, I was able to do so... It should be the same here, right?"
"Equip."
---
[You've equipped the Bronze Sword — Sharp Sword. Due to you not being a required class, the sword's effects have decreased by 10%]
---
"Stupid system. Always creating its happiness," Malik cursed as he checked out his new attributes.
---
[Strength — 6 (+17)]
[Agility — 4 (+10)]
[Endurance — 3 (+25)]
[Intelligence — 2]
---
"This is good. With my combat experience, slaying Level 1 monsters would be a piece of cake. Haha."
"And I can as well test the passive skill of this Infinite Chaos Scripture. This will be interesting, truly interesting."
---
[Lont Forest - Outskirts of Lont Town]
[You've discovered Lont Forest. Qi absorption will increase by 10% during your stay in the forest.]
---
"Damn system. A 0% increase when you're fully aware I can't stay here long. How am I supposed to stay in the forest where any monster could pop up at any time?" Malik cursed loudly. He was excited by the 10% increase in his cultivation, but then the increase would only be active during his stay in the forest. Malik whistled loudly as he advanced slowly through the only pathway in the forest.
"According to Gul, his daughter went in search of herbs, and according to the maps, the herbs could be found in the east of Lont Forest."
"East of Lont Forest. Here I come. Level 1 beasts, crawl forward... Your daddy's home," Malik's voice traveled through the forest as he started increasing his pace, attracting the beasts in the Lont Forest.
In no time, three beasts appeared in front of Malik, and a frown appeared on his face.
I thought this was a Starter Village, and the monsters that are supposed to be here are Level 1, Level 2... Just what in the world is going on?
"I called for Level 1 mobs, not Level 5!" Malik cried out as he appraised the monsters.
---
[Crawler - Level 5 Common Monster]
HP: 80
[Crawler - Level 4 Common Monster]
HP: 50
[Crawler - Level 5 Common Monster]
HP: 100
---
"Facing these three monsters head-on isn't something I can achieve with these pitiful stats. I've to play tag," Malik said to himself as he pointed his sword at the monster in the middle.
"Come to me, you greenish stinky bastard," he taunted the monster with a fierce look on his face, which infuriated the monster as it charged at Malik at once.
"As expected of a Level 5 monster. Its agility is crazily high," Malik appraised as he turned tail and started running immediately. He knew for sure that he couldn't face a Level 5 monster head-on, so he chose to play the long game. The other two Crawlers sprang into action as they pursued him, while he tried his best not to get caught in their claw swipes.
After chasing Malik for a while, the three monsters stopped abruptly in order to recover the stamina they had lost. Malik made sure not to leave the territory of these monsters.
"Foolish monsters. I've the Primordial Chaos Physique, whereas you're just Level 5, Level 4... and you dare to keep chasing me. Seems you don't know the immensity between the heaven and the earth."
Malik taunted the monsters once more as he came out of hiding while pointing his sword at them. He kept on bragging about his physique as the monsters got infuriated and dashed at him once again—but this time, he decided to face them head-on.
Krrrh
"Their speed has greatly reduced due to the loss of stamina. I can see through their attacks now with my enhanced senses."
"Dodge left," Malik muttered as he moved left and still proceeded forward.
"Left again."
"Duck…"
"Counterattack," Malik said his movements out loud when he regained footing, and as he stood straight, he quickly slashed out with his sword at the monster on the left end.
-20
"Twenty damage. That was a quick slash, so it isn't bad." A smile appeared on Malik's face as he returned his attention to the two Crawlers in front of him.
"Now take yours." Gripping the sword firmly, Malik weaved the sword through the Crawler's pincer, cutting off one of its arms.
---
Critical Damage!
-40 HP
---
"Ha... Is it the sword that's sharp, or is it because of my strength? To think it'll pass through your defense. Now die and be a test subject for me," Malik said as he slashed out with his sword once again, depleting all the HP of the Level 5 Crawler.
---
[You've slain Level 5 Crawler]
[You've earned 5 cultivation points]
---
'5 cultivation points?.. Is my physique mad or something? How can it refine such a low Scripture?'