WebNovels

Chapter 22 - Echoes of the Ivy Blade

As Ellie returned to repairing his armor, Freddy took the chance to finally go through the boss loot.

'The boss dropped four items in equipment, among other materials and stuff.' Freddy thought as he examined the item.

The drops included; a leather chest armor, a dagger, a ring, a necklace, some hides which he already gave to Ellie, boar meat and a square piece of bone.

Freddy's attention was drawn to the bone as he decided to inspect it first.

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Hog king's Crest

Rank: Rare

Description: A bone emblem carved from the spine of the Hog king.

Use: Upon use, player receives 50 reputation points and is granted the title Beast Slayer.

Note: This is a one-time use item bound to the player and cannot be traded or given away.

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[Do you want to Use the item 'Hog king's Crest'?]

"Uhmm," seeing the notification, Freddy paused in confusion.

'Forget it for now, let's look at the other stuff first,' he thought and proceeded to look at the leather armor.

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Hog king's Hide [Uncommon rank]

Type: Chest Armor

Level: 10

Class requirements: Assassin, Archer, Summoner

Requirement: Strength 15.

Defense +30, Endurance +5, Vitality +7

Durability: 100/100

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Seeing the armor stats, Freddy recalled the post about gladiators from the forum.

'I'm already at level 5, let's test it out.' With that thought, Freddy withdrew Grizzler's Chainmail cuisse from his inventory and tried to equip it.

To his amazement, the armor disappeared from his hands and appeared on his body.

"We really aren't restricted by class requirements!" He exclaimed.

"What was that?" Ellie's voice questions from the side, reminding him that he wasn't alone.

"Ah! It's nothing important. By the way Miss Ellie, do you repair chainmail armor?" He asked pointing at the cuisses on his body.

"No, I only work on cloth and leather materials. But I think Jorn the blacksmith can do something about it. He stays just down the street." Ellie replied.

"Oh! Then I'll head there later. Here's another thing – about the armor, don't make a chest armor for me." Freddy said, surprising Ellie.

"Why? Did something happen?" She asked.

"No, I just remembered that I have a chest armor." Freddy said and showed her the Hog King's Hide.

"If possible I'd like you to make the rest of the armor the same level as this one, again, no pressure." He said and returned it to his inventory.

"If we're not making a chest armor, the price just went down. Also the hides were already excessive before, without making a chest armor, the hides would be even more excessive–" She was still talking when Freddy interrupted her.

"Don't worry, I'll leave everything for you to sort out, as for the remaining hides, you can have them." Freddy replied with a smile.

'Something about her reminds me of Aunt Lucia.' Freddy thought and couldn't suppress a smile.

Ding!

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System Notification

Ellie the tailor's favourability +25

Increased to Friendly

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The unexpected ringing system notification startled Freddy.

'That's quite unexpected, but welcomed anyway.' he thought to himself.

"Your armor is ready. give me a minute," Ellie said as she stood and went into the room behind the counter.

After a few minutes, she returned with a black cotton long sleeve t-shirt, which she handed to Freddy along with the repaired armor.

"Always wear this beneath the armor, and even if the armor breaks, the earlier situation wouldn't repeated itself." She said quietly, a trace of sadness flashing briefly in her eyes.

Freddy was taken aback by the gesture. He accepted them while thinking, 'Is this what increased favourability does?'

As soon as he received them, he inspected the shirt.

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Padded Cotton Undershirt [Cosmetic Item]

Item rank: Rare

Description: A simple cotton shirt worn underneath armor to prevent chafing.

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As he held the shirt, a particular embroidery in its inner collar suddenly caught his attention.

It was an emblem of a silver sword wrapped in ivy.

"Woah! I had no idea that you were so good at embroidery, Miss Ellie." Freddy commented and looked at Ellie who was sorting through the hides.

However, as soon as Ellie heard what he said, she suddenly froze up her whole body trembling.

"Y–you can see the embroidery?" She asked in shock.

"Of course, a silver sword wrapped in ivy." Freddy answered with confidence and then stopped. "Am I not suppose to see it?"

Ellie's mouth hung agape. She shook her head slowly – a silent no.

Ding!

As Ellie shook her head, a sudden system Notification flashed before Freddy's eyes.

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System Notification

Player has triggered a hidden quest "Echoes of the Ivy Blade" Do you wish to accept?

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Reading through, Freddy wasted no time in accepting. A hidden quest could only be triggered by luck, who'd be stupid enough to reject one.

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Quest: Echoes of the Ivy Blade [part I]

Quest Description: You have discovered a mysterious emblem on the undershirt Ellie gifted you, investigate the emblems origin and meaning.

Quest Objective: Find out more about the mysterious insignia.

Reward: +500 EXP

+20 Favorability with Ellie

Tailor's Token – Used to get discounted repairs or crafting from Tailor shops.

Quest unlocked: Echoes of the Ivy Blades – Part II (available after reaching Lv.10)

Penalty: None

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"Umm, who owns this shirt?" Freddy asked as he turned towards Ellie. However he suddenly noticed that Ellie had her head bowed.

"Are you alright Miss Ellie?" Freddy asked in surprise. Yet the reply he got from her was a lonely sigh.

"I didn't know you'd be able to see that insignia, Mr Aegis," Ellie said, gently wiping her face before raising her head.

'Was she crying? NPCs can even cry in this game?" Freddy thought as he noticed the faint shimmering in her eyes.

"Are you okay Miss Ellie?" Freddy asked once again.

"You asked about the insignia embroidered into that shirt right?" Ellie replied with a question of her own.

"It's alright if miss Ellie don't want to talk about it. Just forget I asked." Freddy said. 'It seems I've opened an old wound.'

Seeing as she felt uncomfortable, Freddy decided to not agitate her any further.

"No it's fine. Please sit down and I'll explain it to you." She replied, her eyes now clear.

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