Kirou was currently on his way back to Elderwood Village. He was currently smiling as he was wondering what the look on Reya's face would be when she saw the quality for the list of items she traded with Kirou.
'I almost regret not waiting around to see her face when she checked those items. I'm willing to bet she will be shocked,' thought Kirou to himself with a smug smile on his face.
The reason for Kirou's current jovial mood and the assurance that Reya would be shocked was that all the items she asked for were given to her as excellent quality. At this point in the game, it was practically impossible for there to exist another person capable of achieving that. As for the plants he received in return, they might not be of excellent quality but they were high enough. With the other items mixed in, when he turns in the quests he should maintain a high grade overall.
Like that, Kirou kept walking for roughly twenty minutes until he made it back to the familiar south gate for Elderwood Village. Passing by the scene of players slaying weak monsters outside of the south gate, Kirou nodded at the fact that he didn't bother wasting his time here. Even if he did manage to kill something, with the number of players around he probably wouldn't have been able to harvest the quest materials in peace.
After passing through the south gate, Kirou made his way towards the nearest villager that tasked him with a quest, which just so happened to be the general store manager. He didn't forget to keep practicing his 'Pickpocket' skill on the players he passed as the proficiency can only get higher with consistent use. To do his best to minimize taking anything important from said players, he made sure to touch each player for less than a second before moving on.
By the time he made it to the general store, he had gotten quite a few copper coins from the players he passed. He also obtained quite a few pieces of equipment as well but he just ignored those as none appealed to him. The players themselves didn't notice the missing items until they already left the village and by then Kirou was long gone.
*******
As Kirou entered the general store, he was greeted with a familiar sight. Players were complaining about the grades they received for the items they turned in and the general store manager explaining that she cannot give a better grade for the items they brought. The only difference between this and the previous scenario is that none of the players were dumb enough to try and attack the general store manager. Apparently, word has gotten around that attacking the villagers was a stupid move.
Seeing that no one else was handing in their quests, Kirou decided to approach the general store manager. He had to push his way through the crowd as there were quite a few players within the store.
"How may I be of assistance today, young one?" asked the wolf lady when she noticed Kirou's approach.
"I'm here to turn in the items for your quest manager," replied Kirou as he finally managed to get to the counter, amidst the complaints of other players.
"How was your hunt? I hope you brought back materials that can move me," said the store manager as she looked at Kirou with somewhat eager eyes. She remembered him as he was the only one who asked about the grades in detail.
Kirou started taking out items and placing them on the counter in front of him. He then replied to the wolf manager with a smile, "Why not take a look yourself? I'll let you be the judge of that."
Many players were originally going to leave the store after their failed discussions with the general store manager but stayed back after hearing the conversation between Kirou and the manager. Some of them were even sneering at Kirou as they thought that he was just another newbie not introduced to the struggles of doing quests just yet. Kirou could hear a few players badmouthing him since they weren't far, to begin with, but he just ignored them. The only person who's words mattered to him now was the general store manager herself.
"Well. Let's take a look at your loot," said the female Lycan as she started examining Kirou's items. The smile on the woman's face disappeared as she examined each item one at a time. The players behind Kirou were all curious about the results of Kirou's bounty as well.
When the manager was done examining the items, she turned to Kirou who still had a smile on his face, and asked, "Are you sure you want to turn in these items? These materials are from higher grade monsters and with this quality, it seems like a waste to turn them in for my quest."
Hearing her words, the players behind Kirou were shocked. The ones who were sneering at him now had red cheeks as if someone had just slapped them. They couldn't believe the newbie they were sneering at less than a minute ago had brought superior quality items to turn in for a quest. Everyone present couldn't help but wonder where and how Kirou got his hands on those materials.
"Don't worry about it. I have more in my bag and I can just go get some more in case I run out," said Kirou still maintaining a half relaxed, half smug smile on his face. The players behind him were shocked to hear Kirou's response. Here they were searching through the dark wondering how to increase their grade for the quest and in comes a guy with top-tier materials and he has extras in his bag. How could they not be affected?
"Hey, you. The guy with the top tier materials. Sell me those items," shouted one of the guys who had originally sneered at him at the back.
"Yea, sell us those items. It's not like you can't get more," shouted another guy from that group.
Like that, countless players shouted in agreement. They wanted those items so that they could increase their respective quest grades. Kirou turned around and looked at the players making a fuss. He especially looked at the group who were originally sneering at him to find them sporting smug smiles on their faces.
Kirou raised his eyebrow before turning back to the general store manager, ignoring the clamoring players. "As I was saying, I'm turning those in for the quest."
"Since that is the case, I'll accept these items then."
[You have received the following items:]
Expert Grade Rabbit Stew x 1
Superior Quality Rabbit Under Armor
Hearing the prompts, Kirou immediately checked his inventory and noticed the new items. He also checked his quest list and noticed the highlighted section for the general store manager. Nodding to himself, Kirou then took out the remainder of the rabbit items from his inventory.
"Ms. Manager, I would also like to give you these." As Kirou said these words, he looked at the smug group at the back from the corner of his eyes. He noticed that they were currently fuming and he couldn't help smiling. The rest of the players were crestfallen as well.
"I'm sorry, young one. I can't just take these items from you..." Those words caused the surrounding players, especially the group at the back to perk up again. Unfortunately, her next words made them despair even more, "Instead, why don't I give you access to another subclass that allows you to make use of those materials. You can just give me half of them as payment."
"Yes, I would like to do that." Kirou agreed to this easily, as it gave him another subclass and as a means to piss off that group of smug players.
"Very well, young one. Here you go," said the store manager as she extended her hand and touched Kirou.
"With this, you'll be able to make use of the remaining materials as you see fit."
"Thanks for this Manager Almia. I still have some other villagers to visit so I'll take my leave now." Kirou clasped his hands to Manager Almia before turning around and force his way through the crowd of people. As he passed that group of smug players, he made sure to activate his
After he finally managed to exit the store, he didn't even bother to check what he got from the skill before he disappeared into the crowd of villagers, making his way to the other four quest givers.
*******
Kirou had basically experienced the same thing when he went to the other four quest givers. There was always a group of players wanting to start trouble when they saw him dealing with the villagers and always wanted his extra materials when he finished handing in the quest items. The only good news from this was that he managed to obtain a subclass from each of the quest givers, except for the blacksmith and the butcher. Noticing he already had the blacksmith class, the blacksmith instead gave him a personal hammer and anvil so that Kirou can create his own smithy wherever he wants. As for the butcher, he gave Kirou information on where and how to obtain the fisherman subclass.
Kirou was currently on his way to see Old Wolf to hand in the quest. As he was walking, he opened up his status menu to take a look at his stats. He nodded to himself as he saw just how far he has gotten since he started.
Name: Kirou
Race: Halfling(Lycan/Human)
Class: Weapon Master
Subclass: Blacksmith(Temporary), Cook, Alchemist, Armorer.
Traits: Lycan Transformation(Minor), Keen Senses(Minor), Adaptability(Minor), Information Analysis (Minor), Man-at-Arms(Class), Forge Your Own Path(Class), Fast Hands(Class), etc.
Skills: Pickpocket(active), Silent Steps(passive), Ambush(passive), Cutthroat(active)
Level: 4
HP: 156/156
MP: 130/130
Str: 12
Int: 10
Def: 11
Mag Def: 11
Const: 13
Dex: 8
Luck: 55/100
Phys Attack: 46 (36+10)
Mag Attack: 30 (30)
Phys Defense: 27 (22+5)
Mag Defense: 25 (22+3)
Movement Speed: 4m/s
Attack Speed: 1.2/s
Skill Points: 3
Looking over his stats, Kirou noticed a few fields had been added and filled out. He was sure that was in response to him unlocking new things since last time. After verifying the changes, Kirou sped up on his run to the village center.
After walking for a few more minutes, Kirou finally arrived in front of Old Wolf. He could see that Old Wolf was still sitting in his chair. As Kirou approached, Old Wolf rose from his seat and greeted Kirou.
"It seems that you have finished my errand, young one. How was it?"
"Hello senior. It wasn't easy but I did manage to finish them. I even managed to get help from an elf along the way." Kirou informed Old Wolf on how he ran into Reya and made a deal with her by exchanging their respective expertise.
Listening to Kirou words, Old Wolf couldn't help but show a thoughtful expression on his face. "It seems like you are the type of person who will work with others when you notice your lack of skill in certain areas. Very good. It seems these old eyes of mine truly weren't deceiving me." Old Wolf then clapped his hands.
Villagers to visit:
Blacksmith: 1/1 Grade- S
Tailor: 1/1 Grade- S
Butcher: 1/1 Grade- S
General Store Manager: 1/1 Grade- S
Pharmacist: 1/1 Grade- S
[You have received the following items:]
Skill Book (A-rank)
7 Skill Points
Master Grade Fishing Rod
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you better rewards when you've gone and done so well for me and the villagers, young one." Old Wolf released a sigh after saying this.
"It is fine, senior. It is I who went above board when helping out the villagers and they've already repaid me plenty by granting me access to different lifestyle classes. I couldn't ask for more from you when they have already been so generous." Kirou said this so that Old Wolf wouldn't feel down about the low amount of rewards he had given Kirou when he got such a grade.
"They did, did they?" mumbled Old Wolf under his breath as he was observing Kirou. He could see that all the villagers he helped out gave him something extra and this caused a light to go off in Old Wolf's eyes. "In that case, young one, how about I grant you one as well?"
"You can grant me another class, senior?" asked Kirou in slight bewilderment.
"Yes, young one. Only, this class requires you to have one of each of the three types of lifestyle classes. So far you have secured two of the required classes and the only thing left is for you to unlock the blacksmith class."
When Kirou heard this, he realized he might have triggered a special event. Based on Wang Xu's memories and the info Shang Yin had given him earlier that day, he knew that the only way one could gain a new class that requires him to have one or two before it is when it's an advanced class. Advanced classes themselves weren't rare in 'Immortal Era,' just that the unlock conditions were brutal. Kirou never thought he would have unlocked one so early when he had just started the game today.
"When you have received the class from Instructor Bladesmith or Blacksmith Zac, come back to me and I'll grant you this class." After saying this, Old Wolf tapped Kirou's shoulder before he went back to his seat, ignoring Kirou.
Quest: Crafting Master Advanced Class
Rank:?
Level:?
Details: Due to your unlocking multiple lifestyle classes, you have met the conditions to use the long-forgotten lifestyle class, 'Crafting Master.' So far you have met all but one condition. Complete the conditions and go see Village Head Old Wolf to unlock this advanced class.
Class Unlock Conditions:
Crafting Subclass: 0/1 (Blacksmith)
Harvester Subclass: 1/1 (Alchemist, Miner, Lumberjack)
Leisure Subclass: 1/1 (Cook, Fisherman, Farmer)
After reading the quest prompts, Kirou couldn't stop an eyebrow from rising as he only barely met the conditions to unlock this quest due to the provocations of those groups of people. It seems like he should do them a favor if he meets them later on. Well, that is what Kirou thought before he tossed that idea out the window. Kirou gave Old Wolf a wave before turning around and rushing towards the village armory where Instructor Bladesmith was currently waiting for him.