Chapter 11: Hanz Krow
The quest wasn't clear enough. There was no direction he could go. The only thing Liam knew was he need to meet the one who made the quest yet it was already hard.
Lack of information was truly scary. Since he started playing, he was thrown to an unknown world without any knowledge. He could only rely to his instincts as an experienced adventurer.
Luci was one of those NPC with an unknown background but overwhelming strength. Luci's quest might be easy at first but without careful observation and intuition, you might miss something.
Liam sighed and asked around. The difficulty of the quest itself was unknown. Based on the crumpled paper, the quest has been picked up several times but everyone failed every time.
This was the conclusion Liam had after gathering information for an hour. He didn't have a choice if he wanted to learn gathering.
Profession could only be learned through NPC who has knowledge about it.
"There is one more way to know the requestor."
Liam asked the NPC behind the table where they pass the failed and successful quest.
"May I ask if I could talk to the branch manager?"
"Hmm, is there a reason to meet the manager?"
"Yes, I was having an issue about the quest I accepted. So, I was wondering if the manager could assist me about it."
"I see. Please proceed to the third floor and looked for his room. Take this."
The NPC gave him a card that looked like a pass. So, he could really meet the manager through this quest.
Liam heave a sigh of relief. He didn't waste his time asking around. This clue lead him right through the right path. Liam thanked the NPC and went to the stairs.
It wasn't long before Liam arrived at 3rd floor. There was also a desk in the third floor for inquiries.
"Hello, I am here to meet the branch manager." Liam gave the card to the NPC behind the desk.
"Let me escort you."
The male NPC escorted Liam through the branch manager's room. The third floor unlike the 2nd floor was built solely for meeting room for those who wanted a peaceful and secretive meeting.
The male NPC knocked on the door and heard a 'come in'. He opened the door and left.
Liam went inside and saw how the place was full of stacks of papers. The room itself wasn't small but with the papers on the floor and on the table, it made the room small.
Liam saw a head between the stacks of paper. "What can I do for you?"
Liam cleared his throat. "I have a few questions about the quest I accepted. It was about gathering. There was no other information inside the quest."
"I see. So, you accepted his quest. Hmm, go to the Redroot Forest and look for the lake. You will see him there."
"Thank you."
Liam didn't see the manager's face but he could tell that it was a man. He excused himself and went to look for the Redroot Forest.
The forest was not far from the town. He was transported near the forest when he first arrived on the East continent.
The town's name was Oz Town. Oz Town was the territory of the Organia Queendom. The East Continent was divided into 3 Human Kingdoms. Zerian, Rotha, and Organia.
He only knew it after he asked the NPC at the 2nd floor about the Redroot Forest and the name of the town. But of course, virtual reality games weren't other games were their words were fixed how much you talk to them.
He only knew that he was near the border of Rotha and Organia. The only town of Organia Queendom that was near the Rotha Empire.
Liam went to the east side of the town where the Redroot Forest lies. Liam exited the eastern gate and saw a wide expanse of greenery. The road was still a dirt road but you could see that it was built for easier use.
There were some monsters on the plain but there were also players who hunted these monsters.
'They were beginner for sure' Liam thought.
Who would in their right mind hunt these silly monsters who wouldn't give big experiences. Liam started his journey before the sun set. It was almost night time so he could only hope that he could finish this quest before tomorrow morning.
Redroot Forest, like its name, was a forest with redroots. It was a kind of tree that was bathe with blood of its prey. Yes, the forest itself was alive so there were only a handful of beast roaming inside the forest. Only monsters such as goblins could live inside the forest without fear.
Liam walked straight since he arrived at the forest. He could almost feel the creepiness of the forest. Yet, he knew that the tree wouldn't attack him. Why? Because he never let his guard down.
He was in fact, observing every tree if there was any movement, but so far, there was none. Liam could faintly hear splashing of water. He knew that he was near the lake.
Liam arrived at the lake and saw a tent near it. He breathe a sigh of relief because this might be the one who passed the quest.
Liam saw a man fishing at the lake without any care of his surroundings. He knew that he shouldn't mess with this man. He could feel that one wrong move and he would be sent back to the town.
"Hello, I am here for the quest."
The man continued his fishing. Liam could only helplessly sigh and rest near the man. They waited until the man caught a fish.
"Finally!" The man cough embarrassed when he saw Liam staring at him. "Who were you again?"
"My name is Liam, I am here for the quest."
"I see. Gathering quest right? Do you know how to gather parts of animals without damaging the item?"
"No."
"Do you have any experience gathering any plants planted?"
"No."
"Then you come to the right person. I'll teach you."
"How about the quest?"
"Oh! Right. The quest… just forget about the quest. I'll teach you first then you'll do the quest."
"Yes sir! What's your name sir?"
"Hanz, Hanz Krow. Have you eaten?"
"No sir. But I'm not hungry."
"Good! Because I only have one fish." The man laugh at his own foolishness but Liam appreciated the thought.
Liam watched Hanz do his things and studied him. Why did he felt danger when he was fishing but when he caught a fish it disappeared like it was never there from the start.
He might really have found someone who could him not only in his profession. As far as Liam knew about the game, there were a lot of hidden master inside the game.
They could also help you change into 'hidden class' or 'unique class', if you were lucky. The difference between hidden class and unique class was hidden class would be still available after some players changed into it while the unique class was only available for the first person who qualified for it.
There were 5 awakenings or advancement in normal class. 1st awakening would be changing from squire to warrior, ranger, priest, mage, or thief.
There were currently 5 known hidden class namely, ninja, samurai, bard, dancer and druid.
It was still unknown how to change into those classes. The official website only released those classes that were available but the players have to find it on their own.
Liam felt that this could also be a hidden class quest especially with the unknown difficulty when it was only an F rank quest.
But little did Liam know that this quest really would change his life.