When I learned that to complete my Quest I would need to travel to another Map, I looked through the data to search for the best possible outcomes and how I should proceed.
The best possible scenario would be if I were sent to the Spirit Plains. Like the name suggests, that Map is inhabited by Spirits of all elements.
Although they are monsters, they are much more approachable than most elemental creatures. Thanks to that it would be easier to make a contract with a Spirit. Also, Spirits were one of the few types of monsters capable of using spells and scribing them, so getting a spell or two wouldn't be a problem.
The second best outcome would be the Evergreen Forest, a Level 50 Map.
I know, I know, a Level 0 Player going to a Level 50 Map is suicide, but I had a really good reason for that. Despite the many vicious and dangerous monsters that it housed, the Evergreen Forest was also home to the Golden Beetle.
The Golden Beetle, despite the name, was as big as an Elephant and as docile as one too. He would only attack if threatened, so it would be easy to make a contract with him, this way, not only would I have a Level 50 summon, but also, due to its immense body size, he could be used as a mount!
Now, imagine a Level 0 Player with a Level 50 mount. Wouldn't that be amazing?!
Besides, the Evergreen Forest was also the home to another incredible monster, the Plunder Beetle.
With metallic claw-like stags in his head and a body the size of a common dog, the Plunder Beetle was capable of stealing a random item from Players, monsters and Bosses without any severe drawback.
If I could make a contract with one of those I wouldn't need to battle mobs anymore to get the loot.
But, as the saying goes, man plans and heavens ordains. In the end, I got neither of the two options, and worse, the Map I got was the one I didn't want to go no matter what.
The Volcanic Steppe.
Like the name suggest, that area is filled with volcanic activity, and is infested with fire-type monsters.
One would need to know that fire-type monsters were some of the most aggressive type of monsters to deal with, especially if they were level 80 elites.
Yeah, you heard it right. The Volcanic Steppe was a Level 80 Map, filled with monsters like Fire Snakes, Lava Golems, Blazing Scorpions and Hell Hounds.
But that wasn't the reason why I wanted to avoid that Map. No, if it were only those types of monsters I wouldn't mind going there, after all, imagine what I could do with a Level 80 Lava Golem. I would be able to sweep through the lower level dungeons and hoard all the first clears alongside with all the loot.
The reason why I didn't want to go there was because the Volcano in the middle of the steppe was the hidden lair of the most powerful Boss in the entire game.
The Dragon of Calamity, Boromir.
Throughout the entire game, all the high-ranked NPCs, including Gods and Demon Lords revered and feared Boromir. He was the symbol of destruction, the End of all history, and above all, a f**king Level 400 Legendary Boss!
I don't know what the programmers were thinking when they hid the most powerful Boss in the entire game on a Level 80 grinding zone, but there was no way I would set foot in there. Or, at least, that is what I would like to say.
Due to the specific of the Quest, if I didn't go to that Map or failed to make at least one card, I would fail the entire quest, and would be barred from trying it, forever. Even if I erased my account and tried again, the System would know by my brainwaves that I was the same person and would stop me.
So, when the old gipsy told me that it was too dangerous and I should not go, I only gave her a bitter smile and said that the cards would never lie, and so, I should go there.
I don't know if she understood it as bravery, stupidity or blind faith, but she nodded and continued with the script.
"If you are set to go even despite the danger, then there is nothing I can do other than help you," she stood up and started to search for something before handing a shabby looking scroll.
If an ordinary Player were to be in my place they would definitely scoff this scroll as being useless, but for an expert gamer, or someone who knew about the lore, they would be able to see that this scroll was an important tool.
A Teleportation Scroll.
This thing would help me arrive at the Volcanic Steppe in no time; the only problem being that I didn't know in which part of the map I would end up in.
"This scroll will take you to where you desire to go, but beware, this is a only way trip, it cannot bring you back young adventurer."
After taking the scroll she motioned towards the 3 blank cards. "Take those with you, when the time is ripe you will know what to do with them."
Pausing, she looked at me with a longing gaze and made a request with a sad voice, "I only ask one thing, oh brave adventurer; if you are capable of filling one of these cards then, please, come back and show it to this decrepit old lady. It's my life's dream to be able to see the birth of a new card, but I am afraid I won't live much longer. Would you accept this request of mine young adventurer?"
Ding!
Hidden Quest: [Card's Birth]
Difficulty: Unknown
The old Fortune Teller has dreamt since a young age of witnessing the birth of a new card. Present a newly made card to her before she dies.
Number of cards made (0/1)
Once I confirmed the Quest I stood up, taking the three cards in hand. They disappeared in thin air, but I didn't give it much attention since that was expected.
After a short bow towards the woman I took the scroll in hands and ripped it.
A veil of light engulfed me and in the next moment I found myself standing in the middle of a giant tunnel like cave, stalactites protrude from the ceiling like sharp teeth inside a beast's mouth.
Ding!
< You are the first Player to discover the "Volcanic Steppe"! >
< World Reputation increased by 50 points >
< You are the first Player to step inside the "Torkunta Mountain"! >
< World Reputation increased by 10 points! >
'F*ck!' I inwardly cursed after seeing where I was. That damned scroll had sent me to deep inside the volcano!
I tugged at my shirt's collar, vapor coming out of it as I started to sweat like mad. The temperature from inside a volcano was no joke.
If it weren't for a certain something I would have started to receive overheat Damage the moment I transported here, and would be dead in just a few seconds.
It turns out that the starting gear has a hidden effect. As long as a Level 0 Player is wearing it, any weather related Damage is negated. In other words, damage dealt by extreme cold or extreme heat is useless!
Of course, such a thing lose its effect once a Player reaches Level 1, but by then they will have already thrown their starting gear away in exchange for a better one.
Grumbling, I started my journey inside the cavern, being wary of any possible threat, or chance, that could come towards me.
*
*
*
At some place, a weird figure was looking through a crystal ball.
On said crystal were images of all the Players that had entered the game alongside with Mack, some were going through their tests in the Adventurer's Guild while others were sight-seeing, taking in all the beauty, or simplicity, from the new world they were in.
The figure showed a wicked smile, displaying a mouth filled with pearl white teeth.
"It has begun"