Silas kept walking until he left the forest's shelter and found himself on a country road flanked by green rice fields. His journey continued until he reached a [Pillar Stone], a granite obelisk standing twenty meters tall. As he approached, inscriptions on its smooth surface began to glow with a green light.
In the game, [Pillar Stones] were used to change a player's [Saving Point]. If a player died during an adventure, their body would revive at their last [Saving Point]. Besides that, these stones also healed players' health.
Silas stepped closer to the [Pillar Stone]. The pain from his wound and aching muscles slowly diminished. '[Pillar Stones] still serve their purpose,' he thought with relief. But he wasn't willing to test if dying would bring him back to his last [Saving Point]. The idea made him chuckle.
He nodded to the stone and stepped away, continuing his journey. But suddenly, a screen flashed before him.
[Would you like to leave Amura Village?]
[Yes] or [No]
[Note: Leaving Amura Village would automatically start the [Main Scenario Quests]. Once you leave the village, you will not be able to enter it until you reach Senior Wizard.]
Silas looked back once again. [Senior Wizard] was a difficult rank to reach, but it was as if he had a choice in the first place. He selected [Yes], and the barrier and the screen blocking his way shattered into small pieces. Ping! A new quest appeared before him.
[Main Scenario Quests: Sinners of the Past]
[Description: Trouble is brewing at Gram Village. People who entered the forest are lost, but one managed to escape his certain death. However, what he saw left him traumatized.]
[Quest is automatically accepted.]
[Quest I: To Gain Trust is To Gain a Map]
[Description: Disguise yourself as a lone traveler in order to hear about the situation in Gram Village.]
[Collect 0/20 [Pelt] and 0/15 [Wolf Tooth] and deliver them to Merchant Ruma in Misfa Village. Ask Ruma about what happened in Gram Village.]
[Rewards: 50 Destiny Exp, 1,000 Shields & Map x1]
"Sinners of the Past?" Silas muttered as he read the quest description on the floating boxes. He closed them with a sigh; this [Main Scenario Quest] seemed troublesome. He had planned to take the fastest route to Maglem, but a quest like this could only indicate that his destination was locked. Therefore, he had no choice but to finish quests along the way to unlock new locations.
[Pelt] and [Wolf Tooth] were [Ordinary] materials dropped by [Forest Wolves]. These monsters were easy to hunt since they didn't deal much damage. The trouble was their skill, [Howl], which could alert other wolves. Facing five to ten wolves simultaneously would be problematic for a [Novice Wizard] like him, so he needed to end each wolf quickly.
He spotted his first [Forest Wolf] resting in the shade. Silas approached slowly, but the wolf sensed him, its ears perking up before it bared its teeth. Silas cast [Magic Pierce], the spell striking the wolf's stomach and making it more agitated. The monster cried out, trying to stand, but Silas moved swiftly. He cast [Flickering Fire], further weakening the creature. He ended its life with another [Magic Pierce]. The [Forest Wolf]'s body turned transparent blue before fading like smoke.
[You have acquired Pelt x1]
A [Forest Wolf] tried sneaking up on him. Silas continued the quest, killing wolf after wolf. The most challenging encounter was when one wolf managed to use [Howl], summoning five nearby wolves. He had to run around the field, using his skills to survive. An [AOE Skill] would have made it easier, but he had to make do with what he had.
When his [Energy] depleted, Silas summoned the [Angel Blade]. But as soon as he grasped the weapon, it slipped from his hand.
[Your current class can't use this equipment. Please use a weapon suitable for your class.]
He clicked his tongue in frustration. He had hoped to break the system by wielding a blade as a mage. He drank a [Small Energy Potion] and resumed casting spells.
Silas utilized his new skill, [Water Dart]. Three sharp blades shot out from his hand, tearing through the flesh of the [Forest Wolves]. One wolf turned and dashed toward him. With a flick of his hand, he cast another skill.
"This looks rather tiresome," he muttered to himself.
By the time he collected all the [Quest Materials], the sun was setting. Silas decided to shelter by the giant stone. He built a fire using [Flickering Fire].
His second night in the wilderness was much harder than the first. He kept waking up, feeling watched by something his fire couldn't reach. Maybe it was true, he thought with a bitter laugh. The [Forest Wolves] might bear him harm for what he did to them.
When morning came, Silas extinguished the fire and set off to complete the quest. Without a map, locating Misfa Village was difficult. He just hoped that this dusty road would lead him there. Soon, he saw signs of human settlement—large windmills harnessing the strong winds, a stone bridge, and a watermill's creaking noise. Silas went to the river and washed his face, trying to look presentable.
The floating box appeared as he reached a small [Pillar Stone] at the village entrance.
[Welcome to Misfa Village]
Misfa was larger than Amura Village, with proper stone roads wide enough for wagons and a canal system on the side of the road. Most houses were made of granite with roofs of dry hay. The village teemed with people, mostly couples heading to the market. Following the crowd, Silas found himself in a noisy street filled with vendors selling fruits, fish, and meat.
Silas looked around until he found what he was searching for. Merchant Ruma owned a small store that stood between two clothing shops; one for men and the other for women. He knocked on the wooden door and pushed it open, causing the wind chime to ring.
A young man in a dark blue shirt looked up from his glasses. "Welcome, dear customer!" he greeted.
Silas smiled and greeted the merchant, placing the pelts and wolf teeth on the counter.
[Quest Complete!]
[You have been rewarded: 50 Destiny Exp, 1000 Shields, Map x1]
"I'll buy the pelts for 50 Shields each and 20 Shields for every tooth," the merchant stated, eyeing Silas curiously. "It's the first time I've seen you around here. Are you from Aruma?"
"Yes, I'm filling in for the usual delivery person who got injured while working in the fields, including the tasks in Gram Town."
At the mention of Gram, Ruma's hands paused from counting Wolf Tooth. He glanced up at Silas before returning to his task, his expression troubled.
"You seem concerned," Silas remarked.
The young merchant sighed. "I've been hearing unsettling rumors. A farmer from Gram visited me last week, claiming that people there were disappearing without a trace. One man managed to escape the forest but refused to share what he witnessed."
Silas listened intently as Ruma continued. "This man I met told me he was looking for a Red Valera. Someone told him it had abilities in recovering someone's lost memories. I acquired some two days ago, but finding a willing courier has been difficult. The roads are rumored to be dangerous, with talk of entire caravans being attacked."
Silas glanced out the window, noting the early morning sun. He felt weary from his journey and the restless night before. If Ruma accepted his offer, he planned to set out the next day.
"I'll do it," Silas declared, meeting Ruma's gaze. "I'll deliver the Red Valera to your customer in Gram."
Ruma's eyes betrayed a hint of relief. He quickly masked it with concern. "Are you certain? The road is perilous, especially after news of caravans being attacked."
"I have no choice but to go to Gram anyway. I'll make the most of the trip."
Ruma nodded, his expression softening. "Wise decision. Saving at a young age will serve you well in the future."
[Quest Accepted]
[Quest II: Hidden Memories in Silence]
[Description: Find Roland and deliver the vial of Red Valera]
[Find Roland 0/1]
[Rewards: 50 Destiny Exp, 1,000 Shields & Bread x5]
"I suggest you set out tomorrow," Ruma advised. "My friend, Sam, will be heading to Gram Village tomorrow with other merchants. I can arrange for your passage on his wagon."
Silas nodded gratefully. "Thank you, that would be a great help."
The merchant smiled and pushed another pouch of Shields toward him. "Roland will pay you more once you deliver the vial to him."
[You received: 100 Shields]
Silas left the store. Outside, the street was full of people. He looked around and saw vendors selling grilled food with thick sauces. Silas made his way out of the crowd, trying to find the Cervant Inn that the merchant had recommended to him. But along the way, a series of shouts attracted his attention. And there, across the road, he saw a group of Lightservants.