Chapter 14: Old Man Reggie
Nathan and Emily stood at the Guild Center, taking in the bustling atmosphere around them. People huddled in small groups, discussing quests and challenges, while others browsed the various modules and goods on display. Old Man Reggie sat behind a large counter, smiling at them as they approached.
"Reggie," Emily began, her brow furrowed with curiosity. "Are you sure you haven't heard of anyone else having a shared system interface like Nathan and I? Something like ours?"
Reggie tapped his chin thoughtfully, his eyes twinkling. "Hmm... can't say that I have, lass. But it's always possible. These systems are mysterious, after all. However, if anyone might have information about such a thing, it'd be the Library at the Ancient Order of Scholars. They've got records that go back far beyond even this realm."
Nathan leaned in, recalling their previous visit. "We were there before we got caught up with the Order of the Skeptics. But how do we get back there?"
Reggie grinned, clearly pleased by the question. "Simple, lad. You can use the worldmap feature in your system."
Emily looked at Nathan, puzzled. "Worldmap feature? We don't have that in our system."
Reggie's eyes twinkled again. "Ah, that's because it's a module you need to purchase. But don't worry, there's always a way. You'll need to earn some system points from quests before you can buy the worldmap module."
Emily's face lit up with understanding. "So, we need to take on more quests to earn those points?"
"Exactly," Reggie replied. "The more quests you complete, the more points you earn. And it just so happens, there's a challenge up on the bulletin board that might interest you." He pointed to a nearby noticeboard filled with various quests.
Nathan and Emily walked over and read the challenge: "Find out the secrets of Hilbert's Hotel. 20 system points rewarded upon completion."
"Sounds interesting," Nathan said, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "What's Hilbert's Hotel?"
Reggie chuckled. "Ah, that's a concept from mathematics. It's a mind-bending riddle about infinity and the nature of space. But if you can figure it out, the points are yours."
Emily glanced at Nathan. "We could definitely use those points to buy the worldmap module. And maybe the tutorial module, too."
Nathan nodded, eyes scanning the bulletin board. Sure enough, a few modules were listed for sale: the Tutorial Module, the Worldmap Module, and a few others. But one in particular caught his attention: the Battle System Module. It was listed at a staggering 100 system points, far beyond what they had, but it sparked his curiosity.
"That one's a lot, but... imagine what we could do with it," Nathan murmured, picturing himself and Emily enhancing their combat skills.
Reggie, overhearing, smiled knowingly. "It's a powerful module, that one. It'll give you a whole new way of fighting, but you'll need to be strategic with your points."
"Right," Nathan replied, still mulling it over. "First things first. We'll go for the Hilbert challenge."
As they turned away from the noticeboard, Emily's eyes caught a glimmer of something across the room. A display of weapons and armor gleamed under the soft light. She walked over, her eyes wide as she took in the assortment.
"Look at these!" she said excitedly, running her fingers over a beautifully crafted helmet. "This one's made from Beast Crystal. See how it's infused into the metal? It enhances protection against magical energy."
Nathan stepped beside her, admiring the gear. "And look at this sword," he said, pointing to a weapon with a jagged edge. "It's got Beast Crystals embedded in the blade. I bet it does extra damage."
Emily nodded, her hand brushing over a set of gauntlets lined with small, glowing crystals. "These would boost strength and speed," she said, fascinated. "I wonder if we could get some gear like this eventually."
Reggie, overhearing their conversation, walked over with a knowing smile. "Beast Crystals are a great way to enhance your gear. Some people infuse them into their weapons, armor, or even accessories. It's not just about fighting—these crystals can boost your stats in a variety of ways, depending on what you choose."
Nathan ran his hand over a shimmering crystal pendant on display. "This one would likely improve resilience. It's incredible how much these can amplify the power of the user."
Reggie continued, "Exactly. And don't forget, you can create whole sets of Beast Gear from Beast Crystals, tailoring it to your needs. But of course, those crystals come at a price. They're rare, and using them requires both knowledge and skill."
"One day, we'll have our own sets," Nathan said, his eyes lighting up with determination. "For now, we've got a quest to focus on."
With their goals set, Nathan and Emily headed out of the Guild, ready to take on the Hilbert challenge. They could already feel the weight of the quest ahead, but they were more determined than ever to unlock the secrets of Hilbert's Hotel—and earn the system points they so desperately needed.