Sogen pondered silently.
If I'm correct, there is no such thing as a hidden quest. The System simply rewards me according to my actions.
He gently stopped Karl from bowing at his feet. Airo quickly explained everything that had happened in the market. After hearing the full story, Karl stepped forward and grasped Sogen's hands.
"Sir Sogen, I am Karl. This is my son Adel, and my daughter Airo, whom you already know. I can never repay the favor you've done for us. I have nothing to offer except these trees."
Sogen shook his head. "Mister Karl, tell me—what is this tree called? And how many people in town have them?"
Karl replied, "We call it the Vola Tree. No one else in town owns it. We used to sell the fruits along with others, but after I fell ill, we couldn't afford to care for the plants. Years ago, my father bought these seeds from a wandering merchant out of curiosity. He planted them beside other crops… but he passed away before he could see them grow."
His voice trembled with regret.
Sogen felt a quiet sympathy.
"Mister Karl, I plan to start a business, and I need the fruits from your trees. I also need a trustworthy partner."
He examined the trees while activating Innate Talent: Plant Encyclopedia. Instantly he understood why most fruits were rotting—poor soil balance and improper fermentation of fallen pods.
Sogen took out five gold coins and placed them in Karl's hands.
"Don't refuse. Use this for your family. I need to prepare some things. I'll return the day after tomorrow."
Karl accepted with moist eyes. "Thank you, Sir Sogen. I will remember this kindness."
As Sogen turned to leave, a small hand clutched his sleeve.
Adel looked up at him fearfully. "Brother… will you protect us if those bad people come again?"
Sogen knelt and patted his head.
"Yes. But don't worry. Those people will never come to this town again."
Outside the house, Sogen vanished before Airo could escort him.
He stopped near a deserted alley and equipped the Stealth Suit and Hidden Face Mask, then purchased a sturdy sword from the system shop.
"Now I'm ready. Quest rewards… here I come."
After some time, he reached Rumber Alley.
Contrary to his imagination, the so-called "base" was not a dirty hideout—it was a lavish mansion.
Several guards stood at the entrance.
Under the stealth suit, Sogen walked past them like a passing breeze. He seized one guard's neck and twisted.
Crack.
The body collapsed silently.
The others noticed too late and rushed forward—but before they could shout, a thin black chain flashed through the air.
Dark Shadow Blade.
Heads were pierced one after another. None even saw the weapon.
Sogen stepped inside.
More members of the Dima Loan Sharks were scattered across the courtyard. He moved like a phantom, ending lives with swift precision. Blood stained the marble floor.
At last he reached an inner gate.
Six middle-aged men stood there—each radiating the aura of Earth Realm, Third Stage, Peak.
Sogen drew his sword.
Heavenly Mirage Footwork.
"Solar Sword—Sixth Form: Dancing Steps of the Sun."
Blazing arcs erupted.
The six men were thrown backward like broken dolls, smashing into the gate. Wood exploded, and their bodies slid across the floor—landing at someone's feet inside the hall.
Inside the Hall
A man sat on a couch—naked, with a half-clothed girl in his arms.
When he saw the corpses and the masked youth, his face darkened. He hurriedly dressed while the girl fled screaming.
The man kicked one of the bodies in rage.
"Worthless trash! You couldn't even stop a single intruder!"
Then he noticed something.
None of them were breathing.
His pupils shrank.
"Everyone—come out!"
Four doors opened within the hall. From each chamber emerged figures with dense killing intent.
All of them—Earth Realm, Fourth Stage, Peak.
Glenn, the leader of the Dima Loan Sharks, slowly turned his gaze toward Sogen.
"So… you are the one courting death?"
Sogen twirled the sword lightly.
"Not at all," he replied. "I came to collect a debt."
"You seem to be the leader here," Sogen said, tilting his head. "Glenn, was it? Do you only know how to hide behind your dogs? I may have overestimated you. Turns out—you're just a coward."
Glenn's face twisted with fury.
He jabbed a finger toward one of his men. "You—go finish him!"
The chosen man lunged forward, spiritual energy gathering around his fists. The moment he entered a meter's distance, Sogen raised his sword.
In a single breath—
Sogen vanished.
The next instant, he stood behind the attacker. His blade had already pierced through the man's heart.
The corpse collapsed before anyone could react.
Silence filled the hall.
Glenn's expression finally changed to fear.
"Everyone—prepare the secret technique!"
The remaining cultivators nodded and began forming complex hand seals. Glenn joined them, pouring his qi into the formation.
A massive sphere of destructive energy condensed above his head.
Glenn laughed shakily. "Boy, you'll die here! Destruction Drill!"
The blazing sphere roared toward Sogen.
Sogen's eyes narrowed.
Solar Sword—Eighth Form: Blazing Fire of the Azure Sun.
Crimson-gold sword light clashed with the spiraling drill of destruction.
The explosion swallowed everything.
Thick smoke filled the hall; visibility vanished.
When the dust finally settled, three Earth Realm Fourth Stage Peak cultivators were on their knees, utterly drained. Glenn himself swayed, barely able to stand.
He exhaled in relief.
"At least the boy is dead. To kill a Fourth Stage Peak in one strike… he was no ordinary opponent. Those techniques were monstrous."
From the fading smoke—
A silhouette emerged.
Sogen stepped forward, clothes torn and covered in shallow wounds—but his eyes remained cold and clear.
Glenn's pupils shrank.
Before he could shout—
Three streaks of darkness flashed.
Dark Shadow Blade.
The heads of the remaining cultivators were pierced simultaneously. Their bodies collapsed with heavy thuds.
Only Glenn remained.
His legs gave out.
He dropped to his knees.
"Brother—no! Please spare me! I'll give you money, treasures, women—anything! I've never offended you!"
Sogen appeared before him like a phantom.
Two flashes.
Glenn's hands fell to the floor.
A scream tore from his throat.
Sogen looked down at him without emotion.
"Many people begged you the same way. Did you ever forgive them?"
He sat on the couch and watched calmly as Glenn writhed in agony. Blood pooled beneath the man who once ruled this town through fear.
Soon the screams faded.
Glenn's body went still.
Dead.
Sogen searched the corpse and retrieved a jade slip.
"Hmm… White Grade Low Level Technique—Destruction Drill. Should fetch a decent price."
He stored everything in his inventory.
Yet—
No system notification appeared.
Frowning, Sogen drew his sword and beheaded the corpse to be certain.
Still nothing.
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed.
A man burst inside.
"Boss! I was in the washroom and—"
His words died.
On the couch sat a masked youth. On the floor lay Glenn's headless body.
It was the same thug who had snatched gold from Sogen that morning.
His knees began to tremble.
"W-who are you?"
Sogen laughed softly.
"Who am I?"
A blade pierced the man's skull before he could blink.
"You don't have the right to know."
Ding!
Quest Completed.
Rewards: 50,000 System Coins.