For the first time in a while, thoughts of my parents crossed my mind, leaving me a bit wistful.
But filial piety was one thing, and quests were another. There were still six relics left to find.
"Wait here."
I'd searched everywhere else thoroughly, so the remaining six had to be in this space.
I scoured the cave, centering on the spot where the child had been hanging. In the process, I found bones hidden between the roots.
"M-Mommy...."
The child recognized her mother's relic and cried at one point, but there was nothing I could do. The best I could manage was to properly recover the body.
Anyway, thirteen relics in total. All found. The lack of object markers nearly made my eyes pop out searching for them.
Those deep pearl bastards. I admit the game is well-made, but didn't they skimp too much on user convenience? Not that I mind.
"Kid."
"Mommy... Hic, sob."
The child showed no sign of moving on her own, so I just picked her up in one hand and left the cave. A body that could swing a two-handed sword with ease handled one kid without issue.
「Purification│Once a demon takes hold, a demon-corrupted space must undergo purification.
Demon-corrupted spaces can be purified with the holy power of a sacred god or pure flames. Available purification methods vary by class.
Demons will reappear in unpurified spaces.
Ensure no demons emerge from this land again.」
It separately mentioned the need for purification, so I pulled an oil can from my bag and splashed oil everywhere.
This was part of the original system, and the oil can came as a starter item, making it easy to do.
Just as I was about to toss a lit torch onto the oil, a sudden thought hit me about the dead-end paths at the forks.
...Come to think of it, burning those would probably get me to 100%, right?
「Purification Progress 1%」
「Purification Progress 4%」
「Purification Progress 7%」
Hitting 100% purification progress wasn't a quest completion requirement, so it probably didn't matter much. Still, it felt off, so maybe on the way out.
With that in mind, I watched the slowly rising purification progress and headed outside for now. Burning the cave implemented oxygen depletion so realistically that my breathing was getting labored.
It would have been fine if it just felt a bit suffocating, but the lungs constricting and heart pounding up to my throat was too detailed.
Even with low pain settings, it felt oppressively unpleasant.
This could be controversial for some people, trauma or whatever. Is this okay?
Covering my mouth with a gauntlet, I coughed lightly and quickened my pace. Even if I was fine, the kid might not be, so I had to hurry.
*Cough, cough*
"...Tch."
Hearing the child's cough, I broke into a run. Fortunately, my legs outpaced the smoke.
"You okay?"
"...Yeah."
We escaped the suffocating space in under three minutes. Not out of the sewers yet, just a section the smoke hadn't reached.
After that, it was easy. Having learned that lighting fires triggered collapses, I skipped further purification attempts, and the path was one I'd already traveled, so no trouble finding it.
Good thing my memory for paths was sharp. I hadn't noticed while dealing with goblins, but the tunnels twisted unusually.
Felt like a subjective thirty minutes just to get out.
*Clang!*
Finally finding the exit, I kicked open the iron grate door and exhaled. It smelled musty, but fresher than the sewer air inside.
The setting sun stabbed at my eyes.
So, roughly two or three hours? I didn't remember the entry time exactly, but it was daytime, and a game day was eight hours.
Well, pathfinding and demon-slaying took time. Considering the sewer area I explored, it was surprisingly short. Felt like four or five hours to me.
Would've been nice if they'd provided a clock function. That's a miss.
"Kid."
"...?"
Anyway, I checked the child in my hand. Her grubby face peered out blankly from the mess.
Tears still welled in her eyes, but alive was good enough.
I climbed the riverbank and slowly retraced my steps. Time to head to the guild and report.
"Knight, sir."
Then, briefly. The child, catching her breath, sniffled and called to me.
"Mommy's happy with God now, right?"
It was a question with an obvious answer.
"Yeah."
We reached the Adventurer's Guild.
* * *
"Ah, Adventurer? What's up... That child?"
Evening made the guild noisier than before. Mostly from tavern patrons, so the counter was quiet.
Made finding Clerk Izren easy. Reporting to her and handing off the kid were just as simple.
"Take her."
I shoved the child toward her as she came around the counter.
With strength to wield a two-hander, I figured a normal person might struggle, but the clerk took her effortlessly.
Impressive. Even real-world me might've staggered with that kid.
"This child..."
"Laborer's kid. Went into the sewers looking for her parents. Details from her."
Not great for the kid, but I hadn't heard the full story myself. Roughly summarized.
"What?!"
Predictably, the clerk gasped and looked at the child. She clutched the mother's relic I'd given her, lips sealed tight.
"A-anyway, got it. We'll take care of the child."
「❖ The Thing Polluting the Sewers
∎ Demons Removed 71 / ??
∎ Bonus: Relics Found 13 / 13
∎ Bonus: Fallen Adventurer Traces Recovered 10 / ??
∎ Choice: Rescue Child」
Her words cleared one quest. The rest would probably clear on report.
"Where to put the recovered relics?"
"Ah, you brought relics too? Just set them here for now."
She handed the child to a colleague and guided me to the counter. Pointing to a desk—not too big, not too small—like a bank teller.
*Rustle*
No holding back, I dumped the relics. Laborer ones were jewelry or clothes; adventurer traces were all guild badges—no mix-ups.
"Y-you brought a lot."
Obviously. How could I ignore a submission in that mess? Though I probably came off like a trash heap who'd ignore others' plights.
I frowned down at the clerk. She swallowed hard and quickly checked the relics.
"By any chance... are these from all thirteen dead laborers?"
"Then what else would they look like?"
Snapped irritably despite myself; she flinched.
"N-no. We'll deliver these to the clients and confirm identities. And these adventurer badges..."
Her words halted. She sifted through the bloodied, gray badges.
"...On behalf of the guild, thank you."
Her slightly choked voice felt too human, weirding me out. I'd wanted realistic NPCs, but having one felt... uncomfortable?
This might birth Skynet for real. Fun though, so I'd keep going!
"Hunting done for today?"
"...?"
What? Players don't stop hunting.
"Ah... Going back to the sewers? But maybe rest a bit..."
"Can't comprehend. Why would I return to the sewers?"
Hm. The purification maybe? But doing it myself was iffy.
"Do I have to purify too?"
"You'll... hunt the demons...? Yes? Purification?"
I frowned, recalling the 43% purification progress.
A purification stone would've been fine, but demon knights only purify with fire. Risk of suffocating to death. Avoidable.
"J-just to confirm... you've eliminated all the demons?"
Odd question. My eyes narrowed.
"Then why do you think I'm standing here?"
"To... return the child?"
If I'd found her midway, maybe, but... wait, you think I quit halfway after finding her?
Programmed to react like this for fast clears? Though mine didn't feel fast.
"...Deeply displeasing. Ignoring me?"
Face twisted; she shook her head desperately.
"No, not ignoring. Apologies, Adventurer. So, all demons cleared except purification?"
"Yes."
"...Then I'll contact the client immediately."
Good, no need to fully purify myself. Would've sucked if it was a condition. Lucky.
「❖ The Thing Polluting the Sewers
∎ Talk to Client」
Quest updated, confirming. Sewer quest done.
* * *
「Adventurer's Guild│The Adventurer's Guild handles quest acceptance, reporting, rewards, and more.
The guild tavern offers cheap food and drink, though not the tastiest. Luck might yield useful info.」
While waiting for the client, I explored guild systems and scarfed dinner.
The client's messenger arrived right as I finished eating.
"Here's the quest pay. And... we'll cover the brokerage fee."
Called by a high-up from the trading company, so I went. They covered the fee too.
Even if I hadn't come, recovering all laborer relics probably helped. NPCs don't mind bossing players anyway; only I hated being summoned.
"Okay with that, Clerk?"
"We can provide that much convenience."
"Here then. The promised 400,000 gal."
This amount—confirmed on contract, but real? Shocked at the unit then; knowing prices now, unbelievable.
Not normal tutorial pay.
"Confirmed."
I stashed the gold, admiring the rising balance, barely suppressing my racing heart. Had to.
Most games, even original 'Hero Legend,' gave tens to hundreds on quests. Sometimes cheap gear or consumables instead.
Foraging while walking or mob drops outearned quests.
But remake changed it. Made money quest-only, ditching mob loot? Else no way 100k+ payouts.
"Spoils from demons..."
No. Missed it earlier amid combat checks, but life skills had 'Butchery.'
Skill for loot from beast/demon corpses. Taking it might let hunting earn cash sans quests.
Doubt it'd match this, though.
"Not interested."
No regrets on Close Combat. Concept-wise, unlikely goblin loot anyway.
Close Combat and later Repel proved useful. Would've picked them first even knowing Butchery.
"Chump change from vermin."
Maintaining form, I refused extras. Bit wasteful, but concept play demands sacrifice.
No regrets in my tone, I swear.
"Work done?"
Legs crossed, arms folded, head slightly bowed. The cool-guy pose. Middle-aged NPC eyed me, mumbling "Yes."
*Ta-da!*
Quest clear BGM jingled in my ears.
"No reason to stay."
Damn, nearly broke character. Why so loud? Might nerf it later.
"I'm off."
Patting my pounding heart, I stood. Didn't bother fixing the pushed-back chair.
"Then I'll head out too."
Clerk prepared to follow.
*Thud thud thud*
Urgent footsteps echoed from the hall right then. Tension seeped through the walls.
"What?"
I opened the door and stepped aside. Someone burst in like a "crashing" descriptor fit. Clerk startled back.
"S-Sir!"
"Colt with fire up your ass? What?!"
Old man's speech. I suppressed a fond chuckle, observing. Bit murky, but main quest vibes.
Even sans original memories, years of gaming smelled quest.
"Rescue request! Signal flare nearby! Ours from the company!"
"What!?"
Called it.
"Notified castle guards, but they're slow—too sluggish!"
"Those bastards eat that pay and slack!"
Old man bellowed, veins bulging. Looked good for 200 years.
"Send our guys now!"
Then, our eyes met.
"You! You go too!"
"...Don't order me."
This prickly type wouldn't take unilateral commands well. No demon mention; attackers unknown.
Prioritizing pride, I scowled.
"That a no?"
"No reason to obey you."
"Argh, so you'll refuse!?"
Full refusal felt off though. No loss trying.
I glanced at the clerk. She looked back.
"Given the urgency, contract can wait."
"...Pay properly."
"We'll pay handsomely!"
"Contract made. Lead on."
Time to rescue. But where? Need location to kill 'em.
「❖ People in Danger
∎ Choice: Join Mercenaries
∎ Move to Combat Site
∎ Raiders Eliminated 0 / ??
∎ Bonus: Survivors ?? / ??」
Quest window helped, even sans contract. Nice.
Checked updated quest for location. No minimap, but full map made it easy.
Full map always open is cumbersome, though.
"Get him a horse now!"
"Y-yes!"
Messenger as guide. Lucky.
"With the mercenaries—"
"No need."
Tutorial; no need for mercs. Too annoying.
「❖ People in Danger
∎ Choice: Join Mercenaries
∎ Move to Combat Site
∎ Raiders Eliminated 0 / ??
∎ Bonus: Survivors ?? / ??」
That bonus survivor count bugged me.
No numbers, but instinct screamed time attack. No merc mandate? Go solo first.
"B-but it'll be dangerous."
"...Questioning my danger now?"
Early quest; danger? Worry for NPCs. Travel time tight; go now.
"Just let him go!"
Old man interjected.
"He swept the sewers solo; won't die going first!"
"Y-yes!"
Unexpected aid. Messenger led straight to stables.
"Ride this!"
Horse looked big, sturdy. Common game mount; no fear, hopped on.
I'd played horse sims. Riding felt real there.
Numb to it now.
"Giddyup!"
Stick-like hooves churned mud, galloping off.