131-) Converging Paths (Vol 2 – Epilogue)
“The view is quite impressive from up here. Don’t you think so, girls?” I asked, pausing at the ridge to look out over the sprawling landscape before us.
“Whoa, it’s beautiful!” Woya exclaimed, her eyes wide as she took in the horizon.
“Thank you for allowing us to accompany you to see such a magnificent sight, master,” Wyn added, her voice filled with quiet appreciation.
We were currently standing at a high-altitude crossroads that branched toward two distinct towns located on the western outskirts of Yargan. The climb had been somewhat steep, but the reward was a panoramic vista that allowed us to see both settlements nestled in the valleys below, looking like small clusters of toys against the vast greenery.
I had traveled this far specifically to source rare herbs and seasonal fruits that were unique to this mountain region. Several of the alchemists I’m currently networking with had requested these specific ingredients for their more complex concoctions, and I decided to handle the acquisition personally as soon as I found a gap in my schedule. Bringing Woya and Wyn along turned the errand into something that felt strangely like a date. The scenery was far too picturesque to enjoy in solitude, and seeing their excitement only validated my choice to bring them.
I decided to head toward the southwest town first. Although it looked as though we could almost reach out and touch it from our vantage point, the actual walking distance was significant. Since I wanted to conclude our business and return to the city within the day, I didn't want to waste hours on the road. Once the girls had finished savoring the view, I activated my Warp spell, instantly transporting us to the town gates. We spent the next few hours touring the local markets, where I purchased the necessary goods. I deliberately took a circuitous route through the streets, extending our walk so that the girls could see more of the local architecture and culture.
By the time I had secured enough of the alchemical supplies, the sun had reached its zenith. I decided it was time for lunch before we moved on to the second town. We found a tavern famous for its specialty: goose cooked with apples. I brought the girls there, eager to introduce them to flavors they hadn't yet experienced.
While we moved through the town, however, I noticed an undercurrent of tension. The residents were moving with more haste than usual, and their whispers were hurried. It was clear that some unusual event had disrupted the town's peace. As we sat in the restaurant, the situation became clearer through the overheard conversations of the other patrons. People were arguing about a kidnapping or perhaps a high-profile escape. Regardless of the details, I had finished my business there and enjoyed my meal. I had no intention of getting tangled in local drama, so I gathered the girls and left the town before any trouble could find us.
That was my primary intention: to remain an observer. I was a visitor, and whatever conflict was brewing was not relevant to me or anyone I cared for. Unless a situation necessitated my interference by happening directly in front of me, I preferred to stay out of it. We moved on to the northeast town to finish our shopping, browsing the stalls for any unique goods that caught my eye.
Hours passed as we explored the second town, and we found ourselves hungry again as evening began to approach. We located a well-reviewed establishment near the town square and ordered their signature dish: turkey prepared with pears. It was ironically similar in theme to our lunch, but the quality was excellent.
As we were eating, the sound of a loud commotion drifted in from the direction of the town gates. I had noticed a similar frantic energy when we first arrived here, and curiously, the gossip was almost identical to the first town—talk of an escape, though this time no one mentioned kidnapping.
With the same incident being discussed in two different towns on the same day, my curiosity was piqued enough for me to listen more actively. After filtering through the bits and pieces of town square gossip and tavern talk, I was able to piece together the narrative.
It seemed the daughter of the first town’s chief had eloped with the son of this town’s chief. The people in the southwest town were reportedly furious, claiming that the young man had kidnapped their "dear miss" against her will. However, listening to the local talk here, it was obvious that the residents knew she had left of her own accord. Regardless of the romantic drama, I still had no desire to involve myself in a feud between two local leaders.
The noise outside rose and fell, eventually dying down as we reached the end of our meal. Despite the distractions of the shouting in the streets, the food had been delicious. However, a new problem arose: no one came to collect our payment. The staff seemed to have vanished in the chaos.
“Kyaaa! Help! H-he—”
A woman’s scream shattered the relative quiet of the restaurant, followed by the sound of breaking wood.
“Sigh… I suppose it can’t be helped,” I muttered, shaking my head.
Woya and Wyn both offered small, knowing smiles when they saw my reaction. They had noticed the situation developing as well. Unlike my more detached perspective, they are naturally kind-hearted, and I could tell they were pleased that I was finally stepping in to help.
The man causing the scene was a bulky, imposing figure. He was currently hauling a young, well-dressed girl over his left shoulder while wielding a heavy mace in his right hand. He was sprinting toward the secondary exit of the town, flanked by two other armed men who were providing cover. In the distance, I could hear the sounds of clashing steel and shouting; it seemed the earlier commotion at the main gate had been a diversion to allow this extraction team to snatch the girl back.
I didn't care for the looks of the men, and the scenario felt like something out of a cliché fairytale, which gave me a sudden, uncharacteristic jolt of excitement. The intervention was over almost before it began. I moved with a speed that the onlookers couldn't track, taking down the three main kidnappers in a matter of seconds. I commanded the girls to stand guard over the rescued lady while I moved to neutralize the remaining men who were still wreaking havoc in the immediate vicinity. By the time I was finished, the sounds of fighting from the outskirts of town had also ceased.
It was clear that the other town had hired mercenaries or bandits to facilitate the "rescue." While the main force caused a distraction at the gates, a small team had infiltrated to kidnap the female protagonist of this little drama. Unfortunately for them, I was in the building. I was already formidable before, but having recently advanced my jobs to their higher tiers, comparing my strength to theirs was an exercise in futility.
With the threat neutralized, I took a moment to review my own growth through the system interface.
***
Player Window
—
Name: Han
Sex: Male
Age: 21
—
Total Points: 223
Remaining Points: 5
—
Skills:
Player Window - 25 points
Identify (Deactive)
Extra Job Lv6 - 64 points
Exp Drop Increase Level 8 - 36 points
Exp Requirement Decrease Level 7 - 28 points
—
Spells:
Warp (Deactive)
—
Stats: - 65 points
Reserves:
HP: 346
MP: 300
SP: 178
| Stats
| Base
| Job Bonuses
| Total
|
| Strength
| 7
| X 2,854
| 19,98
|
| Endurance
| 7
| X 2,534
| 17,76
|
| Vitality
| 7
| X 2,469
| 17,29
|
| Agility
| 7
| X 2,657
| 18,60
|
| Dexterity
| 7
| X 2,729
| 19,10
|
| Intelligence
| 10
| X 3,001
| 30,01
|
| Wisdom
| 7
| X 2,601
| 18,21
|
| Sense
| 7
| X 2,807
| 19,65
|
| Charisma
| 7
| X 2,395
| 16,77
|
| Regeneration
| 7
| X 2,395
| 16,77
|
—
Equipped Jobs:
Hero Level 43 (3 Up)
Job Collector (Hero, Ascetic Monk)
Mage Level 20 (5 Up)
Sword King Level 2 (New)
Magic Knight Level 2 (New)
High Knight Level 2 (New)
Truth Seeker Level 2 (New)
—
Acquired Jobs:
Swordmaster Level 50 (2 Up)
Knight Level 50 (2 Up)
Adventurer 50 (4 Up)
Herbalist 40 (1 Up)
Alchemist Level 1 (New)
Ascetic Monk Level 41 (3 Up)
Equipment Merchant Level 10 (5 Up)
Enchanter Level 20 (15 Up)
Total Job Count: 33
***
Once the townspeople realized the danger had passed, they rushed toward the scene. They were stunned to see a stranger single-handedly defeat the bandits and rescue their chief's daughter-in-law. In their gratitude, they presented us with various local specialties and gifts. I didn't refuse them, as these items were exactly what I had come here to find in the first place. As the townspeople thanked me sincerely, I could see Woya and Wyn beaming with pride. They seemed to have truly enjoyed the experience of playing the heroes in a real-life story of a kidnapped "Juliette."
After the fervor died down, I requested the Intelligence Cards of the bandits I had killed—a standard procedure for claiming bounties or proof of combat—and prepared to leave. The village chief and several residents invited us to stay the night, especially since darkness was beginning to fall, but I politely declined. We had the luxury of Warp, after all.
I didn't teleport us directly home, however. I wanted to turn in those Intelligence Cards to the authorities in Yargan. We materialized in a quiet alleyway in the city’s outer district. As we made our way toward the city guards' headquarters, we saw several dozen heavily armed soldiers, led by a knight on horseback, moving toward the city gates in a frantic rush. Near the guard building, we encountered several people sitting on the ground with desperate, haunted expressions, while others were receiving treatment for various wounds.
Something significant had clearly gone wrong during our absence. I wasn't sure if the guards would have the time to deal with my bounty claim, but I wanted to understand the situation.
“Wait! Elaris? Wyn, isn’t that Elaris over there?”
Woya pointed toward a small figure sitting against a wall, her face obscured by shadow. Woya likely recognized her by her distinctive attire and the beautiful bow she was clutching to her chest as if her life depended on it.
“Yes, it is her… Master?” Wyn confirmed, and they both turned to me with pleading eyes, asking for permission to go to her.
“Go ahead,” I nodded. There was no reason to stop them.
The girls ran toward her immediately, and I followed at a slower pace. Elaris had always been such a vibrant, cheerful child, making her current state even more jarring. Her clothes were torn and dusty, evidence of a struggle, and the absence of her usual party members led me to assume the worst.
She didn't seem to notice our approach. She remained motionless until Wyn and Woya reached her, and even then, she only slowly raised her head to look at them with hollow, lifeless eyes. It took a few long seconds before recognition finally flickered.
“Elaris! What happened to you? Where is everyone else?” Woya asked, her voice thick with worry. Wyn stood back, watching the girl with a look of deep pity. She had clearly come to the same conclusion I had regarding the rest of Paul’s party.
“...Huh? Big sister... Woya? And big sister Wyn?” Elaris mumbled, her voice faint as if she were speaking in a dream.
“Elaris, please, tell us what happened! Are you hurt? Wyn, I don't see any major wounds, but check her for internal bleeding,” Woya said, frantic as she began to inspect the girl's torn clothing. Fortunately, beyond a few bruises and scratches, she seemed physically intact.
“...Sniff, sniff. Big sister Woya, big sister Wyn! Sniff... Big brother Paul, big brother Tarkhond, big sister Sarya... they... they... Whaaaa! WHAAAA!”
As the realization of our presence finally broke her shock, Elaris began to sob. Woya pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close as the girl’s cries turned into a loud, heart-wrenching wail. Wyn stood silently beside them, her expression solemn.
After ten minutes of crying, Elaris began to settle into a quiet, rhythmic sobbing. Woya didn't let go, holding her with a maternal compassion that suggested she would stay there all night if necessary. When the girl had calmed enough to speak, I knelt down in front of her to meet her eye level.
“Elaris… can you tell us exactly what happened?” I asked as gently as I could.
She looked at me, seemingly noticing my presence for the first time. She paused, sniffing and wiping her eyes, and slowly began to recount the tragedy.
As Paul had suspected when we last saw them, the merchant who had hired them for the caravan escort was involved in a dangerous and illegal venture. On their return trip toward Yargan, they were ambushed by a large, coordinated group. They weren't soldiers or common bandits, but members of an organized underground gang.
The ambush had been meticulously planned. Realizing that the caravan was trapped and that escape was nearly impossible for the entire group, Paul and the others had made a final, desperate stand. They sacrificed themselves to hold the line, opening a narrow path for Elaris and as many others as possible to flee.
Elaris told us she hadn't wanted to leave them, but they had persuaded her by telling her she was the only one fast enough to reach the city and bring reinforcements. Though she was a clever girl and likely knew it was a lie to ensure her survival, the desperation of the moment had forced her to believe.
“I-if it weren't for them, I would have been all alone... but now they’re gone. I’m alone again. Sniff... they didn't deserve to die like that. Uhuuuu!”
She collapsed into fresh tears. Woya looked at me, her eyes filled with an unspoken question. Wyn’s gaze was also fixed on me, waiting to see how I would respond. It was clear they had developed a fondness for the young elf, despite their limited interactions. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel a pang of sympathy myself.
***
Elaris
Race: Elf
Sex: Female
Status: Normal
Equipment:
Greenwood Bow○○
Leather Breast Armor○
Leather Gloves
Leather Footwear○
Job: Archer Level 33
***
I utilized my Identify skill to check her current level and status. It was a crucial factor in my decision. Her level had increased significantly since our last encounter, indicating she had the potential and the drive to survive. I made up my mind.
“Elaris…” I called her name softly.
“...Huh? Big brother Han…” she looked up, her face stained with tears.
I was about to make an offer that would fundamentally change her life, as well as the dynamic of my own household. The girls were watching me with intense expectation, their faces showing a complete, unwavering confidence that I would solve the child's problem. I believed I could, too.
“Elaris… how would you like to join my party? And... would you like to come and live with us?”
“Ugh! Exactly how much longer is this going to take? I have things that are waiting to be done!”
The complaint came from a man with wavy blonde hair, who sat atop his horse with an air of theatrical impatience.
“Just be patient. No one is waiting for you, regardless of what you might think,” replied the man riding beside him. He had jet-black hair and a face that was remarkably dull and devoid of emotion.
“As expected, you simply don’t get it,” the blonde man said, striking a pose. “There is no possible way we were sent to this world without a grand purpose. I intend to punish the villains and save the innocent. I will repay what I have been given through my deeds.” He looked toward the sky with a meaningful, hero-like expression.
“I never said we shouldn't repay the debt,” the black-haired man said flatly. “I’m simply asking you not to cause problems for us. You have a persistent habit of making things unnecessarily complicated.”
“That is what makes it 'destiny,' I tell you! I am the one fated for greatness. Just look at my card. Intelligence Card Open! What does it say? It. Says. The. Hero.”
The blonde man summoned a half-transparent window in the air and pointed to the text, emphasizing each word as if it were a profound revelation.
“...That was literally the only qualification you had that allowed you to join this mission,” the black-haired man muttered to himself.
“What? I didn't hear you.”
“It was nothing,” the man with black hair brushed it off with a weary sigh.
“Is that so? Whatever. Tell me... what is your honest opinion on the target? Is it really true that he’s one of us?” the blonde man asked, his tone turning curious.
“Hmm… based on the reports of what he’s accomplished in Yargan so far, it’s a distinct possibility. Even if he isn’t like us, he is clearly someone extraordinary,” the black-haired man admitted.
“How can you possibly compliment a man like him?” the blonde "Hero" asked, his face twisting in disgust. “He utilizes slaves for his own personal gain. Not just one or two, but he’s building an entire business empire on their backs. It’s as if he’s determined to spread the worst parts of our old world's capitalist system to this one.”
“That is your personal bias,” the black-haired man replied. “Personally, I’d take the 'evils' of a functioning flush toilet over these 'pristine' open pastures any day. Regardless of your feelings, do not forget our primary objective. We are here to investigate and report every detail regarding him and this Questers Guild. Please, I am begging you, refrain from any idiotic heroics that your 'unique job' might suggest.”
“Hey! How can you talk about my job like th—”
The blonde man began to retort, but he went silent the moment he met the other man’s cold, warning gaze.
The two men continued their ride toward the northeast, followed by a small escort of six riders, their silhouettes stark against the setting sun. Their true agenda remained a mystery, but one thing was certain: they possessed far less information about their target than they thought.
END of Book 2
***
Sword King:
- A high-ranking job for a sword-using fighter.
- Strength increase (medium)
- Agility increase (medium)
- Dexterity increase (large)
- Intelligence increase (medium)
- Sense increase (small)
- You increase your dexterity and agility (1.5 + 0.01 * level) for 20 seconds
- Skill cost = 20 mana
- Decrease your stamina consumption by half until the fight is over.
- Skill cost = 20 mana
- Decrease pressure on your sword’s blade.
- Increase the sharpness of your sword’s blade by (40 + 0.4 * level) %.
***
Magic Knight:
- An extraordinary job that can use magic while being a close combatant.
- Strength increase (large)
- Endurance increase (small)
- Agility increase (small)
- Dexterity increase (small)
- Intelligence increase (small)
- Wisdom increases (small)
- Sense increase (small)
- Appoint jobs that are authorised by the noble you serve, or if you are a noble yourself.
- Skill cost = 10 mana
- Reduce the target’s agility by (27 + 0.3 * level) % for 3 seconds
- Skill cost = 30 mana
- Apply basic elemental magic to attacks and defences.
- Skill cost = 10 mana
***
High Knight:
- A rare job that serves royalty and nobles directly.
- Strength increase (large)
- Endurance increase (medium)
- Agility increase (small)
- Dexterity increase (medium)
- Sense increase (small)
- Appoint jobs that are authorised by the noble you serve, or if you are a noble yourself.
- Skill cost = 10 mana
- Reduce the target’s agility by (27 + 0.3 * level) % for 3 seconds
- Skill cost = 30 mana
- Increase the target’s stats by (9 + 0.1 * level) % for 5 seconds
- Skill cost = 20 mana
***
Truth Seeker:
- The rare job for those who seek the truth of the world.
- Strength increase (small)
- Vitality increase (medium)
- Agility increase (small)
- Intelligence increase (medium)
- Wisdom increases (small)
- Sense increase (large)
- You can store different items as many as your level + 100 in an invisible box.
- You can stock up on 30 items of one type unless their total mass surpasses 30kg.
- You can move freely between places that you have been before.
- Skill cost = 0.1 mana per km
- Senses the path to their goal vaguely
***
Alchemist:
- An advanced job to create potions.
- Vitality increase (small)
- Dexterity increase (small)
- Intelligence increase (small)
- Wisdom increase (small)
- You can see information about potions.
- You create a potion that you add to the book instantaneously.
- Formulas can be added to the book after completing a potion manually.
- The quality of the potion will be the same as manually created.
- Formulas can be updated with manually created potions.
- Skill cost = 5 mana