The guild receptionist placed Martin's hand on the mat. A screen suddenly popped up, with this one everyone could see.
~STATUS~
NAME: Kumi Steel
JOB: None
TITLE: None
Stats~
STRENGTH: 30
AGILITY: 10
STAMINA: 15
INTELLIGENCE: 10
PERCEPTION: 10
~Skills~
»Passive Skills
-Charisma Lv. 1
-Vessel Lv. Max
»Active Skills
-None
~Aptitude~
Wind Magic- 0
Earth Magic- 0
Fire Magic - 0
Water Magic- 0
"No wonder the mat did not glow. I have not seen a much more pathetic aptitude score. You say you want to work?" the guild receptionist scoffed. She then pointed to a very old quest note. Martin grabbed it and it fell into his hand. The ink on the paper, he strained his eyes to read.
"Brave, Adventurer with ailments at my door I gather all the coins I own. I know nothing about potions. I hope you do, for my request is to pick some herbs to treat my ailment of Bazuzu."
As Martin read the note he knew what it said. He did not know of the illness Bazuzu. He also wondered if the person who needed the medication was still alive. Martin looked at the bottom of the note. The job paid two gold coins.
"Only two gold coins?" he wondered and looked at other jobs. There were construction jobs that paid a silver an hour.
"What is the ratio of silver to gold?" Martin asked as he contemplated.
"47 to 1," the guild receptionist said then handed Martin a voucher card.
"I will give you an additional 50 percent of your reward for just accepting this quest. If you complete the quest you get another 50 percent bonus." the receptionist said and dropped a gold coin on the counter.
"All these incentives for picking herbs? I know a scam when I see one. Tell me what this quest is really about." Martin said slamming the quest note on the counter. The guard was about to step in when Selina gestured at him that she was okay.
"Okay, years ago a man came to make a request about picking herbs. Some said they had heard of him from a mile away. They said his village offered his daughter to the Demon god of winds, Bazuzu. This was to appease him and stop him from constantly destroying their crops and buildings, causing plagues and famine. He traveled miles giving this quest to any guild he could find. Unfortunately, no one was willing to accept the quest."
Selina explained then took the quest note and coin.
"No one took it, even at 47 to 1?" Martin said surprised.
"Well it was 16 to 1 back then, but that does not matter. Even at a billion to one, no one will take it. The ones who did have not returned." Selina explained.
"I will take it, the quest is to pick herbs. If I'm able to successfully bring back the herb, you pay me." Martin said holding the quest note in place.
" Do you not understand? The plant you are supposed to pick is Blue Hawthorns. They only grow in Bazuzu's domain." Selina cautioned Martin.
"How many do I have to bring back with me?"
"I guess one but since they are rare. I will pay you 16 silvers for any additional one you bring."
"Deal," Martin said and took his bonus and a map to a place called Hawthorn Highlands. As he made his way to Hawthorn Highlands he thought of abandoning the quest and running away with the gold coin bonus.
Martin saw a carriage heading in the direction he was heading. He joined them and alighted when their paths were no longer aligned. He thanked the man and continued his journey. It was getting late so he made camp by a river.
~NOTICE~
PENALTY ISSUED
[Reason: Failed to complete daily challenge]
Penalty begins in 10 seconds.
9,8,7,6,5..
He woke up by the countdown beeping sound.
He woke up to see three dogs with blood-red eyes standing over him. He put his hands up and got up slowly.
The moment the number ran out the dogs charged at him. He ran but the dogs were just behind him. He was surprised by how fast they were despite their stature. They were about three feet tall and weighed about 200 pounds.
Despite their size, they were very fast and nimble.
"What daily challenge?" Martin screamed as he ran.