"Hey, I think I can finally breathe now."
About ten minutes later, a much fresher-smelling Lokan found the guard post. The constant need for first aid had significantly raised his proficiency in that skill.
"So, you've been in the sewers."
[Sewage cleaning is complete.]
[Sewer Rat Tails have been handed in.]
[You have acquired 10 Silver.]
When he reported the quest completion to the soldier, the reward was automatically settled. Contaminated Rats didn't drop the quest item, but the reward was still a substantial 10 silver, reflecting the large number of tails he'd collected—a feat difficult even for a party.
"Ugh, this is a cursed object! Come to think of it, those spots on your face… … "
While counting the reward, the soldier noticed the purple gem Lokan was holding and recognized it as a cursed item. He also spotted the faint blight marks on Lokan's face.
"This is serious. I'll make a note of it. Can you take this to Steroian at the Wizard's Guild so he can treat you as well!"
'This guy, making me run an errand… … .'
Lokan grumbled internally but wasn't foolish enough to say it aloud. Instead, he replied with a professional smile.
"Of course. Leave it to me."
His answer triggered a new quest.
[Deliver Cursed Gem][Quest]
Bring the cursed gem found in the Cton Sewer to Steroian located in the Wizard's Guild.
– Failure condition: death
– Time limit: none
- Reward: 5 Lesser Potions, Healing the Curse of Plague, a small amount of experience
"Thank you. Your condition seems critical, so I'll give you this in advance."
The soldier, looking apologetic, pulled something from his pocket. The reward was prepaid.
[You have obtained the Lesser Health Potion × 5]
Five potions that restored 200 health over 10 seconds were a nice bonus, effectively replenishing what he'd used in the sewers. For Lokan, who still had bandages left, it was pure profit. Knowing exactly where Steroian was, he had no reason to delay.
Lokan ran straight to the Wizard's Guild.
* * *
'Ugh, it's a madhouse.'
The Wizard's Guild was literally overflowing with people. It was a stark contrast to the Berserkers' Guild, which was so empty you could hear a pin drop.
'They're all just following the trend… … .'
With sayings like "Magic is the flower of fantasy!" and the fact that *The Lord* didn't require complex incantations or seals, it was natural the Wizard's Guild was crowded. Even in his previous life, level 50 Knights and Warriors flocked here hoping to become Magic Swordsmen. Of course, that trend would fade once people realized the Magic Swordsman class wasn't as great as imagined.
"Excuse me!" "Hey, don't push!" "What's with the strength… …."
The crowd was impenetrable, but Lokan forced his way through. Most aspiring wizards invested their stat points in Intellect and Wisdom, not Strength, so they were no match for him physically. It didn't matter how many there were; they parted before him like waves.
Lokan, having bulldozed a path, went straight up the stairs to the second floor.
"Oh, who's that?" "He went to the second floor!" "Is he a high-level mage? But he hasn't even changed classes yet?" "Let's wait for him to come down and ask!"
Unlike the anthill on the first floor, the second floor was serene. In fact, Lokan was the first user up there. Access to the second floor was restricted to those on specific scenario quests, like Lokan. The wizards downstairs watched him with twinkling eyes, none suspecting he was a Berserker who had simply stored his axe in his inventory. They decided to wait for his return.
"Whew."
Lokan, now on the second floor, sighed wearily and moved forward. He continued applying bandages as he walked; his health was still ticking down from the curse. Relying on memory, he soon found a corridor with several rooms. Entering the wrong one could mean a harsh magical rebuke, but Lokan's steps were confident.
*Click. Creak… … .*
"Are you there?"
"You are… someone."
He pushed the door open forcefully. An old man dressed as a wizard looked up from his research, then turned fully to face Lokan, seemingly already aware of what he carried.
"Isn't that the Plague Jewel?"
"Yes. I found this deep in the sewers. A soldier from the guard post told me to bring it to Steroian to cure my disease."
"You came to the right place. Diseases caused by curses are my specialty! Here, place it down."
"… …."
"What is it? Please, hurry! Even now, that 'Cursed Jewel' is consuming you!"
When Lokan remained silent, Steroian grew frustrated and urged him. But Lokan was immovable, his gaze scrutinizing.
"If you are the real Steroian, I'll give it to you."
"What do you mean, a fake?! … !"
Steroian burst into anger at the accusation, but Lokan just snorted. He turned slightly and pulled the Orc Battle-Axe from his inventory, making a not-so-subtle threat. He was completely serious.
"Then where should we verify this?"
"Stop! I yield."
*Poof!*
Just as Lokan made to swing the axe, the real Steroian appeared. His true form had been a small flowerpot in the corner. Lokan had suspected a transformation spell, though he hadn't been certain. He didn't press the issue.
A notification appeared immediately.
[Unbelievable achievement! You saw through the deception of a High Wizard without any assistance.]
[You have acquired the title 'The One Who Sees Through Lies'.]
[You are the first to acquire this title.]
[First][The One Who Sees Through Lies][Unique]
We applaud your insight in discerning the true nature of magic woven by a High Wizard without any help.
You are the first to win this title.
[Hold Effect]
- Increases resistance to illusion-type abilities by 20%.
[Special Effect]
- Once per day, you can summon the [Bell of Truth] to distinguish truth from falsehood.
'Wow!'
Lokan hadn't actually seen through the magic through skill—it was an achievement difficult enough to warrant a title. He had simply known in advance. If he'd demanded the real Steroian appear first, it might have failed, but thanks to the wizard's initial carelessness, he'd secured a Unique-grade title.
'It's better for someone who can use it properly.'
This title was originally meant for someone else later, who never quite reached the top.
"I'm real, so give it to me now. You are in a very dangerous situation."
'Bell of Truth, Summon.'
This time, Lokan secretly summoned the title's special effect to verify Steroian's claim.
[Truth.]
Satisfied, Lokan handed over the jewel. Only then did he notice his health had dropped below 100. The bandage had just worn off. A moment later, and he would have had to waste a precious potion.
"Drink this first."
As soon as Steroian took the Plague Jewel, he retrieved a potion from a drawer and gave it to Lokan. It was an antidote for the Blight Curse.
[The curse of the plague has been lifted.]
The curse vanished instantly upon drinking it. He was a High Wizard, after all.
"The Plague Jewel was in the sewers… …"
Steroian carefully inspected the gem, focusing his mind on its structure and the energy it emitted. After a while, he rubbed his tired eyes and stood up.
"I must study this further. Did you see anything else?"
Lokan mentioned the Sewer Rats mutating into Contaminated Rats, but it wasn't much help. That was just a side effect of the jewel's power.
"Hmmm, were they trying to cause trouble using rats?"
Usually, the investigation ended here with the theory that the problem was caused by highly fertile rats. But if the guards were prepared for the smell, Contaminated Rats would be easily suppressed.
"No. That's not it."
Steroian, tearing at his hair, would normally have kicked Lokan out by now, telling him to return if he discovered more. But things were different this time. Lokan sighed inwardly.
'For a High Wizard, you're being slow.'
Lokan already knew the answer.
"It seems like a pretty dangerous thing for humans, too."
"Humans? As you know from experience… … Ah!"
Sometimes, leading someone to the answer is more effective than giving it outright, especially with proud individuals like wizards. So Lokan pretended ignorance, nudging Steroian toward the realization.
"Right! It was aimed at humans, not rats! That's why the Plague Jewel was placed in the sewers!"
Steroian, being a High Wizard, grasped the hint immediately. An unknown 'they' had tried to slowly spread the plague's energy throughout the city via the sewer system. The energy was highly contagious; given time, it would have become a major threat. Without Lokan's hint, the truth would only have been discovered after the plague had spread, starting in the slums where users rarely ventured, requiring a series of notoriously difficult quests to resolve.
'And I avoided that "10 Quests of Hell" chain?'
Lokan had skipped the entire process. Steroian, now frantic, gave Lokan a new quest and hurriedly left.
"I must go see the Captain of the Guard immediately! You, um, yes. Come back to me in three days!"
A new quest notification appeared.
[Those Who Spread the Plague][Quest]
Steroian, along with the city guard, is tracking down those who placed the Plague Jewel in the Cton Sewers. Wait for the results of the initial search and check back with him.
-Completion condition: Meet with Steroian after 3 days
-Reward: A small amount of experience
Lokan was suddenly left alone in the room. This was a first for him. Scratching his head, he prepared to leave when an unexpected, system-wide notification popped up.
[The branch for Main Scenario 1-1 has been decided by a user.]
[As a result, a number of quests, including the branch quest 'Plague Outbreak', will be deleted.]
"What?"
"Plague Outbreak" was the name of the initial chain quest that started in the slums. It had been deleted by his actions. He'd seen similar things happen in his past life, but this was far earlier.
"Then… …"
What butterfly effect would this cause? For starters, the "10 Quests of Hell" were gone. But it wouldn't make things easier. Without that path, other players would have to complete even more difficult quests to access the main scenario.
"I've bought myself some time."
He grinned at the thought of his advantage and walked out of the room, only to be met by a shocking sight.
"… … What is this?"
The view from the second-floor landing overlooking the first floor. All the wizards who had been packed together like sardines were now lying on the floor, motionless. They weren't resting; they were all dead.