"Hell yeah. Look at me, I'm a dragon-person with a sword bigger than most players." RaidKing flexed, his avatar's muscles rippling impressively. "The starting zone was sick. Got to fight in a gladiator arena."
"Nice. How's the Berserker class?"
"Exactly what it says on the description. Hit things hard, take hits harder, occasionally rage out and hit things even harder." He paused. "What about you? I saw you were vague about your class."
"Still experimenting," Max deflected. "Hybrid build."
"Man, you and your research." RaidKing shook his head. "You're gonna spend a week in spreadsheets while the rest of us are actually playing."
"That is how I play," Max said with a grin.
"Fair." RaidKing glanced around. "Hey, you see that tavern over there? Apparently there's an NPC questgiver inside who gives out a hidden chain. Want to check it out?"
Max considered.
"Yeah, let's do it."
They headed toward the tavern district, passing through the crowded streets. Veridian Gate was massive—easily large enough to get lost in. Side streets branched off in every direction, each one lined with shops, homes, and mysterious doorways that probably led to hidden areas.
The Laughing Wyvern was a three-story building with a wooden sign depicting a dragon mid-laugh, clutching a mug of ale. Warm light spilled from the windows, and Max could hear music even from outside—that bard NPC Velara had mentioned, probably.
They pushed through the door and stepped inside.
The tavern was packed with players and NPCs mixed together. It took a moment to distinguish them—some players had username displays turned off. The bard sat in the corner, a male NPC with gray hair, playing a flute with genuine skill.
"Bar or questgiver first?" RaidKing asked.
"Quest first. Then we celebrate with virtual beer."
They scanned the room. Most NPCs were serving drinks or food, but in the back corner, partially hidden in shadows, sat a figure in dark robes. No username tag. NPC for sure.
As they approached, the figure looked up—a woman's face, partially concealed by a hood. Her eyes were striking, an unusual amber color that seemed to catch the firelight.
[Mysterious Woman – ???]
"New arrivals," she said, her voice low and smooth. "I can always tell. You have that look—eager, hungry for power, convinced you'll change the world."
Max and RaidKing exchanged glances.
"We're looking for work," Max said carefully. "Heard you might have something."
The woman smiled. "Work. Is that what we're calling it?" She leaned forward, and Max noticed the realistic way candlelight played across her features. "I have a proposition for those with... flexible morals. But it's not for the faint of heart."
A quest notification appeared:
[HIDDEN QUEST AVAILABLE]
[The Shadow Trade – Part 1]
Rank: C
Warning: This questline involves moral content. Your choices will affect your reputation with various factions.
"We're listening," Max said.
The woman's smile widened, and she began to explain.
"The proposition is simple," she said, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "There's a settlement to the east. Elven refugees, hiding in the Silverwood. They are weak, defenseless and perfect for our purposes."
Max felt his stomach turn. "What purposes?"
The woman's smile never wavered. "Sacrifice, of course. My master requires souls—pure souls—to fuel his ascension. Elven blood is particularly potent. Bring me proof of at least ten deaths, and you'll be rewarded handsomely. Gold, rare equipment, and my master's favor."
[QUEST UPDATE]
[The Shadow Trade – Part 1: Blood Harvest]
Objective: Kill 10+ Elven Refugees in Silverwood Settlement
Reward: 5,000 Gold, Rare Equipment, Faction Reputation: Cult of the Crimson Veil +500
Warning: Accepting this quest will grant [CORRUPTION +20] and make you hostile to Light-aligned factions
Max stared at the quest prompt in disbelief. "You want us to murder innocent refugees?"
"I want you to provide a service," the woman corrected. "What happens to them after is merely... logistics."
"This NPC is twisted as fuck," Max said, looking at RaidKing.
RaidKing was grinning. "Dude, of course she is. This must be the demon lord spy questline or something. That's how all MMORPG storylines work, right? Hidden evil faction trying to corrupt players, probably leads to some dark lord boss fight later."
"You think this is part of the main story?" Max asked.
"Has to be. Look at the faction name—Cult of the Crimson Veil. That's totally endgame villain material." RaidKing scrolled through the quest details. "And look at the rewards. 5,000 gold at level 4? That's insane. Plus rare equipment."
Max hesitated. The quest made his skin crawl, even knowing it was just a game. But RaidKing had a point—this was clearly meant to be a morally questionable questline that tied into larger story elements. Maybe there would be options to betray the cult later, turn it against them.
"I don't know, man..."
"Come on, Max. It's a game. Those NPCs aren't real." RaidKing leaned closer. "Besides, I bet there's a redemption arc later. We infiltrate the cult, learn their secrets, then take them down from the inside. Classic RPG structure."
The woman watched them debate with amusement. "Time is precious, travelers. My master grows impatient. Will you serve, or will you remain among the weak?"
Max looked at the quest prompt again. The corruption penalty bothered him—it could lock him out of content. But the rewards...
"Fuck it," Max said. "We decline."
[QUEST DECLINED]
[The Shadow Trade – Part 1: Blood Harvest]