n

n

nAfter sending the message to Bowler and Flame, he went forward to the rows of benches. Found a comfortable spot on one of the benches then sat down and looked at one of the large noticeboards hanging above. There were lots of quests.

nFinding my lost cat: Mimi

nDifficulty: E (recommended: Solo, level 1)

nRewards: 50 copper coins, 200 Experience points, 1 Adventurer Points

nEscort a merchant to a meeting in the slum

nDifficulty: D (recommended: Party of 3, level 10)

nRewards: 2 silver coins, 1000 Experience points, 8 Adventurer Points

nDeliver a merchant package

nDifficulty: E (recommended: Solo, level 5)

nRewards: 1 silver coins, 350 Experience points, 4 Adventurer Points

n

"Most of the Quests in Bronze Hall have difficulties of E and D,

" Peniel explained as Jack continued reading on the quests.

"basically, they are quests meant for beginner adventurers who are still in Basic Class.

"

n'All of the quests are located inside the city,' Jack noticed, then corrected, 'ah, no, found one that required you to go out from the city.'

nPick a blue magecrest flower for an apothecary at the foot of Siren Hill

nDifficulty: D (recommended: Party of 4, level 12)

nRewards: 3 silver coins, 2000 Experience points, 14 Adventurer Points

n

"Most of the quests which required you to go out of the city are those that are more difficult,

" Peniel said.

"That's why there were fewer. You can find more of those quests once you rank up to Silver.

"

n'Hey, what is that quest?' Jack said as he pointed to one of the quests on the board.

nInvestigate the Cult of Phobos

nDifficulty: ??? (recommended: ???)

nRewards: 1 silver coins, 500 Experience points, 3 Adventurer Points (subject to change)

n

"Yeah, sometimes this kind of quest will pop up. It is a quest where the Adventurers Association isn't sure of the difficulty. They placed it in this Hall because they think it is the most suitable difficulty, but it is not definite. Sometimes the person undertaking it might complete the quest as easy as that find the cat quest. Sometimes instead, it is way above their level. If it turns out to be so, and they still managed to complete it, the rewards will be increased. So, it's a gamble.

"

nJack continued reading through the quests. He then asked, 'How many points to get to Silver rank?'

n

"100 adventurer points!

" Peniel replied.

n'Wow, that means I have to do that find cat quest like one hundred times to rank up?'

n

"You are assuming there will be one hundred cat quests?

"

n'Sigh, never mind. Let's take that gambling quest,' Jack said.

n

"You sure? It might turn out to be a dangerous mission,

" Peniel warned.

n'no pain, no gain,' he said as he rose up. He came up to one of the empty counters. A pretty lady was manning the counter.

n

"Good day to you, sir,

" she greeted in a polite manner.

n

"Good day to you, too. I would like to take a quest,

" Jack said to her.

n

"Can I see your Adventurer Badge, sir?

"

nJack gave his badge to her. She received it and checked it. After confirming it was legit, she returned it.

n

"Which quest would you like to take, sir?

"

n

"Investigate the Cult of Phobos,

" Jack answered.

n

"This is a mysterious quest, which meant that the difficulty has a possibility to be higher or lower than expected. Are you sure you want to take this quest, sir?

"

n

"I am sure,

" Jack said firmly.

n

"All right, sir. Let me process your request.

" She took out a paper, wrote something on it, stamped it, then offer it to Jack.

"Please put your badge here, sir.

"

nJack did as told. When the badge touched the part of the paper indicated by the girl. It trembled slightly and emitted a soft glow. A symbol was carved onto the paper where the badge touched. Jack heard a notification sound afterward.

n

"You have received a quest: Investigate the Cult of Phobos. You can review the quest under your Quests Window page.

"

n'Quest Window Page?' Jack thought in his mind.

n

"It was among your status window pages, you should find out a new page now,

" Peniel explained.

nJack opened his status window and took a look. There was a new page after the Party page.

nInvestigate the Cult of Phobos

nDifficulty: ??? (recommended: ???)

nRewards: 1 silver coins, 500 Experience points, 3 Adventurer Points (subject to change)

nGo to the Residential district. Interview the baker Amy for more information about the Cult.

nTime limit: 2 days

nThere was some additional information about the quest on his quest page. It gave him clue about how to proceed with the quest, and also added a time limit.

n

"That's all to it, sir. Good luck with your quest,

" the girl said as she took back her paper.

nJack thanked her and walked away.

n'by the way, could I take on more quests?' Jack asked Peniel.

n

"For quests found outside, yes. But for Association's quests, you can only take one at a time. You will have to cancel your current quest in order to take another quest.

" she answered.

n

"Oh, too bad,

" he had the thought of hoarding the quests, but guessed the system didn't allow such shameless behavior.

nBefore he exited the building, he stopped at the young girl at the counter near the entrance, asking for direction to the baker called Amy. Luckily, it wasn't too far from the Adventurers Association, so he didn't waste too much time traveling. The baker's shop was in the same business district. It took Jack approximately forty minutes to find the Bakery, this included him losing the way and had to ask a native again for direction.

n

"You could just hail for a carriage to take you somewhere within the Business and Residential District, you know,

" Peniel told him.

n'Is it free?' Jack asked.

n

"No, you will need to pay a cost. I have no idea for the exact cost, but should be ranging between ten to fifty copper depending on the length of travel.

"

n'No, thanks,' Jack said after considering the number of coins he had left.

nThe shop this baker called Amy run was in a rather quiet street compared to the other streets he had passed through. It was situated at the edge of the Business district, so it didn't boast as many customers. Jack came up to the bakery which had an Open sign at the front of its door, and opened the door.

nA doorbell rang out as sweet aroma of fresh-baked bread and cake assaulted his nostrils when he stepped inside the shop. Rows of delicious-looking bread decorated the stands on one side of the wall. While at the further side, was a glass counter with rows of cake inside. A chubby girl was behind the counter. When she saw a customer entered her shop, her countenance brightened up.

n

"Good afternoon, sir. Are you perhaps interested in our bread or our cake? They are all freshly baked and we used the best ingredient there is. You won't find a better taste outside after you have a taste of ours,

" she happily promoted.

nDid she memorize those lines for all the customers that came in? Jack thought to himself.

n

"Actually, I'm here for the quest regarding the Cult of Phobos. Are you Amy?

" Jack asked her.

n

"Oh,

" Jack could see a slight trace of surprise in her eyes, but it was soon replaced by her cheery nature.

n

"Yes, I am. Please follow me to the back room please,

" she said.

n

"You don't worry a customer will come in?

" Jack asked.

n

"I will hear the doorbell if there is someone,

" Amy said as she ushered Jack to the door beside the glass counter.

nJack followed through the door and found it to be a small room with a dining table and a kitchen for her to make her bread and cake. Amy invited him to sit on one of the chairs of the dining table. Once they sat down, her expression turned serious.

n