Chapter 17
In any RPG, choosing a job is a crucial decision that determines your play style going forward.
It could make your game much easier or open up a hellish gate with a single choice.
Games where society is divided into peasants and nobles based solely on a single "job"? Who's fooling who here?
-"Healer wanted! Celestial DPS, stand by!"
-"Yes, yes! Recruiting dealers... Ah, not you, Dojuk?"
-"Warlock? Have you lost your mind?"
Unless you're a real perv, you'd want a good job to enjoy a happy gaming life.
Lasé was no different from other games in this regard.
The main reason Lasé users sought good Patrons was precisely because of jobs.
The better the Patron, the higher the chance of getting a good job.
"Hehehe."
-....
Carpe burst into laughter as he looked at the three jobs that appeared before him.
The better the Patron, the better the job.
Conversely, it meant that a lousy Patron would give you a lousy job.
Cheonma's grade was 0 stars.
The job he received from a Patron lower than any other was as follows:
1. Farmer (Normal)
2. Fisherman (Normal)
3. Shepherd (Normal)
"Hehe. Hehehe!"
-....
"Farming, fishing, shepherding. Right. After all, the foundation of the world is primary industries. Basics are important! Is that what you wanted to say? Got it."
-No, that's not... I mean...
"So, stop fooling around and give me a proper job before things get ugly."
-Wait, wait! Let me try again!
After Cheonma said that and put a weird determination into it, a new notification appeared before Carpe's eyes.
1. Farmer (Normal)
2. Fisherman (Normal)
3. Lumberjack (Normal)
"...."
-....
"Question."
-Yes, please ask.
"A legendary farmer who feeds the world, a legendary fisherman who catches legends, a lumberjack who guards the World Tree. Are you deliberately offering these options to promote a secondary advancement?"
-There are no such jobs....
"Right. Well, I guess that makes sense. Just checking. Next question."
-What is it?
"Tell me how to change Patrons."
-Hey, hey! Just a moment!
Cheonma started desperately clinging on with his voice.
-But what's the deal with us? Why are you making such a fuss over just a job...
"What's our deal? We just met today. Didn't you say we weren't close earlier?"
-Ah, that was just a joke. If I had to pick the closest person in my 30 years of life, it would be you. Even the system acknowledged it. It said the relationship gauge reached its maximum. That means we have an exceptional relationship, right?
"Sigh. I guess my horoscope was right after all."
Carpe sighed deeply.
"Do I have to get a job from the Patron?"
-Not necessarily. You can also get it from NPCs or by achieving milestones. In fact, there are many hidden jobs that way.
"Oh, really? Then I'll just go that route."
-Of course. I've already thought of that route. However, there's a tiny issue.
"A tiny issue?"
-The fastest quest you can do still requires you to be level 45.
"I'm screwed."
Level 45 meant he had to level up with one of those jobs, no room for maneuver.
"Farming and fishing until level 45? Ugh. No way! Change Patron!"
-No, you don't necessarily have to level up with farming alone. Even as a farmer, you can hunt if you have good gear, right? I'll prepare some awesome items for you, Sir Carpe. So please, just change the Patron.
"You're going back and forth between informal and formal language, looks like you're losing it too."
-First, let's deal with the guerrilla quest right in front of us, sir.
"Sigh. Right. Gotta put out the urgent fires first."
After Carpe put all the nuts and acorns into his inventory, he moved.
* * *
The city of Raycene, the city of beginnings, was still bustling with activity.
Even though the game had been open for six months, there were still many new users, each enjoying the game in their own way.
"Hey! I've got a request for wolf hides!"
"Wow, you're reliable. Truly worthy of being a Lion of God."
"This is easy. Any other quests?"
"Haha. Lions of God are always enthusiastic, I like that. Let me see, how about the wolf pack near the forest..."
In Last Savior, NPCs were generally friendly to players.
To the residents of Lasé, Patrons were like gods, and they revered players chosen by those gods as "Lions of God".
With Lions of God willing to help solve the village's problems left and right, how could they not be friendly?
"Hmm. So players are supposed to be Lions of God chosen by the gods."
-Well, in reality, it's the players who choose the Patrons.
"These people should know that there are also believers of the gods of farming and fishing."
-... It's over there, Sir Carpe. If you go there, you'll meet the junk dealer NPC.
Carpe and Cheonma passed by the fountain in the central square and headed towards the large church.
"You said breaking the junk dealer quest sometimes gives you something random, right?"
-Yeah. The junk dealer throws out one of the junk he's collected so far, and sometimes it's a jackpot... Hey, hey! Here it is!
At Cheonma's excited cry, Carpe's head naturally turned.
An area near the outskirts of the church, barely visible to the public just a moment ago, now had a man standing there, next to a large cart filled with odds and ends!
"He definitely looks like a junk dealer."
Without hesitation, Carpe ran towards the junk dealer NPC. At the same time, a yellow exclamation mark appeared above the NPC's head.
"Hey, there. You seem like you might have some junk on you. How about it? Want to exchange your junk for mine?"
*Ding!*
[Hidden NPC 'Junk Dealer' offers you a trade.]
[Do you accept the guerrilla quest 'Junk Exchange'?]
"Ugh."
Last Savior was definitely a devilish game.
A guerrilla quest from a hidden NPC.
How could just four words make someone so happy? Carpe nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Of course, I accept..."
"Oh, isn't that..."
As Carpe was about to accept the quest, a group of people appeared in the distance, shouting when they saw him.
"Darn it, someone's already here?!"
"Hey, wait! You shouldn't just accept quests here!"
The group that appeared with nonsensical chatter was none other than members of the Mammonism guild.
"Wow, they came right away, even though the NPC just appeared not long ago. We almost lost it if we were a bit late."
-It must have been a coincidence, or maybe they were patrolling the area nearby. Well, it's too late now anyway.
As Cheonma said.
While they were rushing over, Carpe was only left to accept the quest.
If he just received the reward and left, all the problems would be solved...
"Huh?"
-What? Stop dawdling and finish before they get here.
"No, why isn't this accepting? Accept! I'll accept it!"
Although Carpe shouted in confusion, the quest didn't progress at all.
No, it wasn't just not progressing.
[Guerrilla quest 'Junk Exchange' is canceled.]
"What?"
-Canceled?! This has never happened before!
In an unexpected turn of events, the two were startled.
And amidst their confusion, the Mammonism guild members were closing in.
"What do we do?"
-This is driving me crazy. Why does nothing go as planned since I got involved with you?
That's when it happened.
"You."
The NPC, who had been staring blankly at Carpe, spoke up.
"Do you not have a patron?"
At the same time, the yellow exclamation mark above the NPC's head turned into a green exclamation mark.
-This is unbelievable. There was something like this hidden here?
Cheonma muttered in disbelief.
His expression looked even more dumbfounded than when he heard the news that he had been chosen as a Patron.
-Things are falling into place like this? Unbelievable. You're really something.
"Why? What's the green exclamation mark for?"
-It's what you want most right now.
"What do I want?"
What's that supposed to mean?
Carpe asked, still clueless, prompting Cheonma to chuckle.
-You don't want to be a farmer, do you?
*Ding!*
[Congratulations! You have discovered the hidden advancement quest 'Descendant of the Mage King.']
[You have obtained the title 'Different from Others.']
"How about it? If you're okay with it, I'd like to move to another place and talk."
Carpe's head nodded automatically in response to the NPC's question.
[You have accepted the quest 'Descendant of the Mage King.']
"Feels refreshing. Shall we go?"
After saying so, the Junk Dealer NPC took out a scroll from the cart beside him and tore it open.
Rip!
A brief flash engulfed Carpe and the Junk Dealer.
"What, what's this? Where did they disappear to?"
"Warp? Aren't newbies unable to warp?"
"This is crazy. If we miss this, it'll never end. Hey! Release them more!"
By the time the Mammonism guild members arrived, they had already disappeared.
* * *
Where Carpe warped to was a space entirely made of stone.
Altars and stone statues were lined up like a temple.
-From now on, talk to me in your mind. Even if you speak alone, other users might think you're broadcasting, but NPCs won't.
'In my mind? Like this?'
-Yes. I can hear you well.
'If this was possible, you should've told me earlier. I've been babbling to myself for no reason.'
Carpe, who grumbled lightly, looked straight ahead. The Junk Dealer... No, the NPC, whose identity was now unknown, was looking at Carpe with a meaningful smile.
"Welcome, stranger. I am Drekcoph Stein. Just call me Drekc."
"Oh, I'm Carpe."
"A good name, Carpe. I bid you welcome on behalf of 'Arcram.'"
"Arcram?"
"The name of the organization you belong to. Now, I'm sure you have many questions."
After introducing himself, Drekc snapped his fingers into the air. Suddenly, a tea set flew over and gently settled on the stone table.
"For example, why I was pretending to be a junk dealer, or where I use all the coins I've gathered, things like that."
"I am indeed curious."
"Please, have a seat. I'll explain everything. Of course, unless you refuse my proposal."
"...."
"Don't be too tense. You've already passed the first test. That alone makes all of Arcram think of you as a friend."
"The first test?"
Carpe tilted his head.
He had no memory of taking any kind of test.
Out of curiosity, he glanced at Cheonma, but Cheonma just turned his head away.
"That's right. Aren't you serving no god? Those damn gods who lure outsiders with the sweet temptation of 'power.'"
"Ah!"
Upon reflection, I did mention it when I first saw them. That there were no gods I serve.
And by gods, I mean...
"Are you referring to the puppet master in this context?"
-It certainly seems that way. Hmm, an NPC hostile to the puppet master.
Cheonma, with over a decade of accumulated information and knowledge, found these types of individuals hard to come by, even with his expertise.
Who would have thought such people would be hiding in the City of Beginnings?
"Judging by the fact that you resisted the temptation of those wicked beings..."
"Um, sorry to interrupt, but what about me?"
"Hmm?"
"I have a puppet master. I serve a god."
"What?!"
Drekc's expression became so strange that it was difficult to describe. One might think that no one would make such a face unless they heard something completely absurd.
"No, that can't be. When I checked earlier..."
"Wait, just stay right there for a moment."
Confused, Drekc said so and began to gaze at Carpe intently.
About 30 seconds passed like that.
"Indeed, it seems something is attached."
"Really?"
"But it's qualitatively different from those wicked beings."
"Excuse me?"
"You, have you ever lived near a grave? It seems like a ghost is attached to you."
-...A ghost?
"No, not a ghost, a genuine puppet master, right?"
"Oh, dear. Do you know how much research we've done on those creatures over the years? Their strength varies depending on their class, but even the weakest ones have a certain level of power."
In other words, even the lowest-ranking 1-star puppet master had some level of power.
"But, the one next to you hasn't even reached the minimum level. If that's a god, then even a passing fly could be considered an eagle."
-No, because this numbskull of a genius keeps on blabbering! What? Numbskull?
"Well, they're both hopeless in their own way. I'll introduce you to a decent puppet master soon."
-Kyahhh!
Although there was a brief commotion to calm down Cheonma, it was ultimately resolved in a positive manner.
"So. You have sufficient qualifications. What do you say? Are you willing to join us?"
Ding.
[Would you like to take the advancement test for the hidden class 'Descendant of the Mage King?']
[Restriction: Players without a puppet master]
A chill ran down Carpe's spine.
Hidden class.
How sweet and melodious those words were. Considering the absurd conditions, it was undoubtedly a scam job.
However...
-It's a hidden job, why are you hesitating? Won't you accept it?
"Um. Being the descendant of a mage king probably means it's a magic-based job, right?"
-Of course, that's to be expected.
"I, um, don't really have a taste for magic. I've never tried it."
Carpe was a player who enjoyed close combat.
Dodging incoming attacks up close and the exhilaration of landing attacks in return!
Once you experienced that thrilling sensation, ranged characters were no longer appealing.
For such a melee addict to suddenly become a mage...
-Considering your combat sense, a melee job would be better... But are you really going to give up a hidden class? Are you going to be a farmer?
"Or I could change my puppet master and choose a different job."
-...Don't summarise it.
'After ten years, Cheonma may not know about this quest.'
Rase was a game that started with puppet masters and ended with puppet masters.
A foolish player who would discard such an important element, especially in the novice city where the game had just begun.
"Anyway. You've got plenty of qualifications. What do you say? Are you willing to join us?"
Ding.
['Descendant of the Mage King' is a class of 'Epic' grade.]
['Epic' grade is a special grade given to elements that have a significant impact on the game world.]
*Accepting the quest will activate the main stream.
-...
"...."
It was the moment when an Epic grade job first appeared in Last Savior.
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