Chapter 84: Quests

Requiem paused, surprised to be called back so suddenly.

After all, Chester wasn’t just anyone; he was a Tier 4 mage and held immense authority in Golden Card City. Anything he offered would carry serious weight.

“No matter what brought you here, you came on behalf of someone I trust,” Chester said, reaching into his robe. “Take these. Give them to Master Nora. They may prove useful.”

He handed over a glowing, flame-colored crystal and a sealed letter.

“Thank you, Lord Chester. I won’t let you down,” Requiem said with a respectful nod, gripping the items carefully.

System Notification: Unique Quest ’Mermaid’s Core’ accepted.

Objective: Travel to the Ruined Castle in the Deep Ice Sea and retrieve Chokatabra’s heart for Chester.

Rewards: Unknown.

System Notification: Hidden Quest ’Search for Nora’ accepted.

Objective: Locate Nora in Golden Card City and deliver the crystal and letter from Chester.

Rewards: Unknown.

Right away, Requiem received two decisive quests, more valuable than anything he’d seen before. The Unique Quest alone promised rewards that would shock even veteran players.

Having secured the quests, Requiem didn’t waste another second. He left the city hall, hailed a carriage, and set off toward the Free Zone of Golden Card City.

The person Chester had mentioned, Nora, was a Master Forger. Few players knew her name in Golden Card City, but that wasn’t because she lacked skill. On the contrary, Nora was known in certain circles as a prodigy. She had reached Master rank at an unusually young age and was just a step away from becoming a Grandmaster. She simply avoided attention, preferring to work quietly in the background.

Requiem was one of the rare few who not only knew of her, but also knew where she lived.

For most players, Chester’s Hidden Quest would’ve been a challenge in itself. But not for Requiem. He knew exactly where to go.

As for the Unique Quest “Mermaid’s Core,” that one would have to wait. Requiem also had another unique quest, “Alter Ego Chain Quest”, on his log. Though the unique quest was easy to accomplish from the requirements, and the quest NPC was also in Golden Card City, he felt that the next step of the mission, if he completed the current one, would be too steep for him at the moment.

So, that quest would have to be shelved as well.

Between the two, “Alter Ego Chain Quest” was undoubtedly more difficult. Even if he knew how to proceed, he lacked the strength and resources to complete it now. Thankfully, he had no time limit, from what he understood, if he wasn’t deceived at least.

He’d return to it after building himself up further.

Roughly twenty minutes later, his carriage pulled up to a small, unassuming smithy in the Free Zone. The place looked nearly abandoned. Its worn wooden door was shut tight, and from the outside, it gave off the impression of being out of business. Naturally, no one bothered visiting.

After handing over the 60 Copper fee to the driver, Requiem stepped out and approached the door. He gave it a polite knock.

No response.

He knocked again, then raised his voice. “Master Nora? I’m here on behalf of Lord Chester. I’ve brought a letter from the magistrate.”

Requiem knew better than to force his way in. Even holding noble status, barging into someone’s property, especially without an invitation, would land him straight in a cell. The city guards didn’t care who you were. That’s why he leaned on the weight of Chester’s name. It was the only thing that might get the door open.

A few tense moments passed. Then, the sound of a bolt shifting came from behind the door.

Click.

The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing a striking woman in a form-fitting black leather top. The V-shaped neckline dipped low, leaving little to the imagination. Her matching short leather pants clung to her figure, showing off a pair of long, toned legs. Her sun-kissed skin glowed against the dusky light of the workshop, and her thick, dark hair flowed down her back like silk, stopping just at her narrow waist. She had a bold, untamed presence that made it hard to look away.

There was no mistaking her, this was Nora, the master forger.

If someone like Ismail had seen her, he probably would’ve been a puddle on the ground, grinning like a fool. But Requiem was unfazed. He’d seen her before. Many times, in fact.

Nora was known as the black pearl of the smithing world, one of the few women in her profession, and without question, the most dazzling. While most forgers looked like brawny miners, Nora was the complete opposite: refined, confident, and effortlessly alluring.

“I don’t have time to waste. Hand it over and go,” she said briskly, her eyes barely flicking in Requiem’s direction.

The dismissive tone sparked something in him, it felt oddly familiar. After a moment’s thought, he realized: those were the exact kind of words he often used himself.

“This is from Lord Chester,” Requiem said evenly, offering her the sealed letter.

Nora took it without hesitation. She didn’t even bother to read it. “You’ve done your part. You can leave.”

She turned on her heel and began closing the door.

Requiem stood there, momentarily at a loss for words. He had expected Seliora’s aloof attitude; her reputation for being blunt and impatient was well-earned. Still, dealing with it firsthand was another matter. Then again, most true masters had their quirks, and she was no exception.

But he wasn’t concerned. In his past life, he’d earned her respect once before. There was no reason he couldn’t do it again.

“Well, I’ll be on my way, then,” Requiem said casually, pulling the crimson crystal from his bag as he turned to go. He spun it between his fingers without much care.

The moment it left his inventory, the air shifted. Heat rippled outward as if the crystal were pulling fire itself from the surroundings. The glow deepened a bit, sharp and fiercely as it drew glances from even the most indifferent passersby.

“Hold on,” Nora’s voice rang out, seeing this scene.

Requiem turned, a smirk attached to his lips as he replied. “Do you need something else, Master Nora?”

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