....
In the real world, snow is already falling, which makes the weather cold. Roads are covered in snow and people need to wear their winter coats to shield themselves from the cold. Coffee is also quite popular in vending machines as they are always the first things that ran out of stock. Still, the people can feel the festivity in the air as the Christmas trees decorated and stores with decorations has shown that Christmas is already in the air.
On the other hand, in the game, Alternate World, for some reason is seemingly undergoing a severe drought.
I, Bladeheart, am currently fanning myself with a fan in my mansion due to the hot weather. Even though it is a game, the weather season here is not a joke. It's just too much and moving drains your stamina a lot.
"F*CK, what is happening in this game, It's currently Christmas time in the real world and is freezing but here in the game world, it's scorching hot! Just whose idea is it to torch down the land of Resurgia?!"
But even if I complain, there is nothing I can do in this troublesome heat. All players are currently suffering from this and no one is exempted from it. Heck, even the bosses and monsters are now moving sluggishly that they refuse to fight at all, making no progress to most of the game's gameplay as even the players refuses to move from their spots as they sweat from the heat.
Even though it was only a game, the heat here is too real that I don't think I will be going out in my mansion.
When did the humid weather started? Ever since December entered our calendars, the weather started to getting this bad.
"Ugh, I need to buy some cold ice and make some ice drinks for myself..."
Even though I am sluggish due to the heat, I did my best and went outside...
...
Capital...
The moment I went out, the interface popped up.
-the heat has affected your body. -20% stamina gain and +30 stamina consumption.
-due to the heat, your hydrated level is dropping quickly.
Ugh, the debuffs are already showing. Will there be even ice being sold in this heat right now though?
Walking on the road, the players who were usually rowdy and wears thick armors and covered clothes are now currently wearing their basic clothes and are currently staying on the nearby stores. Even the restaurants and stores opened up their doors and windows to lessen the heat they are feeling.
"Dang, is there any place where I can purchase an ice?"
As I continue my search, I noticed someone collapsed on the nearby alley. Since there is no indicator that this guy here is a player, it must mean it is an NPC. However, I don't remember someone in the Capital with a face like him so I decided to check him out.
"Hey, mister, wake up..." I said and shook him a bit.
The moment I shook him, the interface for the quests popped out in front of my face.
[Revive the Christmas!] Quest 1 out of 10
Type: Event Quest
Info: A person collapsed on the floor due to dehydration. As someone who found him, will you help him or ignore his suffering? Give him 10 bottles of water before the time limit ends.
Duration: 5 minutes
Bottle of Water: 0/10
Difficulty: Hard
Recommended level: ???
Rewards: ???
Quest Failure or Quest Denied: this man will die and the heat that plagues the land of Resurgia will remain forever.
I relaxed at first seeing the description of the quest since I have bottles of water in my inventory but when I saw the quest failure's result if I ignore this quest or failed will only keep the Resurgia remain in this state! And I almost cursed, since this was actually a Christmas event?! The last Christmas event I remembered did not occur like this but a monster invasion subjugation, not a Fetch an Item quest alongside with the chain quest.
I am not sure what is going on but if I didn't do this quest, this quest will be in failure and the weather will forever remain humid!
"Damn, what bad luck I have..."
Opening the inventory and pulling out the ten bottles of water, I helped him drink it and used up the ten bottles on him. I am saving those water bottles in case I got thirsty too much that it will inflict a debuff. Now, I have to get him hydrated before he dies. The moment the last bottle is opened and poured the contents to his mouth, the quest panel appeared once more.
[Mission Complete]
-you got nothing!
The quest is hideous. Not even an exp bar or even a gold to be given out? Even a single stale bread did not even get acquired! The quest is stingy!
I felt betrayed by my expectations with the reward but I guess I shouldn't have expected anything out of it. The guy stood up and he groggily moved around before he regained his movements.
"Ah, I don't know what to say. You have saved me to a certain death. I really can't tell how I appreciate your help!"
"Don't worry about it. I just helped you since you are collapsed on the street. Anyway, why are you in the street and collapsed?"
"Aahh... that's right. O' mighty adventurer, please save Santa Claus and bring back the Christmas spirit to restore the order of this world! I beg you!"
After that, the quest updated.
[Revive the Christmas!] Quest 2 out of 10
Type: Event Quest
Info: Santa is in danger! Listen to these man's tale and get clues on how to save Santa!
Difficulty: Hard
Recommended level: ???
Rewards: ???
Quest Failure or Quest Denied: The heat that plagues the land of Resurgia will remain forever and Christmas will be gone forever! All of your reputation levels will also drop to the most minimum!