A party of 5 is killing the mobs of levels around 180 in the wild zone. While the four of them are working very hard to kill each and every one of them on sight, the one in middle was just grinning like an idiot as he is leveling up continuously.
Yes, it is Wil but the other four aren't his bodyguards but level-200 Royal-Knights of the Kingdom who wore Gold grade equipment from top to bottom and epic grade heavy armors.
*Ding. You level up.
Looking at the surroundings that suddenly became dark, one of them named Garvin gestured all of them to stop.
"It's gotten dark. We can't hunt anymore. Let's set up a camp. We'll set out for tomorrow."
After they set up the camp in one of the caves, Wil said, "then, we'll meet again, tomorrow at the same spot."
Garvin replied sternly, "sure. But, I hope you aren't using this chance to escape. Don't forget you are the one who claimed to know the exact location to "his" Majesty. You know what happens if you…"
"Again? I don't know what's wrong with these people who are insisting on her calling "her" "his majesty" even outside of the palace."
Keeping aside the useless thoughts, Wil replied, "don't worry. As I said before, my source of information is trustworthy and I have no reason to escape."
"After all, you are the ducks that are giving me golden eggs…"
After saying goodnight, Wil looked at his level that already reached 136 and a smirk appeared on his face, "I guess, at this rate, I'll reach 150 by tomorrow."
He logged out.
Eight hours ago;
The King pointed her finger towards Wil, "Let's begin with you. What is the reason your appearance in this Court?"
Wil who already made up a plan to make sure to receive a quest stood up and replied respectfully, "Your majesty, there are two reasons. One is as Lord Raziel had found out. It's the Ruins of Marten.
Earlier, when we investigated the ruins, there's something I haven't included in the report.
When we killed one of the guardians, I received something like a map that's imprinted deep inside my soul."
Upon hearing it, a curious look appeared in Mirella's eyes as she moved a bit forward and said, "Go on…"
Wil continued his lie, "The location inside the map leads somewhere deep inside Nefarus wild zone but the interesting thing here is the destination marked I drawn in the form of a portal, which only means…"
"A hidden realm," answered Raziel, surprising Mirella.
"Yes, this old man got baited. My work will be even easier, now."
Wil nodded, "yes, I suspect it is a hidden realm. That's why I thought notifying the palace directly would be better than including in the report."
Mirella squint her eyes, "I understood what you are implying. So, tell me. What do you wish from the palace in return?"
"Not much, your majesty. Just the usual 10% as discoverer's share and I also hope you would allow me to pick just one of the treasures I desire as my reward."
Mirella was taken aback and frowned, "just one?"
"On the premise that I won't be forced to do any kind of work until the end. After all, the wild zone is very dangerous for someone like me. I don't want to risk my life even if I'm an immortal," Wil replied calmly.
Upon hearing him, Mirella snorted, "risking your life? Hmpf, aren't you an immortal? Even if you die, you'll reborn again. Moreover, you don't want to work but want to get a share? Fine, then, I'll force you to risk your life and work hard for it."
*Ding. Favorability with King dropped by 5
As Wil was taken aback by the sudden notification, Mirella spoke, "You'll receive four of our finest warriors who will venture into the deep lands with you."
"Just four?"
Wil suddenly became worried as he knew four might not be enough to explore it. Not to mention, he already planned to leave the rest of the five guardians in the city as they are useless.
Mirella frowned, "are you doubting my decision?"
Wil hurriedly shook his head, "no, your majesty. Four are enough but I'm worried about my safety. You see, even if I resurrect again, I can't go back alone. They have to come all the way to the city to pick me up. This is why I can't risk my life because it will waste a lot of time."
"Is that so?"
"Looks like I misunderstood this guy's intentions. But, I can't take back my word. Hmm, what to do…"
*Ding. Favorability with King increased by 5
Mirella then spoke, "you'll receive a high-grade armor from our royal armory. Lord Raziel will make sure you were able to wear it. With it, you'll be safe from most of the monsters." Then, her face turned cold as she continued to speak, "But, remember to return it or else… you'll know the consequences."
Even though Wil was furious inside because of her attitude, he kept his cool and lightly bowed, "thank you, Your Majesty."
*Ding. You received a Quest.
Description: The King order to venture deep into the Nefarus wild zone and explore the hidden realm.
Reward: Your choice of all gains found in exploration.
Failure: You will be a wanted criminal of Llyne Kingdom and will be jailed for a month for deceiving the King.
As he accepted the quest, he received a quest item, which is a level-200 epic grade light armor.
Llyne's Armor
Level: 200
Class: Anyone
Grade: Epic
Hp: 2039875
Defense: 202689
Crt. Dmg. resist: 30%
Crt. Resist: 62%
Damage reduction: 9%
As he equipped the armor right away, Wil glanced at the King and thought, "Just you wait. Sooner or later, I'll take control of your whole Kingdom. But, first, taking control of East Ocean city and its port is important."
Meanwhile, as dozens of players gathered far away from the palace and blocking the road to others and threatening them with their guild name, five Vice-leaders from large guilds were talking with each other peacefully outside of the gate.
"So, to make fairer, first, we let him out with the secret and then, use your means to poach him to your guild. Does everyone agree with it?" said Rigel.
Everyone nodded.
Rigel sighed, "Well... since I already had the backing of Guild Leader, I'll make this mission, a success, even if I have to start a war."
***
After he was excused from the Court, Wil and his guardians were taken to the guest room.
A while later; four NPCs stepped inside the room.
One of them greeted Wil, "Hello, you must be Time Traveler. I'm Garvin. This is Renart, Athelard, and Gervais. We are Royal-Knights, who only serve his majesty."
"His Majesty? The way they are addressing that chic is really wrong in so many ways. Maybe, it's a rule set by the previous king. It would have been better if that woman was once a man and her gender changed because of some curse."
As the party of 10 exits the palace and crossed the gate, Wil saw a bunch of players were waiting outside.
Rigel stepped forward and called out with a smile, "Hello there. Can we speak for a moment?"
Looking at them, Garvin asked, "Time Traveler, are they your acquaintances?"
Wil replied coldly, "No, they are not. You can kill them if they dare to obstruct our path. No, actually, let's just …"
A few moments later, at Resurrection point, Rigel let out a curse with a dark expression, "f*** I didn't expect that guy to be this ruthless. I didn't even get to speak."
Meanwhile, near the palace gate, the other four Vice-leaders were stunned on the spot and stared silently at their backs as Wil and the others were leaving.
***
Back to the present;
Wil logged out of the game like most people as it's useless to roam without Night-Vision skill. Of course, it can't stop one who can walk and fight in darkness but they are an extreme minority and nothing can be done to them.
Meanwhile, at Aynor continent or underworld, Demon race players were happily leveling up even in the darkness because Fire torches were available in the stores from the start.
While this discovery sure made some newbies pick it as a priority, still, the race remained unpopular as their appearances are ugly skeletons. Unlike other races, demon race players don't get to have their real appearances because they have to live with demons. Only after they reached level-100 and advance, they will get a demon skin with horns. What they don't know is that they will retain it after the second advancement.
After getting out the capsule, Wil took a shower and then, started reading his email that he received from Scarlet HQ.
"Oh, 52 members were recruited on the first day? Not bad. If it's HQ, then, I have no doubts about their capability."
He put it aside and started watching the news for a while before playing an action movie after getting bored.
While he was interestingly watching it with popcorn in his hand, suddenly, he received a text from an unknown number.
A frown appeared on Wil, "unknown number? This number is only known to a few. Who might it be?"
XXXX: You shall die if you don't come to the airport by 3 a.m.