Chapter 798

Chapter 798

“They will find me even if I don’t seek them out.”

Although the affinity increased by 90% was a notable achievement, Leeha’s focus was on the aspect of ‘hospitality’.

Wasn’t it natural to be hospitable if affinity increased?

Even so, why was the option of hospitality specifically included?

“It must be some sort of trap. Maybe if that achievement isn’t acquired, it would be impossible to find the Pandril Inhabitants, or something along those lines.”

Having been deceived by Middle Earth more than once, Leeha instinctively felt this was the key to resolving the current quest.

“Well, this should be the place. Let’s go in.”

Leeha and Blaugun opened the creaky door of a shabby general store and stepped inside.

The NPC standing at the counter was certainly not a Giant.

* * *

“Um... Hello.”

Leeha greeted the NPC store owner. The heavily fur-clad Lizardia grinned broadly, revealing a set of sharp teeth.

“A precious guest has arrived at such a humble place. Welcome, Leeha.”

It wasn’t a Giant, indeed... but it wasn’t a human either.

“A Lizardia? In a winter country like this?”

Lizardians were generally found in Fibiel and Minis.

lizard folk could utilize 120% of their physical abilities in hot climates.

As a result, they were scarce in places dominated by the sea like Kraven or snowy fields like Shazrashian.

This tendency was particularly true for NPCs, except for certain players who enjoyed unconventional gameplay.

“At any rate, it’s not a Pandril.”

Feeling a bit disappointed, Leeha awkwardly nodded and started to look around the shop. Upon seeing Leeha’s crestfallen expression, blaugun offered some consolation.

—Don’t be too down because it’s not human. Another one will show up when we keep searching. They already recognized you as Leeha.

—That’s a good thing, but... sigh.

Surprised to find a Lizardia, Leeha paused momentarily.

Nevertheless, he had to ask. He decided to speak up. After all, the Lizardia might also be part of a discriminated minority, potentially having some connection to the Pandril people.

Just as he was gathering his thoughts, the Lizardia NPC came out from behind the counter.

The Lizardia, who had been smiling at Leeha, walked to the entrance and started locking the door.

“Uh, umm? Excuse me─”

“Please wait a moment.”

“What is...”

Click, clack—!

In an unusual manner for a general store, the Lizardia secured multiple locks on the door before turning back to Leeha.

It was Leeha who stopped Blaugun from gathering mana.

—We shouldn’t fight.

—I’ll just be prepared.

—No, not even preparation. Um, just hold them in a state of paralysis with the quietest magic.

—What?

—We can’t risk causing delays here.

The Lizardia smiled while looking at him. It was clear the Lizardia wouldn’t attack first.

However, another accomplishment weighed on Leeha’s mind.

〈Achievement: Under surveillance by the Shazrashian Federation (A+)〉

Shall I congratulate you?

In a way, you have been recognized by a nation! They may call it ‘unofficial’, but everyone associated with them will be ‘officially’ monitoring you! You better not cause any trouble within that country’s territory.

Reward: Agility +8, stamina +5, willpower +5

If caught by guards or higher NPCs within the territory of that country, every merit point -500

‘I’m already at minus a thousand! If I get caught again and lose -500 each time...!’

She worried about getting banned from the Shazrashian Federation.

The fact that such an achievement wasn’t listed in the Hall of Fame amused Leeha, but she had no time to care about that now.

Finally, after locking all the locks and drawing all the curtains, lizardia walked toward Leeha.

As Leeha and Blaugrunn watched the mana slowly gathering around Lizardia, their eyes widened.

“Shuuu...!”

Lizardia’s NPC body started emitting light.

Leeha blocked Blaugrunn’s spellcasting and asked Zellafon to protect her.

“Leeha-nim!”

“No, don’t use it. Hold on—”

The bickering between Leeha and Blaugrunn was almost comical.R/ê/Ad lateSt ch/a/pters at novelhall.com Only

Once all the emitted light disappeared and they opened their eyes, what they saw was not Lizardia.

Content: Perusal of Pandril Tribe’s in 10 days

Reward: ?

Condition for Failure: Death of Pandril Tribe Aner within the period

Failure Note: Quest route deletion

Do you accept?

“Please give us just ten days. I will convene our scattered comrades across the country. Could you return here once again then?”

Leeha skimmed through the quest window.

It wasn’t a particularly special quest.

Simply come back here in ten days, read through their records, and complete the quest.

‘But the hidden reward and the failure conditions... Those are the key points.’

The death of Pandril Tribe Aner? Does that mean someone is targeting this NPC?’

For the old Leeha, this would’ve been a nerve-wracking scenario, but not now.

He was confident in facing any adversary, even someone from Shazrasyan.

Leeha confidently pressed the accept button.

“Understood.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, have there been any people targeting Aner recently?”

“Huh? What do you mean by that...?”

Aner tilted his head in confusion. Leeha dismissed it as nothing and whispered to Blaug-run.

―Blaugrunn-ssi.

―Yes?

―For the next ten days, protect the human named Aner thoroughly.

―... Is there something concerning you?

―No, it’s not that, but just in case. Anyway, you must be ‘thorough’. Got it?

Leeha winked at Blaug-run, and the boy nodded.

“Alright then, I’ll be off, mr. Aner.”

“Yes. Let me open the door for—”

“No, teleportation will do. See you in ten days.”

Leeha activated the crystal ball.

Blaug-run also teleported, synchronizing his timing with Leeha.

However, the dragon headed to the roof of the shop where Aner was.

―I will start the protection now.

―Okay.

The simpler the quest, the more cautious you should be.

Hoping that the uneasy feeling was just that, a feeling, Leeha moved on to meet Shimo.

‘Ten days, within which I will embody the qualities of the “White Reaper” even more.’

He would do his best to not only carry the name but also to match Shimo’s skills.

* * *

『Really!? Already—you found and met them already?』

“Yes. It seemed like there was no need for you to worry about them anymore. Their disguise skills were so good even a dragon would be shocked. Plus, the anti-discrimination law was enacted and takes effect from today, so there’s nothing to worry about from now on.”

The fact that one’s true form was hidden wouldn’t fall under the category of ‘living well.’

To avoid discrimination, showing a different race, which wasn’t a Giant or Lizardia but something else, gave an idea of the kind of discrimination and persecution faced in their true form as a Pandril.

However, Leeha spoke in a lighter tone to ease Shimo’s worries, and Shimo looked at Leeha with a moved expression.

『I knew you could do it, but this quickly... Truly, you are indeed like me.』

“If I’m like you, there’s something we must do next, right?”

Leeha smiled slyly, and the White Reaper regained his smile. The task ahead appeared before Leeha.

『White Reaper: Piercing Eye—1』

Description: “You know I could see the wind, right? But that’s not all. You might have guessed it, but... the reason I wasn’t fooled by your trickery was because of this eye. I shall give you my eye. However, you must prove with your own strength that you can effectively use it. Read the wind. Fire the bullet accordingly and hit the target.”

The White Reaper, Shimo, intended to pass on his eyeball. After passing his test.

Objective: Hit the target with a bullet that has endured wind speeds of over 40 m/s.

Attempt limit: 5

Reward: Skill—Piercing Eye (Passive)

『White Reaper: Non-existent Existence—2』

Condition for Failure: Exceed the attempt limit

Failure consequence: Deletion of the quest route

Do you accept?