Chapter 57: The Quest That Didn’t Seem Like a Quest

By clearing what didn’t even feel like a quest, I was able to earn 300 coins. However, what mattered wasn’t the reward.

‘Why was there no mention of the Eyesense upgrade?’

There had been no discussion about the increase in my Eyesense’s grade, yet the quest had been cleared.

‘What does this mean?’

It meant that Senia, the middle manager, was unaware of the gift from the anonymous observer.

‘Why would that be?’

I couldn’t tell.

‘Is such a thing possible?’

It seemed it was. Senia was not aware that my Eyesense grade had temporarily increased.

“Is this it? Do you remember everything perfectly?”

“Perfectly. However, Player Kim Hyukjin, you need to listen more carefully to my explanation. What I’m telling you could be a matter of life and death.”

“I’ve memorized it all, isn’t that enough?”

“……Well, yes, but.”

It wasn’t good to talk with the BJ for too long. The guardians didn’t want to watch me and the BJ chattering away. They wanted to see how I would clear this ‘Special Hidden Piece.’ That’s their interest.

‘The whispering devil would probably enjoy watching me tumble over and over.’

Regardless, I moved on. The forest detected by my Eyesense was massive. With my current abilities, it was hard to figure out just how vast it was.

‘This is going to take quite some time.’

Nothing else was of major concern, except for the worry about my mother and sister.

‘Worrying about it now won’t change anything.’

This path was the one I’d chosen. There was no turning back. And there wasn’t a distinct path that would lead me out either.

‘The clue is to find the owner of this forest.’

There were no other clues.

‘It’s evening now.’

This Hidden Piece had ‘the flow of time.’ The sun was setting, which meant west.

‘Without the dungeon compass, I have to use that as my point of reference.’

According to the exploits of the great explorer Jackson, when you are completely lost, it’s best to find your way east. There’s no particular law that says so, but that’s what experience suggests.

‘It won’t be like those complex dungeons that change direction on the fly.’

I decided to set a reference point and start exploring. Another day passed.

* * *

I set up a tent using the camping gear provided by the guardians. I heard the notifications for the magic bonfire and magic camping set.

[A safe zone has been established.]

[The safe zone will be marked in green.]

I felt inwardly pleased.

‘This should cover a reasonably wide area.’

A safe zone with a diameter of about five meters had been set up. As long as I was within it, I wouldn’t be attacked by monsters.

‘We’re still in the beginning area.’

There were no ridiculously strong monsters in the beginner area that could destroy a safe zone.

‘If there is such a creature, it’s death either way.’

I hoped there weren’t any, but if there were, death was inevitable. In that sense, this safe zone was incredibly useful.

“Player Kim Hyukjin, what have you gained by exploring this place?”

I intuited that this wasn’t a question from Senia.

‘The guardian’s query.’

The process of exploration itself isn’t that exciting or enjoyable. Right now, I have to gather clues and clear quests. Not every part of the process can be interesting. Some guardians might not be watching me at all times.

‘I’ll have to collect the ‘EXGIs’ and explain.’

Understanding the system well, I decided to make the most of it.

“First off, this place is a forest-type field.”

Quite an obvious statement.

“During today’s exploration, I saw three types of claw marks. They left traces on trees.”

Following the basic stratagems of explorer Jackson, I stayed true to the basics: determining the type of monsters that exist in the dungeon, their habits, the terrain, and other fundamental aspects.

“Considering the height and size of the claw marks, it’s likely they belong to a feline predator-type monster.”

“…….”

Senia silently listened to me. My improved Eyesense caught a flicker of emotion in Senia. Though unexpressed, she was quite impressed in her own way. The guardians probably felt the same, considering I was still a novice in their eyes who hadn’t even changed classes yet.

“The creatures probably have their own territories. Since there are no signs of combat, it seems they implicitly avoid fighting each other. There’s no fighting at all,” I concluded.

“How does that benefit you, Player Kim Hyukjin?”

“If I follow the boundaries of their territories, I can minimize monster encounters.”

“…….”

“Plus, nocturnal birds of prey are active at night.”

They move around in the darkness. Not strong enough to break through the safe zone, but some were quite threatening.

‘Like the red-eyed owl.’

It was a level 29 monster, but given its avian nature and superior night vision compared to mine, it was much tougher to deal with than an average level 29 monster.

“That means there must be prey for them to hunt.”

If there are predators, prey must also be present. That’s usually the case. Dungeons are worlds of survival of the fittest.

“Strangely, I can’t see any traces of prey. What does that mean?”

I didn’t know. But something was off.

“…….”

Senia didn’t answer.

[‘The Jewel of Mount Cheonma’ is very interested in your exploration.]

[‘The Whispering Devil’ finds your play entertaining.]

[‘The Brave Lion King’ is bored.]

[‘The Lady of the Scales’ admires your calm.]

[‘The Anonymous Observer’ continues to watch you incessantly.]

Another day had passed. I didn’t discover anything more.

‘Don’t rush things.’

It’s only been 3 days. In the case of dangerous dungeons, it can take months.

‘I’m unusually calm.’

Normally you would expect to feel scared in such a secluded and potentially dangerous place after three days.

‘I don’t feel scared at all.’

I had to admit my own feelings.

‘No.’

It wasn’t just a lack of fear. To put it frankly,

‘It’s fun.’

I was thoroughly enjoying this play. Enjoyment in play is also within the realm of talent. Many people would say so.

‘I hope I’m not just an early bloomer.’

Whether I’m just an early bloomer or not will be decided if I can break through to level 40. Typically, early bloomers can’t break through the level 30-40 range.

On the fourth day, I came across a burned village.

[You have entered the ‘Burned Village of Slash-and-Burn Farmers’.]

[You have entered a ‘Safe Zone’.]

This was ‘The Unknown Forest’, the Special Hidden Field containing the ‘Burned Village of Slash-and-Burn Farmers’. Most houses were left with nothing but their foundations. According to the setting, this was a safe zone.

‘Will I find a clue here?’

I had no idea. You have to run around to find out. If there were objects that could be ‘clicked’, I could gain a clue.

‘This house is fairly intact.’

There were houses that appeared reasonably intact, albeit crudely made of wood; they retained the shape of ‘houses’. I went inside.

‘Huh?’

I looked behind me the moment I entered. I drew my sword from my inventory.

‘What was that?’

It was supposed to be a safe zone, but I felt something strange. Very faint, but definitely something was there.

‘My Eyesense… It’s signaling me.’

I felt someone’s gaze.

‘There’s something here.’

I couldn’t identify what it was. Something was watching me. Only a sensation caught by my enhanced Eyesense; with my original abilities, I wouldn’t have noticed.

‘It is a safe zone but…’

I shouldn’t let my guard down. Something felt off.

‘That looks clickable.’

A blackened drawer caught my eye. A clickable object. I used my eyes to ‘click’, and the drawer opened on its own. Inside was a letter.

[You have acquired ‘The Letter of the Village Chief of the Slash-and-Burn Farmers’.]

I examined the letter.

──────────

To. Dear Mr. Lepri,

This letter is sent from the westernmost village, Dot, to the easternmost village, Dante. Mr. Lepri, it’s over for us. The owner of the forest is enraged. They have directed their wrath at us, and we have no means of escape. I hope that you…

──────────

The letter was burnt, so the rest of the contents were unreadable.

‘An enraged forest owner, and due to that, this place was burned down? A likely setting.’

If that’s the setting, then according to this letter, I have to find another clue to meet this owner of the forest.

‘According to the letter, this place is the westernmost village, Dot.’

Moving east suggests there is another village at the eastern end.

“What is your plan? Will you move east?”

“No.”

If this was called the westernmost village, then it’s likely I’m near the western end of ‘The Unknown Forest’. It could be helpful to know what lies at the edge of this field before moving east.

“I’ll explore west a little more before heading east. That could save time and be a more efficient approach.”

“Understood.”

I didn’t find any further information in the ‘Burned Village of Slash-and-Burn Farmers’. I moved further west.

Suddenly, I was stopped by an invisible wall.

[You cannot move any further.]

In my eyes, the field stretched out before me. I could see the dense forest of trees. But I couldn’t pass.

‘This is probably the edge of the field.’

And,

‘It could be a setting where special conditions must be met to progress.’

From what I could determine, the latter was more likely since I could still see more of the field with my own eyes.

‘No significant gains.’

Now, I had to set my direction towards the east again. Going through the dungeon without knowing the tactics was a bit dull. As I had initially expected, the predatory monsters kept to themselves, aware of their counterparts, allowing me to explore without significant attacks.

‘Maybe something will be waiting to the east.’

The dullness could not be helped. While it might be just a game or entertainment for the guardians, for me, it was a matter of life and death. Even when taking risks, it’s right to stay as safe as possible.

‘That faint feeling of being watched in the village.’

I occasionally feel it. I can’t identify what it is, but something unseen keeps its eyes on me. It doesn’t seem intent on attacking right now, but it’s a burden. I can’t move carelessly in this situation.

Then, at that moment, a new notification arrived.

[‘The Shepherd of Las Vegas’ makes you a proposal.]

With this notification, the scenario entered a new phase.