"What do you mean by that, Marquis?" Naturally, Valyr was bewildered to hear from Aster's mouth that he was the reason why the Zeihardt clan had split into two factions, prompting him to ask this question, which caused Aster to fall into a state of ponderation.
In the meantime, he went ahead and commanded the system to show the quest he had received in his mind, feeling a hint of dread at the thought that he had received the quest just as Aster said that.
Ding!
[The Future of Humanity (1)] (World Quest) (Linked Quest) (Time-limited Quest)
Difficulty: S
The Zeihardt Royal Clan is one of the very few human clans in existence to have existed ever since the human race rebelled against their oppressors over one hundred thousand years ago. The clan is also the main reason why the human race was able to liberate themselves, with the founder of the clan eventually establishing the greatest power of the human race.
However, with the passage of time, those from the clan eventually forgot their pitiful beginnings as a race, instead pursuing to vie for greater control over the clan at every opportunity as corruption worsens within the clan with every generation. Though this internal fight had been subtle for multiple decades, it had only become a true problem within the past decade or so due to the existence of a single person.
You.
Amidst the tensions building between the three races that live on the world of Veldanyr, you must head to the origin of your blood and resolve the problem at its roots. If left unchecked, the existence of the human race might become different as you know it.
Quest Objectives:
> Head to where the Zeihardt Royal Clan is located (0/1)
Quest Rewards:
> 300,000 XP
> Level +1
Quest Penalty: End of the linked quest, future repercussions
Remaining time: 3 months
[Note: It is recommended that you head to where the Zeihardt Royal Clan is located as soon as possible.]
'A World Quest…' Though he was doubtful earlier when he had received the notification, Valyr now had no choice but to accept the fact that what he had obtained was a bona fide World Quest.
From the name of the type of quest itself, World Quests were quests wherein the outcome would affect the future of the entire world, with the destruction of the world normally being the outcome when the one who obtained the quest failed to succeed in completing its objectives.
Though more difficult versions of World Quests would appear in the future versions of Greater Beyond, all of them, including World Quests, had three things in common. First, if one were to complete them, they would be able to obtain rewards that could not be crafted, nor obtained through any quest.
Second, the quest could only be obtained once. Even if one found out the various steps that led to unlocking the quest, one would not be able to receive it if another person already had the quest.
And third, the difficulty grade of a World Quest was always S no matter what.
'Judging from the description of the quest, it seems that the problem that's currently running amok in the clan has a connection to the outcome of the War of the Three Sovereignties.' As this thought surfaced in his mind, Valyr could not help but inwardly let out a long sigh as his shoulders slightly sagged.
His plan at first was to complete a few tasks during the beta version in preparation for Greater Beyond's first public version. Then, with these preparations, he would obtain a specific World Quest revolving around the planet's storyline during the first version before any of the players had the hopes of obtaining it.
Though he knew that he could still carry on with his initial plans and do it alongside the World Quest he had just received, the fact that he now had to deal with two World Quests in the future somewhat overwhelmed him. With that, he reminded himself to take everything one step at a time.
'Well, if there's anything positive to getting a World Quest this early, it's the fact that even a simple task such as heading to where the Zeihardt's main clan is located would net me great rewards.' Inwardly taking in a deep breath, Valyr decided to shift his perspective and view the World Quest as an opportunity, thanking his body for the chance after that.
Coincidentally, just as Valyr had wholly accepted the fact that he had obtained a World Quest, Aster had finally returned back to reality, letting out a long sigh as he looked at the man before shaking his head and bitterly smiling. "Unfortunately, if I tell you the reason, there's a risk of putting the entire Stelyra clan into jeopardy. What I've mentioned earlier to you is as far as I can go."
Hearing those words, Valyr could not help but let out an inward sigh of relief, thankful that he would not obtain any more information from Aster. After all, the information that he had received from him was already far more than what he had expected to find out in the first place.
With that in mind, a question eventually popped up in his mind as he looked at the middle-aged man that stood before him. "Why did you decide to tell me all of this? Do you gain anything from this?"
"I have a lot to gain, and nothing to lose." Aster let out a light chuckle, causing Valyr to tilt his head in slight puzzlement. "As part of the clan that has decided to take the side of the Zeihardt Royal Clan's supportive faction, I seek to gain a lot once I tell them that I've aided you by reminding you to stay far away from the rebel faction."
At those words, Valyr could not help but bitterly smile for a brief moment, recalling the objective of the World Quest he had just received.
"Then again, now that you know the reason why I did it, you might be inclined to think of my earlier actions as selfish. Though I apologize, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again since the fate of the Stelyra clan is at stake," Aster added soon after, to which Valyr replied that he could understand. After all, the man before him was the leader of a branch of a noble clan, which meant that every action he made affected the fate of not only the branch clan he led, but the noble clan itself.
Donning a light smile after hearing that Valyr understood his current position, as well as the fact that he had more or less achieved his main goal in meeting with Valyr, Aster's mind could not help but wander for a bit, recalling Valyr's response towards one of his questions from earlier.
"Now that I think about it, what was the reason behind the ambush you've experienced, Valyr?" As this question came out of Aster's mouth, a grim expression briefly appeared on Valyr's face before recalling what had transpired in that incident.
Letting out a light sigh, Valyr replied. "The one who ambushed me told me that someone wanted me dead. I'm more or less certain that it's because of my current class, considering how it only happened after I registered at the Blacksmith Guild and participated in a forging tournament."
"Your current class?" Not expecting that kind of response, Aster could not help but raise his eyebrow in curiosity. "Is there something unique about your class?"
"There is." Valyr lightly nodded in response. "Though I've already told you a lot of things about myself during our conversation so far…"
"Would you mind if you swear an oath before I continue?"
