NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 3 - In the Slums (3)
Chapter 3 – In the Slums(3)
While it’s common in almost any game,
Ernel Saga also has elements called hidden pieces.
They can be obtained by clearing specific quests,
And depending on the type, they’re divided into items or skills.
‘However, some of these can be easily obtained through bugs.’
In what’s called an honorary achievement,
The first user to discover a bug reports it to the administrators.
If fixing it is deemed difficult or impossible, they officially recognize clearing it through the bug.
It’s basically acknowledging it because they lack the ability to fix it properly,
Anyway, the reason I’m mentioning this is nothing special.
‘The old man I’m going to see now is a case where this applies.’
It was a bug discovered by a user from a certain community known for their perverted gameplay,
A method that became a major talking point among both gamers and administrators.
‘Who would have thought it could be discovered by only playing as ordinary people with the possession skill…’
Of course, it was half a gamble since there’s no guarantee this world follows the original’s rules.
It’s uncertain whether the concept of bugs would even apply to reality.
‘But if things work out as intended, this would be the best possible start for me right now.’
“It should be around here…”
Walking while watching for prying eyes, I spotted the shabby house I’d often seen in the game.
I approached and knocked roughly on the door. A small gap opened, revealing glistening white eyes.
“I thought it would be some shady characters… but a child? That’s unexpected.”
“So, little blood lump. What brings you here? Lost your mother or something?”
Looking at the old man who recited the game dialogue word for word, I opened my mouth.
“I’ve come to take the test of noble blood.”
“……”
Silence fell instantly and continued for several minutes.
Creeeeak
The door opened, and the eerie gaze was gone, replaced by an old man looking at me in disbelief.
“…Come in. This isn’t something to be discussed carelessly outside.”
──────────────────
You have discovered a hidden quest
registered as an honorary achievement.
Pass the old man’s test.
Reward:
Failure: Significant decrease in relationship with the old man
──────────────────
‘I’m halfway there.’
The old man gestured toward the nearest chair, indicating I should sit.
“So… I’m curious where someone like you heard about this?”
He looked at me with sharp, piercing eyes.
‘This is where it begins. I need to speak as naturally as possible.’
I answered his question by saying what I had prepared in advance.
The old man listened quietly to my story.
“So the nanny who raised you told you this? That you have the qualification and should find me?”
“You don’t believe me?”
I deliberately put on more bravado toward the old man who was looking at me suspiciously.
‘If I can’t even take the test, I’m in trouble.’
I needed to at least find out if this would work. Then I could plan my next steps.
There were quite a few other glitchy places anyway.
‘I might die unluckily, but they probably wouldn’t dare behead someone who might be the legitimate successor’
For the old man, this was an important duty passed down through generations beyond his lifetime. He couldn’t act rashly.
“What happened to the nanny? Her name?”
“She’s dead. I don’t know her name. She often said, ‘There’s no need for you to remember the name of someone as insignificant as me, young master.'”
The old man frowned, looking at me with disapproval.
“There are too many suspicious things to take your word at face value. Don’t you think your story is rather flimsy, even to yourself?”
Of course it was flimsy since I made it up roughly while walking here.
But there was no need to fabricate more.
I boldly rolled up the sleeve on my right arm and showed him my wrist.
“We can just try it, can’t we? Why be so suspicious when there’s a definitive way to check, Master Hasar?”
“…”
“You even know my real name… Did that nanny really…”
The old man stroked his chin and then met my eyes.
“Very well, we’ll test it and see. It won’t take long anyway. But if it’s a lie, you will never be able to take Hasar’s test again. Remember that.”
Soon, a visibly dark and intense energy emanated from his right hand.
‘So that’s magical energy…’
The energy that one would naturally handle upon becoming a mage.
Though I was afraid seeing it directly for the first time, I watched without showing my fear.
The old man gripped my wrist firmly and
Kugugugu!
He concentrated the magical energy on my wrist, producing an ominous sound effect.
‘Ugh…’
The pain like being burned by fire almost made me curse out loud.
[Poor Adaptability (D+) is activating]
[All resistance slightly increases, pain tolerance increases!]
As I barely endured while hearing these notifications,
“…!”
A blinding light burst forth from my wrist.
“This… can’t be, it’s true?”
The old man’s voice trembled in disbelief.
‘It worked! It’s effective! I succeeded!’
Even while groaning in pain, I couldn’t contain my inner joy.
This was the moment that proved elements exploiting bugs worked in this world too!
Ding!
[Quest clear reward has been granted.]
[Reward: Heir of the Brand, Shop Points 500p]
──────────────────
【Heir of the Brand(C-)】
A mark symbolizing one who inherits the Demon King’s blood.
:Greatly increases the growth rate of Psychic ability, and adjusts the minimum value to 10!
:When exposed to attacks of demonic, evil, or poison attributes, buffs that increase health and mental stats are granted! (Can be stacked)
:Does not consume trait slots!
[Locked due to insufficient rank]
[You are not a legitimate heir!]
[Cannot grow!]
──────────────────
‘So I get to see this in real life.’
A visibly complex pattern was imprinted on my wrist.
Heir of the Brand was a trait that could be seen when progressing through quests related to Main.
Its identity was first revealed during the process of searching for the Demon King, their ruler, and it was a trait that protagonist characters could never obtain.
‘Though with that grade, it’s rather mediocre.’
It needed to be at least rank A for demanding gamers to consider it overpowered.
Anything below that couldn’t be considered that impressive.
‘But for me, it’s significant.’
Psychic ability is considered the second most important stat after Potential.
It affects the success rate and power of skills, growth proficiency, and application capabilities.
It influences everything.
‘I was really lucky.’
The acquisition method revealed in the community required unlocked innate abilities, no traits,
and the extremely difficult condition of having a Psychic stat of 5 or lower.
It was impossible for protagonists with guaranteed minimum stats from the beginning to achieve this condition.
That’s why it remained undiscovered for so long, until a user who possessed an ordinary person and contacted the old man figured it out after much trial and error.
Leaving him still in shock, I opened my status window.
▼
[Name: Not set.]
Strength: 2
Agility: 2
Health: 4 (5)
Mental: 6 (7)
Ability: 0 (10)
Potential: 0
◈Unique Ability(1/1)
Terrible Adaptability(D+)
◈Trait(0/1)
Descendant of the Brand(C-)
◈Constitution and Qualities
Extremely Untalented(A+)
Face of Plausibility(C)
Shop Points:500P
[Brand Buff Active]
▲
‘Is the foundation prepared…?’
I opened my mouth toward the old man who was staring blankly.
“Seems like it’s been proven. According to tradition, as the successor, I believe there’s something I should receive?”
“Hmm….”
He swallowed hard and handed over a small golden key that glimmered from inside his clothes.
──────────────────
A special dungeon key that only successors with the Brand can enter.
It is said to be made from the solidified blood of the Dark Lord.
Usage Condition: Must possess the Descendant of the Brand trait.
──────────────────
Good.
Right now I’m too weak and going there would just feed the monsters, but it will be a great help for my growth later.
“And I have a personal request…”
The old man said sheepishly,
“You have a request?”
Is he saying he can’t bring himself to use honorifics? That’s actually better since it would be burdensome otherwise.
“You know the slaughterhouse that Han Aejeong runs? Sell me to her.”
“What…?”
“What are you suddenly saying? To hand you over directly?”
He looked at me as if I were insane.
“Yes, that’s my request.”
“That’s not even funny. No matter how much I love money, I would never sell off a successor.”
He showed his discomfort and gestured for me to ask for something else.
“That’s what I need most, I have business with her.”
“If that’s the case, I can arrange a direct meeting…”
The old man flinched mid-sentence,
“…Could it be that she’s connected to the wet nurse’s death?”
‘Huh? What…?’
I remained silent at the unexpected question, but he took it as affirmation.
“I see, personal revenge… you’re not even parent and child, yet revenge for a mere nanny…”
He observed me carefully before speaking.
“This successor has unnecessarily strong compassion. The girl who came before seemed to have neither blood nor tears…”
Girl…? Ah, is it her?
Yes, originally, she would have been the only successor, but since I obtained this trait through a bug, she’s no longer the only one.
‘Wait, wouldn’t it be a huge problem if this gets discovered?’
Getting involved with the Mine Guild is never a good thing…
While I was fretting to myself.
“Very well. If it’s revenge, you’ll want to achieve it yourself.
Anyway, betrayal is very common among people in this field.
There’s no need to maintain loyalty to her. However, I can’t accept something this trivial, so make another request.”
Looking at the old man who was more favorable than expected,
“No, this is enough. I’ll come back as a proper customer later and ask for help then. Oh, and of course, you won’t leak information about me, right?”
The old man grinned and said,
“I’ll do it for a special low price. Don’t worry. I’m not foolish enough to sell information about a successor carelessly.”
True to his word, no matter what I did, I couldn’t get information about the Demon Lord from the old man.
‘Even until his neck was on the line…’
The person known as the Loyal Old Man in the community would be trustworthy.
“Strike while the iron is hot, it’s best to start right away”
He rummaged through his drawer and pulled out a peculiarly shaped pill.
“It’s just a sleeping pill with no special functions. Don’t worry. I won’t lay a finger on your body. I’ll tell Han Aejeong you’re a docile child.
I’ll tell her not to be harsh but to just quietly give you work. She somewhat trusts my words, so she’ll keep you close.”
Oh, that’s helpful, but just to be sure. After examining it with observation, I put it in my mouth.
[You are experiencing a strong sleep effect.]
[Poor Adaptability (D+) is activating.]
[Face of Plausibility (C) mental effect is activating.]
[Resisting sleep effect… Mental stats are slightly increasing…]
Seeing the rising messages, I lowered my resistance.
As my vision became blurry
…If you truly are a legitimate successor like that girl… you should be able to overcome such hardships…
With those faintly heard words behind me, I lost consciousness.