I Reject Quests

Vinia's body froze. Just as the stick was a centimeter or two away from her neck, the stick stopped.

Rewen smiled, then took back the stick. "Do you know why you lost?"

"Because you made an unorthodox move. That wasn't a real sword style." Although Vinia was compelled to admit her loss, she felt a little indignant.

"Neither is this stick a real sword. Let me tell you why I won. I won because I knew my limits. I couldn't possibly defeat someone who has practiced the sword for a decade."

"Does that mean that you have to use underhanded means to win? Are you content with the win?" Vinia said in a passive-aggressive tone. She was praised as a genius. She had lost countless times but only to Master. Against her peers, she subconsciously believed herself to be invincible.

Rewen didn't get angry. He instead stared at her calmly. "Do you really believe what I did was underhanded? You yourself said it was unorthodox. How about this then? My sword style is such that I can switch my sword from one hand to another and use it in any way I like."

"Swords aren't meant to be used that way." 

"May I know who you are to set up rules for swinging a sword?"

"..." Vinia bit her lips and calmed down. She started to loath herself. Never had she thought that she would be this much of a sore loser.

"Alright. Tell me. What are you carrying?"

"A stick." Vinia answered in a low tone.

"No. I meant, what do you think you are carrying?"

"Of course, a sword."

"Do you know what I am carrying?"

"A sword?"

"Yes, but I'm also carrying an arrow, spear, lance and a dagger."

"Huh?"

"You perceive the stick only as a sword. Your perception is limited and that's the main reason why you lost. I, on the other hand, can use it however I like. If I want it to be a spear, it will be a spear."

"The purpose of the spar was to compare two sword styles."

"Exactly. The fact that I used the stick as weapons doesn't matter. What matters is that the weapon in question is supposed to be a sword. Whatever I did was only part of my sword style. There is no definite way to use a sword. Give me an actual sword and the result will be the same. The only reason you appear to be indignant is because you broke your perception of a stick being a sword. You used it like a sword but never actually believed it to be a sword."

"I understand." Vinia said in a heavy voice.

After a while, Rewen sighed. "Take my words with a grain of salt. I am, after all, someone from the village. If I'm appearing as someone ignorant, excuse me. This is simply what I feel as a blacksmith. When I'm in the process of creating a weapon, I'm always thinking… always thinking - what would be the most logical and effective way to use this? When could the blunt parts of the weapon be used?

"At the end of the day, a sword to me is nothing more than a tool. I truly wish there would be a day in the future where I can hold on to my weapon as something more than just a weapon."

[+1 Favorability]

"I'm sure you will." Vinia had a smile on her face.

***

Rewen, Vinia and Sam appeared for breakfast. 

"Where are the others?" Rewen addressed the issue of missing members of the house.

"Don't know." Sam looked like he didn't care and started gobbling down his food. If Mrs. Klofar were to be present, she would surely say - The food isn't running anymore. 

Vinia ate quietly sitting by the side.

"Sam. I will look for quests after breakfast. Do you want to go with me?"

"Sure."

"Quests?" Vinia raised her head.

"Uh, yeah. I'm feeling good so I decided to go around the city helping people in need while also gaining something in return. Do you want to go as well?"

"Why not? In the process, I'll buy you some books regarding the upcoming General Knights Recruitment Group - A Exam."

"Damn, I completely forgot about that."

"What's with that?"

"I'll tell you some other time."

***

The market was busy and the roads were filled with people. Not to the point of being overpopulated but it is lively.

The trio - Rewen, Sam and Vinia were wandering off aimlessly.

"When is this quest of yours going to come out?" Sam asked with some impatience in his voice.

"Just a bit more." Rewen replied, looking around.

Vinia didn't say anything.

Eventually, Rewen spotted a thin dark alley and went towards it.

"Where are you going?"

"To the alley. There's surely a quest waiting for me."

"Don't be crazy."

"Both of you stay here."

Stopping the two, Rewen entered the alley alone. 'The guide said that 'lost items' quests have a high probability of being on alleys and deserted lands.' Before coming here, he downloaded the guide online and read a bit.

As expected, there was an old man in black robe. He looked like a beggar.

"Old Man, is there anything I can help you with?"

The old man raised his eyebrows and looked at the young man in front of him from head to toe. "Are you sure you want to help me?"

Rewen nodded.

"Very well, don't regret it later." The old man paused, before continuing. "Have you heard of the Solastan Kingdom?"

"Isn't that like, the kingdom we are in?"

"Do you know of the Solastan Royal Family?"

"Who doesn't?"

"Do you know of the royal family that existed before the Solastan Royal Family?"

"I don't."

"They were called the Solastan Royal Family."

"Umm."

"I know it's confusing. The kingdom was always called the Solastan Kingdom. The original royal family, i.e., the previous Solastan Royal Family were wiped out by a group of rogues. It's no secret that the current Solastan Royal Family are not of royal blood."

"Then why does nobody rebel? As far as I'm concerned, the Kingdom has been at peace for ages."

The old man snorted. "It's not that people don't rebel, they can't. Do you know the most distinctive trait of the Solastan Royal Family? It is those rings they wear."

"You want me to find the rings and give them to you?"

"You are a sharp one but no, I don't want you to find the rings. I want you to find a ring."

---

Quest: Find the lost ring.

Rewards: Unknown

---

[Accept] [Decline]

Rewen accepted the quest, then looked at the old man. "Do you know where exactly can I find the ring?"

The old man shook his head. 

"Then how am I supposed to find the ri-" He suddenly caught sight of a golden object. He dropped down to receive it.

It was actually a ring!

"Holy shit. Is this the ring? Huh?" When he raised his head, he saw the old man in black robe had vanished.

"A golden ring received! Tap the ring to check the properties!"

"..." Rewen had no words to describe the feeling. 

---

Item: Golden Ring

Effect: Unknown

---

"You aren't less useless than the system." He commented, then turned to observe the ring carefully. Aside from the dragon mark, it was an ordinary ring. "Should I throw it away?"

'This is probably careless framing.' He deduced that the old man in black robe was one of the rebels and gave the ring to him just to get rid of it. 'However, if that's the case, why did he not throw it away? There is more to it. Whatever. The ring seems highly dangerous to carry. It's true that I can be revived but am I willing to bet on it? I registered to become a PLAYER but turned out to appear as a NPC while having all the features of a PLAYER. The only reason I haven't reported this yet is because I want to stay with my family. What if I die and… there are too many possibilities.

'The point being, the ring is too dangerous to carry. Even if it does give me some unknown powers in the future, I don't care. I'm not here to get stronger. I'm here to spend time with my family. So yes, I should probably throw it away for my and my family's safety.

[Ding! A quest has been issued! Would you like to see it right now?]

[Yes] [No]

'What? The system gives quest here as well?' He tapped on 'Yes'.

---

Quest: Ring of the Dead

Grade: A

Details: Uncover the secrets of the ring.

Rewards: +20 All Physical Stats.

Failure: Chances of the Darkhood City being wiped out.

---

[Would you like to accept it?]

[Yes] [No]

Rewen's eyes were calm without any ripples. "Is the failure condition related to you or…?"

[Replying to the Host, we just give quests. We have no hand or say in the world. Our job is to provide you with quests along with appropriate rewards.]

It was the emotionless system.

Rewen didn't open his mouth for a long time.