The Achievement Junkie

The rumors of Jack spread quickly, especially since he had been in the spotlight before.

There were three days left before the auction now and the streets were only getting more crowded. Jack's party gave up trying to search the marketplace by then.

With the auction just around the corner, they would already do what they could to get the best items and it was no longer worth their time in the crowded market for the decent things they had. Besides, anything that would catch their eye after everything Jack had done could only be found at auctions, in dungeons, or in tombs.

At breakfast, the party was gathered in a private booth and enjoying Rayard's magnificent cooking.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Marisha's voice then followed. "There are some people here to visit Jack. Would you like to let them in or would you prefer another booth?"

They were puzzled. Who was important enough for Marisha to escort personally and suggest getting a separate booth?

Jack got up and opened the door, only to be shocked and terrified of the man on the other side.

"He says he's from Adventurers Association council and that you'd probably prefer a separate booth," mentioned Marisha, seeing that Jack really did recognize him.

"Yeah… we'll take a separate booth." Turning to the others, Jack added, "I'll be having breakfast with an acquaintance from the association. I'll be back soon."

Having said that, Jack exited the private booth and followed Marisha and the man to another end of the restaurant.

"Here we are, and don't worry about the cost since your with the association's council."

"Thank you. I'm glad to see that Zariff found himself such a good wife," laughed the man, taking initiative to enter first and sit furthest from the door.

Jack chuckled as well and asked for two special breakfasts for the two of them before he closed the door behind him.

"So, what brings the Founder of the Adventurers Association all the way here to see me, a low-level summoned hero?" asked Jack sarcastically. "I'm guessing it wasn't because I broke any association rules."

"Correct. Your conduct has been totally fine in the eyes of the association," replied the man. "I'm here not as the founder, but just as Lorwynn."

"Okay… Then why do you care about me?"

"Can I just say that your new method of hiding your level and information is impeccable. Not even I can read you this time, and that's quite a feat," joked Lorwynn, making Jack go wide-eyed.

"Do you know who I actually am?" asked Lorwynn, catching Jack off guard.

Saying nothing, Jack was looking at his blaring red alert which reminded him that he was with a fellow champion.

"Do you know, yes or no?" repeated Lorwynn, still smiling warmly.

It was clear to Jack that Lorwynn was already aware of Jack being a champion, so he didn't have a reason to lie.

"You're another champion, right?"

Lorwynn sighed, "So you do know… Is that why you agreed to Argyle's forceful marriage?"

Seeing Jack's strange look, Lorwyn continued, "What? It's not too hard to figure out for a man like me."

"Since you know I'm a champion, what are you going to do now?" asked Jack, showing his best poker face to hide his beating heart.

A knock then came from the door. "Food's here!"

Jack got up and took the food, closing the door and reactivating the silence barrier before he set down their meals. He didn't touch anything yet, but Lorwynn calmly started eating.

"Why are you so tense? Just relax already, at least enjoy your breakfast," said Lorwynn in between bites.

However, Jack didn't even grab his fork.

"Fine, I guess we'll talk first and eat second. But don't blame me if I order another meal after this one gets cold." Lorwynn pushed the plate to the side and met Jack's hesitating gaze with a small smile. "Seriously, just calm down. I'm not going to do anything to you."

"Really?"

"At least, not right now," added Lorwynn. "For now, you don't pose a threat to me so I figured I'd investigate a little and maybe enjoy a chat with a fellow champion. I haven't been able to talk with about this stuff in ages."

"... Okay, I'll bite. So, what did you want to talk about?" asked Jack.

"Oh, lighten up! Let's introduce ourselves. I'll go first." Lorwynn stood up and elegantly bowed with one arm in front of him and one arm behind. "I'm Lorwyn, a former soldier turned champion by Halmut himself. Thanks to Halmut's blessing, I've been alive for the past five hundred years, though no one else knows that."

Lorwynn looked up and saw that Jack was still struggling to relax. "Oh, come on, I'm really not going to do anything. Unless you won't even chat with me, then maybe I'll get mad."

With a cough to clear his nerves, Jack stood up and politely bowed. "I'm Jack, a summoned herp turned champion by Daruun. As for everything else, you should already know that."

"Wrong," replied Lorwynn. "Summoned heroes come from Ancient Kartonia, so that must mean that you did to. And since it was Daruun that chose you, you must have been extraordinary among those ancient heroes."

Reading the situation, Jack sighed, "You're right, I was originally here during Ancient Kartonia. But I was lucky to get chosen. It's definitely not what I had planned."

"Jack, who are you really?" asked Lorwynn bluntly, with a smile that wasn't a smile.

"... You're really not going to attack me?"

"Nope. Not any time soon."

"Can I ask why?"

"Nope," replied Lorwynn. "Let's just say that depending on who you really are will determine if I let you roam free or if I keep you on a leash in the association. This is a very important decision for me, so I need the truth."

"Oh, and don't lie. Even if I can't see your information anymore, I can at least tell if you're lying to me," added Lorwynn. "Just consider it the strong bullying the weak and you've got no choice but to try and be on my good side. So, who are you, Jack?"

"... I'm Jack J."

"Seriously?!"

This time, it was Lorwynn that went wide-eyed. But his face didn't show signs of terror. He looked starstruck and amazed to have Jack in front of him.

"You're really the Legend of Trodar?! That's amazing! It's no wonder that old man from the Leisure Guild showed up at your wedding," laughed Lorwynn, but he suddenly became dead-serious. "So, does that mean you're heading off to Trodar and rebuild the Leisure Guild?"

"What does that matter to you?"

"Just as I said, I can either keep you on a leash or I can let you roam free."

Jack squinted at Lorwynn, making his displeasure blatantly known. "... Yes. I'm trying to grind up as fast as possible and plan to revive the Leisure Guild. What will you do about that?"

"Good…"

Lorwynn closed his eyes and stroked his beard in thought. He did this for a solid five minutes, letting the time slowly pass for Jack as if the time were slowly steamrolling him to death.

"Okay."

"... Okay, what?" asked Jack, still confused by Lorwynn's strange behavior.

"Okay," repeated the old man.

"What are you okay with? At least give me something," stated Jack, not hiding his annoyance.

"For now, I'll let you do whatever you want to do." Lorwyn then pulled his plate back over and was happy to see that it was still warm. "Good, this makes things easier."

"Can you at least tell me why? How can I expect you to just let me off? I thought we were enemies?" Anxious, Jack shot off one question after the other.

For a brief moment, Lorwynn showed a serious face and stopped eating. He mumbled, "The enemy of my enemy is a friend…"

After that, Lorwynn said nothing as he cleaned the plate.

"Thank you for the meal, and it was an honor to meet the Legend of Trodar. To think Daruun actually pulled off getting such a powerful ally… Well, I'm off. I've got some things to take care of, so good luck with Trodar and the Leisure Guild! Hopefully, I'll see you next time you come visit Federal City."

And just like that, Lorwynn left.

Jack was still hesitant to touch his food. He had been found out by a champion that was undoubtedly the strongest person he'd met thus far, yet here was, still alive.

Nothing made sense to him, but Jack was certain that Lorwynn was up to something.

No matter how Jack put things together, it made no sense for Lorwynn to leave him alive, let alone let him roam and recreate the Leisure Guild. By all logic, Lorwynn shouldn't let Jack live, yet he was permitted to do as he pleased.

With no way to defend himself, Jack became even more determined to level up. And since the auction was so close, Jack decided that he would take whatever he wanted.

Even if he angered a few royal families, none of them would be as threatening as Lorwynn. Jack's only way out was to get stronger and watch his back.