https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-5-Level-3-Monsters-Instant-Kills-/12824765/
Chapter 4: Triggering a Hidden Quest, the Old Mage's Invitation
Chapter 4: Triggering a Hidden Quest, the Old Mage’s Invitation
Due to the overwhelming number of players in the beginner village, the Mage's Hut was set up as an independent dimension.
Pushing open the heavy oak door, Su Yu stepped inside to find only an old mage with a bushy white beard.
“Owner, I’d like to buy some magic potions.”
Su Yu tapped the table lightly.
The old mage was busy stirring a cauldron of green liquid at the time.
Upon hearing Su Yu’s words, he glanced up, then turned back to his work with a cold sneer.
“Beat it! This place isn’t for the likes of you. Even my lowest-tier potion costs at least 5 Spirit Coins. Can you afford that? Newbies should stick to their tasks, clear out monsters, and not get ahead of themselves!”
In the game Evolution, NPCs have highly advanced AI and distinct personalities.
Seeing Su Yu’s novice robes and staff, the old mage assumed he was a pauper and didn’t bother to pay him any attention.
Su Yu simply smiled.
Without arguing, he summoned the Spirit Coins from his backpack.
Clatter!
The clear, shimmering coins spilled out, covering the entire wooden table.
At first glance, there were at least a few thousand of them!
The old mage turned around at the sound.
Seeing the table full of Spirit Coins, his hand froze mid-stir, and his eyes widened in shock.
What’s going on? How can this novice mage be so rich?
Even as a level 30 mage and potion master, he struggled to gather that much money!
His attitude did a 180-degree turn in an instant.
“Hehe, little brother, that was all a misunderstanding! What do you need? I have the most comprehensive inventory!”
The old mage adopted a friendly demeanor, sidling up to Su Yu and rubbing his hands together eagerly.
Su Yu was reminded of an old saying: “First arrogant, then humble—how amusing.”
But he wouldn’t hold a grudge against an NPC.
Taking the “Exchange List” from the old mage, Su Yu began to make his selections:
“300 bottles of [Basic Mana Recovery Potion], 100 bottles of [Basic Wisdom Potion], 300 [Fireball] magic scrolls, 100 [Ice Arrow] magic scrolls.”
The backpack’s stack limit was 100 items per stack.
So Su Yu bought the potions and magic scrolls in groups of 100, filling his backpack until it was full.
He didn’t buy any health potions, as the monsters in the beginner village were slow and clumsy, making such potions unnecessary and a waste of backpack space.
...
Seeing Su Yu purchase so many high-value items, the old mage bowed and scraped, fetching the items with no trace of his earlier arrogance.
This shopping spree cost Su Yu 30,000 Spirit Coins, a sum that the entire beginner village’s players combined might not be able to match.
But Su Yu didn’t bat an eye, and after completing the transaction, he headed for the door.
The old mage, seeing Su Yu about to leave, quickly waved him back. “Wait a moment, little brother!”
“What is it?” Su Yu turned around.
“Hehe, it’s like this,” the old mage explained. “I see that you have a unique bone structure and are surrounded by elemental energy. You are a rare magical prodigy.”
“Get to the point.”
“Alright, I was wondering if you’d be interested in joining the faction I belong to—the ‘Scholar’s Sanctuary’?”
"The Scholar's Sanctuary" is one of the most powerful factions on the entire continent! Other mages would give anything to get in!"
The old mage's face was beaming with enthusiasm.
He had seen Su Yu casually spend tens of thousands of Spirit Coins in just a short while, and he knew Su Yu must be incredibly wealthy! Recruiting such a rich person into the faction would earn him a generous reward from his superiors.
Chime! Hidden Excellent Quest Triggered: [Join the Scholar's Sanctuary].
Quest Requirements: Agree to Mage Pism's request to join the faction—Scholar's Sanctuary.
Quest Rewards: [Scholar's Sanctuary Invitation] x1, Experience Points x200.
The forgotten continent was home to various factions of all sizes, and players could choose to join one of them.
Su Yu knew about the Scholar's Sanctuary, and joining would indeed provide many benefits.
In his previous life, a player needed to reach level 20 and complete over 30 high-level quests to gain the Scholar's Sanctuary's recognition and join.
But Su Yu wasn't satisfied.
He smirked. "Do you really think I don't know? The Scholar's Sanctuary is just a third-rate faction on the continent, far behind the top-tier Silver Pine Spire and the Elemental Dome!"
Su Yu didn't accept the quest and turned to leave the room.
The old mage, Pism, was completely stunned. How did this new mage know about the Silver Pine Spire and the Elemental Dome? How could a newcomer have such extensive knowledge?
But he also knew Su Yu wasn't easy to fool.
Seeing Su Yu about to step out the door, the old mage hurriedly tried to persuade him again:
"Wait! I haven't finished! I'm willing to trade one of my valuable treasures for your help!"
Chime! Quest Updated. You have triggered a Hidden Rare Quest: [Join the Scholar's Sanctuary (Revised)].
Quest Requirements: Submit the [Silver Snake Gall] dropped by the Level 5 Boss [Silver Snake Leader].
Quest Rewards: [Scholar's Sanctuary Invitation] x1, Skill Scroll [Chain Lightning (Excellent)] x1, Experience Points x500.
Seeing the [Chain Lightning] skill scroll as part of the reward, Su Yu was momentarily taken aback.
[Chain Lightning] was a powerful area-of-effect spell, and such spells were extremely rare during the early stages of the game.
If he remembered correctly, in his previous life, he needed to trigger a hidden quest with the old mage and complete 30 high-difficulty quests to obtain the [Chain Lightning] skill scroll.
Now, all he needed to do was submit the [Silver Snake Gall]?
...
The old mage also spoke in a pleading tone:
"Given how wealthy you are, you can easily obtain a [Silver Snake Gall] from other adventurers. This quest shouldn't be too difficult for you, right?"
But as he said this, the old mage felt something wasn't quite right.
No!
I'm the one inviting him to join our faction, which would benefit everyone. Why does it feel like I'm begging him now?
Su Yu smiled. "If that's the case, I'll do my best to oblige. Look forward to good news from me!"
Su Yu accepted the quest and left the magic hut in large strides.
While the Scholar's Sanctuary was only a third-rate faction, it was very open and progressive. There were no obstacles to leaving once you joined, making it a suitable place to settle early on.
Moreover, obtaining an area-of-effect spell early in the game would be extremely beneficial. Su Yu was very satisfied.
(End of Chapter)
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