Chapter 23: Hidden Quest - I

Saad stepped into the dimly lit shop, his eyes adjusting to the change in lighting as he surveyed the wares on display. Various items, potions, and tools lined the shelves, their magical glow casting a soft, eerie ambiance. At the counter stood Ryona, a striking woman with a commanding presence. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her eyes held a knowing gleam.

Ryona looked up from the book she was perusing, her lips curving into a knowing smile as she locked eyes with Saad. "Well, well, what do we have here?" she purred, her tone dripping with playful amusement. The NPC Ryona was the stereotypical beautiful woman. She was wearing a rather revealing outfit. Perhaps the first one since he had logged into the game. She was wearing a form-fitting dress with a halter-neck design and a plunging V-neckline that accentuates her curves. The dress seemed to be made with a thick material but Saad was shocked. It was a cultural shock and also, how was she not cold in it? But one gaze at the ember stones on her outfit made him realize that it was perhaps due to those red stones.

Saad cleared his throat, suddenly feeling self-conscious under her scrutiny. "I'm looking for a light source, something that can be charged through sunlight and used multiple times."

Ryona's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Ah, you're after one of our radiance orbs, then. A wise choice for someone who knows the value of practicality in the field." She gestured towards a glass case containing the glowing orbs.

Saad took a step closer, his gaze fixed on the orbs. "Yes, that's exactly what I need. How much are they?"

Ryona's smile widened as she leaned against the counter, studying Saad with a playful glint. "Well, these radiance orbs are quite popular, you see. And as much as I'd love to give you a special price, business is business."

Saad's mind whirred with the realization that haggling would be inevitable. He took a deep breath, summoning his negotiation skills. "I understand that, but every quill saved is a quill earned, right?"

Ryona chuckled, her voice rich and melodious. "You've got a point there. Alright, let's play the game then. Give me your best offer."

Saad straightened his posture, trying to exude confidence. "How about 50 quills?"

Ryona arched an eyebrow, her lips quirking in amusement. "You drive a hard bargain. But I think you can do a bit better than that."

Saad's heart raced as he felt the pressure of negotiation. He mentally reviewed his resources and gathered his courage. "Alright, 60 quills, and I'll promise to spread the word about this shop to my guildmates."

Ryona tapped her fingers against the counter, feigning deep thought. "Hmm, 60 quills and a glowing recommendation. You're a tough one, but I appreciate your persistence." She leaned in slightly, her eyes locked onto his. "Deal. 60 quills it is."

Relief washed over Saad, though he tried not to let it show too much. "Deal," he replied, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Ryona retrieved a radiance orb from the glass case and placed it on the counter. "A pleasure doing business with you," she purred, her tone holding a note of genuine warmth.

As Saad handed over the quills, he couldn't help but notice a notification pop up in his interface: [Your Negotiation skill has increased.]

He couldn't suppress a small smile. "Likewise."

[Your Familiarity with Ryona has increased.]

Ryona winked as she took the quills. "Don't be a stranger, now. And remember, my prices are always open to negotiation for someone with your skills."

Saad nodded, grateful for the tip. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

With the radiance orb in hand, Saad left the shop, the soft chime of the door signaling his exit. He couldn't shake off the feeling that the exchange had been more than a simple transaction. As he made his way back to the well, he reflected on his encounter with Ryona, knowing that he had not only gained a useful item but also a valuable lesson in negotiation – a lesson that would serve him well in this immersive world of challenges and surprises.

Returning to the well with haste, Saad's heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. With the radiance orb floating beside him, he descended into the well, the orb casting a soft glow that illuminated his path. Passing through a short tunnel, he entered a cavernous chamber filled with arachnid eggs, their presence both eerie and unsettling.

A message materialized before him, stark and ominous:

[You have entered the Arachnid Nest.]

[You have discovered a clue!]

[Arachnid Nest]: The Arachnid Queen seems to have made this well her nest and is laying eggs here. The toxins are making the nearby plants die.

Saad's pulse quickened as the gravity of the situation dawned upon him. This was where the strange, creepy arachnid creature was laying its eggs. Panic surged within him, urging him to flee, but greed and determination held him in place. His whip materialized in his hand, and he unleashed it upon the eggs with relentless fervor. The squelching sound of the eggs being crushed was accompanied by the satisfying appearance of +5 experience points on his interface, but he ignored these distractions, focusing solely on his mission.

Time blurred as Saad's whip became an extension of his will, striking down egg after egg. He noticed himself leveling up amidst the onslaught, but he didn't pause to reflect on it. His stamina waxed and waned, yet he pressed on, his determination unwavering. The mother arachnid creature never returned, and Saad's frenzy only intensified as he battled the eggs without end. The familiar silver wings appeared above his head few times as he continued to slaughter them but he didn't stop.

Finally, as the last egg crumbled beneath the lash of his whip, a cascade of messages flashed before him.

[You have cleaned the Well of Despair 1/4]

[The requirements have been met. You have unlocked the hidden quest 'The Well of Despair.']

Exhausted and elated, Saad's chest heaved with each breath as he surveyed his surroundings. The radiance orb still glowed by his side, providing a soft, calming light. The realization of his accomplishment mingled with a sense of foreboding. He had uncovered a hidden quest, and its implications were yet to be revealed. Saad quickly opened the quest window to scan the details.

[Hidden Quest: Wells of Despair]

The Arachnid queen seems to be nearby and has laid eggs inside the well. Navigate and explore the paths to other wells and destroy them before the Arachnid Queen returns.

- Quest Details -

[Paths found]: 1/4

[Wells Cleared]: 1/4

Difficulty: B

Time limit: 00:45:00

Rewards:

Abyssal Fragment x1

Widow's Eye x1

Fame +40

+1 level up

As the countdown timer for the quest's time limit began, Saad felt the pressure mounting. Every second was valuable, and he couldn't afford to waste any time. He gripped the radiance orb firmly, its soft glow casting a protective light in the shadows of the cavern. His senses were heightened, and his determination steeled.

He began to move, his eyes scanning the walls of the well as he searched for any signs of hidden paths. The sense of urgency fueled his focus, and he started tapping the walls with his hand, listening for the telltale sound of hollowness that might indicate another concealed passage.

After a few moments of tense exploration, his persistence paid off. His hand hit a section of the wall that sounded different, hollow. Excitement coursed through him as he stepped back, preparing to unleash his whip upon the wall. Each strike echoed in the confined space, and with each hit, the wall weakened. Finally, with a resounding crash, the wall crumbled, revealing a mysterious, unexplored tunnel beyond.

A notification appeared before Saad.

[You have uncovered a hidden path!]

His heart raced with anticipation as he stepped into the newly revealed tunnel. The air was heavy with a damp, earthy scent, and the walls seemed to pulsate with an otherworldly energy. The faint glow of fungi dotted the passage, casting ethereal shadows as he moved forward. But then suddenly a thought occurred to him, making him stop. What if the Arachnids from other wells were hatched like the ones from this one. He needed to recover his stamina and perhaps this was right time to distribute the status points from his level up. As he opened the character window, he was pleasantly surprised that cleaning that well had leveled him up to level 7. And the experience bar was more than half full already. If all went well, he might level up few more times and clear the level 10 cap.