Chapter 55 Freedom
In the first place, if you are playing an RPG game, in general, you would first start in a slightly closed place, where you first learn how to control your character, how to use money, how to combat, etc.
And after that, the game would throw you into an event that would mark the start of the story, and then the open world would be accessible.
Then, if we take the position I am in as a main character of the game, then the banquet would mark the finish of the epilogue, and now I can finally start playing the game.
However, of course, this is no longer a game but a reality.
Therefore, a cautious approach would be necessary while dealing with the future course of action.
Albeit, I have all the time I can use for the sake of planning.
<Hidden Quest [Wings of Freedom], completed.>
<Rewards are being distributed.>
Thinking like that while riding my black companion 'Night' in the midst of wildernesses, I heard the system's voice in my head.
'Hidden Quest? What is this?'
<Host, there were several courses of action that you could choose while dealing with the people in the mansion, and each of them would have different types of outcomes. However, since the system was not permitted to notify you about your choices, that quest was hidden from your eyes.>
'I see. Show me the rewards, then.'
When I said that, a system panel appeared in front of me. Now, normally checking other things while driving is not a good thing, but roads are free for the time being…
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Quest – [Wings of Freedom]
Description: Get rid of the shackles of your past
Rewards:
- 0.1 increase in Strength and Stamina Stats
- Soul Bounded Mount Function
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Looking at the panel in front of me, there was a smile on my face.
'It seems the harder route you choose, the more rewards you will get, just as I want.'
I thought while reading the second reward.
Of course, as an open-world game, the Chronicles of Aeris also had the bounded mount function. Since always running for a long time would make players tired, this world is huge.
'System, explain the new function.'
<Yes, host. The Soul Bounded Mount function basically bonds the host's soul with a soul of an animal. When the mount is unsummoned, it will be stored in a space with no time flow. And when summoned, the mount will appear close to the host, aside from some restricted places.>
'Understood, then bond my soul with Night.'
<Are you sure?>
'Yes.'
<Understood. Host's soul is now bounded with the Mount 'Night'.>
Just like that, I finished talking with the system and kept riding. I have a pretty huge road ahead of me right now….
****
After continuously riding my horse almost for 8 hours straight, I decided to take a rest since I was basically hungry right now.
Right now, I am in a wilderness, which is between the City of Aachen and the City of Chusport.
Since I had already anticipated that I would be traveling in the wilderness, I had brought a magical tent with me. Normally such tents would be supplied with the mana of the user, but right now, since my core is sealed, I will use magic stones for that. However, they won't hold for too long since the weather outside is getting colder and colder with each passing minute.
'Winter is close. I should hurry up and reach my destination.'
Thinking that I started setting up my camp. First, setting up a tent. After that, setting up a fire using my lightning element as an igniter. Of course, we shouldn't forget the monster-repellent magic device.
And lastly, giving my long life companion a meal.
Just like that, the camp was ready.
After eating my meal, I decided to rest for an hour before departing again.
****
After traveling for three days, with four hours of sleep, whenever I started feeling tired, I was able to reach my destination.
The City of Chusport.
This city is the fourth largest city in the Dukedom of Augustride.
'At this moment, it should be officially announced that I am no longer a member of Augustride Household.'
With that thought, slowly reaching the outskirts of the city, I dismounted Night and recalled it into its space, making it disappear.
Now, you might be asking, why did I choose to come to this place?
There are several reasons for that, but firstly, right now, what I need is money.
Money to get the things that will strengthen me, as well as the things I will need for my future life.
And to get money, I need to have a job. And when we talk about jobs as a game, of course, we have a common one.
Being an adventurer.
As a world with settings of the Medieval Age as well as fantasy elements, there is no way developers miss such a blatant and simple way of making money in the game.
Why miss, though? It can serve as a chance to make players more comfortable in the open world, as well as get more combat opportunities. There are several players that like to play games just to kill some monsters, you know, different from people who like to play the storyline.
Anyway, since it is a flexible job, I am planning to apply as an adventurer for the time being until I get a good amount of money and strength to apply to the academy.
With those thoughts in my head, I entered the city.
Albeit the guards made a slight fuss about my identity, after paying the entrance fee, they left me alone, not bothering me.
However, constantly traveling on a horse was not something my body was familiar with, so I was both mentally and physically not in good condition.
Since it was around evening, I first went to an inn immediately to have a rest.
Paying 750 Aeris for a night's rest with bath and meals included, I immediately entered the room. Taking a bath in the publicly used bathroom with very uncomfortable feelings, I grabbed my meal and went to rest not long after.
Just like that, three days had already passed after I left the household.
With that, I went to sleep.
***
Waking up pretty early in the morning, my hand unconsciously went to the bell. I used to call the maids.
'Ah, that's right. I am no longer noble.'
Thinking like that, I started my day. Although I had already accepted that fact, the habits I have developed over the last five months can't disappear immediately.
'Now, I need to register as an adventurer and immediately start taking quests. Although I have enough money to live two months without doing anything, I still should act fast.'
Before leaving the household, I had brought 20k Aeris with me. Since I was a noble before, of course, I need to use it to its maximum.
With those thoughts in my head, I left my room.
The inn I am staying in is a normal quality one, with three floors, each having 12 rooms.
After reaching the ground floor, I went to the receptionist.
A girl with blond hair, blue eyes, and a slightly good figure.
This girl tried to sleep with me yesterday, but since I was pretty tired, I declined her rather rudely. She must have thought I was a rich kid. She could squeeze some money; how cheap.
Anyway, after eating breakfast, I left the inn and headed to the Adventurer Guild.
This world has a pretty simple power system.
Order with Stars. Starting from one star, it goes up to the ten-star rank.
However, in the case of adventurers, the ranking system is different.
For some reason, I don't know why. The developers used a different ranking style.
Order with Letters.
Either they got influenced by those Japanese isekai light novels, or they thought a refreshment would be better they decided to use a separate system.
Starting from E-Rank, an adventurer's rank goes up to the S.
A cliché setting, I must say. To think that Author is such a lazy person….
Anyway, just like adventurers' ranks, the quests are also ranked according to it. And, of course, to get a B-rank quest, you should be a B-rank as well. Another cliché….
Well, this is basically how the adventurers in this world are ranked and work.
But, at this point, I want to talk about something.
Generally, when mentioning the Adventurers, there is a certain impression of drunk people fighting with each other, barbarians that like to taunt others, ugly pricks lusting over women, and heinous adventurers trying to steal from others.
It is like they are trying to picture a tavern for some reason.
However, the reality is, of course, not like it.
In the first place, the organization called Adventurer's Guild is an organization that works internationally. Therefore, there is no way such unprofessional acts would be allowed in the middle of such a huge organization; that would be quite stupid, to be honest.
Just like that, with those thoughts in my head, I reached the Adventurers Guild, located in the center district of the city itself….