The very first thing I checked was my beloved Dragon Slayer, but then I looked at my stored coins—zero.
Still, I clicked on it.
{
!!! WARNING !!!
STR too low
}
Well, not that I was expecting anything else. But because of this, I was able to pay attention to the other things available.
From a Nichirin sword to Dante's guns, they had everything and anything I could think of—but each item came with some kind of restriction. Then I noticed it: I was still in the advertised section. Great...
Opening up the real shop, it looked like any typical RPG shop: skill cards in one section, potions, weapons, etc. I scrolled through them. I was just window shopping anyway, so it didn't matter—I could only look.
Among the things I was actually permitted to buy based on my stats were some low-tier skills like Swordsmanship, consumables like basic health potions, and, surprisingly, AMP potions. There were also basic swords without any attributes. Even if I had coins saved up, I wouldn't have bought anything—maybe just the Swordsmanship skill, as it would help me build up my basics.
Closing the shop, I went to the quest section and clicked on the Create Quest option that appeared when I thought about it. Apparently, if I don't actively think about or look at a particular part of the system, my recognition of it is blocked. Reminds me of perception filters from Doctor Who…
Anyway, I initially tried adding a quest called simply Breathing, with a duration of two seconds, just to see how the system would calculate rewards.
The results were inconclusive. I thought the system didn't really have an AI—but at this point, I was convinced it was trolling me.
Then I typed in Hunting Beasts—normal ones that weren't too dangerous for my current strength.
I even upped the number to ten, but the rewards simply read: Toilet Paper.
"For fuck's sake, do you recommend anything?" I asked, realizing it wanted me to do more dangerous stuff.
The screen changed, and three quests appeared:
{
Quest Recommendations:
- Hunting Magic Beasts x10
Rewards:
- 5 coins
OR
- AMP increase +1
-- Taking Out Local Bandits Hiding in the Forest x25
Rewards:
- 20 coins
OR
- STR increase +2
--- Stop the Slavers Traveling Through Your Village
Rewards:
- 35 coins
OR
- STR increase +2, AGI increase +2
}
After reviewing the quests, I gained a better understanding of how to structure one going forward. The first was easier, hence the lower rewards. The third had high rewards, but it was definitely more dangerous.
I didn't like the idea of slavery, but I wasn't some Hero of Justice who'd jump in to save the day.
I looked at the second quest.
I'd heard that merchants were getting attacked more frequently, but I hadn't expected they were facing organized bandits. This one looked more doable—and the rewards were solid.
I clicked on it, and the quest section opened:
{
Quests:
Daily Quests:
- OPM/SM Workout (Completed)
Optional Quests:
- Taking Out Local Bandits Hiding in the Forest x25
Main Quests:
- Path of a King (Incomplete)
}
Now that I had a quest, another problem came up: how do I find these bandits? Nobody was going to tell a fifteen-year-old where the bandits were. I couldn't exactly search the entire forest.
I was still thinking about it when I saw a couple of merchants pass by in a caravan, escorted by guards.
Well, well, well… I might have to go to them after all.
I had been tracking this caravan for an hour as they traveled through the forest. They hadn't been attacked yet, but I remained on high alert.
Shadowing them wasn't easy. I had to hide from them, and also from any bandits who might ambush them.
I even created a sub-quest for the optional one (which I just realized I could do):
{
Optional Quests:
- Taking Out Local Bandits Hiding in the Forest x25
Rewards:
- 20 coins
OR
- STR increase +2
Sub-Quests:
- Find the Bandits
Reward:
- 10 coins
}
I still went with coins instead of stat increases.
I had my eyes on the caravan, which had finally stopped near a riverbank. It looked fairly secure, since they only had to defend one side. But that was a double-edged sword—it only worked if the guards were stronger than the bandits.
Following from a distance, I slowly approached. I paused when I saw a figure standing in the treeline, concentrating on a spell aimed at the caravan. A screen popped up in front of me:
{
!!! QUEST COMPLETE !!!
Reward: 10 coins
}
This was my first real earnings. I quietly slipped behind the mage and noticed about ten bandits nearby. That didn't make sense. Attacking the caravan would take at least twenty people—there were ten guards.
I decided not to interfere with the spell. It would serve as a distraction, letting me capture one of them.
The mage fired a huge fireball at the caravan. The guards jumped into action, protecting the merchants.
The ten bandits in the treeline charged forward. I grabbed the one lagging behind before he could emerge, punching him out cold.
I carried him away and saw the river split—more bandits hidden in the water attacked. Whoever cast that water magic must've been strong. I turned away as guards fell one by one, and the caravan was captured.
I didn't feel anything about the deaths of the guards or merchants. It felt the same as when I fought Revchi. I didn't hesitate to try and kill him. I don't know if it's because I'm a reincarnator or if it's the system—but if I don't care about someone, I don't give a damn what happens to them.
Running away with the bandit slung over my shoulder, I stopped on a cliff and dropped him.
"Hey, I already know you're awake. If you don't get up, I'll toss you off the cliff," I said, looking at the bandit, who was playing unconscious poorly.
"3…"
"2…" I counted, grabbing him—only to dodge a fireball to the face.
"Oh, good. Now that you're awake, we can begin the fun part," I said, punching him in the gut. He rolled over, groaning. I grabbed his leg. It took a second for him to register what was about to happen.
"WAIT! WAIT! … Aaaahhh!!!" he screamed as I twisted his leg 180 degrees.
"So, you gonna talk now?" I asked, stabbing the Demon Slayer into the ground in front of his face.
The bandit glared at me through clenched teeth and nodded—only to get my hand smacked across his face.
"I didn't hear an answer, bitch."
"Yes!" he cried.
"First—where is your headquarters?"
"Ten kilometers south of the ambush site."
"Good. Next, is the person who split the river your leader?"
"Yes."
"How many of you are there?"
"Fifty."
"Got a map?"
"Ye—No!"
"Hmm?" I narrowed my eyes. He clearly didn't want to hand over the map. Well, nothing I could do—except grab one of his fingers and snap.
"Aargh!" he cried, clutching his hand, glaring at me.
I smiled as my foot pressed down on his broken leg.
"Alright! Alright, here!" he yelled, pulling out a piece of paper. It had various locations marked, including the headquarters, ambush spots, and even territories of magical creatures.
"Well, this made the job much easier, didn't it?" I said loudly, seeing him gather mana again.
A firm step on his broken foot fixed that.
"You don't need to feel too bad," I said. "I don't intend to make your comrades' deaths any less painful than yours." I raised my sword. The bandit panicked and tried to defend himself, only to be chopped down. Blood splattered as I stepped back, looking at the mess.
Now that it was done, I felt I had gone overboard. I could've asked questions before breaking his leg. Maybe just broken his fingers and let him run... Multiple alternatives flashed through my head as the ground soaked in blood.
I had a bad feeling about what was happening to me—and I didn't like it one bit.