Chapter Six – The Leader of Lumberjacks
Another secret quest! It happened much faster than I expected. Usually, secret quests are only obtained through great struggle..
Is it the percentage I gave to the lumberjack that triggered it, or is it just the luck I possess?
"Jo."
"Yes, My Lord.."
His response was swift, accompanied by a bow. If this indicates anything, it's that the world here treats lords with a high level of sanctification.. just like on Earth.
-"Jo, do you have a family?"
-"Yes, My Lord."
"How can I rescue them for you?"
Suddenly, Jo's face was filled with astonishment. Perhaps he was surprised by my knowledge of his family's situation. Well, this will make my presence more imposing thanks to the System, haha.
"My Lord.. I must free them from the slavery contract."
"What is a slavery contract?"
"My Lord.. when the Imperial Palace fell, the freedom of all the Moon People was stripped away. Commoners like us were captured under slavery contracts."
This is new information.. Jo talks much more than Monali did. He even provided some details about the world. Why is that?
It seems that information about the world is restricted by character quests? But the world feels so real. These behaviors and conditions make them seem like NPCs.
Monali's actions give the feeling that the world is indeed real. The System's actions show the world as a game.
Once again.. something is out of place.
"So, Jo.. how can I free them?"
"I don't know, My Lord.. while I was busy working in the Violet Forest, the overseer told me that my contract had been purchased, and I was immediately transferred to your service.. through a teleportation gate."
"The Violet Forest? Where is it located?"
"I have no knowledge of that, My Lord."
Well.. I've started to decode the matter..
As I suspected.. characters here won't give out information easily. They look real but are restricted in some way.
Even if the world here is real as it seems.. there is something preventing it from functioning in an unbalanced way.. It's like a multidimensional world, where every step leads you to another dimension, and that dimension leads to others, and so on infinitely..
It seems.. that the System itself imposes harsh conditions to prevent that, forcing everything to move in one direction.. the path it wrote itself.
This is annoying.. in fact, it's what annoys me the most.. What if my vision conflicts with what the System wants? Will I be erased or what.. In the Screaming Bird quest.. I actually didn't want to strike it.. especially after seeing it drinking water and eating.. it was a truly difficult decision.. but it opened a door for me.. a wide door to higher possibilities..
But.. what would have happened to me if I had neglected the quest.. would I be considered a glitch? How would I be dealt with?
I don't know.. but what I do know is that I must follow its lead for now, otherwise.. there's no need to mention the "otherwise," for the outcome is clear.
[ Day 31 ]
The ten days passed quickly.. no new quests and no signs regarding Jo's quest. The only thing that changed was the amount of money I had. I have already surpassed the half-million dinar mark..
Meanwhile, a new tab appeared in the system concerning Jo the lumberjack. His money was increasing day after day. He now possesses more than 10,000 dinars.
Monali, on the other hand, was eating alone. For some reason, she is able to leave the area. Every day she hunts something and comes to grill it before my eyes.. haha, she is telling me without telling me that she is capable of abandoning me and relying on herself..
On the other hand.. Jo is unable to leave.. and I prepare food for him every day.. I don't know which of us is working for the other, haha, but it's fine.. he exerts himself daily to increase my wealth..
In the previous days.. an idea came to me about what should be done regarding the secret quest.. but I was waiting to receive the exponential growth reward..
Today, it is time to apply the idea.. if it fails.. I will not search for a way again and will continue as if the quest doesn't exist..
{ Employees }
{ Lumberjack }
{ Purchase }
My idea is simple. Perhaps buying another lumberjack is the solution that will bring the rest of Jo's family here..
A magic circle like before began to form. New steps emerge from the steam, then.. another lumberjack with a massive body and pointed ears.. bows with dignity.. once again, another member of the Forgotten Moon tribe..
"Lumberjack Suman at your service, My Lord."
The voice was raspy and powerful.
"Welcome here, Suman.. Jo, is Suman a member of your family?"
"No, My Lord."
As I expected. It didn't work then. A secret quest can't be that simple. If it doesn't exhaust my mind and body like the Screaming Bird did, and even more..
{ Tools - Universal Axe - A heavy axe that cuts a tree in ten strikes, but it wears out quickly - Price 220 dinars }
"Suman.. take this axe and start working with Jo."
"Yes, My Lord."
Suman took the axe and bowed in farewell. Then he headed off with Jo to work.. it seems the percentage was specific to Jo only.. well, time to lie down on the grass..
Stretching out and resting while others work for your benefit.. what a great feeling.. the even better feeling is that the land has truly become alive. No more loneliness. Although Suman seems gloomy.. and Jo is a man of few words.. their presence is much better..
"Hey, Jaʿmoos.. do you want some food?"
{ 6:00 }
"Jo.. Suman.. Monali.. would you like some food?"
Quickly, Jo and Suman were already close, then they bowed in thanks. Jo looked smiling as usual. As for Suman, signs of surprise were visible on his face.. well, it doesn't seem surprising. Any lord who invites his servants to eat with him—it will take some time for them to adapt..
As for Monali, she didn't accept the invitation. She remained far away as usual. No matter how much I tried, she refused repeatedly. The relationship between us remained as it was, at 10%. I don't know how to make it increase.. but it's not an urgent matter.. I hope.
Back to the matter of relationships.. the percentage between me and Suman started at 0%. Expected—a new lord and zero trust.. but now it seems the situation has changed.. 20% was glowing above Suman's head.. a respectable increase for the first day..
As for the most loyal follower.. it was Jo with 90% loyalty.. his percentage started like Suman's at zero.. after accepting the secret quest to save his family.. trust was increasing between us successively without any effort.. I believe tomorrow is the time he reaches 100%. I don't know what happens then.. but I hope it will be something good.
But for some reason.. I have a bad feeling that this percentage, upon reaching its peak.. might be the deadline for the expiration of his family's rescue quest.
Well, not the time for thinking now..
"Come, sit, Jo and Suman.. I have prepared the table for us to eat together."
"My Lord, this is a great honor." Both answered. Then they sat joyfully.
Sharing food.. I had truly forgotten the good feeling this generates. My previous life was always lonely. No friends, no relatives. Most of what I ate was ready-made food that gave no feeling. As if I were an animal in a pen, sleeping, eating, and defecating.. my tears almost fall.. damn it.
[ 8:00 ]
The sun has already started slapping my forehead.. yes, despite the presence of the house.. the feeling of sleeping under the stars and the coolness of spring.. gives an irresistible sensation.. it brings back a feeling I experienced in my childhood..
As a family, we used to sleep on the rooftops.. my father would sit with dignity and my mother would scold us so we wouldn't raise our voices.. my elder sister used to tell us familiar stories.. sometimes I heard them twenty times, but they still carried the same charm and excitement.. and sometimes new stories that made even my father listen..
What beautiful days those were.. but they ended, and here are my days now with the "Four Musketeers".. Jaʿmoos who wakes up early in the morning.. then Jo and Suman at 6:00 for work.. Monali.. well, I don't know her situation in recent days.. sometimes she sleeps and sometimes she stays up late.. but most of the time her eyes watch us from afar.. perhaps she thinks I won't notice, but.. a genius, brilliant leader like me cannot help but notice.. hahahaha.
[ 1:00 ]
Lunchtime ended.. Jo stands before me.. above his head:
[ 100% Loyalty ]
He looked different.. yet he wasn't different.. I don't know how to describe it, but a different sensation emanates from him.. and when he spoke, I was sure of it..
"My Lord.. may I make a request of you?"
His eyes held curiosity, and his bow held deep respect.. I gave him permission to speak.. then he requested what I never expected..
"My Lord.. could you grant me the title of 'First Lumberjack'?"
The First Lumberjack? What is this.. he is already my first lumberjack, so why does he need that as a title? How do I even grant him that?
"How do I grant you that, Jo?"
"The First Lumberjack is the lord's first trusted man in work and management.. grant me a tool that empowers me to be that."
He means it, without a doubt.. In fact, I thought about giving it to him.. but for him to come and ask for it himself.. it's truly strange..
"Jo.. are you asking me to give you the Unbreakable Axe?"
-"Yes, My Lord."
"But Jo.. I must be completely convinced to give it to you myself without you asking. That is how merit should be.. not by asking."
His bow before me deepened. Both of his hands were on the grass.. and he lowered his head. Suman stood behind him in silence.. and Monali's eyes turned toward him from afar atop the trees.. the only one who didn't care about all that was Jaʿmoos, who was running here and there..
"I apologize, My Lord.. I apologize again."
Jo's voice rose regretfully.. his body still bent downward in shame.. while—
Hahaha, I laughed lightly..
"Don't say that.. the truth is I have been thinking of giving it to you for days.. you are indeed my first lumberjack. Here, take it.. it is yours, the Unbreakable Axe.. I grant it to my first trusted lumberjack.. and also.. the Leader of all woodworkers."
[ Ding ... Ding ... Ding ]
[ Two titles granted at once ]
[ Ding ... Ding ... Ding ]
[ Upgrading Lumberjack Jo to.. Leader of Lumberjacks ]