Chapter 423 - Another Contract
Chapter 423 - Another Contract
This time Jake happened to know the survivor. The man who lived through his night attack was Gordon Mason, the Bailiff. It seems that by his conduct and ambition he had alienated some people.
By habit, Jake then checked the status of his Ordeal Missions. The list of people to protect had only grown longer, Kewanee and Svara having joined the restricted club of people under his protection.
Upon discovering a gray name in the middle of that list, his laid-back face dimmed again. Lily was dead. Tim and Daniel wouldn't be happy about that... He just hoped her death hadn't occurred in their presence or they wouldn't be able to forgive themselves.
Tim's luck tended to extend to those he wanted to protect, but there was a limit to it. In the face of the unfathomable power of this game' s creator, it would be commendable if the teenager managed to protect himself.
Because of Lily's death, Jake had lost his opportunity to get a Perfect Rating on this Mission. Regardless, there was nothing he could do about it and he hoped the Oracle System would have some measure of common sense regarding the final verdict.
Because of this tragedy, Jake was at a turning point. He could choose to put all his efforts into protecting those still alive, or he could add new people to that list. And preferably people who were in the same Rounds as he was, so that he would be able to step in if things went wrong.
Since the Oracle System was basically a supercomputer devoid of emotions, it was quite likely that the number of people saved mattered more than the number of losses.
Ultimately, Jake chose the second alternative. If someone wished to be saved, he would do his best. Of course, he wouldn't sacrifice himself for free. For a Fluid fee, he could combine business with p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.
With his plan decided, Jake drew another Role and Challenge Card and this time fate took pity on him. The card he drew was exactly what he was looking for.
[Challenge Card: Save a Villager from a Monster attack. Rewards: Letters of Nobility (a prerequisite for the Role Card: Lord.)]
He didn't know what this Lord Role was yet, but based on the feudal definition, a Lord had to protect his serfs against a set amount of taxes. It was definitely a Role for the strong, and one that suited him perfectly.
"Svara draw a Role card if you haven't already. " Jake ordered Svara remotely through the bracelet.
"Why m-? Okay..." A sleepy voice complained from the other side of the line.
After a short silence, she declared with renewed glee,
"I drew the Musician Role card! "
" A shame..." Jake sighed as he tried to mask his disappointment. It would have been too good if she too had drawn the card he needed. "What does it consist of?"
Lazily, Svara transferred the card's contents directly to him so he could peruse it in person.
[Card Role: Musician (Legendary): Can bewitch up to one creature, Monster, or Villager per Cycle with his or her instrument if the conditions are met. On Monsters and Villagers, the Instrument may not be enough. Requirements: Musical instrument + sheet music + ability to play the given instrument.]
Jake drew a cold breath. It was a good Card! Its properties matched its title as a Legendary Role, but the requirements for obtaining it were just as strict. While the effect on participants was unpredictable, the guarantee that the spell would work on any creature was a complete game changer.