Chapter 132: Land of the Yeti 8
Many people began to search around, hoping to spot SoySauceDrunkard.
After all, back on Caelus, SoySauceDrunkard had been so mysterious, blocking people at the drop of a hat. They hadn’t dared to offend her. But now, inside the game, they had far fewer reservations.
Redlight and the others soon noticed that one person was missing from their group. There had originally been thirty-one players, but now only thirty remained.
As for who that missing person was, the answer was self-evident.
So, the last person to join them had been SoySauceDrunkard.
Everyone wore a look of regret. If they had known, they would have made sure to ask everyone’s identity.
A female player named Little Red Riding Hood looked toward Redlight. "Captain, should we go after her?"
Redlight shook his head. "We won’t be able to catch her. Besides, given our relationship with SoySauceDrunkard, it’s actually a good thing that she hasn’t revealed her identity."
Little Red Riding Hood nodded. That was true. Based on past events, it was clear that SoySauceDrunkard was from their own country.
It was better to maintain their current relationship than to risk offending SoySauceDrunkard by trying to uncover her identity.
The quest was over. The winning team could take the fish they had caught, along with their baskets.
This was absolutely fantastic news for the players. This was fish—food, meat, protein.
They could also take the baskets, meaning they could just grab a fish whenever they wanted to eat. This supply would last them for a very long time.
Many people now began to feel regretful. If they’d known this was the reward, they would have caught a few more fish.
Some players went to the ice holes to try and catch more fish. They succeeded, but they were unable to place them in the baskets like before.
Moira Lynch was hiding in a corner and hadn’t left yet. She hadn’t forgotten about the hidden quest; winning the competition gave her a chance to trigger it.
[Congratulations, player, you have triggered a hidden quest. The quality of the fish you caught is exceptional. Please deliver them to Chef Jean in Snowfox Village.]
Moira Lynch looked at the basket in her hands and put it away in her Space Button.
Only after everyone had left did she deactivate her Invisibility.
’They’re finally gone.’
’I don’t know what’s wrong with that Zephyr Murphy. The competition was over, yet he insisted on hanging around for nearly half an hour before finally leaving.’
’If he hadn’t left soon, I would have had to go. The Invisibility from my Illusion Cloak has a time limit.’
Taking out several high-grade Recovery Agents, Moira Lynch fished more than a dozen additional times. Only when her Recovery Agents were used up and she could sense the school of fish underwater had thinned out considerably did she leave, satisfied.
After returning underground, Moira Lynch took off her hood, changed her clothes, and retrieved the reward the system had given her earlier from her storage.
She looked at the black-and-gold ticket in her hand. ’The Navi Auction?’
"Patience, search for the Navi Auction."
Soon, information about the Navi Auction appeared before Moira Lynch.
[The Navi Auction is a top-tier auction held exclusively on Nymphaea. Invitations are issued in limited quantities each year, and not just anyone can obtain one. Furthermore, the invitations are not personalized; anyone holding a card can gain entry.]
[Distribution of the invitations begins six months before the annual auction. After the event, the invitations are collected.]
Hearing Patience’s explanation, Moira Lynch grew curious about this Navi Auction. She had never been to an auction before and had no idea what to expect.
’Once I turn in the Frost-rock Voles from my storage, I should get a huge reward. I wonder if it will be enough.’
’Since it’s a top-tier auction, there must be a lot of rare treasures available.’
’Even if I can’t afford anything, it’s fine. I’ll just treat it as a chance to see something new.’
’The only problem is, I don’t know when the Navi Auction is held.’
"Patience, look up when the Navi Auction is held."
[The time of the Navi Auction is confidential. Shortly before the auction begins, a Teleportation Gate will appear before each cardholder. The gate will transport the guest to their designated carriage.]
Moira Lynch was shocked. ’They can do that?’
Looking at the ticket—an invitation card and admission pass in one—she carefully put it away.
But she quickly thought of another problem: what if the auction was held at the same time as the game?
This was a very serious problem. The system had given her the invitation, so logically there shouldn’t be a conflict. But the auction’s time was a secret. What if, by some coincidence, it was suddenly moved up?
After thinking about it for a long time with no answer, Moira Lynch decided to stop worrying. ’Even if they do conflict, that would be the system’s fault. What’s it got to do with me?’
After stowing the invitation card safely, Moira Lynch popped an Ice Chestnut into her mouth. It was cool and sweet. ’I think I’m starting to love this flavor,’ she thought.
For the next while, Moira Lynch focused entirely on digging. When she felt hungry or tired, she would stop to rest, and once she recovered, she would resume digging.
As night began to fall, Moira Lynch stopped her work once again.
’Based on what happened yesterday, the Yetis will start patrolling their territory at night. I’d better wait until dawn.’
Just then, Moira Lynch felt the snowy ground beneath her feet give way slightly, and she instinctively shifted to the side.
At the same time, a familiar system notification sounded:
[Congratulations, player, you have completed the fourth stage of the quest.]
Hearing that her quest was complete, Moira Lynch’s eyes widened in shock. ’It’s done just like that?’
’I just took two steps to the side, and it’s finished?!’
Moira Lynch looked at the snow tunnel she was in. ’It couldn’t be such a coincidence... could it? Was it possible that it was half inside the Yeti territory and half outside?’
’I was on the other side of the tunnel the whole time, which must be why the quest completion never triggered.’
Moira’s feelings were mixed, but on the whole, happiness won out.
[Now issuing the final main story quest: Rescue. Leaving the Yeti territory does not guarantee absolute safety. Outside, there are many wandering Yetis who are more aggressive than the common variety.]
Seeing this final quest, Moira Lynch didn’t think it would be too difficult. She had already sent out a distress signal, and The Federation had already dispatched people. All she had to do was lie low and wait, and she would surely be rescued.
’The only question is when the rescuers sent by The Federal Government will get here, and how much longer I have to wait.’
To be safe, Moira Lynch decided to dig a little further. She had to get completely clear of the Yeti territory.
About ten minutes later, Moira Lynch was forced to stop. A cyan rock face had appeared before her.