Chapter 236: Hidden Quest
Chapter 236: Hidden Quest
What kind of personality do players have? The more you ignore them, the more they obsess over you. In Ye Chen’s memories from before his awakening, he’d once grinded a game at an internet café with classmates that featured an obstinate old NPC. He’d lost count of how many sleepless nights he’d spent raising that old-timer’s Favorability. Ye Chen now cast himself in the role of that aloof NPC. He didn’t worry about this player not taking the bait – even if this one turned out to be casual, it didn’t matter. Games always grew new crops of players. If this seedling failed, another would sprout – there’d always be someone craving tough challenges.
Little Flying Fish represented the ultimate challenge-seeker. His eyes lit up like twin bonfires at Ye Chen’s response.
“Classic hidden big shot behavior patterns.”
Dealing with these VIPs? My specialty!
“Favorability mechanics, classic stuff.”
Reach the threshold to unlock quests.
The realization struck Little Flying Fish like lightning – he’d found a unique hidden entity. Just as he congratulated himself on discovering a secret mission, doubt crept in.
“But hidden characters usually lurk in caves or Ancient City ruins. This one’s way too accessible.”
As if reading his thoughts, the ‘hidden big shot’ barked a reproach before striding toward Green City’s outskirts.
“A roaming NPC?”
Curiosity overriding caution, Little Flying Fish shadowed the figure, careful to maintain distance. The big shot seemed preoccupied, attention elsewhere as they traversed the wilderness.
“He actually followed.”
Commit fully to the act. Half-baked personas got exposed. Ye Chen only considered these details after engaging Little Flying Fish, now improvising backstory elements through sideways glances while maintaining frosty composure.
“Where next?”
“Retired legends like me should have old connections. Former comrades make perfect sense for my tier…”
Ye Chen mentally fleshed out his character during the trek. A solid persona meant smoother quest distribution later.
“What’s that place?”
Beyond Green City’s walls, a colossal tree materialized – its scale defying real world botany.
“Impressive enough for backstory material.”
Ye Chen veered toward the arboreal monstrosity. Little Flying Fish gaped at the impossible growth – pure fantasy versus reality.
“Must be the big shot’s target.”
They reached the tree’s shadowed domain.
“Amor Cemetery?”
A pale tombstone gleamed ahead, etched with the location’s name.
Graveyard?
Ye Chen hesitated briefly before proceeding, aware of his audience.
“Cemetery? Here to mourn someone?”
Little Flying Fish’s mind generated countless tragic hero narratives. The lone figure’s silhouette screamed untold glory and loss – perfect quest trigger moment when hidden figures reveal vulnerability!
As the player spun tales, Ye Chen “reminisced” too.
The cemetery’s numerous marked graves posed risks – identifiable names/photos could unravel his act if players cross-referenced NPC relatives. Solution: pick an unmarked, crumbling plot. (Never underestimate gamers’ obsessive verification.)
Soon, Ye Chen found such a grave in the cemetery.
Old, broken, and worn!
Most importantly, it had no tombstone! Only a broken wooden plaque without any inscriptions.
“Old friend, I’m back.”
Without hesitation, Ye Chen crouched down, resting one hand on the wooden board as if sinking into memories.
“He really did come to mourn a friend.”
Witnessing this scene, Little Flying Fish behind him became more convinced of his earlier assumption. His curiosity about this Hidden Big Shot’s identity grew stronger.
“After all these years, I’ve traveled many places…”
Ye Chen didn’t actually know whose grave this was, but from now on, the tomb’s occupant would be sworn brothers with great expert Ye. He continued conversing like catching up with an old friend for over an hour, occasionally spacing out with such convincing acting that he nearly fooled himself. Little Flying Fish remained completely unsuspecting.
After what felt like ages to Little Flying Fish, the Hidden Big Shot before him finally emerged from reminiscence.
“Show yourself. You’ve been tailing me long enough.”
As if awakening from memories, Ye Chen removed his hand from the grave marker and turned to face Little Flying Fish.
“Speak. Who sent you?”
The commanding tone perfectly suited a Hidden Big Shot’s persona. The intimidating aura of a level 40 big shot pressed down on the rookie Little Flying Fish.
“Was it the Star Council’s Gatekeeper? Or that ancient relic from the Magic Academy?”
Ye Chen casually invented two impressive-sounding peer characters, thoroughly bewildering his listener.
“I’m just a passing adventurer. Seeing you waiting here alone so long, I wondered if you needed help.”
Little Flying Fish used the most standard Player-to-NPC interaction dialogue.
“Adventurer?”
“If you truly are an adventurer, I’ve got a task for you.”
The Hidden Big Shot fell silent momentarily before a yellow exclamation mark materialized above his head.
A quest!!
Little Flying Fish’s heart raced. After all this stalking, he’d finally triggered the Hidden Character’s mission.
“Anything within my power!”
“I returned too hastily without gifts for my old friend. There’s a winery west of the city – bring him a bottle. Succeed, and I might teach you something special.” As Little Flying Fish opened his quest log, Ye Chen recited the mission details.
A simple delivery quest – the most common type in games.
Ye Chen wanted to test the NPC quest interface before public beta launched.
“It shall be done!”
The excited Little Flying Fish accepted the quest.
“Find me at Green City’s Magic Academy after completion. Ask for mentor Longmen – he knows my whereabouts.” After finished speaking, Ye Chen’s figure shimmered. When Little Flying Fish blinked, the man had completely vanished.