MMORPG: Birth of the World's Luckiest Player

Chapter 471: Promise to Defend Millbrook Village

Just as Marcus was trying to figure out why the villagers were acting so strangely, the Village Chief stepped forward. The old man’s expression was tense, and there was a trace of nervousness in his eyes as he approached Marcus’s horse.

"Sir, you defeated the Soul Vase Ghost and obtained the Soul Vase?"

Marcus nodded. "Yeah."

The question struck him as odd. Everyone present had watched the battle from beginning to end, so there was no need to confirm something they had all witnessed with their own eyes. Besides, he had come here specifically to kill the Soul Vase Ghost in the first place.

Seeing the Chief’s uneasy expression, Marcus couldn’t help wondering if the man had some connection to the artifact.

The Village Chief quickly explained. "Sir, if the Soul Vase doesn’t drop, the Soul Vase Ghost will eventually resurrect at Black Ghost Peak. The vase continuously nourishes its soul, allowing it to return within a week of being slain. However, if the Soul Vase is separated from it, the ghost’s existence comes to an end permanently."

"I see." Marcus pulled out the Soul Vase and looked it over again.

Thinking about it now, the artifact really was unusual. Since it was tied directly to the ghost’s existence, its drop rate was probably incredibly low. If his pet egg hadn’t unexpectedly absorbed the ghost’s power and disrupted everything, there was a good chance the vase wouldn’t have dropped at all.

Still, he didn’t see what any of that had to do with the villagers. Why were they so worried?

The Village Chief took a deep breath before continuing. "Sir, if the Soul Vase Ghost has truly been destroyed forever, then its master, the Black Peak Ten-Thousand-Dagger-Through-The-Heart Ghost of Black Ghost Peak, will inevitably learn what happened. When it does, it will come seeking revenge against Millbrook Village. We beg you to protect us when that day comes."

Marcus finally understood. So that was what this was about.

He looked at the villagers gathered behind the Chief. Their faces were filled with anxiety. Most of them were ordinary people with no way to defend themselves against monsters of that level.

Life was never easy for common folk.

"Chief," Marcus asked, "what exactly is this Black Peak Ten-Thousand-Dagger-Through-The-Heart Ghost, and how strong is it?"

He wasn’t opposed to helping, but there was a limit to what he could realistically handle.

The Chief answered immediately. "Sir, the Black Peak Ten-Thousand-Dagger-Through-The-Heart Ghost is a Level 85 high-tier Golden Boss. It specializes in controlling countless flying daggers and has slaughtered many people over the years."

"Level 85?" Marcus nearly choked.

A high-tier Golden Boss at Level 85? That was well beyond anything he could currently fight.

He had been preparing to politely refuse when the Chief hurriedly added another detail. "Please don’t worry, sir. The Black Peak Ten-Thousand-Dagger-Through-The-Heart Ghost is currently in seclusion and won’t leave Black Ghost Peak anytime soon. We estimate it will remain there for at least another year."

"Even if it seeks revenge before then, it will likely send subordinates first. If it chooses to come personally, we should have at least a year’s warning."

"One year..." Marcus paused to think.

A year was a long time. At his current leveling speed, reaching Level 70 within a year was entirely possible. By then, he would likely possess additional Divine Artifacts and far stronger equipment. Against a Level 85 Golden Boss, he wouldn’t necessarily be helpless anymore.

The more he thought about it, the more reasonable the quest sounded.

Marcus straightened up and nodded confidently. "Alright. When the time comes, I’ll help defend Millbrook Village."

The moment the words left his mouth, the system notification appeared.

Ding!

[Congratulations, player Stonehaven. You have triggered the Unique Hidden Quest: The Crisis of Millbrook Village.]

Marcus grinned. Another hidden quest. At this point, even he had to admit his luck was ridiculous.

Opening the quest panel, he checked the details.

—

The Crisis of Millbrook Village: When the Black Peak Ten-Thousand-Dagger-Through-The-Heart Ghost launches its revenge against Millbrook Village, Stonehaven must resist the attack and protect the village. Mission details will vary depending on the enemy’s actions.

—

After the quest was accepted, the Village Chief produced a yellow scroll and handed it over respectfully. "Sir, when danger arrives, we will contact you through a Ten-Thousand-Mile Transmission. No matter where you are, activate this scroll and you will be transported directly to Millbrook Village."

Marcus accepted it casually. At first, he wasn’t particularly interested. His Wanderlust skill already gave him exceptional mobility. Still, free items were free items.

Then he checked the item’s information. His eyes widened.

—

Aether Teleport Scroll: Mythic-grade item. Allows all members of a mercenary group to instantly teleport to a designated location under the protection of holy light.

Designated Location: Millbrook Village

—

Marcus stared at the description. A mercenary group. Not a single player. An entire group.

His mind immediately started working. Could the future attack be more than a simple boss battle? Could it be a full-scale monster assault on the village?

The possibility instantly excited him.

"Now we’re talking." His heart started pounding.

If a large-scale battle really happened, he could bring all of his friends along. They would finally have a chance to fight together on a major battlefield.

Best of all, Millbrook Village was located in a remote region far from the major player hubs. He wouldn’t have to worry about attracting too much attention or exposing all of his trump cards in front of thousands of spectators.

The more he thought about it, the better the quest sounded.

As for the reward... Marcus looked around at the peaceful village, the surrounding high-level monster zones, and the vast wilderness stretching into the distance.

A thought quietly formed in his mind. Honestly, he wasn’t asking for much. A small plot of land in Millbrook Village would be more than enough.

"Thank you, sir!"

The villagers visibly relaxed. The tension that had weighed on them moments earlier disappeared almost instantly.

They had witnessed Marcus defeat the Soul Vase Ghost with their own eyes. Now that he had agreed to help, they finally felt as though they had a chance of surviving whatever the future might bring.

Marcus smiled and pulled the Boomerang Wind Sword from his backpack. "Chief, I believe this belongs to your village."

The Village Chief accepted the weapon with both hands. Emotion filled his face.

"Millbrook Village will never forget your kindness. Please, allow us to welcome you properly and express our gratitude."

Marcus immediately perked up. A hidden quest. A major reward. And now a village celebration?

Today was shaping up nicely.

He dismissed his pets and followed the cheerful villagers toward the center of town. As he walked, a hopeful thought crossed his mind. Maybe this time the phrase "properly welcome you" actually meant something special.

Unfortunately, reality had other plans.

"Sir, cheers!" "Drink, sir!" "Another cup!"

The villagers enthusiastically surrounded him as large tables were set up in the open courtyard. The promised hospitality turned out to be a banquet.

To be fair, it was a good banquet. The homemade grain wine carried a rich countryside flavor, and the food was far better than Marcus had expected from a remote village.

With the Soul Vase Ghost gone, the entire settlement seemed transformed. People who had remained hidden during the crisis gradually emerged from their homes. Elderly residents, women, and children filled the streets. What Marcus had initially assumed was a tiny settlement of twenty-some villagers actually contained more than thirty households.

The atmosphere was lively and welcoming. It reminded him of a village finally able to breathe again after years of living under fear.

The only thing that disappointed him was his earlier imagination. The Village Chief’s idea of proper hospitality consisted of endless food, endless drinks, and two shy young women seated nearby to keep him company during the feast.

Both were friendly and pleasant, but they were clearly there to make a guest feel welcome, nothing more.

Marcus eventually laughed at himself. "What was I even expecting?"

Shaking his head, he opened the system clock. Almost two hours and forty minutes had passed since accepting the quest.

It was time to get moving again. He still needed to report back to Elder Lonely, complete his mission, and finally reach Level 50.

And now that he knew what surrounded Millbrook Village, he was even more eager to return. The area was packed with high-level hunting grounds.

To Marcus, that meant only one thing: experience points.