Fragment Box

Daniel started at notification momentarily before Lumi nudged his leg to get his attention. Daniel blinked and petted Lumi's head.

"Ah right! The elf girl!"

He looked at the small cage under a twisted tree. A young elf girl huddled inside, looking dirty and skinny. Blood was visible all over her body, making even Daniel's strong heart melt. Lumi started casting a spell on the little girl, green healing magic enveloping her body. Soon, the girl's twisted arms and legs were healed. Her wounds recovered at a rapid pace, just like a vampire.

Daniel broke the cage open, carrying the girl out. He glanced at her, seeing her charming features, impressed beyond belief. He took her to a pond nearby, washing his dirty face along with the little elf's.

Her features now became even more vivid. She was surely going to be someone great in the future, thought Daniel.

Washing the blood off his body, he decided to head back to the city. The elf girl was almost in a perfect condition now, yet she was still unconscious. It made Daniel worried about her. Also, he had noticed that there was no message indicating that the quest was completed.

"It means I have to return the girl safely to the Elf Council." He quickly told Lumi, who was playing in the water, to come out as it was time to head back to the city.

Upon arriving in the city, Daniel entered the massive elf council building.

The building was big with arched doors guarded by armed people. Daniel went inside the tall hallway where the guest-giver waited.

"You're back!" said the elf quest giver, rising from her carved chair. Tears gushed out of her eyes as her gaze fell on the little girl in his hands. "T-thankyou!" Stuttering, only one word left her mouth. She fell on her knees, spreading her arms wide.

Daniel understood what she meant and gently placed the little elf girl in her hands. The quest giver looked down, her tears pouring down on the little elf's face.

"W-wait here! I will be right back!" The quest giver left with hurried steps. She had to inform the elders of the council. Daniel was their benefactor, the elves were true to their word and they treated allies as their own. She didn't want to give worthless rewards to Daniel, instead, she wanted to give him the most generous reward possible.

Soon, two old men and a woman came to the quest room with hurried steps. Their heartbeat didn't go this high when fighting ferocious beasts, yet it felt like their hearts were about to pop out of their chest when they entered the quest room.

Daniel was sitting on a wooden chair, Lumi resting on his lap. Daniel looked at the old people who entered the room. He didn't know any of them except for the elf quest giver.

The elders approached him, smiles flashing across their weathered faces. They instantly bowed before him, an act of reverence that caught Daniel completely off guard. Lumi let out a small startled yip and leapt from his lap.

"O great knight," the eldest of the men spoke, his voice wavering with emotion. "You have done something that we can't repay you enough for."

Daniel opened his mouth to say something, but the wizened woman raised a hand to silence him.

"Do not dismiss the significance of your actions so quickly. By rescuing the high elf, you have not only helped us elves, but also the entire world."

The second elder man nodded solemnly. "An act of pure heroism… We can't let you down in this one. We'll reward you generously!"

Heat rushed to Daniel's cheeks as he heard about the generous reward. He was thrilled about the reward, not having enough patience to wait anymore.

Clearing his throat, he rose and offered a respectful bow of his own in return. With a slick tongue, Daniel responded, "Your kindness honours me, but I merely did what any other person would have done if given the chance. If you have further needs of my abilities, I stand ready to offer them."

The elders exchanged joyful glances, they were amazed by the modest young man standing in front of them.

"Alright, young man! Now, it's time to hand you the reward!" The eldest man among the elders said, his eyes sparkling.

The other nodded, looking at each other. The elder took out a small wooden box, strange patterns carved on it. Curiously, Daniel examined the box closely. He wasn't sure about it, but it felt like there was a strangely familiar item inside the wooden box.

The elder looked at his enthusiasm and chuckled. He stretched his hand forward, placing the box on Daniel's hands.

"Take this, young man. It will surely be something useful for you in the future." The elder spoke, a smile plastered on his face.

"For now, we've got to go. If you ever need our help, please visit this place." Said the elder before heading out of the room. The other elders slightly nodded and left the room as well.

The elf quest giver finally moved. A beautiful smile was plastered on her face. She gently patted Daniel's shoulder before going back to her seat.

Daniel smiled back at her before leaving the building.

"Haah! Finally done with the quest!" He grinned, looking at the notification in front of him.

[Quest completed!]

[Reward: 3 levels worth of exp, Fragment Box, Elf Council Badge!]

"Damn! 3 levels in one go!" He celebrated in joy. This quest paid off really well. Aside from the exp, he looked at the 2 items with a confused look.

He hadn't seen or heard about these items ever before. Opening his inventory, he quickly took out the fragment box and the Council Badge.

The fragment box was the wooden box handed to him by the elders of the council while the Council badge was a tiny golden shield with wings on both sides, and a little crown on the top.

Keeping the fragment box aside, Daniel first examined the Council Badge.

[Elf Council Badge]

[You're the first in the continent to achieve this badge. This badge can only be obtained by triggering the hidden chain quests and completing the first one.]

[Reputation + 2000]

[Relationship with the elves: Benefactor]

"Amazing!" Daniel understood the use of the badge. It meant that the elves were now his allies. If he ever encountered danger, he could ask the elves for help.

Storing the badge in his inventory, he then took out the small fragment box. It gave him a strange feeling of mystery.

He slightly opened the lid, squinting his eyes to look at the contents inside.

[Congratulations! You have unboxed a "Soul Fragment of ???"!]

(Author: Here's today's chapter guys! Tysm everyone for completing the weekly powerstone goal! We have crossed 70 power stones this week! I hope we will keep rising in the rankings like this! Next week's goal will be: 100 stones! Tysm!)