save

"I am not sure about the specifics," Fiege shook his head, "With my current strength, I cannot delve into the secrets involving the rules. I merely glimpsed related events from ancient texts."

"Very well, continue."

"The essence of the explorer's power is inherently evil. The Holy See, in its attempt to summon gods, seeks to utilize one hundred young girls with extremely high affinity to light elements and still untouched as sacrifices. This is to cleanse the evil source within the beads."

At this point, Fiege's expression darkened, clenching his fists, restraining his anger towards the Holy See.

Jiang Han observed keenly, immediately understanding the predicament Fiege faced, "Your family became one of the sacrifices?"

"Yes," Fiege's eyes filled with murderous intent. He harbored deep hatred towards the Holy See, "They preach love and justice while allowing girls who yearn for light to become sacrifices. My sister is only eight years old, how can those beasts do such a thing?!"

"So... you want to entrust the town to me and go alone to rescue your sister?" Combining Fiege's earlier bewildering offer, Jiang Han drew a conclusion.

He now understood why Fiege's profile mentioned him as a "traitor who hated the Holy See." If he were in Fiege's shoes, betrayal seemed inevitable.

If that's the case, Fiege lost his sister due to the failure of Dark City's defense, Daniel's death, and the Holy See successfully collecting nine beads – a plot extension?

Is this the "self-evolving worldview" mentioned in the email sent by the official of "Eternal" at the launch of the game?

"I know there's a high probability I will die," Fiege smiled bitterly but resolute, "But if I don't go to save her, how can I be a worthy brother?"

"How do you plan to save her? Infiltrate the Holy See?" Jiang Han asked.

If that were the case, the difficulty of this side quest would likely start from SS and could even reach SSS, far beyond the capabilities of current players.

"I have a special method. I can instantly teleport to my sister's side. As long as I defeat the guards around her, I can rescue her," Fiege did not conceal.

He knew, given Jiang Han's background, he couldn't possibly be a spy for the Bright Camp.

"Ding!~"

System prompt: Congratulations! You have triggered the hidden subplot quest [Rescue] (Difficulty: SS~A). Do you accept?

"..."

Jiang Han knew this was definitely a deep pit. Unlike the previous hidden subplot quest given by Luo Yi, which didn't provide a difficulty standard, this "Rescue" quest presented an unprecedented range.

SS~A!

What does this mean?

The difficulty will change based on one's actions in the quest!

It could be very challenging or relatively simple.

Suddenly, Fiege thought of something and continued, "In the Divine Demon Treasury, do you know why I hesitated between the scroll replication and the hidden profession?"

Jiang Han's mind stirred, "You want to trade the scroll replication for your sister's freedom?"

The scroll replication was valuable, and Fiege couldn't discern what the higher-ups of the Holy See truly desired. Choosing the versatile item like the scroll replication was undoubtedly correct.

"Your words are enlightening, making me see the essence," Fiege sincerely expressed, "For the powerful, the scroll replication is excellent. But for the weak, they might die before even using it. As for others who get it for free, you are right, personal strength is the most important."

It was Jiang Han's words that reminded him.

Using the scroll replication to exchange for his sister's freedom?

Perhaps the result would be that his sister would still be sacrificed, and he would be left with no return, a free gift of a scroll replication to the Holy See.

Jiang Han: "..."

Goodness, do I have a hand in the plot developing to this extent?

"I agree."

Jiang Han decided to accept the quest.

Although he had a premonition that this quest would be extremely difficult, a person with domineering talents should not be overly cautious. The rewards for storyline quests were undoubtedly substantial, and it was related to both the undead mage and the Holy See, making it impossible to refuse.

Thinking further, if the system truly wanted to target him, he could only escape for a while.

"Have you agreed to take on the position of mayor?"

"No, I agreed to go with you to rescue your sister," Jiang Han corrected.

Fiege stood up abruptly, eyes wide, and exclaimed, "Are you serious?"

"Guess."

"..."

"Ding!~"

System prompt: You have obtained the hidden subplot quest [Rescue]!

[Rescue] (Difficulty: SS~A)

Introduction: Those obstructing the descent of gods will face judgment. We hope you understand the consequences of opposing the Holy See.

Mission requirements: Rescue the berserker Fiege's sister, Liss.

Failure penalty: None

Mission reward:???

...

While there was no penalty for failure, Jiang Han understood that failure was practically a dead end, regardless of its absence.

"When do we act?" Jiang Han asked.

"Anytime, but no later than five days. On the night five days from now, they will attempt to sacrifice one hundred girls to summon gods. I cannot stand idly by as this unfolds," Fiege said seriously.

"Alright."

Jiang Han nodded, "Then let's not rush for now. Let me make some preparations."

Preparations!

To be honest, Jiang Han couldn't directly answer what preparations he needed to make. It felt like the only thing he could do was utilize the limited time to level up and improve his strength.

"Sure."

Fiege naturally wouldn't refuse.

"Can you give me a position in Tianhai Town, excluding the mayor?"

Simply doing quests might lead the system to view him as a passing traveler, unable to categorize him as a resident under Tianhai Town's jurisdiction. He needed a moderate sense of belonging within the town, but it couldn't be too strong to avoid drawing attention from players and triggering siege activities in a short period.

"Then... an idle position?"

"Yes, an idle position."

"Ding!~"

System prompt: You have become the leader of Tianhai Town's No. 1 casual team!

"I'll take my leave for now. See you in four days."

"Take care, brother."

...

Leaving the mayor's mansion, Jiang Han summoned his little donkey, mounted it, and headed towards the Flame Demon Mountain near Vermilion Bird City to level up, also intending to acquire a set of dark gold-grade Flame Demon equipment.

"Tita, tita..."

The little donkey traversed mountains and hills, carrying Jiang Han towards Flame Demon Mountain.

"Hmm?"

On the way, Jiang Han saw a silver-grade creature resembling a horse in the vast wilderness. Its entire body was gray-black, with sturdy limbs and a majestic appearance.

[Ashen Rhino] (Normal Monster)

Level: 30

Health: 80,000

Attack: 250-260

Defense: 120

Skill: [Charge]

Introduction: Gentle in nature, very suitable as a mount. Extremely popular among bronze-grade mounts, but challenging to capture.

...

Looks good!

Jiang Han was intrigued

. Without making a fuss, he quietly approached the Ashen Rhino on the little donkey, took out a mount stone, and tossed it towards the creature.

"Swoosh!"

The mount stone, upon touching the Ashen Rhino's body, emitted a faint red light but instantly dissipated and shattered.

"Ding!~"

System prompt: Capture failed!

Disturbed by someone, the Ashen Rhinos that had gathered together immediately scattered in all directions.

"Want to run? No way!"

Jiang Han, riding the little donkey, pursued one Ashen Rhino relentlessly with his ten-star growth speed.

"Ding!~"

System prompt: Capture failed!

"Ding!~"

System prompt: Capture failed!

...

Dozens of mount stones were thrown, all ending in failure.

"So hard to capture?"

Jiang Han's temper flared. He picked up a mount stone and threw it forcefully at the Ashen Rhino, shouting, "Kneel down for me!"

"Splatter!"

The mount stone hit the Ashen Rhino's body, creating a blood hole, and blood gushed out.

"Woo!"

The Ashen Rhino wailed and collapsed.

-80,000!

Great, one-shot!

"Ding!~"

System prompt: You have killed the normal monster [Ashen Rhino], gaining 2 experience points!