28 Chapter 28: Moonshadow City pt-2
[Author's Note: I'd like to clarify a detail from the previous chapter. In Aiden's world, humans reside on the Northern Continent, while other races inhabit the Southern Continent. Thank you for your understanding, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. Happy reading! ]
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"Do you have any insight into why people from different southern continents are not able to access our northern continent?" This question came as a surprise. Nois's question struck Max like a bolt from the blue, leaving him in a state of bewilderment.
'What's the connection between the curse and Moonshadow City?' Max stammered, his eyes wide with astonishment.
"Yes, Butler Nois, Chef Edward mentioned something about a curse," Max confirmed, his voice trembling slightly as he recalled Edward's cryptic hints.
"We possess some knowledge about the curse, but the true reasons behind it remain shrouded in mystery," Nois began to elucidate, leaning in with an air of solemnity.
"There's a dark chapter in our continent's history, an event that transpired three centuries ago.
It's a tale steeped in secrecy, and while historical records confirm a devastating war, the specific details have faded into obscurity.
What endures is the belief that inhabitants from the southern continent were forbidden from entering the northern one. There are even claims of the reverse, though such assertions lack concrete evidence."
"Curse," Max murmured in contemplation, his mind racing to make sense of this newfound knowledge.
"Yes, a curse," Nois continued, his expression grave. "However, what's pivotal to our story is the era following the establishment of the Central Continent. It marked the birth of revolutionary magical artifacts, with dimensional teleportation standing at the forefront—a marvel forged through the ingenious fusion of dwarven craftsmanship and magic. And here, in Moonshadow City, we are proud possessors of a dimensional teleportation hub."
Max struggled to grasp the profound implications of this revelation. It was as if he had stumbled into an intricate web of secrets and ancient power, all woven into the very fabric of the world.
Nois, recognizing Max's struggle, let out a hearty chuckle, his pride in Moonshadow City's achievements evident.
"What truly sets us apart is our unique dungeon system. It was the dungeons that played a pivotal role in lifting the curse that once gripped our land, enabling individuals of various races to move freely between continents.
But before the establishment of the dimensional gate, there existed no direct pathways connecting our regions.
The portal revolutionized our world, forging connections to distant places, including the illustrious Central Continent. And what's most remarkable is that the development of our advanced city owes a debt of gratitude to the tireless efforts and craftsmanship of the dwarves. HAHAHA"
'Damn, this old man could've just said it straight, but instead, he gave me a five-minute epic,' Max muttered under his breath, his frustration building as he listened to Nois's long-winded explanations. He couldn't help but find the situation a bit comical, trying to decipher the mysteries of the world while enduring Nois's storytelling tendencies.
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Max refrained from initiating any conversation or even glancing in Nois's direction. His thoughts were fixated on the fact that the old man seemed to have an insatiable desire to boast about his country.
It had been a trying experience enduring Nois's lengthy narratives for a solid ten minutes, and Max couldn't help but feel irritated by it.
After all, who wouldn't be annoyed when an elderly man goes on a ten-minute bragging spree right in front of you? However, Max consoled himself with the valuable knowledge he had gained.
'I need to visit a library for more information,' Max thought inwardly.
He attempted to communicate this thought to the system. Unfortunately, the system evaded his request, responding only with vague hints that whatever he desired could be found in the shop. Although Max had already reached level 3 in the past two days, achieving this milestone had been quite an ordeal.
Despite the system's advice that higher-tier cooking would yield more experience points, it still took him two days to reach this level. There simply weren't many opportunities to cook mana-infused food.
' sigh~ '
Sighing in resignation, Max finally said aloud, 'Status window.'
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[Status Window]
Name: Max Aldwell
Age: 25
Level: 3 (EXP: 900/1000)
Chef Points: 240
Shop: Locked [Unlock In Level 10]
Skills: 'God of Cooking' [Divine](Passive)(Rank-novice)
Physique: Perfect Divine Physique[Divine]
Main Quest: Fulfil David's Dying Wish [Click for more details]
Special Items- Blueprint of Divine Restaurant [Divine][Click for more details]
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Indeed, Max had recently received a special gift as his third-day sign-in bonus. However, as he delved deeper into examining this gift, he found himself filled with confusion and hesitation.
The reason for his uncertainty was the attached link quest, and Max didn't feel adequately prepared to accept it just yet.
He had planned to undertake this quest after completing his main quest, which was assigned to him by the system and involved helping the Sun Care Orphanage.
To accomplish this, he needed to travel to Dani village, which was approximately a four-hour journey from his current location, a piece of information he had learned from the inn waitress, Ana.
Max had more than 25 days left before the deadline for his main quest, and he had discussed his intentions of using the money he would receive from Count Francisco to aid his orphanage with Edward.
Edward had agreed to conclude Max's apprenticeship one day ahead of schedule, ensuring that he had time to fulfill his commitment.
What made Max's situation even more perplexing was the realization that all three gifts he had received from the system were of divine rank.
When he asked Edward about the grading of items and skills, he was utterly shocked. Edward explained that grades typically ranged from bronze to silver, gold, diamond, epic, legendary, and finally, the highest tier, mythical and Divine. To Max's surprise, the system had granted him divine-grade items or skills, which were considered the pinnacle of existence.
Max found himself in a quandary, unsure whether he was fortunate or unfortunate. If others were to discover his possession of divine-grade items and skills, they would likely scrutinize him intensely, much like dissecting a frog.
- - -
As Max was lost in his thoughts, he was abruptly brought back to reality by the sudden stop of the wagon. Nois, the head butler, leaned in and said, "Kid, we've arrived. Welcome to the Count's mansion in Moonshadow City. As you can see, no one has come to welcome you, ha ha ha!"
Max didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the irony of the situation. He understood that no one would come to welcome someone like him, but it still stung a little.
Determination flickered in his eyes. 'I need to grow stronger quickly, and soon everyone will bow to me,' a fierce determination burned in Max's heart as he prepared to face the challenges of the day ahead.
