Absolute Destiny Game

"So what do we do now? We've already taken on the quest."

"Just because we took the quest doesn't mean we have to do it; there's no penalty for failing, so we can just give up. The freedom in this game is so high, you don't have to follow the quest line exactly."

Right now, there are actually two paths we can take.

One is to trust what the Ginkgo Fairy says, take a gamble, save her, and if it really works out, she might give us an amazing reward. Who knows, it might even unlock a magic profession, but if the Ginkgo Fairy turns out to be a bad guy, there probably won't be any reward, and she might even kill us outright."

Even if she doesn't kill us, the villagers in the village might kill us, assuming the Ginkgo Fairy hasn't massacred the village."

Moreover, the difficulty of this quest is definitely not low, and failing it means there's a good chance we might die,"

The second path is to report this matter to the village chief, Master Huang. Master Huang will definitely give us some rewards, but definitely not as exaggerated as what the Ginkgo Fairy promised.

It's probably just ordinary equipment, skills, and monetary rewards."

I Want to Be Immortal asked hesitantly, "So which path do we choose?"

"Nonsense, of course, we choose the second one.

If it were a normal game, you might consider the first option; if you win the bet, you'd shoot to the top.

But we are playing a death game, and the biggest trap in playing these hardcore modes is the illusion of luck. Never gamble with your life; even if you win a hundred times, it doesn't matter because if you fail once, the game is over.

So, our top priority is to be safe. Let's go and report to the village chief."

I Want to Be Immortal listened but was somewhat unwilling, "But, but... What if what the Ginkgo Fairy said is true? What if she really can resurrect my brother?"

Xiao Jie was speechless, having explained so clearly, why couldn't the kid understand?

Right, he's naive, probably hasn't been beaten down by society yet, might still be a student.

"Here's the deal, you transfer me one hundred thousand yuan, and I have a way to turn that one hundred thousand into ten million."

I Want to Be Immortal didn't believe it, "You're lying, right Sui Feng? Such an outrageous thing can't be true."

Xiao Jie chuckled, "It is a bit outrageous, yes, but what if it is true? Why not take the gamble? If you win, you get ten million; if you lose, you're only out one hundred thousand, so why not transfer me the money and try?"

I Want to Be Immortal fell silent for a moment, then sighed, "I understand now, let's go. We'll go find the village chief."

Xiao Jie thought to himself that was fairly reasonable, not a hopeless situation.

A few minutes later, at the village chief's house—

The two relayed the whole situation to the old village chief.

Upon hearing this, Master Huang was immediately shocked, "What! Such a thing! I didn't expect the ancient legend from five hundred years ago to actually be true..."

The old village chief wore a face of shock mixed with reminiscence, and Xiao Jie thought they really had unearthed a big secret.

"Please, old man, what exactly is going on?"

"Alas, it all started five hundred years ago in Ginkgo Village, where an ancient legend has been passed down from generation to generation. The legend says that five hundred years ago, an Immortal came into this valley and told the village chief at the time that a great disaster was about to descend on the world, and that to protect the neighbors from this disaster, one must act according to his methods.

He planted a ginkgo tree in the center of the village, claiming it was an Immortal Seed brought down from heaven, and once grown, it would protect the land of Ginkgo Village. When the great disaster struck, it would keep the neighbors safe.

However, having been separated from the environment of the Immortal Realm, the ginkgo tree was contaminated by worldly filth. After a hundred years, it was bound to turn into a demon and bring calamity, so he fortified it with talismans and sealed it to prevent its escape and instructed the villagers to guard it day and night."

After the Immortal left, within a few years a great disaster did indeed befall the world. The gods perished, all things wilted, people lost their souls and became soulless zombies, and beasts lost their intelligence and became demon beasts.

Eight or nine out of every ten villages and towns were destroyed in its wake.

However, Ginkgo Village was spared thanks to the protection of the Immortal Tree, preserving a trace of vital essence.

It has now been several hundred years.

The two fairies you encountered in your dream, were likely the forms of demons transformed from the ginkgo tree attempting to escape their seal through deceit.

You must not believe the lies of those demons and make a grave mistake," he warned.

Xiao Jie, upon hearing this, thought to himself, so that's how it is. The Ginkgo Fairy actually wasn't entirely lying and was indeed from the heavens.

But all those rewards she promised were clearly nonsense. How could she, a mere Tree Demon, help him become an Immortal when she herself wasn't one?

If she were to be released, it's almost certain she would massacre the village.

The Old Village Chief continued, "The ginkgo tree on the mountain must be an avatar derived from the village's ginkgo tree, a trick to stealthily sustain itself. If this Tree Demon breaks the seal, I fear a great calamity would befall our Ginkgo Village. It's commendable that you two gentlemen reported this matter to me."

Xiao Jie asked, "What should we do next?"

I Want to Be Immortal hesitated, wanting to speak but then stopping.

The Old Village Chief smiled and said, "No worries. Now that we know its scheme, dealing with it is easy. We just need to chop down the ginkgo tree derivative on the back mountain. Would you two brave gentlemen undertake this? If you manage it, a substantial reward in gold will surely be yours.

Since the ginkgo tree is a derivative catalyzed by the spiritual power of the Tree Demon, you will certainly gather some top-grade materials. If you two can bring back those materials, I, albeit slightly knowledgeable in Artifact Making, can craft a Magic Artifact for each of you.

System Prompt: You've triggered the random event[Help Sought by the Old Village Chief].

Mission Description: The Old Village Chief has recounted to you the origin of the Ginkgo Fairy and has entrusted you to chop down the Tree Demon derivative of the ginkgo tree to prevent future troubles.

Mission Objective: Kill the Tree Demon derivative.

Mission Reward: 1000 copper coins, one Wood attribute Magic Artifact.

A Magic Artifact! This reward is indeed desirable, but...

Xiao Jie glanced at himself and I Want to Be Immortal, thinking that between us, being Level 1 and Level 2, tackling a mission monster could be rather difficult.

"Old sir, how dangerous is this Tree Demon derivative?"

"No worries, it is merely a puppet transformed from the roots and stems of the Tree Demon, not even a proper avatar. It has just a touch of demon power, barely different from ordinary trees. You two might handle it in a fight.

If you're not confident in your own strength, I can write a letter and arrange for some Militia to accompany you. Yet as the saying goes, the Emperor doesn't keep hungry soldiers, so if the Militia join, your reward might have to be reduced.

Of course, if you really do not wish to take the risk, I can have Captain Tie handle this. It's commendable that you have provided this information, and you will surely be handsomely rewarded afterwards, but then the Magic Artifact might be..."

Suddenly, a dialogue box popped up in front of Xiao Jie.

Option 1: Old Village Chief, there is no need to bother; the two of us are enough for this task.

Option 2: It might be better for the Old Village Chief to send a few Militia to accompany us, just in case.

Option 3: We have already done our best; this matter is significant. Old Village Chief, perhaps Captain Tie should handle it.