Chapter 199: Chapter 199 – Mercenary Quest’s Main Storyline
Max returned to his apartment after eating and talking to Nina for a while.
He wanted to stay longer, but Chef Rush kicked him out, saying every table was important. The chef said he could stay if he helped in the kitchen, but Max politely refused because he knew he wouldn't survive there and ran away. Nina saw him off with a smile, which reassured him.
When he arrived at his apartment, he checked his message. There was still no reply from Flexy.
'Is he that busy to the point he couldn't read my message? Or did he encounter any problem?' He thought and began to get worried.
But he shook his head immediately. There was no way Flexy would get into trouble with Lisa backing him. She would punch and knock him out if that meant keeping him out of trouble.
Looking at the clock, Max found out it was already 8 PM. He planned to play Roach Planet if Flexy replied, but because there was no response, he decided to play Mercenary Quest and livestream it instead. There was a storyline waiting for him.
'Let's get to work then.'
Entering the VR capsule, Max dived into his Lobby. There, he prepared his stream like usual and changed the title.
[I have enough of crying old man. It's time to start the storyline! #MercenaryQuest #HuntingMonster #QuestStoryline # #CrazyMovement]
Looking at the title he made, Max nodded in satisfaction.
'Perfect.'
There was no need for any clickbait anymore. His follower count was already nearing 500K. If a random viewer saw his thumbnail, taken from the automatic loading screen provided by the system, and the viewers count, they would be curious and visit.
It was natural for humans to be pulled by the crowd.
[Livestream Starts!]
As soon as he started and played the loading screen, viewers immediately gathered.
4K. 8K. 10K. It kept rising until it finally stopped at 13K. This number was mostly influenced by the fact the next day was Saturday, a day off. They could afford to relax and watch the livestream without thinking of any work.
In fact, some of them were new viewers who were baited by clips playing on the loading screen and the title.
— Mercenary Quest's story? Count me in!
— It's been a long time since streamers actually followed Mercenary Quest's storyline. They are already so far ahead
— Breeze has started another storyline! It will be epic!
— Remembering Knight's Journey story, I hope a lot from this one if it's played by Breeze
— lolol, I bet it will be hilarious. Breeze, avenge us! I know you will do it!
— I am here! On time for some epic quests
— I am glad the stream hasn't started yet. Can't miss the storyline from the start
Reading the chat's enthusiasm, Max felt like he should start it already. He started the game and dived into it. His vision was blurry for a second. When it returned, he found himself in the steampunk-like station, sitting on a chair in the kitchen beside the blacksmith.
The weight of the blade on his back surprised him slightly, especially since he entered the game without bringing anything.
"Whoa, I almost fell." He exclaimed, holding onto the sturdy table to balance himself. "That was close. I should remember where I last logged out next."
While muttering that, he changed his screen title. The little camera flew into the air and pointed at him. Once everything was ready and the livestream screen was changed, Max smiled as if nothing was wrong and greeted the viewers.
"Hello, guys! We met again, hahaha. Tonight, we will play the Mercenary Quest's storyline. I think I have enough hang of it after killing two monsters, don't you think? After fixing my weapon, I have eaten and still have 300 Gills. So, yeah.
I am ready! But remember, no backseat. Let me experience all myself."
— Somehow, I can't help but get excited.
— Yeah, no backseat
— Why would we backseat if we can just enjoy the hilarious moment? That's just stupid
— And toxicity is stupid. Learn manners, kid!
"Right, learn manners. Fortunately, only one of two chats is toxic, but let's ignore that for now." Max nodded a few times and stood up, "I need to find the person with a question mark above their head. I wonder where he is?"
The first quest giver would definitely be in the player's line of sight as soon as they exited the train. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to find it and would have to spend time just to get the first quest. That was just a stupid and lazy game design.
And Max managed to find that someone just by looking around a bit more cautiously than before. He recognized that person. It was the energetic mercenary, Jamal. This progression made sense so far.
Approaching the said NPC, Max initiated a talk. He didn't know what to say to activate the quest, so he just greeted him.
"Morning, Jamal."
Upon hearing Max's voice, Jamal turned around with a serious look.
"Oh, newbie. Have you approached me because you heard the rumor?"
That question seemed to be strange. But for a player, it was a natural progression.
"Rumor?" Max asked, getting the keyword from his sentence. "Can you explain more about it? I have heard nothing of such."
"Heh, that won't do. As a mercenary, you should open your ears to the rumors." Jamal shook his head.
"Well, let me tell you, newbie. Apparently, Tromax has been spotted in Misty Forest. This monster is troublesome. Weak, but it can multiply fast. If left alone, it will destroy one area with its offspring. So, go back to the Stronghold Mercenary's base and ask Hunter about this.
He knows more than me."
[Ding! A new mission is generated.]
[Tromax's Clue]
[Visit Stronghold Mercenary's base and find Hunter. Ask him the details about Tromax's appearance. You can find Hunter on the balcony.]
Looking at the notification in front of him, Max nodded in satisfaction. The mission in this game was apparently not as linear as the one in Knight's Journey. Max would find out later whether it had routes or not. Curiosity was the best spice to get motivated to finish the game's storyline.
'As expected, playing a game with a storyline feels nice.'
Max turned around and saw the lump of light that served as his guide. It flew toward the train, giving him a clue about the next destination.
"Well, it's starting."
— It has begun
— The journey to the peak of the mercenary world
— All the suffering… All the despair
— Hahaha… HAHAHAHAHA Blood God will enjoy this
— My right arm has felt it. The arduous journey that Breeze will go through!
— Are you guys okay?
— Stop it… Get some help.