Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 116: Final Farewell & The Shadow Djinn

As he continued to weave his own narrative, he clung to the belief that, eventually, he would discover the right path and construct something remarkable from the chaos.

Damn it! he scolded himself inwardly. Haven't I already figured all of this out? I have a plan to amass plenty of gold. Now, I just need to grow stronger. And as for Brek and the others...

"Do you have any idea where the others may have been taken?"

Elysia smiled, noticing the renewed zeal igniting the boy's eyes. "Slave traders are typically very cautious in their movements; even they have to fear bandits and mercenaries. Your best bet is to find a reliable information broker or consult the Merchants' Guild."

"Are you a member of the guild, by any chance?"

Daisuke turned to Lord Chadrick. "The Adventurers' Guild? Yeah."

"I'm not sure if you're aware, but the guild offers a postal service for its members. I can have someone look into the kids for you. If we find anything, I'll let you know right away. In exchange, would you mind sharing what the situation is like in the capital?"

"I'm on the road to figuring that out myself," Daisuke informed.

"When you do, pay a visit to the Merchants' Guild. They collaborate with the government to provide a postal system for dignitaries."

Daisuke raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I guess they're not as conservative as the Adventurers' Guild."

"It's a guild focused on acquiring wealth and natural resources, after all," Elysia explained. "Having strong connections in the government is essentially a golden ticket to financial opportunities."

"Spoken like someone assigned as a lord's adviser would say," Daisuke teased, a playful smirk on his lips as he walked away.

Elysia pushed herself to her feet with a playful pout, but when Daisuke thanked her and began waving his goodbye, her expression melted into a warm smile. Unable to resist the gesture, she waved back, the warmth of the moment brightening her demeanor as she watched him go.

"I'll reach out as soon as I learn anything," Daisuke said to Lord Chadrick.

The man nodded firmly, his curiosity piqued not only by Lunarel's current state of affairs but also by the prospect of witnessing the youth's growth after several years.

The village folk watched Daisuke intently throughout his entire exchange with Elysia and Lord Chadrick, their eyes tracking his every move as if he were some sort of deity. When he began to depart, a chorus of voices rose up, calling his name with a mixture of admiration and reverence.

"Thanks for all you've done!"

"Please stay safe!"

"May Goddess Seraphina bless you!"

"You're our guardian angel! Please come back soon!"

"You're the reason my little boy is still alive!"

Words of genuine gratitude and praise filled the air, creating a sweet symphony that resonated in Daisuke's heart. His spirit quivered as he listened, a stark contrast to the loneliness and depression that had once been his only companions after losing his parents.

Neglected by his relatives and abandoned to a grim fate, he had grown accustomed to despair. Yet now, in this new world far removed from his own, he found himself loved and appreciated by these people.

Unsure of how to respond to such warmth, he kept his head down and continued running, letting their words echo in his soul.

***