Ugh... Why does my head feel like it ran into a cement mixer? Last time I checked, Kazu, Yur1, and I were trying to get through the <Hill Forest> and...
Hang on...
"KAZU!!!" I scream as I get up from the ground and look around my surroundings. "What the?! Where the heck am I?"
I notice that rather than seeing a wall of trees around me, I'm in an empty room made of gray concrete walls and a floor. In front of me is a pair of large closed stone doors and around me are several suits of armor seemingly staring down at me in every direction. From the looks of it, looks like neither Kazu nor Yur1 didn't manage to join me. First things first, I try the whisper feature to contact Kazu...
[NOTICE]
[You are not allowed to use this feature at this time.]
Wait...what?!
But that's impossible! Kazu's birthday isn't supposed to be until next week or so! Something isn't right. I quickly check up on him through the [Guardian] feature next.
[NOTICE]
[Please note that while you are required to play alone for this [Hidden Quest], your [Guardian Player] will keep track of your status for the duration and the settings they've provided will still be up per the game rules.
However, they have no right to stop the [Quest] nor leave their current location unless the minor experiences any mental issues during this segment. Player discretion is advised.]
No way... Dammit, child safety, my ass... Who the hell made this so-called [Hidden Quest]?! If this game hurts my little brother, I'm going to sue my Dad and the game developers!
I quickly take a deep breath after my short freakout. If I continue to be angry at the developers, I won't able to log out with my character dead. At this point, all I can do is find an exit or better yet, find something to trigger a cutscene or something. That's what Kazu would do in this situation, I think. Still, wandering around this place won't lead me anywhere at this rate. So...
"Alright, kidnapper! You got some nerve separating me and my brother and friend like that!" I shout. "Come out before I start tearing this place apart!"
[Well, no need to get violent, kid. You're not here to get killed, so you can complete it.]
Well, that works. I turn around and notice an old woman in an elaborate silver hooded robe approaching me. She has white long hair that seems to tie up into a bun and she is staring at me with her silver-blue eyes. She is also holding a large staff that seemed to be similar to Kazu's [Crystal Staff], except it has many more jewels attached at the top of it.
"Are you the one who took Kazu and Yur1?" I ask.
[Hmmm... I prefer the term "summoned", my child. Besides, it's your brother and his friend's decision to learn more about the book's origins. It is inevitable they will find the source of it. That is the true purpose of the [Book of Presence].]
Well, Kazu and Yur1 are right on the money. But that doesn't answer all of my questions.
"Okay... And I'm guessing I'm the odd one out because I'm not an [Insignis] just like them, right?"
[Very perceptive, young [Human]. You really are the true brother of that [Insignis] prodigy.]
"I've had my moments. Now, the real question is why am I here? And where did you take Kazu and his friend?"
[Well, if you insist.]
The woman then takes a deep breath and taps the end of her staff a few times.
[My name is [Specta]. I'm one of the [Sign Sages] assigned to observe and judge this year's [Sign Creation Ceremony].]
"Sign...Creation?" Yeah, this lore stuff is definitely not my department.
[It's a coming-of-age rite where young [Insignis] are sent to create their very first [Sign], the true mark of their independence as [Insignis] adults. They must do the tasks alone and they have to create their first [Sign] without any interruptions.]
Coming of age? Okay, that's too much of a coincidence since it's almost Kazu's birthday in real life. Plus, if I try to go into protective mode, those sages (and the game) are going to be relentless in trying to break the lore over Kazu. Might as well wait and see before I do something stupid and reckless.
"Okay... So why am I here? You said it yourself that I'm a [Human] and only [Insignis] are allowed, right?" I ask again.
[True. But you are the biological brother of young Kazu. And you're the first known [Human] to be born into an [Insignis] family with only 1/4 of our blood around these parts.]
Wait... Is that what the game assumes of our in-game lore because of us playing as brothers both in real life and in the game?!
"Um... How rare are [Humans] in many [Insignis] families in this area?"
[Very rare. The last [Human] we knew was a talented mage like your younger brother. He already left this world years ago, but his influence left a big mark on <Volo's> understanding of magic. You may not have the same magical potential as them, but we can still sense another kind of potential hidden within you. And it would be a shame if we leave you in <Hill Forest> during your brother's ceremony.]
Potential? Does this game even think I have any or does it assume most player characters have it?
"So what do I have to do then?"
Specta smiles at me before she taps the end of her staff again. Before long, three doors suddenly appear right in front of me with several large gems attached in front of them.
[The test is simple. Inside these doors are monsters created based on your psyche. You must conquer them to pass the test of courage. Of course, while you will experience the sense of death if you fall against them, you won't be able to feel the consequences of it, which allows you to try again whenever you want.]
In other words, I have to defeat the monsters behind those doors, huh? Sounds simple enough, but...
[However, there is a catch. Your mind is the limit for this test. If you are unable to endure the horrors behind those doors for long, you will be expelled from it and the test will be considered a failure. This isn't a normal subjugation. You will be tested on whether you have the willpower to overcome your fears or let them consume you and run from danger. Don't be overconfident in your skills when facing this test, young [Human].]
Okay, that makes sense.
No, wait! It doesn't! How does trying to endure horror considered a test?! Just who came up with this [Quest] anyway?!
"What happens if I fail the test?" It might be a stupid question, but it's better to ask than wait for the inevitable.
[You can retry. But if you fail many times, then we might question your validity regarding your familial ties with your brother.]
I gulp. That is so not helping my case! God, I wish Kazu picked my race to be [Insignis] instead of [Human] at this point.
"Alright... I understand the conditions," I groan in defeat. "But know this, I'm doing this not because of my brother's safety. Just hearing those last few words are enough to get my blood boiling and I will make sure I prove myself to you. For my brother and my dignity as a hunter!"
A cliche answer, but my words are true. If I want to prove myself, then I'll just have to do so, no questions asked!
[So should I consider that as your acceptance into the test, young [Human]?]
"Yeah. My name is [Wind] and if anything, I'm determined to pass the test with my own two hands! You'll see!"
Specta smiles again as soon as I told her my resolve.
[Then let the [Test of Courage] begin!]
With that, Specta suddenly disappears right in front of me and a new window pops up.
[Hidden Quest: Test of Courage***
You have accepted to test yourself in front of the [Sign Sages] of <Signatio>. To complete the test, you must defeat the monsters behind the doors provided by the sages. If you fail the test many times, then this Quest is considered a failure. Good luck and may the Gods smile upon your favor.]
A [Hidden Quest], huh? From what I've gathered from Specta's words, it doesn't seem like it's like the ones Kazu and Yur1 are doing right now, but it's better than nothing. If I want to pass the test, then I have to get a move on. At least I didn't use up most of my potions and consumables and I gave some of the latter to those kids, so they might be fine without me, I hope.
With a deep breath, I walk over to the left door and try to pull it open. But when I do, I notice that it is still locked. This is odd. She said I have to enter through these doors to defeat the monsters inside them, but I can't open one of them. Unless...
CA-CLANK!
As soon as I hear a noise nearby, I gasp and look around to see the suits of armor surrounding the room suddenly come alive and point their spears and swords toward me!
[I almost forgot, Master [Wind]. If you want to open the first door of your choice, you must prove your strength before your will. You might have some ideas about what it means.]
In other words, I have to fight those living suits, right?! Damn, this game never makes it easy for me at all! First things first, [Investigate]!
[Animated Iron Armor]
[Suits of iron armor animated by [Insignis] magicians. They are mostly found in magical traps in temples or training sessions. Despite their minimal uses as security, they are still dangerous as they are imbued with the knowledge of combat from skilled swordsmen and spearmen.]
[HP: 200/200]
The good news is that their [HP] is low enough for me to beat them. The bad news is some of them might have tougher armor than others.
[Animated Mithril Armor]
[Suits of mithril armor animated by [Insignis] magicians. They are mostly found in magical traps in temples or training sessions. Despite their minimal uses as security, they are still dangerous as they are imbued with the knowledge of combat from skilled swordsmen and spearmen.]
[HP: 200/200]
At this rate, I need to act fast or they're too close for me to shoot my arrows. So I take out my bow and arrows (more specifically, some [Blunt Steel Arrows]) and start my defense against the living armor army.
"Alright, you armor jerks! Hope you can block my handmade arrows! [Railway Pierce]!"
I release my bowstring and let my arrow fly as it creates a laser beam-like blur that quickly pierces the third row of living armor monsters right in the middle! Well, almost all of them as I notice the [Animated Mithril Armor] from the back managed to endure my attack.
[HP: 143/200]
Honestly, not bad for my first use of my new skill. But I'm just getting started. If I want to pass this [Test of Courage], then I'm not stopping my assault!
"Next up is this!" I declared as I loaded 5 more [Blunt Steel Arrows] into my bow. "[Arrow Shower]!"
I release the arrows into the arrow and let them multiply to create a rain of blunt arrows all around me.
x8 [Animated Iron Armor]
[HP: 168/200]
x1 [Animated Mithril Armor]
[HP: 113/200]
x2 [Animated Mithril Armor]
[HP: 189/200]
Yeah, it isn't much compared to my other arrows, but it does the job right. At this point, they are already at the range where I can't fire my arrows properly. So I'll have to rely on my sword and dagger for now. Regardless, I'm not giving up just yet. This is only the start of my [Hidden Quest].
Kazu, you better pass the ceremony! Because I'm not planning to fail mine anytime soon!
-----
Current Quest: Test of Courage ***
Type: [Hidden]
Status: In Progress
Party Members:
[Wind]
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Wind's Masteries
[Archery] Level 19
[Woodcrafting] Level 10
[Swordsmanship] Level 18
[Cooking] Level 9
[Wind] Level 16
[Physical Enhancement] Level 17
[Hunting] Level 15
[Blacksmithing] Level 18
[Dagger] Level 6