The users, who had come to the village for relaxation, were now looking for an unusual NPC. Seong, with curiosity, glanced around the village and tilted his head.

    The village of Serodin wasn’t exactly small.

    There were actually three blacksmiths scattered across the village.

    ‘I’ll just visit them all.’

    Seong thought simply and began asking other NPCs and players to find the blacksmiths.

    Then...

    “Ashin? We don’t have anyone like that at our blacksmith.”

    “Am I fifty years old?! Hey, I’m not that old yet! Ah? You’re asking if there’s someone named Ashin? Heh, how could anyone be named Ashin!”

    “Hmmm, I’ve lived in Serodin for over forty years, but I’ve never heard of anyone named Ashin.”

    How could this be?

    He had encountered an obstacle right from the start.

    He was told that in Serodin, there was a blacksmith NPC named Ashin, but there was no trace of him anywhere.

    Where did things go wrong?

    Just in case, Seong even asked nearby ghosts in the area around the blacksmiths.

    But none of them had ever heard of anyone named Ashin.

    If even the ghosts didn’t know, was there a way to find him?

    He was stuck right from the beginning.

    This was completely unexpected.

    ‘What should I do now...?’

    Though Seong had been known for exploiting quests, hidden pieces, and ghosts, this one was proving to be quite difficult.

    There wasn’t even a clue.

    Just to be sure, he unfolded the treasure map again.

    It still just said that he needed to find Ashin at one of the blacksmiths in Serodin and receive a key.@@@@

    It seemed to be written in Kahku’s handwriting.

    Though Kahku seemed to be a collaborator, had he already taken off with the key?

    That would be troublesome.

    No, if that was the case, wouldn’t the map have indicated it differently?

    After all, it was a treasure map item.

    It was more or less a system-provided clue.

    As he thought this, a sudden realization crossed Seong’s mind.

    ‘Hmm, wait? Ashin could be using a pseudonym, or maybe his real name is hidden while he works.’

    If Seong mentioned he was looking for Ashin, wouldn’t there be some kind of reaction?

    When he had mentioned Ashin at the blacksmiths earlier, none of the blacksmiths reacted, so he couldn’t be certain.

    Maybe he needed to go back and check again.

    He hadn’t considered that Ashin might not be there, and that lack of attention to their reactions had been the mistake.

    Now, he needed to go back and double-check.

    He couldn’t just sit still either.

    It was becoming annoying.

    Just as Seong was about to head back to the three blacksmiths, a blacksmith from afar suddenly rushed over.

    ‘What’s this?’

    He looked like a blacksmith, and judging by his young age, he seemed to be an apprentice.

    Seong, remembering the hunter Apik''s lessons, observed carefully and focused on the approaching blacksmith.

    As he approached, the young blacksmith shouted upon seeing Seong.

    “Huff! Huff...! Huff! Whew, you’re the customer who came to the blacksmith earlier, right? The one asking for Ashin?”

    “Yes, that’s me.”

    “Aah, I was worried you had gone far, but it’s a relief to see you.”

    It seemed like something was up.

    Without saying much, the young apprentice blacksmith handed Seong a small note.

    For that brief moment, Seong examined the hand that held the note.

    It was a rough hand, covered with calluses and burn marks—clearly the hand of a blacksmith.

    As Seong took the note from his hand, he noticed the roughness of it pass over his own.

    “Phew, this is a note I was asked to deliver. Please just tell them you received it later. I’ll be going now!”

    The apprentice blacksmith seemed in a hurry to leave as soon as he handed over the note.

    Perhaps he had to get back to his work?

    Seong glanced at the young apprentice blacksmith, who hurried off, and shook his head in confusion.

    But for now, that wasn’t important.

    He opened the note.

    The message written on the somewhat crumpled paper was blunt and to the point.

    ‘It seems you’ve found Kahku’s map, but I still don’t trust you.

    In honor of my deceased friend Kahku, I will test you just as he intended.

    First, you must pass my trials before I reveal myself.

    “Ah, he was gone when we were heading to the river’s pool...!!!”

    “Ah! This is bad! We should have watched him more closely!!!”

    “The elder had warned us... Ah! What if something happens to the great descendant in a place like this?!”

    “Oh no, please don’t say such things!”

    “Let’s search the village and look for him. He couldn’t have gone too far.”

    “We’ll keep it a secret. Let’s search ourselves.”

    “Oh, god of alchemy, please protect him.”

    They were having a serious conversation, clearly distraught, yet they seemed to be acting like parents who had lost a child.

    Or perhaps grandparents?

    In any case, they quickly split up, spreading throughout Serodin to search for Plinky.

    But no matter where they searched, Plinky was nowhere to be found.

    They scoured the entire village but found nothing, so they gathered to discuss what to do next.

    Where could he have gone?

    It wasn’t like he had risen into the sky or fallen into the ground.

    Then, suddenly...

    “Ah! Could it be that he’s gone to where the monsters appear?!”

    “Monsters?!”

    “Oh my goodness!!! That can’t be...!”

    They didn’t want to believe it, but they couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility.

    “No, no, think about it. If he had come here, what kind of things would he have been interested in...?”

    “He’s not interested in sightseeing or games...”

    “He only seeks knowledge...”

    “Then, there’s a monster here that only he would want to study...?”

    They muttered and several ideas began to form in their minds.

    A grotesque monster.

    And a powerful one.

    “Ah, could it be... the stream troll?”

    “Ah! The great sage...!!!”

    “Almighty god of alchemy!!!”

    “This isn’t the time to waste! We need to hurry to where the stream trolls could be!”

    Their actions became swift as they narrowed down where Plinky might have gone.

    They had to hurry.

    Plinky was an important figure, and he couldn’t be allowed to fall into danger.

    He was a descendant of the hero who had once defeated the Demon King.

    Trin River, the largest and widest river flowing through Serodin Village, led to a beautiful and expansive plain.

    The crystal-clear river and vast meadows were a stunning sight.

    Even Seong, who wasn’t easily impressed, found himself pausing to admire the view.

    The large river, glistening in the red sunset, reflected the clear waters as a cool breeze swept through the tall grass, gently swaying the fields.

    It was a breathtaking scene.

    The refreshing breeze carried away the slight fatigue Seong had felt, easing his mind as he marveled at the landscape.

    ‘Wow...’

    It was hard to believe that this was all part of a game. The beauty was almost beyond belief.

    As Seong stood there, lost in the view, he noticed something crouching near some bushes.

    A small, translucent figure.

    A ghost? Or maybe someone using an invisibility item?

    He squinted, trying to discern the figure more clearly.

    It looked like a haggard person with a pale, gaunt face, and there was no sign of life in their features as they dozed off.

    ‘A ghost... no, wait?’

    He initially thought it was a ghost, but now he realized it wasn’t.

    It was definitely a living person.

    Looking closer, he noticed the icon above their head—they were an NPC.

    But why was this NPC in such a place, appearing translucent and dozing off?

    It didn’t make sense, but Seong wondered whether he should ignore them and move on.

    “Ugh! Materials?!”

    “...?”

    It seemed like the person had woken up suddenly, almost as if in a spasm.

    Since they were awake, should Seong just ignore them and keep going?

    But just as he was about to pass by...

    “Eh?! A person?! Could you possibly help us?!”

    “Pardon?”

    [You have found a clue to a hidden quest.]

    It seemed like Seong had gotten involved with an NPC who looked strange but important.