A phrase suddenly came to mind.

    From that, it could be inferred that the NPC, who could easily be mistaken for a ghost, was actually an important character.

    ‘Clue to a hidden quest?’

    Although it hadn’t turned into a hidden quest yet.

    But if he helped, would a hidden quest open up?

    Since he was already working on a quest, it might be a bit troublesome.

    However, the quest to collect 20 water fins from the stream trolls was something that could be done slowly, without much rush.

    So, trying to get a new hidden quest wouldn’t be a bad idea.

    As Seong was thinking this, the NPC, as if reading his thoughts, spoke up.

    “Of course, I’ll give you a reward! Hmm, looking at you... I assume you’re a dark mage, so here, take the dark mage skill book!”

    He offered a reward, but Seong wasn’t fooled. He narrowed his eyes, sensing something strange.

    “...?”

    Right now, Seong was dressed as a knight.

    He had a longsword and a dagger at his waist as his secondary weapon.

    He had replaced Helena''s staff with the Giant’s Strength belt.

    So, his outfit was definitely not that of a mage.

    Yet, this person had immediately pegged him as a dark mage?

    This NPC was no ordinary one.

    He was about to let it slide but found himself unable to resist the curiosity and asked.

    “How did you know I’m a dark mage?”

    “Ah? Because... I can see it?”

    “...???”

    “Aah! I have a special skill that lets me see the mana a person possesses! With this much mana, it’s obvious you’re a mage, and with such powerful, chaotic mana, it can only be dark magic. So, I assumed you must be a dark mage!”

    “Oh, I see.”

    Seong was briefly impressed.

    He hadn’t expected such a skill.

    Was it a common skill?

    If it was, wouldn’t disguising himself be pointless?

    “Aah, this skill is probably something only I have. So, you don’t need to worry about it.”

    “Ah, I see.”

    “Hehe, anyway, if you help, I’ll give you the dark mage skill book!”

    The reward seemed pretty generous.

    The grade was important, of course.

    But skill books, in general, were expensive, so it would definitely be worth it.

    “That sounds good. I’ll help.”

    Since the moment he had heard it was a clue to a hidden quest, Seong had already planned to help.

    Seong answered willingly, and the NPC, with a bright smile, removed the hood he was wearing.

    As he did, long, flowing hair spilled out.

    Was it a girl?

    No, wait.

    Seong almost panicked but then realized it wasn’t the case.

    Though the appearance was still youthful and androgynous, it was clear that the person was male.

    The boy, oblivious to Seong''s surprise, smiled brightly and spoke.

    “My name’s Plinky. Nice to meet you!”

    “Ah, I’m Seong.”

    “Hehe, so the reason I need help is that I need the blood of a stream troll that only resides in this area! I need quite a bit, is that alright?”

    [You have met the conditions for a hidden quest.]

    [The hidden quest, ''The Peculiar Boy,'' has been created.]

    ‘The Peculiar Boy’

    → Hidden-Rare

    → Linked quest.

    → You have met Plinky, a boy who was dozing off in the meadow. The boy, upon meeting you, asked for your help, and he is very grateful that you agreed to assist. Help the boy and obtain the blood of the stream troll.

    → Restriction: User who met the peculiar boy, ‘Plinky’.

    → Reward: Dark mage skill book, increased trust with Plinky.

    → Failure: Decreased trust with Plinky. The grade of the reward may vary depending on the outcome of the quest.

    Seong didn’t outright agree, but the quest window appeared nonetheless.

    It seemed like once he was involved, there was no backing out.

    Looking at the quest window, Seong nodded.

    “I was just heading to hunt stream trolls myself, so this works out perfectly.”

    “Oh!? Perfect!!!”

    Plinky, quite pleased, grinned widely.

    Looking at the cheerful Plinky, Seong glanced back at the quest window.

    Since the reward grade would depend on the outcome, this meant that if he did well, he could potentially earn a rare or higher grade skill book.

    Seong was satisfied with this unexpected reward.

    However, it was already sunset.

    Maybe because they had strong regeneration and vitality?

    They didn’t die immediately from the bloodstorm.

    But that was fine.

    There were already Ash Crows scattering green fog and gray powder in the air.

    “Uwoooah!”

    “Uuuugh!”

    “Roooooar!”

    The ashes of the Ash Crows slowed the regeneration of the trolls, and the poison began to eat away at their bodies.

    The stream trolls, their bodies corroded by the powerful toxic poison, quickly melted halfway and collapsed.

    Thud! Thud! Clang!

    As they fell one by one, a series of experience messages appeared for Seong.

    [You have gained experience!] x23

    [Level Up!]

    [You are now level 65.]

    ‘Oh.’

    Just like that, he had leveled up.

    It was a satisfying hunt.

    But then...

    ‘Hmm, I wonder if I can extract the blood?’

    Suddenly, a concern crossed his mind.

    He hadn’t used any explosions to collect blood or fins, but the trolls were in pretty bad shape.

    Though the poison effect was turned off, they were still mangled.

    When Seong glanced at Plinky, who had been watching, Plinky''s eyes were sparkling.

    “Wow! Was that poison?! And the undead’s unique effect finishing them off? And that initial bloodstorm... it was amazing!!!”

    “Eh? Ah, th-thank you.”

    He had been worried that he couldn’t extract the blood, but instead of a response, Plinky was simply admiring him.

    Feeling a little embarrassed, Seong watched Plinky with a faint smile.

    Anyway, it wasn’t that important.

    “Do you think we can still extract the blood from them in their current state?”

    Seong asked, just in case.

    Luckily, Plinky nodded and answered.

    “Yes! Since the stream trolls are trolls, they didn’t lose all their blood even after such an attack. I’m sure we can extract plenty!!! Also, you faced all these trolls at once...!!!”

    It seemed Plinky was genuinely impressed as he shivered with excitement.

    It looked like everything was fine.

    Seong was somewhat relieved.

    “Then I’ll extract the blood! Is there anything you need, Seong? I can butcher them if you’d like!!!”

    “I’ll handle the butchering.”

    “Eh! You’ve already hunted them all! If I don’t butcher them too, I’ll be scolded!”

    “Hmm...”

    While Seong was considering it, he felt it would be better to let Plinky take care of it. After all, he had already done all the hunting.

    He decided not to refuse twice.

    “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

    “Hehe, excellent choice! Let me show you my skills!”

    With that, Plinky eagerly leapt off Kaishak, who had landed on the ground, and pulled something out of his dimensional bag.

    It was a set of tools that looked far superior to the butchering tools Seong had.

    It seemed he wasn’t just saying he could butcher—he really was skilled.

    Seong couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person this was.

    As Plinky began to butcher, it was clear that his skills were extraordinary.

    His precision and speed were those of a seasoned craftsman, like someone who had been butchering for decades.

    Even Afic''s memories didn’t recall many with such skill.

    Just who was this guy?

    While Seong was pondering, Plinky had already finished most of the butchering and was extracting the blood.

    He was done already?

    Seong briefly marveled, and Plinky, wiping his forehead as if he were sweating, spoke.

    “Phew! Done!!! I’ll give you all the other byproducts! The fins, bones, meat, and everything else!”

    Even though the amount seemed quite large, he didn’t seem greedy.

    In fact, Plinky smiled brightly, pulled a book from his dimensional bag, and handed it to Seong.

    “Here’s the payment for the quest!!!”

    [You have received the reward for the hidden quest, ''The Peculiar Boy.'']

    [Plinky is greatly satisfied!!!]

    [The reward has been greatly enhanced.]

    [You have received the unique-grade skill book, ''Skillbook - Self in the Darkness.'']

    A unique-grade skill book as a reward?

    As soon as Seong received it, he thought seriously.

    ‘What exactly is he doing?’