24 Hearts

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Chapter 3. Flag Competition.

While performing quests in the game, he had rarely felt an attachment to the daily lives of NPCs. It was common and obvious for non-playable characters to die. Of course, there were times when he felt sorry when the NPCs he encountered died and disappeared.

However, when he saw them crying like this, Judah could not say anything. He stepped away as soon as he felt tears prick his eyes. When he went out, the wife also rushed up and entered the room. The crying grew louder.

[Edsen’s request has been completed.]

[You thought it would have been a simple quest, but it was much more difficult than you thought.]

[But after your efforts, his son, even if he died, was found and mourned, and his daughter was able to regain her health.]

[It was bittersweet, but you couldn’t help it.]

[The lowest stats increased by 3 points, and the next time you visit him, you can get equipment for free or leave yours for free repairs.]

The lowest ability… Was it his charisma?

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「Status Window」

[Name: Judah Arche]

[Title: Little Hero of Serenia Castle (2)]

[Level: 30]

[Job: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden_A)]

[Number of resurrections: 2]

[Strength: 42(C) / Potential A]

[Health: 45(C) / Potential S]

[Agility: 46(C) / Potential SS]

[Magic Power: 44(C) / Potential B]

[Magic Resistance: 54(C) / Potential S]

[Charisma: 8(F) / Potential A]

[Knowledge: 17(F) / Potential B] ◀ Special

[Luck: 84(A) / Potential S] ◀ Special

[Remaining points: 15]

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When I checked it, it was what he had expected.

‘It is difficult to increase the lowest stats in this way…’

It was much better than nothing, but he still didn’t feel the need for it. Rather than that, it would have been better if it were the things that he could feel the change, like strength, stamina, or agility.

Although he did not receive any rewards for completing the request, Judah just left the store. Thanks to this store anyway, he got his fragment and even a huge amount of gold coins, so he ducked away without thinking of getting a separate reward and headed back to the lodge.

He was almost near the lodge, but someone from behind quickly approached and patted him on the shoulder. A person brushed his shoulders and walked, so he did not respond, but when he looked back when someone tapped his shoulder, there stood someone he didn’t expect. His eyes widened as a smile curled on his lips.

“I was right. How are you?”

Genuine de Lava.

The Count of Urun, who owned the fifth fragment, Valentine, the Ring of Honor and Destiny, was there in front of him.

They broke up at Dempa, and he never thought he would meet him again in Aslan. Judah blinked at him, nodding.

“Ah, hello. I’m good. I’m doing well.”

“Haha! I never thought I’d see you here again.”

“I thought the same thing.”

“Will you also participate in the Flagstaff competition? Oh, did you say you won’t participate in this month’s festivities?” He touched his chin as if he had no recollection of their old conversation.

“Yes, I think I’ll just watch it. I don’t know if you remember, but at that time, my companion was very interested in the Flagstaff competition.”

“Ah…I understand what’s going on.”

He put his hand on Judah’s shoulder in a friendly manner and repeatedly nodded his head with a small sigh. His eyes were full of sympathy.

“I know that feeling very well. My daughter did that. Eventually, I came to Aslan and cheered. I don’t care if it’s a Black Flagstaff or a Golden Flagstaff because I didn’t come here to find what else there is to see. But thanks to her, I watched a Green Flagstaff that I didn’t even care about.”

Judah smiled bitterly as the man let out a self-deprecating laugh. Then, a random man passing by bumped his shoulder. The man immediately bowed his head, apologized, then left. Judah glanced at himself. He didn’t seem to steal any of his belongings, just accidentally brushed with him.

“Oops. There are too many people around for us to talk here. My accommodation is near. Would you like to go with me? The food there is pretty good. You’ll be satisfied.”

Count Genuine invited him as his eyes glinted. Judah was puzzled with his favor, but he thought it would be nice to chat a little more, so he decided to follow him.

“Let’s go then, shall we? It’s not too far from here.”

The Count took the lead and walked. As he followed him, he realized that they went down the same path he had intended to take beforehand. He began to wonder if they stayed in the same place. When they arrived, it was really the same lodge.

“Look here. It’s the best place around here. Listen… Huh? Why the expression?”

“Oh, I’m staying here too.”

“You are?”

Count Genuine blinked. With a rather proud name of ‘Glory Hall’, this lodging was a place where one could stay at a high price. Even nobles couldn’t come easily if they didn’t have a lot of spare money.

The Count did not intend to do so, but in his surprise, he ended up staring at Judah from head to toe. He didn’t know what kind of leather it was, but his clothing gave off the feeling of dignity, and his youthful and handsome face certainly gave the feeling of wealth. His skills were difficult to grasp just by judging from the outside.

The Count apologized with a slight bow of his head, thinking he had made a mistake.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I did not mean to ignore you. I was taken aback by that surprising revelation. I hope you can spare me.”

“It’s okay. You can make up for it with the good food you told me.”

“Yes. I will let you eat without a worry.”

Judah opened the door and stepped inside. They entered through the empty, luxurious hall. As they sat down at an empty table, the manager at the counter called someone’s name, and immediately, someone attended to them with a menu. Count Genuine handed it over to Judah.”

“Choose whatever you want. I’ll pay.”

“Can I order more than enough?”

“If you want to test my financial power, you can do that as much as you want. If you have leftovers, you can wrap and carry them with you.”

Judah glanced at his confident face and saw the price on the menu. The numbers were outrageous, but he told him not to worry about the price, so he ordered all the food with names that sounded good. The clerk who took the order felt astounded because of his many orders, but the Count shook his hand, telling him just to go and bring the dishes. The clerk bowed his head and tried to return to the counter but was immediately caught by Judah. When asked if the party that came with him was upstairs, the clerk tilted his head and said that he would check it, and returned to bring the news that they had left when Judah left the lodge. He didn’t know where Jeanne and Arhil went, but as long as they were away, Judah ate comfortably with Count Genuine.

“Can you believe what a great coincidence this is? Meeting in Dempa, meeting in Aslan, and even having the same hotel. If such coincidence happened after three times, it is said that this is destiny. It really looks like that.”

Destiny was destiny… because they were connected through the fragments.

Judah faced him again.

“By the way, if you treat me like this now, what about my visit to Urun.”

“Oh, did you really intend to come to Urun?”

“Yes. We’re almost done here. I’m thinking of going to Urun after watching the martial arts contest here in Aslan, after stopping at the Regen Kingdom for a while.”

“Regen Kingdom? I wouldn’t recommend that. It’s a dangerous place. What are you planning?”

As an experienced man, he said that Regen was not a place he would recommend, but Judah shook his head.

“My goal is to travel around the world. I can’t give up because it’s a difficult and dangerous place to go.”

“Travel around the world? Huh. Then you want to explore the continents?”

“Yes.”

He had to collect the fragments. Genuine laughed but said nothing else. After their conversation, the food he ordered began to arrive one after another. It was as luxurious as its high price, and it tasted so good even the rice cake was enough to fill his belly.

“How is it? Is it delicious?”

Judah murmured in his mouth and nodded. He couldn’t stop eating. Never in his years of being in this world, or even in the original world, was he able to eat such luxurious food to the fullest.

“Try this too. I don’t know how these guys got it, but they said it was deer meat from the Elven Forest in the north of the Silan Kingdom.”

“Ah. Let’s taste this too. This parfait is a lobster that is said to have been caught in the maritime kingdom.”

“This eel is amazing as well. You’re still young, so I’m not sure what you’ll think of it. It’s a very valuable food for an adult man.”

Judah nodded and, like a father, Genuine took the dishes and served it in Judah’s empty bowl. Surprisingly, he even provided a background for the meals like he knew much about cooking. After eating, he felt full. There was still a lot of leftover food, but he could eat all kinds of dishes food he provided. He couldn’t even digest the rambling he heard for each meal.

“I’m okay now. I can’t eat anymore because I’m full.”

“Is that so? I’ll tell them to wrap the leftovers well and bring them upstairs. Can your companions eat them?”

“Thank you for that.”

Count Genuine immediately called the clerk and asked for the food to be packed and served. Then they got up and went up to the second floor. He first said his goodbye to Judah, who was about to enter his room.

“Thank you for having a pleasant chat with me. We should leave it for today. You look tired! You should get some rest.”

Judah realized how long of a day it had been.

“It would be very difficult to get a seat for the grandstand. Did you get a great spot?”

Judah replied, with a small sigh, because he wanted to.

“No.”

“Good! If you’re okay, I’d like to see the Green Flagstaff with you. How about it? I got a pretty good seat. If you want, I can get you and your companions some seats. What do you say?”

“I am grateful for your favor. But I think I’m getting too much just for offering you a carriage ride.”

“Haha, there’s nothing to be burdened with. It’s not enough to watch it alone. Besides, you just have to listen to my many ramblings.”

Judah gladly accepted his offer. If all it took to get a great seat was to listen to him talk, he was ready. The Count laughed and gave him one last smile before expressing his excitement for tomorrow. Then, he waved his hand and entered his room.

“…”

Judah, who remained there, glanced at the empty corridor for a moment before going to his own room.