The Achievement Junkie

Chapter 294 Investigating the Third Man

The party of three men took their time walking through the streets of Gilga. They could rush and get there sooner, but Jack was too caught up in the city sights. Seeing the streets he helped build in-game with his own eyes was a proud moment for him, something he never would’ve imagined could happen in real life.

Them taking so long ended up gathering even more attention. All of Trodar recognized Tralon and his world-renowned reputation as the oldest, most experienced adventurer. As for Argyle, he also had quite a reputation in Gilga since it was his home until he moved to Federal City after his wife was killed.

However, the people of Trodar were still perplexed about the third man in the party. He seemed too young to belong with those two powerhouses, yet he somehow fit right in with them.

From the shadows, back alleys, and rooftops, there were a few people following the small party.

"It seems they’ve taken the bait," Tralon whispered.

"Good, that’s what we wanted," Jack chuckled. "Argyle, we should really create a pact after we enter the storehouse."

"Why? I don’t need your help. You just want to mooch off of your father-in-law."

"So, isn’t that what sons-in-law are supposed to do?" joked Jack. "But the pact will allow you to communicate with me and Tralon telepathically. That will keep things smooth and it’ll be easier to inform you of the plan."

"Hmmm... I’m not entirely against it, but I’m not a fan of things like pacts," argued Argyle.

"Well, everyone in my party has formed a pact with me. That means you’ll be able to communicate with Eliza telepathically too." Noticing that Argyle was paying more attention after the mention of his daughter, Jack added, "Also, it lets us share skills. Your sword skills will get stronger after you make a pact with me and I can possibly learn your skills too. Then I can better defend your daughter."

"... Fine. We’ll form the pact after we enter. But it better not do anything like take EXP as rumors say."

"That was just what all ancient heroes did in the past, I’m guilty as well. But I changed that, so you don’t need to worry about it."

Argyle nodded. "Good. Then I can’t wait to see how strong I get after adding your skills and using my new weapons."

"Me too. I’m excited about the blood bath you’ll make and the EXP I’ll gain."

Tralon looked at the two of them, glad that Argyle had managed to fix the relationship he had forced onto Jack. From the get-go, Tralon knew that Argyle was very much like the old Jack_J he had traveled with, so Tralon knew it was only a matter of time for them to get along and party together. They were both too selfish not to work together and take advantage of the events around them.

"By the way, Jack, did you ever find a cure to Tralon’s curse?" Argyle asked.

"I’ll answer that question after we form the pact. Then we can speak openly without fear of being heard," laughed Jack.

"True... That would be ideal!" Argyle laughed as well. "The next time you raid a powerful dungeon, you’d better call me again. I need more merchandise for the auctions and I get bored lounging around with nothing to do."

"Consider it done."

A short distance away, a few listening ear’s were catching bits and pieces of the party’s conversation.

One thief was crouching from the rooftop directly over the party. "Lord Quallace, the mystery man’s name is Jack and he appears to be Argyle’s son-in-law, but I can’t see through his identity or his level."

"His son-in-law? Argyle has a son-in-law?!"

"Lord Quallace, I’m sure of it. They both admitted it and seem very close," explained the thief.

"But..." Quallace was further enraged by the news, furious that Argyle had constantly turned down the advances of Quallace’s son only to learn that Argyle had accepted another so quickly as his son-in-law. "I’ll look into this. Stay unseen and know that Lords Bikkem and myself aren’t far behind."

"Yes, Lord Quallace."

Curious about this son-in-law, Quallace called a friend of his from Federal City. "Hurmot, are you there?"

It took a moment for an answer to come. "Quallace? How can I help you?"

"Does Argyle have a son-in-law?"

Sensing the loaded question, Hurmot chuckled, "Yes, he married his daughter off near the end of last year, just before the yearly auction."

"What?!"

"Calm down, Quallace. You know how picky Argyle is, especially for his daughter. It’s not your fault your son was never accepted by Argyle nor Eliza."

"Hurmot, who is this son-in-law?"

"I don’t know much about him," replied the old auction house owner. "I know that he’s a summoned hero from Reinolt, yet he somehow joined the Adventurers Association as well."

"He’s with the association and he’s a summoned hero? This son-in-law would have to be the rumored hero with a Hell-flame Fox companion, wouldn’t it?" Quallace questioned, feeling both a bit better and a bit more worried.

"Yes, that’s the one."

Racking his brain for what to do next, Quallace asked, "Hurmot, is there anything else you know about him? I’m willing to pay."

Hurmot suddenly broke into laughter, catching Quallace off guard. The thought of Quallace trying to outbuy Jack was nothing but an outlandish joke. "Quallace, no matter what it is you offer, I still have no more information on the young man. I’m sorry, but that young hero is a bit of an enigma."

"There’s nothing else you know?" Quallace was a bit surprised. "What about his level? His class? Just the basics."

"I’m not sure. I wasn’t able to see through the young man back at his wedding, so I don’t know what more to tell you."

"You, Hurmot of the Celestial Crane, were unable to see through someone? I find that hard to believe."

Hurmot kept chuckling, "Then don’t believe me. I’ve said all I can, so please excuse me."

As the conversation ended, Quallace was both worried and furious. If what he learned was true, then even the Adventurers Association might get involved, which was something that Quallace was entirely against.

For so long, the council had managed to keep the association out of Trodar’s business, even disbanding the local branches temporarily during times of war. The last thing they wanted was to give Lorwynn an excuse to occupy Trodar. They were helpless in the face of the association and were only able to keep them out through politics.

Still wanting more information, he contacted yet another friend from Federal City. "Kaldor, are you there?"

"What is it?! I’m busy!"

"Kaldor, I’ll be quick. What can you tell me about Argyle’s son-in-law?"

"Oh, that brat who married his daughter out of the blue?" Kaldor calmed his voice. "Argyle decided that his daughter would marry a summoned hero in the association overnight. They were married within a day and were gone the next."

"In a day?!"

"Yeah. Lorwynn even showed up for the wedding," added Kaldor.

"Lorwynn attended his..." Quallace’s fear of Jack’s position in the association seemed to be coming true.

"But I talked with one of the association elders. According to them, Jack is just a regular member who shouldn’t even be lv. 30. The only thing special about him is that he’s allowed to go and do whatever he wants. His decisions don’t necessarily have the backing of the association, but he also isn’t be forced to complete any of the association’s missions. It’s a weird relationship, really," explained Kaldor.

"Oh... so he’s with the association but just as a regular member?"

Suddenly, Kaldor asked, "Why do you ask anyway?"

"Nothing special, just that Argyle is here in Gilga with that son-in-law. They’re about to go with Tralon and enter the Leisure Guild’s storehouse," Quallace chuckled.

"WHAT?! That pestro is entering the storehouse?" Thoughts were running wild through Kaldor’s head. He had already been outdone in the past yearly auction and now Argyle was about to get the opportunity of a lifetime. "What’s the Leisure Guild’s policy on entering as a nonmember?"

"That’s hard to say. They’ve been around for years but they’ve never opened it to the public, or at all. This is the first time," answered Quallace.

"The first time... Then it must be filled with treasures!" Kaldor’s shouts grew louder as his fury grew deeper. "Is there any way you can get in there? I’ll pay full price for whatever you can get me. I’m a day and a half away at the soonest, so I probably can’t make it in time."

"I’ll tell you what. I think you should come." Quallace reasoned, "Rumor has it that no one over lv. 69 can enter, but I doubt that since Argyle is entering. And there are eleven floors, so you’ll still make it in time before they reach the end. They’ll clear us a path and we’ll reap the rewards. You’ll have two, maybe even three or four of us council members to join you."

"Deal! I’ll leave immediately!"

As Kaldor ended the conversation, Quallace laughed to himself, "Tralon, Argyle, don’t blame me for whatever happens. It’s just business, and you made the wrong decision to not involve the council in an event as so great as opening the storehouse."

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