1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 93: Shifting Balance of The World
He sat there on the chair, waiting for just what knowledge the knowledgeable person might have for him. Though as the air between them sat dense, he felt the words that would be parted would be for better or worse, too insightful.
"In times the balance of the world begins to shift, those from your world begin to appear here. Each time, those like you exhibit talent and blessings on par with Saints," the voluptuous archivist explained, using her hands to manipulate the display of mana that took the shapes of heroic figures.
"I’ve noticed that part of it, yeah," Noah said, looking at his hands. "It feels like everything in this world just comes naturally to me. It’s an unnatural amount of talent."
"My theory is that exceptional people like yourself are selected because of your innate nature. The reason for that, is that you will help tilt the balance in favor of mankind in the coming days," the Record Keeper gave her hypothesis. "...The world will be needing you, Noah Soul."
"It’s the Followers of Goetia, isn’t it?" Noah asked.
"You’ve already encountered them, as I understand," she remarked. "I was hoping you’d have some insight for me, Mr. Soul."
Recalling just what transpired in Ballou, he gathered his thoughts to make sure he even remembered what was real or not before granting his findings to the Record Keeper.
"I met one of the Marquis...Descartes, I think his name was," Noah relayed. "I tried to stop him, but he broke the seal on the Quantum Tomb. Whatever was inside of it, he has it now."
"The Quantum Tomb...Hmm, yes, this is quite bad, indeed," the woman sat, tapping her chin while sinking in an ocean of contemplation. "Horrible, in all honesty."
"What was inside the Quantum Tomb? You do know that, right?" Noah asked, staring intently at the woman.
"I do know, yes."
"All I know is there was something along the lines of a Primordial sealed there," Noah added without much insight himself of what he was even referring to.
While he didn’t have much of an understanding, it certainly seemed the topic of "Primordials" drew a worried reaction from the Record Keeper. She paced back and forth, mumbling words that couldn’t quite be understood by the curious guest.
"The Quantum Tomb served as the burial grounds and prison for the remnants of a rather important Primordial–Chron’Ogoth: a being that tethers branches of unceasing time and branching paths of reality," she explained, manipulating the particles of mana to give form to a faceless recreation.
"Burial ground...So, it’s dead? What’s there to worry about then?" Noah questioned.
"It wouldn’t be wise to believe concepts that affect us have the same effect on Primordials. For one such as Chron’Ogoth, the state of "death" is just the cessation of one facet of their existence," the Record Keeper affirmed.
The idea was a bit hard to wrap his mind around, though he got the gist of it–which was the fact that alive or dead, the Primordial’s presence was still a threat to consider.
"If they’ve already gotten this far...Yes, yes, I’ll have the World Guild dispatch a capable few to conduct scouting," the Record Keeper planned. "As for your part in all this..."
He braced himself for a grueling mission, taking no joy in the potential future that awaited him, though ready to shoulder it nonetheless.
"For now, do as you’ve been doing," the Record Keeper decided.
"What?"
"Well, I would advise against sitting back and doing absolutely nothing. Take on quests, gain strength, and stay ready," she clarified, pointing a finger at him. "Your strength will be necessary in the future. But, for the time being, until we know exactly who, what, and where the enemy is, we’ll bide our power."
It was a piece of direction he was thankful for, letting out a sigh, only to pretend it was a cough as the wise archivist shot him a glance.
"Actually, there is a quest that might be of interest," the Record Keeper said as if reminding herself before snapping her fingers above her head.
The gesture made Noah raise an eyebrow, not sure if she was doing that simply to command his attention until he heard a "Hoot" accompanied by the flapping of wings. From somewhere over the horizon of protected shelves, a giant owl of maroon feathers arrived, perching itself on the stand beside the keeper.
It blinked with its massive eyes, tilting its head as it loomed over them with its mighty shadow.
"Illom, bring out Quest N1064250, would you?" The Record Keeper requested, holding her hand out in front of the perched owl.
The avian’s head spun around as if operated by mechanism under all those feathers, clicking a few times before a paper rolled out from its beak. Like accepting a freshly printed document, the keeper tugged it away and rolled the parchment up, handing it over to her guest.
Noah stared at the scroll for a moment, unsure if he wanted to thoughtlessly accept something that just came out of a giant owl, though took it with a cautious hand.
"What’s this?"
"The details for a quest the World Guild put out today. I wrote it up, actually–I made the right choice withholding it from the board," she explained.
[WORLD QUEST - "Hunt: Hugo"]
[RANK: BEHEMOTH+++]
[REWARD: 10,000 GOLD]
[DETAILS: Target Hugo - last seen in the Bamas Ruins northeast of Coudale. Utilization of lethal forces is required.]
"Hugo?" Noah read.
"The World Guild has identified him as an affiliate of the Followers. He’s a mercenary, thief, bandit...You name it, he’s done it, for the right price," she explained, resting her bottom against a flat table.
"A real good-for-nothing, huh...?" Noah said.
"Don’t get the wrong idea, though–Hugo is extremely capable. In terms of talent and experience, he’s second only to a Saint," the Record Keeper warned. "He’s world-class when it comes to hunting his fellow men. In mortal combat, he’ll have the upperhand."
"You’re sending me to kill this guy?" Noah questioned hesitantly.
"I’d like you to find out any information about the Followers from him if possible. If not, then proceed as intended...It’s likely Hugo is preparing for a mission concerning the city of Coudale," she theorized. "If the Followers require something from him, don’t let them get it."
"--"
"Consider it. First, get some rest. The World Guild is the hub for adventurers, after all–you’ll find everything you need here," the Record Keeper advised.
Being given the quest to ponder, he took his leave from the shifting chambers. Through the winding halls, he explored the structure without giving much thought to direction. The idea of going out to track down another criminal to "kill" was simply tiring.
’I didn’t come all the way here just to be sent to take out somebody else. If that’s the case, I’ll just go back home,’ he considered, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"...You’re sure?"
"Yeah."
In the lounge area, he confirmed the confusion of the archer with a nod, sharing in the beverages provided free-of-charge by the World Guild. The exuberant bar was built of black marble, decorated with paintings framed in silver.
"It’s not that I’m worried about us handling a mission, it’s more about you going on one alone..." Astrid said worriedly, fiddling with her fingers.
"I know, but this is the only way you’ll all be eligible for promotion. If I’m around, they’ll just end up assigning the credit to me," Noah explained.
There wasn’t much protest from the orc and exorcist, who were eating so much meat it almost seemed like they were in a competition.
"It’s just, some of these quests I’ll be getting...I won’t be permitted to have you along unless you’re at least—" Noah tried to reason.
"No, no, I hear ya’...Frankly, this is for the best," Otto understood, setting his cup down against the bar stand. "I’ll be the first to admit it here that when it comes to being realistic...We’re only getting in your way on missions that need your strength."
"--"
Noah didn’t speak to confirm nor deny that claim, though his silence was more than enough of an answer. The last thing he wanted to do was make those he considered friends feel lesser for something out of their control.
Still, he looked at the four sitting at the table, addressing what was on his mind as he laid his hand against the marble countertop, "As things stand, you won’t grow so long as you’re with me. I’m fine with that if you are, but...I won’t always be around. One day, maybe soon, I’d like to go back to my house by the lake. Maybe I’ll spend five, ten years there in quiet–"
"That sounds rather nice," Redrum joined in.
"You’re free to stay with me, at that point," Noah offered with a smile, knowing there weren’t many other places the outcast monster could go.
While he knew the others would be fine with the idea he presented, Astrid sat there quietly in contemplation. He observed her expression carefully, unsure if she was happy or dissatisfied with the plan, though she soon lifted her gaze to match his own.
