Chapter 102

After taking a bath and eating eggs and toasts for breakfast, Ren called his parents to check on them since he didnt get the chance to call them last night.

After which, Ren went into the Pod and logged in. The moment he did, a notification popped on his screen, saying that an update was evident after seven days that would last until the end of the month.

Ren recalled that it was kind of early, but he wasnt a hundred percent sure. In this update, Ren was surprised as he scrolled down the list of updates. He expected about the guild, the time changed, and PvP, but he sure didnt expect that the real money conversion would be introduced this early as well.

Ren didnt know what happened for that to be introduced early. He looked into the news related to the hasty update, and the only thing he deducted was the shares.

The Rutherford, Gambino, Axis, and the other old rich families were showing so much interest in the game that it was rumored that they already bought shares of COVENANT even before its IPO hit the Stock market.

Ren didnt know if Golden Phoenix getting firstblood was the reason or Isoldes successful first-time raid.

Anyway, that wasnt a problem, Ren mused. In fact, it was perfect! It would hasten his plans.

The only disadvantage was, within these seven days, he had to acc.u.mulate so many gil in that short amount of time because he knew that after the update, there would be a huge decrease in gil to make up with the real money conversion.

And before the update, the developer would introduce a Festival of Gil in the form of a giant walking merchant market where the players could enjoy the festivities, auctions, and, best of all, rare items to buy.

However, hidden behind that festive walls, jolly merchants, and allure of rare items were the developers twisted heart of depleting the players gil before the in-game conversion would take place.

As soon as Ren was teleported to Igors Village in the land of the Dwarves, Ren message Leonel.

[Ren: Leo, dont ever spend your gil. Okay?]

Within just seconds, Leonels message dinged on Rens notification.

[Leonel: Why?]

[Ren: Did you see the announcement when you logged in? Theyre going to introduce real money conversion after that update. So save as much gil as you can]

[Leonel: Whoa! Really?! Thats great! Alright then]

Ren didnt know if Leonel trusting his words so much and not asking questions was good or bad. But it worked in his favor.

. . .

. . .

Ren closed the message box and was about to plan his next move when he heard the chime of a private message.

[Leonel: Ren, the three of us are going to Snowflake Village. Were going to attempt Icy Cave!]

Just from Leonels message, Ren felt his excitement from miles away.

[Ren: Is that so? Good luck then]

[Leonel: Thats it? Arent you jealous that the three of us are together and youre left behind?]

Ren shook his head and huffed a laugh.

[Ren: I dont. I have other things to take care of, and even if I tell you not to enter that cave, youll do it anyway]

[Leonel: Ehehehe. I just want to try it. I have nothing to lose]

[Ren: Except for a huge amount of EXP]

[Leonel: Youre so negative. I heard that were going with fifty members with some core members and even two vice commanders!]

[Ren: Thats still few. But who am I to stop you. Good luck and have fun]

Ren paused for a moment before he replied again.

[Ren: Be careful with your step]

[Leonel: Huh? What does that mean?]

Ren didnt say more and closed the chat box.

He didnt know if Black Lion was overflowing with confidence or they were just desperate to redeem their names after Scars blunder that they would attempt a medium hard difficulty Cave.

Leonel would surely suffer a huge EXP loss, but Ren didnt plan to change his mind since Leonel seemed adamant about going. And who knew, they might even be successful against all odds.

Though he highly doubt it.

Leonel wont grow if Ren influences all his decisions. So he would let Leonel make mistakes and learn from them.

. . . Hopefully.

Ren skimmed his jawline and recalled the best place to collect a huge amount of gil while leveling his [Foraging] Life Skill at the same time. As an [Alchemist] to be, he would be mostly dealing with materials. So he needed to MAX that specific life skills fast.

However, since he couldnt use those materials yet, he would sell them. He needed expensive materials, and the only thing he could think of were precious stones. They would sell a hefty price in the land of the Elves since they needed those stones to craft things.

However, for that to happen, Ren also needed a pickaxe so he could mine and forage those stones. And the only place he could think of getting all his requirements was in one place.

Kartacol, the Mining City.

Ren made the decision to go there. Since he was the only one going, he put on his cloak and had Pii coiled around his neck.

Ren was planning to stay in Kartacol until the update since nothing was more important to him than money at this point in time. Everybody could race and get firstblood for all he cared. h.o.a.rding gil was all he could think at this point.

Ren went inside Igor Village in the land of the Dwarves. It was the nearest place to Kartacol. However, it didnt mean that it was just an hours walk. To reach the place, Ren had to spend 1000 gil at a wondering Caravan to take him there. It was far south in the sand dunes, and it would take a day in the Caravan.

There were numerous Caravans available in COVENANT, and it was only one form of transportation in the game. And, of course, each one of them has its own quest.

Ren went into the little square to know what Caravan was coming and going and asked Omar, the little Hobgoblin. Whens the next Caravan going to come?

Omar looked over at Ren and said with a nasal tone, Theres Smiling Caravan thats about to come here around noon. Or if you prefer a luxurious Caravan like Precious Jewels, come back here for a week. Or if youre okay with a rackety Caravan like Smelly b.u.t.thorse, come back here tomorrow.

Ren looked to the side and thought for a moment, but the only thing he recalled was the Starry Night Caravan. That Caravan made a huge impression on him since the quest that accompanied it was so hard, but the rewards were so great.

However, Starry Night Caravan was hard to come by and appeared at random throughout COVENANT. There was no specific requirement to trigger it, so it was a close to zero percent chance of riding that Caravan.

Smiling Caravan? Ren didnt know why but he had a bad feeling about that Caravan. The fancier the name, the harder the quest accompanying it.

But Ren didnt have a choice since he was pressed with time at the sudden announcement that the game was going to update in a matter of days.

Ren gave thanks to Omar before he decided to wait for the Smiling Caravan.

Looking at his surroundings, Ren saw many players go to and fro, doing quests nonstop, while some marched in a group, apparently going into some raid.

Not long after, Smiling Caravan appeared, and Ren didnt waste time and approached three travelers riding . . . a Hog.