Chapter 256 - Gard's Path.
''No.'' Gard bluntly said.
''Why?'' Isaac asked with disappointment visible on his face.
''They are made specially for Core Members and for rewards.'' Gard grabbed the glass bottle and put it on the rack, where dozens of other glass bottles were.
''After sudden appearance of Level Rankings and Colosseum, everyone is desperate for Healing Potions.''
''All Core Members try to reach top 100 in rankings and make a name for themselves and for the guild.''
''Also, Colosseum doesn't forbid the usage of Healing Potions— that's why they are more important than ever before.''
He sighed and looked Isaac right in the eye, ''Also… One day, you could become our rival, like what happened in Duo Dungeon.''
Isaac bit his lip and nodded with understanding, ''Alright…'' He turned around and walked towards the door.
When his hand touched the door handle, and was about to leave, Gard spoke again.
''I might not be able to make Healing Potions for you, but there is something I can give you.''
Isaac turned around and looked curious but also confused.
Gard grabbed an antique-looking map from the table and threw it towards Isaac.
Isaac barely managed to grab the thin map that almost floated away.
The map had obvious signs of being a treasure map, with a mark X on the center of the map.
The map showed the vast City of Stronglord and also the Beast Forest, but the X mark was somewhere he didn't expect.
It was in the middle of the road that led to the Beast Forest.
''Eh?'' Isaac became even more confused and wondered what this was.
''I received it for Class Quest,'' Gard replied. ''I haven't had time to visit that place yet, and I am not very interested either.''
''You can have this as thank you.''
''Thank you?'' Isaac frowned and wondered why he received words of gratitude from the old man.
''Remember the Fox Beast's Tail you gave us?'' He asked.
Isaac nodded; it was the Rare item he received and sold it for Black Arrow Guild.
''I managed to increase my Potion mastery and managed to increase my Potion making speed by 10%.''
Isaac looked surprised and didn't think it would have such a big effect!
''So, this will be my thanks.'' Gard said, but then reminded him, ''Don't get your hopes up… I don't know what is hidden there. It might be something useful or useless.''
Isaac looked at the map and nodded, ''I will go check it.''
Gard nodded and waved his hand, ''Now, go. I am busy.''
''Alright, thanks.'' Isaac opened the door and closed it behind him.
Once he left, Gard stopped working for several minutes.
Ever since he met Isaac, he had a weird feeling in his stomach.
His Potion Master abilities are trying to force themselves out.
''What is happening…?'' He rubbed his stomach and grimaced.
''Why… Is there something wrong with him, or why are my instincts telling me to improve my skills so I can help him in the future?''
He sat down on the chair, and another stomach ache assaulted him.
''Argh…'' He grabbed his stomach and almost puked his organs out, ''I understand… I will help him to get rid of his curse…''
Inside him, a certain voice kept speaking with him.
'Good… This is what your purpose was… To help make Humanity's path easier… Helping him will be the first step, but it is by no means the last step.'
''I understand…'' Gard took a deep breath, and his stomach ache disappeared.
But, a holographic screen was right in front of him that made his path clear.
[Legacy: Isaac Newton]
[Legacy Rank: Mythical]
…
Isaac exited the building while the player Luminous waved behind him.
Her friends smugly talked with her about the festive feeling of the Colosseum, obviously trying to make her jealous, but now she can brag as well.
She can say that she met with Wraith!
While walking in the streets, Isaac remembered his discussion with Gard.
He stored the map in the safest place he knew, his Inventory.
He thought it was strange for Gard to give him something valuable like a Class Quest item.
Isaac knows how important they are, especially because he received his Camouflage outfit, which he has been using ever since.
''Well… He seemed to be very obsessed with increasing his Potion Master skills… Maybe he found out that the map was useless for that purpose.'' He shrugged and could only guess.
He didn't plan on going to the place where the treasure map was pointing at. Instead, it was time to visit the last destination.
World Bank…
After walking past multiple blocks, he reached the area close to the World Bank.
He managed to see a beautiful and luxurious bank that screamed the word wealth.
In and out, Players kept moving rapidly.
Some looked excited and couldn't believe the amount of money they received.
While some were desperate after earning a few cents.
Remembering how difficult it was to earn those White Coins made them even more desperate.
There was a way to gain wealth, but to do that, they needed to increase their levels somehow and manage to hunt Beasts before other Players did.
Beast Forest was always fully packed with Players, making hunting extremely difficult.
Some of the weaker Player hasn't even gotten one kill in their stay in Beast Forest.
Also, after killing the Beast, they need to gather somehow the items the Beast drops before they get stolen or get themselves killed by other jealous Players.
The poor Players looked at the rich Players with obvious jealousy and desperately wanted to be like them.
Isaac walked past the jealous Players and reached the entrance of the World Bank.
He managed only to see the lounge area, but it was massive.
There was a waiting room in the lounge area that was made out of soft and expensive-looking couches and tables.
The Players that were waiting for their turn almost fell asleep.
They have never felt as comfortable.
On the other end of the lounge area, two stairway goes straight to the second floor, which was reserved for Nobles and truly wealthy customers.
Next to the stairs, hundreds of counters were located.
Behind the counters, NPCs talked with nervous-looking Players that were sitting on the other side of the counter.
Most of the discussions only took several minutes before the Player left the counter with either excited or despairing faces.