NOVEL NEXT Ch. 15
Chapter 15: Was this quest reward serious?
St. Orleans Main City, Central Plaza.
This was the most prosperous place in the entire Huaxia region of 《Aincrad Era》.
On ordinary days, it was bustling with voices and filled with endless traffic.
But today, the atmosphere here was particularly different.
The central area of the plaza had been cleared out by a group of well-equipped, intimidating players.
They were members of 【Battle Maniac Hall】, who at this moment stood holding weapons, forming a large circle with solemn expressions, blocking out anyone who tried to approach.
And within the circle they guarded, the very top life-skill masters of the entire server had gathered.
At the front stood a man with the ID 【A Thread of Life】.
He wore a gorgeous Master Tailor’s robe, a trace of pride on his face, but deep in his eyes shone a glimmer of excitement and nervousness that could not be concealed.
He was the president of the 【Tailors’ Association】 and was publicly recognized as the number one tailor in the entire server.
Just moments ago, he had received the highest order from 【Mad Blade】—to immediately set aside all affairs, bring along the top masters of the association, gather at the central plaza, and prepare to welcome a “sacred and grand” mission.
“President, what on earth is going on? Why such a big lineup?” A young tailoring master couldn’t help but ask in a low voice.
“Yeah, even the Royal Pastry Shop was cleared out after Mad Blade summoned us here. Is something earth-shattering about to happen?”
【A Thread of Life】 didn’t answer.
He only raised his head and glanced in the direction of the teleportation array, eyes glittering with anticipation.
He knew this was definitely related to that legendary NPC—Miss Mophis!
Ever since the establishment of the “Clothing Design Department,” they tailoring players had yearned day and night for the opportunity to personally craft new clothes for Miss Mophis.
They had designed hundreds of drafts, stockpiled various high-grade fabrics, and even studied the noble etiquette of the Ancient Dynasty to better simulate Mophis’ temperament.
Now… was the chance finally here?
Just as everyone waited with bated breath, the teleportation array suddenly flashed with light.
A figure strode out quickly, surrounded by dozens of top-tier combat players.
It was 【Alchemy Genius】!
At this moment, he was no longer that flustered, tongue-tied alchemist at the library’s gate.
His face carried a solemnity and dignity as if he bore a divine mission (except for the corners of his mouth that were nearly splitting to the heavens).
Every step he took was steady and forceful.
Behind him followed two teams of players.
One team carefully carried a constant-temperature magic box, inside which was stored the 【Sunflower Pastry】 that had just been cleared out from the Royal Pastry Shop.
The other team escorted 【Alchemy Genius】 as if they were guarding a priceless treasure.
“They’re here!”
【A Thread of Life】’s heartbeat instantly quickened.
Under everyone’s gaze, 【Alchemy Genius】 walked up to him.
Without wasting words, he solemnly handed over a blueprint glowing faintly with starlight, along with a small pouch of materials, as if he were passing down a sacred relic.
“President 【A Thread of Life】, this is Miss Mophis’ personal commission—the 【Starshine Veil Design Diagram】.”
“This is her trust in our ‘Knights,’ and also a test for your 【Tailors’ Association】!”
“I have only one demand—at any cost, create the most perfect clothing in the world!”
【A Thread of Life】’s hands trembled as he received the blueprint.
When his eyes fell upon the design—off-shoulder, puff sleeves, lace trim—and the legendary materials noted beside it, such as 【Moonlight Silk】 and 【Stardust Powder】, his breath nearly stopped.
This… this wasn’t merely clothing!
This was art! This was a dream!
“Please rest assured!” 【A Thread of Life】 nodded heavily at 【Alchemy Genius】, his voice hoarse with excitement.
“I, 【A Thread of Life】, swear upon my honor as a Master Tailor! If I cannot satisfy Miss Mophis, I’ll delete my account on the spot!”
“Good!”
The surrounding players erupted into thunderous cheers.
And at this moment, an unexpected change occurred!
All players wearing the emblem of 【Mophis Wife Knights】 suddenly heard a crisp system prompt in their ears.
【Ding!】
【‘Mophis Wife Knights’ Large-Scale Guild Quest: ‘Wife’s New Clothes’ has been activated!】
【Quest Description: Our beloved Miss Mophis is finally getting new clothes! This ‘Starshine Veil,’ personally chosen by her and embodying her longing for a beautiful life, requires our combined efforts to complete. Knights, offer your strength!】
【Quest First Stage: Material Crowdfunding!】
【Required Materials:】
【- Moonlight Silk (0/1000)】
【- Stardust Powder (0/100)】
【- Tears of the Elf (0/10)】
【- Light Magic Crystal (0/1)】
【……(dozens of rare materials omitted)】
【Quest Submission Method: Submit materials to the president of the 【Tailors’ Association】, 【A Thread of Life】.】
【Quest Rewards: According to the value of contributed materials, gain corresponding Knights’ Contribution Points, gold coins, and… a ‘New Clothes Trial Slot’ lottery ticket!】
When the players saw the last item in the reward list, the entire central plaza fell into dead silence once again.
Ne… New Clothes Trial Slot?
Lottery ticket?
What did this mean?
Could it be… the lucky one who completed the quest would get the chance… to personally witness Wife trying on her new clothes?
“Gulp.”
No one knew who swallowed hard first.
The very next second, an even more frenzied roar than before shook all of St.
Orleans Main City.
“Holy shit! A trial slot! Does this mean we get to watch Wife change into her clothes in person?!!”
“Did some big shot sneak this past the devs?”
“Devs, you’re my dad! This reward is godlike! Don’t you dare stop me! I’m about to sell everything I own for this!”
“【Moonlight Silk】, right? I know which boss drops it! Brothers of 【Battle Maniac Hall】, follow me! Today we’re taking down that Moonlight Spider King!”
“【Stardust Powder】! We from 【Immortal-Demon Residence】 are taking it! All mages, follow me to the Stardust Mines! No one comes back until the mine is emptied!”
“Anyone still remember the 【Sunflower Pastry】 by Daming Lake? Brother 【Alchemy Genius】! Quick! We’ll escort you to the Western Wasteland! We must make sure Wife gets to enjoy her first bite of pastry while wearing her new clothes!”
The scene descended into utter chaos.
Players who had been relatively orderly just moments ago now swarmed like sharks smelling blood, rushing madly toward all the material spawn locations.
【Mad Blade】 and 【Pierce-Through-Heart】 exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other’s eyes.
They understood—the official “recruitment” strategy had worked.
By issuing such a large-scale guild quest, not only had the officials successfully guided the players’ passion into a controllable channel, but they had also, through this “crowdfunding” method, bound every member of the Knights’ interests tightly to Mophis.
Now, working for Mophis was no longer just “giving out of love.” It came with tangible, even unique rewards!
Such motivation was deadly.
“Move!” 【Mad Blade】 made a swift decision, shouting in the command channel, “【Logistics Division】! Immediately take out all materials related to the quest from the guild warehouse! Hand them over to President 【A Thread of Life】! We’re seizing the number one contribution rank!”
“【Combat Division】! Split up! According to the quest list, secure all material refresh points! Anyone who dares compete with us is making an enemy of the entire Knights!”
And while the entire main city went crazy for “Wife’s New Clothes,” no one noticed.
At the library in the Western Wasteland, the main storyline quest “Guardian of Knowledge,” triggered by the officials, was also in full swing.
Countless players were struggling to slay the “Book Monsters,” collecting fragments of “Shattered Pages.”
A solo player with the ID 【Passerby A】 finally collected 10 “Shattered Pages” after arduously killing an “Angry Algebra.”
【System Prompt: You have collected enough quest items. Do you wish to head to the Forgotten Library and submit the quest to Miss Mophis?】
【Passerby A】 was so moved that tears welled in his eyes.
Even though he knew that as a solo player he could never compare to the big guilds, he still wanted to personally do something for his beloved “Wife.”
Carrying nervousness and excitement, he arrived before the tightly closed doors of the library.
Taking a deep breath, he chose “Submit Quest.”
【Ding!】
【Quest items submitted successfully! Thank you for your efforts in guarding knowledge!】
【You gained 5000 EXP, 10 gold coins.】
【You gained 20 Contribution Points to ‘Mophis Wife Knights.’】
【You gained ‘Mophis’ Gratitude (Replica)’ x1.】
Staring at the reward list, 【Passerby A】 froze.
The EXP and coins were reasonable, the contribution points not bad either.
But… what the heck was this “Mophis’ Gratitude (Replica)”?
Curious, he opened his inventory.
There lay a small card quietly in a slot.
On the card was the same shy, fleeting smile of Mophis that had stunned all in the video released earlier by 【Mad Blade】.
Only this time, it was static, like a photograph.
In the lower-right corner of the card was a line of tiny text.
【This is her most sincere gratitude to all who helped her. —Official Note】
【Passerby A】 stared blankly at the card.
Even if it was static, even if it was a “replica,” this… this was still Wife’s smile!
And it was officially certified!
Overcome with emotion, he took a screenshot of the card and posted it to the forum.
【Brothers! I submitted the quest! Look at this!】
The moment this post appeared, the players frantically grinding materials and collecting pages exploded once again.
“Holy shit! Wife’s smile! Submitting page quests gives you this?”
“Replica? Photo? But… I want it so bad! This is a treasure you can take out and admire anytime!”
“Wait—is Wife barefoot in this picture? I’m licking it right now.”
“The officials are diabolical! They knew we wanted to see Wife, so they directly made the reward into her photo? Who the hell can resist this?!”
“Screw this! I’m ditching the clothes quest! I’m grinding pages! I want a hundred Wife smiles to cover my wall!”
“Get lost! The clothes still need to be made! Kids make choices, we adults want everything! Brothers, grind harder! For Wife’s new clothes! And for Wife’s smile!”
Under the officials’ relentless “combo strike,” the entire server’s players had fallen into an unprecedented frenzy of grinding—one filled with happiness and a profound sense of honor.