Genesis: Tale of a Jobless Engineer

Chapter 13 - Persistent Oldman

It was a complete unwelcoming quest! Was it because Mike didn't like the rewards?

Hell no!

500 gold was worth a thousand dollars in real life if he converted it into real cash, Which was close to a month's salary if working at the construction site.

Yet the best thing actually was the hidden class, 'Originator' which was ideal for him who was thinking of changing from his unknown class.

Not to mention the title 'Renowned Alchemist'.

Which would boost all his stats by+10!

Mike currently had eight stats in total: strength, intelligence, dexterity,  constitution, indomitable, composure, and Insight. If he added the 'Creativity' stat, that would equal Eight in total.

If all of the stats were given a bonus of 10 points, it would be a total of 80 stat points. He obtain 10 stat points every time he level up so it was equivalent to eight levels, eight levels may seem small at present but in the later stage of the game, it was going to give him an edge over other players.

'The path is clear, but.....'

However, there was a reason why the rewards were so good. It was an 'S' grade quest.

'Furthermore, my level will fall by two if I fail.'

Mike had already lost a level by dying to the monster, but if he were to fail the quest his level would become -1, which was giving him an ominous feeling.

There was no information of a player being on the minus level before, so it was too much of a risk to accept the quest.

Mike's body trembled at the thought of losing the level again.

'But why on earth is it an S-grade quest?'

S grade quests were never common quests. He had heard that even the top-level rankers who were above level 100 could count the number of times that they had received an S grade quest on just one hand. However, Mike now was just a measly level 1 player.

'Won't I be screwed if I fail the quest? The attributes of this title are crazy, but it's like this game itself is plotting something against me.'

Kaiser thought about it for a while and replied unhesitatingly, "I can't do it. Ask someone else."

<The quest was refused.>

Although Mike refused the quest, It didn't seem like the Village head would quit.

He pleaded, "You think anyone can create a machine being a level 1, You are the only unusual person, so please help me. A precious person's life is involved!"

<The village head, khan is desperate. Do you understand his sad circumstances and accept the quest?>

Did the system think that he was in a position to take care of someone else now, he himself was desperate to make a living and the game was the last hope for him, but if he got emotional and screwed up here, his life is going to end.

Mike immediately swiped the notification window away and said, "You are mistaken. I am nothing special and it was just luck that I came up with the idea of that pump. Besides, how is an Engineer supposed to help an alchemist? so I won't be able to help you. It would be better for you to ask someone else."

<The quest was refused.>

"As you know, there were not many that know about the power of science currently! I can't complete the project that the lord has ordered alone! Please don't turn away, lend me your knowledge!"

<Village head, Khan hasn't given up. Would you like to accept the quest?>

"No, first of all, I don't have the ability to do it..."

<The quest was refused.>

"You are too modest! Don't you have the passion for being an Engineer, I am sure you well do well in alchemy too"

<Khan can only depend on you. Would you like to accept the quest?>

"F*ck! just go away Oldman, I said I can't...I refuse!"

He had lost it now! he repeatedly pressed the refuse prompt that came up with the quest introduction.

Sometimes, there were quest NPCs who would persist like this as they had their own desperate situations. Yes, Mike could understand Khan's feelings. If Khan couldn't finish the ordered project by the time the lord has ordered, his head would go flying off. Still, what about him? What if he failed and his level dropped again?

He didn't know what would happen then! He was not ready to take the risk.

He would have accepted if he was playing the game casually or if he was a pro player but he was depending on the game as his last chance, there is no way he is going to mess up trying to act cool in front of an old man.

In the first place, Why should he go through such terrible things because of Khan? His children back in real life were more important to him than a complete stranger!

"Please help! I am begging you!" The village head fell to his knees pleading to Mike.

Mike looked at him. This man—all the words Mike said to him were entering one ear and leaving the other…

Mike faced Khan head-on and explained with a more serious attitude, "I'm really sorry, but I truly don't have the capability to help you. Don't waste your time on me. Call the lord and explain it to him"

<The quest was refused.>

"Please! The lord would kill me if I say I couldn't do it now!"

<Khan is hoping for a helping hand. Would you like to accept the quest?>

The limits of patience.

"Ah, this is frustrating! I don't want to look at you anymore, so go away!"

"Please show mercy for the sake of this old man's life!"

"What? No! Damn... Yes, I should leave. I am going now!" Mike once again refused the quest and turned away from the old man.

This was a terrible quest that would cause his level to drop by two upon failure, so he wanted to avoid it. However, unlike his thoughts, his feet didn't move quickly.

The restriction placed on him due to the death which decreased his movement speed by 50% was still in effect.

Seeing Mike move as slow as a turtle, Khan misunderstood and teared up. "You act so intimidatingly, but you are actually conflicted... You really do want to help me..."

"..."

"Stop feeling conflicted and help me!"

<Khan feels hopeful again. Would you like to accept the quest?>

"Bullshit! I won't help!"

<The quest was refused.>

Mike ignored the crying Oldman who looked disgusting with snot covering his face and hastened his steps, but once again, his speed was slow.

This only deepened Khan's misunderstanding. "Maybe you're conflicted because your life is busy, but the life of a person is more important! This is a request!!"

"I can't! It isn't possible!"

"Don't deceive yourself! In fact, you are enthusiastic! You can't leave this place immediately, which is why there is such hesitation in your step!"

"There is no hesitation! I'm walking slowly due to the restriction damn it!"

But Khan didn't give up, h continued chasing after Mike, and Mike's slow pace couldn't get rid of him.

<Would you like to accept the quest?>

<Would you like to accept the quest?>

<Would you like...>

'What a stupid jerk!' The notification windows kept popping up no matter how much Mike refused. He had to make a drastic decision. 'I can't carry on like this. Yes, I have to refuse, even if I develop a hostile relationship with him. He isn't an NPC I need to build up a relationship with in the first place, I am going to leave the village soon anyway, so it won't hurt if he is my enemy.'

Mike pulled out the sword that he received from the training grounds and glared at Khan, "I definitely can't help you. If you don't get away right now, I am prepared to hurt you."

Khan grasped the atmosphere and took one step back. Then he slowly opened his mouth, "I really wish you would help me..."

<Khan is asking for the last time. Would you like to accept the quest?>

Swipe!

'How many times do I have to see this damn notification window?'

"I won't help! Even if I can help, I don't want to! I won't help!"

Mike's stress went over the threshold, and he could no longer suppress his anger. In the end, he yelled and swung his sword, expressing his intent not to talk to him anymore.

Then...

Kwajak!

"Kaaack!"

The sensation of hitting something was transmitted through his fingertips as a scream rang out at the same time.

Mike turned his gaze to the side of the sword and saw what had just occurred. A guard wearing the robe with a crest of Sun had collapsed with Mike's sword in his neck.

An ominous chill ran down Mike's spine. "I was aiming at this crazy Oldman, so why did the person next to him..."

 A new notification window popped up.

<You have attacked the soldier of Count Wiser, Semin>

<You have critically injured the soldier>

<Your relationship with Count Wiser and his soldiers has become hostile.>

<You will be hunted by guards in every village under his command from now on>

<The Guards and soldiers of Count Wiser will try to kill you when they find you.>

"Wow, Fu*k!"

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