Trial of the Seeker

Oh, a letter from Marina. What an intriguing woman she is. She must be very busy to have sent you rather than to have come herself.

Oh, well, her is the item she requested. It is very fragile so handle it carefully.

Take this to Marina immediately. It is very fragile so handle it carefully.

I'm not sure if you are aware of it, but the magical creatures have been acting very strange lately. They seem to be organizing for something. I am sure this is a bad sign.

We must find out what those mutants are up to! While it is important to have young volunteers like yourself in service to the kingdom, this particular task requires someone that is skilled in concealment and scouting. I don't think you are up to the task...

If you know anyone that possesses these skills, please tell me.

(This quest may only be performed by Rogues, Elven Village Rangers, or Assassins of level 35 or higher.)

I am not sure if you are aware of this, but the mutants have been behaving strange lately. They have been forming gangs and looting local regions, and their recent movements have become more organized and accurate. I am sure this a very bad sign.

Overwhelming force would probably be the best way to deal with this threat, but our forces are away at war...

I think this letter is from Viktor... I thought he was focusing on his business these days but it seems that isn't it. ...The eagles eye?! Is it still alive? What a dear name it is... There was once when I ...

Oh my, I must have been out of my mind to say such useless words in front of a guest. Shall we get on with the work? I think this will take some time. To predict and control things that result such complicated wave lengths and patterns is very difficult.

Hmm ...I think it will take me quite a while to analyze it. I think it is better for you to do something else in the meantime. Ah, will you do me a favor? I think it will help my research as well. What do you say?

Hmm...This is it, 2 blood drops of medusa, 3 spoons of the bugbear's molar tooth powder, 1 drop of inpichio's poison ... ...Good!

It's done. It is just as I had expected. Though, it is a pity that we can't say that we are pleased about it... I feared from the start that it would turn out like this... Too bad, really.

No, the result of the analysis is here. Take this to Hawk..., no to Master Terry. I will send one to Viktor. He will explain in detail for you. Hurry up.

Oh my! This letter is from Master Dufner... Yes, I am the murderer who was once called the 'Hawk Eye'. But the Hawk Eye is already dead. You can't come and ask me to revive the Hawk Eye now... That is too much. ...Well in fact he is the only person who can ask me such a thing... For he is the very person who helped me abandon the Hawk Eye and settle down in this town...

Whew... I guess I have no choice. Besides, I was also curious about the increase of those mutations... Ok. But first I want you to do me a favor. I need some time to revive the Hawk Eye. In the meantime, I want you to grasp the situation ahead and collect the information.

It seems that we can get a rough map of the monsters' mutations, so to start with, I want you to capture one of them as a sample and bring it to me. Let's make our next move according to the results.

Let's start with one living close to this town. I guess that narrows it down to Neer Crawler Prek. If you go to the east Execution Ground, you'll be able to find many neer crawlers. Among them there will be one called Neer Crawler Prek. Catch him.

And once you get hold of him, see if you can find anything extraordinary. If there is anything at all, come back to me right away.

Any good news? Oh, what is this? A bezoar?! Hmm, no wonder Dufner asked me to investigate. Hmm...

Wait a moment... If this is how it turns out, I'll just have to push ahead with the plan... However, this plan might be a bit tough for you. Will that be okay?

Then listen carefully to what I say from now on. You and I, we each have some tasks to do. While I am off to somewhere, I want you to investigate the mutations one by one.

They are Ol Mahum Captain, Turek Orc Village Overlord, Ant Captain, and Turek Bugbear Warrior... That's it. I bet they'll also have a bezoar planted in each of their bodies.

The problem is that these creatures that I had mentioned are all very offensive. Perhaps it might be the bezoars that make them so offensive.

But, if it were you, I think you could manage it... Do you need more information?

Since there is no time, I don't think it is a good idea to search for them randomly. Listen carefully.

First, the Ol Mahum Captain can be found near the Partisan's Hideaway in the north-east.

The next place is

Yes, you have collected all of them! Now we can start to work on the actual investigation. In the meantime I have been to Giran Castle. From the castle I have acquired the secret documents necessary for discovering the truth about this case...

Now, I will have to conduct more research with those documents. I shall have to ask for your help one more time.

Take this letter and see Viktor of the Hunters Village. The bezoars are in this box. Take them also to Viktor.

You can call him an expert on such investigations. Back then, when I was called the Hawk Eye, he used to be called as the clairvoyant and was well known for being the best source provider, even continuing to this day. If it were him, I am sure he'll be able to find something out from the bezoars. I heard that he owns a shop, at the moment... How unlikely of him, really.

Anyway, take this letter with you. If you tell him that you were sent by the Hawk Eye, he will talk to you. If he pretends not to understand, say 'Altebar Karryos' out loud. That's my real name. By the way, he never did anything for free... So, he might ask you for something. In that case, I'll leave it up to you.

I expect you to do your best!

Come on, take the letter and the box that I gave you to Viktor in the Hunters Village. I already told you my real name, right? Are you having good hold of it?

What you have to do from now on will be much more dangerous than what you have done until now. No matter how urgent the matter is, I can't force you into a death situation. To me, you seem unprepared so come back after you have had more training. Do you understand?

I think you are sufficiently prepared now. I will tell you about the next task. Being contaminated by a Dark Bezoar is something to worry about; however, according to Marina's research, the contamination seems to be limited to only a few creatures. I want you to be in charge of getting rid of those hosts.

Marsh Stakato Drones, Breka Orc Overlords, Noble Ant Captains, and Leto Lizardman Warriors are the monsters on the list. Of course, these creatures all have tendencies to be aggressive. Extract the Dark Bezoars from their bodies.

Do you know where you can find them?

Marsh Stakato Drones can easily be found in the swamps of northern Dion Castle Town. It is a dangerous monster, so be careful. In particular, when they are in a group, try to avoid attacking them from a close distance, and lure them to another place before fighting them.

You have already seen many

I think you are sufficiently prepared now. I will tell you about the next task. Being contaminated by a Dark Bezoar is something to worry about; however, according to Marina's research, the contamination seems to be limited to only a few creatures. I want you to be in charge of getting rid of those hosts.

Marsh stakato drones, Breka Orc overlords, noble ant leaders, and Leto lizardmen warriors are on the list. Of course, these creatures all have tendencies to be aggressive. Extract the Dark Bezoars from their bodies.

Do you know where you can find them?

So, there are 4 dark bezoars altogether! I am so glad to see you alive. Master Dufner, he still has the sense for recognizing talented people. Thanks to you, I could solve the problem in a short hour.

Oh, I guess you must also be curious about the results? I secretly found out that there was a group of people called the 'children of Shilen' behind this case. Did you ever hear of the name? They are the followers of Shilen who are looking forward to the resurrection of their Goddess. They are working secretly so few people know about them. The Royal palace is busy enough dealing with the war, and they have no time to take measures against them.

This is becoming a serious matter now that it turned out to be their organization that is related to this case. This is not something that we can just overlook. I shall have to report this. This is a report which contains the details on this case. Take it to Master Dufner. He will take care of the rest. You have done a good job, thank you.

Trader Viktor

A clairvoyant? Me? What are you talking about? I never had such strange nickname. You must have found the wrong person. If you are willing to buy anything I shall treat you with respect. But if that's not the case, buzz off!

Trader Viktor

Terry? Who the hell is this? What bloke sent me this letter! What a pain in the ass. OK, well then I'll give it a try.

...! This sign... Hawk Eye?! Can this be true that Hawk Eye is still alive? His name is now 'Master Terry'? Ha! Good joke! He used to have so many enemies, and they all bore a grudge against him so I thought he would have been killed by one of them earlier...

Trader Viktor

I am so glad to hear that he is still alive. Ha, what a surprise. By the way, if you are truly a person sent by the Eagle's Eye, I bet you know what his real name is? What is his real name?

Trader Viktor

Hey, hey! This time, I shall think that you just have poor memories. Tell me again! Is that his real name?

Trader Viktor

You... Who are you? Bug off!

If you are about to argue that you simply forgot the name, you'd better go and see Master Terry again!

Trader Viktor

Yes I see that you are indeed a person sent by Hawk Eye. I was already 80% certain from his handwriting...

You are right, I am clairvoyant Viktor. By the way, I can tell from the letter that it is in fact a serious matter.

Trader Viktor

Hmm, this is? So these are the bezoars...Ok, I see. You want me to investigate these bezoars right?

However, there is no such thing as pro bono in my life. I guess you are aware of that already? Even though you say that you were sent by the Hawk Eye, it can't be absolutely free. So, have you brought anything with you?

Trader Viktor

Don't lie to me, fellow. I can tell from your shabby appearance that you have nothing to share. That equipment? They have no value!

Trader Viktor

Hey, young fellow. You have no sense at all, do you?.

Trader Viktor

Hmm, let me think... Yes!. I am running a secret project these days. It takes me too long to do it alone secretly. So I want you to help me. What do you say, will you do that for me?

How did you behave so that Viktor says he can't believe you?

Did you forget my real name, by any chance? I shall repeat once more! My original name is Altebar Karryos. I got my current name 'Terry' from the second letters in my original name.

Anyway, I shall write you another letter. Go and meet Viktor again.

So, this is the report on the findings about the bezoar! Good job. I mean it! It must not have been easy to get information from that hard-to-please Viktor. How is he doing? Dufner, me and Viktor used to hang around together way back when. That brings back memories... Are his explanations still so hard to understand? Anyway, I shall have to look into the results.

Let me see... My bad premonitions are always right in these cases. I had hoped that this time I was wrong... Damn it! This can't be!

I suppose you already know that those creatures who possess an Abyss Runestone within them have exceptional intelligence? The matter would not be so bad if that's all there was to it, but another problem is that these creatures are extremely hostile towards the Elves, Dark Elves, Orcs, and Dwarves, as well as the Humans. Do you understand? Why those creatures have become so aggressive?... They are clever creatures so they will surely take control over their kind, and imagine what will happen when they incite the others?

Also, this incident has something to do with the Goddess Shilen. The dark powers of Shilen are the origin of the Dark Bezoars... Or to put it another way, it has been proven by experiment that Shilen's power is behind this incident. ...It is said that she who is the Goddess of Darkness, as well as the original Goddess of Water, left the other Gods and went to the east, where she created all sorts of magic creatures. It is a serious matter indeed that many years have since passed, but it is only now that Shilen's powers are being detected from the monsters.

The most dangerous conclusion from this experiment is that the Dark Bezoar is contagious. Moreover, according to Marina's experiment, this is an artificial stone, not a natural occurrence.

Trader Viktor

Good! We understand each other well. I feel more acquainted to you since you understand me well. You know, you need to be flexible to live in this world. I believe you are mature enough to understand me.

Anyway, then I shall tell you the story in detail. In Giran Castle Town there is a monster called medusa. I bet you saw her already? This medusa is, in fact...oops, no, this is a secret. I am sorry but this should not be heard by anyone else.

Anyway, my point is that I want you to kill medusa and bring 10 of its scales. Then I shall give you the information you want. I shall start my research counting on you.

Trader Viktor

Yes I see that you are indeed a person sent by the Hawk Eye. I was already 80% certain...

You are right, I am clairvoyant Viktor. By the way, I can tell from the letter that it is in fact a serious matter.

Trader Viktor

1, 2, 3... 10! Yes you have found all 10 of them. Ha ha...with this I shall be able to proceed one step further in my plans. Good!

Hmm... Ah, never mind about what I said just now. I was just talking to myself. Good, I now know that you have enough capacity. I shall give you the information you wanted now. While you were out hunting, I was also busy conducting research.

This bezoar is the so-called 'Abyss Runestone'. It must be related to Shilen, the Goddess of Abyss. How do I know? That is because when you flash a certain wavelength of light, the emanation which occurs due to the refraction-dispersion makes a typical distribution of Ruper's curve. If you magnify the pattern ~(abridged)~ apply the Magnus' constant, compare it by Bernu's analysis, you can find a shape similar to the Shilen's pattern between the 8th and the 9th diagram... What does this mean? It means that this bezoar is related to Shilen. Anyway, you won't be able to understand better even though I explain further.

However, there is one problem.

Trader Viktor

The appearing of the pattern is very irregular. The probabilities are random and its conditions are still a mystery. Moreover, I don't get why the bezoar could only be found in the body of an aggressive monster. It seems that we'll have to send it to Marina to know about it more specifically...

Ah, she is a woman who works as a Magister in the Ivory Tower of Town of Oren. She is an acquaintance of mine. If you want to know more in detail, you'd better go and meet her. I shall give you a written request for analysis where I included my results on the research of the bezoar. Take it to Magister Marina of the Ivory Tower. She is an expert in this area.

Trader Viktor

Meet Magister Marina in the Ivory Tower of Town of Oren. Don't forget to show her the letter of request that I gave you. She is an expert in this area.

Trader Viktor

If it were Marina, I am sure she'll be able to discover the secrets of the bezoar. If she finds out anything, be sure to report it to Master Terry. Well then, good luck!

Thank you. It's not too difficult. A few days ago I ordered a special thing from the Blacksmith in the Dwarven Village. But I was too busy to go and fetch it back. Please go and fetch it for me. It's not too difficult.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you the name... He is Mr. Bronp the Blacksmith of the Dwarven Village. Thank you, for your help.

Ah, thank you. You have brought it correctly. With this we will be able to shorten the time in investigation. Now, let's do the final check. It's a very simple experiment. All the analysis will be finalized when this experiment ends, and my hypothesis is proved.

Hey, that's Eagle Eye Terry's report! Let me have a look. Hmm...children of Shilen! My my! Have they finally decided to break their silence?

Well, you have done very well. Our guild will take it from here. Thank you for your trouble. Oh, and I see that Terry has also written a letter commending your skills. You are more that qualified to receive this Mark of the Scout from our guild.

Your efforts have been rewarded! I wish you the best of luck in the future. Good work.