Chapter 30: Hidden Quest

The three of them pressed onward, their footsteps crunching in the snow as they navigated the empty streets of New York City Eastward through the snowy 42nd Street. The city, once bustling with life, now lay in icy silence, the remnants of civilization buried under layers of snow and ice. As they walked, they passed by buildings cloaked in frost, their windows shattered and their interiors abandoned. The ravages of the disaster were evident everywhere they looked.

Alan couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation as they made their way toward the designated target in order to complete the hidden quest.

There were actually a dozen of such quests available, each hidden by the game all across the city with its own objectives.

Although Alan didn’t get to fix the radio last time, he had seen a report about it from another player, and based on his location upon receiving the mission, he has fifty-fifty guessed that this was the quest he would get.

Fortunately, it really was.

Along the way, they encountered more chilling scenes of tragedy. Civilian bodies lay strewn across the snow-covered ground, their lifeless forms a haunting reminder of the harsh reality they faced. Some had succumbed to the bitter cold, frozen in their final moments, while others bore the savage wounds inflicted by the relentless wolf attacks.

Now that Alan was aiming to finish the bonus quest, he would rather not reencounter any of those wolves again, especially with the limited time he had in his hands.

After rushing through the block, Alan heard echoes of gunshots from a distance.

From afar, he saw a group of people running through the street. Other players struggling with their own quests.

Spotting one holding a handgun, Alan can quickly assume it was either he was very fortunate or a veteran player.

Veteran or not, getting a gun in round one was considered very lucky for one who got them but very unlucky for the other. Hence, all players tend to stay away from them when hearing gunshots near them.

Moments after, another notification appeared in his mind. It was a reminder.

[1 hour left to survive]

[Updating current players]

[Players still in the game – 5733]

One hour until the game ends, and 30 minutes left before the final change in the climate would come. He really needs to finish this quest quickly.

“Okay, double speed, just one more block!” Alan urged his companions, a note of determination in his voice. They quickened their pace, their breath visible in the frigid air as they pushed themselves to the limit. The biting cold gnawed at their exposed skin, but the urgency fueled their determination.

Moments after, arrived in front of a 17-acre wide complex, a building that stood majestically right next to the frozen New York East river.

There was a massive stone engraved with writings across the street of the building.

”They shall beat their swords into plowshares. And their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation. Neither shall they learn war anymore. – Isaiah”

The place of Alan’s hidden quest was a famous international landmark.

[The United Nations Headquarters]

A place where the world’s nations gather together, discuss common problems and find shared solutions.

“Okay, we are just a few minutes behind. All good.”

As Alan approached the gates, a ball of glowing light appeared right in front of them. The light was a barrier to ensure only those with the right prerequisites could enter the complex. Right after, a piece of information came into the Gamelink and into his mind.

[You have met the prerequisite to start your bonus mission] 𝒩𝒐𝓋𝓁xt.𝓒𝒪𝑀

[Hidden Quest Activated]

[Warning: The United Nation’s VIP’s are held against their will, you must save the VIP from their captors]

[You received F level quest: Save the VIP]

[You received E level quest: Get the VIP out of the city]

Alan was elated, it was a double reward quest just as expected.

Most other players would need information-gathering-related skills to receive extra details on the quest and enable them to save the VIP with less risk of harm coming to themselves. Alan, however, knows enough about what is going on within this quest.

The VIPs this quest was referring to were the ambassadors of the United Nations, and there should be more than one of them being held within the 3 parts of those buildings. The Secretariat, The conference, and the Great assembly.

Fortunately, this mission was part of Alan’s plan, and they had studied the blueprint of the place beforehand.

As for the opponent, they were the United Nations’ security team that went rogue due to the onset of the sudden, awful disaster.

They were desperate to survive and decided to hold foreign diplomats hostage in the hopes they would be able to bargain for their own survival.

Alan and the two entered the glowing gate, and right away, they saw a massive plaza full of grass and some decorative plants long frozen and destroyed by the winds and snow. Flags of multiple nations were lined on the walkways.

“Ok, Milo, you follow Daniel, he knows what to do!”

The latter nodded while looking at the situation around him, “MR D, It’s amazing; all of this was just like you planned”

“Just be careful, if it gets too dangerous, get out,” Alan said

Before leaving, Alan handed over the [Glock 17] to Daniel, hoping it would increase his chance of success and survival. Daniel reluctantly accept the handgun and the two went towards the general assembly building from a different entry point.

As for Alan, he activated his skill [Sneak (Novice)] and walked towards the secretariat lobby.

The skill had dampened the sound of his footsteps, so no one heard anything; as he crept inside, and carefully saw another person going through the lobby.

From how wary he looked and the supplies he carried, it was easy to see it was another player.

He had expected this to happen. After all, the quest was not exclusive. Other than the radio, there were other means to get a clue and obtain the Quest. Besides, how else did he obtain the information in the first place if not from that man?

The man that ran through the lobby was Kenny, a smart and hardworking young player who managed to get a decent point only to die in round three.

Alan only watched silently and let the young man access the 39-floor skyscraper safely as per the report, letting him get one of the VIPs

After the man took the stairs, Alan checked his time and saw.

[52 minutes]

Everything was as planned, and nothing seemed out of place. Then Alan went to the next building instead, the conference building, the place to hold all the small meetings.

The room was now in shambles. Chairs were overturned, and furniture was destroyed either by gunshots or attacks.

Right as he entered, he spotted three guards guarding the hallway and the meeting rooms.

Time to test his novice sneak skill to work.