Chapter 246: 1.5-27 (1/2)

In Haven Online, crops can begin to wither because of various reasons, and Xinya knew this to be a fact. The most common causes would be if the plants were exposed to environmental stresses such as lack of water, fertilization or if they were not harvested in the allotted time.

However, there had to be something more to the deterioration of these plants. It would be ridiculous for Xinya to assume that it was as simple as farmers forgetting to water their crops.

For one, if he understood what old man Tan had said, this was happening to professional farmers with businesses to run. So they would definitely not forget to take care of their land.

Secondly, Xinya knew that unless the farmers worked in a glacial or desert environment, the ingame climate would not be a major factor in their crops' growth. There had to be something more going on, but it was the 'what' that was eluding him.

What the old man described sounded so familiar; it was like he heard or read about it before. But the memory of it just kept escaping through the recesses of his mind. 'Come on, Xinya, think! Whatever it is must be very important. I'm sure it has something to do with the game...'

Out of nowhere, the answer came to him like sunlight piercing through clouds on a rainy day. If he had been alone at that very moment, he would have slapped himself. He couldn't believe that he had forgotten about the 2nd mini-update trigger quest.

The details about it came flooding into his mind, and he knew that the withering was just the beginning of the terrible things that would start to happen.

Thankfully, this withering of produce wouldn't touch Arkala; no, this plague will only affect the towns in Haven's rural areas.

After the Tall Man failed to conquer Errinisworth, the other Tall Man monsters that were stationed in the other major towns of Haven were destroyed. This caused the leader of monsters to rethink its plan.

This time it decided to begin small and take over areas where there are fewer people. So it sent a monster similar to the Tall Man to do the job, and the first step of this new monster's plan involved the withering of the crops.

Xinya knew that he would have to take care of this problem soon because it could affect the town's trading economy if it became too bad. 'I will go in three weeks when things are kind of sorted here.'

So immersed in his thoughts, Xinya wouldn't have noticed that they arrived at the center of the town if it wasn't for Mr. Tan speaking up.

”This is where I have to leave you. My daughter's store is on the west side of town, quite far from the library where you said you were heading,” stated Mr. Tan as he shifted his hand inside of the satchel that was tied to his waist. Pulling out a metal pin with an emblem of a cornstalk on it, he handed it to Xinya. ”Take this; it will show everyone that you are my apprentice.”

[You have received an apprentice emblem!]