Chapter 544 - LOOK OF LONGING

BEFORE the three started bickering again, Luo Yan quickly pulled them inside.  Since the cabin was not that big, they quickly saw an opened room and the person or rather the NPC inside it. 

The Gatekeeper was sitting on his bed with a thick quilt on his lap.  He was looking outside the window of his room as if he could see something very important beyond it.  Just like what Filli said, the Gatekeeper was indeed looking rather depressed.  He had this sad atmosphere around him.  Like a cloud of dark storm. 

He didn't even look in their direction and just continued to gaze outside the window.  Even Luo Yan had an urge to look over there just to see what the other was seeing. 

Just what kind of drama those people from the gaming company responsible for making those task narratives put on this poor NPC?  He looked like he would croak and die of heartache any second now. 

Luo Yan walked over and took the initiative to show their presence and also greet the NPC.  "Gatekeeper," he said respectfully.

The Gatekeeper finally turned his head and looked at their direction.  And then, as if just recognizing them, his blank stare finally had some ripple in them.  "Noctis, Lord Qilin."

The Gatekeeper was about to get up but Luo Yan quickly rush forward to stop him.  "Gatekeeper, it's alright, you don't have to get up.  Filli already told us about your condition.  Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm feeling a lot better.  I'm sorry if I couldn't welcome you properly," the Gatekeeper said apologetically. 

"It's fine, Gatekeeper.  I think it's our fault for visiting you without notice when you're clearly not feeling well," Luo Yan said. 

"No, I know you're here for a reason," the Gatekeeper said, smiling at them.  "Where is Filli, by the way?  He should be here to at least give you tea or anything to drink."

"It's okay, Gatekeeper.  We don't mind.  Besides, Filli went out to buy ingredients so he could cook your favorite dishes," said Luo Yan, telling the other where Filli went.  "He's a good kid."

Although he was wondering why he was even saying this stuff to this NPC, he knew that the deeper he was in the narrative, the better the result would be.  Because saying the right keywords would move the 'plot' of the narrative forward. 

He then secretly glanced at the guy standing beside him.  Shen Ji Yun was standing straight with the same expressionless face.  He had long notice that whenever it was something that involved talking, it was always him who did all the work and the other only stood there like an immovable tower.

Not that he's complaining.  Aside from the fact that he was already used to it, he had also already accepted this part of Shen Ji Yun.  It even became something that he found adorable in the long run.  Besides, if he let this guy do all the talking, they might not be able to finish this kind of task as fast as they could if he was the one who did it.

[Mashter, why are you secretly glancing at Captain?] – Eclipse suddenly asked.  [Eclipse knows!  Is this the legendary 'look of longing'?]

Luo Yan almost choked in his own saliva when he heard that.  It didn't help that Dusk snorted at them disgustingly, surely hearing what Eclipse just said. 

He turned his head and looked at the little fox perched on his shoulder.  Now, more than ever, he was glad that Shen Ji Yun couldn't hear what Eclipse was saying.  Because if the other did, no matter how thick Luo Yan's face was, he would definitely feel embarrassed.  He was now truly dreading what would it be like once this little guy could turn into a humanoid form.

[Quiet, the adults are talking.] – he only said to Eclipse.

Eclipse then made a 'zipping up his lips' action.  As if telling him that he would be quiet from now.

"Yes, he is," the Gatekeeper with a smile on his face, responding to what Luo Yan said earlier about Filli.  "You and Lord Qilin must be here to tell me what happened to my wife."

The change in topic didn't faze Luo Yan.  He was even thankful that the narrative was finally moving forward.  "Yes.  We had discovered what truly happened to Finnea and also the real nature of her 'curse'.  If the Gatekeeper is ready to know the truth, then, I will tell you everything."

The Gatekeeper became silent for a few seconds.  He looked down and appeared like he was thinking about something.  After a while, he raised his head and said, "Please, I want to know the truth."

Luo Yan nodded.  Then he started to tell him the same thing that he told the leader of Crimson Corps.  As he went through the details of the event, the Gatekeeper's expression continued to change.  From surprise, to anger, to rage, to helplessness, and finally to sadness.  Just infinite sadness. 

It seemed like his condition became even worse after he was told of the truth.  The sick pallor of his skin became even more pronounce and he looked like he aged a few years. 

Luo Yan was actually waiting for some notification bell telling them that they had opened another hidden task.  But thankfully, after a few seconds, nothing like that happened.  He finally let out a sigh of relief.  It seemed that there wouldn't be another task for this chain quest like he was worrying about.

But now, he probably had to console this NPC so they could finally get the reward for this task.  He was about to prepare some speech, but before he could, Shen Ji Yun already beat him to the chase. 

"Don not despair.  Your wife loved you until the end.  She wouldn't want to see you in this state, especially once she knew that it was because of her.  As you said, you have a great kid.  Don't make him worry."

Luo Yan couldn't help but stare at Shen Ji Yun.  What suddenly came over him that he suddenly thought of giving a pep talk to an NPC?  Although kind of rough, it seemed to be quite effective the changing expression on the Gatekeeper's face.