I have an Apocalypse City

Chapter 577: Chapter 577 Servant

“A noble title?” Song Jian was taken aback. Knowing that for players to acquire a noble title in the game was incredibly difficult, even impossible at the current stage.

On one hand, the NPCs in the game were amazed at the potential of the players and respected them greatly. Ordinary citizens even regarded them as nobility, offering them greetings when they met.

On the other hand, the real nobility were on their guard against players, considering them no more than brawlers, hardly different from the mercenaries in the Mercenary Guild.

Until now, let alone noble titles, there were even very few players who had become knights within the game.

The knights in this context weren’t player’s profession, but rather a rank.

For example, in the game, the person who owned a city would automatically be given a duke’s title, like the Blood Queen or Lai Yin. By the way, the Blood Queen title of Onikxia was self-proclaimed. She should actually be known as the Blood Duke, as she only had a duke’s title and had no right to be called a queen.

However, she had taken the moniker Blood Queen for herself. Many people, including players, had grown accustomed to this name. But among true nobles, they scorned her actions and not a single one acknowledged her title.

Following the rank of duke were marquis, count, viscount, baron, and then knight. Knights were essentially in reserve for the nobility, but even then, becoming a knight was an incredibly difficult task.

Yet now, Song Jian had jumped straight to the title of viscount, which was simply unbelievable to others.

“In the city, you will have a mansion of three hundred acres, you will have the right to assemble your own private army, the number of which cannot exceed three hundred men. You can create your own family insignia, and…” Suravi was detailing to Song Jian his rights and responsibilities upon becoming a viscount.

System: You have completed the third cycle of the epic task and have performed perfectly in the process, earning the praise of City Lord Lai Yin;

System: The City Lord of the City of Sin, Lai Yin, has appointed you a viscount. You now have the title of “Viscount”.

System: You have become the first player in the game to obtain a noble status, awarded a level up.

A light radiated from Song Jian. He had just reached level 27 but now instantly advanced to level 28. The additional skill points were used on Broken Wing Dance. The fourth level of Broken Wing Dance significantly increased the damage, and the control range of the final strike also increased slightly.

Conferring the viscount title was a very significant matter for the nobles of the City of Sin, and usually would require a grand ceremony. However, since the city lord was in ill health, a simple ceremony was chosen instead.

The next day, Song Jian left the City Lord Mansion for his own estate. The epic-level mission had not ended. Although he had completed the third cycle, the fourth cycle had not yet begun. Song Jian could only wait patiently.

The City of Sin was lively during the day, remaining unaffected by the combat that had taken place in the sky above the City Lord Mansion two days ago. The only difference was that there were more soldiers patrolling the streets than usual.

Walking down the street, Song Jian’s first impression was that the city was incredibly crowded. Players typically didn’t loaf about in the streets; most of them were out of the city, leveling up by battling monsters or going to the Mercenary Hall for quests. Even when they appeared in the streets, they would be hurrying to their destinations.

The NPCs and the shops and stalls lining the street were more plentiful here. The noise of haggling, hawking, and soliciting was cacophonous, but it also gave a sense of peace when one was immersed in it.

Many NPC adventurers in armor were arguing with the vendors, their faces turning red, yet once the transaction was completed, they embraced like old friends, patting each other on the back.

“This is almost like a real-world marketplace.” Song Jian thought while walking and observing, “No, it’s even livelier than a real-world marketplace.”

After all, in real-world markets, Song Jian had never seen members of the Alien Clan, Goblins, Beastmen, Half-beastmen, Jackalmen, or the Gill-faced Fishmen Clan. In this city, they were accepted just like humans. They weren’t discriminated against but rather welcomed for the unique resources their races bring.

Song Jian saw a stall owned by a member of the Fishmen clan swarmed with people, as they vied for a fist-sized pearl.

“Esteemed god-favored one, is this your first time in the City of Sin?” Song Jian’s relaxed and curious demeanor drew the attention of many, including a small boy with a pair of beast ears, who squeezed out from the crowd, bowed before Song Jian, and with a flattering smile, asked, “Sir, do you need a guide? I grew up in the City of Sin and I’m familiar with every inch of it. Plus, my rates are the cheapest.”

“Do you know how to get to Champs Elysees Street?” Song Jian asked.

“Champs Elysees Street? Of course, it’s the most famous street in the City of Sin. Those who live there are all of noble status!” The small boy looked Song Jian up and down, responding with surprise.

“What’s your name?” Song Jian questioned, eyeing the boy’s pair of beast ears.

This was a human with Beastman lineage. These half-beastmen would often die prematurely if they were in other places. Humans rejected other races and saw these Beastman-blooded humans as monsters. In many places, Song Jian would rarely encounter members of the Alien Clan, just as in the City of Hymns.

“Suoen, my name is Suoen, sir!” The boy’s heart lifted upon seeing he might get his chance at some business.

“Sir, it will only cost you twenty Doomsday Coins to hire me as your guide to Champs Elysees Street. I can assure you, I will take you there via the fastest route,” Suoen confidently promised.

“Alright, I’ll entrust you with that then.” Song Jian nodded and smiled. A look of joy appeared on Suoen’s face as he led the way.

After weaving through the crowded streets and even forcefully pushing away a couple of pickpockets approaching Song Jian, Suoen led him to a road crossing after half an hour.

This location was much more tranquil compared to other places, but the surrounding streets were noticeably wider and the buildings were arranged more methodically, in stark contrast to the disordered and chaotic areas he had previously seen.

“Sir, this is Champs Elysees Street. If you follow this road, you will find the famous Mandel Auction House,” Suoen replied regretfully. “However, people of my status are not permitted to enter Champs Elysees Street. I can only take you this far.”

Song Jian nodded and handed him fifty Doomsday Coins. Suoen was a clever kid, and on the way there, he shared several rumors about the City of Sin. He seemed to know every bit of street gossip and even revealed to Song Jian several places frequently visited by players.

“What an interesting little fellow,” Song Jian muttered under his breath.

While watching Song Jian walk down Champs Elysees Street, Suoen held onto his fifty Doomsday Coins with a conflicted look on his face rather than leaving. After a pause, he suddenly ran toward Song Jian, calling out as he did.

“Sir, sir! Do you need a servant? I grew up in the City of Sin, and know it like the back of my hand. I can definitely be of help.”

Song Jian paused, turned around, and looked at the panting boy before him, a playful smile playing on his lips.

…