Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Those Preparing for the Wave (5)
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"Want to have a drink together?"
The house owned by the Delbach family.
In that dark place where no candles had been lit, Regin was lost in thought alone.
Just how much did the kingdom know, and what did they still not know?
As Regin pondered alone, Jack handed him a bottle of liquor.
"It's liquor from the north. It tastes good, but more than that, the scent is clean. For something with such high proof, it goes down remarkably smooth."
"Hmm, pour me a glass for now."
He decided to accept a light drink.
Since yesterday, he had been racking his brain nonstop, so he needed something to cool his head, even if just a little.
As long as he regulated it well with mana, he could enjoy the buzz without losing his mental clarity.
'It's similar to vodka.'
The high-class liquor Jack had offered suited Regin's taste as well.
True to the north's reputation for harsh, cold weather, it had a flavor reminiscent of vodka.
According to him, people in the north carried bottles of this stuff around and drank straight from them.
"This is totally Russia..."
"Russia? What, a woman's name?"
"It's nothing. More importantly, if what you say is right... the north is currently under the kingdom's control."
"That's my guess."
He really did have sharp instincts.
'It wasn't for nothing that I said he had a point.'
There were three major factions in DAT.
The royal family that unified this continent and the groups opposing them were the primary divide.
'The royals hold one pillar, and the opposing forces are split into two.'
First, there were those within the kingdom who eyed the royals covetously.
They were people like the Delbach family, hiding in this city and moving like shadows.
They hadn't united yet, but they were scattered 'political anti-kingdom factions.'
'On the flip side, there's a faction inside the portal opposing the kingdom.'
They were dissatisfied with the rules and laws the kingdom had established.
Groups united by a desire to freely use black magic and various devices.
They were the 'back-alley group' they had encountered this time.
'The back-alley guild is also largely divided into two factions, but the Serpah side doesn't really need much attention.'
It was a future event, but ultimately, Verdante led by Ignar would seize control.
They might even be the group Regin needed to worry about most.
'They're the ones who summon the Sixth Tower.'
DAT's final phase.
The followers of that Sixth Tower, where demons and the Demon King Chrome appeared—something never seen before—were Verdante.
In other words, the opponents Regin had prepared for up to now and would face going forward... were Verdante and the demons of the Sixth Tower.
[What the hell is the Sixth Tower?]
Even the veterans here would stagger badly once.
That was when the event called the Second Wave occurred, shifting the game into its final phase.
'In terms of time, it's over two years away...'
If he didn't prepare each step properly, it would be easy to collapse entirely.
There was no guarantee variables like this one wouldn't arise again.
'There might be things I'm overlooking.'
That was why he had planned to gather 16th Floor information together with Greg and Celia today.
He needed to react more sensitively to variables from now on to safely pass both the First Wave and the Second Wave.
Only then could he barely survive.
"Since you said I had a point, let me say this."
"Yes."
"It just doesn't make sense. Why on earth is the kingdom occupying the north?"
From Jack's perspective, who didn't know him, everything was bound to be confusing.
His brow furrowed as he explained his current frustration.
"You don't need to overthink it."
"Huh?"
"It's easier if you just think the kingdom has secrets we don't know about."
"...That's even more complicated. Anyway, did you predict all this?"
"No, I had no idea."
Honestly, Regin didn't know much about the north's situation either.
"I grew up in the west and have never been to the north. I've never even entered the kingdom proper, so how could I know?"
"That makes sense. But your expression and demeanor make it seem like..."
"Yes?"
"Rather than being surprised or shocked, you look intrigued."
"No way."
"Look at this. You were the one who sensed something off and sent me north in the first place, and you're smiling even in this situation, aren't you?"
"Me?"
Checking his face reflected in the window belatedly, his mouth really was curved upward.
It seemed that as parts he hadn't grasped in the game or unexpected movements emerged, the emotions from that time had revived in Regin without him realizing.
The feelings from the period when he had relentlessly studied the game to understand DAT better.
If that hadn't been fun, he wouldn't have come this far.
"It is interesting. I'm curious about who's controlling the north and why."
"...You've got guts."
"Haha, that's not something the guy who stole the flower should say. What if you got caught?"
Jack wasn't ordinary either.
Hadn't he brought back a flower just in case physical evidence was needed?
It meant he hadn't planned to convince Regin with just the Link Eye.
"Well, don't head north for a while. They might notice the flower is gone and start searching."
"Good thing. The north is too cold. As you can see, I'm pretty skinny."
"Stretch it a bit, and you look like skin and bones."
"Yeah. I was shivering the whole time."
"You've had a hard time."
Toss. He handed over 5 gold.
It was payment for handling the job perfectly.
Hadn't he brought back exactly the information Regin wanted?
"Is it really okay to take all this...?"
"Haha, take it easy. Why are you being so suspicious while pocketing it?"
"Of course!"
The original proposed price for the info was 3 gold. The amount Regin had offered Jack here last time.
He had given a full 2 gold extra, so from Jack's view, it was good but unsettling.
"There's definitely a reason you're giving me 2 extra gold."
"...Haha."
"See? Every time you smile, my heart skips. I wonder what ridiculous thing you'll ask this time...!"
"Hmm."
Regin chuckled.
He had indeed requested a lot of information that would be hard for a single citizen to dig up.
Even if Jack was an info broker tempered by the black market, such things could feel intimidating.
"I wouldn't have asked if you couldn't do it."
"What?"
"You did great this time too."
But he didn't seem the type to botch a difficult job out of pressure.
Regin thought he might even be suited for risky work like this.
Through two info deals already, Regin had gauged Jack's temperament.
That was why he rated him as a highly useful info broker.
"And now you're not alone. You've got the Delbach family behind you."
"...Damn. So you recommended me to the Delbach family to use me easily?"
"Is that bad? Belonging to the Delbach family and handling various info."
"...Of course it's good! That's why you're even more devious! You seem to know exactly what I like."
Regin nodded, hiding his smile.
He really was quick on the uptake.
'I should definitely bring him along.'
He planned to work him for the value of that 2 gold, after all.
* * *
Jack looked at Regin with a strange expression.
Compared to his days wandering the black market, bearing a great family's name felt entirely novel.
The feeling of being recognized as useful was something Jack, who had been labeled a 'bottom-feeder' his whole life, couldn't give up.
"You're not saying anything, which makes me more anxious. Be honest. What are you going to ask me to do?"
Regin smiled leisurely and continued.
"Before we get to that, let me give you a bit more service... Have you heard? The western raid party has returned."
"What?"
"They fully cleared the 15th Floor. They came back just yesterday, and there's a major announcement planned for today."
"...Is that true?"
Jack had spent about a week holed up here.
He had no way of knowing this info, and sure enough, he stared at Regin in shock.
"It's insane... I thought the 15th Floor would fall eventually, but now that it has, I can't believe it."
"There'll be a festival on Sunday. It'll be a huge uproar."
"Hmm."
"Preton probably got this info yesterday too, and he'll share it with his informants."
"Then that day will be the West's festival. It's what they've longed for."
"Yes. They'll probably invite nobles from other regions soon after. Once they break past the 16th Floor and up."
"They have to show off after reclaiming first place."
"Exactly."
Regin nodded and pulled out 3 more gold.
"And today, go wash up clean at the bathhouse and get a suit tailored."
"A suit...?"
"Yes. Like I said earlier, there's a merit announcement and festival that day."
"What's that got to do with a suit?"
"I need you to accompany me a bit."
"...What?"
Jack's eyes wavered.
The money this guy handed over always left a bitter aftertaste.
"It's nothing much, but if I have to move during the festival, just come with me."
There was a reason for paying 2 extra gold for the info.
There was a reason for giving 3 gold to spruce him up too.
'I have plenty more use for Jack.'
Sensing the situation, Jack fell into thought.
"Damn. Getting tangled with you always leaves a bad taste. Totally reluctant."
"Oh, right. After washing up, send a telegram to the Delbach family. Say you'll bring some useful info for the weekend festival."
"...Hmm."
"The Delbach family will recognize you quite a bit. If you bring good info."
At Regin's continued words, Jack had no choice but to nod.
Since the Delbach family had contracted to use Jack as one of their informants, he did want their recognition.
"Information brokers stay competitive by securing it fast. And by taking the initiative."
Exactly as Regin said.
Competent informants didn't just do assigned tasks.
They built their own lines and didn't miss the info that came through them.
That was what Regin was asking Jack.
Didn't he want to be that kind of informant for the Delbach family?
Jack finally nodded.
"Damn it. Fine... Stop smiling like that. It makes me feel like a pawn on your chessboard."
"Like this then?"
When Regin raised his mouth higher, Jack sighed and shook his head.
"Just don't smile. Your smiles are hard to read. Like Preton the family head."
"...Not that bad, is it?"
"It is."
"Right?"
I'm not on the level of Preton, the guy rated as the most two-faced in this DAT.
As Regin thought briefly, Jack continued.
"You're worse than Preton the family head."
"..."
"Keuk. What? That completely unexpected reaction?"
"Hmm..."
"Whatever you think, it's a compliment to me. Even with my Link Eye, there aren't many people I can't read."
"Well, I'll take it as a compliment then."
"Yeah. Anyway, I'll get ready and head to Middle Street. Meet at the plaza."
"Got it."
"Being used isn't exactly fun... But honestly, I'm a bit excited too."
"Excited?"
"When something this good happens, people unwittingly spill important info. Plenty will be drunk off their asses."
"Ah."
Tap tap—
He tapped his eyepatch and continued.
"For someone with Link Eye like me, it's a prime chance to snag secrets people hide tightly."
Regin tilted his head and looked at the vodka-like drink in his hand.
"No way..."
"Hey! What do you take me for? That was genuinely because of your expression. It was this weird look—not smiling, not worried...!"
"Hmm."
"I don't even want to peek into your head. It's so noisy in there, it'd make me puke."
Jack, who had offered the liquor in good faith, shouted in injustice.
Regin chuckled and nodded.
Good thing. His useful informant hadn't betrayed his trust.
"Anyway, see you in three days."
It'd be a waste to kill him off right from the start.
* * *
"...What if both of you come back drunk after saying we'd check all the info?"
In the afternoon, on Middle Street, Celia shook her head as she looked at Regin and Greg.
During this rare gathering time away from the kingdom, the smell of alcohol wafted from both of them.
"There was a lot to think about."
Regin immediately handed Greg a scroll, then tore it together with him.
"It's a Rank 2 purification spell. It'll get rid of the hangover."
He had enjoyed the buzz briefly, but now it was time to focus again.
He had to make the most of the remaining time efficiently.
"Today, we're sweeping up every bit of info on the market about the 16th Floor and above. Even if it's pricey, we'll buy it."
As Greg began to sober up, Regin continued.
"From now on, we're controlling and monopolizing all that info."