Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Orichalcum (2)
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‘Monopoly is inevitable here.’
In any game, controlling and monopolizing hunting grounds was a given.
Sure, in games where lots of people played together, it might get you called mannerless.
But not in DAT, which was built around solo play.
‘Sometimes the NPCs even step in to enforce it.’
If Regin’s group hadn’t moved first, this book and its info would’ve gone to someone else.
Those who understood and could predict the Tower’s situation would’ve done just that.
Regin felt a bit more certain now.
“Well, if it weren’t for us, one of the big guilds might’ve snapped it up first.”
“Exactly.”
“Those guys stick together and monopolize hunting spots… Info’s no different.”
“There are probably guilds out there holding info we couldn’t buy. They’ll never let it go.”
Tower clears basically happened through competition.
There were lots of ways to get stronger than others, but hogging limited resources was highly effective.
Would people risking their lives—and their guild’s honor—to climb care about being called mannerless?
‘They can have the other info.’
Regin was the same.
Just one life.
For Regin, who planned to seize every chance to survive, certain info had to be secured at all costs.
Like the habitat of the golden banshees, key materials for top-grade scrolls.
“Golden banshee. That’s the important one?”
Seria asked when he kept staring at one page.
“Yes. Very important to me.”
“Got it. I’ll make extra sure this info doesn’t leak.”
“Haha, thanks.”
Regin chuckled.
The habitat itself wasn’t that rare.
What mattered was deducing how to take them down from it.
Until that got out, Regin needed to claim the golden banshees for himself.
“Well, it’s still a ways off. We need more time to reach the 15th Floor with our current strength.”
“Not planning to head straight up?”
“We should prep down here at least once. All three of us would struggle to hold out on the 16th Floor right away.”
He could probably puzzle his way to the 16th Floor.
But meaningful hunting there? No.
Surviving would be tough too.
Better to match levels and specs first, at least once. Regin convinced the other two.
“Still, things worked out, so prep might be easier now.”
“Easier prep?”
“Yeah. Did you see the rumors flying when we left the market earlier?”
“That one about the 15th Floor being fully cleared for real?”
“Yeah.”
The market had been skeptical that morning, but by the time their shopping spree ended, it felt confirmed.
Seeing these three buy up every scrap of 16th Floor info made others think something was up.
“Hmm. Would’ve been better if it spread slower.”
Regin shook his head with a smirk at Greg’s words.
“No. The kingdom’s making an official announcement anyway. They’re holding a festival in the west this week to celebrate him. Everyone’ll know then.”
“A festival?”
“Yeah. Heard it from Master Nuada.”
He’d hinted at it in a letter.
Not for nothing did people say he had great connections.
His master was Nuada, the sage even the kingdom treated like gold.
Players would soon know for sure about the 15th Floor clear festival.
“So it was bound to get out eventually.”
“Hmm. Prices on potions, armor, and such’ll go wild starting tomorrow.”
“Well, we bought what we needed already.”
Regin had spent half his cut on key materials ahead of time.
“And there’s profit to be made only at times like this.”
There was a reason he’d swept up 16th Floor info so noisily.
If he’d wanted to be discreet, he’d have bought it over days.
No need now.
With everything bought, it was time to shake the market.
Regin smirked at the thought.
He’d always enjoyed shopping like this while playing.
“Some items’ll drop in price unfairly. Merchants’ll think they’re useless on high floors and slash prices, even if they’re valuable.”
Preconceptions tanked certain items’ values. A chance to snag them cheap.
* * *
— 5 days until the First Wave.
Regin headed to a horse rental again, this time to travel.
Today’s target: a guild hall.
‘Time to swing by Phoenix. Manannan and Apelion should be there.’
Plenty more places to visit too. Having just one body was a drag.
That’s why the time-saving horse felt like a godsend.
“How’s the horse treating you?”
“Good. Sturdy guy. Mild temperament too.”
No spot to tie up near the inn, so he’d left it at the stable.
Like parking your car and grabbing it each morning back in Korea.
“Bellinga, right?”
“That’s him. Good memory? Decent bloodline on that one. Top stamina among my horses.”
“Hm.”
The owner boasted proudly.
Regin eyed Bellinga’s bright eyes, then asked casually.
“Sell him outright?”
“Buy instead of rent?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm… Not impossible. At the right price. But aren’t you an explorer?”
“Yeah.”
“You can’t ride inside the Tower anyway… Renting’s better, no? Unless money’s no object.”
The owner had a point.
No mounts allowed in the Tower.
For folks spending half their lives inside, outside travel wasn’t a big deal.
‘But that’s just now. When operating in the west, a horse could matter more.’
Regin stroked Bellinga.
Fed him hay, and the horse whinnied happily as he munched.
“Boss.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t sell this guy. Wait for me.”
“Planning to take him someday?”
“Yeah.”
“Heh. Figured he grew on you. Hit me up when you’re ready.”
Regin nodded with a chuckle.
“Won’t take long.”
Bellinga ran about 80 gold.
Matched Regin’s personal cut from the recent three-way split.
Steep for now, but caring for a horse took time and effort—fair enough.
Especially since he was well-bred and a strong runner, even by Regin’s eye.
‘Once I’ve got spare cash, buying instead of renting ain’t bad.’
Ihihing—!
Bellinga neighed cheerfully after the hay.
Regin had something to try with him before it got late.
‘Can’t bring living things into the Tower, obviously. But I’m different.’
His gaze drifted to the bracelet.
The moment he’d stored Hog inside the infinite inventory, he’d reevaluated it.
Not just for items.
Used right, he could skip Tower sections riding this guy.
* * *
A corner of Middle Street.
Straddling district borders stood a building.
Phoenix guild hall.
‘Built it fresh when founding the guild?’
Most structures here were wood, but this one was brick.
Not a remodel—new build fit better.
Meant plenty of startup cash.
‘Either the guild master’s loaded, or they had a big backer.’
Regin didn’t know Phoenix details.
A name-making guild in DAT, but no standout achievements.
Mainly due to infighting.
Had a guild master, but weak authority led to constant power struggles.
‘Just look at Elsilva and Apelion, who fought with me in the Witch’s Garden.’
You could tell from why they’d chased the Saint’s Sword.
Elsilva, losing the internal game, thought it’d protect his party.
“Still doesn’t sit right.”
Elsilva’s final battle flashed in his mind.
Seeing death at the end of that effort soured standing before the hall.
A flicker of regret or guilt hit him.
‘But his will lives on.’
Creak—
He pushed the door open.
What kept him from shame before Elsilva: saving Apelion here, holding his will.
Even handed him the Saint’s Sword with Manannan.
That final wish carried on, in a new way, to survivors.
“Anyone here?”
“New recruit?”
“No, here to meet someone. Phoenix member.”
“Someone?”
“Apelion in there now?”
“Apelion?”
The chubby guy at the door gaped at Regin.
“Oh…! You mean 4th Battalion leader?”
“4th Battalion?”
The number alone tilted his head.
Split into battalions? 4th didn’t sound high-impact.
“Impressive guy.”
“Huh?”
The chubby man’s next words drew a laugh.
“Eight battalions total, ten per. Apelion’s the first to jump from 8th straight to 4th.”
Thanks to Regin’s help, he’d rocketed up fast.
* * *
Vast plains linking west and east.
Regin led Bellinga there.
— Apelion’s usually out that way? Heard he trains.
Thick grass filled his view.
Bellinga galloped eagerly—air must be good.
‘Mana’s clean too.’
Opposite the murky mana in Tower 4th or 7th Floor’s Witch’s Garden.
Unpolluted soil, pristine grass and plants.
Refreshing ride even for mana-sensitive Regin.
— ……Still not enough…… though.
— Let’s…… try again.
Then it started—familiar voice from the pendant necklace.
Flexis pendant reacting meant Manannan nearby.
“Manannan.”
— Huh? Regin?
Direction spot-on. Voice sharpened.
“Training?”
— Was, but thinking of a break.
“Then once you’re done…”
— Nah. Me and Apelion’ll head your way.
Manannan continued, voice glad.
— Was waiting for you anyway, punk.
True to word, a flying carpet soon appeared midair.
“……”
Regin’s eyes twitched, despite liking Bellinga.
‘One of those, and who needs a horse?’
Suddenly jealous of the guy’s luck.
Snagged a golden apple day one.
Then a magic carpet next.
Ihihing—!
Bellinga neighed urgently, sensing Regin’s gaze.
Really just smelling Manannan and Apelion.
Crack—
Tied Bellinga under a big tree; Manannan and Apelion descended on the carpet right then.
“Long time.”
Both greeted warmly.
Regin nodded at the mana clump on Apelion’s bow—the Saint’s Sword.
‘Good to see ’em.’
But settlements came first.
He shook hands, lips curling faintly.
“Time for that talk we couldn’t finish back then.”
Not demanding cash now.
Still, better issue a receipt for the Saint’s Sword handover.
Keep them from backing out later.