Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Poisoned Holy Grail (2)
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Just before signing the oath, Regin double-checked its contents.
'No issues here.'
He wondered if he'd missed anything, but it was exactly as he'd reviewed.
"Here's a semi-permanent signal device."
Once the oath was complete, Dylan handed over a processed mana stone.
Unlike the receiver, this one emitted a yellow light.
"If you have a report or need support, just infuse it with mana."
"So you'll send a carriage like today?"
"Haha, no. Coming to the capital every time would be a hassle. We'll station personnel at the Western City Hall to handle this."
It meant the city hall would deal with low-priority matters.
"If they deem further discussion necessary after receiving word from the city hall, then we'll send a carriage."
"Understood."
"Of course."
Dylan gazed at the mana stone as he continued.
"For emergencies, I've set it up so you can contact me directly. Triple the mana infusion, and it turns red, allowing a short message."
His gaze suggested trying it. Regin nodded and infused mana into the stone.
At first, it simply flickered yellow.
As instructed, when he tripled the mana, the light gradually turned red.
"So in this state, I can leave a message?"
"Correct. That sends it to me."
Dylan pulled out his own mana stone from his pocket. Regin's voice played from it.
—In this state, a message...
"It cuts off right there. The farther the distance, the shorter the message."
"Ah."
"Best to use keywords, clear and concise."
The function felt a bit limited.
It couldn't transmit long messages.
'Still, for a processed mana stone, the performance is impressive.'
Compared to Flexis's pendant, it held its own.
'If the pendant is like a radio with poor reception, this mana stone is like a pager.'
For urgent signals, using pre-set code words would make it more useful.
"As noted in the oath, the magic to enforce secrecy... we won't use it."
Dylan looked at Regin's group, his gaze conveying trust.
Somehow, it felt chilling.
...Violating the oath meant execution.
'He's that confident. Even if word leaks from us... he believes he can execute us and control public opinion.'
A spell to seal our lips would have been more reassuring.
"There's only one reason we skip the magic."
"It was a deliberate choice?"
"If you ever encounter Verdante..."
"Yes."
"...we might ask you to infiltrate their group."
This time, Regin nearly burst out laughing.
"Well, no pressure. Only if circumstances align."
What a shameless old fox. His smile made it even creepier.
'So this is how you get Stage 4 treasures.'
No wonder the reward seemed too generous.
Their goal was to make Regin's group infiltrate from the start.
'That's why no sealing magic.'
Spells existed to prevent certain words.
But skipping it anticipated contact with Verdante.
Can't converse with them if you can't say "Verdante."
'Shouldn't you mention this before the oath?'
This is why nobles are scary.
They reveal their true demands at the very end.
Regin barely suppressed a hollow laugh.
Still, he saw potential.
"If possible, we'll do it."
He'd played as a Verdante member about four times.
* * *
DAT was a game with considerable freedom.
Veteran players like Regin loved it for that freedom.
'The fun lies in creating the playstyles you want, within the system's limits.'
He chose Spell Crafter as the freest class.
Though other classes were plenty free too.
And the job selection was broad.
'Only downside: races fixed to human.'
The biggest gripe for a fantasy game—limited races.
You pick a job at start, get a preset character.
High in-game freedom, but restricted race and character choice.
[Live: Entering Verdante myself.]
One post excited veterans.
[Anyone know you can job-change to demon?]
You could become a demon if you wanted.
In a game where human play was standard... a post claiming race change.
'It caused an uproar. Like a wave hitting the community.'
On the way out after talking with Dylan, past plays flashed in Regin's mind.
Around year two of the game's release.
Regin was about to start Spell Crafter, so extra intrigued.
'Beyond entering Verdante's lair. First reveal of race-change play.'
The community had waves like DAT's lore.
Regin sparking the Spell Crafter boom was the second wave.
That demon post was the first.
ㄴ Not clickbait.
ㄴ Demon creation bait wasn't NPC-only?
ㄴ Demons? What about jobs?
ㄴ Job stays, race becomes demon.
Questions flooded.
Players rushed in, spitting mad at shattered norms.
ㄴ Can't hold back. Raging DAT tonight lol.
Curious players booted DAT and dove in.
Followed by race-change testimonials.
[Demon race change done. AMA.]
[No black sheep not in Verdante yet?]
[Verdante squad takes over here.]
[Wow, real talk with Igna makes me wanna date her.]
So what if it's roguelike.
Even if it led to game over, players had to experiment.
For a month, posts lined up: Verdante entry tales, demon traits.
'To join Verdante, one oath required. Prep for demon conversion.'
Known condition: Convert to demon within one in-game month max.
Arguably the biggest drawback.
Forced new build paths.
'Later, ways to cheat it emerged.'
Before Regin figured a trick.
'Others had no need to cheat, so I had to find it.'
Most felt no aversion to demon conversion.
From player view, little reason to refuse.
Demon mana amplified physical stats passively.
Eased gameplay alone.
Many thrived as demons.
'Unaware of the fatal flaw.'
Regin learned via three game overs.
A warrior char's futile death crossed his mind.
'Low-rank demons get countered hard.'
Died to higher demon without a scratch.
The sword in its gut still vivid.
'Demons have hierarchy. Verdante tackles towers... but Sixth Tower? Useless.'
High demons as Sixth Tower monsters.
Verdante's main goal wasn't conquering Tower Six anyway.
[Fuck. Just used as high demon promotion material. AMA.]
The first demon player's late update ended the first wave.
[Demons = no clear possible.]
Three months of research agreed. Regin concurred.
Low demons? Easy prey.
Poisoned holy grail.
Regin rated it that.
Inevitably succumb to the poison someday.
'So...'
Exiting the office building, heading central capital, Regin pondered.
'If entering Verdante, use the trick.'
No telling when.
But handy if it came.
Slosh—
Gazing at Peresian glow potion in his bag, Regin spoke.
"Food first?"
Needed to fill up.
At least those two could rest; Regin's day wasn't done.
'Lots to discuss with Preton.'
Done with Dylan. Preton next.
If right, a tough deal ahead.
* * *
"Amazing. Knew of a back-alley group, but..."
Fancier restaurant than Westside.
Prime dishes set, yet Greg stared blankly, fork untouched.
"...Damn. Scared I'll blab by accident. Can't tell Zeke either, right?"
"Of course not. Obviously."
The oath's weight hit hard.
'Seemed calm during oath, but more tense than thought.'
Now relaxed, hands trembled visibly.
While Regin eyed Verdante potential.
Greg's head ached over oath details too.
"Capital meal for once—let's eat."
"Yeah. But is food going in mouth or nose? Can't tell."
"Into your nose...?"
"Huh?"
Greg's spoon kept aiming at his mustache.
"How tense were you?"
Wiping it, Greg sighed.
"Damn. Called to capital sudden—thought good news...!"
"Haha. Reward on mission success, right?"
"Sure, but scared I'll slip up somewhere."
Unlike him, Seria stayed composed.
"Greg. Eat like that, I'll finish yours."
Seria snatched Greg's bowl.
"If unfair or unbreakable, Regin wouldn't oath us."
Seria stated firmly, eating on.
"Worried 'bout your mouth... but if you slip, I'll help."
"Really?"
"Yeah. If you permit."
"Permit granted! How?"
"If that word's coming, I'll cut your tongue."
Clean, swift fix from Seria.
Greg paled, shaking head fast.
"Nope. I'll watch my mouth."
Shock therapy worked. He steeled himself.
'Greg to Seria, then.'
Meal done.
Regin stood, telling them.
"Rest at nearby inn, or browse market."
"Hm. Gear to check anyway."
"Good idea."
"Seria, you need defensive gear too."
Seria nodded at Greg.
"He's right. Been feeling it."
Past memory flashed: one hit.
One strike from demon male crumbled her.
Low-floor attacks? She dodged.
Even hits, assassin jobs shed impact well.
"...Durability matters too."
Useless against demons or high-floor mobs.
Can't shed all hits—better tank some.
"Please handle it. Greg."
Greg's eye for weapons/armor solid.
"I've a negotiation."
Nape prickled.
Regin eyed the alley behind.
'Zeke.'
From restaurant exit, secret summons.
Meant letter to Preton delivered.
Waiting to guide.
"Might take long. After gear, wait at inn."
Braced for time.
But confident it'd end smiling. He walked.