Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: For the Ultimate Scroll (2)
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"Long time no see."
"You called me sooner than I expected."
The restaurant on Middle Street had become familiar by now.
Freton was seated before a lavish spread of food.
"There were some internal matters to handle. Luckily, your schedule lined up, Regin."
"I was in the middle of packing, but something came up that I wanted to discuss with you anyway, Freton."
"Haha. Packing now, are you?"
"I had my own things to take care of."
Freton chuckled softly as he took a bite of food.
He definitely had an aura of presence, whether subtle or overt.
His white hair and sharp features played into it, but there was something unique about his vibe.
'Like the mafia bosses from the movies.'
Regin had never met a real one, of course, but he had a general idea of what they were like.
He knew the Delbach family operated in a similar vein within DAT.
'They keep their word. If they can't, they don't say it in the first place.'
Of course, anyone dealing with the Delbach had to honor their own promises too.
"For starters, I'd like a firm answer on that letter delivery from last time. Regin."
"Is this another delivery to Chimihi?"
"Yes. And there will be a few more in the future."
"Sure thing."
She nodded coolly.
Freton eyed Regin curiously, surprised by how readily she'd agreed—more easily than he'd anticipated.
"...Haha. I'm not complaining, but weren't you usually more cautious?"
"You handled my request to meet Zeke right away."
"So that's your way of calling it even?"
Regin smirked.
It was a probe, but who did he think he was trying to get something for free?
"For jobs like that, it seems like a good way to keep our business relationship going."
"Haha. No free rides, huh? I was hoping the next deal would be this straightforward."
"You mean the materials from within the 10th Floor, as per our last agreement."
"Yes. Name it. That's within the terms."
Freton fixed Regin with a serious gaze.
Whatever she asked for, he intended to uphold his promise.
"I need a Tomb Golem's core."
"Right, a Tomb... What?"
"A Tomb Golem's core. I know it can be obtained on the 10th Floor."
"That's... correct."
It was correct. It was a material obtainable within the 10th Floor.
But it was something entirely different from what Freton had expected.
"I never imagined you'd ask for a field boss's core. ...Haha! Well played. My mistake."
Freton gave a wry smile.
He felt like he'd been outmaneuvered.
"I did say no restrictions on the material... At least it's not an Orihalcon Golem."
"Can you procure an Orihalcon Golem core too?"
"No, that was a joke. As if. Even a field boss like the Tomb Golem is a shocker... The Red Portal boss is beyond even me."
"Too bad."
"...If Orihalcon were doable, I'd want one myself."
The Tomb Golem was practically the icon of the 10th Floor.
As a field boss, it represented that floor in every way.
Catching it wasn't easy, and its core had few uses, so few bothered challenging it.
'But it's exactly what I need right now.'
Normally, Regin would have gone up to the 10th Floor alone, smashed it, and taken the core.
The drop rate was decent.
If Regin hadn't bailed midway on that last expedition, he definitely would have gone for it.
'That's why dealing with Freton is so appealing to me.'
Items missed due to such variables became obtainable through him.
* * *
The conversation progressed quickly.
Freton nodded in the end.
It wasn't impossible to procure.
"But do you know exactly what that item is?"
"Haha. Worried I asked for something too tricky?"
"That possibility crossed my mind. Especially after that smile just now."
"Hmm."
They'd nearly finished eating.
Regin's lips curved upward without her realizing, at the thought of getting it without lifting a finger.
"There are many types of golems. The Stone Golems scattered around the 10th Floor are the most common."
These appeared not just in DAT, but in many games.
'Usually depicted as giants formed from stone, wood, or other natural materials clumped together.'
Stone Golem: rock giant.
Wood Golem: wooden giant.
Something like that.
"I've heard the Tomb Golem is made from corpses... and the earth they're buried in."
"Correct."
"Then it's exactly what I need. I require that kind of earth."
"...You plan to use the Tomb Golem's core to create graveyard soil?"
Regin shrugged.
She couldn't go into details.
The Tomb Golem's core had the property of gathering earth resembling graves around it, gradually growing larger.
'What do you say? "I'll store it in my inventory and use it as a pot for the Rafflesia."'
A flowerpot made from a Tomb Golem's core.
It was still a hypothesis, but Regin thought it worth trying.
She had vast experience playing DAT.
And since entering this place, she'd steadily visited the library and kept up her research.
"You mentioned entering again when the portal reopens."
"That's right."
"Then I'll hurry and procure it. I'll have it ready before then."
"I'll be waiting."
Regin looked at him with mild interest.
Even after learning the procurement difficulty, Freton showed no hesitation.
Aside from his initial surprise, he hadn't lost any momentum.
"Then it's my turn."
With a rustle,
Freton pulled a letter from his breast pocket.
It was obvious at a glance. A reply regarding the gold coins Chimihi had sent.
"Just deliver this to Lady Chimihi."
It seemed urgent.
That must be why he was willing to tackle the Tomb Golem core somehow.
'Using other Delbach personnel would be dicey—they're watched. Hard to find someone as reliable as me.'
It made sense why he wasn't choosing another explorer.
Freton knew Nuada, after all.
No one more trustworthy than his disciple, Regin.
"Go ahead, Regin. Tell me."
"Pardon?"
"What you want as payment for this delivery."
"Hmm."
"Though this time, I'll haggle after hearing it. Haha. I don't want to set limits, but you might ask for a dragon's heart next."
"...Haha."
Regin chuckled and pondered for a moment.
Materials from 10 floors or below.
The more the better, but requesting them through Freton felt underwhelming now.
'I can procure most things myself these days. Getting that rabbit's foot I never expected was huge.'
So something perfectly suited, like the Tomb Golem core she'd just mentioned, would be ideal.
After much thought, Regin spoke.
"One-Eyed Jack."
"Pardon?"
"Hire him as the Delbach family's official informant."
"...Pardon?"
The deal didn't have to involve items.
'I can now obtain tower items more freely. It just takes time.'
What Regin needed now were routes to things she couldn't get herself.
"I've heard the Delbach family excels at information. One-Eyed Jack said he wants in."
"Hmm."
"He begged me, and as a friend, I couldn't refuse."
"...A friend."
Freton smirked at Regin.
"Interesting. Can a few deals turn someone into a friend? For you, Regin."
"Of course."
"Haha! Does that make me a friend too?"
"Naturally."
Wouldn't want to leave him out.
Regin nodded.
"As long as the deals continue."
"..."
Freton stared at Regin for a long moment before speaking.
"Very well. But initially, when dealing with us, he won't have access to our higher-level intel."
"That's for Jack to handle."
Regin wasn't sure how big an informant he'd become.
But if he could trade Delbach information...
'I can grasp the families' perspectives and situations through him.'
She could only hope he'd grow into her new ears and eyes.
* * *
"We should've saved the meal for tomorrow after drinks."
"Nah, drinking's separate from eating."
After wrapping up with Freton.
Regin headed to the Fairy Haven tavern on Middle Street.
Klina, who had secured a table and ordered ahead, welcomed her.
"Bauman told you? That I was here?"
"Boland passed the message."
"Ah."
He'd actually gone to the Order Crafters' Guild first, but Boland relayed it.
Klina was waiting at the tavern.
"What if I hadn't come?"
"Hehe, I'd have drunk alone and left."
"Good thing you made it on time. I was craving a drink anyway."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Haven't had any since returning... starting to hit my limit."
"Not with your new teammates?"
Regin nodded.
She'd shared a little with Greg inside.
"Return ale's for sharing with you, Klina."
"...Wow."
Klina beamed proudly and grabbed her beer mug.
"That last return ale must've left an impression, huh, Regin."
"You bet."
She seemed to take real pride in her senior role.
Regin couldn't fully agree, but the return ale did hold meaning for her.
"It feels like proof you're back safe."
And a time to gear up for the days ahead.
'Now I get the NPCs.'
In DAT's early days, Regin had partied up and raised them together.
Some NPCs would booze nonstop upon returning from expeditions.
Focusing on her own character was demanding enough—babysitting drunken teammates was stressful.
'Had to hit the inn on weapon-upgrade day, and they're blackout drunk. Call for evening supply splits, and they're glued to the tavern... One reason I quit party-raising.'
Time shortage was the root cause.
"You've been busy. Lots to prepare?"
"A fair bit."
To not miss the expedition timing, prep had to wrap before portal opening.
Portals didn't vanish in a day, but max efficiency was key.
'Haven't even hit the black market yet, and it's this packed... After, it'll be nonstop.'
Sell items, buy materials.
Craft new scrolls through that.
If Freton delivered, revive the Rafflesia.
Plus check Greg's gear once over.
"Cheers?"
"Sure."
Regin reflexively raised her mug at Klina's words.
Whatever else,
She wanted to empty her mind, if only for this moment.
* * *
The next day, Regin visited the black market with Bauman.
High-demand goods sold fast, letting her snag all needed materials.
At the secret wall leading to the Nemede School gates, she found a package.
"Yours?"
"Seems so."
Regin's lips curved up. The item from Freton had arrived.
"Looks like I'll be holed up in the lab all day."