Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: Under the Shadow (3)
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“The general assembly is about to start soon... Before that, I have some words to exchange with Lily, so I’d appreciate it if you could step aside.”
It was a clear dismissal, and Fabian’s cheek twitched at that, but it stopped there.
There was no clinging pathetically or picking a fight with snide remarks—nothing so low-class.
“If that’s your business, then I’ll make way. See you.”
I narrowed my eyes, watching Fabian’s retreating back after his curt farewell.
The players in the direction he was heading were familiar faces to me as well.
‘Looks like the ones who attended the last gathering.’
Cello had given me the list of attendees despite not being there himself, so I could be sure.
What Fabian was doing right now was pointless flailing.
‘Meeting up off-server doesn’t automatically build strong bonds.’
Simple gatherings where you exchange pleasantries, cheer each other on, and pat backs to foster unity wouldn’t last long.
The game we were playing was real life-and-death stakes.
‘People who talk big mean less than those who actually help you survive.’
Those who didn’t realize that would die off on their own.
Of course, there were ways to speed up the process.
‘If it comes to it, I’ll invite them to the gathering and take them to a high-rank hunting ground.’
At the right moment, a group hunt to show them just how wide the gap had grown.
If that didn’t work, letting them die there would be the cleanest solution.
‘It’s as simple as not helping when it gets dangerous.’
I opened a few private chat windows and glanced at Lily, who stood rigidly beside me, before speaking.
“Something you wanted to say?”
When I asked why she’d come in person instead of using chat, Lily swallowed hard and said,
“I wanted to come thank you in person for what happened last time. Thanks to you, we recovered every last bit of Cretol before it hit the market.”
“The sniper probably had it worse than I did back in the States.”
“I’ve already thanked him. But I haven’t been able to properly thank K yet. The president specifically asked me to pass along his message since it was weighing on him.”
The mention of that heavy name alone was burdensome.
My eyes narrowed, wondering if they were trying to pressure me using the president’s name.
But before I could say anything, Lily pulled a flat box from her inventory.
“He can’t make an official announcement, but he asked me to convey his thanks on behalf of the nation.”
I hadn’t done it expecting a reward.
On top of that, I had no desire to get entangled with the U.S. government through gifts and favors.
‘In politics, neutral and untouchable is plenty.’
I had no interest in cozying up to any particular side.
That’s why I was about to flatly refuse the ‘token of appreciation’ Lily offered.
“We prepared this taking all circumstances into account, so please accept it graciously.”
The moment Lily opened the lid of the flat box, the refusal stuck in my throat.
A dazzling rainbow glow poured out from inside.
My eyes, already darting over the contents, had counted them in an instant.
‘Twelve.’
Inside the box Lily brought were a whopping twelve attribute stones.
Four high-grade, seven mid-grade, one low-grade.
My pupils trembled at the brilliant radiance emanating from the multicolored stones.
‘Absorbing all these would net me thousands of attribute mana.’
Securing attribute mana was the top priority for me right now.
The principle of maintaining minimal checks while keeping distance from politics.
And the benefits I’d gain from accepting them.
The two clashed head-on, freezing my expression.
With a slightly stiff motion, I looked up to gauge Lily’s face.
She seemed a bit tense, but nothing malicious stood out.
Still, I couldn’t take it at face value.
‘It’s too much for a simple thank-you gift with no strings attached.’
That quantity would require buying from multiple players.
‘The president’s side couldn’t supply that much mana themselves.’
In the end, they must have paid with Earth’s capital.
‘Auction prices for attribute stones have been climbing steadily.’
This was the natural trend even before I offered usage rights to the club members.
Attribute mana’s importance was starting to dawn on everyone.
Factoring that in, I couldn’t even guess the cash-to-mana exchange rate.
I alternated glances between the stones and Lily with complicated eyes, then blurted,
“From what you’re saying, it doesn’t seem like you’re offering this in exchange for the usage rights I proposed...”
“Yes, it’s purely a gift from us as a token of gratitude.”
“...You haven’t considered trading for usage rights? It’s not often you get cheap access to high-value skills or spells from the shop.”
“I’ll say it again—this is a thank-you gift. Prepared solely to express appreciation for what K did. Nothing more.”
I knew why the U.S. wanted to show thanks.
Unlike Korea, guns are legal there, so Cretol hitting the streets would’ve caused serious trouble.
Stopping that warranted gratitude, sure.
But my mind was too suspicious to accept it at pure face value.
“To avoid any misunderstanding... most of it was donated by our country’s players. They heard what K did and chipped in voluntarily.”
So accepting this wouldn’t indebt me to America.
Nice words, but my hand didn’t move easily.
‘You can’t take a rep from an organization chasing group interests at their word.’
I don’t trust people easily to begin with.
When it shifts from individual to organization, trust drops further.
Even so, after agonizing...
“...In that case.”
I accepted the ‘thank-you gift’ from Lily.
This might mean considering U.S. interests someday down the line.
I knew that full well, yet I couldn’t refuse.
‘If I don’t keep growing, there might not be a next problem to worry about.’
Principles and pride mean nothing when attribute mana is right in front of you.
Mana—regular or attribute—is always better in greater quantities.
That vast mana would be the source keeping me alive until this war ends.
“Please tell him I’ll put it to good use.”
My voice came out smaller, a twinge of embarrassment unavoidable.
‘Drawing a line so firmly before, only to snatch it up now—looks ridiculous.’
But better a shameless bastard than returning it.
“We’re the thankful ones.”
Was she really just here for the thank-you? Lily moved to leave.
But this time, I had business.
“Since you’re here, say hi. This is my party member.”
At my signal, Kim Yul beamed and greeted Lily right away.
“Hello! I’m Kim Yul!”
“Ah... Nice to meet you. Lily Evans.”
Lily glanced between me and Kim Yul for a moment before offering a handshake.
She tried not to show it, but couldn’t fully hide her surprise.
Me, who usually hid personal info first, introducing someone close—worthy of shock.
But it wasn’t impulsive.
‘The association is solidifying its position.’
While I focused on hunting and growth, the association gained presence.
Church officials contacted it immediately upon learning of Earth-Bihar issues.
Essentially recognizing the Player Association as Earth’s representative body.
‘It’s coordinating with governments too.’
To establish frameworks for player regulations and laws.
The association would grow bigger, so better to build familiarity with key figures now.
‘Tae-ho hyung-nim finds revealing his identity burdensome, so I only brought Kim Yul.’
Yang Tae-ho didn’t want to walk into the NIS himself, as it might restrict family visits.
- No need to walk in myself, right?
- I’ll lay low till they come knocking first. Tell ’em that.
I got it. If NIS approached, they’d contact his family about supervision.
With his wife recovering from surgery, no need to add worries.
‘Couldn’t prevent his appearance from getting known while with me.’
Fortunately, his real name wasn’t out yet, so I respected his wishes.
Kim Yul’s situation differed, so I brought him openly for introductions.
‘Young compared to association members.’
But having prepped for society early, I wasn’t too worried.
Sure enough, Kim Yul wielded his natural affability, chatting warmly with Lily in no time.
“If it’s okay, could you share your code name? Mind if I add you as a friend?”
“Oh, right, forgot. Search for K Junior or KJ.”
In that short time, they’d already friended each other.
Not entirely his usual self, though.
Normally, Kim Yul would’ve shared his code first and suggested friending before she asked.
‘A bit nervous?’
No big deal. Experience would smooth it out.
As Lily and Kim Yul conversed, players arriving for the assembly approached more easily.
Half the association execs were club members—plenty of familiar faces.
I got introductions to the new joiners too.
Exchanging words with the group gathering around me, I felt blatant stares.
Without looking, I knew Fabian was at the end of them.
‘He’s really trying.’
The chat was nothing special.
Just small talk about grabbing a meal after the meeting.
Fabian would know that. Silver badge meant he could overhear easily.
So why the inferiority complex reaction?
As I shook my head, an old man appeared at the conference entrance.
‘Yulia.’
It was Yulia Vermot, Palao Church’s top high priest in his ample priestly robes.
I rose slowly, and Yulia, scanning the room busily, spotted me right away.
Grinning like a child, he rolled up his long sleeves and waved enthusiastically.
The welcome was always a touch embarrassing, no matter how often.
Not my first time, so I bowed awkwardly.
Lario, entering with him, grabbed his hand and led him deeper inside.
Palao Church staff accompanying them took seats in the back one by one.
That marked the start of arrivals for the general assembly staff.
Soon after, a voice amplified by a magic tool filled the hall.
“The general assembly will begin shortly. Please take your seats. Once more: the general assembly will begin shortly. All attendees, please take your seats.”
Each church sent seven for the assembly.
With association personnel too, attendees neared sixty.
The meeting proper started a bit later.
“Shall we begin?”
Jose Volfrian, Temoria’s top high priest and chair, declared in a businesslike tone. The secretary nodded and said,
“We now commence the general assembly of May 22, Year 992 of the Opening.”
The rustle of papers filled the air as staff handled documents.
I straightened, opening the materials Lario had passed me the day before.