Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Chapter 16: Reunion, and Encounter (5)
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On the way to the Senao Temple, I calmly sorted through my thoughts.
It seemed the Palao Order was limiting the number of entry-level players.
And what did that imply?
‘Quality over quantity.’
Palao had decided to go with a select few elites.
Amplifying a portion of the opponent’s possessed mana was on an entirely different level from simply handing out a technique or item worth a few thousand mana.
‘It’d be tough to hand out buffs like this unlimited to everyone.’
So, restricting numbers and focusing on cultivating elite troops made sense.
To sever that shadowy puppetmaster in Dongpae, materialization was a bare minimum requirement.
‘Honestly, it’s no easy feat.’
Not that I was bragging—it was an inference based on unofficial statistics.
There had been a poll in the community during server connection.
The post was titled something like, “Let’s Check the Average Player Level.”
‘Over four thousand participants.’
More than half of the community-using players had joined in.
That sample size was reliable enough.
Yet out of those four thousand, fewer than four hundred claimed they could materialize.
‘You can tell just by comparing Ethan and Yang Hye-won.’
Ethan’s mana operation proficiency was still under 30 percent.
Unlike me, who didn’t expend much mental energy transitioning from the haze stage to condensation.
Yang Hye-won had grasped the knack in a day or two, used it in real combat right away, and already hit 20 percent.
Considering the three-month gap between them, it was an absurd pace.
That’s why it was clear this wasn’t easy.
‘Handling mana depends more on talent than effort.’
In Dongpae’s ten-thousand range, maintaining materialization enough to cut those strings required talent.
In the end, Palao’s side was essentially declaring they’d cherry-pick the talented ones and shower them with benefits.
Of course, this was purely my speculation.
The Palao Order might have limited entry numbers for entirely different reasons.
I’d asked Hemar to confirm, but got no satisfying answer.
No need for disappointment, though. I knew someone who could give me a straight answer on this.
‘I’ll meet Rashar.’
As Palao’s apostle in name, she held a top-ten position in the order’s hierarchy.
She’d know far more than Hemar, who hadn’t received proper training.
‘First, check out the other orders’ temples.’
The first stop was the Temple of Humility.
Like the Palao Temple, it had casual sightseers milling about, so I didn’t stand out.
I quietly toured each order’s temple in the subdued atmosphere.
Then I realized one thing.
‘Why isn’t anyone leaving?’
Players were clustered in front of the world tree statue with the gate, not moving.
The ones around when I entered Bihal were still holding position—obvious enough.
Wondering if they couldn’t leave, I approached the arch.
Beyond the soldiers backing the world tree statue, a sizable crowd gathered.
From their attire, not Earthlings—all Bihal locals.
I scanned their faces as I stepped out through the arch.
‘I can leave just fine?’
Even more people outside than it looked from inside.
Curious and wary stares poured down on me openly.
Felt like a zoo animal—couldn’t help grimacing.
‘Maybe they’re staying in because this freaks them out?’
Perhaps leaving the safe zone felt too risky.
Glancing back at the players in the temple for a moment.
As I eyed the encircling Bihal locals, I stepped forward and spoke.
“Hey.”
I just wanted to ask where the Resistance headquarters was.
But the instant I opened my mouth, they all recoiled in a herd.
The crowd split around me like the parting of the Red Sea.
“…….”
What, was I contagious? That much?
Absurd—I let out a hollow chuckle.
Then I sensed a presence from behind.
While everyone backed off, this one crept closer until it brushed my thigh—a tiny kid.
Shorts and a baggy shirt, human-like enough.
But a tail swishing from its back and perky triangular ears atop its head were distinctly not.
Even its hair was striped in vivid patterns.
Clearly an Ain tribesman, the kid started circling me stealthily.
‘Cat-like.’
Its behavior screamed cat.
The orange-black stripes over head, tail, and ears evoked a tiger too.
The kid, with gray-flecked blue eyes, kept observing me.
I crouched down, activating mana detection I couldn’t use inside the temple.
“Huh…….”
I let out a hollow laugh because I couldn’t properly read the kid’s mana.
There was definitely mana there. But I couldn’t gauge its scale.
‘Filled proficiency to 100 on Earth and leveled it to 2…….’
And still unreadable?
I’d read Rashar without issue.
‘Does this mean it has more mana than Rashar?’
That would make this pint-sized observer stronger than Rashar.
‘Could be another reason.’
While I stood speechless, the kid kept circling and studying me.
Even poked me with a finger up close.
‘No fear at all?’
Innate high mana making it bold? The kid was fearless to a fault.
Knew where I’d been and what I’d done, yet came right up?
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I spoke.
“Hey, kid. Know where the Resistance headquarters is?”
The kid, sniffing my scent with its pink nose twitching, nodded readily.
“Yeah.”
No surprise it could talk—guess I’d shed a lot of common sense.
Exhaled long, scanned around—no guardian in sight.
Healthy adults were all treating me like plague and keeping distance.
Conclusion? This kid was my only option.
‘Just ask for directions.’
First time here, guidance would be ideal, but dragging a kid along wasn’t smart.
One wrong move, and I’d be labeled a kidnapper—ruin all plans.
‘Can’t be the first outsider arrested.’
With the kid obviously non-human, caution was key.
‘Better safe than sorry, right?’
So, I really just planned to ask for the way.
“Which way?”
But the kid watching me had other ideas.
Tilting its head, it blurted out.
“Follow me!”
“No, just tell me the…… hey!”
Before I could stop it, the kid bolted on short legs.
No time to think—I chased.
Unbelievable speed for a child’s run.
Already pulling way ahead.
Even hopping onto building roofs.
This superhuman sprint lasted about ten minutes?
The kid pointed at a spot.
“There! Right there!”
Exactly as remembered. The building I’d visited with Rashar to meet Greg.
Even at the destination, I stared down at the kid in confusion.
Tail curled question-mark-like, it grinned up at me.
The unplanned tagalong and what I’d just seen left me speechless.
“……Thanks. Head back now.”
Chose sending it off quick over chatting.
“No way!”
Problem was, it ignored me completely.
Short back-and-forth changed nothing.
Told it to go a dozen times; it refused a dozen times.
Tired of the pointless tug-of-war.
Decided to handle my business first.
Headed to the sole front gate for entering headquarters.
‘Can’t follow inside.’
It’d head back on its own.
As I neared the gate, two guards eyed me blatantly.
The kid, now trailing, peeked from behind my leg.
Clicking tongue inwardly at that, I addressed the guards.
“Excuse me.”
But before I spoke further, the iron-barred gate swung open.
“To meet Rashar Bennet…….”
Mid-sentence, gaze shifting there, I trailed off.
Before I finished, a carriage exiting the gate screeched to a halt.
“K?”
Then a familiar face popped from the roughly flung-open carriage door.
‘Heserma Libel.’
Of all people, why him.
Would’ve preferred Raoul or Lordwell.
‘That showoff streak seemed strong.’
Barely a few days’ acquaintance, but Heserma reeked of bluffing and flaunting.
The dramatics, the bragging about favors.
Not certain, but suspicious enough.
‘Not the welcoming type.’
No close ties for warm greetings—I gave a curt nod.
Unlike me, Heserma beamed.
“You’re here!”
“Long time.”
“How’ve you been?”
“Yeah, fine.”
“What brings you to headquarters…… Ah, to see the brigade commander?”
“No, here for Rashar Bennet.”
“Sir Bennet? He’s on leave, away at the moment…….”
“Leave?”
“Order business. Brigade commander’s swamped too.”
Not at the temple, so tried Resistance side—struck out.
‘Back to the temple?’
Stake it out there, bound to meet eventually.
‘Bit of a time sink, though.’
Tour Habon Castle instead, at least learn the layout.
Pondering options, Heserma spoke up.
“We’ve crossed paths by fate—care to dine at my estate?”
Had to consciously tighten my face to avoid frowning.
‘Estate…….’
That word recalled what Rashar told me before meeting Greg.
-Libel? Heserma Libel?
-Yeah, Greg Tembon’s sister married into the Libel Viscount family.
Heserma was the brigade commander’s nephew. Dine at his estate?
‘High chance of Temoria ties.’
School, regional, blood connections.
The universal trio anywhere.
No reason another world differed much.
“Thanks for the invite, but next time. Need Rashar first.”
Luckily, Heserma backed off at my refusal.
“Then I’ll escort you to Sir Bennet’s estate.”
Even offered to take me there himself.
‘He’s got an estate too, huh.’
Similar to temple—wait it out, meet eventually.
He’d return home after.
‘But better temple over needless entanglement.’
About to voice that conclusion.
A light weight climbed from my leg up waist, side, shoulder.
“I know that place too!”
Goddamn System