The Arcane Exchange
“This is the manor where I stay.”
Fafnir led Kim Ganghan to the grand manor at the heart of the fortress center. “I work as a scholar. My goal is to compile the characteristics and habits of the various insects of the world, break down prejudice against them through research.”
“You’re doing good work.”
“Indeed. It’s unfortunate that others don’t understand it, but… well, it’s my fate.”
Fafnir looked around. “Now that I think about it, this manor is quite large, yet there’s no one around.”
“Humans are untrustworthy, after all. They always betray, and their words and thoughts don’t match.”
Fafnir gave a kind smile and sat at the desk. “Well, then, the items.”
“Here they are.”
As Fafnir unfolded the mantis materials, he thought, ‘First, selling the materials should be no problem. Then what?’
Fafnir was a scholar of entomology. Betrayed by those he knew, he earned the title of dark mage and, using insect control, attacked the kingdom. It should have ended at a rare or unique quest level. But while the major guilds kept passing work on to each other, the bug army multiplied in an instant. Sweeping through several cities in no time, they rose as a massive force hunting like locust swarms. They even waged a battle on the scale of the junior orcs’ war before it all ended. ‘It was a quest I only saw through, unlike Flush’s… I won, but I never thought I’d meet that villain right now.’
If I left them alone, the original scenario would have triggered an attack by the bug monsters. While Fafnir was debating how to handle it, the trade finished. “Here’s the payment. Everyone’s happy with the good materials, isn’t that right?”
“Thank you.”
You have acquired -8 gold 50 silver 78 copper.
“Ah, the carapace of the giant mantis… even in death it has come to me…”
Tears spilled from the sunken eyes of Fafnir. “Whether alive or dead, insects are beautiful. They leave behind this tough exoskeleton and feel the life stirring in them.”
“…”
“The overflowing vitality and the body that has evolved without hiding anything… it’s incomparable to the human form.”
As Fafnir praised the insects, he chuckled. “I kept you waiting too long. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Then, could you perhaps do one more favor? If possible, I’d like to bring back a live giant mantis… the amount will be more than enough.”
“That’s…”
Fafnir shook his head at Fafnir’s proposal. “Sorry, but I have other busy work. It will be difficult for extra tasks.”
“Ah, is that so? How disappointing.”
Fafnir’s face darkened noticeably. At that moment he added, “Instead, if I later find other insect or plant samples, I’ll bring them to you, how about that?”
“Oh! Will you really do that, adventurer?”
Adventurers inevitably wander the whole world. Bringing back mysterious insects from every region would be an offer Fafnir couldn’t refuse. “Yes, on the condition that Fafnir also answers my questions and requests sincerely.”
“Of course.”
📍 Location: [Byron City]
🎁 Reward: Fafnir’s favor increased by +3.
“Oh, and this is a token of my appreciation.”
◈ The ultimate bait. Monsters and other insects alike cannot stand the taste of this creature.
“This is… what is this?”
“As you can see, it’s a Rune Pattern Caterpillar. It’s the best bait possible; not only insects but all monsters refuse to eat it. It will help when I meet new friends.”
If such a bait existed, it would be a huge help in attracting insects. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do. Thanks to you, my research is advancing greatly.”
“…”
In the end Fafnir had not beaten Fafnir. As he left the manor, he thought, ‘That NPC… it seems there’s something wrong with him.’
He looked ordinary on the surface, but talking to him gave an uneasy feeling. Still, he couldn’t draw a weapon right now. ‘A villain who will cause trouble later, but he hasn’t committed any crime yet. And he’ll probably help in various ways.’
Fafnir was thinking of using insect control in addition to summoning demons. If he could summon insects with good effects, Fafnir’s knowledge would be of great help. ‘Moreover, if used well, I could even break the foundation of that Flush guy.’
Fafnir grinned and looked for the carriage he was about to leave on. Then a thought crossed his mind. ‘Could he really be charging toll for the return trip?’
It was a plausible possibility. Just like paying toll twice when traveling back and forth on the highway! ‘That would be too stingy, so I need another way.’
What to do… while Fafnir was pondering, a good idea struck him. ‘Yes, that should work.’
The Kingsman Guild was a fairly successful guild. With two thousand members, it had five guild houses and could mobilize at least ten billion in cash. Behind it stood the Black Robe Guild. It was one of the top three guilds in the Korean server and an ultra-giant guild with over one hundred thousand members. As a subsidiary of such a guild, no other guild could touch the Kingsman Guild. Having created such a backer, the Kingsman Guild immediately took control of the Flamehearts Fortress area. The reason? Simple. There was a hunting ground around them called the “honey of all honeys,” the Troll Hunting Ground. Especially this hunting ground was better than the others. Because it was open ground, trolls whose specialty was ambushing from the forest could be caught on land. They had to pay thirty percent of monthly profits as management fees, but the value was sufficient. ‘The hunting ground of such a guild would be full of people.’
The members of the Kingsman Clan who chased the trolls every time they respawned at the proper interval! Fafnir bypassed them and headed to the place. ‘They say games are meant to be enjoyed, yet even there they control everything?’
He could just slip away, but for some reason his stomach twisted. Moreover, there was no connection to the original protagonists or named players. The Kingsman Guild appeared slightly in the original novel and then disappeared. In other words, it was an extra character. ‘Let me see how it tastes.’
Once he hooked the caterpillar on his rod and reeled it in, a reaction came immediately. Black Rune Chisel Tigers and Mist Giants, level 200 monsters, chased him straight away! Fafnir entered the Troll Zone while in that state. “Eh, eh, eh?”
“What the?!”
The Kingsman Clan members who were hunting received a lightning bolt. Some swung magic or weapons, but one “meow punch” from the Chisel Tiger and they froze. “What crazy…”
“These monsters are monsters!”
“Aaaaah!”
“Guild Master, the raid team, the raid team… gurk!”
The Kingsman Clan members collapsed unable to do anything. If that many died, there would be errors in the guild’s control. ‘This is a tip.’
Gold and items fell everywhere. Fafnir picked up a few while in confusion. “You have acquired the Troll Leather.” “You have acquired 1 silver 25 copper.” “You have acquired Royal Army Medium Armor (Normal).”
‘The earnings are surprisingly good, considering.’
But it was dangerous to stay too long. The noise from strong monsters was attracting more monsters, and among them he saw a few similar to the ones he had lured. ‘I should go soon.’
Fafnir entered the fortress. As expected, numerous players were running out. “1 trillion, 2 trillion, advance! 3 and 4, connect quickly! Emergency!”
“Hold on no matter what, I’ve requested support from the Black Robe Guild!”
The executive players, their faces almost in tears, were giving orders. “Troll Fat, gather the Troll Fat!”
“You go! I’m running away!”
Valuable Troll Fat barrels spilled onto the floor. Considering one barrel was worth ten million won, the loss would be huge. ‘I want to gather more, but I’ll get caught up too.’
Fafnir turned his body without hesitation. ‘Then shall I go now?’
Now was truly the time to return.
You have entered Byron City.
Byron City, which Fafnir had returned to after a long time, felt much more lively than before. This was thanks to the growing popularity of Horizon, which had drawn more new users. ‘There are really a lot of people.’
The hunting grounds and fields around the city were filled with people. It looked like the beach at Haeundae in summer! ‘Games are like that. The more they try to control, the more problems arise.’
Fafnir weaved through the crowd and headed toward the slums. Since most were gathered in the bustling area, by the time he reached the Necromancer Guild it had become quite deserted. “Are you there?”
Entering the guild, a chilly air greeted him. At that moment. Clink! A Skeleton Soldier lunged at Fafnir’s back. “……”
Fafnir, startled, blocked the attack and summoned a Skeleton Soldier. The moment the blades clashed, 1 and 2 attacked the Skeleton Soldier from both sides. Clink! Clang! The two Skeleton Soldiers quickly subdued the enemy. A moment later, clapping sounded from inside. “Wonderful, my disciple. You have become much stronger in that short time.”
A man in a rat-like robe stepped out. Guld. A Necromancer over level 450 and Fafnir’s mentor. “I heard the rumors. You repelled the orcs in the capital, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“You did very well. Thanks to you, I can walk the streets these days without worrying about my back. A few more Necromancer hopefuls have even started coming.”
“Necromancer hopefuls came? Um…”
Necromancers had been a romantic job for a long time. Summoning and commanding skeleton and monster legions, they were like kings! Until now people had lost interest in Necromancers due to the bad information, but with Fafnir’s rumors spreading, people were returning. ‘I feel a little sorry for those people.’
They were probably suffering from the broken Skeleton Soldiers they had been hit with. ‘I didn’t force them to choose the job.’
It was their choice. Don’t back down and endure! Fafnir had nothing else to say. “So, what brings my disciple here after so long? I have a feeling I know, but…”
Guld continued with a chuckle. “Every time you memorize mantras or accumulate dark mana in your body, you feel a wall in front of you and that you’re preparing to cross it on your own.”
“Yes.”
“That’s correct. The wall is getting closer, so your body instinctively reacts. One hundred levels in Horizon is considered a kind of ‘realm.’ Just as people say ‘Sword Expert’ or ‘Master,’ they mean the level has risen.”
Master skills. It was finally time to learn skills beyond the one-hundred-level limit. “Normally I would have you take the test to qualify, but… you are my disciple, and seeing what you did in the capital proves it.”
📍 Location: [Byron City]
🎁 Reward: Master’s Trial Quest cleared.
“It’s still not enough.”
“You are even modest. Keep being like that. That modesty will protect your life.”
Guld said that and unfolded a catalog. “Now, at last, it is time for you to choose your master skill.”
The story continues in the web novel “I Became a Necromancer Villain in a Game Novel.”
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