Chapter 154
Chapter 154
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Demon
Demon.
Whoever dared to touch our clan needed to be punished right away.
The guild master usually tried to mediate, but whenever possible, we handled the punishment at the clan level.
But right now...
'The guild master's tied up.'
Requesting mediation at a time like this would just drag things out and make them annoying.
'Absolutely not because I want to test out the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.'
I stood up and checked on Finn's condition.
He was pretty badly hurt, but it wasn't life-threatening.
It was almost like they'd beaten him down as a warning.
'He's level 4, and he took that much damage...'
A fairly high-level player might've picked a fight on purpose.
In other words...
It could be a trap.
If no level 7s suddenly showed up—or anyone higher—I could smash right through it.
But I needed to gather some intel first.
"Yuseong, calm down first...!"
Glasses cried out like he was screaming.
Looking closer, his face had gone deathly pale—he seemed genuinely panicked.
'Whoops.'
I must've unconsciously triggered the Overlord Gift.
The people around us didn't look so hot...
'Not because of me.'
Cheong Yurang, standing beside me, was glaring at Finn with ice-cold eyes.
"How dare they lay a hand on my lady's clan. That bastard's got guts spilling out his belly."
She hadn't even joined yet.
But her fury was a good sign for the clan members, so I didn't stop her.
Still...
"Calm down first, Yurang."
"...Understood."
At my words, Cheong Yurang reined in her killing intent and stepped back.
Her eyes conveyed respect for my will.
-Treating my husband like an emperor is only natural. Just practicing.
...It had to be my imagination, her suddenly speaking so formally to me like that.
For now...
'I need to figure out who jumped him.'
I pulled a potion from my Hidden Space, sprinkled it over Finn, made him drink some, then let him rest.
"We need to know who attacked you."
"First off, everyone pairs up in groups of three or more. If you're heading out, tell the other clan members."
"Most folks live in the clan guild anyway, so no issue there—but if you've got family in the Cradle, bring 'em here right away."
Following the emergency manual I'd prepared just in case, I headed outside.
Cheong Yurang started to follow.
"Sorry, but Yurang—stay here and watch over the others."
"...Got it."
She looked a little miffed, but she listened, which was a relief.
The other clan members might not get it, but for a thief like me, moving solo was way more convenient.
'If I had to bring someone, it'd be Yurang—she matches my style best.'
Without me, she might've gone down the thief path herself. Made sense.
I erased my presence and slipped out of the clan hall.
'...First, find where Finn got jumped.'
Tracking him down was easy.
He'd left traces all over on his way back to the clan building.
I followed them and soon reached the attack site.
'Five guys... He took out three, but the other two were beyond him.'
Then I froze.
The trail just... cut off.
'What the hell?'
At my current level of thief mastery, there was no one I couldn't track.
Yet the traces vanished clean here.
'This isn't even a busy area.'
Why would that happen?
Some unique Gift?
Or that whole "Union" thing?
I mulled it over, but no answers came.
Guess there was no helping it.
'Time to borrow some muscle from an info outfit.'
Been a while since I'd seen that face.
*
"Oh my, a big shot from the Eastern Continent—I didn't expect you'd drop by."
The Hao Sect leader greeted me with a bright smile the moment I stepped through the door.
She said it while waving gracefully.
"What can I do for you?"
"I need information."
"Straight to the point, huh."
She laughed and looked me over.
"What kind? Forces sniffing around you? Which labyrinth suits you best, or who's friendly? Or maybe the clan that jumped your member?"
The Hao Sect leader beamed as she spoke.
Her attitude screamed she had whatever I needed.
"......"
"That look—'how do you know everything?' When the Hao Sect gets serious about intel, this is child's play. Eh, the second one's not a big deal anyway."
She shrugged and leaned in toward me.
"What's the info fee?"
"Forget the fee—how about a deal instead?"
"A deal...?"
"Yep. The Hao Sect feeds info to the Thief Hero's clan, and Starlight Helix Clan keeps us safe."
Keeps you safe?
I eyed the Hao Sect leader suspiciously.
I hadn't realized before, but now I could tell.
'This woman's no joke—she's crazy strong.'
She played weak, but my senses said...
Way past level 7.
Not that level 9 vibe, though.
So...
-Level 8.
-Eight, yeah.
The holy sword and holy bow chimed in one after another.
I stared at the Hao Sect leader.
She just grinned back innocently.
What was her angle?
-Probably... she can handle herself, but she's prepping for when she can't.
-I think the risk might outweigh the reward. Hao Sect isn't the only info network out there...
The sword and bow offered their takes.
I weighed it over.
Clan leader didn't really suit me, but they say the position shapes the man. With everyone else's safety on the line, I wasn't keen on jumping yes or no.
"I need some time to think it over."
"Hope we can make a good deal, then. First off—the clan that hit Finn? Black Heart Gang."
"Black Heart Gang?"
"Yeah, name says it all—not the nicest bunch. Still, they've got enough muscle that nobody bothers 'em."
"If they're strong..."
"Level 7 leader. The rest? Meh. But the boss is pretty high up."
Level 7.
I scowled.
It was that post-Union phenomenon.
Guys who pulled all sorts of annoying crap with ultimate techniques, domain builds, whatever.
'Felt like they were packing two or three extra Gifts.'
That sensation from fighting them.
The flash had power and range so vicious even I glimpsed death for a split second.
Another swordsman whipped up a storm with razor-sharp winds.
I'd dodged both, but not at full strength.
Without Steal Strike, I'd be dead for sure.
-Level 7s are a pain, yeah.
-No wonder the gap between those who've Unified and those who haven't is three times over.
The sword and bow spoke up in turn.
I agreed completely.
They were a nightmare.
But if the clan leader was level 7...
'Might as well raid 'em.'
Time to make 'em regret messing with our clan.
"Just a heads-up—raiding's not the best play."
"......Why's that."
"Black Heart Gang's leader Unified, but it's tuned for 1v1s."
"...?"
"Hmm... hard to explain. You know dueling arenas?"
"Yeah."
"Makes it simple, then. No matter how bad the odds, he can force a 1v1. Plus, he slaps unilateral penalties on the opponent. Super annoying."
What kinda bullshit ability is that.
I grimaced.
Wanted to learn Union ASAP.
-You'll pick it up quick.
-Most need level 7, but Master—you built your inner world at 6. Should be soon.
They reassured me.
"Up to here, maybe not a huge issue... but it's a risky time right now."
"Risky how?"
"Yeah, eyes on the Cradle are blowing up. Why's its labyrinth going haywire solo? Beastkin one had drama once, but it's been quiet since."
"......"
"Empire's throwing everything at it, but consensus is it'll take way longer than anyone thought. Black Shadow Duke, White Mirror Duke, now even the guild master's on it—and it's dragging? Means long haul. It'll chill out eventually, but right now? Dicey."
In other words...
Couldn't afford my identity leaking.
But take out a level 7 without blowing cover?
Tough even for me.
"No info fee needed. Just wanna earn some personal goodwill from you, Yuseong."
The grinning Hao Sect leader.
I stepped out of the Hao Sect.
How to handle the Black Heart Gang punks.
I was mulling official channels—maybe a clan leader duel—when...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I'll help you.] -Wh-what?!
-Who?!
And then...
My body was engulfed in pitch-black flames.