Chapter 311
Chapter 311
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 311
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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"Great Merchant Harmo."
"Yes, Heavenly Demon. Please speak."
"Let's make a deal."
"A deal... As expected of a regressor, Heavenly Demon—you know my unique trait."
"Yes, I know."
"What kind of deal?"
"If you give me 10 million AP, I'll tell you what happens three years from now."
"10 million AP... You know that's 1 billion penny equivalent, right? Is the information worth that much?"
"Of course. If you hear this and prepare in advance, you might become the continent's greatest merchant."
"That pulls at me hard. So hard I feel like drooling. Ah, really. This zone is done for. Isn't it?"
"It's convenient having you tell truth from lies."
"I've begged the boss thousands of times for control of this zone, but no dice. So, what happens three years from now? A pandemic?"
"Something like that. And stop trying to get it for free—make the deal."
At my words that it's similar, Sparkle's eyes widen. Those pupils brim with anticipation.
"Of course I'll make the offer."
"I accept."
"Here, I have 10 million AP ready."
He pulled a single sheet of paper from his bosom. It wasn't ordinary paper. It was the Blank Check item, used to transfer AP to others.
"I'll entrust this to the system. So, there's no penalty for me in case of breach. I've already fulfilled my end."
Harmo's unique trait, Trade (SS), was one guaranteed by the system. Not a combat skill, but he wielded it masterfully.
'The system is close to an omniscient god in Atlantis. A deal guaranteed by it must be fulfilled.'
In these deals, over 1,000 lives had been staked just with Harmo.
"I'll stake my life."
"...Oh. Coming in strong, huh. If your info is false or worth less than 10 million AP, you become my slave. Live if I say live, die if I say die. That's what staking your life means."
"I know. And without this, the deal wouldn't stand. Gotta match the 10 million AP price."
Right now, no one would think my life was worth 10 million AP. The deal was accepted because I staked my absolute maximum.
"Heh heh. If you become my slave, I'll suck you dry."
"Alright then, Heavenly Demon. What's the info? Ah, I'll judge your information fairly. The system will verify it. No funny business, so rest easy."
I knew even without the system telling me the truth.
I looked at his jeweled mask and spoke.
"Three years from now, a volcanic island appears in Atlantis."
"...Surely that's not all? It's intriguing, sure, but not worth 10 million AP."
"Listen properly. I wasn't done. The volcanic island that appears three years from now affects all of Atlantis. More precisely, only the exiles in Atlantis are affected."
"...Affected how?"
"Close to a curse. Body temperature rises. To maintain condition, they need at least 3L of water a day."
"Nice. So water's value skyrockets. But not enough. Water's easy to get in Atlantis—magic, skills, traits, items... Factoring those in, this info's worth less than 2 million AP."
"Fine volcanic ash, akin to a curse, spreads."
"...A curse?"
"Exiles accumulate fine ash with every breath, rotting their lungs and organs. Those with mana below 40 who live a week inhaling it get blackened skin, and die after two weeks."
"What? That's Black Death level dangerous. There's a solution, right?"
"Didn't I say it's close to a curse? Purification skills can remove the accumulated ash."
"Good info. But still not 10 million AP worth. Purification is rare. Even if I move now, gathering people or items with it in three years has limits. To me, it's worth about 700,000 AP."
"Protective mask."
"Pardon?"
"E-rank or higher protective masks block the ash. Effects vary by rank—E-rank lasts a full 24 hours."
"Oh... Ohhh...!"
"For reference, E-rank masks are easy for skilled seamstresses to make. As a great merchant, if you start preparing now, you could stock billions."
"Th-that volcanic island... how long does it last?"
"At least three months. Conquering it within three is impossible, no matter how fast."
"Mask mania incoming! At that time, masks will be worth at least 10,000 penny each... Damn, my body's shaking! An era where masks equal power...!"
"Value enough?"
"More than enough! Way more! To me, it's worth at least 30 million AP! Maybe over 100 million later!"
In the original story Kang Myung-jin knew, over 65% of exiles died due to that volcanic island three years later. In the version I know, Kang Myung-jin acted and dropped it below 40%.
'Kang Myung-jin uses this to rise as Atlantis's top power... But not here.'
Western great merchant Harmo chases money over power. If he starts now stockpiling E-rank+ masks, death rate drops below 20%... maybe even 10%.
"Not the time to stand around! I'm off! Hold firm! Holding firm is the way to surviveee!"
As he turned to run, he suddenly stopped and looked back at me and the mirror.
"This info is top secret! Absolutely don't tell anyone else! Especially you, Mirror! I'm talking to you!"
"Heh. Thanks for the entertaining info. If I hadn't heard it, fine—but now I have to prepare somewhat."
"I know you don't plan big moves anyway."
"No plans for money games. But money's convenient to have. Especially lately, when money becomes power."
"Anyway, cooperate with me a bit. I won't ask much."
"That's why you let me go, right? Fine. I'll cooperate."
"Plans... still forming, so I'll visit later. And I'll need Helten's power too."
"Keep it discreet."
"You know who I am. Unnecessary worry. Yeah, those watching me might react sensitively... but I won't cause trouble for you or Helten, so don't fret."
He bowed sparklingly and vanished.
Left were just me and the mirror.
"Shouldn't we get out of here first?"
I said to the mirror staring intently at me.
"No rush. Still about 10 minutes left. Even if time's up, we'll just get kicked out. No need to hurry."
"Got questions for me?"
"More curiosity than questions. I'd love to torture it out of you."
"But Heavenly Demon, you're our ally now. I'm not barbaric enough to torture an ally."
"What exactly are you curious about?"
"...First, your face. Can you take off the mask? You know my identity, but I don't know yours. Feels unfair, no?"
"You don't necessarily need to know mine."
"True. Only about four in Helten know my identity. Five including you now."
With that, the mirror removed her black cloak and mirror mask. Since I knew her identity and no one was around, she revealed herself.
She wore a white collared uniform. No wrinkles in the fabric, and despite being a uniform, her chest was voluptuous. At least D-cup. Undressed, maybe E or F. Her figure was stunning enough for admiration, but her face was even prettier.
Blue bob hair swaying softly in the breeze. White skin, sharp features. Blue eyes evoking the sea. She smirked arrogantly at me. By face alone, early twenties.
She truly was arrogant, with abilities and status to match.
Yustria Empire.
The sole empire ruling over 700+ zones in Atlantis, propped by five pillars.
One of the Empire's Five Dukes.
Duke of Fantasy. Elena Valderte.
"You'll burn a hole in my face. Didn't you already know my identity?"
"I'd heard what you looked like. But seeing you in person is a first."
"Guess you never met my past-life self. No, you said you're regressor-like. Hmm."
"...What's your reason for wanting my identity? Planning to blackmail me with it later?"
I quickly changed the subject. This deep-thinking woman would likely suspect I'm not a true regressor.
"I don't stoop to that. Personal curiosity, sure, but you're under my watch now. Knowing your identity makes things easier all around. I can help if you're in trouble."
Getting help from one of the Empire's Five Dukes was a huge gain.
'And this woman... I'm definitely fucking her. Haven't had one worth it since dragon Priscilla.'
At my level now, impossible. Skill, status—everything superior. Money? Useless. Blackmail? Lucky not to get blackmailed myself.
"Fine. I'll remove the mask."
"Mm."
I took off the clown mask. Not plain, though—I used my unique trait Deception (SS) to turn into a handsome hunk.
"Ho. So that's what you look like... Playing games?"
"...What's the complaint."
"Think I wouldn't notice that's not your real face? When I sealed your mana earlier, I scanned your body. Got a rough idea of your facial structure. Totally different from now. And... your neck and face skin tones don't match! Idiot! So sloppy it pisses me off."
My mistake.
I'd copied a hot actor from TV but forgot skin tone.
"...Wait. You scanned my body? Then you saw my dick too..."
"I know. Pretty big."
"......"
She grinned. No pushover.
I revealed my true face before her. Didn't want to, but since she'd scanned and knew the structure, it'd come out eventually.
"Plain-looking. What's your name? Heavenly Demon can't be real, right?"
"...Sung Yu-jin. Member of A-Plan Legion."
With my face shown, digging up my identity would be child's play for her.
"Got it."
Her straightforward reaction told me. She knew nothing of A-Plan Legion.
'Makes sense. She's one of the Empire's Five Dukes... Weird if she knew a newbie group just starting out.'
The empire was also in a distant sector.
"Let's head out of the zone then. I'll tell you what you need about Helten. And... about what you need to do."
I followed her out of the zone.