Chapter 872
Chapter 872
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 872
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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I tossed the float out again. This time, a bit farther.
Splash.
I loved the sound of the float hitting the lake.
Less than three minutes later, I got a bite.
'Huh? I didn't even use the hook's Temptation effect.'
Since there was a bite, I yanked the rod. The people around me made more of a fuss than I did.
"Gasp!"
"It's a black-haired octopus this time!"
"You caught another one?!"
An octopus with hair got hooked. Why's there an octopus in a lake? Don't forget, this isn't Earth—it's Atlantis. All sorts of bizarre creatures exist here.
"Even a black-haired octopus... Impressive. That's worth 15 points. Sung Yu-jin is currently in the lead. You're a natural-born angler."
The judge praised me.
"Haha. Just lucky."
The judge stuck by my side. I'd caught two trophy fish in under ten minutes, so he wanted to watch. It was a bit annoying, but no problem. The special hook wouldn't give itself away.
After that, I kept reeling them in one after another. At least one every three minutes. Most were rare fish or massive trophies. In less than an hour, I'd racked up 100 points.
Even with over eight hours left in the contest, the judge treated me like the winner.
"Amazing. I fish over ten times a month, but I've never seen anyone angle like you. No pro fisherman could keep up!"
His eyes sparkled with admiration. I gave a vague reply and tossed the float again.
"Sir, could you share your fishing secrets? I really want to know them."
The secret was the special hook. But admitting that would be cheating.
"My secret's luck."
"Luck... Ah! You mean your Luck stat?"
"Right. Every time I get bonus points, I pump them all into Luck."
"Even getting bonus points is no small feat...!"
He marveled.
Luck had a reputation as a useless stat.
Unlike Strength, Agility, Stamina, or Mana, its effects weren't tangible. People figured it was far better to boost Mana instead. And they were right. Halfway-decent Luck didn't mean much.
'My Luck is 38. Top-tier among Exiles, but only useful for things like fishing.'
But I knew the true power of Luck from the original story. Pump it higher, and it'd shine in clutch moments.
A bite. This one's strong. I jumped up and yanked the rod. A giant freshwater shrimp over a meter long was hooked.
"Ooooooh!"
The crowd's cheers were a bonus.
The fishing tournament winner was decided in under two hours. Not officially, but everyone around thought so—including me. The other contestants couldn't even touch 10% of my score. That was reality.
'It was so overwhelming they had the judges inspect me, but nothing came of it.'
The system's oblivious to the hook's effects. No way humans would notice. If anything, I got their certification.
"Your skills are incredible. Mind if I sit next to you?"
A elderly man with short, rugged black hair and a beard approached me.
I smiled and replied.
"Of course, sir. I didn't rent the spot exclusively—sit wherever."
"Sir? I'm not that old yet! Name's Paolo. Call me Paolo casually."
He said sternly.
"Sung Yu-jin. Call me whatever."
Paolo.
He was one of my surveillance targets. Not publicly known, but a Barclay Legion executive. He handled their external affairs. And he yearned for Barclay Legion's downfall, biding his time.
"I've been watching you. You're damn good at fishing."
"Just lucky."
"Seemed that way. What's your Luck stat? Over 30?"
"Want the exact number? Feels like a loss to just tell you."
Among Exiles, sharing stats was taboo. Asking directly was rude.
"I know it's rude, but I'm dying to know. Could you share? In exchange... one question. I'll answer whatever you ask."
I set my rod down briefly and eyed Paolo. He wore a faint smile.
"...My Luck is 38."
"Over 30, as expected. I've seen plenty of Exiles—lucky ones usually hit 30-plus. But lower than I thought."
"What'd you guess?"
"50. At least that. Looked too good for 38. Maybe you're innately lucky beyond the stat."
"What's that mean?"
"Luck and the Luck stat are separate. From experience. Don't over-rely on the stat."
"...Got it. Doesn't fully click, but I'll take the advice."
"Your turn. What do you want to ask? I noticed you watching me. Rare chance—think carefully."
"...You knew?"
"That your question?"
"You know it's not."
Paolo chuckled.
"I'm sensitive to stares. And you're A-Plan's sub-master and the Illusion Lord's appointed inspector. I've been watching you too. Satisfied?"
"Guess I underestimated you, Paolo. Sorry."
"Haha. No worries. Underestimate me more—keeps you off-guard, right?"
"......"
Barclay Legion's top exec spot wasn't for show.
"Question: What do you think of Angelus Legion?"
"My opinion? Or Barclay's stance?"
"...Both?"
"Bold. I like young folks like you. Fine. Barclay sees Angelus as a thorn that rolled in."
"They feel threatened?"
"Threatening. You know that, right?"
I did.
Angelus Legion allied with the crown prince. Their execs weren't Exiles—they were angels.
Angels.
Thrones meddling in Atlantis via loopholes.
"Barclay's hostile to Angelus."
"Hostile, but no war plans."
"...Now your personal take, Paolo."
Paolo paused, then spoke.
"...Ever met an angel?"
"Yes."
"How were they?"
"Innocent. Dumb."
"Haha. You talk fun. Met a naive one, huh? The angels I've seen... devils, basically. They see humans as lesser. Animals to dominate. Bluntly, to them, humans are no different from dogs or pigs. I think angels are the most dangerous."
"Sounds like me. Team up?"
"What do I gain?"
"Hm. Illusion Lord would love it. He's fair—rewards merit."
"Sorry. No interest in nobility."
"Pity."
"......"
"......"
After that, we fell silent like we'd planned it. When we spoke again, it was only about fishing.
'Too bad. Should've approached Paolo more carefully...'
Figuring out why Barclay exec Paolo entered the tournament was the goal.
'Purely for fun?'
Paolo was a minor original-story character; I didn't know his hobby was fishing.
"Congrats on the win."
"Sudden? Heading out?"
"Got an appointment. See you. Enjoy fishing. Maybe next time."
"...Take care."
I wondered who he was meeting. Probably Angelus traitor unknown even in the original.
I watched Paolo leave, smacking my lips. His skills exceeded expectations. Even tailing with my Deception (SS) unique trait would get spotted quick.
"Congrats on the decennial fishing tournament win! Sung Yu-jin! An overwhelming victory—care to share your thoughts?"
The host shoved a mic at me. What, even winners' speeches here? Grumbling inwardly, I took it.
"It's truly moving for me... I dedicate this win to my family, comrades, and Thrones."
My Thrones reacted oppositely. Lord of the Skies was cold; King of the Demon Heavens playful.
I finished my speech, got the trophy and rewards. Then, as expected, the system popped up.
Victory rewards secured.
The eyeball of the rainbow trout, rumored to appear once a millennium if ever.
More like a rainbow marble than an eyeball.
No reason to hesitate. Popped it in my mouth. Surprisingly sweet, like candy.
'This is Luck power! Kugh~! So sweet!'
Elena arrived at the capital.
Faster than I expected. She looked worn out after so long.
After brief greetings with A-Plan Legion at the mansion, she called me to the office.
"Long time, Elena. Thanks to you, I'm comfy here. You came early for the decennial—wanna hit the town tomorrow? There's a wine tasting. Pay a bit, sample vintages from everywhere."
"Pass. I know every wine in this world."
Elena was one of the Empire's Five Lords. Not knowing wines would've been weirder. I shrugged and met her eyes, dropping the playfulness for seriousness.
"...You've overused illusions."
"No time. Had to save it."
I'd learned recently: the more illusions she used, the weaker she got. Rest fixed it.
But her serious ones were the issue. God-like illusions fueled by her lifespan.
I sighed.
"Why'd you call me?"
"Need your future intel. What's happening at the decennial?"
She'd sensed it. The shady undercurrent behind the festivities.
'Original was a novel. Novels revolve around the protagonist.'
In other words, something happened at the decennial.
An event to make protagonist Kang Myung-jin a hero.
"Monster hunt contest? Terror attack to kill the third prince there."