Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Toll Collectors
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Back in the days when my infamy shook the world.
At that time, there was nothing I hadn't done.
To make money.
And to score items.
I committed every crime under the sun.
But that was the exception.
Blocking off paths and collecting tolls.
How classic. How utterly inefficient.
This wasn't some two-bit bandit operation.
Even modern crooks didn't pull that childish crap anymore.
And yet, here they were, doing it.
A gang of players introducing themselves as the Half-Goblin Alliance forces.
Claiming this as their turf, they came at him with threats out of nowhere.
Saying he had to pay a toll to pass.
"Hey, old timer. You deaf or what?"
"This is Half-Goblin territory. Cough up the cash if you wanna pass. Huh? Never heard of a toll?"
Ferocious mugs.
Crude talk.
Dialogue straight out of a third-rate extra's playbook.
Even the way they subtly flexed their weapons.
Threats as juvenile as any street punk.
No wonder it was laughable.
Is this why the coachmen won't come this way?
A backroad with hardly any traffic.
Setting up shop there didn't make sense either, but the most ridiculous part was the toll they were demanding.
"A toll? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Toll's a toll, gramps. Special senior discount for you. Just 30 silver, nice and easy."
"Th-thirty silver?!"
"It's usually 50, but we're feeling generous. Oh, no cash? Items work too—no worries, kehheheh."
30 silver.
Not even enough to name the neighbor's dog.
And they wanted that much for a damn toll.
Highway robbery didn't even cover it.
If they were pulling this at the entrance to the Fallen Lands, how much worse could it get inside?
Dokkaebi Guild.
Half-Goblin Alliance.
Word was their war had gotten fierce, but he had no idea one side was running this rampant.
"Th-that toll seems awfully steep."
"Aww, can't swing it?"
"Even so, 30 silver is..."
"What're you saying, old timer? You with the Dokkaebi?"
"As if!"
"Then why won't you listen?"
Now they were pinning him as Dokkaebi.
Forced logic didn't get any more forced than that.
It was then.
The beefy guy up front finally spotted Luke and bellowed.
"Hey, you in the back! What's with standing around like an idiot? You're not off the hook!"
"......"
"What, ignoring us?"
His face twisted in rage.
Offended, the brute jabbed a finger and jacked up the toll.
"Fine! You're 50 silver. Exactly 50—no haggling, not even a copper off!"
The follow-up lines were just as childish.
This wasn't even bargaining.
Luke was so flabbergasted he blanked out for a second.
Not just anyone.
Daring to shake him down?
Him, once called the worst criminal in history?
Ha, these punks are adorable.
They must've done this a lot—faint red tattoo lines peeked out here and there.
Meaning a decent Infamy score.
Which boiled down to one thing.
Attacking them now came with zero penalties.
Sure, they could wash it off at a chapel or temple, but mid-war? No time for that.
These goons were living proof.
Swish.
Luke rose to his feet.
He'd been itching to test the rare gear from the baron anyway.
And right in front of him? Perfect guinea pigs.
No way he'd pass that up.
He threw open the carriage door to step out.
But at that moment—
"Fine, I'll cover the young man's share too. Now clear the road."
"What?"
Jin-hyun cut in abruptly, paying off the Half-Goblin crew.
"......Khm, now you're talking."
"That square it?"
"Back guy's a pain, but whatever. Scram."
Situation defused in a flash.
The toll-grubbers, pockets lined, stepped aside with smug grins.
The carriage lurched forward again.
"......"
Luke could only stare, dumbfounded.
A short while later.
"Hey, young fella."
Jin-hyun called out as he resumed driving.
"You've gotta handle whatever comes your way with flexibility."
"Ah, thanks for earlier. But that pricey sum to them..."
"Hoho, chalk it up to bad luck. At least we're safe now, eh?"
"Yeah, I suppose..."
"That's a win in itself. Safety first, anywhere, anytime. Doesn't change in a game."
"......"
Jin-hyun.
Safety was his top priority.
Flexibly. Leisurely. Always safe.
Maybe that's why.
Luke clammed up.
He got it, of course.
People are different.
Just irked that he'd handed over a hefty chunk of change to those lowlifes without batting an eye.
Luke, watching from behind, felt it sting.
If you're giving it away, hand it to me!
Worse than thugs.
He itched to turn back and lift their pockets clean.
Just in case, he Scouted Jin-hyun's inventory—no money pouch in sight.
Just useless junk.
"Safety first, second, and third."
"Impatience breeds disaster. Best to take it easy..."
Aware or not, Jin-hyun chattered away enthusiastically.
Stressing safety nonstop.
Luke nodded vaguely, playing along.
The earlier mess killed his sleep.
Gets him fired up?
Jin-hyun went full storyteller mode.
"Never imagined VR back in my day. Best we had were digital TVs for national sing-alongs. Hohoho!"
"Ugh, first time? Couldn't wrap my head around it. Game inside a box? Yeah, right!"
Retired, living for grandkid visits.
Then his son nudged him into Agas.
"Love this place. Leisurely carriage rides, meeting folks, sightseeing."
"Hoho, sure, occasional roughnecks, but otherwise pure peace."
No hunting, fighting, duels.
Coachman life, miles from combat.
So he saw Agas continent as a peaceful world.
"No real hurt even if you get dinged. Zero worries or jitters. Nice and easy... yeah..."
"......"
In the middle of it.
Luke noticed.
Kind smile aside, his hands gripped the reins, trembling.
Chandler City.
Southwest of the Fallen Lands.
A modest city nestled between valleys.
Nearby cave-style dungeons.
Abandoned mines aplenty.
That made Chandler popular in the Fallen Lands despite its size.
Current owners: small guild White Tiger.
Half-Goblin Alliance affiliates.
Hence the alliance badges on players milling about.
This whole area's alliance turf.
Across the way, north side was Dokkaebi Guild territory.
Two camps at war, top to bottom.
Frontline cities forever on edge.
Still, this is the rear guard.
No sudden war sweeps here.
Neigh!
Carriage halts.
Chandler's main gate looms.
"Made it."
"Thanks."
"No sweat. Ride again sometime."
"Ah, sure. If the chance comes."
No clue when.
Luke gave an awkward smile and waved off the carriage.
Second run-in with Jin-hyun.
Slow as ever.
But that attitude mid-trip nagged more.
No real hurt... zero worries...
Toward the end, mumbling to himself, hands shaking.
Like a basket case.
So even watching the carriage fade, the image stuck.
Some bad memory?
Some folks were like that.
Escaping real-life scars or flashbacks in Agas.
Jin-hyun might be one.
Eh, drop it. Won't cross paths again.
This time, bad timing forced the ride—next? No chance.
Luke headed for the gate.
Two guards blocked naturally.
"Where from?"
"Jermi."
"Prove your identity!"
"Here."
"Hm, looks clean. You're good!"
"Yeah, thanks."
As expected.
Free pass, just like...
Grip!
No dice.
Luke turned to the guard clutching his shoulder.
Eyes screaming what now?
"Non-alliance must pay entry fee before entering. Forty silver total."
"What?"
"Ah, just the first time—after that..."
"Hold up. Entry fee? You just said entry fee?"
"That's right."
Guards cocked heads.
Face like his reaction baffled them.
Luke's disbelief doubled.
Toll and entry fee? Double-dipping?!
Tyranny.
Massive tyranny.
This topped straight robbery.
Downright conscienceless.
Crack!
Anger surged.
But alliance turf, prying eyes everywhere.
To work the area, no stirring trouble.
So.
Trembling hands forked over the entry fee.
40 silver.
Worth eight throwing daggers.
Got your face memorized, punk.
One day, when quiet, steal it all back from him.
Luke swallowed rage and stepped inside.
Target: mines managed by the city.
Specifically, the open dungeon there.
Other business later—scout first.
Except.
"White Tiger Guild controls this dungeon. Non-members barred from entry!"
Couldn't even get in.
Crack!
Luke's brow twitched.