Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Rival Scouts
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One day earlier.
Getrol returned from the class reunion in a foul mood.
Yoo Seokwoo.
Cha Do-sik.
The reunion had revolved entirely around those two, whom he'd dismissed as mere tag-alongs.
All while ignoring the true star of the show—himself.
And perhaps because of that...
His nerves were sharper than usual today.
"Hey, we're short on funds. Didn't I tell you to meet the quota by today?"
"What the hell? You slacking off right now?!"
"Haa... I'm not the type to deal with this crap. How the hell did I end up stuck with losers like you...?"
His mood sank even lower.
He was nitpicking things he'd normally let slide.
One-sided venting.
'Damn, he's on one again.'
'Wonder who pissed him off this time.'
'Screw this, maybe I should just jump to another guild.'
For the guild members under Getrol, it was pure hell.
They were slogging through that dreary day when...
Thunderbolt news struck out of nowhere.
Mosian, the lead excavator.
The blueprint for the ant nest passageways he'd created had vanished.
Hearing this, Getrol's mind went blank for a moment.
Top-secret among top secrets.
It was a ultra-classified project the coalition forces had been secretly preparing, and most of the plan was detailed in that blueprint. For it to disappear like this...
From the very sector he oversaw, no less.
'How the hell?!'
No one knew.
Even Mosian himself had no clue where he'd lost it or when it went missing.
Cause unknown.
If that blueprint fell into enemy hands, it would be disastrous.
They began scouring the surrounding area, but hours passed with nothing to show for it.
Just pointless time wasting away.
That's when Getrol realized his position was utterly precarious.
Why?
This entire sector.
And managing Chandler's excavators here—that was his job.
In the coalition forces' eyes, the overseer bore responsibility too.
'I'm screwed.'
The moment this reached Benkal's ears, hell would rain down.
Sensing that, Getrol grew even more frantic in his search.
But no matter where he looked, the blueprint was nowhere.
He considered other methods, but escalating things here would tip off Benkal in no time.
A utterly hopeless situation.
In the end, Getrol made one choice.
Mosian's blueprint.
Perfectly cover up the incident of its disappearance.
"Y-You're saying we hide this from the coalition forces?"
"Yeah, no choice now."
"But..."
"No buts. If this gets out, we're all done for. Me included—you lot too."
"Urgh..."
The White Tiger guild members now saddled with shared blame.
Well, more like dumped on them.
Under Getrol's orders, the NPCs were silenced.
Chandler's guild members all clammed up too.
Dokkaebi coalition forces.
By keeping them in the dark, the incident was buried on the spot.
'Yeah, maybe no one's picked it up yet? Could've been lost somewhere in the ant nest.'
Of course, he couldn't rule out someone finding it.
Even if they had, they might not blab right away.
So, cover it up while keeping ears open for any Chandler chatter or intel. Someone might snag it.
If he caught wind first, he could recover it before things blew up. Money, whatever it took.
'Just don't get caught till then.'
Who knew.
It might all blow over quietly.
Clinging to that hope, Getrol ordered Mosian to redraw the blueprint.
And they kept up normal operations to avoid tipping off the coalition.
But then.
A sudden call from Benkal, the coalition leader.
'N-No way?'
Heart pounding, Getrol accepted the call with trembling hands.
-Kim Hyeon-tae, it's me.
"Y-Yeah, bro. What's up?"
-Actually...
Thump thump!
In that instant, Getrol's mind raced with possibilities.
What if he grilled him on the blueprint? What excuse to spin?
Anxiety hit first.
But luckily, it wasn't that.
Benkal's reason was something else entirely.
-The war's dragging on, so we've decided to start recruiting rookies and named players. Problem is, we're short on scouts.
"S-Scouts?"
-Yeah, why so surprised?
"N-Nothing."
-...Anyway, word is Iron Mask Man's hanging around Jermi after his big performance wiping out revolutionaries. Dokkaebi scouts are already there too.
Iron Mask Man, prime target for small and mid-tier guilds.
Naturally, the coalition fighting in the fallen zones wanted him bad.
Benkal aimed to snag him before the Dokkaebi did.
But scout shortage.
Key members tied up in war.
"So, me?"
-Rear guard's got some breathing room. Plus, that Dokkaebi scout spotted in Jermi? Doesn't seem like your average guild grunt.
A key Dokkaebi scout who'd roamed low-tier zones pre-war.
Benkal figured as much.
If true, couldn't send just any guildie.
So, fallback: Getrol, Chandler's mid-manager.
-I'd send someone else if I could, but other execs are booked. Rear guard's got no one reliable anyway.
"Whoa, bro, that's cold."
-Sigh, whatever. You're going to Jermi in their place.
"Should've just said so. Head there, scout Iron Mask Man? Easy peasy!"
-...Listen up, Kim Hyeon-tae.
Benkal's tone turned deadly serious.
-This is big. Coalition's had eyes on him for a while. Nail this recruit, and they'll see your worth. It's your shot too.
Gulp!
Yeah.
Even if Benkal was his brother, blood alone wouldn't climb higher.
Only those proving themselves to the coalition got top exec spots.
Benkal was handing Getrol that chance via this scout op.
-So pay attention. These points especially, no matter what...
Known intel on Iron Mask Man.
Negotiation tactics.
Benkal briefed the essentials.
Of course.
'Exec spot!'
Getrol had tuned out long ago.
And now, back to the present.
"......"
"......"
An awkward silence filled the room.
This was Jermi's lord's castle.
Inside its reception chamber.
Seated there: the Dokkaebi scout.
Across from him: coalition scout Getrol.
'Raced here on bro's word...'
But things had gotten messy.
Blame the black bowler-hatted man opposite.
Deus, the swift Dokkaebi scout.
'Guy jumps in right as I arrive, demanding to see Iron Mask Man too.'
Like he'd been lying in wait, Deus tailed him and requested a meet.
No sitting idle while coalition recruited—Dokkaebi staking claim too.
'Won't let you steal him, huh?'
Or just to sabotage.
Didn't matter.
Iron Mask Man.
Getrol would snag him in the end.
'My chance to prove myself.'
He'd waited for this.
How long could a talent like him rot in the rear?
No missing this shot.
Definitely beat Deus and pull Iron Mask Man to the coalition...
As he steeled himself.
Messages flooded his view nonstop.
His pre-equipped communication bracelet.
Guild members spamming calls.
'These damn idiots!'
Panicking, Getrol glanced around, then whispered into the comm.
"What is it."
-Big trouble! Just got word—the White Tiger guys collecting tolls on the Chandler road got...
Long story short:
Hours ago, White Tiger members taxing a busy road.
They tried shaking down some guy... and got shredded instead.
By one person.
Getrol scowled instantly.
Normally, he'd order pursuit, but not now.
Prime chance for exec promotion.
Recruiting Iron Mask Man trumped that.
"Tch, handle your own damn mess!"
-W-Wait...
"Piss off!"
But who cared about a few dead grunts?
Getrol angrily cut the line.
'...Damn timing.'
He glanced at the door.
Thankfully, Iron Mask Man hadn't shown yet.
Getrol sighed in relief and resumed waiting.
But.
'Why's he taking so long?'
Still no sign after ages.
'Not even small guild, making two mid-tier scouts wait.'
Arrogant much?
He'd heard the hype pre-arrival, but Getrol wasn't impressed.
Just a rookie on the cusp of mid-tier.
Skills drew buzz, sure, but still just another player.
'Rookie making folks twiddle thumbs.'
Pissed him off.
If not for Benkal, he wouldn't bother coming.
'Let's see how great this guy really is.'
Probably nothing special.
Still, picturing the coalition, Getrol waited calmly.
'Wonder how long till he folds.'
Such thoughts drifting.
Then, after some more time.
Creeeak.
The quiet reception room door swung open.
Swish.
Heads whipped around.
Deus and Getrol's gazes locked on the doorway.
"...!"
A battered iron mask over his face.
Adventurer's robe cloaking his body.
Two sheaths at his waist.
The legendary Iron Mask Man had finally appeared before them.