Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Off to Steal Again Today
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As I mentioned before, people loved rankings.
This applied to item grades too.
Once enough items hit the market, the general, advanced, and rare grades all had rankings by type.
Commonly known as tiers.
In other words, even within the same grade, users had ranked which items were better.
Yet, a random party member who joined had the undisputed tier 1 advanced dagger.
Braincleaver.
It was leagues better than the tier 2 Silver Longsword.
'But who would've thought it'd pop up here.'
What kind of ridiculous coincidence was this?
It felt like the heavens themselves were helping him.
'Ever since my job change, my luck's been on fire. Right when I was thinking about a Silver Longsword, a party member with Braincleaver shows up.'
Anyone else would call it cheating and foam at the mouth, but what could he do? It had already happened.
'I just hopped on the carriage, that's all.'
And a random party member happened to have Braincleaver.
'What can you do about something that's already out there.'
There it was, shining with a green name, practically begging to be stolen.
He couldn't just ignore it.
So, to meet that expectation, he'd steal Braincleaver.
'But...'
In the midst of it.
Luke, checking the odds, suddenly frowned.
Low.
Way too low.
Plus, advanced items dropped 5% per failed steal attempt.
At 2% like now, one failure meant getting caught for sure.
'No, the penalty says hostile acts count too, so it might not end at just getting caught.'
Worst case, he'd be branded a PKer and combat would start.
So first, he needed to boost that probability.
'Right, we're in the carriage now...'
They were close, eyes meeting constantly, which might explain the low odds.
The key was creating the perfect stealing conditions.
That would naturally raise Braincleaver's odds.
Why?
Because Scout odds fluctuated based on the situation each time.
That's why Luke wasn't rushing; he was calmly plotting a method.
'To do that, I need to blend naturally into the party first.'
They'd be escorting the carriage through Trial Forest together anyway.
Better to shape opportunities than wait passively.
'Party windows don't show jobs anyway.'
Only nicknames were public.
Level and job stayed private unless set otherwise, even in parties.
So, he'd lie about being a thief and don his acting mask.
"Ah, sorry! I was lost in thought and didn't notice you guys join the party."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Hm?"
Luke, who hadn't spoken a word, suddenly piping up left them glancing over in mild confusion.
"Since we're together now, how about quick intros? Some of you might know, but there are five monster waves total. Teamplay's key for escorts."
"...Well, sure. No harm in it."
"I... I'm all for it too!"
"Phew, glad you're okay with it. I was worried it'd be awkward. I'll start..."
Taking charge shifted the mood fast.
Both reacted positively.
Luke seized the moment, positioning himself as the party's core.
'If odds are low, just make a high-odds situation yourself.'
Faking it to fool users.
Like his Worst Criminal in History days, Luke slipped into acting mode.
"I watched videos before boarding. Seems tough without party help."
"I don't know much, but maybe what I heard helps."
"If anything bothers you, just say..."
Claiming center stage was quick.
Polite speech.
Considerate attitude.
Subtle leadership.
He oozed manners.
"Nonsense. If you hadn't said, we'd be clueless. No issues—speak freely."
"Right, Luke. Thanks for sharing!"
Not just that.
Geliver: rough talk, kind heart.
Rabbit: timid personality.
Perfect for leading.
Luke quickly became the de facto leader.
Soon, they formed positions for the monster wave.
'Anyway...'
Luke eyed them alternately.
'Their jobs are total opposites.'
Indeed.
Geliver: burly build, holding a staff.
Rabbit: meek stance with sword and shield.
Looks screamed Geliver warrior, Rabbit mage—but reversed.
'Just prejudice, though.'
Only battle ahead worried him.
'They won't charge with a staff or tremble without swinging, right?'
Nah.
No way.
Awooooooo!
Then.
Animal cries from the forest.
Wolves.
"Looks like wolf territory. Can't reach the continent without passing. Protect the carriage!"
Horse's clichéd plea, as if scripted.
Wolves descended the slope, blocking the path.
Neigh!
Carriage halted.
Party assumed pre-planned formation.
Rear: mage Geliver.
Front: ...not warrior Rabbit, but thief-masquerading Luke.
"Luke, maybe I should go first..."
"No."
'Wolves hit head-on first. Decent numbers, but they don't swarm.'
'Good, before they surround—'
'No, if user charges, they swarm. Geliver rear, Rabbit and I alternate front.'
'Whatever, but okay? Warriors tank, thieves mid-DPS.'
'Usually, but we're escorting too. Front can't break. Melee jobs alternate.'
'Stamina rotation, huh.'
'Yes.'
Post-discussion, Luke led.
"Rabbit has highest health. I'll tank first, pass baton. Less burden on you."
"Still!"
"Don't worry, no overdoing. Geliver, support!"
"Leave it to me!"
As Rabbit fretted with doe eyes, Geliver bellowed, battle starting.
'Yeah, no overdoing.'
He couldn't anyway.
"Grrrr!"
Level 9 wild wolves? No sweat.
"Come on, mutts."
"Grrrr, grr!"
"Good."
One leaped.
Wolf patterns: claw, bite, dodge.
This: bite.
Mocking him or instinct—fangs bared.
Bad choice.
Thud!
Kicked belly instead.
"Kek!"
Luke stabbed the downed wolf's neck.
'Kill lightly, pull back.'
Just in case.
"Hurry up, you bastards."
"Grrrr!"
"Grr!"
Predator glare shrank the wolves.
"Hyaah!"
Rabbit's skill beat expectations.
No, solid even.
Aggro hold.
Block timing.
Tank potential.
"Damn, mana low. Hang on, miss. Filling soon."
"Okay!"
Geliver's mage work: decent.
Agas lacked targeting, yet 90% mana bolt hits on wolves.
'Unnecessary worry.'
First wave smoothly repelled.
"Whew, done."
"Good work. Without you two, first wave would've hurt."
"No! Luke took most wolves upfront—easy tanking."
"She's right. Your plan and wolf-smashing? Pro. Don't downplay."
Too humble?
He'd never been humble.
'Means my acting landed well.'
Worried it'd flop after ages, but no.
"Haha, embarrassing. Glad you think so."
"It's normal!"
"Thanks, Rabbit."
"...N-No biggie."
"Wave cleared. Back to carriage?"
"Wait."
"Hm?"
Turning, Rabbit halted.
"That weapon..."
"Weapon?"
"N-Nothing!"
She wavered, shook head.
Luke sensed something.
'This girl...'
Unspoken words: likely about Braincleaver.
Like, "Got a thief weapon—interested?"
But she held back.
Why?
Obvious.
'Knows the price?'
Yes.
Braincleaver: auction min million.
She knew, so stopped.
Beginners lacked funds.
Or value knowledge.
'Can't buddy up with fake nice instantly.'
No trust built.
'Not a clueless newbie, at least.'
Steal plan unchanged.
'Issue: no good openings.'
Acting to lead for perfect conditions, but no gaps yet.
Couldn't Scout mid-fight blatantly.
Any ideas?
"No priest, so bandages later?"
"Sigh, should've stocked more."
"You too, miss?"
"...Yeah."
"Me too, low stock."
Then.
They mentioned bandages, troubled.
'Bandages.'
Luke checked inventory.
Bundle: [Emergency Bandage x285]
'Not enough for me.'
Piled from Starting Village users.
Still seemed scarce.
'Double market price, I'd sell some... Huh?'
Then.
Genius idea flashed.
'Wait.'
Luke's eyes sparkled.