Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Off to Steal Again Today
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Just like in the modern world, Agas had built its own economy.
Some even went so far as to call Agas not a game, but another world.
Virtual reality had blended so seamlessly into modern life.
Top guilds were treated like full-fledged companies, and rankers enjoyed popularity rivaling celebrities.
For gamers, it was a land of opportunity or a dream job.
-Former pro gamer Hong XX, who swept the world championships, enters Agas?
-Archery gold medalist Choi Han-yeol receives a nine-figure scouting offer from Windness Guild, sparking buzz.
-Statement from Grim Gall, ranker of the 2nd-gen VR game!
-Popular streamer Pungwolryeong discovers hidden class during live broadcast...
This was why quite a few people dove into Agas aiming for that spotlight.
Ex-pro gamers.
Athletes.
Famous gamers.
Broadcasters, and more.
They started off as promising prospects under the spotlight from the get-go.
But this place was already a red ocean.
Not everyone survived to the end.
Only those who endured the fierce competition could seize the big money, fame, and more.
'The key factors are money, talent, and luck.'
Honor, power, connections, and others played roles too, but those three were the top priorities.
'Out of the hundreds or thousands of new users pouring in daily, only a tiny fraction have them.'
Even so, sheer numbers made them impossible to ignore.
Especially since he was starting over from scratch himself.
'You never know.'
'There might be other promising rookies around my level.'
If he crossed paths with them by chance, competition was inevitable.
'I'll avoid that if possible.'
No matter how much of a Worst Criminal in History he was, overwhelming level gaps, numbers, or gear advantages spelled doom.
Dying would drag his Infamy penalty back to Sentinel maximum-security prison.
So he had to prepare every way possible to avoid it.
'Well, as a thief, I could turn the tables and pick their pockets if I play it right.'
Of course, only when possible.
Seokwoo thought that as he tapped his phone screen.
Recent Agas news and info flooded the Remus app.
'2nd anniversary event?'
One headline caught his eye.
-They say this, then pull out some gem event rankers monopolize.
-Fr, lol, turns out it was all in his imagination.
-Rewards are hyped tho, last event's were insane IRL value.
-Yeah, remember Leon pulling Crimson Jade from the reward chest.
-Legeno.
News on the 2nd anniversary event.
Following last year's 1st anniversary, another event seemed incoming.
A fair one this time, unlike before.
'Last year's was a disaster in many ways.'
Low-level users barely got to enjoy it.
The developer hyped it as fair, but no one knew until it dropped.
'Users will judge if it's fair.'
Still, Seokwoo eyed the rewards.
Last year's standout: Crimson Jade gem, now reborn as Leon's hero-grade armor, second only to unique.
'If balance is decent, I could sneak in for rewards.'
For now, on hold.
Seokwoo stubbed his cigarette and returned to his desk from the break room.
"Oh, what? You heading out for a run too, Seokwoo?"
"Ah, Uncle Hopil."
Dark gamer Hopil waved casually.
Seokwoo smirked at the question.
"Yeah, off to farm."
Empty houses, no less.
Small City Parten.
Home to thousands of residents.
Houses everywhere.
Meaning plenty of spots to hit.
A few locked tight, but most had open windows or balconies.
Negligence personified.
Security on these high-rises was laughably lax.
'For me, anyway.'
Anticipation built before even entering.
What treasures awaited?
Excitement swelled.
Sometimes disappointing.
Sometimes jaw-dropping.
Varied results made it feel like true farming.
'Different thrill from IDing mystery items.'
And more.
+ Stat Points +1
Raiding village safes and warehouses now gave EXP.
Steal proficiency increased!
Scout proficiency increased!
Thief skills leveled up too—perfect farming.
Growth and gains, like Steal itself.
One gripe: locked boxes and warehouses.
'Ugh, have to leave them.'
Regretful.
Items inside, unseen.
'No way besides keys?'
Too heavy to carry, no inventory fit—frustrating for Luke.
'Prime loot's probably there.'
No choice now.
Luke smacked his lips and slipped out.
[1 gold 54 silver]
Over 1 gold from Parten alone—cash only.
Beginners leave with 40-50 silver max; he'd earned more in days.
Empty houses only.
Low level? No.
[Luke]
Level: 19
Job: Great Thief
Signature Achievement: Worst Criminal in History
Fame: 0
Infamy: 0 (1,000,861)
Health: 4 Mana: 1
Strength: 4 Agility: 12(+1)
Luck: 3 Faith: -1024
Nearly daily level-ups.
And more.
Steal Lv.1
Proficiency: 96.43%
Scout Lv.1
Proficiency: 98.92%
Core thief skills near max proficiency.
Scout especially close to Lv.2.
Heart raced.
'Other skills? Meh. But Scout and Steal? Game-changers.'
Spot and steal items—upgrades huge.
'How could I not be excited?'
'But...'
Luke looked up.
Dusk sky.
City guards tightened at night.
Patrolling streets, residents indoors.
'No need risking house raids.'
Plenty opportunities.
'Gotta grind proficiency elsewhere.'
Scout and Steal for items, as always.
Night streets quiet.
Shops shuttered, guild halls closed.
NPCs needed sleep too.
They had lifestyles like real people.
'AI's top-notch.'
Luke acknowledged it, despite seeing them as data chunks.
'Some users around...'
Not many.
Could target them, but nothing worthwhile tonight.
Low-prob items mostly.
'Hmm.'
Luke turned.
Gaze to twinkling slum district.
Livelier at night, unlike others.
'Never hit the slums before, right?'
Reasons aplenty.
Rare quests.
Meager rewards.
Hoodlums galore.
Poor NPCs, slim pickings.
'Some died screaming after tangling with thugs.'
Most avoided it.
'Worth a peek anyway.'
No high hopes.
But he could Scout possessions—might snag something.
Luke scaled rundown buildings.
Parkour now second nature.
UI helped at first, but now masterful.
Tat-tat-tak!
Wall-running, obstacle-leaping faster than before.
Deep into the district.
"Ugh, just a coin, please."
"Help..."
"Hey, what're you staring at?"
"What? You talking to me, punk? You're dead!"
Slum life in full view.
'No different from lawless city. Downgrade, maybe?'
Familiar scene.
Recent lawless city runs toughened him.
This? Child's play.
Thud! Smack!
Alley beatdown audible nearing outskirts.
From rooftop: NPC pummeled one-sidedly.
"You dog, invading our turf?!"
"We'll beat sense into you!"
"Die!"
"Kuhk!"
Gang turf war.
Intruder caught.
'Hmm.'
Luke watched.
'Drop anything on death?'
Hoped for loot.
"Groan..."
Thud!
No drop.
'Tch, beggars.'
Nothing more.
Luke sensed it, headed deeper.
Parkour eased tight paths.
'Wind Bracelet boosts speed too.'
Inaccessible spots? No problem.
Results? Disappointing.
'Slums gonna slum.'
Scanning shadows.
Rattle.
'What was that?'
Unfamiliar noise.
Like gripping, fumbling metal.
Approaching source slowly, Luke spotted a shadow figure.
'NPC?'
Skinny man.
Tinkering at rundown building.
'What the... Huh?'
Close look: Iron lock in hand.
Long tool in keyhole, twisting.
Lockpicking.
Luke stared from afar, stunned.
'Wait.'
Then: Tool handle caught light.
Faint black mask emblem.