Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Off to Steal Again Today
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Where there is light, there is always shadow.
In this small city of Parten, that shadow took the form of the slums.
Public safety.
Sanitation.
Even the residents' way of life.
Nothing was in proper order.
It was a total mess, through and through.
Naturally, all sorts of dangerous troublemakers started overflowing, and now the atmosphere was such that most people avoided getting anywhere near the slums.
'What the hell is the Builders Baron even doing?'
'Can't even fix a single problem in his own territory. Isn't he disqualified as a lord?'
'No ability whatsoever, just lounging around in his mansion.'
Eventually, even the lord's qualifications came under fire, but the Builders Baron didn't lift a finger, simply turning a blind eye to the slums.
Whether it was because it was too tricky to touch, or because he lacked the ability to solve it, no one knew.
Or perhaps he was ignoring it despite having the means.
In any case, the slums quickly devolved into Parten's abandoned streets, and to this day, all sorts of questions and complaints about them persisted.
All kinds of dangerous rumors.
Mysteries shrouding the truth of the slums, and more.
Unresolved secrets and riddles still lingered in these streets.
'It's no surprise scum like that pops up in a place like this...'
But one thing.
The long tool in that guy's hand was completely unexpected.
'Already the second one just in Parten.'
That's right.
The black mask emblem engraved on that tool.
It was none other than an item from the Night King.
One at the entrance.
And now another deep in the slums.
'How many treasures did that bastard hoard for Night King-marked items to keep popping up everywhere in Parten like this?'
At this point, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he'd collected every mildly rare or amazing item he laid eyes on.
'No wonder the Ten Emperors got pissed and ganged up on him.'
He'd swept up every treasure in the world without leaving a single piece behind.
'Damn it, hide them better, you punk.'
Instead of getting caught midway.
Luke clicked his tongue inwardly as he kept his eyes on the NPC ahead.
Slum resident Gout.
True to the streets, his scrawny frame was fiddling with what looked like a Night King's lockpick, trying to pick the padlock somehow.
'No way he's picking a locked one with that...?'
Then.
Crack!
Too hasty, perhaps—the lockpick snapped clean in half.
'What the fuck?!'
Luke's eyes nearly popped at the sight.
Breaking a Night King item so pointlessly.
It was so absurd he couldn't even speak.
But only for a moment.
Soon, fresh metal sprouted from the broken end.
'...Regenerating?'
Indeed.
The snapped lockpick restored itself to like-new in an instant.
"Heh heh heh."
Gout, pleased with the quick regen, resumed his work.
Click!
Finally, he picked the lock and slipped into the building.
Gout vanished inside.
Left in the alley, Luke blankly stared at the fallen padlock on the ground.
The unlocked padlock.
And the lockpick that made it possible.
Snapping out of it late, Luke could only grimace fiercely.
'Letting a treasure like that rot in this shithole slum?'
He couldn't stand it.
Sometimes you get those types.
The ones who don't make full use of what they have.
Not saying he was a perfectionist or smarter than them, of course.
If so, he wouldn't have become a dark gamer in the first place.
Just the basics.
Common-sense thoughts anyone could have.
That's the level he was talking about.
Don't you see things that look perfect for you at a glance?
Hey, use this right and you could hit the jackpot.
Something like that.
But Gout was the total opposite.
Couldn't even think of the basics.
'Even for an NPC, this crosses the line.'
He couldn't let that lockpick rot here.
Too good for Gout's hands.
'Doesn't suit a slum rat like him. That lockpick must be praying for a proper owner.'
So, steal it.
What?
The lockpick, obviously.
From then on, Luke stayed in the slums, meticulously observing Gout.
'He was spacing out his house raids anyway.'
Hit and run style.
So, spotting Gout was perfectly timed.
'Problem is how to snag it.'
Three ways.
Kill and loot drop.
Corner him and threaten just before death.
Or use his job to steal.
'Drop from kill is too gamble-y, pass.'
Second: threaten.
'Slums mean no guards, no prying eyes.'
But guys here were usually vicious.
Might value life and hand it over, or fight dirty to the end.
So, third: stealth steal as usual. Safest, cleanest.
'Need Scout first, though...'
Maybe surviving these harsh streets?
Looked frail, but moved quick.
Scout
[Scouting target...]
Probably higher level and stats making him seem faster.
But Luke wasn't losing in speed.
Benefiting fully from Ancient Hunter set and Wind Bracelet.
The issue was.
"Huh?!"
"......"
The guy's senses were sharper than expected.
Even sensitive to sounds or vibrations; nearly caught tailing him multiple times.
'Not slow reactions, huh?'
As expected.
Reason he survived the slums.
But not impossible.
Just time-consuming.
'He still has activity time.'
Already scouted his hideout.
Just watch from afar till dawn, prepare for anything.
'But...'
Luke frowned.
Gout, impatient, picking another lock.
On a rundown building's keyhole, no less.
'Got a Doraemon-level lockpick and he's wasting it on that crap. Ugh, can't just knee him in the face.'
Watching till dawn was torture.
Dawn broke.
The slums finally quiet, unlike other streets.
Gout, who'd roamed all evening, back at his den catching breath.
In what barely qualified as a home: pile of planks.
'People are most vulnerable deep asleep.'
That's why he waited till Gout returned.
Even sharp ones have gaps in deep sleep.
Luke hid in nearby trash, waiting till he fully dozed off.
Completely out.
'Now.'
Decision made, he moved.
Stealthily.
Approaching quietly.
'Careful not to wake him.'
Tip-toeing past debris, into the plank pile.
Gout slept soundly inside.
'Lockpick confiscated forever, asshole.'
Frustrating watching him earlier.
Staring wide-eyed at Scout results.
'Oh?'
Items scrolling up.
One marked unidentified.
'That's it!'
Instinct screamed.
Unidentified item: the lockpick he sought.
Heart pounding, he touched the green text.
But.
'Why's it filling so slow?'
Too slow.
Unlike Wind Bracelet, 1% at a time.
If Gout woke midway, disaster.
'Might have to start over.'
Cold sweat beading.
'Please, just go all the way.'
Wiping sweat with free hand, continued ID.
"Mm."
"...!"
Suddenly, Gout stirred.
"Shit!"
Luke nearly yanked hand away in shock.
Drawing Braincleaver with the other.
But no catastrophe yet.
Still, no relaxing.
'Miss this, who knows when next chance.'
He'd be more alert.
Forced to go rough then.
Threaten? Uncertain.
"Mm, smack."
"......"
"Mm."
So, holding breath, watching.
Thump!
Fear of waking.
Thump thump!
Gripping Braincleaver, vigilant.
But soon.
"...Snooore."
Gout stopped stirring; quiet again.
'Phew.'
Tension eased.
Crisis passed.
More close calls followed, but Gout stayed asleep.
Finally ID'd possessions.
As expected, unidentified was Night King's.
[Feeling more familiar with Scout.]
[Scout proficiency reached level threshold!]
Scout skill leveled up to 2!
Plus, Scout—right at next threshold—hit Lv. 2.
'Oh, what? ID'ing unidentified gave that? Jumped from 99% to Lv. 2 instantly?'
Couldn't be happier.
Wanted to test new Scout, but held back.
Priority: steal lockpick.
So, focused on listed items.
'Good, odds aren't bad!'
Target asleep, maybe.
Things going smoothly post-ID.
'Fails deduct 5% each.'
Still 12 tries min.
Over 50% now? Could succeed first go.
'Whew, now Steal...'
Then.
Time slowed like slo-mo.
Hostile eyes glaring full.
"......"
Sees him.
Gout staring, eyes bloodshot wide.
Killing intent thick in air.
Squelch!
Slaughter sound echoed around.
