Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Off to Steal Again Today
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The first things in sight were humans clad in black robes.
Multiple robed figures with their faces concealed, no less.
Such figures were bustling about inside the spacious laboratory.
Black mages.
All those dozen or so robed men standing around were black mages.
'These bastards were all gathered here.'
The report clutched in his hand.
Experiment tables set up everywhere, along with lab equipment of various uses.
And even iron cages that looked like they were holding something captive.
It was an undeniable laboratory scene.
And perhaps because of that.
On the tables in front of each black mage were all sorts of reagents and materials.
As well as various spell scrolls scattered about.
That's the key.
Luscious magical materials and scrolls.
He had infiltrated this far for exactly those.
'Eheradiya, jackpot!'
If he could rummage through the black mages' pockets here, it would be perfect.
Bang! Kwang!
Then.
A shaking sound made his head turn instinctively.
It was the same noise he'd heard earlier.
'That...'
They were iron cages shaped like small prisons.
Dozens of them lined up in the corner.
A shaking iron cage.
The constant cries of animals echoing.
He could roughly guess what was inside.
'Test subjects, probably.'
People.
Animals, and so on.
They were locking up beings for use in experiments.
'Well, none of my business.'
Luke rolled his eyes around.
The important thing was infiltrating this vast laboratory.
But with so many of them, sneaking in secretly seemed nearly impossible.
'Even minimap or field of vision can't cover that many.'
Even if he infiltrated, hiding spots midway or their patrol routes were another issue.
It was a utterly hopeless situation.
Lots of eyes watching.
And they were moving in real-time, so blind spots were hard to find.
'Tch, should I retreat for now?'
He could leave and come back.
With a named NPC here, the thief-only field would stay active.
'No named in sight right now...'
Perhaps because of that.
Coming this far and leaving empty-handed felt too regrettable.
He at least needed to grasp the lab layout while he had the chance.
'Their levels are lower than I thought, too. Figured they'd be at least 40 since they're reporting to the royal family.'
Luke didn't know.
That their levels adjusted based on the player who discovered the quest.
'Anyway...'
As he pondered.
His gaze kept drifting to their attire.
'Don't they feel stuffy in those? Wearing robes even inside the lab.'
They even had their hoods pulled down tight while chatting among themselves.
Without even seeing each other's faces.
'They all look identical.'
If names didn't show, he couldn't tell them apart.
'Huh?'
Then.
He belatedly noticed his own outfit.
A very familiar full-body robe.
'Oh...'
Mindlessly alternating glances between the black mages and himself.
Soon, Resident Tengkun's vault came to mind.
Come to think of it, this robe came from their vault.
Same design and color, of course it looked familiar.
Gulp!
Recalling that, Luke swallowed dryly.
'If I play this right...'
Infiltration might actually be possible.
"Mm."
Black Mage Rochef.
He felt immense pride in participating in this experiment.
An area no one in continental history had dared attempt.
He was challenging that domain.
Of course, Rochef had started as just an ordinary Parten resident.
So when he first learned of the experiment, he felt deep revulsion.
But the lord was leading it.
And learning what the experiment entailed changed his mind.
'This is a revolution.'
Incredible.
And even grandiose.
To conduct such a massive experiment with black magic.
That fact alone was reason enough to participate.
Thus, he assisted in the experiment as an apprentice black mage, receiving guidance.
'Let's organize yesterday's experiments before Master arrives.'
Master.
The teacher of all the gathered apprentice black mages and the experiment's head.
Prepping the report beforehand would be fine.
'Huh?'
But then.
Suddenly, someone stood before the iron cages holding test subjects.
'Ah, checking the test subjects' conditions.'
Animals, insects, humans.
With various test subjects stored, constant checks were essential.
'Who is it? Mars?'
Could be, or another apprentice.
Due to identity risks, they always concealed faces in the mansion.
Couldn't call by real names, so they used nicknames or distinguished by voice.
He was the latest apprentice, so he hadn't fully memorized the others yet.
'I should help.'
Good chance to chat with other apprentices.
Rochef approached with his report.
"How are the test subjects' conditions?"
"......"
"Mm, I'll help too."
No reply, but no reluctance either.
'A taciturn fellow.'
An odd silence.
But Rochef broke it first.
"Ah, it's amazing every time I see it. Don't you think so?"
"......?"
"This one here."
He pointed to a smaller iron cage than the others.
Inside was a small, furry creature.
A raccoon.
"A raccoon with mana! Can you believe it?"
"......"
"And not just innate talent for magic, but intelligence to understand human speech!"
Indeed.
This wasn't an ordinary raccoon.
It was a spirit beast Master had personally captured with great effort.
"Ahh, I'm already excited for this experiment. Once the one from yesterday finishes, it'll be this raccoon's turn right away. We'll assist Master up close and watch it ourselves!"
Perhaps because of that.
Rochef excitedly explained the spirit beast.
Prickle prickle!
Simultaneously, the raccoon in the cage began trembling.
As if truly understanding human speech, terrified by Rochef's words.
Like it knew it would soon be on the experiment table.
"Whew, I got too excited. Anyway, this side's all checked. You finish up there. I'll head back then..."
With that, Rochef returned to his seat to finish the report.
"......"
An eerie silence.
The lone robed man just stared blankly at Rochef's retreating back.
'What the hell was that guy saying.'
With a dumbfounded look.
'What a weirdo.'
The robed man.
No, Luke quickly turned his head.
An unexpected situation, but his identity wasn't exposed.
On the contrary, treated as a colleague, with the other initiating conversation.
Even though he'd only responded with silence.
'Just stood by the cage to test reactions lightly...'
Didn't expect it to work this well.
From that exchange, Luke roughly gauged the black mages' relationships.
'Looks like some are close, some aren't.'
A common phenomenon wherever people gather.
Cliques forming.
Human relations playing out in this lab too.
'And not calling by names means they're serious about hiding identities.'
Maybe the identical robes were for security too.
Suspicion rose slightly from the chat, but this level was still safe.
'So this method works, huh?'
At least so far.
Then he'd fully commit.
Prickle prickle!
'Hm?'
But just briefly.
His gaze shifted to the spirit beast Rochef had excitedly described.
"Looks just like a regular raccoon, but it's a mana-possessed spirit beast, eh?"
"......"
"Wonder how much it'd fetch if I sneaked it out and sold it."
"......!"
Did it understand Luke's words?
The raccoon turned its back to the corner, trembling fiercely.
"Scaredy-cat."
Luke chuckled and turned away.
Stealing such an animal was too risky anyway.
Would just get caught trying to sneak it.
So no greed; tackle what's in front step by step.
Luke judged thus and turned.
Picking up a nearby report like any black mage, he began wandering the area.
A scroll containing magic.
A manual that raises magic proficiency.
All sorts of pricey magic materials.
No magic artifacts yet, but these three alone held tremendous value.
'Whoa, it's like a buffet!'
Luke began subtly pocketing them one by one.
Leaving a few behind in case they noticed.
Enjoying the unexpected buffet.
'Even the lowest-grade magic scrolls here go for 30 silver each.'
Ten would be 3 gold.
Just wander and swipe for easy money.
'Kya, paradise!'
Blissful.
And fun too.
Earning money so easily while enjoying the game.
'Almost missed this goldmine.'
Risky, sure, but as a thief, he'd infiltrated successfully.
'Alright, enough scrolls and manuals.'
He'd stocked plenty of magic materials too.
Only the black mages left in the lab.
'Looks like artifacts and valuables are on them.'
Luke eyed the busy black mages, waiting for an opening.
'Just need a good approach moment...'
Then.
"Master is coming!"
A black mage's sudden shout.
Simultaneously, a man in a red robe emerged from another passage.
Master.
The leader of the black mages here.
As if proving it, higher-level info floated above his head.
'So he's the named NPC. Black mage boss could be dangerous. Might remember exact subordinate count.'
Get out before getting caught.
Luke planned to slip out while eyeing the next chance.
But then.
'Wait, what's in that guy's hand...'
Belatedly spotting a small green orb atop Regull's hand.
A plain round orb.
But the moment its info appeared, his eyes widened.
'U-Unique item?!'