Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Off to Steal Again Today
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The world advances rapidly.
Cutting-edge science and technology.
Just like virtual reality, the pinnacle of it all, becoming commercially available.
And riding that wave of progress was something else: content platforms.
Streaming broadcasts and video content, once overlooked.
But with advancements in the internet and VR tech, video channels were now rivaling even broadcast TV.
Among them, the hottest topic by far was Agas. Its popularity had spawned countless channels dedicated solely to the game.
A red ocean rivaling that of full-time pro gamers.
And one channel thriving in it was Agas Community.
Or Acom, for short.
Agas Community was massive.
14 million subscribers.
A scale that could stand toe-to-toe with major broadcasters.
Including dedicated studios for streams and videos.
It was the premier channel dominating Agas content.
Mainly covering hot issues and gossip.
Tips and info from submissions.
And original planned content.
Among its content, one series stood out: Today's Gamer.
The format was simple.
Daily videos spotlighting rising rankers, named players, and rookies.
Yet fans went wild for it.
New powerhouses.
Shifting rivalries.
Acom's exclusive rankings based on stats, skills, items, records.
Every angle was a must-watch.
Rookies.
Criteria varied.
Innate talent.
Unique jobs or skills.
Superior control or gear.
Or recent exploits and incidents.
Many reasons.
But one foolproof way to spot them:
Sync rate: sensory sharing and body adaptation in VR.
Reaction speed: via weapons and skills.
Accuracy for close and ranged, plus mana control.
All measured in the mandatory tutorial simulator.
Only for those who shared their scores, of course.
Total 80+ was well above average.
Comments flooded with awe.
The video zoomed in on two men.
Kotaro: ponytail, perpetually squinting eyes.
Kenny: long-haired next to him.
Strolling the castle battlements together.
Chat already called Demian the winner.
Then, a late comment dropped.
Replies poured in.
Northeast of Parten.
About two hours by carriage: two territories.
Demian.
And Kaum.
Both southern noble lands.
They'd long clashed over petty issues; now, war over mine rights.
Understandable enough.
Wars weren't rare on the continent.
But the road beyond them...
Blocked by the war.
'Of all times.'
Luke eyed the map.
Hidden scenario marker.
Right beyond the territories.
'Wars don't end in a day or two.'
Even a rout took a week minimum.
'Detour somewhere else?'
Plans would shift, but waiting blindly wasn't an option.
Pondering by the carriage...
"Demian and Kaum lords are dead serious this time. Contribution rewards are nuts on both sides."
"Yeah, heard top 10 gets advanced gear guaranteed."
"Not just that—top 3 gets rare stuff."
"Nah, top 3's impossible."
"You never know till you try. Maybe one of us lucks into it?"
Passing players' chatter.
All about the Demian-Kaum war.
'Rewards, huh.'
Luke perked up.
'They always drop the list pre-war.'
Both sides simultaneously.
'Top 10: advanced minimum.'
And top 3: rares.
Mouthwatering.
Plus, his job: Great Thief.
A thief.
Maybe steal those rewards.
'Worst case, top 10's easy.'
Level cap: under 50 only.
Even matchups.
'Hmm.'
Temptation grew.
'It's on the way anyway. Join the war?'
Level up mid-way.
Steal during chaos for profit.
'Yeah. Scout first.'
Bail if rewards suck.
Luke boarded the next carriage.
Rustle!
Oblivious to eyes in the nearby bushes.
Buzz buzz!
Crowds thronged.
Demian castle, war imminent.
Here for the reward list reveal.
'Whoa, packed.'
Beyond packed.
Masses already registered with Demian.
'Demian drops first, but this imbalance is weird.'
Luke had swung by Kaum en route.
Fewer pre-regs there.
Something off.
Eyes scanning for why, he spotted two players drawing stares.
'Demian vs Kaum showdown?'
'Yup. Under-50s flocking for the cash. Heard two rookies joined.'
Capsule chat memory.
Luke narrowed his eyes.
'Rising stars.'
Or freshly hyped.
'If rewards match, Demian's the play. Better odds.'
Contributions paid by victors only.
High rank means zilch if your side loses.
'Check Acom rookie ranks later.'
Then:
"Left guy's Kotaro? Damn, looks even cooler IRL."
"Squinter too."
"Squinter chars are OP. Never wake those eyes. Who's the longhair?"
"You don't know? Poison Brewer. Hidden job, TV spot recently. Buddies with Kotaro too."
"For real?"
Ears perked.
Poison Brewer.
Hidden job.
'Poison Brewer...'
Luke checked his skill window.
Essence of Poison
Type: Active | Level: 1
The root of all poison. Absorbs all poison in range. Builds resistance; wield absorbed poison.
Capacity: 0/200 | Current: Basic Poison
Hidden skill from the poison source.
Could this absorb Kenny's poisons?
Curiosity sparked.
But fleeting.
"Contribution rewards now revealed!"
Soldier with the list.
Curiosity forgotten.
'Not bad.'
Top 3: rare item.
Top 10: advanced.
Auction fodder, pricey.
'Haven't seen Kaum's, but this is...
Demian lock-in.
Kaum might top it, but unlikely.
Safer bet: Demian, near-certain win, snag top 10.
Luke watched knights reclaim the list.
'Lord's knights guarding. No steal.'
Level ~80 guardians.
Tighter than castle security.
Single entrance, no infil routes.
'Then play safe: join Demian, grab reward. Pocket-pick players and soldiers meanwhile.'
Thief in crowds = profit.
"Kaum's turn. Wanna check?"
"Nah, Demian win's guaranteed. Waste of time."
"Rewards might be better?"
"Dude, check boards. Kaum's finances suck vs Demian. Can't top it."
"Oh, seriously?"
"Yup."
Kaum poorer than Demian.
'Demian stable. Lord bought those rookies.'
Obvious.
'Still, peek at Kaum's?'
Time before war.
Luke headed lightly.
Demian mostly decided.
'Whoa, funeral vibes.'
Sparse players.
Soldiers demoralized.
"Contribution rewards now revealed."
Soldier arriving.
Luke leaned back, arms crossed.
'Eh, auction trash at best.'
Like Demian's.
Wrong.
Unseen items.
Top 3 caught his eye.
'Ah.'
Rank 1 reward.
Black mask emblem.
Luke's face twisted.
'Fuck.'