Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: A Different Kind of Content
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While Lee Shin was temporarily away from Edgar's territory, an increasing number of users and guilds flocked to the major cities of the Eteun Kingdom.
Among them was the Union Guild, home to the eighth legend, Doyle the Geomseong.
[You have arrived in the Eteun Kingdom.]
[You have arrived in the Eteun Kingdom territory, <Sola County>.]
[This is your first time entering this region.]
[All stats will be increased by 15 for one month.]
[Warning!]
[The nation's overall security level is poor, and its military strength is very low.]
[The crime rate is extremely high, and monster waves may occur in areas where the central government's influence is minimal.]
"Hmm..."
The guild master, Grania, hummed thoughtfully.
She already knew the Eteun Kingdom was in a sorry state, but experiencing it firsthand was different.
Warning messages popped up the moment she arrived.
And the residents she saw around her didn't look very prosperous either.
This was despite arriving in what was considered a reasonably large city in the Eteun Kingdom.
She thought to herself.
‘I tried to find a decent place to start... If it’s like this here, the other cities must be absolute hovels.’
It was a wonder the kingdom was still standing.
Having always operated in a wealthy kingdom, and as the head of a massive guild no less, the reverse culture shock was severe.
‘...Well, does it matter? It’s not like we’re planning to stay forever.’
Though a bit taken aback, she quickly composed herself.
Then, she began to issue orders to her guild members methodically.
In any case, they had arrived in a new kingdom, a new territory, and now they had to build their foundation from scratch.
"We've arrived. What's the plan?"
"Hmm... First, let's build a guildhouse."
"Right now?"
"Yes. I'll assign some people to you, so go get the building permit. If possible, get a cost estimate as well. I'll fund it as soon as we have the numbers."
"Understood. What about the rest of us?"
"The rest of you, scout the nearby hunting grounds and dungeons. If you find any, report back on their scale."
Of course, they had done some preliminary research on the territory, but detailed information wasn't something you could find just by looking it up.
That kind of intel had to be gathered by hitting the ground running.
A guild member nodded.
"Got it."
"...Oh! And if any guilds are controlling the hunting grounds, find out where they're based."
"Are you planning to talk to them?"
"If they're on our level. If not, we'll need to crush them early on so they don't get ideas and cause trouble later."
"Should I find out their numbers and level range too?"
"Can you handle it? You have a lot of other things to do. I can't spare any more people."
"I'll see what I can do."
"Alright then. But don't overdo it. For now, we're the outsiders here."
"Yes, ma'am."
The guild members moved in perfect sync, following Grania's commands.
She hadn't given them overly specific instructions, but everyone moved as if this was routine, each finding their own task.
It was only possible because the Union Guild was composed almost entirely of highly capable people.
After watching them for a moment, Grania turned her head and spoke to Doyle.
"You're with me."
"Where are we going?"
"To the guild. We need to check what quests are available. And gather some information."
"Understood."
Although the main quest's objective hadn't been revealed, it made establishing connections with the nobility all the more crucial.
Befriending nobles was the fastest way to obtain important information.
And the quickest way to meet a noble was by accumulating contribution points for the territory.
After arriving at the guild, Grania spoke to Doyle.
"I'm going to look around and gather some information. You check what quests are available for the guild to take on."
"Got it."
"If you find anything good, accept it immediately."
"Right."
***
The two, who had split up to handle their respective tasks, met again a few hours later.
"So? Find anything worthwhile?"
"...There are some, but it looks like we'll have to be prepared for our infamy to rise."
"Huh?"
"Take a look."
<Territory Quest (B) - Tax Collection>
<Territory Quest (B) - Apprehend Wanted Criminal>
<Territory Quest (B) - Riot Suppression>
<Territory Quest (C) - Catch a Thief>
...
<Territory Quest (B~A) - Manage and Supervise a Forced Labor Site>
<Territory Quest (A) - Educate Slaves>
"This is pretty much all they had."
"Ah, right. This is the Eteun Kingdom... I guess it can't be helped."
The moment they'd set foot in this kingdom, they had prepared for their infamy to increase.
"What about you? Find anything?"
"I did. I spread some money around and found out a few things..."
She had gathered quite a bit of information, but to summarize the most important points:
This place, Sola County, was quite wealthy compared to other territories in the kingdom.
And there was one individual, not even a noble, who held influence rivaling that of the lord himself.
"Who?"
"Kaka. He's a goblin."
"...A goblin has the same influence as the lord? Does that even make sense?"
"I thought so too, but apparently, it's true. He's the richest person in the territory."
"Even so...?"
Doyle expressed his doubt despite Grania's explanation.
It was a reasonable question.
The game's world was very different from modern capitalist society.
In a world with kings, nobles, high priests, and even various transcendent beings like gods and demons, there were plenty of things money couldn't solve.
"Am I wrong?"
"You're not. But it seems the lord borrowed quite a lot of money."
"Ah..."
However, if this financial issue directly involved the lord, it was a different story.
The lord, Count Parker, was a man who enjoyed luxury.
He held banquets every day and collected expensive antiques as a hobby.
Naturally, it was impossible to maintain such a lifestyle through normal means.
He either had to cut expenses elsewhere or borrow money.
But it wasn't easy for a man who had only ever known extravagance to cut his spending.
The Count's choice was to borrow money.
From Kaka, the wealthiest person in the territory.
Kaka had gladly lent him the money.
A massive sum, enough for the Count to fully indulge in his luxuries.
In return, the Count began to turn a blind eye to the various 'unpleasant incidents' that occurred in his territory.
A mutually beneficial arrangement.
"That's probably how it ended up like this. Even a Count would find it hard to be demanding with his creditor."
"Power..."
"If he tried to crush him with power, no one would ever lend him money again."
"...I see."
From the Count's perspective, it would be difficult to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs.
Especially now that he had a taste for spending.
After a moment of thought, Doyle asked.
"Then would it be better to try and build a connection with him instead?"
"Who, Kaka?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm... I'm not so sure about that."
"Why not?"
"We still don't know the exact nature of the relationship between the lord and Kaka. We might needlessly provoke the lord."
"Ah..."
It was a valid point.
Thus, the decision was to put it on hold for now.
"We should investigate further for the time being."
"Understood."
***
[Time remaining until arrival: 4 hours and 44 minutes.]
[You can tip the coachman to reduce the arrival time by 3%.]
‘Still a long way to go.’
He had already tipped the coachman to the limit, so giving more wouldn't significantly reduce the time.
Lee Shin yawned and leaned back against his seat.
But not long after, he sat up straight again and said abruptly.
"Nothing else to do anyway. Should we film one now?"
"Film what?"
"Your video."
"Now? Here?"
"Just a simple introduction video."
Something like that could easily be filmed while sitting down.
Arthur replied.
"But the vibe will be completely different from your videos, hyung."
"Huh?"
"Yours were just you beating the crap out of things, without any of this stuff."
"True. I gave it some thought, and I think it might be better for her to go in that direction entirely."
This was the conclusion Lee Shin had reached after some thought, following Jeong Yu-ra's comment that she didn't like "weird stuff."
If his videos were the spicy flavor, then Jeong Yu-ra's would generally be the mild flavor.
Wouldn't that be less burdensome for her?
Lee Shin asked Jeong Yu-ra.
"What do you think?"
"Hm? I'm fine with it."
As Lee Shin expected, it was an offer Jeong Yu-ra had no reason to refuse.
However, she did wonder if something like that would be entertaining enough as a video.
"But will it get any views?"
"It will."
"...An introduction video about me???"
"Yeah."
Of course, it wouldn't work if they just filmed it plainly. They had to film it in a way that would get views.
Checking the arrival time once more, Lee Shin said to Jeong Yu-ra.
"We have plenty of time anyway. Want to do it right now?"
"Should we?"
"I'll film it."
[Recording has started.]
Arthur started recording on the spot.
A simple self-introduction from Jeong Yu-ra and a Q&A session with Arthur followed.
The filming proceeded smoothly.
But Lee Shin, who had been watching quietly from the side, soon shook his head and cut in.
"...No, this is too bland."
"Huh?"
"There's no hook. Move aside. I'll do it."
"Ah, okay..."
How was he going to add a hook to an introduction video?
The question popped into Arthur's mind, but he moved aside anyway.
He figured Lee Shin must have some kind of plan.
And he did.
It was just that the plan was something far beyond Arthur's imagination.
Taking Arthur's place in front of Jeong Yu-ra, Lee Shin cleared his throat and spoke.
[Recording has started.]
"Alright, let's start with your self-introduction again."
"My self-introduction?"
"You know, age, name, the basics. I'll ask some other questions as we go, so just answer as you see fit."
"...? Ah, okay."
Why was he making her do something she'd already done?
Jeong Yu-ra was puzzled, but she did as Lee Shin instructed.
"Umm... I'm."
"Look at the camera."
"Where's the camera?"
"There isn't one, but this is the recording angle. Just pretend it's somewhere around here."
"Alright."
Jeong Yu-ra lifted her head slightly to look at the "camera."
At that moment, Lee Shin zoomed in a little.
"Perfect."
"R-Really?"
It was a strange angle.
She hesitated for a moment before beginning her introduction.
"Um... My name is Yu-ra."
Starting with her name.
Next, Lee Shin continued with a series of questions.
"Yu-ra."
"Yes."
"Could you tell us what got you started with this game?"
"Well, I just saw a lot of ads for it. I was curious what kind of game it was, so I decided to try it."
"I see. Have you played any games before this?"
"No."
"So Avala Online is your first game, then?"
"Yes. I'm a beginner."
Lee Shin nodded.
"So you're inexperienced because it's your first time."
"That's right."
"You'll get better as you play."
"Huh? Ah, yes. I suppose so?"
"Yes. So, to summarize: your name is Yu-ra, Avala Online is your first game, and your age is a secret. ...Good. Next question. What's your current class?"
"Huh? A secret? Why is it a secret...?"
Jeong Yu-ra tilted her head, confused.
It was only natural to be puzzled when he declared it a secret without even asking properly.
But it was an unwritten rule for this sort of thing to be a secret.
Without bothering to explain, Lee Shin pressed for an answer.
"Your class?"
"Art major... I mean! I'm a Dark Priest."
"A Dark Priest. What's your most confident skill?"
"Technique? Oh, you mean a skill?"
"Yes."
"I don't really have one..."
"Then what's your best one?"
"My best one is Chain of Corruption."
"Could you stand up and demonstrate it for us?"
"Of course."
"We'll test the chain on this orc here."
- Just take the hit gracefully.
'Ah, yes.'
The filming continued in this fashion.
Jeong Yu-ra didn't seem to notice anything strange during the process, but Arthur's expression had grown a bit stiff midway through.
He sensed that this was no ordinary filming session.
After the recording was finished, Arthur whispered to Lee Shin.
"Hyung, did you... film it like this on purpose?"
"Of course."
"...Don't you think she'll be mad when she finds out later?"
"Probably."
"What are you going to do?!"
"What do you mean? ...I'll just say it was your idea."
"!?!?!?"