Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: The Art of Negotiation
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This was no empty boast.
Lee Shin had built up quite a reputation.
He had taken down more than a few rankers, so his movements had already been actively studied among them.
Of course, Lee Shin knew that.
That was why, after moving to Avala Online 2, he tried his best to hide his old habits in various ways, but there was no telling what would happen if they met in person.
After all, even Lee Shin found it hard to change minor habits or his way of speaking.
Just as Arthur had recognized him, there was no guarantee that others wouldn't.
Lee Shin and his party headed toward Kaka's workshop.
"Is that it?"
"Yes."
"Whoa..."
Lee Shin let out a sound of admiration.
Befitting the territory's largest source of income, the workshop was immense.
And the security was just as thorough.
‘Twenty-three guards at the entrance alone? There must be more inside…’
Lee Shin’s eyes narrowed.
Heavy security.
It wasn't just the sheer number; the skill level of each guard was considerable.
Haipen Gillaim, who had been staring at the entrance for a moment, spoke up.
"They're quite strong."
"Oh?"
"Yes. It seems they are at least knight-level."
"Then are they knights?"
"No, they are not. I don't see the crest of a noble family. They seem to be just private soldiers."
"Hmm...?"
Sensing something, Lee Shin let out a low hum.
A mere craftsman possessing so many private soldiers of knight-level caliber?
It was not a common occurrence.
This could be interpreted in two ways.
First, Kaka constantly felt his life was under threat.
Given how much he possessed and the fact that, according to the information Lee Shin had received, his past was shady, this was a plausible theory.
And second.
Kaka might want to not only match the lord's power but surpass it.
Goblins were inherently faithful to their materialistic desires, so this was also a strong possibility.
‘......’
Above all, Lee Shin's personal intuition leaned toward the latter.
If he truly felt his life was threatened, it would be more rational to increase the security at his mansion and stay out of sight, rather than at his workshop.
Haipen Gillaim tilted his head at Lee Shin's deduction.
"Uh... is that so?"
"That's what I think."
"But isn't it normal for him to have a lot of private soldiers?"
"Hmm?"
"You said Kaka's influence within the territory is as great as the lord's. Considering that, doesn't a force of this scale seem natural?"
His point was that with so much money and power, wasn't it natural for Kaka to enjoy such extravagance?
At a glance, it made sense, but Lee Shin firmly shook his head.
"No, this is a different issue."
"Pardon?"
"You said their skill level is comparable to knights. But think about it. If someone is skilled enough to be a knight, why would they choose to lower themselves to be a goblin's bodyguard instead of just becoming a knight?"
"What? Well..."
It was a bit blunt, but it was a valid point.
After pondering for a moment, Gillaim answered.
"...I'm not sure? Perhaps the pay is better than what the lord offers?"
"A little better wouldn't be enough."
"...?"
"It would have to be overwhelmingly better."
As a former knight, Gillaim immediately understood what Lee Shin was saying.
An overwhelming amount of money would be required to make them abandon their honor and turn their backs.
"Ah... I see."
That's what was strange.
If it were simply for safety, there was no reason to pour this much money into it.
It would have been far better to use that money to flatter the lord and request some of his knights for protection.
Since the lord needed Kaka's money for his own luxuries, he would have no reason to refuse such a request.
"Now that you mention it, it is indeed strange."
"Right?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Lee Shin's original goal was to meet Kaka and confirm if he had any connection to the Salseong.
If there was a connection, he would check if Kaka knew about the legacy of another Salseong. If not, he planned to complete a few territory quests and head back.
‘...First, I'll have to meet Kaka and then decide.’
"How are you going to meet him?"
"That's what I need to figure out now. Hmm..."
Intimidating the guards like he did when meeting Count Aaron wouldn't work here.
Back then, Gillaim and Count Aaron knew each other, so the problem would be solved as long as he could get them to meet. But this was different.
Even if he managed to meet Kaka, it would still be a problem.
A mere adventurer suddenly showing up and asking, "By any chance, were you acquainted with the Salseong?" wouldn't make him cooperate with Lee Shin.
Forget cooperation; since Kaka was so thoroughly hiding his past, it wouldn't be strange if his guards slit Lee Shin's throat on the spot.
Therefore, a conventional approach was not an option.
Arthur asked.
"Then what?"
"We'll have to threaten him."
"...!"
Threats!
And violence!
By appropriately using these two, one could drive the opponent into an extreme situation and unilaterally create favorable conditions.
That was why it was Lee Shin's favorite and most proficient method of communication.
"That's not what you call communication..."
"Communion?"
"That's even further from it!?"
Jeong Yu-ra placed a hand on her forehead, looking dumbfounded.
...Anyway.
To do this, he first needed to create a situation where he was alone with Kaka.
After a moment of thought, Lee Shin came to a conclusion.
"Let's aim for when he's at his mansion."
"So we're going at night?"
"Looks like it. He'll be at the workshop during the day. For now, let's figure out how to sneak in."
"Understood."
* * *
Lee Shin spent the time until nightfall circling Kaka's mansion, checking the security.
It was something he had done many times before, so by sunset, he had a rough grasp of the security layout.
Lee Shin gathered his party and spoke.
"First off, I don't think we can get through by normal means."
"Why not?"
"There are too many guards."
That was the conclusion Lee Shin reached after observing them all day.
There were not only guards at the entrance, but also a considerable number of soldiers patrolling the perimeter of the mansion's walls.
Slipping past all of their gazes was impossible, even for someone like Lee Shin.
He needed a little trick.
"What is it?"
"You."
"Me?"
"You have that shapeshifting skill. I think we'll need to use it."
It had been a while since Arthur had used the <Raise Me, Master!> skill, but his shapeshifting ability was originally meant to shine in situations like this.
He could disguise himself as one of the guards, get inside, and then help Lee Shin's party infiltrate from within.
"Can you do it?"
"Yes, well, I don't mind... But how? I need to attack the target once to shapeshift."
"I'll lure one out for you, so you can transform into him. Go hide over there and wait."
"Okay."
"You, come with me."
Lee Shin headed toward the mansion entrance with Gillaim.
As he switched his equipment, Lee Shin spoke to Gillaim.
War Bow
A bow used by the knight commander of Ampiri Territory.
It has a strong draw weight, making it difficult to pull, but in return, it boasts excellent accuracy and destructive power.
• Attack Power: 200
• Durability: 45/45
• When the bow is fully drawn, range and destructive power increase by 99%.
• Special Skill, <Snipe>, can be used.
"Keep an eye out for anyone coming."
"Understood."
Lee Shin took out an arrow and nocked it on the bowstring.
His target was a torch.
It was a torch located some distance away from the guards at the entrance.
"Hoo..."
Taking a slow breath, Lee Shin drew the bowstring.
He had rarely used a bow, but the game had an auto-aim feature.
Thanks to that, even Lee Shin was capable of hitting a stationary target like that.
Snipe.
A stealthily fired arrow.
The arrow flew straight, grazing the torch as it passed, and the impact extinguished the flame.
As one area was suddenly plunged into darkness, a small murmur arose among the soldiers guarding the entrance.
"What was that?"
"The fire went out."
"Was it the wind?"
"But there was no wind...?"
"...Well, whatever. It needs to be relit, so I'll go check on it."
And at that, one of the soldiers moved just as Lee Shin had intended.
Lee Shin stood up with Gillaim and immediately sent a whisper to Arthur.
- Come out.
* * *
The takedown was simple.
"Huh? An arrow? Who would do something like this... Hmph!?!"
Lee Shin ambushed the soldier from behind as he tilted his head in confusion, immediately stuffing a cloth into his mouth.
At the same time, he kicked the back of his knee, forcing him to the ground and completely neutralizing him.
His movements were like those of a professional robber!
"Mph! Mph-mph-mph!?"
"Hit him. Quickly."
"Ah, yes."
*Thwack!*
Afterward, Arthur successfully completed his transformation.
Thanks to that, fooling the other soldiers was no problem.
"What was it?"
"The lamp was out of oil. I think I need to go refill it..."
"Ah, go ahead."
Having safely entered the mansion, Arthur soon found an opening and sent a whisper to Lee Shin.
- Go to the western wall of the mansion. It has the fewest guards.
- I'll put out the torch there when you arrive, hyung.
* * *
[You have trespassed on someone else's property.]
[Your notoriety increases.]
[You have successfully infiltrated past heavy security! You have acquired the title, <Talented Thief>.]
<Talented Thief>
The effectiveness of stealth skills is enhanced during infiltration.
[Be careful!]
[If you are discovered by the guards, you may be killed on the spot.]
Only Lee Shin and Gillaim had infiltrated the mansion.
He thought Jeong Yu-ra, being inexperienced in these matters, would only be a hindrance.
Besides, Jeong Yu-ra herself didn't particularly want to go in, so he had left her outside with a clear conscience.
Arthur asked.
"What should we do now?"
"You should head back for now. You can't get caught before the guard shift changes."
"Okay."
"You, follow me. We need to finish this before sunrise, so we're going in right away."
"Understood."
Once they had broken through the initial layer of security, there were no major obstacles ahead.
Lee Shin and Gillaim moved stealthily, approaching Kaka's bedroom.
"Hm? You two are..."
"!"
There was one crisis along the way, however.
Paralysis Needle.
[The target is paralyzed.]
[Defeat the target...]
Lee Shin skillfully used an item to overcome the crisis.
After successfully reaching Kaka's bedroom.
"Is this it?"
"It seems so. I can feel a presence inside."
"...Good."
[Using a Soundproofing Scroll.]
[All surrounding noise will be blocked.]
[The effect will last for...]
"Subdue him as soon as we enter."
"Understood."
*CRASH!*
"Wh-what is it!?"
"Are you Kaka?"
"I am? No, before that, who are you...?"
[Kaka is extremely flustered.]
Instead of answering, Lee Shin slowly approached Kaka and spoke.
"Why do you need to know?"
"...Don't tell me, did the lord send you!?"
"Hm?"
In the midst of his panic, Kaka said something interesting...
But since time was short, Lee Shin focused on the task at hand.
With a club in one hand and a whip in the other, he began to beat Kaka mercilessly.
"Let's start with a beating."
"!?"
*Thwack! Thump-thump!*
*Crack!*
"Kuaaaaargh!?!"
"Scream all you want, no one will come. I've already placed scrolls all around this area."
"What...!"
[Kaka is filled with terror.]
[Kaka falls into a panic.]
[Kaka...]
Thus, the intimidation seemed to be proceeding smoothly.
Lee Shin could see the composure draining from Kaka's face.
It looked like a little more persuasion would make him fold on his own.
‘Good.’
Lee Shin nodded in satisfaction.
...However, there was one problem he hadn't anticipated.
It was a title Lee Shin possessed.
<Master of Taming>
The power of taming resides in your words and actions.
You can attempt to tame targets other than players.
Also, when you attack a target, there is a very low chance that instead of pain... (abridged).
It was a title Lee Shin had acquired when he took Arthur in as a pet.
He had gotten it a long time ago and had no particular use for it, so even Lee Shin had forgotten about it...
...But now, as the situation aligned perfectly, the title began to show its tremendous presence.
*Thwack! Thump-thump!*
"Kuaargh! Kuaaah...!"
*Swish!*
"Hngh...♡"
"!?!!??"