Chapter 147
Chapter 147
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: An Unlikely Ally
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yu Han-seong came running immediately.
“Pant, pant...”
The location of Lee Si-eun.
It was an offer Yu Han-seong couldn't refuse.
Personal grudges and the guild's grievances aside, he had to resolve anything related to her as quickly as possible.
There was a good reason for this.
‘Yu Han-seong made me do it.’
‘Yu Han-seong never intended to properly reward us in the first place.’
During the rescue mission, these were the words she had left for the users she killed.
Of course, they were lies, and Yu Han-seong later went on stream to clear things up.
But the situation didn't die down easily.
It couldn't be helped.
Inciting people with fabrications was always easy, while cleaning up the mess was always much harder.
More importantly, even if Yu Han-seong was telling the truth, the users who had been wronged needed someone to blame.
To them, Yu Han-seong's self-defense fell on deaf ears.
Thanks to that, the guild's message board was still filled with malicious comments from the users who had died back then.
For Yu Han-seong, who was busy trying to secure a streaming contract, this was the worst possible situation!
Other things aside, he needed to restore the guild's image as quickly as possible, and to reverse an image that had already hit rock bottom, he needed a significant event.
Or, an explanation from the person responsible.
“...You'll tell me right away?”
“Yeah. I'll let you know as soon as this is over. It's not like we'll see each other again, so whether you kill her or not is up to you.”
“...”
Lee Shin's offer was sweet.
“What do I need to do?”
“Let's set the territory on fire.”
“...Pfft!!!!”
Inversely, the proposal that followed was dizzying.
Yu Han-seong, who had let out a small spit-take, looked up at Lee Shin with an expression that said, 'Did I hear that right?'
“Do what now?”
“Set the territory on fire.”
“...”
But there was no way he had misheard.
Yu Han-seong was dumbfounded.
He didn't know how things had come to this, nor did he want to know, but...
He knew one thing for sure.
‘...This crazy bastard.’
The very fact that such an idea was even possible gave him goosebumps.
Was he really Lee Si-eun's companion?
Come to think of it, hadn't Lee Si-eun also set the territory on fire to draw the soldiers' attention during the rescue mission?
The saying "birds of a feather flock together" had never felt so fitting.
Yu Han-seong opened his mouth.
“Do you think that makes any sense?”
“Why not?”
“...You crazy bastard! It's a duke's domain!!!”
If you get caught, it won't just end with being thrown in prison.
You might never be able to set foot in the Eteun Kingdom again.
The duke's power was just that immense.
“I know.”
Of course, Lee Shin knew that well.
But he didn't think it was that big of a problem.
Lee Shin retorted as if to ask, "So what?"
“But why are you worried about it?”
“What?”
“Aren't you a guild master? Just have your guild members do it. The effect will be the same no matter who starts the fire, so you can just have some low-level guys do it. Isn't that what they're for in situations like this?”
“Wha...!!”
Make someone else do this kind of work!
You're a guild master, you can order anyone around, can't you!
This was what Lee Shin meant.
It was an idea beyond Yu Han-seong's imagination, a thought no one with a conscience should have.
However.
“...”
A part of him was tempted.
Regardless, Yu Han-seong was the master of a mid-tier guild.
As such, he had a decent understanding of guild management, and thanks to that, he was able to do the math as soon as he heard Lee Shin's words.
‘It's not... a loss.’
It's not like he'd be going to the Eteun Kingdom much anymore anyway.
Right now, there was the main quest, and he couldn't bring himself to leave because of what Arthur and Lee Si-eun had done to him, but...
As soon as this was over, he would go to another kingdom.
And he had no intention of ever setting foot in the Eteun Kingdom again.
This wasn't just Yu Han-seong's personal opinion; it was the consensus among most of the guild's leadership.
‘See if I ever come back here again!’
‘I won't even spit in this direction!’
It was because of all the bad memories!
It was debatable whether such an extreme aversion was a good thing...
But in this particular situation, it could work in his favor.
Since they wouldn't be setting foot here again anytime soon, what did it matter if they caused a major incident?
If he promised a reward, he might even get some volunteers.
‘...’
Yu Han-seong inwardly hated himself for even contemplating such a thing, but the calculation was cold and clear.
He sighed and replied.
“...Wait a moment.”
“Hm?”
“I'll gather some volunteers and send them over. It'll take some time.”
* * *
Just as Yu Han-seong had said, the members soon arrived.
At a glance, they were low-level users, around level 100.
Lee Shin waved his hand.
“Is everyone here?”
“...”
“Looks like it.”
Perhaps because of the history between Lee Shin and their guild, their gazes weren't friendly.
But they didn't ignore Lee Shin's words, likely having received a stern warning from Yu Han-seong.
After accepting Lee Shin's party invitation, one of them asked.
“What do we need to do? I heard we're setting the territory on fire...”
“That's right. But it won't be as difficult as you think.”
‘The difficulty isn't the problem...’
The users looked like they had a lot to say, but Lee Shin paid them no mind and continued.
“For now, just spread this all over the territory.”
“This is...”
“Gunpowder.”
Ever since he had plenty of gold, Lee Shin had made a habit of carrying materials like this and fire scrolls so he could commit arson at any time.
“When I give the signal, light it all at once...”
After a brief explanation.
Lee Shin assigned them locations to set the fires.
“Can't we just do it anywhere?”
“No.”
A few users grumbled about why they had to go to such lengths just to start a fire, but Lee Shin was firm.
To create proper chaos, there were a few rules to follow.
The locations had to be heavily trafficked, vulnerable to fire so they couldn't be easily extinguished, and the more vital the facility, the better.
And Lee Shin had already scouted out all such places.
* * *
-Done.
-Us too.
“...”
Whispers came in every few minutes.
A short while later, all the users had sent whispers to Lee Shin.
-Light it.
Lee Shin sent his reply immediately.
Before long, flames erupted all across the territory.
The blazes were so large they were clearly visible even from where Lee Shin was, right in front of the lord's mansion.
-Fire! There's a fire!
-What!? Why all of a sudden...!
Naturally, it didn't take long for a commotion to break out inside the mansion, and the reaction was immediate.
On the lord's orders, it seemed, even the soldiers were mobilized to suppress the fires.
[Stealth has been activated.]
“Let's go.”
“Yes.”
Lee Shin made his move right after that.
Using the chaos as cover, Lee Shin and Gillaim scaled the mansion's wall.
* * *
[You have infiltrated the Duke's mansion by taking advantage of the chaos.]
[Your Stealth proficiency is very high.]
[You possess the title, <Talented Thief>.]
[The effect of Stealth is maximized!]
[You have set the territory on fire!]
[17 facilities in the territory have been burned and damaged.]
[Hundreds of territory residents are dead or injured.]
[Hundreds more territory residents...]
...
[...You have achieved a massacre!]
[Screams echo throughout the territory!]
[Your notoriety is skyrocketing!]
[You have caused a horrific fire.]
[This is a great evil deed! You have acquired the title, <Arsonist>.]
<Arsonist>
Before fire, all are equal.
People, things—in the wake of the flames, only charred ashes remain.
-Words left at the scene of a fire by an unidentified arsonist.
You, who know the ferocity and equality of fire, are already a splendid arsonist.
Now, when you orchestrate an act of arson, its destructive power increases.
Additionally, the duration of the flames increases by 50%.
This title can be enhanced.
‘This one is still here.’
Lee Shin raised an eyebrow.
This was a familiar title that Lee Shin had possessed since Avala Online 1.
Back then, he had set fires so relentlessly that the title's effect had even been enhanced to its maximum level.
Since there was no reason to get rid of it, it seemed to have been carried over to Avala Online 2.
Clearing the messages, Lee Shin asked Gillaim.
“Doesn't look like we've been caught, right?”
“Yes. Fortunately, it seems so.”
The atmosphere inside the mansion was extremely chaotic.
Thanks to that, no one had noticed the intruders.
Lee Shin looked around before immediately starting to walk.
“Let's go.”
“Where are you planning to go?”
“Hmm... We came to find evidence, so we should probably check the office.”
Of course, he didn't know where the duke's office was.
This was his first time inside the duke's mansion.
Still, he had plenty of experience infiltrating places like this, so he had a rough idea of where it would be.
Lee Shin moved according to his intuition.
‘It's... quiet inside.’
The mansion's hallways were silent, likely because a large number of soldiers had left.
In case anything happened, Lee Shin had Gillaim walk ahead as he moved forward without hesitation.
Along the way, he also made sure to swipe the paintings and small statues hanging in the hallway.
[You have acquired 1 painting.]
[You have acquired 1 painting.]
[You have acquired 1 statue.]
[You have acquired 1 stat...]
‘I should use these to raise my territory's art rating too.’
Lee Shin, making the most of his visit!
Since this petty theft would be a non-issue once he completed the quest, there wasn't a hint of hesitation in his movements.
[You have plundered a large amount of the Duke's property!]
[This is a great achievement. You have acquired the title, <Highway Robber>...]
Just as another title popped up, Lee Shin stopped walking.
Right in front of him was the duke's office.
Two knights were guarding it.
Lee Shin licked his lips.
‘Can't be helped.’
He wanted to avoid a commotion as much as possible, but since they were blocking the entrance, he had no choice but to kill them.
“We'll kill them and go in. Let's each take one. Can you do it?”
“I can, but can you, Lord Arthur? They are not weak. They must be killed in one blow to avoid making a scene.”
“It'll work. ...Once.”
Lee Shin switched his weapon.
It was one of the weapons he had obtained after killing the enemy lord during the territory war.
<Frost-tinged Dagger>
A dagger with a short hilt and an even shorter blade.
Silver and mithril are melted into the blade.
Originally created for self-defense, its beautiful appearance has made it a favorite luxury item among nobles.
•Attack Power: 444
•Durability: 4/4
•Contains the special skills <Self-Destruct> and <Last Resistance>.
When used on yourself, <Self-Destruct> activates, causing instant death. When used on an opponent, <Final Struggle> activates, inflicting 444% additional damage.
•Is destroyed immediately upon skill activation.
In exchange for being a one-time use item, it had immense attack power, more than enough to compensate for Lee Shin's lack of it.
*Stab!!*
“...Gack!?”
And just as expected, the enemy knight died instantly from Lee Shin's surprise attack.
The same went for the one Gillaim handled.
Gillaim tossed the two fallen knights into the bushes outside the window and said.
“It's empty inside.”
“Is it?”
“I will keep watch outside, so please go in alone. I will inform you immediately if anything happens.”
Lee Shin doubted that keeping watch would be of much use, but he nodded without a word.
Lee Shin rummaged through the documents scattered messily on the desk.
[You have checked the 'Territory Budget Management Records'.]
[You have checked the 'Territory Troop Management Records'.]
[You have checked the 'Territory Facility Management Records'.]
[Territory...]
It seemed the Duke had left in the middle of his work, as the documents Lee Shin was looking for were right there.
Lee Shin took as many as he could.
How much time had passed?
[...An error has been found in the documents!]
[Evidence collection complete.]
‘Good.’
The message he had been waiting for appeared.
...At the same time, a familiar alert sound, one he had heard so many times now, rang in his head.
*Tiring.*
“Hm?”
[You have discovered a secret document.]
[You have noticed the Duke's secret.]
[A National Quest is being generated!]
“...!?”
<National Quest – The Supporter>
There was another who dreamed of the Eteun Kingdom's revival besides Haipen Gillaim.
That man was Duke Martinez.
The Duke knew of the illegitimate child the King had hidden. He had been secretly searching for the prince, avoiding the King's eyes, and you have now discovered his secret document.
Reveal your identity to him and earn his loyalty!
This will surely be another step toward the kingdom's revival.
“!!!!!!”
Lee Shin's eyes widened.
What the message above meant wasn't that the Duke wanted to become king.
It was the opposite.
‘This man was also looking for the prince!’