Chapter 334: To the Future (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 334: To the Future (4)
The best-case scenario had been the GM not suspecting me at all until I got all the information I wanted. But, as expected, it seemed that hiding it until the end wasn't feasible.
Well, it can't be helped now.
I shook off the small bit of disappointment that lingered. The information I'd uncovered so far made pulling out Form Four worth it, anyway.
I don't know what school he belongs to, but he's twenty years old and a rank-six.
Besides that, the number of potential candidates had now been reduced to two. There was no way Auril Gavis had met with him without knowing his name.
And judging by that reaction... This can't be Zerkif Elmen Mackinder.
That 33.3 percent probability I mentioned earlier had just become 50 percent. This was as much information as I could uncover while keeping my identity hidden. Well, I still wasn't going to give up, of course.
If I look into the other two candidates, I think I can find him based on that information alone...
However, there was no need for that when an easy way existed. The reason I had been willing to dig around for information more assertively than usual in the first place was because I had this to fall back on.
"Tell me. Who are you? How did you get in here, and why did you pretend to be him?" The GM, who now saw through my act, forcefully pressed me for answers like he was some sort of top dog or something.
Cute.
I smirked. I had been planning to reveal I was a different person before I left anyway. "Auril Gavis."
"...What? That's the name of the game's creator—"
"That is the name of the old man you met."
When I cut him off, the GM frowned. He heard me right but it seemed he didn't understand what I was saying at all.
As a player who cared about newbies, I kindly offered up an explanation. "That is the man who summoned you all to this world and who only intends to use you. He also doesn't hold the slightest guilt for what he's done. Beware of him."
"Saying something like that while hiding your identity—"
Whatever.
"It's your choice whether you believe me or not. I just came here to warn you."
"...Then why did you pretend to be him?"
"I wanted to know what kind of person you were before I told you."
Of course, I didn't think the GM would trust this completely. I wasn't telling him the entire truth to begin with, and the GM seemed to be studying me closely to figure out what my intentions were.
What's important is how plausible I sound.
People were so sensitive that when they were told something like this, it didn't matter how much they trusted the person in question—they would start to feel antsy. Just like how, even if it was very small, you couldn't help being concerned about a crack in the wall. Maybe, if, perhaps. Planting these keywords in the GM's head was enough for now.
That should drive enough of a wedge between them...
There were countless reasons to be wary of Auril, but I decided to stop there. Rather than going on and on, I figured letting his imagination run wild would be more effective.
"...Do you think I'll be swayed by you?!" Of course, since figuring out who I was was more important to this man than Auril Gavis right now, the GM raised his voice. "If you don't reveal your identity—"
What a joke.
That's not how you ask questions, especially to someone who seems stronger than you.
I took a step forward and fired back, "And if I don't reveal it?"
Having been interrupted, the GM tried to open his mouth to say something, but no sound came out. He just choked on air.
...Cough!
[Lion Style Form Three: Disrespect for the Weak]
When I took another step forward, the GM began to tremble, his eyes going so wide I could see the whites. I didn't realize his backbone was this flimsy. "You're weak."
When I was your age, I dominated the Round Table, punk.
I lowered the intensity of my murderous intent since he wouldn't even be able to understand what I was saying in this state, and murmured in a low voice, "Aika Teratios." This was the name of the second candidate Baekho mentioned.
The GM's reaction was not what I expected.
What is this man talking about? Is he casting a spell or incantation or something? his wary eyes seemed to ask.
Welp. Not that one either? Then there's only one possibility left...
"Yurven Havellion," I continued without missing a beat. And it seemed Baekho wasn't completely barking up the wrong tree, though I had been starting to have my doubts.
His reaction was noticeably different from before—temporarily dilated pupils, shallower breathing, and stiff facial muscles. He was even trying to act casual and not break eye contact. I had literally just been considering the possibility he might be a master at the poker face.
"So that was your name." While on the one hand, I was filled with joy at finally discovering the GM's name, I felt somewhat troubled on the other.
To think I would only succeed on the third try.
Both 33 percent and 50 percent were odds worth playing but the successive failures had left me unsettled. It seemed one of them had been a winner after all, though. Well, that was how it always went for me.
"Yurven Havellion." I chewed over the GM's name and slowly wound back the murderous intent.
When I did, the GM, who was frozen and unable to breathe, collapsed to his knees and began to gasp for breath. His eyes were glued to me the whole while. "W-Who are you...?" His gaze was filled with fear rather than hostility now, but once the murderous intent constricting his body and mind disappeared, it seemed he was able to think rationally again.
Flash!
A light burst behind my eyelids, dyeing the entire world white. This was a phenomenon I'd experienced countless times, so it didn't come as a surprise.
"See you later," I called mockingly.
Using his authority as the moderator, he had shut down the server.
***
"Are you awake?"
When I opened my eyes, Amelia was sitting next to the bed. There was only one reason this girl who was usually busy roaming the city all day and night was beside me. While I was in the community, I was incapacitated. She thought it was possible something could happen while I was gone.
What's going to happen in the span of less than ten seconds?
It felt like she was being a bit overprotective, but I also felt grateful for it.
What a joke.
That's not how you ask questions, especially to someone who seems stronger than you.
I took a step forward and fired back, "And if I don't reveal it?"
Having been interrupted, the GM tried to open his mouth to say something, but no sound came out. He just choked on air.
...Cough!
[Lion Style Form Three: Disrespect for the Weak]
When I took another step forward, the GM began to tremble, his eyes going so wide I could see the whites. I didn't realize his backbone was this flimsy. "You're weak."
When I was your age, I dominated the Round Table, punk.
I lowered the intensity of my murderous intent since he wouldn't even be able to understand what I was saying in this state, and murmured in a low voice, "Aika Teratios." This was the name of the second candidate Baekho mentioned.
The GM's reaction was not what I expected.
What is this man talking about? Is he casting a spell or incantation or something? his wary eyes seemed to ask.
Welp. Not that one either? Then there's only one possibility left...
"Yurven Havellion," I continued without missing a beat. And it seemed Baekho wasn't completely barking up the wrong tree, though I had been starting to have my doubts.
His reaction was noticeably different from before—temporarily dilated pupils, shallower breathing, and stiff facial muscles. He was even trying to act casual and not break eye contact. I had literally just been considering the possibility he might be a master at the poker face.
"So that was your name." While on the one hand, I was filled with joy at finally discovering the GM's name, I felt somewhat troubled on the other.
To think I would only succeed on the third try.
Both 33 percent and 50 percent were odds worth playing but the successive failures had left me unsettled. It seemed one of them had been a winner after all, though. Well, that was how it always went for me.
"Yurven Havellion." I chewed over the GM's name and slowly wound back the murderous intent.
When I did, the GM, who was frozen and unable to breathe, collapsed to his knees and began to gasp for breath. His eyes were glued to me the whole while. "W-Who are you...?" His gaze was filled with fear rather than hostility now, but once the murderous intent constricting his body and mind disappeared, it seemed he was able to think rationally again.
Flash!
A light burst behind my eyelids, dyeing the entire world white. This was a phenomenon I'd experienced countless times, so it didn't come as a surprise.
"See you later," I called mockingly.
Using his authority as the moderator, he had shut down the server.
***
"Are you awake?"
When I opened my eyes, Amelia was sitting next to the bed. There was only one reason this girl who was usually busy roaming the city all day and night was beside me. While I was in the community, I was incapacitated. She thought it was possible something could happen while I was gone.
What's going to happen in the span of less than ten seconds?
It felt like she was being a bit overprotective, but I also felt grateful for it.
"Here." I was thirsty and reaching for the water bottle I left on the nightstand when Amelia picked it up and handed it to me.
"Ah, thanks."
"So, how did it go?"
After taking a sip just to quench my thirst, I filled her in on what happened tonight. Amelia listened with obvious interest, but she didn't make too big a deal out of it. "Yurven Havellion. To think that hermit wizard was an evil spirit. The city would be turned upside down if this got out there."
"Hermit wizard?"
"You don't know? He's famous for holing himself up in the Magic Tower and rarely spending time outside. Most of his current reputation was established during his time as an adventurer years ago."
"I see."
This was my first time hearing he was a homebody, but thanks to some research I'd done on him in the past, I did have some general information on him. After an explosion occurred at the school he belonged to, he established his own school. During his adventurer days, he mainly used wind-attribute spells. In his specialty, the field of magical device manufacture, he was unparalleled.
Which is why his nickname is the Magic Engineer.
Anyway, that was how the story started, and it ended with me expressing relief that the Fragment of Records Stone didn't activate.
"...Relief?"
"Ah, in the middle, I started to think that this could be the task I still had to complete in this era. If this was my final task, I wouldn't be able to hide the equipment and would have to return as soon as I woke up."
"Ah... that's... t-true."
"Huh? Amelia, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. So, did you find a place to hide the equipment?" Amelia was acting strange but it wasn't to the point where I felt like it was worth interrogating her. Besides, this topic was more important anyway.
"Well, I don't know. I did a lot of exploring all over but none of the spots I checked out feel secure. I wanted to see if you had any advice." After listing the places I had visited so far, I asked Amelia for her opinion.
"They certainly all have their issues."
"The forest in the holy land would be perfect, but I'm nervous about that shaman who wanders there all the time."
"Then why not leave it in a bank vault?"
"Bank vault?"
That was a method I hadn't even thought of. In order to use the bank, I'd have to use the identity of Nivelles Enze. Not only was there a possibility that a problem would arise when I tried to recover the contents as Bjorn Yandel, but more importantly, Nivelles Enze was an identity that would be expunged next year for failure to pay taxes. Put simply, anything deposited in the vault would be returned to the National Treasury.
But it's not like I can pay twenty years' worth of taxes in advance, either.
This method had many pitfalls that made it unrealistic, which was why it hadn't even been on my list.
But she wouldn't have suggested it without knowing all that...
"Explain in detail."
When my back straightened, Amelia spoke. "Bank Alminus has something called an unassigned, fixed-term safe."
"I've never heard of it." This wasn't a policy that existed in the game. That meant it must be an update that had been added within the past 150 years.
"It makes sense that you wouldn't know about it. It's a little-known policy even to adventurers who frequent the bank." Afterward, Amelia gave a brief explanation of the unassigned fixed-term safe.
To summarize, if I pay money, the items will be stored for a set period of time without me needing to even reveal my identity. Until I retrieve the item, I just need to hold on to the key. Hmm, not bad.
***
The next day, I left the inn with Amelia for the first time in a while to visit the bank and confirm whether the policy in question had any harmful clauses or causes for concern I was unaware of.
This is even better than the Swiss Bank.
I decided this was at least safer than burying the weapon in the ground, so I ended up putting Kraul's Demon Grinder into the anonymous personal safe. The period was set at a generous twenty-two years. Well, the fee was no joke, all things considered.
"Don't worry, an amount like that is more than doable."
As I had been given Amelia's blessing, this kind of chump change was no big deal. Fortunately, it seemed things had worked out well.
"Uh, you found leftover money...?"
Amelia, who for two weeks had been working night and day to earn money, did indeed make the promised capital. When I asked what kind of witchcraft she had performed, her answer was this: "Nothing special. I just sold information."
Taking advantage of her privilege as a time traveler, she sold information. Her main customers were those interested in this auction. It sounded like she sold information on the names and colors of the essences that would be put up for auction in a few days.
"But that's strange. Why would they trust you as a source?"
"Ah, I used the head of the Central Exchange's name."
"Used? How?"
"I followed him twenty-four-seven to look into him and found something to blackmail him with. Then I used that to threaten him."
It seemed the Exchange had put a lot of effort into maintaining secrecy because even the Exchange's head did not know what the essence in question was. Of course, that was just a minor issue for us. What was important was making the customers think this was a trustworthy internal source.
"When I visited them as a member of the head's office, no one questioned the authenticity of the information. They probably figured they could hold him liable if the information was incorrect."
Upon hearing all of this, I couldn't hide my amazement. This was the kind of resourcefulness that could have made her a successful businesswoman. Was this the prestige of an SSR teammate?
"Amelia...!"
"W-What...! Don't cling to me!"
As a result, finding a place to stash my equipment, selling the rest, and finding the money to buy the essence were all taken care of by Amelia.
"Whew, it's today..."
Time passed, and auction day arrived.
"Here." I was thirsty and reaching for the water bottle I left on the nightstand when Amelia picked it up and handed it to me.
"Ah, thanks."
"So, how did it go?"
After taking a sip just to quench my thirst, I filled her in on what happened tonight. Amelia listened with obvious interest, but she didn't make too big a deal out of it. "Yurven Havellion. To think that hermit wizard was an evil spirit. The city would be turned upside down if this got out there."
"Hermit wizard?"
"You don't know? He's famous for holing himself up in the Magic Tower and rarely spending time outside. Most of his current reputation was established during his time as an adventurer years ago."
"I see."
This was my first time hearing he was a homebody, but thanks to some research I'd done on him in the past, I did have some general information on him. After an explosion occurred at the school he belonged to, he established his own school. During his adventurer days, he mainly used wind-attribute spells. In his specialty, the field of magical device manufacture, he was unparalleled.
Which is why his nickname is the Magic Engineer.
Anyway, that was how the story started, and it ended with me expressing relief that the Fragment of Records Stone didn't activate.
"...Relief?"
"Ah, in the middle, I started to think that this could be the task I still had to complete in this era. If this was my final task, I wouldn't be able to hide the equipment and would have to return as soon as I woke up."
"Ah... that's... t-true."
"Huh? Amelia, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. So, did you find a place to hide the equipment?" Amelia was acting strange but it wasn't to the point where I felt like it was worth interrogating her. Besides, this topic was more important anyway.
"Well, I don't know. I did a lot of exploring all over but none of the spots I checked out feel secure. I wanted to see if you had any advice." After listing the places I had visited so far, I asked Amelia for her opinion.
"They certainly all have their issues."
"The forest in the holy land would be perfect, but I'm nervous about that shaman who wanders there all the time."
"Then why not leave it in a bank vault?"
"Bank vault?"
That was a method I hadn't even thought of. In order to use the bank, I'd have to use the identity of Nivelles Enze. Not only was there a possibility that a problem would arise when I tried to recover the contents as Bjorn Yandel, but more importantly, Nivelles Enze was an identity that would be expunged next year for failure to pay taxes. Put simply, anything deposited in the vault would be returned to the National Treasury.
But it's not like I can pay twenty years' worth of taxes in advance, either.
This method had many pitfalls that made it unrealistic, which was why it hadn't even been on my list.
But she wouldn't have suggested it without knowing all that...
"Explain in detail."
When my back straightened, Amelia spoke. "Bank Alminus has something called an unassigned, fixed-term safe."
"I've never heard of it." This wasn't a policy that existed in the game. That meant it must be an update that had been added within the past 150 years.
"It makes sense that you wouldn't know about it. It's a little-known policy even to adventurers who frequent the bank." Afterward, Amelia gave a brief explanation of the unassigned fixed-term safe.
To summarize, if I pay money, the items will be stored for a set period of time without me needing to even reveal my identity. Until I retrieve the item, I just need to hold on to the key. Hmm, not bad.
***
The next day, I left the inn with Amelia for the first time in a while to visit the bank and confirm whether the policy in question had any harmful clauses or causes for concern I was unaware of.
This is even better than the Swiss Bank.
I decided this was at least safer than burying the weapon in the ground, so I ended up putting Kraul's Demon Grinder into the anonymous personal safe. The period was set at a generous twenty-two years. Well, the fee was no joke, all things considered.
"Don't worry, an amount like that is more than doable."
As I had been given Amelia's blessing, this kind of chump change was no big deal. Fortunately, it seemed things had worked out well.
"Uh, you found leftover money...?"
Amelia, who for two weeks had been working night and day to earn money, did indeed make the promised capital. When I asked what kind of witchcraft she had performed, her answer was this: "Nothing special. I just sold information."
Taking advantage of her privilege as a time traveler, she sold information. Her main customers were those interested in this auction. It sounded like she sold information on the names and colors of the essences that would be put up for auction in a few days.
"But that's strange. Why would they trust you as a source?"
"Ah, I used the head of the Central Exchange's name."
"Used? How?"
"I followed him twenty-four-seven to look into him and found something to blackmail him with. Then I used that to threaten him."
It seemed the Exchange had put a lot of effort into maintaining secrecy because even the Exchange's head did not know what the essence in question was. Of course, that was just a minor issue for us. What was important was making the customers think this was a trustworthy internal source.
"When I visited them as a member of the head's office, no one questioned the authenticity of the information. They probably figured they could hold him liable if the information was incorrect."
Upon hearing all of this, I couldn't hide my amazement. This was the kind of resourcefulness that could have made her a successful businesswoman. Was this the prestige of an SSR teammate?
"Amelia...!"
"W-What...! Don't cling to me!"
As a result, finding a place to stash my equipment, selling the rest, and finding the money to buy the essence were all taken care of by Amelia.
"Whew, it's today..."
Time passed, and auction day arrived.