Chapter 198
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Habitual Kleptomania
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Grave enthusiast, habitual kleptomania, scent of money, collector, etc.
Just moments before deciding which of the grave robber Golun's four signature abilities Kang Seol would inherit...
If there was one thing he wished for right now...
'Just avoid the kleptomania.'
[You inherit an ominous ability.]
[You acquire Disposition: Habitual Kleptomania.]
[From now on, you may steal someone else's belongings without realizing it.]
"...No."
Nooooo lololololololol
Check out that face lololol
Snowman nerf committee is popping champagne right now.
'I've Been Robbed' sponsored 1,500 Madness!
[Are you... a thief by any chance?]
Nah, you just look like one.
'Gotcha' sponsored 1,200 Madness!
[Undercover for 23 years... finally caught you, you rascal!]
Nah, play it off like "So what're you gonna do after I steal it?" stance.
A disposition was like a tattoo etched onto one's horse—it couldn't be turned on and off at will.
Thus, any future contact with others was bound to cause trouble.
'Of all things, why this...'
It wasn't Golun's fault.
He probably didn't want to pass this on either.
Kang Seol felt a deep despair envisioning a future full of headaches.
But then, another message appeared.
[Masterful Dexterity influences Disposition: Habitual Kleptomania.]
[The level of thievery dramatically increases.]
[Future thefts will be far more stealthy and swift, making it hard for targets to notice.]
[Valuable items will be targeted.]
"...Oh."
The core issue remained unchanged—no real improvement.
As if to blow away Kang Seol's worries, another message popped up.
[Shadow Hand influences Disposition: Habitual Kleptomania.]
[Disposition: Habitual Kleptomania evolves into Disposition: Shadow Theft.]
[Shadow Hand can now be used for theft, applying all its effects as well.]
[Masterful Dexterity influences Shadow Hand.]
[Shadow Hand becomes stealthier and faster than before.]
Unfortunately, the new messages didn't ease Kang Seol's concerns.
"......"
He fell silent for a moment, hoping for yet another message, but his wish went unfulfilled.
'This is a headache. Could even clash with my previous life if I'm not careful.'
To avoid trouble, he'd have to steer clear of people.
At his level, he could overpower most transmigrators, but that didn't mean it would be effortless.
'But I don't want to give up outpost rests.'
Worst case, he could camp outdoors to avoid people. Most transmigrators were seasoned at long adventures and camping, and Kang Seol was no exception.
Still, outpost rests offered unique benefits that camping couldn't fully replace.
At that moment, Ur offered Kang Seol some half-hearted comfort.
"What?"
"It'll be annoying, but it's fine. Just reshape it."
"Reshape? You can intentionally alter abilities?"
"Yeah, though forced reshaping won't change much. Even so, it'll be worth it."
If intentional reshaping was possible, removing just one phrase would suffice.
'The "without realizing it" part.'
In any case, what Kang Seol realized here was that inheriting a horse's legacy didn't always lead to a happy ending.
A short while later, a minor commotion stirred at Azelfog's Adventurer's Guild.
"Looks like they were really gearing up for it. Adelin's been putting effort into wiping out the goats too."
"They're telling us to get lost from where we showed up. Trying to keep those crime dens from even setting foot in Adelin."
"It's war, war. But can they really sweep out the criminals this fast? Word is the goats are already cornered?"
"Even if Adelin's laying low due to the shaky situation with neighboring countries, the goats got too cocky. So as soon as the incident blew up, they went in for a swift purge."
"They're getting pushed from all sides—no way out..."
"Good riddance! The only way is to carve out the rotten ones quick. Who do these transmigrators think they are, strutting around like they own the place in someone else's country..."
"Shh... we're all transmigrators here."
"R-Right... Huh?"
The man speaking patted his pockets.
Pat... pat...
A deflating sound echoed each time he tapped himself.
"What's up?"
"This is weird..."
"What is it?"
"My wallet... my wallet's gone."
"Didn't you leave it at the restaurant earlier?"
"I checked when I left..."
"Look properly. Check the bottom too."
Sniiff... where'd it fall?
"Jeez, I'll head to the restaurant first and check."
"Thanks, man."
At the same time, Kang Seol was in a secluded corner of the guild, checking the community board.
"...Damn it."
Standing there holding some stranger's wallet, unable to do anything.
???: Huh? Report? What're you doing? Nope, time for Karen sunset painting!
Scraaape...
"Did it fall under here?"
Taking advantage of the wallet's owner searching under the table, Kang Seol placed it back on the table.
"Argh, seriously... Huh? Was it here the whole time? Missed it... Money's all there... What an idiot."
Fortunately, the man seemed to let it slide.
"Phew..."
Kang Seol had originally planned to meet Han Yeo-myeong here.
But things didn't go as planned. She wasn't in Azelfog.
[Letter from friend '1Yeo-myeong']
[Date: Yesterday]
[Title: Bro, sorry. Heading out first.]
You'll see when you get back, but... things are heating up in Adelin. The goats are getting pushed back by Adelin's hardline response.
Even strong transmigrators are stepping up to wipe them out. The goats are holding on stubbornly, so there are casualties among the transmigrators too.
I'm involved in this, so I can't just sit by. Heading out first.
Normally I'd wait for you, but since I don't know when your adventure ends, I'm leaving this letter. When you return...
'Hmm...'
Something utterly absurd had happened.
It wasn't about Han Yeo-myeong's response. They'd made plans, but Kang Seol hadn't specified when his adventure would end—that was his fault too.
Having too many unplanned long adventures had made him avoid committing to timelines.
'A day's difference, I can catch up.'
She'd noted her destination, so he could head there.
Even if they missed each other, the incident would wrap up within the month's rest period, and he'd meet her at the designated spot.
'The goats' lair.'
If those ants had a nest, that's where Han Yeo-myeong would go—and where Kang Seol should head from the start.
'She's gotten a lot more aggressive while I wasn't looking. Well... next adventure's nearby anyway, so no issue.'
The next adventure spot with Han Yeo-myeong was in Adelin's far west too—no schedule conflict.
Before leaving to join her, he checked the community.
[‘ForeignerHater’ post]
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: So who the hell did it?]
Who's the culprit that blew up Marcelo's gang? Not Adelin knights, right?
— Lit the fire proper, goats all burning lol
— Transmigrators with "Might be doable?" mindset are ruthless...
— Just like school bullies. Whole group can't be strong except a few heads. What if they swarm lol
— Getting pushed hard~
— They never made sense bossing around to begin with? What do they have to challenge transmigrators lol
— Transmigrators got swords yo? Huh? Goats are cruel? Transmigrators skin alive casually too~
The incident Kang Seol caused had more ripple effects than expected.
From that spark, flames were now spewing toward the goats.
[‘ThisIsWhyItSucks’ post]
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Hmmm... this overlaps with something, doesn't it?]
I came down from Nebania on Jjerki, right? Similar case happened.
— Wtf crazy. What am I supposed to do about spawn point.
— Anyway, then?
— Back in Nobira, there was this brutal native bastard. Hekara guy, opposed the moderate Kibo. Kibo's faction was losing, so thought Hekara'd take it all.
— Oh 'that incident' lol
— But shit, right as head-on clash started, Hekara got his head chopped. Unknown cause. Suspect someone backed Kibo... Anyway, Hekara was strong af but got cut. His gang exploded after. Just like... this with Marcelo, right?
— Kinda similar lol Marcelo vanished outta nowhere;;
— Thought it was goat infighting at first, guess not?
— Nah goats are just idiots? Can't build transmigrator exploitation without overwhelming power lol Transmigrators dumb? They dance death monthly and see brutality galore;
— ...We have friends like that?
— Not me.
— Me neither.
[‘JustArrivedNews’ post]
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Wait this real?]
Huuu... can't calm down;; Be back after cooling off.
[‘CalmedDownNews’ post]
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Calmed down]
Nebania border fully sealed.
First clash between transmigrators and natives in the frontier.
— Civil war!
— Civil war broke ooooout!
— Whaaaat!
— Yup, I'm Adelin~
— Me too lol
— (Hodong face) As long as not meeee~
Two weeks after war broke out between Adelin and the Goat Cartel.
Ilastan, midpoint en route to Adelin's far west.
"Huuuuu..."
Twang...
Releasing the bowstring, an arrow flew.
Splaaaat!
A distant someone's head exploded instantly. Whether failing to even scream was fortune or misfortune...
"Twelve..."
Twang...
The bowstring drew taut once more.
Splaaaat!
It felt like replaying a short video on loop—the same outcome repeating.
"Thirteen..."
Hiding atop a covered roof, she steadied her breath.
She was knee-deep in the war against the goats.
'No, after killing this many, am I immersed?'
"Hup!"
Thud!
Smaaash!
"Gahk..."
Stab...
"Urgh..."
"Arrow! Damn it... above! It's sniping from above!"
"Find it!"
[Philia uses Submerge.]
[Not detected by sensing abilities.]
"Fifteen..."
Philia, who had once synced with Kang Seol and the Black Knight. Now facing off against Ilastan's goats.
Not just her, though.
Many transmigrators who stepped up, plus Adelin's small forces, were with her.
Philia had grown stronger.
And to grow even stronger, ignoring this and going her own way would be more efficient.
'Why am I even here...'
Not amnesia like in dramas, yet she kept forgetting the reason.
Then quickly remembered.
'Right, I have to be here.'
She recalled a much younger-looking woman awkwardly scratching her head.
Philia hated being tied down.
She always pursued freedom, rarely forming attachments.
Yet here she was, entangled in an unrelated mess.
'......'
A week ago, a young woman she'd been chatting with died. Caught in the Goat Cartel's rampage.
What could she say? Naturally, she grabbed her bow and stepped up.
This was peak inefficiency.
Yet there was no hesitation.
As always, not out of some sense of justice.
Twang...
"Sixteen."
Sixteen heads pierced by her arrows.
"Annoying..."
The situation, and herself.
Suddenly, Philia stopped mid-draw.
The air shimmered slightly away from her.
Shimmer...
A man appeared.
Proud, known as Ilastan's goat.
"Here you are?"
"......"
Philia's hand trembled faintly.
Unlike previous foes, his presence alone tensed her up.
'Strong...'
Tough opponent—needed distance.
Whoosh-!
A rope shot from Philia's hand.
[Philia uses Evasion Maneuver.]
[Swiftly move to the hit point of the rope.]
Whip...
Turning back, Philia saw the man grinning. A tattoo on his face gleamed.
Clank...
[Proud uses Alchemy: Iron Armor.]
[Equips reinforced iron armor.]
Proud transformed into a heavily armored knight.
Philia scowled from afar.
"Why? Shoot me too?"
"......"
"Heh... Scared?"
Piercing that heavy armor would take immense power—and expose openings.
'Retreat for now?'
Her decision came a beat too late.
At Proud's signal, figures appeared on nearby roofs.
"Trying to run?"
"Urk..."
The rooftop minions yelled at her.
"We'll smash you to the ground quick!"
"Won't kill you easy..."
Proud listened, then flashed a cruel grin.
"Even if you retreat, gotta have some fun first. Scream..."
Then.
Piiiing-!
A black object hurtled from nearby. Speed too fast to dodge even seeing it.
"...What?"
Proud couldn't even think to evade, hastily erecting a barrier.
[Proud uses Alchemy: Turtle.]
[All damage reduced by 25% for 2 seconds.]
[Movement speed reduced by 30% for next 5 seconds.]
Crack...
A turtle-shell barrier enveloped Proud.
But the black object hit before it fully formed.
Kabooooom-!
Fierce heat swirled.
Sizzle...
Post-impact, Philia scanned to assess.
Sizzle...
The entire roof section vanished, nearby goons swept away.
'Wha... what about Proud...'
Proud, in solid armor, was gone too.
'Did he... melt?'
Someone approached Philia.
"Still can't control the power well. Sorry. You okay?"
"Who..."
"Don't remember me?"
Red-haired fairy woman.
Philia's eyes widened.
"That time..."
"You remember?"
Following her, a man climbed the roof.
"Philia, long time no see."
"Snowman..."
Philia suddenly scowled.
Seeing her displeasure, Kang Seol checked his hand.
A plump brown pouch was there.
"That's... my wallet..."
"Ah."