Chapter 413
Chapter 413
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 413
>Chapter Title: Shürlenn
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Shürlenn.
Not the heart of the Federation, but a city where nobles from across the North gathered periodically.
Everything they indulged in became culture and economy, leading to its own form of development.
Thanks to the secret auction known colloquially as the Star Graveyard, Shürlenn had boomed once. Then, with a massive influx of Transients, it developed even further.
In particular, Shürlenn's location was ideal for northern Transients setting out on adventures, making it hugely popular.
It was a major hub for adventurers.
Kang Seol stopped by the association to check the reactions.
(New) [Post by 'KillTheNatives']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: This is the natives' doing]
This is the work of vicious natives targeting Kastreng, the light and salt of the North!
- This guy's been spamming for days.
- Sounds like he got robbed at an arcade by natives.
- Yeah, that tracks. Can't be helped.
(New) [Post by 'SteelCrown']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Totally otaku vibes lol gross...]
No way. He's too cool, I'm running out of panties.
- What the hell lol Steel Crown my ass...(twitch twitch)
- Lmao, Lim Ggeokjeong showed up and wiped out all the criminals.
- Back in our America, gun incidents like this happen all the time. So fucking common. That's why I'm unfazed.
- Dude, it's all translated anyway. Stop talking all broken to pretend you're American.
- Oh, really? Lol.
(New) [Post by 'CriminalsHaveLivesToo']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Are you even human?]
I can't listen to this anymore.
Hundreds of people died, and you're all like "so cool" this and that. Imagine if they were your family.
- Sticking to the concept hard lol Bet you love it deep down.
- Listen, listen, I can't listen! (Can't stand hearing this)
- Here comes the both-sides guy? Wanna split his skull with a tomahawk steak.
- Sigh... hold on, my morning star. I'll drink that idiot's brains soon.
- Always with the "imagine it's your family" lol Our family's not criminals though?
(New) [Post by 'TheTruthIsOne']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: So who killed them?]
Just keep dangling the bait, why not step up yourself? Alright! Everyone close your eyes. The guy who cleaned up the criminals in Kastreng, raise your hand. Hey! I said close your eyes!
- Catch me now and it'll just blow over. (Huge trouble ahead)
- Only the teacher knows. (Teacher's curious too)
(New) [Post by 'IShitMyPants']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: No choice, teacher.]
Teacher! It was me! The Steel Crown incident! The culprit is yours truly!
- Whoa, insane... You?
- This is a lie!
- No way... High-affection gonk IS hitMyPants was the culprit...
(New) [Post by 'HowDoYouEvenGun']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Balance patch ffs]
Came from the South, and they didn't have crap like this!
Vanguards might not die even if shot in the gut, but healers' heads explode from that! Dying to some villager NPC? Now machine guns are next.
- You're from the South too, huh.
- Rumor is guilds are circulating them on purpose.
- Huh? For real?
- As Transient power grows, old powers arm civilians to balance it. Guns are a joke compared to bows for top Transients lol.
- Fucking hell, those bastards too lol Not all Transients are bad, right?
- Oof!
- Twitch!
- Heart flutter!
- Thump thump!
- It's cuz of these guys.
- Last one's a raccoon?
(New) [Post by 'WhyNoDrugBusts']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Filled a whole Kastreng pair with it.]
Heard it's some small fry, but criminals filled a whole Kastreng pair. Is this right? Looked it up—Home? New drug spreading lately. If not cracked down, we're screwed.
- They're busting, but Investigation Bureau lacks manpower... Support us pls.
- Pension?
- Duh. But you won't live to collect it~
- What can ya do lol.
- Field work's chronically understaffed... Slower growth than adventuring, crap rewards.
- Basically honorary position...
Just a drift of miscellaneous info with no form, so Kang Seol checked his mail.
He'd checked the backlog in Cherize too, so nothing too old.
[Letter from friend 'CollegeKidsDie']
[Written: 3 days ago]
[Title: Seol oppa, Cherize?]
I'm in Shürlenn right now...?
* * *
Several days had passed since Steel Crown arrived in Shürlenn.
"What’s taking Tekon so long?"
"He died."
"Oh, right. He did."
A snickering shadow.
Everyone gathered here wore pitch-black blindfolds.
It was the meeting Tekon had wanted to attend.
The toad had met his end en route.
"What about the kids he had with him?"
"All dead. Not a single one left."
"Shame about that girl. High compatibility."
"Blame her owner. If she'd come to me, she wouldn't have died so pointlessly."
"He'd sponsored her from the orphanage since she was little."
"That toad bastard was top-tier hypocrite."
No one here mourned Tekon's death.
The meeting continued. No, it was just beginning.
"Let's start then. I've picked out the urgent issues."
Rustle...
The leaders checked the paper.
"First, Sorum Workshop's pulling out."
"Suddenly?"
"Figured as much once they tasted the cash and started mass-producing."
"The owner? Bolted?"
"Nope."
"Good. We'll clean it up next week."
"Quietly."
"Pros, leave it to us."
"Next."
The meeting proceeded swiftly.
"We need to recover the Home Tekon had secured. And his distribution network."
"Split the network fair and square, send kids for the Home."
"Can't ramp up Home supply more?"
"That's all the raw materials coming from their side."
"Tch... Fine."
Home was a drug made from special materials. It didn't just send your mood to paradise—it boosted physical abilities to insane levels.
Accidents never stopped, spreading its effects and dangers even to civilians.
Home had side effects, of course. Beyond typical drug crashes: endless exhaustion and apathy. Once hooked, no returning to normal life.
Those gathered here were the Federation's drug lords, specializing in Home distribution.
"So, other drugs besides Home?"
"Imports are glitchy. Someone's onto the flow."
"Handle it yourself. Botch it, and our heads roll."
"Got it."
"Star Graveyard prep going well?"
"Decent."
After various agenda items, someone brought up the final one.
"So... Steel Crown, huh?"
"Kekeke... No idea who named it, but it sticks. Fits Tekon's end."
"What to do?"
"Revenge seems fitting?"
"Don't even know who it is. Aside from likely being the guy messing with Tekon's ops lately."
"And now that toad croaked on his own, can't ID him."
"We find out. Starting now. Can't be a joke."
"Crow mark left at the scene... Anyone know it?"
* * *
While Kang Seol was away, Ur's group safely escorted Silvia home.
No further attacks after that—probably because targeting her was Tekon's assignment.
Back home, Silvia got a huge scolding from her family head father. And jaw-dropping shock at learning she'd promised Star Graveyard access as payment for her contract with Kang Seol.
'Even for House Mischen, not easy.'
Star Graveyard was another world. Secret auction house for Federation elites.
From pricey art to high-grade gear.
Only select invitees, verified identities only.
Kang Seol's reason for entering was obvious.
'...Need mountains of gear.'
Kang Seol's leather gear.
Ur's cloth gear.
Tansia's gear.
Adventuring alone for all that? Way too long.
Even regular auctions rarely stocked treasure-grade stuff. No market price meant absurd valuations.
Kang Seol didn't ask for much. Just decent treasure-grade from Star Graveyard.
Better odds than half-baked adventures.
Problem: entry.
"...Request denied."
"......"
"Tried my best, but... With the auction imminent, new permissions start next one."
Trouble.
Big trouble.
'Can't wait for the next auction.'
Auctions weren't frequent.
Miss this, next was ages away.
Kang Seol scowled, deep in thought. Silvia had kept her promise. Secured entry quals.
Issue: not for this auction.
Tricky spot—not quite grounds to complain.
"Uh... You're after this auction, right?"
"Yes."
"Dad brainstormed options with me... Got a good idea."
"Good idea?"
Silvia feared Kang Seol.
She knew Steel Crown was his doing without asking. He had the ruthlessness and execution to pull it off.
The type to slice down a hundred lives without hesitation if they irked him.
Scarier than her enemies. So she aimed to build good ties.
"Use someone else's permission."
"Won't work. Permissions are person-specific..."
"No! There's one free of that rule. Different holder each auction."
By now, Kang Seol guessed whose.
"Federation Investigation Bureau."
"Yes... The Bureau."
For national security, Bureau agents attended masked. Personnel varied by assignment.
But Bureau's Star Graveyard slots weren't unlimited.
'How to snag from them?'
Silvia answered Kang Seol's doubt.
"Dad's close associate. Gail!"
Slide...
Gail entered quietly.
Kang Seol had known he was outside.
"Sudden?"
"Fine."
"Habit of quick handling. Pleased to meet you, Gail. Heard a lot."
"...Heard?"
Too soon for Silvia and Gail to have talked much.
"To Ishii-kun and Yeva-san."
"...Ah."
Then, stories from Hügelten.
'How much did he hear...'
Gail smiled at Kang Seol's wary look.
"Everything."
"......"
"No reason for them to hide. Got the full scoop."
AWOL, missing.
Plus massive Hügelten incident—only two witnesses.
'No helping it.'
Gail cut to the chase.
"We have Star Graveyard rights too. Creating new ones draws eyes—risky downside."
True.
Better to stay low. Infiltrate ideally.
"Bureau's attended but never bid. It's for security and contraband recovery. We'll give you this slot."
"Understood."
"But! A condition."
"...Condition?"
"Using Bureau rights personally creates gaps. On auction day, act in Bureau's interests too."
Kang Seol smirked.
'Look at this guy.'
Give rights, take responsibility. Ishii must've spilled on Kang Seol's strength—Gail saw profit.
"...Decline."
"No, why? Such a golden chance..."
"No thanks to puppet strings."
"Even if Ishii and Yeva beg on their knees?"
"Just pisses me off."
"Tsk... Well..."
Gail rubbed his chin, eyes darting.
"...How about this. We're desperate too."
He raised a finger.
"Guaranteed reward, results aside."
"Reward?"
"Of the auction lots, one goes to you."
"...Seriously?"
Great. No, excellent reward.
"Bureau that loaded?"
"Perk from handling security. Upper brass approval needed."
"Fine."
Pure win.
Auction items? Not cheap.
Often non-monetary trades.
"Then, deal's on... Call you Investigator Kang from now on. Investigator Kang."
"......"
"...Sir?"
Off vibe.
"Haha... Names like that don't roll off the tongue. Anyway, meet the team you'll sync with for this Star Graveyard auction?"
"Can't refuse. ...You brought them already."
"Told you, quick handler."
Creak...
Three in robes.
Bureau uniforms underneath.
Black man, white woman, East Asian woman.
"Zamal, Transient. Earthlings stick together. Half Pandea's kin anyway."
Kang Seol eyed Gail; Gail grinned.
"Manpower shortage... All Transients. Zamal, be polite."
"No way. Can't work with that guy."
Kang Seol chuckled it off.
"Urgh..."
Another woman spoke.
"Ray. Let's do well. Or... Ray here, nice to work with."
Kang Seol's gaze went to the East Asian woman beside her.
"Uh... Didn't expect you here..."
"...Han So-mi?"
Han So-mi, met in first sudden adventure with Jo Kyung-taek and Shin Mun-ho, stood there.
"Uh... Yeah, kinda."