Unexpected Contribution Point Boost

Vulcan was able to recover a massive amount of contribution points in no time, thanks to the sudden duplication glitch. Since his contribution gains had skyrocketed upon reaching viscount rank, he'd raked in far more than the standard amount required.

It was still a bit short for executing his plans, but that could wait—he just needed to bide his time patiently. The Lizard Slayers were still being produced steadily even now.

"Alright, ask away."

In the meantime, Vulcan had finished all ten longswords and distributed them to the knight squad members. He'd also auctioned off the soul stones he'd received from Alter, each at 100 gold. A hundred gold was equivalent to a million won in real cash. It was priced just high enough to deter casual buyers who had no real interest—people who might snag it out of curiosity—but not so cheap that it wouldn't tempt those curious about its true nature.

Since no one would even know what it was for under normal circumstances, he figured only those determined to uncover its secrets would bite. Selling through other channels might raise suspicions beforehand, but auctions kept sellers and buyers anonymous, so it should work like a charm. In reality, the moment it was bought, its coordinates would ping straight to Alter, of course.

It was a blind spot born from players' blind faith in the system.

"Spatial Memory."

Next, Vulcan saved the coordinates of the Right Wall in his Book of Space. His current level was 197. He'd dashed around creating opportunities and providing support, playing a major role in taking down Jamoiev, which netted him a whopping 20 levels just from the great battlefield. But it still wasn't enough. He'd only just hit the appropriate level for the great battlefield.

A few more runs there, and he could push past 200. Not a bad option at all.

"See you again soon, then."

But the next great battlefield wouldn't open for a while. He could stick around, supply munitions, and grind skill ranks, but he had too many other priorities first. He needed to investigate the Prolant territory that Alter had pointed out and track down another temple to clear yet another main scenario quest. They might even chain into more main quests from the temple itself, so dawdling could make it tight to sync up with the next battlefield.

Thus, Vulcan used his Book of Space to bookmark the location and planned to return right before the battlefield opened. The Right Wall had a teleport circle, but he might not always be at a matching one. His next stop, Prolant, wasn't a major city without one, after all.

"The big city near Prolant... Illihi, right?"

He headed first to the major city of Illihi. It was a big city, but tucked away in a quiet inland area with no standout features. Peaceful. Boring. There were hunting grounds nearby and decent amenities, so plenty of users hung around, but low demand kept consumable prices high, making it unpopular.

I could set up shop here.

If he had the time, he might've gathered materials, crafted, and run a street stall. But time was short, so he handled his business quickly.

"You wish to see His Excellency the High Priest?"

He'd requested an audience with Radin's high priest. No temples for Roona, Kabura, or Jatan nearby made it the only choice. The good news: no door-in-the-face treatment this time. With Radin's blessing and the Divine Mark, the high priest gladly met him and, already briefed, connected him to Shairun via communication orb.

Through that, he reported in and smoothly completed the main scenario quest.

"Reaching out to both humans and monsters... and getting brainwashed without knowing it, doing things that benefit them? This is bad. The scope of our investigations just got way broader."

Naturally, they took it seriously. Alter had already pulled strings to shield Dorian, but this would force them to hunt down not just direct participants but indirect collaborators—people unknowingly brainwashed, influenced, or acting in what they thought was the kingdom's interest, only to aid the enemy.

This is serious. Now we have to suspect both humans and monsters.

And monsters were in on it too. In a way, that was worse. They had inherently bad relations with humans, so allying with the enemy to drive humans off the continent and claim it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for themselves was a no-brainer. Plenty might've already fallen for their lures—not for reviving or summoning the Demon King, but for their own gains, cooperating just enough.

"Looks like we'll need more manpower... Fine. I'll give you a new mission."

"Whoa, hold up. You haven't given the reward yet."

As Shairun pondered and opened his mouth to issue a new main scenario quest, Vulcan caught on that something was off. The quest was done—why no reward? Was it because he reported remotely? Did he have to collect later?

The reward was the Secret Society seal, right? Main scenario gear should have killer options—I can't miss that.

He replied in a questioning tone, and Shairun brushed it off casually.

"Impatient, aren't you? That's exactly what I'm assigning to you."

"Pardon?"

"You're a craftsman, aren't you? Now that you're officially in the Secret Society, make seals to vouch for members' identities."

Son of a...

"Whew, you got it! Leave it to me!"

Vulcan nearly cursed at being told to craft his own reward after finally clearing the quest, but the success rewards flashing up had him flashing a salesman smile and rubbing his hands.

Seintera. The ultimate holy metal that radiated divine power on its own and amplified holy spells when infused. Any top-tier holy weapon was either made from it or alloyed with it. Even Vulcan's own Blessed Sun Sword was the same—Radin's divinity dwelled within thanks to the Seintera mixed in.

And they were giving him 10kg? Hell yes. He could craft and sell whatever for a fortune.

Plus a chance to handle Seintera? They're practically giving it away. Heh heh!

"Good. We'll send the Seintera soon. Let us know when it's done."

That ended the call. He had no idea how they'd deliver it, but Vulcan plunged into happy deliberation.

What to make? Rings? Necklaces? Nah. For a secret society, nothing too obvious. And why waste accessory slots?

With crafting the seals on him, form was the first dilemma. Having the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠choice meant he could make something useful for himself.

"Whatever it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is, I need to hit 200 first."

- Obviously. 10kg of Seintera? Endless possibilities.

Vulcan snapped out of his daydream. No matter what, 200 came first. Only then could he craft level 300-restricted seals with amplified effects for the main scenario quest. He wasn't about to half-ass a long-term item just to rush completion.

"Three levels... Should manage with this quest or the next battlefield."

200 wasn't far off, thanks to the battlefield level explosion—just three away.

"Oh yeah, you mentioned something special at 200, right?"

There was also the 200-level event. Tud had said he couldn't reveal his next arrangement until then—which meant Vulcan would get it at 200. Tud's arrangements were never ordinary, especially since he'd stressed needing sufficient "stature" this time. Worth looking forward to.

- ...Yeah. Kinda don't wanna tell you now, though.

"Aw, c'mon~ You said the road's still long. Don't I need to power up fast to reach your goals quicker, Lord Tud?"

Tud grumbled pointlessly—he'd spill eventually—so Vulcan grinned slyly to coax him.

"Got it. I'll knock out the quest and hit 200 while I'm at it."

With basic prep done, Vulcan boarded a carriage to Prolant. A rare break.

- Hold up. Forget something?

"Forgotten? Nah, think I'm good..."

- Argh! How long you gonna make me eat nothing but chocolate bars?! Hand over new chocolate NOW!!

...After stocking up on all sorts of chocolate treats from the city shops, that is.

"Uncle! You're back early today?"

"Yeah. Hye-rim. Was traveling between villages... Anyway, I'll log back in soon."

"Perfect timing. I was cooking. Eat first, then go."

Out of the capsule, Hye-rim greeted Young-min amid cooking smells. He'd tried handling chores himself since she was frail, or at least splitting them, but she insisted she could manage. Like her dad, once stubborn, no swaying her. So he let her.

Life got way easier. Near full-time in-game as Vulcan meant rushed meals and piling laundry, but she handled it spotless. He just took out trash—pure focus on the game.

"Um... I started Gloria Saga."

"Oh yeah? Not too tough? Want help? Can't do quests from afar, but I could send gold..."

"No! Just wandering, sightseeing. No big costs, earning enough."

Hye-rim's home-taught internet cooking was solid. She claimed just following recipes, but her deft touch made it worlds better than his instant junk—he shoveled it in.

Then her words made Young-min pause his spoon. He'd suggested Gloria Saga since her illness limited outings, and she'd really started. Busy with chores and high school equivalency, but virtual travel could be her break.

"Mm. Still, tell me if you need anything. Uncle's a craftsman—can make solid gear anytime. Wait, what class'd you pick?"

"Thanks. Class is... merchant."

"Merchant?"

Young-min's face darkened. Merchant was as fringe as production classes. Was it for money? He'd provide—he was stacking cash soon anyway. No money worries for her.

"If it's for cash..."

"No! I picked it 'cause I like it. Merchants travel cities, see everything, right? Users and NPCs are nice—having fun."

Probably 'cause you're cute. Users being nice...? Ugh.

Users "nice" didn't ring true for Young-min, but if she said so, he couldn't push. Travel was possible in any class, but maybe he shouldn't restrict her. NPCs over toxic users and fewer monster fights? Decent pick. Later, hire guards for caravans.

Kit her out with gear later—she'll play safe.

He asked for her character name or tag to help, but she bashfully refused. Would say if needed, unsure how long she'd play—wait till she leveled and hooked. No more to say. He just told her to speak up if stuck, ate, rested briefly, and logged back in on time.

Prolant village arrived.

"Suspicious noises from the forest, huh. If it's around here... this one?"

Prepped already, he opened the map, located the suspect woods, and headed there.

"Seize him! Bind the bastard!!"

"...What the hell?"

The moment he entered the forest, chaos erupted. Knights burst out, surrounding Vulcan, ropes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at the ready to subdue him.