A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 104

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 104

I had recently gained an important realization.
Connections were as powerful as money itself.
I even discovered that strong connections could surpass money in value.
Because of this, I valued my exchange with Apotos at ten gold—over twenty million won in real currency.
“I know it’s presumptuous, but I found myself wanting to know you better.”
“I see. By the way, I should mention that Guild recruitment won’t work. I already have an affiliation.”
“You’re affiliated with the Marim Chairman, aren’t you?”
“You’re well-informed.”
“Yes. In fact, I was supposed to meet him soon anyway.”
Only then did Apotos’s small eyes widen slightly.
“You had a prior appointment?”
“Yes. There was something I was preparing.”
“Past tense, I notice.”
“Right. If war breaks out, things get complicated. And if this Poultry Farm collapses, the chicken supply will be disrupted as well.”
“Hmm. Setting aside our acquaintance, adding you as a friend would create a mutually beneficial relationship. I’m Kang Myung-hwan. I serve as the Marim Chairman’s escort and advisor.”
A surprisingly forthcoming response.
Apotos revealed himself completely, even sharing his real name.
“I’m Lee Seo-jun. I have no particular affiliation.”
“You’re quite an interesting person.”

[New friend request: ‘Apotos’]

Another powerful individual was being added to my friend list.

[Friend List]
[Online: Eun-nyang E]
[Online: Bella]
[Offline: Nyx]
[Online: Eden]
[Offline: Unnamed Guest]
[Online: Chung-geom]
[Online: Apotos]

In the meantime, Sung-chul (Elder) was offline.
It seemed I’d need to contact him after he logged back in.
“Thank you. Please take these gold coins.”
“No, keep the gold coins. Instead, may I ask for your advice on something?”
“Hmm? What kind of advice could I possibly offer? If I can be of help in any way, I’ll do my best to assist.”
“According to what you said, I’ve heard this poultry farm is also in danger. If you were the owner of this poultry farm, what would you do?”
“Hmm.”
I was quite tense, but if I were the owner of the poultry farm, the problem could be resolved more simply than I’d thought.
“Since the current situation is like having a poultry farm in a demilitarized zone, I’d relocate the farm first.”
“Do you have an alternative location in mind?”
“Yes. I have considerable influence in Ath Village.”
“You mean the Shamans’ village. I understand that place is quite barren.”
“Yes. The maintenance costs will increase somewhat. Unlike here with its pastures, we’d need to feed the animals directly in Ath Village.”
“The chickens here are also given separate feed. The cost difference shouldn’t be significant.”
“Then all the more reason to relocate. We’ll bear the construction costs and choose safety instead.”
Apotos fell into thought, his head bowed.
After a moment, he spoke.
“The Chairman has approved it. Transport wagons will depart from Liam shortly.”
“Ah? You were in a whisper conversation?”
“Yes. The Chairman said he also sensed something ominous about the atmosphere. When I relayed what you said, he immediately decided to act.”
Was this the owner’s intuition?
Unlike me, who understood the situation firsthand, Marim Chairman had sensed the atmosphere himself and made his decision.
“The next issue is permission—is there enough space in Ath Village to establish a poultry farm?”
“No problem at all. Ath Village has plenty of open ground. Before long, eggs and chicken will become the specialty products of Ath Village.”
“Thank you. Now I must return to prepare for any potential intrusions.”
I’d transformed a threat into a powerful connection.
Given how things had developed, it was now likely that Marim Chairman would side with the Royal Court.
Of course, if Count Ponsen made an extraordinary offer, he could certainly waver, but the Count Ponsen I’d observed was a fanatical man whose own strength was his conviction.
“By the way, would it be alright if I took a quick look around the poultry farm?”
“Hmm? No problem at all. While you’re here, take some chickens and eggs with you. They’ll make for good provisions.”
Apotos’s standard for good provisions wasn’t about taste.
He was clearly a combat-focused warrior.
Therefore, good provisions meant excellent buff effects.
“Thank you.”
When I arrived at the poultry farm, I saw frightened workers.
It was because the fire demon visible in the distance continued to grow in intensity.
“Is everything here going to burn up like this?”
“We’re doomed! Manager! Please do something!”
Here at the farm, Apotos was known as the poultry farm manager.
But he was an archer.
It seemed I lacked the ability to suppress the flame demon.
“Kael. Is there no way?”
Apotos sought my counsel once again.
I didn’t have a proper solution myself, but at least I possessed something resistant to fire.
“I do have something that could extinguish the flames.”
After all, I had the Jar of Coolness.

[Jar of Coolness (Relic) (Bound)]
[A jar inhabited by a lower-tier water spirit. It assists the user according to ancient covenants.]
[Luck +10]
[Water Attribute Resistance slightly increased]

“This jar continuously generates water. I’d like to secure as much as possible—do you have any large buckets?”
“Hanson. Luca. Fetch the wooden barrels.”
“Yes!”
Two poultry farm workers brought over a massive wooden barrel.
It was enormous enough to age wine in.
“Let’s fill this with water for now. As an emergency measure, of course.”
“Are there other alternatives?”
“Yes. We flip the earth to prevent the fire from spreading.”
I drew out Sumoq this time.
With this, I could easily overturn the surrounding earth.
But I had an even more efficient partner at my disposal.
“Can you promise that everything you see from now on remains unseen?”
“Kang Myung-hwan. I swear on my name.”
“Good.”
I opened the Dimensional Gate to the Ancient Dimension for the first time in a while.
As always, Tuuram appeared cheerfully, shouldering an enormous beast.
“Kael! I’ve returned!”
“Fascinating. An Ancient One, then.”
“Hm? You recognized me immediately?”
“Venturing into the outskirts reveals many ruins bearing traces of the Ancient Ones. Most were hostile entities, though.”
What could exist in the outskirts?
I knew there were no places worthy of being called “outskirts” near the Meriam Kingdom.
Most of the borders were formed with other kingdoms.
So the Ancient Ones Apotos encountered must have been in ruins within the outskirts of another kingdom.
“Were there any friendly entities?”
“Yes. But most were weak. There were even Quests to rescue weak Ancient Ones.”
As the discussion of Ancient Ones continued, Tuuram began to show interest.
“Bad ones. The Arkbar tribe.”
“Arkbar?”
“They are born strong. Moreover, they dominate and enslave the weak.”
“I see.”
It was merely reference material for me.
More pressing was the task I had for Tuuram.
“Tuuram. We’ll talk later. Right now, I need you to obliterate everything around us.”
“You mean destroy it?”
“Yes. With solar rays.”
“Kahahaha! Excellent! With the Shaman’s care, I can wield it far better now. Watch this.”
Tuuram was brimming with confidence for some reason.
It seemed to be thanks to the Shaman’s support.
I decided to observe for now.
“Haaaagh!”
With a mighty shout, rays of light began pouring from Tuuram’s eyes.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom crash!
The grassland surrounding the Poultry Farm began to crumble.
The earth itself was literally shattered and overturned.
Amid this devastation, there were no variables like dry grass catching fire.
It was, in every sense, a perfect measure.
“An Ancient One this powerful?”
Apotos was astounded.
He had encountered an ability on an entirely different scale from the Ancient Ones he had previously faced.
“Ah, that’s an ability acquired through training. No Ancient One is born with such destructive rays.”
“Could the weapon be a summoning catalyst?”
“Yes.”
“…That weapon must be Mythic grade.”
“Correct. So please, just watch comfortably.”
Apotos’s mouth could not close.
I found myself embarrassed, so I averted my gaze and could only watch Tuuram.
Boom boom boom crash!
“Ahahahahaha!”
Perhaps he had been unable to use his power for so long.
Tuuram rampaged like an unbridled colt, proudly displaying his abilities to the fullest.
The result was total devastation.
At this rate, wouldn’t this place become truly fertile land in a few years?
Using Tuuram’s solar rays for agriculture was genuinely worth serious consideration.
“That should suffice. At this level, fire won’t spread.”
“I’ve gained considerable inspiration from this. Kael.”
“Inspiration?”
“Yes. With such destructive rays, I believe I have room to attempt something similar myself.”
I suppose ranged dealers recognize other ranged dealers when they see them.
It’s a bit sudden to mention, but Tuuram’s true nature is that of a melee dealer.
“I’m glad I could be of help.”
“The Chairman will be quite satisfied as well. Of course, I’ll make sure to compensate you properly, so I’d appreciate it if you’d accept my calls in the future.”
“I seem to be receiving quite a lot from you, Apotos.”
“I gained confidence the moment we became friends. As I said, we can become mutually beneficial to each other. Ah, it looks like the water supply is quite sufficient now. I think this should be enough.”
“Is this satisfactory?”
“Yes. As long as Count Ponsen himself doesn’t march into this place, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”
Count Ponsen marching into the Poultry Farm?
That was a problem even I had no answer for.
I’m sorry, but if such a situation were to unfold, I’d flee with all my might as well.
“Then that’s a relief. Oh, by the way, do you happen to have a map, Apotos?”
“A map?”
“Yes. If possible, I’d like one that shows all of Count Ponsen’s Territory marked on it.”
“I have a map I purchased a few years ago—would that work?”
“Yes. That’s fine.”
So Apotos also possessed a subspace inventory.
It was truly a symbol of high-level status.
Moreover, since his class was archer-based, weight management would have been even more important to him than others.
“Here it is.”
“Thank you.”
I acquired the map.
When I unfolded the map I received, all the locations of Muren, Kraha, and Bexon were marked on it.
With this, it seemed I could head straight to Bexon.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————