A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 106

Lantz made a wise decision.
He chose submission—the only method by which he could survive.
“I will do anything! Please, just spare my life!”
And I had devised a plan to end this war prematurely, implementing certain operations immediately.
Boom!
Tuuram was still methodically destroying Bexon’s granaries, which had severely disrupted Count Ponsen’s advance toward the Royal Palace.
With the spy Lantz now subdued as well, my operations gained even greater momentum.
“Right. Those who can live should live.”
“Yes! I’ll do whatever you command! Hehe!”
Lantz’s eyes burned with the hunger for survival.
Since this loyalty was forged through force, there was a high probability he would execute his first task flawlessly—assuming his abilities were sufficient.
And assigning Lantz an appropriate mission would demonstrate my capabilities.
“You said you have about ten subordinates?”
“Yes!”
“Good. I need information first. What is the nearest territory to Bexon?”
“Loren Fortress, governed by Rockwell Baron, is closest!”
This time it was a fortress, not a village.
That meant it was a strategic stronghold.
“How do they get along?”
“Rockwell Baron is close with Count Ponsen. They’re even related by marriage.”
“I see.”
It was only natural—Count Ponsen’s declaration of war must have had solid backing.
At the very least, it meant all the nearby nobles had been secured.
This suggested Count Ponsen’s blade would likely turn toward Liam, which the Royal Court directly controlled.
‘If that’s the case, I’ll need to keep the Ponsen Count Faction nobles in check as well.’
Then it was time to use every card I had available.
And Lantz was just an ordinary thug.
He wasn’t even classified as a territory resident—no sordid life in some Thief Gang.
In other words, his range of activity was limited.
“Lantz. What is your specialty?”
“…Well, actually, I’m the son of a butcher, so I’m quite skilled with a blade. That’s why they call me Laughing Axe Lantz.”
“Tch.”
So Lantz was just a curious adolescent after all.
Still, judging by his physique, he seemed reasonably capable for his age.
Therefore, his claim about being able to mobilize ten people was likely true.
“For now, start smuggling meat from the butcher shop. Orders to plunder will come from above soon enough.”
“W-will that be enough?”
“If you’re going to do it, you might as well divert all the meat shipments too. Salt it heavily so it keeps longer.”
“And?”
“Spread a rumor. Say that Rockwell Baron views this war negatively.”
“But won’t that be dangerous? We’re dealing with nobility.”
Lantz was already trembling with fear.
It was clear that the common folk did not regard the nobility as insignificant.
But Lantz’s only chance of survival was to listen to me.
“Dangerous or not, you have to do it. If we don’t sabotage this war, you’ll be conscripted and die pointlessly anyway.”
“U-ugh…”
“Just spread the rumor carefully. As long as you don’t get caught, that’s all that matters. Season the story well and it’ll work fine. I’m going to make this rumor into reality. So don’t worry too much.”
“If you say so, I’ll give it my best effort.”
“Good.”
Boom! Crash!
Meanwhile, Tuuram was gleefully demolishing the granary district.
All the village soldiers were on high alert, their eyes fixed skyward, but medieval humans had no way to counter the bombardment raining down from above.
It would have been different if there were a Teleport Mage, but there was no sign of one moving.
Even if a Teleport Mage did act, I had the Gloves of Silence—the situation would be perfect.
Everything was proceeding smoothly so far.
“Go now. Evacuate and hide for a while, then organize a drinking gathering this evening or something. Use this for drinks.”
I handed Lantz 20 Silver.
If I gave him Gold, someone might suspect he was being paid by a patron.
“Gasp! Understood! I’ll do my best!”
“You’d better. If you don’t, I’ll hold you accountable.”
“Yes!”
After sending Lantz off, I climbed back onto a nearby rooftop.
Now that the troops from the City Wall had rushed toward Tuuram’s position, I could secure an even better vantage point.
“Loren Fortress, then…”
I unfolded the map and checked where Loren Fortress was located.
Northwest of Bexon Village, there was a small fortress-like structure marked on it.
This was likely Loren Fortress.
“There it is.”
My next sabotage target was confirmed.
Since this wasn’t Count Ponsen’s territory, I planned a different kind of sabotage.
In fact, it seemed better to leave the food supplies alone and focus on sowing discord instead.
Besides, I was planning to spread rumors through Lantz anyway.
Boom! Crash! Crash!
“Someone stop it!”
“How are we supposed to stop that?! This is suicide!”
“Hold the line! Derek Sub-Baron will arrive soon!”
While observing the destruction unfold, I gleaned some useful intelligence.
In this world, mages held considerable status, and Derek Sub-Baron was likely a mage just as Marco was.
‘Mages are best dealt with decisively.’
I immediately leveraged my Dark Affinity and Shadow Assimilation combo, concealing myself in a sufficiently shadowed area.
Then I moved toward the Village’s entrance.
If the mage hadn’t already arrived, he would have to pass through here.
The wait was brief.
Given the urgency of the situation, a middle-aged man with an irritated expression appeared.
‘Expensive-looking attire. And a staff.’
I identified the man presumed to be Derek Sub-Baron.
There was no need to ambush him head-on, so I waited until he passed.
Then, at the opportune moment, I ambushed him with Incantation Seal.

[Master’s Silent Gloves (Legendary)]
[Defense: 11]
[Agility +3 Wisdom +1 Luck +1]
[Incantation Seal]
[When the gloves touch an opponent, their magical incantation is instantly sealed. Effect lasts 10 seconds.]
[Even plain cloth becomes a legendary masterpiece when touched by a master’s hand. It carries the master’s profound melancholy and yearning.]

The plan was straightforward.
Once I made contact, my win rate would exceed ninety percent.
“Damn it! What is all this! I can’t even see it!”
“We received urgent orders from above to deploy defensive magic to the maximum extent!”
“Does that look like an attack your defense could stop!”
“I-I’m terribly sorry!”
The Adjutant and the mage traveled together.
Given the dire circumstances, they conversed concisely about the situation.
And just now, both of them passed right beside me.
Thud!
I activated Kael Rush without hesitation, deliberately refraining from striking first to account for any automatic defensive magic, and pressed my gloved hand against the mage’s back.
Crack!
The sound of something shattering.
As expected, some form of passive defensive magic had been active.
Its breaking meant his incantation had been sealed.
Next, I drove a counter-thrust toward the Adjutant beside him.
Crunch!
“Gasp!”
Afterward, I swung Sumoq while maintaining Instant Slash, aiming for the mage’s crown, and with my left hand, I unleashed Vitality Burst, accounting for the possibility he might not die instantly.
Boom!
Boom! Crash!
Two attacks, yet three explosions erupted.
Even the first strike was blocked.
A penalty from the level difference.
But the consecutive strike of Responsive Manifestation connected perfectly.
“Gaaahhh!”
Bang! Crash!
The man presumed to be Derek Sub-Baron was driven into a nearby building by the impact of Responsive Manifestation.
I rushed forward and delivered a soccer kick for the finishing blow.
It was called a soccer kick in name only—this attack too carried the essence of Counter Technique.
Boom!
The mage’s head exploded in an instant.
No matter how formidable a mage might be, one with sealed incantations was no different from an ordinarily strong human.
In other words, instant death.

[Magnificent Achievement!]
[You have slain a 5-Circle Mage!]
[Strength increases by 1.]
[Vitality increases by 1.]
[Wisdom increases by 5.]
[Luck increases by 2.]

Achievement messages celebrating the mage’s death appeared.

[Level increases!]
[Level increases!]
[Level increases!]

My level rose by three tiers.
Given that the level penalty had triggered, the mage must have been quite high-leveled.
A successful ambush.

[Name: Kael]
[Class: Eternal Adventurer (Hidden) (1st Awakening)]
[Level: 76]
[Unused Points: 7]
[Strength: 302 Agility: 300 Vitality: 308 Wisdom: 159 Luck: 177]
[Eternity: 39 Mana: 6 Main Power: 1]

Unused points: 7. Luck: 177.
The status window pleasantly displayed three sevens.
The only regret was that my level hadn’t reached 77.
I arbitrarily interpreted luck as something to be seized, and continued to build my momentum.
“Enemies! The enemies are raiding the village!”
The Guard Soldiers who had been rushing outside due to the commotion inside the village turned back.
Since Tuuram was still conducting the bombardment, I decided to engage in a small-scale skirmish to weaken the enemy’s forces.
“How insolent!”
In that instant, I felt a terrifying magical power laden with killing intent.
Whoooosh!
“…!”
Boom!
I hastily used Gale Rush, which had just come off cooldown, to escape the location.
Crash!
The building that had been shielding me moments ago vanished without a trace.
“Not a dog of the Royal Court, and surely not a foreigner? This is absurd.”
“….”
Horrifyingly, the one who had launched that surprise attack was a Teleport Mage.
And one far more powerful than the Teleport Mage I had killed earlier.
‘Damn it. Is this Derek Sub-Baron?’
To confirm my suspicion, I cautiously called out to him.
“Are you Derek Sub-Baron?”
“You know my name. How presumptuous.”
Unfortunately, the Teleport Mage I had just killed was not Derek Sub-Baron.
He appeared to be his disciple or subordinate mage.
“Foreigner, you seem quite capable. How about defecting to our side? If you do, I’m willing to overlook the fact that you killed my disciple.”
“….”
This offer was a lie.
If the offer had been genuine, a Quest would have appeared.
As evidence, an enormous amount of magical power was concentrated in Derek Sub-Baron’s heart.
I had already used Gale Rush.
Until the cooldown returned, surprise attacks and evasion were impossible.
It was time to utilize my remaining cards with full force.

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