A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 17

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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 17

“Yes. The Training Instructor gave me this letter of recommendation personally.”
“Huh…. A letter of recommendation? That’s a first for me. Please, wait just a moment?”
“No problem. I have plenty of time.”
Was this also part of my dopamine addiction?
It had been a rather fulfilling experience.
“The letter of recommendation has been verified as authentic. Thank you for your patience. Are you planning to use the teleport immediately?”
“Yes.”
“Teleportation can only take you to registered destinations. Where would you like to go?”
“Boa Village.”
I had already mapped out my route from Beginner Village.
Boa Village was located at the northwestern edge of the neighboring continent—a journey that required ten days by carriage from Liam and four more days by sea.
Originally, it would have taken over two months of travel from Liam to reach the farthest village.
In other words, I had planned a route that would allow me to return to Liam without using teleportation on the way back.
“Boa Village on the Chahim Continent?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“That place is notorious for having quite poor security. Are you sure about this?”
Her expression was genuinely concerned.
Boa Village certainly had that kind of reputation.
It was probably deserved.
Even in the community forums, Boa Village received nothing but negative reviews.
“The Beginner Village on the Raheem Continent is truly different from Liam here. All sorts of crimes are happening there even now. It’s hardly appropriate to even call it a Beginner Village, but are you certain?”
Concern was certainly warranted.
In reality, it would be a place I’d never visit.
But this isn’t reality—it’s a game.
My status window doesn’t lie.
“I think it should be fine.”
It would be different from Liam here.
A metropolis-tier Beginner Village and a crime-ridden Beginner Village were fundamentally different.
By the logic of capitalism, the ratio of high-level players would never be particularly high.
“I should be stronger than them anyway.”
And so, for me, Boa Village amounted to nothing more than a difficulty level that barely warranted a shrug.
“Ah. Right. The Golden Fox….”
“Shh.”
“…Four! Boa Village confirmed! Is the luggage you’ve brought all you’re taking?”
“Yes.”
I had kept my backpack as empty as possible, carrying only the essentials for survival.
There will be more items to stock in the future anyway.
The Beginner Village’s surroundings are naturally inhabited by beast-type monsters, which meant food could be self-sufficient—a distinct advantage.
“I’ll guide you to the teleport gate.”
Following the official’s guidance, I arrived at the teleport gate.
I’d heard there were quite a few mages stationed here, but when I arrived, there were only two young mages who looked like newcomers.
“Ah, the Russell Merchant Company is putting the world’s first Golden Fox heart up for auction. Regardless of whether it’s true, there were many mages showing interest.”
Perhaps it was because I’d directly witnessed proof of the Golden Fox’s subjugation.
The official’s eyes were filled with awe.
It felt slightly ticklish, but my desire for recognition surged unmistakably.
The shoulders that had slumped during corporate life lifted with pride.
At least here, I was overwhelmingly strong among my level tier.
“I see. There shouldn’t be any safety concerns, correct?”
“Of course not. All the mages at City Hall are recognized by the Royal Court.”
After the official’s guidance ended, one of the young mages approached me.
“Step onto the magic circle, foreigner.”
His tone was entirely different from the official’s—businesslike.
His expression seemed full of displeasure.
Likely because he hadn’t even been able to participate in the Golden Fox heart auction.
“Yes.”
“Your destination is Boa Village on the Raheem Continent, correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“I warn you. Criminals cannot use teleportation.”
It seemed that becoming entangled with Boa Village often made one a potential criminal.
The Chinese people staying in Liam certainly gave off a menacing aura.
Locals would naturally be even more formidable.
“I’ll keep that in mind. I have no intention of getting involved in crime anyway. Please send me to Boa Village.”
“…It was just excessive caution. Looking at you, you seem wealthy enough that there’s no reason you’d be deceived into going there.”
Thanks to the armor Bella had prepared for me, I was no longer someone to be disrespected anywhere.
Rather, I was treated as a wealthy merchant wherever I went.
The official’s reverent gaze that continued even now was surely due to this polished appearance.
This was perhaps a fragment of the honor that flowed from wealth.
“You may feel dizzy for a moment.”

A high-pitched hum resonated.

Light poured from the magic circle, and the surroundings began to wash over in pristine white.
Magic—and teleportation in particular—was a feature that hadn’t existed in the previous game, so it felt remarkably fresh.
“Ugh.”
That freshness lasted only a moment.
Just as the mage had warned, vertigo began to crash over me.
It was incomparable to ordinary motion sickness.
“The journey won’t be pleasant, so I’ll simply wish you safe travels.”
Zzzzzziiiiing!

* * *

The light faded, and the surroundings gradually came into focus.
“Phew.”
A decrepit desk, a decrepit chair. Cobwebs filling every corner.
For a City Hall, the place was decidedly shabby overall.
Even so, the magic circle beneath my feet shone with clarity, yet no one came to greet the new arrival.
“…So this is the underdeveloped Beginner Village.”
Unless I made my presence known, those outside wouldn’t notice a thing.
Thanks to the Ashen Stride effect of my Master’s Gray Hide Walker, my footsteps made no sound.

[Master’s Gray Hide Walker (Masterpiece)]
[Defense: 36]
[Agility +10]
[Ashen Stride]
[Ashen Stride: Your footsteps are silenced.]
[A luxury walker crafted from the hide of the Gray Forest Ruler. Exceptionally durable, flexible, and sturdy.]

However, I had no business here.
My purpose lay at the Fountain.
Creak.
As I pushed open the dilapidated door and stepped outside, people finally came into view.
Players gathered in small groups playing mahjong, and civil servants right alongside them, equally absorbed in gambling.
“Hahahaha! Pung! Pung!”
“Damn! My luck today is absolutely terrible!”
“Hahahaha! Today, I’m the protagonist!”
Shouts of “Pung,” “Kong,” “Pung” echoed from all directions.
The atmosphere was far more akin to a gambling den than City Hall—raucous and chaotic.
It appeared that no one here actually worked.
“…Is this all there is?”
“Hm?”
Perhaps it was my unusual tone.
The gazes of everyone present suddenly fixed upon me.
Yet no one opened their mouth.
Instead, they all fell silent, their lips sealed, watching carefully for any sign.
Then, an NPC dressed as a civil servant, who had been absorbed in the gambling, stepped forward.
“A-ahem! Did you perhaps use teleportation to arrive, esteemed guest?”
“Yes.”
“Hahaha. What might I assist you with? Please, entrust me with anything at all.”
Eyes clouded with greed.
It was clear he would agree to anything if there was a reward in it.
I had never encountered an NPC this thoroughly corrupted before.
“Hmm. I don’t know much about that yet, so perhaps later. If I need something, we can discuss it then.”
Regardless of whether my counterpart was corrupt, I decided to keep my options open.
I might need the City Hall’s assistance to complete my business here and move on to the next village.
Besides, as an NPC, he would likely be relatively free from the Chinese concept of guanxi.
“Yes! My name is Pareck! I do hope you’ll remember it! Haha!”
“Pareck, then. I’ve noted it.”
The civil servant Pareck withdrew, and this time a user with a rather menacing expression approached.
“Black and golden ornaments. A guest from the Black Dragon Faction, I presume. Welcome to Boa Village.”
“….”
Though his words maintained formal courtesy, he had armed himself and drawn near, making it easy to gauge that his level was far from low.
“Might I inquire what brings such an esteemed member of the Black Dragon Faction to our humble village?”
Information about Chinese guilds was readily accessible.
Just as South Korea had the Four Major Guilds, China had six heavens—the Six Heavens.
And naturally above them stood Heaven Beyond Heaven, under the dominion of the Chinese government.
The Black Dragon Faction was one of the Six Heavens in China.
“If you’ve come from the Black Dragon Faction….”
Something feels off.
Judging by the man’s expression, those are eyes filled with suspicion.
Based on his attire, I can infer he’s from the Black Dragon Faction, but since he teleported here without any prior contact, it seems he’s probing the situation first.
“That’s enough.”
I cut him off for now.
If he were truly from the Black Dragon Faction, wouldn’t he act differently?
“Ahem. My apologies. Allow me to introduce myself first. I am….”
The Black Dragon Faction is a guild closely connected to the Triads, an infamous international criminal organization known in the real world.
Since it’s a guild of pure darkness itself, nothing they do ever comes to light.
In other words, getting entangled with this type of person would bring nothing but trouble.
I concluded that personal precautions would be meaningless.
Whoosh!

[Master’s Gust Fiber Semi-Wide Pants (Masterpiece)]
[Defense: 65]
[Agility +6]
[Gale Rush]
[Gale Rush: Instantly summons a whirlwind that pushes back your surroundings while accelerating you.]
[Premium lower garment crafted from wind fibers created through a special process. Boasts exceptional breathability and is remarkably lightweight.]

“Kugh!”
Using Gale Rush, the exclusive skill for lower garments, I summoned a whirlwind and closed the distance to the man’s face in an instant.
“I’m the one asking questions here. Are you someone who can even mention the Black Dragon Faction?”
“I-I’m sorry! Please spare me!”
This place is different from Liam.
In China’s Beginner Village, the law of the jungle applies—pure might makes right.
“I’ve heard rumors, but seeing it firsthand is something else. The City Hall is in terrible shape. Are you the one in charge?”
“…That is…”
Not exactly the one in charge, but someone with a certain amount of influence—that’s how I’d interpret it.
More like a middle manager, I’d say.
“I see. Let me make one thing clear—knowing my identity won’t do you any good.”
“Thank you!”
Looking at myself objectively, I’m not the type to keep subordinates.
However, I’m also not the type to stir up unnecessary trouble.
To eliminate all the corruption rooted in the Beginner Village, I needed to become stronger.
The time isn’t right yet.
“But I’d like the City Hall’s functions restored. There’s no mage at the teleport gate, is there?”
“I’ll take care of it immediately! Hey! Everyone disperse!”
The Training Instructor’s manner of speaking proved useful in many ways.
There was always an air of authority in it.
“That’s good.”
“Haha. Thank you for viewing it favorably.”
“As I mentioned, I have no business here at the moment. Then.”
“Please take care!”
I left the City Hall and headed toward the Fountain.
To extend my duration.

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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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