A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 61

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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 61

“Virtuous and ordinary.”
The Unnamed Guest murmured thoughtfully to himself.
“It’s an honor to stand alongside someone like you, Kael.”
“You flatter me.”
Conversely, the Unnamed Guest continued to display qualities that belied his unremarkable name—he was anything but ordinary.
I was certain this man possessed considerable influence and capability.
Though I wondered at the fortune of drawing someone of his caliber, I recognized that if he truly wished to be selected, it would be no obstacle at all. So I accepted the situation.
After all, it wouldn’t significantly disrupt my plans.
“I’ve sent you a friend request. Unnamed Guest, Chung-geom.”
In contrast, the man called Chung-geom was precisely the talent I had been seeking.
The type who would accept reasonable compensation, cooperate for the duration of the task, and likely never cross paths with me again afterward.
His novice status was quite apparent as well.
“I’ve accepted it…”
“So have I.”

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

My circle of friends had grown.
What was remarkable amid all this was that every single one of them was logged in simultaneously.
It was a testament to the game’s profound influence on reality itself.
“I’m about to assign tasks to two of you. One will remain here and communicate with me, while the other will accompany the NPCs here and share real-time information.”
At that, Chung-geom hesitantly raised his hand.
“Um, would it be alright if I stayed behind?”
The Unnamed Guest’s expression suggested he had no objections.
Temperamentally, it did make sense for the Unnamed Guest to accompany the thieves.
The only risk here was the Unnamed Guest acting recklessly and getting killed.
But I judged him to be someone who could be reasoned with.
“Very well. Does the Unnamed Guest agree as well?”
“Of course.”
“Then Chung-geom, you’ll be staying here and taking meals. I’m planning for this to last anywhere from a few days to a month at most—will logging in be a problem? The longer it extends, the more bonus compensation you’ll receive. I guarantee at least 1 Gold.”
Chung-geom’s expression brightened.
1 Gold held even greater value in China.
Moreover, this suited his temperament quite well.
Earning money while sitting still—he could certainly muster that much courage.
“Yes, that works for me.”
“The mission difficulty isn’t comparable. And since the Unnamed Guest has graciously conceded, I’ll provide him with additional compensation separately. However, intentional death constitutes mission failure and is excluded from compensation. Do you agree?”
“I’m fine with it. But is this a particularly dangerous Quest?”
His expression wasn’t one of genuine worry.
Rather, it seemed he was gauging my reaction.
And given that he’d recognized it as some kind of Quest, his response to the mission itself was remarkably casual.
“It will depend on circumstances, but I intend to ensure the probability of a player dying is nearly zero.”
“Oh? Excellent! I’m in!”
After distributing the tasks, it was time to issue orders to the thieves.
“Chief, come here.”
“Yes! You called for me!”
“You know the Eccentric Merchant?”
“Ah, the Eccentric Merchant—quite the notorious outsider in our circles. Are you thinking of robbing him, Big Chief?”
The Bandit Chief’s eyes gleamed with interest.
An opportunity to target the Eccentric Merchant, whom we’d avoided due to his overwhelming strength, would naturally pique his curiosity.
Especially with a legendary item guaranteed.
“No. We need to think bigger. Your task is to discover where the Eccentric Merchant stays.”
“Hmm. That’s no simple task. Outsiders vanish and cover their tracks anywhere they please.”
“Logging out has its own conditions too. Take only your fastest runners and shoot a single arrow at the Eccentric Merchant’s cart, then flee. Repeat this.”
“Huh? What kind of mission is that?”
Based solely on the item descriptions the Eccentric Merchant carried, there were certainly others who might deduce and approach it as I had.
But even now, no one had definitively uncovered the truth about him.
In other words, no one had ever caught him red-handed.
It aligned with the notion that they either had no connection to Six Heavens, or possessed the ability to outpace even Six Heavens itself.
“If you don’t understand, just do it. It’s difficult to explain anyway.”
I devised a war of attrition.
Firing arrows from a distance to maintain a standoff.
Direct hits weren’t even necessary.
As long as the threat assessment remained active, logging out would face severe restrictions—which worked perfectly for my purposes.
If I were in their position, logging out through the cloak would be impossible.
For up to twenty-four hours.
This was precisely why I only logged out from safe locations.
“Ugh. What if they chase us?”
“Then we seize the high ground first and engage. Look here.”
I already possessed a map that Sung-chul (Elder) had given me.
This wasn’t merely a map of the surroundings of Kela Village—it was a large-scale map that included the footprints of adventurers.
Naturally, it had cost quite a bit.
“We’re on this mountain right now, aren’t we?”
“Yes, that’s correct?”
“But the Eccentric Merchant doesn’t pass through this area, does he?”
“Right. That’s true?”
If this mountain had been part of the Eccentric Merchant’s route, this Thief Gang wouldn’t exist in the first place.
“See? Then the Eccentric Merchant’s route would be here. Karumba Ridge. Do you know any Thief Gangs in that area?”
“Well, there was quite a large gang there last year, but this year they haven’t attended a single thief gathering.”
“What else could it be? They were subjugated. By whom?”
“Um, I’m not sure?”
“….”
The Thief Leader’s wisdom stat was far lower than expected, requiring even more omissions in my explanation.
“They were likely either subjugated or coerced by the Eccentric Merchant. And to avoid leaving a trail, they’d probably use the hideouts those gangs used.”
“Ah, I see?”
Clearly clueless.
I decided to continue with the explanation anyway.
“First, select the faster ones and station them at Karumba Ridge. Have one person wait at the Village’s North Gate for the Eccentric Merchant’s arrival, and when he appears, quietly join the ridge. As for the foreigner—station them on the cliff of the adjacent mountain with only one escort as an observer. You understand this much, right?”
“Ah, yes. I think I can manage if I just do as you say.”
“Then you shouldn’t have asked in the first place.”
“Ugh. We only have one life, after all.”
“Tsk. Just keep listening.”

* * *

To summarize, the plan was as follows.
Swift and powerful thieves from the Thief Gang would intercept the Eccentric Merchant passing through Karumba Ridge, while the Unnamed Guest would communicate with me through whispers to pinpoint the Eccentric Merchant’s location.
Of course, until then, we would wait with no fixed timeline.
Once the Thief Gang encountered the Eccentric Merchant, I would command the operation in real-time from that point forward—a simple strategy.
“Um, um… what about you, Bandit Chief?”
“I’m busy too. I have my own matters to attend to.”
“But… you will help us, won’t you?”
“That’s why I hired the outsider in the first place. The main forces are being held in reserve to preserve their combat strength. And when the Eccentric Merchant is encountered, everyone else will converge and hold the line until I arrive.”
The ideal scenario would be for the Unnamed Guest and the Eccentric Merchant to meet after I’ve obtained the adventurer’s traces and returned to the Mountain Stronghold.
‘Now that I think about it, they both use the character for “guest.” It feels a bit awkward. Though the Eccentric Merchant’s might not be a nickname, I suppose.’
Whether the operation proceeded smoothly or unexpected variables arose, I was confident the situation would favor me.
After all, anyone facing me—now commanding even the Ancient One as my instrument—would need a true top-tier ranker to stand against me.

* * *

“Everything’s ready, right?”
“Yes, Bandit Chief.”
All preparations were complete.
I selected swift thieves—one stationed in the village, one serving as escort and guard for the Unnamed Guest, and the rest positioned along the ridge.
Naturally, I judged that the Thief Leader, our most formidable force, should join the ridge rather than remain at the Mountain Stronghold.
The main forces would stay at the Mountain Stronghold with Chung-geom, preserving their strength while awaiting orders.
In the worst case, they would need to maintain a standoff until I arrived.
This arrangement should allow us to respond to virtually any situation.
“Chung-geom and the Unnamed Guest must remain logged in from at least morning through evening. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Leave it to us.”
“Good. May fortune favor you.”
Whoosh!
I activated Gale Rush and departed the Mountain Stronghold with vigor.
Since I didn’t know when information about the Eccentric Merchant would arrive, I decided to quickly gather the adventurer’s traces.
I could summon the Ancient One only if the situation became critical.

* * *

I’d been running for about half a day.
Since I’d packed provisions generously, I could reach my destination efficiently.
During rest breaks, I received situation reports from Chung-geom and the Unnamed Guest, making the journey surprisingly entertaining.
“Is this the place?”
This adventurer’s trace led to the Arid Wasteland.
The location where the adventurer’s trace was presumed to exist showed only a checkmark in the center of the Arid Wasteland on the map, and since there were no particularly distinctive structures visible, I needed Sung-chul’s help.

[Kael: Elder, I’ve arrived at the Arid Wasteland. I’m at the entrance.]
Fortunately, the whisper reply arrived within a minute.
[Nyx: You’re here early? Didn’t you take the carriage? I calculated it would take a week.]
[Kael: I just ran. I was in a hurry.]
[Nyx: Impressive. You really are something. Don’t see anything around?]
[Kael: Not yet. Is there any clue I can use as a reference point?]
[Nyx: Seems like it’s not time yet. In the Arid Wasteland, sandstorms blow periodically. They say a massive dune forms where the storm passes. I found a record mentioning that the traces of a great adventurer lie somewhere on that dune. It’s from Royal Court documents with level-2 security, so just follow that lead.]

Royal Court documents.
Likely from the Belhard Kingdom.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be records worth visiting from Kela Village.

[Kael: Got it. Thanks, Elder.]

A sandstorm.
A massive dune.
I’d obtained a fairly solid lead.
The main concern was the variable of getting caught in the sandstorm itself. But I figured the fox fur would cover that somehow.
“An unpredictable sandstorm, then.”
For now, I had no choice but to wait for changes in the east.
But waiting idly seemed worse than doing something, so I might as well summon the Ancient One too.

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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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