A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 70

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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 70

“…Master. A Farming Operation, you say?”
The Eccentric Merchant’s complexion turned cold.
I’d pressed him with the Mythic weapon at the forefront, but did he possess enough underlying strength to mount a counterattack?
From my perspective, however, I could execute any plan I chose, so I could afford to respond with leisure.
“If you’d rather not, that’s fine. I was simply curious since it sounded amusing.”
“Indeed. Speaking frankly, I take pride in the fact that one cannot find amusement in the Farming Operation I operate.”
“Is that so? Well, you’re hardly someone unfamiliar with entertainment, so let’s leave it at that.”
“I’m grateful for your mercy.”
The Eccentric Merchant was truly a merchant to his very bones.
I could see him attempting to smooth over the situation by any means necessary while securing his own interests.
If I let this pass as is, I would gain almost nothing.
“That said, I haven’t completely released you, have I? You’re not trying to gloss over everything with a magnifying glass, are you?”
“Ahem. Yes. Of course.”
The more I came to know him, the more he was compared to Silverpenn.
In this world, faith could be found more readily in NPCs than in people.
“How would you feel about providing one Legendary-grade item of your choosing, free of charge?”
Up to this point, it was not a bad proposal.
Moreover, since I could freely choose the equipment slot, the advantage of securing additional stats was guaranteed.
I had no reason to refuse.
“Very well. The facial slot would be acceptable, yes?”
I had been coveting the Eccentric Merchant’s mask for some time now.
The ability to conceal one’s expression meant I wouldn’t have to expend effort managing my face.
“Yes, it is possible. I shall craft a Legendary-grade mask with beneficial options that do not obstruct your vision and bring it back.”
“Excellent. You’re already well-known in these circles, so I don’t think we need to add each other as friends. When shall we meet again?”
“How about ten days hence? Since the Village draws many eyes, I shall visit this place again myself.”
Ten days was not a bad timeframe for crafting a Legendary item.
Moreover, within that period, I could gain some understanding of the Unnamed Guest, and regardless of what worst-case variables might emerge, it would be a timeframe in which I could reasonably expect support from Seo-gwang.
“Very good. Please visit this place again in ten days. I hope our next meeting will be a more pleasant one.”
“…Yes. I shall prepare another gift as well.”
If I were to be underestimated here, it did not seem likely to result in a good gift.
The Eccentric Merchant would consider various circumstances as well.
I had to continue building up my own stature as much as possible.
“Very well then. I won’t see you out.”
“Yes. I’ve imposed upon you.”
The Eccentric Merchant bowed quietly and departed the Mountain Stronghold with his subordinates.
Thus, another storm—distinct from the Sand Storm—had subsided.
But it wasn’t over yet.
There was a nucleus here that would become a massive typhoon in the future.

[Kael: Unnamed Guest, shall we have a private word?]
[Unnamed Guest: Of course.]

After having the Bandit Chief organize the Thief Gang appropriately, I headed toward an empty Open Ground with the Unnamed Guest.
“Thanks to you, we avoided the worst outcome. I’m grateful.”
“Not at all. I saw what looked like an interesting job and decided to participate, but it turned out to be far more entertaining than I expected.”
If I were a fake madman pursuing amusement, then this one was surely the genuine article.
Looking back, the Unnamed Guest had never shown much interest in money either.
“At first, I suspected he might be a spy sent by the Eccentric Merchant, but that assumption turned out to be meaningless.”
I had assessed the Unnamed Guest’s combat prowess as equal to mine, or perhaps even less.
But that turned out to be wrong.
The Eccentric Merchant’s subordinates were far from weak.
His true strength remained unfathomable.
At this point, it was reasonable to assume he belonged to at least the Six Heavens.
“Haha. Was that so?”
“Yes. Honestly, what do you think about having a candid conversation?”
“That would take all the fun out of it. I’ll answer your first question honestly. If the first question is interesting, then we can discuss what comes after.”
He no longer even pretended to be a novice.
And he was now turning the proposal back on me—to answer his first question truthfully.
My thoughts grew heavier.
“Understood. Separate from what comes after, I too will answer your first question truthfully. I don’t wish to be indebted.”
“Good. Kael, what is it you wish to know?”
His response came more readily than I expected.
Now it was my turn.
I judged that asking about his identity would be a poor move.
Assuming he belonged to at least the Six Heavens, I needed something deeper and more capable of piquing his interest.
Among questions worth asking, none seemed to have an obvious answer.
There was a high likelihood this conversation would end after a single truthful response.
So my final question would be.
“Are you not interested in saving people?”
“Interesting.”
Rather than discerning his affiliation or identity and abilities, I chose to understand his nature.
Nothing was more reassuring than a worst enemy becoming an ally.
“That’s unexpected. You must be curious about my identity. And now I’m obligated to answer honestly.”
The Unnamed Guest fell into deep thought.
It wasn’t a question he could answer lightly.
His first answer had to be truthful and free of contradiction.
“Normally I wouldn’t concern myself, but I can’t claim complete indifference either. I do have the resolve to stake my life and save a specific person.”
Was this a success?
A faint smile played at the corners of the Unnamed Guest’s mouth.
“That was an interesting question. Now it’s my turn to ask, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
I had successfully captured the Unnamed Guest’s interest.
Fortunately, it seemed I’d achieved more than half my objective.
“I know you’re Korean, Kael, but have you considered joining Heaven Beyond Heaven?”
“….”
It felt like being struck by a hammer.
I’d been thinking of something like Six Heavens, but Heaven Beyond Heaven was mentioned instead.
Moreover, he possessed far more information about me than I’d anticipated.
“You must answer honestly. I’m extending this proposal because I view you favorably, Kael.”
“….”
Heaven Beyond Heaven.
Truly the strongest Guild in China, with most of their forces shrouded in mystery.
All I knew was that the highest echelons of China’s real-world power structure belonged to Heaven Beyond Heaven.
Yet this man before me was inviting me to join Heaven Beyond Heaven.
It meant the Unnamed Guest was a member of Heaven Beyond Heaven.
Moreover, I had to answer this question honestly as well.
“I have secrets I cannot disclose, which is why I’ve also rejected Seo-gwang’s proposal. And I don’t know much about Heaven Beyond Heaven. Based on what I know, joining them would be a disadvantage for me.”
The Unnamed Guest’s expression shifted subtly.
It wasn’t in a negative direction.
Rather, it seemed he’d become intrigued.
“Indeed. You truly are an interesting person, Kael.”
“Did my question please you?”
“Yes. If you’d asked about my affiliation or identity, I would have answered Heaven Beyond Heaven and ended the conversation there. After that, I intended to cross blades with you. Since you possess such interesting abilities.”
The phrase “cross blades” was quite a euphemism.
The true meaning of crossing blades was to kill me.
“Kael, forget about the reward. How about we maintain our friendship?”
“Hmm.”
Deleting a friend was a user’s free right.
If one side unilaterally deleted the friendship, that was the end of it.
What the Unnamed Guest proposed was a genuine friendship.
“I’m not sure how far your abilities extend, but could I impose one condition?”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“I’d like to receive your help once.”
“That’s quite a difficult request, isn’t it?”
It was audacious, but a necessary condition.
Since the Unnamed Guest was from Heaven Beyond Heaven, the scope of what he could do for me was extremely broad.
“What if this assistance were to save a life? Of course, this is merely my conjecture.”
“Ah. This concerns the Eccentric Merchant?”
The Unnamed Guest seemed to know something as well.
The master craftsman the Eccentric Merchant kept—he was the key.
At least according to the item descriptions, the craftsman was being held captive by the Eccentric Merchant while producing legendary items.
“Yes. Originally, I intended to handle this alone, but I thought things might be different if Heaven Beyond Heaven were involved. I believe there’s a high probability the Eccentric Merchant is detaining a skilled craftsman.”
“Is this all deduction?”
“Yes.”
The Unnamed Guest closed his eyes briefly in thought, then offered his response after a moment.
“The Eccentric Merchant is indeed not affiliated with the Six Heavens. He’s one of the rare few who has rejected the Black Dragon Faction’s recruitment offers multiple times and survived. The Black Dragon Faction has quite a bit of history with you, doesn’t it?”
“Hmm. I’m not sure if it’s been a favorable connection, but yes.”
“Yes. Since the Eccentric Merchant’s affiliation remains ambiguous for now, there should be no issue with involvement. However, your actions must not bring harm to Heaven Beyond Heaven.”
It was only natural.
Regardless of whether I became entangled with Seo-gwang or Heaven Beyond Heaven, I would be the shrimp caught between the whales, my back certain to crack.
“There will be nothing that harms Heaven Beyond Heaven. This is purely a personal interest, so the scale isn’t particularly large.”
“I understand. What specific assistance do you require?”
“Not immediately. I’ll organize my concrete requests within a short time. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes. Results should be ready within ten days.”
“Of course.”
“Good. Then, I’ll see you later.”
I decided to conclude my conversation with the Unnamed Guest here.
I had the feeling he knew far more about me than I’d expected.
“Yes.”
The Unnamed Guest departed the Mountain Stronghold as he had come.
I couldn’t know what form our reunion would take, but it was a satisfying conversation since I could receive assistance regarding matters related to the Eccentric Merchant.
Of course, there would be some price to pay.
“Phew. Heaven Beyond Heaven, no less. I never imagined that. First, I should handle what needs to be done.”
About half of the Thief Gang had been killed.
The Eccentric Merchant’s strength was far more formidable than expected, and it was the result of the Unnamed Guest not actively intervening in the situation.
Still, I judged it wasn’t a significant loss since I’d made genuine contact with the Eccentric Merchant.
These thieves weren’t ones I was seriously cultivating anyway—they were meant to be made self-sufficient like always.
“I wonder if Tuuram is doing better now.”
Tuuram was the opposite case.
He was a summoned being who needed serious development as my subordinate.
Hummmmm—
I infused mana into Sumoq and opened the ancient dimensional gate.

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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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