A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 72

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

Chapter 72

The small shadow’s identity was that of a young girl.
She was dressed well enough that I wondered if she might be the Eccentric Merchant’s daughter, yet her expression was suffused with melancholy.
At the same time, the girl’s eyes met mine directly.
‘Did she see me?’
I hadn’t even deployed Shadow Communion, but concealment was one of the techniques I’d honed since my previous life.
Yet the girl’s gaze did not waver.
A survival technique verified even against monsters with highly developed instincts had been dismantled in an instant by this child at the window.
The peculiar sensation of being dissected by mere sight sent a chill through my intuition.
“….”
Since I was already discovered, I didn’t avert my eyes.
I was confident I could escape this compound without difficulty.
I met her gaze in kind.
If this child needed my help, she wouldn’t scream at least.
“….”
Soon the girl’s gaze shifted away.
Following her line of sight, the positions of the guards protecting the compound gradually revealed themselves.
I even discovered the new fact that guards patrolled inside the compound as well.
The girl remained silent.
Her intention was clear.
Now it was time to plan my route.
There was only one small door on the first floor leading into the building’s interior.
Moreover, it was locked.
Thanks to that, I could grasp it immediately.
‘So you’re a Master Craftsman.’
It was remarkable.
Master Craftsmen were typically middle-aged individuals who had achieved enlightenment, yet here was a child impossibly young.
And her discernment was equally extraordinary.
That’s why she had detected me despite my concealment and produced items of masterwork caliber and beyond.
Such dazzling talent.
“….”
I spread my arms, signaling her to open the window wide.
The girl calmly opened the window as far as it would go.
I swept my hand to move the girl to a safe position, then leaped through.
“Mmph.”
Thanks to the Walker, there was no sound.
All that escaped was the girl’s stifled whimper as she desperately covered her mouth.
First, I needed to have a conversation, so I closed the window.
“Hello.”
“Who are you, sir?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
First, I retrieved the doll collection the child had created from my subspace.
A queen, a warrior, a nun, an archer, and a knight doll were arranged neatly on the table.
“Did you make this doll?”
“…Yes.”
The child’s identity was revealed.
This child was the master craftsperson mentioned in the item descriptions—the one who created the high-value items the Eccentric Merchant sold.
“I made a king and a wizard too.”
“Is that so?”
The collection apparently contained dolls of a king and a wizard as well.
Since the remaining dolls boosted basic stats, perhaps these other two dolls enhanced special stats instead.
I had opened all the glowing boxes, so it was reasonable to assume the remaining dolls the child mentioned were either in the Eccentric Merchant’s possession or sold to other customers.
“I read the descriptions written on these dolls and became curious about you.”
“Ah…”
Most people would have glossed over the descriptions without much thought.
Every item had a story behind it.
Even if someone was lucky enough to obtain a masterpiece doll, they’d likely only have one or two.
“What’s your name?”
“I don’t have one.”
“You don’t? Then what do they call you?”
“I’m Number One. At first, I thought that was my name, but I was told I need to create more wonderful items to receive a real name.”
Absurd words followed.
The child called Number One appeared to be subjected to serious gaslighting.
“Who told you that?”
“The Director.”
“Not your parents? Which director?”
“I don’t have parents. It’s the welfare center director.”
“A welfare center director? Is the facility called a welfare center?”
“It’s a children’s welfare center. The Hangdeok Children’s Welfare Center.”
A children’s welfare center seemed to be a concept similar to an orphanage.
Though I had never heard the term “children’s welfare center” before and found it ambiguous, at least I had confirmed the child’s affiliation and identity.
While there were vague aspects to calling it an identity, I deemed it sufficient to have learned that within the facility, they referred to her as Number One.
“I see. Do you want to leave this place?”
“If I leave, I’ll be punished. I have nowhere to go. Even if I try to leave, I get caught right away.”
“Hmm.”
The child was under surveillance in both reality and the game.
Was this all that happened because she possessed such a brilliant talent?
The reality would likely be an even harsher environment.
“Yes. Would it be alright if I rested for a moment?”
“Of course. Once you’re fully recovered, tell me about the outside world. I’m curious.”
“Understood.”
First, I decided to check my friend list.

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

Everyone except Chung-geom was online.
For this particular problem, there was someone who could devise a better solution than Sung-chul.
It was the Unnamed Guest.

[Kael: Unnamed Guest. Are you busy?]
[Unnamed Guest: No. What is it?]
Fortunately, the reply came immediately.
[Kael: Do you know anything about the Hangdeok Children’s Welfare Center?]
[Unnamed Guest: Hmm. But since “Hangdeok” is in the name, it must be related to the Eccentric Merchant, right?]
[Kael: Is that so?]
[Unnamed Guest: Ah, you didn’t know. The Eccentric Merchant operates a company in reality called Hangdeok Corporation. It’s a company with a fairly respectable public image. Though the truth is likely different.]

The Unnamed Guest—more precisely, Heaven Beyond Heaven.
Heaven Beyond Heaven seemed to possess vast information, including the Eccentric Merchant’s weaknesses.
With this, perhaps I could ease my concerns about future complications.

[Kael: Could we discuss the matter of rescuing that person we talked about today?]
[Unnamed Guest: Now that’s intriguing. Yes, I’m listening.]
[Kael: There’s a child confined and controlled at the Hangdeok Children’s Welfare Center. She has no name and is simply called Number One.]
[Unnamed Guest: …Number One, you say. Yes. Please continue.]
[Kael: This child is also confined and exploited within the game. The situation in reality doesn’t seem much different. Is there any way to help?]
[Unnamed Guest: High-quality item mass production and sales. It’s the underground operation the Eccentric Merchant is most focused on these days. In fact, he’s already cultivated connections with the Empire. We’re projecting he’ll make his entry into the Empire around next year.]

Somehow, I ended up learning far more about the Eccentric Merchant than I’d anticipated.
Heaven Beyond Heaven had grasped even these minute details in their entirety.
If so, Six Heavens’ recruitment proposal was only natural.

[Kael: He was no ordinary figure, then.]
[Unnamed Guest: Yes. That’s why I’ve been personally dispatched to this Village this quarter. One of my assigned duties is monitoring the Eccentric Merchant. Lately, his movements have seemed rather suspicious, so I’ve been devoting extra attention to the matter.]

The puzzle pieces were falling into place.
My identity was likely identified from the moment of the random draw itself.
I’d been far too conspicuous, after all.

[Kael: Then, what were your findings from observing him?]

This was a crucial part for me as well.
If Heaven Beyond Heaven decided to take the Eccentric Merchant under their wing, I couldn’t count on the Unnamed Guest’s assistance anymore.

[Unnamed Guest: I believed he needed a leash. If he were to head toward the Empire, he’s the type who could easily defect to America instead.]

Fortunately, our objectives seemed to align.
I would grant the child freedom while gaining connections with a master craftsman, and from the Unnamed Guest’s perspective, removing the Eccentric Merchant’s crucial weapon would become a means to strengthen control.

[Kael: Can we attempt a rescue?]
[Unnamed Guest: At least in reality, we can conclude matters swiftly. We intend to secure the child along with the access device itself.]
[Kael: Excellent. There’s no problem on the game side either. I’ll handle it personally. Can we evacuate the child to a safe location by today?]
[Unnamed Guest: Yes. I’ll contact our Shanghai branch and have them dispatch personnel. As for the Eccentric Merchant himself, we simply need to arrest and detain him.]

It appeared the child was located in Shanghai.
In any case, it seemed to be a location where the Unnamed Guest could exercise influence.

[Kael: Then when should we retrieve the child?]
[Unnamed Guest: Given the hour, we could move immediately. Besides, the guards around the area will be logging out soon anyway.]
[Kael: The guards don’t matter, but I understand. Then I’ll leave this place and contact you again.]
[Unnamed Guest: Good fortune to you.]

As I finished the whispered conversation, the child called Number One seemed captivated by the Golden Fox fur.
She continued stroking the pelt, but when our eyes met, she flinched and hastily withdrew her hand.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. Go ahead and wear it.”
“Huh?”
To prepare for any unforeseen variables, I draped the Golden Fox fur cloak around the child’s shoulders.
Since she already seemed to adore the fox fur, and the cloak itself possessed exceptional performance, it would provide excellent protective benefits.

[Master Craftsman’s Golden Fox Fur Cloak (Unique)]
[Defense: 25]
[Cold Immunity]
[Heat Immunity]
[Contempt for the Weak]
[Physical Attack Immunity from Strength Stats Below 10]
[Magic Attack Immunity from Wisdom Stats Below 10]
[Increased Level Penalty When Level Difference Exceeds 10]
[Physical and Magic Attack Immunity Against Targets with Stats Differing by 50 or More]
[A masterpiece cloak crafted with soul by an exceptional artisan. The inherent properties of the Golden Fox fur have been preserved. Can also be used as a blanket, and logout is permitted.]

With the cold immunity effect, she wouldn’t shiver in the crisp night air.
“…You’re a good man.”
“That’s right. Among the men living here, I’m the best. Want me to carry you?”
“Yes.”
I leaped out the window with the child in my arms.
Then I arrived at the Stone Tomb where Tuuram was waiting.
“Hm? You came without wielding Sumoq.”
“There was no need to.”
“But Kael. What about the child you’re carrying?”
“I’ll explain later. An eagle won’t work, so transform into a wolf for now. We need to get as far away as possible from here.”
“Understood.”
Tuuram, Number One, and I fled far from the Eccentric Merchant’s Crime Den.

And as we arrived at the Mountain Stronghold, a shocking message appeared.

[Lumiere Guild has resolved the World Quest!]
[A timeline-shaking Achievement has been accomplished!]
[Server maintenance to reflect the Achievement will commence shortly.]
[Server maintenance will proceed for ten days.]
[After reconnection, time flow will shift to a 10:1 ratio, so please take note, players.]

Bella’s and the Unnamed Guest’s whispers reached me next.

[Bella: Kael! I saw your message! We finally cleared the Quest! How is it? Our guild is amazing, right?]
[Unnamed Guest: I’ve safely placed the child on a ship heading to Incheon. You may come personally or send a representative, but please retrieve them.]

One crisis after another.
The Unnamed Guest had made the decision to send the child I was carrying to South Korea rather than simply protect them arbitrarily.
In just ten minutes, the game would shut down.
It was an unprecedented emergency.
First, I needed to calm the child.
“Are you asleep?”
“No. Why?”
“The game shuts down in ten minutes.”
“Yes.”
“Would it be okay if I came to pick you up?”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. You’re heading to South Korea right now. Let’s meet there.”
“Wait, South Korea? Really?”
“Yes. So just wait a little bit for me.”
“Understood.”
Eight minutes remained.
I sent whispers to several people.

[Kael: Bella. Congratulations. Separately, I’m sorry to ask, but could you share your contact information with me?]
[Kael: Eden. I need your help.]
[Kael: Elder. I know you’re busy with the announcement, but could we talk later?]

The trip to Incheon was now inevitable.
To secure safety here, I would need the help of many people.
A grand operation to safely secure the child and reach Incheon was now underway.

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