Ch. 25 Strategy Group
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 25 – Strategy Group
A few days have passed since the vanguard returned. Among the players, a strange rumor began to circulate.
It was said that the vanguard users were seriously forming a Strategy Group.
Of course, while the rumors were rampant, no one knew exactly what the Strategy Group did.
People could only cautiously infer its purpose from the name.
Perhaps the vanguard wanted to create a top-tier raid group.
They prioritized dungeon strategies above all else and were willing to use any means necessary for character growth.
People like Han Chan-sung were likely part of that Strategy Group.
Another change that arose as people began to focus more on leveling was that forming parties became more difficult.
Those who once prioritized safety began to take risks, and the level distribution of those heading to the Bear Hunting Grounds and Goblin Village Dungeon shifted significantly.
Players like Nana and Isolin, no longer visited the Bear Hunting Grounds.
Even if the gold earned was less, they moved to higher-level hunting grounds that offered more experience.
Most of them had already completed their Goblin equipment sets and no longer needed the dungeon.
Their vacant spots were filled by players in the 10-13 level range who were climbing up from below.
In this world, strength is determined by level. Even level 15 players could easily die if they made a mistake while hunting bears.
How could these lower-level players possibly handle it?
Now, it had become a common sight to see parties returning in tatters after attempting to hunt bears.
“Hmm…”
Today, as usual, Isolin was doing her best as a party leader. She looked around the gathering spot for players and let out a sigh.
Her deeply furrowed brows and slightly downturned lips seemed to reflect her frustration.
“Can’t find anyone you like?”
“Yeah. They’re all low-level.”
I let out a long sigh in response to Isolin’s answer. Because we had taken about two weeks off from leveling, the level gap between us and the other players had grown significantly.
We were stuck in an awkward position, not even having reached level 20 yet.
Going to higher-level hunting grounds where monsters stronger than Goblins and Bears appeared was too dangerous due to our low level.
On the other hand, teaming up with the lower-level players and heading to the Bear Hunting Grounds was also problematic because we felt uneasy about their inexperience.
If only Isolin were a warrior, we could have gone bear hunting together… In times like these, I missed Han Chan-sung, who used to shine in his purple gear.
“Guess we have no choice. Should we go hunt foxes?”
“How about shearing sheep for a part-time job?”
Isolin responded to my question with another question. I tilted my head at her words. Shearing sheep? Could that really earn us much gold?
“How much gold can you make from that?”
“They say you can earn 1,000 gold a day. That’s more than what we’d get from hunting foxes together.”
“That’s true.”
Unable to form a party, we headed to a farm near Fox Tail to start shearing sheep as a part-time job.
Shearing sheep was easy. You just approached a thick, fluffy sheep, held out the scissors given by the farm owner, and the system would automatically shear the wool.
It took a bit of time, but watching the wool come off in clumps was quite entertaining.
“Supreme. Supreme.”
“Huh?”
While I was engrossed in shearing, Isolin’s voice called from behind. I turned to see her lying on the ground, covered in the wool she had just sheared.
“Mee~ I’m Isolin the sheep.”
How could someone wearing a large pointed hat be a sheep? But her antics were so cute that I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What’s wrong? Weird?”
“No.”
“Try it, Supreme. This wool is super soft.”
With a bright smile, Isolin rubbed the wool against her cheek. She then draped the wool around herself and rolled around the wide pasture like a sheep.
“Meeeh~”
Isolin was no different from a sheep.
Seeing her like that made me want to join in. I glanced at the farm owner working nearby and draped some wool over myself.
“Oh…”
The soft, fluffy wool gently enveloped my body. It felt like wearing a thick winter coat.
“Supreme, try bleating!”
“That’s…”
“Come on, do it!”
The sheep Isolin, wearing a large pointed hat, rolled over and urged me.
“Hmm…”
I didn’t hesitate for long. After all, there was no one around to see. I glanced at the farm owner, who didn’t seem to care.
“Ahem…”
I cleared my throat and flopped down on the ground. The wool covering my body gave me an inexplicable sense of confidence.
“Meeeh!”
The strong bleat that erupted from my throat drew the attention of the sheep. But who cared?
I was now no different from a sheep. I rolled over to Isolin’s side.
“Fun, right?”
I nodded in response to Isolin’s question. Rolling around the green pasture covered in wool was surprisingly fun.
In real life, I would have been too self-conscious to do something like this. But in this moment, I felt a liberating sense of freedom.
“Meeeh!”
Humans are bipedal. Trying to move on all fours would put a lot of strain on the body. But here, it was different. With infinite stamina, I could run endlessly even while lying down.
“Meeeh!”
Isolin and I started running on all fours.
Clip-clop-
We went here and there. We ran up the hill and then rolled down. The sheep grazing nearby began to follow us.
“Meeeh!”
Thud-
After repeating this several times, we got the hang of it. Isolin and I took the lead, directing the sheep.
It was like a herd of buffaloes galloping across the plains. We ran freely across the green pasture.
On all fours.
In fact, it was even faster than running on two legs. As soon as I realized this, I called out to Isolin.
“Isolin!”
“Meeeh!”
Isolin the sheep responded with a bleat.
“Don’t you think we’re faster on all fours than on two legs?”
At my question, Isolin stopped in her tracks. Her sudden halt caused the flock of sheep following her to tumble and roll across the pasture.
“Really?”
I nodded while still lying down. Isolin, lost in thought for a moment, suddenly stood up and said to me.
“Then want to race? Let’s see who gets to the farm first.”
“You’re going to run on two legs?”
“Yeah.”
“Sure, why not.”
I nodded at Isolin’s response and got into position. I was on all fours, while Isolin stood up.
The starting line was a large sheep lying nearby. Isolin then took out a 1-gold coin from her inventory and said.
“When this coin hits the ground, we start.”
“Okay.”
“Then…”
Ting-!
After a brief pause, Isolin flicked the coin into the air. Instead of watching the coin, I focused on the path ahead.
Whirr-
The coin spun in the air and began to fall. As its rotation slowed, I tensed my hind legs and raised my hips.
The perfect stance for a burst of speed.
Tink-
The moment the coin hit the ground, Isolin and I shot forward.
Clip-clop-!
It was true—running on all fours was faster. I quickly overtook Isolin and reached the finish line.
“Wow. You’re really fast…”
“Ahem…”
Even though it was just a race with no reward, I felt good. I shrugged my shoulders and shook the wool draped over me.
It was the victory celebration of Supreme the sheep.
“Excuse me, ahem… pardon me.”
While I was shaking the wool off, a unfamiliar voice from behind startled me, and I jumped up.
“Ah, um…”
[Level 27]
[Reckless Charge]
I quickly assessed the person’s information as I stood up. Level 27. A high-level player rarely seen near Fox Tail, clad in shiny full plate armor.
It was equipment that couldn’t be obtained in this area. The man with the nickname “Reckless Charge” was undoubtedly one of the vanguard players who had recently returned.
“Ahem… What can I do for you?”
My face turned red. I was embarrassed that someone had caught me in such a silly act.
I coughed awkwardly and stuffed the wool into my inventory. Pretending nothing had happened, Reckless Charge awkwardly smiled and continued.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Reckless Charge.”
I already knew his name from the tag above his head. The important thing was why he had approached us.
Given that his gaze was fixed on me and Isolin, it was clear he hadn’t come to this farm just to buy wool.
“Mr. Supreme, Ms. Isolin. We’d like you to join our Strategy Group.”
So the rumors about the Strategy Group recruiting were true. I shook my head and flatly refused.
“No thanks.”
“Huh…?”
“I said no.”
“But… I haven’t even explained what the Strategy Group does. Let me at least—”
“I’ve heard enough rumors to get the gist. It’s a group focused on leveling up quickly to return to the original world, right?”
“Uh, yes. That’s correct.”
“It’s too dangerous for me.”
“But… everyone is working hard to return… Sigh.”
Reckless Charge was at a loss for words at my firm refusal. He then turned his gaze to Isolin behind me. But she gave the same answer.
“I don’t want to take the risk either.”
“We can offer a lot of support. We can get you the best equipment, and you won’t lack for gold—”
“How can you promise that? Rewards should be divided equally among all participants, right?”
“We have many supporters in our Strategy Group. Some can’t fight directly, but they provide us with gold to help. Everyone is working hard to return to the original world. Please, for their sake—”
“It’s still too risky.”
“I promise that aggro won’t be an issue.”
Thud-!
At Isolin’s words, Reckless Charge took out his shield and placed it on the ground. Watching this, I stepped forward and asked him.
“I heard that 30% of the vanguard players who left Fox Tail died. Did you say the same thing to them?”
“That…”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to take that risk. Isolin feels the same.”
“Hmm… Well, I understand. Then, could you at least promise to support our Strategy Group?”
He quickly changed the subject, unable to answer my question. It seemed this was his real goal. I frowned and asked him.
“How much?”
“About 1,000 gold per week would be enough.”
The amount he asked for wasn’t too burdensome for our level. Honestly, I didn’t like the idea. But if I refused this offer too, I wasn’t sure what kind of repercussions we might face in the future.
Even in areas without monsters, they were fully armed, and they mentioned having many supporters. To me, this offer felt like a threat.
“I’ll promise to support you. It’s not mandatory, right?”
“Thank you! Of course, it’s not mandatory. You can send it whenever you have the means. You can do it through the bank NPCs in any city…”
With that, Reckless Charge left after securing our support.
I watched the knight’s retreating figure and asked Isolin.
“Isolin.”
“Yeah.”
“Is your sister also in that Strategy Group?”
“No. My sister is working with a small group.”
That was a relief. I draped the wool over myself again. If I didn’t cover my face with the wool, Isolin might have noticed something was off.
“Meeeh!”
Cover yourself with wool. Hide the dark thoughts inside.
Stay soft. So others won’t notice.
Vrslop_translator
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