Chapter 164

Chapter 164. In the Shadow’s Veil (1)

The reactions were almost instantaneous.

Messages in the group chat began to update rapidly. Individual chat windows, where I was conversing with different players, also started buzzing with activity.

Have you checked if it’s possible to transfer tickets?

Is there a restriction on the grade of the attribute stone?

Until when should we be ready?

How many should we bring?

I observed the flurry of questions and checked the tickets in my inventory.

‘All the items in the shop are at a Common difficulty level.’

Damned System does not aid in acquiring rare or special artifacts or magic tools.

Furthermore, I have seldom purchased skills or magic from the shop, relying instead on Trait assistance.

Even though I hadn’t yet acquired Mana Domination available at the Silver rank stage, I planned to master Mana Control and attempt it on my own.

“If it’s beyond my capability to acquire it autonomously, I can always venture into another main scenario to earn the ticket.”

Upon reviewing everything, there wasn’t anything in the shop worth using the ticket on, given the circumstances.

It seemed wise to exchange something useless to me for something necessary.

‘I suppose upgrading hardware will be tough for a while, so I might as well work on the software.’

I’ve already expanded the variety of magic through other techniques, so I decided to focus on filling my Attribute Mana, although there was a problem.

‘It requires a lot of groundwork.’

After considering this dilemma, I sought out players who could do the groundwork for me. In return, I decided to offer a shop ticket that I currently didn’t need.

Quite a number of players responded to the message I posted in the group chat. It was expected.

No matter how much Mana is needed to purchase an attribute stone, it can’t surpass the value of acquiring a skill worth hundreds of thousands for free.

Cognizant of this, I offered the free ticket as compensation.

Since other players, unlike me, heavily rely on the shop, it was worth it for them to invest some time, effort, and a little Mana to obtain a ticket.

I provided more detailed conditions to players who showed genuine interest,

– K: The deadline is fifteen days.

The value of attribute stones would be assessed based on their grade:

Low-rank as 1 point,

intermediate-rank as 2 points,

and High-rank as 3 points.

I decided to trade with the top two players with the highest scores.

I didn’t mind if the players collaborated or conspired to claim the top two spots.

Whether they opted for team play or solo play, that was for the competitors to decide.

Players vying for the ticket would have to mention how many stones they gathered and coax others who had fewer to increase their chances.

The lack of restrictions on collaboration was intentional. It allowed the player who gathered a lot in the early stages to potentially obtain more from others.

Thus, players who gathered an awkward number of stones found it easy to withdraw, leading to more stones for those remaining to buy, thereby increasing the quantity I would receive.

As players checked the conditions I set, they promptly took action. They would encourage sales of attribute stones both online and offline among other players.

Savvy ones would head to high-grade corrupted areas with those lacking Mana, distribute it, purchase attribute stones, and trade later.

No matter the method used, as long as my time was saved, it was worth it.

Gone were the days of waiting for auction posts or laboriously seeking direct purchases of attribute stones, thanks to the established transaction conditions and deadlines.

After setting my terms, I returned to my lodging and devoted myself to Mana training.

As time passed and dusk approached, the bounty mission list updated as usual.

The first mission I clicked on was one newly added under the direction of Viceta.

HIDDEN MISSION

「Bounty Hunting (Viceta-12)」

Eliminate the player who killed a fellow player (0/1).

– You can ascertain the target’s location through the map (Check location).

– If the mission fails within the time limit, the target will receive notifications of the bounty hunter’s location.

「Success Rewards」

• Reputation 10

• Random Box (×1)

「Time Limit」

• 239:59:58

Upon pressing the location check button, a map only visible to bounty hunters appeared. And there, clearly marked in red, was my own location.

This Damned System had indeed placed a bounty mission on me for taking the life of an “innocent player” as per its judgment.

“Whew.”

I wasn’t particularly shocked or unusually angry. Having somewhat predicted this eventuality, I remained composed.

Of course, that didn’t mean I intended to simply let things be.

With a cold expression, I opened the chatroom exclusive to bounty hunters. This incident occurred on the eve before the opening of Act 1, scene 5 of the main scenario.

Six days had passed since the new main scenario commenced in the north.

This main scenario bore a different atmosphere from the past two, mainly because the Order’s army exhibited a strong intent to exclude players from battlefields.

Not all players were uniformly shunned, either.

“It seems they intend to favor players who have been consistently operating in Viceta.”

Ethan’s party, stationed near the siege point at Somol Castle with the Order’s troops, testified to this strategy.

Other players, having failed to join the Order’s forces, were relegated to the outskirts, conducting purification tasks or transporting supplies.

Although Ethan sought opportunities for me to join, I refused due to the bounty hunting mission.

Not that bounty hunters were immediately pursuing me.

– K: I’ve reiterated this. If you’re confident in catching me, go ahead. I won’t stop you.

– Sniper: That’s quite a chilling joke. I do value my life, you know?

– Eisa: I want to live long too.

– Ethan Rembrandt: I trust K’s judgment more than the system. I wouldn’t spare those scoundrels if I was you.

I had warily issued a half-serious, half-joking warning in the bounty hunter chatroom. Yet, I wasn’t fully reassured and had chosen to distance myself from the hunters.

Fortunately, my party members took charge of maintaining surrounding vigilance.

“If I was alone, dealing with both hunting and vigilance would be strenuous.”

I trusted my party members not to stab me in the back, allowing me to rely on them.

Kim Yul and Yang Taeho couldn’t gain rewards from the bounty mission, and killing me would risk our party’s dissolution.

It simply benefited them more to protect me than to kill me.

Additionally, Ahel had a restraint engraved on me, making him controllable at any time.

This allowed me to respond to the bounty mission hanging over me, having contemplated everything.

“I understand the necessity of a bounty mission.”

Being likened to a contract killer was displeasing, yet satisfying to a degree required for my desired future.

Through conversations with Jang Ryun, I acknowledged this need and resolved not to be swayed by trivial guilt.

However, I had no intention of becoming a killing machine abiding solely by the system’s commands.

“I’m not the system’s puppet.”

Any obligation must align with my free will, needs, and judgment. I refused to be constrained by the system.

Should any issues arise as a consequence, I resolved to endure them.

I only condone the system exploiting me because its directives currently align with my objectives.

“Don’t assume I’ll always act according to your will.”

Issuing a warning to the perpetually observing system, I closed the mission window.

For the time being, I intended to monitor things until the bounty hunters’ locations were disclosed to me as well.

This meant skipping out on the present main scenario.

“No helping it.”

Taking steps into a chaotic battlefield only to be ambushed would leave me vulnerable. Opting for minor losses trumps unnecessary risks in such cases.

“Perhaps this is a nice opportunity.”

My chosen bounty hunters may or may not target me. The potential insight they could provide offered value in itself.

Watching the chatter in the bounty hunter chatroom continue trivial conversations, I soon pushed the chat window aside.

I switched to examining the Order’s website instead.

Among the various sections, I checked the post I used for conversing with Jordan, but there were no new comments.

“The meeting was supposed to start in the morning, so results should be out by now.”

With a mix of anticipation and impatience, I perused the webpage for a couple of hours.

– Jordan Rodiel: The meeting is over. To start with the outcome, we decided to call in the Outsiders. The Order will contact the association in a few days.

The long-awaited answer finally arrived after my encounter with Jang Ryun.

At present, only two nations in Bihar retained a semblance of statehood.

This count excluded Ferrell and the Kairoth Kingdom, having lost their royal line, which served as an axis.

“The nobles of both nations relinquished governance to convert to a military regime.”

Recent reforms absorbed them into the Order’s troops as well.

Therefore, only two nations continued to hold the territory, populace, and governing authority.

That was indeed a scant number, even to the point where Bihar’s collapse wouldn’t seem peculiar.

However, a closer look revealed a slightly different narrative.

That’s because one of these nations was the Atar Empire, a dominant force grasping most of the continent’s east.

“Wow… This is nothing like Habon or Loborre.”

Coming from someone glued to the carriage window, Kim Yul muttered softly as he marveled at the view outside.

This piqued my interest; I glanced out, momentarily ceasing my chat with Club 249’s players.

Tall and straight buildings, broad and flat avenues, and varied Demi-human races in extravagant attire.

‘Gemal’, the capital of the Atar Empire—considered the safest place in Bihar—exuded a stark contrast to the frontline bases.

Places like Habon predominantly housed soldiers. There were civilians forming markets, but their presence wasn’t large.

“Eight out of ten people in the streets were armed forces personnel.”

That said, a tough ambiance, mundane scenery, and the characteristic tension permeated.

Contrarily, gemal was devoid of the razor-sharp air mixed with the scent of blood.

Not a single person wore armor or defensive gear among those we passed by.

“Indeed, realizing how distant we are from the front lines.”

As I leisurely observed the peaceful cityscape, an obstinate gaze pricked at my cheek, prompting me to sigh and look across the seat.

Meeting the eyes of someone who had been staring at me all the while, I faced a woman in her mid-thirties.

Her dark navy blue hair carried a hint of blue light, and her eyes were a shade close to gray.

“Ralio Deril.”

After Jordan’s reassignment to Habon, she became the senior priestess assisting the chief high priest.

The one conveying the decisions from the Order’s army to the players through the website was also her.

While this was my first encounter with Ralio in person, we had exchanged words on a couple of occasions online.

My impression then was of a stiff official.

‘She seemed dutiful in her responses because it was her job.’

But meeting her in reality displayed her taking an unusual interest in me.

This was evident as she continuously scrutinized me from the moment she boarded the carriage.

Unable to endure any longer under her unyielding gaze, I finally spoke.

“Do you have something to say?”

Damned System