Chapter 136

"Not human? Really? I mean, I know you wouldn't be wrong, but… my senses definitely told me she was human!"

"I didn't feel it either. That wasn't how I realized either."

"Then what?"

"Something was awkward. The way it acted, spoke. And even you, Flappy, might not have sensed it because…"

Seojin glanced sideways. The guide was looking at them, expressionless.

"Remember what that guide said earlier? That this tower was built before the Kingdom of Valaran was even founded."

"That means…"

"Whoever he or she was, the founder was an extraordinary person. Maybe not even human. Valaran's history spans over 300 years, so longer than you've even lived, Flappy."

"Hmm, that's true."

"Right?" Flappy seemed convinced. Seojin looked back at the guide.

"Can I get my reward now?"

"Yes. It will be given."

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Your League has fully taken its place.

Acquired: League of Deception

Achievement: A Light Start!

*You have successfully completed your first test! And achieved a remarkable feat! Impressive!

*This achievement is awarded to users whose performance in the "Deception" test is in the top 1%.

*All your stats increase by 1%.

League of Deception has been activated. Effects applied.

Stance: Petty Liar is enhanced to Vile Schemer.

New Skill Acquired!

Active Skill: Incitement and Fabrication

*A Vile Schemer excels in incitement and fabrication. Honesty is but a self-imposed limitation. Incite and fabricate with integrity.

*Trait (Incitement): Effect amplifies when used on multiple targets.

*Trait (Fabrication): Effect amplifies when the origin of the false rumor remains unknown.

*Greatly influenced by intelligence.

"Wow."

Seojin pursed his lips in admiration. His existing skill was enhanced, and a new skill was added.

Acquired: Basic skill — Sixth Sense

*You can see the flow of League.

*You can conceal the flow of League.

*You can enhance abilities by utilizing League.

A skill called "Sixth Sense" was also acquired.

"Is this what a League is?"

"Do you see something?"

"I do. It seems like only adventurers can see it."

A purple aura fluttered over Seojin's body.

"If I do this."

Seojin tried to conceal his League. The effect was immediate. The purple aura was nowhere to be seen, but a penalty was imposed.

Insufficient proficiency.

All skill effects reduced by 90%.

Just concealing it incurred a penalty, which indicated that,

'This proficiency thing must be extremely important then'

Now, he could visually identify others' abilities. And to hide his information, he had to enhance his skills in some way.

"Hey, Guide. Can I call you that?"

"Yes."

"I've pretty much figured it out. Any other rewards?"

"None."

"Too bad. Sydney was a being created by the founder of this tower, right?"

"That is correct."

"Was it okay to tell me that?"

"Yes, the content of a concluded test changes."

"Then, putting Sydney aside… no, let's leave that for later. The next test is ready, right?"

Seojin immediately mentioned the next test. Hesitating when catching the flow was foolish. The test he just went through was something anyone could pass, given enough time. But the second qualification test was different.

'Either you hit level 200 or, like me, did something special. So far, it's only those kinds of people are given the opportunity.'

Two different extremes.

A select few from the vanguard of Midgard, leading the charge. Or those few special players who played in a different way, are likely the only ones to have experienced such a situation.

"The second test is Intimidation. Shall we proceed?"

"Right away."

"Proceeding." Following the guide's sterile voice, Seojin's vision blurred.

* * *

The ground trembled, screams and shouts sharply piercing his ears.

Seojin's restored vision revealed a scene of utter chaos.

"…What is this?"

First, understanding the situation was key.

Billowing black smoke. Soldiers clad in armor. Junior commanders barking orders, and generals urging them on, every detail vividly present.

"A battlefield."

He looked down.

He was in armor. It was silver plate mail. And a cloak adorned with a black rose hung loosely over his shoulders.

"That shouldn't be of ordinary rank."

The evidence wasn't just in the attire.

He was on a hill of considerable height.

From where Seojin stood, he could oversee the entire battlefield.

"The Welrose family."

"Welrose?"

"It is a marquis house of the Camilton Empire, quite renowned."

Rich knowledge from the spirit flowed. Seojin pointed towards the battlefield.

"And that side?"

"They are those belonging to the Middleline marquis family. On par with the Welrose in terms of status."

"A territorial war."

The situation became clearer.

The Welrose and Middleline, both prestigious marquis families, embroiled in a territorial conflict.

'I'm someone of high rank in the Welrose family… Similar to the test in Movelon?'

Assuming another's role to resolve an immediate situation.

Identifying the task at hand wasn't difficult.

"Hold your ground! Those who retreat will face my sword first!"

"Embrace the pride of the rose!"

"The thorns of the rose do not yield easily! Remember the enemy's face until your last breath!"

Loud cries endlessly erupted. A glance at the armor made it clear which side it was.

'They're falling behind.'

It was obvious from this high of a vantage point.

It was a clear disadvantage.

The Welrose stood no chance against the Middleline.

Soldiers fell first, and the commanding officers trying to rally them eventually fell from their horses.

A horse impaled on a spear thrashed, kicking up clouds of dust. The commanders had not lost their lives. They didn't resist, and it seemed their enemies had no intention of killing them, as they stopped at merely capturing them.

'For ransom, probably.'

In the end, only regular soldiers perished. Even low-ranking commanders were spared in these territorial conflicts.

Loading Complete.

Trait Enhancement Quest has been activated!

Enhancement Quest: In Front of the Battlefield's Flag

*War has erupted. If a dreadful affair is unavoidable, you must obtain the best possible outcome from it.

*Survive. And secure the best outcome. The method and direction are in your hands.

*Scores will be assigned after evaluating your process and outcome at the end of the test.

A trait enhancement quest.

The same name as before, but the approach was distinctly different.

'Evaluation based on process and outcome, huh.'

There was no clear goal.

Naturally, the process was up to the player, and even that process was part of the evaluation.

The conflict between two proud noble houses began over a trivial matter. Servants of both houses quarreled over the quality of food, and the dispute eventually reached the ears of the knights, then finally the nobles themselves.

For nobles, pride can be more valuable than life. Fortunately for them, they didn't have to risk their own lives.

The stakes were decided by the lives of their long-cultivated soldiers. On this small, dreadful battlefield, do what you must.

Do what you must. That was what the quest message said.

'Well, then I do what I must.'

The key was the direction. Regrettably, no additional clues were provided this time.

No basic items provided! Assistance will be given based on your progress!

"Alright. Let's see."

Seojin looked around.

It was safe. Despite the stench of blood nearby, this place felt isolated.

Men in fancy armor stood nearby, seemingly in the same situation as Seojin.

And at the same time,

[Welrose Captain: Darius]

[Welrose Captain: Loken]

Their affiliations, ranks, and names neatly appeared above their heads.

'That means…'

"Status window."

Robron Welrose

Commander of the Welrose Forces

Youngest son of the Welrose Marquis family

'As I expected.'

Instead of the name Seojin, there was a name that clearly belonged to someone from the Welrose family.

Clue discovered.

Additional information provided.

* Robron Welrose is the youngest of three brothers in the Welrose family. The eldest is the designated heir, and the second has secured a place in the imperial court.

'So like a spoiled youngest son?'

The story seemed cliché just by reading that far. The successful eldest son, the second son who, though unable to outshine the eldest, carved his own path. And then, the youngest, consumed with envy towards his brothers, lacking maturity.

Unlike his brothers, Robron…

'As I expected.'

It was a predictable story.

Seojin chuckled and read the information to the end.

In summary, Robron's brothers were competent, and Robron was incompetent. He was merely greedy.

With such arrogance, he would always rush to the front, only to ruin everything.

"This should do. Now, Flappy, you should…"

First, he directed Flappy to gather information, then approached a dissatisfied-looking man near the tent.

[Welrose Strategist: Smith]

A man trying to find a path in this war.

* * *

Smith was not pleased with the situation.

'The war was undoubtedly on our side. And yet…'

Actually, not being pleased was an understatement. He had the capability to turn the tides right there and then.

No matter if it was a nobles' playground, his job was to find a way to win.

The problem was one person.

'Damn brat.'

Robron Welrose.

He was fortunate enough to be born into a marquis family but, unlike his brothers, utterly lacked in ability. Moreover, his greed knew no bounds, often leading the charge into disaster, despite his lack of ability. This incident was just one among his many failures.

"I'll do it! You rest back in the tent!"

"Being pushed back? Don't you see? There's a plan in all this. Just be quiet…"

"Just a slight pushback! Don't you understand? You are a strategist, aren't you? Getting distracted by the small things will ruin everything!"

Those were the damned words spewed by Robron, etched bitterly in his memory. Just thinking about it filled his chest with a seething, unbearable resentment.

'It's correct. He's right, but not the kind of thing to say in this situation. Damned fool.'

He was getting distracted and ruining everything. Robron must have realized this by now.

'But with his pride, he won't back down. If we continue like this… it will be a sure loss.'

It was easily predictable.

Marquis Welrose, aware of who caused the trouble, would likely impose formal punishment only on the command.

For that rascal, even such a nominal punishment wouldn't be forthcoming. It was certain he would face nothing more than a stern reprimand for disrupting the family affairs – just a slap on the wrist.

'Damn that kid.'

As Smith ground his teeth,

"Sir Smith."

Robron Welrose, the family's rascal, approached and spoke.