Chapter 170

"What an extravagant room this is."

"This is Room 31. There are those among our clients who can't stand the typical gloomy atmosphere of the Thieves Guild. Very occasionally, that is."

"Coming here to place a request, yet can't stand the atmosphere?"

"That means they're easy targets."

Room 31 was a client consultation room' inside the Thieves Guild, which boldly occupied a space beneath the capital of Valaran. Its most notable feature was the lavish interior design, opulent enough to outshine even the royal palace. A stark contrast to the drab exterior of the room.

"This is a favorite spot for fools who believe their dignity is reflected in their surroundings. People like them, of noble standing, can't be seen conversing in such lowly places… or so they believe."

Of course, these clients had long forgotten that they came to the Thieves Guild to place such unseemly requests. Even if they remembered, they convinced themselves it was like using trash to take out the trash.

"Stepping in here is like dousing yourself in sewage from the start. But of course, these valued clients are important to us, and we respect their pride."

The cost however, was a hefty fee.

A job worth 10 gold would inflate to at least 30 gold the moment they stepped into this room.

"A fair price for preserving their meaningless pride."

"Then they must see me in that light too."

"That makes sense for accepting an adventurer's request. Even if I am the guild master, thieves typically get rid of anything that's not useful."

"I'll make sure I am useful."

"Well, you are the adventurer. You're holding my lifeline, aren't you?"

"Not quite yet."

"Whoa, there. let's talk first. If you keep intimidating me like this, I might just run away in fear."

"Run where?"

"Well… that's something to think about. For now, I'm all ears for whatever the you have to say. Now that I think about it, the Empire has its own way. What business do you have in the Empire?"

"Would you run if I said the Imperial Palace?"

"Yes."

Kartna's hand had already slipped beneath the desk.

Whatever was there would help hide his presence from Seojin.

"…You just need to help me connect with the Thieves Guild based in the Empire."

"That won't be easy with newcomers."

"You'll have to help establish the relationship."

"Ah, adventurer. That's really not easy. As I mentioned, although we are called a guild, we operate more like a network of independent cells."

"What's the one principle that moves thieves?"

"It's the corresponding benefits. The bigger the reward compared to the task, the happier they are."

Kartna didn't use the word money. Benefits—this meant something that could provide long-term aid to the activities of the Thieves Guild, rather than short-term gains.

"So, you're saying this won't be resolved with just a handful of coins?"

"It was just a formal expression."

"How about this, Kartna. I can offer you a reward even greater than you could imagine. How about I tell you what I can offer before discussing what needs to be done?"

"That's our favorite way of doing business." Kartna's eyes sparkled.

That was the nature of a thief. If they wanted a stable and easy life, they wouldn't have chosen this path. They were ready to face any danger as long as it satisfied their greed.

And what Seojin had to offer was enough to ignite Kartna's desires.

"You're more remarkable than I thought."

"This isn't everything. There's much more to come."

Kartna's eyes widened in amazement.

What Seojin had proposed could already shake the very foundations of the nation of Valaran.

He could sway the top 10 guilds of Valaran and, with the right bait, mobilize thousands of adventurers towards a single goal.

And Seojin, being a "friend" of the current king, held even more influence.

"If there's more… may I have a taste of what's to come?"

"You've heard about the reclaiming of Salevania?"

"The ancient forest Salevania! Of course, I've heard. You were the one who reclaimed it. I heard elves live there. Does that mean…?"

Kartna shook his head, cutting himself off.

"No, I'll stop here."

"I could tell you more if you're curious."

"If I hear more, we'll have to act on it. You know the nature of thieves, don't you?"

Kartna was right. Once a deal was struck, they always fulfilled their conditions.

In a way, the Thieves Guild was similar to that of mercenaries: the transaction began the moment a down payment was received.

Regardless of whether it was asked for or not.

Seojin looked straight at Kartna.

"Seeing as you say it's enough, you seem to have made your decision."

"Am I correct in understanding that you'll help me steal Valaran?"

"Not at all. My friend handles the day. But Valaran's night, that's a different story."

"But I'm already the guild master of the Thieves Guild."

"A position like the head of a network. Not a particularly tempting position, is it? Especially when you have to mind the underlings while entertaining guests."

"Taking responsibility doesn't suit a thief."

"How about a position with authority but no responsibility? A role more powerful than what you currently hold. A position that can move all the thieves in this land with just a word. Of course… you'll need the ability to implant a bit of illusion in them."

"Like what you're doing to me now?" Kartna chuckled softly, rubbing his hands together, as if relishing the anticipation of a sumptuous meal laid before him. Exhaling softly, he spoke, "Feels like I've fallen into a Rafflesia's trap. The sweet scent is truly mesmerizing."

"In such traps, you guys would suck out the nectar and slip away."

"That thrill is part of the enjoyment. Oh, what a difficult offer to refuse…"

Then there was silence.

Kartna, uncharacteristically serious for a moment, soon returned to his sly demeanor. "I accept your proposal. Of course, we'll need to finalize the details of the task and compensation, but with someone like you, I doubt I'll be disappointed."

"I'll make sure to meet your expectations."

Kartna nodded, looked lazily at the ceiling, then rested his interlocked fingers on the table. "Now, tell me. What exactly do you plan to do in the Empire?"

* * *

-How is it?

-Reviewing it with interest. Haven't mentioned your proposal to anyone yet; in my room, quietly scrutinizing the conditions you've offered.

-Good to hear. Aren't you tired, Flappy? Isn't this too much right after waking up?

-Not at all. I'm feeling very energetic. Leave everything to me!

-Then that's a relief.

Seojin sent a reply with a smirk.

Flappy.

Sometime after the battle with Ironblood had ended, she finally fully digested the Source of Life.

The first words she said upon waking up were that she was full of energy and felt like she could do anything, as well as asking for Seojin what she should do.

Thanks to this, Seojin learned that Kartna had been among the guests at the coronation. He also realized that Kartna's position had changed significantly since their last encounter.

'Either way, he must have been competent as a thief. Or maybe he sucked the backbone out of Lord Dunkehr… Is that also a mark of a competent thief?'

Anyway, Kartna was now overseeing the entire Valaran Thieves Guild. He established a prominent base in the capital, and he even attended the coronation in a disguise.

In Seojin's current situation, Kartna could prove to be the most helpful character.

No matter how much the rankers boasted, that was only within the confines of Valaran.

Once the scope of activities expanded to the Camilton Empire, these rankers would become ordinary, commonly seen everywhere.

'That's because the empire is where rankers from their own nations flock.'

A country composed solely of NPCs.

With not a single beginner's base within the country, only players above a certain level, after undergoing specific processes, could enter the Empire.

The first main episode of the Kingdom of Valaran dictated that Seojin head towards the Camilton Empire.

Act 1. The Throne and the Liar

*You have entered the main episode.

*The King of Valaran earnestly sought your help. The tyranny of the major nation grows day by day, and Valaran might soon become a vassal state of the empire.

*Assist the King. Rid Valaran of the Empire's pressure and help it stand as a complete nation.

*Objective: Pass the Camilton Empire immigration inspection.

*Additional objectives and clues will be provided as the quest progresses.

Two previews have been provided.

1. In the Name of the King

*Heinrich Valaran was a king after all. They greeted me as an envoy of the king, but the numerous attentive gazes turned into surveillance.

*Valaran King's Personal Letter (1) is required.

*The difficulty of immigration is set to the lowest.

*All activities are limited within the authority of Valaran's envoy. Failure will lead to war between Valaran and the Camilton Empire.

2. Riding the Shadows

*It was impossible to pass the risk onto Heinrich Valaran. Although the immigration inspection was completed normally, the emperor was exceedingly interested in Valaran. To avoid detection, another method had to be found.

*A solid alliance with a suitable thief NPC is required.

*The difficulty of immigration is set to the highest.

*Your activities are free.

*Residents are wary of outsiders.

*If discovered by guards, you will be sent to the underground prison and receive an irrevocable debuff.

This was the main episode of the Kingdom of Valaran. The situation in other countries would likely not be much different. Everything Seojin had dealt with regarding the Ironblood Knights so far, was just an unplanned sub episode.

'The original quest line was probably replaced due to all the havoc caused by Robert.'

There must have been some kind of qualification proving quest originally. But thanks to Robert, that process was skipped, and the real game began. Even gaining the absolute trust of Heinrich Valaran.

-Bro. Can we talk?

Just then a message arrived from Merhen.

-Yeah. Have you started?

-Yeah. Made the guild, and as you said, I took the role of guild master… Are you sure this is okay?

Merhen was now a guild master.

The guild's name was Great Red.

He had inherited the will of SMU's representative Hwang Soochul, even boasting his financial support.

-You have to do it to easily leverage my name. It'll also be convenient to communicate with others.

Seojin had instructed his former comrades to hold their positions and wait.

Soon there would be a big event, and they should season the top ten guilds so that they could borrow their power.

Thanks to that, only those from Ironblood joined Great Red, and the rest of the guild members remained in their original guilds.

-But why? Don't you like it?

-Not really. I just feel this is too much for me.

-Then just do it.

-…Okay. Same operating policy as you mentioned before?

-Don't leech off others, compete only where necessary, a guild that doesn't chase after those who leave, and doesn't block those who wish to join.

A typical Seojin-style operating policy. Confident enough, and knowing that if the major guilds only thought about their own power, Valaran would wobble again. And by leaving Merhen in Valaran, Seojin could focus solely on targeting the Camilton Empire.

-Just remember the concept since you're using the name Great Red. Pay back grudges double, and debts tenfold. Got it?

-The CEO emphasized it several times. Don't worry about money at all. So, you're heading there right away?

-Sometime today. I have one more person to meet.

-I'll limit contact for a while. Hey, we might uproot the empire too at this rate

Seojin chuckled.

-That's exactly the plan.