A doll that perfectly resembled Han Yoojin sat in a chair, appearing as if it had fallen into a deep sleep with its eyes closed and body relaxed. The gentle rise and fall of its chest made it look convincingly human. However, no sounds of breathing or a beating heart could be heard.
Sigma looked down at the doll and reached out his hand. It was boring how it swayed with the slightest touch. Yet, the fact that only the fake doll remained here wasn't boring at all.
"I underestimated him too much."
A smile crept onto his lips.
He hadn't expected a C-rank to remain quiet. Still, he hadn't known he would escape so easily.
It was confirmed that he couldn't unlock the inventory-sealed necklace. Nevertheless, somehow, amidst the guarded presence of an A-rank, the C-rank managed to unlock the necklace, replace it with a pile of dolls, and escape.
Even after thorough searching and disabling the inventory, it wasn't an item. It wasn't a skill either. And there was no external cooperation involved.
"I lost"
With the knowledge he possessed, he couldn't find an answer. At least with the abilities of the beings in this world, escape seemed impossible. The realization made his heart beat a little faster.
He is definitely aC-rank. So how?
"These are presumed to be the items that C-rank left behind."
An S-rank guard placed the items on the table one by one. Several items rated A-rank or below, along with a sleeping bag. Sigma's eyes narrowed as he observed them.
"Oh, no. It wouldn't be good if you catch a cold while sleeping rough."
"...What?"
Sigma's words, as if worrying about the escaped C-rank, momentarily puzzled the S-rank guard.
"Well, the missing items from the S-rank exclusive equipment room total seven. Five S-rank, two SS-rank items confirmed."
After completing their patrol, one of the returning S-rank guards had entered the equipment room for replenishment, revealing an anomaly with the items. Sigma raised an eyebrow while reviewing the list of items stolen by the C-rank.
"I'll issue another wanted order. This time, there are photos, so-"
"No, there's no need. We won't find him anyway."
Just like the first time, he had walked in of his own accord. Wanted orders were useless. Moreover, the likelihood of him already leaving the Sollemnis City was high.
Sigma reviewed the report on C-rank's actions once again.
According to the report that came in right after the wanted order was issued, the C-rank showed interest in Alpha Akates and his fire skill. Then, at the surveillance tower of the defensive wall, they inquired about the Akates City. The distance from Sollemnis City to Akates City was a two-day drive.
'A scooter with an applied concealment skill, provisions for two days.'
Some items on the C-rank's shopping list. Combining them, it wasn't difficult to guess the C-rank's destination.
"Hewent outside the city."
"What? But, Sigma, even though they have a concealment skill, he doesn't have a mana induction, with only C-rank mana passage. He can't maintain it for more than a day."
Even if it was a concealment skill suspected to be at least S-rank. The higher the rank, the more mana it required. For an ordinary C-rank, it might last at most half a day. Sigma's smile deepened at the S-rank guard's statement, it's definitely a suicide.
"Usually, that would be the case."
"...Do you think he have a companion?"
"No."
"Then what on earth-"
The S-rank guard wore a bewildered expression. If a C-rank awakener had crossed the defensive wall alone, there was no need to search for him. He would likely have died before crossing even a night. However, Sigma's thoughts seemed different. Just before he spoke.
Boom! Crash!
A deafening explosion echoed not far away. Vibrations followed the sounds of buildings collapsing. Right after that, the door opened, and another guard rushed in to report.
"There was an explosion in Building B-2! Approximately ten consecutive explosions were heard, and due to concentrated firepower on one floor, the building is now-"
Hahaha
The guard, who intended to convey that information, blankly opened his mouth. Sigma burst into laughter. Amidst the crumbling sounds of concrete blocks, a subtle laughter echoed.
"Revenge served quite well. It would have been enjoyable even if he were S-grade, or at least A-grade. However, for a C-grade, practically unrecognized as a guard, to boldly stir up trouble and escape unscathed, it's impressive.
"Contact Akates City. I will accept the request for Alpha's suppression."
"Yes? Are you planning to go directly to Akates City yourself?"
"Yes. Get ready."
As much as he wanted to leave right away, leaving the affiliated city was not an easy task. Above all, mana replenishment through the mana hole was only possible in the respective mana hole. Although the mana itself was the same regardless of the mana hole, they could refuse to provide the fuel tank, which was a problem.
Therefore, ample preparation of this side's fuel tank and proper equipment was necessary. Especially since Akates City was not a favorable place for guards, extra caution was required.
"It's been a while since you vacated the seat. Unless unusual phenomena occur, like in Goldburg Park, you have about a week of free time."
"Request support from Lambda in Lanchaea. Inform them that I am going to Akates directly."
"...Honestly, I don't quite understand why you're going to such lengths."
While the S-grade guard looked puzzled, he followed the orders. Both guards left the room. In the meantime, the building seemed to have completely collapsed, and the surroundings were silent. Amidst the silence, Sigma's gaze turned towards the doll sitting in the chair. The eyes that seemed faded and sunken suddenly flickered with light.
* * *
- Beep!
A new sound was heard. A flock of birds soared into the sky over the forest as the dawn light seeped in.
"It should have exploded by now."
Ten time bombs, each worth 20,000 points. I hid them carefully, intending for them to explode around sunrise. I wonder if the timing worked well. The power of each bomb wasn't immense, but since I concentrated them on one floor of the building, I might witness it collapsing completely if things went well.
I hope the delay in pursuit was worth the trouble of handling it.
I took out a canned ration from my backpack. I ate something resembling a meatball with a fork attached to the side. The taste of meat in this area was undoubtedly decent. It was edible even without heating.
"It's definitely safer during the day than at night."
Contrary to my willingness to risk my life, the area outside the defense barrier was surprisingly safe. Thanks to the concealment skill that reached the S-grade level through item buffs, monsters couldn't even find me, and higher-tier monsters were busy hunting lower-tier ones.
Even if S-grade monsters glanced at me, they soon chased after lower-tier monsters.
Thankfully, I didn't encounter any SS-grade monsters.
"I should rest or sleep now since lower-tier monsters disappear during the day, and higher-tier monsters are likely full from hunting. Has an ecosystem been established here?"
After finishing a simple meal, I threw the empty can and drank a bottle on the roadside. Littering was not allowed, but since this world was fake, I didn't care.
At that moment, a message window appeared.
[☆★Hidden Quest Achieved!!☆★]
What now? It claimed I achieved a hidden quest for escaping from Sollemnis Defense Bureau and looting the equipment room. Now, it seems exploding the bombs is also considered a hidden quest.
"...Newbie, did you make quests to fit my actions?"
It was suspicious. Even the skill name and description seemed to be post-written. It was highly likely that even hidden quests were fabricated. The set of Lynx shoes was like that too.
Well, it's better than doing nothing. With gratitude for the newbie's effort, I opened the quest achievement window.
[Daring Demolition Expert!
You successfully brought down one of Sollemnis Defense Bureau's buildings with a bomb, while the higher-grade guards were buzzing around. What audacity you've shown!
Reward: 100,000P, Breath of the Dragon Bomb (SS) x3]
Breath of the Dragon Bomb? It was an SS-grade item. Even if it's a one-time use bomb, giving me three of them. What are you hoping for me to blow up again? Even though it's not a real world, it feels like I'm causing too much trouble by messing around here.
[Breath of the Dragon Bomb - SS-grade
A bomb implementing the power of the highest-grade dragon breath. Timer and remote control available.
One-time use]
"Seems like a waste to leave them behind. If nothing happens, I should take them with me. They can't stop me from taking game items, right?"
I carefully placed the bombs in my inventory and set off on the scooter again. Having stayed up all night, a yawn escaped me. Whether it's night or day, there's no time to rest comfortably. I have to keep going for two days straight, thanks to my C-grade stats.
If I were still F-grade, I would have been terrified of dozing off while driving and causing an accident. The rough roads consumed quite a bit of stamina even though I just rode the scooter. I hope when I arrive in Akates City, Yoohyun welcomes me, and I can finally get some good rest.
"I miss the kids. I really miss them."
Being alone for so long was unusual. After regaining consciousness, there was almost always someone by my side. As long as it wasn't me, who could really die since it's not a real body, my mind was at ease. Otherwise, my fear resistance grade might have decreased, and I might have been anxious.
"...If only our world had been applied as a virtual reality. Even though there might be dangers in virtual reality, many things would have changed. It might just be that the grass seems greener on the other side."
"...For now, let's think about maximizing gains from here."
After joining forces with Yoohyun, finding the others, and accumulating points. I should get Yoohyun and Yerim a new weapon each. Skills are important too.
Ah, I miss the kids. Of course, Hyuna as well, even Sung hyunjae. It feels lonely.
A defensive wall, similar to Sollemnis's, tall and imposing, appeared before me. The height of the wall, as well as the spaced-out watchtowers, resembled those of Sollemnis. I wondered if other cities were constructed around the same time. Maintaining the concealment skill, I looked at the defensive wall under the morning sun.
It was said that Akates City, like Sollemnis, had mostly B-grade guards in the surveillance towers during the day. At night, when new monsters appeared, they would be replaced by A-grade guards. The monster spawn pattern would probably be the same for Akates City.
"If it's B-grade, it shouldn't be difficult to escape."
I took out the ID card I had kept and approached the small door hidden behind a tree. As I called out and shook my hand towards the watchtower, the door opened after a short while. A well-prepared B-grade guard cautiously approached.
"Yoojin Han from Medsang Center. Here are my ID and transit permit."
"Oh, you came from Medsang Center."
The B-grade guard's expression visibly relaxed as he checked the machine-readable ID and transit permit. It seemed they easily accepted people coming from Medsang Center, where many healers and support guards were stationed. It looked like the newbie put some effort into preparing the ID.
The guard, having verified the documents with the machine, welcomed me and stepped aside. Perhaps Yoo Hyun had... left without saying anything. Well, he might not have told me for my safety since being recognized as someone important to an SS-grade guard could lead to a hostage situation.
"I appreciate the warm welcome after such a long journey. Thank you for your hard work in protecting the city."
I smiled warmly, offering a drink from my backpack to the guard. He gladly accepted the drink, thanking me.
"Considering you've arrived safely on your own, it seems your scooter has a high-grade concealment skill."
"Yes, I bought it at a high price. How could I have come here without a concealment skill?"
It seemed that kindness was motivated by the scent of money. As long as he guided me well, I could reward him handsomely. I didn't have money, but I had many items. Even selling just one A-grade equipment would fetch quite a sum. And my younger brother was probably wealthier than me. If he treated me well, I would treat him well.
"About the Alpha Akates..."
The guard brought up the topic I was most curious about: Alpha. As soon as that word was mentioned, the guard's face stiffened.
"It seems you've already heard the news."
News? I haven't heard anything, but I played along.
"Oh, yes. Of course, I've heard. I may not know the details as an outsider, but it was such a big incident."
"Since it was such a big incident, it's likely that it leaked outside. Nevertheless, the rampaging Alpha was successfully suppressed, and it's well-managed within the defense bureau. Please don't worry too much."
Rampaging and suppressed? What nonsense is this?
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