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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Maeve
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"Nice view, huh?"
The city cloaked in darkness was bathed in pale moonlight. With the surroundings so quiet, it seemed the rock ghosts and pursuits had finally come to an end for now.
"I come up here whenever I feel cooped up. It even reminds me of home sometimes."
We had climbed to the roof of the tallest building in the port, offering a sweeping view of the vast harbor, the mountains, and all of Haran.
A cool breeze brushed against my skin, bringing a pleasant sensation.
"You're pretty good, though."
"?"
"You climb walls and roofs like a pro. None of the kids who hang out with me are scared of heights enough to come up here."
"That's a shame. You miss out on sights you can only see from up high."
"Exactly. Like the wide-open sky, the stars twinkling like jewels, the peaceful city, the endless ocean, the beautiful waves shimmering under the moonlight... and that somewhat eerie pillar of pure white light..."
We turned our gaze to the sea. In the middle of the ocean, a bit away from Haman, a faint pillar of light stretched from the water straight up to the heavens.
It looked like a gateway—if you reached it, you could escape this endless ordeal and find rest in paradise.
And in truth, heading there would take you to a rest area, so it wasn't wrong.
I shifted my eyes away from it, back to the city.
'Rooftops are risky, sure. But in the selection process, you need to know how to move like this.'
From up here, you could grasp the city's situation at a glance, spot soldier positions, and even observe what was happening anywhere in the streets.
Maeve had probably found us the same way—scouted our movements from a vantage point like this, then picked a spot to intercept.
"Here."
I climbed down from the dome-shaped roof that reminded me of Santorini in Greece and sat on the flat rooftop beside it, placing a snack and a drink next to her spot.
"Hee-hee, I like a guy who keeps his promises."
Maeve's red hair fluttered as she grabbed them and sat beside me. She must be starving, but she wasn't eating right away—probably saving it for her team.
No helping it. I pulled out a fresh drink, cracked it open, took a sip, and handed it over.
"Oh, free drink?"
"Yeah."
She downed it in one go right there. ...Man, words fail me.
"Ahh. Carbonation hits the spot—feels like I'm alive again. Ah, makes me think of Earth. Nice vibe. Hee-hee, so what's on your mind? Ask away. Right now, I'd even tell you my measurements."
"Nothing major. Just wanna know about this place. You've been here twenty days, so you must have the lay of the land."
"Good call. Barker wouldn't bother teaching you the little stuff anyway—he'd just get annoyed."
Barker was a big shot. Sure, he was greedy and sold all kinds of info, but he didn't deal in trivia. Figure it out on your own, was his style.
So you usually bought that kind of intel from his underlings. But if you're spending coin anyway, better on someone from your own scene.
Builds rapport, turns into a solid connection.
And sure enough, a notification popped up before my eyes.
[Maeve Queen's favorability toward you has slightly increased.]
Another one of these. Turns out the [Favorability Measurement] from the resident perks works on people too.
It said it detects favorability from all beings, but I didn't expect it to include players.
"See? From here to there—that's the slums. Poorest part of town, nothing worth taking. Wander in by mistake, and you might get robbed or killed instead. Steer clear. It's dangerous."
"Got it."
"You? Probably not much risk for you. But still, hands off the port, warehouse district, and slums. You saw the quest details—they're Barker's turf. Messing with them just pisses him off, so strictly off-limits."
I nodded.
The quest had clues for three areas. Throwing in seemingly useless info was a heads-up: don't sour things with Barker.
For reference, getting in good with him makes farming in Haran way easier.
"That's where commoners live. Sorry to them, but it's our easiest hunting ground. Soldiers barely patrol there."
Safer than Barker's crime zones, but not valuable enough for the rich areas to guard heavily. Prime player target.
"Over there's the market. If you're up for action past midnight, it's decent. Good payouts. But lots of patrols—not easy. Any noise, and they scream to pull aggro."
Maeve sat beside me, pointing out each spot with a finger. Finally, she indicated one last area.
"And that's noble territory. Absolutely do not go there. Too many patrols to dodge, plus private guards swarming their homes."
"..."
"Raid it right, and you could score enough for a boat in one go. But I've never seen anyone enter and come back alive."
Stealing from places full of private guards—who outstat regular soldiers—and escaping all the way here?
Not easy. Even if you slip out of the building, odds are you'd get nabbed on the street.
For reference, the noble district was on the mountain side, opposite the port.
Since the market we escaped through cut through central Haran, it was another port-to-market distance farther.
In short, too far for most players—they'd tire out and get caught fleeing.
"And that tallest building there? The palace."
No more on the palace. Not worth mentioning, I guess.
"Thanks."
"Helpful?"
"Yeah, plenty."
I tossed her an extra snack. She cupped her hands and beamed.
"Whoa, K-snacks! I like a guy who shows it with actions over words!"
[Maeve Queen's favorability toward you has slightly increased.]
Mwah! Maeve planted a kiss on my cheek and stood up.
"Hee-hee, survive so we can meet again, handsome oppa. Oh, almost forgot—be careful at night. Ferocious beasts roam the city, snatching lives."
"..."
Is this when the Minotaur escapes the labyrinth and prowls outside? Anyway, stay cautious after dark.
"Bye-bye then."
I called out as she turned to leave after wrapping up.
"Hold up."
"Yeah?"
"Wanna take more food?"
"What're you on about?"
Trading, building rapport... those were business motives. But asking for a one-on-one away from her crew? There was more.
[Star of Fate]
[Spiritualization]
Players bearing all [Stars of Fate] get a second awakening chance, with sky-high survival odds.
Sure, incomplete versions paled against full powers, but utility skills could outshine combat ones sometimes.
'Especially Spiritualization—super unique. Keep her in the fold, and she'll be useful down the line.'
Can't recruit her right now because of the [Star of Fate], but spotting good talent, I wanted to build a meaningful tie before she blows up.
"More food? For real? Wait, you got more?"
"Yep."
I pulled extras from my inventory to show her.
"!!"
Greed finally halted her steps, turning her back toward me. Gulp. She eyed the two snacks and two sodas on the ground.
"What's next on your mind? Name your price. I'll tell you anything."
I deliberately raised my right hand, then slowly lowered it, tapping my crotch.
Eh...? Old enough to get it, and after two trials and three rest areas, she'd seen things—Maeve's face twisted in confusion.
"Uh, I don't do that stuff."
"Do it, and these are yours."
"B-but..."
One trade and done? That's just face time. Next meet, maybe no blades drawn.
But stack favors, especially with a girl who doesn't sell easy? Different story.
"Nothing else?"
She was at the table now—halfway there. I pushed harder.
"What can you offer? Other info, I can get straight from Barker."
"Ugh."
"And... honestly, don't we still have unfinished business?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Ancient sewer."
She flinched.
"I clearly saved your life there. Can't you repay that with this?"
"..."
"You profited off us, but I pulled you from that sewer and got nothing yet."
Pressing her like that, she looked troubled but couldn't coldly refute.
No wonder. One quick lay versus saving her life? Worlds apart.
'Truth is, with her abilities, she'd have survived without me...'
In the selection process, you always hold a card back—can't reveal skills easily. Her fumbling without rebuttal proved it.
Plus, her personality—she couldn't just shoot me down coldly.
"Two more each, and your team kids will love it?"
She flinched again.
Leaders in the selection process come in two flavors.
Like Lee Jong-chul of the Black Wolf Guild, gaslighting and exploiting underlings.
Or like her—treating them like family, sacrificing herself.
'Though the latter usually ends up monster chow or an incubation sac.'
After agonizing, she sat back down beside me.
"...Just with my mouth."
She carefully tugged down my pants.
One look, and I knew on instinct.
'This her first time?'
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