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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Nobira Caravan Escort
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Meanwhile, two men had been watching the conversation between Kang Seol and Arden.
One of them pointed at Kang Seol, who was trying to leave.
"Hey."
"What?"
"See that?"
"What?"
"That guy over there."
"Oh! Yeah, the one in the robe?"
The man nodded.
"Yeah, he thinks he's hiding it, but his gear shines too damn bright. I overheard every word of his chat with that merchant guy using my scouting skill. As expected… you gotta pull tricks like that to score good equipment, huh?"
"Looks tough…"
"Pfft, tough my ass. He's been here a month and just struts around like he owns the place. Poke him with a sword, and he'll fold."
"What about his guild? If he's tied to a big one, it could get messy…"
"Meerkats banding together are still just meerkats. You forget? In a lawless dump like this, who's the real threat?"
In a place without order, the most dangerous ones were always those who craved chaos.
"Guys with no qualms."
"Exactly, you got it. But to pull this off, we need two more."
"Just borrow a couple from the guild."
"Cool."
The two men were Seo Jin-cheol and Baek Sang-gyu.
They'd always been rotten to the core.
Pros spot pros.
They'd hit it off right after arriving in Kongori.
Soon, others with similar worldviews banded together to form a guild.
The guild members were a sight: full-face tattoos, deep knife scars, ears like dumplings, necks thick as rhinos.
Just looking at them made you shiver.
Among them, a few who really clicked hung with Seo Jin-cheol and Baek Sang-gyu.
This crew had killed someone in Kongori.
They'd targeted the guy's gear and cash.
But unlike on Earth, the outcome was different here.
No one cared much about transferred players' safety, so no punishment, no investigation.
Once scavengers tasted easy prey, they never glanced back at the thorny path.
Here, they thought they were kings.
"You go grab two from the guild. I'll chat him up."
"Got it."
Seo Jin-cheol slithered out of the association with snake eyes.
Left alone, Baek Sang-gyu approached Arden, who'd been talking with Kang Seol.
"You don't seem like an ordinary fellow. What brings you here?"
Arden greeted him with an enigmatic smile.
* * *
"Do you really have to go?"
"It's like you're marching to your death…"
"I checked it out—this adventure's supposed to be easy. Don't worry."
As the deadline loomed, people grew anxious.
One day, or a few.
Or half a month, a full month.
Each adventure had its own timer.
No more stampedes into the city gates like a herd of buffalo.
'It's a bit harsh.'
The adventures were rough, but the real killer was the rest period.
A full month of downtime sapped tension from body and mind.
Get used to it, or every outing feels like walking into hell.
Kang Seol, though, faced it with relative calm compared to others.
He at least knew the road to his personal hell.
"Don't die! Got it?"
"Don't jinx it!"
"We'll meet back here. Right?"
Like parting lovers, the transferred players wailed and fussed before light enveloped them.
Ziiing—
Kang Seol and the others teleported to their adventures.
[The next adventure begins.]
[The third adventure starts.]
[Adventure 3. Nobira Transport Escort]
Adventure 3. 'Nobira Transport Escort'
In the Eternal World, Pandea's south boasts diverse natural wonders, including the Silent Great Forest. You've contracted to escort wagons to Nobira, a city near the forest.
Trouble is, the route to Nobira crawls with relic hunters and bandit packs. Avoid them, and it's smooth sailing. Encounter them, and things won't go easy.
Goal: Escort wagons to Nobira. Rewards decrease if group or wagon numbers drop.
Remaining time 「71:59」
'Three days. At least the first day should be smooth.'
Kang Seol skimmed the overview, then looked around.
Arden was directing a porter to load the last cargo onto a wagon. Spotting Kang Seol, Arden spread his arms wide.
"Hahaha! Right on time, perfect."
Kang Seol's gaze drifted farther.
Four rough-looking men stared back.
'Those guys?'
The man from the association who'd been sneaking peeks at him.
Somehow, he'd figured it out and brought his crew along.
"These are your companions for the job. Four of us in the group, so no badmouthing behind backs. We hear everything."
"…Understood."
Baek Sang-gyu eyed Kang Seol like a shark, then tossed out a line.
"Name's Ppakssang. Take care of me on the road."
Baek Sang-gyu gave a nickname instead of his real name.
Transferred players often did that.
"I'm Snowman."
"Grow some guts. Anyway, no trouble from anyone. Let's keep it quiet."
- That guy looks like the biggest troublemaker
- Lmao this party's gonna be rough. Multiplayer queues turn political fast!
- Look at their faces—no one's got less than 3 priors
Kang Seol exchanged greetings, then listened with them to Arden.
"Truth be told, though it's called an escort, you're all reserves."
"…What?"
"Reserves?"
The others, excluding Kang Seol, questioned it. Arden chuckled awkwardly.
"We've got plenty of escorts already, but plans don't always pan out, right? So we hired extras."
"Then what do we do?"
"Just hang back and jump in if shit hits. We handle scouting and watches."
Seo Jin-cheol whispered to Baek Sang-gyu.
"This is prime easy money? Knew it when that punk picked the adventure solo. Hogging all the cushy gigs for himself."
"Fucking rotten bastard. Stick to the plan: strip him bare, shank him, toss him off the wagons."
Arden missed their whispers, dropped one last line, and left.
"Board the wagon in the middle with three ribbons. Won't call unless it's chow time, so catch a nap."
"Whoa… perks are top-tier."
With Arden gone, Baek Sang-gyu thumbed the wagon behind and eyed Kang Seol.
"Get in. Three days, we'll be buds."
"...."
Kang Seol silently followed them aboard.
The wagons soon rolled out.
While riding, Kang Seol scoped the situation.
'Dunno their game, but they're stuck to me.'
Their speech, mannerisms, stares—repellent.
All bold talk, but cautious moves.
And coincidentally, the association stalker ended up in the same adventure. Suspicious as hell.
'Troll, maybe?'
Troll or murderer.
Trolls crashed adventures to sabotage parties for kicks. Murderers killed for gear.
Both harmed the group, but motives differed.
Trolls chased twisted fun or the thrill of ruining games. Murderers wanted others' loot—easier than earning it.
Some murderers killed for killing's sake.
These types existed even in the heavens.
No one played with them, so they'd swap words and masks to reappear.
'Can't rule out murderer.'
Kang Seol stayed wary but felt relief too.
Normal party members? You'd worry in danger. Not these guys.
'Idiots, though. What do they think this adventure is?'
Jumping blind meant either powerhouse or brainless. Latter, probably.
'They'll regret it.'
This wasn't a normal adventure.
Linked ones often had difficulty spikes.
Like starting easy, then ramping to nightmare.
Baek Sang-gyu's crew suddenly burst laughing.
"Hahaha! Lying down eating rice cakes—this is it."
"Bite one coward, coast easy this adventure. Right?"
Their "coward" was probably Arden.
Mid-chatter, they remembered Kang Seol and turned.
"So, mister, what's your class?"
"Class?"
"You get one transferring over. What's yours?"
"Summoner."
"Ha! Haha! That lame-ass class even exists?"
"Kkhkh… Stop. Embarrassing."
"Aw, whatever! Man hits opportunity land, gotta dream big. Fists, spears, swords—cool as hell. Hiding behind summons? Not for me."
"Kkh… Sorry, sorry. Guy's got a mouth. Humor him even if it sucks. But his skills are ace—trust him."
- Ace… dead already?
- Snowman: ㅎㅎ Yup. Needs summoner buffs.
- Why so cocky? Jamad or Karuna, wake up and sword-dance already.
- Kill party members for what? Meat shields work fine.
A squinting man sidled up to Kang Seol with another question.
"Hey, you in a guild?"
"Not yet."
"What?"
Smiles crept across the four, including Baek Sang-gyu and Seo Jin-cheol.
No backup—relief.
"Aw, man needs someone to lean on."
"Join one when you get back. If interested, swing by Predators Guild."
"I'll remember."
They harped "when you get back" twice—like vowing he never would.
They belittled or ignored Kang Seol nonstop. He showed no reaction.
'Annoying.'
Their talk confirmed hidden motives.
Wouldn't go their way, though—bad luck for them.
His passive vibe made him seem ripe fruit to them. No clashes en route.
Evening fell. Kang Seol steeled himself.
First and second characters—both hit trouble night one.
'High chance again. Near certain, actually.'
Designed that way.
"Hey, all! Come drink!"
"Booze? Booze?"
"We're cruising smooth, no watch for us reserves—let's toast!"
"Jackpot here?"
Baek Sang-gyu's crew hopped off, heading to the camp around halted wagons. Kang Seol followed.
Dozens sat in clusters, gnawing meat, swigging booze.
"Here, hot brew—down it in one. Kills."
Cups circulated.
Kang Seol stared at his.
[Insight activates.]
[Strange smell detected in the drink.]
Kang Seol casually turned, pretending to chug.
Actually, Shadow Hand slurped it into the dirt. Unseen.
"Kkh… Killer."
"Place ain't bad now. Got perks like this."
Baek Sang-gyu's lot had downed one and grabbed seconds, oblivious.
'Arden's about to pitch.'
As predicted, Arden judged the mood ripe and made a weird offer.
"What? Detour before Nobira?"
"Plans changed. But pay triples."
"Triple? How much?"
"600 gold each. Deal?"
600 gold for this milk run.
Obvious red flag, but booze-hazed, Baek Sang-gyu's crew nodded.
"Sweet!"
"Hahaha! Great. And our detour's to…"
Then.
"Down!"
"Huh?"
Pshhhhwsh!
Dozens of arrows slammed the wagons.
Puk!
Thuk!
"Gaaak…"
"Khek!"
A message floated in Kang Seol's view.
['Nobira Transport Escort' main content changes.]
['Nobira Transport Escort' changes to 'The Wagons Run.']