***
"Lord Hudson! There is an item you absolutely must see!"
"…I believe I told you to knock before entering."
The manager hurriedly threw open the door to Hudson’s room. Hudson frowned and rebuked the manager.
"I-I am sorry. But the 'Talisman' that you specifically requested...!"
"A Talisman?"
At the word 'Talisman,' Hudson’s irritation vanished instantly. Instead, he looked at the manager with eyes full of interest. If the manager was making such a fuss and entering the room personally, it was bound to be an 'Ultra-Rare Talisman.'
'The Philosopher's Stone? Lugh’s Sun Jewel? Surely it’s not Shindra’s Breath?'
All three were Talismans he would pay a fortune for if he could only obtain them. Naturally, they were also items that one could not get even if they wanted to.
Soon, Hudson, seeing the Talisman the manager took out from a jewelry box, froze for a moment.
"This is...?"
"Are you not pleased? It is the Tear of the Fairy Queen!"
"…Who brought this?"
The Tear of the Fairy Queen. This was also one of the 'Talismans' he had instructed to be secured at all costs if seen. However, it was an item that was nearly impossible to obtain.
This was because the Tear of the Fairy Queen was an item held extremely rarely by the 'Knights of the Fairy Queen.' Not only were the Knights of the Fairy Queen difficult to find, but killing one required at least three powerful individuals who had reached Level 10.
Powerhouses of that caliber? They were few and far between, even here in Arcana. Level 10 individuals were referred to as 'Holy Bloods,' and they were promised honor and respect wherever they went. It was a level that Hudson himself had not yet reached, despite his longing.
"At first, I wondered what kind of beggar had wandered in, but then he left this Tear as 'collateral.'"
"Then he must be in the VIP room now."
"Yes."
Hudson sat back against his chair. Then, as he touched the 'Tear of the Fairy Queen' handed to him by the manager—
< The skill ‘Observer’s Hand (Lv. 8)’ is identifying the item. >
Soon, a piece of parchment rose before his eyes.
『 Tear of the Fairy Queen (Raid) (Immortal)
A crystallization of the Fairy Queen’s first tear.
Allows the wearer to break the ‘Limit Restriction’ of equipment.
Even if the equipment with the lifted restriction is destroyed, the Tear is not destroyed. However, to use it again, the ‘Revival of Tears’ quest must be completed. 』
"It is definitely what I was looking for..."
He coveted it. He coveted it so much it felt like he was going crazy. However, he couldn't just consume the collateral at will. Although this casino was operated under Hudson's name and a massive amount of his capital had been invested, it was under the heavy interference of 'The Council.'
No business in Arcana could run without the surveillance and supervision of the Council. If it became known that he had committed embezzlement or unauthorized possession, they would come and detain or kill him. Furthermore...
'An existence that can leave the Tear of the Fairy Queen as collateral without hesitation.'
To be able to leave such collateral so freely, they would have to be at least Level 10—or a 'Transcendent.' If they were a Transcendent, the manager would have recognized them. He had made the manager memorize every famous Transcendent.
Then, were they not a Transcendent? If they were Level 10, or even weaker, and had obtained the Tear by chance? If so, it was possible to kill them and take it. If he erased them quietly, even the Council wouldn't notice.
But what if they were a powerhouse of such magnitude that 'killing them quietly' was impossible? Or perhaps they were one of many belonging to an alliance, guild, or party.
'Five stars fell not too long ago.'
The news that Wilhelm, a 5-star Transcendent, had clashed with the Demon King and died had spread widely not only in Arcana but throughout the world. There were only 32 Stars of the Goddess capable of transcendence. The Holy Bloods competed for those stars. It was just that Wilhelm, who possessed five of them, was a madman.
Even that Wilhelm had died at the hands of the Demon King and lost all the treasures he possessed. The stars fell to the continent, and along with those stars, several 'Immortal Talismans' must have been buried randomly. Immortal Talismans. The Tear of the Fairy Queen was one of them. Therefore, it was possible that the person had obtained it by chance.
'Is it a Player? Or a hidden NPC whose name is unknown?'
His head grew complicated. If it was a Player whose name and face were unknown, he had to be cautious. Revealing one's identity to another Player here in Pangenia was a taboo. This was because death here was linked to reality. It was the same for a hidden NPC.
There were many powerhouses in the abyss of Pangenia. They were completely unpredictable. Players killed by them? They were countless. Furthermore, some of them even called Players 'Sinners' and hunted them professionally. Thus, Players lived while hiding the fact that they were Players as much as possible.
"Did he look strong?"
"…I don't know. However, he remained composed even when the guards were clearing people out. Likewise, there was no sign of fear when the guards were applying pressure."
The guards were mostly Level 6. They were freelance knights Hudson had hired at a high price. To remain unfazed while being pressured by a group of them meant the person was at least Level 8.
At least Level 8. After agonizing for a long time, Hudson stood up from his seat.
"Let’s go to the VIP room. I must meet him personally."
✺✺✺
And thus, the present. Although he was facing the man who had turned the casino upside down head-on...
'Haa. I can't tell.'
...Even after meeting him in person, he still didn't know. A muscular man and a beautiful woman with tanned skin. He glanced at the gold piled on the roulette table. Before coming down, he had heard that the man had made a profit of over 1 million gold starting from 250 gold. It was impossible unless the God of Gambling had descended.
'Does he possess a talent like the Golden Hand?'
The Golden Hand. It was a talent possessed by all famous gamblers. However, if he possessed the 'Golden Hand,' he would have been dealt with by the dealer. This was because the dealer was also a possessor of the 'Golden Hand.'
'Pure luck? That’s nonsense.'
He had come in knowing from the start that things would turn out like this. For a moment, the term 'Golden Grace' flashed through his mind, but that too made no sense. Golden Grace was a well-known hidden trait. However, there were too many talents required to awaken Golden Grace, and since it was useless, it was a trait that no one ever picked.
What kind of guy was he?
"I am pleased to meet you. I am Hudson, the owner of this casino. If it's not too much trouble, how about a cup of tea?"
Hudson reached out his hand.
"I’ll do that."
The man then shook hands with him openly. It was Hudson’s final move to identify the man. Hudson let out a small sigh of relief. He possessed the 'Observer’s Hand' skill, which allowed him to grasp everything he touched in detail. No matter how high the magic resistance was, he should at least be able to identify the level...
'…I feel nothing. I can't see it.'
He couldn't grasp anything. It meant the man's magic resistance was impossibly high, or he possessed something that neutralized the skill itself. Whatever the case, he was not someone to be taken lightly. Hudson gulped.
"Haha. Let’s go up together."
Hudson gave an awkward smile.
✺✺✺
【 ‘Giant’s Magic Resistance’ has neutralized the ‘Observer’s Hand’ skill. 】
I smiled slightly.
'He's definitely a Player.'
Just as I thought. Hudson was indeed a Player. Observer’s Hand was one of the class-linked skills that appeared when a 'Great Merchant' raised the lowest-tier observation skill to Level 10. Furthermore, since it only appeared after picking both 'Senses' and 'Meticulousness' talents, it was a skill that could not be possessed unless the person was a gamer who had played the game.
'He followed the talent tech tree of the guide I uploaded exactly.'
Of course, the reason I knew all this was because I had built it that way myself. Before the website disappeared, I had uploaded countless 'tech trees' to the strategy board. Hudson was clearly a Player who had selected 'Great Merchant,' one of those trees, from the beginning and cultivated it exactly along that path.
And the fact that he used the 'Observer’s Hand' skill meant...
'He can't see my level. He can't grasp anything about me.'
With this, it was certain. Even a Player could not see a level above my head like I could. If so, the reason I could see the opponent's level was naturally the effect of one of the unknown hidden traits: 'Great Sage,' 'Glutton,' or 'Heavenly Being.'
"I’ll be blunt. Sell the item you left as collateral to me."
Hudson spoke straight to the point.
"How much are you planning to buy it for?"
"Two million gold. I believe it is a generous enough price."
Two million gold. He certainly had a large scale. The Tear of the Fairy Queen possessed the characteristics of immortality and reusability. However, since its ability was merely to lift the 'Limit Restriction' of equipment, it was one of the Talismans that had no demand compared to its reputation, except for a very small number of people who needed it.
Thus, I also spoke straight to the point.
"Ten million gold."
Hudson’s eyebrows shot up.
"…Ten million gold is enough money to buy five grand mansions in District 1 of Arcana. Do you believe this collateral has that much value?"
The annual sales of a decent Great Merchant were around ten million gold. Great tycoons who held ten million gold in physical assets were also few and far between. Naturally, it was a considerably burdensome amount even from Hudson's perspective. No matter how much money he made by running a casino, not all of that money was his. In particular, the amount spent on lobbying the City Council exceeded half of the net profit. After deducting various things in the name of taxes, what remained in his hands was a pittance.
"Even if you don't have it, your side will."
Still, he didn't say he had no money. Indeed, he must want it desperately. He would try to purchase it even if he had to take out a loan. Or perhaps he would try to take it even if he had to kill me.
"My intention is merely to collect it as a 'cherished item'..."
"Isn't it mandatory to reach Level 10 to enter the City Council?"
"…!!!"
Hudson’s eyes grew so wide they looked like they would pop out. How did he know that? Hudson had been stagnant at Level 9 for over a year. But the condition to become an Arcana City Councilor was to reach Level 10. There was only one reason he was stagnant.
'Because I cannot hunt alone.'
Hudson had grown through money. He had received what was commonly called 'power-leveling.' He had hired mercenaries, bought freelance knights, and hunted monsters on a large scale to raise his level to 9 quickly, but the problem was what came next. To reach 10, he had to overcome it alone.
However, while his level was high, his stats were low. Because his stats were low, he couldn't wear good equipment no matter how much he had. Good equipment usually had 'minimum stat requirements.' Simply holding it did not bring out the performance of the equipment. His stats were low, he couldn't use equipment properly, and his combat skills were terrible, so he couldn't hunt alone.
That was why he needed a Talisman. In particular, a Talisman like the Tear of the Fairy Queen, which could also lift 'stat restrictions,' was something Hudson desperately needed.
However, his surprise was brief. Hudson looked at the current situation as calmly as possible.
"…Who sent you?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at Hudson’s reaction.
"I am a 'Star-Awakened.' If someone sent me, it would be the stars."
"Stop with the lies..."
"Will you believe it if you see the 'Star Guardian'?"
I took a book out from my breast pocket. Hudson was surprised once again when he saw it.
"A-A Teleport Book?"
"No matter how blind you are, you should at least be able to distinguish a 'Star Guardian.' Here."
I hadn't met Hudson without any preparation. The Teleport Book. The reason I hadn't left this book as collateral was simple.
'...To escape.'
It was to prepare for an emergency. If Isabella could hold out for just 30 seconds, I could escape to the Sanctuary through this portal book. However, things were going better than expected, so it didn't seem like I would need to use it for 'escape.'
Whooooosh!
<< Creating a portal leading to the ‘Desert Sanctuary.’ >>
<< You have used all of your daily limit. >>
The Teleport Book rose into the air and opened a portal for 30 seconds. A blue portal. The sight of the 'Sanctuary' visible on the other side. And...
"Gasp! A ‘Mythical-class’...!"
Beyond the blue portal, the sight of a giant 'snake' was intensely engraved in Hudson's mind. It wasn't an ordinary snake; it was an Imugi before it became a dragon. A Mythical-class. One of the 'Star Guardians' that protected only the stars!
'He fell for it.'
Of course, Dramuth could not leave the Sanctuary because he had to protect the site of the stars. However, he was perfect for threatening Hudson. A purpose to instill vigilance. The intention to prevent him from harboring any other thoughts recklessly had worked perfectly.
"…W-Why would a Star-Awakened... seek me out? I haven't even obtained the 'Qualification' yet."
A Star-Awakened was an existence needed by one who had reached Level 10 and obtained the qualification to find the stars. Star-Awakened were difficult to find because they traveled with hidden identities, and even if one found them, it was even harder to obtain a star.
"You have obtained the qualification. Because I have come to find you."
However, occasionally, there were cases where a Star-Awakened sought out a Holy Blood. Or, it was possible to meet through a 'special event' even if one wasn't Level 10. And there was likely no one who had encountered more Star-Awakened than I had. Most Star-Awakened set conditions while handing over what the target needed most. Very difficult conditions.
Gulp!
Hudson, who had swallowed hard, his eyes shining. Luck that surpassed the Golden Hand. A state that was impossible to grasp even with the Observer’s Hand, a special skill possessed by a Great Merchant. He knew what Hudson needed most and had even shown him the Star Guardian.
He was definitely a Star-Awakened. The existences most shrouded in mystery in this world. Even if he wasn't, he was at least a Transcendent. A Transcendent was a monster who created paths where none existed. Whatever the case, he would show him the most certain way to reach Level 10. This was an opportunity. A golden opportunity that would never come again!
"W-What should I do? No, never mind. I will do anything. Just give me the order!"
✺✺✺
Evening. A restaurant with a nice atmosphere.
Under the slightly dim lighting, a woman was sitting while looking at her phone.
'Ten minutes have passed already.'
She was Kim Hana. Although she was still in her semi-formal attire because she had rushed over after work, she was nonetheless drawing everyone's attention. Kim Hana’s expression darkened. She had rushed over for fear of being late, but even though ten minutes had passed since the appointment time, the person she had the appointment with was nowhere to be seen.
This was the first time a man had made her wait like this. Still, it was a place to express her gratitude.
'Right. Let’s wait just a little longer.'
It was when another ten minutes had passed.
"Miss. Would you like to order?"
"Some water... I'm sorry. My companion is a little late."
"That’s quite alright."
It was a point where she was starting to feel self-conscious of the staff. Gulping down the water, Kim Hana agonized. Seeing how he was this late without a single text or phone call, could he have forgotten? Should she try calling him? No. Her pride felt somewhat hurt for that.
While she was agonizing, another ten minutes passed. Kim Hana let out a sigh.
"…I’m sorry I’m late."
At that moment, a voice was heard from behind. Looking at Park Hyunmyeong, who sat in the opposite seat with an apologetic face, Kim Hana managed to force a smile.
"Not at all. I just arrived as well. What would you like to eat?"
...It seemed she should just eat quickly and go home.