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Chapter 117: The Second Deal with Phantom (3)
5.
“I refuse.”
Cheryl expressed her refusal without a moment’s hesitation as soon as she heard El Pam’s story.
“Creating a new identity is beyond my capabilities.”
It wasn’t just that she didn’t want to do it, but that she couldn’t.
“It’s true that we’re experts in that field.”
In fact, faking an identity in Maple World wasn’t that difficult.
Although the Adventurers’ Association verified the identities of adventurers, that verification wasn’t anything extraordinary.
Also, it wasn’t necessary for adventurers to be certified by the Adventurers’ Association.
Being certified meant that the Adventurers’ Association recognized the adventurer’s skills, which had various advantages, but adventurers had a more reliable proof.
The circle, a very clear proof.
Moreover, it was now the era of Mystic Gates. It was an era where adventurers had plenty of places to explore and a high demand for adventurers.
An era where even adventurers who weren’t properly recognized could go on adventures without any problems.
“But if it’s a 5th circle adventurer, it’s a different story.”
The problem was that El Pam was 5th circle.
First of all, there weren’t many 5th circle adventurers.
Thanks to the rapid growth of adventurers in the Mystic Gate era, their numbers had increased, but still, there weren’t many 5th circle adventurers.
The fewer the number, the harder it was to fake an identity.
“From now on, you’ll only be able to raid Green rank or higher, and the Green rank is managed differently.”
Especially since El Pam didn’t just need an identity, he needed an identity to raid Green-rank Mystic Gates.
That was the problem.
At the Green rank, not only was the management different, but the adventurers participating were also bound to be exceptional.
As such, the mutual checks and surveillance were also bound to be different.
There would be no adventurers who would want to enter a Mystic Gate with someone whose identity and background were unclear.
Especially if they were 5th circle.
“I know it’s not easy.”
El Pam knew that too.
“But there’s nowhere else to ask for help.”
‘There is a way.’
It was difficult, but on the other hand, the Cross Hunters could do it.
In fact, El Pam knew.
‘It’s just that they won’t easily tell me the method.’
That what Cheryl was doing now was bargaining.
As he expected.
“We can’t do it, but there’s someone who can help you.”
Cheryl started bargaining.
“If you need it, I’ll connect you with them.”
El Pam gladly accepted the offer, as he had expected.
“Alright.”
And he was able to meet them.
6.
“Nice to meet you.”
She was a beautiful woman with red hair and emerald green eyes that were very attractive.
“I’ve heard the story, El Pam.”
When she extended her hand, El Pam’s reaction was a bit slower than usual.
“Yes, my name is El Pam.”
It was a very subtle difference. One that no one else could notice.
But it was a definite difference, and it was evidence. Evidence that El Pam was flustered upon seeing the woman in front of him.
Of course, it wasn’t because she was a great beauty.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Oz, Commander of the Signus Knights.”
“You know me?”
“It would be strange if I didn’t.”
The person in front of him was none other than Oz, one of the commanders of the Signus Knights.
Many people knew that she had come to the Ariant Kingdom.
‘I’ve met someone hard to meet.’
But meeting her was, in a way, much harder than meeting Abdullah VIII.
‘There aren’t many people who want to meet the Signus Knights.’
That was because meeting the Signus Knights was often not a good thing.
The Signus Knights were, from the beginning, administrators.
Administrators who ensured that the rules set by Empress Signus were followed.
Of course, that administration was by no means done with words.
If it could be controlled with words, there would be no reason for the Signus Knights to move in the first place.
In other words, meeting the Signus Knights usually meant being forcibly managed.
It meant there weren’t many good encounters.
‘That’s why the commanders themselves are even more reluctant to meet.’
The commanders of the Signus Knights were well aware of this fact, and therefore minimized meetings other than official ones. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
‘The commanders are full of loyalty.’
Crucially, the commanders of the Signus Knights were very loyal to Empress Signus, and therefore they didn’t do anything that could raise unnecessary suspicion.
They even refrained from private meetings.
It meant they were hard to meet.
‘But she can definitely give me what I want.’
However, on the other hand, she was the one who could most reliably give El Pam what he wanted in Maple World right now, a fake identity.
It wasn’t difficult.
‘The commander guarantees it, there’s nothing more certain than that.’
If El Pam created a new identity and attached the verification of a Signus Knights commander, no one would doubt it.
Of course, as mentioned earlier, the Signus Knights moving wasn’t a trivial matter.
The fact that she had requested a meeting in such a private setting.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Moreover, this meeting was for a deal.
A deal where the commander of the Signus Knights would guarantee a disguised identity, in other words, a deal for breaking the rules.
‘I can’t quite grasp what she’ll ask for.’
She would surely ask for something tremendous.
Naturally, the weight of the conversation from now on would be extraordinary.
“Ah.”
Oz, the Commander of the Blaze Mages, spoke to El Pam, who was nervous for that reason.
“How is Kiri doing?”
Those words were unexpected.
In this conversation that should be overflowing with seriousness, the first question was about Kiri?
However, El Pam wasn’t surprised.
‘Kiri is that important, huh?’
It meant that Kiri had some special background, enough for the Commander of the Blaze Mages, to mention her.
In fact, he had sensed something about it.
When listening to Kiri’s stories, there were times when she would talk about things that were different from ordinary people.
Stories that only those with a special background could tell.
‘Even just looking at how she moves freely…’
The most decisive factor was that she was a member of the El Pam party of her own free will.
The Signus Knights were different from adventurers. It was normally impossible for even a trainee to be part of an adventurer party and move around like this.
Moreover, she wasn’t just moving around.
“Yes, thanks to her, I’ve saved my life several times.”
She was active as a member of the El Pam party, that incredible group.
“I’m glad. Please continue to take good care of her.”
But even El Pam didn’t expect Oz, the Commander of the Blaze Mages, to mention it directly like this.
This was a big deal.
Oz saying this was an unspoken request and threat to take good care of Kiri’s life.
A very burdensome statement.
Of course, it meant nothing to El Pam.
“I will protect my companions with my life.”
He would have done so even if she hadn’t said anything.
“No matter what happens.”
Even if the Signus Knights were to try to kill her, El Pam would still protect her.
If he didn’t have that resolve, he wouldn’t have accepted her as a member of his party in the first place.
“Thank you.”
Oz smiled deeply, as if satisfied with El Pam’s words.
But El Pam didn’t smile.
The real beginning was now.
“I know you’re very skilled. I heard you’re especially good at finding relics in Mystic Gates.”
The real deal.
“I’m not the best. But I’m confident I won’t fail.”
El Pam didn’t back down here. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
“Do you want me to retrieve a relic?”
“Yes.”
“Is it Green rank?”
“That’s right.”
Rather, he led the conversation proactively.
This was a place for a deal, so they only needed to talk about the deal, not other things at length.
Also, there was no need to talk about the reward for the deal.
They had already talked about it before. The reward was that the commander of the Signus Knights would cooperate in forging El Pam’s identity.
In short, he only needed to know one thing.
“Whose tomb is it?”
“It’s the tomb of a Signus Knight.”
“Can you tell me exactly whose tomb it is?”
The danger of the place.
“Do I have to say it?”
Oz seemed to find it difficult to say.
It wasn’t strange.
Since she was going so far as to retrieve a relic, it meant that the owner of the relic was very special.
Moreover, if it were a person who could be revealed, she wouldn’t have secretly sought out El Pam and attempted a dangerous deal.
El Pam respected that opinion.
“You don’t have to tell me. But if you don’t, you’ll have to pay me a corresponding price.”
If she paid a reward worthy of respect.
“I believe you’re using my necklace. That means you use fire attribute magic, right?”
“That’s right.”
It was at that moment.
“Then this might be meaningful.”
With that, Oz took off the earring she was wearing and handed it to El Pam.
El Pam’s eyes narrowed at the sight.
‘Oz’s earring.’
Because he knew.
“It’s Helios’s Earring.”
What kind of item it was.
He also knew its ability well.
‘Increases the damage of fire attribute magic by 20 percent when worn.’
Damage increase, the effect itself was simple.
But the merit of that effect was by no means simple.
Just by wearing that earring, the power of El Pam’s fire attribute magic would increase by 20 percent.
Moreover, El Pam wasn’t just any ordinary mage.
The power of a single Fire Arrow cast by him was more fearsome than the Explosion cast by other fire mages.
That’s why it meant more than just a 20 percent increase.
It was a reward more than welcome.
But El Pam wasn’t happy.
‘To give this away just like that.’
To give such an incredible item, a Legendary-rank item, as a reward?
Just for not asking a question?
It meant that the owner of the tomb was no ordinary person.
He couldn’t help but be nervous.
On the other hand, he thought.
‘It’s two things.’
Giving such a reward meant that it was dangerous but also that security was important.
“What’s the maximum number of people allowed?”
“33.”
That’s why…
“Security seems more important than ever, so it would be best to minimize the number of people entering.”
“That’s right.”
“If you pay an additional reward, I’ll try to reduce the number of people as much as possible.”
El Pam made an additional offer.
Of course, it was too much of an offer.
It was crossing the line.
That’s why Oz, who received the offer, had a slightly embarrassed expression.
“You’ll reduce the number of people? But that’s dangerous!”
Everyone knew that the fewer the mouths and eyes, the easier it was to maintain security, but that would lower the chances of success.
Oz, for whom retrieving the relic was more important than anything else, wanted to avoid failure at all costs.
“I don’t think reducing the number of members by a few will improve security much.”
Crucially, whether 33 people entered or about 30 people entered, the security merit gained by reducing the number by just three wasn’t that great.
“Reducing the number by a few wouldn’t be meaningful.”
Of course, El Pam knew that too.
In other words, if it were at that level, El Pam wouldn’t have made such an offer in the first place.
“But if the number is reduced significantly, it will be different.”
He said.
“If we reduce 28 people from 33, I think the security merit would be sufficient.”
[TL/N: Oz is a Knight Commander not a Captain it seems and Empress Signus has
5 Knight Commanders in the Game where Oz is one of them]
[Translator – Pr?ks]
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