Chapter 14

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The Miracle on the Hudson

“Mr. Hudson, there’s something you must see!”

“...I told you to knock and come in.”

The manager hastily opened the door and entered Hudson’s room.

Hudson frowned and scolded the manager.

“I’m sorry, but the ‘Talisman’ that Mr. Hudson specifically instructed to keep an eye on...!”

“Talisman?”

But the word ‘Talisman’ instantly dispelled Hudson’s irritation. Instead, his eyes sparkled with interest as he looked at the manager.

If the manager was making such a fuss and entering the room himself, it must be an ‘extremely rare Talisman.’

‘Philosopher’s Stone? Sun Jewel of Ru? Surely not the Breath of Sindra, right?’

All three are Talismans that, if obtainable, he would pay a fortune to acquire.

Of course, they were also things that, even if he wanted to, he couldn’t obtain.

After a moment, when Hudson saw the Talisman the manager took out from the jewelry box, he hesitated.

“What is this...?”

“Aren’t you happy? It’s the Tears of the Fairy Queen!”

“...Who gave this to you?”

Tears of the Fairy Queen.

This was one of the Talismans he had been instructed to secure at all costs.

However, it was also an item that was almost impossible to obtain.

After all, the Tears of the Fairy Queen were items that the extremely rare ‘Knights of the Fairy Queen’ possessed.

Finding a Knight of the Fairy Queen was difficult, and to kill one, at least three Level 10 powerhouses were required.

Such powerhouses?

Even in Arcana, they could be counted on one hand.

Level 10 is known as a ‘Blood Knight,’ and wherever they go, they are treated with honor.

Level 10 is a level that Hudson himself has yet to reach.

“At first, I thought it was some beggar, but he handed over these tears as collateral.”

“So he’s in the VIP room now.”

“Yes.”

Hudson leaned back in his chair.

When he touched the ‘Tears of the Fairy Queen’ handed to him by the manager:

<The ‘Observer’s Hand (Lv8)’ skill identifies the item.>

A piece of parchment appeared before his eyes.

『Tears of the Fairy Queen (Raid) (Immortal)

The first tear of the Fairy Queen crystallized.

Breaks the ‘Limit Restriction’ of equipment.

Even if the limit-released equipment is destroyed, the tears will not be destroyed. However, to use it again, the ‘Tears of Resurrection’ quest must be completed.』

“This is definitely what I was looking for...”

He was tempted.

He was tempted to the point of madness.

However, he couldn’t just take the collateral without permission.

This casino operates under Hudson’s name, and a significant amount of his funds have been invested, but it is strongly influenced by the ‘Council.’

All businesses in Arcana operate under the supervision of the Council.

If it were known that he embezzled or took possession without authorization, they would come and either imprison or kill him.

Moreover.

‘Someone who could hand over the Tears of the Fairy Queen as collateral without hesitation.’

To hand over such collateral without hesitation, they must be at least Level 10 or a ‘Transcender.’

If it were a Transcender, the manager would have recognized them.

He was made to memorize the names of all known Transcenders.

So, not a Transcender?

Level 10 or weaker, but somehow obtained the tears?

If so, it might be possible to kill and take them. If they were quietly eliminated, the Council wouldn’t notice.

But what if they are a powerhouse that makes it impossible to kill them quietly?

Or perhaps they are part of an alliance, guild, or party.

‘A few days ago, five stars fell.’

The news of Wilhelm, a 5-star Transcender, battling and dying to a Demon King spread throughout the world, not just Arcana.

There are only 32 stars that can be transcended, and Blood Knights compete for them. Wilhelm, who had five stars, was a madman.

Even so, when Wilhelm died to the Demon King, he lost all his treasures. The stars fell to the continent, and some ‘Immortal Talismans’ were randomly buried with them.

The Tears of the Fairy Queen is one of those Immortal Talismans.

So, it could have been obtained by chance.

‘Is he a player? Or an unknown hidden NPC?’

His head was a mess.

If it’s a player whose name and face are unknown, he must be cautious.

In Pangea, revealing one’s identity to other players is taboo. Death in this world is linked to the real world.

Even if it’s a hidden NPC, they must be treated with caution.

Pangea is home to many powerful beings from the depths. They are unpredictable. Many players have died to them.

Some even call players ‘criminals’ and hunt them professionally.

Therefore, players try to hide the fact that they are players.

“Did he seem strong?”

“...I’m not sure. However, he remained calm even when the guards were clearing people out. Similarly, he didn’t show any fear when the guards pressured him.”

The guards are mostly Level 6. They are expensive mercenary knights hired by Hudson. The fact that he remained calm under the pressure of multiple guards suggests he is at least Level 8.

At least Level 8.

After much deliberation, Hudson stood up.

“Let’s go to the VIP room. I need to meet him in person.”

*

And so, at the moment.

He faced the man who had turned the casino upside down, but:

‘Ha. I still don’t know.’

...Even after meeting him in person, he still didn’t know.

A muscular man and a woman with tanned skin.

They glanced at the pile of gold on the roulette table.

Before coming down, he heard that the man had turned 250 gold into over a million gold. It was impossible unless the God of Gambling had descended.

‘Does he have a talent like the Golden Hand?’

The Golden Hand. A talent possessed by all famous gamblers. But if he had the Golden Hand, he would have been caught by the dealer.

The dealer also had the Golden Hand.

‘Pure luck? No way.’

He knew from the start that it would turn out this way.

The phrase ‘Golden Favor’ flashed through his mind, but that was also impossible.

Golden Favor is a well-known hidden trait. However, the number of talents required to awaken it and its uselessness made it a trait no one chose.

What kind of person is he?

“Pleased to meet you. I am Hudson, the owner of this casino. If it’s not too much trouble, would you like a cup of tea?”

Hudson extended his hand.

“Sure.”

The man shook his hand openly.

This was Hudson’s final move to understand the man.

Hudson let out a small sigh of relief.

He had the ‘Observer’s Hand’ skill, which could detail everything it touched. No matter how high the anti-magic resistance, it could at least determine the level...

‘...I can’t feel anything. I can’t see anything.’

He couldn’t grasp anything.

It meant the man had either an incredibly high anti-magic resistance or something that nullified the skill.

Whatever it was, he couldn’t be underestimated. Hudson swallowed hard.

“Ha ha. Let’s go up together.”

Hudson forced a smile.

*

【The ‘Observer’s Hand’ skill was nullified by the ‘Giant’s Anti-Magic Resistance.’】

He smiled slightly.

‘Definitely a player.’

As expected. Hudson was a player.

The Observer’s Hand is one of the class-linked skills that appear when the ‘Observer’ skill reaches level 10. It also requires the ‘Senses’ and ‘Attention to Detail’ talents to be maxed out, making it a skill only a gamer could have.

‘He followed the talent tree I posted in my guide.’

Of course, the reason he knows all this is because he tried it himself.

Before the website disappeared, he posted countless ‘talent trees’ on the strategy board.

Hudson clearly chose the ‘Observer’ class from the start and followed the path exactly.

And the fact that he used the ‘Observer’s Hand’ skill...

‘He can’t see my level. He can’t grasp anything about me.’

This confirmed it.

Even as a player, his level doesn’t show above his head.

If he can see the level of others, it must be due to one of the unknown hidden traits: ‘Grand Sage,’ ‘Grand Gourmet,’ or ‘Heavenly.’

“Let’s get straight to the point. Sell me the item you put up as collateral.”

Hudson spoke bluntly.

“What price are you willing to pay?”

“2 million gold. I think it’s a generous price.”

2 million gold.

Indeed, he has a big heart.

The Tears of the Fairy Queen have the characteristic of being immortal and reusable.

However, its ability is limited to breaking the ‘Limit Restriction’ of equipment, making it a Talisman with little demand except for a select few.

So, I spoke bluntly as well.

“10 million gold.”

Hudson’s eyebrows shot up.

“...10 million gold is enough to buy five mansions in Arcana’s First District. Do you think this collateral is worth that much?”

A decent Observer’s annual income is around 10 million gold.

Even the wealthiest tycoons with 10 million gold in cash are few.

Naturally, it’s a considerable amount from Hudson’s perspective.

After all, even if the casino makes a lot of money, it’s not all his.

Especially, the amount spent on lobbying the city council exceeds half of the net profit. After taxes and other deductions, what’s left is pocket change.

“I don’t have it, but you do.”

Still, he doesn’t say he doesn’t have the money.

Of course, he must be madly wanting it. He would probably buy it even if he had to take out a loan. Or try to take it by force.

“I just want to collect it as a ‘treasure.’”

“To join the city council, don’t you need to be Level 10?”

“...!!!”

Hudson’s eyes widened.

How did he know?

Hudson had been stuck at Level 9 for over a year.

But to become a city councilor in Arcana, he needed to be Level 10.

The reason for his stagnation was simple.

‘I can’t hunt alone.’

Hudson grew through money.

He received what is commonly known as a ‘buff.’

He hired mercenaries, bought free knights, and hunted monsters on a large scale, quickly reaching Level 9. But the problem was what came next.

To reach Level 10, he had to do it alone.

However, his stats were too low.

With low stats, he couldn’t use even the best equipment.

Good equipment usually has a ‘minimum stat requirement.’ Just holding it doesn’t make the equipment work.

With low stats, unable to use equipment properly, and with poor combat skills, he couldn’t hunt alone.

That’s why he needed a Talisman.

Especially a Talisman like the Tears of the Fairy Queen, which could also remove ‘stat restrictions,’ was desperately needed by Hudson.

However, the surprise was brief. Hudson tried to look at the current situation as calmly as possible.

“...Who sent you?”

Hudson’s reaction made him chuckle.

“I am a ‘Blood Knight.’ If someone sent me, it would be a star.”

“Stop lying...”

“Would you believe it if you saw a ‘Star Guardian’?”

He took out a book from his pocket.

Hudson was surprised again.

“A, a Teleport Book?”

“Even if your eyes are as blind as a bat, you should be able to distinguish a ‘Star Guardian.’ Here.”

He didn’t meet Hudson without any preparation.

Teleport Book.

The reason he didn’t use this book as collateral was simple.

‘...To escape.’

In case of an emergency.

If Isabella could hold on for 30 seconds, he could escape to the sanctuary through this portal book.

But it seemed he wouldn’t need to use it to escape.

Whoosh!

<<Creating a portal to the ‘Desert Sanctuary.’>>

<<All daily uses have been exhausted.>>

The Teleport Book floated in the air, opening a portal for 30 seconds.

A blue portal. The ‘Sanctuary’ visible on the other side.

And.

“Huh! ‘Mythical Species’...”

On the other side of the blue portal, the image of a giant ‘snake’ was etched into Hudson’s mind.

Not an ordinary snake, but an imugi, a dragon in its pre-dragon form.

Mythical Species. One of the ‘Star Guardians’ who protect only the stars!

‘He’s been lured in.’

Of course, Dramut can’t leave the sanctuary as he must protect the star’s foundation.

But he was perfect for intimidating Hudson.

To instill a sense of caution. To prevent him from having any other thoughts.

“...W, why would a Blood Knight... I haven’t even obtained the ‘qualification.’”

A Blood Knight is a necessary existence for those who have obtained the qualification at Level 10 to find a star.

Blood Knights are hard to find as they hide their identities, and even if found, obtaining a star is even harder.

“You have obtained the qualification. I have come to find you.”

However, occasionally, a Blood Knight seeks out a Blood Knight.

Or it’s possible to meet through ‘special events’ even if not at Level 10.

And no one has met more Blood Knights than me.

Most Blood Knights offer the most needed item to their target and set a condition. A very difficult condition.

Swallow!

Hudson, who swallowed hard, had his eyes shining.

Luck surpassing the Golden Hand.

A state where even the Observer’s Hand, a special skill of the Observer, couldn’t grasp anything.

Knowing what he needed most and showing him a Star Guardian.

He is definitely a Blood Knight. One of the most mysterious beings in this world.

Even if not, he is at least a Transcender. A monster who can create paths where none exist.

Whatever it is, he will show the most certain way to reach Level 10.

This is an opportunity. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

“What, what do I need to do? No, no, I will do anything. Just tell me!”

*

Evening. A cozy restaurant.

Under slightly dim lighting, a woman sat looking at her phone.

‘It’s already been 10 minutes.’

She was Kim Hana.

She had rushed over after finishing work, still in her semi-formal attire, but she was still drawing attention from those around her.

Kim Hana’s expression darkened.

She had rushed over to avoid being late, but 10 minutes after the agreed time, there was no sign of the person she was meeting.

This was the first time someone had made her wait like this.

Still, it was a meeting to express gratitude.

‘Okay. I’ll wait a little longer.’

Another 10 minutes passed.

“Sir, would you like to order?”

“Some water... I’m sorry, my companion is a bit late.”

“It’s fine.”

It was the point where the staff’s glances were becoming noticeable.

Kim Hana sipped the water and pondered.

With no text or call, could he have forgotten?

Should she call?

No. It would somehow hurt her pride.

While she was thinking, another 10 minutes passed.

Kim Hana sighed.

“...I’m sorry for being late.”

At that moment, a voice from behind.

Seeing Park Hyun-myeong sitting across from her with an apologetic look, Kim Hana forced a smile.

“No, I just got here too. What would you like to eat?”