Chapter 30

Chapter 5: Cannibalism Among Kin (5)

High-purity mana stones are the basic materials for high-grade artifacts. Naturally, due to the fixed buyer base, the price was always stable. However, the mysterious merchant bought the mana stones at an absurdly high price. This meant that the demand for mana stones had suddenly increased. It couldn't be that the number of high-ranking players had suddenly increased, so there was only one reason: 'It must mean that there is a reason to produce a large number of high-grade artifacts. That is, war.'

Team Artia grew rapidly, making it a target for many clans and high-ranking players within the tower. They coexisted while leading to Artia's downfall. However, now that a considerable amount of time has passed since Artia's disappearance, the symbiotic relationship within the tower has become unstable, and conflicts among them are beginning to resurface. There hasn't been a significant conflict yet, as it would have affected the tutorial to some extent. However, it was certain that preparations were being made secretly, evidenced by the arms race.

"Even if there's a May alliance, there's no continuous peace in the world of the Iri. That's what the tower is, after all." Yeonwoo smiled happily, confirming that his predictions were correct. The more they tear each other apart, the more weaknesses they expose. However, "Not yet." Yeonwoo was still not a part of the tower. It would take a considerable amount of time to reach the point where he could strike at their necks. It was something to think about much later.

* * *

Kan and Doyle were amazed by Yeonwoo's sudden acquisition of emblems but stretched their limbs in relief that all the troublesome things were finally over. They had obtained the hidden piece they were trying to get in the B-sector waiting room. Now it was time to move on to the next stage. Kan and Doyle exchanged glances. They were close enough to understand each other without much conversation, and exchanging opinions was enough.

Kan asked, "What are you going to do now?"

"What do you mean?"

Yeonwoo adjusted the newly acquired mask and fastened the dagger to his belt, then turned to look at him. "I mean, what are your plans from now on? You must have gathered quite a few emblems this time, right? Are you planning to move directly to the F-sector?"

Yeonwoo didn't answer Kan's question immediately but checked the tutorial ranking for a moment.

[Tutorial Ranking]

1st. Edora (63,101 Points)

2nd. Pant (57,612 Points)

3rd. Kan (55,212 Points)

...

52nd. Confidential (32,594 Points) (Himself)

...

'About 10,000 points higher, I guess?' It seemed that obtaining a large number of emblems at once was effective. He had already risen from 150th to 52nd. It was a speed that others might call insane. 'But still, the gap with the first place... is insane.' Pant, in second place, had almost no change in points. Kan had caught up to second place by 5,000 points after completing the Harugan's nest quest. However, Edora in first place was different. Either there was still a lot of merit to be gained, or she was determined to solidify her first place, as she had accumulated over 6,000 points in that short time. However, Yeonwoo didn't think it was impossible to catch up to first place. 'I still have a trump card left.'

There was a target Yeonwoo had set from the beginning when he first entered the tutorial. A creature residing in the E-sector. The best hidden piece in the tutorial. 'It's time to find that guy.' His body was almost complete, and he had gathered what he needed. Yeonwoo planned to part ways with them and head there immediately. Moreover, he had seen the harm his younger brother had suffered. Yeonwoo had a deep distrust of teams and clans. So he shook his head. "No. I won't move directly to the F-sector."

Kan's expression visibly brightened. "Hey, then, do you maybe—"

"But there's a place I need to go."

Kan's words stopped mid-sentence. "A place you need to go?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

As Kan swallowed, Doyle interjected, "Brother, actually, do you have any plans to travel with us?"

"With you?"

"Yes. Until the tutorial ends. No, even after that."

Doyle's eyes sparkled as he looked at Yeonwoo. "Actually, I've talked a lot with Brother Kan. Our chemistry with Brother Cain wasn't bad, and his performance exceeded our expectations. Maybe if we form a team of three—!"

Doyle spoke excitedly, but—

"No. It's not possible."

Yeonwoo shook his head firmly. Doyle asked cautiously, "Can I ask the reason?"

"I have something I need to do, as I said."

"If that's the case, you can resolve it and join us later—"

Yeonwoo shook his head calmly. "I'm not really interested in teams. I don't like being tied down."

"That's a shame."

Doyle's shoulders slumped, looking like a drenched puppy. Kan patted Doyle's shoulder lightly. "Can't be helped. Everyone has their own personality. If it doesn't fit, you can't force it. This kind of thing will happen often when we move to the tower. But we'll go together until we leave here, right?"

Yeonwoo nodded. Kan smiled and turned around. "Then let's head back. People are waiting outside."

* * *

The lizardman swamp was vast. It took a considerable amount of time to get out. There were many lizardmen wandering around, so Yeonwoo decided to travel with them until they left the swamp. Players followed closely behind Yeonwoo, Kan, and Doyle. If they separated from the group here, they would be as good as dead. However, they kept a certain distance. The players were probably intimidated by the way Kan pressured Brand. The players, who both feared and had to follow Kan and Doyle, created a strange scene. Kan and Doyle found the players' ambiguous attitude uncomfortable.

"What are we going to do with these people?"

Yeonwoo glanced back and asked. Kan and Doyle also looked perplexed. Kan sighed lightly. "For now, we have no choice but to travel with them until we leave the swamp." In fact, both of them planned to move to a different place immediately. They had already obtained the Harugan's crown, so there was no reason to stay here any longer. The remaining time in the tutorial was rapidly decreasing. "I don't intend to keep dragging them along."

"Hey, but people have feelings. How can we just leave them?"

Kan frowned and scolded Yeonwoo. But Yeonwoo had a calm look. Feelings? In the tutorial? As he always felt, these two seemed cold but were too soft. They were too kind to people. Sometimes, that kindness could be a poison. Especially in a place like this, full of jackals waiting for an opportunity to strike. "Hmm." Yeonwoo had a lot of advice to give but decided not to. It was pointless to speak, as they wouldn't listen properly. Besides, he was about to leave here soon.

* * *

Yeonwoo's concerns soon became reality. "Sir, um, do you, um, have any food to share?"

At first, it was nothing much. Just a hesitant request for food. People who had been detained and couldn't eat properly. Doyle, feeling guilty for not taking care of them, shared some of the food he had. The player who received the jerky hugged it tightly and returned to his spot. As other people's gazes turned to him, there was a moment when the player and Eden's eyes met. The player nodded slightly. It meant, "It's okay to do it."

'So, that's it.'

Eden smiled, curling the corners of his mouth. In fact, the instruction to find food was given by Eden. 'I had a hunch when they started trying to take care of so many people. What a pushover.' The plan Eden proposed to Brand was simple. 'My comrades and I will cause trouble to slow down the journey. Brother, please suggest taking a short break. Remember the place with three rocks at the edge of the swamp? Let's go there.'

'What about after that?'

'Then, while we rest, this guy will move. The three of them must be tired from fighting the Lizard King, so they won't refuse. While resting, I and my friend will... you know what happens next.'

The plan was to move to a designated place under the pretext of resting, then steal the items of Kan and Doyle, who would let their guard down. 'Given their behavior so far, this plan is entirely possible.' Eden's characteristic was 'Observation.' He could observe the habits and quirks of others, deduce their personalities and actions. Thanks to this characteristic, Eden could reach the E-sector with just his wits and smooth talk, despite having no special skills. He had carefully observed how Kan pressured Brand. His conclusion was one thing: Kan valued 'righteousness' more than profit or honor. People have different personalities and pursuits. Especially players, who pursue and value their own absolute 'right.' Eden saw that the righteousness pursued by Kan and Doyle could be exploited at any time. People like them often ended up at a disadvantage due to their sense of righteousness. The fact that they were carrying these players out of a sense of responsibility, despite not needing to, was proof. Their dislike of backstabbing and gossip that tarnished their comrades' honor was also a sign. 'In short, as long as you don't cross the line, you can use them.' So Eden sent a subordinate to gauge their kindness. Now, he had a good idea of the line. 'As long as you don't touch their righteousness or pride, you're fine. That's easy enough. Hehe.'

Of course, there was one point of concern. 'That guy.'

Eden glanced at the masked man, Yeonwoo, who silently followed behind Kan and Doyle. 'That guy... no matter how much I observe, I can't see anything.' The one who had the greatest contribution to defeating the Lizard King. Despite his considerable skills, he was still unknown in the tutorial. It was quite surprising. Usually, this meant one thing: He didn't reveal himself and managed himself thoroughly. He could make cold, rational judgments. The fact that Eden's characteristic couldn't detect anything about him was proof. Moreover, when Eden secretly observed Yeonwoo through his subordinates, Yeonwoo would sometimes turn his head and meet his gaze. The cold, gleaming eyes under the white mask, like floating will-o'-the-wisps, made the hair on his neck stand up. But Eden didn't abandon his plan. Even if it was suspicious, it was hard for them to detect his plan in advance. 'Brand, that stupid guy, will set the stage for us.'

Eden sneered, thinking of the dim-witted Brand. In fact, his plan went beyond what he told Brand. That was just the first phase. The real plan started after that. Steal some emblems and artifacts to draw attention? It was all nonsense. 'Can we end it with just stealing? The opponents are Kan and Doyle. Third and eleventh in the rankings. And the other guy defeated the Lizard King. If we strip them all... reaching first place won't be a dream.'

Eden's eyes gleamed cruelly as he licked his lips. The most important thing here was timing and intuition. Yeonwoo wouldn't escape this trap. Eden immediately signaled his subordinates. The players, who had been in cahoots, suddenly started to feign illness.

"Sir Kan, Sir Kan, someone is suddenly feeling unwell..."

"Please, go a little slower. I'm really tired."

"I need to use the restroom."

Eventually, some of them even sat down and caused a commotion.

"I can't go! I can't go any further! I have nothing, and if I go out, I'll just be monster food! It's better to stay here and die!"

Kan and Doyle frowned. The journey was already long