novelraw Chapter 161 : Chapter 161
Chapter 161 : Chapter 161
Chapter 161
Forgetting even the purpose of attending the Community, the Tyrant stared at the sphere held in White Mask’s hand.
‘It didn’t change this time either.’
That sphere showed the value of the information perceived by its owner.
Just like the other newbie’s sphere, which had now turned blazing red.
‘Is the initiation ceremony a failure?’
The initiation ceremony here was simple.
Each member shares the highest-value information they have shared in this Community with the newbie.
It was aimed at a rule known only to those gathered here.
‘Since he wouldn’t have known about the rule that if the sphere turns black, one must provide corresponding information or pay CP.’
The Tyrant’s gaze turned to the newbie whose sphere was glowing as red as his own had been.
‘He must be excited right now. Feeling like he’s seeing a side of the world he didn’t know.’
He had felt the same.
When he first joined this Community, the members gathered here shared their most valuable information without any hesitation, just as they were doing now.
Only when it became his turn did he realize.
That without knowing it, he had bought all the information he had heard so far.
He didn't know since when it existed, or why the rule was made.
The only certainty was that if the sphere in his hand turned ‘black’, he had to share corresponding information or pay the price.
In a situation where even using all his CP wouldn’t be enough, what he chose was the most precious information he possessed.
‘…I am the King of Orcs, the Tyrant.’
The Tyrant, thinking that even if White Mask didn’t, the new arrival would face a fate similar to his own, narrowed his brow slightly.
* * *
“Kihihi! Everyone quiet! It’s my turn! My turn!”
As Puppet’s doll shouted noisily, everyone’s gaze turned to him.
“Yeah, yeah! Look at me, me! Since a newbie is here today, I’ll tell you something specially good. Especially you, listen carefully because this is expensive information.”
Clearing his throat with a ‘hem’, Puppet’s doll looked at the newbie and opened its mouth.
“There is an item in the Community that can change your nickname.”
Rattle!
It was common knowledge in the Community that nicknames couldn’t be changed.
Hearing that he could fulfill his wish, Petite Princess kicked his chair back, stood up, and shouted.
“What?! Really? How? How?!”
“I don’t know that either─ I just heard it by chance too. The important thing is! It means you can change even this nickname created on Earth.”
Giggling, Puppet looked at White Mask and continued.
“How about it? If you do it well, maybe you can even change your appearance from Earth?”
Despite Puppet’s expectant gaze, White Mask’s sphere remained unmoved.
“You knew this? No way! Do you know who I bought this information from!”
The others were equally surprised.
Because the one Puppet bought the information from wasn’t a player. Information impossible to obtain unless one was a player with tremendous CP.
Feeling a sense of defeat at the fact that he already knew that information, Puppet looked at White Mask with a strange expression.
‘Just how much does he know?’
* * *
At Puppet’s slit-eyed gaze, Ian unconsciously touched his mask.
‘Is this thing really working?’
It was strange no matter how I thought about it.
To think only information I knew kept coming up.
‘Seeing information about the World Tree, and the Demonkin, and only things I was involved in coming up, it seems they’ve definitely noticed who I am…….’
It was entirely possible.
If one were to pick a place where rapid changes occurred recently, the Moner family couldn’t be left out, so any player belonging to the Community would have certainly been paying attention to the Moner family.
Tap, tap, tap.
While Ian was deep in thought looking for a proper method, the turns of Gold, Siren, and the robed Master followed.
‘The Golden Goblin Merchant Guild of the Reime Kingdom is distributing Stimpacks. As rumored, they were potions with the same effects as in the game.’
‘The Dark Elf succeeded in summoning the World Tree through some method.’
‘The Magic Tower is controlling high-ranking wizards with brainwashing and restrictions.’
Information targeting the Moner family so blatantly.
‘It seems they are half-convinced… Should I just say it outright? Like, ‘Yeah, I’m Ian, so what’?’
Then at least one of them would probably come looking for the Moner family.
And a player as strong as Mireska at that.
No matter how much I thought about it, I didn’t think a player joining would lead to good results.
‘Then should I hide it? When they are that convinced?’
Even if I act as if I have nothing to do with the Moner family, they will eventually come to the Moner family anyway.
‘Hmm…….’
While I was tapping the desk with my index finger, lost in thought, a voice full of moisture was heard from the side.
“U-Um. Senior?”
“Hmm?”
“Th-Tha-That is, it’s Senior’s turn…….”
Just as I was about to say I’d go last, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
‘Is there a need for me to hide that I’m Moner?’
Those who will come will come no matter what I say, and those who didn’t care from the start won’t care no matter what I say, right?
‘Besides, didn’t I get no new information today?’
Even the time spent worrying was a waste.
No matter how bad the first impression was, to discriminate with information like this.
‘Since I received nothing, I should give nothing.’
Having made up his mind, Ian opened his mouth.
“In the end, Moner wins.”
Instantly, the conference room turned as cold as ice.
‘Ah, is this kind of thing not allowed?’
Especially the man called Tyrant glared at me with fierce eyes.
‘Oh my, make a mistake twice and I might get killed.’
Of course, I have no intention of telling important information just because he’s glaring like that.
Give and take is the rule.
I can’t give a jewel when they handed me trash first, can I?
Pondering what information would be most useless, I looked at Priest and said.
“The Holy Empire is preparing for a civil war.”
“……!”
This time, Priest glared at me.
Seeing his benevolent-looking face distort, I wondered if this was too much and quickly continued.
“The Pope’s side will win. Because they have the Saintess.”
Grind, the sound of teeth gnashing echoed, and the surrounding air became even colder.
‘Not this either?’
I can’t get a sense of what their standard for information is.
Thinking this wasn’t it either, I pondered what to say next and Puppet’s doll caught my eye.
‘Is he a Puppeteer?’
It’s quite a unique job.
Similar to Alchemists who make Golems, but with a different texture.
The goal of those who call themselves Puppeteers is one: creating an artificial life form like the Sword Demon.
“Artificial life forms already exist. They can think for themselves and move with free will.”
The doll that was tapping its feet on Puppet’s hand stopped instantly, and for the first time since entering here, I met eyes with Puppet, not the doll.
‘No, I just said it because it came to mind. Enough to make you give up your concept?’
Of course, from Puppet’s perspective, he might wonder what kind of joke this is. Since there’s no way Puppet wouldn’t know about the Sword Demon.
‘No, it’s not like everyone else knows it either…….’
Naturally ignoring Puppet’s gaze, which was the epitome of swearing with one’s eyes, I looked next at Gold who was covered in a robe.
‘What did that guy say earlier? Ah, was it Stimpack?’
Come to think of it, he’s the worst one.
Giving information about an item I made, sold by a merchant guild I created.
“A branch blessed by an Elf, Denian leaf, Mokdamgwa.”
Gold’s eyes widened instantly as if realizing what those ingredients were for.
Seeing others trembling, satisfaction welled up from deep within.
‘Of course, if you gave trash, you should have expected to receive trash.’
If I act like this now, they won’t discriminate like this next time.
“The Dark Elf broke the branch of the World Tree.”
Saying information that couldn’t be used unless one was a Dark Elf, I finally looked at Master covered in a robe.
‘He told me about the restrictions, right?’
This is a bit ambiguous.
It’s information valuable enough, but I just happened to know it already by luck.
‘Hmm…….’
Pondering what information would show sincerity, I handed over appropriate information.
“Demonkin do not target humans.”
Information left by the self-proclaimed Count of the Demon World, Rihaltan.
Information that only I possess in this world.
If there’s a minor problem, it’s that even I don’t fully believe it.
I considered just keeping my mouth shut, but added one more thing.
“Whether to believe it or not is up to each of your judgment.”
My turn ended, and before anyone could catch me, I quickly got up and left the room.
* * *
After White Mask left the conference room.
The Tyrant, who had been sitting silently for a long time, asked.
“Priest, is it true?”
“What is?”
“What that mask just said. Is it true?”
“You should have asked him that.”
Priest let out a deep sigh and continued.
“More importantly, isn’t the fact that he believes it to be true more significant?”
“Kihihihi! Old man! That’s the problem! An obviously extraordinary human prophesied ‘Moner wins’, so how must our Mr. Orc feel?”
“If you act up one more time, I will destroy all your dolls even if it means abandoning my race.”
“Oh my! I’m too scared to speak! Before that, how about taking good care of your axe?”
“You damn bastard!”
Just as the Tyrant kicked his chair and stood up at Puppet’s provocation, Master lifted his own sphere.
“This is troublesome.”
A sphere dyed pitch-black.
“Same here.”
“Me too.”
“Me too! Me too!”
The others lifted their spheres, which had turned black one by one.
A single person had provided the most critical information to those sitting at the top of the Community.
“…Who on earth was he?”
At that question, each spoke their thoughts.
“Hohoho… Probably an early player. One who possessed a fetus and lived for decades. All the survivors were beings on a different level from others.”
“Kihihi! Raccoon! Then we would have heard of him at least once! Is it possible that I’ve never heard of such a person! He must be a newly possessed player!”
“Maybe he’s a different species. Different species have been harsh to players. It would have been difficult to even participate in the Community for just an hour. Didn’t Tyrant-ssi also join the Community quite a while after coming to this world?”
“…That might be true. If it’s a race hostile to players, it would have been even more dangerous.”
“You all don’t know anything, but judging by my eye, that person is definitely human. If he were a different species, wouldn’t that species already be active on the continent?”
“But Puppet’s words have a point too. If he’s such a special existence, he would have been known in the Community as well.”
Petite Princess, who had missed the timing to leave and was listening quietly, cautiously raised his hand and said.
“He seemed to leave without gaining anything today; maybe he hasn't come until now because he thought there was nothing to gain?”
Instantly, everyone’s gaze turned to him.
“Ah, no, I’m not saying I’m definitely right…….”
“It makes sense.”
“If the initial disappointment was great, that could be the case…….”
Gold, nodding as he thought it was plausible enough, murmured in a serious voice.
“No, wait. Then doesn’t that mean he might not come next time?”