As the distance closed, the entire battlefield came into view.
The moment the paladin killed the priestess, SSA’s elites had already initiated combat.
Starting a fight is arbitrary, but ending one isn’t always so easy.
While the civilian party fiercely resisted, I also decided to enter the battlefield.
The gap was quickly closing. After cutting off the priest’s escape, an instant message popped up—riddled with typos, likely sent in a hurry.
[Instant Message from Dynamic Station Agent]
– Hey
– Hey
– Stop it… whatever
– What… are you doing?
– Are you really going to do this to us?
“Sorry, I’m busy right now. Actually, I had something to say too, but can we catch up in four hours?”
(Dynamic Station Agent is typing a message…)
“Talk later when you log back in!”
[Ignored Dynamic Station Agent’s Message]
No matter how much I struggle or scramble, there’s still only one of me. Fighting well and making profits in the New Continent are two separate issues. To improve efficiency, I needed a shift in thinking.
So in a way, it was like a food chain.
Each guild’s elites hunt regular players to gather money. Then, I go after those elites, sweeping up their wealth all at once.
Up ahead, a paladin with a shield stepped in my path. Against all expectations, he emitted holy light, SSA’s core force—Dynamic Station Agent, leader of the elites.
“Hello. Long time no see?”
“You insane woman! Do we have to do this?”
“Spit on a smiling face, huh? Such a lack of refinement.”
Originally, he was a swordsman, but it seems he’s changed weapons. Apparently, he upped his stats for the New Continent. No wonder he’s been plundering so much. Looks like he’s got some spending money, which makes my heart lighter.
I stab a dagger into the wrist trying to crush my shoulder. While I couldn’t sever the artery due to the angle, I managed to weaken the arm. There was a sensation like cutting through something as the dagger came out.
“Urgh! You… I’ll…”
“Really? What exactly will you do? Enlighten me. I’m curious.”
“I will definitely kill you!”
“Hmph.”
Ah, I didn’t mean to mock, but I couldn’t stop the laughter that naturally burst out.
“With those skills? You might want to bring more friends.”
“You…!”
If you want to kill me, you’ll have to deal with this short and hefty hammer first. Similar to Rime’s long lance, it’s a situation an assassin would find extremely difficult to handle.
Why wouldn’t he realize this? I can easily dodge his slow hammer swings.
I lower his shield with my hand and cut across his throat. It caused bleeding, but it wasn’t that deep. Given the paladin’s health, it’s not a fatal wound.
But there’s no need to end him just yet. Pushing his broad kite shield aside, I take a step back.
Dynamic Station Agent’s body recoiled inward. Taking cover behind his shield means he’s preparing for my next move. For all his experience, this guy knows how to face formidable opponents.
My next choice was… a quick leap over Dynamic Station Agent to bypass him completely.
Am I a fool? I know perfectly well that his ranged attackers are still behind him, so why waste time tangling with him?
Granting him even this moment was already a loss.
Nevertheless, the reason I left him partially incapacitated was one: there were survivors in the civilian party he had attacked earlier.
“Thank you!”
“Gawol, I’m your fan!”
“Since when?”
“Starting from today!”
“Hmm, I’ll let you join this once.”
They would hold Dynamic Station Agent’s ankles down for me.
Though, their chances are slim.
Dynamic Station Agent is a well-recognized powerhouse in this scene. In contrast, my new fan number 3 is a regular player. There’s undeniably an unbridgeable gap between the two. While their burning desire for vengeance could be helpful to me, it won’t be enough to save themselves.
In any case, it was time for me to focus on hunting in peace.
Crunching leaves underfoot, I advanced quickly. Tracing the scattered magical residue and footprints, I chased the enemy.
If this was a paved urban area, the pursuit might have been more difficult. But here, in the untamed dirt grounds, finding my target wasn’t too hard. With a rope-dagger conveniently placed on a tree branch, I closed the distance confidently.
“You and I have met before, right?”
“Yes! We’ve met a few times. Congratulations on your victory, Sister!”
The wizard I discovered was an impressive old bald man wearing an eyepatch. What was the nickname again? VillageChiefOneEye, perhaps?
It must have been correct. He was the one who conducted a trade when I sold the Dragon King’s Tear.
As we chatted amiably, his attacks didn’t stop. A cascade of icy shards fell around my feet.
“Thanks, but calling me ‘Sister’ at that bounty amount feels a bit off, doesn’t it?”
“In this game, skill equals respect, so you’re both ‘Brother’ and ‘Sister’.”
“That’s… somewhat reasonable.”
The next attack was a series of floating rocks controlled by telekinesis. His intent to stop my approach was clear with every precise aim that obscured my view.
But how many wizards have already fallen to my hand? There were countless attempts like this.
[Effect of ‘Silver Moon’s Blessing’ activated]
[For a maximum of 10 seconds, you’ll merge with shadows within 10 meters of any player…]
Swinging through the air while reeling the rope, I activated invisibility the moment my body disengaged from the rock.
Predictably, he was preparing another attack.
Several fiery spears came toward me, even though I was invisible. A sound judgment—likely because he noticed the taut rope I left behind.
The spears spread out like shotgun pellets due to the lack of precise targeting, allowing me no need to dodge sideways. Crouching low, I surged forward despite the intense heat brushing past me.
My small stature unexpectedly helped once again.
As soon as I was in dagger range, I went for the wrist. Confirmed the severance judgment, then proceeded to cut the tendons in his limbs. Finally, I pushed a blade into his mouth to start my Gawol-style negotiation.
“There was one more, right? Did he die?”
“Even if… I won’t betray my guildmate.”
“You’d reconsider if I promised to spare you?”
“He fled the opposite direction. He should be heading toward the village.”
Figures. The escapee’s class was likely an archer. Much more agile than a wizard. Even if I chased now, I have no confidence in catching him.
“He’s too far.”
“So, am I safe?”
The glimmer of hope in his eyes.
But my answer was negative.
“Can’t let you go. The information you gave isn’t valuable enough.”
“What if I just give you the money?”
“I’m here for the bounty. The amount is significant. Is that okay with you?”
“Sorry. Just take the kill. But please keep me from exposing my guildmate.”
“I’m not one to talk too much.”
The kid closed his eyes in resignation. A quick thrust to his head, and his body collapsed immediately.
That makes three kills.
[Adventure Class player VillageChiefOneEye has been killed by you.]
[You’ve stolen 6,082,625 Gold from the victim.]
[Bounty Hunter: You’ve claimed a bounty reward of 14,200,000 Gold.]
There’s nothing to be done about the one I missed, so regretfully, I looped back to take care of Dynamic Station Agent.
The survivors from the civilian party were now all gone.
“I have to avenge my fan number 3.”
“What the hell is that about?”
“Just a random thought. I see, they really did all die.”
The bloodied Dynamic Station Agent glared at me. Hostility burned in his gaze but both shield and hammer dimmed as fatigue set in.
Looks like he has accepted the fight’s outcome. This was wise.
He knows he can never defeat me, no matter how many times he respawns.
So, now I have the leisure to honor fan number 3.
Using a corpse-strewn backdrop, I began writing. May you rest in peace. Would typing this in English make it sound more profound?
Rest In P… Hmm.
“Hey, Dynamic. Do you know what ‘Rest In Peace’ means?”
“Yeah, lay in peace.”
“Uh… how do you spell ‘peace’?”
“…”
The piercing stare made me feel slightly uncomfortable. Dynamic Station Agent furrowed his eyebrows a few times before responding cautiously.
“Pieces.”
“Thanks. Didn’t know you studied English!”
“…This is basic knowledge. You should study a bit too. Don’t just game all day.”
“Shut up.”
Even as I said that, I felt compelled to buy a book or two.
Who’d have thought I could be less knowledgeable than Dynamic Station Agent?
The shock made my hand tremble as I wrote.
Rest In Pieces.
Fan number 3.
Having bid my farewell, it’s time to finish the job.
I rose with my dagger in hand, and Dynamic Station Agent voiced an appeal.
“Gawol… If I die, it’s a 12-hour penalty.”
“Twelve hours? What about it?”
“Access penalty. If I die due to bounty, I’ll only be able to reconnect after 12 hours.”
“Guess that means I’ll connect again in 12 hours then.”
Pros don’t agree easily.
It’s always been this way between us. A relationship of mutual convenience—ready to kill each other whenever necessary. Even this guy wouldn’t hesitate to stab me in the back if the situation demanded it.
So I had originally planned to finish him off, but…
I couldn’t avoid pausing the dagger aimed at Dynamic Station Agent’s neck.
“Hey.”
“What? Stop acting like you have scruples. If you’re gonna kill me, just do it.”
“I wasn’t. Just wondering—how far would you go if I spared you this time?”
System notifications that are usually ignored. Until recently, I had turned off these alerts. Now they were appearing in a flurry.
[‘Cross’ Guild declares war on ‘Jail’ Guild]
[A Guild War will start in 15 minutes.]
[‘Venetia’ Guild declares war on ‘Jail’ Guild]
[‘Ministry of Defense’ Guild…]
[‘Mask’ Guild…]
[‘Venom’ Guild…]
[‘Foreign Legion’…]
