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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Normalization
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We had raided the royal palace's underground treasury and immediately headed up to the first floor of the banquet hall.
"Huh? Who the hell are you guys! Gah!"
"Graaah!"
We ambushed every enemy we spotted, butchered them, and sold off their gear. Soldiers, knights—no exceptions.
"Hah, how arrogant! You dare come at me with a sword?!"
Some of them had decent skills and tried to defend, but it was pointless. The gap in our stats was like night and day.
Their strength, agility, and stamina topped out at a measly 100, while mine were far beyond that.
They raised their swords to defend, but I crushed theirs with more than double the strength. Then I slashed right through, sword and all.
"?!"
They died with looks of shock on their faces, never imagining the power gap could be this wide.
"M-Monster..."
I sheathed my sword and glanced around. The rest of the party was handling their roles perfectly.
Isera had just taken down one, and So-hee with her clones had handled two more. They both stared at me in astonishment.
"Oppa, you're amazing. How many did you clear while I was handling just one?"
There were twelve corpses around me.
"You never cease to surprise me. How is that even possible? It doesn't feel like just a stat difference."
"Eh, call it an experience gap, I guess."
Ten years of experience.
The ten years I'd rolled through in the Selection Process had given me chances to build not just ambush skills, but combat experience across the board.
So of course it was different.
No one else going through the Selection Process right now could surpass me.
"...I see. In that case, when we get back to the Rest Area, could you teach me the sword?"
"The sword? You handle it better than I do."
The [Sword Master] ability made her an unparalleled expert with blades, at least when it came to swords. My ten years of swinging a blade couldn't compare.
"I must have phrased it poorly. I want to build up more experience and solidify my fundamentals. So that even if my [Unique Ability] gets sealed again like this, I can still pull my weight."
"Fair point."
She had the right mindset and preparation. No wonder she was in the top 0.1%. I nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Sure."
"Me too, oppa!"
"Then I'll train you both back at the Rest Area."
"Yay!"
While we were clearing enemies, the Saintess was freeing the captives who'd been suffering and healing them.
People on the brink of death snapped back to awareness with a single heal, their eyes widening as they bowed deeply in thanks.
"Thank you so much. Truly, thank you."
"How can we ever repay this kindness..."
They thanked me for swinging the sword, but they were especially grateful to the Saintess for the healing.
"Anywhere else that still hurts?"
"No, we're good now!"
The Saintess was actively comforting them too.
And so...
"She's a goddess. So beautiful, and such a kind heart..."
"Exactly. The goddess herself came to save us, right?"
To me, the Saintess really did seem divine. Compared to that administrator from earlier, anyway.
'These folks feel more like the Saintess's fanatic followers than that bitch squad.'
Not a bad thing. That role was necessary, and it'd help my plans.
I'd keep the bitch squad strictly for my personal gain, so I needed to manage them separately.
"Min-jun, this area's done!"
"On to the next, then."
From the underground entrance through to the main banquet hall, we pushed forward relentlessly, rescuing as we went.
"Guh."
"Wh-Who are you! Ack?!"
Not knowing when we'd run into the raid boss, we moved fast, dashing to the next target the moment rescues were complete.
"Wh-What the hell are these guys?"
"Are they really players like us...?"
The enemies were shocked by the sight, and even the rescued stared in wide-eyed amazement. Soon, they looked baffled too—and understandably so...
"Isn't that the weapons shop owner?"
"Yeah, I found him wandering alone underground by chance and put him to use."
"I... see. Things like this happen, huh."
Not only beating these insanely strong soldiers, but stripping them bare and selling to a shopkeeper? It had to be mind-blowing.
They started looking envious, clearly wanting to farm like us, but the soldiers were too overpowering for them to join in.
In short, they knew how to make money but lacked the specs to keep up. This was only possible for our party.
"Hey, Dickhead."
"?"
"Can't you switch me out already? Why do I, a mage, have to carry this old fart?!"
Shin Seo-yeon grumbled while piggybacking the burly weapons shop guy.
"Have So-hee or Isera do it—they're stronger! I'm the surefire DPS here!"
"True. But if you blast them with your magic, we lose gear to farm. You cool with that?"
Clothes might burn off, or even weapons shatter, making farming impossible.
"Hey!"
Shin Seo-yeon yelled at hearing that.
"Quit slacking and move! Let's go! Leave this old man to me!"
"..."
Seo-yeon, the eternal money-grubber. I really liked her consistency.
By pushing forward and looting every enemy in sight, we soon reached the end of the corridor overlooking the main banquet hall.
I slashed the last knight and sheathed my sword.
"Heh heh heh."
Then laughter echoed. From the knight whose body I'd bisected. His high stats made him tough; he clung to life.
"You think you can escape this place unscathed? Haran's royal palace?"
He cackled, looking up at us mockingly.
"Fat chance. There are always 4,000 soldiers stationed here. Guarded tight as a drum. You're dead. No one escapes. No one!"
Murmurs spread.
The crowd grew chaotic.
If sowing panic among the rescued was his goal, he'd succeeded.
'Fear sows confusion and breaks teamwork.'
Especially in a death trap like this, synchronized escape was key—and now it was messed up.
The knight smirked, as if saying, "Go ahead, finish me."
'...Seriously, things never go exactly to plan.'
The Trials weren't bullshit for nothing. Every little detail was factored into the difficulty.
But I'd dealt with this crap for ten years. So I gave him the same treatment.
"Idiot."
"?"
"Say it really is guarded that tight. Then how do you think we got in here?"
"Uh...? Well, obviously..."
He trailed off.
Yeah, nothing to say, right?
"We just go back the way we came."
"W-Wait. Cough. The way you came...?"
"Even if I told you, you wouldn't know. A path for royalty—guys like you have no clue."
"!!"
I lopped off his head. The crowd quieted instantly. No need for further explanation.
"Makes sense. Getting in from outside is harder, and we did it fine. Getting out should be easier."
"Yeah, we worried for nothing."
They'd rationalize it themselves and calm down.
I just needed to drop a hint to steady them. They'd suppress the fear and cooperate on escape.
But that didn't solve the core issue.
"Hey, we gotta get out now. What do we do?"
Shin Seo-yeon whispered close.
"Even sneaking out windows, with these numbers, we'll get spotted for sure."
We'd rescued 61 people so far.
66 total with us.
She was right; we couldn't slip past like that.
The numbers were too big—bound to attract attention moving together.
So what now?
As I pondered, people who'd seen the main hall scene begged us.
"Um, sorry to ask, but please help."
"My little sibling's in there..."
"My sister's captured."
Pleading to save siblings, lovers, sisters, brothers, comrades. They'd do anything.
"That's..."
The Saintess looked troubled.
She wasn't stupid.
We'd come here for a stealthy heist—no direct commotion.
"Everyone, that's..."
"Please."
"I beg you!"
"..."
But with family suffering, no logic would reach them.
Seeing that, Shin Seo-yeon shot me a sly glance and spoke up.
"Hey, screw it—just kill 'em all and go."
"No way. Raid boss shows, we're done."
"That strong?"
"Yeah."
"!!"
I answered without hesitation, and she scratched her cheek, backing off.
Face four raid bosses?
With Unique Abilities sealed?
No party in the Selection Process could. Not even ours.
To take them in a place with 4,000 soldiers? You'd need at least 10,000 players.
Us five? Ridiculous.
"Then what?"
"Should we abandon them...?"
The Saintess and her followers looked at me desperately.
Honestly, abandoning was best, but...
"There is one way."
"What is it?"
"We'll help too! Just tell us what to do! Please!"
They begged earnestly.
I let out a short huff and said,
"First, promise this: once we're out, you'll help our party, no question."
They nodded eagerly, no worries.
I scanned their faces, then pulled out the map and pointed to a spot.
"From now on, everyone hide here."
"Min-jun, something there?"
"No, nothing. Just stay hidden till I come get you. So-hee, you're in charge."
I memorized the map one last time and handed it to Han So-hee.
"Where will you go?"
"Here. Might move more, but watch the people till I return."
Nod.
"Seo-yeon, you're with me. Sera, take that old guy's spot."
"Okay!"
I sent the people to a corner of the banquet building and moved out with Shin Seo-yeon. We slipped out a window stealthily. With fewer signs of life around, she punched my arm.
"What's up with you? Helping others?"
"?"
"Don't play dumb. You're not evil, but you're no bleeding heart like your 'sis.' What gives?"
"Dunno."
I recalled the Saintess from earlier.
Her hands clasped tight, looking at me with trusting eyes full of hope.
'If I'm helping someone else, 90% of the reason's probably her.'
Of course, I wasn't doing charity.
I'm not like the Saintess.
Just...
"People who get saved at their lowest never forget it."
I knew that feeling better than anyone—I'd been there.
Helping now would turn them into the Saintess's diehard fans.
They'd talk about it over drinks, meals, spread rumors.
And the benefits would flow straight to our party.
'Fame draws talent without us lifting a finger.'
They'd come begging to join.
"What's that mean? Saved how?"
No need to spell out my ulterior motives, so I just smiled at Shin Seo-yeon.
"Bottom line: this way might be better."
"Than sneaking out quiet?"
"Yeah."
I stopped dead. A dark corridor, thick with shadows, no signs of life. A massive door covered in dust and webs.
Shin Seo-yeon halted too, then her eyes sparkled.
"Whoa! What, what is it?! Another treasury?!"
The Crimson Flame Witch lit up at the familiar black door. Yeah, identical to the treasury one.
"Hey, to loot this, don't we need that shop guy? Let's grab him. Or better—bring everyone. With those numbers, it'd be quick. Under 20 minutes."
"Nah, no need."
"Huh? Why?"
"Not a treasury."
"Then...?"
I approached the keyhole. Good thing I brought her—just in case—but no need to melt it.
"Something way bigger inside. Aren't you curious why an ancient ruin like this is so empty? Even the ancient sewers were crawling with janitors."
"True. Wait, no way..."
I grinned.
This was a royal palace first, ancient ruin second. Deep core. And ahead? Where magic golems managing the [Ancient Ruin Core] respawn.
I'd explored ruins enough to spot respawn points from blueprints alone. And they'd blocked the suspicious one with this door?
Obvious.
Grrrrrind—
I unlocked it with telekinesis. I'd already checked the key and mechanism.
Click.
Lock released, webs shook. I shoved the door; rusty hinges screamed as it opened. Familiar hums from within.
Vwwwiiiing.
"Sh-SHIT. For real."
Shin Seo-yeon, illusions of treasure shattered, cursed.
"And a ton of 'em?"
"More than a ton."
Blueprint said huge—about 1,000 pyeong. And it buzzed with presences.
Vwwwiiiiing—
They poured out the half-open entrance.
"...Run."
"Y-Yeah."
We bolted, leaving the seal wide open. The door flew full open; mechanical footsteps thundered out.
Presences spread across the palace.
Screams echoed soon after.
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