Chapter 231 – Solemnis Defense Bureau (3)
[Doppelganger Doll]
[Universal Key]
[Mini-mini Cookie]
I carefully examined the points shop list, selecting three items: a total of 274,000 points. Despite being single-use items, they had an exorbitant price. Considering that an SS-grade monster costs a million points, it seems necessary to face S-grade dungeon bosses with 300,000 points. However, I must avoid excessive consumption.
I started by purchasing the universal key. A small card key materialized in my hand.
[Master Key – Grade A
A key that can open any lock below S-level without being detected.
Usable 3/3 times]
Although it was an A-grade item, it was limited to three uses. If it weren’t consumable, it would probably cost more than a million points. Next, I bought the Doppelganger Doll. This time, a round doll appeared in my hand.
[Doppelganger Doll – Grade B
A realistic doll that resembles the user. Upon closer inspection, some flaws are noticeable. Difficult to deceive with senses above grade S, even at a distance.
Duration: 1 day]
The more I looked at the points shop, the more astonishing it was. Although these various items can be obtained as dungeon rewards, it was impossible to carry all the items since they were random deliveries.
Doppelganger dolls are items that occasionally appear in A-B grade dungeons and are usually only used as bait in emergencies. It’s a useless item considering its grade and takes up space in the inventory, so it was certainly not worth it.
But now it was very useful.
A shop where you can immediately acquire the items you need anytime, anywhere. It takes many points compared to the item’s value, but considering the convenience, it’s not expensive at all.
I want to keep using it even after leaving the dungeon. If you have enough points, aren’t you almost invincible in areas other than combat? It seems like it can do all sorts of things.
Amazed, I covered my head with the blanket.
“What are you doing!”
The grade A yelled, telling me not to do anything suspicious. “Come here,” he said, quickly popping out from under the blanket to the eyes.
“It’s dazzling. It would be better to turn off the lights. I don’t think they’re going to do it for us.”
Then, he slid back under the sheets and used the Doppelganger Doll. It was creepy how the doll, which looked so much like me, used stealth skills to complete the task. Skillfully, it switched places with the doll while wriggling on the bed, sliding underneath it.
“I’ll put on my pajamas, so please show your head. I’ll even give you a sleep mask.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I’ll lie down and sleep. Please turn on the backlight and don’t turn off the TV even if I fall asleep!”
While replying, he used the master key to unlock the collar around my neck and placed it on the doll. Then, he made the doll lie down as naturally as possible. The blanket was pulled up to its neck, and the pillow was so soft that it would be difficult to tell it was fake unless you looked closely. As expected of a high-performance item, the body rose and fell as if breathing softly.
When I saw the grade A peeking out while approaching me, I felt relieved and switched on the backlight. At this level, it would be even more difficult for people to realize that I, who was asleep, was fake. They’ll find out when the sun comes up.
I quietly entered the bathroom, where I had left the door slightly ajar before. I put on my silent shoes carefully not to make any noise. Then I put on a jacket to increase the camouflage effect. The sound of the TV is quite loud, so even if you’re a grade A, you’ll find it difficult to notice my footsteps.
After finishing putting on the gear, I looked up. I saw a vent on the bathroom wall. It was a waste of time to keep the sound silent, but when I used a key to pry off the locking plate, a hole leading to the outside was revealed. Of course, it wasn’t big enough for people to pass through.
[Mini-mini Cookie – Grade S
A cookie that shrinks the user below SS grade to 1/10, including the equipment they’re wearing.
[Effect lasts for 30 minutes]
It lasted only 30 minutes, was disposable, was an S-level item, and was the cookie that got the most points.
“But it’s useful.”
I glanced at the situation outside and ate a cookie. Then, in an instant, my body shrank, and a timer window appeared. When it was reduced to the maximum, I was less than 20 centimeters. Is it a little bigger than my cell phone?
“It feels strange.”
If there were no time limits, I would give it to Noah. Since he also had miniaturization and fluidization skills, should I save points to buy it? If possible, I would recommend attack-based skills or other useful skills.
I walked on the wall using the Golden Lynx Shoes’ skill effect. It wasn’t just suction; it really felt like I was walking on flat ground. I entered the vent and walked through the narrow hallway. Soon there was a fork in the road. Looking at the direction of the air and the wind, I think the passage is to the right.
“There’s no need to leave immediately.”
It was unlikely that anyone would find out I had escaped until the next morning. Moreover, Sigma’s guards and S-ranked individuals were probably absent from the Defense Agency.
From what I heard after asking about it from time to time, it was said that it was possible to detect in advance when an S-ranked or higher monster appeared in the city. My world can also predict dungeon saturation before regression, so it seemed to be a similar outcome of the study.
Since predictions can be made with as little as two or three or four days’ notice, there is no reason for S-ranked guards, including Sigma, to withdraw if there is no forecast of an S-class or higher occurrence, but today was different. It was said that they were planning to patrol for a while due to the rare situation of an unpredictable SS-ranked monster occurring due to the installation of a disk.
I feel a little guilty about adding more additional work.
Anyway, if it’s not Sigma, the only SS rank, they won’t catch you even if you wander around a bit.
“Of course, I can’t let my guard down.”
Even though you said you would leave, you may not have left, so you must be careful.
I checked if there was anything to pack, and above all, the items I had bought with so much effort with my 100 million L! They took away everything I couldn’t fit in my inventory. At least the ID card and the pass went into the inventory, probably because they were manufactured as by-products, but damn bastard, I want my card back!
I entered the opposite hallway, where the wind was not felt. The hallway connected to another corridor. Since there was no one in the hallway, this time I quietly removed the locked panel inward without using the key. Then I slid up and lay on the ceiling.
“Because I’ve only used 270,000 points so far.”
I have to put my heart into it and use about 300,000 more points. I boldly invested 200,000 points and bought a gift set for Sigma. It’s a bit small, but I hope you’re happy.
“What the hell is that C-grade?”
“They say it has something to do with the sudden appearance of an SS-ranked monster.”
“No way. If it were that dangerous, it would have been solved immediately.”
Two A-ranked individuals passed by talking about me. I climbed onto the roof and silently followed the two people. Perhaps because there were no dungeons in this city, there didn’t seem to be mini-portals. Although security was strict, a typical door had a card, password, iris recognition, and fingerprints. Thanks to this, I was able to pass through the door easily without using the key as long as I waited a bit.
“I’ll take a quick look inside the Defense Agency.”
Of course, it wasn’t all. It was so spacious that there was no need to closely inspect the housing facilities, lounge, and cafeteria. I only ate the late-night snack that had been prepared. There were many types of vending machines, but I couldn’t use them because I didn’t have a card.
After running and checking the housing facilities on the outskirts, I only took a superficial look and returned to the center of the Defense Agency to take a look. It wasn’t easy to move around the area where the main facilities were located because there was strict surveillance. I didn’t even dare to enter the place where the mana lounge was. There’s no need to go there.
“Whether it’s night or in the Defense Agency, I feel at ease because I’m above basic C-grade.”
Even if I suffer a slight financial loss, maybe I can recover it if Sigma or the S-rankers return. Without letting my guard down, I continued to follow the A-rankers. After confirming their identity and opening the door three times, the A-rankers finally arrived where I least expected.
Upper Guard Equipment Room of the Defense Agency.
My ears perked up when I heard the grade A complaining that the weapon took too long to repair and that he had to get a new one. It’s gratifying to move forward patiently.
“The equipment room has an inventory seal agreement installed in the area itself. Upon entering, you agree to seal your inventory, which will take effect immediately. The contract is automatically canceled when leaving the entrance. Is there anyone who has an A-level or higher curse resistance skill?”
The equipment room manager said, If an inventory seal is installed in a particular area, the contract will be applied through explanation and consent. It doesn’t seem to work if you have an A-level or higher curse resistance.
I followed the A-rank to the equipment room. There was a separate storage room for consumable items, and here, there were only equipment items. As it’s also a higher grade, they’re all Grade A or higher!
“There’s no separate buffet.”
I looked around eagerly. As if they had planned something in advance, the A-rank quickly grabbed their weapons and left, leaving me alone in the equipment room. There were no people, but surveillance cameras were installed here and there.
Most of the weapons were A-rank, and occasionally, other equipment was S-class. But there was nothing good enough to admire. Although the performance was superior to market products.
“It’s a bit disappointing to come all the way here and just deal with this.”
It’s a meager compensation for being dragged around and even subjected to semi-torture. Are these the only items in the equipment room?
I usually like to keep valuable things separated. It’s worth having a secret storage room or a safe.
I checked the surveillance cameras placed everywhere. Usually, there was only one light in one place, and there were quite a few blind spots. However, I was struck by an unusually large collection of surveillance cameras.
Inner wall. In total, three surveillance cameras were shining at the same time. It’s as if they’re saying, “I suspect, so please check.”
“I don’t want much, but please give me an SS-ranked sword.”
It wasn’t difficult to figure out. Of course, it’ll be locked. I took out the master key that had only been used once. Should I buy another one? It’s useful.
The master key was placed on the wall under strict surveillance by a security camera and moved slowly. Soon after, a message window appeared.
[Locked below S-rank. Would you like to use the key?]
I can’t hide the fact that I’m opening this and going in. I guess I’ll have to act quickly, assuming I get caught.
I organized my inventory before opening the door. I went to the blind spots of the surveillance cameras and disabled them unless absolutely necessary.
Sleeping bag… What do I have to do? Since I can probably buy it in the city of Akates, I should close my eyes and toss it. Anyway, I’m afraid of monsters on the way, so I’ll have to stay awake all night.
Feeling regretful, I took out my sleeping bag, expanded my inventory, and this time, I opened a point shop. If I just pick it up and splash it, security will be strict, it will reach Sigma’s ears quickly, and there’s a high chance that what I splashed will be discovered quickly.
[Mimetic Mud of Glutod – Grade S
Perfectly replicates the performance of items below SS-grade. After 30 minutes, it turns into a model without skills.
[Single use]
It’s a consumable item that was quite famous and useful before my regression. There are grades B to S, and S-grade mud allows you to duplicate and use valuable SS-grade equipment for 30 minutes, so S-rank hunters carry one or two of them.
‘It’s expensive.’
I bought two S-rank muds applied to SS or lower ranks and five A-rank muds applied to S or lower ranks. I think there’s only a small amount of SS-ranked equipment, but just in case, the point showcase is open for you to buy at any time.
Then, as he approached the secret door again and used the master key, the completely used key broke, and the door opened. As soon as I rushed in, I saw the equipment displayed in a room that was much smaller than the outside. I waved my hand before checking it with my eyes.
‘S-rank, S-rank, ah, SS-rank! S-rank, S-rank SS, S, S… SS again!’
But why isn’t there a sword! I tried quickly, but there wasn’t a single SS-ranked weapon. Well, the weapon is probably in Sigma and S-rank’s inventory.
What was here was probably a spare part, so it was surely less than expected. Well, where is this?
I didn’t have time to choose properly, so I quickly replaced the equipment I had taken with others, and as soon as I went out to the general equipment room, the door slammed open.
“Is there no one there? Is the device broken?”
“Check it!”
Taking advantage of the moment when people rushed in, I quickly slipped away. Seeing the quiet street with no warning broadcasts, it seemed to be a simple mechanical failure. Although the surveillance cameras could reveal the change by carefully examining the video, I didn’t get to see it as I ran out as soon as the door opened. All the items seemed intact, so there was no reason to turn back.
“Then Sigma, until we meet again.”
I’ll generously forget about around 100 million L and my items. After taking a last look at the National Defense Agency building, everyone evacuated and went out into the quiet streets.
‘Everything is fine.’
I was a little lost because I didn’t know the way, but I safely found the place where I hid my luggage. My backpack was safe, and the folding scooter awaited me safely. It’s said that this scooter is worth close to 10 million L, it’s sturdy and fast, and can run continuously for up to 3 days when fully charged. It was a semi-item scooter that had B-class stealth and was compatible with the driver’s skills.
I wish I had brought this to our neighborhood. If I had the skill, I would have stolen the technology. I should have brought Myeongwoo with me.
I got on my scooter and headed to the defensive wall on the outskirts of the city. In the darkness, a tall wall appeared before my eyes. It was said that the wall itself doesn’t have special defense facilities and scans the surrounding biological responses every 30 minutes to detect monsters with stealth abilities.
From a sufficient distance, I looked at the watchtower with a telescope. After a while, a light shone several times from the watchtower. It’s being scanned now. After waiting for about 10 minutes, I approached the wall.
I folded the scooter and climbed the wall. I quickly climbed up to the top, keeping my steps as low as possible, and then climbed down the other side. The watchtower was silent. I was afraid of hearing any sound, so I backed away a bit, then got on the scooter again.
It’s not that there was no exchange, but there was a path between the two cities. They said all I had to do was follow this path.
“Because I saved a life.”
If possible, I hope I can reach the city of Akates with less than two lives.
As long as you don’t encounter SS-ranked monsters, you’ll be fine. If Sigma had been Sung Hyunjae, he would have safely gone to another city, but I couldn’t do anything to cross the water.
“Once I join Yoohyun, everything will be fine after that.”
The alpha is probably Yoohyun. … Please let it be my younger brother. I hope I’m welcomed by my younger brother, telling me he’s been through a tough time. It bothers me that the city of Akates treats guards poorly, but it’s still SS-grade. The treatment may not be too bad.
I hope I can install the disc easily and without any trouble this time. I set off with my scooter on an unpaved, barely outlined road.