A Veteran in a Dead Game - Chapter 194



Only Krnovel

194. Ark (4)

“This is Saladan Otto. I don’t know if you remember me.”

With a gentle smile, Saladan extended his hand.

“I’m adventurer Kyle.”

Kyle shook Saladan’s hand.

The strength in Saladan’s grip was exquisite. It was a strength that did not hurt or offend the other person, and even just shaking hands made me feel a certain intention. It was a strong control of strength that was very much intentional.

“We had a brief conversation when we were subduing the dream-eating earthquake.”

We didn’t meet face to face. We were able to overcome the distance and hold a meeting in real time through the relic item of Saren Gradia, the messenger of the regeneration conference.

“Yes. I feel a little embarrassed when I think back to that time.”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“At that time, I spoke about what would happen if the expedition did not proceed properly. However, as the expedition ended safely, my worries were unfounded. It is embarrassing that I ended up suspecting Kyle for no reason.”

Then, Saladan smiled awkwardly as if he was really ashamed.

“It was an opinion that didn’t really pose a problem.”

From the perspective of the regeneration conference, it was an issue that should have been considered. And…

“As a result, it also helped in the suppression.”

Taking Saladan’s advice into account, the Regeneration Society had prepared a plan for when the Dream-Eating Earthquake Suppression failed, so it was a powerful shockwave.

The idea was to minimize the risk by activating it when things went wrong and sending the personnel in the middle of the operation far away from the battlefield.

It was a device that was easy to prepare and could also produce reliable results in a simple manner.

However, Kyle had used the device for an attack rather than an escape. He had used the shockwave to accelerate tremendously, giving him the opportunity to land a final blow on the dream-eating earthquake.

So, Saladan’s proposal ended up helping in the suppression, whether it was Saladan’s intention or not.

“I’m glad to hear you say that. I hope we can continue our good relationship in the future.”

“…okay.”

Although he didn’t show it, Kyle felt a little uncomfortable. To be honest, Kyle didn’t like Saladan.

This was because of my experience in the game.

The image of Saladan depicted in the game was the very embodiment of selfishness. Saladan was a man who could burn the entire world for himself.

‘Of course, people may have changed after the destruction and the past 100 years.’

That was no reason to raise the bar.

Of course, Kyle wouldn’t have provoked Saladan first. In the first place, they were meeting for the first time in reality. Since they had no connection, he had no regrets.

A person with a strong sense of justice would question Saladan about his past actions, but Kyle had no such intentions.

Wouldn’t it be strange for Kyle, who had no connection to anything, to suddenly bring up something that happened over 100 years ago?

So, if Saladan doesn’t touch Kyle first, his aversion and wariness toward Saladan will remain as just a passing emotion.

“I have many questions, but… I don’t think I can keep you here for too long. I’m sure you’ve already discussed important matters with the Chairman, so I’ll take my leave now.”

Saladan stepped back with a faint smile.

“I hope your life on the ark is comfortable.”

As Saladan moved away, Sarah let out a sigh.

“Oh my, I’m scared. I have no idea what Mr. Saladan is thinking.”

Sarah grumbled.

“You’re saying that you oppose the chairman in every way. It’s a bit strange that you always go around smiling so sinisterly. I don’t like that old man.”

“Still, it seems that Saladan is acting more quietly than expected.”

“Huh? You’re being quiet?”

Sarah tilted her head as if in doubt.

“Because Saladan was quite a radical figure in his younger days.”

“Ah, that. That was inevitable.”

It was inevitable, huh?

Kyle was able to infer one more thing from Sarah’s reaction.

‘It seems that the Rebirth Society is unaware of the sins committed by Saladan.’

Well, that’s why Saladan was able to walk around like that.

There are more than one or two things that Saladan has done. If you look closely, there are probably many members of the Regeneration Society who have been caught up in the things that Saladan has done.

If Saladan’s past had been fully known, it wouldn’t have been strange if a life-or-death decision had taken place long ago.

“…….”

However, Kyle didn’t feel the need to explain to Sarah what Saladan had done. If he did, it would be like gossiping about Sarah’s colleagues without any basis.

Of course, I intend to give a warning. But it would be right to convey it directly to Peña, the president of the regeneration council, not to an individual member.

So Kyle watched Saladan’s back as he walked away in the neon light, then turned his head again.

*

The next day.

Kyle slowly opened his eyes after a short rest. The scenery outside was no different from when he fell asleep. Under the star-filled night sky, he saw a city decorated with colorful neon signs.

Regardless of the passage of time, the dungeon’s scenery remains fixed.

The only thing that had changed was the glowing numbers on the wall of the Central Tower in the distance. It was a kind of giant clock made by overlapping several neon signs.

There, a neon sign was lit up to indicate the current time, so that people could tell what time it was.

[05:35]

It’s probably still dawn outside the dungeon.

With that thought, Kyle stretched out slightly and went outside.

The accommodation provided for Kyle was a residential apartment, a bland building that looked just like the other buildings in the area.

Just looking at the appearance of the building, it was an apartment that reminded me of civilization before its destruction. Of course, the only difference was that there were no other residents.

“…….”

The scenery of the ark was unchanged from yesterday.

Flashy neon signs, searchlights streaking across the night sky, and people walking aimlessly beneath them.

Soon, Kyle was able to reach his destination after passing through several intersections.

It was a mansion of sorts. The mansion itself stood out in the midst of the skyscrapers all around.

‘Come to think of it, among the accommodations Sarah recommended, there was also a mansion.’

Sarah gave Kyle a few options for where to rest, including a mansion like this one.

At the time, I thought it was unnecessarily large and conspicuous, so I declined, but it seems that there are quite a few members of the Regeneration Society who live in such old-fashioned mansions.

dripping.

When Kyle knocked on the door, the person he had been hoping to meet appeared in person. It was Ratchet, the former high priest of the wave and current alchemist of the Regeneration Society.

“Oh, you came.”

He was an old man with a messy white beard. He stroked his rough chin and looked Kyle up and down.

“You’re Kyle, right? You look more ordinary than I thought.”

“What did you imagine it would look like?”

“I thought of a crazy person. I thought that only by being that immersed would we be able to seriously discuss the possibility of overcoming the disaster.”

It was a harsh evaluation.

“Besides, you cause trouble wherever you go. I imagined you to look a bit more… like you’d cause a storm.”

While talking nonsense, Ratchet guided Kyle to the annex of the mansion. The interior was decorated like a workshop of sorts.

“There’s no need to waste time, right? Let’s get straight to work.”

“We haven’t even discussed the conditions yet.”

“Isn’t he someone the Chairman recognizes? No matter what, I’ll do what I can.”

While he was saying that, Ratchet had already begun preparing to make the potion.

He lined up pots filled with various things, including monster blood, melted gems, and crushed grass. He opened a shelf to reveal the herbs stored inside, and lit three campfires with different types of embers.

“Well, even if the conditions you’ve set are poor, I can give you some convenience. Of course, if this is just an unnecessary consideration, that would be a better thing.”

“You won’t be disappointed.”

“You have great confidence.”

Ratchet laughed. It was an impressive smile with the teeth structure missing here and there.

“You know many crafting methods that even I don’t know? I was once the High Priest of the Waves, although I have long since stepped down from my position. Come on, let’s see if I have something that will satisfy you.”

*

I was stuck in Ratchet’s workshop for a while.

“Ugh.”

Sarah came into the workshop and made a strange noise.

“What is all this?”

Sarah frowned and covered her nose with her fingers. The thick smoke obscured her eyes and a strange, indescribable smell assaulted her sense of smell.

“Oh, Miss Sarah. What’s wrong?”

“That’s what I should be asking- Eww! What’s wrong with you!”

Sarah jumped when she saw Ratchet.

The usual leisurely grandfatherly impression was gone, and only a bloodshot, bloodshot-eyed monster was left in his place.

What’s even more bizarre is that even in that state, Ratchet was constantly moving his arms and creating something.

“You came.”

Kyle appeared from behind a pile of materials and glass bottles. Sarah looked at Kyle carefully and tilted her head.

“What? Are you okay?”

“…they just went too wild.”

Kyle had already provided Ratchet with the information and knowledge he needed. And Ratchet had been moving without resting for even a moment based on the manufacturing method he had received from Kyle.

The momentum was so fierce that Kyle, concerned about the deterioration of the quality of the elixir, advised them to rest.

But Ratchet refused the offer of rest. He even skipped meals. He didn’t even leave his seat, so he didn’t even relieve himself.

Even the most incredible superhuman would have a hard time sustaining ten hours of intense concentration. But Ratchet did it, even though he was old enough to feel his imminent death.

“Khuh, heh heh.”

So, Ratchet’s reaction was really close to a kind of madness.

“…Is this okay? Really?”

Sarah said, sounding worried.

“Of course! I’ve never been so fine in my life.”

“I don’t think so. His eyes are bright red. His breathing is ragged. He looks like he’s going to be lying in the coffin at any moment.”

“Moving is fun. I’m so full of energy and motivation. If that’s not okay, then what is okay?”

Ratchet’s eyes sparkled.

“Whew, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this much passion- Keuuuk, koolook, koolook!”

Even though it was a cough that came out suddenly, Ratchet somehow managed to turn his head. It was because he had to make sure that no impurities got into the elixir he was making.

“Hehe, cool! Ehehe. Look at this gorgeous color. What a pretty potion.”

“Uh uh…”

Sarah, who was about to say something, soon gave up.

“I don’t know. I guess it’s okay because Uncle Ratchet looks happy.”

“So, what brings you here?”

“I have business with that guy.”

That guy was none other than Kyle.

“How was it, were you satisfied with Uncle Ratchet’s skills?”

“It was better than I expected.”

Certainly, Ratchet’s skills were great. I’m not just talking about his skills in making potions or elixirs.

‘It’s not like I have all the recipes memorized.’

Human memory is not perfect. I remember the method of making things that I made often or that were important, but there were many cases where I didn’t.

For example, the summer fire elixir was one such example.

Since it was a potion that he didn’t make often, Kyle didn’t remember the recipe exactly. He remembered three of the four ingredients needed, but the last one was vague.

At times like this, Ratchet’s experience really shined.

“Hmm. An elixir that increases fire resistance and boosts abilities in hot weather. That could be the essence of a fire elemental, a sun-kissed fallen leaf… or maybe the comb of a high-temperature chicken. We’ll just have to try them one by one.”

In this way, Ratchet helped Kyle create the elixir that he had half forgotten how to make. He couldn’t help but be satisfied.

“Then that’s good.”

“So, what’s your business?”

“The golden cauldron is ready to be used.”

The golden cauldron that was found in the Parth Shet. Kyle left it with the Regeneration Society to prepare for its use.

It wasn’t a one-sided request. In the event where you use the Golden Cauldron, you’ll also get something from the Regeneration.

“What’s the schedule?”

“Anytime you want. Even right now is no problem.”

Kyle stood up from his seat.

“Let’s leave right away.”

Anyway, the only elixirs left are the ones that take time to make. It would be better to leave it to Ratchet rather than Kyle messing around with it.

“Are you okay? Looking at Uncle Ratchet, I think you must be tired too.”

“No problem.”

It’s not like I’m bragging. Kyle really didn’t feel tired at all.

Because he didn’t really do much.

At first, I made potions and elixirs with Ratchet. However, once the elixirs were completed one by one, I focused on consuming and adapting rather than making them.

So, rather than growing tired, Kyle was actually feeling less tired as time went on.

“Then follow me.”

Among the numerous events, this one has the highest difficulty level and also offers rewards that match its difficulty: the Harmful Mixing Ritual.

The time has come to receive one of the most valuable items the Empire has ever acquired.