Chapter 7

〈 Chapter 7 〉 I Decide My Own 3-Star (2)

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There's a term called 'nudelbak.'

While 'dubak' is clearly a vulgar word, in games, it's often used in a somewhat different context.

­Hey, guys! Why can't I hunt here???

­Hmmm

­Hmmm

­Chu

­Excuse me???

­I am an NPC.

­Damn, I thought you were a mob...

When I see new players starting the game, the veterans can't help but feel a certain way.

They don't actually get aroused, but seeing newbies struggle in the game makes them want to help continuously.

Whether it's by giving them a hand, walking around and giving advice, or even bringing them into their own guild and raising them while showing off.

Veterans, who have accumulated a lot of strategy know-how, often get satisfaction from raising newbies.

I am a veteran.

And among the innate 3-star characters or 1-star characters with great potential in this world, there are definitely some who can be called 'newbies.'

'I'll raise you.'

Many ideas come to mind.

With all these methods, I can certainly grow them into 5-star max-level characters in no time.

­I owe it all to Lord Ruzi for raising me to this point. I will serve you faithfully from now on.

­Ah, ah...! I, I should repay you, but if you make me so happy...! Ah, I end up having bad thoughts...!

­...Can I call you 'honey' for just this moment...?

"Kuh...!"

Just thinking about it makes me feel excited.

'I'm really going to do some nudelbak.'

I'll raise them and then take them.

Since I have the power to do so, it's definitely possible.

But...

"Kyik...!!"

As soon as they see me, people immediately jump back in fear.

Even if I bring people with me, seeing people scared of me from the morning is definitely not a good feeling.

'What the hell has Ruzi been up to?'

There's a limit to being a troublemaker, but to have people avoid me as if I were a rapist is just ridiculous.

The only crime I've committed so far is making a maid lift her skirt.

'This is really too much.'

Is it because of the image change?

Do I look too much like a blonde thug?

I just came out wearing a white suit like Ruzi usually does, so why are they so scared...

"Ah."

Right.

This is a class-based society.

I am a lord in this Fermaton, and it's natural for people to be afraid and bow when a lord passes by.

'Think of it like the Joseon era.'

A strict medieval society.

I am not just a yangban but a king-like figure.

There must be some regressed players who stood still during the king's procession and lost their heads for disrespect.

I am in the opposite position.

While they don't prostrate themselves every time I pass, it's natural for them to move aside for a powerful figure...

"Kyik!!"

"......"

What is this?

It feels like seeing a thug with a tattoo on his arm driving a luxury sports car in the city, as if the drivers in the next lane are looking at him.

I can feel the power I have, but I didn't expect it to be this much...

"Fermaton's young lord, why are you here so early in the morning...?"

"Huh?"

While I was lost in thought, a giant man bowed in front of me.

"...Guild Master Bernhard?"

A bear-like appearance.

White hair and a white beard, and a patch over one eye.

An elderly man who plays a 3-star character, not a citizen or a human rights activist, but someone who makes a living with a support tool.

And the leader of the Adventurer's Guild.

"Yes, that's right. Y-You've changed your hairstyle. Is there something you need...?"

"Just tried it out..."

Ruzi.

How did this guy talk to the guild master?

"Just tried it out. For a change of pace."

"......Yes?"

"Why the surprise?"

Ruzi is basically a brat.

But the Confucian dragon inside me can't tolerate speaking so casually to an elderly man much older than me.

"Is this so strange?"

It's not because he's bigger, more muscular, or can swing a huge two-handed hammer in battle to break down walls.

"No, no. It suits you. It gives off a strong warrior vibe."

Once again, I feel the power of Ruzi.

This man, who used to yell at players, is now so polite to me.

'I need to do better.'

Adventurers are the ones who support Fermaton's economy.

They go into the Infinite Dungeon to farm mana stones and take care of dangerous monsters on their own.

Thanks to this guild master, the Adventurer's Guild can function properly.

'I need to be friendly with him until the main story ends.'

It would have been better if he were a woman.

"I came out for a brief inspection and also to give a 'request' to the guild."

"...A request?"

"Yes. A request."

Everyone's ears perked up.

The retainers following me were surprised, and even the guild master showed interest with wide eyes.

"What kind of request brings you here in person?"

"I'm looking for several gems. If you find any while exploring the dungeon, I want to offer a generous reward from Fermaton."

Actually,

Asking adventurers for gems like this has several risks.

­Gems Fermaton is looking for?

­Then they must be very valuable.

­How much is Fermaton offering? If the empire or kingdom offers more, I'll sell them elsewhere!

Just showing interest in the gems will increase their value.

There might be situations where I can't pressure them with Fermaton's name.

So, I need a good excuse.

"For both mana stones and gems, I plan to make jewelry for my wife later."

"Wife...?"

"Yes. I want to cut gems suitable for Fermaton's lady. Besides that, I'll discuss the specific request inside... huh?"

In front of the guild's door.

A mysterious white-robed figure is squatting.

I was worried it might be a corpse.

"What's that?"

"Ah... I'm sorry. He's been sitting in front of the guild building since last night. He says he lost his luggage right after entering the dungeon..."

"Tsk."

Fermaton Castle is generally very safe.

It's rare for someone to steal things, and lost items often return to their owners.

But,

'Jenros' is something even a goddess can't fix.

The Infinite Dungeon is like a dungeon in another world; if you don't gather your items and bring them out, they disappear forever.

In-game, it's like losing items in a storage, but this world isn't a game, after all.

"But why is he doing this here?"

"He lost all his money at the inn and his equipment for the dungeon. He's protesting to be included in a party, even as a porter."

"Hmm."

What can a newbie adventurer do after losing everything in Jenros?

If they had saved money in the bank, they could buy a short sword for hunting or a pickaxe to mine mana stones.

'Poor guy.'

I shouldn't give in to sympathy, but this is a good opportunity.

Just like Ruzi Fermaton changing his hairstyle, it's a good chance to show that something has changed.

­Is Ruzi going to do some nudelbak...?

If he lost his luggage in the Infinite Dungeon, he's probably not a very skilled adventurer.

I don't have to just give him gold, but I can give him a prepayment or assign someone to him by giving him a request.

Or I could send him with a 'farming squad.'

There are many ways to do nudelbak.

"Hey."

I approached the white-robed newbie.

"What are you doing here?"

"......Who are you?"

A woman.

But her voice sounds familiar.

It's a voice I've heard in the game, not often, but definitely a voice of a main character.

"Ruzi Fermaton."

"...Ah, ah?!!"

The surprised woman quickly stood up.

As the hood of the white robe fell back, her face was revealed, and my heart sank.

Blonde hair and golden eyes.

Her eyes were swollen from crying all night, but her beauty was like that of the moon goddess, and I was momentarily captivated.

"Sorry! Lord Count!"

"...You don't need to apologize, but this isn't a good place to be like this."

"Ah..."

"Let's go inside the guild. Guild Master, can you arrange a seat for her?"

"Ah, I understand. Please follow me."

The guild master opened the door and gestured inside, and I pointed to the inside for the woman, trying to remain calm as I followed the guild master.

Why.

Why is she here.

But,

'It's a good thing.'

I found one of the death flags right away.

The woman's name is Laura.

A 1-star character, but a woman who can grow to be the strongest.

She is a 'player character (female).'

The protagonist's avatar.

...A newbie.

"......Chu."

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