Matan’s Shooter

TL: xLordFifth

ED: 

Igor sarcastically remarked on Chiyou’s secret weapon, [Yamato].

Despite his nature to get provoked by Chiyou’s challenging warning, Igor refrained from saying more. In reality, the number of outsiders she led was greater than the Zar guild members present here, and their level was higher as well. With Chiyou and about three outsiders, Igor thought they could be a match for himself.

“So, what now? I thought we were going to skin these NPCs and use this place as a hideout. If Minis’s defense force is coming-“

“Faust! Why do you always have to say such dumb things? Everyone knows I was trying to map the New Continent.”

Chiyou scolded the white-scaled Lizardia and scanned the surroundings. The news that Chiyou had gone to Fibiel Kingdom as a special envoy of Minis was already known to the high-level users. Everyone nodded at this fact, but no one knew how it related to the current situation.

‘To think I’m leading these idiots… Well, idiots are easier to manage.’

Chiyou touched her forehead and slowly unfolded her plan.

“Don’t you understand why I made that proposal? Minis could have ended up with barren land, so why did Minis accept it? It’s because Minis didn’t care what land they got. Neither did I.”

“What do you mean by that, Chiyou-nim?”

“Currently, for Minis, Fibiel, Kraven, and Shazrashian, the four countries know about the New Continent. No matter what land is chosen, it doesn’t matter. No matter how it’s divided, I planned to take ‘the best land.’ The New Continent is currently no man’s land.”

Even if each country managed its land, they couldn’t immediately deploy all their forces, build fortresses, cities, etc.

Chiyou knew this very well and hence kept her plan to secure the ‘most desirable land’ regardless of each country’s choice while convincing the royal family of Minis to hand over the land.

Faust, the smartest among them, somewhat grasped what Chiyou was saying. But even the top 10 Necromancer shook his head in disbelief.

“…You’re planning to establish a country? Do you think that’s possible?”

“Of course, it’s impossible. Such a foolish idea. However… it worked out well. While the four countries are busy fighting over a single jointly-managed village… creating ‘one village’ somewhere far away seems feasible, right?”

That was Chiyou’s plan.

Now that the true nature of ‘Shinobigumi,’ the intelligence network, had been exposed, she knew further activities would be impossible. While it wouldn’t be entirely useless unless completely disbanded, its use of ‘bought NPCs’ in various countries and major cities would still be effective.

However, the use of these NPCs for intelligence activities would never be the same as before, and if Byulcho spread rumors in the community, the fatal blow to user-based espionage activities would be inevitable.

So, what then?

‘I’ll just have to break it all myself. Now it’s time to take off Shinobigumi’s mask. In the New Continent, which will be the main stage for future activities.’ Chiyou’s determination was extraordinary. The idea of establishing ‘their village’ in the New Continent was ambitious, leaving other users dumbstruck.

Yongyong spoke up after a while.

“But, but Chiyou-nim! Even though I’ve been to the New Continent, a village isn’t something you can just build with users! Where will you get the NPCs from, and how will you attract users to use the village-“

“That’s where ‘money’ comes in, Yongyong-ssi. Setting up shops, and recruiting people to manage them isn’t hard. I can even repurpose the bars I’m currently managing. And you, just keep increasing the number of Tamed Pets in the New Continent. We can use them as guards, right?”

Did Chiyou seduce him because he was captivated by his appearance? Chiyou didn’t just attract people for one reason. In her grand scheme, Yongyong will be of considerable help.

“Kyakak! Money? Do you think the money from the Old Continent will work with those Paleo brutes? The feast you set will become a party for those beast brats.”

“As always, thinking like a bear. Who said we’re building near the Paleo tribes’ settlement? Do you think I would pick such a place?”

Chiyou flicked her index finger from side to side. All eyes in the collapsed Chesi Village were drawn to her hand.

“To make the most money at a festival… you need to set up a stall right where the festival happens. Sasuke will return in ten days, then we’ll leave for the New Continent immediately. Get ready.”

Chiyou spoke decisively. The outsiders of Yamato erupted in an excited cheer, “Woo-woo-woo-woo——–!”

As they erupted in an excited cheer, Prea was shocked by Chiyou’s confident and bold plan and the background to implement it. She knew Chiyou wasn’t just a simple dancer, but what was all this? An intelligence guild? Shinobigumi?

She wondered if she understood everything correctly.

“Will you join us, Prea-nim?” Chiyou asked her again.

“After hearing such an interesting story, I can’t pretend to be ignorant.”

To withdraw after hearing this story? Then she would have to withstand a joint attack by the members present here. Prea realized why Chiyou had explained in such detail, but it was already too late. The Sorceress of the White Snow smiled and took Chiyou’s offered hand. Igor and Faust smiled sardonically.

Prea looked at them.

‘Though they aren’t Chiyou’s guild members, they must have their own thoughts… but-‘

Regardless of what they were thinking, Chiyou must have already read all their minds. Perhaps even Prea’s own thoughts. As this realization hit her, Prea felt an uncontrollable thrill. She was quite renowned in Middle Earth, but this emotion was something she hadn’t felt before.

‘This will be interesting.’

***

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes. The food is surprisingly good, and I even enjoyed the restroom. I feel better than usual?”

“…I didn’t mean to ask that much, but anyway, that’s good to hear.”

Leeha responded cheerfully but then appeared slightly embarrassed. It was the day of her surgery after two days in the hospital. He had several consultations, but ‘Doctor Heinrich’ was not an easy person to deal with.

“Paralysis of the lower limbs due to spinal injury… It’s quite an interesting case, but I’m not sure if it’s a patient worth canceling three conferences for and delaying hospital exchanges. You don’t seem like an offspring of a party official. Why Ram Peng…”

His tone was laden with the nuance of ‘why do I have to endure so much pressure for someone like you?’

Leeha couldn’t have misunderstood.

“Ram Peng must be someone high up, right?”

He had a rough idea but couldn’t pinpoint it exactly. Ram Hwayeon hardly visited Leeha in the hospital, except on the day he was admitted. Even Ram Hwajung, who could have provided information, seemed bored of just sitting in the hospital room, often going around Hong Kong with Kijung and Bobae.

Not only Leeha, but Kijung and Bobae were also quite startled.

The ‘Ice Witch,’ who seemed like she would only stare at Leeha’s face all day, acting as a tour guide?!

Even doing it so enthusiastically – according to Kijung – since the day after admission until today, the day of the surgery, was unbelievable. So, since admission, only Shin Nara and Leeha have been consistently in the hospital room. Strictly speaking, ‘nurses’ should be included as well. In other words, there was no environment for any particular event to occur. Nurses and doctors were constantly coming in and out, making it difficult to even have a proper conversation.

“Eh? You don’t know Ram Peng? Then how did you end up here-“

“Uh… it’s kind of a long story.”

Heinrich looked baffled when Leeha asked about Ram Peng.

‘I thought you were under the patronage of Ram Peng considering the VIP single room, special management, and even canceling my support, but…

Heinrich shook his head. There was no benefit in getting deeply involved with Ram Long Group’s affairs. The pay was expected, and Ram Peng was the one providing perfect support in almost every field he wanted to research.

He came to Hong Kong under such promises and contracts, and all those contractual terms were strictly adhered to until he took charge of Leeha.

“Well then. Let’s start in two hours.”

“Understood.”

It was 11 AM; in two hours, it would be 1 PM. It was around lunchtime, but Leeha wasn’t hungry.

“Are you really not going to contact your family? It’ll be roaming…”

“Hehe, I was going to, but then seeing Nara-ssi, I changed my mind.”

“Me? I?”

Nara’s motion to hand over the smartphone to Leeha stopped.

She changed her mind because of her? What did that mean?

Before Nara could fully grasp the meaning, Leeha provided her own explanation.

“Surprise! After experiencing a surprise from you, Nara-ssi, I really got excited. I need to recover from surgery here before I go back to Korea. I don’t want my mom to faint from shock.”

“…You meant that because of me?”

“Yes! Uh, it might be a bit weird to say this to you, Nara-ssi, but I kind of understand how Petyr felt. Just thinking about it makes my heart race-“

“Oh my…”

Shin Nara shook her head.

She felt that Leeha was reliable at times and not so much at others.

“By the way, Nara-ssi, when are you going back to Korea?”

“I don’t know. Originally, I planned to go shopping with Leeha-ssi, visit Macau to try egg tarts, and go to famous dim sum places.”

“Ah, really? I should have told you earlier. Sorry-“

“No, no, you don’t need to worry about it. I came here secretly, so it’s not something for Leeha-ssi to be concerned about.”

Nara quickly waved her hands dismissively and smiled. Amidst the pleasant atmosphere and conversation, time flew quickly. As the surgery approached, Ram Hwajung, Kijung, and Bobae also returned to the hospital. As nurses began to busily move Leeha to the operating table, the atmosphere in the room became tense.

“Hyung, don’t be too nervous. You got this, right?”

“How can I be nervous under anesthesia? I won’t even be able to feel it.”

“Oh, that’s so like you, Leeha-ssi,” Bobae remarked, although Leeha’s words made Kijung burst into laughter.

Kijung’s laughter eased Leeha’s expression a bit, which was tense due to the atmosphere. Leeha knew the atmosphere was tense. It was impossible not to feel nervous in such a situation. In times like these, ‘jokes’ were necessary. With the mood slightly lightened, the gurney finally moved. Along with the nurses, Kijung, Bobae, and Nara also followed Leeha. At the door of the hospital room, a familiar redhead appeared.

“Ha Leeha! Ready?”

“What am I supposed to prepare? The doctor will take care of everything.”

“Seeing how you talk, you seem fine.”

“Ah, right, Ram Hwayeon-ssi!”

“Hm?”

“I wanted to properly thank you before.”

“…Forget it. We agreed to do that after the surgery.”

Ram Hwayeon remembered. What Leeha meant by saying thank you involved a specific action.

However, Leeha’s nod was somewhat irritating to her.

“And, one more thing. I was too scared to ask Doctor Heinrich properly.”

“What is it?”

Rattle, rattle.

Even from the gurney, Leeha’s voice didn’t tremble as she asked Ram Hwayeon.

“Can I play Middle Earth right after the surgery?”

“What, what?”

Ram Hwayeon paused for a moment, Shin Nara choked, and the question made Bobae and Kijung sigh.

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