The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board-Chapter 413

The city of Shirlen.

Although it wasn't the center of the Federation, it was a city where nobles from across the North gathered from time to time.

Everything they indulged in would soon become culture and economy, allowing the city to achieve economic development.

Thanks to the secret auction known as the Star Graveyard, Shirlen experienced a period of growth. The influx of transferees developed it even further.

In particular, Shirlen's geographical location made it highly suitable for Transferees from the North to embark on Adventures, making it a popular spot.

That's why it could be considered a major hub for adventurers.

Seol stopped by the association to gauge reactions.

[(New) [<Natives Die>’s Post]

[Posted: Just now]

[Title: This has been done by the natives]

This has been done by vile natives who are targeting Castrang, the light and salt of the North!

- This guy has been spamming this for days.

- It seems like he got robbed by a native at an arcade or something.

- Well, that explains it. It can't be helped.]

[(New) [<Iron Coffin>’s Post]

[Posted: Just now]

[Title: What an otaku-like doing, how disgusting…]

Not true at all. It was so cool that I'm running out of panties.

- What are you talking about? Hahaha. Iron coffin? Pff… Twitch, twitch

- Hahaha, Im Kkeokjeong showed up and killed all the criminals.

- I'm not surprised. In America, this kind of gun incident happens frequently.

- Hey, this is all getting translated, anyway. So stop trying to write awkwardly, pretending to be American.

- Ah, is that so? Hehe]

[(New) [<CriminalsLivesMatter>’s Post]

[Posted: Just now]

[Title: Are you guys even human?]

I can't stand hearing this anymore.

So many people have died, and yet, you're out here saying how cool that was or whatever. Imagine if the ones who died were your family members.

- Lol, don't be a hypocrite. I'm sure you also like what happened.

- Listen, listen, I can't listen! (I can't stand hearing you)

- Ah, the centrists are back. I want to split your head open with a tomahawk steak.

- Sigh… Wait for me, my morning star. I will soon drink the brains of this idiot.

- Every time something happens, they say something like this. 'Imagine if it were your family.' Lol, I have no criminals in my family.]

[(New) [<TheTruthisOne>’s Post]

[Posted: Just now]

[Title: So who killed them?]

The culprit left a hint, but their identity is still unknown. Everyone, close your eyes. The one who cleaned up the criminals in Castrang, raise your hand. Hey! I said close your eyes!

- If you raise it now, I'll just let it slide.

- Only the teacher will know. (The teacher is curious, too)]

[(New) [<IPoppedMyPants>’s Post]

[Posted: Just now]

[Title: I couldn't help myself.]

Teacher! I did it! The steel coffin incident! The culprit is me!

- Woah, crazy. Was it you?

- This is a lie!

- No way… To think that 'I couldn't help myself,' a likable anon was the culprit…]

[(New) [<DoSomethingAboutTheGuns>’s Post]

[Posted: Just now]

[Title: The balance is broken!]

I came from the South, and we didn't have this kind of problem there!

Although those in the frontlines don't die even if you get pierced in your stomach, healers will have their heads blown off if they get hit! Does it make sense to be killed by Villager A? At this rate, even machine guns will come out.

- So you're from the South, too. I'm from there as well.

- There's a rumor that says they're deliberately distributing guns to cause conflict.

- Huh? Really?

- As the Transferees' influence grows, the existing powers are arming even ordinary people to balance things out. Well, at the level of some tough Transferees, guns are more of a joke than bows.

- Those guys really are something, hahaha. It isn't that all Transferees are bad.

- Ouch1!

- Yikes!

- Eh…

- Paf!

- So it was because of these guys.

- Is the last guy a raccoon?]

[(New) [<WhyAren'tYouStoppingDrugs>’s Post]

[Posted: Just now]

[Title: Castrang is filled to the brim.]

I heard that criminals had filled the Castrang to the brim. Is this for real? I've been investigating, and it seems like they're spreading some new kinds of drugs. If they don't catch them now, I think things will get messed up.

- We're working on it, but the Investigation Bureau is understaffed… Please support us.

- Do we get paid?

- Of course. But the payment isn't enough to live on~

- So that's why, hahaha.

- Given the nature of fieldwork, the lack of manpower is unavoidable… Growth is slower than Adventures, and the rewards are worse, too.

- It's practically an honorary position…]

There was a lot of miscellaneous information floating around without taking shape, so Seol checked his letters.

He had already checked them while in Cherije, so it hadn't been long.

✉️[Friend <CollegeStudentsMustDie>’s Letter]

[Send Date: 3 days ago]

[Title: Seol oppa, are you in Cherije?]

[But I'm in Shirlen…]

* * *

Several days had passed since the Iron Coffin had arrived in Shirlen.

"What's taking Tekon so long?"

"He's dead."

"Oh, right. He died."

A shadow chuckled.

Everyone gathered here was shrouded in darkness.

It was the meeting Tekon had intended to attend.

However, the toad met its end on the way.

"What about the kids he was raising?"

"All dead. Not a single one was left alive."

"That girl was a bit of a waste. She had a high compatibility."

"She met the wrong master. If she were under me, she wouldn't have died so meaninglessly."

"Tekon had been supporting the orphanage since she was young and took her in."

"That toad bastard was really something."

None of those gathered here mourned Tekon's death; the meeting continued. In fact, it had just begun.

"Then, let's begin. We've narrowed down a few urgent matters."

Rustle…

The leaders checked the contents written on the paper before them.

"First, the Sorum Workshop has decided to withdraw from this matter.

"So suddenly?"

"I knew it from the moment they went crazy mass-producing stuff after getting a taste of money."

"What about the owner? Did he run?"

"No."

"Then we're going to handle him next week."

"Do it quietly."

"That's my specialty. Leave it to me."

"Next."

The meeting proceeded swiftly.

"We need to recover the home Tekon had secured. And his distribution network, too."

"Let's split the distribution network amicably and send the kids to retrieve the home."

"By the way, can't we increase the supply of home?"

"The raw materials they're sending are just enough for that much."

"Tsk… Then, there's nothing we can do."

Home was a drug made of a special substance. Not only did it make people feel like they were in heaven, but it also boosted one's physical capabilities to absurd levels.

Incidents caused by it have been endless, and now its effects and dangers are widely known, even among ordinary people.

Of course, home had its side effects. Beyond the usual side effects of drugs, it caused endless exhaustion and lethargy. Once someone got into home, they could never return to their everyday life.

Those gathered here were the drug lords of the Federation, specialized in the distribution of home.

"Then, what about the drugs besides home?"

"There's been a hitch in the imports. It seems someone noticed the flow."

"Understood."

"Is the Star Graveyard matter being prepared well?"

"More or less."

After several issues were discussed, someone brought up the final matter.

"So… the Iron Coffin?"

"Haha… Whoever named the incident did a great job. It fits as Tekon's end as well."

"So, what are we going to do?"

"Wouldn't revenge be appropriate?"

"We don't even know the one behind it. All we know is that it's likely someone interfering with Tekon's work recently."

"And since Tekon died on his own, we can't even find out who it was."

"We must find out. After all, we can't allow ourselves to become a laughingstock."

"There was a crow mark left at the scene… Does anyone know about it?"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

* * *

While Seol was away, Ur and his party safely escorted Silvia to her home.

Perhaps because Tekon had been assigned to target her, there were no further attacks.

After returning home, Silvia said she was severely scolded by her father, the head of her family. And that he was also shocked to learn that, as part of the contract with Seol, she had promised him access to the Star Graveyard.

'Even for the Mischen family, it probably isn't easy.'

The Star Graveyard was truly full of stars. It was the secret auction house of the Federation's most influential figures.

From expensive artwork to high-ranking equipment.

Only a select number of people could enter, and only those with verified identities could participate.

Seol's reason for wanting to enter the Star Graveyard was obvious.

'I need a lot of equipment…'

He needed leather equipment for himself, cloth equipment for Ur, and equipment for Tansia.

Acquiring them through Adventures would take too much time.

Treasure-rank equipment rarely appeared in normal auction houses. And since no established market existed, the prices were often absurdly high.

Seol wasn't hoping for much. He just wanted to get some decent treasure-rank equipment at the Star Graveyard.

There was a higher chance of getting them this way than going through a half-baked Adventure.

The problem was gaining access to the Star Graveyard.

"The request was denied…"

"…"

"I-I did my best… But since the auction is so close, new access rights can only be used starting from the next auction."

It was extremely troublesome.

'I can't wait until the next auction.'

Auctions weren't held frequently. That's why he couldn't afford to miss this one.

Seol frowned and pondered deeply. Silvia had kept her promise—after all, she did secure him access to the Star Graveyard.

The problem was that he couldn't participate in this auction.

"You're aiming for this auction… right?"

"Yes."

"That's why my father thought of several methods… and I think there was a good idea."

"A good idea?"

Silvia was scared of Seol.

Even without asking, she could tell Seol was behind the Iron Coffin incident. He was definitely capable of carrying out such a gruesome execution.

He was someone who could cut down a hundred people if he was provoked.

He was clearly someone scarier than her enemies. That's why she was trying her best to build a good relationship with him.

"You can use someone else's rights."

"That won't work. Each access right is tied to a…"

"No! There's an access right free from that rule."

By now, Seol had an idea whose access right Silvia was talking about.

"The Federation's Investigation Bureau."

"Yes… it's the Investigation Bureau."

For national security purposes, the Federation's Investigation Bureau members also participate in the auctions. And naturally, the participants changed depending on the personnel.

However, even the Federation's Investigation Bureau's access rights to the Star Graveyard were limited.

'How do they plan to transfer it to me?'

Silvia answered Seol's question.

"He's someone close to my father. Gail!"

Swoosh…

Gail quietly opened the door and entered.

Seol already knew that he was standing outside.

"Was it too sudden?"

"It's okay."

"I'm used to handling things quickly. It's nice to meet you. My name is Gail. I've heard a lot about you."

"Heard…?"

Given the short time Silvia and Gail had been in contact, it was unlikely they had talked much.

"From Ishi and Yeva."

"Ah…"

Then, what Gail had heard was most likely about what had happened in Hwigeltong.

'How much did they tell him…'

Seeing Seol's suspicious expression, Gail laughed.

"I've heard everything."

"…"

"They weren't in a position to hide anything. Thanks to that, I heard it all."

They were accused of absence from duty and disappearance. Not to mention, they were the only two witnesses of the huge incident that had taken place in Hwigeltong.

'I guess it can't be helped.'

Gail went straight to the point.

"The access to the Star Graveyard you requested, we also have them. In fact, creating a new access right would draw attention, so it's better not to."

He was right—being cautious and blending in would be the best.

"The Investigation Bureau participates in the auctions, but we've never actually bid. After all, our access rights were created for security and contraband recovery purposes. That's why I'll give one to you."

"Understood."

"But! There's a condition."

"A condition…?"

"Since you will use the Investigation Bureau's access right for personal purposes, it will naturally create a gap in our investigations. On the day of the auction, I'd like you to act in accordance with the Bureau's intentions."

Seol smirked.

'Oh?'

They said that since they would give him access rights, he should also become responsible. Having heard about Seol's strength from Ishi, Gail must have thought it was a good deal.

"I refuse…"

"Why would you refuse such a good opportunity…"

"I decline being a puppet."

"What if I bring Ishi and Yeva to make them beg?"

"That would only make me angry."

"Oof…"

Gail rested his chin on his hand and rolled his eyes.

"Okay, then, let's do this… We're in a bit of a hurry, too."

He raised a finger.

"Regardless of the outcome, I'll promise you one reward."

"A reward?"

"I'll give you one of the items auctioned at the Star Graveyard."

"Really…?"

It was a bit, no, a very generous reward.

"Does the Investigation Bureau have that much money?"

"Actually, it's one of the rights we gained while taking charge of security. But I'll have to discuss it with my superiors."

"Understood."

It was an absolute win.

After all, the prices of items at the auction were no joke.

Sometimes, what they demanded wasn't even money but something else.

"Then, I'll consider this a settled matter… From now on, I'll have to call you Investigator Seol."

"…"

"Investigator Seol?"

It felt a bit strange.

"Haha, anyway. Would you like to meet the people you'll be working with at the Star Graveyard Auction?"

"It seems I can't refuse… You've already brought them, haven't you?"

"Didn't I mention I'm used to handling things quickly?"

Creak…

Three people in robes appeared.

It was a black man, a white woman, and an Asian woman—all wearing the Investigation Bureau's uniform underneath.

"I'm Jamaal, a Transferee. Let's do our best as fellow earthlings. Well… even though half of Pandea’s residents are from Earth."

Seol looked at Gail, who was grinning.

"Because we're short on manpower… These guys are all Transferees. Jamaal, speak politely to him."

"No. I can't work like that."

Seol smirked and said it was fine.

"Uh…"

Another woman spoke.

"I'm Ray. Let's do our best, Mr… Ah, maybe this isn't it? I'm Ray. Nice to meet you."

Seol's gaze turned to the Asian woman next to her.

"Ah… I didn't expect to see you here…"

"Somi…?"

Han Somi, whom he had met during his first Sudden Adventure with Jo Gyeongtaek and Shin Munho, was standing there.

"Ah… Well, things somehow turned out this way…"