chapter 100 unknown

A Walk into the Unknown

KAELITH followed Malthor through the bustling streets of GREEN HAVEN Town. The once chaotic town, filled with bandit attacks and lawlessness outside town, now seemed eerily calm. Players were casually chatting, merchants were selling their wares, and there wasn't a single bandit raid in sight.

It didn't make sense.

Just a few hours ago, this place was a warzone. Players were barely able to step out of the safe zones without getting mugged by rogue NPCs, and now? It was like nothing had ever happened.

Malthor strolled ahead at a leisurely pace, completely at ease, as if he were merely taking a walk. KAELITH observed him closely, trying to read him, but the old man remained an enigma.

"Don't think too hard, lad," Malthor spoke without looking back. "Your little brain might overheat."

KAELITH rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't have to if you actually explained things instead of making me play guessing games."

Malthor chuckled. "Where's the fun in that?"

KAELITH clicked his tongue in irritation but didn't press further.

As they walked, KAELITH noticed something odd. Several NPCs bowed slightly when Malthor passed.

Not out of fear, but respect.

A few even whispered greetings.

"Since when did NPCs start treating him like some big shot?"

KAELITH had always known that Malthor was more than just a random old man, but the extent of his influence was becoming more apparent.

They turned a corner, stepping into a quieter alley. Malthor finally stopped in front of an old, run-down building. Its wooden sign was faded, barely legible.

"The Black Flask Tavern."

KAELITH narrowed his eyes. "We're going to a tavern?"

Malthor smirked. "A man thinks best with a drink in hand."

Inside the Black Flask

The tavern's interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of ale and roasted meat. A few NPCs sat scattered around, drinking quietly, their voices hushed. Unlike the rowdy, chaotic bars KAELITH had visited before, this place felt… controlled.

As they entered, all conversations stopped.

For a split second, every single NPC inside turned to look at them.

More specifically, at Malthor.

Then, as if on cue, they all went back to their business.

KAELITH did not like that.

"Take a seat," Malthor said, guiding him to a corner table. The moment they sat down, a waitress approached, placing two mugs of dark ale in front of them—without taking an order.

KAELITH raised an eyebrow. "Are we supposed to drink before you start talking?"

Malthor took a sip of his ale, sighing contently. "Patience, lad."

KAELITH exhaled sharply but reached for his drink anyway. The moment the liquid touched his tongue, his eyes widened.

"This… isn't normal ale."

A notification popped up.

> [You have consumed Black Flask's Secret Brew] – Focus +5 for 10 minutes – Mental Resistance +10% for 10 minutes

KAELITH's grip on the mug tightened.

A buffed drink? In a random, hidden tavern?

"Malthor… just what the hell is this place?"

Malthor watched his reaction with amusement. "Not bad, is it?"

KAELITH set his mug down. "Enough games. What the hell is going on? Why did the bandit attacks stop? And why are you being treated like some underground king?"

Malthor's smile faded.

For the first time, his expression turned serious.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His sharp eyes locked onto KAELITH's.

"Because, lad… I'm the one who controls them."

The Puppet Master

KAELITH's mind froze.

"…Excuse me?"

Malthor chuckled. "You heard me."

"The bandits… the chaos in this town… the sudden peace? It's all because of me."

KAELITH's breathing slowed.

It made too much sense.

The bandits acted like real people. They didn't attack mindlessly. They listened to someone.

And that someone was sitting across from him.

KAELITH gritted his teeth. "So all those times players got robbed and killed… that was all you?"

Malthor tilted his head. "Come now, lad. I didn't order them to attack players. I simply… let them run free."

KAELITH clenched his fists. He knew this game was realistic, but to have an NPC manipulating other NPCs like this…

"That's insane," he muttered.

Malthor smirked. "Oh, lad… You have no idea how deep this goes."

A New Opportunity

KAELITH took a deep breath, calming himself. If Malthor was this powerful, then he needed to tread carefully.

Malthor watched him closely. Then, he suddenly grinned. "But don't worry, lad."

KAELITH narrowed his eyes. "Worry about what?"

Malthor leaned back, lifting his mug. "I like you. And I reward those I like."

KAELITH's instincts flared. "…What kind of reward?"

Malthor's smirk widened.

"I'm going to let you in on a little scheme. A way to make more gold than you ever imagined."

KAELITH's breath hitched.

Whatever this old man was planning…

It was going to be big.

KAELITH listened carefully as Malthor leaned forward, his smirk widening.

"Do you remember, lad? Those players who signed contracts with Pink Solution?"

KAELITH's eyes sharpened. Of course, he remembered. Pink Solution was pulling strings behind the scenes, tricking desperate players into signing predatory contracts. The company lured them in with false promises of stable income, only to turn them into corporate slaves in the game.

And Malthor? He was exploiting them even further.

Malthor chuckled. "You and me, boy—we're pulling the strings now."

KAELITH raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Malthor tapped the table with a finger, his voice dripping with amusement.

"A few brainless cubs—those fools who took Pink Solution's 10k credit advance—thought they were being clever. Instead of using the credits wisely, they went to Upgronyto."

KAELITH frowned. Upgronyto was an underground gold-trading hub known for exchanging real-world credits for in-game gold—at a horrible rate.

Malthor smirked. "And do you know what those geniuses did?"

KAELITH exhaled. "They converted it all to gold?"

Malthor grinned. "Exactly. They dumped all their credits into buying gold—thinking they were making a smart investment."

KAELITH's lips curled in amusement. "How bad was the exchange rate?"

Malthor chuckled. "Terrible. But they didn't care. Greed blinds fools, after all."

He leaned back, swirling his mug before continuing.

"I acted very moved when they told me their 'brilliant' plan. Gave them a few nice words. Told them I admired their 'business sense' and their 'boldness.'"

KAELITH snorted. "And they fell for it?"

Malthor grinned. "Hook, line, and sinker. I walked away with 150 gold."

KAELITH's fingers tapped against the table. "So you took advantage of their desperation."

Malthor shrugged. "They handed it to me on a silver platter. I just took what was freely offered."

KAELITH exhaled. "And then you used 20 gold to stop the bandit attacks."

Malthor nodded. "Exactly. And now? All NPCs and players are treating me like a noble."

He let out a laugh.

"It's really iconic, isn't it? The same fools who were getting robbed by bandits are now praising the man who paid off the robbers."

KAELITH leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.

Malthor wasn't just exploiting the game—he was controlling it.

But KAELITH wasn't here to judge.

He was here to profit.