Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 30: The Path to Solitude

The man's dreary face flashed a bizarre smile as he threw an arm around the connoisseur's shoulder. "There's about to be a change in business ownership, but we would be delighted to have your patronage afterwards."

At his hushed words, a man akin to an ogre emerged from the din of the crowd. Flanking him were two other men who looked equally as menacing.

The connoisseur broke into a sweat and quickly conceded. On the other hand, the crowd—noting the group's identity—quickly dispersed in a fit of panic.

The dreary-eyed man heaved a heinous smile. "As I'm sure I've mentioned before, this thriving town is a magnet for scum. And of course, that includes us."

With a commanding snap of his bony fingers, the burly giant interlocked his gorilla-like hands and, with a thunderous roar, brought them down like a wrecking ball onto the flimsy stall.

Daisuke, anticipating the assault to some extent, executed a dive-roll to safety with Zephyr in tow. They huddled low as splintered wood, dust, and debris rained down around them.

Zephyr raised his head, unenthused. He could sense his companion's displeasure and the bloodlust directed at him from the other party.

"Otto~" one of the men exhaled as he effortlessly caught the Mana Crystal before it could hit the ground.

"See," uttered the dreary-eyed man in a mocking tone. "I told you it would have been in your best interest to consider our services. That protection fee would have shielded you from our target list."

Daisuke scowled at the bastard, biting his lip in a mix of fear and exasperation, yet he maintained his composure, struggling to analyze the situation amid the clamor of his pounding heartbeat.

But Zephyr wasn't capable of remaining calm, which was evident by his bared teeth and raised hackles. To prevent him from charging in for an attack, Daisuke held him tightly in place with both hands.

I'm sorely outnumbered and outclassed, he admitted regrettably, his frown deepening. These guys are thugs, so unlike your average NPCs, they've more than likely been racking up levels and Stats by abusing and killing people.

Calm down. All I need to do is refrain from antagonizing them. I've already memorized their faces. Once they leave, I'll secretly tail them back to their hideout.

Afterwards, I'll talk to the soldiers and have them handle it. If that doesn't work out, I'll just sell the remaining Mana Crystals to the guild and hire adventurers to deal with—

Daisuke's words trailed off, his mind swimming as he forgot to breathe. Butterscotch eyes quivered violently as a trolley suddenly appeared on the scene filled with six chunks of Mana Crystals and a smiling Reeza.

Her mother had her head down in what appeared to be guilt, her eyes unreadable.

Daisuke's facade of composure shattered, replaced by an expression of sheer disbelief and horror.

"Yes! That's it! That's the one!" the dreary-eyed man exclaimed with an elated laugh. "That look on your face—the moment one inevitably gives in to despair! Ah... I can't get enough of it! It's intoxicating, like a well-aged wine, and as fleeting as an orgasm. It's perfect!"

"T-That's..." Daisuke stuttered incoherently. "How... did you—"

"Manage to get such a large haul?" Reeza added with a sly grin, the childish melody in her voice completely gone. "It's quite simple, actually—we embedded tracking magic on the trolley. Finding the Crystal Field again was child's play once we knew where you'd been."

"Impressive work as usual," the dreary-eyed man commended with a round of applause.

"Flattery isn't going to get you a cut, so don't even bother."