Chapter 292

"By the way, may I visit other factions? Like, if you invite me or something."

"You wish! I'm inviting you, would you dare go?" Levi Ackerman rolled his eyes, as if he'd heard a stupid question, and patiently replied:

"Players generally cannot visit each other's factions, nor is it necessary for them to do so, although this is not absolute. Normally, if an invitation is sent, the 'King' of each faction can invite other players to the Outpost, but this brings up a problem."

"Any unusual situations? What kind of problem?" Yuki curiously.

"It's pointless and will only invite trouble. Don't forget that different factions can only cooperate, not team up."

The Trail Blazers are all highly experienced players; who would do something so pointless? As for finding guides or initiating cross-faction wars, that's even more impossible—going to someone else's territory is practically suicide.

'But I'm different. My faction is None, so theoretically I can team up with players from any faction.'

Yuki's heart skipped a beat, but he kept a straight face and continued walking forward with Levi Ackerman.

In the distance, there was another wooden cabin; this was the Hunters' trading place, where the spoils of their hunts were naturally sourced.

Some bloodstains hadn't been washed away, but the Hunters were offering useless items cheaply, and no player could resist the temptation of a bargain.

With Levi Ackerman leading the way, Yuki didn't have to queue, but as they walked, they stopped. Not far away, there was a figure with long purple hair queuing.

She looked quite disheveled, even her white dress was a bit dirty, she held a staff in her hand, and looked around warily, just as her eyes met Yuki's.

Frieren?

Chapter 5 Upgrade (5K)

Unlike previous trading venues, the Hunters's Arena is not as convenient and does not allow players to trade freely.

Everything is handed over to the host, who then assesses its value before auctioning it off. The process is unconventional, with a pre-set auction ceiling. The items are then placed on the shelf alongside the loot, and if something is particularly useful, the Hunters will purchase it directly without any charge.

Efficient, fair, discreet, and free – these are the reasons why players come to patronize this business.

The exterior is a hunter's cabin, but inside it's like a grand theater. The vast space is divided into hundreds of small rooms, and the stage is a shelf where you can bid on multiple props at the same time, saving you the trouble of having someone to act as a host.

Everything is geared towards high efficiency.

Yuki approved of this trading method. He turned his head and looked around the room. His room was a VIP room for internal staff. There was a player with long hair and a black suit who looked very similar to Johnny Silverhand standing by the door.

He was cold, silent, and focused.

John Wick, from the movie "Give Me Back My Dog's Life," is in a sense a super Hunters, the epitome of "two shots to the chest, one to the head, even a god couldn't save him."

"You know him?" Levi Ackerman, somewhat puzzled. He had seen Yuki's gaze many times before, and looking at the man by the door, he thought it unlikely.

This is a newbie who was just assigned to his team. Well, he has experienced three dungeon missions, but players below the Transcendental Grade level who have just ascended are considered newbies.

"I don't know him. Don't you think he looks a lot like Mr. Silverhand?"

"Huh, it really is. But it's nothing. There are many players who look exactly alike in the Reincarnation Game. It's all about faction and world that makes them different."

Johnny Silverhand was completely different from John Wick in every way except for his face and his love of guns. Yuki nodded, indicating that he was making a fuss over nothing.

"Speaking of which," Levi Ackerman glanced at the purple-haired girl sitting on the other side, raising an eyebrow, "Is this your friend?"

"She's a friend, and I still owe her a favor," Yuki replied without hesitation.

The captain's eyes changed instantly. Having experienced life and death, he knew how powerful this Yuki Sorajima was. Anyone who could become his friend was quite skilled, so this mere Transcendental Grade player might be a hidden genius.

But why is she selling a bunch of junk?

Levi Ackerman didn't understand and didn't intend to delve into it, so he simply got up and said, "Whatever, I have things to do. Once you've bought the things, get out of here."

He was recently promoted and qualified to lead a hunting party on his own, which he must complete before the next dungeon raid.

So the words were harsh, but Yuki was very grateful that he took the time out of his busy schedule to help.

"What a thankless task," Yuki snorted, then looked to the side. "Miss Frieren, what's wrong with you? You should be fully recovered after returning from the dungeon, right?"

"Because I wasn't injured inside the instance," Frieren said calmly, his purple eyes filled with surprise.

Of course she remembered this 'Li Dan'. She didn't expect that after only twenty-odd days, he would be friends with the captain of the Hunters. The Hunters were a truly powerful faction, and many players wanted to build a relationship with them but couldn't find a way.

This isn't magic. He's clearly a clueless country bumpkin; how did he manage to befriend such high-level players?

Could it be some hidden pro pretending to be a newbie, deliberately trying to tease me?

"Not a dungeon? Then it must be after returning to base, but isn't combat prohibited at the Outpost?"

Okay, he doesn't seem to be faking it.

Frieren breathed a sigh of relief, but still said calmly, "The rules are different for each faction. They are usually set by the pioneers and there are some prerequisites."

I see. So, does that mean if I have enough permissions, I can also change the rules?

Yuki immediately realized that the rules of his Outpost were left by the previous pioneer, and he must have been a harmonious and friendly guy.

He was making portraits without permission, but Frieren next to him couldn't resist anymore.

Why did you help me?

"Just curious. By the way, I owe you a favor. Have you forgotten what I said last time?" Yuki smiled. Frieren was more than just an acquaintance; he was also his Novice Guide.

Wow, it really can create a closed loop.

Her full breasts heaved continuously, but Frieren didn't take those words to heart. After all, at that time Yuki was about the same strength as her and knew nothing. She was just trying to help out of kindness and only asked for the price of a cup of fruit tea.

Human relationships and promises are worthless in the Reincarnation Game, but sometimes they are priceless.

"You... uh, thank you."

"No need to thank me, consider it compensation for your consultation fee." Yuki waved his hand magnanimously, and seeing that the transaction was about to begin, asked, "What difficulties did you encounter? Why do you want to exchange all the Chaos Item except the staff for points?"

This is none of your business.

"Tell me about it. I generally don't like to meddle in other people's business, but I'm not so cheap when it comes to favors."

Yuki when he was just a novice, he dared to stand against 'Day' for Hayasaka Ai.

He wasn't joking.

Frieren also became serious, sensing the arrogance of a powerful figure, and nodded. "This concerns the internal workings of the 'Aether Particles,' it's none of your business, and you don't need to interfere."

"Then I'll just listen to it as gossip, just like the common sense you told me last time." Yuki remembered what Levi Ackerman had said before and already had the idea of conducting an experiment.

Now Frieren had no choice but to agree, so he nodded and told her everything.

Just as Yuki guessed, the 'Aether Particles' faction, as a powerful force, has never had peace. No, it should be said that most factions are never at peace. Just like if they opened up a PVP mode, the Thorny Rose would beat them to a pulp.

That's still from the same Earth, and the conflicts brought in by the real society without Transcendental Grade powers make this multi-world faction even more complicated.

The Aether Particles faction is primarily based on 'magic'. From the perspective of a time traveler, it is roughly equivalent to a Western fantasy world, emphasizing 'adventure' more than war.

This scope is too broad. Sometimes even Yuki doesn't understand the division of these factions. For example, Guts is clearly a standard Western fantasy Sword and Sorcery, but he is classified as a 'War Orphans'.

As he listened, he roughly understood.

Due to the large number of worlds and diverse player origins in 'Aether Particles', coupled with the absence of a true king, conflicts among players are intense, roughly divided into two factions: 'Chaos' and 'Order,' each of which is further subdivided infinitely.

The larger player groups include 'Monster Front,' 'Hero Alliance,' and 'King of the Undead,' among others. Frieren is a solo player belonging to the Order faction. This time, she returned and was targeted by the Monster Front. She almost died, so she used the teleportation crystal to run to the Borderlands.

Combat between players is not allowed in the Borderlands, but this security comes at a price: 20 points are provided every 24 hours, and each entry costs one or two hundred points, which is a huge expense for solo players.

"Why... why didn't you find your companions?" Yuki originally wanted to ask where your master had gone, but judging from Frieren's appearance, he knew that Frieren hadn't come along.

There's no use in saying it; no matter how strong you are, you'll be suppressed to the Transcendental Grade level.

"There were indeed predecessors from the same world as me, but they have been scattered. Besides, the power system of 'Aether Particles' is similar, so I have no way to distinguish them."

Frieren was helpless. She tried mentioning her master's name, but none of the players she encountered recognized Frieren. As for elves, they were everywhere in the 'Aether Particles'.

"Are the people chasing you from the Monster Front?"

"Um."

"I just killed their people." Yuki took out paper and pen and quickly drew the image of the Blood Demon. "Do you recognize this demon?"

"I don't know, I've never seen it before."

Oh, this.

Yuki wanted to remind her that Luguna was her 'family' from her hometown, but he figured that such a family member would probably stab her in the back when they met. However, he did get a general idea of the stage the Mushroom was in.

He hasn't even had his iconic catwalk moment yet. What an unlucky guy, he didn't get a powerful ally when he ascended to immortality.

What are you going to do next?

"I know a place with cheap hotels near the Borderlands, costing only ten points a day."

There are also hotels in the Borderlands, specifically for players who can't go home.

"No wonder you sold the items. But that will lower your survival rate in the dungeon, and you'll have to take even more risks to earn more points for staying in the dungeon."

Yuki was cruel, but that was the truth; he saw the bitterness on the girl's face.

"I have no choice; I'll just live as long as I can."

"Then go back and take revenge?"

Frieren paused, then twisted the hem of his clothes, looking slightly bewildered. "No, I want to go home."

Go home.

Upon hearing these familiar words, Yuki blinked and smiled gently. In this game, there's always a group of casual players who want to go back.

"Hmm, is my idea ridiculous?" Frieren pouted and immediately turned into Mushroom.

"It's not funny, because I've had enough of this godforsaken place and want to go home." Yuki stared at the girl, making her feel uneasy. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and took out Soil-Offering Contract.

"Since you have nowhere to go and are penniless, I'll help you find a place to go, though I can't guarantee it will be successful."

He decided to conduct the experiment, Frieren was the perfect experimental subject: alone, of moderate strength, kind and unassuming, and very rational.

But just in case, he still had to sign a contract to ensure the secret would not be revealed.

Frieren was baffled. He peeked out and saw what Yuki had written on the bamboo slip, and his pupils instantly contracted.

A contract requiring her to keep quiet about the secret from any player or faction, in exchange for temporary refuge in 'Thorny Rose'.

She had never heard of the Thorny Rose, but she knew that contracts could not be made between different factions, and the items that could be used to do so were extremely precious.

But Frieren had a feeling this was no joke.

"Are you crazy, using this cross-faction contract on me?" Frieren blurted out. She saw that there were not many bamboo slips left, leaned forward to press down on Yuki's hand, and then pulled back as if she had been electrocuted.

"No, only 'Pathfinders' can make cross-faction invitations like this. Are you a Pathfinder?"

"Can't I?" Yuki had already finished writing the contract. Once the contract was signed, Frieren would gain access and would not be allowed to reveal the situation at the Outpost to anyone.

"It's possible, but..." Frieren wanted to say that Yuki was too weak, but such things had happened before, such as when the previous pioneer fell and the authority was picked up by someone else, but she still shook her head.

"I really can't think of any value I have that would make you take this risk. The Monster Front is difficult to deal with, and the Reincarnation Game also has tracking methods. You'll make enemies."

He's a good child, always thinking of others.

Yuki smiled. This was a favor, an experiment, and also a path prepared for the future.

'Nothingness' is his greatest advantage, so of course he has to make the most of it.

"Don't think too much about it. I can take the risk. Think about it again." Yuki the bamboo slip into Frieren's hand, sensing the fluctuating thoughts beside him, and refocused his attention on the stage.

The important thing is to get down to business.

He sold two items: the 'Ship Spirit's Curse Spear' and the 'Soul Cage'. The former was Kaguya Shinomiya's loot, which was excellent for players with evil spirits and could also be used by Hayasaka's bloodline skills. However, considering that the side effect was that it would make people gloomy and manic, it was better to get rid of it.

All of them were Arcane Grade -level (Level 5) items, and a total of 1200 points were sold. This time Yuki did not intend to plunder other people's points. He did not borrow any of the huge amounts left by Hiyori and Night Capital.

Even living off a woman requires a specific goal; things like raising Demon Possession to LV5 can be done in the next dungeon as well.

After exchanging them, I'll have enough Specialization Points for 16, and then I'll have 400 points left to snag some bargains.

The feeling of being destitute returned, Yuki began to carefully examine the shelves, specifically looking for items with significant side effects and low prices.

He now possesses the 'Night Furnace Domain,' which allows him to absorb most of the side effects; he just needs to select some items suitable for integrating into the domain.

Expensive doesn't necessarily mean good. Since he wasn't going to use it directly anyway, he managed to buy a good item in no time, thanks to the 20% discount.

[The Hunter's Snare (Transcendental Grade Level)]

[Create an area where enemies trapped inside cannot escape.]

[Side effect: After the item's duration expires, the user will also experience difficulty with spatial awareness.]

[Description: A skilled hunter sets traps, but an elite hunter ensures his prey has no way to escape.]