Chapter 380
"Hmph, I don't know." Mona pouted, turned her head away, and ignored Yuki.
"Then I'll go find Taihou and pay my respects to that commander. Sigh, my schedule's been too full lately." Yuki paused, turned towards the door, and then his sleeve was firmly grabbed.
Mona gritted his teeth, utterly unable to outmaneuver this cunning old bastard. This scoundrel was firmly grasping the crucial question of 'who begged whom,' and was incredibly arrogant.
"No, no, no, you promised to help."
"Who knows when your dungeon will start? I'm got a lot on my plate." Yuki chuckled to himself, counting on his fingers. "Saito wants to ask me for help. I'm an absolute expert on faction wars right now. Misaki Shokuhou invited me for tea, saying she wants to discuss long-term cooperation. And the 'Anthropomorphic Front' is a potential ally; their desire to escape the cycle of Reincarnation Game is even stronger than that of Valhalla."
It was all the truth. Of course, Yuki wouldn't be foolish enough to shout slogans like "Isshin to resist the Reincarnation Game." He was just leaving a clue. Once the opportunity arose, all of them would become his own people.
Whether we'll actually need it or not is another matter, but whether there's anyone available to use it in a critical moment is something we need to prepare in advance.
"Almost there, almost there! Can't you just stay here quietly? Am I really not as good as those destroyers?" Mona blinked, looking pitiful.
What the hell is this about destroyers? What necessary connection is there between the two?
Yuki rolled her eyes, ruthlessly exposing the brat. "Cooperating only with Valhalla is being a vassal. I need my own network of connections to become a player."
"Aren't five Heroic Spirit Kings enough for you to command?"
"Heh, your mom's probably off trying to convince the other four right now." Yuki snorted, opened the side door, and stepped into the elegantly decorated room.
Mona stood frozen at the doorway, and after a few seconds, stomped her foot hard.
I've been seen through again, and I've been tricked again. How can there be such a difficult person to deal with in the Reincarnation Game!
Yuki did not reflect on his attitude; in fact, even within the small group, his attitude towards each person was different.
For example, witty remarks are something only female students use.
You little rascal, trying to play mind games with me.
Yuki glanced at the sulking Mona, then knelt behind the table, staring blankly at the dried flowers that Ryougi Shiki had Shiki Ryougi cut. He wasn't talking nonsense; he really was busy.
The War Orphans have become friends with Hiyori. Based on the current clues, as Survivors of a faction war, they have no good feelings towards the Reincarnation Game, so it's worth getting to know them.
There's no need to get involved with the Demon Extermination Squad. This is out of respect for Satoru Gojo and to be wary of his potential betrayal. I have some authority and can come and go as I please. I'll come back from the next instance and see if he's conspired with the Judge to set me up.
We can wait and see about Saito Hiraga's invitation. The Judge will definitely trace it back to them. To be on the safe side, we should start with Frieren to avoid being betrayed and falling into a trap.
The 'Anthropomorphic Front's' stance is trustworthy. By the way, why didn't I travel to their world?
Yuuki licked his lips, Yuki rather disappointed, because the Anthropomorphic Front was almost entirely made up of girls, and even a level 9 physique wouldn't be enough.
Concentrate, concentrate.
Yuki patted his face, pulling his wandering thoughts back. His fingers unconsciously traced the wood grain on the table. Now that his network of relationships was growing larger and larger, the next steps were already arranged.
With Li Dan as their target, Thorny Rose can finally make a fortune in silence.
Starting with 'The Wizard's Tower', there are more than ten factions associated with Li Dan, which is enough for the Judge to investigate.
"I have a more specific goal. I don't believe that the resources of the Hundred Eyes of True Knowledge' are unlimited. Besides, what I want is more than just hiding."
In a sense, Sukuna was deliberately let go by him. As for Yuki, the Judge was also lurking in the shadows. Simply understanding their backstories is far from enough.
A player at Epic Tier II has a deep-seated hatred for me. You have no reason not to accept him. By taking action against Sukuna and those evil spirits, you can find the mastermind behind it all.
The only Judge that Yuki knows is Sōsuke Aizen, and just that name is enough to send shivers down one's spine. The hair gel guy was already perverted enough before, how terrifying would it be if he became a player?
Thump.
A thick stack of documents was placed on the table. Mona wrinkled her nose and said irritably, "Here, this is the information you wanted. I've brought it all for you."
Yuki nodded in satisfaction. Mena Ryougi might have a bit of a childish temper, but he was very reliable. The intelligence network of the 'Valhalla' was also incredibly vast. If he were to do it himself, he wouldn't be able to do it in less than ten dungeon cycles.
Opening the profile, as expected, he became an overnight sensation. If there were trending topics on Borderlands, the words "Headhunter" and "Li Dan" would definitely be at the top.
Countless brokers are testing each other, the enigmatic Judge are digging for every clue, and the epic players are constantly pondering.
Faction wars Taiyi from dungeons. Dungeons don't have a reference point; even if you get an SSSS rating, epic-level players might just blow it away with a single breath. But faction wars have a clear reference point.
The 'Night Parade of One Hundred Demons' is no weak faction, and Sukuna is quite well-known. The fact that it could drive an Epic II player into exile seems like science fiction to most players.
The key issue is that the terms "Headhunter" and "Li Dan" are too unfamiliar. If it were a powerful figure like a Heroic Spirit King getting involved, people could accept it somewhat, but where did this powerful individual come from? Why have we never heard of him before?
Everything went smoothly, you can take your time with your investigation.
"Aren't you afraid of dragging your own camp down with you?" Mona asked suspiciously, never having considered such a move.
Who would knowingly stand out when the Judge is looking for them?
Since I'm the only Headhunter, if this alias is exposed, I can simply change to another one.
Yuki gave a sinister smile. Li Dan's pseudonym didn't just appear out of nowhere; it can be traced back to the 'Wizard's Tower'. Since members of the same faction cannot enter two towers, it's impossible for him to be related to 'Thorny Rose' in terms of the game's setting.
Ulquiorra must have relayed the information back; the Judge will first investigate all players who participated in 'The Wizard's Tower'.
What are the reactions of War Orphans?
"Everything seems normal. Are you testing them?"
Yuki nodded. Of course it was a test, but it didn't matter if he didn't pass. To them, 'Li Dan' was just a stranger who appeared out of nowhere and helped them get through the War Tower. In the second phase of the battle against the Witch God, the two sides did not have direct contact.
Besides, with the two Judge fallen and the War Orphans also complicit, they wouldn't dare tell the whole truth. As for the Judge searching memories? Do you think the players you've been dealing with lately are just random nobodyes?
"But this attitude is quite good; they really do have a grudge against the Judge."
Violet is a friend of Shiina Hiyori, and they share the same stance, so they managed to extract a lot of information from that young lady.
Yuki pondered whether to contact them, but ultimately decided to hold off for Hiyori and wait until Hiyori returned, trying to maintain the mystery surrounding Li Dan's pseudonym.
He took out another document, a message sent back by Satoru Gojo. To be on the safe side, Yuki did not establish direct contact with the Demon Extermination Squad, while it was reasonable for them to exchange information with the Valhalla.
Clatter.
His fingertips paused slightly; this sounded more like Satoru Gojo's rant. Sure enough, the Judge had come after him, but even with lie detector equipment, no clues could be found.
Because everything was the truth, Satoru Gojo recounted exactly how he met Li Dan, why he asked Li Dan for help, and what happened afterward.
This is a powerful mercenary who did a great job, and the Demon Extermination Squad gave him a generous reward. No one owes anyone anything. Instead, he questioned the Judge, asking if he didn't have tracking abilities.
The Judge are more like hunters than police officers. They cannot issue wanted notices for the Reincarnation Game. They are usually located by the "Hundred Eyes of True Knowledge" and eliminated directly in the instance. However, the problem is that without a strong causal medium, they cannot find the target at all.
Their troubles had nothing to do with the Demon Extermination Squad, and the latter had no obligation to help them find people, so they could only agree to let them know as soon as they had any news.
"Heh, just a bunch of dogs in Reincarnation Game, only gaining an advantage in the game's design."
Yuki dropped off the intelligence; he already knew that the players' factions would be included in the list of Judge, and it would be easy to find the target by following the clues.
The problem is that he doesn't have a faction, so there's no roster.
"Speaking of which, the Judge also came to see me." Mona brought over a cup of coffee. After spending a few days together, she discovered that Yuki really liked this stuff.
Why didn't you say something so important sooner?
"Oh dear, I just wanted you to get some rest." The girl blinked her bright blue eyes, took a sip of coffee, her face contorted with bitterness, and spat a few times before replying:
"My answer was the same as Satoru Gojo's. We met in a dungeon, participated in faction wars together, and left after the war without exchanging contact information. The blonde and the ship girl also invited him. I suggest the Judge try his luck."
Mona had a sly look on her face. Everything she said was the truth, and you could deduce it using any props you wanted.
Yuki was never worried about this clever and quirky girl exposing himself, and Shiki Ryougi had foreseen this day long ago. Even inside Valhalla, only Mona, Shiki Ryougi, Diarmuid knew of his existence.
Did they say who they were specifically looking for?
"It's Li Dan, the reason is 'Slaughter Judge,' I even asked them if the game would include them on the list, they could just look along the factions, why bother with all this trouble."
What were their answers?
"You can't answer that, huh? Anyway, I'm pretty sure you're not Li Dan. Tell me, what's your name?"
Yuki chuckled and ignored her, gradually realizing what was going on. This Judge was clearly looking for 'Taiyi,' yet he was using an excuse... Could it be...?
Do they not want other players to know the name 'Taiyi'?
Why? From the perspective of causal skills, the closer you get to the essence, the easier it is to arrive at the result. Why make things more difficult for yourself?
Causal props need to be close to the essence, which is why 'Day' was able to use 'Future Diary' to accurately locate himself in the first place. The same applies to the interrogation, where 'Li Dan' is the target, but there are still two layers of disguises between him and the essence.
"Yes, the trial can only begin if I'm locked into that instance, and the only Future Diary with a strong causal relationship to me is already in my hands." Yuki relaxed considerably and asked one last question:
"The Judge can track key targets; you are now under their surveillance."
The Hundred Eyes of True Knowledge could not find Taiyi, but finding someone who had contact with him was not difficult. Who knew that upon hearing this, Mona crossed his arms and smiled smugly.
"We have epic-level players behind us, so we're not so easily targeted. If they really come, we wouldn't mind teaching 'Hundred Eyes of True Knowledge' a little lesson."
What business is it of mine if Li Dan kills the Judge? If he's so capable, go after him himself. Don't come to my turf and cause trouble.
In this Reincarnation Game, there is no international law; might makes Truth. Epic-level players are powerful enough that even the Judge dare not act recklessly.
"Does it sound like they hate dogs?"
"Well, it's just that the Judge don't trigger the interests of most players, and their strength is ridiculously high, so there's no need to fight against them." Mona took another sip of coffee, her little face scrunched up again, and she counted on her glistening fingers:
"The Judge come from various player factions; they are chosen by the game and consider themselves players among players, but in reality, they are no different from us. It's true that no faction can defeat them, but the Judge also have to be reasonable, especially towards the stronger the opponent."
Yuki laughed at the simplistic and crude logic. Indeed, if they were to act based solely on suspicion, they would have uprooted the Demon Extermination Squad long ago, and Satoru Gojo would have already sold himself out.
"Are they afraid of incurring public wrath?"
"Pretty much. Haven't you noticed that the Judge are all targeted eliminations within the instance? They have their own advantages, but they don't have unbridled power. The key point is—" Mona shook her finger, emphasizing her words.
"Killing Judge will not result in being erased from the game's list. Although the price of being added to the Judgement List is very high, if they were to act recklessly, the list would already be overflowing."
To get straight to the point, as the antivirus software of the Reincarnation Game, the Judge is there to eliminate individual players, not to become the leader of all realms; they are elite assassins, not kings who establish order. If there are a thousand factions on the list, who is judging whom?
From the perspective of the purpose of the Reincarnation Game's selection process, it hopes that players will kill each other, and what it fears most is that players have a common enemy and unite to oppose it.
Phew, the matryoshka doll plan is finally taking shape and should be able to drag on for quite some time.
Yuki completely relaxed. The loophole was temporarily plugged. As the old saying goes, even if everyone he had contacted during this period turned against him, he could only trace it back to Li Dan.
So, let's move on to the second step: putting another layer of clothing on top of Li Dan's original persona.
"Do me a few things before the next mission begins."
Yuki took out a note he had already written and handed it to Mona. He picked up the coffee next to him, then put it down speechlessly. This girl was feeling terrible, like she was drinking Chinese medicine, and ended up drinking it all without him noticing.
"Sell the props and then secretly buy them back? What are you planning now?" Mona stared at the note, her mind filled with questions.
"Never mind that. By the way, do you have any detection or lie detector equipment? Take it out and use it."
Mona said "Oh," and took out a lucky cat-shaped prop. This was an essential item; otherwise, when encountering other players in the dungeon, they could make up names and factions at will.
Yuki straightened his collar and cleared his throat. Because of the Fool's Mask's Mask, no one could see his face.
"Let me reintroduce myself, Raymond, the 'Aether Particles' Hidden Sage."
What's this guy up to? Is he putting on some new kind of stage play?
Mona looked bewildered, her gaze shifting downwards, her azure pupils suddenly contracting.
This faction detection item, worth 5,000 points, boasts a 99.9999% accuracy rate.
He's nodding.
The investigation report on the 'Night Parade of One Hundred Demons' has been released, confirming that the relevant factions were completely unaware of 'Taiyi's' existence; it was merely a routine wartime mercenary operation.
[It is now certain that 'Li Dan' is the same 'Taiyi' who destroyed Ulquiorra and his allies in 'The Wizard's Tower'.]
[It has been confirmed that he did not establish any two-way communication with factions such as 'Night Parade of One Hundred Demons', 'Anthropomorphic Front', or 'Valhalla'; at least, the Judge have not found direct evidence.]
[The players they contact are all high-ranking members of their respective factions; we cannot force them to cooperate through violence.]
[The plan is under revision. The optimal plan is to "wait and see," closely monitoring the relevant factions to at least find clues about the "Head Hunters." Simultaneously, mobilize all resources to find players with relevant characteristics.]
In a pitch-black, empty space, twelve stars of different colors were scattered across the sky, accompanied by emotionless murmurs.
The 'Night Parade of One Hundred Demons' incident has come to a conclusion, but the result is disheartening.
The Demon Extermination Squad couldn't find any fault with them. They didn't know Taiyi, only a player named Li Dan. The two had met in the Wizard's Tower, and then Li Dan was hired naturally. They didn't even know that there was Judge in that instance.
The same applies to other factions, such as Valhalla, War Orphans, and Thorny Rose. These are normal interactions within the dungeon, and teaming up with strong players to conquer it is the most common route in the Reincarnation Game.
As for 'Anthropomorphic Front,' 'Espers,' and 'Ghost Hunter,' it's even simpler. Everyone is just collaborating for a while, respecting Li Dan's abilities, and looking forward to the next collaboration.
There's nothing wrong with that; the strong are precisely the scarcest resource in the Reincarnation Game.
Then came the investigation into the 'Headhunter' and 'Li Dan' themselves. No matter how many resources they used, they couldn't find any clues, or rather, they found a bunch of useless clues.
The players are incredibly diverse; some pretend to be Li Dan to show off, while others disguise themselves as 'Headhunter' to scam broker points. Finding the real one among a bunch of fakes inevitably increases the difficulty.
The stars shone brightly, each emitting its own unique spectrum. The Great Judge pondered, but no matter how they thought, they could not find a definite answer.