220 – The returner is too strong (7)

“The forest of beginning in the village of beginning. “It is definitely a place with symbolism.”

“Why couldn’t we come up with such a simple idea? “In games, there are often cheat items where everything starts.”

“It’s not that we were stupid… It is correct to say that Choi Ji-won’s insight is far above average. “Because I caught a clue that no one had found in the study that everyone just passed by.”

“Hmm. Surely. Does this mean that the name ‘Hero’ is not an empty name? “

Dark night. A group of people were chopping with axes without even turning on the lights. Chopping an ax in this dark could have hurt anyone, but thanks to his keen senses and perfect control of his strength, he continued cutting without much fuss. They are definitely experts at using their bodies.

-Boom!

A small tree falls. The woman cutting the ax tilts her head slightly to check the shape of her growth rings, and then she starts cutting another tree with the ax.

“What do you see?”

“No. “It’s just a normal tree ring.”

“Hmm… Should we take a break now?”

“Then. “It wouldn’t be strange if Choi Ji-won came at any time.”

After walking away from the forest for a while, the group of players hid in a nearby pile of grass. This is proof that their actions are not honorable at all.

“So, when is Choi Ji-won coming?”

“It would be better if you don’t come. “We might find the hidden piece before then.”

I’m not really tired, but rest is always nice. While the players are flirting.

“Emergency! Emergency!”

A player who was checking something for a moment made a loud noise and opened his mouth.

“Shh! Shh! Quiet! “I can hear you!”

“No, just listen and sleep…” “Choi Ji-won has gone.”

“… You went? Where?”

“To the river… I went. Check your friends window now. The location is a river. “I’m sure it was supposed to be the village chief’s house earlier, right?”

“You went to the river?”

What happened? Wasn’t the Hidden Piece definitely in the forest? Suddenly into a river?

While the players were in confusion and muttering.

“Wait a minute.”

A smart-looking man wearing glasses was muttering to himself.

“Maybe… What if the goal wasn’t to cut down the trees in the ‘forest’?”

He rolled his eyes while busily calculating something, and then his eyes widened as if he realized something.

“Damn, damn! My thoughts were short… “

A man with glasses jumps up from his seat. Seeing him, other players also stand up from their seats.

“No, what’s wrong? “What’s going on?”

“We definitely thought ‘cutting down trees’ was Choi Ji-won’s goal. Right?”

“Oh, right? That’s why I cut down the tree carefully at first. “When Choi Ji-won comes back, he can run away again.”

“But Choi Ji-won, whose goal should have been to cut down trees, stayed in his study and never came out.”

“… “It’s strange, but then why did you cut down the tree?”

“Cutting down trees is not the ‘goal’… What about ‘process’?”

“… “What?”

“Choi Ji-won embarked on a journey to find an unprecedented hidden piece that no one could find… If ‘cutting down a tree’ is just a process… ?”

“… Oh my god.”

If the glasses man’s hypothesis is true. This situation is now an emergency situation.

After submitting an item to the auction house, a 12-hour timer starts. Normally you can catch up to the frontrunner and get the same submission within 12 hours… What if the process is a long, long journey that cannot be followed in 12 hours?

And what if the reward is also enormous to match the long journey?

“Right now. “We have to go after her.”

Waiting in the forest, thinking I would return to the forest, was a serious mistake. This can’t be anything other than a huge mistake.

“Huh… “

“Damn, then…” “

Only then does a sense of crisis spread to the faces of other players.

“What on earth is this hidden piece doing?” “

“Ugh… “

Even the anticipation that I can’t hide.

**

Of course, there is no such hidden piece. Choi Ji-won is just repeating ‘apparent behavior’ as much as possible. Reason? Her reasons will be created by her voyeuristic players. This is because, the moment people think their thoughts are correct, they create reasons without realizing it.

“Wow, it’s so hard to follow…” “

What have I been doing all this time? I was busy too.

After defeating the ‘Sea Dragon’ in the temple deep under the sea, I put the ‘Rose of the Deep Sea’ in my arms. The pocket on my waist already contains ‘Tears of Oasis.’

The reason for all these skits was not only to avoid tracking, but also because I needed to make money. To go to the deep sea, you need items sold in stores, and you need money to purchase items. Of course, to make money, you had to work in the village.

Since the players here know each other, they get interested when they see a new face like me. Maybe you’ll get registered as a friend.

However, while I was working hard in the village, the other players were concentrating all their attention on the forest, and by the time I left the village and headed to the desert, my attention was focused on Choi Ji-won, who was heading towards the river.

The result.

“I really wasn’t caught.”

While I obtained two SSS grade hidden pieces without any interference, they were not even aware of my existence. It’s all the result of being blinded by my greed.

-Jiwon. Are there people in the village?

-No. It’s all here.

-Okay.

After exchanging whispers with Choi Ji-won using the ‘friend registration right’ function, I carefully headed toward the village.

They won’t know what happened until just before the auction ends.

**

Time passed quickly.

“What? “This time you’re investigating vines in the jungle?”

“Is this right…? ?”

Choi Ji-won’s eccentricities continued, and the players who followed her began to have suspicions about her… Because I have already invested too much time, and because he is ‘that Choi Ji-won’, I am still chasing him.

The little time left passed by, and by the time there were about 4 hours left until the time limit.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“… Be honest, Choi Ji-won. “Where is the hidden piece?”

“Yes? What is that?”

“Don’t lie… ! We’ve been watching you all this time. Surely, definitely the hidden piece… !”

“I just looked around the 22nd floor?”

“… f*ck. “Have you been deceived?”

Players who were looking for a free ride finally realized that they had been tricked. Of course, even if I noticed something strange, it was already too late, and since they didn’t suffer any losses, I have no intention of sympathizing with them at all.

So, how did you spend the remaining time? We began the work of distributing the previously mentioned ‘hidden pieces whose existence was only confirmed.’

“Hey, you’re Alex, right?”

“Yes, that’s true, but… “

“Would you please follow me for a moment?”

In the past, when we were collecting information while waiting for the monster to appear, Jiwon Choi had researched the faces, names, and even brief personalities of players who stood out. According to her, among the players who were looking for the hidden piece on the 22nd floor, there were some who seemed to be the best. These guys have good personalities, talent, and sincerity.

We decided to hand out hidden pieces to those guys and give them a favor.

“Thank you, thank you!”

“Is this real?”

“Wow… “

Players continue to express their gratitude to Choi Ji-won. I was hiding far away, spying on him. Gratitude should always go to ‘Choi Ji-won’. It could be used to show the ‘Shin Seon’ concept that is being pushed these days, but wouldn’t it be a bit awkward to have the mysterious Shin Seon directly tell you the location of the hidden piece? It’s not like it comes in a dream and tells you.

As I gave away the hidden pieces I found to each and every talented and good person, it was now the last turn.

“We are spherical.”

“… Miss Choi Ji-won. Long time no see.”

That man’s name is Martin Williamson. He is a Hispanic-American in his mid-40s, a former Navy veteran, and is said to be skilled at handling handguns.

“… “I didn’t know you remembered me.”

Choi Ji-won and Martin first met in Korea. Before we had yet shared our return, we met when we went to receive a presidential commendation. We shook hands there and had dinner together. Martin at the time was a serious man.

“Well, I remember.”

This is not all. It is said that in the past, when Choi Ji-won was collecting information in the United States, he became involved with this man once. Martin is an executive of the association, and Choi Ji-won is a successful player. In the future, Martin grew into a successful executive in the association, which is why he decided to invest hidden pieces in advance.

“Why are you giving me this information?”

“It’s just an investment. Mr. Martin is competent and an executive of the players’ association, right? Let’s say it’s to gain the favor of a trustworthy person.”

“… “

“The auction ends in 2 hours, so feel free to accept it.”

Other players did not reject this offer. One of the reasons I risked my life to climb the tower in the first place was to become stronger.

“… “If you are trying to gain my favor, you may have made a mistake.”

“What does that mean?”

“I… “I will be leaving the association soon.”

“Yes?”

But Martin’s answer was truly unexpected.

“… Phew. Yeah, I thought I should tell someone. If it were the hero Choi Ji-won, it would be perfect. “Please, would you listen?”

“… “Tell me first.”

“The Association… “It has changed recently.”

Martin looked around as if someone might hear him.

“It’s all because of the ‘Book of Truth’… “

A shocking story began.