Chapter 76

Surviving With An Sss-Rank Inventory Chapter 76Chapter 76

Dio, who knew Ates’ personality, thought that he would not spread the story of them forming a party to subdue the Demon King’s army.

But there is such a thing as what if.

The contract that Dio proposed to Artes was a measure to prepare for that eventuality.

Of course, it doesn’t really use magic or Dio’s skill ‘Pledge of Liberation’.

“What are you doing?”

When Dio touched Evelyn and spoke, Evelyn, who had been watching like a spectator from the side, just looked at Dio with wide eyes.

“huh? what?”

“Whew, just pretend to draw a magic circle.”

Dio sighed and whispered.

Only then did Evelyn realize that Dio was creating a fake contract to deceive Ates, and raised her staff.

“I-I want a contract in the name of Shadow.”

The sight of Evelyn trying to make up words was quite unreliable, but her splendid magic was enough to take away Ates’ soul.

Sigh – As

the dark energy flowing from the tip of the wand surrounded Ates’ body, he swallowed nervously.

Shadow magic is one of the rarest types of magic used by witches.

Artes could never have met a witch in the first place.

In fact, it was a superficial form of magic that had no meaning or effect, but it was enough for Artes to mistake it for a type of contract magic.

“If we reveal our identities, we will be cursed.”

“Oh, I understand.”

At the threatening effect of Dio’s horse Evelyn’s magic, Ates cried and nodded, deciding to eat mustard.

But he had no choice.

If you don’t do this, you will miss the opportunity to join the Demon King’s army punitive force.

“We formally welcome you to our party. jack.”

Dio patted Jack on the shoulder and greeted him.

“i look forward to.”

Ates, who was trying to speak comfortably as usual, realized that he was a newbie and changed his tone.

‘I have to look good from now on.’

Ates felt like he had lost something by joining the party, but he thought it was an illusion.

Anyway, didn’t the other person just accept what you asked for?

How to take responsibility for what you say.

Ates shook off impure thoughts and put on a disciplined expression, determined to cherish the opportunity he had now had.

“I will work hard to gain experience so I can lead the party!”

“Because Dio will lead the way. “I just follow you.”

“Oh yeah.”

When Sepia said something to Ates, who revealed his bold ambitions, Ates showed respect with a shy expression.

“Now that I am an official party member, can I hear your name?”

All Ates was introduced to was Dio’s name.

Even though he hadn’t heard Eveline and Roberto’s names, he didn’t bother to approach Sepia and bowed his head politely.

Ates’s tone is somehow exhilarating.

Instead of Sepia, who felt uncomfortable and frowned, Dio opened his mouth.

“Stop pretending and give me your luggage.”

“My luggage?”

Ates had doubts about Dio’s words, but handed over the backpack he was carrying to Dio without saying anything.

‘It’s normal.’

Dio opened Ates’ backpack and looked through it to see if there was anything useful, but there was nothing special.

‘I don’t even have anything to prove my identity. There was a reason I handed it over obediently.’

Well, he may have hidden something like a family insignia or brooch in his arms.

Or, you may be confident that if you reveal your identity at any time, everyone will recognize you.

‘Are you smart or stupid?’

I guess it was good.

Currently, Dio is pretending not to know Ates’ identity.

Since I had to convince Ates that I wasn’t approaching him for his status, it was better to keep pretending not to know for the time being.

‘Since the party was officially formed, the system must have recognized this, right?’

In fact, the inspection of belongings was just an excuse.

While Dio was checking his belongings, he checked the newly updated party window.

—————

[Party Member]

[NEW][Artes / Swordsman / Lv170]

—————

‘Level 170… .’

The level is higher than I expected considering I was helplessly defeated by Sepia.

Dio, who saw these numbers, nodded as if it was worth it.

‘Except for the knights of the imperial capital, the knights of Bertio were said to be the strongest. He grew up in such a samurai family…’

It was reasonable for him to be level 170, as he must have completed the family’s elite education.

For that matter, he didn’t show much in sparring, but that was a case of a bad opponent.

The stats at level 170 are comparable to those of a knight with short experience.

However, since Artes is the son of a valuable operative, he has little combat experience, so he can be considered weaker than enemies of the same level. Sёarch* The nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Although it is not that much different from Sepia’s level, it is inevitable that the gap with Sepia trained by Crassus has widened.

“How old is Artes this year?”

“I’m twenty-three.”

“okay. “I thought that was about it.”

“Is that so?”

The more Dio talked with Artes, the more he was able to recall the information he had remembered.

The fact that he grew to level 170 on his own, without the player helping him grow, can definitely be seen as a talent.

‘What would have happened in the future if I left him alone? Didn’t receive succession… wandering swordsman? Wandering poet? I think I’ve done everything.’

In any case, it is clear that he has a talent for swordsmanship, so if you can help him with this, besides his background as a duke, the character of Ates himself can be helpful to the party.

“That’s all it takes to inspect your belongings. “It would be good to get our titles straight.”

“Do you mean title?”

“okay. “You know we shouldn’t reveal our true identity, right?”

“yes.”

“We use code names during missions.”

“Code name? “What is that?”

“Code name.”

“oh!”

Artes showed an interesting expression at Dio’s words.

They seemed to think that it was indeed a subjugation team for the Demon King’s army carrying out a mission in secret…

“Please call me Diamond from now on.”

“All right. Captain Diamond! “And the rest of you…?”

In response to Ates’ question, Dio pointed to the group members one by one and introduced them.

Sepia is heart.

Evelyn is clover.

Roberto in spades.

Ates is unaware that Dio’s companions are wanted by the Luna Church.

In this situation, there is no need to risk revealing your real name.

Of course, Dio revealed his real name, but he hid his appearance with Evelyn’s magic, so Ates would not be able to easily recognize him.

‘The Bertio family is not faithful to the Luna Church, but there is no harm in being careful.’

From Dio’s point of view, it would have been better if Artes himself had told him his identity first.

If you build trust with him and a trustworthy bond is formed between you.

Even if your identity is discovered, you will be able to get people who will take your side.

That’s what Dio ultimately wants from Ates.

To achieve that goal, Dio focused on building Ates’ trust.

The first thing is to develop inner intimacy.

Recognized as a member of the secret mission to subdue the Demon King’s army.

That recognition begins with sharing their own secret names.

“Do I have a code name or something!?”

“of course. Um…you just jack it.”

“yes?”

“Why are you so surprised? It’s not even my real name. It was fate that we met under that name. “Isn’t that a meaningful code name?”

“oh! you’re right.”

Although it was completely acknowledged that he was lying about his identity through the conversation just now, Artes didn’t seem to have thought much about that.

Of course, there were times when I was certain that Ates was using a pseudonym from the beginning.

“What is our first glorious mission? “The new member, Jack, will complete his mission with flying colors!”

Jack shouts with confidence.

Dio looked at him with meaningful eyes and slowly opened his mouth.

“There is something you can do for me…”

* * *

Dio and his party were passing through Cardeoom, the first gateway to finding the three locations where the Witch of Balance haunts.

Unlike Estellum, where security was a mess, Cardeom was enough to intimidate travelers right from its huge gateway.

From the gate, there are fiercely armed guards.

And even the skilled knight who commands them.

The larger the city, the more merchants come and go, and they form a long line waiting for their turn to pass through the gate.

In such a complicated situation.

There was a group of people getting through the gate without having to wait in an endless line…

“Loyalty! Take a look. Confucius…no, Jack!”

“Uh uh. is it so.”

Ates, who nodded awkwardly after being seen off by the guard captain who gave a sharp salute, followed behind Dio’s group who had passed first.

“Haha, I don’t know why you treat me so well.”

“….”

Ates’ extremely awkward performance made Dio and his companions just look at him blankly.

“I’m sending it to you because you talk well?”

“As expected, it’s Jack. “You can take charge of the inspection from now on.”

Artes is now using a fake identity called Jack.

Dio hinted to Artes and suggested a mission that he had no choice but to do.

-Even though we are disguising our identities, I would like to pass the inspection as easily as possible…is there a way? jack?

-yes? Why did you do that to me…?

-No, just. I didn’t think you could be of any help right now, so I asked just in case.

After hearing Dio’s words, Ates headed to the checkpoint alone in a cold sweat.

And soon, Dio’s group was able to pass through the heavily guarded Kardeom without any special inspection.

* * *

The choice to take Artes along from the beginning was truly an excellent choice.

Even if you are not necessarily looking for the Witch of Balance, as long as you have joined Artes, you can pass through the eastern region with a free pass.

Artes seemed to be tired of telling the guards to keep the secret, but that was none of Dio’s concern.

There is no warehouse in Kardeom, so you can go back without having to pass through, but if you have a free pass ticket, you should use it without hesitation.

“I saw Jack again. “I think your eloquence skills will be of great help to our party.”

“Haha, I have a good image, right?”

Ates, who shrugged his shoulders at Dio’s praise, shamelessly continued speaking.

“He looks a little short, but is he okay?”

“But thanks to this, I can move around the city comfortably.”

“Looking at you, you seem to be of quite great status. How did Dio know and approach you?”

Leaving behind Dio and Artes in the lead, the rest of the group hugged each other.

Dio did not tell his party about the exact identity of Ates.

The companions looked pitifully at the back of Ates, who for some reason seemed more like an entrance ticket than a colleague.

However, Ates was deliberately acting stupid to hide the fact that he was the duke’s second son.

Dio, who noticed this, adapted his role play.

Anyway, Dio and his group moved forward smoothly, and eventually they were able to spot a village in the distance.

“I can see the village ahead!”

“okay. “Let’s go right away.”

Dio nodded at Sepia’s words.

That is one of the three bases where the Witch of Balance appears.

It was Hallshtar.

Survive as an SSS-level warehouse characte