Chapter 73 Dungeon: Dire Wolf Slums (5)

"Well, well, well… How was it?"

Just as I had thought, the boy from the sword family won, but he was littered with injuries, so I tossed him a healing potion I picked up a while ago from another supply tent.

It was a mini one, so the process was slow, but eventually, he fully recovered and finally answered my question.

"It was a stalemate," He muttered through gritted teeth, and my eyes went cold as I stared down at the boy who hung his head.

Useless.

I did all that for a single fucking stalemate… but he should've won easily as those boys were pretty weak.

All they had was their family's fire, unless…

"What item did they use?" I asked, and the boy snapped his head up towards me with a suspicious look.

"How… How did you know they used an item?"

"Just did. So, what is it? Buff Potion? Special Sword? Poison?"

"It was poison and a very dangerous one at that. I almost dropped dead, but thankfully I was able to drain most of it out of my blood before it fully circulated through my veins. The lower half of my right arm is useless, but at least I stopped the lingering drops with a tourniquet,"

He pulled up his ripped long-sleeved shirt to reveal not a single wound but a blue tourniquet wrapped around his bicep in order to prevent the poison from spreading any further.

"*sigh*... So, what are you going to do?"

"I-I don't know. I thought you had an idea or something,"

"Huh?! Me?!"

The boy was getting on my nerves, but after seeing the kids in the tent wake up from my sudden blurt, I sighed once again before leaving the tent.

"I'll just make use of both of them then," I muttered before running over to the wooden breakfast table and swiftly grabbing a metal knife.

I cut my palm with the knife and took a plastic cup, letting the blood drip down into it.

It was a slow process, but eventually, I gathered enough blood and then mixed it with some water before storming back into the tent.

"Drink," I said to the boy as he conversed with some of his friends.

"Is this… blood?"

"Yeah, it is. So now drink it. It'll get rid of the shit in your veins," I replied.

"Th-thanks?"

"Nobody learns of our collaboration," I whispered into his ear as soon as he took the cup.

I then dashed out of the tent towards a campfire not too far away.

The duo of brothers didn't have many injuries, as I assumed they brought some preparations such as healing potions.

After walking up to them, they turned towards me, and I noticed their pupils dilated a bit upon laying their eyes on me.

"Did you win?" I asked, playing clueless in front of them.

"So you were really the same age as us… And yes, we won. He should be dying very soon… Maybe he is already dead," He muttered with a large smile.

Sick bastards… I like them.

Just before I was about to leave, one of them grabbed my arm and pulled me back as he looked intent on asking a question.

"Why did you help us?" The kid with slick back brown hair asked.

His expression was serious, and it looked like depending on my question, he would kill me or not… though that won't be possible.

"An enemy's enemy is your ally," I responded with a large smile, and it seemed he took a liking to my answer as he let go.

"Work for us. We'll give you lots of money," The other boy with short brown hair suggested.

"Sorry, but I don't work under anybody. I'll help you when I see an opening, but that, of course, means, if I see you die before me, I won't even give you a glance. So, be useful when you can,"

The boys before me looked as if they were about to pop a vein, and suddenly, the boy with slick back brown hair grabbed my collar.

"You think you can use us?"

"Yes… but I never said you couldn't use me," I responded.

He gave me a long stare before clicking his tongue.

"Tch… Fine then," He muttered before pushing me back.

Once again, they weren't as smart as I thought they were.

This relationship we're about to have weaves all the webs in my favor as even if I give them information, it will either be tons of information or a slim amount in order for me to always be at the top.

Even if their family goes under, I'll receive all the rewards while they go die a dog's death in a hole.

"Nobody learns of our collaboration," I muttered before walking towards another campfire across the campsite.

I continued this process of gaining the trust of each and every kid who was either from a small or mid-range family.

But, I didn't just limit myself to ones that are already allied with each other, but also ones who are enemies of each other.

Setting up for the late game was my specialty, and though it will take lots of hard work, I should be able to get it done.

…

(Athena POV)

"I see… What a smart kid. He knows this could only work with him due to his unbeknown status and mysterious aura. Plus, from all the observing and soul reading he's done, he can back up his informant mask with credible info… amazing,"

"Miss, would you like another glass of wine?" My servant asks, holding up the green bottle of wine sitting next to my throne.

"Of course," I muttered.

"He's incredible, isn't he?" My servant says as he hands me my refilled large glass of wine back to me.

"He is indeed incredible, but he's not reading far enough. He thinks he is the smartest and the only one trying to manipulate the war… but little does he know that each family is trying to manipulate the war. Even the government strategists are trying to get a piece of the pie,"

"But, he's still doing good, isn't he?"

"Of course… *sigh*... What a shame… Anyway, how is the new goddess? Which planet has she monitored?"

"The goddess of Mana and Alchemy is monitoring a special planet… a planet created via a survivor of Sebbetis,"

"There is a survivor of Sebbetis?!"

"Indeed,"