NOVEL NEXT Chapter 80: Introduction
"...Indeed it is, but it also depends on how you manage it. A piece of information that may be useless to you.. might be another's treasure. Something they seek with all their hearts," Aria stated.
She knew this as a fact because she had repeatedly taken jobs with high rewards in exchange of just information in the past.
They required that information, but the dilemma in question was completely unrelated to Aria. She only took the jobs because she couldn't care less as to what they needed it for. Some were weird, some were dangerous.
But in the end, to Aria, it was just work. She concealed all her thoughts and performed her duties without questioning.
"Managing it.. huh? I suppose that managing my information is exactly what I have been doing," Alena took a sip out of her coffee cup, which was actually a highly-sweetened latte. "As for my case, I am using it as a bargaining chip. Or at least, I'm trying to use it as a bargaining chip. I just don't know if.. Big Sister is willing to accept?"
"A full on cooperation would require so much more, but I don't mind casual trades," Aria proposed.
"Well, in the end, the information doesn't matter much to me. I can't do anything even if I know the details. The other support - based <Player> has an offensive measure as well, but I don't. To be specific, I do, but my power has to be cultivated by someone else to work well. That's why, I need a backer,"
"What is it?" Aria raised a brow.
"<Puppet Mastery>. The power to turn slain monsters into puppets I can control,"
Aria's ears perked up with interest. The power to control puppets. In terms of the mechanism behind it, Alena's power was actually in line with her own. That is, a Control-Type magic.
"..The reason why I am struggling is that I need to do the most damage to the monster. I have tried several means to obtain a monster corpse, and have experimented with the conditions, but the power only works on monsters which I have at least 75% of the total damage dealt on. I've gotten through the testings with my people's help up until now,"
"Which means, I would have to spare extra effort when I want to fight by myself. In addition, through the System, I was able to learn that outside interventions are separated from the space. I will get stuck on the first few levels right away," Alena sighed. "Not to mention.. I also have a bad attribute that I have to avoid at all costs, and that is not possible when I am engaged in a fight,"
'It was just a gut feeling before, but she really seems to be well off.' With her nonchalant gifts, extravagant transportation devices, the ability to casually mention subordinates and external 'help'. Lastly, her maturity and overall aura.
It just screamed well off. Possibly to the extreme level.
Aria pursed her lips as she began seriously considering the offer extended to her.
"So... what's my role?" Aria was hooked on the topic of getting a support like Alena on her team. Not only for her power as a <Player>, but also as a pivotal guide for her.
'As long as I keep her on a safe distance..' Aria treaded with the memory of the betrayal still fresh on her mind.
Even if Alena was just a child, she couldn't let her guard down.
Alena would be a great help to her. At least in terms of catching up to her peers, to come back to the standpoint where she was in the past. She truly believed that Alena was a huge asset.
Compared to Yoo Jin, who at that time came from unknown origins and concealed his true intentions right from the start, Aria's first impression on Alena was a hundred times better.
The girl was frank, and knew what to discuss. What to strike. She was definitely smart.
Alena hesitated before answering.
"I.. am not suited to fighting. Like I said previously, there is a bad attribute that I have that disables me from being able to fight to the maximum level," Alena started her speech.
"The System recognized 7 human beings as a 'Successor'. Each successor has their own tower, a number, and a code name assigned to them. These are the <Players> you already know about. However, the upcoming event, about the Tower.. it's a bit complicated,"
"Every tower will be different, with the stages, rewards, challenges, requirements... all that. But it would always contain a hundred floors in total. Which means. a hundred stages to complete, in addition to external missions and requirements,"
"A hundred stages. Can you believe it? How will it turn out if I face those trials alone, without any preparation? I am a full-fledged Support. My fighting capabilities are not much since I don't have the means to increase it," Alena's eyes seemed to hold fear and restrain when she discussed the matters of fighting.
"Not to mention... I have a special condition that burdens me harshly when I fight,"
"Well.. the details aside.. In short, you want me to help you with your puppet gathering?" Aria summarized.
"Yes.. I want to request for your help in regards to the upcoming tower release. In exchange, I am sure that I will be of great use to you in the future," Alena replied. "Even if our deal is finished, when I finally gain the power to stand up straight alone, I will not just disappear and forget about this cooperation,"
Her words were not wrong.
If properly cultivated, Alena could possibly become the strongest support class user with her advantage in the intelligence department. She was a <Player>, and just going by that information, Alena should hold a powerful potential that is just not polished yet.
Not to mention, her power was to control puppets, which worked in a way similar to her summons. It would be easier for her to help the other.
According to her past knowledge, there wasn't exactly someone who delved themselves in the arts of puppetry, but there was someone who was heavily fixated on dolls. Aria never got acquainted with said person, but she was very strong. Only, her personality was a bit too hard to get along with, and practically nobody could keep their eyes on her.
She would just appear and disappear out of her own accord.
Her name was the silent dollmaker, Stellar. Stellar Agrisshe.
Aria rubbed her temples as she gazed at Alena with a complicated meaning. If she truly wanted to form a cooperation, then Aria wanted to make sure that she would be able to help the girl with her needs. She did not want to be a leech and rip off this cooperation without giving back anything.
She began to rack up plans on how she would assist the girl.
"I personally don't mind. I am also looking for allies, and getting a support class isn't bad for starters. In a dungeon situation.. I guess I can take both the fighter and tanker role," Aria used her palm as a support as she gently placed her petite face on top.
"It's good that big sister is rational," Alena sighed. It seemed like she was somewhat prepared for rejection even though Aria agreed to meet her.
It was indeed rare that someone would speak up about their weakness so openly in a conversation where you are trying to form an alliance.
People would usually speak about the good things and only that, but Alena did not shrink back from telling the truth.
This was a plus for Aria.
To know that the girl was currently in the tight spot and not the opposite.
"Even so, how come you chose me specifically to get help from? What if I am a bad person and chose to use you to my own liking?" Aria frowned. The girl's decision, wasn't it too rash?
"I have been watching you because the other <Player> candidates are.. a bit too far fetched for my own liking. Big sister, I like your style and I admire you," Alena truthfully confessed with no shame.
Aria became flustered and blinked her eyes repeatedly, not expecting Alena's sudden words.
"However.. just as I was cheering on you wildly, turns out that.. you chose to stick around that dragon boy. You almost died for that damned pesky rat!" Alena protested.
"Dragon boy.. Pesky rat.. Yoo Jin? Hahah!" Aria broke into a series of laughter. "Actually.. this brings me to a question that I want to inquire about,"
"Ask away, please," Alena listened.
"Is it beneficial to other Players if one of them dies?" Aria asked.
She was curious because Yoo Jin repeatedly mentioned a 'hunting season'.
From a small circle of seven, eliminating one another would leave a huge impact.
Aria wondered how much a <Player>'s death would actually affect the System in turn. She previously tried asking this to Yoo Jin, but the boy wasn't sure because he was also a newcomer.