Chapter 266 - The Hoarder (6) (1/2)

Charon looked flustered. Most people didn’t deny the help of a Guardian.

However, Yeon-woo just scoffed because he knew what kind of being Charon was.

‘If you’re tricked by Charon, you’ll be on the highway to failure.’

Charon was definitely helpful. After arriving at the land beyond the River of Souls, the hint that Charon gave you could decrease the amount of time you spent.

‘But most of them are general hints, and the rare information is expensive.’

He wasn’t called a boatsman for nothing.

He excused himself by saying that he needed to be paid for offering information—something a Guardian shouldn’t be doing, but…..

‘Bulls***.’

Yeon-woo didn’t need any help from Charon since he had the book of cheats, the diary.

Charon tried to convince Yeon-woo, but seeing Yeon-woo’s cold eyes, he just turned around with a sigh.

“Look here.”

Yeon-woo stopped Charon. Charon looked back with sparkling eyes. He was planning on accepting it if Yeon-woo tried to bargain.

“I want some information.”

“Ahem! Of course. It’s not easy to cross the River of Souls in the given time limit. Then give me a price. Cash is fine, and items are good too. I’ll give you a priceless hint that’s equal to what…..”

“What are you talking about? It’s only obvious that a Guardian should give information needed to clear the stage.”

Charon wrinkled his nose. It was quite threatening.

“That’s not allowed. Giving something without receiving isn’t fair.”

“Really? Oh well.”

Yeon-woo nodded. Then, he opened the system window and quietly adjusted something.

“But what are you doing?”

“Reporting to the Bureau.”

“W, What?”

“From what I know, the Bureau is in charge of protecting the stage and supporting the players so they can focus on clearing the stage. I heard that advice is also a part of that, so I’m asking because there’s a price for it.”

“W, Wait!”

Charon frantically stretched his hand out to grab Yeon-woo’s.

Yeon-woo looked at him with narrowed eyes. Sweat was beading on Charon’s head, unbefitting of an ogre.

“What?”

“W, What do you want?”

Yeon-woo touched the system with his other hand, turning away from Charon.

“I just want to check.”

“I, If there’s anything you want, just ask! I’ll tell you!”

Yeon-woo smirked and dropped his hand.

Guardians shouldn’t accept money from players and give them information in return. They were beings that were bound to the system. Brokering unfair deals with players was severely punishable.

However, this meant that it was alright if he gave the same information regardless of the amount of money he received.

He had no reason to be scolded by the system if he treated all players fairly.

‘So technically, it’s a scam.’

The hint that Charon gave was the same regardless of how much you paid. However, he just twisted his words to make players think that he gave them as much as they paid.

Arthia had almost been ripped off by Charon as well.

‘Although they didn’t, thanks to Jeong-woo’s Draconic Eyes.’

Yeon-woo didn’t listen to what others said anyway, so he was able to make Charon bend to him.

Charon glared at Yeon-woo and sighed.

“I heard people talking about you, Hoarder, but I never would’ve imagined that you would threaten a Guardian. Even though I’m like this, I’m a High Guardian.”

“If a High Guardian used the loophole in the system, that’s a greater problem. Well, I guess the punishment that follows will be as great as that too.”

“…..You don’t lose a single argument. But let me off for this one thing. After the thing with Laplace, everyone’s being careful these days.”

Yeon-woo didn’t miss what Charon said. Laplace of Myo. They said that his qualification as Guardian had been taken after he did something he shouldn’t have. Lupi of Hai had asked Yeon-woo what Laplace discussed with him.

He had been curious what happened to Laplace after that, but he didn’t look into it.

“Ahem! Anyways…..”

“I won’t tell the other players. I have no reason to either.”

“Oh. Thank…..!”

“Of course, you have to hand over all the information you can.”

Charon’s face crumpled as he shook his head. What Yvlke said in passing as he left the Bureau was right. He needed to be careful of the Hoarder. He had said that you would be on the losing side if you weren’t.

Still, Charon liked players like this.

The smarter a player was, the longer they would live, and the more floors they would climb. The Tower wasn’t somewhere you would succeed just because you were strong or just because you knew a lot.

You had to have abilities, strategies, and correct judgement. All three of those had to be developed. Players like that gave Guardians a vicarious sense of satisfaction.

Yeon-woo was like that. That was the reason why Yvlke liked Yeon-woo. Of course, Charon stilled like money the best.

“Mm. Well, there are two ways you can cross the river.”

Charon made a “V” with his hand and folded his middle finger.

“The first one is to just swim past it. Guys who are confident in their magic power attempt this. But I don’t suggest it.”

Yeon-woo nodded. He knew that there were some people who jumped into the River of Souls fearlessly.

‘They become a part of the river.’

There were souls that weren’t able to move to the Beyond living in the River of Souls. It was obvious what kind of reaction they would have when they saw a living person.

“I see. As expected, you already know what’ll happen.”

Charon chuckled and folded his forefinger down.

“The other one is to make a boat. Of course, you may be wondering how you’re supposed to make that in the time limit you have. If you bring the necessary materials, I can make it for you for a small fee and…..”

“No.”

“…..I’d like it if you remember that I’m a Guardian.”

Charon complained as he put his hands in his pockets. It was an attitude different from the polite Guardians so far.

Aside from that, Charon spoke of some hints that he would need on the way to the 30th floor. He was heeding Yeon-woo’s condition to tell him everything he could.

However, Yeon-woo’s eyes didn’t change. He clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘I already knew all that.’

He had wondered if there was something his brother missed, but it seemed like there was nothing of the sort. Just when he was about to turn around—

“Also.”

“…..?”

“I suggest that you don’t go too deep into the opposite side of the island.”

“Are you talking about the Cannibal Monster Humans?”