Chapter 565: Useless Ones
Stuffed Bun and Singo strolled along, chatting casually as they headed toward the Imperial Affairs Office. Stuffed Bun still clutched the Frost Giant’s severed head—freshly prepared for rewards.
But the road ahead was packed with people. Players jostled and shoved one another, threatening to block the entire street. Peacekeepers hurried in, struggling to maintain order.
“Move it! I got here first!”
“Clear the way!”
“Aaaah! I saved for three months just for this One Day!”
A crisp, slightly weary voice crackled from a speaker nearby:
“Citizens, please line up in order! We’re an Imperial Official Battalion with ample stock—no need to panic!”
“Oooohhh!”
“Serpent Folk sister, I love you! Let me drop loot!”
Yet her words fell on deaf ears. The players only grew more excited, howling like fans at a concert. Chaos erupted—like a massive fan meetup—blocking foot traffic and drawing irritated glares from bystanders.
“Citizen, follow Empire regulations!”
“Aaaah! Help! Peacekeeper’s attacking!”
“Exactly! That’s what happens to lawbreakers!”
Only when the Peacekeepers drew their batons and stepped in for a personal education did the crowd finally settle—grumbling, but finally forming a line.
Still, the scene was a mess. Players screamed, children cried, and onlookers muttered in disgust.
“Damn it… those useless ones again.”
“Clear the way—gotta go pick up my order!”
“What use are they to the Empire? Greedy little beasts!”
“Exactly! They don’t even deserve to breathe under the radiant glow of the Great Red Dragon’s light. They’re an insult to Isdalia!”
The citizens’ scorn was merciless—sharp, cutting, and painfully loud.
These “Useless Ones” had a terrible reputation in Isdalia. They were all Stellarfallen—no homes, no routines—just lying down wherever they fell. Their presence ruined the city’s image.
And whenever a job or quest popped up, they’d swarm like locusts. Using their absurdly low wage demands, they’d snatch up every working spot from native Isdalian citizens.
To make matters worse, they never tired. Never rested. And with their numbers, they overwhelmed the city’s daily life.
So, angry citizens hoisted banners: Drive Out the Useless! Cleanse Isdalia! They marched in waves, even petitioning the Council with a formal proposal to ban new Stellarfallen from entering.
After heated debate, the motion was quietly dropped.
The “Stellarfallen problem” remained unresolved—worsening by the day.
Listening to the rising tide of scorn, Stuffed Bun—disguised as a native—felt a pang of discomfort. He whispered to Singo:
“What’s going on? Why’s there so many new players gathered like this?”
Singo pointed toward a distant doorway marked with the Inferno Emblem.
“Look. It’s the city’s second Home Empire Direct Battalion shop. Selling Kai Xiusu’s Secret Treasure.”
Upon hearing those words, Stuffed Bun’s expression darkened instantly. A flicker of grief crossed his face.
“Seriously… that cursed thing still sells?”
Singo smirked with Schadenfreude.
“Oh, it’s not just selling—it’s sold out. This crate can drop rare gear. One lucky item and you’re skyrocketing overnight. Rumor is, some newbies work nonstop, saving every coin until they finally come here to gamble. Most end up bare-assed.”
Stuffed Bun stared at the frenzied crowd, shaking his head.
“Tsk tsk… poor newcomers. Haven’t felt the Dog Designer’s wrath yet.”
“Here we go! Here we go!”
“This is Otter Brother’s seventh crate! What a goddamn土豪!”
A wave of noise surged from the front. Even Stuffed Bun felt curiosity tug at him. He climbed onto Noodles’ back and peered through the crowd—there, surrounded by fans, stood the famous streamer Great Otter.
But now, he was panting, face flushed, eyes locked onto the crate. His expression was one Stuffed Bun recognized all too well.
The otter placed his paw on the final crate, trembling like a man about to face execution. Slowly, he closed his eyes.
“The moment of miracle… arrives!”
“Hahaha! Otter’s cursed—definitely the Gambler’s Curse!”
The crowd roared, chanting, screaming.
With a mighty roar, the otter yanked open the metal lid—
“Damn you, Dog Designer! Drop loot!”
Clang—
A blinding flash of white light erupted.
Inside the crate, a pair of Stench-Infused Gnome Hide Pants lay quietly, reeking of decay.
Great Otter collapsed to his knees, eyes hollow, muttering under his breath:
“My three months of gold coins…”
A stunned silence fell—then erupted again.
“Wait… what? That’s the legendary Non-Existent Lucky Set?!”
“No way! Otter Brother pulled off the impossible!”
“Even getting a common item now? He’s basically a god!”
Another dream shattered.
Watching the familiar scene unfold, Stuffed Bun on the Two-Headed Dragon’s back couldn’t help but laugh. Then, with a soft, pitying sigh, he leaned forward and spoke with mock solemnity:
“Future generations mourn them, yet fail to learn from their fate. Thus, they’ll forever mourn the next generation. Ah… another heart-wrenching tale.”
But in his mind, he grinned: Another batch of new resources just landed.
Singo sighed, impatient.
“Enough staring. Finish your reward, then we’ve got a real quest.”
Stuffed Bun, still gazing at the broken otter, sighed. He stepped down from Noodles and resumed walking toward the office.
The Imperial Affairs Office remained packed—just as chaotic as before. Novice sets everywhere, aimless players idling like ghosts.
“Wow… so many people.”
He approached the quest submission counter and handed the burlap sack containing the Frost Giant’s head to the Tiefling woman behind the desk.
“Here. The head of the Frost Giant slave who caused the hair uprising.”
She unwrapped it. Her brow furrowed.
“Apologies, Viscount. According to Imperial regulations, a Frost Giant with awakened Eternal Frost Power must be turned over whole to the Imperial Magic Department. You’ve compromised the corpse’s integrity. By standard policy, I can only award half the bounty.”
She smiled apologetically.
“Though, if you’d taken a magical image of the creature, you could’ve submitted the quest.”
“I swear to—”
Stuffed Bun wanted to scream, but instead, he numbly took the five gold coins. He slapped himself—hard.
Why did I have to cut off its head?!
Watching her pocket half the reward, he clenched his fists, the money pouch now feeling hollow. Determination hardened in his eyes.
“Damn it… I’ll take more quests. I’ll earn it all back!”
Just then, Singo’s voice cut in—dry, sarcastic:
“Hmm… look around. Any quests left?”
“What?” Stuffed Bun looked up, scanning the quest board. His face fell.
Only a few quests remained. Every time a new one appeared, it vanished instantly—snatched by the mob at the counter. Behind them, hundreds more queued.
Thankfully, some quests had level caps. That gave Stuffed Bun a slim chance—facing the hungry eyes of thousands of eager new players.
Singo clapped him on the shoulder.
“Stuffed Bun… you realize—there are too many players in the Empire, don’t you?”
“Yeah…” Stuffed Bun surveyed the sea of new players, nodding slowly. “It’s overwhelming.”
Singo added:
“Official data says—by yesterday—11 million active players in Ailezegai. And three million of them chose the Anzeta Great Wasteland—the Ashen Empire—as their spawn point. That’s more than the entire native population of eight million.”
He paused.
“And most of them are flocking to Isdalia—the city of gold and opportunity.”
Stuffed Bun stared at the swarm of players devouring quests like locusts.
“This… this can’t be sustainable. The resources won’t last. Three million players—nearly double the local NPCs!”
Singo adjusted his glasses.
“The tension between native citizens and new players is nearing a breaking point. Reliable sources say the Empire will soon implement strict measures to contain these ‘Useless Ones.’”
Stuffed Bun’s face lit up. He clapped his hands.
“Perfect! Finally—crack down on the newbies! Isdalia needs real talent—like me!”
Singo shook his head, smirking.
“Don’t get too excited. The more players enter, the smaller the pie gets.”
Stuffed Bun’s smile faded.
“Then… what now?”
Singo winked.
“You’ll see. Come with me.”
Stuffed Bun stashed Noodles in the Existence Red Scales Garrison’s Dragon Landing Field, then followed Singo to a new location.
Colorful glass windows. Medieval-style architecture. Glowing Rune Arrays pulsing with energy.
This was the Magic Coin Guild’s headquarters—the Magic Affairs Office.
Inside, the two shed their disguises and revealed their true forms.
The Flying Witch sitting nearby perked up, eyes bright.
“You’re finally here! The Guild Leader’s been waiting.”
Singo greeted the front desk attendant, then followed the Witch into the grand elevator.
Hummm—
The stone floor beneath them glowed faint blue. Complex runes activated.
Stuffed Bun stared down.
“Whoa… Constant Gravity Magic! These guys are rich. They’re actually using true mage tech for elevators.”
The Witch scratched his head.
“Eh, we did suggest switching to stairs. But the Guild Leader said—‘As a True Mage, the most important thing is presence.’”
Even Singo chuckled.
“Not surprised. Our home Guild Leader is Ailezegai’s number one gullible investor. Well-deserved.”
In moments, the platform rose seven floors—held aloft by a stabilized Gravity Reversal Spell.
After passing a corridor lined with oil paintings, they reached the meeting room’s front door.
The stone statue above the door—lifeless and carved—suddenly blinked. Its mouth opened, voice low and calm.
“Guests.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Enter.”
Stuffed Bun stared.
“Wow… even the front door’s enchanted?”
“Enter. Ugly human.”
Stuffed Bun bristled. “You dare call me ugly?!”
Boom—
The door slid open.
A figure in shimmering robes, staff of mithril in hand, stepped out—Charlotte, grinning widely.
“Hahaha! You’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for you two!”
“Wait… so many people?”
Stuffed Bun blinked.
Inside the room, over a hundred players stood—familiar faces. Tian Sheng Zhan Kuang. Xia Ye Qiu Yu. Right there.
Singo smirked, confident.
“Now you know why I called you.”
Stuffed Bun puffed his chest.
“Told you I’m a pro.”
No response.
But he waved cheerfully.
“War Fury Brother! Long time no see!”
Tian Sheng Zhan Kuang rubbed his bald head, grinning.
“Not bad, Viscount. You’re doing well.”
Stuffed Bun leaned in.
“Charlotte, why’d you gather all these people?”
Xia Ye Qiu Yu turned, smiling.
“Because it’s their old job.”
“Old job?”
“Double Agent.”
Under the collective gaze of the room, Charlotte unrolled a scroll, voice rising.
“Ladies and gentlemen—
The Empire’s newest major operation: Thrace Infiltration Mission—now live!
Dream of wealth? Magic scrolls? Faction contribution? Experience points?
Then join us. Go south. Become honorable spies of the Ashen Empire!”
“Hell yeah!”
Stuffed Bun stared, stunned.
This was the true mage’s showmanship?
High. So high.
To frame double agents as heroes—so boldly, so proudly.
Before Charlotte even finished speaking, a translucent Quest Panel unfolded before Stuffed Bun’s eyes.
---
[Secret Hero]
Publisher: Empire of Ashen
Quest Requirement: Any class level 8 or above
Quest Description:
The Radiance of the ancient Holy Faedran Empire has faded. On the vast Feiansuo Continent, three kings now war in brutal conflict. The people of Fadalan are scattered, starving, suffering under endless war.
The noble and merciful King Kai Xiusu cannot bear to watch his people suffer. He has resolved to act—to end this tragedy.
You, brave warriors of the Empire, shall be the vanguard of the Ashen Empire. Infiltrate the Thrace Kingdom. Become the Secret Hero.
(End of Chapter)
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