As Jason and James arrived at the Grand Fort, the place already crowded with users trying to help with the investigation.
None of the user has paid any attention to both of them since in their eyes, Jason and James were an unknown low level clan leader that leading a small clan.
Their reputation that lets their clan get annihilated by a single low level user and their clan that stays 100 member make some of the users question their ability as the clan leader.
But to Jason and James fame was not important. To them, helping with the investigation was more important since the Grand Fort case already piqued their interest as the best detective duo in real life.
As Jason and James walk at the Grand Fort, they study the structure and try to guess its weakness. They also asked the guard on duty about the security system in the Grand Fort.
Usually the information was top secret but since they have nothing to lose, they disclose everything about the security system and Grand Fort layout.
Grand Fort, owned by 'Ever Garden' company that run a banking business can be considered the best bank in the North Continent.
That is because Grand Fort reputation that never get robbed from bandit or thief making Grand Fort the safest place to store valuable item and money.
There were a few reasons Grand Fort never get robbed before. One of the main reasons was the Grand Fort design make it hard for any thief or bandit to rob the place.
The fort covered by five layers of the high wall.Every wall was thick and high enough to defend a normal attack from an army. Every layer of the wall has 12 guard house that can fit thousand guard in each guards house.
Over the wall, there was 6 big guard house that can fit five thousand guard in each guard house. The big guard house was placed around the middle building, Grand Safe by hexagon like position.
The Grand Safe was the main building in the middle of the Grand Fort. It was a five story building that can fit 20,000 guards.
Above the Grand Safe main entrance, there was 15 meter clock tower making it the highest place in the Grand Fort.
In the middle of the Grand Safe, there were 20 square meters of an open space lawn area. 10 feet below the ground of the area, there was a big 5 level safe that kept all the item and the money.
After explaining all of the basic info about the Grand Fort, the guard explains every detail about why this building and that building placed in their respective place from the military strategy point of view.
After a few other explanations, the guard start to talk about the Grand Safe.
"We keep this open space area empty at all time so every guard on patrol duty can take notice if there anyone or anything trying to approach the safe below the ground. And it's also easier to surround the enemy here since it will be hard to escape unless the enemy can fly."
"Hmmm...we already watched the video, but can you tell me what happen again?Or maybe anything out of the ordinary?"
"Everything was like what you saw on the video. A person wearing a joker mask suddenly appeared above the clock tower and dance weirdly. Then when the guard trying to get him, he jumps from the clock tower in this open space lawn area.
And then, this open space area covered in a smoke for about 2 second. When the smoked cleared, that user also disappeared. With our training, that kind of stunt can be a bait to tempt us to open the safe to check on it so the user can sneak in when we open the safe.
That was why we wait for our commander to arrive before we open the safe to check on it which is 5 hours later.But it seems our decision to not check out the safe was a big mistake on our part."
As the guard explaining the situation to Jason and James, he opens the safe entrance to show what it's like inside the safe.
When Jason and James entered the safe, their eyes widened. They already saw the video but seeing the safe room first hand still shocked them.
"What kind of bastard doing this?"
"Is, is this room supposed to fill with all kinds of expensive and rare item?"
"No, this room supposed to keep our customer money.lower room to level 5 used to keep the expensive and rare item.But as you can see, this room and all the room below in this kind of state."
Both Jason and James were speechless.It was impossible to encounter this kind of situation in the real world and even in Emperor Saga it was the first time it happen.
Jason and James just saw an historic event aftermath left by soon to be a legendary users that can shake the 10 years old game and bring back its old excitement.
As Jason and James regained their composure, they look again the safe room surrounding to find any hint.That was, if they can find anything as what lies in front of them was
AN EMPTY ROOM
*********
Like what the guard told them, all levels in the safe were completely empty. Not even a single thread left behind making it a complete mystery on how all the expensive item and money gone.
"Hmmm...."
"Did you find anything sir?"
The guard asks both of them politely. He didn't look down on them and kindly treating them unlike other users do mainly because he was NPC guard.
95% of the guard in the Grand Fort were NPC since normal users didn't want to do the boring guard duty. It also to avoid the act of betrayal from the normal users.
"If the culprit was the same user that we were looking for, we can guess on how he can get in here.But the big question was, how did he leave here?"
Both Jason and James think hard trying to figure out how the culprit gets out of here. There were too many unanswered questions but as the detective, Jason and James focus more on how to catch the culprit rather than trying to figure out the culprit tricks.
If they can somehow figure out on how the culprit escape, maybe they still can catch the culprit. From their experience, most of the criminal escape plan were complicated and have at least one flaw.If they can catch on that one flaw, most likely they can catch the criminal.
They were restless since they knew they need to be fast. Their instinct told them that every minute counts and the deciding factor was how fast they can figure out the culprit escape route.
"Hmm....I have the feeling that the culprit escape plan was unexpectedly simple."
"Yes, me too...hmm....."
The NPC guard standing still watching Jason and James in deep thought. Then suddenly the hot tempered Jason cried in anger.
"Shit, Damn you red eye!!!"
As the word red eye came out, Jason and James finally realized something. Both of them look at each other while crying in unison.
""RED EYE!!""
*************
35 hour before.
Stat Window
Character name
Chrono
title
100 menslayer
Level
75
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Class
Merchant
Health
510
Mana
440
Fame
500
Infamy
11,800
Strength
110(+60)
Dexterity
264
Endurance
40
Wisdom
41
Intelligent
46
Sense
100
Luck
28
Stamina
109
Legendary Sword Stat Window
Sword Name
Grave
Class
Soul Necromancer
Level
75
Soul
10,000
Attack
70~75
Durability
80/80
Walking Dead rose to advanced level, now the skill name changed to Silent Dead. Now you can run while activating the skill instead of just walking
When Chrono went to Deadwood, he gained 5 level and since he activated 'Walking Dead' skill all of the time, the skill rose to advanced level. Now instead of just walking, he can run while keeping his presence hidden.
With all of the preparation done, Chrono start to devise his plan. He already told Jurek he would execute his plan today.
Today was the day richest merchant around the continent moving their wealth to the Grand Fort. Like in the real world, users always keeping their wealth in the bank for safe keeping.
For veteran merchant case, their wealth was huge and some of them always sending a carriage filled with money and expensive item every month.
*********
In front of the Grand Fort main gate, there were many carriages sent by various merchants to keep their wealth in the Grand Fort.
The escort can only come up to the main gate only before the staff of the Grand Fort takes over the carriage after heavy inspection of the bearing.
But there always a troublesome customer that loves to make a scene.Right now at the main gate, there was a merchant scolding the guard out of anger.
"I can't believe it, I need to do this every month! I've been a regular here for 6 years already."
"But sir, it is our rule to not let any outsider enter the Grand Fort."
"And it's the same excuse every month! Why do they change the guard at the main gate every week anyway? I'm tired explaining everything all over again."
At the sight of the guard and the merchant arguing, one man came on the scene.It was TigerB, the chief executive of the Grand Fort.
"Oh my, sorry I'm late to greet you. There was a bit of real life problem so I can't log in earlier"
The merchant seems to already annoy enough to say anything. He looks away from TigerB while saying "Hmmphh!".The merchant lead his carriage to the main gate without a word.
"Open the gate for him!"
"But sir, I was inform...."
TigerB look back at the NPC guard trying to explain the situation. He didn't get angry because the guard only does what they're told to do. And the guard not supposed to let the merchant pass without his presence.
"That guy, Roshan is the main merchant of our clan, 'TerraNorth' and also the CEO of the company 'Cranberry' .He always brings the most money and expensive item, our main customer.And he also the current richest merchant in the North Continent."
"But still, it will endanger our security."
"Don't worry, we inspect him and his carriage far more detail than any other. It takes 2 hours for him to pass all the gates because of the inspection alone."
********
"All good, you can pass"
As the last guard let Roshan pass, he and his carriage finally can get into the Grand Fort. No matter how big Roshan influence was, he still needs to leave his escort guard at the main gate.
Right now, he was escorted by the Grand Fort guard. His carriage consists of 50 big wagon that contained all the money and expensive item that will be stored at the Grand Fort together with 100 horses pulling the wagon and 30 goblin servant that carry the extra luggage.
His big carriage makes it complicated to inspect it. Roshan spends at least 2 hours getting inspected by the guard. When he finally passes all those inspections, he leads his carriage to the Grand Safe feeling relieved.He finally smiled when the last guard let him pass.
And just like this, Chrono make his way to the Grand Safe. Without getting caught, his first step, infiltrating the Grand Fort was successful.
*********
When the carriage arrived at the Grand Safe, Roshan takes his carriage to the safe entrance. He want to see himself the item and money enter the safe.
The Grand Fort staff takes all the item and money from the carriage to the safe while Roshan watching them. He recorded everything himself to not let a single penny slip from his sight.
Roshan has his goblin to help the staff carrying the item to fasten the process. Once done, the goblins were assigned to take care of the horses and repair the wagon if there is a need.
When the Grand Fort staves finish transferring all the item and money from the carriages, it already dusk the transferring process was strangely takes longer than usual . Roshan approached TigerB to asks for something.
"It already dusk, for a merchant travelling at night was quite dangerous even for a short distance.Prepare a room for me to stay the night."
"I'm sorry sir, even for you I can't let you stays."
"What? How outrageous, if you came earlier before I don't need to waste time at the main gate arguing with the guard. And we can finishes everything before dusk!"
"I, I Understand, I'll arranged a room for you.But can you at least log out before midnight and log in again when you about to leave? That way you can help me to avoid trouble from the higher up."
"What?!"
"Please understand, it's the least I can do."
"Hmph! fine!"
******
12 A.M at the Grand Fort.
Chrono wakes up once everyone besides him fall asleep.Even for a merchant with a great influence like Roshan was guarded by 5 guards at his room.
Clearly the guard were not to ensure Roshan safety but rather to keeping an eye for Roshan. After 10 p.m it was impossible for Roshan to gets out of the room.
But since, Chrono stays in the barn just outside of the Grand Safe filled with fly and horse poo, the security were less tight.No guards keeping an eye at the barn but outside, flashlights and guards were everywhere.
Earlier before, Chrono kidnap one of Roshan's goblin with the help of his clan member, Sitka and Aramis. Then he used his new acquired 'Disguising Mask' to disguise himself as one of Roshan's goblin.
Thanks to Jurek spying, he manages to keep TigerB in real life from log in to the game making him late to greet Roshan.It was easy for Jurek to obstruct TigerB since they work in the same company.
To ensure they will finishes at dusk, Chrono gave the horses food that make them to walk slowly.Since he disguise himself as the slave goblin and the other goblin was dimwit, it was an easy feat.
He just have to secretly feeding the horses when the guards inspecting the carriage between the walls. He also gave the food to the goblin to make them to work slowly when transfering the goods into the safe.
As a merchant himself, he fairly knew Roshan will asks to stay the night at the Grand Fort. Since he cant control TigerB decisions, he felt relieved when TigerB agreed to let Roshan stayed.
Chrono take a peek outside trying to figure out the best route to reach the Grand Safe. For that, he takes out 'Stealth Belt' an expensive 100 gold belt he just buy for this mission.
Stealth Belt :
A belt that grant invisibility to anyone that wear it. Unlike any other item that grant invisibility, the belt enable its user to move around freely. The belt will disappeared once its user take it off.
Durability : 50/50
Special : Grant invisibility to its user (One time used)
Chrono equipped the 'Stealth Belt' to become invisible after he activated hi 'Silent Dead' skill. Then he jumps out from the barn windows since leaving through the door will alert the guards.
Entering the safe was an impossible feat since that area was flooded with the guards. Instead of heading to the safe entrance, Chrono headed to the bathroom entrance at the back of the building.
When he went around the fort doing Roshan tasks this afternoon, Chrono secretly melt the iron bar in the bathroom that lead to the sewers outside using his alchemy liquid.
Chrono creep into the sewers carefully making his way to the bathroom. With his small goblin body stature, he barely manage to fit in the sewers exits he created this afternoon. To avoid getting detected, Chrono only melt two iron bars.
"(Huhuhu......now I'm inside the building.)"
Just for a perfect crime, Chrono reattached the iron bar with his chemical solution. The guards cant used the bathroom in the main building and since the higher up were users, they almost never used the bathroom because they can just take the shower in real life .These trends make the bathroom the perfect place for Chrono to sneak in.
Chrono check with his 'Fear Death' skill first to make sure there were no guards around when he open the bathroom door.When he sense no guard around, Chrono open the door to move out before he closed the door again slowly without a sound.
He head to upstairs since the area around the underground safe were heavily guarded. The higher floor of the building has lesser guard but it still hard for Chrono to move around without a careful planning.
Chrono guesses the guards in the Grand Safe building has a higher level 'Predator' skill that can detect users that hide their presence. The 'Silent Dead' skill almost perfectly hides Chrono presence but he still can't tell what will happen if he too close to the guard.
He carefully climbed the stairs moving to the higher floors. His aimed were the top of the clock tower.
With all the guards around, Chrono finally reached the top of the clock tower after one hour. When he reached the top, he open the door to the clock tower open space area. He unequipped the 'Stealth Belt' and his 'Disguising Mask' making him returned to his original human forms.
He takes out his new creation, a 'Joker Mask' to wear it. It was a normal mask he just wear it to hide his identity.
Then Chrono takes out all of the firecrackers he created with his alchemy skill. After that he finally takes out the scroll created by Sitka 'Trolling Dance'.
*******
5 Minutes later
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
At the top of the clock tower, there were hundreds of firecrackers release making the night sky at the Grand Fort suddenly becoming colorful and as bright as a day.
At the top of the tower there was a man wearing a joker mask dancing an annoying dance making everyone looking at him clenched their fist in anger.
"Who is that bastard?"
"Go after him!"
"How did he get there?"
The guards rushing to the top of the clock tower trying to catch Chrono. When he finally saw the guards reaching the top of the tower, Chrono immediately jumps from the tower to the open space lawn area in the middle of the Grand Safe where the underground safe lies underneath it.
When he about to reach the ground, he immediately throw the smoked bomb that obstruct the guard vision. The smoked bomb can only last for 2 seconds but it was enough for Chrono to unleashed his skill.
'Shadow Ghost'
When the smoked cleared, Chrono already disappeared left the guards dumbfounded. At this point, Chrono finally reach the safe that keep all the wealth of the North Continent.With 'Shadow Ghost' skill, he manages to go through 10 feet underground to reach the safe.
"(Finally!)"
Chrono ate the food he prepared that will enhance his mana regeneration. Then he cast portal like mad to empty the first level of the safe. Chrono move to the second, third, fourth and finally fifth level to take all of the expensive item and money from the underground safe.
After he finally emptied the Grand Safe, Chrono laugh an evil laugh thinking he now maybe the richest man in the North Continent.
"(Kukuku....Take that Alex, next time I will crush your North branch for good)"
Once his done, Chrono strip his cloth naked so he will drop nothing and left no evidence. There was only one way for Chrono to escape, he can't just get back to the upper ground and get spotted by the guards.
Once Chrono strip himself naked, he takes out the 'Deadly Fang', a dagger that have a deadly poison that reduce the health 10 % for 10 seconds.A sure kill dagger that can only be used once a day.
Chrono stab himself with 'Deadly Fang'. He then used his last remaining life to summon the portal to put the dagger into the portal. Since dead may cause him to drop something, he don't want to risk anything.
Your body inflicted with a deadly poison. Your health will be reduced by 10% of your full health for 10 seconds.
"HAHAHAHA!!!!"
Chrono grin and laugh again as his plan was a complete success before his body finally disappeared.
You have died. Your level will be decreased by 5 and you can't log in for 24 hours.Since you are a chaotic user, your avatar will be spawn at the nearest safe spot instead of normal user spawning place.
*********
22 hours after.
Jason and James went hastily to where the crowd were and cried in unison.
""Guys, we figure out how the culprit escape!! We need to search the nearest 'Safe Spot'!!""
****