Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Chapter 150 Bribery

As Arthur and Adam stepped through the village gates, a ripple of whispers spread through the gathered players like wildfire.

Murmurs filled the air, hushed voices trading speculation and suspicion.

"What is Lieutenant Adam doing with Fateless?"

"Did they finally catch him?"

"I thought it was almost guaranteed that Fateless was the one who stole all those monster kills. What's going on?"

Arthur's sharp eyes scanned the crowd. He could feel their gazes burning into him, filled with uncertainty, malice, and frustration.

Adam, walking beside him, clearly took note of the growing unrest. His expression darkened, and his pace slowed slightly as he turned his gaze toward the murmuring players.

Arthur caught the subtle shift in Adam's demeanour. It was time.

If Arthur was to serve their interests, then his reputation couldn't remain tarnished. The military couldn't afford to have one of their key assets operating under a cloud of suspicion. It would only bring unnecessary complications.

The only reason he had spread the rumours against Arthur was to force his hand and make him slip up. But, now that Arthur was under their wing. That was no longer needed.

Adam raised a single hand, his voice carrying a weight that cut through the idle chatter like a blade.

"Everyone, listen carefully."

The murmuring ceased almost instantly.

The presence of a military officer wasn't something the average player could ignore, even in a lawless environment like Armageddon.

Adam's gaze swept over the gathered crowd, his voice unwavering.

"Let it be known that after thorough investigation, Fateless has been found innocent."

A stunned silence followed.

"I repeat—Fateless is innocent of any accusations regarding the monster horde event."

Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd.

"He had multiple alibis, and the claims against him were based on pure speculation. We have wrongly accused him, and I expect this truth to be shared with those who are not present today."

Arthur's expression remained unreadable, but inwardly, he smirked.

'Smart move, Adam. Very smart. But either way, I won't let you get what you want. You better be prepared for what's to come, because it's gonna ruin everything you have been planning. And, you can't do anything about it. '

With those few sentences, Adam had effectively killed the rumours before they could fester into something worse.

However, not everyone was so easily convinced.

From the back of the crowd, a scoff rang out.

"Tch. Fateless probably bribed him."

A murmur of hesitant agreement followed.

"Yeah! The guy sells rare items like they're nothing. He's got the money for it."

"This smells fishy. No way he's innocent."

Arthur watched as Adam's expression turned deathly cold.

Without hesitation, Adam took a single step forward. His gaze locked onto the player who had spoken, a mid-level swordsman wearing a mix of common and uncommon gear.

Arthur almost felt bad for the poor fool.

Adam's voice was sharp as steel. "Do you understand what you are implying?"

The swordsman faltered, but he tried to keep up his bravado. "I-I'm just saying—"

"You are accusing a high-ranking military officer of corruption," Adam cut in, his voice like ice. "Do you have any idea what that means?"

The colour drained from the player's face.

The surrounding players, who had begun to nod along with his accusations, suddenly fell silent, realizing the gravity of what had just been said.

Adam wasn't just some NPC. He wasn't a mere village official.

He was military.

In Armageddon, military officials weren't just random players—they were extensions of the real-world government. Insulting one wasn't just a casual in-game mistake. It was the kind of mistake that could have real consequences, ones far beyond the game itself.

Adam continued, stepping even closer, his tone low and dangerous. "The military is not an organization that can be bribed. This is not some underworld faction, nor is it a guild of mercenaries. We do not operate on money. We operate on order."

A sharp pause.

"So tell me… do you still wish to accuse me of corruption?"

The swordsman swallowed hard, his bravado shattering. He took a shaky step back. "N-no… I didn't mean—"

Adam didn't give him a chance to finish.

"Then hold your tongue."

The authority in Adam's voice made the rest of the gathered players shrink slightly, murmurs dying down completely.

Arthur observed the shift with quiet amusement.

Adam had just turned the tide of public opinion in a matter of moments.

The players who had been questioning the military's decision only seconds ago were now nodding along, convinced by Adam's sheer presence and the weight of his words.

"Yeah, makes sense. The military wouldn't accept bribes."

"I guess we really were wrong about Fateless."

"Damn… I almost turned against him for nothing."

Arthur's smirk deepened.

With his reputation somewhat salvaged, Arthur wouldn't have to deal with the constant annoyance of players doubting or suspecting him. He could move freely within the village once again without whispers trailing behind him.

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Of course, it wasn't all gone. There would always be a few who remained skeptical.

But skepticism was better than outright hostility.

For now, this was enough.

As the crowd finally dispersed, Adam exhaled slightly, turning toward Arthur.

"That should take care of most of it," he said, voice returning to a more neutral tone.

Arthur tilted his head, his smirk returning. "Efficient as always, Lieutenant."

Adam didn't respond to the remark. He merely motioned toward the mayor's office.

"Come on. Let's finish what we came here for."

Arthur's eyes gleamed with something unreadable.

"After you."

Arriving at the Mayor's Office.

Arthur and Adam approached but before they could get too close.

Two armoured guards stepped forward, their expressions darkening the moment they spotted Arthur. As if annoyed by his presence.

Their hands twitched toward their weapons—not out of fear, but hostility.

"What are you doing here?" one of them barked, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Didn't the Mayor tell you not to show your face here again?"

The words rang through the air, carrying hostility.

Adam's steps slowed ever so slightly. His gaze fluctuated between Arthur and the guards, his mind piecing together the scene in front of him.