dognovel Chapter 111 Preparations Before the Banquet
Chapter 111 Preparations Before the Banquet
[Tribe: Sir, the false identity you requested has been prepared.]
【Great, send me all the relevant documents.】
[Tribe: They've already sent it along with the message. The ID and goods will arrive soon.]
I'm sitting on my bed, checking the message I just received. The message includes a peculiar picture.
"They're really fast."
I thought to myself.
One of the reasons I invest so much money in the hacker group called 'Tribe' is the quality of their work.
They act swiftly, and are usually safe unless the mission involves excessive risk.
I opened the image and found a fake ID card with the name "Leonard Blackwood". The quality was impeccable, and the details perfectly replicated the real ID card.
Leonard Blackwood, a carefully crafted identity, which will be the identity I use when entering the Black family banquet.
"Considering the banquet is being held this weekend, it seems they're trying to curry favor with me."
The Black family is one of the most prestigious and highest-ranking families in the Valerian Federation. Therefore, their banquets are only open to those of equal status.
Moreover, since not everyone can easily enter the Black family's banquets, I need a false identity.
This fake identity not only allows me to enter the banquet, but also ensures low risk and that I won't be discovered.
The photo on his ID card showed a composed and ordinary face. Leonard Blackwood, but with a professional air about him.
This is the face of a waiter, someone who silently serves in lavish events, merely a background figure.
He was not handsome, nor did he have any outstanding features. He had black hair, brown eyes, and a slightly thin build.
He graduated from a two-year course designed for waiters who would work at similar banquets in the future, and he was not an Awakened.
After completing the course, he was immediately hired by a well-known institution, where he began his first job.
He was born in the southern part of the mainland, near the border. His family members passed away not long ago, and now he works in the capital.
This is basically all the background information about Leonard Blackwood.
dong dong!
Just as I was continuing to carefully check my ID card, there was a knock on the door.
'The goods you mentioned must have arrived.'
I quickly opened the door and saw a cargo box containing items needed for the fake identity: a waiter's uniform, a tray, several pairs of contact lenses, small facial enhancement tools, and other related accessories—all carefully packaged to maintain the illusion.
Everything is well prepared.
I didn't expect them to do this well, considering they're just well-known hackers. But they probably managed to do it by collaborating with other teams on the dark web.
'So, all that's left is to prepare for my performance.'
I opened my laptop, went to a video website, and started watching a series of videos about the work of waiters.
[Perception and Insight] can even work when I'm learning from videos; it doesn't necessarily require me to witness things firsthand.
This is something I overlooked during training, and I only realized it when watching the course videos.
Now, I'm applying my features in practice using this method.
Watch a video, grasp its core points, and absorb them into your mind, making it a habit.
......
In a café with countless decorations on the walls and an upscale exterior, six people are sitting together talking.
They looked young and energetic, and each of them had an appearance that was enough to attract the attention of onlookers.
"Are they...?"
"Yes, they are a new generation of nobles."
Although the word 'noble' has been officially abolished, it remains a slang term used by people.
After all, some people are clearly different from birth, and this is clearly demonstrated in the conversation between these two people.
"I never expected that we would meet the heirs of five different families here."
"This is the first time I've ever seen this either."
"But they really are as rumored. I wish I had been born into a family like that."
"Yes...they're good-looking, rich, and awakened...what more could you ask for..."
As the two men looked on with envy at the group, a waiter suddenly walked over.
Excuse me.
The waiter's voice was polite but carried a clear warning tone. The two men turned to the waiter, somewhat surprised.
“You’d better keep your eyes peeled,” the waiter advised, gesturing to the group of six. “They come from a prominent family; it’s best not to attract too much attention.”
Just as the waiter said, a sharp-eyed girl was looking at them. She was clearly unhappy.
Realizing their rudeness, the two quickly looked away and apologized quietly. The waiter, satisfied with their reaction, returned to his post.
Meanwhile, among the "distinguished" guests, Ethan and the others were engrossed in discussing the upcoming banquet and secret auction.
“I can’t believe the Black family is actually putting those rare materials up for auction. They’re practically flaunting their wealth,” Julia said, looking at the documents her father had given her. Others had the same documents, so it wasn’t a secret among them.
“They always are,” Lucas replied.
As he stated, the Black family is one of the most powerful families in the Valerian Federation, and this is not solely due to their skilled and exceptionally talented hunters. In fact, their strength stems more from the materials they mine in the dungeons.
Dungeon ore.
They possess access to unique materials that didn't exist in the world before, materials obtainable only through dungeons, and control their distribution. This is one of the Black family's strengths, and at a recent banquet, they were said to announce their new project and its details.
“We all know that,” Irina interjected, biting into the poor piece of cake with a hint of displeasure. “But that doesn’t mean they aren’t annoying.”
“Yeah, I agree. They are indeed annoying, but I guess that’s just their style,” Ethan said, sipping his milkshake. Banana flavor was his favorite, and he seemed to be in a good mood.
"So, did your family instruct you to buy anything?"
The six men had gathered here to discuss the banquet. They were all "allies," belonging to the same faction since childhood, so they always did this. Whenever their interests clashed, they would always try to find a solution.
“According to the catalog, there isn’t one,” Alice replied, her hands tapping on the virtual keyboard on her watch. Even as she spoke, she was still working.
"What about the rest?"
"Same."
"Same."
"As expected. So, does anyone know what special items they'll be putting up for auction?"
The Black family has a tradition of holding an auction whenever they host a banquet, and there are two different auctions. The first auction is open to all invitees, while the second auction is only open to VIPs with special invitations.
“Special auctions are always tricky,” Alice continued, glancing at her notes. “They’re usually unique and in high demand items that can have a huge impact.” Given that she managed a guild, she knew all too well the value of these auction items.
Ethan leaned forward, intrigued. "Any clues about these unusual items?"
His family didn't ask him to buy anything, but he was looking for a tool that would help him grow up, as he was still in the early stages of his development.
Irina tapped her watch, flipping through some messages. "I've heard about a rare enchanted gem. It's said to enhance magical abilities." Because she came from a family renowned for its pursuit of magic, she was required to buy any magical-related items with an unlimited budget whenever they appeared.
Alice nodded. “Bidding for such items can be very fierce.” This also explains why some magic-centric families are particularly interested.
“That’s right,” Lucas said absentmindedly, stirring his drink. “We need to prepare for a fierce bidding war.”
Karl, who had remained relatively silent, finally spoke. "I've received some intelligence about a unique artifact, a weapon fused with rare crystals. Rumor has it that it can interfere with energy-based attacks." He wasn't usually talkative, but when he did speak, it was always with very important information.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "That's interesting. A disruptive weapon, especially among warriors and hunters, can certainly fetch a good price."
"At first glance, that might be the case, but I don't think it will be very high."
"why?"
"Because it is a warhammer."
"what……"
As Karl said, the warhammer was not a common weapon because it required considerable force to use.
"So, I guess you're planning to take it yourself."
"I'll give it a try."
"I understand. Anyway, I'm not interested in Warhammer."
Alice remained focused on her work, adding, "I'll investigate further. The more we know, the better our strategy will be. Once everything is finished, I'll send everyone a detailed report."
The group members nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of the upcoming auction. They continued discussing possible strategies, potential competitors, and how to gain an advantage at the banquet.
After chatting for a while longer, Alice was the first to leave, as usual.
"You're leaving already?"
"Yes, I have a meeting in fifteen minutes."
"Still so busy."
See you at the banquet. Don't forget to check your email.
"Okay, okay..."
Once Alice leaves, the group's main objective is over.
"Then let's have some fun..."