Chapter 35. Catching the Arsonist
Late at night.
‘Is this the place?’
Deida, a member of the Red Storm Guild, was standing at the edge of the village.
He had been ordered by Bianca to watch over the place.
When he saw the newly completed palisade, he couldn’t help but whistle.
“Wow… he really built a proper wall.”
He ran his hand over the sturdy wood.
‘How the hell did he build this? And without using a single skill?’
Deida had seen it with his own eyes —
that carpenter player building this entire wall manually.
Digging the ground with a shovel,
lifting the logs by hand, driving them into the dirt, securing them with supports and ropes —
all things that would’ve been instant with construction skills.
It was absurd, impressive, and slightly infuriating.
‘No wonder it looks so solid. But now… I’m curious.’
A twisted grin spread across his lips.
“Wonder how it’d feel to see something you worked so hard on go up in flames~?”
The very thought entertained him.
To watch that proud builder’s face twist in horror as his wall burned —
just imagining it made Deida chuckle.
“Alright then.”
He pulled out a flask of oil he’d bought in Lete Village and began carefully sprinkling it along the palisade,
glancing around to make sure no one was watching.
“Hmm~ love that smell. Never gets old. Now then…”
Fwoosh.
[Skill: Fire Creation Lv.5 activated.]
It was a basic life skill — not combat magic.
Usually used by adventurers for cooking at camp.
“Eheheh, come on, drink it up, baby~ time to burn!”
He tossed the spark into the oil.
The flame caught — or should have.
Instead, it fizzled.
“…Huh? It’s not burning?”
That didn’t make sense.
Wood burns easily.
Soaked in oil, it should’ve burst into flames instantly.
But the palisade didn’t even smolder.
“What the hell… not enough oil?”
He poured more over it. Still nothing — just a few dark scorch marks.
“Why isn’t this—”
“Why don’t you try fanning it?”
“Oh! Good idea. Thanks, man. You saved me.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Deida smiled faintly… until something felt off.
‘Wait… who the hell am I talking to?’
He was alone.
He’d come by himself, and this far from the entrance, no players ever came by.
Instinct kicked in.
He spun around, preparing a skill —
But before he could react—
GRAB!
A massive hand, like an iron clamp, seized his face.
“Ghk!”
The grip was monstrous.
He couldn’t even move — his feet dangled off the ground.
“K-Kuh… You’re…!”
“Hansel, Captain of the Guard. You’re under arrest for arson in progress.”
Ding!
[You have been caught by the Guard Captain.]
[You are restrained.]
[Warning: Attempting to escape while detained will result in enhanced penalties.]
Deida gritted his teeth.
‘Damn it! Like hell I’m getting taken by some NPC!’
He tried to activate a skill — but froze.
Because right before his eyes…
Flex!
A mountain of bulging pectorals rippled like a living beast.
And then—
“Resist, and you’ll deal with the consequences yourself.”
The low, dangerous growl in his ear made his blood run cold.
‘…Yeah. I think I’ll behave.’
He forced a shaky smile.
“C-could I maybe… walk on my own? This is kinda humiliating…”
Flex.
“…Right. Guess my pride’s not worth that much. Please proceed.”
That night, a video went viral on the Illusion community forums.
[Breaking News: Red Storm Guild Member Dragged Away in Iron Claw!]
[Red Storm’s Humiliation — Caught Attempting Arson on Stream!]
[Player Deida Imprisoned for 7 Real-Time Days.]
The clip showed him being dragged off by the massive guard captain —
dangling helplessly like a ragdoll.
Player reactions were merciless.
LOL Red Storm never learns 😂😂
Tried to burn a wall, got burned instead 💀
If you’re gonna grief, at least do it right lmao.
Why’s the guard dragging him like a crab??
└ I wanna get grabbed like that too 😂He even yelled “I’m innocent!!” in prison and got an extra day sentence 😂😂
└ Bro was literally caught red-handed.
└ Red Storm IQ collectively under 50 confirmed.
No one defended the guild.
Their reputation was already in the gutter — this just sealed it.
“Damn it… damn it!!”
Bianca slammed her desk.
On-screen, Deida was frozen mid-frame — tears streaming down his face effect, saying:
“Is my shame really that important to you…?”
“…He’s lost his mind.”
Bianca pinched the bridge of her nose.
It wasn’t just that the plan had failed —
the humiliation of it being recorded and spread online made her blood boil.
“I mean, seriously. He got caught trying to burn one wall.
But why did he have to talk while getting dragged away?! Just shut up and get arrested!”
The clip replayed the scene where Deida cheerfully thanked his “helper.”
“And what’s with ‘Thanks, you saved me’? The only one who got saved was the NPC, you idiot.”
She groaned, massaging her neck.
It was like she herself had built that damn wall and watched it burn.
“When did I even recruit this clown…”
She checked her guild logs.
Their first meeting had been two months ago — a low-level quest party.
“Should’ve cut him loose back then. I really can’t read people.”
Just then, her guild chat pinged.
[Deida: Miss Bianca… When I get out, should I go burn it again?]
Bianca stared blankly for a second.
Then typed.
[Bianca: Prepare to burn yourself first.]
“…So that’s what happened?”
“Yes. The outsider’s currently locked in the guardhouse jail.”
While hammering nails into a new frame, Aren listened to Alfredo’s report and chuckled dryly.
He hadn’t expected something like that to happen.
‘If it were any normal wall, it would’ve burned. But…’
Aren opened his construction management window.
[Sturdy Oak Palisade Lv.1]
Grade: B
Description: A finely crafted palisade built from durable oak by a skilled carpenter.
Maintenance Cost: 427 Gold
Durability: 5,500,000 / 5,500,000Options:
Durability +20%
Defense +20%
Safe Zone Effect +25%
Reduced chance of low-tier monster encounters
Increased villager satisfaction
<Hidden Option>
Highly resistant to fire.
‘So that’s why it didn’t burn.’
It wasn’t luck — it was the hidden attribute.
The fire had no chance.
“Still, good thing someone caught him.”
“Captain Hansel said he was just passing by when he smelled smoke. That’s how he found the culprit.”
“Lucky break.”
“Indeed. He’s increased patrols since then, too.”
Aren nodded.
He’d like to help Hansel more — but for now, he had his own job.
“I’ve still got too many buildings left to finish.”
He opened the quest window.
[Incoming Settlers]
Grade: B
Description: A palisade now protects your village.
As the chief, you’re successfully developing your settlement.
Word has spread, and migrants are arriving — but there are no homes yet.
Objective: Build additional wooden houses (2 / 20)
Reward: EXP, Title, 50 Gold, ???
Penalty: None
“Only two houses done so far…”
He sighed.
Even with his construction skills, building twenty homes would take days.
‘Still, can’t stop now.’
Once he started something, he saw it through.
After a short break, he picked up the hammer again.
Thwack! Thwack!
Crack!
Suddenly—
[Your Carpenter’s Hammer has reached 0 durability.]
[Your Carpenter’s Hammer has broken.]
“Ah…”
“It’s worn out, sir. You’ve been using that one a long time.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
He checked his tools.
Most were nearly broken from constant use.
“Tch. Guess I’ll have to go buy new ones. Might as well grab nails and oil too.”
A supply run to Lete Village was due anyway.
Aren and Alfredo arrived at Lete Village.
As a beginner area, it was bustling with new players.
“Hey! Let’s buy some low-grade potions before heading out!”
“How much you got? I just made 30 silver from a quest!”
“Then grab a sword. Maybe some rations too.”
Aren walked through the crowd toward the Carpenter’s Guild, stroking his chin.
“Our village still lacks a lot.”
“Yes. It’s fine now, but we’ll need shops later — maybe even a blacksmith.”
“You’re right.”
Currently, they had only a restaurant and a clothing shop.
Whenever they needed supplies, they had to come all the way here.
‘I’ll need a general store, a weapon shop… maybe even a workshop.’
He sighed.
“Being a village chief isn’t easy.”
“Responsibility never is. But you’re doing well, sir.”
“…You think so?”
“Absolutely. Anyone can see how much better the village feels under your leadership.”
Aren smiled faintly.
Alfredo’s steady faith was strangely comforting.
“And of course, I’ll help however I can. That’s my duty.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it! Supporting you is what I was made for. When things get tough, call on me — I’ll be your pillar of strength!”
He thumped his chest with pride.
Aren couldn’t help but laugh.
Before long, they reached the Carpenter’s Guild.
Creeeak—
The door groaned loudly as it opened.
‘Don’t they ever oil these hinges?’
“Yuell, I need some—”
But instead of the familiar guild master,
figures in leather armor stood waiting, faces hidden under hoods.
“Don’t move.”
A cold blade pressed against Aren’s neck.
The sharp edge kissed his skin — one wrong move, and he was done.
Sweat rolled down his back.
“We’re looking for an outsider carpenter named Aren. Do you know him?”
The thin voice cut through the silence.
Aren darted his eyes toward Alfredo, silently begging for help.
Alfredo hesitated… then bit his lip.
“…Aren? Never heard of him. Can I go now?”
“…”
“I really don’t know him.”
‘A dependable pillar, huh?’
‘More like a rotten one.’
