Chapter 5: Looting Gear

His words immediately caught everyone's attention.

Even though they had been repeatedly mocked by the guide, the newcomers could only swallow their anger. The earlier events had already proven the importance of intelligence.

Listening more was never a bad idea.

"You've got a sharp mind," Taige praised with a smile. It was clear that he admired Kiba, perhaps even more than the young man with great talent, Sean.

However, what Taige said next had a hint of helplessness: "It's a good idea, but you know, any information about the plot worlds is incredibly expensive, beyond what you or I can afford. Unless..."

"Unless what?" Kiba's heart was pounding.

"Unless you have the support of a team behind you, who would contribute the intelligence they've already gathered for free." Taige seemed to be hinting at something.

Unfortunately, at that moment, Kiba was already lost in his excitement and completely missed the true implication of Taige's words.

"Well then..."

"I've already said enough." Taige knew when to stop. Even if he wanted to recruit Kiba into his team, it didn't mean he would reveal everything upfront.

If Kiba accepted his invitation, he would naturally learn what he needed to know; otherwise, there was no point in asking.

Feeling slightly rebuffed, Kiba turned his attention to the Trost District in front of him.

Countless soldiers were swarming in to clear a path to the city gates. It was a brutal battlefield, where only soldiers who possessed both luck and skill could survive.

"My guess was right; this is indeed how it is."

Gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, Kiba's mind kept replaying the earlier conversation.

He was now certain that neither Taige nor his team, nor anyone else in the Reincarnation Space, likely knew the true origin of these "plot worlds."

These completely unknown plot worlds were actually generated based on various manga and anime.

The actions of the plot characters weren't entirely unpredictable, and the main protagonist of the plot could be identified at a glance because this knowledge was firmly stored in Kiba's mind.

As for why this was the case, he boldly speculated that it might be because the world he had crossed into was no longer the original one.

"I hope I'll get a chance to verify this."

But that was for later. For now, the focus was on completing the main mission and seeing if there were any additional benefits to be gained.

**Basic Skill:** **Three-Dimensional Maneuver Gear Operation LV2 (Temporary)**

With this temporary skill enhancement, Kiba was now almost on par with veterans who had trained for two and a half years, making him proficient in operating the maneuver gear.

Against slow-moving giants, improved mobility was more important than anything else, meaning he could now aim for even greater goals.

The minimum requirement of the mission was to hunt a giant alone, and since the number wasn't specified, the more, the better.

First, he would meet the minimum mission requirement, and then he could see what happens when the plot is altered.

As the guide had said, Reincarnation Space would push you forward step by step. Instead of waiting until the last moment to fight desperately, it was better to find a way to stay ahead of the space.

"Let's start now."

Under the guide's approving gaze, Kiba was the first to leap off the city wall.

After a brief pause, Taige also got up and left the platform. Guides had many restrictions and couldn't easily help new Reincarnators, or they'd face penalties in the form of plot point deductions.

However, there were exceptions to every rule. If he encountered a promising target, he would go out of his way to keep them alive, even if it cost him a bit.

These kids were all promising, and if he could take care of them all, the rewards from his boss would be substantial.

On the city wall, Sean pondered for a moment, then nodded to the others and said, "Everyone, stay safe and look out for each other. This time, we need to kill as many as possible."

The girl and the chubby guy were smart enough to know they had to cling tightly to the strong at this moment, while the expressions of the others were a bit more complex.

But with life and death on the line, no one dared to question him. However, once it was all over, things might not be so simple.

Flying swiftly between buildings, Kiba always found the most stable landing points.

Even when the grapple hooks landed off-target, as long as he didn't fall, the risks weren't too great.

"Maybe my perception attribute is too advanced, making this plot mission surprisingly less difficult."

Dodging an incoming hand, Kiba twisted his body mid-air with a forceful movement from his waist, raised his arm, and sent a sharp grapple hook piercing through the back of the giant's neck.

Using the propulsion of the gas jets, Kiba spun his body with all his might, relying on the momentum to increase the power of his slash.

**[Your slash has triggered an instant death effect. Mechanism check in progress... Strength bonus check in progress... Resistance check in progress...]**

**[The giant has suffered 60 points of fatal damage. The giant is dead!]**

**[You have obtained a plot loot box (White).]**

"Loot can drop too?" Kiba's eyes lit up. He wanted to jump down immediately to pick it up, but giants had already appeared on both sides.

Now, in the Trost District, giants were everywhere in the streets and alleys, and his perception was constantly warning him of danger.

"Don't go down; going down will get you killed." This was the clear message he received.

So, Kiba made a quick turn and flew off in the other direction. But just because he wasn't greedy didn't mean everyone else had the same restraint.

The few people following behind saw the loot box on the ground. Having played games before, they immediately understood what they were seeing.

"Heh, if you don't want it, then it's mine." The chubby guy's eyes narrowed, and he pressed the trigger hard, releasing the gas propulsion at full power.

He was sick of living under others' thumbs. Even in this Reincarnation Space, no one had the right to order him around.

"Anyone who bullies me deserves to die." With a ferocious expression, the chubby guy dove straight for the ground, completely ignoring the danger warnings from behind.

As long as he could get the loot, he could stand out among the newcomers, and then he would be the one calling the shots.

It was a beautiful thought, but the moment he touched the loot box, an icy prompt echoed in his mind.

**[You are attempting to pick up loot item number 14552.]**

**[Reincarnator number 14552 is still alive, with 29 minutes and 28 seconds of protection time remaining.]**

"I can't pick it up?!" The chubby guy was stunned, not even noticing a small giant lunging at him from the side.

At that critical moment, the guide, Taige, descended from the sky like a savior.

"What a damn fool." Taige raised his arm, forming his thumb and forefinger into a gun-like gesture.

Under everyone's gaze, a pale blue spiritual light began to gather at his fingertip.

"This is..." Kiba's eyes widened, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity with the scene.

(End of Chapter)