Chapter 161: What Money Can’t Buy (2)
Cho Hyejin settled for silently sitting in the wagon, wearing the mask. However, I could tell she was nervous, and I knew what she was thinking.
“Is there really such a place?”
“There is a supply only when there is demand. People only sell when someone needs it.”
“I haven’t even heard of a place like that in the three years I’ve been in Castle Rock.”
“It is not a black market that is common in some cities. It is a little more luxurious and operates as a VIP-only place. Such black markets can be found in Lindel.”
“Still it is…”
“The most active place in the drug trade is usually at the border. On Earth, there are relatively many cities close to the border between the United States and Mexico. Castle Rock’s geographic requirements aren’t bad. I think it’s because it is close to the Republic.”
“To the Republic…”
“They’re in a cold war, but… In the meantime, items that can be sold are selling well. Human beings are animals that can commit crimes anytime, anywhere, in any situation. To put it a bit exaggeratedly, the market will still operate even during a war.”
“How did you-?”
“How do I know this? I have purchasing power. Nothing is impossible with money in this world.”
In fact, it was not just money. The truth was, I had gone through h.e.l.l to find the route.
Obviously, I was convinced that there was a market or auction house within Castle Rock, but it wasn’t easy to discover the route that had formed over the years. Truthfully, it would be simple with the help of Song Jungwook, but I wanted to hide the fact that Cho Hyejin and I were planning on entering the underground auction house.
In the end, it was Yuno Kasugano who helped me while I was working hard looking for this.
Who would have known that one letter would solve everything?
Thanks to that, I made a promise to stop by Celia after my work was over, but it was a promise I didn’t know when I could fulfill.
“Even Count Castle Rock or Marlin Young-ae probably don’t know about this. The same goes for Hyunsung.”
“The Guild Master, too…”
If I were to consider things during the first timeline, it was about this time that Kim Hyunsung struggled to increase the armed forces within Lindel. He may have encountered it after work, but the illegal auction house was a bit far away for people like Cho Hyejin.
“It’s because Hyunsung seems to have a fairly solid goal. There is a high possibility that he is missing these details. To put it nicely, he’s looking at the forest, not the trees.”
“You mean, he’s looking at the big picture.”
“Yes. For example, he focuses on events that could directly impact the continent, such as war or monster waves. You are more concerned with the comfort of Castle Rock rather than the underground auction house of Castle Rock. That’s the reason why I am searching through the forest now. If you have someone who sees the forest, you need someone who sees the tree.”
“…”
“That role can be played by someone like Hyejin or me.”
“But…”
“Of course, I will report it, but I don’t think there is a need to show our Guild Master the rotten wood. He already has too much on his mind.”
“I can understand what you mean. Then the reason why you asked me to come with you…”
“I’ve said this before, but I like you, Hyejin. I can also agree with the reason why Hyunsung wants to make you the guild’s executive. Wouldn’t it be easier for us in the future if we can understand each other well? Ah. It seems that we’ve arrived. Let’s get off. Until you enter the underground auction house, you should save your words.”
“Okay…”
“Ah! My name here is Kasugano Haruka. You can call me Yuka.”
“Ah. Okay.”
As we got off the wagon, I saw a rather quiet banquet hall. Cho Hyejin looked nervous for some reason. I wondered if it was due to our sudden departure, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
She wore a mask, but she must be thinking about whether she would be noticed.
“The other people…”
“The entrance is not only here, Yuka.”
“What?”
“Stick a little closer to me.”
“Ah… Okay.”
‘Hyunsung, I’m sorry.’
As I gently grabbed her waist, I felt her tense up. Of course, I had no hidden intentions. We just needed to look like a j.a.panese couple with a load of money.
Soon after, I saw a guide approaching our way. I could tell that he was strong just by looking at him, but he wasn’t hostile. It would be strange to show hostility as we were customers who were also potential buyers.
“The Invitation.”
As I took out what I had prepared, I saw him nodding.
“You just have to get in the carriage.”
“How is it today?”
“You will probably be satisfied.”
“That’s good.”
Once again, we got on the wagon covered with blackout cloth, and the wagon slowly departed.
“Is it safe, Vice Guild Master?”
“It’s Haruka, Yuka.”
“Is it safe, Haruka?”
“Of course. Your heart is as big as beans.”
“It is because Haruka is here. I can’t help but think about safety.”
“It’s safe, so you can rest a.s.sured, Yuka. It’s a matter of trust. I bet the guards here are more concerned about my safety. They can’t lose their valuable customers.”
“You said it was dangerous before departing…”
“It was a lie.”
“What kind of person…”
“Why don’t you just enjoy and stop trembling? Have you ever drunk wine in a carriage?”
“…”
I saw Cho Hye-jin quietly biting her lips, but she remained tense. It was natural to feel this way when going to an unknown place. She had no way of telling if we were walking right into the mouth of a tiger.
Though she was like this, her wariness wasn’t a bad thing. It would not be needed here, but being prepared at all times was never a bad thing.
Soon after, we got off the wagon, only to be led into yet another wagon. After some time, I could feel that we were almost at our destination.
I heard a voice from outside as I sipped the wine in my gla.s.s for the last time.
“We’re here.”
“Let’s head out, Yuka.”
“Yes, Haruka.”
“Just in case, don’t look around in awe like a country b.u.mpkin in the city.”
“I know.”
When I opened the door of the carriage, the scene before me caught my attention.
Seeing orange lights shining brightly inside with all sorts of luxuries felt as if I was in the capital of the Holy Empire of Benigore.
Cho Hyejin also seemed amazed, but as I had warned her beforehand, she restrained herself. Nevertheless, I could see her pupils spinning.
She flinched once again when I sneakily grabbed her hand, but I felt like she was adjusting quite well. It was quite fun teasing her.
“Let’s head in.”
“Yes.”
We weren’t the only ones wearing masks. The other people around us were also wearing fanciful clothes and colorful masks. Though I was making a lot of money from my potion business, it was still in its initial stage. If I didn’t have the allowance from Hee-ra and an ATM machine in the form of Yuno Kasugano, I wouldn’t have been able to get here in the first place.
“Is that person managing this place?”
“That’s ridiculous. Song is just one of many merchants here. Do you think that moron could really manage this kind of place, Yuka?”
“No…”
“There are quite a few things to see. Let’s just enjoy the tour.”
“This is not the atmosphere Haruka was talking about. It feels like I’m in a masked ball.”
“Appearances can be deceiving. Anyway, if you go in, you’ll know what I mean.”
I raised my hand slightly and saw a guide carrying a gla.s.s of c.o.c.ktail approaching us.
“Take a gla.s.s, Yuka.”
“…”
“If you don’t want it, I’ll drink by myself.”
As Cho Hye-jin had said, this place was more of a social church than a black market. However, that was only on the surface.
Of course, it was a little different if I were to see with my Mind’s Eye. I can see that these people’s dispositions or unique characteristics were not normal just by looking at them.
‘Men and women…’
There were s.e.xual perverts, ambitious people that simply wanted o show off their strength, and people who had the same disposition as Ito Souta and I.
‘Even…’
I could even see a murderer just like Jung Jinho. It was obvious why they visited this place. It looked like murder was an option here.
I could see for what purpose so many s.p.a.ces that I could see were being used. People’s tendencies were quite easy to predict, depending on where they went as well.
‘What should I show her first?’
Showing the weak ones step by step would be good for her mental health. It might be too disturbing to see something too strong from the beginning.
Of course, it was natural to see the market managed by Song Jungwook.
Just when I was about to go, an unknown voice came from the side. It was from a woman.
“There.”
“Yes?”
“Would you mind for a minute? If only your wife, who’s next to you, is okay with it. I want to spend a moment together…”
“W-Wife…”
“Ah. You must be a girlfriend. It doesn’t matter whatsoever, but…”
I couldn’t see her face because she was wearing a mask. However, just by looking at her, I could see how high her stats were.
‘She’s strong.’
She was wearing a Chinese dress, which was a little unusual. She was probably a Chinese from the Republic or a Taiwanese staying in the Holy Empire. She looked great enough for me to deal with if I had the time, but now was not the time for useless small talk.
“No. We’re good.”
“No… Don’t do that. I’m okay with three, too.”
“Ah, I’m a little busy.”
What bothered me a little was her eyes that reflected behind the mask. I didn’t know exactly how to describe them, but they were enough to give me gooseb.u.mps in an instant.
[Checking the unique characteristic of the player Shaolin.]
[Strangler Romanticist]
‘f.u.c.k.’
“Don’t do that.”
“No, no. We’re fine.”
It was then that I came up with my own unique characteristic for a moment.
[Checking the unique characteristic of the player Lee Kiyoung.]
[The Liar’s Temptation]
[Seduce the other person to listen to you. The probability of being loved by a dangerous opposite s.e.x increases.]
‘The probability of being loved by a dangerous opposite s.e.x increases.’
Come to think of it. It felt like eyes were focusing on me from everywhere.
There was only one crazy woman brave enough to confront me head-on, but many other women were also staring at me with fans covering their faces.
‘Ah… Am I in danger…?’
It felt like all the women that the system would judge as dangerous were cl.u.s.tered here.
‘What the f…’
As anxiety began to grip my entire being, I had no choice but to grip Cho Hyejin’s hand.