The time for nurturing has passed.
“Hey!”
Startled by Vivian’s scream, Hayeon quickly turned her head. I stepped forward with a nonchalant expression, ignoring Vivian’s squawking from behind as I walked through the open door.
As soon as I entered, a sprawling lawn with uneven patches of grass came into view. It was about the size of a typical elementary school yard.
There were two buildings on the lawn, forming an L-shape. The first was a large rectangular building at the front, standing four stories tall. It wasn’t particularly high, but its expansive floor space suggested it wouldn’t feel cramped.
I shifted my gaze to the right and saw a building resembling a row of townhouses. Counting the windows from the first floor up, it was also four stories tall, but only about half as wide as the first building.
The exterior was unremarkable—nothing flashy enough to catch the eye, but it had a simple, unobtrusive charm. The light gray walls bore some metaphysical symbols, lending a slightly antique atmosphere.
“What do you think?”
“Well, my first impression is that it feels modern.”
“Heh, I thought the same when I first saw it. It made me feel oddly nostalgic.”
“I didn’t expect to find buildings like these. Was this originally used by another clan?”
Instead of answering, Hayeon pointed straight ahead. Focusing my vision, I noticed the letter ‘P’ on the front door of the building.
“Exactly. This used to be the clan house for a group called Pistachio.”
“Pistachio?”
“Yes, they participated in the recent expedition to the Iron Mountains. They were quite well-known in Monica, though maybe not across the entire northern continent. Despite warnings from Istantel Row, they went ahead with the expedition.”
“And what happened?”
“Every member of the clan perished. Not a single one returned. So, no one can claim ownership of this clan house now. It’s been reclaimed by the representative clan according to the rules.”
Hayeon’s words left me feeling dazed. I walked forward, almost in a trance.
The grounds were surrounded by a stone wall about the height of an adult man. Vines clung to the wall, withered and drooping. I passed a small pond with floating dead weeds and pushed through the grass brushing against my shins until I finally reached the front door.
I gently touched the wall, and a layer of dust clung to my palm. It felt warm and soft, likely from the sun.
“Kim Suhyun, let’s go inside!”
“Don’t expect too much from the interior.”
Vivian, who had somehow caught up, was already gripping the doorknob, ready to enter. Hayeon gave a wry smile, but Vivian, full of excitement, swung the door open. I brushed the dust off my hand and stepped inside.
The moment I entered the first floor, the positive impression from outside vanished. It was clear why Hayeon had warned me not to expect much.
The first floor was a mess. It wasn’t old, but it was filthy from neglect. The stairs leading to the second floor were blackened with grime. The space seemed to have been used as a lobby or dining area, but it was in such disarray that nothing seemed intact.
“Did they think the Iron Mountains expedition would be a guaranteed success? They left this place in shambles.”
I surveyed the long, sprawling space and sighed.
“We’ll need to consider the cost of renovations for both the exterior and interior.”
“Still, it’s cheaper than buying land and building from scratch.”
“What about our clan’s finances and the cost of this place?”
“We currently have about 80,000 gold in pure currency. The land itself is priced at around 58,000 gold, and building two new structures of this size would cost an additional 27,000 gold. And as you know, since we’re not registered with the state, we don’t get any discounts or loans.”
“The land price is one thing, but the building cost seems high. Even for two new buildings, I didn’t expect it to exceed 20,000 gold.”
Hayeon clammed up at my question, and just as I was about to wonder why, Vivian hesitantly raised her hand.
“S-sorry. I meant to mention it earlier.”
“Go on.”
“The cost exceeding 20,000 gold is mostly my fault. You told me not to skimp on the workshop, remember? You said you’d support it generously. So, I added a few things…”
“And how much did that add up to?”
“8,200 gold.”
I wanted to say, “You really went all out,” but I bit my lip to hold back. I did recall saying something like that.
After pondering for a moment, I couldn’t help but tilt my head. Even generously divided, the two buildings could accommodate 200 to 300 people. But our Mercenary Clan only had nine members.
“Regardless of the location, this seems excessive for our current needs.”
“Yes, but our clan has great potential for growth. If you plan to establish a strong presence in Monica, it would be a shame to miss this opportunity.”
“By the way, you mentioned Istantel Row reached out. What did they say?”
“They offered to sell the land and buildings at 40% of the original cost.”
I couldn’t believe my ears and asked her to repeat it.
“Not a 30% discount off the total, but 40% of the original cost?”
“Yes, so we’d only pay 34,000 gold. Of course, we’d have to cover the renovation costs ourselves, but it would still be much cheaper than 27,000 gold. The buildings are already here, after all.”
The offer was so generous that I couldn’t help but chuckle. Vivian, who had been quietly listening, murmured in a low voice.
“Something’s off.”
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it strange? Offering such a deal without any conditions. They must want something from us.”
I knew about Han Soyeong’s interest in talent, but from an outsider’s perspective, it was suspicious. Vivian’s point was valid, so I turned to Hayeon.
“Did Istantel Row say anything else?”
“They did. But I’m not sure how to put it…”
“Just tell me as it is.”
“From the start, they were clear about their intentions. They want the Mercenary Clan to operate in Monica for a long time and contribute to stabilizing the south. That’s all. No other conditions.”
“They know we’re a mercenary clan, right?”
“Yes, but they seemed to respect that aspect.”
I nodded a couple of times at Hayeon’s response. Conversations with Han Soyeong during the conscription came to mind.
‘What I’m saying is, even if the Mercenary Clan operates as a free mercenary group, there are ways to receive similar benefits to existing users.’
‘It’s simple. The representative clan managing the city can directly provide conveniences to the clan.’
“Suhyun?”
“Oh, yes. I understand.”
“What will you do?”
“I need more time to think. Let’s come back tomorrow since it’s close by. I’d like to see other places today.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to look around more?”
I could already guess what the upper floors looked like. Whether or not we accepted Istantel Row’s offer, we’d need to renovate the entire interior. So, I nodded calmly and turned to leave. As I stepped out, I sensed the two following me in a hurry.
Walking alongside Hayeon, I spoke in a measured tone.
“Hayeon, there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Yes? Are you wondering about the next location?”
“No. Earlier, when I asked about our clan’s finances, why did you only mention the gold and not the jewels? We have over a thousand jewels, and at an average of 200 gold each, that’s 200,000 gold.”
“Well…”
Hayeon didn’t answer immediately. She glanced at me sideways and spoke cautiously.
“I’ve always had the feeling that you’re deliberately saving the jewels. And since you brought Kim Hanbyul along this time…”
“Does the Jewel Mage class really use up that many gems?”
“Yes, didn’t you know? According to her, to fully harness their power, you need at least one gem per spell.”
“One gem per spell? That’s quite something.”
Hayeon nodded in agreement, but truthfully, I didn’t see it as a problem. Worrying about money seemed pointless now. I had lived so frugally in the first half of my journey that it had become second nature.
Kim Hanbyul. I wouldn’t have brought her along if I couldn’t handle it. I was confident in maintaining the Jewel Mage class. At the very least, I planned not to worry about money in the future. There were still undiscovered ruins I knew about. Even if I successfully explored just half of them, I wouldn’t have to worry about gold or gems until I cleared the whole plane.
“If worse comes to worst, I can always visit the Forest of Gems. Though, that’s originally something my brother was supposed to find… I hope he’s doing well.”
Being in Monica meant I was close to Han So-young, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about my brother, Yoo Hyun. He was probably making a name for himself in the East. Honestly, I wanted to rush to him right away, but I held back, knowing he would continue to thrive. I needed to gather more strength myself, and I didn’t want to disrupt his bright future.
Still, the future is unpredictable, so I asked Go Yeon-ju to keep me updated on my brother’s news from the continent. If anything seemed off, I’d drop everything and go to him.
Lost in these thoughts, I suddenly noticed Vivian darting ahead of me. She stopped abruptly, tossed something to the side, and exclaimed in surprise, “Oh no! I dropped my money!”
She bent over, searching for the fallen item, her hips swaying conspicuously in my path. It was as if she had calculated the perfect angle, given her alchemist’s precision.
Watching her plump hips sway, I couldn’t help but lower my gaze to my right hand, recalling the earlier sensation.
“Come to think of it, that was quite a touch.”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
It seems some readers have misunderstood. I’m not saying I’m going on hiatus; I just wanted to let you know that I might take a day or two off during exam periods. T^T Haha. Also, I’ve changed the cover. This time, it’s a fan art by BrokenFan, who always creates amazing pieces. I immediately wanted to use it as the cover. :) (I apologize for using it without prior permission, but I was too excited to share it. ㅜ.ㅠ)
As for future plans, after this chapter, we’ll be heading out of the city. That’s all I can reveal for now. I read all your comments. They can be a source of encouragement and also provide valuable advice to help me write better. While the direction of the story is ultimately my decision, I always want to listen to your opinions. Sometimes I might be swayed, and other times I’ll be stubborn, but your advice is always appreciated. Thank you. (__)
『 Reader Comments 』
破天魔痕: Congratulations on being first! Lately, it seems like the first comment is being shared among a few regulars. Haha. Only the dedicated ones stand out. :) Enjoy this chapter!
거친파도: Thank you for the coupon. (__) I’ll strive to repay you with even better writing.
자사팍: The story will progress in a way that most will find acceptable. Some might not be satisfied, but I’ll do my best. Haha.
LOVE가을: I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it in the notes or comments before. From Suhyun’s perspective, 102 is uncharted territory. For example, in Ansol’s case, prioritizing magic is essential. The effects of magic are guaranteed. If not for the +1 ring from the Ruined Lab and Ansol’s intuitive actions, Suhyun wouldn’t have increased it. Suhyun is hesitant to raise it above 102 because of the strain on his low health, yet he can’t easily give up the allure of 101. :)
렌프리드: No. As you can see, it’s marked as <600~>. It’s possible to go above 600.
rlatjdwn512: The hint about choosing one of Ansol’s two options has a hidden meaning. :) As seen in Barbara, Ansol’s intuition is linked to the twisted future. And the future has returned. If you think about this carefully, you’ll get a sense of it.
스온: Of course. It’s time for a big score. The protagonist’s advantage is great. Oh, I was just rambling. Haha.
현오: Thank you for always sharing great videos. The one with the man and woman you mentioned last time still lingers in my mind. It evokes such strong emotions every time I watch it. Haha.
조아죽겠네: I have a question. I understand adventure, war, and treasure hunting. But what do “섹크스” and “원피스” mean? I’d appreciate a precise dictionary explanation. Hehehe.
자유도령: I apologize. It seems I’ve inadvertently opened some readers’ eyes to unusual hobbies(?). I’m sorry. So, let’s do this together. (?!)
Thank you for always reading. Your recommendations and comments are a great source of strength.
I hope you always read the story with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.