Chapter 72 - Kings Reign 1 (2/2)
He had to find another job once again. Heidelberg was the capital city, so there would always be some opportunities for employment.
‘I heard that they are investing into large scale construction projects.’
Following the war, the wages paid out to workers were given a small increase. It was due to the many casualties suffered during the course of the war.
Of course it wouldn’t be enough for a guy like him to settle down properly, but at least it would stop him from going hungry.
In this world, he was cursed to be nothing more than a vagabond.
‘Was it written that it was on the hill between the craftsmen and merchant’s district?’
Choi Minho tried to remember the announcement he had read in the plaza’s bulletin board, as he started walking.
By the time he had almost reached his destination.
‘Huh?’
An unexpected encounter occurred.
A young man whose face was familiar to him was in a conversation with a gray haired old man wearing a robe.
‘He’s….’
Chun Woohyuk. Yes, that was definitely his name. He remembered him since they had both attended the same high school. He had a crush on a girl but she ended up like that guy instead. He ended up spending a lot of money to steal her from him, but it had still left a sour taste in his mouth.
Judging by his shabby appearance, he must also be here to look for a job.
‘I’ll try talking to him first.’
If he ended up having anything valuable on him, he’d corner him in a secluded area and mug him using his dagger.
The Law of the Jungle.
It was due to his understanding of this that he was able to survive in this world, despite all its difficulties.
‘Friends make one become absent minded.’
Even if they had previously barely had any contact, in such a strange land, it was normal for others to trust someone that you’ve known in the past.
To date, he had used this same trick on at least five or six people.
Putting on his biggest smile, Choi Mingho went to greet him.
“Hey, aren’t you Chun Woohyuk? It’s been so long. Do you still remember those highschool days?”
“... Are you Choi Minho?”
“Right! How have you been? Everytime I meet someone I know over here I begin to tear up.”
As Choi Minho continued to speak casually with Woohyuk, the expression of the grey haired old man standing next to him continued to worsen.
‘How dare this peasant speak to the King in such a manner!’
It was incredibly insulting to approach royalty in that way, and it wouldn’t be uncommon to hang him for such an offense.
Although they were currently keeping a low profile for the sake of conducting an inspection among the locals, it was still unforgivable.
“Shall we talk in private?”
“That’s a good idea. People in this area are not too friendly when it comes to foreigners like us.”
As his plan was proceeding smoothly, Choi Minho was getting excited and continued to blabber on.
Now all that’s left is to lead him to a deserted alley.
He looks like an easy mark since he’s showing me his back without any worries.
“What brought you to Heidelberg?”
“I came here to settle down. As I’m sure you know, the situation in the Rhine kingdom is quite chaotic. I wasn’t even able to join a Clan, but since there was a war starting up, I was quite worried for my safety.”
Choi Minho had originally been a part of the Hwarang Clan. however he had been caught scamming his own clan members and chose to voluntarily remove his Unity ring.
Later, he came to Heidelberg, because the Hwarang clan hardly had any presence here..
Naturally, he didn’t say anything about this to Woohyuk.
“What kind of talents do you have?”
“Talents? Apart from picking up women, not much I guess. Don’t worry about me though, I’ve been moving across the continent, doing odd jobs just to get by.”
In order to lower Woohyuk’s guard even further, Choi Minho proceeded to open up about his own experiences.
His first time fighting against new species which he had never seen before in the free city of Media. The time that he had worked for a Baron in the Erutonia province as a mercenary to hunt monsters in the mountain range. Stories about getting drunk in a tavern and then taking back a prostitute to the inn…
“It’s quite difficult here because things are so different from my old life.”
“That’s indeed true. Back then we wanted for nothing. Still in this world if you are some high ranking noble, you can still do whatever you please. That way one might still live a decent life.”
The only good thing about this continent so far was that all the women seemed to be so beautiful.
If he were to ever return back to Earth, it would be nice to be able to kidnap one or two of them to bring back with him.
Still, these days earning enough coin so that he could afford to eat, buy clothes and put a roof over his head, was more urgent than frolicking with women.
It didn’t take long for them to arrive in a rather secluded area, as Choi Minho stealthily reached for the dagger he had hidden at his waist.
He then lunged forward, attempting to stab Woohyuk who was walking in front of him, in his ribs.
Pak!
Suddenly a sword’s scabbard was thrown from behind, hitting Choi Minho in the head.
“Uggh…”
As Choi Minho collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain, Woohyuk spoke.
“Leifina, take care of him.”
“Yes, Lord.”
As his Royal Guard, Leifina would always be there to protect Woohyuk. She had simply been keeping her distance and staying out of sight.
As soon as his hands and feet were bound, Choi Minho looked up at Woohyuk with a shocked expression.
“You, you… are you the one that was recently crowned King?”
“Yes.”
Woohyuk replied with a cold expression.
He had encountered so many similar situations in the last 40 years, so he had guessed his intentions from the very start.
He recalled that he had lost his first crush to Choi Minho, but he didn’t hold a grudge over it.
That man was of no value in this world.
“Drag him out and hang him.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Leifina nodded as she picked up Choi Minho like a sack of potatoes.
“No, spare me please!”
Choi Minho begged fervently, but it was all too late.
His crime of trying to harm the King was simply too great to ignore.