Chapter 206 (1/2)

The next day—I woke up at dawn, as usual, and I was going to do my usual exercise, when I suddenly stopped.

“Whoops.”

I had forgotten about it. These days, I had been struggling to run away from Mido. Groan. A true grandfather’s path was so far and steep. How did I get into this situation?

“Sigh. It can’t be helped.”

I got up from my seat with a frown and headed to the kitchen. I would get a glass of water and then start the game straight away. These days, I usually didn’t eat breakfast. Now that I was used to it, I didn’t feel hungry. Rather, it seemed good. I picked up my phone and unlocked it to turn off the alarm clock that hadn’t rang yet. Then...

“Huh?”

[A new message has arrived.]

“There is a message. Who is it from?”

I immediately pressed on my smartphone to check the message. Then I laughed.

[Park Muyeol: Don’t worry.]

“Crazy guy. What does he mean by telling me not to worry? He is the same now as he was in the past.”

I immediately called him. There was the constant sound of ringing that lasted for one minute.

-The call can not be received. Connecting to voicemail...

“He must be sleeping.”

I drank the water and headed for the capsule. I lay down in a familiar position and a new goal came to mind. Now I had only one goal—meeting my wife. All I needed to do was become stronger.

“First, I have to hurry and find the cloud elemental.”

It was time to learn new cooking skills as quickly as possible. First of all, there was a very important thing today. My showdown at the Colosseum with Zhen Sulong. One day had passed so it was three days in the virtual world. I immediately connected to Arkstar.

[Connecting to Arkstar.]

[Scanning your pupils.]

[Welcome, Jackson.]

I opened my eyes at the bright light and appeared in a familiar place. It was my office. The moment I arrived home yesterday, I had accessed the game to keep my promise to Joseph. I opened the village’s information window and checked the bottom.

[-The Karstein Resistance Army has set up a base in the village. They are grateful to you and will be willing to help you whenever you are at risk.]

“Good, good.”

The village was developing very smoothly.

I nodded at the village figures that had grown more than yesterday. Based on this level of security, it was safe enough to promote it to a small town.

[Do you want to promote your village to a ‘small town’?]

[The promotion costs $3 million.]

I pressed the agree button without hesitation.

[Metheus has started the promotion to a small town.]

[The architects of the village are rejoicing and will study new architectural styles.]

[There are many residents of Garbage Village living here.]

[The small town development costs are halved.]

[The small town development rate will increase by five times.]

[The siege will open 50 days later.]

“Ohu.”

It was unexpected luck. I did a good job accepting them. I quickly ordered the development of buildings related to a small town. In addition to the training camp, there were the barracks and even a magic tower. It cost a lot of money, but it didn’t matter since I was overflowing with money currently. Then...

[Please set the tax to be collected from the residents of the small town.]

“Taxes... I never thought I would be back to this.”

It was the first time I’ve collected taxes since running Legless Bird when I was young. At that time, I charged the minimum operating cost to protect them from the gangsters who bullied merchants. It was very novel, but it reminded me of the old days.

“I will have to think about it after the Colosseum event ends.”

It was only when the merchants were thriving that the commercial district became active and the economy was revitalized. In order to do so, it was important to examine the circ.u.mstances and set appropriate taxes.

“I will leave it for now.”

I closed the window and opened up my list of friends. I was planning to have a conversation with the online Zhen Sulong before the match. He said that he always had the habit of meditating at dawn so he was probably connected. By the way...

“What? This guy. When did he log in?”

[Currently logged in: Park Muyeol, Zhen Sulong.]

“Shouldn’t this rotten guy have said something if he entered?”

I sent a whisper to Park Muyeol without hesitation.

***

-Park Muyeol: In any case, don’t worry too much.

-Jackson: I know. Got it. Don’t play the game too much. We are old. We aren’t the same as before.

-Park Muyeol: Stop nagging. I know. I’ll tell you when that Seokdu guy comes.

-Jackson: Yes. Tell me if you need help.

-Park Muyeol: I know. I understand.

The conversation ended and I closed the whisper window. Fortunately, Park Muyeol was doing well. It was said that he ate Ambrosia. I didn’t know what Hercules was thinking.

“Well, it is good for me if Muyeol grows. I have to work hard to catch up to him.”

First, it was a matter that should be considered after the match with Zhen Sulong.

“By the way, the third generation is coming...”

I was the first president of Legless Bird. The second generation was naturally Park Muyeol and I hadn’t met the third generation yet, but his name was Ma Seokdu. From what I heard, he was bigger than Muyeol and very loyal. I heard he was a good brother so I would love to meet him. He was a foolish bear or something like that.

“Funny guy. He is definitely a bear.”

In any case, Seokdu seemed to be in good shape. I was looking forward to it. He was called by Park Muyeol to keep the Fire Dragons in check, but I intended to use him in a useful place.

I just promoted my village to a small town and needed more soldiers to maintain the peace. I was thinking about hiring them.

Just then, I heard a knock on the door. “It is Helena. Can I come in?”