Chapter 65 (1/2)

Seol Ji-Hu regained his consciousness when the sun had climbed up to the middle of the sky. Even though he was nominally awake, he didn't open his eyes. That was because, one, the hangover poking him painfully on his forehead, and two, the dreamy drowsiness still lingering about him.

Several thoughts fleeted in and out of his mind. Back when he volunteered as a porter in the pub; the events of the Forest of Denial, and the vengeful spirit of the tomb; the deaths of Samuel, Alex, and their team; the fortress tucked within the Arden Valley, Princess Teresa Hussey, and Ian. And then…..

Feeling like he had just woken up from a long, long dream, Seol Ji-Hu let a soft sigh escape from his lips. He opened his eyes to see the warm sunlight filling up this unfamiliar room. Everything was foreign, including the white walls with cracks here and there, as well as the bed he was lying on.

‘Oh. Right.'

His confusion gradually settled down. Seol Ji-Hu and the members of Carpe Diem were celebrating last night, and they made him chug down one tall gla.s.s after another - and that's where his memories ended. Someone must've carried him into this room.

But, most importantly, he was now a part of Carpe Diem. They were the only team in Haramark marked by the ‘Golden Commandment', so understandably, he was quite pleased with this result.

Seol Ji-Hu jumped up from the bed and threw the windows open. He was thinking of catching some refres.h.i.+ng breeze while looking at the scenery provided by the city of Haramark, but he could only frown deeply at the steadily-permeating stench of acrid body odour.

His current state was nothing to laugh about. He was stuck in the wilderness for almost three weeks and hadn't had the chance to properly wash up, not even once.

Thankfully, he discovered a shower in the bathroom attached to this particular room, so he promptly stripped down.

After scrubbing every part of his body with cold water, Seol Ji-Hu now felt quite refreshed. Putting on regular clothes, he emerged from the bedroom only to realise that there was no one else on the third floor.

He went down to the first floor, just in case, and finally spotted a familiar face there. Cho Hong, kitted out in a sleeveless T and a pair of hot pants just like the first time he saw her, was busy exercising as sweat poured down from her body.

When he cautiously entered the gym, Cho Hong turned her pony-tailed head slightly towards him while still hanging on the steel bar.

”Oh, you're up.” (Cho Hong)

”Yeah, just now. What about you?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Woke up in the morning. I was thinking of getting rid of the hangover together, but you were in a deep sleep, so I left without waking you.” (Cho Hong)

Now that he thought about it, there was an extra bed in the room. That must've belonged to Cho Hong.

”If it was breakfast, you should've woken me up, though.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Breakfast, my foot. Exercise is the best cure for a hangover, you know? Besides all that, aren't you too weak against alcohol? You got KO'ed way too quickly, you know?” (Cho Hong)

”……….”

”Don't worry. You didn't throw a drunken rampage, okay. You just slept quietly like a baby.” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong smirked and resumed her pull-up regime. Every time the steel bar touched her chest, her finely-crafted muscles flexed for all to see on her sweat-soaked back. Seol Ji-Hu's stare was held captive by that mesmerising sight.

He heard somewhere that a woman's body was supposedly much harder to develop muscles, especially to that degree. So, it went without saying that she must've worked very hard to get to where she was. The longer he watched, the more impressed he got - at the same time, he even thought it looked quite beautiful to behold, as well.

Cho Hong carried on and did 50 more pull-ups, and her posture didn't stray once. After letting the bar go, she lightly landed back down on the floor and began controlling her breathing.

Seol Ji-Hu took a closer look at his surroundings with a trembling heart. He had no idea who created this gym, but well, everything here was top cla.s.s. From what he heard, not only the entirety of the first floor, but even the back of the building as well as the bas.e.m.e.nt had been converted into the team's training facility.

‘What should I start with?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Hey, let's go back upstairs. It's almost time, too.” (Cho Hong)

”Mm?”

Hearing those words coming out of the blue, Seol Ji-Hu could only look around himself with an unwilling expression. Cho Hong, meanwhile, emptied out a whole bottle of water in one go and exhaled deeply.

”Dylan said he'd be back by lunch at the latest.” (Cho Hong)

”I didn't see him upstairs, though?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”He'll be here. Dylan's like a devil, you see.” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong wiped the sweat off her neck with a towel as she opened the exit door.

Seol Ji-Hu could only take one last look at the gym with a wistful expression, before turning around to leave as well.

Just as Cho Hong said, two boys of Carpe Diem returned to the office while she was taking a shower. Dylan was carrying a huge bag on his back, and Hugo was carrying a lengthy item wrapped in blue fabric, a wide grin seemingly permglued to his face.

Dylan spoke to Seol Ji-Hu as the latter stood up from the couch.

”Oh, hey. Seol, you're up.” (Dylan)

”Ah, yes. Just now. Where are you guys coming from?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”If I were to use Master Ian's a.n.a.logy, I went to fetch our quail eggs.” (Dylan)

”….Quail eggs?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Dylan didn't say anything else, and after putting the bag down, plopped down on the couch himself. He rummaged through his pockets, only to stare at Seol Ji-Hu with a somewhat dazed face. The youth chuckled and handed over the packet of cigarettes.

”D*mn it. Thanks. When I go back to Earth next time, I'm going to buy a truck full of this c**p and bring it over.” (Dylan)

”Hehehe. I'm really beginning to enjoy this brand, you know?” (Hugo)

Hugo b.u.t.ted in and shamelessly stole a cigarette.

”Oh, hey. You guys came back.” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong emerged from the shower then, with a wet towel covering her hair. She then plopped next to Seol Ji-Hu.

”You guys are late. I thought you'd be quick about it.” (Cho Hong)

”There was no helping it. We had to stop by two different places, after all.” (Dylan)

”I get it, so take them out already. Stop building the suspense, will you?” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong giggled and rubbed her hands gleefully. Only then did Seol Ji-Hu realise that it was now the time to split the rewards.

”Alright. First of all….” (Dylan)

Clank!

Dylan placed a substantial-looking pouch on the coffee table and it issued a nice-sounding metallic clank.

”As the reward for going on the recon of the Forest of Denial, as well as partic.i.p.ating in the defence of the fortress, we got 850 Silver coins. Samuel and his team are gone, so their share is excluded. Including Master Ian's share, it's 170 Silver coins per head.” (Dylan)

”Wow!!” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong jumped up in surprise, before squatting down on the couch. She began raising a great fuss.

”You for being real? Is this for real!!” (Cho Hong)

”The Haramark royal family is known for being generous with their rewards, but they added a little bit extra this time.” (Dylan)

”Keuh!! Regardless of what, that princess knows how to treat others, doesn't she?” (Cho Hong)

”And, also….” (Dylan)

Dylan pulled out another pouch, this time smaller than the previous one.

”This is the reward from the Sicilia. Just as the contract stipulated, nice and clean 100 Silver coins per head.” (Dylan)

”270 Silver coins!!” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong clenched both of her fists and celebrated.

On the other hand, Seol Ji-Hu was a little bit unimpressed. Kim Hahn-Nah gave him 100 Silver coins, to begin with, so it was a bit hard for him to truly grasp the actual value of these 270 Silver coins.

‘Right, the main forms of currency in circulation are supposed to be Copper and Silver coins.' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Now it made a bit more sense. There was no way Kim Hahn-Nah would've given him only a tiny amount when she did give hundreds of millions of Won as pocket money as if it was a small change to her.

In any case, 270 Silver coins converted to 270,000 Copper coins. Thinking that he'd ask later how much of a value a single Silver coin possessed, Seol Ji-Hu quietly took the coin pouch Dylan handed over.

”So, shall we get to the main topic, then?” (Dylan)

Dylan cautiously pulled out the burial goods one by one from the large bag. There were a total of ten items they managed to bring out from the tomb. Cho Hong drooled avariciously, before going Oops!

”What about that geezer?” (Cho Hong)

”Master Ian said that we can go ahead and take our pick first. He said he will take whatever two that's been left behind.” (Dylan)

”Heh~. A Sorcerer is actually yielding like that? What a surprise.” (Cho Hong)

”Well, he's employed by the royal family. I'm sure he's not exactly hurting for money.” (Dylan)

Dylan picked up one of the burial goods. It was a decorative item shaped like a tree and fas.h.i.+oned out of several precious jewels. Brown, red, and green colours harmonised with each other beautifully and displayed a brilliant splendour. Most importantly, though - there was a ‘fruit' about half the size of an adult's pinky on top of the item itself that stole everyone's attention – because it was emitting a rather attractive golden l.u.s.tre.

”We can pick two items each for ourselves, but personally, I'd like Seol to have this one.” (Dylan)

Dylan looked to his sides as if to ask for the consent from his teammates. Cho Hong let out a soft groan.

”Oh, well. Sure. The kid worked hardest, after all. Agreed.” (Cho Hong)

”Yup, me too!” (Hugo)

Hugo agreed quickly, as well. As if it was the most obvious thing in the world, Dylan separated the gold bit and the jewel tree before handing them both over to Seol Ji-Hu.

”Congratulations.” (Dylan)

Although he received them because they were being handed over, Seol Ji-Hu still felt a bit bewildered here. Maybe he read the youth's expression, Dylan lightly waved his hand about.

”Don't worry about it and just take them. Whether it was the expedition or the battle at the fortress, we'd all be dead meat if it wasn't for you.” (Dylan)

”Oh, uh… Sure. Thank you.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Oh, right. I did it out of habit, but still. Let me give you an advice for the future. No matter what, it's better to sell the gold and jewels separately. No, wait. If you can help it, it'd be better to hold onto the gold.” (Dylan)

”That thing, you should at least get half a Gold coin for it.” (Hugo)

Hugo stared at the treasure with envious eyes.

Seol Ji-Hu tilted his head and took a look at the golden fruit decoration. Now that he took another look, even he could tell that the gold bit was the most expensive part of the treasure. But, if gold was so valuable, then why didn't anyone bring some from Earth?

‘I'm sure there's a reason.' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu told himself to ask about that later, and for now, he focused on the splitting of the loot.

It didn't take long to split the burial goods. Besides the one he got in the beginning, Seol Ji-Hu got another treasure. It was a small sculpture shaped like a flower out of a jewel that boasted five different hues.

Besides that, everyone agreed Hugo would be the new owner of Kahn's halberd, while Dylan and Cho Hong took half of the remaining articles of the deceased for themselves. The expressions of both Cho Hong and Hugo looked so satisfied that the smiles on their faces didn't want to fade away for a long time afterwards.

”Looks like it's time to hand over the final item.” (Dylan)

Seol Ji-Hu thought it was the end, but Dylan brought one last thing out. It was none other than the mystery item wrapped in the blue fabric, the one Hugo was carrying not too long ago.

”Seol, it's yours.” (Dylan)

”Princess Teresa Hussey tasked us with delivering it, saying it's for the hero who helped her defend the Arden Fortress. So, please~, accept it.” (Dylan)

”That crazy b*tch.” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong rubbed her arms as if gooseb.u.mps were breaking out there. Seol Ji-Hu unwrapped the blue fabric as if he was under some sort of a spell, and soon, he was greeted by the sight of a two-metre-long spear. His dazed eyes scanned the entirety of the weapon.

The long, smooth spear shaft glowed in a faint blue hue, and from the sharply-refined blades on the tip, he could physically see the ice-white cold air swirling about. Overall, it was not flashy and pleasingly simple, but he actually liked that the most. It was as if he was looking at a spear expertly carved out of a solid block of ice.

When he gently grasped the shaft, the cold sensation a.s.saulted his hand, but that lasted only for a moment; he already felt familiar with the weapon, and the cool, refres.h.i.+ng aura immediately rushed into his body. Even his brain felt refreshed then.

”Wow….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Dylan gave him a piece of paper, saying that it was the certificate of authenticity, but Seol Ji-Hu couldn't really pay any mind to that.

”What the heck?! Hey, this is a G.o.dd*mn magic spear!!” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong's brows shot up real high after she read the certificate for herself.

”I hear that it's got ‘Freezing' magic imbued to it. Also, something to purify the wielder's mind, too. Although, the effect is a bit on the minor side.” (Dylan)

”What's gotten into that princess? No, before that. Isn't this waaay too over the top?” (Cho Hong)

”She must've found Seol really to her liking. She even complained to me, asking me why I didn't bring him along.” (Dylan)

”Even then. A weapon with two separate magics….” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong pulled her chin back and muttered helplessly, but Dylan simply shrugged his shoulders.

”Well, thanks to Seol, the kingdom's elite soldiers were completely unscathed, so there's that. I'm sure she's grateful about that.” (Dylan)

”I'm so envious~. This kid now won't have to worry about getting a weapon until he's at least level 4….” (Cho Hong)

”Stop drooling over someone else's stuff, and focus on your own loot, Cho Hong. Are you going to sell them?” (Dylan)

”Of course!” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong regained her spirit in a matter of seconds and proclaimed loudly.

”Imma sell them at a really, reaaaally high price!” (Hugo)

Hugo was also br.i.m.m.i.n.g with vigorous spirit, as well.

”In that case, we should head to Scheherazade. The auction venue is over there, after all.” (Dylan)

Dylan chuckled as if he expected such a reaction from the two of them, before s.h.i.+fting his gaze to the youth. Seol Ji-Hu was still dazedly staring at the spear.

”Seol?” (Dylan)

”………..”

”Seol!” (Dylan)

”Y-yes??” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Finally regaining his senses, Seol Ji-Hu blinked his eyes and looked at Dylan.

”What will you do? Regarding your share of the burial goods, and you also have that proof of chast.i.ty to think about, too.” (Dylan)

”Ah, right.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu quickly organised his thoughts and pointed at the tree-shaped jewel sculpture.

”I'll sell only this one. I'll hold on to the rest for the time being.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You made the right call.” (Dylan)