Chapter 69 (2/2)

Dylan lightly slapped his knee to signal that the youth had accurately pointed out the crux of the problem.

”The monsters have been beaten back dozens of times already. The kingdom even formed subjugation forces several times, too. And we were able to defeat the hordes with not much problem, but that's just about it. We searched everywhere but never found where they were coming from. Even if we consider the stability of the entire Haramark region not being all that great, this simply makes no sense at all.” (Dylan)

”Doesn't that mean the monsters will come back in the future even though we exterminate them this time?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”We still have to get rid of the monsters that do appear, regardless. Actually, Ramman village wants us to rescue the missing villagers and find the cause for the monster outbreak while we're at it. But, it's not strictly necessary to go that far. So, how about it?” (Dylan)

”What did Cho Hong say?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Seol. I'm asking you, my man.” (Dylan)

Dylan lowered his voice slightly.

”If you're up for it, I'm thinking of leaving you in charge of this mission, actually.” (Dylan)

”But, I'm not even an Archer….?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”An Archer acts as a ‘header'. Of course, many do take the on the jobs of being both a header and a leader. But it's also normal for different people to a.s.sume those two roles.” (Dylan)

A header's role was to lead his or her team in the right direction during expeditions. As for the leader, that t.i.tle was given to someone tasked with overseeing every facet of an expedition, such as planning the expedition itself to making adequate preparations, etc., etc.

”I thought you could only form an expedition team once you reach Level 4? And don't you also need permission from the royal family?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”This isn't an expedition, but an exploration. You are more than qualified enough to handle this.” (Dylan)

When Seol Ji-Hu displayed a surprising lack of confidence, Dylan formed a wide smile and continued on.

”I thought that you wanted to form your own team in the future? Was I wrong?” (Dylan)

”Ah?! Did I get found out?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Heheh. In that case, I think this mission will be a perfect chance for you to pop your cherry. It may sound like a simple job, but once you take it on, you're going to learn about lots of things. It was the same story for me, too.” (Dylan)

Dylan placed the tea cup on the table.

”So, how about it? You up for it?” (Dylan)

Seol Ji-Hu replied immediately.

”Of course.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

He got to lead his first mission.

The mission itself wasn't as difficult as the scouting of the Forest of Denial nor the defence of the Arden Fortress, but even then, Seol Ji-Hu was plenty motivated by the fact that he'd be the leader for the first time ever.

As it was not an ‘expedition' but an ‘exploration', there shouldn't have been anything too complicated about it. For one, he didn't have to worry about procuring supplies as they could set up a base of operations at the Ramman village itself. Porters and carriages could simply be hired on the spot, as well.

The real problem actually lay with recruiting other team members. There were already two Warriors, so they only needed one more, and finding a willing Archer wasn't that difficult, either. Finding a Sorcerer was an impossible feat to begin with, so that portion of the recruitment process wasn't even considered in the first place.

No, the actual problem was to do with hiring a Priest. Didn't matter whether you were forming an expedition or an improvised team of misfits, a Priest was a must-have existence.

”Dang it, what does he expect from us, anyways?” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong grumbled unhappily, a cigarette loosely hanging off on her lips. She ended up being paired with Seol Ji-Hu which was fine, but well, that meant she too had to feel helpless about their situation in the same way Seol Ji-Hu felt.

”Hey, dude. Do we really need a Priest? I mean, can't we just make sure that we look the part and show up there? Me alone will be enough to take care of those monsters, you know?” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong's irritated grumblings brought about a wry smile on Seol Ji-Hu's face. If they were pressed for time, sure, they could do that. But then, it'd result in the quality of the team getting worse. Unless they were talking about a team that'd be around only for a short period of time, which enterprising, skilful Warrior or Archer would want to join a team without a Priest in their midst? Especially in a world where a moment's carelessness could result in you being killed off in the blink of an eye?

Most importantly, though - as this was Seol Ji-Hu's first leaders.h.i.+p role, he wanted to make sure it all ended in a resounding success. So, he didn't want to take any liberties or be too adventurous if he could help it.

‘Only a team with a Priest will attract quality team members.' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu's thoughts eventually arrived there, and he stood up from the couch.

”Where are you going?” (Cho Hong)

”To recruit a Priest.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You will? How?” (Cho Hong)

”I'll give it a shot. We still have time, right? If all else fails, we'll just do it as you say.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu left behind Cho Hong and her wide-open eyes to enter the bedroom. He took out the communication crystal thinking that he might as well keep his promise and get an advice from 'her' while he was at it, too.

A short while later…..

– ”Ramman village, is it?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

”Yeah. A mission came in.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

– ”Ohhh. So, you STILL wanna head south, is that it??” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

”Gimme a break, please? Well, it's not by the border region, so it should be fine, right? And besides, you do know that a person can't keep doing what they want all the time, don't you?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu gathered his hands and pleaded with Kim Hahn-Nah. She snorted unhappily but didn't say that he was forbidden from doing it.

– ”Hmm. So, you're looking for a Priest, is it…. It'll be pretty hard to find one, that's for sure. If it were the entire Carpe Diem partic.i.p.ating, then why not. But it's just you and Chung Cho-Hong, so you can't even lean on the fame of your team, too.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

”That's why I'm asking you for an advice, you know? Isn't there a good way out of this?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

– ”Well, it's not like there is none.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

”Really? There is a way?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu's expression brightened up after hearing Kim Hahn-Nah's words. But, when she slowly explained what was what, he ended up forming a bit of a frown instead.

”She was in the city?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

– ”Didn't I tell you before? Her base is in Haramark.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

”You did? In any case, not sure she'd be willing to help out, you know? There's still the old debt to settle, too.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

– ”I'm sure you know this already since you have prior dealings with her. But well, she is one h.e.l.l of a calculative and materialistic woman, wouldn't you agree?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

Seol Ji-Hu immediately agreed with that a.s.sessment.

”You're right about that. But, to spend Silver coins for an exploration of this small scale, that's a bit….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

– ”You shouldn't think of it as you wasting your money, though. The sole minus point of Carpe Diem is that you guys don't have a Priest among you. You have any idea how much pain and suffering other teams have to go through to find a suitable Priest when they plan for expeditions?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

She quickly carried on.

– ”And let's not forget, it'll be hard to find a Priest as skilled as her. So, take this opportunity to build a personal connection with her. I'm pretty sure that, as soon as she realises working with you will be beneficial for her, she'll sign up with you on the spot.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

Seol Ji-Hu understood what she was saying here. A Priest was almost as hard to come by as a Sorcerer, and she was telling him to invest in one right now for the sake of his own future. He slowly nodded his head.

”Okay, got it. I should go and speak to her, then. Nothing to lose by doing so, anyway.” (Seol Ji-Ju)

– ”That's right. I'm pretty sure she'll say yes unless something else's up. I mean, she's one of only a few people who knows your true worth, after all. She's not going to slam the door in your face, at least.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

”In any case, it's a way forward, which helps. Thanks, mom.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

– ”Don't worry about it. If something else comes up…. Hey, what did you just call me?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)

Seol Ji-Hu quickly ended the communication right there. The crystal's radiance dimmed but then, only a second later, it began glowing again. He simply giggled to himself and stepped outside Carpe Diem's office.

Luxuria's temple was Seol Ji-Hu's next stop. He spoke to someone at the reception and waited for a while. A lady soon approached him and asked him to follow her. She guided him through the residential area within the temple building and eventually, they arrived in front of a door among many others lining up this silent corridor. Funnily enough, though, as soon as she knocked on the door, the guide lady… ran away.

The door was flung open abruptly a short while later, revealing a small-statured young woman staggering unsteadily on her feet. Her brilliant blonde hair was unkempt and very messy; she only wore an oversized white s.h.i.+rt; her sunken eyes were more noticeable because of her pale skin.

It was Maria.

She stared at him without saying a word, before pointing back at her room.

”….Come in.” (Maria)

It was a pigsty inside her room. The lighting was excellent and the interior was brightly lit as a result, but well, that only served to highlight the dire conditions of the trash pit that was her room.

The whole place seemed a bit too… ‘sad' to be called messy, now that he took another look at it. Seol Ji-Hu was suddenly overcome with a sense of kins.h.i.+p when he spotted an ashtray stuffed full of burnt cigarette b.u.t.ts. It even resembled a hedgehog, somehow. But then, he spotted cigarette burns adorning the various walls and the bed sheets, and naturally, nearly freaked out right there and then. h.e.l.l, the bottles of liquor rolling around on the floor seemed cute by comparison.

”Annnnd what brings your lords.h.i.+p to my humble abode? I hear you're a real hooot stuff nowadays.” (Maria)

Maria scratched her unkempt hair like a man, and then, smacked her lips and scanned her surroundings.

”Well…. take a seat anywhere. Want something to drink? How about alcohol? I don't have anything else, though.” (Maria)

”Nah, I'm fine. Looks like you were asleep just now.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Yeah, I was. I drank a bit much yesterday, you see… Euh, euh…. f*cking h.e.l.l, this hangover is killing me.” (Maria)

Maria picked up one of the many bottles on the floor and shook it around. Slosh, slosh…. She didn't even hesitate for a second before dumping the contents down her throat. Her white neck skin bobbed up and down a couple of times, and when she was finally done, she shuddered slightly as a grimace formed on her face.

”Urgh. Now I feel like a living person again.” (Maria)

”are you alright?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”What, you mean my body? It's a lot better than when I performed the ceremony.” (Maria)

She settled down on the corner of the bed and proceeded to stare at the youth with a pair of unfocused eyes.

”So, what brings you here? Well, if you came to pay back the debt, I'll welcome you with my two open arms.” (Maria)

”I came to ask you for a…..” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Argh, G.o.d d*mn it.” (Maria)

He didn't even finish his sentence, yet she was already dropping her head lower, a long groan escaping from her mouth. She then spoke to him in that posture.

”You ain't gonna ask me for another ceremony, are you?” (Maria)

”No ways. I'd say it's more like… an offer this time.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

She grabbed the bottle upside down by its neck, prompting Seol Ji-Hu to quickly state his business.

”An offer?” (Maria)

Maria slowly raised her head. There was a hint of interest in her expression, so he didn't waste any more time and carried on with his real intention for being here - to ask her to accompany him to the the village of Ramman.

”Hmm…..”

As expected, Maria's reaction was less than enthusiastic. Her head tilted to the side just a tad; then, as if she was already done thinking about it, she shook it from side to side.

”I get what you want from me, but I don't wanna. I can't see any merit in me following you.” (Maria)

”I see.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu readily agreed with her and that made her stare back at him with suspicious eyes. She smirked a little.

”Oh, my? Was the rumour I heard about you all lies? Or, did the Paradise finally get to you, too?” (Maria)

”I'm still thankful for your help the last time.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You don't have to mention it. I'll be getting my due reward anyway. Sooner or later.” (Maria)

”Of course. I'll be waiting.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Perhaps his clear-cut att.i.tude left a favourable impression on her, because she crossed her arms and opened her mouth as if she was doing it all for his benefit.

”You came all the way here to see me, so I guess it's a bit rude to turn you away empty-handed like this. So, how about this? I know a few apprentice Priests, and I can ask one of them to follow you around if you want. Sure, they might not be all that much, but you know very well that having a Priest in your party makes a world of difference, don't you?” (Maria)

That suggestion didn't sound so bad, either. She'd probably not recommend someone utterly hopeless since she sounded sincere here. However, Kim Hahn-Nah strongly ‘advised' him to get closer to Maria, even if that meant spending a fair amount of coin in the process. He figured that attempting to do that now wouldn't end in a loss for him.

”Thank you for your kind offer, but I'd still prefer if it was you, Miss Maria.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Maria snorted, her expression one of dumbfounded amazement.

”Hey, looky here. You said you know it.” (Maria)

”Yes, I do.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You say you do, so how come? Okay, lemme make this crystal clear, then. Now, why would someone of my calibre follow you on a pathetic little request like that?” (Maria)

”Well, you'll earn experience points. As well as rewards, too.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Gimme a f*cking break. You think that pitiful amount of points will make a dent in my current level? And what was that? Rewards? The rewards you talk about can't even buy me a day's worth of liquor, you know? You honestly think I'll go with you just to earn a pittance like that?” (Maria)

Maria's acerbic way of talking hadn't changed one bit. Seol Ji-Hu smiled refres.h.i.+ngly and reached into his inner pocket. He expected her to react like this already, so now was the time to bring out his trump cards.

”You understand me now? There is no reason for me to….” (Maria)

Clank.

She stopped talking immediately as soon as a small coin pouch was placed atop the white table.

”And, what's this?” (Maria)

”Five Silver coins. How about it?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Maria frowned deeply.

”How did you even figure out that I like this kinda stuff? I'm asking you this purely out of concern for your welfare, okay? You have any idea the value of a single Silver coin?” (Maria)

”One Copper coin is around 500 Won. A Silver is a thousand Copper coins, so 500 thousand Won. Five Silver coins equals 2.5 million Won.” (Seol Ji-Hu) (TL: Just under $2220)

”Oho? I guess now you're rolling in the dough, eh?” (Maria)

The ends of Maria's sentence arched up rather mysteriously. Her tongue snaked out and slowly licked her lips.

”Well, I see how sincere you're, but…. Still not sure, you know?” (Maria)

Before Maria was given a chance to continue, Seol Ji-Hu pulled out five more Silver coins. In her full view, he began slotting them inside the coin pouch on the table, one at the time. Maria blinked her eyes non-stop.

”….Can I ask you one question?” (Maria)

”Please go ahead.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I can't understand why you, in your current level, have that many Silver coins…. No, never mind that. Okay, why are you trying so hard to hire me?” (Maria)

”I believe you're completely worth it.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Wait, you ain't planning to use this to pay back the debt you owe me for the ceremony, yeah?” (Maria)

”No way. That's that, and this is this.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Hnnng~.

Maria let a snort leak out as the ends of her lips rose up. Her att.i.tude had definitely changed compared to a minute ago. If she was a upper-level Priest, then he'd have to fork out ten times the current amount, but she was only a level 4. His current wealth was more than enough to endure this sort of financial impact.

”Sooo, you wanna pay me up front. Is that right?” (Maria)

”Only you, Miss Maria. No one else.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Okay, what about splitting the loot? The rewards?” (Maria)

”Is there a need to even ask that? We split evenly, of course.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Maria began pondering seriously now. Upfront payment of ten Silver coins, and no special conditions attached when splitting the loot…. Considering the type of the mission or the distance needed to travel, this was a more than generous amount. She began sneaking a couple of glances at him, before she suddenly prattled on while twirling her hair with her fingers.

”Weeeell, I guess it's not so bad, but… Yeah, here's the thing. Doesn't matter what the work is, someone on my level usually needs somewhere around 6.5 million Won before we are tempted into action, you see~?” (Maria)

Her previously-stiff, manly manner of speech was now so full of aegyo now. Without saying another word, Seol Ji-Hu slotted five more coins into the pouch. By this time, Maria was practically drooling out of her mouth.

”Oooh, wow! This oppa's a lot more cooler than he looks, isn't he?” (Maria)

”Will this be enough for me to become your friend, Miss Maria?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”W-what was that?” (Maria)

Maria stuttered in surprise at those rather unexpected words. A slight smile formed on his lips after seeing her reaction.

”Friends?” (Maria)

She then exploded in a fit of laughter - before opening her eyes wide to stare directly at him. A bright smile remained on her face.

”I was wondering what's gotten into you. But, now I see. You were scheming to reel me in, weren't you?” (Maria)

”Yes.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Oh, my goodness! But, what to do now? I'm not that easy to catch, you know~? Haven't you heard the rumours? You won't be able to count the number of the teams that gave up on trying to win me over, cuz there are so many to begin with!” (Maria)

That was his first time hearing it, but Seol Ji-Hu simply shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant manner.

”Are you in or out?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”How interesting.” (Maria)

Maria stood right up from the bed. She took several airy steps to get closer, before s.n.a.t.c.hing the coin pouch up. She then loudly shouted out.

”I'm in!”

< 69.=”” a=”” level=”” 2=”” leader=”” (2)=””> Fin.