Chapter 111 (2/2)
“I'm fine if it's her. She's kind and skilled.” Jang Maldong nodded his head in agreement.
Kazuki's eyes also gleamed. “Seol, please, I'm ready to clutch at straws.”
'Maria is… kind?' Seol Jihu tilted his head before making a troubled expression.
“It's not hard to ask her, but….” He blurred the end of his sentence, and then shook his head. “I doubt she'll agree.”
In the previous mission, she had gone through life-threatening danger and lost her precious artifact. The image of Maria crying and declaring she would never follow him again was still vivid in his mind.
Kazuki continued as if that didn't matter.
“I'm not suggesting that you're our only hope. I have something I could try out, but I'd still like you to try just in case.”
Just trying wasn't difficult. He was merely hesitant because he knew how Maria would react. Of course, he knew he wasn't in a position to just sit back and do nothing, so he reluctantly agreed.
“What's your other plan?”
Hearing Chohong's question, Kazuki looked out the window.
“I'll go see her.”
“Who? …Ah.”
Chohong immediately thought of someone.
“Well, since she raised you, she at least won't ignore you.”
“It was only for a short time, but she helped me greatly.”
Kazuki looked unwilling but in an anxious kind of way.
“I'll explain our circ.u.mstance to her and ask for help. It might be shameless of me to do so, but we're in no position to be picky.”
Kazuki took out a crystal ball from his pocket.
“Tell me how it goes with Maria, Seol.”
“Yes, I'll let you know right away.”
Seol Jihu got up from his seat and took the crystal.
Same time, different place.
“Achoo!”
Maria sneezed loudly in her temple room.
“f.u.c.king h.e.l.l…. Why is it so cold?”
She sniffled as she held her body close at the sudden chilliness.
Seol Jihu went to the temple of Luxuria and visited Maria.
“I refuse.”
Meeting her wasn't hard, but neither was her answer.
“Because I, Maria, care more about my life than money. What's money worth if you die and can't use it? Right?”
She put her hands on her hips and declared commandingly. Seol Jihu reined in his desire to poke her baby fat puffed cheeks and opened his mouth.
“Miss Maria.”
“Shut up. Leave before I call someone. Shoo!”
Maria shooed him away as if she wanted nothing more to do with him. Of course, Seol Jihu didn't come without a plan. He had brought the crucifix artifact he'd gotten from the royal family's storage to use as bait. However, an unexpected problem came up.
The same crucifix artifact was hanging on Maria's neck. It seemed that she somehow found an identical one.
Seeing that Seol Jihu had no plans to leave, Maria dropped her head.
“…Well, I acknowledge that your team is very strong. Since two of the best teams in Haramark joined hands, it really can't be anything but strong.”
“Then why?”
“Do you even need to ask? The j.a.pan Business Federation. The Triads. I hate getting involved in complicated relations.h.i.+ps. I'm more than happy to watch a fire burn from the other side of the river, but I would never jump in myself.”
Seol Jihu didn't know what to say since she was being so adamant.
'I guess I don't have any other choice.'
In the end, he decided to give up on persuading her. The Maria he knew was a Priest who moved solely based on profit. It seemed he needed to change his strategy.
Seol Jihu put his hand into his pocket.
“Anyways, that's enough from you.”
Clang! The sound of clas.h.i.+ng metallic objects rang out. Maria paused and glanced up. When she saw Seol Jihu placing a pouch on the table, she smirked.
“Wow~ You're funny…. Fine, I'll take a look since you insist.”
She opened the pouch slightly, and one corner of her mouth twisted up.
“Ten silver coins? You're kidding, right?”
She tilted her head up and crossed her arms and legs.
“I followed you to Ramman Village for 15 silver coins, though I ended up getting tricked. Anyways, this is not even close to get me to follow you to the—”
Clang! Before she could even finish her speech, a second pouch was placed on the table. Maria narrowed her eyes.
“20…. Haa, just leave while I'm still being nice.”
Clang!
“You know…. Here's some vodka. Drink this and get your mind working straight. I'm not trying to bargain with you. I really don't want to—”
Clang!
40 silver coins. Maria bit her cherry-like lips.
Clang!
Another attack came in. Maria lifted her b.u.t.t half-way before quickly putting it back down. She pressed down on her temples and groaned.
“Keuk. If only I didn't blow all my money to get this artifact…. Ah, n-no, don't be tempted!”
She took several breaths before resolving herself with firm determination.
“It's obvious how this will play out. I'm going to end up rolling in the mud again. I'd be a fool if I got tricked a second time!”
Seeing Maria's eyes tremble, Seol Jihu snorted and threw another pouch.
Clang!
Maria screamed in shock, “S-Stop! What are you doing!?”
“Are you crazy!? How can you spend dozens of silver coins to hire a Priest who's not even a High Ranker!!?”
Clang!
“Y-You devil! You're a devil!”
“Do what you want! You think I'll give in with just this?”
Clang!
“AH!”
Maria yelped before shooting up with an angry look. Then….
“Oppa~!”
She scurried up close and grabbed all eight pouches before holding them close in her embrace.
“How can you throw money like this? Poor babies!”
From an unwelcome guest to a devil, then from a devil to an oppa, all it took was 80 silver coins.
“I'm looking forward to working with you.”
“Hmph! I hate you, Oppa!”
She even began to talk with a nasally voice. Seol Jihu happily watched the crazed Maria rubbing her cheeks on the pouches.
'Money is nice, huh.'
Although he had to use 80 silver coins, he hardly considered it a loss. He had well over 900 'silver' coins and even had many priceless items like a piece of gold and the Proof of Cast.i.tas. Plus, he ended up saving the crucifix.
After successfully recruiting Maria, Seol Jihu left the temple and took out the communication crystal he got from Kazuki.
—Seol?
“Mister Kazuki.”
As soon as he picked up, Seol Jihu drew a V-sign with his hands.
“I recruited her.”
—I recruited someone.
The youth and the man both wore dazed expressions.