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Translator: penny
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Map
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"So, what's this you want to talk about?"
"I'm thinking of getting serious about moving around here. Mind giving me a hand?"
"You want my help?"
Haran was controlled by two powers: the royal family and the Black Anchor Trading Company. So, to really start operating here, you'd need backing from one of them.
And the ones we'd ask for help had been decided from the start.
"I'll pay 300,000 gold for the info. Tell me the locations of every alchemy shop in Haran. Bonus points if I can get info on other stores too."
Money talks first, huh?
[Varkus Crow's favorability toward you has increased.]
"Hmph, kid. You sure know how to make a deal. A capable guy proves himself with gold instead of flapping his gums."
The old man flashed a pleased grin.
The favorability shot up more than expected. Maybe it was thanks to all those players throwing tantrums over pocket change just moments ago.
"Fine, I'll even give you a map."
'Getting this so easily...'
A map with every building in Haran marked in detail.
Of course, it didn't specify what each building was for. But just from the size and location, you could guess if it was loaded with cash or not.
"The spots I'm marking with this quill are the places you want."
I took the map Varkus had marked for me.
Including Turn's place, there were a total of ten alchemy shops in Haran. Not a huge number. Considering I'd already seen more than ten weapon shops just passing by today, it was pretty sparse.
'Makes sense, though. Alchemy in this era is an industry that guzzles massive capital.'
[Ancient Alchemy] wasn't limited to just brewing potions.
It encompassed everything from gem crafting and dye/perfume mixing to metal alloys and talisman production—any rare material or craft you could think of.
That's why people in this era called alchemists "mages."
And it wasn't entirely wrong. After the ancient gods vanished, through the [Magic Era] and the [Great War with Other Races]... magic faded, other races became myth, and [Ancient Alchemy] emerged in that age.
It evolved through those long eras, but its pursuit of exploring the world and achieving immortality clearly carried the mage's will.
Nobles loved that, pouring astronomical sums into fulfilling those dreams.
'In short, it's a business no average Joe can touch.'
That 500,000-gold coin rolling around that store wasn't there by accident.
"Thank you. But this upper area isn't mapped out."
"You don't need to know about up there."
When I pointed to the noble district, Varkus cut me off flat.
'Guess that area's not unlocked yet.'
Varkus's info depended on favorability. The higher it went, the more secretive details he'd unlock.
Meaning, if I wanted more, I needed to build more rapport.
'Got the map, that's what matters. I'll stick around this city a bit longer anyway—plenty of chances to raise it.'
"Thanks for the map."
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah. Got good wings now—time to soar."
"Hmph, diligent one... Fine."
Having successfully boosted Varkus's favorability, I stood up and headed out with the group.
"We're out."
"There they are. The ones with the 500,000 gold."
...Damn, word spread that fast in just those few minutes?
About seventy players had gathered in front of the [Black Anchor Trading Company].
Even more than before, all eyes on us—especially me.
'Good call telling the girls to wear robes before we left.'
As we stepped into the street, people followed. Interestingly, even those who hadn't finished negotiating with Varkus lingered, circling us instead of going in.
"Ah, I wanna join that party too."
"Hey, mind if we tag along?"
They wanted in on our party to hitch a sneaky ride.
With 500,000 gold, we'd already secured ship passes for five—putting us ahead of every party here.
Sure, joining didn't guarantee a pass for themselves, but their desperate pleas reeked of ulterior motives.
'Probably planning to play hero, take out rivals pretending it's an accident.'
Might not be, but after scraping by at the bottom for so long, I could spot the shady eyes a mile away.
"Got a minute?"
"Can we talk?"
Once one or two spoke up, they swarmed, blocking the road.
"Hey, help a guy out. Gotta meet my family in the next zone. We moved regions together, but my little girl got separated... Can't you at least get me a pass?"
"See, I grew up rough. Poor family, no real help..."
Now they were spinning sob stories, tugging at heartstrings.
Might work on the soft-hearted Saintess, but to us? Foreign tales. And to me, all lip-service lies.
'Early Selection Process vibes. They need more acting practice.'
Confirming it was a waste of time, I ignored them and pushed through.
"Ah..."
"They're going. What a shame."
Regret, envy, jealousy—eyes followed us.
"Hah, strutting just 'cause they scored one item."
"Ungrateful prick. Ptooey."
Some spat curses.
And sneaky tails trailed behind.
Even into the alley, they stuck close.
"Dickhead, we've got tails."
"What now?"
"Want me to handle it?"
Lee Sera finally pulled out her vibrating dildo and anal beads dual-wield, ready for her secret weapon. I waved it off—no need—and beckoned toward the alley ahead instead.
"Maeve."
A flinch. Shadow at the corner shifted, and Maeve stepped out.
"...How'd you know I was here?"
"Only redheaded outsider in this port is you. Anyway, got time?"
"Me? Why...?"
Maeve clenched her thighs, cheeks flushing.
"Work with us a bit."
"Work?"
"Yeah. Won't leave you hanging."
She blinked a few times, then nodded.
I led the group straight into the commoner district. After checking safety, we hopped the wall. The others, who'd done it once before, followed with tilted heads.
"Dickhead, this Turn's place, right?"
"Yep."
Back at Turn's spot. No other reason—just the closest and safest from the port.
Inside the shower building, I told Maeve trying to follow,
"You stand watch at the door."
"?"
"We're settling items now."
"Ah, got it. No worries." Maeve nodded, understanding. I shut the door, and Shin Seo-yeon crossed her arms, demanding answers.
"We each keep our own stuff, right? What's this 'settling' talk?"
Her grumbling meant she was salty, thinking I'd hogged all the goodies.
"Oh? Then we'll talk without Seo-yeon."
"...Sorry. Include me, please."
She'd learned lately—flattening fast when I spoke. The Crimson Flame Witch. I pulled four coins from my inventory, handing one to each.
"Jackpot."
"There were more?"
"Min-jun, this for us?"
Nod.
"Yes. One each. So, all items you've farmed today—and will farm—I'll manage from now on. For this Trial."
"What? For just one coin? Ridiculous! I could find one at the next alchemy shop..."
True enough.
"Don't like it? Seo-yeon, you're out."
"..."
I held out my hand for it back. She stared at my palm, then pocketed the commemorative coin in her subspace.
What a contrary brat. Which tune should I dance to?
"Scared, auntie?"
"...Shut it."
"Totally scared."
"Am not?"
While the two bickered like kids, Han So-hee asked me,
"Why give us these coins, though?"
"Hm?"
"You could've kept managing everything like always—we'd follow. But why hand these out specifically? We could sell to Varkus for 500,000 gold each right now."
Reason for the coins was simple.
Trials ahead, I might step away. Emergencies could hit.
"That little thing could be the key to getting through. Like the Summoner's Letter Envelope I gave Hana."
"...I see."
"Sell whenever after, but not this Trial."
"Why? More points are good, right?"
"Can't get points selling to Varkus. Just gold—and gold's worthless at Rest Areas."
"Ah..."
Saintess clapped, puzzles solved.
"So, not selling our farmed alchemy stuff to him for the same reason?"
"Exactly."
"Then what's it for?"
"Why we're here. Hana, pull out your farmed items first?"
"Ah, sure!"
Saintess emptied her subspace pouch. Herbs piled up fast on the floor.
A sheer black panty slipped out mid-way; she yelped, stuffing it back. Pure cuteness—healing just to watch.
"Th-that's all."
"Oppa, I'm done too."
"Good work, everyone."
I eyed the items filling the changing area's space: herbs, potions for alchemy.
Useful, sure. Stockpile, and they'd come in handy someday.
But inventory's limited. Worth taking to Rest Area? Nah.
'Even judging utility—recovery potions redundant with Saintess. Debuffs, poisons? Our combat level can't use 'em yet.'
Higher Trials might need them, but by then, these'd be outdated. Better stuff bought there with cash.
'Risking life—no point in subpar gear.'
Best to offload here.
But not to Varkus—no real cash. So how?
"Eh? M-Min-jun, what are you doing?!"
"Hey, stop! That's poison!"
I popped the vial without hesitation and chugged. Burning esophagus, then changes rippled through my poison-swallowing body.
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