Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: The Chairman (1)
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[You have obtained the Golden Dragon's reward, an Elixir.]
An Elixir?
I quickly opened my inventory.
Something I haven't seen before... is this it?
I saw a green potion sealed with a cork in a translucent flask and immediately took it out.
[Elixir (Legendary)
A potion created using the Philosopher's Stone, the essence of alchemy.
Can revive the dead, provided not much time has passed.
When consumed, it cures all status abnormalities (injuries, diseases, curses) and boosts all stats to 200% for 3 hours.]
Wow, this is an item I never expected.
To think it can revive the dead if not much time has passed...
Having an Elixir is like having an extra life.
“Kkyuing...”
The little Golden Dragon was cautiously watching my reaction.
It wasn't the great piece of equipment I was hoping for, but this is a satisfying item nonetheless.
“Good job, Golden Dragon.”
As I said this and stroked its head, it finally looked relieved.
“Kkyuing!”
It would've been great if it had brought another Orb of Wishes, but considering the items I fed it, this isn't a bad return on investment.
****
Just like how school vacations always seemed to fly by, fun times always seem to pass quickly.
A week of our ten-day break had already passed as my companions and I visited not only the famous tourist spots in Kramis but also nearby attractions, including Libertine.
Today, we decided to take a leisurely break in Kabisa for a change.
We had been running around so much that even I was feeling a bit physically strained, so it must have been even more so for my companions, who were on the level of ordinary people.
Of course, resting in our room didn't mean we were just lying around like corpses.
“My turn, right?”
Hanna stared intently at the cards Rina was holding.
As Hanna's hand moved to the left, the corner of Rina's mouth twitched.
Geez, I told her to control her expression.
“I'll take this one.”
Hanna must have noticed, as she switched direction and drew the card on the right.
“Yahoo! I won!”
She laid it down with the knight card she was holding, and Rina's face fell.
“Are you all cheating behind my back? Why is it always me...”
Cheating? What nonsense.
“I told you to control your expression.”
“That's right. Rina, it's written all over your face, so it's too easy.”
“What's on my face?”
“Whatever. Just present your forehead.”
Alpen, who had won this round, approached Rina with a smile.
As Alpen reached out his hand, Rina presented her forehead, squeezed her eyes shut, and flinched.
He teased her by feigning a flick several times. Alpen was getting his revenge, all right.
“Just flick it already!”
It must be satisfying, but what's he going to do when we get back?
Ah, will it be fine since they won't have memories?
Still, if I save it on the video recording crystal...
Not my problem.
“Here I go!”
*Flick—*
Alpen's flick left a bright red mark on Rina's forehead.
“You son of a...”
“Son of a? Hyeon-ung, Rina's using bad words...”
“Rina, it's a penalty. You can't do that.”
“What did I do? Let's play another round!”
“Again?”
It was fun at first, but since Rina kept losing, the tension was gone, and it became less interesting.
“I'm bored. Let's do something else.”
“Um, Hyeon-ung? I think it's about time for lunch.”
“Ah, I'm hungry too.”
“What? I'm the only one who got flicked, and you want to stop now? No way!”
She looked extremely wronged.
“Let's play another game after we eat. I'll stop by Tae-soo's place and grab a few things.”
It seems my companions like games more than I thought.
Elsiapunk probably sells most board games, so it would be good to stop by the Golden Lion Guild after lunch and buy a few.
“Oh, great!”
Alpen was the most excited.
Besides taking care of animals, he has a talent for games.
I bet he'd be good at chess, janggi, or Go if I taught him.
“Mister, on your way back, could you also get a cake...”
“Okay. Strawberry for Rina, right?”
“Yup!”
She answered with a bright smile, her mood seemingly lifted by the thought of cake.
“Um, Hyeon-ung, I'd like some green tea cookies...”
“Okay. Order received. Alpen, you want honey biscuits, right?”
“Ah, you're getting something for me too...”
“Of course, Alpen. You're our companion too.”
Honestly, I can't say I didn't discriminate against him a little for being a male companion, but thanks to summoning Alpen this time, things have been much more convenient than before.
He takes good care of Nyx and the Golden Dragon.
Ah, although I think the Golden Dragon likes Hanna more.
We ordered lunch via room service, and I stood up first after we finished.
“Take your time, everyone. When you're done, just put the dishes on the cart and leave it outside.”
“We know that much without you telling us.”
Well, it has been a week already.
It's a shame that there are only three days left.
“See you later!”
“Mister, don't forget the cake!”
I gave a quick "got it" and left Kabisa.
The weather was nice in the guild district today, so there were many people out and about.
When I arrived at the Golden Lion Guild's hideout, there was a long line again today.
To be precise, they weren't here for the Golden Lion Guild, but for the restaurant next door, Taste of Home.
I heard it became quite popular after they participated in the last festival.
Thanks to that, it wasn't just people who looked like summons, but also many who seemed to be local residents.
“Oh? Hyeon-ung! Hello!”
I wondered who it was, and it turned out to be Latina, the daughter of Mr. Arnold from the general store I frequent.
Her friends, who looked to be around her age, were holding hot dogs covered in lots of potato pieces coated with white powder.
Complete with ketchup and mustard.
“Latina? Are you out with your friends?”
“Yes. Starting this week, kids under 15 get a 50% discount on these hot dogs.”
Oh, they're running an event like that.
“It's still a bit expensive, but I just got my allowance, so I came to eat with my friends.”
After speaking, she took a hearty bite of her hot dog.
Even though I just ate, it looked so good I wanted one.
Of course, seeing the long line, I couldn't bring myself to wait.
“Would you like a bite?”
“I'm fine.”
I can't just take food from a kid.
“Latina, is he someone you know?”
“Ah, he's a regular at our store. You remember those snacks we shared last time? He's the one who gave them to us.”
“Those cookies? They were really delicious. Thank you for them.”
“Thank you.”
The young girls, who looked to be Latina's age, all bowed politely. They were all so well-mannered.
I wanted to give them something... Ah! I have just the thing.
Usually, fresh food stored in the inventory doesn't spoil immediately, lasting about three days.
That's why after three days in the labyrinth, I usually subsist on things like jerky and rations, but I found out about the icebox after visiting Libertine.
“Hey kids, wait a second.”
I happened to have a few cans of cola in my icebox that I'd saved for the labyrinth, so I took out enough for everyone.
“Oh? Isn't this cola!”
“Oh, have you had cola before?”
“No. They sell it at the restaurant, but it's really expensive.”
“My dad bought some once, so I've tried it. It's really delicious.”
When I asked about the price, they said the same can of cola costs 10 silver as part of a meal set, and a whopping 15 silver if bought separately.
...That's definitely expensive.
I don't think even a 1.5-liter bottle cost 10 silver.
Even considering shipping costs, it feels a bit pricey.
Of course, considering they took on most of the 35th wave of summons, it's understandable.
Besides, I can buy it cheaply anyway.
“Here, take one each.”
They all hesitated, but I told them I got them cheap through a contact and handed one to each of them.
“Thank you.”
“Hyeon-ung, you're the best!”
“It's so cold! Thank you.”
They didn't drink them right away, so I wondered if they didn't know how to open them, but that wasn't it.
“I have younger siblings at home. I'm going to share it with them.”
“Me too. I'll share it with my dad.”
“I'll share with my older sister!”
I was so touched that I tried to give them one more each, but they all waved their hands, bowed, and left.
Thinking how kind-hearted the kids were, I entered the hideout.
“Oh! Hyeon-ung! Long time no see.”
“Hello.”
“Haven't seen you around lately. Been busy?”
“Haha, a little.”
Truth is, even though I haven't officially joined, I'm so close with them that everyone greets me warmly.
“If you're here to buy something, should I call Hwa-yeon?”
“Ah, in a bit. Since I'm here, I was hoping to see Tae-soo. Is he upstairs?”
“The Guild Master went to a meeting.”
A meeting?
“What kind of meeting?”
“The 36th wave of summons arrived yesterday. He went with the Vice-Master to collect their surveys and all that.”
“Huh? Are summons arriving this month too?”
There was a two-month gap between the 35th wave and me.
“Well, it's up to those angel bastards. There's only a one-month difference between Chang-soo and me.”
Mi-jeong said it nonchalantly, but this was news to me.
So it's not always a fixed two-month interval.
Come to think of it, I think I heard it was one month during the training...
“I see.”
“So, should I just call Hwa-yeon for you?”
“Yes, please.”
“Chang-soo, go get Hwa-yeon. Hyeon-ung, have you had lunch?”
“Yes, I've already eaten.”
It was a shame, but my companions were waiting, so I had to buy my things quickly and go.
I met up with Go Hwa-yeon and bought some board games, as well as groceries like ramen and canned tuna, and some snacks. The total easily exceeded 30 gold.
Of course, I did buy enough to fill my inventory.
“Just a moment. I'll go get your change.”
“Ah, it's fine. No need for change. Keep the rest as a tip.”
“Really? You must be very rich, Hyeon-ung.”
“You didn't know, Hwa-yeon? Hyeon-ung is the richest person in Kramis.”
“He probably has more money than the Lord.”
“Come on. It's not that much.”
It might be less than the Lord, but I doubt it's by a large margin.
“By any chance, do you have a girlfriend?”
Go Hwa-yeon's older sister, Go Se-yeon, who was next to her, asked with sparkling eyes.
I heard that when she was drinking with Tae-soo last time, she mentioned reaching level 30 in the labyrinth and unlocking a hidden class from her trait.
“Oh, Se-yeon, you interested in Hyeon-ung?”
“Ah... no, it's not like that, I was just curious...”
“Isn't that what interest is?”
“Hyeon-ung is off-limits. Seol-hwa's already called dibs on him.”
“Is this the love triangle I've only heard about?”
Good grief. One by one, they joined in on the teasing. These people are so mischievous.
“...Please stop teasing me. People will think it's true. I have no relationship with Seol-hwa, and I don't have a girlfriend.”
“Seol-hwa would be sad to hear that.”
Sad? Not a chance.
“Oh, so there's still a chance! Se-yeon!”
“I told you, no! I was just really curious...”
Sigh, everyone's teasing me too much.
If Tae-soo were here, he would have stopped them.
I was about to leave to clear the air when, huh?
The door opened and Chil-seong walked in.
I thought he went with Tae-soo, but he came back alone.
And for some reason, his expression was quite dark.
“You're a bit late. But Vice-Master, why are you alone? Where's the Master?”
“Tae-soo is at the temple. There's been a problem...”
The temple?
“The temple?”
“Don't tell me the Master got hurt somewhere?”
“No, which bastard dared to touch our Master...”
The atmosphere changed in an instant.
The people who were laughing and chatting just a moment ago were gone, replaced by a menacing crowd that looked ready to grab their weapons and rush out.
My own worry was no less than that of the Golden Lion Guild members.
“Chil-seong, what on earth happened?”
“Oh? Hyeon-ung, you're here too. I was about to contact you. Everyone, calm down. Tae-soo isn't hurt.”
Hearing that Tae-soo was fine, the mood softened considerably.
“Then what is it?”
****
The top-floor conference room of the Four Stars Guild hideout.
“Are the surveys not here yet?”
“Ah, they're being copied now, so they should be up shortly.”
“Hey, Team Leader Choi, it's not another batch full of students like last time, is it?”
Choi Seong-wuk, the HR Team Leader of the Four Stars Guild, shook his head.
“There are some minors, but it's not a case like the 35th wave where an entire school was transferred.”
“That's a relief.”
“The 35th wave was a bit much.”
“Ahem.”
As Lee Tae-soo, who had taken in most of the 35th wave, cleared his throat, everyone who had been chattering quickly shut their mouths.
“Haha, but there was a lot of talent, too.”
“Was it Go Hwa-yeon? I heard she's absolutely top-notch.”
“That's right. I heard the Golden Lion Guild is raking in money these days with Taste of Home.”
“Well, they have a lot of new mouths to feed. They have to work hard.”
The conference room door opened, and a Four Stars Guild member walked in carrying a large stack of papers.
“Thank you for waiting. The surveys have arrived. Sera, please distribute a copy to everyone.”
Soon, a stack of surveys was placed in front of Lee Tae-soo.
“Chil-seong, let's split them in half and take a look.”
Lee Tae-soo eyeballed half the stack, handed it to Yoon Chil-seong, and began flipping through the surveys.
“There aren't many promising talents this time.”
“The 35th wave may have been young, but their traits seemed good.”
As he agreed, flipping through the surveys, Lee Tae-soo abruptly shot up from his seat.
“Tae-soo?”
“I need to go to the training hall right now. Chil-seong, you take over the meeting.”
Spitting out the words like a machine gun, Lee Tae-soo left the conference room as fast as the wind.
“Chil-seong? What's with your Master?”
“I'm not sure...”
Yoon Chil-seong replied that he didn't know either and picked up the survey Lee Tae-soo had been looking at.
[Name: Lee Ha-young
Age: 18
Original Occupation: Not a student, but if I don't have one, should I write 'none'?
Granted Trait: TIME LIMIT - A trait exclusive to the terminally ill. All stats are doubled, and experience gain is also doubled.
Hobbies: Watching WeTube (My favorite WeTuber is UngTV!)
Special Skills: Web surfing, writing novels.]