Chapter 94
Chapter 94
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Rock Grinding (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The group toured the Mining Headquarters' storage facility.
Of course, all the minerals displayed here were not for sale.
So Seoran pulled out her notebook and began making a list.
She planned to place a bulk order later.
As Ji-am-seo explained, Seoran diligently took notes.
The shopping list grew endlessly long.
Yi Agum peeked over her shoulder at the notebook and was stunned.
She immediately tried to dissuade Seoran.
"Sister, you're buying all of this?"
Seoran replied.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Can you even use all this? What if you impulse-buy and have stuff left over? Shouldn't you think it over more carefully before deciding?"
"So what if some is left over? It's just minerals. They don't spoil like food, so stack them in the warehouse and they'll get used eventually."
It was far too bold a mindset for Yi Agum.
"Minerals aren't free, you know. You're paying for all of them—how can you pick so casually? You need a budget, comparisons. What if you run out of money and want something later?"
"I've got plenty of money."
"What money does my sister have? The sect budget has designated uses. Any leftovers are just pocket change, right?"
"Ahgum, you don't get it."
Seoran pulled a booklet from her bosom.
Each page had similar entries.
Things like 'five cartloads of rice' or 'ten cartloads of beans.'
Yi Agum asked with a puzzled look.
"What's this?"
"It's food exchange certificates issued by the Black Bamboo Sect for the lower world. Take them to a logistics hub, and they'll swap for the listed foodstuffs. Labyrinth folk merchants prefer these over lower world currency."
"They really take these instead of money?"
"Yeah, so it's basically money. You know about the trade agreement with the lower world and Black Bamboo Sect? They used to exchange goods directly, but it was such a hassle that they've done it this way for a few hundred years."
"I don't really get it..."
"Hmm, yeah, you might not."
For the record, this was right in Seoran's field of expertise.
She barely held back the urge to show off.
The sleeping beast of capitalism nearly awoke.
Yi Agum examined the certificates and asked again.
"Meats, salt, herbs... wow, all sorts of stuff? Wait, why do you have these certificates?"
"I bought my share from the merfolk tribute offerings."
"Right, there was tribute."
The merfolk pilgrimage groups visited the holy site at all hours, never empty-handed.
They faithfully delivered five-tenths of their income.
The accumulated tributes were amicably divided among Damcheong, Seoran, and the Black Bamboo Sect.
The split was two parts to Damcheong, one each to Seoran and the sect.
Originally, the Black Bamboo Sect wouldn't have gotten a drop, but kind-hearted Seoran sliced off half her share.
The Great Earth Mother God was merciful.
Thanks to her, faith was quietly sprouting in the hearts of the sect's finance managers.
Smart Yi Agum quickly grasped the situation.
She stopped trying to dissuade Seoran.
A rich person spending a lot wasn't overspending.
The group walked along, chatting idly.
*****
Seoran, whose notebook was nearly full, asked.
"Ji-am-seo, is that all?"
"There are still quite a few minerals under research."
"Where are those?"
Ji-am-seo led Seoran to her personal lab.
"Look with your eyes only. From here to there are the recent new finds. Keeps me insanely busy these days."
"So you weren't lying earlier about being busy?"
"Right, I am busy. Always be grateful."
Quiet Yi Agum spoke up.
"Ji-am-seo, why are there so many new discovery minerals? Was there some special event?"
Ji-am-seo replied, eyes downcast.
"Th-that's due to the Vertical Shaft Sect's new policy. They lifted the downward excavation depth limit. So we can probe deeper than before now."
Seoran and Yi Agum were quite taken aback.
Ji-am-seo always maintained a curt demeanor.
They wondered why she suddenly sounded so polite.
Seoran asked.
"Ji-am-seo, what's with the sudden change?"
Ji-am-seo answered as usual.
"What change?"
This time Yi Agum asked.
"No, your speech just shifted."
Ji-am-seo averted her gaze as she replied.
"Me? I'm always like this."
It was blatantly suspicious.
But Seoran and Yi Agum let it slide for now.
Touring the lab came first.
Seoran pointed to the most eye-catching mineral.
"Ji-am-seo, what's that purple one?"
Ji-am-seo straightened her back rigidly.
"That's called Amethyst Quartz. Named for the purple glow it emits. Not sure how yet, but it stabilizes spiritual power passing through it."
Seoran jotted down Amethyst Quartz in her notebook.
She asked about other minerals' effects, but most were still under study with little known.
She figured she'd learn more on a return visit.
Seoran reviewed her list so far.
It was packed with countless mineral names.
This much should suffice for now.
The rest could be handled by the Trade Headquarters.
Hand over the desired mineral list, and they'd package and ship to Black Bamboo Sect.
To avoid hassle, she'd pay upfront.
Just then, someone called Ji-am-seo from outside.
"Researcher Ji-am-seo, got a moment? Need to ask something."
Ji-am-seo pointed at Seoran specifically.
"Wait here a bit—don't touch anything."
Then she left the lab.
Yi Agum was puzzled.
"Sister, isn't this weird?"
"What?"
"That labyrinth folk, Ji-am-seo. Her attitude toward me is totally different from toward you. Polite speech mixed with casual, too."
Seoran replied.
"Maybe she's scared of you?"
"That's weird too. If scared, she'd fear you more—why me?"
Yi Agum's doubts only grew.
It happened when Seoran had just reached the Primordial Spirit Realm.
Curious, Yi Agum had once looked at her using Spirit Eye Technique.
She felt a soul-bleaching pressure.
She hadn't shown it, but it was truly shocking.
Fortunately, after learning from Yeomujin how to contain her power, it became bearable.
That was the nature of overwhelming disparity.
Yi Agum couldn't comprehend it.
Seoran spoke then.
"Maybe 'cause you lack Spirit Eyes?"
Yi Agum asked.
"Labyrinth folk don't have Spirit Eyes?"
"Spirit Eye bearers among yokai are rare to begin with."
"Oh?"
Yi Agum looked down at Seoran.
Her height was much shorter than Yi Agum's; about average for labyrinth folk.
Could attitude differ due to height?
When Ji-am-seo returned, Yi Agum asked immediately.
"Ji-am-seo, can you sense spirit energy?"
Ji-am-seo shrank back.
"Y-yes? Oh, no..."
Half-suspecting, Yi Agum sat on a nearby chair.
Ji-am-seo's expression relaxed noticeably.
She really was intimidated by the height difference.
Yi Agum said.
"Sister, transform into a bear for a sec."
"Sure."
Seoran flipped in midair.
A massive gray bear appeared.
Its head nearly brushed the lab ceiling.
Ji-am-seo's mask shattered instantly.
"Heh, heek..."
With a choking gasp, Ji-am-seo fainted.
*****
Seoran, Yi Agum, and the recovered Ji-am-seo had a heartfelt talk.
Seoran said.
"Your seniors told you to act high-and-mighty?"
"Y-yes... Mining Headquarters is the lower world's top group, so don't let anyone look down on you..."
Surprisingly, Ji-am-seo was a timid labyrinth folk.
The 'arrogant researcher' facade she'd shown Seoran and Yi Agum was pure acting.
The occasional polite slips were from being too scared of Yi Agum.
Seoran suddenly felt a surge of kinship.
She'd been quite introverted once too, though changed now.
Like meeting a compatriot abroad—warming and glad.
It felt like seeing her past self.
No real basis, just the vibe.
Maybe woman's intuition.
Seoran hooked arms with Ji-am-seo.
"Worried about misspeaking, so you hold back what you should say?"
"Wh-how did you know?!"
"So you blurt things out hastily instead, then regret all night at home?"
"I-I always do!"
"You want to be honest sometimes, but worry others will judge your weak side?"
"Gasp!"
"So you shield your heart with cold armor, but loneliness chills you to tears now and then?"
"It's like you entered and left my soul!"
"You dream of meeting someone who loves you, feeling warm happiness?"
"Yesyesyesyesyes!"
"But cold reason wakes you: such luck won't come to me—despairing?"
"Yes! Th-that's it!"
Seoran said tenderly.
"It's okay, Ji-am-seo... I'm here now. I'll make sure you find love. Let's do this together."
Ji-am-seo gazed at Seoran with moved eyes.
"Why... why only now..."
Human and mole yokai embraced.
Yi Agum couldn't make sense of it.