Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Professor
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“Between the recent cases you’ve handled and the stuff with Cheongho, the rumors are flying in all directions—and they’re hilarious. You made a complete fool out of Yang Seo-ho from the Management Bureau, huh?”
I’d forgotten, but yeah, that happened.
I tipped off Yang Seo-ho about the colony of parasitic entities from outer space.
She must’ve been thrilled.
I’d kindly reported the dangerous spots and taken out all the problematic monsters myself.
On top of that, I’d cleaned up artifacts and the like that couldn’t be exposed to civilians, so if she saw me...
“You might not know what you did, but you’d better avoid running into Yang Seo-ho. Basilissa has already dropped by twice.”
Yeah, if Yang Seo-ho saw me, she’d be so happy she’d kill me. Me.
“But what does that have to do with business booming?”
“Well, a wizard powerful enough to toy with Yang Seo-ho right here in Paju is my exclusive fixer. With all the clients coming to you, the other fixers I’ve got contracts with are getting a nice cut of the action too.”
“Ah, I get the gist.”
“But aside from that, things have gotten busy. Not quite like twenty years ago, but it feels like we’ve gone back ten.”
“I see.”
I know the rough situation, but no need to fill Tudor in. Besides, there’s nothing she could do about it anyway.
“So honestly, I’ve got a ton of favors to ask you. This job... it’s good for both of us in the long run, but if you could swing by more often after this, that’d be great.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Perfect. Since we’re on the topic, let’s talk business right now.”
This job pays unusually low in cash.
But the real reward is worth way more.
“Thousand Gold Hall.”
“Yeah, Thousand Gold Hall.”
“I have no idea how you charmed the old man at Geumchon Pawnshop, but I’d welcome the chance to deal with a fixer who has an entry pass to Thousand Gold Hall.”
“Looks like you’ve got some errands you want run there?”
“Heh heh heh... Busted? You end up with some nasty stuff piling up in storage when you do this line of work.”
Thousand Gold Hall is one of the most unique shops in the entire Cthulhu world.
It’s not some black market for shady goods or a members-only auction house.
There’s only one thing Thousand Gold Hall deals in.
Curses.
Thousand Gold Hall is a shop that buys curses.
Cursed objects, humans under curses, land infested with curses—doesn’t matter.
They purchase the curse itself and pay accordingly to its depth.
For the seller, it’s an absurd deal.
They solve your headache, and instead of you paying them, they pay you.
Of course, a place that good comes with plenty of hidden catches.
Ordinary people can’t even find Thousand Gold Hall in the first place.
And even if you get an in, there’s no guarantee you’ll leave alive.
That’s the basic rundown on Thousand Gold Hall.
What Tudor’s telling me lines up with what I already know.
“You’ve heard, but someone’s visiting Thousand Gold Hall this time, and they need an escort.”
“Escort. Got it.”
“The fee’s exactly ten million won. Peanuts considering the risk and all that—not even worth the advance...”
“But in exchange, you get a guaranteed visit to Thousand Gold Hall and a letter of introduction?”
“Exactly. No guarantee the intro letter gets you in next time, but this once, it’s a sure thing.”
“And you can offload anything you want to dispose of on the side.”
“Heh heh... Yeah, that’s the kicker.”
“Fine by me. One trip’s all I need. So how’s the cut going?”
“Oh? You’re quick on the uptake.”
Quick?
Tudor had already hinted at the commission during yesterday’s call.
Still, she grinned shamelessly.
“The ten million is before commission, right?”
“Yeah. No cut taken this time. But...”
“You want me to dump something for you?”
“Bingo.”
“What’s so bingo about it? Sounds like I should be charging you a fee.”
“Hmph, you can keep whatever Thousand Gold Hall pays for my item, can’t you?”
“Hmm... For real?”
“Heh heh... Just bring me a souvenir.”
Not a bad deal. I’ve seen events like this plenty in the game, so I can guess how it’ll go.
Plus, if it’s something a witch like Tudor can’t handle, it’s gotta be seriously nasty.
That kind of thing would fetch a hefty payout from Thousand Gold Hall.
Compared to the junk I plan to unload, anyway.
“Deal. Let’s do it.”
[You have accepted the quest!
[Escort Quest: To Thousand Gold Hall]
Accompany ‘Professor,’ who carries a suspicious bundle, to Thousand Gold Hall.
Escort Professor safely back to reality.
Rewards: 500,000 XP + 10,000,000 won + ‘Thousand Gold Hall Entry Pass’ based on performance.
Failure: Professor’s curse transfers to you, or you cannot return from Thousand Gold Hall.]
The quest prompt had barely vanished when Tudor slid a bulky attache case my way.
“Here you go. Dispose of this.”
The boxy leather case people vulgarly call a 007 bag.
“That’s some heavy-duty sealing spell... What the hell’s in here?”
Reminds me of Lee Chang-hyuk’s case.
Looks like an outdated designer bag, but the security spells woven into it form a high-level barrier.
“If you knew, you’d skip dinner tonight.”
She pressed a finger to her lips as she said it.
‘Ugh, that witch...’
Doesn’t look like something she’d hand over smiling like that.
I won’t be shocked if it turns out to be an unstable nuke hidden in what seems like a harmless bag.
No, doesn’t mean I can just take it easy.
The moment I took the case, I cast spells.
[Binding Chains]
[Prison of Cold Bones]
[Protection Circle]
[Sanctuary Zone]
“Hey, it’s not that bad.”
“We’ll see if you say that after Thousand Gold Hall.”
“Heh heh... By the way, you’re getting impressive. Casting spells at that level without incantations or gestures? At this speed? No catalysts or aids either?”
“Yeah, just kinda happened.”
Come to think of it, I haven’t cast in front of Tudor before.
She’s still smiling, but it’s a whole different vibe from her usual one.
Greed, anticipation, curiosity...
The smile of a centuries-old witch, not a broker.
“I couldn’t cast at your speed myself. Impressive. Next time, something more befitting a wizard...”
I cut her off by hoisting the case right in her face.
“Look, I’d like to get to today’s job.”
Laughter echoed from behind the case.
Then her pale fingers slowly gripped it—like spiders or snakes crawling over one side.
“You’re right. Other things matter, but Thousand Gold Hall’s a big deal too.”
She lowered the case, revealing her face again.
Back to the lazy smile of the savvy broker I know.
“Now introduce me to the client you mentioned yesterday.”
“Oh, right. Hang on.”
Tudor blanked out for a sec, then looked up at nothing in particular.
“Ready now—bring in Professor.”
Talking to Orb outside.
As the daze cleared, she flashed a bashful grin.
“You know the rules? You’re the wizard, client’s Professor.”
“Got it. No real names at Thousand Gold Hall.”
“And no chit-chat or bonding either. Best avoid it.”
“Right.”
Precaution against slipping up and saying names there.
Thousand Gold Hall isn’t normal.
It’s a secretive, dangerous place loaded with taboos and restrictions.
Moments later, the door opened. Orb wheeled in ‘Professor.’
Actually, the guy I’d seen in Basilissa’s hall earlier.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Middle-aged man in a wheelchair.
Even among Basilissa’s burly thugs, he’d stood out as way too out of place.
Age... mid-fifties? Could pass for sixties and still look youthful.
Slicked-back hair, thin-framed square glasses.
Faint smile with subtle wrinkles that gave off a calming vibe.
Haven’t spoken yet, but he strikes me as refined and polite.
He turned to thank Orb, who’d pushed him in.
Orb nodded silently and left the office.
“This is Professor, introduced by the old man at Geumchon Pawnshop. Professor? This is the wizard I told you about yesterday. Doesn’t look it, but he’s pretty famous.”
I nodded at Tudor’s words and extended a hand to Professor.
“Hello. Wizard here.”
“Pleased to meet you. Professor. Nice mask.”
His handshake was... bizarre.
“This is...”
“Oh, my apologies.”
Professor gave an awkward smile and pulled back.
“Must’ve felt unpleasant.”
The texture was like grasping a dry, dead twig.
No, not the sensation at my fingertips...
My mana sensed something off in his body.
That weird malice I’d felt in the hall earlier—this must be it.
“A curse?”
“Something like that. Bad business.”
“I see.”
I glanced at the jade bundle on his lap.
So outdated it looked ancient. Even rural grannies don’t carry those anymore.
Thought maybe a rice cooker inside, but watching closely, something inside twitched faintly.
‘That the curse?’
Game didn’t describe it like this. Just showed as a ‘Suspicious Bundle’ icon in inventory.
Spellbooks were clickable items too.
Never saw the text in them until I got pulled into this world. Same with the [Black Goat Fluid] in Lee Chang-hyuk’s bag.
So unlike the game, screwing up could transfer that curse to me... or cause issues the game didn’t simulate.
‘Better be careful.’
“I’m all set, but how about you, Wizard?”
“Ready too. And—”
I chose my words.
“—drop the formalities. Long road ahead—honorifics will get old fast.”
“Hmm... Still...”
No real need, but I adjusted our dynamic. Nostalgia from my game playthroughs.
Professor and I crossed paths in various ways; happiest was the apprentice route.
Of course... that didn’t end pretty either. This insane game demands endless sacrifice and despair from its people.
I’d bawled for days when he died.
Mask hides it, but I smiled as warmly as I could.
“Shall we head out?”
“Good. Let’s go.”