Big and Small (4)
Big and Small (4)
Lee Na-young's dorm room.
"Ugh, do I really, really have to join too...?"
"What, you're not about to say you don't want to, are you? Huh? Right?"
"Uh, ugh..."
Na Yeon-ju's unease only grew watching Idni, her senior and older sister figure, threaten the owner of the room. She'd thought there was at least some kind of plan when they first met on the walking path, but to think there was nothing at all.
Na Yeon-ju missed Baek Ha-na terribly—the most reliable and even prettiest friend who wasn't here right now.
"Aren't you acting like some thug, threatening a friend like that?"
"Huh? Don't you see me resolving this nice and easy through dialogue?"
Swish.
Idni, who'd been frowning with one eyebrow and answering flippantly, flinched at Maria's hand creeping up and quickly relaxed her face.
'If it weren't for Big Sis Na-young, Big Sis Idni would be the weakest link...'
Na Yeon-ju, quietly watching the situation, mentally noted whose side to take to maximize her chances of survival when things went south.
"Na-young, this is a good opportunity for you too."
"Uh, yeah... It's not that I don't have any interest in rifts..."
Top-tier alchemists often hire guild or government-affiliated Awakened to venture into rifts to personally gather necessary materials. The rarer the material, the more specialized the collection methods, and they preferred to harvest the materials themselves to preserve their condition as intact as possible.
For that reason, not all alchemists were well-versed in rifts, but those with worldwide renown were all deeply knowledgeable about rift ecology.
"But Professor Baek is notorious for giving massive amounts of homework..."
Lee Na-young was also one of the students who desperately wanted to take the Riftology lecture if possible. But as anyone in the know was aware, the sheer volume of assignments, which felt almost malicious, made her hesitate.
"I barely have enough research time as it is... and if the assignments pile up on top of that, I really won't be able to hold on... Plus, there's fieldwork."
"That's exactly the point, dear."
"...?"
Fieldwork?
When Maria clapped her hands, Lee Na-young blinked and tilted her head.
"You know Professor Baek can create rifts, right?"
"Uh, yeah. It's famous in our year—artificial rifts that look totally real."
"And you, Na-young, have experienced one yourself."
"...I got to experience it during the Grade Evaluation."
"As I recall, collecting materials was part of the evaluation criteria for you and the other kids that time. Correct?"
"Uh, yeah? Oh, yeah. That's... right?"
As if realizing something, Lee Na-young's innocent eyes grew round, and Maria smiled, nodding.
"Those materials you gathered then. You used them in your experiments, didn't you, Na-young?"
"Y-yeah... How does that work? Did he personally bring in the materials and leave them there?"
"Heh heh, no, Na-young. Professor Baek is far more incredible than you think."
Maria, who knew the true nature of the artificial rifts through Lee Ye-sol, placed a hand on Lee Na-young's shoulder.
"Every fieldwork session is a chance to get rare materials."
"R-rare materials..."
"Yes. Rare materials. You're not satisfied with what the academy provides, are you, Na-young?"
"Well..."
Lee Na-young's pupils wavered from side to side.
To completely capture Lee Na-young's already nearly won-over heart, Maria drove in the final wedge.
"It's an opportunity to gather rare materials for free with just a bit of physical effort~ What's more, once you take the lecture, Ha-na and Seo-hee will be with you."
"I-I'll do it!!"
A few months ago, a scholarship from an anonymous professor's recommendation had solved her tuition problems, but Lee Na-young's family finances were far from comfortable, so she had no choice but to bite at Maria's bait.
Free gathering with reliable protection? What did a little fatigue matter? She could cut sleep and make more effective fatigue-recovery tonics.
"Hey, do her eyes look like they've turned?"
"No, she's just gotten motivated."
Na Yeon-ju, who had been quietly listening to Idni and Maria's conversation, stole a glance at Lee Na-young's face across from her.
'...Big Sis Na-young isn't exactly normal either, I'll be damned.'
And then she realized one thing.
All five of them were far from ordinary.
"Alright. Shall we brainstorm some strategy then?"
"So, um, is this everyone...?"
"Of course. Why, got someone you want to bring?"
"No, I mean..."
If the most trustworthy and dependable Baek Ha-na had been among them, Na Yeon-ju might have considered recommending a few friends she'd made here. But she wasn't shameless enough to drag her friends into a place where suffering was clearly visible.
"Don't be so scared, kid."
"Yeah, Yeon-ju. You're not being asked to clear a rift. You just need to build a base camp in a suitable spot and hold it for three days."
Na Yeon-ju wanted to ask if that was actually harder, but she just laughed awkwardly and nodded.
Ever since she'd slipped up with her words the first time she was invited to the mansion, Na Yeon-ju had grown very cautious.
"Then let's start by looking into equipment and materials suitable for snowy terrain."
"I've already prepared a list for that."
Maria took a tablet out of the bag at her feet and placed it on the table.
[ Cold Resistance Enchant (Grade 5) Ring x1 = 600,000 ]
[ Microfiber Thermal Enchant (Grade 5) Inner Wear (Unisex) x1 = 900,000 ]
[ Snowfield Camouflage Net (Large) x1 = 6,000,000 ]
[ One-Touch Winter Tent (12-Person) x1 = 1,300,000 ]
[ Monster Detection Sensor & Alarm Set (120m) x1 = 3,000,000 ]
In addition, silent and odorless heaters using magic stones as fuel, high-calorie simple meals that required no special cooking, and the like.
"Didn't you read the notice together with me?"
"And?"
"So when did you pick this out?"
"While heading over to get Na-young?"
"...You crazy bitch."
Idni shook her head at her best friend's casual reply.
"Hey, but isn't this too expensive? I blew all my money and all I've got is this body—only Ha-na is left."
"What happened to your allowance this month?"
"Huh? Uh, that..."
Catching the subtly curved corner of Maria's lips, Idni swallowed dryly and avoided eye contact.
"Idni?"
"I-I saw a nice-looking earring-type artifact..."
"At least you didn't blow it on gambling."
"I-I said no more gambling!!"
Idni, who'd cleaned out three years' worth of emergency savings in England, had sworn to herself never to touch gambling like match predictions again. Of course, none of the people present believed that oath.
"Hmm, that's troubling. I don't have much cash on hand either."
"I-I don't have any either..."
Even though no one had asked or even glanced her way, Lee Na-young, as if she felt cornered, quickly revealed she had no money.
"Hey. We have consciences too, you know? No matter how broke we are, you think we'd ask you to pay?"
"S-sorry..."
Lee Na-young herself seemed a little embarrassed, as the skin below her nape slowly turned red.
"So. Does our little sister here have some money?"
"Eh? M-me, you mean...?"
At the sudden arrow pointed her way, Na Yeon-ju visibly panicked and stammered.
"Yeah. I heard our Yeon-ju doesn't snack much and has no interest in anything except driving."
"Uh, y-yeah, tha-that's, th-that's right..."
She swallowed hard as Idni slid her hips over and pressed close beside her.
"And I heard that sometimes after helicopter or long-distance trips, you get extra pay for your trouble?"
Gulp. Where had she heard that?
Na Yeon-ju instinctively felt there was no escape.
"I-I do have a bit saved up..."
"Oho~ How much?"
Idni naturally put an arm around Na Yeon-ju's shoulders and asked in a friendly tone. Na Yeon-ju raised her left hand and held up three fingers.
"...About three thousand."
"What? Three thousand? Not three hundred, but three thousand?"
"Yes, m'lady..."
"Wow, that's insane."
The amount was far larger than expected, and Idni was genuinely impressed.
"No, we're the same apprentices, so how do you manage to save that much?"
"I-I just took what they gave me, I mean...?"
Unlike the questioning Idni, Maria knew the circumstances to some extent and didn't find it strange.
Their status was the same apprentice and a year behind, but Na Yeon-ju's ability to expertly handle all forms of transportation was objectively a highly sought-after talent.
If it moved—military or medical—she could operate it at a high level. There was no reason not to covet her.
Even apart from that, the mere fact that she could pilot a helicopter set Na Yeon-ju's value leagues above other apprentices.
"So, I have four hundred. Yeon-ju has three thousand. That makes our budget three thousand four hundred."
"Uh, um, do we really have to use all of it...?"
"It's an exam Professor Baek prepared. We should prepare thoroughly, right?"
"Uh, ugh..."
Maria's answer that they'd have to use all the money she'd saved made even Na Yeon-ju fall into deep contemplation. But who was Maria?
"Yeon-ju, you were saving up to buy a car you liked, weren't you?"
"H-how did you know?"
Maria smiled gently at the wide-eyed younger girl and continued.
"As I understand it, you'd need about twenty times what you have now. Correct?"
"C-correct..."
"If you invest that entire three thousand, I'll make sure you get the car you want, Yeon-ju."
"Huh...?"
At the unexpected and unbelievable offer, Na Yeon-ju's eyes grew even wider.
"One month. I'll make sure you have it within a month. I can swear an oath if you wish."
"Eh, i-is that for real...?"
"Yes. Do you think I would swindle my cute little sister's money?"
"You would totally— Ack?!"
Idni, who was sitting beside Na Yeon-ju, suddenly grabbed her shin and rolled on the floor.
"Well, will you invest?"
Completely ignoring Idni rolling on the floor, Maria extended her hand toward Na Yeon-ju.
"...I'll invest!!"
Na Yeon-ju took that hand.