Let the Golden Bell Ring!

Upon returning to the capital with the Blue Stone, I received a detailed briefing on everything that had transpired in my absence. Most of it was information I had already been updated on via telegram while in the North.

However, there was exactly one detail that had been left out: the negotiations between my father and the Jebb Guild.

"You negotiated with the Jebb Guild?"

"Yes. In exchange for half of the Jebb Guild's distribution network, we agreed to supply them with Blue Stone at wholesale prices."

My father explained the details of the deal, mentioning that Tyron Jebb—the head of the Jebb Guild and Helchen's father—had personally come to beg him. The core of the agreement was that we would absorb half of their distribution network and, in return, throw them a lifeline by wholesaling them half of our Blue Stone.

On the surface, it might have seemed like a decent compromise, but to my eyes, it was an incredibly merciful contract.

"Father, if we push just a little harder, we can swallow the Jebb Guild whole."

Currently, the Jebb Guild was practically limbless. They had lost their imperial supply rights and their monopoly in the North. All they had left was their distribution network, but maintaining such a network was a massive money pit.

Without Blue Stone to move through it, the network would only drag them deeper into ruin as time went on. In other words, time was entirely on the Lorend Guild's side.

"Yes, I suppose so. But doing so would only create more enemies."

My father sighed, puffing on his pipe. His eyes grew slightly misty, as if he were recalling some deeply shocking scene. Just what on earth did Tyron Jebb say to him?

"We have already gained so much, Kyle. Let us be content with this."

We had already devoured seventy percent of the Jebb Guild. It seemed my father had a lingering pang of conscience, or perhaps he feared that trying to force down the remaining thirty percent would cause severe indigestion. Knowing that my father was just as stubborn as I was, I simply nodded for now.

"If that is your wish, Father, I will follow it."

"Thank you, Kyle. Having you by my side truly sets my mind at ease."

Well, sure. We took seventy percent of the Jebb Guild, gave Helchen a thorough thrashing, and secured powerful backing in both the North and the imperial court.

This alone should be enough to propel the Lorend Guild into the empire's top fifty. Yes, let's be satisfied with this for now.

...is what a typical web novel protagonist would have thought. But not me! I am still hungry! Seventy percent? No! We only got seventy percent! They say no parent can defeat their own child, and I have absolutely no intention of losing to mine. Hehehe. I'm going to suck dry that remaining thirty percent down to the very last drop.

But before that, it was time to celebrate. Why do we make money in the first place? To spend it and enjoy ourselves. In my philosophy, unspent money is worth less than toilet paper.

I wasn't doing this just because I wanted to slack off—absolutely not. Having returned to the capital, I headed to Outerloon with Elina and the rest of the guild members to have some proper, long-overdue fun.

"Come to think of it, have I ever stayed away from Outerloon for this long?"

"...I believe this is the first time, Young Master," Elina replied in her usual flat, deadpan tone.

Outerloon, the notorious back alleys of the capital, was a city built inside a deep ravine beneath the capital's foundations. It was the classic fantasy slum, but as is often the case in these stories, it actually had everything one could need and was surprisingly livable. What was that saying again?

In a fantasy world, the most comfortable place to live is 'Hell,' and the hardest is 'Paradise.'

Outerloon fit that description perfectly. Of course, the deeper areas were dangerous, but the first avenue closest to the capital was a fantastic place to hang out.

As we stepped into Outerloon, the towering ravine walls blocked out the sun, plunging the streets into immediate twilight despite it being broad daylight. Ramshackle houses clung haphazardly to the cliff faces, and children could be seen running around the streets below.

"Oh! It's big brother Kyle!"

"Kyle! It's been so long!"

"Hey, you little rascals. Your favorite big brother is back. Have you been behaving?"

The street urchins of Outerloon rushed toward me the moment they spotted me. I ruffled their hair, while Elina, following closely behind, began tossing coins to them.

This was by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠no means charity. It was a retainer—an advance payment for the valuable rumors and information these kids would inevitably bring me.

A red-eyed boy named Al looked up at me and asked,

"Is today that day?"

"That's right. Today is the day!"

"It's really that day?!"

"Hey, everyone! He said it's that day today!"

At my confirmation, the children cheered in excitement and began trailing behind me. Combined with the guild members who had accompanied me from the capital, our group swelled into a massive parade.

Together, we marched into my favorite local haunt—and a tavern I practically half-owned—A Good Day to Die. I had co-funded this establishment, making it one of the few exceptionally secure and reliable taverns in all of Outerloon.

The spacious tavern was already bustling with patrons enjoying their drinks. Weil, the muscular, one-eyed owner of the establishment, greeted us warmly.

"Young Master Kyle! You've been gone so long, I thought you'd kicked the bucket!"

"Hahaha! Well, I certainly worked hard enough to die."

Memories of my grueling journey—from the imperial palace to the frozen North, all to secure the Blue Stone—flashed through my mind. Weil looked at the noisy crowd of guild members and children filing in to take their seats, then asked,

"Bringing this many people... Is it that day?"

"It is."

"Understood. I'll get everything ready. Boys, start pouring!"

"Yes, boss!"

Weil's staff immediately began distributing alcohol and food to the adults, and sweet grape juice to the children. Meanwhile, I climbed the stairs to the second-floor balcony, where a large golden bell hung.

"Alright, ladies, gentlemen, and kids of all ages! Tonight is a night for celebration! And why, you ask? Because after a long absence, I have returned to A Good Day to Die to spend some serious ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cash!"

Chomp, gulp! Some of the kids couldn't even wait for me to finish ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and were already stuffing their faces. Ah, well. I'd better wrap this up quickly.

"Tonight, everything is on me! Eat, drink, and let's party like there's no tomorrow!"

Clang! Clang! Clang! I vigorously rang the golden bell on the second floor, and with its resonant chiming, the festival officially began. This was the legendary "Golden Bell Day" of Outerloon—the day I rang the bell and paid for every single tab in the house.

"To Young Master Kyle's triumphant return!"

"Come visit us more often, Kyle!"

"Keep me entertained, and I'll be here all the time."

The tavern erupted into absolute chaos as both our guild members and the street kids of Outerloon joined in the feast. But a festival isn't a festival without a bit of rowdiness! Holding a glass of whiskey, I mingled with the crowd, sharing a toast with everyone I passed.

"Jiren, you did an incredible job again this time!"

"Not at all, Young Master. You were the one who did all the heavy lifting."

"I heard your wife is expecting soon. Consider this an early baby shower gift."

I slipped a thick envelope of cash into Jiren's pocket. Peeking inside, his eyes went wide at the sheer amount.

"Young Master?! This is far too much..."

"Nonsense. Keep it, keep it."

I made my rounds, slipping generous bonuses into the pockets of my hard-working employees. Who is the most hated person in the world? A stingy boss. And who is the most loved?

The one who does the exact opposite. Spreading drinks, food, and cold hard cash, I fully immersed myself in the festive atmosphere.

In the midst of the revelry, little Al ran up to me and whispered in my ear.

"Kyle... whisper, whisper."

"Is that so?"

Al had just delivered a highly crucial piece of intelligence. Aha, so they took the bait... Delighted by the excellent news, I threw myself back into the drinking with renewed vigor. Let's drink till we drop!

"BLEEEAAARRGH!"

"...Did you really have to take 'drinking till you drop' so literally?"

Having downed far too much alcohol far too quickly, I was currently emptying my stomach in the alleyway behind ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the tavern. With Elina gently patting my back, I thoroughly purged everything I had consumed tonight. Ugh... I haven't drunk this much in ages.

"But... it's been so long since I had a proper drink."

"Did you not drink in the North as well?"

"Come on, Northern liquor is completely different from drinking with everyone here."

Besides, Northern booze was ridiculously strong. It was the kind of paint-stripper that would make even a seasoned Russian's liver pack its bags and flee.

Ironically, because it was so potent, I couldn't drink enough of it to actually get drunk. Ugh... it's always the smooth, easy-drinking stuff that gets you.

"Hurl..."

"Honestly... look over there. I will pat your back."

"BLEEEAAARRGH!"

With Elina's assistance, I continued to empty my stomach. Just as I had cleared everything out and was down to dry-heaving bile, a figure stepped into the dark alleyway.

"Well, did you enjoy your final drink?"

The moonlight filtering into the narrow alley revealed his silhouette. Silver hair and a face like a venomous snake—I only knew one person who fit that description.

"Helchen? What are you doing here? Did you come to smuggle yourself back into the North?"

Helchen was dressed in fine clothes once again. Standing behind him were about seven hulking brutes. Judging by the thick muscles straining against their clothes, they looked like properly trained mercenaries.

Helchen smirked, swaying arrogantly.

"My, my... my dear friend Kyle has quite a poor imagination."

He drew a razor-sharp blade from his breast pocket.

"Why else would I seek you out in a place like this?"

His eyes narrowed into slits, mimicking a viper. Sensing the sudden spike of bloodlust, Elina immediately stepped in front of me.

"Young Master... step back..."

I gestured for Elina to hold her position, then stepped forward to confront him.

"What do you plan to do after kidnapping me? Do you honestly think laying a finger on me will solve your Blue Stone crisis?"

"Oh, I figured I'd start by slicing off all your fingers first, then think about that later."

Helchen replied, casually twirling the knife between his fingers with practiced ease. That bastard. He clearly spent his academy days playing with knives instead of studying.

"Who knows? Hearing you beg for your life might just spark a brilliant idea."

"That is a remarkably eccentric way to brainstorm."

"Isn't it? So be a good friend and cooperate... Grab him."

"Yes, Lord Helchen!"

At Helchen's command, the wall of muscle lunged toward me. But just as their hands were about to grab me... several sharp objects whistled through the air.

Thwack!

"Aaargh!"

"Who's there?!"

The thugs recoiled in panic, staring at the objects embedded in their hands. They were throwing stars—the kind of kunai you'd see in certain works of fiction.

"Young Master, are you unharmed?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Suddenly, figures clad in black masks and matching dark attire materialized around me. These black-clad guardians were my secret personal security force—the one and only Team Ninja. Out of the pitch-black shadows of the alleyway, the ninjas had arrived.