Chapter 29
I stared quietly at the woman in the photo. She was beautiful and lovely. She must have had a fine education, growing up in a good environment surrounded by good people, so her personality was probably nothing to worry about either. Just looking at that flawless smile in the photo told me a lot.
But I carefully handed the photo back to Chairman Boyer.
"It's an honor, but I'm sorry, Chairman. I'm not looking for a partner just yet."
Like with Mirien, there had to be at least some spark of attraction. I had no intention of jumping into something with a total stranger on a whim.
Chairman Boyer shrugged as he took the photo back, looking like he couldn't quite understand.
"You don't like women?"
"No, quite the opposite. I love them. Can't get enough."
"Then it doesn't make sense to turn down my granddaughter."
"I'm grateful for the overly generous offer, but as I said, I'm not thinking about meeting anyone yet. And I don't really have the time either."
He chuckled at my smile.
"Looks like even the great sage can't see his own fate, huh."
Then, out of nowhere, a calm but sharp remark slipped from Chairman Boyer's lips.
I'd always been the one surprising others with my ability, but this time, it was the other way around. How?
Aside from Mirien, I hadn't told a soul.
As I widened my eyes and stared at him, the chairman burst into laughter.
"Isn't it obvious? If you knew your own future, you wouldn't act so foolishly. How many hours a day do you work? No time to really rest, right? Weekends, weekdays, probably crazy busy even in the evenings. It's all over your face."
He was spot on. That was why my dark circles had sunk to new depths lately.
"That grand prophetess from the Holy Kingdom or whatever she was—appearing on that debate show with her was poison. Your fame shot up overnight, so now everyone's dying to see you, and you're getting busier because of it. Aren't you being swept along by your own fame and ability instead of controlling it?"
It felt like a hammer to the back of my head.
Like always, Mom came to mind.
Back when we lived in Korea, she was a shaman with politicians and celebrities lining up, but she always made time for herself. Weekends and evenings off, and thanks to that, I remembered always having dinner out with her. The total opposite of my current non-stop grind.
"And it's no good for Count Yurtel either. Right now, he's scrambling to schedule all these big shots he can't even handle. He's just a count. Would a marquis or duke—or anyone with similar influence and wealth—listen to him?"
And sure enough, there was someone else sporting dark circles like mine: the count himself. Come to think of it, he'd looked noticeably exhausted lately.
"Not the count—you need to step up. That fame and ability of yours is power. Let power sit idle, and every opportunist will swarm it, tearing it apart and using it. You have to wield it properly to defend yourself. The funny thing is, do that, and its value only goes up."
The chairman pointed at me with his finger.
"Seize control. It's already gone too far for someone like the count to handle. I get it—no experience wielding power, so you're getting dragged around. But keep going like this, and you'll burn out fast."
As he finished his advice and stood, I rose with him without thinking.
"What should I do? I'd like more advice."
What did I know about handling this level of fame and power?
He was right. Things had gone well, so I'd charged ahead blindly until I hit this wall. Time for a reset.
But I had no idea how.
"Simple. What do you want? Answer that, and it'll all sort itself out."
He crunched down on his lollipop as he replied.
"Want money? Marry my granddaughter and join my group. With your talent, you could swallow it whole. Might take time, but becoming the empire's richest man wouldn't be impossible."
He handed me back the photo of his granddaughter I'd just returned.
"But if it's not money you want—if it's power—find politicians who'll value your ability highly. Not counts or marquises. Dukes, grand dukes. Even His Majesty the Emperor. Want to go big? Play in the big pond. Right?"
I took the photo. On the back was a number that looked like her phone number.
"Don't let the situation drag you around. You're at a level now where you can't afford that. Decide what you want, quick. Otherwise, you'll spend your life being used by everyone who covets your power and die exhausted."
He waved casually and left coolly.
Left alone in the living room, I flopped onto the sofa.
Life extension? With a steady supply of Sun's Tear, no issues there.
Money? I already had more than enough for a normal life—overflowing, even.
Everything I needed was already in place. Inertia was a scary thing. I'd been rushing ahead without even knowing why.
I spun the photo of his granddaughter in my hand for a long while, lost in thought. Finally, I made up my mind and stood.
He was right. Living passively any longer would just lead to unhappiness—for me and the count alike.
"Ugh! This hits the spot!"
Despite his white hair and beard, Count Albio Yurtel had an incredibly toned body. In the open-air bath with a stunning night view of Yurtel's skyline—reserved for VIPs only—it was just him and me.
"I've been so swamped lately, I forgot Yurtel was famous for its hot springs tourist spot."
"You've had a ton of big stuff come up recently."
He handed me a drink he'd brought.
A complicated smile crossed his face.
"Sorry about this. It should've been your downtime, but I've kept piling on work. The chairman called—said he was very satisfied. Thanks. I tried to block some, but there are folks way beyond my control."
"No, if anything, I'm sorry. I've been so focused on consultations that I neglected managing my surroundings. I wasn't thinking about my new fame and worth—still running the tourist shop like old times. That's why this happened."
He sighed at my words.
"That public debate broadcast skyrocketed your recognition. You're right. Things need to change now."
"Chairman Boyer gave me some advice. Figure out exactly what I want. Money? Power? Whatever it is, make it clear, and I can resolve this situation. That's why I wanted to meet you today."
He sipped his drink and nodded.
"Your talent's too big for a mere southern tourist city like this. Planning to leave? If so, I won't stop you. Don't worry about the contract—we can dissolve it by mutual agreement."
I burst out laughing.
"Count, I was born in Yurtel. Grew up here, got my first job here, opened my shop here. Yurtel is my hometown. I love it here."
After Boyer left, I'd thought it over. What did I really want?
Money? Already overflowing, no vision or reason to pile up more here.
Power? Too cutthroat. Plenty would covet my ability, using any means to claim me. No reason to walk into that hell.
So my conclusion was this.
"I want this territory to thrive."
I wanted the beautiful city where I'd been born and raised to keep developing forever.
I extended my hand to the count.
"Let's make Yurtel the empire's greatest city. That's what I want, Count."
His eyes widened as he stared at me for a long moment. Then a broad grin spread across his face, and he grabbed my hand firmly.
"Haven't heard blood-pumping talk like that in ages!"
"You said big shots beyond your control keep calling, wearing you out? Simple fix, right? You become a big shot yourself. One so massive no power player or tycoon dares treat you lightly."
"Hahaha! Spot on! And the perfect answer too!"
He offered me his drink can. Not fancy wine glasses, but we clinked cheerfully, and I let out a short sigh.
"Weekends off. No free time makes you blind to your own situation—you just run blindly. Weekday evenings too. Work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one-hour lunch. That's the minimum."
"Understood. And it's wise all around. Now the whole empire knows what you can do. Everyone wants a session. But rarity is key—make it hard to get, and desire skyrockets."
"Yurtel's a tourist city. We need people coming nonstop. But we also need a system to control nobles, tycoons, power brokers. Something... but nothing's coming to mind."
While I racked my brain, his smile deepened.
"There is. A way to make it happen."
"What?"
He popped the lid off his drink can.
"Two-track system. One explodes tourist numbers. The other controls nobles and VIPs."
He held up the lid.
"Gone are the days when 500 runes gets anyone a session. Too many people, no control. Time to change it up."
"How?"
"Daily lottery for 10 slots. But mix in something fun: a lottery system."
"Lottery?"
Seeing my confusion, he held out the can lid.
"We'll make a local currency, usable only in Yurtel. 1:1 value with runes. Buy anything with it. But here's the twist: numbers and letters on the back."
His smile widened.
"Every evening, draw 10 winners for tomorrow's sessions."
I stared at the lid, eyes slowly widening.
"Even if you lose the draw..."
"Use it as local cash. Soak in hot springs, hit theme parks, stuff yourself at restaurants, and go home happy."
It clicked instantly. Zero downside for tourists.
"This sounds good."
"Good? Folks will stick around until they win, spending more. Perfect for Yurtel."
"Haha! Brilliant! Now for VIPs—how to handle the big shots craving sessions..."
I set down the lid and lifted his can. Now it was my turn to smile.
"Lottery for VIPs would bruise egos. Their status, reduced to chance?"
"Agreed. Different worlds—can't treat 'em the same."
"Make consultation rights into premium tickets. Luxurious, collectible. Auction them."
He was a seasoned lord who'd run a tourist city forever. He got it immediately and grinned.
"Let their power hunger and pride fuel competition for the tickets?"
"The rarer, the better they'll like it. Holding one proves elite status. And issuing them gives you massive influence, Count."
He chuckled.
"Shell out fortunes for one. Luxury brand strategy, eh?"
I held up the can and lid.
Tourist lottery draws. VIP auction tickets.
"This'll work. Guaranteed!"
Exactly as he said.
One month later, Yurtel's local currency swept in hordes of tourists, and VIP consultation tickets flew off at eye-watering auctions:
"Consultation with Yurtel's Great Sage. Bidding starts no—"
"10,000 runes!"
"20,000 runes!"
"30,000!"
"40,000!"
"100,000 runes!"
"500,000 runes."