Chapter 635
Chapter 635
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 635
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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Rilsne carefully inspected the dress.
Free.
She could get a luxury dress worth enough to buy a small house—for free, no less. Even if it felt burdensome, her obsession with money meant she couldn't pass up the opportunity. Sure, reselling it secondhand would tank the price.
"How about this dress? Doesn't it suit your green eyes perfectly, miss?"
The madam recommended a soft yellow dress to Rilsne. It was simple yet accentuated the body's curves. With her long legs and arms, and her slim figure without an ounce of excess fat, it would look incredible on her.
"It's a nice dress. But it's not my style."
Rilsne refused with an expressionless face. Her gaze drifted toward another dress.
A black one. It exuded the complete opposite vibe from the madam's fresh, innocent recommendation. The chest and shoulders were open, and the side slit would reveal up to her thigh when worn. But it was adorned with large gems on the skirt and bodice.
I understood instantly. The gems were why Rilsne was interested.
"Madam, what's the price of this dress?"
Rilsne asked, and the madam replied without losing her smile.
"It's my own creation called Autumn Starlit Night. The price is 52 million peni. A bit pricey, right? But unavoidable—the gem on the bodice is a 'Luna Night,' and those are incredibly expensive."
"Luna Night..."
Rilsne murmured softly, staring at the gem. It was a lustrous sky-blue stone, and peering deep inside revealed tiny lights twinkling like stars in the night sky. Even to me, it was mysterious and beautiful.
Rilsne quietly glanced at me. She liked the dress, but the price was daunting. 55 million peni was more than a commoner could save in twenty years of work.
Just prying off those 'Luna Night' gems and selling them separately would probably fetch 30 million peni.
"...I'll go with another dress after all."
I grabbed her as she turned to leave.
"If you like that one, let's get it."
"No. Another dress is better."
Rilsne avoided looking at the black dress with unnatural determination. Probably thought lingering glances would make it harder to let go.
"Rilsne. You picked out my tuxedo. So it's only fair I pick your dress this time, right? I recommend this one. You're beautiful to begin with, so it'll suit you perfectly."
"The gentleman is right. With your fair skin and great figure, miss, this dress would look stunning on you."
Even the madam backed me up. From her perspective, selling this expensive piece was ideal.
"B-but..."
"You're not worried about my wallet, are you? I could buy this whole building."
The madam looked at me in surprise. It wasn't bravado. I had that much peni. No real use for it since I couldn't convert system shop currency AP, and few places to spend it.
Rilsne stared at me blankly for a moment. A faint blush colored her pale cheeks. Overwhelmed by my wealth, it seemed.
"Th-then I'll go with your choice, Yu-jin-ssi, and take this dress."
"Excellent decision! You won't regret it. You'll be the stars of this decade's event!"
The madam clapped happily and continued.
"I need to adjust the dress and tuxedo to your sizes. It'll just take a moment."
"How long?"
I asked.
"Hehe, what do you take my skills for? Thirty minutes. Shall I have it delivered, or will you take it with you?"
"No need to bother with delivery. Right, Rilsne?"
"Yes. Carrying it is no trouble. Thank you, madam."
"Shall we start with you, miss? There's a fitting room over there—try it on."
???
Rilsne emerged from the shop clutching the box like a treasure. Her axe-like eyes darted around sharply. She looked ready to lose her mind from anxiety over her priceless haul. From her view, it was treasure—the box held a dress worth 55 million peni.
"Rilsne, sorry, but I need to stop somewhere."
"...Can't we head straight back?"
"We need shoes and accessories to match. Imagine: expensive dress with shabby shoes. Does that sound good? I'll get the shoes too."
"Just keep receiving like this, and I feel bad for you, Yu-jin-ssi."
"I want to buy them for you."
I looked at Rilsne with serious eyes. Her long ears flushed red along with her face. Flaunting wealth was clearly the way to her heart.
"A-alright."
"First, these clothes are cumbersome—let's drop them somewhere."
Rilsne jumped in alarm.
"What? This costs a fortune—leave it with someone?!"
"It's not much. I can buy more. Just leaving it somewhere trustworthy for a few hours. And Rilsne, since we're here, let's eat dinner in the city too. Sound good?"
"Until dinner..."
Rilsne seemed reluctant. But my pleading gaze wore her down, and she nodded grudgingly. Normally, she'd reject me outright, but after such a massive gift—a house's worth—she couldn't ignore me.
'A normal woman would've spread her legs the moment I gifted her a house. Heh.'
Rilsne loved money like a miser but knew her boundaries. She honored money-related deals to the letter and never sold her body.
'That's her charm.'
Rilsne and I headed to a renowned luxury hotel here. Staying overnight would've been nice, but our goal was storage.
I told the hotel owner,
"Keep this box until tonight. We'll pick it up right after dinner."
"That's tricky, sir. We're not a storage service."
"Here's a 30,000 peni tip."
"Our guards are all former exiles who can handle themselves. Leave it with us—we'll keep it safe."
Money was amazing.
After stashing our luggage at the luxury hotel, we browsed shoe and accessory shops. With time left, we strolled the city, checking out sights.
For dinner, we had whole roasted pig—the current trend among the wealthy. Not as good as lunch's steak, but tasty enough.
"I feel guilty just receiving all this from you, Yu-jin-ssi."
"I'm doing it because I want to, so don't feel burdened. Enjoy it. I'm having fun with you."
"Still..."
That's when it happened.
Through the restaurant window, I saw security forces rushing by, fully armed.
"The security team's fully geared up."
"Looks like a fight broke out in the city. Their team will handle it—no need for us to worry. Let's eat."
"Yes, but even so, two people can't finish a whole pig..."
"No need to force it. Just eat the good parts. It'll be thrown out anyway."
"Throwing away food like this..."
"This place is for extravagance. Even nobles come sometimes."
"Extravagance... I'm just freeloading, so is it really?"
"Don't overthink. Enjoy this moment."
"...Yes. But it feels off enjoying it alone. Won't Seo-hee-ssi and Seo-hyun-ssi get mad if they find out?"
No worry there. I'd scheduled separate visits with each on different days.
I grinned at her.
"Enjoy this moment, I said."
"...Yes."
After dinner, we returned to the luxury hotel. But greeting us wasn't the pristine building—instead, a near-ruin with shattered windows, crumbling walls, and bloodstains on the floor.
Security forces and crowds swarmed the area.
"Th-the security team's rush... it couldn't be...!"
Rilsne paled.
I pushed past security into the building. Rilsne followed with unsteady steps.
Amid furniture wreckage sat the hotel owner. His face was bruised black-and-blue from a beating, his neat clothes soaked in blood. He opened his battered lips—missing a few teeth.
"I'm sorry... I couldn't protect your item..."
"Who was it?"
"The Alborg Bandits... Our guards couldn't hold them off. Luckily, the guards survived, but... I'm sorry. No excuses."
"No, it's fine. They wouldn't hit a hotel out of nowhere... Our carelessness played a part too. I'll cover the damage to the hotel."
Tears streamed down the owner's face.
"Sniff... Thank you. Thank you."
Crunch. Grind. Crunch.
Grinding teeth from behind. The owner and I turned to Rilsne in surprise.
"Aborg Bandits... I see. So mere bandits dared steal from us. They've got some nerve."
"Ri-Rilsne, calm down."
"Calm down? How? Do you know how much we lost?"
"It's okay. If it's the dress, I'll get you another."
"Yu-jin-ssi, I can't let this slide. Looking around, I see traces. As a ranger, let me show you my skills. I'll retrieve that dress before the night's out!"
Her eyes gleamed. Ignoring us, she madly scoured for the Alborg Bandits' trail.
I glanced back.
Eye contact with the owner.
I gave him a thumbs-up. He returned it.
No need to hide it. This was all per my plan.
A few days ago, I'd contracted the owner. He'd executed perfectly.
'Can't return to Aplan Legion Castle with Rilsne like this. Opportunities are made.'
Money-grubbing Rilsne reacted as expected. The bandits stole the item, left traces, and fled. And Rilsne was a skilled ranger. No way she'd abandon such an expensive dress easily.
'Owner looks thrilled.'
Of course—with the huge payout. He'd sell the hotel, move to another big city, and start anew with my money as capital.
"Yu-jin-ssi! Found a trail! We need to pursue now!"
Five minutes later, Rilsne called me. Simple method: asked security and citizens. Eyewitness accounts were reliable enough.
"Info on the Alborg Bandits?"
Rilsne eyed security. A soldier stepped forward and addressed me.
"They're gaining notoriety near the city lately. Eight hit this hotel, but the gang totals over thirty. We've tried subduing them—failed every time. Not amateurs. If pursuing, be careful. We'd join, but regs prevent it."
"Thanks for the info. Any bounties?"
"62 million peni on their boss, Alborg Madekas."
Rilsne's face hardened at the sum. High for bandits. Over 50 million meant no joke.
"Still, I won't give up. Yu-jin-ssi, we must track them before they vanish."
Time to move.
The soldier pointed right.
"They fled south. Definitely left the city... but we don't know their hideout."
"I'm a ranger. I'll track their traces."
Before full pursuit, Rilsne bought a decent bow and thirty arrows at a weapon shop, then began hunting the Alborg Bandits.