Chapter 750
Chapter 750
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 750
Chapter Title: Savior of the Academy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I kept the conversation going with Park Ga-in, bringing up Park Su-ho. My angle hit the mark perfectly. The more info I dropped about Park Su-ho, the brighter her eyes got. With her hanging on every word, it made the chat flow easy.
Park Su-ho sat there with a wry smile, chiming in now and then.
Then I noticed Park Ga-in's eyelids starting to droop.
"Ga-in, sleepy?"
I asked.
"...Yeah. I am. It's the first time your friend has come along, Oppa, so I wanted to talk more... But I'm just too tired."
Park Ga-in rubbed at her eyes with her hands. For an ordinary person, a wave of drowsiness like that is something you can push through just fine. But for Park Ga-in, tormented by the White Tower's curse, it was different. Sleep was her curse. Drowsiness wasn't something she could fight off.
"Don't push yourself. We can talk anytime."
Park Su-ho stepped in. He helped her lie down and even tucked her in with the blanket.
"Yu-jin Oppa, sorry..."
"Sorry for what? Like Su-ho said, we'll chat later. You'll be feeling even better by then. And if there's anything you want to eat, just say the word. I'll get it for you."
"I want pasta..."
Park Ga-in's eyes were almost fully shut. I figured that was that, but Park Su-ho couldn't let it go. His face twisted in agony.
"Oppa, I'm okay. Like I said last time, I don't hate falling asleep. I always dream. Dreams where I become the empress and rule the world. I know they're just dreams, so they get boring sometimes... But other times, unexpected stuff happens and it's fun... Ah, I can't hold on anymore..."
Park Ga-in's eyes closed completely. She let out steady breaths, drifting off into a deep sleep.
Park Su-ho stared down at her quietly for a long while.
"Park Su-ho."
"...Ah, Hyung. Sorry. Got lost in thought for a sec. Whenever I look at Ga-in, my mind starts racing."
"Don't you have something to tell me?"
"Thanks for coming. Ga-in seemed really happy talking with you."
"Not that. It feels like there's something else you want to say."
Today's Park Su-ho was different from usual. He was way too conscious of me. He had something on his mind but couldn't spit it out. Probably not about Park Ga-in.
Park Su-ho hesitated, then spoke up.
"It's kinda awkward talking here. Mind if we step outside?"
"Sure. Let's go."
I talked it out with Park Su-ho.
His worry had to do with the tattoo world.
"You know a fair bit about my ability, right, Hyung?"
"How could I not, after you told me yourself? The tattoos on your body connect to another world. And the more that tattoo world develops, the stronger you get."
"Yeah. To be precise, it's not the whole tattoo world—it's my territory there, the city of Veroprin. The more it grows, the stronger I become."
I narrowed my eyes at Park Su-ho. We hung out pretty often, so I hadn't noticed, but he'd gotten way stronger since the first time I saw him.
"You're D-rank right now, yeah?"
"Right. I'm prepping for C-rank. Goal's to hit it within two months. Higher ranks mean access to pricier dungeons."
Looking at him, Park Su-ho was growing at an insane pace too—not counting his tattoo world powers. Even as a straight-up hunter, he had top-tier talent.
"You've awakened mana?"
"Using the tattoo world's power eventually awakened it in me."
"Mana awakening means C-rank is just a matter of time. So what's the problem?"
"Sigh. Well... As the tattoo world expands and develops, we've bumped into outside forces. This faction called the Solit Republic."
"Outside forces? That's not bad. Could lead to diplomacy, trade—more growth."
As lord of the [Hundred Ghosts] world, I knew the deal. Diplomacy matters. Especially trade—you rake in cash easy. Just use real-world knowledge and goods. Park Su-ho could bring stuff from here to there, accelerating things even more.
"That's what I thought at first... But the Solit Republic doesn't seem interested. They sent an envoy last time, and he straight-up demanded I hand over all of Veroprin."
Park Su-ho's Veroprin was a neutral city-state, not tied to any nation. A growing city like that? No surprise others get greedy.
"Why not join the Republic? Better than staying independent—more secure, backed by a power."
"Yeah, I thought that too at first. But the more I looked into the Solit Republic, the more ridiculous it got. It's a republic in name only—really just a kingdom ruled by five mage-marshals."
"Hm. Play your cards right, and it could still work."
"The Republic's terms are the issue. They want 60% of the city's taxes. Sixty percent. You think that's reasonable, Hyung?"
"......"
Park Su-ho vented his frustration. I stayed quiet, listening.
60%.
Even factoring in it being a medieval era, not modern reality, 60% seemed fair-ish?
'If I were leading the Solit Republic... I'd march an army on Veroprin first thing and take it.'
Then demand 90% taxes. Resist? Chop off heads as examples. Dumb pigs would fall in line. Of course, treat the beauties nice.
"60%. The second I heard that rate, I thought my ears were busted. Right now, Veroprin puts 70% of taxes into city development, 20% into fixed costs like wages, and saves the last 10% for emergencies. To pay the Republic 60% and still develop, we'd need at least 80% taxes. But that'd crush citizens' lives. Rebellion wouldn't be far off."
Veroprin's growth was crucial for Park Su-ho. It directly boosted his strength.
"I get you're in a tough spot. But what do the other citizens of Veroprin think?"
Park Su-ho's management style differed from mine. I didn't care what happened to citizens. But he wanted growth without screwing over their lives.
"Elisha and the citizens say resist. Joining the Republic would make life harder. Veroprin's people are refugees from harsh conditions elsewhere, so yeah."
"Sounds like the decision's made. Just do what they want."
"The power gap between Solit Republic and Veroprin is huge. Realistically, we'd last days at best. And tons of citizens would die in the process. I don't want that on my greed."
A giant faction strong-arming like bandits. Stressful setup. But Park Su-ho's face was firm—no despair. He'd already figured something out.
"I see your situation's rough. Now spill. What do you want from me?"
"......In three days, a mage-marshal's coming to Veroprin. For an ultimatum... Nah, to conquer it."
"Not an army?"
"Republic's got tons of enemies. Moving troops costs money, risks other fires. Plus, one mage-marshal packs more punch than a regular army."
"Want me to help take him out?"
"Killing him would be bad. Goal's to show him Veroprin's not pushover—make the losses outweigh any gains from forcing a takeover. That buys at least five years. Republic's internals are a mess anyway."
Park Su-ho bowed his head to me.
"Help me out, Hyung. Can't handle a mage-marshal solo. But with you... He won't dare ignore Veroprin."
"Can't say no to a close bro asking. Chin up. I'm in."
Park Su-ho's tattoo world, Veroprin city—it was my go-to playground when bored. Slowing its growth? Not what I wanted. Plus, without my help, Elisha'd be at risk. Couldn't lose her.
"Thanks! Yu-jin Hyung! I'll never forget this!"
"Doing it 'cause it's you. When I need a hand later, don't ghost me."
"If you need my power, I'm there!"
"Wasn't there a limit last time on entering the tattoo world?"
Once every three days, four hours max, he'd said.
"Used to be, but ability evolved—no limits now."
"Cool. Head in tomorrow. How's things with Elisha? Seemed tighter than coworkers last I saw."
Park Su-ho gave an awkward smile at her name.
"Elisha's like a work colleague. Nothing more."
"Oh? No other girls catching your eye?"
"Well... No."
Took him a beat to answer. Definitely picturing someone. Not Ha Seung-hee—he'd moved on after that day.
'Gotta be a tattoo world girl. Got burned bad last time, so not love. Just interest? Who? I've banged most of the hot ones there on the sly.'
Elisha aside, plenty without him knowing.
Park Su-ho didn't know.
He auto-senses intruders in his domain—but that's just near Elisha's governor's mansion. Elsewhere? Needs direct oversight or citizen reports.
'Sneak around during his sleep, no problem.'
Elisha's help? Piece of cake dodging him.
'Wonder who she's got him hooked.'
Super curious.
I headed to the tattoo world with Park Su-ho.
Not sneaking in via space teleport scroll—went openly with him. Felt fresh.
Veroprin had leveled up huge since my last visit. New buildings everywhere, way more people. Streets paved nice, no gross smells. Looking around, I blinked wide. Machines whirring that clashed with the medieval fantasy vibe.
"Those... trucks and excavators?"
"Brought 'em from Earth. Used ones. Broker helped with the hassles... Game-changer having heavy equipment. Oh, citizens think they're golem-magic things."
"No wonder it's booming. Su-ho, just checking—you're not dumping most of your hunter earnings here, right?"
"Minus hospital bills, basics, and emergency fund—yep, all in. City's gotta grow for me to get stronger, then I earn more."
"...You making and selling soap too?"
"Tried, but soap and shampoo already exist here. Most basics do. Magic fridges invented 300 years back."
"Folks look happy. Bet there's a mine nearby."
"Whoa, Hyung, how'd you know? Dwarf scouts found a massive iron deposit close by. Holding off development—labor shortage, and Solit Republic pressure."
"Hm. Dig deep, might hit orichalcum, mithril, adamantium, vibranium—rare stuff. Proceed carefully."
"Pfft, no way."
"Forest nearby too?"
"Spot on. Two days west, but yeah. Barely any intel, needs scouting... But swamped now."
"Scout good. Elves there? Charm 'em right."
"Haha. Elves? Doubt it."
We bantered toward the governor's mansion. Ran into a woman midway. Braided brown hair, running a flower shop. Curvy, soft vibe—total babe.
"Oh! Governor! Long time!"
"Hey, been a while. Matilda."
"Got some pretty hyacinths. Wanna see?"
"Homegrown? Gorgeous."
Park Su-ho got shy. She was the one.
Matilda flashed him a sweet smile—our eyes met. Her face turned slutty instant. Eyes narrowed, pink tongue slipped out to lick plump lips.
Matilda was already mine—pussy trained.
'Clit's her weak spot. Heh.'
I raised my right hand, thumb between index and middle. She mimed grabbing an invisible cock, popping it in her mouth.
"Matilda, wrap these up?"
"Sure, Governor."
Park Su-ho called, and her face snapped back to innocent.