Chapter 187
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Intention to Buy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"So, what are we gonna do now?"
"Hmm."
"You're not saying we're cleaning toilets too, right...?"
Shin Seo-yeon grimaced like she was utterly disgusted. The mention of toilet cleaning brought back a fragmented memory from elementary school days, when we'd cleaned the school bathrooms together.
'Back then, Shin Seo-yeon just splashed some water around and called it done, only to get scolded by the teacher and have to redo it.'
At that time, her family was well-off, so she didn't have that sharp edge yet. She'd smile more brightly than even the Saintess.
- Heehee, Min-juuun.
She was a cheeky little rascal who loved playing pranks.
But one day, her face started darkening, and the clothes she wore grew shabby.
- Shin Seo-yeon, you again? You're the only one in class who didn't bring money.
- ......
She was constantly called out by teachers and subjected to humiliating remarks. Sometimes it was outright bullying.
She says it doesn't happen anymore, but back then, it did.
It was an era when you had to slip money to teachers just to be treated like a human.
'They called it "donations."
Not all teachers were like that, but those were ugly times. I later learned her parents had stood as guarantors for a bad loan, burying the family in debt.
- Hey, I'll pay it back next time. I swear. When I get money, I'll pay it all back with interest.
"Huh? Dickhead, what're you staring at like that?"
"...Nothing."
People change when their environment does.
We'd entered the Selection Process. A place devoid of humanity, where 21st-century human rights were nowhere to be found.
'When the Trials demand it, you have to do it.'
So, the Trials. Of course...
"I'm not doing toilet duty either."
"Oh? So what are we doing then?"
The moment I said no to toilet cleaning, Shin Seo-yeon perked up, and even Lee Sera and the Saintess drew closer with sparkling eyes.
Even Han So-hee, who never complained, joined in.
I led everyone, including the North Korean guy standing there blankly, out of the sanctuary.
"Thank you, Priest."
Of course, I expressed my gratitude first. When I handed him a mushroom, the priest bowed politely.
"Can we come back again sometime?"
"Hoho, whenever you like."
Once out on the street, I scanned the village surroundings. The villagers eyed us curiously.
"Dickhead, what're you doing?"
"Min-jun, what're you up to?"
While others had gone to help villagers with toilet cleaning, I wandered the streets peeking around. The Saintess, perhaps embarrassed, fidgeted nearby.
Even after her fall, our Saintess couldn't bring herself to be as shameless as the others.
Unable to find it myself, I politely asked a passing villager.
"Excuse me, could I ask you something?"
"Sure, of course."
The woman, apparently back from bathing with her daughter, wiped water droplets from her large areolas, pussy, and neckline with her hand, smiling brightly.
"Who’s the richest person in the village?"
"Rich folk? Hmm, there are three, to start."
She pointed in directions, saying their houses were big and easy to spot.
"Hey, Dickhead, what the hell are you doing?"
"Quit nagging and wait."
There were eyes following us. Probably people assigned by the village chief's daughter, Kubara. No need to broadcast our plans.
After checking all the houses, I approached the largest, most prosperous-looking one and knocked on the gate.
"Hello."
"Who're you?"
A wiry old man in his mid-fifties, with a nasty temper etched on his face, appeared.
Just looking at him screamed money.
Either fat and bloated or skinny and stingy. Rich old men all shared the same traits.
"I've got something for sale."
"For sale? Heh heh heh, what good stuff did you bring?"
He ushered us inside. I soon understood his intent. The room was lined with decent equipment.
Clearly imported from outside the [Ancient Forest] barrier. Maybe from the nation the hero party hailed from.
"Nice gear."
"Yeah, some mythic items too."
In short, he was asking if I could offer better than this. Bring junk, and get lost.
So I grinned and held out an item before the old man.
Clink.
It was a coin.
But not just any coin—the old man's nasty eyes widened. For good reason: it was the [Commemorative Coin - Birth of the Gods 111].
[Commemorative Coin - Birth of the Gods 111: An ancient coin. Minted by survivors after the ancient gods retreated and the great flood hit.]
Each coin featured carvings of ancient temples, heroes' weapons, appearances, etc. The 111th year edition was the priciest.
Rumored to hold spiritual effects from its magic circle ratios and constellation alignments.
Of course, total bullshit.
Just hype to jack up the price.
But whether scam or real, to coin fanatics, it was worth a premium.
'Rich folks go nuts for relics and symbols like this.'
In any region, anyone with money coveted a [Birth of the Gods 111].
Useful for quick cash or buying favor anywhere.
One slight worry: would these primitives recognize its value?
"Interested in buying?"
The old man peered through a weird magnifying tool, gasping in admiration.
"Oho! Splendid! Such exquisite, delicate, perfect proportions! The dynamism even feels alive!"
Success.
He admired it for a while, then hardened his expression and asked me.
"How many do you have?"
"That's the only one for now. But I can fetch more from outside."
"From outside?"
"Yes."
"Where exactly?"
"Near the Dracalon carcasses."
"I see. Those heroes said this was all the good stuff, but they hid the real gems? Sneaky bastards."
He cursed them, then gazed at the coin with a grandfatherly smile, like it was his grandkid.
This thing must have real magic. Barkus too—rich people lose it over these coins.
"So, will you buy?"
"Of course. What's the price?"
"It's pretty valuable."
"That's why I'm asking you to name it."
"Dracos."
My party finally got it and stared in shock. Practical Shin Seo-yeon whispered.
"Hey, even if that coin's great, you sure about selling it? That monster looks insanely expensive. Shouldn't we pull out more coins?"
"Just wait. I'll handle it."
Meanwhile, the old man stroked his chin.
"Hm, Dracos. They're pricey."
See? Shin Seo-yeon poked my arm, whispering.
Before the deal sours, offer more items. I grabbed her tail to signal silence.
"......"
The old man finally spoke.
"Seven."
"!!"
"No rentals. Purchase only."
Party faces lit up. Mine soured.
'Stingy.'
I'd figured fifteen at least. That's how valuable the coin was here in the Selection Process.
'Hm, what now.'
Most would haggle for more.
Stupid move.
Haggling erodes goodwill. Short-term gain, long-term loss.
'In business, buy people's hearts, not haggle.'
Avoid haggling. If unavoidable, do it without offending.
How?
To this non-negotiator-looking geezer, I set down two duffel bags full of mushrooms.
"This makes nine."
"Hm, mushrooms? I can send people for those."
"Still good, right? You can't get this much."
Ancient Blacklight Mushrooms don't grow in the forest heart.
They sprout outside, so for Vershy villagers, fetching them is life-risking.
'And I know these are super rare.'
We lucked into a colony. Normally, they pick tiny clusters of 20-30 under trees.
Monsters hate them, but starving ones eat anything.
So, high value.
"Whatever, pass if you don't like."
As I reached for the coin, he hid his hands behind his back, eyes greedy.
"Hey now! Nine's too much! Eight? No higher, absolutely not!"
Can't push. I agreed to eight Dracos, trading the coin and mushrooms.
"But throw in lodging for our nineteen for a few days as service."
"Tch, stingy punk. Twenty mushrooms per house daily."
"Deal."
Thus, we escaped Kubara's scheme, securing mounts independently.
"Whoa, that coin's OP."
"Yeah!"
"Never thought we'd use it like this."
"Right? Min-jun always thinks ahead."
Early farming's key. While others slave away, we surge ahead, grabbing gains.
Bonus: mount practice for the party.
Doesn't look hard, but takes half a day even with special items.
"Hey, but is it okay we got these?"
"Hm?"
"That noisy girl by the chief earlier."
"Doesn't matter."
No need to blindly follow village chief's daughter Kubara.
She's just a spoiled, brainless brat riding daddy's coattails.
'Acts powerful, but has none.'
People assume chief-level power from her boldness, but she's just a yapping girl with daddy backup.
No ability to interfere or make trouble.
Chief lets her because she's cute and it gains him something.
"Got it. But Dickhead, one left over?"
Shin Seo-yeon pointed at the lone Draco. As it opened its mouth—maybe for food?—she yanked her hand back in surprise.
"Gonna sell it high to someone else?"
"No. You think I'm just a money-grubber?"
I beckoned Lee Eun-jeong.
"Take it."
"Why...?"
Why give it? She'd seen the negotiation; she knew its worth.
I shrugged.
"You've helped plenty. And one was left. Wanted nineteen to outfit you all, but it was pricier than expected."
Even rare coins undervalue in primitive times.
"Anyway, no one else to give it to, so yours. Take it."
"......"
Lee Eun-jeong stared at the reins I offered.
When she didn't move, Shin Seo-yeon and Lee Sera grabbed her hand and shoved them in.
"You take what you get."
"Yeah, refusing's dumb."
"Still..."
"Follow us, no losses guaranteed?"
As Shin Seo-yeon and Lee Sera arm-linked her forcefully, Lee Eun-jeong glanced at her comrades.
Kim Jong-su nodded, others clapped in congrats.
"...Thanks."
She finally accepted the reins from the two kids. I snorted inwardly.
'Material gifts don't build affection, huh.'
Consistent personality.
"You lot! Quit the racket in front of my house and follow!"
The old man yelled at the clapping, came out, and showed two large buildings nearby.
Why two? He said:
"So together, forty mushrooms daily!"
Damn money-hoarders.
"Normally forty per house, but special investment for you lads. Fetch another of those coins if you can."
"Sure."
"And no renting just one house!"
Forced into two lodgings, we unpacked.
My group split into threes for rotating night watches and bedded down.
Daytime now—no wandering outside.
"Ugh."
"Where to?"
"Can't sleep."
High stamina, no fatigue. I stepped out to scout the village.
Hearing movement next door, the North Koreans were emerging too.
"Going somewhere? Not resting?"
Kim Jong-su nodded toward the washing area.
"Eun-jeong got a mount, but not us. Gotta work hard."
"Sorry."
"Haha, no need. I'm grateful you hooked us up. Honestly, you could've taken something else instead of that one."
...True, but.
People get jealous when some get perks and others don't.
But these folks are still pure-hearted.
"To me, Comrade Min-jun seems too kind. Living that nicely must be tough."
"......"
"Anyway, we'll work hard for our own mounts. Gotta use what you got us for free."
Kim Jong-su and the North Koreans smiled innocently, waving their new bracelets. They loved them. I waved back.
"See you later."
They headed for toilet duty. No envy. That's true comradeship.
'Guess I'll check the village myself.'
Their camaraderie warmed me as I started walking.
Grab.
Someone appeared behind, gripping my shoulder.
"Got a minute?"
"Lee Eun-jeong?"
Nod.
"Yeah, time to spare. What's up?"
"Got something to say."
She led me to her lodging.
Pretty serious—what's this about? As I waited, she shut the door, approached, and suddenly yanked down my pants.
"Hey, wait—what?"
She pulled my underwear down too and knelt before me.
"I've only taken from you... Nothing to repay with, no way to give back."
Lee Eun-jeong gripped my dick and stroked it.
"Wanna support and care more, but your group's so strong, no room for me. First time for this, but for you, I wanna do it to repay."
"Wait, first time, but you know how?"
"I... asked Shin Seo-yeon and... Sera? They said sucking you off repays debts and makes you happy..."
Corrupted another one, those two.
"I'm new, so teach me what I lack."
She flicked her tongue over my glans. Virgin-level teasing.
From what I knew, first round Lee Eun-jeong had zero guy experience.
No one dared approach; many died sniping her poorly.
Yet the woman no man conquered knelt between my legs, licking my cock.
With teary, shy eyes looking up.
Lick. Lick. Kiss.
Lee Eun-jeong shyly kissed all over my cock.