Chapter 14
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Continuing Rewards
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Aigoo, my head...”
Clutching his throbbing head, Jun sat up in bed. Right beside him, a familiar voice rang out.
“Sunbae! Are you okay?”
“Aiden?”
“Phew... Thank goodness you’re conscious.”
“What happened? When did I pass out?”
Aiden approached with a worried look, seeing Jun puzzled about why he was waking up in bed.
“You don’t remember? Sunbae, you collapsed right after the subjugation battle ended.”
“Hmm...?”
Aiden’s words jolted Jun’s sluggish mind into action.
Faint memories from just before he blacked out surfaced.
“Ah, right. After the Goblin Lord died...”
The moment Aiden and Jinovan succeeded in assassinating the Goblin Lord, they turned and fled.
The nearby Goblin Warriors were manageable under Jinovan’s command, but taking on the two hundred goblins swarming behind them was impossible.
So while the two drew away the enraged Goblin Warriors, Jun held the attention of the remaining goblins with the soldiers.
Fortunately, with their leader dead, fear spread uncontrollably among the goblins, and it didn’t take long for them to break ranks.
“I confirmed that and then collapsed...”
Interfering with the Goblin Lord’s sorcery had put far more strain on his body than expected.
At the time, he’d endured solely on the thought of holding his mind together until safety was secured.
His memories cut off the moment he saw the goblins starting to scatter.
“What the hell...?”
Given how dire the situation had been, even Jun belatedly realized what he’d done.
What the heck did I do against the Goblin Lord?
Interfering with another’s magic was normally impossible without an overwhelming skill gap.
And the Goblin Lord was a sorcerer, no less.
Not magic, but sorcery—an entirely different field—and he’d influenced it.
It defied any magical explanation.
Recalling his actions then, Jun gave a wry smile.
To think I’d risk my life to save someone.
Even knowing the strain on his head, when he saw Aiden in danger, Jun had acted without hesitation.
Did he even have this selfless side?
Maybe it was because he hadn’t had anyone reliable to lean on in the past year.
Having Aiden as a proper comrade for the first time might have softened his guard.
Though, even if it happened again, I’d probably do the same.
All he’d thought of then was saving Aiden from peril.
Still, a bittersweet feeling rose unexpectedly at his own emotional state.
He hadn’t expected that the sensibilities of ‘Lee Jung-jun’ still lingered, after just a year of deep distrust toward humanity.
But it didn’t feel all bad.
“Um, sunbae. Are you really okay?”
At Aiden’s repeated question, Jun waved his arm as if to say he was fine.
“Just thinking for a sec. Anyway, what’s the situation now?”
“It’s been about half a day since you collapsed. We’re dealing with the stragglers around and resting for now.”
“I see... Oh, right. You made it out safe too. Good.”
He’d been so out of it that he’d forgotten—Aiden had taken risks too.
He’d carried out the dangerous mission with Jinovan.
“I’m fine, thanks to the commander’s efforts.”
According to Aiden, after assassinating the Goblin Lord and fleeing into the forest, they’d quickly dealt with the pursuing Goblin Warriors.
“The swordsmanship the Commander Jinovan showed... it was impressive in many ways.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. I learned a lot from it.”
True to his talent, just observing the knights’ real combat swordplay had taught Aiden plenty.
And Jun was no different.
What was that phenomenon when he cast his sorcery?
It felt similar to when he’d first entered this body—like another’s memories being forcibly injected, akin to inheriting the body’s original memories.
Back then, hadn’t he instinctively wielded unfamiliar magic?
He tried recalling that moment again, but he couldn’t move his mana as naturally as before.
Probably, in that extreme situation, some latent potential had activated on its own.
It was just a guess, but sadly, he couldn’t pursue the thought further.
“For now... I need more rest.”
His body was still demanding it fiercely.
Cleanup went faster than expected.
With the Goblin Lord dead, the scattered goblins would naturally thin their own numbers.
Without their leader, they’d fight over the sudden power vacuum.
Other monsters would sense the weakened goblins and fill the ecological niche.
Thanks to that, the subjugation force returned to the fortress sooner than anticipated.
“And... this is the reward in the Imperial Family’s name.”
A few days after returning to the fortress.
Having recovered from the march and battle, Jun went straight to find Cloi.
He had something to receive from her.
“Not as much as I thought.”
A leather pouch brimming with gold coins.
All told, around 9 million gold. Recalling that this world’s currency was roughly equivalent to won...
For risking my life, it’s peanuts. And I have to split it with Aiden too.
Still, for a mere Bronze-rank mercenary corps—two people joining a mission—it was a hefty return.
“It’s customary. The Imperial cheapskates don’t loosen their purses easily. This is already generous? Includes the golem core price too. And you weren’t expecting this anyway, right?”
“True.”
Mission pay was just a side benefit.
The real rewards were just beginning.
First, the White Whale Mercenary Corps under Jun’s lead had skyrocketed in reputation.
What mercenary corps takes down a field boss on their first job?
And it being an Irregular after 72 years only amplified the feat.
Not recruiting yet, but satisfied for now.
That could come later.
Rewards were far from over.
“So, what about the dungeon ownership?”
Unlike unstable fields, dungeons offered steady income.
They were one of Blackout’s most beloved elements for mercenaries and adventurers.
Periodic resets ensured stable monster spawns.
Rarely, but crucially, they were prime sources for skill books and artifacts.
“Heh heh heh...”
Cloi, having invested heavily in this subjugation, had secured priority rights to that very dungeon.
Avoiding auction saved a fortune.
“Don’t freak out. We got seven of them!”
“Seven? That’s more than expected. The Imperials allowed it? They hate monopolies.”
“Ha! Wasn’t easy. But the fortress marshal’s from central politics originally.”
“Ah... You pulled strings there too?”
“Well, promised some cuts here and there. But the profits outweigh it!”
Adventurers and mercenaries would use Cloi’s dungeons.
She’d rake in fees, and priority on skill books or artifacts for future auctions.
In short, Cloi could sit back and watch money roll in.
“Money begets money, huh? So comfy.”
“Yep yep. Don’t forget my name’s on it too.”
“Ahem. Of course! A merchant’s lifeblood is credit.”
Jun had kickstarted this investment plan.
He’d built the frame; Cloi added the flesh.
Naturally, Jun’s share was included.
“5% of net profits. Straight to your account once operations start.”
Blackout’s annual resets lasted under a year, but that was plenty.
Reinvest to compound, plus steady income for peace of mind.
That was Jun’s envisioned reward.
But Cloi’s grin lingered.
“Heh heh heh... And that’s not all.”
“What?”
“Ta-da! Feast your eyes!”
She produced a luxuriously wrapped box of fine wood and gold ribbon.
“What’s this?”
“Open it instead of asking. Oh, from Commander Jinovan. Worth the hype?”
“Hm...”
Cloi’s excitement piqued Jun’s curiosity. He carefully unwrapped it, feeling like a kid on his birthday.
“Huh?”
Inside was beyond his expectations.
“This is...”
A book with a deep green cover of goblin leather. Jun’s eyes widened.
“A skill book?”
“Yup. From the Goblin Lord you took down.”
“How’d you...?”
“Baron Dortagon’s reward to Commander Jinovan. He credits Jinovan for beheading the Goblin Lord and saving his skin. Then Jinovan passed it to you.”
“Just like that, no strings?”
“After all you did for him, ‘just’ doesn’t fit, does it?”
True enough.
Jun, Cloi, and Jinovan had gained the most from this.
“A skill book, huh.”
Skill books fetched insane prices.
Even cheap ones ran tens of millions of gold; rares hit billions.
Let’s see, what does a Goblin Lord sorcerer drop?
Several skills flashed in his mind.
“Appraisers already checked. It’s [Intermediate Sorcery].”
“Ah... I see.”
High hopes led to deep disappointment.
Sorcery was niche compared to magic, less popular.
Not high-value, and awkward for mana-user Jun.
Conflicts inevitable if he mained it.
Though decoding the Goblin Lord’s sorcery nags at me... Still, no reckless gambles.
Selling for new magic was safer.
Bit of a shame. Aura of Weakness would’ve been jackpot.
Then Jinovan wouldn’t have given it up—price would’ve multiplied.
“Still, [Intermediate Sorcery] has plenty of uses. Even the Mage Tower would bite.”
“Obviously. Good auction? Could hit ten million gold.”
Ten million wasn’t bad.
Days ago, he’d trembled spending 600k at the guild.
“So total pure profit from this: about 14 million gold?”
Aiden’s cut, auction fees for Cloi—yeah, around there.
Astounding for his first mercenary corps haul.
“Oh, Commander Jinovan wants to see you. Tomorrow afternoon.”
“Again?”
More rewards incoming.
The next afternoon.
As Cloi said, Jun headed to the fortress to meet Jinovan.
Jinovan looked tired from busyness but more vibrant than before.
“Long time no see, Jun. Doing well?”
“Thanks to you, Commander. Received the skill book safely.”
“Haha, no big deal. Compared to what you did for me, I regret not giving more.”
He meant it.
Jinovan’s gains were substantial.
Regained honor as a fallen noble, led scouts successfully, slew the Goblin Lord personally.
More precious than gold.
Plus support from Gilenoi Merchant Guild and the marshal.
Gifting that to Jun—the source of it all—was a smart investment.
Jinovan smiled softly, sliding a document across the table.
“I called you for this.”
“This is...?”
Jun’s eyes widened at the paper.
“A recommendation letter for the assault operation.”