Chapter 243
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 243
Chapter Title: To the 7th Layer
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"The checkpoint has vanished..."
Having heard the news from the branch manager, Jun closed his eyes gently.
As expected, the Heavenly Sky Cult's movements had grown far more aggressive and swift.
He had anticipated that such an event would eventually come, but now that it was actually happening...
"It must not feel real to you yet. Because of this incident, all sorts of rumors are flying around inside Blackout right now. Things like it being the harbinger of some massive catastrophe..."
"So that's why the city's atmosphere felt so strange?"
"That's part of it... but especially this year, multiple incidents have been happening all at once."
"Anything else?"
"For starters, His Majesty is considering sending the Heavenly Dragon Knights to Blackout because of the checkpoint's disappearance."
"Heavenly Dragon Knights? They were already mobilized last year."
"The scale is different this time."
The Heavenly Dragon Knights had basically served as the emperor's sword across generations.
And their numbers were far from insignificant.
But a sword was meant to be swung. It would be foolish to let such a force rot away in the capital.
Thus, the Heavenly Dragon Knights were divided into various detachments that roamed the empire, carrying out diverse missions.
"Does that mean even the members out on dispatch are all coming down to Blackout?"
"Yes. Though it's just a rumor for now, so it's not confirmed... but the higher-ups seem to judge it as highly reliable."
"Higher-ups?"
"Lady Cloi."
"Cloi's intel..."
In that case, it was quite trustworthy.
'For now, there's no choice but to head to the Black Forest and confirm it myself.'
Leaving a thank-you behind for the branch manager, Jun stepped outside and promptly relayed what he'd heard to his companions.
"A checkpoint vanishing..."
"As expected, is it those Heavenly Sky Cult bastards?"
"High probability."
Last year's Slayer Shore Island on the 4th layer.
A checkpoint had vanished there too.
The public knew it as fallout from a failed raid, but the Heavenly Sky Cult had been behind it.
"By the way, the emperor's throwing in quite the big piece... Is this related to what the Third Prince mentioned?"
Jun shook his head at Eleanor's question.
"Too early to say for sure. Even if the scale's small, the emperor took bold steps last year too. This might just be a probe."
"A probe?"
"To gauge the noble faction's movements and the Heavenly Sky Cult's reactions. We'll get more accurate info once we're at the Black Forest."
He considered visiting Count Mordenaen, who oversaw Blackout, given the situation.
But since they hadn't been summoned despite his knowing of their arrival, there was no need to go out of his way.
'He's not one to stand on ceremony anyway, so it shouldn't matter.'
And so, Jun and his group headed to a spot a suitable distance from the city and boarded the Gilenoi Merchant Guild's aerial mage tower to reach the Black Forest.
"Still the same as ever here."
The interior of the Black Forest fortress bustled with mercenaries and novice adventurers.
The only difference from usual was that the garrison defending the fortress had grown slightly larger than last year.
"The checkpoint vanishing is shocking, sure, but most folks here are too worried about their next meal to care."
They made their way to the Gilenoi Merchant Guild.
Cloi, in her office as always, welcomed Jun warmly. After a light exchange of personal updates, they got down to business.
"You heard on the way, right? The checkpoint's gone. It hasn't hit here too hard yet, but for our guild, which has been expanding lately, it's no small matter."
Running a business meant securing investments from all over, but this unprecedented checkpoint disaster had frozen the market economy solid.
In such circumstances, Cloi was apparently busy soothing investors pulling out and issuing veiled threats.
"The market's the first to react, as expected."
"Obviously. We're still better off than most. Smaller outfits are already taking hits."
"Was the rumor of the Heavenly Dragon Knights moving meant to calm those fears?"
"Oh... sharp as ever? Yeah. It's pretty much confirmed they'll mobilize in earnest. The question is whether the Knight Commander joins them."
"The Knight Commander..."
Ben, commander of the Heavenly Dragon Knights.
If he, rumored to be a level 9 user, started moving, the story would change entirely.
Bearing the moniker "Empire's Sword," he was famous for resolving any crisis he took on.
"If he moves, it'll thaw quite a bit of the frozen cash flow in the industry."
"Hm..."
Jun, lost in thought for a moment, asked Cloi,
"How's the mana fluid situation?"
"Almost ready."
"Already? Faster than I thought."
"Well, both of them seem fed up. They used to juggle other research alongside, but now their interest is waning, so they've sped things up."
"Ah..."
Truly, like master, like disciple.
Shylock and Meshar, developing mana fluid for stable supply, appeared to be losing interest in it.
They likely wanted to wrap up the supply plan quickly and focus on their own research.
"No word from the imperial side on the fluid?"
"They asked once. I said it'd be done by year's end, and they said okay."
"Hmm. Alright."
Hearing that, Jun recalled the warning from Javier.
'When the emperor launches a full conquest against the Heavenly Sky Cult in Blackout, mana fluid will be practically essential. Once it's distributed, they'll start a massive counterattack.'
That meant the emperor's planned conquest of the cult was at earliest next year.
'Good, we still have time.'
He needed to build his strength at least before any all-out war began.
Jun continued questioning Cloi.
"And the ongoing operations?"
"Fortunately, those are going well. Joseph and his crew have fully adapted to Blackout and are moving in earnest."
Joseph, the Jinrang Tribe twins, Luke and Lucy, and other retired soldiers formed the core.
They were gathering items Jun had commissioned from the 3rd to 5th layers.
And what were those commissioned items?
The numerous hidden pieces Jun knew about.
Dungeons opening at the right time, or undiscovered exploration sites.
Some had rewards good enough for Jun to fetch personally, but he'd lacked the time so far.
Time remained scarce, so he'd entrusted their collection to Joseph and his team.
"Colton's training academy... it's beyond 'a hit'—it's racking up massive fame."
The academy run by Colton and his comrades at Jun's suggestion.
It was by far the most popular spot in the Black Forest right now.
In this era, unless you were a noble or wealthy, you had to learn combat by watching and stealing from others.
Thus, combat training was highly valued, and Colton and his group proved surprisingly gifted teachers.
"But the biggest reason... is the people you recommended, right?"
Of course, Colton and his team were doing great work, but they had limits alone.
The real growth spurt came from the recommendation letters Jun had sent via Cloi.
Numerous named NPCs he'd known since his "Lee Jung-jun" days.
Jun had recalled their info and commissioned the previous Requiem leader—now fully a intel network under Chails—to locate them.
Most were alive and well, and Jun had sent them invitations in his own name.
"Most who got your recommendations are growing fast. Some have even reached the 3rd layer already."
"That quick?"
"Yeah. Top students at the academy formed their own mercenary corps. Anyway, they're drawing a lot of attention. A bunch of unusually fast growers all from one academy."
This was a highly positive development.
Given their strong personalities, he'd figured they might go solo.
"Thanks to them, the Gilenoi Merchant Guild's position has skyrocketed."
The Gilenoi Merchant Guild was a latecomer in Blackout.
But through Jun and Cloi's various achievements, it had begun receiving full support from the surface.
That allowed Cloi to expand massively, and Jun's plans broadened their scope.
"There was backlash along the way, of course, but we've mostly weathered it."
With Count Mordenaen backing them, and the emperor tacitly supporting their moves, Cloi's path was clear, yielding major successes.
"Threats to our safety popped up too, naturally..."
Knock knock.
Someone arrived at Cloi's office right on cue.
"They say if you mention Black Tiger, he appears. Come in, Jinovan."
"Understood, Lady Cloi."
The one who entered was Jinovan Edmiller, impeccably armored and polite.
Blood splattered across his armor in spots made for a grim sight, though.
"Good work out there?"
"Yes. We've apprehended all the culprits."
"You've done well. Go rest now. Send the report in writing."
"Yes. And..."
Jinovan's gaze turned to Jun.
"Long time, Jinovan."
"Hope you've been well. Heard you stirred things up on the surface already."
"Wasn't my choice, but it happened."
"Haha... You really attract trouble. And resolve it just as well."
"Wasn't what I wanted either."
"Anyway, good to see you. Thanks to you, I'm settling in nicely."
"Glad to hear it."
He still carried the sharp edge of recent battle, but his expression seemed brighter than ever.
Living as a sword protecting someone apparently suited his resolve perfectly.
"Looks like you're in the middle of serious talk, so I'll head out. Jun, let's grab a meal sometime with your companions."
"Sure."
With Jinovan gone and just the two left, Jun looked at Cloi.
"From what Sir Jinovan said, there are still people targeting you?"
"Obviously. We're moving aggressively."
It was an inevitable side effect of rapid growth.
"Well, the checkpoint incident is hitting businesses hard... but some sectors are thriving. Potions, for one."
"The vanishing checkpoint's anxiety turning into survival obsession..."
"That's our guess. Potions have been hot since last year, and we're seeing huge demand."
"Hmm..."
Jun's contributions made up most of the Gilenoi Merchant Guild's potion business.
The guild sourced the mages and facilities, of course.
Jun's cut was under 10% of total revenue.
Yet it still amounted to an enormous sum.
"Put this money... toward supporting mercenaries from the academy or Joseph's missions."
"Hm, sure. Not a bad call."
"...Surprising? I figured you'd want it invested in your usual spots."
"Think I'm some investment ghost? ...Though I do nag you about it a lot. But timing's off right now."
The checkpoint news had unnerved countless users in Blackout.
Meaning good returns on any investment were unlikely soon.
"Plus... my gut feeling's bad."
"Gut?"
"Yeah. Hard to explain... You know I've studied markets for years, right?"
"Yeah."
"The whole market feels... like right before a massive event. Like the calm before the storm."
"Hmm..."
A rational mage trusting vague feelings seemed odd, but Jun's experiences taught him Cloi's instincts weren't to be dismissed lightly.
"Just my feeling, don't take it too seriously. And you know investment is?"
"A choice."
"Exactly."
And rationally, Cloi still saw value in Jun's investments.
"Anyway, unless something crops up, you don't need to worry about this side anymore."
"Good to hear."
"So, where to this time?"
"7th layer."
They'd handled what needed doing in Blackout.
Now it was time to head to the 7th layer.