Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Dimension Gate Escort
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“Incredible! To think the Bolton family's territory was really hidden behind that black fog...”
Returning to Hundred Flowers Valley, Woojin met with Charleston and completed the quest.
“Chaison, how about working with me? There'll be plenty of folks wanting to head to the Bolton lands, and we've got loads of cargo to haul.”
Handing over the navigation records to reach the territory, Charleston lit up and grabbed Chaison's hand, who was standing beside Woojin.
“You're the only one who can pilot the Siren, so it'd be great if you could ferry back and forth between the black fog... no, the Fog Archipelago.”
“Me? I...”
“I think it's a solid offer. I get that you want to leave the territory, but for Harper's sake—who's holding down the fort in your place—we need to develop the archipelago.”
“...Understood.”
Chaison pondered for a moment before nodding decisively.
“Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! From now on, Agen Trade Company monopolizes trade with the Bolton family!”
So that's what he was after.
Woojin smirked at Charleston's shrewd business sense amid it all.
“It's all thanks to you.”
“Naturally.”
As expected of Agen Trade Company.
They had ties to massive NPC-run associations on the Central Continent.
The Basilisk Merchant Group is the largest NPC merchant guild on the Central Continent, and Queen Leder Workshop crafts all sorts of gear.
Both were incredibly useful for operations on the Central Continent.
But the name that caught Woojin's eye wasn't either of those.
“Squall Ring?”
It was a group he'd never heard of.
“Ah... well, about them...”
Charleston looked awkward, hesitating before answering.
“They're a sort of errand service.”
“Errands?”
“Ahem... you know, they move stuff from here to there.”
Woojin narrowed his eyes slightly at his words.
“What kind of stuff?”
“Er...”
Charleston glanced at Chaison and Luen, then beckoned Woojin closer, whispering so they couldn't hear.
“People.”
“What? Moving people?”
“Exactly...”
“You mean human trafficking?”
Charleston sighed in resignation at Woojin's tone and nodded.
“More precisely, slave trading. Not that I, a smuggler, should talk, but they're not entirely bad.”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Buying and selling people is justified?”
“Better than starving to death.”
“...What?”
“Plenty volunteer to become slaves. Not everyone's rich on the Central Continent.”
Charleston tried defending them with various excuses, but Woojin's gaze had already turned icy.
“If you need info, linking up with Squall Ring isn't a bad idea.”
“Not keen on tangling with slave traders.”
“Fair enough. A mere slave trader might know more than a kingdom's king with a million troops.”
Charleston eyed Woojin.
“His tens of millions of slaves across the continent become his eyes and ears.”
It wasn't wrong.
Slaves exist everywhere, transcending borders.
“Squall Ring's leader, Otto Swallen. His connections reach even the royals.”
Charleston asked cautiously.
“Want me to write an intro letter...?”
“I'll head to the Central Continent and check them out myself first, then decide. I'll ask again later.”
“Sounds good. I'd do anything for your request.”
It meant choosing one: consumables, gear, or info.
Woojin saw no need to rush.
“So, off to the Central Continent now?”
“No. Unfortunately, I haven't accumulated enough experience to cross the dimension gate yet.”
“Beating around the bush about your level being too low.”
Woojin shrugged at Charleston's reaction.
“Funny, though. Even riffraff cross that gate, but you—who conquered the Ice Cavern and explored the black fog—can't.”
“World's got rules. It'll happen with time anyway.”
Woojin replied nonchalantly.
Just four more levels, tops.
Even factoring in Luen's level, it wouldn't take long.
Monsters were spawning everywhere around Hundred Flowers Valley now, with Ice Valley too.
“Ahem... then, how about a simple commission? Get lucky, and you could head to the Central Continent right away.”
“Hmm... no rush, but I'm curious what it is.”
“An escort job.”
“Escort?”
Not a common quest in beginner zones.
“Whose?”
“Karlan Ballan.”
Woojin frowned slightly at the name.
More precisely, the family name attached to it.
“No way... the Ballan family with the Sword Emperor?”
“That's right. Famous swordmaster.”
Charleston nodded.
“But his son's got zero talent, apparently. Sent him to Dark Forest for experience, total flop.”
Yeah... she mentioned something like that.
Just then, Woojin recalled what Irurin had said.
“My father wasn't good at swordsmanship or magic.”
He fiddled with the ring she'd given him again.
“Went to hunt ice trolls, pissed his pants and fainted on the spot.”
“Ahem.”
Even worse than he'd imagined.
“As the Sword Emperor's son, couldn't let it slide for face, but too ambitious. Sending a kid who couldn't kill a goblin after trolls.”
“What happened?”
“Disastrous. Furious Sword Emperor pulled all escorts.”
“Abandoned his son?”
Strong pride... or backbone...?
Woojin began gauging the Sword Emperor's personality.
“Yep. To cross to Central Continent's dimension gate, must pass the forest, but he couldn't hack it.”
“Hence the commission.”
“Right. But no one's joining his party, so he's holed up here for days.”
“Why?”
Charleston chuckled at Woojin's question.
“Obvious. Sword Emperor withdrew escorts—who'd defy that to protect the kid now?”
Charleston mimed swinging an invisible sword.
“Find out, and it's your head.”
“Hmm. Recommending something that risky to me?”
“You seem different.”
“Bold talk that could sour relations.”
“Heh.”
Still, Sword Emperor...
For all his words, Charleston's mention had piqued his interest.
Might even find clues to Fenrir's nest.
Plus, a sure shot at meeting Aswell Ballan, the continent's strongest swordsman.
Assuming he doesn't lop off my head first...
Worth a shot.
“I'll meet him first. Where is he?”
“Inn next to the trading post. Easy to spot.”
“How?”
“Total punk.”
Crash!!!
Woojin sighed as he opened the inn door.
“Heaven must favor him. How else does a genius like Irurin come from scum like that?”
“Fucking hell...! No order? Bring more booze, quick!!”
Patrons whispered as the boy smashed glasses from tables onto the floor.
“That punk's the Sword Emperor's son?”
“Son, yeah, but even Sword Emperor ditched him.”
“Makes sense, tsk. Kid's barely weaned...”
“Keep your distance. Might get hurt.”
“Right. Sigh... nothing special, riding daddy's fame, causing chaos in Hundred Flowers Valley.”
...No, from Irurin's view, it's heaven's curse?
The kid looked barely thirteen, yet demanding booze... Woojin gave a wry smile at the punkier-than-expected sight.
“Order whatever you want and wait.”
“Slurp— Yes!”
Luen wiped drool, eyes sparkling.
“Bring the booze quick!!!”
“Y-Yes! Right away.”
The server hurriedly refilled at his shout.
“One more.”
Woojin snatched the glass and told the server.
“W-Wait, that's...”
“It's fine. Drinking with that guy. I'll deliver it.”
The baffled server glanced around, then filled another.
“Here.”
Woojin set the two glasses on Karlan's table.
“About time...”
As Karlan reached, Woojin lifted a glass and dumped it over his head.
“...!!”
The room gasped.
“Wh-What...”
“Crazy?”
“How's he gonna handle that...”
Chaos erupted instantly.
“You mad bastard!! What the hell?!”
“Figured the brat yapping for booze wanted a bath in it.”
“What?!”
“Karlan Ballan.”
Flinch—.
Without his father's halo, he was nothing, as folks said.
He roared like he'd charge, but Woojin's presence cowed him silent.
“I'll take you home.”
Drip—.
As booze ran down his forehead to the floor, Karlan exploded.
“Don't need your help! Know who I am, you nobody?!”
“I said your name.”
Woojin's demeanor unchanged by the threat.
“...Guh!!”
Woojin yanked his collar.
“Not a toddler, yet throwing tantrums in Hundred Flowers Valley 'cause you can't go home—embarrassing, no?”
“Wh-What?”
“If you had a daughter, what'd she think seeing you now?”
“What bullshit!!! How old do you think I am...! No daughter!!”
“Just saying.”
Woojin shrugged nonchalantly at the flustered Karlan.
“Anyway, I'm the only one who'll escort you to the dimension gate without eyeing Aswell Ballan.”
“...You can really protect me?”
“Of course.”
Woojin eyed him.
“But what can you offer in return?”
Central Continent First Step
It was the first step toward the Central Continent.