Busin (3)
Fwooooom— BOOM!!!
"WAAAAAH!!!!!"
Cheers and the crack of fireworks burst outside the window in an unbroken chain. The streets were so riotously alive that the word festival suggested itself.
"Have a sample before you go!"
"Juan traditional liquor, right here! Hey, mister, you've got to try this one. I'm telling you, it's incredible."
The market-street bustle was heartwarming to the point of being irritating.
It's come a long way.
A soft bed. A room steeped in the fragrance of flowers. Woobin sat on its edge, gazing out the window.
Up until five years ago — before he'd been sealed away in the dungeon — no city this developed had existed. The streets were clean, and even the food on sale looked respectable.
Then again, with the heroes clearing out the monsters that had once been such a headache, and social reform sweeping through on top of that, a flourishing society was perhaps only the natural result.
Woobin turned his gaze inward and replayed the conversation from a short while ago.
"I hope you have a pleasant stay. Well, then."
Lee Jeonghoon of the Chulgyeol Guild. From the moment Woobin had shown him Hwa Minseo's handwritten letter, the man had waited on him like he was attending a superior. A single word from Woobin, and he'd even moved to restrain Kim Baekcheong on the spot.
Having food sent to the inn he was staying at, even clothes to wear — it felt like a touch much, but there was no reason to refuse.
The UN, huh...
Woobin had asked Lee Jeonghoon everything he wanted to know. The first question had been about the whereabouts of Saber's executives.
"Right up until last year, they all moved together on the Red Dragon raid. This year, I couldn't say. There were rumors of an internal split... where they are now, what they're doing — I have no idea. I don't even know where our own master is at the moment. Hahaha."
It had gotten him nothing. So next he'd asked why in the world they were setting off those idiotic fireworks.
"The UN said they wished to sponsor Busin, so they're paying a visit. This festival was opened with UN backing."
"The UN?"
At the natural question — what was that, exactly? — Lee Jeonghoon had explained with perfect courtesy.
"First you're hearing of it? Well, it was only founded last year. It's a coalition formed under the banner of safeguarding peace in Elid. Starting with the number-one guild, Saber, most every guild has joined. Though we in Chulgyeol have not."
In a word: a massive organization — an alliance of guilds.
So they might not show after all.
He'd apparently been far too certain of himself, just from seeing those violet bursts. Who could have guessed the violet fireworks were simply the UN's signature display? He'd let himself feel glad at the thought that revenge was within reach — and now that it seemed out of reach, the disappointment stung.
Noon, was it.
Woobin recalled the last piece of information he'd pried loose.
"One of the executives who founded the UN is said to give a speech in the plaza at noon. As for who exactly — I haven't heard anything myself."
An executive who founded the UN. Who could it be? He couldn't know for certain — but of one thing he was sure: it would be no surprise for one of those bastards to appear at an event like this.
Too easy wouldn't be any fun anyway.
His rough thinking done, Woobin rose to his feet. The whole reason he'd come here in the first place was to gather intelligence on Saber.
And so he set out to gather it.
Creeeak—
The old door swung open on a familiar face.
"Hello!"
"H-hello."
Perhaps because she'd finally washed, Min Juhee's expression was much brighter than before. Beside her, a white-haired woman dipped her head in a bow.
"Ah. Yeah."
Woobin returned their greetings half-heartedly and walked on past.
"Where are you going?"
Min Juhee skipped a step to match his stride. Woobin looked at her coolly.
"Why are you following me?"
"Huh?"
"As I recall, you already said your thanks for everything. I'd assumed that was goodbye."
"Ah..."
Flustered by his bluntness, she scratched at her cheek.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For butting in on something I couldn't handle on my own... You're the one who helped me, Mr. Woobin."
It hadn't been kindness so much as a simple dislike of that bastard — but that was beside the point.
"So?"
"I want to keep traveling with you, Mr. Woobin..."
She tapped her two index fingers together as she spoke. The anxiety radiating off her was palpable.
Well — being cut loose from the first person you'd bonded with in an alien world was a more frightening thing than most would guess. Woobin had lived through it himself, so he understood exactly how Juhee felt.
"We've reached a safe place. The contract you agreed to back then is fulfilled. Is there some reason I need to keep dragging you along, Juhee?"
He had no intention of actually abandoning her — but he wanted to hear what she had to say.
Was she going to dangle another contract with an item on the line this time, too?
"The 18th-batch privilege. And you can make use of my trait whenever you like."
But the answer that came back was a surprise.
"Isn't just being in a party with me a huge benefit on its own? The bonus experience, the extra runes. The map, too."
The corners of Woobin's mouth curled upward.
Juhee had said she didn't know the first thing about games. And yet she knew the system in that much detail.
Looks like she's been studying.
She must have been picking the system apart every spare moment she had. To think she'd gotten this sharp in a single day.
It'd be a problem if she got too clever, though.
All Woobin needed from her was efficiency and capability. What he didn't need was her getting ideas above her station and offering up inconvenient opinions.
Worst case, I just lock her in the workshop.
How long would Min Juhee actually last in Chronos's workshop? One minute? Ten? One thing was certain: the moment she walked out again, that clumsy hesitancy of hers would be gone for good.
Whether she sensed the chill running through Woobin's thoughts or not—
"Is that a no?"
Juhee tilted her head and asked, her face the picture of innocence.
Woobin answered with a faint smirk.
"Fine. You can come."
"Really? Whew... thank goodness."
Woobin looked at the space above the beaming Min Juhee's head.
Min Juhee | LV.73
HP:1,220 / MP:122
A blue system message floated above her. With that alone, she could never be lost, no matter how far apart they strayed.
Which meant, technically, there was no need to drag her along at all.
Couldn't hurt, I suppose.
Getting the information he wanted required, above all else, communication skills. Woobin had never been much of a talker, and after spending far too long alone, he had no confidence in himself.
Min Juhee, by contrast, was a different story. She'd adapted to Elid with ease, and even now she was steering the conversation with practiced skill. Information gathering was simply more efficient with two people than one.
Judgment made, Woobin asked her:
"I'm going to look around the festival. Want to come with me?"
"Huh?"
Min Juhee stared at him, startled by the unexpected offer. Then the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile.
"Yes!"
Thud— Thud—
The wet, heavy sound of flesh being pulped like meat under a hammer rang out.
"Ugh!"
Each time it came, Kim Baekcheong clenched his teeth and begged.
"I'm sorry. Please, just give me one more chance."
Thud!
But the violence showed no sign of stopping.
"Aagh! P-please!"
Behind the desperate pleading sat a man in an opulent chair.
"What are you doing? Pour."
Cowed by his bark, a frightened woman poured liquor with trembling hands.
"Ah, for fuck's sake. You're ruining the taste. Can't fix that face of yours?"
The woman flinched violently and forced out a smile.
"I told them to send me a pretty one. Are they blind or what? Seriously. This is no fun at all."
The man flung his cup to the floor and rose to his feet.
"That's enough."
At his word, the man working over Kim Baekcheong stopped.
"I-I'm sorry. Please, just one more chance."
"A chance? Your face is already known to the Chulgyeol Guild. It's all over for you — you're not telling me you forgot that?"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Kim Baekcheong groveled against the floor, rubbing his hands together in supplication.
The man crouched down and seized him by the hair. Kim Baekcheong desperately kept his eyes down, refusing to meet the man's gaze.
"Scaredy little shit."
The man smirked and let go of his hair. Then he tossed something onto the floor and rose.
Clang!
With a bright ring, an orange potion rolled and spun to a stop in front of Kim Baekcheong.
"Last chance. Go out there and cut loose."
"Huh? Th-this is..."
The man's unsettling eyes turned on Kim Baekcheong.
"Heek!"
Watching him nearly jump out of his skin, the man barked a laugh.
"You paranoid freak. It won't kill you, so drink up and go wild. You've got ten minutes."
Kim Baekcheong's face went rigid as stone.
"Last chance. I'll consider going easy on you depending on how you do. Don't screw it up."
Waving a hand dismissively, the man walked toward the door.
"Might as well pull back for now. You — come here."
"Wh-what?! Yes..."
He dragged off the sobbing woman, and with a clank, they were gone. The man who'd been standing by had vanished at some point as well.
Silence settled over the blood-drenched room. Only one sound remained.
Crunch—
The grind of teeth clenched in fury, of gums tearing themselves bloody.
"You sons of bitches. Just you wait."
The smell of meat teased his nostrils. A sweet, spicy aroma filled the air on every side.
"Have a taste!"
"Fresh meat, butchered just this morning! Try some before you go!"
The vendors pressed food right up under their noses. His mouth watered despite himself.
Gulp—
Min Juhee tore her eyes away from the food with visible effort and hurried after Woobin.
"Where exactly are we going?"
"You'll find out when we arrive."
With his stride that resolute, she couldn't exactly ask when they'd be eating.
Her gaze drifted instead to the woman trotting quietly at her side. For reasons she couldn't fathom, the woman had been following Juhee around ever since they'd entered the castle.
"Are your wounds all right?"
"Yes."
There was something otherworldly about her. It wasn't just her hair — her eyes and even her eyebrows were white. How to put it... she was like an elf out of a movie, maybe.
"What's your name?"
"Rin."
"Wow, that's such a pretty name!"
"Is it? And yours would be?"
"I'm Min Juhee!"
Small talk passed back and forth between them. Why she'd come here, where she'd come from — there were too many names and facts to take in all at once, but Min Juhee was happy. Just exchanging a few idle words had settled the turmoil in her chest.
"We're here."
Ten minutes of walking, and Woobin announced their arrival.
"Call!"
"Half."
"Half? Look at this clown, bluffing again. Call! Show 'em!"
Hanafuda to start, then poker and mahjong. Even a shell game. It was a familiar yet alien place — and no wonder, since every single person gambling there was a hero in full battle gear.
"Why here... Don't tell me you're here to gamble?"
At Min Juhee's bewilderment, Woobin laid out the plan without preamble.
"There's something I have to do. When it's done, you'll be paid properly."
He told her what she needed to do, and Min Juhee nodded along like a new hire, hanging on his every word.
On the familiar green felt.
Tak!
A crisp slap of cards rang out.
"My, my. The cards sure do love me today."
Tak—
"Yesss! Godori!"
Every time that familiar slap of cards echoed, Woobin's expression stiffened a little more.
"Five go!"
His opponent crowed the call with obvious relish. Woobin stared at his hand through the man's triumphant bellowing.
[March (Bright)] [July]
What a load of shit, these cards.
This time he glanced at the cards lying face-up on the mat.
[March]
The problem wasn't a hard one. Short of being a complete idiot, nobody would play the July.
Mind made up, Woobin slammed his March Bright down onto the March on the table.
Smack! He was losing badly, but at least the sound was pleasantly crisp. And the card he flipped was...
[March]
"Ooh, cheap again."
His opponent flashed a pitying grin and played his card.
Smack! The clean sound rang out, and—
"Stop!"
The man called the end of the round and got straight to tallying the score.
"Plains bonus, bright bonus, and a bomb on top of that, right? Plus five go. Let's see what all that comes to."
He counted it up with great effort and arrived at a figure.
"3,014 points. That's 30,140 runes. You have it? Don't tell me you're short."
The man eyed him with open suspicion.
Ding—
30,140 runes retrieved from inventory.
A pouch stuffed full of runes dropped into Woobin's open palm with a thump.
"Oh?! Cool customer, aren't you. One more round?"
The man scooped up the pouch and asked.
"Sure."
Woobin shuffled the hanafuda deck and put his question to him.
"There's that UN celebration speech today, right? I heard someone from Saber was coming — any chance you know who?"
"Heard as much, yeah. But how'd you know Saber was coming in the first place?"
Woobin's eyes narrowed.
"Who came?"
"Even that, I couldn't really say..."
The man's gaze shifted mid-sentence.
"Quit yapping and deal the cards."
He was definitely hiding something. Would he talk if the game kept going?
"Haah..."
Woobin made his call and rose from the table on the spot.
"Hey, where are you going! We've got another round!"
Brushing off the man's protests, Woobin clenched his teeth.
A full hour of gathering intel this way, and he had nothing to show for it. The sum total of what he'd learned: the person giving today's speech was someone connected to Saber.
Woobin let out a long sigh and turned his gaze across the hall.
"Raise!"
"What? A raise? Bluffing again, are we? Call! Show 'em! Ah, for fuck's sake — that's a straight?! You're telling me that counts as a straight?!"
At the table dead ahead, a man clutched his head in despair.
"Oh my. I win again."
The winner of that table was none other than Min Juhee, sweeping in her chips with a grin from ear to ear.
What the hell? Since when is she this good?
He'd taken her for an ordinary office worker, but her gambling skill was off the charts.
"Careful with that woman. Nearly lost my entire fortune to her earlier."
"She looks harmless, but she's damn good. Is her luck just broken or what?"
"Wait — isn't she the one Kim Baekcheong picked a fight with at the castle gate earlier?"
"Looks like it. There she is. The NPC who got worked over by Kim Cheongbaek."
All eyes in the hall turned toward Min Juhee. The heroes she'd cleaned out already numbered well over twenty.
"It's just that I'd like to join Saber. Do you happen to know any of the Saber guild members?"
"Haah... Saber, you say? Hmm... I did meet one of them at a bar last week. Why do you ask?"
"Could you tell me their name, or how I might reach them?"
"......"
The man across from her went wary at Juhee's question.
"Tell me, and I'll give you half of everything you lost back."
"H-half?"
The moment Juhee whispered it, he began pouring out everything he knew.
"Here you go."
"Thank you!"
The man who'd lost his money to Juhee bowed with a deeply satisfied smile.
Juhee came bounding up to Woobin, practically glowing.
"Look at this! I cleaned up!"
Beaming, she held out the pouch. The amount inside came to a staggering 120,000 runes. Just as before, she'd handed back half her winnings in exchange for information — and even halved, it was an enormous sum.
"Oh, right — you said you needed information. Here."
Min Juhee showed him the note she'd been diligently scribbling.
Woobin held out little hope for it. These people had no reason to tell the truth in the first place, and word-of-mouth wasn't worth trusting.
But a single line snagged his gaze.
— One hour ago: Saber founding member Jung Hyuntae sighted at the gates of Busin.
The timestamp and location lent the information real weight.
Jung Hyuntae...
And so, just as Woobin's fury crested its peak—
there was a man, swaying on his feet, staring straight at him.
The corners of the man's mouth curled into something sinister, and he crunched— the orange potion in his mouth to pieces.