The Eve of Victory - Part 2
I can feel the gazes of many people fixed on me.
The reason is likely my attire.
I usually stick to a drab, uninspired look, but perhaps thanks to the store clerk who put in a lot of effort today, I look quite flashy.
However, I can't tell if this is a "cool" look or just embarrassing.
'I have no talent for this sort of thing….'
People who know me often ask if I have anything other than my usual "Grim Reaper" look.
But I prefer that style precisely because it doesn't show bloodstains too clearly when they splatter.
Since I don't live a normal life, it’s something I’ve taken for granted.
The importance of clothing has never had anything to do with the quality of my life.
In fact, I can't prefer flashy clothes because they might drive me toward a more painful death.
'I thought life before the Great Cataclysm would be quite glamorous. I had just entered university, and I thought I would be able to fully enjoy those moments, brimming with dreams, but…'
In the end, it was a series of massive shocks that shook the very world, and after struggling desperately to survive against monsters, before I could even harbor the thought of returning to the way things were, life itself was forced to sway under the weight of human desire.
'No, life had already been shaken to the point of breaking long before that….'
A generation that endured war—almost everyone here has experienced it, and they have all overcome that moment in their own ways.
Those who couldn't overcome it are likely holed up in their rooms, struggling against the trauma of their past lives, while those who did are struggling desperately to find something meaningful in life.
It’s the same for me. The goal I pursue isn't wealth or glory. I just… wanted to be normal.
A life where I can claim even that fleeting moment of living a normal existence—I feel satisfied because I am currently enjoying that kind of ordinary daily life.
"You're here early?"
At the voice from behind, I turned my head to see Go Yujin, dressed up in an incredibly beautiful outfit.
Go Yujin had never shown such a radiant appearance before.
"You look beautiful."
It was a pure exclamation, and even the people around us were glancing at her and casting envious looks my way.
"You look good too, Seongchan-ssi."
She replied with a bright smile; it seemed my appearance wasn't awkward to her.
I was slightly flustered when she walked up close and linked her arm with mine, but instead of pulling away, I asked quietly.
"Isn't this awkward?"
"Is there any reason for it to be?"
I pondered her counter-question for a moment, but the answer flowed out easily.
"You're right. There's no reason to overthink it. If we act like this in a place like this, in a situation like this, we'll look like a couple in the eyes of others."
Go Yujin blushed slightly and gave me a fresh, sparkling smile.
While I thought she was a truly beautiful woman, on the other hand, the traces of the arduous war scattered across her body made my heart ache.
"It’s always a new feeling to be the protagonists of a festival."
As Go Yujin said, this is a festival to honor those who led the war to victory.
The same goes for the victims, but regardless, it was a festival for everyone who endured the hardships of the war. Because of that, rather than solemnity, it was a festival where the prevailing thought was to lighten the mood and forget all the pain, at least for this moment.
It was a bright atmosphere, the kind of festival where everyone tries their best to wear a smile.
If I could truly enjoy this joy, I would be satisfied with that alone.
"Where shall we go?"
Since I didn't have any particular destination in mind, I casually asked Go Yujin a question I often asked.
"Have you had dinner?"
"No. As you can see, it took a long time to get ready."
I acknowledged it, as it was obvious she had put a lot of effort into everything from her makeup to her outfit. I thought of Ahn Somi, who must have helped her prepare, and asked after her well-being.
"What is Ahn Somi-ssi doing?"
"Somi went to an auction today."
"...It should be about time for her to be short on money, shouldn't it?"
"Ah, you don't know, do you, Seongchan-ssi?"
I tilted my head, wondering what she meant, and Go Yujin laughed as she spoke.
"Somi's parents are chaebols. They are the heads of a corporation you'd recognize if you heard the name."
In this era, being the head of a corporation means they are an incredibly massive conglomerate.
The reason is simple. They either accumulated vast wealth before the war to endure it, or they accumulated vast wealth through the war. And there are currently fewer than 20 such companies in the country.
That’s because almost every other company has gone bankrupt.
"I'm envious."
"She lives without worrying about money, so why does she act like someone who puts her soul on the line for money every time?"
Go Yujin laughed after hearing my words.
I don't know what was so funny, but the laughter continued, and after Go Yujin lightly wiped the corners of her eyes, she spoke.
"She left home. Actually, her family didn't like her because they were war merchants. They said they were making money off people's lives. So now, she's trying to make it on her own."
"Hmm, then that doesn't quite add up, does it?"
I was pointing out the part about why Ahn Somi would be prowling around an auction house if she had money.
At that, Go Yujin beamed and proudly puffed out her chest.
"She earned quite a bit of money while training intensely with me."
"Ah, so it was a mix of trying to help her overcome her fear of blood and making money."
"Exactly. You know how extra incentives are paid to those who work on Gates? Well, Somi insisted on doing most of the work while we were working together, so she handled quite a few Gates on her own. There were many ups and downs, but she did well."
If that’s the case, then it makes sense.
Processing costs are set separately by grade, and additional costs are incurred based on the volume of internal byproducts processed due to the high amount of mana usage.
It’s correct to view it as 2.5 billion, 8 billion, and 20 billion won in that order.
For reference, that's the base cost, and the actual cost charged depends on the state and volume of the recovered byproducts, calculated by weight and market value.
In this case, when a government official presents a list, we adjust accordingly. Either way, the worker takes up to 20% of the amount earned this way.
There were so many costs, including taxes, that the net margin wasn't even 30%, but even so, the profit was beyond imagination. Consequently, it was correct to view the monthly earnings as being on the level of a mid-sized conglomerate.
"What is she planning to buy now?"
"There's an item Somi has had her eye on. Do you know of the accessory called 'The Dignity of Corruption'?"
"You mean the relic that increases curse efficiency. Isn't that an item with some pretty bad rumors?"
"That's right. It's a curse that says the owner won't last half a year and will die, but in reality, it's just a series of coincidences. It’s actually a very good relic."
I remember the owner changing more than ten times in the last five years, which is too many to call a coincidence.
That's why I know an item that was evaluated to be worth over a trillion won when it first appeared at auction was recently sold for 1 billion won.
'Death' is an option that makes people shy away from an item, no matter how great it is.
'It’s not like such an option is actually attached to the relic itself…'
A 50% increase in curse efficiency is effectively an efficiency that allows one to kill life with curses alone.
Because of that, many people desperately desire it.
But perhaps because of the condition that the holder dies, it was an item you wouldn't even take if someone gave it to you for free.
"Has the owner changed again?"
"The current owner said they're just putting it on the exchange. It seems they said they couldn't use it anymore because of the psychological pressure."
That was understandable.
Since most users are dark mages who are familiar with death, how terrified must they have been?
"That's interesting. It seems like there are quite a few people eyeing it, so I should cheer her on."
"She's the type who isn't satisfied until she gets what she wants, so she'll figure it out!"
We strolled through the streets amidst casual conversation until we found a decent restaurant. We decided to go in, and upon entering, we confirmed that the restaurant had a fairly cozy atmosphere and was filled with happy customers, so we found a suitable seat and sat down.
"It's been a while. This kind of leisure."
Go Yujin's gaze was distant as she sat across from me, looking out the window at the people coming and going on the street.
"This kind of life will continue. Because it's a victory we achieved because we desperately wanted and hoped for it."
"That's right. It's a miracle created by everyone's wishes."
Just then, fireworks soared into the sky, creating a spectacular explosion, and everyone watched it, savoring the peace they had regained.
* * *
"We're home."
The date was satisfying.
With decent food, a bright atmosphere, and the conversation we shared, we were able to smell the 'human scent' that we had both been lacking.
"Usually, in movies or dramas, the man sees the woman home and leaves, but I suppose we're going in together."
Go Yujin burst into laughter at Geum Seongchan's words.
However, it wasn't a joke she disliked, and she said to Geum Seongchan.
"Somi isn't coming home tonight… do you want to have some ramen before you go?"
It was a light, joking remark, and Geum Seongchan replied just as casually.
"I hope it's delicious ramen."
"I'll cook it very deliciously. Let's go."
Go Yujin's heart pounded as she reached out her hand. It was a house they had to enter together anyway, and for her, home had always been a place that was just quiet and vast, but she was so happy that it wasn't anymore.
And Geum Seongchan, who lightly took the hand she had playfully extended, was full of warm energy.
When I first saw him, I could only think that he was a very cool man, and when I saw him later, he looked like a man with a deep story.
But when the war ended and we reunited, I was surprised because he had become a person who seemed emotionless, to the point where I wondered if he was the same person.
However, I could smile now because I knew that his emotionlessness wasn't intentional, and that he was acting with sincerity, showing the maximum emotion he could express.
After coming inside and feeling a warmth different from before, we headed to the kitchen to keep the promise made in jest, and Geum Seongchan asked.
"Are you really planning to cook ramen?"
"I'm not joking?"
Geum Seongchan's flustered expression was an unexpected delight, and I pulled him along and asked.
"You don't dislike my cooking, do you?"
"Of course not. But… didn't we just have dinner a little while ago?"
"There's a separate stomach for meals and a separate stomach for snacks."
"I don't think anyone considers ramen a snack."
"It's a snack for me. Let's go!"
His flustered appearance looked so cute. So, Go Yujin, who couldn't stop the laughter that kept leaking out, felt like she finally understood what 'human scent' meant.
