Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Absolute Ruler of Darkness (3)
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Day two since the labyrinth in Lartania territory opened.
Most mercenaries had realized that monsters inside Lartania's labyrinth spawned endlessly, so they were dashing around it fervently, trying to earn even one more coin.
At the same time, evening was slowly approaching, and mercenaries were starting to emerge for rest ahead of tomorrow's final push.
"Ah, tomorrow it'll all be over."
"Yeah, kinda feels disappointing."
"Tch, no way they'd keep a labyrinth like this open for three days or more."
"Ugh—gonna be a drag running escort gigs again."
The mercenaries felt immense regret over the labyrinth access period ending tomorrow.
Lartania's residents felt the same way.
Once this labyrinth opening ended, the mercenaries would naturally leave, and the residents' sales would drop back to normal. That much was obvious.
In other words, just as personal regrets began spilling out here and there, Kim Hyunwoo ascended the platform.
The mercenaries started gathering in the square at the mere sight of him climbing up and preparing something.
"I will now make an announcement."
As the square began to fill up, Kim Hyunwoo spoke.
"As you all know, after noon tomorrow, mercenaries will no longer be able to enter or exit Lartania's labyrinth."
The mercenaries showed faint signs of disappointment at his words.
Watching them, Kim Hyunwoo continued.
"However, even after noon tomorrow, there is a way for you to enter the labyrinth."
His follow-up words instantly sent a stir through the mercenaries.
Seeing the square rapidly filling with their commotion, Kim Hyunwoo pulled a single card from his pocket as if he'd been waiting.
He held up the card—about the size of a credit card from the real world.
"With just this membership card, you can mine magic stones inside the labyrinth anytime, anywhere."
He flashed the gray-glowing card to the mercenaries for a clear view before continuing.
"This membership card you're seeing is essentially an entry pass to Lartania's labyrinth. You can buy it here in our territory for 5 gold coins."
The mercenaries buzzed at his words.
It was only natural.
For Kim Hyunwoo, who ran the territory, the basic currency displayed was simply 'gold coins,' but for citizens or mercenaries, 1 gold coin was a substantial sum.
In other words, from the mercenaries' perspective, a card costing 5 gold was outrageously expensive.
Yet even as they buzzed, Kim Hyunwoo calmly kept speaking.
"Additionally, once you buy the card and enter, you'll pay 50% tax to Lartania territory when exiting with magic stones."
This time, the buzz grew louder among the mercenaries.
Now, faint notes of dissatisfaction crept into the murmurs.
If they'd set the tax at 50% from the start, it might've been different, but having to pay for the card on top of a 10% tax increase to the territory was bound to breed complaints.
However, Kim Hyunwoo gazed at them with a confident smile.
A few murmurs of discontent rose among them, but none voiced strong protests or left the square.
In short, even if he stopped the announcement here, the mercenaries wouldn't leave—instead, they'd burn through the remaining day to buy cards.
"Of course, the sudden jump to 50% tax might leave a bad taste. But—"
Naturally, he had no intention of ending the announcement there, so he smoothly drew four more cards from his pocket.
"If you diligently explore the labyrinth and sell plenty of magic stones to Lartania territory—even at a modest price—we'll reduce your tax based on your contribution points."
"For example, a Bronze card pays only about 45% tax. Silver is 40%, meaning you pay the same rate you're used to now and take your stones. And that's not the end."
Kim Hyunwoo displayed the gold-shimmering card and the blue-glowing one before their eyes.
"This Gold card here gets a whopping 15% discount, so just 35% tax to take your stones. And this final Platinum card enjoys a full 20% reduction—only 30% tax."
The mercenaries erupted once more as his words ended.
Smiling at them, Kim Hyunwoo added,
"Cards go on sale starting now at the stall in front of the lord's castle. So if you want to keep using the labyrinth after tomorrow, please buy one first."
With that, he stepped down from the platform.
"Oh, and since making the cards takes time, there might be a wait of over a week. If you're interested, apply soon."
He finished and descended.
At the same time, the mercenaries...
"Wh-where's the lord's castle again?!"
"Right there, idiot! Run!!"
"Wh-what!? I got no money!? What if I blow it all—"
"Who cares!? Run and buy the card first! Get inside, grind a bit, and 5 gold's pocket change!!"
"Outta the way! Me first!!"
"No way! I'm first, you bastard!!"
...instantly surged toward the lord's castle.
"Phew—"
Kim Hyunwoo gazed at the mercenaries crowding below the lord's castle and smiled in satisfaction.
So many had flocked that everyone except the soldiers guarding the rest area inside the labyrinth was manning the sales point. Even Elena was busy directing them, but a smile played on his lips.
Everyone being busy meant things were going just as he'd planned.
Thus, as Kim Hyunwoo smiled contentedly and summoned his alert window to check his upcoming schedule...
"??"
He unconsciously made a puzzled face at the sudden alert window.
And well he might— from Kim Hyunwoo's perspective, it was completely out of left field.
Thus, as he stared blankly at the alert, lost in thought...
Thud—!
Kim Hyunwoo realized a woman had appeared right before him, where no one had been moments ago.
She was cloaked in darkness that could swallow everything, dressed in a deep ink-blue cheongsam—the Absolute Ruler of Darkness stood before him.
"...Rin?"
Kim Hyunwoo found himself blankly murmuring her name.
The Absolute Ruler of Darkness.
No, Rin forcibly suppressed the surging emotions.
She wanted to rush into the lord's arms right now, but she knew better.
At least, this wasn't the time.
'I have to apologize... apologize first.'
Rin knew what she had to do.
But now that she stood before him, she couldn't grasp what to say.
Tears simply welled up.
At the fact that he—the one she'd thought she'd never see again—was here now.
...At the fact that he had called her name.
Her heart pounded wildly.
"Hoo—"
Knowing she couldn't stay like this, she forced steady breaths, but her heart wouldn't calm.
It hadn't raced even facing great heroes who could cost her life.
Yet here it thundered madly at the mere presence of one man.
"Th-that... um—"
The Absolute Ruler of Darkness gave up calming her heart and decided to speak first.
'First... start from the beginning, one step at a time—'
Rin had heard a bit late that Kim Hyunwoo had returned, but she knew Lartania's history well.
She knew about that damned wolf coming first to warn of crisis, and the territory facing peril multiple times besides.
So, she had to explain that.
"First, I'm sorry for coming so late. I... I was retrieving that item, so I arrived late...!"
"...Item?"
Of course, her excuse was fully prepared.
The excuse centered on the 'Execution Sword.'
In truth, rumors had already spread from her flashy purchase in Lafengan, and they were sure to reach the lord's ears soon.
It wasn't good for Rin. But that's why she planned to spin the rumor into her defense.
That while searching for her lost Execution Sword, someone had snuck it away and put it up at Lafengan's auction house—delaying her.
At the same time, she wanted to show her sincerity.
By displaying all the gifts he'd ever given her, proving she'd never treated them carelessly, and begging forgiveness.
Thus.
"Truth is, I lost the Execution Sword by mistake... but someone snuck it to Lafengan's auction house and sold it...! Retrieving it delayed my return...!"
The Absolute Ruler of Darkness explained.
"...Lafengan territory's Execution Sword?"
"Y-yes, someone secretly took my Execution Sword to the auction house—!"
"Uh... that was me?"
"...Eh?"
Rin felt her mind go utterly blank.