Chapter 887. Vacation (5)
‘That was faster than I thought.’
Adventurer Guilds were places for people to find jobs, so we knew that people would approach us the moment we entered one. After all, someone whose purpose for visiting a city was merely sightseeing would not visit an adventurer guild. Instead, they'd go to an ordinary inn and settle there until it was time for them to go home.
Despite expecting that we'd get approached, it still happened faster than we thought.
The moment Lee Ji-Hoo and I stepped into this place, we basically told people that we were open to anything. We were indirectly telling them to come to us if they had a decent job, useful information, or if they were a skilled adventurer.
Since this guy had decided to walk up to us directly instead of just staring at us from afar meant that he was a skilled adventurer himself.
‘Or he might have other motives...’
There was also a chance that he simply wanted to be friends, but he was definitely friendly, regardless of his motives. He looked like a westerner in his late 20s. I activated Mind’s Eye and saw his overall stats.
‘Epic-rank and more...’
“I’m embarrassed to say this, but I'm Jillane the Gale.”
‘Not bad.’
Overall, he looked friendly.
Although his nickname was kind of cheesy, his agility stat was high.
He seemed easygoing, too.
“Excuse me, I heard from afar that you’re from Castlerock located in the Sacred Democratic Country. I was thrilled when I heard that because I stayed at Castlerock for quite some time in the past...” Jillane said.
The adventurers in Colorado were trying to open up a place to exchange information, and this timing wasn't really that bad.
I glanced at Lee Ji-Hoo, and I saw him nodding. I bowed and stepped back.
Jillane seemed to have understood that as Lee Ji-Hoo giving him the permission to take a seat because he nodded and stepped forward. After sitting down, he looked at Lee Ji-Hoo quietly.
‘I kind of felt like a maid just now.’
I knew I was not supposed to be proud, but I felt proud for some reason.
I was really acting like Aris.
“I’ll buy you a drink to celebrate our meeting,” Jillane offered.
“...”
“You've come from afar, after all,” Jillane said.
“It’s not even that far these days since there are warp gates,” Lee Ji-Hoo said.
“Haha... you’re right. How is Castlerock these days? Has it changed a lot?” Jillane asked.
“It has gone through a ton of development. There are positive and negative changes, but they are great for the adventurers overall,” Lee Ji-Hoo answered.
“But it’s probably not as good as this place,” Jillane said, “I know Colorado is known as the land of opportunity, and that’s probably the reason why many people have been visiting this city. It’s definitely—”
“So... Mr. Jillane... Why did you come here? I’m an impatient person, so I'd like to know as soon as possible,” Lee Ji-Hoo interrupted.
“Haha, it’s nothing serious. I simply wanted to be friends because you’re not from here...” Jillane replied.
“...”
‘This bastard is lying.’
“I’m kidding. Haha... I just have a feeling that I can give you what you want, Mr. Lee Ji-Hoo. I’m sure there’s a reason you came all the way here.
"Since you decided to visit this place, are you perhaps looking for a useful mercenary? Maybe you’re looking for a rumor or perhaps a dungeon...” Jillane trailed off.
“Interesting theory,” Lee Ji-Hoo commented.
“Regardless, I’m sure you came here looking for an adventure... Colorado isn’t a city that’s kind to foreigners. I don’t know about the inner part of the city, but you’ll understand what I’m talking about once you're outside the city.
"If you’re trying to get information or if you want to work here for a long time, then I suggest you increase the number of your party members. Since you’re recruiting mercenaries...” Jillane trailed off.
“Hmm... I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about going on a dungeon exploration... Do you have any useful information?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.
“I have a few things that might catch your interest. They’re not known dungeons, though..." Jillane muttered.
‘Something smells fishy.’
I started seeing him in a different light; something felt so off that I couldn’t focus on what they were saying.
“If what you’re saying is correct, what do you want in return?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.
“I’m not cheap, y’know,” Jillane replied.
Jillane was kind of impudent, but he wasn’t lying.
Some of his stats were close to legendary; his job and attributes weren’t bad, either. I also wanted to give him additional points for his cheesy nickname, which was Gale.
He had been working in Colorado for a long time as well, which meant that he had a ton of experience clearing quests and conquering dungeons. His stats were pretty good, he was pretty handsome, and if he was a mercenary for hire, then I'd understand his high price.
The problem was that he was looking at me.
‘...’
His gaze was like a slithering snake as he looked up and down at the pitiful and miserable Lee Ki-Yeon.
It seemed that the answer had always been there all this while.
“...”
“There might be an easier way than gold,” Jillane responded.
“Interesting,” Lee Ji-Hoo said.
'It’s not interesting at all, damn it.'
‘You're a villain...’
Lee Ji-Hoo dragged me toward him. I tried to stop him, but it was no use. A ripping sound echoed, and the collar of my clothes was torn apart.
I hurriedly covered my collarbones with my hands, but they already saw it.
‘The slave seal.’
Damn it. Her attention to detail was scary. I told her that we shouldn’t add something like this because someone would definitely notice it. At a glance, it looked like a simple tattoo, but it was a magical seal that one would often see in a black market.
“I knew it... I’m pretty knowledgeable when it comes to such contracts...” Jillane said.
‘This bastard. He must have been in that black market in Castlerock. I found it strange that he mentioned being at Castlerock for a while.’
“I don’t know the details, but that’s none of my business,” Jillane said.
“Hm...”
There was greed in the eyes of the horny bastard.
After checking the slave seal, his gaze toward me became strange.
He looked at me as if he was looking at an object.
‘Wow, it’s a good thing that I came here. I can’t believe jerks like him still exist.’
Obviously, it had been a while since slavery became illegal in the Sacred Democratic Country. I couldn't get rid of it completely, but slave trading had been illegal for quite a long time now.
Jillane assumed that Lee Ji-Hoo was working for a ruined black market or was connected to an illegal business. He probably thought that he had come to the Federation to start anew since business in the Democratic Country was bad.
His misunderstanding was his own problem, but it was pretty convincing.
“There are still some places in the Federation where this is legal, but it’s illegal in most of the big cities because of the great and mighty Saint of Light. Fortunately, it’ll take a long time before that law spreads throughout the continent, and there’s no way his eyes can scour the entire world,” Jillane said.
“...”
“Some big cities have been doing it discreetly, and since the Federation’s situation isn’t as great as the other countries, there are a ton of loopholes here. What do you think?” Jillane asked.
“Are you saying there’s a black market here?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.
“Stop playing dumb. Didn’t you come here knowing that there's one here? You don’t need to worry about the outside world. It’s not something you can go out and show off, so we covered the eyes and ears of those nearby. If you hire me, I’m willing to give you the details... I still haven’t heard your answer yet,” Jillane offered.
Lee Ji-Hoo didn't even look at me as he talked to Jillane.
‘Shit.’
Accepting his offer was the right thing to do because Lee Ji-Hoo still wasn’t aware of the fact that he loved Lee Ki-Yeon. His love was twisted, and he was basically evil.
He wasn’t afraid of playing dirty if it meant getting what he wanted or if it meant becoming entertained. He was basically like a child.
Lee Ki-Yeon was nothing more than a toy he cherished.
Of course, there was a minor plot point that he’d really regret his actions once Lee Ki-Yeon was no longer next to him. However, Lee Ki-Yeon was still next to him, so he had yet to figure out his true feelings.
I noticed Lee Ji-Hoo's gaze becoming a bit colder as he stared at me.
‘You're getting too immersed, damn it.’
“Hmm... What do you think, noona?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked with a playful look.
“...”
“I think it’s best if I ask you,” Lee Ji-Hoo added.
Lee Ji-Hoo was someone who had never received any love from anyone, so his expression of affection had mutated in a twisted way, which meant that he enjoyed torturing Lee Ki-Yeon, thinking that it was the best way to express affection.
‘No, don’t get too immersed... the details are too refined, damn it.’
“Y-Young Master,” I stuttered.
“You don’t want to?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.
‘Think of an answer, Ki-Yeon. You’re confident and smart. You ended up in this situation because you had no choice, but you’re wise.’
Obviously, I didn’t think Lee Ji-Hye was actually going to hand me over, but this felt like a test.
“I-I-I...” I mumbled.
First, I decided to look nervous. I placed my hand on my chest and looked at my savior. With tears in my eyes, I tried to look pitiful and weak to the point that I could break at any moment.
Lee Ji-Hoo still looked evil as if he was telling me that begging for sympathy was the wrong answer. I know this wasn't the answer because Lee Ji-Hoo really liked it whenever Lee Ki-Yeon was obedient to him.
In the end, I spoke quietly and bit my lips as if I made my decision.
“I-I’ll do... whatever the young master... wants...”
Lee Ji-Hoo revealed a crooked smile and nodded.
Jillane grabbed my hand tightly as if I had given him consent to do so.
Boom!
Jillane was blasted away, and he was sent flying to a wall.
My collarbones were only revealed briefly, but Lee Ji-Hoo quietly wrapped his cape around me. He acted indifferent, and he looked as if he couldn't understand why he was acting like this. He was disappointed in himself for losing his mind for a moment, and he looked nervous due to the possibility that he could be attracted to me.
I was sure those emotions would disappear by tomorrow, but they were definitely burning deep inside his heart right now as if they were an unquenchable flame.
‘Damn it, Ji-Hoo! Is this really how it’s supposed to happen?’
“I don’t like your offer,” Lee Ji-Hoo said coldly.
‘I might fall for you, Ji-Hoo.’
I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next.
*
- From that night on, Lee Ji-Hoo begins to mistake that volcano-like burning feeling inside him as rage, oppa. He starts harassing Lee Ki-Yeon more persistently, more harshly, and relentlessly. Then, he’ll blame Lee Ki-Yeon for the fact that he's getting swayed. He'll blame her for everything.
- You’re getting too immersed, noona.
- You did well, too. I mean, your heart is still racing. Why are you so sexy?