Chapter 892. Vacation (10)
“You crazy bastard!” Jin Cheong roared.
“What?”
“You’re a lunatic... Shit! Shit!” Jin Cheong swore.
He became really emotional.
“These tragic incidents have been happening because you've been refusing to cooperate with me,” I said.
“...”
Jin Cheong's eyes were quivering, and it seemed that he was truly angry.
I felt like he was kind of losing his mind.
“Why so serious? How come you're still about your public image when you've been visiting this black market so often? I guess you're still obsessed with honor.” I pointed out.
“...”
“Well, it’s understandable that you’d be worried. Some people have been saying that you’re a lustful man, but they’re technically correct, as you've hurriedly purchased a servant when you're so busy that you barely have time to return to the Republic.
"You've allowed your desire to take over—like you’re a dog in heat...” I muttered.
“When did I...”
“You know that’s not what’s important, Commander. I’m sure the denizens of the Republic will love that news,” I added.
“That should be my line. You’re the Honorary Cardinal of the Sacred Democratic Country and the God of Sacrifice and Revival. However, you actually switched genders and have been spending time in a filthy place like this.
"I’m sure the people will be happy to hear that,” Jin Cheong retaliated.
“Don’t even think about playing games with me,” I warned.
The Joker of Linderl, Lee Ki-Yeon, would never stop nor compromise.
“So you have things to lose as well,” Jin Cheong said.
“Well, it really doesn’t matter. I don’t even think that they'll believe you anyway... If you want to get involved with me that badly, then do it. Also, did I ever say that I wanted to fight? I was merely suggesting that we compromise and figure things out together.
"You know how I do things. This will be profitable for both of us. I’m not asking you to do anything difficult. I just want you to play along with me for a bit. You’re so close-minded. I know we started off on the wrong foot, but it's all water under the bridge,” I explained.
It was true that we had an ill-fated relationship, but it was all in the past. Those times had become nothing more than just a part of our memories.
I had done all of this to help you grow—all this was training for the Hero of Shadows.
“You good-for-nothing...” Jin Cheong muttered.
'Like the continent that has just started growing again, don't you think that we should start growing as well?'
I cast a warm gaze at Jin Cheong as he stood up awkwardly.
“...”
One had to cast a warm gaze upon others for them to reciprocate the deed, but Jin Cheong's gaze was pretty cold.
‘Is he trying to hit me?’
'Hit me if you dare. Ha-Yan will come immediately and hit you back.'
I had no idea what to say, but many different thoughts popped up into my head.
I was grateful that he was being rational, at the very least.
If he had lost his mind, he would’ve hit me by now. If he were to decide to beat me up, then I’d act like the weak and fragile Lee Ki-Yeon. I’d act like a rabbit trembling in its den—I'd act like a cornered Lee Ki-Young.
And that was when Jin Cheong sighed and said, "Stop the disgusting antics."
“Then...”
“I’ll work with you, but there’s a limit to it. Also, you need to offer me something that will match my efforts,” Jin Cheong said.
'Does he not care about what happens anymore?' There was a high chance that realized that he wouldn't be able to avoid this. He was probably thinking about acting tough for a bit and taking care of whatever I needed him to do before I hurt his pride even more.
He was probably thinking of going home as fast as possible to enjoy a cup of tea. Of course, I was sure that he was thinking about how he was too unlucky today as well.
“All right, let’s do that. Let’s look around the market first. I want to see what kind of potion it is. Ah, bring the stuff outside in here,” I requested.
“You...”
“What? Want me to go out there” I questioned.
“I’ll bring it in,” Jin Cheong said.
“...”
“...”
“The food isn’t bad.”
Jin Cheong looked annoyed while staring at me as I ate.
Once I was done with my meal, I pushed the plates aside and changed clothes.
The clothes looked like a typical qipao. The only difference was that there was a slit on the side. I threw away the clothes that I was wearing earlier, and I felt like I was finally wearing proper clothes.
The black dress had gold decorations, and the fabric itself felt pretty nice to the skin.
I could tell that the black market was meticulous in their choice of clothing, and the reason they sent this high-quality clothing was that Jin Cheong was from the Republic, and they wanted to leave a good impression on him.
“I like it,” I said.
When I expressed my satisfaction, Jin Cheong looked at me with confusion. Perhaps it was because I had been living on the continent for too long, but he looked at me the way a person would look at a foreigner eating kimchi.
I didn’t say anything to him, but he seemed to have realized that I was ready because he left the room.
I had to follow him while maintaining a certain distance from him.
Obviously, many people were looking at us, making up assumptions about what had happened inside the room just now.
The maids responsible for maintaining the VIP room we were in earlier looked at me.
'It will be strange if I act too normal, so I’ll act like I’m kind of tired. Cheong, I’m helping you with your image here, okay?'
“Do you know where they're sold?” I asked.
“I know where they sell potions that aren’t sold to the public. It’s probably that place,” Jin Cheong replied.
“Not sold to the public... I’m curious since I’m an alchemist as well,” I said.
“I’m sure you're already familiar with them. There are many potions with fatal side effects, such as berserker potions and curse potions. I heard that many people have been using them...” Jin Cheong explained.
“If it’s a potion that will get rid of one's fear during battle, it’s worth selling. Since I’m an alchemist as well, I’ve been researching something similar, but it wasn’t worth it in the end.
"We can’t keep relying on potions while hunting, and I’m sure it’s being sold to adventurers who are too weak to live as adventurers,” I said.
“You mean like the people of Colorado?” Jin Cheong asked.
“Yes. I knew there was something fishy. Have you been to Colorado?” I asked.
“...”
“Most of the people in that city are potion addicts. I think most of them have PTSD. The potions are only being distributed to Colorado, but who knows what will happen in the future? They might distribute them throughout the entire Federation and even the Republic,” I said.
“That won’t happen,” Jin Cheong said.
“How can you say for sure? Those criminals are really systematic, you know? There are many moving parts—much more than you think. We even need to search the Magic Tower and question some of the Republic and the Sacred Democratic Country's key officials.
"I guess I’ve been looking at the bigger picture a bit too much. Have you been reading the messages that I've been sending you to your mail?” I asked.
“Do I need to answer that?" Jin Cheong asked.
“I’ve been busy trying to draw the bigger picture. As a god managing the continent, my focus is spread thin. Anyway, are you interested in that?” I asked.
“Not interested,” Jin Cheong answered.
“I’ve been training people because I need help, but we need someone who can help right away. Updating the natural laws of the continent, the dungeons, controlling the monster ecology and their population, and even coming up with quests and events..."
"There are so many things to do that I can’t list them one by one, but I’m sure you’ll be helpful. Help me, and you’ll become qualified in no time... It’s a win-win situation for both of us.
"Ji-Hye noona and I have been taking care of things somehow, but we lack manpower...” I explained.
“It hasn’t been that long since I decided not to get involved with you any longer, you bastard,” Jin Cheong said.
‘But I’m sure he’s interested...’
“...”
‘He’s a control freak as well.’
I was sure he felt anxious by the fact that things were happening in places that he couldn't see. He was pretending that he wasn't a control freak, but I was very certain that once he was alone, he'd search his mail frantically for that message.
'I think it's best to delete those messages full of swear words or the messages I sent as a joke.'
Jin Cheong had cast a spell that separated us from the people outside as we conversed, but many people were still looking at us. It seemed that the news of what had transpired in the black market had already spread, as some people were staring at Jin Cheong with disgust.
Of course, I also saw people smiling at Jin Cheong, and there were even some bold enough to approach him.
“Excuse me, Commander. I’m sorry, but—”
“I’m Hedler from the Federation. If you have time, I’d like to talk—"
“I heard you got a nice servant.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to invite you to my place sometime. I’d like to show you my collection—”
The majority of them wanted to share their hobbies with Jin Cheong, and I was sure he wanted to tell them that he was different from them, but no one would believe him. He seemed to have realized that fact because he ignored them all and walked away.
I knew we were in a massive estate, but the place was bigger than what I imagined.
It was like a mall with restaurants and a variety of shops people could enjoy.
There were gladiator fights, slave markets, and monster trading shops as well. There were so many things to see that I couldn’t look away. There was also an exchange shop for stolen goods and even an illegal casino.
“You visited that place often, right, Commander? You probably went there to play games. Have you heard people say something along the lines of 'put your life on the line if you don’t have the chips to pay or offer one of your hands as payment'?” I asked.
“...”
“Remember the game we played when we first met? Does that casino have that game?"
“...”
‘They must have it.’
“You talk too much,” Jin Cheong said.
“Ah, that must be the potion exchange shop.” I pointed out.
They were displayed pretty well, and I didn't feel like I was in a black market at all. I activated Mind’s Eye and looked around quietly.
Meanwhile, I saw Jin Cheong talking to the staffer who walked forward to greet him.
“I’d like to meet the alchemist who’s distributing potions throughout Colorado. If you have these potions in stock, I’d like to take...”
‘He’s doing well.’
I checked some of the potions with Mind’s Eye...
‘Hm...’
'Can I assume that this is the third-rate version of that hallucinogenic potion? They must’ve gotten a ton of information from the potion that was being distributed throughout Celia a long time ago.'
I looked at Jin Cheong while tapping my thigh.
The masked scum walked up to me and said, “They don’t seem to have any information about the alchemist. Anyway, did you find what you were looking for?”
“I did,” I answered.
“What's the plan?” Jin Cheong asked.
“There’s no plan. I found a sample, so let’s just blow it up,” I replied.
“...”
“...”
“How come you suddenly became a man of justice? I thought you weren’t really interested in black markets,” Jin Cheong asked.
‘Man of justice, my ass.’
“I just need to know what's going on,” I said.
Just then, I heard a commotion outside.
“The warp gate!”
“Shit! What’s going on?! The warp gate has been blocked.”
“I’m sorry, everyone. There’s an ongoing issue with the warp gate. It will be stabilized soon...”
'Nice.'
“How dare you try to dirty my things.”
'Nice.'
“...”
“I need to go back now... Damn it...”
“Stop pushing. Please stop pushing!”
“The monster is running rampant! Security! Security!”
“Aaaahhhh!”
I smiled at the sight.
The Hero of Shadows realized what was going on and stared deeply at me.
“Crazy bastard...” Jin Cheong mumbled.