chapter 133

Some time passed and Joseph was sent back to Fortren again. Now there was one week until the Colosseum fight with Gyeonso Dragon. It might seem like a long time but I had to prepare. As I plowed the fields and planted new crops, my strength and agility increased slightly.

Now I was squatting while making the diced mandragora kimchi. The setting sun colored the fields. The cubed mandragoras pieces were mixed in large basins. The world here didn’t have the gloves for making kimchi so I was currently touching the cubed kimchi with my hands.

“This is bullshit. Why are there no rubber gloves?”

Maybe it was natural but it was still annoying. In reality, rubber gloves were readily available but this world was different. Even so, I couldn’t help being angry.

Crunch.

“Spit. It isn’t tasty.”

It was because the fish sauce hadn’t been added yet. Kerenos, who had gone to buy the fish sauce, was so late…

“Hiyah! Whoa whoa.”

It was the sound of horseshoes. It sounded like Kerenos. He had gone to Windia next door to buy fish sauce but probably ended up running errands after meeting the lord. He stopped in front of me and I asked bluntly, “What took you so long?”

“Sigh. They didn’t sell the fish sauce you mentioned in Windia so I went to Fortren.”

“Hmm, really?” I felt sorry that he went all the way to Fortren but I didn’t show it.

He handed me something. “Here is the angelfish’s fish sauce that you wanted. I worked very hard to obtain this.”

[Angelfish’s Fish Sauce]

[Rating: Deluxe

The angelfish which live in the shallow part of the massive Atlan sea are salted fish.

Eating it is like flying from the sea to the sky and it has a good effect on energy.

-If you eat it steadily, the probability of getting various diseases is decreased.

-If you eat it steadily, your strength stat will permanently rise slightly.]

“Um, this is right. I’ve been looking for this.”

The Angelfish’s Fish Sauce was first developed by Alexus. He used it in many dishes but perhaps I was the first one to use it in cubed kimchi. Fortunately, it still existed 500 years later. I immediately scooped two tablespoons of it and scattered it over the basins repeatedly. Due to the large quantity, I had to use a lot of fish sauce.

Finally, the desired message came up.

Ttiring~

[Pure! Diced Mandragora Kimchi!]

[Autumn radish is a tonic!

The weather chef has a deep touch due to his mature life.

It would be nice to have a chance to look back on whether our life has matured well or if our life is delicious.

This is slightly less aged and has a strong sour taste.

The mandragora has the effect of activating the metabolism and relieving paralysis.

-Star Taste: ☆☆☆☆

-Expiration Date: 20 days.

-Health Recovery: 400. Magic Power Recovery: 400.

Efficacy: Eating this dish will significantly reduce the probability of getting various diseases.

Once eaten, then strength stat will permanently rise slightly. (One time only)

Temporarily relieve various conditions.

Reduce the chances of being attacked first by a plant monster by 30%.

All stats will increase by 3% for 30 minutes.

Maximum health will increase by 50%.

*After 4 hours at room temperature, it will be even more delicious to eat.]

“Oh, I got a decent dish.”

There was no option for the weather blessings since I didn’t use Solar or Punghee but the efficacy was still great. It reduced the probability of getting various diseases and also cleared abnormal states. It was temporary but it was a 3% rise in all stats. However, the most notable thing was the increase in the strength stat. It was also permanent.

“It is only one time… I can’t miss it.”

I took a bite-sized piece of radish kimchi and ate it.

[The metabolism of your entire body is activated.]

[Your energy will slightly improve.]

[The strength stat has increased by 8.]

“Ahh. It rose by eight points.”

It might be a virtual reality but it really felt like my energy was improved. I handed a bite to Kerenos as well. Yet why was this rotten guy spitting it out?

“Old man, what is this? It’s so spicy.”

“Shut up and eat. It is good for your energy.”

“Ah… Cough cough. Really?”

Kerenos silently put the diced radish kimchi into his mouth. Strangely, he seemed to like it after gaining a bit of strength. I put one basin in my inventory. It wasn’t easy to make so it would be a shame to leave it behind. Then I ordered, “Go and share these with the villagers.”

“Huh? Me? Isn’t this a lot?”

“Yes, I need to leave for a while.”

“Why all of a sudden? Where are you going?”

“I have something to do in Fortren.”

“No, what do you mean by leaving the village?”

“I’m going to fight someone.”

“……”

I looked at the serious-looking Kerenos and realized I didn’t say who I was fighting and the reason. I started to give him a detailed explanation. After a while, he sighed. “So… you’re going to the Colosseum? To fight that friend called Gyeonso Dragon?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… if it is the Colosseum then I know it. It is said to be a huge duel arena recently established by a rich noble. I know that if the person you bet on wins, you will get money.”

Making money…? I didn’t know there was such a thing. Well, it didn’t matter. In any case, my purpose was to have a duel with him.

“In any case, give these to the villagers. Don’t eat it all by yourself.”

“Am I a child? I’ll leave it alone.”

“Tsk. A young man is grumbling. In any case, I have to train now. Take it and disappear.”

I stood up and washed my hands with drinking water from a nearby river. Then I stood in the middle of a 25 pyeong field that I deliberately created. I didn’t plant any crops because I was going to use it as my personal training field.

“Let’s get started.”

There was an old man flying around in the glow of the sunset.

* * *

A large city with the highest number of merchants. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say all the world’s trade passed through here. Then a man appeared in the center of commerce. It was Joseph but his attire was a bit different from usual. He was now looking down at Fortren from the roof of a building. The all-black clothing emphasized secrecy and seemed to glow subtly in the moonlight. The black mask hanging around his neck fluttered freely.

Joseph opened his mouth in the silent moonlight. “I feel it every time I come here but it’s really amazing.”

Underneath him were many people. The dazzling night view seemed reminiscent of Las Vegas and there was actually a casino. It was famous for its commerce but it had a variety of gambling and nightlife. It was also famous for its mines. However, that wasn’t all. There were many kingdoms in Arkstar and many ruling systems. There were kingdoms with a constitutional monarchy. Kingdoms that sought democracy. Kingdoms that adopted communism or a republic…

Meanwhile, Fortren pursued a slightly unusual system.

‘Capitalism…’

Money was the best. If one had money then they could be anything, even a king. Currently, this place was ruled by the 57th king, Kirius. He had gone into business as a child and accumulated a lot of money to become the richest person on the continent. He finally settled here and became king.

“Dammit. Some people are kings because they have a lot of money. What am I?”

If one were to ask about how much wealth Kirius possessed, it was possible to say that he could buy a country with money. However, this wasn’t the person Joseph wanted to meet now.

“Sigh. I’m shaking but it can’t be helped. I have to live and do everything I want in my life.”

The reason why he came to Fortren was clear. He wore the black mask that was around his neck as his heart thumped. At the same time, a woman in silk clothing was busy running over. The cold wind tickled her cheeks.

“This is the money for my twin’s milk.”

Joseph tied a black hood around his head. He would be a kidnapper tonight.

* * *

On a day where the moonlight was dim.

Someone sneaked out the back door of the huge mansion. Her name was Helena. She was the second wife of Aidan, leader of the top business group and the person rumoured to be the next king. She sprinkled reagents she secretly made on the wall and sneaked out of the guarded mansion. Fortunately, she wasn’t detected. Helena sighed with relief and tied a silk cloth around her face.

“Phew. It wasn’t easy.”

Aidan’s suspicions lately were clearly noticeable. A few days ago, when she had briefly left the house at night to meet her beloved Kis, he had entered her room and found her gone. She was frightened and said she had briefly gone for a walk outside but his suspicions grew worse.

“I might’ve been sold for 300 seok [1] of rice but isn’t this too much?I am from Garbage Village. What can I do if I have to stay in a mansion?”

Unfortunately, she was married to Aidan for 300 seok of rice. Someone might blame her father but this wasn’t uncommon in Garbage Village. Therefore, she didn’t blame her father. No, she was more concerned for her blind father.

“Today, Kis will be waiting in the forest nearby.”

Kis and Helena had been in love since they were in Garbage Village. She first met him by the river. She ate the fish he caught and they became very close. Kis fed the people of Garbage Village with the fish he caught so Helena fell in love with him. Aidan threatened to burn down Garbage Village so they had to break up, but Kis still loved her. The secret couple’s love grew even greater and today, he secretly sent her a note via pigeon to meet up. She and Kis using to put little notes on the pigeon to talk to each other but Aidan’s surveillance had been so strict that none could be exchanged for several days. Today, a note arrived for the first time in ages.

-My beloved Helena.

Come to the forest in the south.

I’ll be there waiting.

Let’s share your favorite drink with some fish tonight.

“Huhut. This Kis.”

She looked at the note and her cheeks turned red. It was because she knew what type of alcohol he would bring. It was the lips…

“You finally showed up.”

“Kyaaaaak!” Helena screamed as a man’s voice was heard behind her. She thought the person behind her was Kis but it wasn’t. The man was wearing a black mask. Yes, it was like an assassin. “W-Who are you? Are you here to kill me?”

Yes, this was probably the case. She might be tied to him through a political marriage but she was Aidan’s second wife. She hadn’t slept with him yet but she was in a position where she could be threatened.

“No, I am a kidnapper.”

“K-Kidnapper? D-Did you come to kidnap me?” Helena’s voice trembled. She shivered as she felt the fear of death for the first time since she was born.

‘Kis, where the hell are you?’

She wanted to see him. It was a bit early but he was probably wandering over here right now. However, the kidnapper continued. “No.”

“Huh? T-Then who will you kidnap?”

A question mark appeared over Helena’s head. The kidnapper stated, “Kis.”

“Huh?”

“I have kidnapped your lover, Kis.”

Helena’s legs shook.

[1] 1 seok – roughly 20 kg