chapter 155

The short date was over. Thanks to that, I was able to have a good time with Jung Hayan, as well as find out how Castle Rock worked – almost like market research.

I was able to check how much their commodities were priced, and I was very satisfied. It seemed as if Castle Rock had a better condition than what initially thought.

‘Ah, but the reason why is obvious…’

Most of the hunting grounds around Lindel were already saturated. Of course, it had many jobs, but there was no shortage of unemployed citizens, either. Compared to that, Castle Rock was still full of jobs, and as a new city, it was definitely not lacking.

Its resources were abundant, and it was considered both a strategic location and the ideal economic hub.

‘It’s more useful than I thought…’

It didn’t seem like a bad idea to buy some land. Both the merchants and adventurers were active, and there was sufficient demand for certain necessities.

What was a little funny was…

‘Signs of danger?’

It didn’t look like a city where big things were going to happen.

According to Kim Hyunsung, something will happen in this city within the next month.

Our returner told me that there would be an imminent danger to Castle Rock, based on some data, and that was why we went on an expedition here in the first place. However, everything seemed peaceful, which meant that the people were blissfully ignorant of what was about to happen.

In the first place, the sign itself may have been a story that Kim Hyunsung made up, but one could never be too sure. Things might have been similar back in the first timeline, so it might prove to be a mistake not to prepare for such an event.

‘Most of the people here must have died…’

I thought Marlin and Little Rock were no exceptions.

“They’re lucky.”

“Yes? Did you say something, oppa?”

“After looking around a bit, I think we can definitely distribute our potions here.”

“Ah! You said they were lucky that people could use the potion you made!”

“Yes. As I said before, Castle Rock lacks priests. The potions here are of poor quality. Even more so when compared to the potion I made.”

“I see.”

“Of course, my overall level of alchemist has not risen by much, but… Since there is a lot of demand, it means that goods of that quality are also sold. Castle Rock is ideal…”

“I agree.”

“I didn’t think they were making potions in the Little Rock Guild.”

“I don’t think so, either.”

I smiled a little at Jung Hayan, who was constantly giving me encouraging replies. As we continued moving, Little Rock Guild slowly came into view.

‘It’s pretty fancy.

The Guild House itself was better than Blue’s. I could see that they were using a fairly large site.

I didn’t know about the architectural details, but it felt like a good quality material was used. Overall, the impression of showing off was strong.

‘Even the Red Mercenary is not that bold…’

Song Jungwook’s disposition definitely did not lie. He was the type of person who valued his appearance and was faithful to his ambition.

When we stepped inside, everyone’s gazes focused on us. I made sure to appear as confident as possible, responding calmly to the guild’s staffs greetings.

After talking with the guide who came to us right away, we headed to the parlor, where Jungwook had been waiting.

Of course, there were also some guild members next to him. Was this some sort of demonstrative show? They all had a certain vigor to them.

Anyhow, this was the first time we met again since the incident back on the boulevard. Jungwook’s expression didn’t look so good. He had been humiliated that day, after all.

As much as he was ambitious, I was sure that he valued reputation. If I had his personality, I would hold a grudge about this.

‘So what? So what are you going to do?’

Pretending to be weak here was unnecessary, especially when our power relationship was made clear.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, Vice Guild Master of Blue. Long time no see.”

“Hahaha. This first meeting wasn’t very good, but it’s nice to see you like this.”

“Yeah. Very nice to see you, Lee Kiyoung-ssi.”

“Hahaha. Come on, loosen up, Little Rock Master. Someone will think that you met an enemy.”

“Well, I’m hurt. Jungwook. If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to feel bad.”

“It’s an important meeting, after all.”

“You seem pretty relaxed for someone who is about to have an important meeting, Blue Vice Master. Having a leisurely date during the day… I’m feeling like a fool for preparing like this. No matter how prestigious you are in Lindel these days…”

“Yes, of course.”

“Our Castle Rock is not a subcontractor, nor is it subordinate to Lindel. Isn’t it correct to be polite, Lee Kiyoung-ssi?”

“It looks like there’s an edge to your voice, Jungwook-ssi. Hahaha.”

“I am not kidding right now. Blue Vice Master.”

“There seems to be some sort of misunderstanding.”

“What misunderstanding…?”

“This will be an important meeting for you, but not for me. Are you saying it’s rude for me to have a date with someone I love before joining a meeting like this? Pfft.”

“You…”

“And… I don’t know if you’ve tailed me, but… I’m a little disappointed with Jungwook. Isn’t this an invasion of privacy?”

His expression distorted. He didn’t even know what I was talking about.

‘I miss Ito Souta.

An ambitious guy who can’t even smell power like this… It disgusted me.

Even though I had already given various hints, it seemed that he had already made up his mind to hate me as he continued to maintain that attitude. For a guy who raised a guild this big, his scope of thinking was very narrow.

I did something that could’ve made him hate me, but I felt like there was more to this than I had initially thought.

For example…

‘Marlin Young-ae?’

It was not entirely impossible. It would happen everywhere that a man with a strong desire for power would use the immature aristocratic as a means of success.

I realized that we had been entangled in an interesting manner.

‘It was Cho Hyejin and now Marlin?’

As I laughed, I could see him opening his mouth in surprise, looking dumbfounded.

“Please go back. I thought it would be better to meet with you at least once for Marlin Young-ae, but I don’t want to work with someone who is not polite.”

“Ah, are you sending me back like this? Little Rock Guild Master?”

“I have said it politely, Blue Vice Guild Master. Our Little Rock is not going to trade anything with Blue. No, it’s not just Little Rock. All the guilds and clans in Castle Rock will not want to work with Blue.”

“You will regret this.”

“I will not be polite to you twice. If you don’t want to be forced out, please just go quietly.”

“I’m the one who is not going to be polite to you twice, Little Rock Guild Master. I would like you to listen to what I have to say before getting upset.”

“I’ll assume that you have consented, then. In that case, I’ll tell you slowly. Hey. Song Jungwook-ssi. Have you ever heard of a case such as young people or artists starting to gather in a specific area?”

“What are you…”

“Please listen first. Puhaha! I don’t know what happened, but anyway, the young people and artists that had gathered coincidentally slowly developed the area and the streets. Each way was different. They painted murals and opened shops with unique and distinct concepts, and gradually changed them as they create their own festivals and cultures.”

“The press quickly focused on the area. An area where artists work! They say it’s a neighborhood with lots of good restaurants… Pfft. Celebrities or social media stars, who are self-proclaimed celebrities, would go around the places created by artists and young people as if it was their own property. You’ve probably seen similar situations a lot.”

“So… What does that have to do with our situation now?”

“The same will go for a place like this. It might seem pretty plausible at first. However, in the end, it will have a heartbreaking ending.”

“This is because they come in with bread.”

“What are you…”

“By this, I mean big capital or big companies.”

“That…”

“The landlords, who at first have done nothing, will immediately raise their rent and drive out the young artists who created that glorious place. They will expel shed bloody tears, but there’s nothing they can do. That is because they are in a weak position. Well, the explanation is long, but in the end, they lose the place they live.”

Song Jungwook’s expression began to distort once more.

“As if waiting for this moment, large franchise companies and self-employed people who want to taste the money rush in, and eventually the streets of young artists are occupied by the current vested interests with large capital. The problem stands here! Who is the young artist in this situation? Who are the big companies with huge capital?”

I could see his mouth shaking.

“Who has the capital and influence that can shake your home?”

His pupils had begun to largen.

“Who has a product that can shake the market’s economy?”

He flinched.

“Who has a close relationship with the Red Mercenary and the Black Swan, who is the Honorary Bishop appointed to the Cardinal of the Pope’s side, and maintains a very close relationship with Castle Rock’s daughter?”

Of course, his reaction came right away. At this point, he would either bow in submission or fly into a rage. It seemed that a lot had chosen the latter.

Though Song Jungwook quietly looked at me, the guild members behind him began to spit out disbelieving remarks complete with reddened expressions.

“What nonsense!”

“Shut your mouth!”

After a while, however, their angry expressions paled. They trembled as if threatened—an expression of fear formed on their faces.

Of course, they were not trembling at what I had said. Following their line of sight, the source of their fear was soon evident.

They had been staring at Jung Hayan, who quietly stood behind me.

‘Wow… Fuck, that’s creepy.’

Jung Hayan had been staring at them with an expression that could be called terrifying, even by my standards.

‘It would be better to cancel the thought of marriage.’