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Chapter 31. Kang Chul-In, at the front!
What is a bus driver.
The term “bus driver” originated from online games, where it described those who used their high levels, skills, and items to help low level players clear dungeons or lead a team into victory.
Simply said, the low-level players were the passengers, and the high level players were the drivers. Therefore, in the peacock dragon conquest this time, Kang Chul-In’s role would be to get the explorers to get on the bus like passengers.
It was a difficult thing to do.
It was not easy to grow a low-level, newbie group of explorers and go against a Level 40 Monster. Bluntly said, it was as impossible as a camel passing through a needle hole.
But…
Maybe it was impossible for someone else, but Kang Chul-In had a way.
Even if they could not take on other Level 40 monsters, it was very possible to make them able to handle one peacock dragon.
He was sort of a professional peacock dragon hunter.
Because he had full understanding of the monster, Kang Chul-In’s plan was not a delusion, but a possible goal.
Kang Chul-In opened the store as soon as he got back to Laputa.
-Item Store.
-Normal, Magic, rare item purchase available.
-Sovereign level rises, and the items available for purchase levels rises.
[Main Weapons]
[Sub Weapons]
[Shield]
[Clothing]
[Expendables]
[Accessories]
[Utilities pertaining to Land Management]
*Gold or Jewels are needed in purchasing items.
*Epic level items are not available for purchase in the store.
Kang Chul-In knew exactly what items he needed to buy. The items that he purchased were as follows.
-10 Blood Swords (5Gold Each, 50 Gold total)
-25 Black Thorn Spears (10 Gold Each, 250 Gold total)
-5 Cold Pavise (A large shield, about 8kg, very heavy.) (20 Gold each, 100 Gold total)
-70 Stamina Potion Low level (1 Gold Each, 70 Gold)
-70 Low level Wisdom potion (3 Gold Each, 210 Gold total)
-2 Chains (50 Gold each, 100 Gold total)
Total: 780 Gold
Will you purchase the above items? (Yes/No)
780 Gold.
It was a large sum of money totaling almost 32,000 dollars so it made him cringe a little, but he did not feel like it was a waste.
He would collect most of the items back anyways, and this would be cheaper than purchasing an army. Gold could be gathered and earned back, but dead people would not come back alive.
‘This is enough.’
With this, he had everything he needed in order to face the peacock dragon.
“Lucia, load these items onto the wagon.”
“Yes, Sovereign.”
“Tell Timothy, 3 weeks’ worth of rations for 40 men also needs to be prepared.”
“Yes, Sovereign.”
“Ah, also…”
Kang Chul-In added.
“I will take Podorski in this conquest.”
“The Director of Security, my Sovereign?”
“Yes.”
“But Podorski is questioning Kimura…”
“What? He is caught already?”
“Two days after he hid, Podorski found him hiding inside the closet and locked him inside the dungeon with handcuffs.”
“He is like I thought.”
“Huh? What do you mean…”
“Ah, nothing.”
Podorski, was the master of capture and binding.
“But, my Sovereign how is it that you are taking Podorski? For the peacock dragon conquest, it seems like Commander James is more fit for the role.”
Lucia asked.
“I have a reason.”
Kang Chul-In answered with an unknown smile.
“And what is that…”
“If you want to hunt a dragon, you need to bind those wings first.”
“…!”
“The Podorski that I have seen is a master in knots and binding. I do not think there is one better to handle the metal chains than him.”
“Oh, really? I did not know that Podorski had such skills.”
“It is even the way he looks.”
“…?”
Lucia did not understand what Kang Chul-In was saying at all, and tilted her head in confusion. There was no way for her to know that Podorski looked exactly like the Korean Police Department mascot.
“Do not try to know everything.”
“Ah, yes my Sovereign.”
“Prepare everything.”
“Yes, Sovereign.”
And the preparations ended with that.
Next morning.
Kang Chul-In set out to meet the explorers.
“Oh, Oh! Our Sovereign is going out!”
“Sovereign! Please rid us of the bad monster!”
“Please be safe!”
“Our people are putting our faith in you!”
Around 500 people of Laputa saw Kang Chul-In off and paid their respects to their leader.
‘It’s perfect!’
Lucia who was standing on the right side of Kang Chul-In worthy of her position as an advisor, she was very much pleased with the current situation.
Kang Chul-In’s march to battle was small, but was filled with class and authority.
Kang Chul-In who was wearing a black armor with the print of a tiger on it showed off the Sovereign image. And the white horse that Kang Chul-In was on was a horse from a good bloodline—enough to add more authority to the Sovereign.
And to the right and left of Kang Chul-In, there stood Lucia who was wearing a tight leather suit, sword, and shield, and Podorski who was wearing a blue uniform. It exemplified power and authority to anyone who saw.
How was the back?
Bulls as big as a house were pulling three wagons that held items and food for the Explorers, and the ten troops that were guarding the wagons were the most competent soldiers of Laputa, in full armor.
All these things were a scene that Lucia had prepared. She had shown her potential as an advisor.
“I don’t know if there is a need for the troops as well.”
Kang Chul-In said.
“I am using the Explorers to preserve our troops, but this seems counterintuitive.”
However, Lucia’s opinions differed from that of Kang Chul-In.
“Sovereign, I think that I am right this time around.”
“Really?”
“Yes, a Sovereign needs to have authority. No matter how charismatic and competent you are, I do not think the explorers will see that right away. Also, humans are highly dependent on what they see and they are quick to judge others based on this. I believe that it is right to prevent any possible negative thoughts amongst the explorers before it happens.”
Lucia was right.
Alfred in the past had also often pointed out Kang Chul-In’s flaws such as these and nagged at him often.
“Sovereign, maintain your dignity!”
“Sovereign, please do not go to the enemy’s side on your own!”
“The author called Dorian is too frivolous. How is this putting some distance? I cannot close my eyes at night worried you might become frivolous as well!”
Lucia probably would have agreed with Alfred as well.
“You are right.”
Kang Chul-In agreed with Lucia and nodded. He needed an aura of sovereignty from the beginning if he was to control the Explorers from the start.
It was about an hour and 30 minutes from Laputa to the entrance of the Dark Forest, so Kang Chul-In spoke about many things with Podorski and Lucia while on his horse. Kang Chul-In mostly listened.
“This humble servant, Podorski is so honored and glad that you have called me, my Sovereign!”
Podorski who was riding on the wagon with the supplies laughed loudly and was happy. The handcuffs that were on his left waist gleamed in the reflection of the sun.
“I will make sure to tie up the peacock dragon’s wings and prove that your trust in me is worthy!”
It seemed like Podorski was fired up to prove himself.
“Ha. Director General, you know a few tricks, but do you have the skills to please the Sovereign?”
Lucia looked at Podorski and laughed.
“Tricks! These are all skills that are flesh and blood!”
Podorski roared.
“Well, Director General, you can’t even handle one Ogre!”
“That…”
“Think about it. If you are to keep your position as Director General, you will need to train and improve yourself diligently.”
“But…but!”
“Of course, you have many tricks up your sleeve. But that is not enough, definitely not.”
Director General Podorski got swept up in Lucia’s sharp remarks over and over again and got scolded again and again.
However, talking back was impossible, for Lucia was second in command to the land. Position was everything.
“Sovereign, that dethroned Sovereign—he is still crying and saying that he still does not want to go home.”
Podorski who gained nothing of the conversation he had with Lucia tried to avoid the situation by throwing a conversation over to Kang Chul-In.
“Sovereign, after this conquest, won’t you check out the bar within the land? The woman who runs the place is so beautiful that the men of Laputa are all crazy over her. However, the woman did not even blink an eye. Don’t you think the story might be different if you showed up?”
However, Lucia did not leave Podorski alone.
“Can you please shut that low mouth of yours? Our Sovereign is far from the flames of desires from a common man, Director General Podorski.”
Lucia’s face showed clear signs of disapproval.
“The Sovereign will only associate with pure and virtuous women, like myself.”
Lucia’s shoulders puffed up.
“Who, who is pure and virtuous?”
Podorski tilted his head to the side
“What do you mean who? Of course, it is me. If one was to receive the Sovereign’s Royal favor, shouldn’t the woman at least be myself?”
“Ha… what is this…”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“Well, aren’t you, Advisor Lucia, far from purity and virtue?”
“What? What does that mean?”
“I mean, your body… ah!”
In that moment, Podorski caught himself and shut his mouth, but it was spilled milk.
“Director General, Podorski?”
“….Yes, Advisor Lucia.”
“For harassment of a superior, you will have a salary reduction for three months.”
“…”
“Do you have an issue with this?”
“No..No.”
There was no way he would have such a thing.
If he had said he had any issues… it was obvious that today would be his last day alive.
“Ha… Sovereign, I am sorry that I had to make a scene. Please forgive me…”
Lucia with a flustered expression asked for forgiveness.
“No. Of course, you are in a higher position than Podorski, so of course he can be punished. It was just.”
“Thank you, Sovereign. Sigh… it seems like you trust and like Podorski, but in my opinion, it doesn’t seem like he is someone to keep close.”
“Why? Is it because he is rude to you?”
“It is not that…”
“…?”
“Isn’t he too crude?”
“Crude?”
“How can he talk to you about a bartending woman…. I am worried that you might be influenced by the Director General’s crudeness.”
“…”
“Sovereign, you will only have a pure, virtuous, and innocent woman. And also, don’t you think only such a woman will suit you?”
It seemed like Lucia really had gotten things mixed up.
“Sovereign, you are the highest and most dignified of men. If you were to have a woman, a woman from a high status and pure bloodline from a good family…”
“Lucia.”
Kang Chul-In cut in.
“I have no interest in status or family.”
“…!”
Lucia’s face was filled with shock at the response that she did not expect. It looked like the face of someone who was betrayed.
“I want to explain in detail, but it would be too long anyways, so I will not. Just know that.”
To tell the truth, Kang Chul-In had maintained an allied relationship with the Grand Sovereign Hecate on ‘Planned Enjoyment’. It was a shocking truth that the Ishtar Coalition was built on him and Hecate’s fiery one-night stands, but it was a long-lost past that no one remembered but Kang Chul-In himself.
“I, Lucia, get it finally.”
Lucia nodded as if she understood.
“So, you do not care about status, nor family background of the woman, but only herself as a person?”
Lucia who did not know Kang Chul-In’s true intentions misunderstood.
“Ah, love that goes beyond status and position! You are a true romantic, Sovereign!”
“…”
Kang Chul-In did not know what to answer, and so he just stayed quiet, nudging his horse to walk ahead.
‘what romantic.’
He had never been called such a thing in his life.
***
“Would Overlord really come?”
“I mean, I doubt he wouldn’t. He even sent a contract.”
“Right?”
“But how did he get those items? Did he find a good dungeon somewhere?”
“On World, there were posts that said they gained items by opening up treasure chests found in ruins. Overlord probably opened one of those.”
10 in the morning, the 40 Explorers who showed up to the promised location were talking amongst themselves and were busily talking about Overlord, who had shook the world community upside down.
However, when Overlord did not appear even after 10’o clock passed, the Explorers began to talk. There were even explorers who were quick to anger and running here and there with red faces.
“This bastard! How dare he trick me!”
Billy who was almost 190cm and all muscle showed his anger at Overlord who did not appear even after 10 minutes.
“Yea, don’t come at all! If you come late, I will break your neck!”
Billy was threatening Overlord, and then…
“There, there he comes!”
“White horse? What’s with the wagons?”
“Overlord, is it?!”
A couple of the Explorers pointed to the figures coming towards them and shouted.
“What? Overlord is here?”
Billy opened his eyes wide and looked towards the pointed fingers.
“Hah, he’s late, and he’s taking his sweet time?”
Billy’s thick hands grasped the handle of his ax.
“Let’s see if he will move like a turtle in front of me.”
Billy took large, bouldering steps towards Kang Chul-In who was approaching them from far away.