Tudor was still smiling, but the emotions inside were very strange. He seemed a little angry, but it was different. It is certain that this is the most serious facial expression that Tudor has shown in recent times.
"what?"
"The ransom price has been rising since the last time before Mt. Gamak, and the expected value has also been rising, but if it's still this bad, it's going to be difficult for brokers."
Then he waves his hands in an extremely exaggerated manner.
"iced coffee… … it's tough. After all, you won't be able to tease yourself by increasing your monetary value."
"I never said I was dissatisfied with the compensation."
Tudor narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
"I like myself. "He is confident in his work, and there are expectations that he will be able to do even greater things than what he has shown so far."
"however?"
"But I don't think job satisfaction is that high. Even if we reluctantly accept the money this time, if we can't guarantee the next time in this way, we will only end up getting tired."
"hmm… … ."
"how is it? "It would be nice if he had a wish that I could fulfill, or at least a desire that I could understand, but even if he didn't, I think it's time to show a little bit what he's thinking."
"It's a wish… … ."
I remember what the shadow created by the [King in Yellow Clothes] said last time. Of course, that doesn't mean Tudor is tempting me in that type of way right now.
Just a suggestion to make the form of the transaction a little more specific.
Only then did I realize what kind of scene this was.
Although expressed in a completely different way in the game, it seems that the relationship with Tudor has reached level 2.
After going through this event, the services I can receive will increase.
"I said it before, but it's good to have a lot of money."
"and?"
Yeah, that's a good point. Money is good. All I want is some short-term safety, some convenience, and money to buy a limited type of resource.
But since I already have the money I need to move right away, what do I need and what comes next? What lies beyond cannot be solved with money.
However, in a game, it is not easy to select the words one by one to say a conversation that naturally proceeds by clicking buttons.
"But rather than money, I want things that are difficult to get with money."
"For example?"
I thought about it for a moment, but decided to go straight ahead. If you keep going round and round, as Tudor said, you will only get more tired.
"Because I made money, it's a magic book with a difficulty level of A or higher. Or, an S-class or higher artifact would be good."
I don't know if he thought it was unexpected, but Tudor's eyes widened.
"You mean you need magical knowledge? But in that case, if you have the same level of skill or talent, you can either train regularly under a proper wizard or enter a magic education institution in another region... … Why do such a dirty job in Paju... … ."
"I'm not interested in modernized magic theory. I need something more primal than that."
Tudor's words started to go in the wrong direction, so I cut him off.
"What if it's something primal?"
"A being from the abyss, a demon, a great old being, a god from another world, or a ruler from another world. "I want information about things called by that name."
"Aha, are you saying that among those things, it is necessary to distribute them in the form of grimoires or artifacts? Yes, it's definitely not something you can get just by having a lot of money."
Grimoires containing general magic theory and artifacts below Grade A can be purchased with money.
But what I need is more than that.
S-class artifacts and grimoires containing information about the beings of the abyss cannot be obtained through ordinary means.
It is impossible to obtain them without connections, power, and various other factors, and most of them cause great harm to the owner just by possessing them.
In other words, if the client is a wealthy man with nothing to show for it other than being rich, he cannot grant this request even if he wants to.
"That's what the grimoire I was talking about is. Or, you could introduce me to someone who can take me to the black market or something deeper."
As the story reaches this point, the smile on Tudor's face becomes lively. It is a facial expression that does not hide the feeling of joy.
"Good good. "If I had said that earlier, I would have been able to help more actively."
"Well, because there was no special situation to talk about."
This situation may actually be an event that emerged as a result of Tudor's increase in trust and intimacy.
I'm not sure, but if I had said it before now, I would have said it. That capricious witch must have intentionally arranged a request that had nothing to do with my wishes or completely forgotten about it.
But right now, if nothing else, I feel good. From the next request, you can expect rewards other than money.
"Then I guess I won't have to introduce myself to you right now. "Still, take that folder with you."
"I'll just read it once."
"Okay, if there's anything you like, let me know. Besides, when you get permission to enter the market later, won't you be upset if you don't have enough money?"
"That's also true."
The conversation with Tudor ended at this point.
As I was about to leave Vasilisa, Tudor followed me to the entrance of the store while chatting.
Since Tudor rarely comes out to see him off, I can feel the idiots hanging out in the cafe giving him a subtle look of jealousy.
"I will contact you as soon as I find something that meets my criteria, so please answer the phone this time. In the meantime, don't pay attention to other businesses. got it?"
Tudor repeatedly told him not to change his mind about something he didn't like.
Is it because he is bothered by the sight of business cards from other business owners coming in one by one?
I wondered if my intuition as a witch was hinting at some kind of crisis.
'No, it's a foolish delusion.'
If it was really like that, I would have said so.
"Well, I have no intention of doing business with another place right now… … "If you call me, I'll come right away."
When I completely left Vasilisa and looked around, the sun had completely set and it was dark.
There is a gloomy atmosphere due to the old and gloomy buildings around.
"good. "Then I guess I'll have to go and address the real goal of today's outing."
I slowly headed towards Geumchon Market. Tudor will find the request I want without having to talk much longer. It may take some time, but it's a move you'll have to do anyway. There is no harm in preparing in advance.
The place I headed to prepare for moving was Geumchon Market.
The sun has already set, and it is time for street lights to turn on everywhere.
The main areas of Geumchon Market, that is, the street vendors and businesses in the market alleys, have closed down their business and returned home today. Even if I came earlier, I didn't come to this neighborhood because I had to run errands at the stores that are responsible for Paju's daytime.
I headed to Geumchon Pawnshop located on one side of Geumchon Market.
As I climbed up the old and creaky stairs of Geumchon Pawnshop, a pawn shop filled with all kinds of items from all over the world and all over the world appeared.
And Jeong Ye-eun, the only part-time worker at the pawn shop, greets me with a strange sound.
"Hi! "How are you feeling?"
He is still wearing his dark green school gym uniform and the 'Geumchon Traditional Market Prosperity Association' apron.
I thought I was going to get fired last time... … Seeing that he was holding a duster in one hand, he seemed to be still working.
"Are you still working?"
"Oh, of course. The man still wears a mask. oh! This is the mask I bought at our store last time! Yes?"
Jeong Ye-eun says while pointing her finger at my mask excitedly.
"Well, that's right. "What about the elderly?"
"Stay inside. grandfather!"
Eun-taek Jeong, an old man with a hunched posture, walks out from inside the pawn shop.
Although he has wrinkles, he has a firm expression that shows stubborn stubbornness.
"what? ah… … Masked person, are you here again?"
"yes. "Like last time, there are some things I want to get rid of, and some things I need."
I took out four magic stones from my bag and placed them on the counter.
Jeong Eun-taek's eyes widen.
This is an object taken from the body of the golden dancer who guarded the strange historical site in Tanhyeon.
Amazing purity, clear shine without any blemishes, and even this size.
It is difficult to handle magic stones of this level even in Paju.
"What is this…?" … ? Where did you pick up something this pure? "Did you cross the Imjin River without me seeing you?"
Jeong Eun-taek takes out his glasses and grumbles.
These are strangely shaped glasses with several small lenses that we have seen before.
Eun-taek Jeong picks up a magic stone and examines it while changing the lenses of his glasses.
"Oh my, this is so... … It's genuine. "Did you bring this to take all the cash in the store?"
"Grandfather, why are you crossing the Imjin River? Monsters also appear in Paju, right? Didn't you hear the story about a werewolf in that mine? "It's only been about two months!"
Jeong Ye-eun, who had quietly approached, intervenes.
If it was a werewolf that appeared in Gwangtan-dong two months ago... … Is this really the story of Lee Chang-hyuk? It seems like the details are somehow distorted.
"No, there is no monster in Paju, be it a werewolf or anything, that can produce this level of magic stones."
"ah… … ."
"It's not a gold rush, it's solvers and monster hunters. It's already been over 20 years since they invaded and devastated Paju. What's left now?"
That is correct. About 20 years ago, based on the setting of [Cthulhu World], there was a huge event, [The Great Collapse], in which monsters from the Cthulhu mythology appeared in large numbers all over the world.
At that time, ironically, the place where the most monsters were found in Korea, or more precisely on the Korean Peninsula, was North Korea. Of course, cultists following the abyss, monsters, surreal entities, aliens, etc. appeared in other places in Korea, but compared to North Korea, where the entire country disappeared, it was only laughable.
It was so great that Gangwon-do and northern Gyeonggi Province were on the verge of being devastated by monsters moving south across the cease-fire line.
But that too is a bit past. As of [Cthulhu World] game time, most of the problems have been resolved. Paju is currently suffering from an excessive number of treasure hunters, troubleshooters, and criminal organizations compared to the reduced number of monsters.
'Well, if you follow the game's story, it will only be a lull for a moment, and according to the main story, the second great collapse and foreshadowing of destruction will begin.'
And in any of the endings I've experienced, there is no route that ends up keeping this world safe and driving out all the monsters.
Meanwhile, Jeong Ye-eun looks like that for a moment, but then becomes startled.
"oh!"
It seems he has reached a conclusion guided by what his grandfather said.
"Mister, then did you really go to North Korea?"
"no."
This time, Jeong Eun-taek, who was next to him, raised his voice with a disapproving expression on his face.
"what? "So there are so many monsters in Paju that could cause something like this?"
hmm… … If you don't answer this properly, you could be in trouble.