You are free to come in, but not to go out.
There are rumors going around about St. Kitts. At first glance, it may sound ominous. It is said that the country controls the departure of tourists. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to be mistaken about this.
But the reality is completely different.
Even in modern times when international exchanges are rare, tourism in St. Kitts is thriving, as most of the tourists who use the casinos are from people who do not have any disabilities in their lives.
Hire a bodyguard to protect you from monsters. After a relatively safe journey, you enter the country freely. With a sense of destiny not much different from Chelsea's.
However, only a very small number of winners achieve their goals.
Even if you're lucky enough to reach your initial goal, human greed is endless.
The beginning is the same for everyone.
Just one game, just two games. Oh, I lost a little.
Should we stop here? No, if we were going to do that, we would have stopped earlier.
Since we lost 3 times in a row, it's normal that we should win statistically.
Should I bet boldly? If I win, I'll break even… .
Yep! Four evens in a row? No, no. But the next one will be 100 percent odd. Degas! Please odd. Please odd… Please please please please, damn it! This is rigged!
That's how most of them are served.
The world of competition is extremely cruel.
When I came to my senses, I had already run out of money. All I had left was the money for the return trip. It would be nice to just leave, but the problem is that St. Kitts is too friendly to tourists.
The only business that is as popular here as casinos is loan sharking.
The moment you touch someone else's money, the end is predetermined. Businesses and countries do not let their debtors go. Slums are formed as people who were once entrepreneurs or inheritors gather.
Casinos and slums. The light and dark of St. Kitts.
On a street that was clearly dark, an incongruous luxury car pulled up.
Bam!
As soon as the car stopped, Chelsea opened the door and jumped out, scanning the surroundings with the eyes of a hawk hunting prey. Soon, she urged her companion, who was still in the car, to hurry.
"Stop dawdling and move quickly! Move, move!"
"...I guess you're quite passionate about your work."
"Me?"
Chelsea snickered and denied it outright.
"No way. Labor is trash."
That's quite a statement, Edwin muttered to himself.
"I'm the type of person who wants to roll around and scratch my butt 360 days out of 365."
"You seem very motivated for something like that."
"Isn't that obvious?"
A laughter of "Kuhuhu" flowed out.
"2 hours! They'll give you enough money to live off of for 3 years if you just work for 2 hours, so you have to do it when you have to!"
"How can you just sit around and play for three years with 2.5 million?"
A request to wipe out a branch of the Dark Society.
Instead of going out himself, Kim Yi-hyeon dispatched two people. Naturally, there was opposition. Chelsea reacted like a dog whose tail had been stepped on… but when Kim Yi-hyeon promised compensation separately, she readily accepted.
If you finish and come back within 2 hours, you'll each get 2.5 million.
It was a condition that made it impossible for one's eyes to turn.
"You know one thing, but you don't know the other two."
Chelsea clicked her tongue, saying she didn't know.
"Where is this? It's St. Kitts. It's a gambling town."
"So what is it?"
"2.5 million is not just 2.5 million. It's seed money."
"Seed money… So, yes?"
"I have 10 times more confidence in my daughter. What does that mean─"
Drool flowed from her mouth.
"That means that in reality, the minimum amount of money I'm getting is 25 million. Wow!"
"...."
"If you know, then just get off. If you're even a minute late because of me, damn it. I'm going to shoot you in the back of the head with a BB gun every time you catch my eye."
Edwin shook his head as he got out of the car. He was out of his mind, wondering if he was Kim I-Hyun's colleague.
As soon as I stepped out onto the street, I felt eyes on me from all over the place. The eyes were not friendly. It seemed that the vehicle that Asus General Trading Company had provided as a guide caught my eye.
"I will take the lead."
"Then thank you. This is my specialty."
Chelsea patted my waist.
There were only three pistols inserted. They were all guns that Kim I-Hyeon had made and given to him.
At first glance, it didn't seem like he was very good at close combat.
'So that's why you sent me.'
Edwin's guess was close to the correct answer. If we look into it in more detail, it was a combination of a ranged attacker and a tank. Since it was a standard formation, the intention was to coordinate the teamwork in advance.
I couldn't know the details, but one thing was certain.
If anything happens to Chelsea, it'll be annoying.
'I have to be careful.'
Edwin sighed inwardly and took a step forward.
And before I could even take five steps, I stopped.
"음."
"What are you doing? Why are you stopping?"
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"Where should I go?"
"You got the tablet. Just look at the GPS."
"I'm not good at new things like that."
"How old are you? How is that new?"
"…Actually, I'm weak against machines in general."
Chelsea's impression was completely distorted.
"Fuck the stars..."
I don't know why there are only lung cancers.
* * *
Only three people remained in the business room. Raonis, his secretary, and lastly Kim I-hyeon. The two who went to the scene were guided to their hotel rooms.
It was in the midst of a strange silence.
"Isn't this excessive?"
"Me? Well."
"I suggested one day because it's a worthy agenda. And that's assuming that you all do your part. In fact, I think one day is too short. But two hours, two people?"
Laonis was almost showing a sense of displeasure.
"If this is not absurd, then what is? I do not guarantee your lives."
"Do you think I look down on my friends in the Dark Society?"
"At least you don't know what kind of organization they are."
"Isn't that common sense?"
Kim Yi-hyeon continued speaking at the look in his eyes asking what he meant.
"Laonis, you probably know about the Underworld, but you probably don't know much about us. I don't know about the Underworld, but I know us. No, I learned a little about the Underworld while we were talking. It's not even the headquarters, just a branch. And it's only just recently established itself…."
He rested his chin on his hand with a blank expression.
"Two will do."
"...."
"Let's talk about something more productive. You made a bet, but you haven't decided what you're betting on yet, right?"
"That's true too."
Laonis shrugged.
"But I don't really have anything to ask of you. I just need you to get your hands on the money, weapons, or Spell Suppressor from Cellbrox Labs."
"Do you want something rare?"
"If possible, yes."
It was an attitude of not even expecting anything.
As Tatalia said, he was an unlucky person. However, in Kim Ihyeon's hands, there was something that would interest any person.
"How about this?"
He took out a small pouch from his bosom and threw it as if he was throwing it. The pouch slid across the table and reached Laonis.
If I had stopped vaguely, I would have been screwed.
Laonis opened his pocket and emptied it into his palm. What popped out was a piece of red mineral. He frowned for a moment, then his eyes widened.
"La, Rocknitdi?"
"As expected, you have a broad perspective."
"How can I do this…!"
Pup. Now you've grown a face worth seeing.
"I'll give you a little more than that. Of course, if you win the bet."
"...."
He calmed his rough breathing. Soon, Laonis returned the Locknidi to his pocket.
"It seems like it's no longer a trivial bet."
"Wouldn't the value of things be different for each person?"
"Is there anything you would like from me?"
"Yeah, well. Nothing grand."
Kim Yi-hyeon raised his finger and pointed to the tablet on Laonis' left. There are about 90 minutes left. He will contact you as soon as the work is finished.
"Do you remember the man who walked out earlier?"
"His name was Edwin."
"Please provide that friend with some useful equipment."
"equipment…?"
The pale-pigmented eyes looked puzzled.
"Is that the answer?"
"It shouldn't be easily broken. For people like us, the quality of our equipment is directly related to our lives. And since we're not very skilled, we tend to treat it roughly."
It was a natural demand that didn't need to be asked. From any angle, it was a favorable condition for Laonis. Even though the high-quality equipment wasn't cheap, it was cheaper than Lactnidi.
That made it even more suspicious.
"…I really don't get it. As a businessman, my advice would be to be more balanced in your dealings and bets, no matter how confident you are in your victory."
"As I said, the value of things is different for each person."
Kim Lee-hyun smiled brightly.
"Deal, are you going to do it?"
"There is no reason to refuse."
The moment he received the answer, his smile turned sinister.
"You'll need to prepare some very sturdy equipment."
And exactly 58 minutes later.
The screen flashed when there were more than 30 minutes left.
"I think it's finished. Let's check it out."
Laonis looked at Kim Yi-hyeon, who was waving leisurely, and then grabbed the tablet. A message had arrived. The content was very simple.
Deposit
Three letters and a video. When you touch the image, a short video plays.
The background is a dark warehouse somewhere. White lights illuminate the screen. In the light that shines like a spotlight, dozens of organization members are dripping blood from their noses.
Restoration of fortune.
A woman's voice flowed out.
You are out of St. Kitts today.
Turn it off, I'll turn it off! So please spare me just this once…!
Hey, you stupid gangsters! Who would repeat a lie like that?
The photographer waved his hand at the bottom of the screen. Then, the man standing next to the members of the underworld organization like a guard sighed and swung his fist.
─Kwaang!
The stone wall crumbled like Styrofoam. Then, as if nothing had happened, my fist came out.
Oh, oh, by today! No, I'll turn it off right now!
You. Tell me your name and affiliation.
This is Wonju Geum, the leader of the Black Society St. Kitts branch…
Yeah, Wonju. You know how to stand out when you're noticed?
Ah, I see, oh no. Oh no…!
… … What is this?
Laonis was speechless. The video ended with the sound of dark men sobbing. Even then, he still couldn't shake off his embarrassment.
match!
The sound of clapping brought me back to my senses.
"Is it done? It took longer than I thought."
"I wonder if it's not some kind of manipulation…."
"Stop whining."
It was a murderous look in his eyes that said he would never let it go if he tried to back out.
"This is equipment that won't break even if he just uses it. Please take good care of it, Laonis."
I got the wrong number.
* * *
Laonis has promised to visit the CellbroLogics Lab in the near future. Once the contract is made, the NPCs that we have seen countless times in the game will bring various items to the lab.
It might be unexpected for Kushan, but he wouldn't refuse. It was already a time when rap was growing both internally and externally. There were plenty of hard-to-find ingredients in the ruined land of Shalem.
Edwin's equipment is there too.
'I tried it just in case and it worked out well.'
From what I heard, Laonis was paying a heavy price for seeing Edwin as water. There weren't many pieces of equipment that could withstand Edwin's brute strength and lack of cunning.
But a promise is a promise. He's not the type of person to break a promise.
'I'll save you somehow.'
At that level, it is comparable to special weapons of 4 stars or lower.
It's something that can be armed with Kim I-Hyun's spells when necessary, but first, I had to think about the [Vibranium Composite Sword] that Asterike would basically use.
'I could give it to several people, though.'
Conversely, you can give multiple special weapons to one person, like the pistol Chelsea gave you this time. After reaching 4 stars, the duration of the weapon even when it is not in your hand is longer.
But that was separate from the concept of 'wearing'.
※ Strengthened by the effect of AP-116, you can have one person other than the caster wear special equipment. In this case, twice as much SP is consumed as usual.
It seems that the ability adjustment only applies to the first piece of equipment that was equipped on a person. However, auxiliary equipment that does not have any adjustments seems to be free from the restrictions.
It's not even half of my performance.
'I was tired in the first place.'
Unless it's a special case like Asterike, it's better to get your own equipment. Chelsea is guaranteed to have low points no matter what gun she handles, so there's no need to get one separately.
It was worth going that far.
Now it was time to really enjoy the vacation.
"Hyun! The hamburgers sold at the intersection over there are really delicious."
"From the morning? Can't I just eat the hotel breakfast?"
"There's no romance, no romance. I'll buy it for you. Let's go, okay?"
"It's not a money issue though…."
Still, it feels like I'm getting a benefit since it's free.
"It's been a while since I've felt this way."
"Right? Milkshake and French fries, wow! It's already delicious!"
"Is that delicious? Just hearing it makes me feel like I'm eating calories…."
"I've starved a lot in the past, so I still have some room."
"Is it like 10-year calories or something?"
What a miraculous calculation.
Kim Yi-hyeon turned his head and looked at Asterike. They were walking side by side, just a arm's length away. Even though the distance was very close, he didn't feel uncomfortable.
An excited expression. A brisk gait.
From some point on, I stopped thinking, 'I have to take care of her.' We just stay together. It may be different from the feelings Asterike has, but Kim Yi-hyun also has feelings for her.
I'm grateful. I've done a lot of terrible things, but you still smile.
"By the way, what about Chelsea? I saw her go to the casino yesterday."
"He came home at dawn. He buried his face in the pillow and cried."
"That's fast...."
I must have spent a lot of money, including my own. This is the price I paid for underestimating St. Kitts. My wallet is thin, so I will have to work hard to fill it up.
You can think of it as extending the contract for 2.5 million.
Kim Lee-hyun looked straight ahead again, smiling.
In an instant.
"Right. I should pack some food for Arya too."
Asterike's voice sounded slow.
"I think so─"
The 4th floor hallway of the hotel. On a shelf filled with expensive ornaments.
There was a doll sitting there, smaller than a child's fist.
The appearance did not match the atmosphere of the hotel.
Military uniform and gas mask. For a model, it is holding a sophisticated rifle with both hands. Almost as soon as Kim Yi-hyun discovered it, the doll's arms began to move.
The rifle was aimed.
"This fucking thing…!"
Gunshots, and then a crash.
Asterike felt the weight and warmth that was wrapped around her. Their bodies were so close that she could almost hear each other's heartbeats. But she didn't feel the slightest excitement.
I couldn't be more excited.
"…어?"
Just a little bit, the timing of the shield appearing was delayed.
Kim Lee-hyun's upper body shook as the shock was transmitted.