chapter 16
Nostalgic scenery
Hyeon-jun checked the status window and checked the change in karma while riding the carriage to the village by the river. For a while, it stayed the same at 404, but after a while, it suddenly soared to 712. 308 karma rose at once. Hyeonjun remembered the Holy Knight.
‘For so many karmas to rise at once, it means that there has been a change in the person with that much influence.’
The paladin might be dead. However, on the contrary, he may have escaped from his destiny of dying and survived. Maybe it’s both. There is insufficient information to make a judgment.
‘Let’s focus on now.’
Hyeonjun immediately bought 1 regenerative power from the store. Of course, I couldn’t feel the change right away. The remaining karma is now 412. Once I put it on, I vowed to buy longsword 1 as soon as I got a longsword. On the one hand, I was prepared to raise my immunity in preparation for being poisoned or getting sick in a sudden situation.
“It’s a village by the river.”
At Luke’s words, Hyeonjun and Shosanna looked ahead. there is a village And only then did I know why the village was called the village by the river. There is a fairly large river behind the village. There is a bridge so you can cross to the other side, and you can see boats carrying goods to and from the river.
“Isn’t it normal for a city to grow at that level?”
“uh? why?”
“Logistics move through the river. It would touch the money big.”
“Right. The money comes and goes quite a lot.”
Luke interrupted the conversation. The wagon now slowed down and moved slowly.
“Then why do you remain a village?”
“This river is called the Senten River, and it crosses several territories. It’s a lot longer than I thought.”
Then he pointed down the river and said,
“If you go a little further downstream, you will be connected to the sea. The port city of Scanden appears there.”
“The Lord of Scanden must have put pressure on you.”
“exactly. And Scanden is a royal domain. Because it makes money.”
A port city connected to the river, you will be touching an unimaginable amount of money. However, if a large city is created in the middle, the income coming in through the river will drop sharply. Building roads costs money and takes time. Besides, it requires a huge amount of labor. In that respect, the river is the best transportation route. Considering that all ancient civilizations developed along rivers, you can see how important rivers are.
Shosanna kept her mouth shut and rolled her eyes. This time, if you keep quiet, half of the operation will go. However, Hyeonjun kindly explained the inside story. Shosanna nodded in complete understanding. She’s not good at talking like this.
“hello!”
Luke changed his complexion and shouted cheerfully to the guards. The gloomy impression from before had suddenly changed. Indeed, a merchant is a merchant. Luke talked to the guard and even got Hyun-joon and Shosanna’s IDs and showed them, and went through the door in an instant. If you don’t know how much money you spent, you don’t know, but it won’t be one or two fairy tales. If you stabbed me in the middle and then went through my luggage, I would have gone bankrupt, but I would have spent a lot of money.
“Well, shouldn’t we do the math now?”
“Okay. Let’s go to the reception desk.”
I went straight to the reception desk. I immediately stamped the request confirmation document and received 4 silver coins. Luke, who was initially upset about the commission fee, unexpectedly handed over the silver coin. If Hyeon-jun hadn’t stopped the wagon, he would have already died, and even if he survived, he had to deal with 5 people. F class, as well as quite a few E class, would have died or ran away, so I was able to hand over the large amount of money, 4 silver coins, with pleasure.
“I can’t give it as big as this time, but I’ll give you a little more, so don’t you want to escort me more?”
“I’m sorry, but we also have a destination, so we have to part.”
Luke tried to capture Hyeon-jun and Shosanna. It is said to be F-class, but in terms of combat power, Shosanna is definitely E-class or higher, and Hyeon-jun is not, but D-class to C-class. C-level or higher adventurers can be found in cities or places where big money comes and goes. The village next to the river also has a size, but it will be difficult to find a C grade. Hyeonjun and Shosanna are the best escorts in that they can be hired cheaply compared to their skills.
“Sorry.”
“But if there is a chance, wouldn’t it be something to see again later?”
“hahahaha. That’s right. Then I will go.”
“Goodbye.”
So Luke pulled the wagon and left. Hyeonjun gave the two silver coins he received to Shosanna. Shosanna seemed burdened with receiving the same amount as Hyeon-jun, who played a big role, but pouting her lips, she accepted the silver coin and kept it in her bosom. In this way, I could see her still untainted naive reaction.
“Follow me. Let’s go to my father’s friend.”
Shosanna took Hyeon-jun and set out on the road. crowded with people shopping street There are blacksmith shops that stock everything from everyday items such as fish, fruit and clothing to weapons and armor, as well as exotic crafts. As Hyeonjun passed in front of the forge, he licked the weapon.
The knowledge that combat skills (basic) impart is limited, but at least you will know which weapons are good. However, there is no way to know how good the sword in the scabbard is without hearing it in person. Still, with enhanced eyesight and cognitive abilities, he carefully inspected and passed by. It is like a newcomer who is excited at the thought of buying a car and takes a close look at passing cars. I can’t tell by seeing, but my eyes go to me for no reason.
Shosanna walked without hesitation. I paid attention to the shops around me, but I did not slow down, as if I had no intention of taking a look. This place looks very familiar. On the other hand, Hyeonjun’s steps slowed down without realizing it. At first, like a ghost, he only looked for a longsword, but now he was busy appreciating new styles of clothing and artwork.
The culture of the Southern Kingdom is similar to that of medieval Europe, but the clothes of other countries were similar to those of the Middle East, with colorful patterns repeated on long, colorful fabrics. I was blown away by the splendor of it.
“Look around later.”
“Oh sorry.”
In the end, Shosanna said something. It’s because I was worried because I was crazy because I was falling behind and then chasing after, and then falling behind again and then chasing after. It was fun to act like a child who had never been to a place like this. It was because there was a gap between him and his cold-hearted approach to battle.
“So, who is your father’s friend?”
“He is a person who makes small business. I’ve seen it often since I was still a baby. My father and I are old friends.”
Then he pointed to a fairly large building in front of him and said.
“Here.”
No matter how you look at it, it didn’t look like a small business building. A huge number of people are coming and going frantically in a neat and large three-story building. In addition, goods are pouring in and out of the large warehouse next to the store building.
“Hey, isn’t it a small business?”
“Isn’t this on the small side?”
“Are you crazy? How big is it?”
Shosanna tilted her head.
“No, wasn’t everything like this even in Bimarun?”
“It’s a big city with a lord over there, you idiot. And even in the rain, there are few places this big.”
“what? oh no I saw two in Bimarn.”
“You’ve only seen two in that big city.”
Shosanna now frowned and grabbed her head, confused. Hyeonjun slightly modified Shosanna’s evaluation. The scale tipped slightly from a filial daughter who wanted to buy a cow for her aging parents to a daughter of an immature landowner.
“I can’t do that…”
Shosanna muttered as she entered the building. Hyeon-joon went inside as well. Upon entering, it was clear that it was an unusual place. Workers are constantly running around, and people who seem to be in managerial positions are shouting and running around, and it’s not even a fuss. I see people wearing luxurious and fancy clothes. He might not be an aristocrat, but he was certainly not an ordinary merchant.
Shosanna dug in between them and headed for the window. Hyeon-jun had no choice but to follow Shosanna.
“Call Mr. Hackman for me.”
“yes?”
As soon as I went to the window, Shosanna spoke up. The employee who hadn’t taken off her girl shirt yet asked back in surprise.
“Uncle Hackman. Are you not there now?”
“Uh, are you talking about the president?”
“yes.”
Hyeonjun saw him from behind and slapped his forehead. At first glance, he seems like a bottom-line adventurer, but he is at a loss as he calls the owner of this large store as if he were a local uncle. I felt pity for myself. But on the other hand, I thought that he was trying hard to use honorific words as an employee of his father’s friend.
“Idiot, please explain in detail. He must be embarrassed to call his boss that.”
“Ah, I see. I am the daughter of Halman, a friend of Uncle Harkman. Could you call Mr. Hackman for me?”
The employee was almost on the verge of crying. In the end, Hyeonjun, who was worse off, grabbed Shosanna by the back and pulled her out.
“sorry. I’ll take care of it, so forget about it and get to work.”
Then he moved to his place.
“Hey, what! Let go!”
“You sick bastard…”
Hyeon-jun dragged the rampaging Shosanna up the stairs and approached a middle-aged man looking down at the first floor from the railing on the second floor. It was because I could see that he was monitoring the entire first floor with a fierce gaze, although he was wearing plain clothes and had a calm attitude. A person who seems to have some position. He, too, had been paying attention to Shosanna and Hyeonjun from the moment they entered the chamber.
Shosanna ran amok and glanced around, but she didn’t care and dragged her along. Shosanna, too, saw the crying face of the employee and, for some unknown reason, realized that she had done something wrong and was quietly dragged away.
“excuse me.”
“yes.”
He raised his voice even after seeing the appearance of Hyeon-jun and Shosanna. However, there was no polite or servile feeling, just a soft tone. It’s just the right distance.
“Now tell me.”
“Seed···.”
“what.”
Hyeonjun held out Shosanna and said. Shosanna rebelled a little, but she couldn’t fight back because she felt like she was wrong anyway.
“Kuhm, that’s about to meet Mr. Hackman. Ah, I am Shosanna, the daughter of Mr. Harman, a friend of Mr. Harman.”
Hyeonjun saw the middle-aged man’s eyes quickly scan Shosanna. In fact, Hyeon-jun wouldn’t have noticed if it wasn’t for the body reinforcement. It was because the pupils moved slightly downward as if they were almost shaking.
“Ah, Mr. Shosanna. Nice to meet you. I heard the story of the president of the company. Please wait a moment. I will tell you the word soon.”
Then he gestured to the man passing by, whispered a small whisper in his ear, and went up the stairs to the third floor. Hyeonjun could hear what he said with a keen sense.
‘Treat them politely.’
As he said, the remaining men greeted him politely and asked if he would take them to their seats or if they needed a drink. Of course they all declined. He must have asked because he knew he would refuse. These are people who are good at dealing with people. Just standing in front of them with a smile on their faces makes it difficult for them to change their seats. It’s because he feels sorry for some reason because he will follow if they move.
Soon after, a middle-aged man came down from the third floor. He smiled softly at Shosanna and said.
“The president of Sang Sang told me to come quickly. I heard that you had a special guest standing there. What is it?”
“yes? Oh, sorry. because of us.”
“Ha ha ha, just kidding. Come on. Oh, of course, it is true that you asked me to come quickly.”
Her attitude changed like a ghost, but it was hard to feel. Because his attitude before was ambiguous. And the man standing in front of them quickly backed away at the middle-aged man’s glance. A small business is a piece of sh*t. If you’re not careful, you’ll be eaten even with your panties on.
The middle-aged man burst open the ornate door without knocking.
“Shosanna!”
“mister!”
A short middle-aged man inside shouted Shosanna’s name and strode forward. Shosanna also approached and hugged him. Shosanna’s height rises to the eye level of Hyun-jun, who has grown taller with the power of body strengthening. It is said that he is about 175 cm tall, but the middle-aged man was much shorter than that, so he could not be seen in Shosanna’s arms.
“ha ha ha! Shosanna! Your strength has improved since then!”
“Your uncle is weak. You should take care of your health.”
“Ah, now they treat you like an old man. Really.”
It was only after Shosanna let him go that Hyun-joon was able to take a closer look at him. His gray hair was cut short, and his beard was tied back to his chest. Now, his face is relaxed like a grandfather dealing with his grandson he hasn’t seen in a while, but Hyeon-jun saw the face of a strict and stubborn merchant in it. And a weak horn. He is small in stature, but his body is as solid as a rock. Quite a few young people could pick it up and throw it away. Most of the protruding belly is probably muscle. It’s just that Shosanna’s power is too strong.
“Shosanna. thank god. You wouldn’t know how worried I was, knowing that something big would happen to you.”
“The Paladins?”
“okay.”
Then he hugged Shosanna again. With his thick, rough hands, he carefully brushed Shosanna’s big, broad back like a baby’s back, and seated her.
“I’m sorry. I was out of my mind. You too, sit down.”
“No, old man.”
It was only then that Hakman turned to Hyeon-jun and guided him to a chair.