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#174. Wilderness (1)
[323,188,600]
About 300 million shillings.
If you don’t waste it, it’s an amount of money that can last you a lifetime.
It was possible to start several small businesses, and it was enough money to easily build a dozen buildings.
“… It’s better than I expected.”
The total amount of money the group currently holds is less than 5 million shillings.
Of course, by using the Amon Family, it is possible to make spending within the sector zero and generate continuous income by sucking up all the money that was previously going to Amon… .
First of all, the cash in front of you was different in that you could use it anywhere right away.
Yes, with this amount of money, I could probably add meatballs to my regular meal every day.
Ray continued his work, feeling rich.
“Withdrawal, 100,000 shillings.”
The mechanical sound returned from the halo.
[Please determine the ratio of banknotes to coins.]
“All in banknotes.”
[Confirmed.]
Another pillar rose from the floor and the shimmer of the halo intensified.
For a moment my vision flashed and I saw ten ten thousand shilling notes neatly placed on a pillar.
“… … .”
On top of the pillar that was clearly empty.
But Ray’s keen kinetic vision caught a glimpse of a small gap in the space that had opened and closed for a moment.
What was visible beyond that.
‘…government ordinance?’
Ray repeated the withdrawal to confirm what he had seen.
“Withdrawal, 100,000 shillings.”
[Confirmed.]
“Withdrawal, 100,000 shillings.”
[Confirmed.]
“Withdrawal, 100,000 shillings.”
[Confirmed.]
As the bills piled up on the pillar, Ray was able to complete the best analysis he could of the situation.
First, what was visible through the gap was a vast space made entirely of black and white marble.
An endless number of shelves were creating an infinitely repeating landscape.
On top of that, there were piles of bills and coins, so massive that it was dizzying.
And money everywhere disappeared and appeared in a halo of light repeatedly.
… But what was most notable was not that.
It was the colorful animal spirits of unknown species, who were organizing the money that had reappeared on the shelves.
I tried withdrawing money using Skyle’s card, but the same space was visible through the gap.
“… … .”
It was at that moment that one of Binjin’s memories that had been floating around in his head was organized.
… there was a rumor about the cube.
The Cube is a facility created through collaboration between elves and dwarves from ancient times.
Well, it didn’t seem like a groundless rumor.
The representative characteristic of elves is their affinity with spirits.
Because the dwarves’ representative characteristic was their unbelievable level of technological prowess.
Ray was lost in thought for a moment and then exited the cube.
*
Outside of 27th Street.
Finding the Metafault Inn wasn’t too difficult, thanks to the line of parked wilderness crossing vehicles.
Squeak─
As I opened the door, a bright hall appeared.
Men of unusual appearance were sitting around tables playing cards, eating, and checking guns.
“What little kid?”
“Who sent you on this errand?”
Ray looked around the interior amidst all the gazes.
The expedition departs in two days.
It would be correct to say that recruitment is already completed or nearly completed.
It seemed like the expedition team had rented the entire inn.
“You didn’t come here to sell anything?”
“Kick me out. Do you know where this is?”
One of the men approached and tried to push Ray’s forehead with his finger.
“Kid, if you came in by mistake, why don’t you just close the door and leave? Why are you just standing there blankly─”
Kuung─!
The man was grabbed by his wrists and thrown to the floor.
The atmosphere in the hall became cold.
The man lying on the floor had an expression on his face that didn’t even seem to understand what had happened to him.
——————
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Ray’s soft voice cut through the tense air.
“You’ve come to the wrong place. I came here after seeing the notice.”
The bearded man who seemed to be the highest ranking among the group asked back.
“announcement?”
“An ad was posted recruiting expedition members to the ruins. It said there would be a lot of money to be made.”
Ray took out a recruiting brochure from the mercenary office and showed it to me, while lighting a flame in his hand.
“… A wizard. You should have said it a little faster. Hey, someone, go upstairs and call Mr. Gaiol. It looks like we’re going to add one more wizard to the expedition.”
“It’s not one, it’s two.”
“… Okay, tell them there are two. Sit down for now. I can’t wait while standing.”
Ray walked over to the bearded man’s table and sat down.
All eyes on all sides were respectful and cautious.
It was a positive sign.
This means that at least they are not ignorant fools who do not know the value of magic.
“You’re quite the person. You’ve met my gaze for so long without avoiding my gaze.”
The bearded man with his arms crossed said.
Judging by the redness in his eyes, he seemed to be having a staring contest alone.
Ray also said with his eyes wide open.
“Are you the leader of the expedition?”
“Sharp. He is the second-in-command after the captain. His name is Damper.”
“ray.”
“What a cute name. I hope the magical skills you’ll show off later won’t be cute.”
“How is the expedition team organized?”
“One captain. One deputy captain. Three team leaders. 27 team members. It’s already full. I think you’ll be allowed an extra seat, though.”
During the fierce snowball fight, neither man backed down.
Just as Ray was about to surprise Damper’s eyes with the back of his fork.
“Hey, a very young friend came to visit me.”
A man sat down next to the damper.
With a calm impression, the wrinkled and tanned skin from the sun made her look older than she actually was.
“Nice to meet you. I am Gaiol, the leader of the expedition.”
Ray took the outstretched hand and revealed his name.
“ray.”
“You want to join the expedition?”
“Because I heard I could make a lot of money.”
“What about your exploration experience?”
“doesn’t exist.”
“I didn’t expect you to be that age. I was wondering if you could tell me more about yourself. Where you’re from, what you’ve done so far, and how old you are.”
Ray, who had been staring intently, tilted his head.
“I don’t know if things like place of origin or age are important in exploration. Isn’t ability what’s important?”
For a moment, the son-in-law became quiet.
Gaiore, who had been dazed for a moment, burst into laughter and said:
“Ahaha! That’s right. What’s important is skill. I asked a pointless question. Of course, information is good, but it’s not necessary. Even without asking, you have the ability to figure out the person and place them in the right place, but I underestimated my own ability too much. So, what about skill? What kind of magic can you use? How many rings?”
Ray thought for a moment.
Among the memories of Binjin that he had absorbed, the parts about exploration and ruins were not very clear.
It was blurry, vague, and above all, the amount of memory itself was not large.
However, there was one fact that was clearly engraved in my mind.
The most dangerous enemy is not the keepers or traps of the ruins, but your own troops.
‘I didn’t know why.’
I think I know now.
Because all the people here at the moment were filled with a strong sense of competition and greed.
There’s no need to hide your skills and look ridiculous, but… there’s no need to reveal everything either.
Ray pulled away.
“Circle 1. Main series is Fire.”
Hurrah!
A flame the size of a person’s head rose from the air next to Ray.
Those around them quickly retreated, followed by exclamations and admiration.
Gaiore’s gaze also changed.
“The other one mainly deals with healing magic.”
“Very good. Fire magic and healing magic. It has a very high utility─.”
Knock knock knock!
At that moment, two figures appeared on the stairs, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps.
“Mr. Gaiore, the interview…! Damn it, it already started.”
“Are you planning to choose another wizard besides us?”
They were a man and a woman in their mid-twenties, each with a ring on their chest.
The two who came up to the table looked at Ray with unfriendly eyes and asked Gaiol questioningly.
“The garden is already full, so why should I come for an interview?”
“Are you saying that we alone are not enough?”
Gaioll answered calmly.
“The more wizards, the better. The path to and from the ruins is dangerous, and you never know when something might happen.”
“No matter what, this kid… Exploration isn’t child’s play.”
“Well, after talking to him for a bit, I don’t think he’s the type of person who wouldn’t do his part.”
After arguing with the man and woman for a while, Gaiole spoke with a small sigh.
“… The treatment of you two will not change even if the number of wizards increases. The distribution that we will share later will not decrease either. I promise.”
The man and woman became quiet.
He soon swallowed a cough and disappeared from his seat as if reluctantly.
Gaiore said bitterly.
“I’m sorry for showing you such a shameful appearance. Don’t pay attention to what those two say, Ray.”
“I don’t really care.”
The corners of Gaiol’s mouth rose slightly at Ray’s calm reaction.
This was followed by an explanation of the expedition.
“Currently, the expedition is divided into three teams of ten people each, excluding Damper and me. Each team is assigned one magician. I think you and your friend can act as a support team that moves from time to time.”
A wizard assigned to each of the three teams.
Ray immediately expressed his doubts.
“They say there is one more wizard besides the two who just came down.”
“That’s right. To be exact, there are three more people, not one… Ah! You came down!”
Gaiole jumped up from his seat when he noticed someone coming down the stairs.
She was a middle-aged noblewoman with impressive long emerald hair.
On either side stood a boy and a girl wearing wide-brimmed hats pulled down low.
Gaiole approached and spoke politely.
“Your Majesty, is there anything inconvenient about your stay?
“Thank you. I am very comfortable.”
“Yes. If you need anything, please let me know.”
Afterwards, the lady took a tray of food from the restaurant and disappeared upstairs with the boy and girl.
Gaioul returned and explained.
“I am the 2nd circle wizard, Grinenim. The kids next to me are the 1st circle disciples. So, if you and your friend join, there will be a total of 7 wizards in the expedition.”
“… … .”
Gaiol’s words fell on deaf ears.
The three people who appeared and disappeared a little while ago.
Because all my attention was focused on the two people whose entire bodies were made of green mana.
*
The day the expedition departed.
“Phew.”
Philip was looking at himself in the bathroom mirror with his shirt off.
The hand stretched straight up to the ceiling and came down without bending, aiming at the mirror.
“…the tip of my gun glows, and the trigger delivers judgment.”
A pistol in hand.
It was the third in the macaronif series that Ray had gotten from the black market.
“I will gladly take revenge on my enemies, and repay hatred with hatred.”
Crunch!
He moved his hands and made a realistic motion of shooting a gun.
“O God, place me by your side and rank me among the saints.”
The voice was extremely serious and the expression on his face was desperate.
The pistol, recovered in a reverent posture, was placed on his waist.
“…He who sheds the blood of another, his own blood will also be shed. That is the will of God.”
After finishing his last line, Philip continued to catch his breath and stared into the mirror for a while.
“…Philip, you wonderful guy.”
He put on his coat with a very satisfied look on his face and looked proud.
And then turned around.
dump!
I saw Ray crouching in the corner of the bathroom and my legs gave out and I collapsed.
“… … ”
“… … .”
After a long silence, Philip finally opened his mouth.
“Why, why are you there? Oh, no, how long have you been here?”
“I came in to wash my hands, but I didn’t speak to you because I thought you were doing something important. If you ask me how long I’ve been here, I’ll answer.”
Ray took the recorder out of his arms and turned it on.
─The tip of my gun glows, and the trigger delivers judgment.
“From this time on.”
“Kkaaaaaaah!”
Philip’s scream echoed through the bathroom.
It took a long time for Philip to overcome his shame and be able to hold a normal conversation.
“Philip, I want you to stay in the sector.”
“Huh… You want me to stay? Aren’t you going with me?”
Philip asked back, shaking.
He had been practicing hard driving and shooting to help his group.
It’s true that I was just waiting for today to come.
But you told me to stay in the sector.
“Philip, it would certainly be a great help if you came with me, but I have decided that there is something you need to be more capable of.”
“…What is that?”
“Take care of the Amon family’s businesses. I’ve told Basel. I’ve filled him with fear, so he won’t harm you.”
Philip was surprised in a different way than before.
“Managing a business…? Me…?”
“Yes, because when it comes to money and operations, you are the one I trust more than anyone else.”
“… … .”
“Visit the mansion and meet the Isla siblings. Since you are much more mature and have clearer judgment than your peers, I would like you to take on the role of managing the children.”
Philip felt his resentment quickly disappear.
Running a proper business.
That’s what I’ve been dreaming of ever since I built the hotel in Sector 49.
Ray took out one of Ignis’ black cards from his bosom and handed it over.
“This is Skye’s card. I transferred some of the money from John’s account. If you need any funds, use this.”
Philip asked, suppressing the corners of his lips that kept rising.
“What are the conditions for running a business?”
“Just set the minimum protection tax for street vendors. The rest can be whatever you want.”
“Okay. I got it in my head.”
After that, a related conversation took place.
Ray left, and Philip stared at the door where his friend had disappeared for a long time.
“… … .”
Actually, I knew it.
No matter how much he practiced driving and shooting, it was of little help to the magicians Ray and Veronica.
Rather, it would only be a burden in dangerous situations.
‘… Ray must have judged it that way too.’
therefore.
Ray had deliberately entrusted her with the management of the business and mansion.
So that this side doesn’t get hurt.
So that you can feel comfortable with the choices that remain in the sector.
‘I received… such consideration.’
Philip stood blankly in the bathroom for a while with his nose feeling a bit numb.
Then suddenly I came to my senses.
“Recorder! I should have deleted the file!”
*
And a few hours later.
Southwest, outside of Sector 37.
A dozen vehicles raced out into the wilderness under the winter wind.