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Chapter 206: G.T.O (2)

“Oh, I made a patient come here… I’m sorry, honey.”

“Don’t make fun of me. You already know it. Anyway, I never thought I’d be here again… I somehow feel different. Thanks for calling me, Hee-ra.”

“Right? Most of the people who come back here usually react this way.”

Cha Hee-ra looked the same as usual. She had an unblushing expression, and her eyes and red lips still felt dangerous for some reason. Her biggest feature was the hair that had not been properly trimmed. Seeing that it now went over her shoulders and down to the chest, it really seemed like I hadn’t seen her in a while.

This was the first time we were able to see each other. I knew she had been avoiding me, so it was quite surprising to see Cha Hee-ra pretending to be okay.

‘Is she trying to pretend that nothing happened?’

Perhaps this was the case. Due to her personality, this would be natural for her. Whatever the reason, what Cha Hee-ra did at Castle Rock was a pretty big mistake.

Since it had caused damage to me, it would be natural for me to gain something from it.

Perhaps her calling me here would have something to do with that. The guild in charge of this tutorial dungeon was the Red Mercenary Guild. Even if the Blue and the Red Mercenary were in an alliance, it was still a privilege to disclose this to me first.

‘Maybe she could even give me some priority bargaining rights…’

I wasn’t sure, but I had to think that there could be some benefits once I came here.

“Ahem. Then, I want to hear how this will work, is that okay?”

“Uh. Well, okay, I was thinking of starting right away, anyway. Did you have dinner?”

“Not yet.”

“Then, listen while eating. It won’t be hard.”

“Okay.”

“Hey! Could you bring me something to eat? It can be something simple. Ah! You know what we ate last time, right? Bring that.”

“Yes. Guild Master.”

Certainly, the Red Mercenary was different compared to when Blue was in charge of the tutorial dungeon last time. It was quite strange that the Guild Master did not go directly to meet the attacking team like Lee Sang-hee in the past.

I could realize how unusual it was for her to visit Jung Hayan and me before.

‘Perhaps it was because we had finished the tutorial in the shortest time…’

I couldn’t believe that the place where I was in now was the place that Lee Sang-hee used in the past. The training center, which could be seen out of the window, was also completely refurbished, waiting for new recruits to enter.

At this, the door behind us opened, and the food that Cha Hee-ra ordered had arrived.

Since I wasn’t the type to enjoy food, I didn’t pay much attention, but the edibles’ quality looked pretty good even at a single glance.

‘This is also different.’

“Try some of this, honey. I tried it last time, and it’s delicious.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Would you like a glass of wine?”

“No. I’m good. I’m still a patient, after all.”

“That’s a little disappointing. By the way, what do you think of this?”

“You want an impression?”

“Yes.”

“I was really surprised.”

“I would like you to tell me in more detail.”

“I feel like I know why people say that Red Mercenaries are the Red Mercenaries. When I first came here, Blue seemed quite amazing, but its level was definitely different compared to you. You are just showing off, right?”

“Right. Although newcomers are coming, this event, which is held once a year, is a place to show other factions about how strong our guild is, so I have no choice but to care about it. The transfer market will open soon, and other guild scouts would be here. Isn’t it good?”

“That’s a mean hobby.”

“Originally, the person at the peak needs to show off his power at least once, honey. Otherwise, there will always be useless challengers.”

“There won’t be a crazy guy in Lindel who will dare challenge you.”

“Of course, I didn’t do this thinking about the people in Lindel. We also have Celia, home of the Japanese, and Dawan, home of the Taiwanese. As you can see, we, the Red Mercenaries, exaggerated a bit. In order to properly show our power, I replaced all the badges and equipment of the members with new ones, the training center equipment was up-to-date, and heavy construction was carried out a few months ago.”

“Is this related to the reason you called me?”

“Hmm… It can’t be said that it’s not. Though it’ll be good to be able to show that my alliance with Blue is strong, I have another reason for calling you.”

“Hmm…”

“You know what it is, right?”

“I don’t know if it is the reason I think… Is it because of the manufacturing job?”

“Yes.”

“I was worried that I would be wrong, but I’m relieved.”

“In fact, until you came in, I didn’t pay much attention to such matters. To be honest, I was entirely indifferent to the whole thing.”

“Yes. That’s normal.”

“An alchemist is, at best, enough to be used at parties without priests. In fact, it is nonsense to hire an alchemist… You only need to buy potions, but there is no reason to call a non-combatant alchemist as a party member, right? Alchemists are the ones who bite the bullets at parties without wizards or priests.”

“You are stating too many facts.”

“I’m not talking about you. The same goes for blacksmiths. There are already many capable blacksmiths in the Holy Empire. No fool entrusts materials and weapons to beginners even while adventuring… Besides, I think you know how these people usually end. They spend the rest of their lives in the slums until someone stabs them.”

“That was, until I appeared, right?”

“You got it right. It was until you came in. Until now, there has been no case of a manufacturing production with the support and capital of a guild. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the guilds tried. Even before you came, there had been several attempts, but it was all a failure.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Because of this situation, I started thinking about giving possible support to production workers in cities.”

“That’s a little surprising.”

“Actually, besides you, there’s another guy who was a starlight engraver or a sunlight engraver. He appeared in a small neighborhood… He didn’t seem to be very efficient, but he’s also one of the manufacturing workers supported by a guild. I wasn’t able to get how much he was worth, but I saw the potential. He’s here because of my personal greed, but also because of the petitions of Lindel’s guild and clan masters.”

“Hmm… So, that’s how it worked out.”

“It seemed like it wouldn’t matter if I ignored it, but I’m also in favor of improving the quality of urban production workers. Even the Empire seems to want it.”

I could clearly understand what was going on.

‘So, it was like that.’

In other words, because of me, the expectations for manufacturing production had risen. In fact, among all the potions I made, the advanced products were so effective that they had similar efficiency to a priest’s healing.

Since they were recognized as consumable, expensive potions were not used a lot, but one could always carry a few for an emergency if one were to go hunting.

Because of this, there was a rise in manufacturing jobs within Lindel, and some guilds and clans still did not stop investing in manufacturing production.

In this situation, it was obvious what kind of petitions many guilds and clans had made to the Red Mercenaries. They must have asked what it would be like to put a manufacturing job course in this training center’s training.

Some guild’s petitions could simply be ignored, but this would prove to be a problem for the guild in itself. In particular, considering that the Empire was also strangely hoping for it, it was not unreasonable to make this choice.

‘The wise king deigned to come out…’

Cha Hee-ra probably thought that this timing would be an opportunity to show both authority and mercy just like the ideal king.

“They were thinking that if they kept making a petition to the Red Mercenary Guild, you would call me. They are clever…”

“They probably want Blue, too. When you were stuck in the lab, there must have been a lot of harassment and lobbying everywhere. They were considerate of you and let you research in peace.”

“I’m grateful to them.”

“So touching. Just in case, you two are not dating, right?”

“What and who are you talking about?”

“Nothing. It’s just a strange rumor going around the city…”

“It’s just a rumor.”

“Then, that’s a relief; anyway, it’s turned out like this. Of course, I told you not to worry, and if you don’t want to do it, I don’t intend to force you.”

“No, it’s not that I don’t want to.”

“Is there a reason?”

“I’m honestly in favor of improving the quality of manufacturing production.”

“That’s surprising.”

“Of course, since I’m monopolizing the market, I might think it would be beneficial not to do it, but it won’t necessarily be that way. To be honest, the market hasn’t even been formed yet. I’m the only famous seller, and my potions are pretty expensive. Because of this, it means that only those who are able will be able to buy it.”

“Ahhh…”

“Poor parties or clans can’t afford to buy my potions. Those who go out hunting without a priest and die can’t use my products, anyway. That’s why it’s only a low-cost model, but… There is also a problem with the brand image, and if you are going to run a factory, it would be beneficial to run a high-end product.”

“Well… I understand. Doesn’t it mean that the market is more active only when there are people who spread it from the bottom?”

“Right. Originally, potions are recognized like expendables, so its image isn’t good, but some people have never drunk it. What do you think would happen if the people in the bottom made progress after returning from hunting? Do you think they will continue to use the low-end model with their lives at stake?”

“The destination is ‘made by Lee Kiyoung’ anyway, is that what you mean?”

“Right. People like luxury goods here and on Earth. This is because buyers want a company they can trust. I am not showing off, but I am unique as an alchemist. I’m sure there’s zero chance of a competitor appearing while I’m alive. The question is, is there anything I’m getting with this right now? They wouldn’t have petitioned with nothing to offer.”

“Of course, they’re offering something. First is the reward that will be returned to you. The guilds and clans will pay gold under the guise of education.”

“Nice!”

“So, you like it?”

“Recently, something bad has happened, and I needed money. There’s nothing for the Red Mercenary?”

“Aren’t you being too blunt, honey?”

“Ahem…”

Although Cha Hee-ra pretended to look disappointed, I knew it was impossible for her to get nothing in return.

“Of course, the Red Mercenary will also receive a reward. There are also a few things I’m going to give you personally… I was thinking of giving this even if you chose not to push through with the manufacturing. And…”

“And?”

“I plan to transfer some of the priority bargaining rights to Blue.”

“How many?”

“Before that, shouldn’t you be asking how many attack teams there are?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“There are a total of 14 people who are attacking the dungeon in this tutorial. There are five priority bargaining rights that we can give. I’m only giving you too much.”

“You say there are fourteen?”

“Yes. Your small party was special. So… Are you going to do it or not?”

“Isn’t this a little too much for you?”

“I told you, I’m doing this as an apology, so don’t worry.”

“Apologies for what…”

“Don’t mess with me, you know why. Don’t even look at me while making that expression. Answer me quickly. Are you going to do it, or not?”

Upon seeing Cha Hee-ra’s rushed expression, I couldn’t help but smile.

She looked pretty cute. Of course, the answer had already been decided.