24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 146

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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24-Hour Friendly Market Specializing in Dimensional Items Episode 146

 

Episode 146. The Fool of Floraban (4)

 

Everything becomes certain once you know the scenario.

 

It’s just that the scenario content Chae Geun-dam told me was so short it was absurd.

 

“What exactly does it say?”

 

“It says ‘Put an end to the long war.'”

 

“What’s the scenario name?”

 

“…I’ll read it from the beginning again.”

 

Chae Geun-dam began to slowly recite the scenario content from the start.

 

[Main Scenario ‘Nest’ (Dimension-Aetheria)

 

+

 

The dimension Aetheria, composed of cities with various characteristics, is fighting over the survival of their cities.

 

With nowhere left to retreat, Aetheria’s cities are preparing for their final assault.

 

To protect the time they’ve built up, they must win the war.

 

+

 

Scenario Objective: Put an end to the long war.]

 

It was just as short during Laoko, and this time is no different.

 

There aren’t hints like in Ganashia, nor are there any particularly unique scenario objectives.

 

Having already examined Aetheria before, I have a bit more room for interpretation though…

 

They’re telling me to stop the war between the four cities fighting over Vernium.

 

Before I knew it, I was sitting cross-legged in front of Chae Geun-dam, muttering seriously.

 

“Should I just go all-in to help one side win…?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Ah, come to think of it, this guy was just captured and doesn’t even know this is Floraban.

 

I briefly explained about Aetheria.

 

A dimension made up of four floating cities, the battle for magic stones to keep the cities afloat, about Berilsha which I find suspicious, and so on.

 

‘Ugh, my throat hurts.’

 

I definitely tried to just hit the main points briefly, but as I talked, there was too much to say.

 

Throughout my story, Chae Geun-dam had a serious expression.

 

“Do you understand?”

 

“I understand what you’re saying. This place is a city called Floraban, and it was the territory of elves who handle spirits.”

 

“That’s right. I haven’t been to Berilsha yet, but the four cities have completely different feels.”

 

This should cover all the basic knowledge about Aetheria.

 

Chae Geun-dam quietly nodded and muttered in a dark tone.

 

“The key will be how to end the war.”

 

“There aren’t many methods.”

 

I shrugged my shoulders as I answered.

 

It’s not set in stone that we have to end things the way Babel wants.

 

But there’s only one easiest method.

 

Supporting one city out of the four cities.

 

But Chae Geun-dam probably isn’t the type to do that.

 

“How about persuading each city to induce a ceasefire?”

 

I knew this would happen.

 

‘That’s too naive thinking.’

 

I firmly shook my head and refuted Chae Geun-dam’s opinion.

 

“Right now, Vernium’s mana stone reserves are only enough for one city to last 5 years at most. Telling them to share that is no different from telling them to prepare to hold hands and die together after one year.”

 

It’s not shameful to hope for an ideal ending, but such methods are usually not realistic.

 

“Then how about finding another supply source?”

 

“From where?”

 

“Don’t you operate a market, Lee Hae? Can’t you sell mana stones at the market?”

 

The ‘Friendly Market’ that Chae Geun-dam thinks of shook South Korea, so I understand why he has expectations of me.

 

But I shook my head.

 

“I understand why you’re saying that. But it’s impossible, so it would be better to set aside that option.”

 

Of course, when I first heard Vernium’s story, I also thought couldn’t we just buy it with money.

 

But this is impossible even if I had astronomical wealth.

 

The Dimensional Market is enormous, but the items for sale aren’t infinite.

 

It’s an impossible realm unless somewhere guarantees regular supply of large quantities of mana stones.

 

‘I can’t do that either.’

 

For reference, I had Sam-i calculate how much it would be if we cleaned out all the mana stones in the market.

 

Even if I spent all the money I have to sweep up mana stones, it would only maintain things for one more year at most.

 

Moreover, there’s no telling how long it would take for mana stones to appear in the market.

 

I had no intention of falling into refresh hell forever because of that.

 

Well, this is something I need to think about more anyway.

 

“In any case, meeting the other strategy teams should come first. It seems like they dropped us off telling us to figure things out on our own, but the scenario is a joint game anyway, right?”

 

Chae Geun-dam nodded as if there was no need to even mention it.

 

Gathering the strategy teams that probably dropped in each city would likely be quite a tiresome task.

 

‘It strangely feels like they’re guiding us to become representatives of each city.’

 

It’s a situation that seems to force us to incite the city we dropped in to claim victory.

 

I have no idea what state the other cities are in right now.

 

‘Let me free up Chae Geun-dam first.’

 

I looked back at Eldarin while showing that I had finished the conversation.

 

Eldarin had been looking this way as if monitoring us throughout my conversation with Chae Geun-dam.

 

“Have you finished your conversation?”

 

“Roughly. Do you still find this human suspicious?”

 

The savior is vouching for him, so ease up a bit.

 

Eldarin gazed at Chae Geun-dam with quiet eyes.

 

“…From what I overheard of your conversation just now, you truly seem to be someone who wants to end this war. You have the power to threaten us, yet you chose to be peacefully restrained.”

 

“That’s right. He’s someone worth getting to know.”

 

I mean that sincerely.

 

The world needs at least one person who’s this optimistic and straightforward.

 

What would become of the world if it was filled only with people like me?

 

Eldarin looked back and forth between Chae Geun-dam and me, then finally nodded with a serious expression.

 

“I’ll withdraw my suspicions for now.”

 

With those words, the vines binding Chae Geun-dam smoothly unwound.

 

Suddenly freed, Chae Geun-dam looked down at his body with a bewildered expression.

 

“However, you’re not completely free. We need safety measures to control unfamiliar humans.”

 

Eldarin added in a rather heavy tone, raising his hand to draw letters in the air.

 

A complex-looking green pattern seeped into Chae Geun-dam’s forehead.

 

“It’s an Elf’s mark. Please keep in mind that you can be banished from Floraban at any time.”

 

His tone was quite stiff, unlike when he spoke to me.

 

Chae Geun-dam nodded with honest eyes, showing no intention of refusing.

 

This isn’t a bad outcome.

 

From the Elves’ perspective, a suddenly appearing armed human is a risk factor, and it would be awkward to grant complete freedom based on trusting just me alone.

 

‘He even stepped on the grass.’

 

If Chae Geun-dam hadn’t stepped on the grass, things might have been resolved more easily.

 

Well, anyway, Chae Geun-dam’s freedom has been restored.

 

I approached Eldarin closely and carefully made a suggestion.

 

“Is there any way to find out about the situation in other cities?”

 

“There are Elves in charge of information. It would be best for you to go there and check, Savior.”

 

I unconsciously responded with a smile to his gentle and affectionate tone.

 

Chae Geun-dam must feel left out.

 

Eldarin began walking ahead down a path leading in another direction, as if telling us to follow.

 

I followed behind him along with Chae Geun-dam, who had somehow escaped from the magic circle and approached my side.

 

Then Chae Geun-dam, who had been rubbing his wrists that had been bound the whole time, asked calmly.

 

“Why are you helping us, Lee Hae?”

 

His pure question hit me hard.

 

Right, why am I doing this here?

 

‘Human duty…?’

 

It’s too dangerous to call it duty.

 

How much help could I possibly provide when I’m physically weak and only have money?

 

“Just because.”

 

It’s not that I feel ashamed for not being particularly helpful after coming all this way to scout.

 

It’s just that being able to do something doesn’t feel bad.

 

“Ugh.”

 

I shuddered and hastily shook off the thought I’d just had.

 

I hate embarrassing thoughts.

 

It was at that moment when I was avoiding Chae Geun-dam’s gaze, which had grown serious as he failed to understand my behavior.

 

“Elder!”

 

A strange Elf who had flown between the trees on a bird urgently shouted.

 

Even at a glance, his expression was pale.

 

I inadvertently exchanged glances with Chae Geun-dam.

 

Chae Geun-dam also seemed to have noticed that something unusual had happened.

 

The Elf who dismounted from the bird didn’t even have time to take a respectful posture before Eldarin, and bowed his head to report.

 

“Gearsgard is approaching!”

 

* * *

 

Rather than gathering information, we hurriedly headed to the outskirts of the city where Gearsgard’s airships were reportedly approaching.

 

Indeed, in the middle of the clear blue sky, several massive metal airships were approaching this way.

 

‘They’re really attacking.’

 

Who would have thought that the ‘attack schedule’ predicted by Floraban and Glimmerstona would match so perfectly.

 

It was unexpected that they would skip the city of frail Alchemists and attack the land of Elves with warriors first.

 

But if they believed that the sacred tree’s barrier had disappeared, it wouldn’t be a bad decision.

 

If only the holder of the growth stickers hadn’t landed here, the invasion might have succeeded.

 

Sure enough, Eldarin, who stood beside me, calmly spoke.

 

“It’s alright. Since the sacred tree has been revived, they won’t be able to cause any harm to Floraban.”

 

That’s fortunate, but it seems Chae Geun-dam’s dream of resolving things peacefully has moved one step further away, doesn’t it?

 

I glanced up at Chae Geun-dam, who must have been troubled by the situation that had suddenly unfolded.

 

But Chae Geun-dam didn’t actually look troubled.

 

Rather, he was just frowning and craning his neck toward the airships.

 

“…Wait a moment, Lee Hae.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Chae Geun-dam touched his chin with a perplexed expression.

 

Since Chae Geun-dam, whose expression management would put Park Ji-woon to shame, was noticeably flustered, I reflexively asked.

 

“Is there some problem?”

 

“Can you see? On the airship deck…”

 

Chae Geun-dam raised his hand and pointed at the airship.

 

I narrowed my eyes and stared at the top of the airship.

 

The deck of the airship was close enough that human figures could be vaguely discerned.

 

It was filled with Gearsgard’s soldiers.

 

Dwarves and humans in uniforms were busily moving about with rifles, preparing for battle.

 

That much was understandable.

 

“…No way, that person.”

 

There stood a strange foreigner in attire that didn’t match Gearsgard.

 

Flat-looking metal armor, short hair fluttering in the wind.

 

And a subtle aura of light flowing from the mace gripped firmly in hand.

 

I muttered in a bewildered tone.

 

“Isn’t that Lee Hwa-yeon?”

 

Rank 2, titled ‘Guardian of Radiance’ Lee Hwa-yeon.

 

Even from a distance, Lee Hwa-yeon’s face was filled with a hearty laugh, making it obvious to anyone that she was Gearsgard’s lackey.

 

“It was a mistake not anticipating how others would decide.”

 

This time, Chae Geun-dam muttered in a truly troubled tone.

 

Before Chae Geun-dam’s eyes, who had resolved to somehow end the war in a peaceful direction.

 

The ‘comrade’ who had entered with him was standing at the forefront of Gearsgard after all.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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