24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 166

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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 166

 

Episode 166. How to Protect Your Nest (2)

 

Gearsgard’s airship is being put to very good use here and there.

 

It was definitely an airship lent to Lee Hwa-yeon to make her conquer dimensions, but it suddenly became the World Peace Expedition’s personal vehicle.

 

After Lee Ja-gyeom and Chae Geun-dam went into the cabin to avoid the strong wind, I was looking out over the railing under Silvester’s care.

 

Looking at the scenery of the sun slowly setting while feeling the wind in mid-air made me feel quite peaceful.

 

Though my mind was incredibly complicated aside from that.

 

‘EX-grade curse…’

 

From the moment the expression ‘EX-grade’ appeared, which had never been revealed even once, I had been tense the entire time.

 

Even when I asked Seo Jae-hyuk, I was nervous not knowing what kind of answer would come.

 

When asked ‘how did you know it was an EX-grade curse,’ Seo Jae-hyuk seemed to choose his words for a moment, then answered in a troubled tone as if muttering.

 

‘Those were the words of the boss who cast the curse. He said this was the highest grade curse that the likes of you could never break, that it was a curse from outside the dimension, so you would never be able to solve the problem and would struggle in agony until you died.’

 

Seo Jae-hyuk himself didn’t seem to fully understand the meaning though.

 

It’s already a well-known fact that you need abilities of the same grade to dispel a curse.

 

After hearing about the EX-grade curse, Seo Jae-hyuk must have tried every method, but there are no EX-grade title holders anywhere in Korea, let alone the entire world.

 

But wait, how does a 45th Floor scenario boss use that?

 

‘Is it someone whose memories remained?’

 

Even making that assumption doesn’t make sense.

 

All memories from when dimensions are destroyed get erased, so Babel uses them as scenario bosses.

 

‘How did that guy know?’

 

Even the statement about coming from outside the dimension is extremely suspicious.

 

Thinking about it more, assuming some power from outside the dimension intervened with the 45th Floor boss seems most plausible.

 

Or did that boss learn some ridiculous truth before the 45th Floor dimension was destroyed?

 

No matter what assumptions I make, nothing gives me any certainty.

 

And that wasn’t even the only thing to think about.

 

The ‘study scene’ between Seo Jae-hyuk and Lee Hwa-yeon that I saw with Kienum’s watch didn’t flow like this.

 

Of course, the future I peeked at with Kienum’s watch doesn’t become 100% reality.

 

My mindset when I first used Kienum’s watch was clearly different from my mindset when actually in the study, so it wouldn’t be strange if the future changed.

 

‘But there was definitely someone standing there like a mastermind wearing a robe.’

 

Someone who covered their entire body and gave off a disgusting aura, reeking of suspicious smell.

 

Even if that was most likely Quentin based on the circumstances, if it was Quentin, I wonder if there would be a reason for him to be there with his face covered.

 

“Ugh, living in this world is really hard.”

 

I muttered sullenly and rested my chin on my hand.

 

Ah, I’m already busy solving one scenario, but there are too many things for my small brain to think about…

 

Then Silvester whispered quietly.

 

“Someone is coming.”

 

It’s quite a serious tone, as if giving a sincere warning, but.

 

“Lee Hae.”

 

Who else could approach me inside an airship flying through the sky besides Lee Ja-gyeom and Chae Geun-dam?

 

Sure enough, Chae Geun-dam was approaching with his characteristic calm expression.

 

“Did you come out to guard me?”

 

“The airship’s speed has been gradually slowing down. It seems we’ve almost arrived.”

 

“Ah, you’re right. That dot must be Florabon.”

 

I responded half-heartedly and stared endlessly at the distant sky.

 

I thought he would just turn around and leave, but Chae Geun-dam casually positioned himself nearby.

 

Between Chae Geun-dam standing with his back straight and me leaning my whole body against the railing, it’s obvious who will end up spending 30 million won on spinal surgery.

 

Chae Geun-dam, who had been blankly staring at the same place as me, casually asked.

 

“How can we tell when the engine is completed?”

 

“Well, maybe Seo Jae-hyuk will shoot some fireworks into the sky.”

 

“Was that promised?”

 

“I’m just saying. Since we don’t know when it’ll be completed, it means we need to return as quickly as possible.”

 

Actually, even though Green researched the engine, there’s no way to know when it will be completed.

 

Most importantly, the magitech engineering engine hasn’t even been tested, and there’s only a blueprint without a single prototype.

 

In terms of the scenario, it’s natural for it to succeed, but…

 

It’s not like they have sufficient equipment to repair engines like Gearsgard, so we need to consider the possibility of failure too.

 

…Did I distribute hope here and there so much that I have none left for myself?

 

Isn’t hope supposed to keep springing up continuously?

 

Well, even mana crystal mines disappeared after being mined, so there’s no reason hope wouldn’t run out.

 

Then Chae Geun-dam turned his head to look at me.

 

“Lee Ja-gyeom was amazed.”

 

“About what? Me giving orders to Seo Jae-hyuk?”

 

Seemingly flustered by my indifferent response, Chae Geun-dam coughed quietly.

 

“That too, but about Friendly Market.”

 

“He would be amazed. If I were in the same position, I would have asked about everything too, but Lee Ja-gyeom seems to have quite strong patience.”

 

“…”

 

“Ah, he couldn’t ask me so he bombarded you with questions instead. So you came here to take refuge?”

 

“That’s… not it.”

 

If you’re going to say it’s not, at least answer confidently.

 

It was naturally something I expected.

 

‘Lee Hae,’ known only as the number 1 contributor to strategy guides, appeared right before his eyes, so a scholar studying alchemy like Lee Ja-gyeom would be going crazy with curiosity.

 

I don’t know if he held back thinking I was the strategy team leader, but it seems Chae Geun-dam took the brunt of it instead.

 

But Chae Geun-dam, who I thought would share such troubles, hesitated and chose his words.

 

Then he carefully opened his mouth.

 

“Is it really okay?”

 

“It is a bit cold.”

 

“I’m asking if it’s really okay to reveal your identity.”

 

Chae Geun-dam quietly read the situation.

 

Such a consistently upright person.

 

Even while busy sincerely working on the scenario, he seemed to be more worried than me about whether my real identity would be revealed.

 

“It’s fine. It’s not something I can hide forever anyway.”

 

“If that’s the case, then it’s fortunate, but if any troublesome situations arise, please be sure to tell me. I’ll help as much as possible in the name of Wolpae.”

 

“I will. You just need to keep quiet about the fact that I’m actually a woman, Chae Geun-dam.”

 

“That’s only natural.”

 

I answered cynically, but the response that came back was so serious that I was a bit flustered.

 

He doesn’t even know my real face, yet he’s more serious about hiding my identity than I am.

 

Revealing ‘Lee Hae-won’ comes after I handle the aftermath that will come with this current appearance wearing the Mask of All Things.

 

When Brother returns alive, he’ll be very shocked by the things I did with his face, but…

 

I’ll tell him to pay that as the price for making me worry.

 

I avoided Chae Geun-dam’s gaze and pointed to the island sinking into the night sky.

 

Florabon was approaching in the distance.

 

“Let’s prepare to disembark.”

 

First, let’s go get the magic circle that Seo Jae-hyuk, this era’s precious treasure, is desperately wanting.

 

*   *   *

 

“Lee Ja-gyeom.”

 

“Wo, wow. This is… wow…”

 

“Lee Ja-gyeom, this way.”

 

Chae Geun-dam, who had grabbed Lee Ja-gyeom as he tried to forge his own path while distracted by the scenery, looked at me with an awkward smile.

 

Well, even I who had visited Florabon once could understand – it was such a fantastical night.

 

Florabon’s nature, which had been fresh and green, now glowed softly like a lake filled with fireflies as night fell.

 

Perhaps it was because several days had passed since the sacred tree recovered.

 

It seemed to feel even more beautiful than before.

 

“Both of you, don’t step on the grass – it’s basic etiquette.”

 

But I had to point out what needed to be pointed out without forgetting.

 

Lee Ja-gyeom, who heard my words, was startled and looked down at his feet.

 

Fortunately, despite being so distracted, he had luckily only stepped on bare earth.

 

At that moment, a gentle voice carried on the wind from inside the forest.

 

“A good choice.”

 

Looking up, I saw Eldarin approaching, illuminating the air with the power of spirits.

 

Eldarin, who spotted me, smiled with eyes full of joy.

 

“Savior.”

 

“Savior?”

 

“Yes, I have a side job.”

 

While Lee Ja-gyeom blinked at my nonsense, I approached Eldarin closely.

 

Eldarin’s face, still welcoming me with a benevolent smile, was filled only with goodwill.

 

“It’s nice to see you again so soon…”

 

“Eldarin, could I possibly see the Spirit King summoning magic circle?”

 

I asked, cutting off his words so decisively that I lost my qualification as a Korean raised in the land of Eastern courtesy.

 

‘There’s no time for courtesy in this urgent situation.’

 

I naturally expected him to be delighted, saying he would gladly do so for the savior’s request, but Eldarin’s expression subtly hardened.

 

His slightly raised eyebrows even showed clear signs of bewilderment.

 

I could feel Chae Geun-dam, who had seen the relationship between Eldarin and me earlier, stiffen with tension.

 

“Are you… thinking of summoning the Spirit King?”

 

“Of course not. I just really need it.”

 

Eldarin looked at me silently for a moment, then answered with a troubled tone.

 

“I’m sorry, but that is a treasure of our race. No matter how much you request it, Savior, it’s a matter that’s difficult to disclose carelessly.”

 

Well, I had expected this.

 

Even Silvester, who had told me there would be a Spirit King summoning magic circle, had said it would be difficult.

 

But I had no intention of backing down meekly here.

 

Eldarin was the leader of Florabon and someone with absolute influence within this city.

 

And he was also the being who most wanted to end the war.

 

‘Most importantly, without the magic circle, I’ll become Legato’s skewer.’

 

At this point, I needed to spill some beans.

 

I whispered with a serious face.

 

“It’s not personal curiosity or anything like that. I told you, didn’t I? That I want to end the war.”

 

“I know.”

 

“To end the war, Florabon’s power is needed. Not warriors, but a special power. That’s exactly the Spirit King summoning magic circle.”

 

“…Are you saying that could become the power to end the war?”

 

To be precise, it was a means to change Seo Jae-hyuk’s mind about siding with Quentin, but for Seo Jae-hyuk to become the engine’s driving force, I had to make the deal succeed.

 

So it was true that the Spirit King summoning magic circle was needed to end the war.

 

I spoke with an even more subdued gaze.

 

“I’m not forcing Eldarin to do something impossible just because I’m the savior. I’m a pacifist who came to ask because the method to end the war exists in Florabon.”

 

Eldarin’s eyes, looking at me with an upright gaze, shone blue even in the darkness.

 

As if knowing the weight his words carried, he seemed to agonize for a long time before opening his mouth.

 

I could even see the hesitation toward hope hidden in those eyes.

 

“We must all survive together without fighting. Help me, Eldarin.”

 

The situation would change depending on how Eldarin answered.

 

But I had known from the beginning that there was no need to oversell it.

 

“I understand.”

 

Since I had approached him with sincerity, I believed my sincerity would surely reach Eldarin.

 

‘Wow, that took ten years off my life.’

 

I was really worried about what I’d do if he said he absolutely couldn’t show it to humans and told me to get lost, asking if I expected special treatment just for being the savior.

 

If that had happened, I might have attempted a forceful suppression using Chae Geun-dam as the front.

 

How fortunate that it worked out well.

 

Not even a speck of hesitation could be found on Eldarin’s face after making his firm decision.

 

It was a face firmly resolved to truly end the war.

 

‘…No, why does he look strangely troubled?’

 

He made such a cool decision, but he’s not trying to change his mind, is he?

 

Just as I was about to urgently suggest we go see it right away, Eldarin spoke first.

 

“However, there’s a problem.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“The Spirit King summoning magic circle cannot be activated right now.”

 

…Why?

 

“Why?”

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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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