24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 167

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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 167

 

Episode 167. How to Protect the Nest (3)

 

Eldarin, who had been wearing a benevolent smile ever since facing me, flinched in surprise and took a step back.

 

I must have spoken too seriously with a stern expression.

 

But I was genuinely serious.

 

“Why?”

 

If I can’t obtain that, I won’t be able to request an exchange for the ‘Clear Tears’ item that can lift all curses.

 

Then I won’t be able to tell Seo Jae-hyuk to aim for a scenario ending that protects Aetheria.

 

Seo Jae-hyuk’s lover will die, Seo Jae-hyuk will turn dark and become the host of the Tower of Babel, then split Earth in half – the worst possible future might come to pass.

 

I stepped forward as much as Eldarin had stepped back.

 

“Is it impossible? Or is it difficult?”

 

When I asked persistently with a serious expression, Eldarin stared at me with an equally serious face.

 

“It would be better if you saw it directly.”

 

Why are you making people anxious by going without explanation with such a serious expression?

 

I followed behind Eldarin with an uneasy heart.

 

We carefully passed through irregularly laid stone paths and walked deep into the forest for quite a while.

 

After Florabon’s sacred tree recovered, the spirit energy gently spreading throughout the forest felt even warmer.

 

But the further we walked, the more tense I became.

 

“…It seems there’s a problem with the magic circle.”

 

Lee Ja-gyeom muttered from behind in a tone full of sighs.

 

And for good reason, as Eldarin’s back walking ahead was stiffly rigid as if revealing something shameful.

 

Surely it’s not a desperate situation like it exists but is smashed, or someone stole it?

 

‘It can’t be, please.’

 

This is the breakthrough I finally found – I don’t want it to fail without even getting to try!

 

It was then that Eldarin, who had been walking deeper into the forest without much explanation, stopped walking.

 

“Here it is.”

 

The moment I looked at the scenery his hand pointed to, I couldn’t close my mouth and stared in blank amazement.

 

“Wow…”

 

In the dark night, when all of nature had settled into calm colors, a massive lake emitting refreshing light spread before us.

 

The lake, which glowed in pale emerald as if the water itself contained light, didn’t even have ripples.

 

And in the exact center of the calm lake, a massive rock similar in height to the trees was stuck vertically.

 

Just the part above water seemed to be well over 5 meters.

 

Eldarin calmly looked around at us and opened his mouth.

 

“The only magic circle in Florabon that can summon the Spirit King is that water magic circle. However, as you can see…”

 

“There’s nothing there?”

 

If it’s a magic circle, shouldn’t there be something drawn on it?

 

The rock Eldarin pointed to was just a stone mass, without even a fragment of patterns that looked like a magic circle.

 

At my response, Eldarin nodded with a troubled expression.

 

“That’s right, because it’s not in a state where the magic circle can be activated.”

 

“Activation?”

 

“The Spirit King summoning magic circle is not normally exposed to the outside. Because it’s that precious, it only activates for contracts when someone who can call the Spirit King appears. However…”

 

“However, what?”

 

Chae Geun-dam, who had become equally impatient, threw out the question I wanted to ask first.

 

“Activating the magic circle requires quite a lot of materials. We have all the other materials, but the most important one thing.”

 

With a somewhat shameful expression, Eldarin continued quietly.

 

“We don’t have ‘Fairy Dust,’ which is the medium connecting the natural world and spirit realm.”

 

“Fairy Dust?”

 

“Originally, fairies lived in Florabon. They were naturally born among grass, trees, and flowers, maintaining intimate relationships with elves, but… after the war broke out, the fairies disappeared without a trace. For those who live in peaceful nature, running away from the reality of war was a natural course.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Unfortunately, Fairy Dust can no longer be obtained in Florabon.”

 

I can’t tell how far the aftermath of war has reached.

 

Eldarin lowered his head sadly and added.

 

“I’m sorry. I wanted to help the Savior, but it seems my power only goes this far.”

 

Eldarin’s expression as he said this contained shame, regret, and a hint of despair.

 

Chae Geun-dam, influenced by Eldarin’s emotions, also clenched his fists and lowered his head.

 

However, these people are clearly forgetting something important right now.

 

I let out a sigh of relief and replied.

 

“You scared me!”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“We just need to get Fairy Dust, right? Don’t worry about that. I can find it and bring it.”

 

At my bold declaration, a subtle change crossed Chae Geun-dam’s face.

 

“Ah, come to think of it, Lee Hae…”

 

Chae Geun-dam is really funny too.

 

It hasn’t even been a day since I revealed I’m the Friendly Market manager, yet he forgot that and was despairing together.

 

Something like Fairy Dust would be a piece of cake if I just give Sam-i the order…

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

Lee Ja-gyeom, who had been quietly listening, belatedly raised his hand.

 

When I nodded to give him the floor, Lee Ja-gyeom frowned as if something was strange and muttered.

 

“I saw Fairy Dust in Glimerstona.”

 

“…Even though all the fairies disappeared from Aetheria, there’s still Fairy Dust left?”

 

“Well, that’s true, but alchemists are the type who stock up dozens of years’ worth of what they need and use it lavishly… maybe that’s it?”

 

Lee Ja-gyeom scratched the back of his neck with an awkward expression as if he were Glimerstona’s spokesperson.

 

At that moment, I felt like I’d been hit on the head.

 

Certainly, if I order from Friendly Market, rocket delivery to my inventory would be completed within 10 seconds.

 

But if there really is Fairy Dust in Glimerstona, wouldn’t that be the right choice rather than me bringing it through shortcuts?

 

Babel probably didn’t design the scenario with the transaction between Seo Jae-hyuk and me in mind.

 

‘But wouldn’t it be better this way for all cities to join forces to solve the scenario?’

 

So that the scenario can’t see its ending if even one city is missing.

 

So that even after the scenario is cleared, Aetheria can live with the shared sentiment that ‘we all put an end to the war with our combined strength.’

 

Anyway, I’m the leader of this raid team right now.

 

As soon as I made my decision, I quickly opened my mouth.

 

“Then Lee Ja-gyeom and Chae Geun-dam should go to Glimerstona first. Eldarin, how much Fairy Dust do we need?”

 

“Huh? We need about this much…”

 

Eldarin came to his senses and answered while making a jar shape with both arms.

 

It seemed like quite a large amount was needed, but looking at Lee Ja-gyeom, that quantity seemed sufficient.

 

“There’s 100 times that amount.”

 

“Then you two take responsibility for bringing the Fairy Dust. Meet with Glimerstona’s mayor and persuade them properly. Tell them that Green’s Engine needs Fairy Dust, and that it would be good if Glimerstona cooperated for ending the war. Return here as quickly as possible.”

 

“…Will that kind of persuasion work?”

 

Chae Geun-dam asked in a worried tone.

 

I answered with a serious face drained of all humor.

 

“You have to make it work.”

 

“Wait, then Lee Hae, you’re not coming with us?”

 

Lee Ja-gyeom, who had been shy around me the whole time, urgently raised his hand and asked.

 

Well, there’s no need for three people to visit Glimerstona.

 

I promised with a confident face as if telling them to trust only me.

 

“I’ll go find other reinforcements.”

 

* * *

 

After the dinner, Seo Jae-hyuk and Lee Hwa-yeon had come to the secret research lab located in Green’s house basement.

 

“That bastard has annoyingly sharp instincts.”

 

Lee Hwa-yeon grumbled as she plopped down on the sofa placed in the corner.

 

Actually, wasn’t it a situation that was perfect for arousing suspicion rather than saying Quentin had sharp instincts?

 

Seo Jae-hyuk thought so, but decided not to create another fight.

 

A situation where three people suddenly disappeared as if they had evaporated in the middle of Berylsha.

 

It was an uncomfortable situation with him continuously throwing suspicious questions about where the three people had gone, but Seo Jae-hyuk vaguely deflected by saying they were unpredictable people who had gone to find the power to definitely lead Berylsha to victory.

 

Although he couldn’t dispel Quentin’s suspicions, what mattered anyway was the Engine.

 

“Lord Quentin is skilled in tracking magic…”

 

Green, who was busily moving around carrying tools whose names he didn’t even know, muttered worriedly.

 

“It’s fine. I’ve set up a mana barrier, so it won’t be easy to know where we are.”

 

Seo Jae-hyuk explained calmly and looked around the interior of the research lab.

 

A rough research lab that seemed to have the feel of Gearsgard rather than Berylsha, which was obsessed with appearing elegant and noble.

 

In the center of the research lab, where various tools and rough parts were scattered about, was placed a fairly large Engine that could fill the space.

 

Seo Jae-hyuk quietly gazed at Green working diligently with tools on the Engine.

 

Unlike his appearance of being constantly tense and intimidated as an aide, his eyes had come alive.

 

Confidence could be felt from his hands moving without hesitation.

 

‘He seems a bit nervous though.’

 

Green, who had been fiddling with the Engine for quite a while, finally raised his head.

 

Green, who roughly wiped the grease stains on his cheeks with his sleeve, spoke with a rather serious expression.

 

“It’s ready.”

 

Seo Jae-hyuk and Lee Hwa-yeon positioned themselves on both sides of the Engine according to Green’s instructions.

 

“There’s a place inside where magic formulas are engraved. Please fill that area with mana. I’m counting on you.”

 

He seemed to have tried to speak without trembling, but couldn’t hide the anxiety in his voice.

 

Although it was a prototype hastily created based on blueprints, it was still in a state where they hadn’t even been able to test run it.

 

Since Green had been designated as the key to the scenario by ‘Lee Hae’ based only on words, it would be natural anxiety.

 

“We’ll start on three.”

 

“I’ll do the counting, so be quiet.”

 

Ignoring Lee Hwa-yeon’s blunt retort, Seo Jae-hyuk raised his hand.

 

Golden mana seeping out between his fingers rippled as if wanting to rush toward the Engine visible in front.

 

Lee Hwa-yeon’s characteristic silver mana undulating on the opposite side was similar.

 

Soon, Lee Hwa-yeon shouted in a tense tone.

 

“One, two, three!”

 

Simultaneously with three, the two people began pouring mana into the Engine.

 

Golden and silver mana endlessly rushed into the massive Engine.

 

The Engine only greedily devoured the mana.

 

However.

 

Vroooom-

 

When about 10 minutes had passed, a low vibration sound began to be heard from the Engine.

 

Seeing the Engine gradually moving along with friction sounds, Green’s expression filled with joy.

 

“It’s working! At this rate, it seems possible!”

 

The joy that his design had worked out, and satisfaction that this was really possible.

 

Green clasped both hands together with an overwhelmed face.

 

Toward such Green, Lee Hwa-yeon gave a bright, cheerful smile.

 

Just when Seo Jae-hyuk was also about to unconsciously put a smile on his lips.

 

‘…Wait, mana is leaking out.’

 

Mana was subtly leaking from the Engine that should have been completely accepting mana.

 

The moment he realized that.

 

Pshhhh-

 

With a deflating sound, the Engine lost its light and stopped.

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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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