24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 184

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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 184

 

Episode 184. Troublemaker (1)

 

Surprisingly, during the 1 hour and 37 minutes it took me to draw the map, not a single person came looking for me.

 

They dragged me here claiming I was suspicious, so why are they just leaving me alone?

 

‘How absurd.’

 

Well, I guess I should be grateful that the warm sunlight and quiet atmosphere didn’t interfere with my map drawing.

 

I settled into the perfectly warmed prime spot and spread out the completed map.

 

‘As expected, I can’t see the heights.’

 

This was a problem I clearly realized in Aetheria – the weakness of this detection writing tool is that it can only draw flat maps from a bird’s eye view perspective.

 

When I first entered the 67th Floor, I was in the sky filled with various floating islands.

 

Since where I am now seems to be on land, about half of the land’s map felt obscured by those islands.

 

I grumbled while looking up at the sky through the latticed bars that barely allowed a view outside.

 

“Well, that’s just great.”

 

Still, let me see if there’s anything useful I can glean from this map.

 

The irregularly drawn islands on the map all had the same name marked on them.

 

[Orphium]

 

It seemed like the entire aerial area was collectively called Orphium.

 

The livestock pen’s name might actually be Orphium itself.

 

The land areas that were partially obscured by the islands were packed with squares.

 

Since I could see buildings packed tightly even outside the prison bars, this was only natural.

 

Various shops were densely lined up – general stores, restaurants, livestock supply stores, monster feed shops, and so on.

 

There were also quite a few squares with no labels written on them, which seemed to be residential areas.

 

The name referring to the land where these squares were gathered was…

 

[Delpium]

 

“Orphium, Delpium.”

 

I quietly recited the area names.

 

So Orphium is the monster breeding area, and Delpium feels like the residential area.

 

The prison where I was located couldn’t be found on the map, probably because it was hidden by the floating islands.

 

If I at least knew where I was, I could roughly escape and figure out where to search, getting some sense of direction.

 

‘This is practically like a map full of holes.’

 

How nice it would be if the Orphium and Delpium maps could be drawn separately.

 

The 47th Floor boss who used the detection writing tool, the Gardener, probably didn’t need it since there were no aerial areas floating in the sky there.

 

‘There, they just had to draw mazes.’

 

While complaining that the 20th Floor was already delayed, I discovered one notable place on the map.

 

Although square buildings were built there, the land itself was still bumpy and uneven.

 

At the edge of such land, there was one long rectangular space that awkwardly protruded out.

 

‘Loading dock…?’

 

From that one name, deductions spread through my mind.

 

A loading dock would naturally be a space for loading and unloading cargo.

 

What they’d be moving here was obvious without even looking.

 

I recalled what Brutus had bitterly muttered.

 

‘We will all eventually be shipped out to perform our roles. That is our destiny.’

 

It was a designation that made me realize that statement was true.

 

I examined the map more thoroughly in every corner, but there weren’t any hidden areas or anything like that.

 

Even though there were countless buildings in Delpium, none had notable names.

 

I couldn’t see any particular points of interest, and my eyes were just getting strained.

 

“How exactly am I supposed to read this map?”

 

I cursed the 47th Floor’s Gardener, who was probably already dead and infinitely respawning, as I folded the map.

 

The map wasn’t perfect, but anyway, this was data that needed to be officially submitted to the Babel Management Bureau.

 

After putting the map in my inventory, I flopped down on the floor.

 

Anyway, well… I did… sort of… figure out the terrain.

 

Not properly, just roughly about a quarter of it, but I did do it anyway.

 

‘But this isn’t everything.’

 

Aside from learning that half of Seiporamonium is a massive livestock pen, I didn’t find out anything else here.

 

I need to roughly understand this dimension before the scenario opens.

 

What’s happening here, what could be a clue to the scenario.

 

What conflicts and problems exist, where the Tower of Babel is located, what approach would be advantageous for clearing the scenario.

 

Those are areas that can’t be known with just one map.

 

Not unless I go out and investigate myself.

 

For that, do I need to use the sealed iron dagger again?

 

‘Park Ji-woon really needs to give me a bonus.’

 

I don’t know how many times I’m resolving to break out of prison.

 

‘The Griffin is also a problem.’

 

The Bloody Wyvern who had a conversation with Brother was Piper, and Piper has already been shipped to another dimension.

 

So the only reliable monster I can ask more about Brother is the Griffin, but that Griffin seems to be ridden around by Siena.

 

If I ask Siena, would there be any chance of getting an opportunity to approach…

 

‘No, should they really be neglecting me this much in the first place?’

 

Thinking of Siena suddenly made anger surge up again.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Click-

 

The dull sound of a locked door opening.

 

I bolted upright and opened my eyes wide.

 

Ah, of course I’m acting.

 

Standing in front of the door was Siena, whom I had just been cursing.

 

Siena’s expression remained rigidly frozen, still maintaining her snow-white appearance.

 

I had been looking for her, but somehow she felt like an unwelcome intruder who had suddenly barged in, so I was staring blankly when Siena spoke coldly.

 

“We’re moving.”

 

Exactly five syllables.

 

Not friendly, no explanation, just telling me to come out unconditionally.

 

“Where to?”

 

She doesn’t answer.

 

The mysteriousness I felt when I first saw Siena disappeared long ago.

 

Siena just stood there silently, staring at me quietly as if telling me to come out, without saying anything.

 

Who knew it would be this scary to have someone who seems to have no pigment stare intently with pale silver eyes.

 

Of course, right now irritation is a bit stronger than fear.

 

‘Damn, she won’t answer.’

 

When someone asks a question, answering is basic courtesy.

 

But I put on the expression of a frightened gentle sheep and obediently got up from my spot.

 

Siena came looking for me on her own, so now is the perfect opportunity to get another clue.

 

* * *

 

Grumble-

 

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them at the loud stomach growling that echoed through the pure white room.

 

Siena, sitting across from me, remained expressionless as she quietly flipped through the documents in her hands.

 

It would have been better if she at least looked flustered or mocked me.

 

Come to think of it, she didn’t give me any explanation and didn’t feed me either.

 

‘How miserable it is to be Korean here.’

 

These people probably don’t understand the concept of being powered by rice, do they?

 

Anyway, even though Siena didn’t give me any explanation, even Guk Min-seong passing by would know this is an interrogation room.

 

A square table, two chairs placed facing each other, and pure white walls and pure white lighting without a single window.

 

At least the place I was locked up earlier had sunlight coming in, but this place is just blindingly white.

 

‘Ugh, it’s hurting my eyes.’

 

I’m hungry and my eyes hurt – it’s quite pitiful.

 

At that moment, Siena slammed down her file folder and calmly opened her mouth.

 

“Let’s begin.”

 

Siena folded her hands over the white file folder and added.

 

“I am Siena, Head Administrator of Orphium. I will be conducting an investigation regarding today’s unauthorized intrusion into Orphium. Please be advised that this entire conversation will be recorded on recording stones.”

 

Head Administrator.

 

My ears perked up at those words.

 

I had sensed something unusual from the moment she flew in on a griffin with such presence that all the monsters fled, but Head Administrator.

 

That means she’s the person who manages the entire Livestock Pen.

 

‘There should be quite a bit of information to gather, right?’

 

As soon as I realized that, I decided to faithfully play my role as if entering battle.

 

I answered in a tearful voice.

 

“Yes, if my innocence can be proven…”

 

When I claimed innocence I didn’t have, Siena slightly furrowed her brow.

 

“What is your name?”

 

“Lee Hae… it is.”

 

I was about to say Lee Hae-won but trailed off just in case.

 

Siena picked up a white pen and wrote my name on the documents.

 

…It would have been a bit scary if even the ink was white.

 

“What is your affiliation?”

 

“Affiliation…? What kind of affiliation?”

 

Since I was playing an amnesiac lost person, I answered in a trembling tone.

 

A slight irritation flashed across her silver eyes.

 

It was the look of someone who didn’t believe for a second that I had actually lost my memory.

 

But Siena quickly hid her emotions and immediately threw out the next question.

 

“How did you enter Orphium?”

 

“I’m not really sure either. When I came to my senses, I was just there…”

 

“You said the exact same thing earlier.”

 

“Because it’s the truth.”

 

“Do you have a way to prove it?”

 

“Prove what…? I don’t even know what’s happening right now.”

 

Ah, I’ve been consistently claiming this much, couldn’t she at least pretend to believe me once?

 

Of course, it’s all complete lies and I have absolutely no way to prove it.

 

“Do you have an entry permit?”

 

“That kind of thing… I don’t know.”

 

“Unauthorized entry into Orphium is a major violation corresponding to Article 3 of Seiporamonium regulations. Furthermore, Lee Hae, you violated Article 6 by making unauthorized contact with monsters within Orphium.”

 

…Did I touch Brutus?

 

“Contact includes all interactions such as touching or speaking.”

 

Ah.

 

Just as I was admiring how quickly that curiosity was resolved, Siena added with displeasure.

 

“Such actions are strictly prohibited as they can disrupt the breeding process. Any resident of Delpium would know this, so state your affiliation.”

 

‘It’s South Korea, lady.’

 

Even if I told her, she wouldn’t know anyway.

 

Anyway, to summarize for now, Orphium is a space where entry is thoroughly controlled so that just anyone can’t come and go.

 

I don’t know what the breeding process is like, but if ‘ordinary residents’ all know about the entry restrictions…

 

‘Is this dimension originally created for monster breeding?’

 

South Korean citizens know hospitals exist but don’t know the rules inside hospitals.

 

But if all Delpium residents know the regulations, two possibilities come to mind.

 

Either the dimension is excessively strict about rules, or all residents are involved in breeding-related work.

 

I asked casually with a hopeful heart.

 

“I really can’t remember, but where might I have been affiliated? Could you help me speculate a bit? Since I really can’t remember, if I hear something, my memory might come back.”

 

“…Do you really not remember how you entered Orphium?”

 

“Yes, really. I might have lost my permit…”

 

Just let it slide once, Siena.

 

When I looked at her earnestly, Siena briefly lowered her gaze.

 

She didn’t seem inclined to believe me, but she appeared to be considering it.

 

After a moment of silence, Siena quietly opened her mouth.

 

“…If we assume you really did lose your permit, you might have been doing work like breeding environment management, monster treatment, or care.”

 

I still made a tearful face as if I didn’t understand.

 

It was an effort to hide the joy I felt that Siena was readily leaking information to me.

 

So it wasn’t just the Head Administrator who could enter Orphium.

 

Well, if they’re raising monsters and calling it ‘breeding,’ it must require quite a bit of hands-on work.

 

Siena, who had been observing my expression, asked.

 

“Nothing rings a bell at all?”

 

“…No.”

 

On Siena’s documents, there was nothing written except my name, the two characters ‘Lee Hae.’

 

With the completely fruitless interrogation, Siena seemed somewhat angry.

 

‘Rather than angry, it looks closer to pissed off.’

 

Should I have come up with a more plausible excuse for the interrogation?

 

Just as I was thinking that, Siena closed the file folder and muttered.

 

“For now, I’ll pass your name to other Head Administrators to check the roster.”

 

Oh, so Siena isn’t the only Head Administrator.

 

…Just as I thought I had gained one new piece of information, I was struck by an ominous feeling.

 

It would be bad if my name gets shared and they confirm I’m not a Delpium resident, right?

 

Then I’d have to go around wearing a mask again, wouldn’t I?

 

‘Do I have to wear the Mask of All Faces again?’

 

Having my face instantly changed is very convenient.

 

But when I wear the Mask of All Faces, I can’t equip other items on my face.

 

And I’ve already become acquainted with Brutus using this face, and the Griffin saw this face too.

 

Most importantly, even if I appeared with someone else’s face, the rigid FM-style Siena would probably immediately realize I’m a foreigner and drag me back here again.

 

‘No wait, if I appeared with Brother’s face, would it be easier to talk with the Griffin?’

 

Surely Siena hasn’t met Brother before, right?

 

It was at that moment when I was complicating my thoughts with all sorts of ideas.

 

Knock knock knock-

 

At the sound of loud, rapid knocking without any consideration, Siena’s head shot up.

 

And before she could even respond to come in, the door burst open.

 

Standing there was an unfamiliar White Human who had turned pale.

 

The uninvited guest, with a face full of panic and not knowing what to do, looked at Siena and shouted seriously.

 

“This is terrible, Lady Siena.”

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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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