The Second Coming of Gluttony - Chapter 111

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 111. Why She Came (2)

By the time Seol Jihoo managed to settle the chaos, Kim Hanna and Jangmaldong were already deep in conversation, laughing and chatting away.
– I’ve been so worried I couldn’t sleep at night. What if he’s going hungry? What if he doesn’t have proper clothes?
“I understand completely. More than anything, this fool was a hundred times wrong to join a rescue mission without saying a word.”
– The expeditions too. He could have built up more experience and skill before going. He only entered this year, and he keeps insisting on going to the most dangerous places… Am I being too overbearing?
“It’s a contractual relationship, so I sympathize completely. Still— as someone who’s been teaching this boy for a month, there’s something I’d like to say.”
– Oh my.
Kim Hanna expressed her surprise with a delighted little shrug.
– You taught him yourself? Don’t tell me… Big Stone Boulder Mountain?
“You knew?”
– That explains his face then! Of course I know—it’s the main base of the Upper Rank.
“Heh. Main base, nothing. He’s just good at putting in the work.”
– Oh, you’re too much.
Kim Hanna laughed softly, seeming flustered. Seol Jihoo instinctively buried his face in the shopping bag.
While the young man quietly endured in silence, Jangmaldong spoke on in his steady voice, explaining that the original plan was to switch his role to a rear-support archer and have him return after Stage 2. Kim Hanna nodded in agreement.
“But this fool insisted he didn’t want the archer role. He stubbornly demanded to participate as a warrior instead.”
– Oh my. Oh my goodness. You allowed it?
“I was very angry at first. So I set a condition and took him to Big Stone Boulder Mountain.”
– A condition?
“I told him if he couldn’t keep up with the training, I’d throw him off the team. And even if he did manage it, if he didn’t meet expectations, I’d ban him from the expedition.”
Kim Hanna glanced sideways. Seol Jihoo had a pallid face as he placed the shopping bag containing the vomit into another bag.
‘He actually threw up?’
That bastard. Kim Hanna almost laughed out loud but quickly composed herself.
“I planned to teach him a harsh lesson, but instead I got outmaneuvered. He came chasing after me like a stubborn mule.”
– To that extent…
“He put in considerable effort himself, and with good teammates by his side, I thought it was worth a try.”
Kim Hanna’s face showed visible conflict. Jangmaldong cleared his throat.
“I’ve rambled on like an old man. I apologize for the intrusion.”
Jangmaldong’s tone was courteous. Though fierce as a tiger during training, he was always respectful to those he’d never met.
– No, not at all.
Confronted with the elderly man’s courtesy, Kim Hanna found herself at a loss. Seol Jihoo observed carefully but saw no hint of deception.
A moment later, Jangmaldong tapped Seol Jihoo’s shoulder and left.
– Whew.
Kim Hanna sighed deeply, as if she’d aged ten years. Seol Jihoo stared intently at the crystal.
– I suppose I can’t help it. He’s not one to speak empty words… Go. You need to take care of yourself.
Even though she’d finally granted permission, the young man remained silent, and Kim Hanna’s neck flushed.
– Don’t look at me like that. He’s your grandfather. And I don’t always put on a stern face either.
“…All right.”
Seol Jihoo responded unenthusiastically.
– But throwing up like that was too much.
Kim Hanna offered a rueful smile and undid the button at her neck that she’d been holding tight.
– Anyway, thank you.
“For what?”
– Because of you, I’ve met not just Seo Yoo-hee but even Master Jang. I’ve met two celebrities. Living long enough to see the day.
“Is that something to be grateful for?”
– Of course. There’s a world of difference between knowing of someone and actually meeting them face to face.
Now that Kim Hanna mentioned it, it seemed true. Seol Jihoo, having regained his composure, offered a weak smile.
“Then buy me dinner.”
– Dinner?
“I need to head to Scheherazade in the next day or two.”
– Why?
“I need to get new equipment. Scheherazade has the best quality. The auction house is large too.”
– That’s true, but… hmm. Wait a minute. You said you leveled up to Level 3?
When Seol Jihoo confirmed with a nod, Kim Hanna fell silent in thought, her eyes rolling as she considered. Then, as if muttering to herself, she spoke.
– All right. It’s the least I can do, and it’s a celebration too. Consider it my treat. Just wait for me.
“Wait for you?”
When Seol Jihoo asked what she meant, Kim Hanna winked at him.
“You’ll know in two days.”

Two days later.
Seol Jihoo was deep in expedition-related materials he’d borrowed from the library when a shipment arrived at the Carpe Diem Office.
It came from Kim Hanna, and when Seol Jihoo opened it, he was taken aback.
All manner of armor—pieces of every type—lay stacked neatly inside.
What caught his eye first was a neck armor with a yellowish metallic sheen. The throat guard and collarbone armor formed an integrated unit, designed clearly with mobility in mind.
There was also small chain mail worn beneath everything else. Compared to what he’d bought in the Neutral Zone, this piece was slightly longer and made of white metal instead of steel.
But that wasn’t all. A well-crafted shell-colored leather jacket, bronze-colored leather pants, and a pair of lace-up brown long boots besides.
Seol Jihoo examined all five items and let out a low whistle. Though he was no expert in equipment, even at a glance they looked far too expensive to be worth mere dozens of silver coins.
The neck armor and small chain mail especially seemed anything but ordinary—they had to be worth at least hundreds of silver coins.
‘What’s she doing sending all this…’
Yet even as the thought crossed his mind, he was already grinning and trying each piece on one by one.
With good equipment on hand and silver coins secured, how could he not be delighted?
Of course, he didn’t forget to send a message of thanks.

Four days before the expedition entrance would spawn, Kazuki came by the office.
“I apologize.”
Kazuki’s apology had one reason: he’d failed to find a priest.
In an expedition, the presence or absence of a priest could mean the difference between life and death. Especially for an expedition like this one, where no one knew what might happen—a healer was absolutely essential.
In other words, failing to secure a priest meant reconsidering whether to participate in the expedition at all.
“Tsuji Yuki must’ve made up his mind to block it.”
Jangmaldong let out a low sigh. Kazuki neither confirmed nor denied it, but cold anger glinted in his sharp features.
“I’ve reached out to not just Haramag but other cities too…”
He couldn’t even finish his sentence—the anger was that palpable.
In truth, an archer as skilled as Kazuki had considerable connections. That not a single priest among them was willing to help made no sense. Yet unable to find one despite all that could only mean one thing:
“Other cities too?”
“Yes. They all said the same thing—that they’ve already committed to teams participating in the expedition.”
There was no doubt about it: Gyeongdanryeon was sabotaging him.
“Well, damn.”
Jangmaldong shook his head. While unfortunate, the unspoken rule of Paradise was never to meddle in internal disputes. In fact, Kazuki teaming up with them probably already earned Gyeongdanryeon’s displeasure.
What mattered was that two options remained: abandon the expedition or have Carpe Diem find a priest themselves.
Gyeongdanryeon had no grounds to interfere with Carpe Diem’s activities. But the problem was that neither Cho Hong nor Hugo had any connections among priests.
Jangmaldong was a man who’d left once before and had no intention of getting involved in outside matters unless necessary. He could find someone if he tried, but there was no telling what the other side might demand in return.
In the end, all eyes turned to one person.
“Seol.”
Hugo opened his mouth carefully.
“Couldn’t we ask Maria?”
“Maria?”
At Kazuki’s question, Hugo hesitated.
“The Raman Village request—didn’t you bring her directly then?”
“That girl would be fine. She’s kind. And her skills are solid.”
Jangmaldong agreed. Kazuki’s eyes brightened.
“Seol, I’m asking you too. I’m ready to grasp at straws here.”
Seol Jihoo tilted his head—Maria, kind? His face grew troubled.
“Asking isn’t difficult, but…”
He trailed off and shook his head.
“She’ll probably refuse.”
She’d suffered through the hardship. Lost a precious artifact. And he still remembered vividly how she’d wept and cried out that she’d never follow him again, not ever.
Kazuki pressed on as if it didn’t matter.
“I’m not saying she has to accept. I still have other options, but I’d be grateful if you’d at least try.”
Trying wasn’t particularly difficult—he knew how she’d react, which was why he hesitated. But they couldn’t just sit idle, so Seol Jihoo agreed.
“What’s your other option?”
At Cho Hong’s question, Kazuki gazed out the window.
“I’m going to seek her out.”
“Who—ah.”
Cho Hong nodded right away.
“Right. That woman raised you once, so she won’t just ignore you.”
“It was brief, but she helped us greatly.”
Kazuki’s expression was reluctant, but urgency lay even deeper beneath the surface.
“I intend to explain the situation and ask for your assistance. Shameless as it may be, beggars can’t be choosers.”
Kazuki rose to his feet and drew a crystal from his breast pocket.
“Let me know once you have a result. I’m counting on you.”
“Of course. I’ll contact you right away.”
Seol Jihoo stood and accepted the crystal.
Meanwhile, at that very moment.
“Achoo!”
Maria, who had been at the Lodging, sneezed violently.
“Ugh… why is it so cold?”
She wrapped her arms around herself at the sudden chill, her nose twitching.

Seol Jihoo, who had arrived at Lushulia Temple, sought out Maria without delay.
“No.”
Finding her proved simple enough, but her refusal came just as easily.
“Because I, Maria, value my life over money. What good is earning a fortune if you’re dead? You can’t spend it then, can you? Isn’t that right?”
The blonde girl spoke with her hands planted firmly on her hips, her confidence unwavering. Seol Jihoo, suppressing the urge to pinch those chubby cheeks, opened his mouth.
“Maria.”
“Nope—shut it. Beat it before I say anything else. Shoo, shoo!”
Maria waved him away dismissively, as though swatting an unwelcome guest. Seol Jihoo thrust his hand into his pocket.
If persuasion failed, he’d planned to dangle the Cross Artifact he’d taken from the royal vault—but an unexpected complication arose.
Around Maria’s neck hung a cross identical to the artifact Seol Jihoo had brought. She must have acquired one recently.
When Seol Jihoo showed no sign of leaving, Maria tilted her head.
“…I’ll admit your team isn’t bad. Two squads fighting for supremacy in Haramag joining forces—it couldn’t be anything but solid.”
“Then why—”
“Why what? The Gyeongdanryeon, the Triad, all that nonsense—I hate complicated entanglements. Watching from across the river is entertaining, but getting caught up in it? Not a chance.”
Her resolve was so firm that Seol Jihoo found himself at a loss for words.
‘There’s no helping it, then.’
He decided to abandon further persuasion. Maria was a Healer who moved purely by profit and loss. Strategy required adjustment.
Seol Jihoo withdrew his hand from his pocket and placed it in his robe.
“Suit yourself.”
Clink!
The weighty sound of metal striking wood rang out. Maria’s eyes flicked upward at the interruption. Upon seeing the coin purse placed on the table, a smirk spread across her face.
“Wow. This guy’s actually hilarious… Fine. I’ll take a look, considering your sincerity.”
She cracked open the purse, and her lips curled in derision at what she saw.
“Ten silver coins? Are you joking?”
She threw her head back, crossed her arms, and crossed her legs.
“Raman Village was worth fifteen silver coins—I got swindled in the end, sure, but an Expedition demands more. Ten coins alone doesn’t justify the business. It doesn’t—”
Clink!
Before she could finish, another purse clattered onto the table. Maria’s eyes narrowed.
“Twenty total… Fine. Take it and be gone.”
Clink!
“Listen here. We’ve got plenty of vodka—drink up and clear your head. This isn’t a negotiation, understand? I really, genuinely don’t want to—”
Clink!
Forty silver coins. She gnawed at her lips, cherry-red.
Clink!
The relentless onslaught continued. Maria half-lifted herself from her seat before hastily sitting back down. She cradled her temples, groaning.
“Ugh. I burned through everything getting that artifact… No, wait. I can’t. I won’t.”
She steadied her breathing, her eyes blazing with renewed resolve.
“This setup’s familiar and predictable. Who doesn’t know I’ll cave like a fool? Fool me once, shame on you—fool me twice?”
But when Seol Jihoo noticed her pupils waver, he scoffed and flung another purse. Maria’s face went pale.
Clink!
“S-stop it! What are you doing!?”
“…….”
“Have you lost your mind? Spending dozens of silver coins just to recruit a single Healer who isn’t even Upper Rank?”
Clink!
“Y-you devil! You’re a devil!”
“…….”
“Just try! Do you really think I’ll cave to this!?”
Clink!
“Ah!”
Maria shrieked and shot to her feet, her face flushed with indignation. Without hesitation,
“Brother!”
she scurried over and swept all eight pouches of money from the table into her arms.
“How can you just throw money around like that? It’s heartbreaking!”
Eighty silver coins were enough to transform her from unwelcome intruder to demon to beloved brother.
“I’m counting on you.”
“I don’t care! I hate you, brother!”
Even her voice came out petulant and nasal.
Seol Jihoo watched with lazy satisfaction as she rubbed her cheeks against the money pouches.

‘Money really does have power.’
He’d spent eighty silver coins, but it barely dented his reserves. He was carrying close to nine hundred silver coins, and the rest of his inventory was nearly impossible to quantify by value.
Gold fragments, proof of chastity, artifacts he’d hoarded—the list went on.
With Maria successfully recruited, Seol Jihoo pulled out a crystal the moment he stepped outside the Temple.
– Seol?
“Kazuki.”
The moment the connection opened, Seol Jihoo flashed a victory sign with his fingers.
“I got her.”
– You got her.
The young man and the man exchanged blank looks, both of them momentarily stunned.

(To be continued)

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