The Second Coming of Gluttony - Chapter 49

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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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Episode 49. Carpe Diem

– Carpe Diem Job Posting

The content written on the paper amounted to a single line. Not even an address was listed. Just one thing: he liked that there were no conditions attached.
‘Rushing in would be foolish.’
Information was always better in abundance.
Seol Jihu left the Plaza and walked the streets aimlessly, half looking for breakfast and half for lunch. Whenever a restaurant came into view, he planned to duck inside and see what it offered.
A shabby wooden sign suddenly caught his wandering eye.
‘Eat, Drink And Enjoy.’
Eat, drink, and make merry.
A multipurpose tavern, as it had been described—the place Hugo had invited him to visit, and the very place Alex had shown reluctance toward.
‘So Synchronization doesn’t translate the signage for us.’
Seol Jihu tilted his head and headed toward the tavern.
He pushed the door open with curiosity, and a raucous din struck his ears. Simultaneously, a mingled smell—tobacco, spirits, powder, and more—washed over him, indescribable and pungent.
Inside, the scene that unfolded amid the packed throng resembled a Western saloon straight out of a classic film. Patrons huddled around tables that looked like thick logs, some drinking and chattering loudly while others conversed with conspicuously serious expressions.
As Seol Jihu stepped over scattered ash and cigarette butts on the wooden floor, he spotted a golden-haired woman breeze past him and froze.
More than half her breasts spilled from a bra, pink garter-belt stockings hugged her thighs, and mesh panties through which everything was visible left her swaying hips utterly exposed.
She was far from alone. Throughout the tavern, women in shockingly scanty attire circulated among the patrons.
‘So that’s what “make merry” meant.’
He understood now why Alex had expressed reservations.
‘Not that I particularly dislike it.’
He simply wasn’t accustomed to it.
A few moments later, the young man managed to find a single open seat at the long counter adjoining the bar and sat down carefully. Naturally, expecting prompt service in an atmosphere like this would have been wishful thinking.
As Seol Jihu surveyed the shelves lined with bottles of every conceivable sort, he noticed a lean man across the diagonal from him, elbow propped on the table and chin resting in his palm. From his bartender’s attire, the man appeared to be a staff member.
“Hey there.”
“?”
The man, a cigarette dangling from his listless mouth, shot him a sidelong glance.
“I’d like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
The man exhaled smoke in a long plume and slowly straightened his hunched frame. He shuffled over and fixed him with half-lidded eyes. “You ordering something?”

The young man wasn’t foolish. This was clearly a hint to place an order before attempting conversation.
“What would you recommend?”
“Something light, or a full meal?”
“Full meal. I haven’t eaten since morning.”
At that, the man’s eyes widened slightly.
“How about a tasty soup, soft bread, and grilled sausage with a touch of spice?”
“Sounds good.”
“Ah, we’ve also got a hefty steak.”
“That too, please. Just sear the outside.”
The man stared hard at the young man. Seol Jihu produced a silver coin and offered it. Only then did the man break into a grin and return eight copper coins in change.
“Looks like I’ll have to show off my skills for once. Give me a moment.”
The man returned from the kitchen with the soup and a large hunk of bread first.
Hunger was the best seasoning, and the food tasted exceptional. Seol Jihu made quick work of the appetizing soup and soft, yielding bread. The sausage, threaded onto a skewer, dripped with fat, and when he bit into it, rich juices burst across his tongue.
The man emerged from the griddle with the sizzling steak, only to stop in his tracks upon seeing the young man sucking his fingers clean—he couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Wow, you’ve got quite the appetite.”
“It’s delicious. I’ll take that too.”
‘Did I really have such skill with food?’
Watching the young man slice through the steak with easy efficiency, the astonished man reached for a bottle on the shelf.
“On the house. The proof’s a bit low, but it’s sweet enough to go down smooth.”
With his mouth full of meat, he nodded in gratitude, grabbed the bottle, and took a long pull. The rich honey flavor that dissolved on his tongue filled him with satisfaction. Good food always lifted the spirits.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you around Haramark before.”
The man, now relaxed, struck up conversation.
“I arrived yesterday. This is my first time in Haramark.”
“Did you come from Sherazade?”
“Yes.”
“I see… Oh right, you said you had questions?”
Seol Jihu nodded and asked.
“Is there anything worth doing in Haramark? Anything at all, really.”
“Well? If you’re not talking about part-time work… why not head to the Plaza? There should be all sorts of notices posted on the board.”
“I checked, but there aren’t many available jobs.”
“Then you start as a porter. Follow people around, build experience, learn things. Meanwhile you level up and gather equipment.”
The man glancing at the young man’s spear continued speaking.
“A Warrior needs to be at least Level 3 before you can even attempt to join an Expedition Party. Well, unless you already have a team, I suppose.”
“I see.”
“Oh, now that I think about it, Samuel’s team was looking to recruit someone.”
Seol Jihu, who had been listening while fidgeting with his bottle, asked quietly.
“Do you know about Carpe Diem?”
“Huh? Carpe Diem?”
The man’s eyes widened as if he’d heard something unexpected.
“Of course I know it. Not knowing Carpe Diem in Haramark makes you a spy. Those guys live only for today.”
‘?’
Carpe Diem’s meaning was supposed to be about living faithfully in the present. But “live only for today”? That phrased it differently.
“What kind of place are they?”
“Well… Carpe Diem is a team of four—no, three members. Their skills are impressive, to say the least. Even Cecilia and the Samhap Association occasionally request their services. As a team, they’d definitely rank in the top five of Haramark.”
It was a far more impressive operation than he’d expected. Haramark was a reasonably prosperous city in its own right. Being counted among the top five here meant they’d be skilled across all of Paradise.
“Each individual member is talented, but what really sets them apart is their leader. They’re High-ranking.”
“Where is Carpe Diem located?”
“Why, are you thinking of going to find them?”
When Seol Jihu nodded, the man shook his head vigorously as if he’d gone mad.
“Don’t. That team….”
But then he trailed off, letting out a long sigh as his head drooped.
“…No. It’s not my place to say.”
After getting directions, the young man stood and excused himself, thanking the man for the meal.

After leaving the tavern, Seol Jihu walked for roughly ten minutes before reaching his destination.
There was no signboard or anything, and when he’d been told it was a “white building of moderate size, somewhat weathered,” he’d thought the description unhelpfully vague. But approaching the area, there was only one white building in sight.
Drawing near, he peered inside and let out an exclamation.
‘A training hall?’
An impressive space—better than the training facilities in the Neutral Zone—was visible at first glance. It looked as though the entire first floor had been renovated for indoor training.
‘I want to train….’
He’d been told the third floor was an office, and a shabby stone staircase was visible along the building’s exterior.
Looking up, the young man’s lips worked soundlessly. With each step closer to the building, his heart began to pound.
‘I shouldn’t have asked.’
If he’d known nothing, he could have charged in boldly.
No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason they’d accept him. Even from their perspective, it was the same.
Delphin suddenly came to mind. The magician girl who always overflowed with energy. Would she have hesitated here?
‘She’s not a child, after all.’
Rejection seemed inevitable, but he couldn’t abandon his only “Golden Rule.”
Let’s just try. Win or lose.
With that resolve, the young man climbed the stairs quickly. After staring at the firmly closed third-floor door for a long moment, he knocked. Knock-knock.
— Who is it?
A voice came from inside.
— Come in. The door’s open.
The voice was somewhat indifferent.
The next instant, Seol Jihu drew a sharp breath—whoosh—and yanked the door open with force.
And then he could see it.
A woman’s face, her back against an old, worn sofa, head tilted far back, looking down at him upside-down.
“Who are you? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
Her skin was pale as if milk had been spread across it, and her long black hair hung so far down it nearly touched the floor. More than anything, her clean, beautiful eyes and her soft pink lips—holding a cigarette….
‘Huh?’
He’d been staring blankly when his eyes blinked. The woman, who had been watching him with wide eyes, suddenly furrowed her brow sharply.
“I asked who you are, you idiot.”
A curse hurled without preamble.
If Maria had come to mind for a moment, would that be a mistake?
“Who is it?”
Heavy footsteps sounded, and then a Black man suddenly appeared.
The giant and the young man locked eyes and opened their mouths at the same time.
“Seol!”
“Hugo?”
Water dripped from Hugo’s hair as he continued speaking, fresh from the shower.
“You… ah, never mind. Just come in! It’s fine.”
Hugo waved him over with quick gestures and personally pulled Seol Jihu onto the sofa. A woman with her head tilted forward exhaled smoke.
“What? You two know each other?”
“I told you yesterday. I had a friend who came with me all the way to Haramark.”
“Wasn’t that Alex?”
“Someone besides Alex. I said there was one more.”
The woman’s eyes swept up and down, then she let out a small sound of recognition.
“So this is the newbie? The one who just arrived in Haramark?”
Hugo ignored the woman and opened his mouth.
“Seol. How did you get here? I’m honestly shocked.”
“I’m surprised too. I had no idea you were a member of Carpe Diem.”
A high-pitched shriek tore through the room. The woman clutched her arms and made a horrified face.
“Ugh, can you do something about that speech pattern? It’s creepy hearing formal language after so long.”
“Just ignore her. Anyway, how did you end up here?”
“Ah.”
The young man, who’d been glancing at the woman in her sleeveless white tank top and hot pants, opened his mouth.
“I saw your Job Posting.”
“Job Posting?”
Hugo’s eyes widened as he looked away.
“Did we even post one?”
The woman shrugged her shoulders.
“Dunno. But I heard that since the old man’s retiring, we need to find a replacement.”
“From whom?”
“Idiot. Who else? Dylan, obviously… anyway.”
The woman stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray and continued matter-of-factly.
“Hugo. You handle this yourself.”
“Handle it?”
“Of course. How could he just waltz into our team? This isn’t a joke.”
As expected, it wouldn’t work. He’d anticipated as much, but his stomach turned sour.
The woman pulled out a fresh cigarette and raised one eyebrow. Hugo stood there with a serious expression, clearly troubled. The fact that this muscle-bound idiot was actually thinking was a rare sight.
Just as Seol Jihu began to rise, Hugo suddenly grabbed his arm.
“Wait, wait. You said you found our Job Posting, right? Just wait here for a moment.”
What came next surprised her even more.
“What? Hey! You’re going to let a Level 1 into our team?”
“Keep quiet. Seol? Our leader will be here soon — would you mind waiting? I’ll recommend you.”
“Ha!”
The woman let out an exasperated sigh. That’s when it happened.
The door creaked open,
“Hm? A client?”
A gruff yet dignified baritone drifted in.
Seol Jihu turned toward the door and let out an involuntary sound of dismay.
A dark-skinned man with a brown envelope tucked under his arm strode in, boasting an absolutely massive frame. He stood a head taller than Hugo, and his muscular body would make anyone believe he played in the NBA.
As the saying goes, speak of the tiger and he appears — Hugo waved cheerfully.
“Oh, Dylan! Perfect timing.”
“Who is this? A client?”
“A Level 1 Warrior came to us after seeing our Job Posting~.”
The woman propped her chin on one hand and muttered in a drained voice.
“Level 1?”
Dylan tilted his head.
“A Job Posting… hm. We must have put that up quite a while ago.”
Dylan studied the young man with keen eyes, his gaze methodical and piercing. Seol Jihu felt an inexplicable pressure under that scrutiny.
‘This person is high-ranking… an archer?’
Even if someone called him a Warrior, his physique would convince them.
Dylan spoke.
“Well, it doesn’t matter.”
The woman turned, looking as though she’d been struck.
“Are you serious?”
“I’m serious. We’re actively recruiting new team members, and there are no restrictions on the criteria. So, no problem.”
“…Look, I know you’re the leader, but shouldn’t you at least hear our opinions too?”
“We just need to see people. That’s what the old man himself told me. Cho Hong.”
The woman called Cho Hong fell silent at his words. Though she did furrow her brow and puff smoke irritably through her cigarette.
“Tch, do as you like. Anyway, how did things go?”
“Not much to report. I just swung by the Samhap Association for a bit.”
“I heard a new executive joined them recently?”
“That’s right. I went to get a look at him, get familiar with the face. His name’s Hao Win. Seemed like a pretty pleasant guy.”
Dylan flashed a grin, baring his teeth.
‘Hao Win?’
A flicker of interest crossed the young man’s eyes at the familiar name.
‘Hao Win too, coming to Haramark?’
“Right, oh, excuse me. I’m losing my mind.”
Dylan scrambled to his feet, nearly tumbling off the sofa.
Moments later, he returned with teacups steaming in both hands and passed one over with a sheepish smile.
“Sorry for the poor hospitality when we have a guest. My apologies.”
“No, thank you. I appreciate it.”
Seol Jihu accepted the cup carefully. Dylan took a sip and his brow furrowed.
“Don’t be bothered if the tea tastes off. I’ve been practicing lately, but my skills just aren’t improving.”
The gentle tone brought a quiet smile to his face. He recognized the kindness meant to ease his tension.
“Hey, Dylan.”
Just as Hugo was about to interject, Dylan raised a hand to stop him.
“I got the gist from Hugo. You’re that Level 1 Warrior named Seol, right? First time in Haramark?”
“Yes.”
“March batch this year?”
“That’s right.”
“You might know Hao Win then. He came in as part of the March batch too, I heard.”
Finally, they were getting to the real question. He’d been bracing himself to be thrown out, but it seemed Dylan was actually willing to hear him out.
He made a mental note to buy Hugo a drink later in gratitude, and met Dylan’s gaze directly.
“So, Seol. Do you know what kind of team we are?”
“I heard the basics.”
“From where? From whom?”
“From ‘Eat, Drink, and Enjoy.’ Whoever it was, I didn’t catch their name.”
Dylan nodded. The fact that he hadn’t come blindly, but had gathered basic information first, spoke well for him—especially considering he’d only recently left the Neutral Zone. At least he wasn’t reckless.
“Alright then. How about your performance—the tutorial and the Neutral Zone?”
“Performance?”
“Your Survival Score after the tutorial ended, or how far you got with quests in the Neutral Zone. That sort of thing.”
He raised his teacup as if to say, speak freely.
Seol Jihu opened his mouth.
“I received a total of 26,500 Survival Points after the tutorial.”
And Dylan, who had just begun to bring the cup to his lips,
“And I completed Impossible Quests in the Neutral Zone.”
stopped his hand.
Hugo’s fidgeting leg went still as well.
It wasn’t just the two of them.
Even Cho Hong, who had been yawning widely and tapping her mouth in a lazy rhythm, was now watching him with sharp, piercing eyes.

(To be continued in the next part)

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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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