39 – New Beginning (2)
When it was time to eat, we went down to the communal cafeteria and saw many other people. There was also a cafeteria manager who beckoned us with a gesture.
“Come this way. Party 9 members.”
After receiving our meals, we sat at a table where the cafeteria manager was also eating.
“How do you like it? Do you like the accommodation?”
Since it was the lodging of a large clan, it was naturally pleasing. It was even so good that it felt burdensome.
“Yes. The accommodation at the education center was also very good, but the lodging seems even better than the education center, which is a 3rd-tier clan.”
“I’m glad you liked it. For now, let’s eat first. You can listen to the story while eating.”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps Party Leader 1 already informed you roughly, but your equipment will be provided starting tomorrow, so you can train individually in the training room starting from tomorrow.”
It seems like the training will be done individually. I thought there would be someone to teach us, but it seems that was just my misconception.
“If you encounter any obstacles or find yourself unsure during your training, don’t hesitate to ask your fellow clan members in the same profession. They will usually be willing to offer assistance. And if you ever feel that training alone is too challenging, you can also request guidance.”
“I see.”
“Well… Anyway, after about a week of training like this, you’ll be going on a small-scale expedition in collaboration with the Hwachin Clan.”
I had some questions about the upcoming expedition, so I asked Guyeonjeong.
From Noble mtl dot com
“May I ask how exactly this small-scale expedition will proceed?”
“For starters, both our clan and the Hwachin Clan will assign a player with some years of experience. From our side, those of you who are new this year will go, and on the Hwachin Clan’s side, they’ll send their first-year newcomers.”
“So, it’s about sending newcomers from both sides to go on the expedition together.”
Most likely, the reason for having experienced players accompany them is for insurance purposes, and ultimately, the main goal of the expedition is likely the growth of the newcomers.
“Should we be concerned about the dungeon’s difficulty level we’re heading to?”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that. Small clans or parties typically sell us dungeons with low difficulty that they’ve found themselves. Dungeons with very low difficulty are usually used for training by large or medium-sized clans.”
“I understand.”
“Anyway, for now, this is all you need to know about your schedule. I’ve finished my meal, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Yes, Clan Master.”
“Enjoy your meal.”
After Guyeonjeong left the room, Hyunjin spoke up.
“I was worried… but it turns out that an expedition is not as big of a deal as I thought.”
“Well, it’s not something to worry too seriously about, but still, don’t relax too much, Hyunjin.”
“Ah, of course.”
“Well, that’s a relief then.”
After I replied to Hyunjin, Songhaeun seemed to have a question and spoke up.
“But… I heard that we’ll be receiving equipment tomorrow. In the case of me, Yoonseong oppa, or Yoo Hyun, would we receive a staff?”
In response to Songhaeun’s question, Seyuju answered.
“Yes, that’s right. Occupations that focus on using magic usually carry a staff to help manifest their magic power. Of course, it’s possible to use magic or spirit techniques without a staff, but having a staff makes quite a difference.”
“Ah… I see…”
As soon as Songhaeun’s curiosity was satisfied, Kangisuh asked everyone.
“So, what does everyone plan to do now? We still have quite a bit of time… I want to train, but we’ll be receiving our equipment tomorrow.”
“Well… I’m thinking of exploring the city a bit.”
“Oh, you want to explore the city? Should I come along too?”
I was taken aback by Kangisuh’s words. I had originally planned to quietly explore the city alone.
“Uh… You want to explore too?”
Gang Yiseo seemed to have noticed that I wasn’t too eager, and I responded, sticking out my lips.
“… If you don’t want to, it’s fine.”
“No, it’s not that I don’t want to…”
“Oh, so are we going to explore together?”
“Yeah…”
Suddenly, I asked her what she was planning to do now.
“Miss Yooju, what are your thoughts?”
“…. I do plan to explore the city, but I probably won’t be able to act together with you two. I have some things to investigate separately…”
‘She must have something to do.’
Yooju, who couldn’t accompany me like usual, seemed to have some tasks as a returnee.
I didn’t have anything to do in the city like Yooju, but I decided to explore the city to get to know the atmosphere and geography.
In the end, except for Yooju, Gang Yiseo, and me, the others stayed at Clan House, and the three of us decided to explore the city.
The first place Gang Yiseo and I headed to was the central square. It was an impressive square with a fountain. As I observed the people, I saw fellow foreigners like us and the indigenous people of this continent here and there.
I approached a man who was selling something at the square and asked him.
“Um… May I ask what you’re selling?”
“Oh… Are you an adventurer? Haha, you’ve come to the right place. These are potions that I’ve made. I also sell various simple equipment.”
‘Potions and equipment…’
I vaguely remember hearing that alchemists or blacksmiths who chose auxiliary professions often make and sell potions and equipment to make a living.
“How much are these potions?”
I pointed to an item labeled as a lesser potion with my finger and asked about the price.
“I usually sell them for 5 gold, but I’ll give you a special discount, so I’ll sell one for 4 gold. This is really cheap. What do you think?”
“Well… I’ll look around a bit more and come back.”
“Oh, yes… Pleas…”
As he said he would look around and come back, the man swallowed his saliva as if he regretted it.
Kang Isuh asked me why I asked about the price, curious as to why.
“Why did you ask about the potion price? Are you going to buy it?”
“No.”
If I wanted to buy it, I could. I had the goods I received from Kang Sungjoon and I also received a considerable amount of gold as a deposit from the clan. However, blindly buying without knowing the market price would be foolish.
Moreover, the clan’s insignia would only be revealed tomorrow, so right now, in their eyes, we would be perceived as inexperienced adventurers. There’s no guarantee that they won’t deceive us.
What I need to recognize is a simple market survey.
“If you want to live in this city, you need to know the basic prices.”
I approached another person who was selling potions and asked for the price of the same lower-grade potion.
“How much is this?”
“It’s 5 gold, but I’ll give you a special price of 4 gold. Are you going to buy it?”
“As expected.”
“No, thank you. I’ll look around more and come back later.”
It’s the same wherever you go, outsiders are always taken advantage of.
I approached someone else and asked, but once again, they said they would sell it for 4 gold. I deliberately frowned menacingly and spoke.
“Hah… Don’t play around when I’ve come here knowing the price. How much?”
“What are you talking about… I said I’ll sell it for 4 gold.”
“Hey, are you telling me the right price? I’m running an errand for the honored person of the Eternity Clan.”
“The Eternity Clan?”
If you think about it for a moment, there’s no reason for someone high-ranking in the Eternity Clan to ask me to buy a lower-grade potion, but this man doesn’t seem to have that much common sense.
Upon hearing the words Eternity Clan, he started to hesitate and call out the right price.
“Ha, it’s 2 gold for one. I… I didn’t recognize you, so I apologize. I’ll give it to you for 1 gold…”
“Let’s not mention that. Give me three.”
In any case, there was an abundance of gold underwater, so three gold was acceptable.
“Anyway… Selling it for double? These people are insane.”
In unfamiliar places, there’s no one to trust.
As I walked after buying the potion, Kang Isu approached me.
“Hey. You’ve got quite the knack for bargaining. I got chills just now. How come you didn’t mention the high price?”
“Wherever you go, outsiders get taken advantage of, so it’s all the same.”
“Huh?”
“Well, think about it like this. When you travel to another country on Earth, it’s famous for the locals taking advantage of foreigners, right?”
“Ah…”
“This place is no different from Earth.”
“Yeah… Smart, huh?”
I debated whether to hold back the words I wanted to say to her but couldn’t resist and blurted out, “I’m not the smart one here; maybe you’re the one who’s not so bright.”
“What? This damn guy!”
Kang Eesu suddenly grabbed my hair and yanked on it.
“Agh! What the hell are you doing, you little…!”
“This bastard…! Cancel what you just said! Even if the crazy guy compliments you, it’s still nonsense!”
“Oh, I got it! Damn it, let go and talk…!”
“Damn it, I don’t like your attitude!”
“I said I got it, so let go of this! It hurts like hell!”
******
… Anyway, after going through some twists and turns with Kang Eesu and checking a few more places, I returned to the clan house, and Hyunjin was sitting on the first floor.
“… What are you doing here?”
“Oh… hyung. You’ve arrived?”
“Why are you on the first floor instead of going to your room?”
“I was too bored just sitting still… so I asked one of our clan members for a sword and did some training… after I showered, I felt tired, so I ended up like this.”
Certainly, this guy can do anything. His talent may be ordinary, but he’s incredibly diligent.
I haven’t seen Hyunjin take a day off from training until now.
I chuckled and patted Hyunjin’s shoulder, saying, “You’re doing great.”
Hyunjin replied, “Oh, it’s nothing. More importantly, did Isu nun not cause any trouble outside?”
In response to Hyunjin’s words, Kang Isu clenched his fist and reacted, “Hey, want to die?”
Hyunjin deliberately exaggerated his response, “Eek!”
I had a question, so I asked Hyunjin, “Have you seen Yujoo? Has she not come back yet?”
I wasn’t sure how long Hyunjin had been on the first floor, but if Seo Yujoo had returned, he would probably know.
Hyunjin replied, “Yujoo nun? No, it seems she hasn’t come back yet.”
Considering the time Kang Isu and I had spent outside, she should have returned by now.
‘I’m worried for no reason. Why is she wandering around alone?’
I couldn’t tell her to confide in me if she had any concerns, so sometimes it felt frustrating.
“What are the others doing?”
“Mr. Howon is doing simple physical training… I’m not sure about Ha-eun. It seemed like Yurim and Yuhyeon were in the room.”
“Really?”
Suddenly,
While I was talking with Hyunjin, Seo Yooju returned.
“Yooju, have you come?”
‘Her complexion looks exhausted.’
Seo Yooju’s face seemed like she was trying not to show it, but she looked tired.
“Oh… Yoon Sung, you’re back already. But why on the first floor?”
“We just arrived as well. We were just about to go up to our lodging.”
“I see… Well then, I’ll go to my lodging first.”
After saying that, Seo Yooju went up to her lodging. Others didn’t seem to notice, but I noticed a faint bloodstain on her sleeve.
“What the hell… What is she up to?”
There’s no reason for there to be bloodstains in this city.
“… Did she come after killing someone?”
That’s too extreme of a thought. She probably just got into a fight.
“But on the other hand, if we think differently…”
Let’s think from the perspective of Seo Yoo-joo. What should be the priority when starting again?
“Results domination, recruiting talent, eliminating future enemies.”
If I were Seo Yoo-joo, I would first remember a good dungeon and exploit all the rewards. Regarding this, I still have doubts because of Seo Yoo-joo’s decision to join the Three Great Clans. Even if I join the Three Great Clans, I won’t be able to do as I please.
The second priority is recruiting talent. If it were me, I would remember the future talents and somehow try to recruit them before they bloom.
The third priority is eliminating enemies that threaten the future.
“Were there any people in this city that needed to be killed?”
If Seo Yoo-joo just killed someone and came here, then the weight tilts this way. If they moved hastily on the first day in the city, then it must have been something important.
“…I may be fantasizing too much on my own… Either way, there is no way to find out even if I worry like this.”
Putting Seo Yoo-joo aside, I turned off my mind and spoke to Hyun-jin.
“Well, then I’ll go up to my room. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes. Goodnight, hyungnim.”
“Alright.”