Chapter 34: Bandits
“Did you finish writing everything down already?”
Jin-tae returned surprisingly quickly considering how diligently he’d been jotting things down.
“Yeah, mostly. Got all the regularly purchased items listed.”
“Heh. Plenty of ways to earn coin beyond monster hunting.”
Monsters naturally dropped coins when slain, but there were also steady markets for animal carcasses, foraged plants, and other materials.
Between hunting and these side ventures, money didn’t seem like a concern.
“Let’s move. I’ve acquired Exploration, but you haven’t.”
“Huh? Exploration?”
“Yeah.”
“Wait, doesn’t that require combining with the Analysis skill?”
Having obsessively researched everything online back on Earth, Jin-tae had become a walking encyclopedia here too.
“Heh. This is what perceptive eyes get you.”
“So jealous.”
“Let’s go get yours too.”
“Aren’t I just derailing your plans?”
“No rush.”
They had time to kill until the axe was ready anyway.
“Fine. To the eastern forest then.”
Exiting through the east gate past the marketplace led to owl territory.
Since they needed supplies anyway, the friends went all-in on shopping en route.
“This calls for celebration! Oh, gotta buy this.”
“How’s this?”
“Oh, definitely.”
They stocked up on camping gear.
Their previous routine of skewering meat on sticks over campfires was being upgraded thanks to surprisingly decent outdoor equipment available here.
Some seasonings caught their eye too – the promise of flavorful meals ahead.
“Buy every map available.”
“Seconded.”
Pooling their funds without hesitation, they acquired all exploration essentials.
By the gate, their combined wealth had dwindled to 9 coins.
“Frugal shopping achieved.”
“We’ll earn it back.”
Guards resembling old-time constables eyed the obvious newcomers. One approached with a pitying smile.
“Out for a stroll, lads? Register your names here first.”
All bulky gear stored in their inventory left them traveling light – just swords at their hips and small packs. Spears, cooking pots, and proper backpacks remained hidden, cementing their rookie explorer image.
“Remember – beyond this gate, you’re on your own. Watch yourselves. Bandits and marauders roam out there.”
“Bandits?”
“Not everyone builds proper towns like Seoul. Heh.”
Apparently, some bandit groups had grown large enough to establish their own settlements.
After the warnings, the guards waved them through into the wilds.
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“Eastern maps... Here.”
Jin-tae’s collection of thirty massive maps – each a meter square covering partial quadrants – now completely charted Seoul’s surroundings.
“These details are insane. Let’s hit the sanctuary for that coin boost blessing.”
“Agreed.”
Their first stop was a sanctuary an hour east. The target forest required a full day’s hike anyway – no need to rush.
The journey proved interesting. Developed areas featured occasional outposts and established campsites.
“Look, Jin-tae!”
“Whoa, an outpost tavern!”
“Heh. Lunch break.”
Their meager funds barely covered basic meals. Three coins per bowl, wasn’t it?
Two bowls for Cheol-du, one for me should do.
The bamboo-walled establishment bore a sign: [Sanctuary’s Finest Tavern].
“Three stews, ma’am.”
“Comin’ up.”
Soon, meat-packed bowls arrived with radish kimchi – evidence of stable agriculture in New Seoul.
“Ah, hit the spot.”
“Different from home, but good.”
Cheol-du mournfully licked his second bowl clean.
“Check, please!”
“Fifteen coins.”
“What? Five per bowl?!”
“Y’all didn’t ask prices ‘fore orderin’?”
“But it’s three in town!”
“Town subsidies. We’re outside now.”
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“Highway robbery! Eat near hunting grounds and you’ll faint at prices!”
“Any... credit?”
“The nerve!”
“We’ve only got nine coins.”
“Beggars carry more these days!”
Emptying their coin pouches proved their destitution.
“Land sakes, actual paupers!”
“Haha, spent everything on gear.”
“Jin-tae.”
“Yeah?”
“No choice.”
Cheol-du solemnly unsheathed his steel sword.
“We’ll pledge this as collateral. Will repay after hunting.”
The tavern mistress gulped at the blade worth over 100 coins. These didn’t look like petty scammers.
“Pssh. Keep it. What’s six coins?”
“But–”
“How you gonna hunt swordless? Just pay next time.”
“You’re... trusting us?”
“Sure. If y’remember.”
Cheol-du’s eyes quivered.
Is this K-Mistress’s compassion?
The barbarian’s chest tightened.
“We’ll repay! I swear!”
“Six coins ain’t worth oaths.”
Bowing deeply, they paid their nine coins and left.
“Never thought Nova had tabs.”
“That was... gracious.”
The amount meant little – in this violent world, such trust moved them deeply.
“Hunt fast to repay!”
“It’s just six–”
“So this is how you repay kindness?!”
“Fine! Let’s go!”
Reaching the stone sanctuary, they faced disappointment:
<Donate 1 coin to receive sanctuary blessing>
“Seriously? Broke for blessings?!”
“Heh. Nostalgic.”
“This is funny?!”
“Reminds me of begging with Gramps.”
“What?!”
Should I flash a warning sign?
Jin-tae flinched at the sudden melodrama.
“Rest here.”
They lounged in the stone sanctuary’s shade, unhurried.
“Gramps was homeless.”
“Stop! TMI!”
“Learned much then. Watch.”
Cheol-du placed his hat upside-down and prostrated dramatically.
“The hell?!”
“This is panhandling.”
“You’re insane!”
“Necessity breeds solutions.”
“So embarrassing!”
As curious eyes gathered, Jin-tae hissed:
“Trust me.”
“Get up!”
“A true man accepts help gratefully... and repays it later.”
“Unbelievable.”
Jin-tae nearly choked when spectators reacted:
“Sanctuary beggars!”
“Entertaining duo!”
“Why’s the pretty boy doing this?”
Amid jeers, an elder donated two coins.
“Big lad’s right. Help and be helped.”
“Our thanks.”
“Everyone struggles. Chin up.”
Scarlet-faced Jin-tae achieved enlightenment through shame.
“See?”
“...Jin-ah, don’t encourage this.”
“Heh. Improvisation.”
We’re literally begging. Stop being proud.
Dividing the coins, they finally received the blessing:
<24-Hour Coin Drop Doubled>
“To hunting!”
“Money! We need money!”
If Earth’s capitalism was coffee, Nova’s was methamphetamines. Here, poverty meant helplessness.
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At Nova Dispatch HQ, Colonel Jang Mi-ran scowled at the report.
“They went where?”
“Used Paju Portal to New Seoul.”
“Perfect timing.”
New Seoul was Korea’s most prosperous Nova settlement – and consequently, a den of complications. Early dissenters had formed independent factions...
Bandits and marauders, they called them?
Nova attracted not just soldiers but criminals and outcasts seeking refuge. These groups now threatened New Seoul’s interests.
“Any tracking?”
“Lost after New Seoul entry.”
“Include Kang Cheol-du’s file in tomorrow’s report to General Park.”
Communications relied solely on couriers between worlds.
He wouldn’t join rebels... right?
She recalled his gang ties during the Cheongju Portal incident.
“Monitor those thugs he associated with.”
Her adjutant hesitated:
“But Colonel... why focus so on Kang?”
“Hm?”
“We already have top rankers.”
“Captain Lee.”
“Ma’am?”
“Stat Stone absorption has limits.”
“Yes.”
“Talent determines capacity. And talent favors physicality. Know Sato?”
“That monster propelling Japan’s rise? The judoka?”
“Seen Kang’s amateur records?”
“...”
“Still question my interest?”
“No, ma’am!”
“Then move!”
As the captain scrambled, Jang massaged her temples.
How to recruit him...
Kang Cheol-du’s file – particularly his absurd youth competition records – haunted her thoughts.
