Finishing touches (2).
In order to enter the castle gate, people were standing in line, waiting, while security guards were inspecting them at the door.
Quietly slipping some money to the strict soldiers, one could pass through and be greeted by numerous people.
'...I was expecting something else, why is it like this here?'
Despite the small scale, the sight of the city, enclosed by a castle wall with many buildings, confirmed it was undoubtedly the city.
'But why does it feel so bleak?'
Even the guards at the gate only glanced briefly, not uttering a word as I passed, absorbed in their own murmurs.
'It's fortunate there's no stringent inspection, but...'
I knew nothing about this world.
Just like the vague answers I received from the elders in the Village, it seemed impossible to slip past the city guards with half-hearted explanations.
Asking too many questions could only complicate matters.
'I even prepared some money to slip them discreetly.'
Despite the early hour, there were few residents wandering around, and it seemed they had no interest in outsiders like myself.
The entire city seemed lifeless.
'Why does the atmosphere feel like this? Is something wrong?'
Though uneasy, I decided to first find my lodging.
Even if I were to go elsewhere later, I needed to gather some information from this place first.
'Let's see... I wonder where the lodging might be. Should I ask that person?'
When I approached someone who seemed to be a local resident to ask for directions, my attention was suddenly drawn to an alleyway by the side of the street.
A muscular man with a tattoo on his neck and a frail-looking girl who appeared to be about twelve.
"I'm sorry, please give me a little more time..."
The girl pleaded, bowing her head repeatedly to the man.
"I understand your situation, but you know I can't wait forever, right? I'll give you three days. If you don't bring it within three days, I can't help it either."
He uncrossed his arms and scratched his head, grumbling in dissatisfaction.
Without waiting for the girl's response, he turned inward.
"Did I say it clearly? Two, two silver coins within three days."
As he disappeared into the darkness of the alley, the girl slumped down where she stood.
She sat there for a moment, seemingly dazed, then took a deep breath as if trying to swallow her tears and slapped her cheeks.
She staggered to her feet.
'Hm... A young girl exploited by the city's thugs. Quite a cliché.'
Considering it was a medieval fantasy world, such incidents were likely commonplace.
Even if I were to advocate for human rights, it would probably not make a difference, and there was no reason to do so in the first place.
As I stood there watching, the girl stumbled out of the alley and bumped into me.
"Oh... I'm sorry..."
I looked down at the girl, who bowed her head in front of me.
Roughened skin and bruised, calloused hands that were too rough for her age.
Hollow pupils and a faintly discernible gloomy atmosphere were all too familiar to me.
After apologizing, the girl walked past me, shuffling away.
Her slumped shoulders and a lack of vitality in her steps were palpable.
Her figure lingered in my mind.
"Hmm, two silver coins," I muttered, pulling out a pouch from my pocket.
This was a separate purse I had prepared for bribery, filled with several coins and about six silver pieces.
'I put in plenty, not knowing the cost of living here. The value of silver seems to be greater than I thought.'
Even though I had anticipated no use for it, passing through the castle gate without inspection, the timing seemed perfect for a suitable opportunity.
'Just when I needed information about this world.'
A local who could provide information and faithfully fulfill the requirements, with minimal risk of any other shenanigans.
It seemed like the perfect opportunity had presented itself.
'I'm not sure if I can trust her, but if I can obtain information with just this much money...'
Taking out two silver coins from the pouch, I put it back in.
'Well, this must be fate. After all, this might be more efficient than bribery.'
I approached the still staggering girl.
Despite my attempt to approach her with a gesture, she showed no response.
"Um... hey, little one?"
"..."
"Hey there? I have something to say, little miss."
Receiving no response, I spoke a bit louder and tapped her shoulder.
"Eek! I, I'm sorry!"
Startled by the girl's sudden jump, I too was taken aback and blinked in surprise.
"..."
"Um, who are you?"
She would be my employee.
I had no intention of blindly giving in, considering the girl's pitiable circumstances.
A mutually beneficial relationship was the key to a strong and lasting connection.
I wasn't sure how long I would stay in this city, but I had to stick to my principles.
So, it was time to negotiate the terms of employment.
***
After meeting the girl in the city, Heinz easily secured lodging and began gathering information with her help.
With the local guide by his side, everything went smoothly.
"Well then, should I get started on my work?"
It was time to harvest gold!
While this journey to another world was exciting, ensuring my own well-being came first.
'But just summoning Hans feels a bit daunting.'
I had directly experienced his power using Heinz.
'Still, I have 'Enlightenment Index'... it should be fine for a while.'
Even so, just in case, I closed my eyes to summon Hans, making sure our gazes didn't meet.
As I summoned him, I felt a chilling coldness.
Even without seeing it, I instinctively realized there was something ominous right in front of me.
[Wow, this is no joke. I won't be able to face people for a lifetime.] I muttered, looking at my frozen body with Han's vision.
The resonating voice, like a demon whispering in my ear, stirred a sense of dread.
'Still, thanks to 'Enlightenment Index,' it seems to be getting better.'
When I first summoned Hans, the skill was shaking without mercy, but now I have become accustomed to it and my mind has gradually calmed down.
"Phew, it's okay now..."
As I opened my eyes with a serene mind and met Hans's gaze, I immediately turned my head.
No, I turned my whole body and headed towards the bathroom.
"Let's keep some distance for now. I need to go to the restroom for a bit. I suddenly feel the urge."
Mumbling to myself without anyone listening, I distanced myself from Hans.
'The items can be taken care of by Hans.'
While I was in the bathroom, Hans had neatly arranged the items he had in his hands on one side.
Precious metals and magical tools, a few of which had protective capabilities.
I packed a few magic tools with protective abilities. Because the safety of the main body was the top priority.
I picked up my skull staff and lightly tapped the floor just in case.
[Hmm, I guess summoning isn't possible in this world.]
It seems that crossing the dimension and summoning the undead from that world was impossible.
I don't know if it's possible to create a sub-space that belongs entirely to Hans himself and store it there, but I don't know about such magic right now.
'Well, I'll probably learn more as I grow.'
For now, this should be sufficient.
There was no need to rush.
Beep beep beep—clap.
As I finished my business in the bathroom and was getting more accustomed to Hans from a distance, the front door opened, and the avatar that had gone out for a workout returned.
Although I was still contemplating a great name for it, the avatar with the skill "Acceleration," which instantly increased its speed, was a useful companion.
'I prepared a wooden mask, taking into account the era, and it seems to fit quite well.'
In the hands of the returning avatar was a wooden mask prepared to be placed on Hans.
It wouldn't do to use a plastic mask in a fantasy world, would it?
No, it might have been possible, but I preferred this approach.
I moved the avatar's hand and placed the mask on Hans's face, firmly tying the strings at the back.
I secured it several times with sturdy leather straps in case it fell.
"Oh... It's quite a vibe. It feels menacing in a different way from before."
I applauded Hans, looking at his face.
The avatar, who had been running around the neighborhood, suddenly noticed something.
It was the eerie mask that Hans was currently wearing.
The blue dye that emerged from the relaxed eye holes in the robe and the cold seeping out between the teeth faintly visible through the open mouth; it was truly a scene from a horror movie.
'Wait, does this mask have any meaning?'
I had that thought for a moment, but I gave up immediately.
Even if Hans were wearing a cute pink rabbit mask, he would still look like a psycho serial killer.
Just concealing the fact that he wasn't human was enough for the role of the mask.
'Hmm... as long as the skull isn't directly visible, I can somehow trick people.'
Avoiding Hans's intimidating skull, I brought my handbag and put the gold bar inside.
'For now, this gold bar should be around 3 kg. It should be enough for now.'
While I had long-term plans to buy a house in the outskirts of Seoul and surround it with all sorts of enchantments, for now, I couldn't go out, so I had to prepare slowly.
'I have to believe things will get better from now on. I can't live like this forever.'
For now, I decided to sell this gold bar through regular channels.
I could just say I found it while organizing the belongings my parents had left.
Our house wasn't that poorly off, and given the current situation, selling this amount of gold posed no problems.
The avatar, prepared to go out, paused for a moment as it was about to step outside the door.
Having expensive items in hand made me suddenly anxious.
"It feels a bit unsafe to just go out like this."
Even though I had taken protective magical tools, something still felt uneasy.
As I looked around in contemplation, Hans, who was standing there hesitantly, caught my eye.
***
"Thank you. Have a good day."
The staff at the gold buying shop bid me farewell with a ninety-degree bow.
As I had expected, there were no issues with the sale, and the feared accidents did not occur.
It felt rewarding to have visited a place that intentionally offered a high price for the gold, and I smiled contentedly at the healthy balance in my bank account.
The street had gradually darkened, with streetlights flickering on one by one.
With a light heart, I moved my steps and glanced at the shadows on the ground.
The shadow appeared particularly darker than elsewhere.
'I may not be able to directly confront others, but it's fortunate that I can use it like this.'
Hidden within the shadow was Hans, who had used black magic.
I had hidden him in case of emergencies, but it seemed like my worries had been excessive.
WEEEEEEE— WEEEEEEE!
CRASH!
As I finished my thought, the security door of the gold buying shop behind me came down, and a moment later, the wall exploded.
'Why do bad feelings never turn out to be wrong?'
I closed my eyes tightly and glanced behind me.
A werewolf-like man over two meters tall, accompanied by another man wearing a black mask, leaped out of the broken building and fled into the alley.
Glancing at the mess inside the now-devastated building, I noticed the precious metals were gone, and people were lying on the ground.
Fortunately, I wasn't directly caught up in the incident since I had left just before it happened.
But...
'Villains, I suppose...'
Those who commit crimes with awakened abilities.
Of course, there were guardians who protected citizens from such villains, but as always, it was impossible to shield people from all dangers.
Just like one's own family.
I glanced briefly in the direction they disappeared, then continued walking.
The surroundings had turned chaotic with people reporting and filming.
The guardians would handle the pursuit, and if caught, they would face enhanced punishment for using abilities for crime.
If not caught...
'They'll live well, but there's nothing I can do.'
Hansung-hyun left the scene and headed home.
***
"Alright Wolf, as planned. Once we reach the location of Portal, we're done if we escape only through here!"
"Grrr, we've got about 3 minutes until the Guardians arrive, plenty of time."
The plan was simple.
The enforcer, 'Wolf,' would subdue the guards and destroy the safe and security measures to secure an escape route, while the transporter, 'Porter,' would vacuum up all the precious metals and cash and carry them away with Wolf.
The escape specialist, 'Portal,' would swiftly move to the location and use his ability to get far away.
"Kahahat— We'll have to see the Guardians' pathetic faces when they arrive late!"
"Kreung! Enough. We've arrived, so get down."
They soon entered the interior of the construction site.
As it took a long time to generate the gate using Portal's ability, they couldn't use it directly on-site and had to find a location in advance for their escape preparations.
Thud—
Thwack!
Rushing inside, they saw construction workers sprawled and unconscious in a corner.
And there was Portal, who should have been waiting after creating the gate, also lying unconscious.
"What... what's this?"
Something in the darkness stood before the fallen Portal.
"Kreurr..."
Wolf's fur bristled, revealing his fangs and claws as he crouched and raised his tail.
Yet his two eyes were clearly filled with fear.
"Uh... w-what is that?"
Porter's condition was worse.
His thoughts abruptly stopped, unable to continue.
And 'it' raised a hand, pointing at them.
The last thing Porter's eyes caught was a smiling face with glowing blue eyes amidst the engulfing shadows.