The Soldier Shouted Save - Chapter 27
Only Noblemtl
The soldier shouted save (27)
Frowning, he looks again at the message that appeared before his eyes.
[Chance to win a ‘Quick Slot’.]
[The quest ‘Murder Lee Hye-rin’ has been accepted.]
A message to kill Lee Hye-rin and obtain the quick slot.
‘If it’s a quest, it’s definitely similar in meaning to a mission.’
I asked Hye-rin, pressing my temples.
“How do I abandon a quest?”
“… …Suddenly? I don’t know because I’ve never received a quest before, but since I can’t open the quest window, wouldn’t I be unable to give up?”
Even Hye-rin doesn’t know it completely.
I pretended not to notice the red light highlighting Hye-rin’s body and made a cool-headed judgment.
‘… … It’s stupid to kill Lee Hye-rin to get a quick slot. You’ll lose both a trustworthy wizard and a warrior-turned-informer.’
There was no reason to kill Hye-rin, either emotionally or rationally.
However, even after deciding to be with Hye-rin, there were still concerns.
‘Am I the only one who received the quest to kill Lee Hye-rin? What if other warriors received the same quest?’
As my worries deepened, Hye-rin came closer to me and said.
“Why is that? Is there anything about quests in the palace information?”
A distance where our arms could almost touch each other.
He sighs and says this at Hye-rin’s carefree appearance.
“If I have a quick slot, can I use magic without calculating elemental coordinates?”
“Yes, as long as your stats are sufficient.”
“…Stats? Is it a numerical representation of calculation ability?”
“That’s right. The stats required for magic are intelligence and mental power, and the ‘three-stage stab’ that I just did after the old man requires strength and agility, but since my stats are lacking, I don’t think I would have been able to deal proper damage.
Quick slots weren’t a panacea either.
Even if you can imitate, it seems that you won’t be able to show your full strength if your stats are lacking.
‘Because deal meant power.’
Having become somewhat accustomed to the warriors’ slang, I spoke seriously to Hye-rin, who looked particularly frail today.
“Never let your guard down, and always be ready to use teleportation.”
“… … Hmm, I don’t know why, but it’s already too late?”
“What do you mean it’s late?”
“I can’t use Teleport now because I have 8 mana stacks left. I guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to be able to use it?”
Sure, I thought you said that teleport requires 12 mana stacks?
I turned to the busiest place, recalling the sight of the palace magicians.
“Follow me.”
“Where are you going?”
A military supply item that increases the wizard’s focus and mental power on the bloody battlefield.
“I’m going to buy a blue potion.”
I started selecting items in front of the counter, thinking of potions exclusively for wizards.
“Hey, wait a minute, I don’t think I should buy that… … .”
“Let’s do what’s in front of us.”
Ignore Hye-rin, who is stopping you from buying, and pay the gold.
I bought two blue potions.
“Take it.”
As I took the potion the merchant gave me into my arms, Hye-rin whispered to me with a fidgety face.
“Hey, hurry up… … I’ll refund what I just bought!”
“Why?”
“Oh, no, are you stupid? There’s no way a blue potion can be that cheap! It’s 100% a scam!”
I thought I knew what Hye-rin was trying to say.
Because the blue potion I just bought was half the price of other regions.
“It’s definitely strange.”
“Right? It can’t be like that… … .”
All the surrounding merchants were selling it at similar prices, but I was curious as to why.
“Why did the price of Blue Potion suddenly go up?”
Contrary to Hye-rin’s words that it was too cheap, the blue potion was more expensive than I thought.
The merchant speaks with a calm face.
“… … It’ll be the same wherever you go. It’s not easy to get World Tree leaves these days.”
“That’s strange. It’s not easy to get World Tree leaves from Walker.”
“It’s funny, but it’s true. I heard that some crazy guy who was dying of money bought all the leaves of the World Tree for more than double the price. Ha, right.”
Did someone hoard the World Tree leaves knowing that they would become unstable?
After asking the merchant for some general information about the Walker area, I handed Hye-rin two blue potions and said:
“Drink one, keep one.”
Eyes full of suspicion.
Hyelin looked at me hesitantly as if asking if I was really going to drink it, then gulped down the potion.
“… … Oh, is this really a blue potion?”
A pale blue glow that proves the blue potion is genuine.
“No, but why is it so cheap? It’s half the price of what I bought at the top… … .”
Even though it was more expensive than usual, it was half the price of other areas.
I told him nonchalantly why blue potions were cheap.
“Do you know the main ingredient of the blue potion?”
“… … Isn’t that a leaf from the World Tree?”
“The origin of the World Tree leaves is here, Walker.”
The World Tree’s leaves lose their effectiveness when they come into contact with mana mixed with air.
Therefore, magical processing for preservation is essential.
However, in the Walker region, where it originated, you can make blue potions without any magic processing costs.
“But wasn’t the World Tree in the Forest of Spirits?”
“The forest of spirits is here in the Walker area.”
“But isn’t that the land of the Druids? I thought Druids were icons of impunity who hated humans.”
“… … I don’t know what you’re talking about, but even if they hate humans, they have no choice but to make deals with the Walkers.”
“why?”
“Because the ancestors of the Druids and Walkers made that promise. Thanks to that, the Walker region has become a land that no one can look down on.”
World Tree leaves are used not only in blue potions, but also in healing, rituals, and even in making advanced equipment and magical tools.
“Are the leaves of the World Tree that neat?”
He bursts into laughter at Hye-rin’s appearance, who only understands half of the value of the World Tree leaves, and points at someone.
“Do you know why there are so many mercenaries in the Walker region?”
A strange regional structure with more mercenaries than local residents.
Hye-rin, who was staring at the passing mercenaries, scratched her head and answered.
“… … Well. Because there’s a lot of work?”
“That’s right. Maintaining public order, exterminating nearby monsters, constructing and demolishing buildings, and even transporting the most important World Tree leaves, the majority of the work is done by mercenaries, not the locals.”
At my words, Hye-rin nods her head and makes a sound.
“Ah, so that’s why there were so many inns and carriages.”
Every step you take, you see an inn sign and a carriage. And even an adventurer’s guild relaying business.
Although I explained that the economic activity in the Walker area revolved around mercenaries, Hye-rin tilted her head as if she was puzzled.
“But, is this okay?”
“what?”
“… … Well, mercenaries are people who will eventually leave at any time. What if something big happens and all the mercenaries leave the territory? Then won’t it just end in ruin?”
He answers with a smile to Hye-rin’s words that cut to the heart of the matter.
“That’s why we came here. Because the Walker family might not be able to obtain the World Tree leaves anymore.”
“… Yes? Then… … is something big happening?”
The mercenaries’ biggest jobs are escorting the transport to protect the World Tree leaves and defeating monsters.
Not being able to trade World Tree leaves meant that most of the mercenary work would disappear.
“It’s not going to be a big deal, since Walker’s seat is at stake.”
It was Walker’s crisis and my opportunity.
* * *
We settled down at a nearby inn, changed our clothes, and gathered again.
I am dressed as a wandering knight, and Hye-rin is dressed as a palace apprentice magician.
Hye-rin looks around and says.
“But, we’re going to the Forest of Spirits to participate in a large-scale monster extermination operation, right?”
“To be exact, I’m on my way to an interview to be assigned to that sweep operation.”
“Anyway! … … What does what we do have to do with Lee Hyun-seong?”
We must draw the attention of the imperial family’s natural enemy, Lee Hyeon-seong, so that the palace will not pay attention to us. That’s what I said, but the essence of what I said was a little different.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be Lee Hyun-seong. After all, the goal is to escape the eyes of the royal family.”
“… … Then, this place has nothing to do with Lee Hyun-seong?”
“No, it is certain that there was a deep connection between Walker and Lee Hyun-seong. However, Lee Hyun-seong was only a process, not a result.”
You can use Lee Hyun-seong, or you can use Walker’s family to create the power to fight against the Hwang family.
Lee Hyun-seong and Walker said that they should catch whichever rabbit they could, but Hye-rin didn’t seem to understand at all.
“Oh, I don’t know! Anyway, if I pass, I just have to participate in the monster extermination operation, right?”
“You must not participate as an ordinary mercenary. At the very least, you must be a commander.”
“Okay, okay. Just pretend to be a bit savage and then spit out some flames and I’ll let you pass, okay? I’ll go and be back.”
Hyelin, who left my side, joins the short line.
Hyelin, wearing the uniform of an imperial magician, stands out among the magicians wearing gloomy robes.
‘Is the problem on my side?’
I sighed lightly and stood in the long, endless line.
Veteran mercenaries, as well as those who appear to be of knightly origin.
The most common of these were nobles without heirship who hired high-level inspectors.
‘If it doesn’t work after a few tries, you have no choice but to become a mercenary or private soldier.’
I didn’t expect to get through it the first time.
Because the competitors had an advantage not only in skill but also in huge amounts of money.
‘The Red Dragon’s Ring? How absurd.’
An outrageously expensive magic tool.
The ring on one applicant’s finger cost more than the average person’s lifetime living expenses.
‘If swordsmanship doesn’t work, there is also a way to form a team using knowledge.’
The difference between passing in this life and passing in the next life.
As I was thinking of the various ways to use Save, a surprised voice was heard from the front.
“Ma, Ma-jok! Are you really saying that you crossed swords with Ma-jok?”
“Yes. We fought for over an hour, but in the end we lost.”
When I turned my gaze to follow the voice, I saw an old man with his scarred arms outstretched and a fist-sized horn sticking out.
The horn of a half-blood demon.
The knight who had examined the horn looked at the old man in admiration.
“Wow, that’s amazing. It really is the horn of a demon.”
The man locks eyes with his fellow knights.
When everyone nodded as if they had passed, the reporter changed his gaze and asked a question.
“Which side will you support?”
“Even after this is over, I want to stay in the Walker area and protect the people.”
“Okay, you passed. Listen to the detailed explanation next to me.”
An old man with a pitch-black sword slung at his waist walks towards the knight next to him, carrying his pack on his back.
Some people sigh at the sight.
“… … Haa, you were an ogre earlier, but now you’re a demon?”
“I thought it had some potential, but it didn’t work out. I had no choice but to participate as a mercenary… … .”
Men who have lost confidence drop out of line.
The long line moved quickly, and before I knew it, it was my turn.
“Have you filled out the application form?”
“no.”
The man looks me up and down and asks.
“Okay. What is the greatest accomplishment you’ve ever had in your life? It doesn’t have to be martial arts-related. Tell me anything.”
The greatest achievement I have ever made… … .
I said in a flat tone.
“Participate in the Hwangma War.”
“… … Could you say that again?”
“I fought against the Demon King’s army at the front line during the Great War.”
My low voice makes the surroundings quiet.
“Ugh, ugh.”
The silence was broken by someone shaking their upper body.
“Hahahahahahaha!”
Starting with the man, the surrounding area becomes filled with laughter.
“Did you hear? Did you hear? This guy was on the front lines of the Hwangma War?”
“Hey! So, doesn’t that mean we’re alive thanks to this guy? Instead of saving up money for drinks, shouldn’t we at least show our appreciation?”
“Hahahaha! Seriously, there are all kinds of people out there?”
The knight standing in front of me laughed as if he found it ridiculous, then gestured toward the exit as if telling me to leave quickly.
“Next applicant!”
I never thought I’d get full from the first drink, but I never thought I’d disbelieve what happened.
I let out a small sigh at the man’s words and grabbed the sword handle in my hand.
“Hehe. I guess you’re not going out?”
“Didn’t you understand what I said, get out?”
“You’re bluffing when you can’t even pull it out… ”
A pure white sword emerges from its scabbard and reflects light.
“Wh, what!”
The air has changed.
The knight, who seemed to have been surprised that he would actually draw his sword, jumped up, and those who had been waiting for their turn took a step back.
‘This amount of space should be enough.’
Use the tip of a sword as a brush to draw a picture.
The waves rose up to the sky.
It falls to the ground in one breath, creating a splash.
Wanting to become a knight, he practiced the swordsmanship of a swordsman tens of thousands of times.
“Do you need more?”
As I cut off the trajectory with aplomb and put my sword away, the knight gulps and says.
“Which side would you like to apply for… … .”
He answers that question calmly.
“After this incident, I want to remain in the Walker family’s permanent residence.”
The knight nods as if he understands and points to the back.
“… …You can just go inside.”
As I turn toward the door, people involuntarily take steps back.
A look that changed with just one swordsmanship.
I was pretending to walk calmly, but I couldn’t hold back a laugh.
‘… …Why did it succeed?’
The most surprised person among all the people here was myself, who had succeeded in the swordsmanship of the Black Sword.