Chapter 15. Things That Make Money
"Should we take it?"
Do-yoon and Liana spoke almost at the same time.
They looked at each other for a moment.
Then both laughed.
At the very top of the Mercenary Guild board was a request bordered in red.
[Emergency Investigation Request]
[Northern Abandoned Mine Investigation]
[Reward: 3 Gold Coins]
Do-yoon slowly read it again.
"Investigation request?"
"Yeah."
Liana crossed her arms.
"It's not a subjugation mission."
"Big difference?"
"Huge."
She lightly tapped the title with one finger.
"Subjugation ends once you kill the target."
"And investigation?"
"You have to come back alive before it counts as finished."
Do-yoon laughed.
"That sounds harder."
"That's why it pays more."
An investigation request meant confirming dangers and bringing information back.
What monsters were there?
How strong were they?
Why had the incident happened?
The guild sent people to collect those answers.
The request only counted as a success if the investigator returned alive.
But Do-yoon was making a different calculation.
Three gold coins.
Clearly a lot of money.
But his standards had already begun changing.
Instant noodles.
Chocolate.
Coffee mix.
Soap.
Those things alone were enough to make money.
But there were limits.
He could carry only so much at once.
And the black market itself was not infinite.
Potions were different.
They saved lives.
They kept people from dying.
If survival was possible...
People would willingly pay amounts beyond imagination.
Do-yoon was already beginning to understand that truth in both worlds.
"What are you thinking about?"
Liana asked.
"Money."
"Of course."
Do-yoon smiled and nodded.
"If I could just secure a stable supply of good potions, that would solve everything."
Liana blinked.
"Potions?"
"Yeah."
"They're extremely expensive."
"How expensive?"
Liana thought briefly.
Then raised one finger.
"Standard potion."
"Effect?"
"Small cuts."
"Price?"
"Two silver coins."
Do-yoon looked surprised.
Cheaper than expected.
Then Liana raised a second finger.
"Intermediate potion."
"Yeah."
"Deep wounds."
"And?"
"Twenty silver coins."
Do-yoon's gaze changed.
Ten times more.
Then Liana raised the final finger.
"High-Grade Potion."
"..."
"Organ damage."
"..."
"Severe fractures."
"..."
"At least five gold coins."
Do-yoon quietly inhaled.
Five gold coins.
Converted into real-world money...
It would be an enormous amount.
Liana continued.
"Even nobles can't easily obtain Top-Grade Potions."
"Why?"
"Almost no one can make them."
Do-yoon's mind began moving rapidly.
Potions.
They did not exist in reality.
They were rare even here.
Then their value could become absurd.
The back of his hand suddenly grew warm.
Pride.
Recently, the fruit had been reacting far more often.
Especially whenever Do-yoon imagined greater wealth...
And higher positions.
Almost as if it enjoyed desire itself.
In the end, the two removed the request from the board.
Northern Abandoned Mine.
About two hours on foot from the royal capital.
Once they left the city gates, a broad grassland spread before them.
Soft wind moved through the grass.
Farmers worked in fields beside the road.
Wagons passed.
Children ran through open fields.
Do-yoon slowly looked around.
"It's more peaceful than I expected."
"What is?"
"This world."
Liana laughed.
"Did you think only monsters lived here?"
"A little."
"People still need to eat."
