Chapter 79

‘B-rank. If I consider difficulty and safety, it would make sense to increase the scale as much as possible.’

“…No, this size is appropriate after all.”

Theoretically speaking, it wouldn’t be impossible to draw in most of the people in the city.

If he released flowers into the market and added a bit of wind, there would be an incredible response.

However, doing so would create a fatal problem – too many variables.

Even if he couldn’t perfectly control the situation, he needed to maintain at least some influence, but if the expedition grew too large, his influence would inevitably decrease.

Considering Sewer’s capabilities, and thinking about the clear conditions, wanting to increase numbers further would be excessive.

Crack!

“What’s this? Why is it so weak?”

“The door isn’t weak, you just can’t control your strength.”

“What nonsense! Do you know how much fine control it takes to operate a Gigant? This door is just weak!”

Led by Vulcan, Sewer’s executives entered the room.

Dorothy, who had been frowning while bickering with Vulcan, immediately switched expressions like changing masks when their eyes met with Yuseong, opening their mouth with a bright smile.

“Seems like you were resting well. Aren’t you curious about how the deal went?”

“I can tell just by your expression. It seems to have gone well.”

“Not just well – it was a huge success. All four accepted our proposal.”

“Kahahaha! One million five hundred thousand gold! One million five hundred thousand gold in just half a day! I can finally complete my life’s masterpiece!”

“I think there’s some misunderstanding here – this isn’t your money, you know?”

“Ahem, would anyone like to invest in the advancement of technology?”

Sixty thousand gold from the six families, nine hundred thousand gold from other forces.

Looking at the executives who were gleefully celebrating obtaining the enormous sum of one million five hundred thousand gold, Yuseong calmly spoke.

“So, have you thought about what comes next?”

A heavy silence fell over the room that had been full of laughter and chatter just moments ago.

“Ahem, do we really have to do that?”

It was a situation that perfectly matched the saying about having different feelings going into and coming out of the bathroom.

Looking at Vulcan, who was blatantly showing his reluctance to take any more risks after obtaining such a massive sum of one million five hundred thousand gold, Yuseong spoke with a composed expression.

“If you want to quit, you can.”

It would be foolish to try forcing them to keep their promise when they didn’t have the power to enforce it, or to appeal to the conscience of those leading the worst criminal organization.

To persuade them, it was enough to calmly explain what would happen next.

“As long as you can handle what happens afterward.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Even if the Sewer backs out now, the expedition will still be formed. And considering the importance of this matter and the forces involved, the expedition will inevitably succeed. Then what happens after that?”

Yuseong paused briefly between conversations to let the executives think, then continued his explanation.

“Do you think the six families and other forces will kindly transport people to the newly discovered land they found through their noblesse oblige efforts without expecting anything in return?”

“…That wouldn’t happen.”

“They’ll try to sell tickets to the new settlement at an enormous price, whether it’s money or labor. It’s entirely possible they’ll restrict qualifications and only sell tickets to people they like.”

Cold sweat ran down Vulcan’s forehead.

How long could the Sewer last in a city abandoned by the six families and core forces that sustained it?

Even if they could migrate later, most of the influence and rights to the new land would already be claimed by the pioneers, naturally leaving Sewer to fall behind in the competition.

This wasn’t the kind of problem they could choose to avoid.

If they wanted to live, if they didn’t want to be left behind, this was something they had to do.

“…Damn it! Fine, fine! We’ll do what you say!”

“You’ve made a wise decision.”

Yuseong comforted the dejected Vulcan with a friendly smile.

* * *

For some time now, an untraceable rumor had begun spreading among people.

It was a rumor about a monster appearing in the underground tunnels that could potentially destroy Last City.

At first, no one believed such an absurd rumor.

However, as time passed, the rumor began to seem more and more realistic.

“That monster they say appeared underground. Seems like it’s not completely baseless after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“According to information leaked from the Iron Giant, an exploration team they sent to find new ore veins was completely wiped out. When a fifty-person team, including two Gigants no less, gets completely wiped out…”

“…Could it be real?”

The massive forces that could be called the pillars of the city acknowledged the monster’s existence.

The Iron Giant, which sent the most people to the underground tunnels, reported damages from the monster daily, spirits and fairies spread the rumor throughout every corner of the city, and the Mercenary, which had dispatched numerous subjugation teams to catch the monster, received the devastating report of all members missing.

Adding fuel to the fire, when the Sewer began running rampant and public safety deteriorated, people’s anxiety could only grow.

And the six families drove the final nail in.

“To verify the truth of the recent strange rumors, the six families secretly dispatched a search party to the underground tunnels. We were able to confirm the existence of a monster that could pose a serious threat to the city.”

The moment the six families, who had ruled the city for the past hundred years, officially acknowledged the monster’s existence, everyone had to accept the rumors as truth.

And just before people’s anxiety could explode, the six families made an additional announcement as if they had been waiting for this moment.

“To overcome this unprecedented crisis, five forces including the six families have decided to unite as one to subjugate the monster.”

The six families, the Sewer, the Iron Giant, the Mercenary, and the Nature’s Rest.

Hope spread and anxiety subsided at the news that five forces that could be called the core of Last City had joined forces.

People emptied their pockets to contribute funds and supplies, wanting to help even a little, and even those who couldn’t afford to do so volunteered for manual labor and odd jobs, trying somehow to be of help to the five forces.

And on the day of the decisive battle, the subjugation force composed of five forces departed the city amid thunderous cheers from citizens.

Creak!

The subjugation force began descending along the passage, leaving behind tightly closed doors.

Various emotions were evident on people’s faces – fighting spirit, excitement, tension, and fear.

However, the moment they arrived at the underground mine after passing through the passage, people could only feel one emotion – confusion.

“Who are those people? Are they an advance party?”

“Wait, that guy over there, he looks familiar? How is he here?”

The appearance of people who had gone missing or were reported dead after going underground.

The executives of each force stepped forward to explain the situation to calm the confused subjugation force.

That there actually was no monster threatening the city, and that all those reported missing or dead were actually alive.

When it was announced that the monster story was a lie to hide their true purpose, and that true purpose was to go outside to find uncontaminated land, great commotion broke out in the venue.

People’s reactions were not good when they learned they and the entire city’s citizens had been deceived, and when talk turned to going outside to find new land, the atmosphere became so hostile it seemed a rebellion might break out.

However, when they showed the glass bottle containing uncontaminated flowers and mentioned having a map to that place, the situation reversed instantly.

If there really was uncontaminated land and guarantees they could reach it, that changed everything.

They had lived in the dark underground without sunlight for a hundred long years, eating insects to survive.

The long-lived races who had experienced living on the surface were already teary-eyed, while the short-lived races who had lived their whole lives underground showed excited expressions imagining the surface world they had only read about in stories.

‘Fortunately, things seem to be going well.’

Oswald let out a relieved sigh as he watched people gathered around discussing the flower.

He had been prepared for anything from insubordination to outright rebellion, but the response was surprisingly very positive.

‘If only the six families were here alone.’

The other forces besides the six families.

Especially regarding the Sewer, Oswald’s gaze was that of someone looking at a mortal enemy.

“Long time no see, Oswald. Or maybe not so long?”

A languid voice from behind.

Oswald sighed and opened his mouth.

“Dorothy, I can’t believe you’re still alive. You really do have a long life.”

“Well, wouldn’t a fairy like me live longer than a human like you? Though you do live quite long for a human.”

“Just tell me why you’re here.”

“Nothing much, just thought I’d introduce someone to you.”

“Introduce?”

Oswald, who had been showing his back as if he didn’t even want to make eye contact, finally turned his head at the mention of introducing someone.

And the moment he confirmed the identity of the person Dorothy wanted to introduce, his eyes nearly popped out.

“Y-you!”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Kuzan.”

The thief who had stolen the fruits of decades of effort.

The con artist who had torn apart those fruits and sold them to other forces.

The enemy who had ruined the six families’ grand plan to reign as absolute rulers that none could challenge in the new land.

‘I’ll kill him!’

Unable to contain his rising murderous intent, he threw a punch at where the heart should be.

Even as he threw the punch, he realized what a huge problem it would be to kill someone from another force with a surprise attack in front of so many people, but the arrow had already been fired.

‘Damn, do we have to fight with the Sewer before we even start?’

Whoosh!

“Huh?”

Oswald’s eyes went wide.

The punch he was certain would connect cut through empty air, and the person who should have died with their chest pierced was looking at him with crafty eyes from several steps away.

“Oswald! You dare attempt assassination against someone I introduced? Do you want war with the Sewer?”

“Ah, no, that’s not…”

Disappointment at the failed attack, trouble at giving the enemy justification to pick a fight, relief at avoiding the worst situation.

Experiencing various emotional changes in less than a second, Oswald, having lost his usual cool demeanor, could only handle Dorothy’s anger with a dumbfounded expression.

And Yuseong, watching the scene from behind, let out a relieved sigh while touching where his heart should be.

‘I survived this time. What kind of alchemist moves that fast?’

It still makes his teeth grind thinking about the second playthrough where he died so pointlessly.

No matter how deep his grudge might be, he never expected him to attempt assassination the moment their eyes met, without even asking questions.

Only two chances remained.

He couldn’t help feeling anxious about whether they could clear the quest within those attempts.