“I think her name was No Dam-Hye,” Raymond said.

“That’s right,” I said.

“I’m kind of surprised. I’m sure you have a plan, but recruiting a non-combatant into the party… She seemed like a good person…

hm

…” Raymond said.

“Don’t worry too much,” I told him.

“

Ahem

. I wasn’t worried… No matter what anyone says, I support your decision. More importantly… I hope you can do everything you want to do,” Raymond said.

“...”

“...”

“G-Gramps…” I stuttered.

I really liked absolute trust.

Actually, it was more like he was trying to address his past regrets. I already knew it, but Isabel Sunstrider couldn’t do everything she wanted. Since she had all the power, I was sure she managed the familia by listening to what her members had to say.

‘I’m sure he was one of those people. He’s old and has a lot of experience, after all.’

“But if you’re going to recruit a non-combatant, I think a blacksmith or leatherworker…

Ah!

An alchemist isn’t bad, either. Of course, doing what you want is the best, but…”

‘See! I can’t ignore him when he makes suggestions like that. You shouldn’t give those extra details, Gramps.’

“I wonder if that old timer is still active… How about getting into a contract with an experienced blacksmith—”

“It’s fine, Gramps. I’m going to recruit No Dam-Hye for a combat role… and we’re not going to create a familia… We’re simply creating a party… so signing a contract with non-combatants, including blacksmiths, should be fine. We don’t really have a lot of funds at the moment, so we don’t need to sign a contract right now,” I explained.

“Did that woman named No Dam-Hye tell you she had a combat role?

Ha!

Oh my… Ki-Young. As I said before, the Rohen Continent isn’t—”

“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just…” I paused.

“...”

“I’m thinking about suggesting she change her job,” I continued.

“...”

He seemed kind of surprised, but he nodded in the end.

“It won’t be easy… What are you going to do if things don’t work out?” Raymond asked.

“I’m not sure. I need to try first before worrying about failing,” I answered.

Of course, it wasn’t going to be easy because one's job here was the same as changing one's GENIUS. It would cost a lot of coins to change one's GENIUS.

For that reason, it was difficult to find a GENIUS who would give her an offer, and more importantly, it was highly likely that she was already in a contract. Even if I somehow managed to find her a different GENIUS, it was still questionable whether she was willing to betray her current GENIUS.

Non-combatants were often very loyal, after all.

Raymond Bolt cast a disappointed gaze at me, so I was sure he was aware of that fact, too. I was sure he was trying to find a reason to bring No Dam-Hye to our party, even if it meant taking a risk and suffering losses.

If I told him I had Mind’s Eye, the issue would be resolved, but of course, I had no intention of telling him my secret.

“Anyway, I’m going to head out, Gramps,” I said.

“Okay. You’re not going to—”

“I’m not a kid, Gramps,” I interrupted him.

“You brat.”

Naturally, I ran out of the inn because I had a feeling that if I stayed any longer, we’d end up talking a lot longer. It seemed like an inn, but it was basically Woo Hyo-Yeol’s party house. I hadn't signed any contract because I was afraid that he would feel burdened, but I was basically paying our rent.

“Which god do you serve?”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“If you’re available, how about listening to the words of our GENIUS?”

‘Why are there so many missionaries?’

“Have you heard of Rock God of the Moonlight?”

‘I don’t care about those insignificant gods.’

“We’re looking for a party.”

“Hey, handsome. Do you need bodyguards when you leave the city?” a woman asked.

“I’m just heading to the three-way intersection in front of the castle gate. I appreciate the offer, but no thanks,” I answered.

“It’ll be dangerous to go alone,” said the woman.

‘Dangerous, my ass.’

Adventurers moved in groups here, anyway.

‘There are tons of scammers here. I can see why Raymond was worried.’

There were portable camps everywhere in the three-way intersection. It was an intersection, so the players naturally gathered here to sleep or use it as a temporary base. It was far, but I could get there quickly using the public carriage, and it wasn’t

that

dangerous that I needed guards. I had never heard of monsters or bandits attacking that area, and it had also been stabilized a long time ago.

How else could a powerless bard stay there?

‘How can she even perform at a busy place like that?’

She'd find a hard time finding a spot to perform in such a busy place, and I was sure the missionaries would ruin her performance. No one at the bar would listen to a bard as well. They’d either be too drunk to listen or were busy talking to other people.

In that sense, the three-way intersection in front of the castle gate was one of the ideal gathering places, as it had more of a romantic vibe to it. At night, people would set up a campfire and talk about their adventures, bards would sing songs, and players would throw coins at the bards.

They would share food, create parties on the spot, and go on an expedition nearby.

Of course… I didn’t like that.

‘Ugh, it’s really dirty.’

The location reminded me of the leaking tent where Templar Gen and I once lived.

It was pretty big, but without any investment, it was obvious what was going to happen to this place. A place without an owner meant everyone here had no intentions of becoming a leader.

I heard people collect trash from Harizel every few days, but today wasn't one of those days. There was trash all over the place, and the stench of the people who hadn't washed themselves in days filled my nose.

The majority of them were too broke to afford a room in an inn.

‘It’s so unsanitary here.’

To make things worse, they were even sharing tents. There were no owners or rules. All they needed to do was ask whether there was room in the tent or not. If there were any rooms, they would just walk into it. Obviously, they didn’t own anything valuable.

“Excuse me, is there any room?” I asked.

“Of course. Are you planning on staying the night here?

Hiccup

,” they asked.

‘The smell of sweat and alcohol.’

“Want a sip?

Burp,

” they offered.

Four hairy apes were gathered in broad daylight; they were drinking rum and playing cards. Their party definitely had no mage, as I could see monster blood all over them. It looked like they tried to wipe it off, but it would be hard to clean monster blood without a cleaning spell.

They were third-rate adventurers who relied on camps because they were too broke to purchase their own tents.

“My name is Robertson. Are you from the city?” Robertson asked.

“

Ah…

yes,” I answered.

‘Don’t talk to me. I don’t plan on getting close to you.’

They weren't competent adventurers. The security here was somehow being maintained thanks to the players, but people still committed crimes. They were just being cautious. If one committed a crime and ended up getting caught, these savages would immediately open a people’s court.

If one got caught while stealing, one could kiss one's hand goodbye.

‘Maybe I should’ve brought my own tent.’

I regretted the fact that I hadn't brought my own tent, but I didn’t want to be treated like someone who couldn’t enjoy this place. Indeed, the place gave off a romantic vibe, but the place was unsanitary.

Moreover, everyone here was like these two people before me.

If they weren't similar to each other, they wouldn't be able to stay here for long.

“Here, have some,” Robertson offered.

‘Your thumb is in my stew. Get your thumb out.’

Soon, sunset approached, and the people gathered around the campfire with their piggy soup containing strange pieces of meat. A pot of stew was above the flames, and it seemed like the pot would never run out of stew.

Once it was empty, someone would come and add water and meat into the pot. Before the stew could run out once more, someone would add more water and meat into the pot.

Basically, I was sure that pot had never been cleaned.

“

Oh

, thank you,” I said.

I had no choice but to act like I was enjoying it because that was considered romantic.

‘Their idea of romance is wrong.’

I started hearing drunk people slurring their words, as well as adventurers talking about their adventures today. I got annoyed because I heard noises I didn’t want to hear, but it was worth the wait.

Finally, the bard was here.

At least, there was one thing I was sure of.

‘Bards like her are considered at a high level on the Rohen Continent.’

Since I was an alchemist, they couldn’t be compared to me, but the non-combatants on the Rohen Continent were more advanced because they specialized in production work. It was natural since all sorts of insignificant gods could bless them or give them jobs.

This place was trashy, but it was pretty useful at the moment.

“Gods of war who take pity on the soldiers! Please be with us!”

“...”

“Give us the strength to have courage and overcome this hardship!”

I had no idea who wrote it, but the drunkards were singing it. They had their arms around each other and were spinning around the bard. Half of the rum in their cups ended up spilling because they raised their cups, but they seemed to be having fun.

Some people were busking with a single guitar. Many people sang songs that were popular back on Earth. People who missed being on Earth sat around them and nodded, while others requested songs while throwing some gold into the buskers' hats.

It was like I was staring at a music festival; bards in their own spots played various songs to attract people.

No Dam-Hye was also in the corner playing an instrument that looked similar to a piano.

She had short hair, which reminded me of Ji-Hye noona, large eyes, and a naive-looking face. She was pretty good at the piano, so I was sure she studied the piano back on Earth. The sight of her made me wonder whether there was someone as talented as her in the Sacred Democratic Country.

The problem was that she wasn’t popular. There were only two to three people in front of her, but they weren’t even listening. They were actually talking to each other.

‘Who would be interested in listening to classical music?’

No Dam-Hye looked pretty cool with the way she played passionately and slammed on the keys as if she were imitating a maestro, but I wondered how many people were actually listening to her…

She had a noticeably small crowd compared to those drunken fools who were shouting and instigating the audience.

To make things worse, her music wasn’t from Earth. She was playing a piece that only the nobles of the Rohen Continent would enjoy, but since it was being played at a vagrant camp, I was sure she wasn’t getting much gold from these guys.

And that was when I appeared…

I hummed slowly along with the melody, and it sounded like I was humming a gospel. I unknowingly started humming and followed the melody as if I couldn't care less about what other people thought of it. Of course, I never thought I was a good singer, but there was a reason I was a transcendent being. The charming skill engraved in my soul was probably still there, so if I were to use a bit of that skill to charm these fools…

‘Is easy.’

They’d think someone was singing a sweet song, and of course, the feedback was instant.

[The Goddess of Flower and Fertility♥ donated 50,000 coins.]

[The God of Sunet♥ donated 60,000 coins.]

[The Slender Tentacle Queen♥ donated 30,000 coins.]

[The Wine of Song and Revelry♥ donated 100,000 coins.]

[He Who Sits on the Golden Throne♥ donated 120,000 coins.]