Chapter 1293. The Magic Tower (6)

Of course, in terms of getting a vivid glimpse into the everyday lives of ordinary people during the first life, this was probably a meaningful outing, but that was something I could do just fine from home. Not that I really cared, anyway.

What mattered here wasn’t going out with Big Boy, but keeping an eye on Jung Ha-Yan’s movements. Still, the warm-hearted guy seemed to have no intentions of leaving my side. He figured that while there was nothing he could do during the day, at the very least, he didn’t want to leave me alone at night.

At this point in the second life, the idea of a kid walking into a tavern would be unthinkable, but here, in a place with no laws or anything else, it was brushed off like it was nothing. Big Boy didn’t seem to care as well.

He was probably more concerned about Carlton and Yoojin’s reactions.

Sure enough, when they saw me, I saw them pointing at Big Boy.

“

Pfft! Hahahahahaha!

“

Hahahahahahaha!

”

“What’s this?

Pfft!

Why’d you bring the kid, Big Boy?” Carlton asked.

“

Pwahahahahahahaha!

I told you, didn’t I? I said he was definitely going to bring him along. Hand it over,” Yoojin said.

“Damn it...” Big Boy mumbled.

Apparently, they even made a bet about it.

I could see a miserable-looking Carlton handing some coins over to Yoojin.

“Big Boy, you dumb bastard! What’s so hard about leaving him alone at night? You really had to bring a kid along? Did you not know that this is going to be a work meeting?” Carlton questioned.

“He was worried about the kid, Carlton!

Hahahahahaha!

With him tagging along everywhere, of course, he’d bring him! Do you still not know Big Boy enough to deduce what he's going to do?” Yoojin asked.

“You’re such a pushover,” Carlton commented.

“Shut up, Carlton! Yoojin! Damn it!” Big Boy shouted.

‘It’s getting noisy in here.’

Of course, I had to keep a completely innocent face. It seemed like the right move here was to hold onto Big Boy’s sleeve and smile cheerfully while watching the scene unfold.

“L-Let go of me, kid! Damn it!” Big Boy cursed.

“

Pwahahahahahaha!

He doesn’t want to be separated from you, Big Boy! How about you hold his hand at least?” Yoojin suggested.

“D-Damn it... Let’s just go! Are we going to stay here all day?” Big Boy complained.

“Look at him trying to change the subject, Carlton!” Yoojin shouted.

“Let’s just go, you assholes! Damn it! You said we’re late!” Big Boy yelled at them.

Naturally, Big Boy strode past Carlton and Yoojin. Soon, the ruined cityscape of Lindel came into view. I had seen it a few times at this point, but the restoration was progressing faster than I thought.

The dark streets were lit by glowing liquor bottles and candles commemorating the dead, and surprisingly,

there were quite a few wandering around. I wasn’t sure if they were from other cities, but there were merchants in the plaza selling late into the night, and the streets were crowded with people drunk on alcohol or drugs.

I even heard yelling from all over the place.

‘Looks like the drunks are fighting each other.’

Big Boy covered my eyes several times, and it was probably because some scenes weren’t for a child to see, and just as I was getting annoyed by the mud sticking to my feet, they headed toward a tavern tucked into the corner of the plaza.

‘Huh?’

The building was practically collapsed. Actually, it was hard to even call it a building. It was more like four wooden sticks stuck in the ground with a tarp thrown over them. But somehow, the place felt familiar.

‘Wasn’t this a place I used to go often?’

The place was a bit cramped, but I liked the hip atmosphere here, so it was a bar I frequented, and now, it had become a gathering spot for workers. Instead of soft music playing quietly, the loud chatter of people filled the space, which I found oddly enjoyable, so it wasn’t that bad at all.

‘I definitely have to stop by again when I get back to the second life.’

It had been a while since my last visit, anyway.

Anyway, Big Boy carefully lifted the tarp and stepped inside the tavern.

Greetings came from all directions immediately afterward.

“Hey, Big Boy!”

“Big Boy, you bastard! It’s been so long! We thought you were dead, you jerk!”

‘So he does have a lot of friends.’

I had guessed as much, but it turned out he was even more well-connected than I thought. Everyone in the tavern came up to him; they either bumped fists with him or gave him an enthusiastic hug.

“You’re still alive? You’re tougher than I thought.”

“That goes for you, too. Damn. Looks like a few guys went down last time,” Big Boy said.

“Yeah, unlucky. Isn’t this why we get together every day? To remember the fallen.”

“Bullshit... You’re just using that as an excuse to hang out,” Big Boy said.

“

Hahahaha!

What have you been up to lately? You used to be here all the time, but now you’re nowhere to be seen!”

“Long story. Nothing worth going into,” Big Boy answered.

“Big Boy oppa! You’re alive!”

A warrior who looked to be in her late twenties ran toward him and threw her arms around him in a hug.

“Hey! Hey! Don’t come any closer!” Big Boy yelled at her.

Big Boy seemed flustered when she charged at him and started pinching his cheeks.

It looked like they were pretty close.

"Damn it! Cut it out, Maple!” Big Boy said.

‘Are Big Boy and she maybe... a thing?’

“But... oppa, looks like you brought something with you. What’s with this kid?” Maple asked.

“

Huh?

Yeah, about that...” Big Boy trailed off.

“Oppa... it’s not what I think it is, right?” Maple asked.

“What?” Big Boy asked.

“No matter the situation, it’s a bit... I mean, I respect your taste and all, but this kid’s way too young,” Maple said.

“What the hell are you talking about?! I’m just looking after him for a bit, that’s all! Hey, Carlton! Yoojin! Come explain this mess,” Big Boy requested.

“

Pwahahahahahaha!

”

“

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!”

“Damn it! This is exactly why I didn’t want to come here!” Big Boy complained.

‘But despite saying that, he seems to be having a good time.’

I was starting to understand why this guy liked this place so much.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The atmosphere was nice...

‘And somehow, it feels like he’s actually welcome here.’

It was really noisy. After all the despair in the first life, this has to be the only place where guys like him could breathe. They could laugh off the fact that their friends had died, and everyone was hanging out like close friends.

No one cared about anyone's story or reasons for coming here. Everyone was just focused on forgetting their hard lives together, and just by being with him, I felt like I was welcome here, too.

“But you’re really cute. Wanna be friends with noona?” Maple asked.

“What?! Big Boy showed up with some kid? Where’d you pick up this brat?

“None of your business, you idiot!” Big Boy answered.

“Let me see.”

“Get lost, you jerks!” Big Boy yelled at them.

“Have a drink!”

“Don’t give him any alcohol! Don’t give this kid anything!” Big Boy told them.

“So what?! This is how everyone grows up.”

“Damn it!”

“What? So that kid’s the one who’s been taking care of you?”

“Taking care of me, my ass...” Big Boy mumbled.

‘Man, these guys are seriously all over the place.’

It took a while just to get to the table because of all the commotion. Only after greeting the crowd pushing in from all directions did we finally manage to sit down.

“Already drinking,

huh?

” Big Boy asked.

“

Huh?

Big Boy!” Kennen greeted.

“Kennen’s already drunk. How’s he going to talk about the job...” Big Boy complained.

"Sit down first. Sit. What’s with that kid?” George asked.

“That’s none of your concern. Just start talking about the job,” Big Boy demanded.

“What’s the rush?! Let’s drink first and take our time talking, okay? Here, have a drink,” George offered.

I noticed two oddly familiar figures. Probably Third-rate Gambler George and Playboy Kennen. I’d heard they were the ones giving Big Boy the job, and now that they had finally met, we were finally getting to business.

I couldn't understand why they decided to hold a meeting in a place like this, but apparently, drinking came first, as none of them were talking about the job yet.

Yoojin and Carlton were happily telling each other how good the rum tasted after not seeing each other for a while, but Big Boy was just swallowing nervously and not really enjoying himself. It was probably because he felt that he couldn’t afford to get drunk.

“Aren’t you going to drink, Big Boy?” Yoojin asked.

“What’s this? The heavy drinker’s refusing his drink? Is the world ending tomorrow or something?” George asked.

“Leave him be. He has all sorts of things to worry about now that he’s a guardian...

Haha

, looks like there’s a lot on his mind. Hey, bring some hambier skewers for the kid!” Carlton ordered.

‘I don’t want to eat that, damn it.’

“I-I’m okay,” I said.

Big Boy patted my head. I felt like he thought that my polite refusal was due to the fact that I was feeling bad, so he said, “Don’t refuse and just accept it. The hambier here is top-notch.”

“It’s so good that Big Boy came to see if the kitchen staff were still alive after the battle,” George commented.

‘No, seriously, I don’t want this.’

I looked through my Telescope and saw the owner putting the hambier skewers on what looked like a rusty iron plate that hadn't been cleaned in a hundred years. Flies were buzzing around the sauce container as the cook slathered the sauce all over the meat.

I hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but sure enough, Big Boy was forcing the meat into my mouth.

“How is it?” Big Boy asked.

‘Damn it...’

“Tastes... good,” I mumbled.

“

Heh...

right? There’s plenty more, so eat up,” he said.

I wanted to spit it out immediately, but he clearly wanted me to eat more, so I gnashed my teeth and swallowed the disgusting meat. Thinking that I was too occupied by the meat, Big Boy and the playboy Kennen started chatting about everyday life.

I was half-listening, but even I could tell that it wasn’t entirely useless talk.

“They said they’re about to gather troops soon,” Kennen said.

“What? The war just ended, though,” Big Boy said.

“No, no. We don’t have to worry about it. It sounds like the Blue Guild is taking this chance to root out Saladin completely. I heard they’re chasing after those bastards.

"They took a lot of damage from this war, too. There aren’t many of them left. Maybe we’ll hear some news soon,” he explained.

“Well, that’s not bad news. I’m sick of those damn black mages anyway...” Big Boy said.

They were talking about Kim Hyun-Sung from the Blue Guild chasing after the fleeing Saladin.

“Have you seen those crazy idiots throwing trash at the Magic Tower?” Kennen asked.

“They’re idiots. Who do you think keeps them alive? I get how they feel, but how is this the archmage’s fault? There’s no such thing as unavoidable sacrifice... but this really was unavoidable,” Big Boy said.

“We’re alive because of Jung Ha-Yan. That’s for sure,” Kennen said in agreement.

Some of them were apparently nursing a grudge against the Magic Tower and Jung Ha-Yan.

“I heard the Republic and the Union of Kingdoms are rebuilding, too,” Big Boy said.

“Yeah, the damage was pretty bad,” Kennen answered.

Other regions were hustling to recover from the damage caused by the war. They were talking about the usual big and small political news.

Of course, one couldn't really trust any piece of information from these guys, but sometimes, back-alley information could come in handy.

“So... what’s this job you have for us? I’m getting impatient here. How risky is it? And how much cash are we talking?” Big Boy asked.

“That’s what you want to know,

huh?

You jerk... it’s going to be pretty sweet. You just need to deliver one item to Heren. Payment’s about... this much,” Kennen answered.

“What?”

“

Shh.

Quiet,” Kennen said.

‘Heren, huh...’

Kim Hyun-Sung held his Regressor Confession Event there. His hideout in the first life was also located in Heren.

“Where’s the request coming from?” Big Boy asked.

“You know Small Stone in Castlerock?” Kennen asked.

‘I know that place. The corrupt bastards who drove Jo Hye-Jin out. Looks like those assholes are doing well here.’

“What the hell? Is this a stolen item, then?” Big Boy questioned.

“

Shh

. I told you to be quiet, damn it. Are you going to advertise it all over the place or what?” Kennen complained.

“If it’s Small Stone, then it’s gotta be something related to the black market,” Big Boy said.

“Exactly. That’s why they’re paying a lot of gold. Didn’t you say you needed money? When have we ever cared if the job’s good or bad? If it pays, we do it. Originally, I wanted to give it to another party, but Carlton and Yoojin told me that you’ve been spending a lot lately... and... that’s what friends are for,” Kennen explained.

“Friends, my ass. They just want a fat cut of the broker fee,” Big Boy said.

“Anyway, are you in or out?” Kennen asked.

“

Haa...

damn it. I was planning to quit the dangerous stuff,” Big Boy mumbled.

“What’s dangerous about this? The guards are already on it. You just have to deliver the goods...” Kennen remarked.

“

Haa...

”

Big Boy looked over at me, clearly uncomfortable. Of course, he was uneasy. It sounded too good to be true. There was no way they’d pay that much with zero risk. He looked like he really didn’t want to take it, but...

‘You’ve been spending a lot of money lately.’

Given the situation, he probably couldn’t say no. Kids cost a lot of money, after all.

“Just this one time,” Big Boy answered.

“Good choice, Big Boy,” Kennen said.

Big Boy nodded, and just like that, the party’s next destination was set to Heren.

“...”

“...”

Exactly four days before our departure, news about Jo Hye-Jin's demise started to spread.