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Chapter 714: Ransom (1)
The Grade 3 lodging district.
The lodging they arrived at after passing through the temporarily generated portal was a massive mansion.
Behind it stretched a steel outer wall alongside an enormous front gate, while at the front stood the mansion entrance beneath an arched ornament structure.
“Feels kind of like some rich neighborhood.”
When Yeongwoo muttered that while looking at the neighboring mansion far off to the right, Yenta fiddled with his horn and replied.
-T-True. I didn’t realize it would be this huge.
“Ah, this must be your first time seeing a Grade 3 lodging too.”
-Yes. Of course.
“Still, these Grade 3 lodgings feel packed pretty close together, don’t they? At this distance, couldn’t someone just jump over from one lodging to the next without even using the main gate?”
When Yeongwoo asked that, Yenta pointed toward the upper part of the steel outer wall and explained.
-From what I know, there’s a basic security system in place. Any attempt to cross the outer wall will probably be blocked somehow.
“Like giving people an electric shock from the wall or something?”
-I don’t know the exact method, but… in the past, there were quite a lot of thieves targeting vacant lodgings. That’s why the higher-grade lodgings were equipped with stronger security systems.
“Then that’s reassuring. Though it’s not like I’ve got valuables worth leaving behind here.”
After nodding, Yeongwoo passed beneath the arch structure and stopped in front of the mansion entrance.
“Do I just push it?”
The entrance consisted of two copper-colored steel doors, and the moment Yeongwoo placed his hand on them, they automatically swung open.
Trdrdrdrk!
At the same moment the doors opened, a loud clamor of machinery rang out from inside the lodging.
“That’s ridiculously noisy. What just activated?”
-It was probably the support facilities that had been locked away becoming active. Some of those functions are available even in Grade 4 lodgings.
“Support facilities?”
-Communication devices, safes, external surveillance screens for the lodging, things like that. Most of them stay hidden beneath the floor or inside the walls until the lodging owner arrives.
“So once I check in, they rise up from underground or something.”
-Yes. That was also done to prevent theft. Though nowadays, hardly anyone dares target a Grade 3 lodging anymore.
“Why? Because the security systems are too strong?”
When Yeongwoo asked back, Yenta scratched his forehead.
-Because everyone who targeted Grade 3 lodgings ended up dead. Even in the Black Sector, there are times when discipline gets established. I still vividly remember thieves being publicly executed in the middle of the free trade district.
“Ah.”
Well, this was the Black Sector after all.
Even if it was practically a lawless world, there was no way the Black Sector would simply stand by and watch thefts against its major customers—the Grade 3 residents.
And the unlucky fools who invaded a lodging while its owner was actually staying there probably died on the spot without even needing punishment from the Black Sector.
“But if the opponent’s Mohir, that changes things a bit. A guy like him probably wouldn’t get punished by the Black Sector, and he’d likely smash through the security systems without much trouble.”
-…That’s true. Which is why it would be best for you to leave this place as soon as possible. By now, he’s probably tearing through the black market searching for you.
“Then he’ll probably hear about the incident at the vendor street soon too.”
And he would also soon learn that the ones who caused the incident here had sprinted toward the ejection gate.
Most of the merchants at the vendor street had been subdued, but there had still been witnesses everywhere who saw the entire thing from start to finish.
“First, let’s check the state of the lodging. We can’t leave until the young lord arrives anyway.”
Soon, Yeongwoo stepped into the lodging, where an extremely spacious lobby greeted him.
And beyond the lobby stood yet another entrance.
“What’s this? They made a needlessly huge space.”
At that, Yenta cautiously glanced at Yeongwoo before speaking.
-It’s probably an area meant for stationed bodyguards.
“Bodyguards? But aren’t Grade 3 residents usually the type to travel alone? In this universe, it’s the lone individuals you’re supposed to be wary of.”
-That’s true, but… there are also the types who value ceremonial appearances, or members of extremely large factions.
A prime example would be the young lord of Salzeo, who would soon be arriving here.
Even if this was technically an unofficial visit, wouldn’t he still possess troops he could bring along at any time, separate from the clan’s official support?
“Well, I guess so. Prestigious cosmic families do tend to care a lot about appearances, so they probably drag around lines of bodyguards.”
As though somewhat convinced, Yeongwoo bobbed his head up and down while crossing the lobby.
Soon, the doors leading into the main interior of the lodging opened on their own, revealing floors made of blue stone.
“So this is basically the main building.”
-It seems that way. Judging by the layout, that side is probably the central bedroom, while this side should be where the safe is located.
Yenta pointed around various parts of the lodging.
There were no fewer than seven rooms on the first floor alone, and in the large living room floated a translucent monitor above the air beside an enormous sofa.
“So that’s where they broadcast the duel.”
When Yeongwoo pointed at the monitor, Yenta picked up the remote resting on the table in front of the sofa.
-Yes, probably. Shall I turn it on for now?
“Good idea.”
The moment Yeongwoo approved, Yenta powered on the monitor, and soon the air lit up brightly before displaying the duel arena of the gatekeeper Sezach.
Specifically, the examination ground composed of two circles.
“Looks crowded again today.”
On the screen, Sezach was holding firm like a mountain against a long line of challengers.
Just now, one challenger had been flung outside the outer ring and received an ordinary admission ticket, while the next challenger stepped into the circle immediately afterward.
At that, Dots Salzeo pulled back the transparent cloak covering his head and swallowed heavily.
-So that’s the gatekeeper.
“Yeah. If you fight him and produce meaningful results, you get assigned a lodging like this.”
-Then my older brother will be fighting that guy soon too?
“That’s right. Looks like we’ll get to see the young lord’s fighting skills today.”
As Yeongwoo folded his arms while watching the screen, a holographic interface suddenly appeared in the center of the living room.
Paaat!
“Hm? What’s this?”
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Yenta turned toward it and slightly opened his mouth.
-Ah, you haven’t set your trade position yet.
“Trade position? You mean that thing where you declare you want to buy goods without having any money?”
-Yes. Even if you already chose a position during a previous visit, if the type of goods you intend to trade is different, you have to reset your position.
The moment Yenta finished speaking, the Black Sector’s trading system itself began explaining the trade position.
「Before assigning a trading space, please set your trade position.」
Then, those utterly insane options Yeongwoo had seen before once again lined themselves up before his eyes.
[1] I have no funds for trade, but wish to obtain goods.
[2] I have funds for trade, but only wish to obtain goods.
[3] I have goods to sell. I do not know the price.
[4] I have goods to sell and know their value.
[5] Die, or take everything.
[6] There is a bounty on me, and I have goods to purchase.
“Still completely deranged options.”
What’s more, this list had been sorted according to the preference rankings of traders visiting the Black Sector.
Meaning most traders here wanted goods despite not having money.
Paaat!
[7] The goods in possession are living beings.
[8] Planning to trade Katangdal ingots.
[9] The goods in possession are stolen items.
[10] Seeking traders with bounties on them.
[11] Came to reclaim stolen property.
Finally, an option appropriate for Yeongwoo appeared, and Dots Salzeo—the product in question—shifted his eyes around nervously.
-This kind of thing… is considered a trade position?
“Yeah. It’s a world of thieves, robbers, and kidnappers.”
Yeongwoo selected options 4 and 7 for his trade position.
[4] I have goods to sell and know their value.
[7] The goods in possession are living beings.
Immediately afterward, another line of text appeared.
「Trade position selection has been completed.」
「Before registering the item for sale, the transaction method will now be determined.」
-Now there’s a transaction method too……?
Dots Salzeo, still new to the Black Sector, looked slightly frightened.
Seeing that, Yeongwoo stared at him quietly before speaking.
“It means deciding whether you’re going to scam the other party or actually hand over the goods.”
-…What?
Dots’ eyes widened as he asked back, but there was no need for a detailed explanation.
The options appearing afterward already implied plenty on their own.
Paaat!
[Fair and Square]
|Transaction: Meet at the center of the trading ground and directly exchange the goods and payment.
|Exit: The moment you shout the designated passphrase, both parties will be removed from the area.
[Stone Toss]
|Transaction: Each trader stands at opposite ends of the trading ground and throws their respective trade goods according to the system’s signal.
|Exit: An exit gate appears in the center of the trading ground.
[Crossroads]
|Transaction: Each trader is assigned a position at opposite ends of the trading ground. Each trader places their goods down at their assigned spot, then moves to the opponent’s position to collect the trade payment.
|Exit: One exit gate appears at each end of the trading ground.
[Tag]
|Transaction: The moment the opponent enters, either the opponent’s payment or sale item is transferred to you.
|Exit: An exit gate appears at the point farthest from both traders.
-T-This is insane. These are transaction methods?
After examining all the choices, Dots gaped blankly.
Not only were they all methods advantageous for committing trade fraud, but he also knew very well that the primary item in this transaction was himself.
-No, but everything’s already been discussed with my older brother. Is there really any need to trade while going through all this?
“The idea that everything’s been settled is only your wishful thinking. I have no way of knowing what the young lord is actually thinking.”
-O-Of course he’s probably angry, but… there’s no way he’d come all the way here just to take risks. My ransom will definitely be paid.
As Dots spoke with firm conviction in his eyes, Yeongwoo looked genuinely impressed.
“You really do want to go home badly, huh.”
-Of course I do. If I stay with you even one more day, there’s no telling what kind of insane things I’ll end up experiencing again.
“Really? Then why don’t you tell me yourself. What do you think would be the best way to sell you off?”
At that, Dots studied Yeongwoo’s expression as though questioning whether he was serious, before cautiously raising a finger toward the first option.
-Fair and Square……?
[Fair and Square]
|Transaction: Meet at the center of the trading ground and directly exchange the goods and payment.
|Exit: The moment you shout the designated passphrase, both parties will be removed from the area.
Just as the name suggested, it was a straightforward face-to-face exchange conducted right in front of one another.
Yeongwoo stroked his chin and nodded.
“Hm, it’s not a bad method.”
Then he immediately added the rest.
“But it’s not a good one either.”
-What?
“This transaction… will proceed with ‘Stone Toss.’”
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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