ACT 8 Ark’s Trading Business

“Galen ajusshi.”

“Huh? This voice….Ark, is it Ark?”

Galen instantly looked away from a pile of doc.u.ments when Ark entered the Town Hall.

“Why are you here I never heard that you came back?”

“I only arrived a short time

“Anyway, welcome home. No, shouldn’t I say it’s good to have you back? You’re now a resident of Lancel.  Don’t you also share a stake in the village? Oh, do you want a cup of tea?

“It’s okay. I actually wanted to ask for a favour.”

“A favour?”

“Yes, I’d like you to take in a few people.”

The place Ark thought of when drawing the magic circle was Lancel village. It was weird to see people with blue skin in middle earth, but Lancel village was a place that would unconditionally accept 50 people regardless of their race or past. After going through the dimensional gate, Ark arrived at the training centre a short distance away from the village. He had a reason for moving them to the training camp. The Baran hadn’t come over for the purpose of immigration. It was tradition for Lancel to prepare empty land for people to settle it but that didn’t apply to the Baran. Then Ark thought of the training school. Since the 300 thieves had already graduated and went to the village, it was very quiet. So Ark wanted the Baran to live there for the moment. But there was still one problem. There were plenty of beds at the training centre. But people also had to eat in order to live. However, Ark didn’t have enough food to feed 50 people. And it was impossible to shut them up in the training centre without introducing them to Lancel village so he went to find Galen.

“Can you help me?”

“Hmm……I can’t refuse since it is you asking. I also can’t ignore it after hearing that their village had been attacked by monsters and they have nowhere else to go. After a good harvest the village is overflowing with food.”

It was thanks to Ark finding the Sacred Soil and pouring it into the fields.

“So there is no need to worry about food. The town’s commerce has also developed a lot since you’ve been away. The town’s finances can afford to look after 50 people with no problem. I’ll decide once I’ve met them.”

Galen spoke frankly and stood up. Unlike the Netherworld where the weather was unpredictable, middle earth had normal concepts of seasons. And currently New World was in the middle of winter so the weather was quite chilly.

“The town has changed quite a lot since I’ve been here.”

Ark said as he looked around Lancel village. He felt like the village was truly developing now. Every time he visited, it felt like it was steadily growing. After the racc.o.o.n clan joined, the buildings in particular became incredible flashy and made it look like a theme park. And apart from the NPCs, there were also a considerable number of users.

“A rumour started to spread in the area so our number of visitors has increased a lot.”

“Rumour?”

Ark tiled his head to one side and Galen laughed before pointing. Despite the winter air, the Meow Elder Ha.s.san was fast asleep on a rooftop. Users watched avidly as the tail moved or Ha.s.san’s nose twitch while snoring.

“Kyaaa, look. Over there as well.”

“The tail is so cute.”

Ha.s.san…..where was the Meow’s pride?

But it wasn’t just Ha.s.san. A group of users was also gathered around the sawmill where the racc.o.o.n clan was working. They pretended to do other things while gawking at the racc.o.o.ns.

“Why are people gathered over there?”

“You’ll understand if you keep watching.”

One of the racc.o.o.ns grunted and lifted a piece of timber.

Bbeong!

The racc.o.o.n’s tail suddenly popped out. Although they usually transformed themselves into the guise of a person, when they were surprised or used a lot of power than their tails and short beards would pop out.

“Did you see? Did you see?”

“Kikikik! I saw it, a round tail. The short beard also briefly appeared.”

The users were waiting for such a scene. When the racc.o.o.n turned his head at the sound of giggles, the users immediately turned around and pretended ignorance.

“We thought that the racc.o.o.ns would go unnoticed.  But foreigners sometimes visited our village and spread it around. Anyway, now our village’s specialities are the Meow and racc.o.o.ns. To the extent that some people visit from far away just to see them. Thanks to that, the Meow’s leather and the racc.o.o.n’s business are selling like hotcakes.”

Galen said with a happy smile. Ark was also happier. He wanted Lancel village to develop into the intermediary point between Giran and Jackson. It meant the village’s value would also increase. Ark’s share in Lancel village and his real estate would then be worth more.

‘Popo also had a considerable influence.’

Ark looked at Popo situation in the town centre. Popo’s effect continuously raised the value and development of the town. Apart from users, rumours of Popo drew NPCs to the village. The Meow, racc.o.o.n clan, rehabilitation thieves and Popo……all of it meant Lancel village had a deep bond with Ark. He was delighted every time he looked around Lancel village. Although he wanted to look around the town some more, he had to solve the problem of the Baran clan first.

“Oh, is that them?”

Galen asked curiously when he arrived at the training centre. Ark had explained the Baran’s blue skin to him but it was strange seeing it in person.

“Yes, Bona. This ajusshi is the mayor of the village.”

“Ah, h.e.l.lo?”

Bona greeted humbly while bowing his head. Galen nodded with a gentle smile before suddenly retreating in astonishment.

Grrrrrrr.

“M-monster! Hik, over there? There too? There too? Ah Ark, what is going on?”

Galen screamed and pointed at the h.e.l.lhound next to Bona. After the trainers left, most of the monsters in the valley village returned to the wild. But among the 30 children, there were 3~4 who had the trainer ability just like Bona. Just like Bona, those children were given little monsters as pets to raise. So when the left the village, they brought the monsters by carrying it in their arms. Ark explained that to Galen whose eyes suddenly lit up.

“Hooh, hooh! They have the ability to make monsters obedient? They’re blue and have such a miraculous talent? This is great.”

Galen had the hobby of collecting unusual people.

“Good, very good Ark. As expected from you. Where do you find all these fascinating people? Okay, I’ll take in this people. I’ll take care of the residents to prevent any discomfort.”

“No, like I said these people don’t want to move here……”

“I know that. Of course I know. You said they came here to seek refuge from the war?  It doesn’t really matter. Naturally we will help. But are they truly attached to their homes? This is also a good place to live. Hahaha, I’ll say it in advance but I hate people who discriminate against race the most. If they decide to settle here then they’ll receive a job, welfare and even a house. How about it? Would any of you want to live here?”

…….Galen didn’t pay any attention to Ark’s words. He was like a businessman trying to entice the Baran clan with his promises. Then Bona approached Ark and murmured.

“Ark hyung, this ajusshi is quite scary.”

“Well……he’s not a bad person. He just has a strange hobby.”

Ark muttered while awkwardly smiling.

Dududung, and the quest information window popped up.

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