Chapter 235

Well set out around dinner time. I told him I wanted to meet him privately, but you can just follow me.

I can?

Theres no other choice. Its best to limit information as much as possible until we meet him. Hes a sly one, that guy.

Considering that this was coming from Kim Hannah, Seol Jihu immediately had a high opinion of him.

Anyway, this is a good opportunity for us to recruit a Priest Do you have anyone in mind?

Someone immediately popped into his head.

Miss Maria.

I thought youd say that. Wait then. Lets cast a net before we go to Eva.

A net?

Kim Hannah disappeared into her room once again.

This time, Seol Jihu followed her.

When he entered, he saw Kim Hannah trying to call someone with a communication crystal she took out from her handbag.

Soon, a light flashed.

Oh? Now who is this!?

Marias chattering voice burst out.

The b.i.t.c.h who got chased out of Sinyoung like a defeated dog!?

You wanna die?

When Kim Hannah growled fiercely, Maria paused.

Sorry

Never mind.

Kim Hannah glared at the crystal and spoke in a bored tone.

Run over to Carpe Diems office, p.r.o.nto.

What? Is that where you are now, Unni?

Ill give you 10 minutes.

Kim Hannah hung up after delivering a very one-sided message.

Was Seol Jihu mistaken in thinking he heard a loud f.u.c.k! before the call ended?

*

After summoning Maria

Do you want to enter our team?

Kim Hannah cut straight to the chase before Maria could even sit.

Maria, whose b.u.t.t was just about to touch the couch, paused awkwardly. She didnt say anything out loud, but her face was quite clearly saying, What kind of dogs.h.i.+t bullc.r.a.p are you spouting?

Relax your face, hun.

Maria instantly fixed her expression at Kim Hannahs warning, but she still maintained a suspicious look.

What are you saying out of the blue? Its the middle of the day and youre already drunk, Unni? Is it because you needed alcohol to wallow in your sorrows?

My mind is crystal clear, so just answer my question.

Uhm, can you at least explain the situation

Carpe Diem is going to move to Eva soon to become an organization. We want a Priest. There, end of explanation.

Kim Hannah fired out word after word before resting her chin on the back of her hand.

Your answer is?

Organizatioooon? Carpe Diem is leaving Haramark?

Maria reacted a moment later with a completely gobsmacked face.

Soon, she nodded her head reluctantly.

True Carpe Diem does have many High Rankers and a ton of money

I didnt call you over to hear your comments. If I ask you again, you know it will be the third time, right?

Maria let out a shrill Hiiik! before shrinking back.

Im sorry please spare me anything but my money.

She even began to rub her hands together and plead.

Just what had happened between them for Maria to shake like a mouse in front of a cat? Especially when not even Agnes fazed Marias spirit!

While Seol Jihu was wondering, Maria barely managed to snap out of her terror. Twirling a strand of her hair with her index finger, she mumbled quietly.

You already know, Unni. I dont like being affiliated with a group. Plus

I know, I know. Just say yes or no.

Maria glanced at Seol Jihu before answering.

No.

Okay, we understand. You can go now.

Kim Hannah shooed Maria away as if she was being annoying.

Marias eyes widened. Judging from her expression, she seemed to be thinking, Shes letting me go this easily?

I-I can go? Really?

Jeez, do you think Im going to butcher you or something?

f.u.c.k, if you have any conscience, you shouldnt say o-okay. Ill leave. Ill leave, alright?

Maria hastily got up from the couch.

If you want, I can introduce someone to you.

No thanks. Recruiting someone you recommend will only end up biting us in the a.s.s. Its fine, so close the door behind you as you leave.

Maria stole furtive glances at Kim Hannah while darting out of the office.

As the door half-closed behind her

Ah, Jihu.

Kim Hannah suddenly spoke.

The expedition that you recently went on. I need to ask you something about the inheritance of the ghost inside the pendant.

The Rothschear Houses inheritance?

Yeah. You said there are a few more of them, right?

Seol Jihu readily acknowledged it.

Yeah, we found the Rothschears secret techniques last time. Including the offerings, account book, fortune, and place that Flone wasnt sure about, there are four left.

Oh~ Theyre separated by category?

Kim Hannah exclaimed with a slightly loud voice.

So youre saying the inheritance you got this time is only the tip of the iceberg?

Thats what Ive been told

Seol Jihu gave Kim Hannah a strange look. Why was she asking him all these questions all of a sudden?

Ah.

Looking back at the front door just in case, Seol Jihu was immediately taken aback.

The door wasnt fully closed. It looked like it was, but upon closer inspection, it was still open by a small gap.

Rough breathing that could be heard behind it was the cherry on top.

It didnt take a genius to figure out who was behind the door, especially with a few strands of blonde hair peeking out.

Iya~ Just hearing it makes me itch with antic.i.p.ation. For our next expedition, we should definitely go to the site with Rothschears fortune. Were in need of money to build this organization, anyway Ah, where is this chilly air coming from? Why is it cold all of a sudden?

With that, Kim Hannah raised her right hand and held up the index, middle, and ring fingers.

3, 2, 1 she began to fold them one by one as if to count down.

The moment her last finger went down

Tatatata!

Small footsteps rang out, imitating the sound of someone climbing up the stairs, and then the door burst open.

Seol Jihu could clearly see at that moment Kim Hannah snorting before looking back with a surprised face.

What? Why are you back?

Kim Hannah asked nonchalantly.

Haa haa I left something here by mistake.

Maria collected her breath while panting.

You left something? What exactly?

Uh right w-what was it again?

Looking left and right with a serious expression, she paced around the room meaninglessly.

What was it again? I think I dropped it somewhere around here

She scrunched her long slender eyebrows, kneeled down, and began to look more carefully.

Just tell me. If it isnt important, just go. Ill look for it later.

I could never. Its super expensive.

She didnt even remember what she lost but said it was expensive.

Seol Jihu, who was staring at Maria with a dumbfounded expression, cleared his throat seeing Kim Hannah gesture at him with her chin.

She was signaling him to keep talking.

Yeah, I agree. The account book is buried in the Empire, so we cant get our hands on it, but the fortune is

Hey, hey!

Kim Hannah freaked out and cut him off.

Are you mad? Why would you say that here?

Youre the one who made me.

Seol Jihu chuckled inwardly.

Suddenly curious, he looked back at Maria. As expected, she had stopped searching for her nonexistence belonging and was straining her ears, obviously trying to listen in.

Soon, she stealthily turned her head sideways and made a devious face.

What are you talking about?

Kim Hannah shooed her away.

Its nothing an outsider should know.

Aii, outsider?

Maria crawled toward them before squeezing herself in between Kim Hannah and Seol Jihu. Looking back and forth between the two, she babbled on.

Unni, Oppa, are you going to leave me out like this? Are you really going to make me sad?

Screw off.

Dont be like that~ Dont you know that Im practically a part-time member of this team? What is it~ What expedition are you talking about~

With Maria asking so persistently, Kim Hannah slicked back her bangs and sighed.

Its nothing. We have no way of being sure whether its really there. And even if it is, the available loot probably wont even reach a quarter of the PaG.o.da of Dreams result.

One of Marias eyebrows perked up. Suspicion was plastered all over her face.

It was then.

[No!]

Flone suddenly shot out of Seol Jihus pendant.

Fwucuwckck!

The startled Maria fumbled down while squealing like a pig. But Flone completely ignored her plight and shouted.

[We told you it was there! You might not know because you didnt go, but other people saw it!]

Hearing this voice, Kim Hannah was greatly taken aback.

Miss Flone, Im not saying I dont trust you.

She glanced at Maria and tried to stop Flone, but the latter continued.

[And what? It probably wont even reach a quarter? Thats wrong too! Theres a mountain of fortune there! Are you looking down on the Empires duke family, the Rothschears?]

At that moment, a light flickered past Marias eyes.

Ah

Kim Hannah pressed her forehead with a frustrated groan.

Oi.

When she lowered her voice, Maria quickly shot up.

Kim Hannah spoke with a chilling gaze.

Im warning you. If you say even a peep about this expedition

Who do you think I am!?

Maria jumped.

Did you find what you were looking for?

Huh? Oh, uh, yeah.

Then leave.

Okay, okay, Ill leave. But

Maria stole a glance at the sulking Flone, then spoke as carefully as possible to avoid incurring Kim Hannahs wrath.

Unni, can you include me in that expedition?

Kim Hannah immediately glared at her.

Are you kidding? Were preparing to register as an organization, so we have heaps of things we need to spend money on, and were busy taking care of our own members. Why would we do that for you, an outsider?

Dont you need a Priest?

We do, but well only take an insider to the expedition.

I just need to become an insider then.

What?

Kim Hannah was certainly an expert. She didnt bite right away and scoffed instead.

Didnt you say no before?

When did I say no!?

Maria surprisingly yelled.

What I said was, um, to give me more time because it was so sudden. Yeah~ Thats what I meant!

She waved her hand around and delivered a pa.s.sionate speech.

A nose ring if hung on the nose, an earring if hung on the ear.

Seol Jihu was quite impressed by Marias skill at changing her words.

Kim Hannah still looked annoyed. To be more precise, her face seemed to be saying, Even if its not you, we can find ourselves a good Priest.

So what, youre joining?

No jeez, why is everyone in such a rush?

Maria cleared her throat.

Um you got a contract?

Kim Hannah muttered, Obviously, while reaching into her handbag.

After reading the contract, Marias face scrunched up.

Four years? What about a three month one? Six months? Or even a year?

This b.i.t.c.h, is she out of her mind?

Kim Hannah spat out angrily before striking down Marias complaint.

You must have gone mad. Were taking you on expeditions of such scale. And here youre trying to milk us dry and then bail on us in a few months?

But four years is still a little too much

Shut it. Jihu never set proper conditions because hes a pushover. As long as Im here, I wont sit still and watch him p.i.s.s his pants.

Kim Hannah spoke flatly and held her chin up.

A man can lead a horse to water, but cant make it drink. If you dont want to, then dont.

Maria bit her lower lip, unable to say anything.

She looked reluctant but still put the contract away.

When are you leaving Haramark?

Soon. Were going to Eva today to check out available land.

That meant Carpe Diem had already pa.s.sed Evas screening process.

Maria smacked her lips for a long time.

Okay

In the end, she turned around with a plainly visible internal conflict before leaving through the door.

She seemed to have left this time for real.

Heh.

[Heh.]

Kim Hannah and Flone smirked while watching the front door.

Heh?

He understood why Kim Hannah was smirking, but why Flone?

Soon, the two women looked at each other and smiled.

Kim Hannah put her palm out first.

Good.

[Yeaaah!]

Clap! Flone and Kim Hannah high-fived.

You really know how to spice up the situation, huh. Im impressed.

[Hmph, I may look like this now, but back when I was alive, I reigned over the n.o.ble social circle, which raged with invisible cannonb.a.l.l.s and inaudible bullets. Dont underestimate me.

From the sound of it, Flone must have been intrigued by Kim Hannahs scheme and had given her a hand.

Seol Jihu scratched his head.

You really think Miss Maria will fall for it?

If it were in the past, it wouldnt have worked in the slightest. But she just tasted a large sum of money, thanks to you. How could she not follow you?

[Ufufufu, her mind is probably telling her no, but her body should be more honest.]

Hah! Now thats a way to put it!

Hoho! Haha!

Seeing the two cackling women, Seol Jihu began to feel bad for Maria.

We cast the net, so all we have to do now is wait. Alright, lets go to Eva. Follow me.

Kim Hannah led the way, merrily trudging toward the front door.

Seol Jihu hurriedly chased after her.

Hannahemon!

Ah, jeez!

*

Kim Hannah and Seol Jihu left by a carriage that day and arrived in Eva a few days later. Kim Hannah guided Seol Jihu skillfully as if she had been here several times before.

Their destination was a good-looking building on Evas main street.

It was the headquarters of Eastern Spring Merchants, one of Evas organizations.

Led inside and guided to a room, they were met with a potbellied man putting on an air of importance.

He looked at Kim Hannah and gave a coa.r.s.e smile.

Iya~ You live and learn. Who knew Miss Foxy of all people would contact me first?

He spoke in an arrogant tone, but blinked his eyes in confusion seeing the youth walking in along with her.

It was the same for Seol Jihu. He carefully examined the surprised man before saying.

Ah, youre from!

If he was remembering correctly, this man was the leader of the poachers whom the team met during their last expedition.

The leader also recognized Seol Jihu, and his jaw dropped to the floor.

Heuk!