After returning to Prestige, I checked up on the Riry Shop and my plot of land worth 6000 TP. Riry Shop made great profits thanks to the goblins’ hard work while Henry and Kiri learned the business management skill book. They said they only needed 4 days to learn how to read and write when I asked them about their incredible learning speed. (For the record, players had an automatic language support inside the tower.)

The empty plot of land already showed signs of fertility with weeds growing.

[Random Dice x 5]

I rolled the dice while looking at the empty plot. Two gave me equipment I could sell in Riry Shop and the other two turned into crops that could be cultivated.

[Lv.2 Clear and Clean Rice] [Lv.3 Incredible Meat-Flavored Corn]

Then I asked Henry and Kiri about NPCs with farming experience. I found 5 NPCs in an hour and ordered them to plow the land after feeding them. I also purchased a few dilapidated houses nearby and fixed them up into decent cabins since they didn’t have any homes.

All this took only half a day thanks to Young Dwarf’s Dexterity.

“We’ll do our best, Lord!”

The 5 NPCs bowed respectfully with teary eyes. Well, there were now 8 of them including their family members. It felt a bit embarrassing, but I considered it noblesse oblige as Prestige’s richest man.

“Work hard, but don’t overwork yourselves.”

Encouraging words from a person of power often improved work efficiency. Finally, I returned to the Chameleon Troupe’s hideout.

“I’m back?”

However, they had all left. I looked around the cold and dark hideout before turning the light on.

“Hmm…”

Was it because I couldn’t smoke in the tower? Being alone felt a bit sad.

— Chirp, chirp.

Spartan suddenly chirped from my shoulder.

“Right, you’re here too.”

I realized that Spartan shared my thoughts and reached over to stroke his head.

— Peep, peep.

Spartan flapped his wings in joy as I thought about what to do next. I still had one day left until Medea’s conference. Should I grind my stats and skills with monsters on the 4th floor? Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in my head.

“Training.”

I should learn how to use spirit power more naturally since it would follow me to the real world. Something like meditating while circulating it through my bloodstream with stigma’s magic should work.

“…”

I went to the underground training room with Spartan. After placing him down, I sat cross-legged like a martial artist in wuxia novels.

My spirit power was currently level 2, which only allowed me to use basic skills 30-40 times. I could only use them 20-30 times if I didn’t rely on potions.

Cheok Jungyeong told me to breathe with my entire body. Wouldn’t spirit power be similar? I closed my eyes and relaxed.

“Huup…”

I inhaled and tried to feel the spirit power scattered in my bloodstream. I could certainly feel its existence even though it wasn’t tangible.

I exhaled and fused the spirit power with stigma’s magic power. Then I gathered the scattered spirit power into a cluster by injecting stigma’s magic power into my body. It began to circulate on its own once the spirit power fused with stigma’s magic power. I breathed with my entire body from my head to my heart and my hands to my feet.

First breath. Second breath. Third breath. Fourth breath… Dukun.

My heart throbbed as the spirit power and magic power surged from my body. A golden aura different from magic power manifested.

“Uuk.”

I groaned in pain and felt something sticky in my throat.

“Uu, ueeeek—!”

I vomited uncontrollably as a disgusting black lump came out. Then I vomited 2 more black lumps.

“Ueek.”

My retching finally stopped as I wiped my mouth and stared at the mysterious black lumps.

[Lv.-2 Impurities from Kim Hajin’s Body]

“Ah, it’s tar.”

I wasn’t too surprised considering how much I smoked before entering the tower. Geez, I thought I had experienced the bone and marrow cleansing I only heard about in wuxia novels. I placed the black lumps in my inventory to keep the training room clean.

“Huuu…”

Then I tried moving my neck and waist. I felt refreshed, but didn’t notice any real changes. The system would’ve told me if I had experienced any. I blinked and looked at the sky.

[It seems a single training session is not enough.] [Continually using that method may produce results.]

“Ah, I see. Thank you.”

The system kindly explained. It also didn’t know everything about the tower and sounded a bit surprised. Obviously, that was a good thing.

“Hmm…”

I decided to take a 5 minute break before trying again. I wiped away my sweat and checked the community.

[CaptainBritain] [(Item List) Selling items dropped by an undead monster. Message me if would like to buy anything.] 

[Comment(s)] 

— Is the skeleton legacy still available? Are you also trading items? 

— It’s sold ^^

— It’s not. I don’t know who this is, but please don’t make false statements :( And yes, trading is okay. Come to English Royal Court’s hideout in Prestige’s district 3.

I saw a post from Rachel. She did say she’s been busy recently with no time to use the messenger. Another post caught my attention.

[JiSUPERYoon] [Does anyone know how to get rid of the vengeful spirit’s curse? ㅠ.ㅠ My friend is dying ㅠ.ㅠ If you do, please come to Essence of the Strait’s hideout. We’ll reward you not only in the tower, but outside as well.] 

[Comment(s)] 

— Who cares? We have 7 lives anyways.

— Just tell him or her to die once.

— No, that’s not it… haven’t you heard of the banshee’s curse? It permanently killed several people recently.

— Oh that. Yeah, I heard there was no cure. Good luck.

The banshee’s curse already became widespread after 10 or so people permanently died from it.

“Essence of the Strait…”

Nayunjajangman also mentioned the banshee’s curse 4 days ago and Chae Nayun was also in Essence of the Strait. It was unlikely to be a coincidence. Of course, Nayunjajangman said a friend had been afflicted with the banshee’s curse, but Chae Nayun never liked to show any weakness.

— Chak!

I slapped my cheeks. Stop thinking about strange things and just focus on training! I sat cross-legged again and closed my eyes. Huu, huu… I continued my spirit power awakening method.

***

[Lv.2 Essence of the Strait’s Hideout]

I found myself standing in front of Essence of the Strait’s hideout 30 minutes later. I didn’t wear a mask in case they might think I looked suspicious, but I did wear a fake beard so they wouldn’t recognize me.

“Um.”

An Essence of the Strait guild member standing guard called out as I loitered around their entrance.

“Who are you?”

He seemed wary of me. I couldn’t blame him since my hooded robe would look suspicious to anyone. I used the demon’s cunning speech to change my voice.

“I saw the post in the public forum.”

“Public forum?”

The guild member tilted his head. Someone else walked down the stairs and came out to the entrance. Her eyes looked swollen from crying. I immediately recognized her and called out.

“I came to get rid of the curse.”

“Pardon?”

“…!”

Yi Jiyoon, who looked depressed, quickly ran over.

“C-Curse? W-Who is he?”

“Uh, he says he’s a mercenary. Apparently, he saw a post in the public forum, but we didn’t post anything.”

“Ah, I posted it not too long ago!”

Yi Jiyoon examined my face. I purposely looked away, hoping she wouldn’t recognize me.

“Hey, can you take off your hoodie?”

The guild member spoke, but Yi Jiyoon quickly exclaimed in surprise.

“Ah! Um… this person is fine. Let him in.”

Her voice turned soft and surprised me just as much as the other guild member.

“We need to know his identity.”

“Don’t worry. I’m good at recognizing faces.”

Yi Jiyoon said as she poked my side. It seemed she found out judging from my mischievous smile. I followed her without a choice.

“Where’s the patient?”

“You’ll see. By the way, you never cut your beard?”

She recognized me because of my beard? I realized I had made a dumb decision.

“No, this beard is fake. I don’t grow beards anymore.”

“That’s nice. Anyways, let’s hurry.”

Yi Jiyoon pulled my wrist. As expected of an advanced guild, Essence of the Strait occupied a 3 story hideout. We went up to a room on the third floor.

“It’s here.”

Kiik—

Yi Jiyoon opened the door to a white hospital-like room. Two patients lay unconscious. One was a man I didn’t know. He wasn’t inflicted by the curse, but the other one…

“…”

I walked in. Rather, my feet moved on their own towards the girl lying half-dead on the white bed.

“She’s been unconscious since 2 days ago.”

The girl only faintly breathed and the black curse encroached upon her neck. I couldn’t deny the truth any longer. Nayunjajangman was… Chae Nayun.

“Her curse is already at level 5. Is it possible to treat her? It is, right?”

I looked down at Chae Nayun. Her face had turned pale and her body trembled every time she breathed. My chest felt heavy just looking at her. The tar I spat out today seemed to be going back into my throat.

“How did she get it?”

“Ah, um, a month ago… Nayun tried to save me… hic… I thought it was okay back then… uaaaang.”

Yi Jiyoon began to sob. Then she burst into tears before she could finish her sentence.

“I can treat her, so don’t cry. You’re too loud.”

According to the system, a human couldn’t withstand a lv.5 curse. The ingredients for an antidote could only be found on the 6th floor, but I should be able to lower the curse’s level with the counteragent I made. Then I could extract the rest using [Extraction and Permanent Materialization].

“Hic, what, hic, should I do? Hic.”

“I’m telling you that you’re too loud. Here, take this.”

I took out the counteragent from my inventory and handed it to Yi Jiyoon. This precious medicine took 1500 TP to make.

“What’s this?”

“A curse counteragent. You have to apply it on her skin directly.”

“A-Amazing! Amazing—! Amazing—!”

“Hurry up, will you?”

“Y-Yeah!”

Yi Jiyoon pulled down the shoulder area of Chae Nayun’s shirt. A black spot on her left shoulder gave off an eerie smoke.

“I just have to put it on her?”

“Yeah.”

Yi Jiyoon opened the counteragent’s lid and practically poured it on the curse root, which resembled a human face. A strange smoke and horrifying shriek rang out the moment the counteragent touched the curse root.

“W-What’s happening?”

Yi Jiyoon jumped in surprise, but didn’t back off. She continued to courageously apply the counteragent to the curse’s screeching face.

“Die, die, die you bastard!”

“It’s fine now. Get back.”

I pulled Yi Jiyoon aside and rolled up my sleeves. Now, I should be able to extract the curse. By focusing all my spirit power and using it in one go…

“What?”

However, an unexpected phenomenon occurred. It died on its own before I could extract it. It seemed like Chae Nayun’s magic power was devouring what remained.

“What’s happening?”

“I’m not sure.”

Chae Nayun’s magic power shot out and enveloped the curse. Was her magic power revolting after being suppressed by the curse for so long? The tables had turned as Chae Nayun’s magic power attacked the curse.

“It looks like it’ll be okay.”

I looked at Chae Nayun clenching her teeth and shaking as though she was having a nightmare. Was she fighting the curse alone in her sleep? I wanted to help if possible.

I took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her forehead. It looked like she became more relaxed.

“Hmm…”

I was no longer needed and turned around with a bitter smile.

“I’m leaving.”

“Eh? W-Wait, we have a reward for you. Take it when Nayun fully recovers.”

“I don’t need it. In exchange, don’t tell her it was me who treated her.”

I spoke and even used a hypnotic suggestion. However, Yi Jiyoon tilted her head and asked.

“What if she asks? She’s going to try to figure out who helped her. She’s not going to leave me alone until I do.”

Yi Jiyoon was right. I knew Chae Nayun’s personality too. After mulling over it, I left behind a solution that would cause the least amount of trouble.

“Tell her an extra treated her.”

“Extra? What’s that?”

“Like a background actor? You don’t even know that?”

“But…”

“It’s fine. She’ll understand what it means. Just tell her that.”

***

Outside the tower, Yoo Jinhyuk’s office currently faced a calamity in the usually peaceful North Hamgyeong Province. His office looked as though a tornado had gone by and hot magic power still filled it.

“Not even a match… cough. Dammit.”

Yoo Jinhyuk lay in the middle of this pit of hell coughing up blood.

“Argh, my body. Can’t you go easy on me?”

A monster had visited him 3 minutes ago with no room for negotiation. The monster asked about Kim Hajin the moment it arrived and when Yoo Jinhyuk remained silent, it began to rampage. Three seconds. Three seconds was all it took for him and his office to turn out like this. He was no longer an active hero, but the difference in power was unbelievable.

“…”

Yoo Jinhyuk met eyes with the girl looking down at him. She looked like a lion with sharp eyes and hair that fluttered in the air from magic power.

However, the lion didn’t seem hungry for blood. It looked like a lion that revealed its fangs out of fear, a lion that only tried to look threatening.

“I don’t know why an overpowered monster like you is interested in Kim Hajin, but just so you know…”

Yoo Jinhyuk pulled himself up. Then he sat on his half-broken chair and turned on his computer. The hard drive contained information regarding Kim Hajin. However, Yoo Jinhyuk planned to delete it. An informant made a living by being heavy-mouthed.

[Delete]

When he almost pressed the button…

— Ah! Something happened in Lord Jinhyuk’s house!

— Bring your weapons!

— Who dares to trouble our lord!

Foolish voices rang from outside the window. The girl glanced out. Then looked back at Yoo Jinhyuk with an evil smile.

“Haa.”

Yoo Jinhyuk sighed. He had no choice now after she discovered his weakness. It was over the moment she took the villagers hostage. He clicked his tongue and moved his hand away from the keyboard.

“You want to know that much?”

The girl nodded.

“Why? You’re going to kill him?”

The girl shook her head.

“I see.”

The girl didn’t say anything and her beauty almost dazed him even in this situation. Then he recalled a certain scene. A girl leaving Kim Hajin at the orphanage. She looked too similar for it to be a coincidence.

“I’ll tell you, so let me ask you one thing. You’re the new leader of the Chameleon Troupe, correct?”

As expected, the girl didn’t say anything. However, Yoo Jinhyuk took that silence as a yes. He would’ve been too embarrassed if someone this strong wasn’t the leader, but an ordinary member.

“Alright.”

Pieces of the puzzle fell together in his head as he transferred the data onto a USB.

“This should have everything you want to know.”

The girl stepped towards him, but Yoo Jinhyuk quickly held his hand out.

“But wait, your old boss and I were acquaintances. We even fought once, though the result was… something I’d rather not talk about.”

The girl’s eyebrows twitched.

“Anyways, listen up. It’s advice from an adult.”

Yoo Jinhyuk continued, “There is a high chance you’ll regret seeing this. No, I’m certain that you will. You won’t like what you see whether you want to kill Kim Hajin or keep him alive.”

He held the USB out.

“Are you still curious?”

The girl reached out without saying anything. Her lack of hesitation made Yoo Jinhyuk pull the USB back. The girl frowned. Yoo Jinhyuk felt like a trainer trying to tame a lion.

“You don’t know the contents of a box before you open it. That makes you want to open it even more, but after you do…”

“Shut up and hand it over.”

The girl unleashed her magic power once more. Yoo Jinhyuk shrugged and put the USB down.

“Let me ask you one final question. Do you remember everyone you’ve killed?”

“…”

The girl didn’t reply and reached for the USB. Yoo Jinhyuk picked it up again as she sighed.

“If you don’t remember or don’t want to remember… uwuk!”

A sharp pain struck his stomach and he blacked out. Yoo Jinhyuk’s memory of that day ended there.