Chapter 28

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

Chapter 28: Villain’s Battle (2)

6,000.

The karma that Yeongwoo took from the elderly gang of thieves in Sangju City was only worth 6,000.

There were six elderly people, each with a crimson-colored coin.

‘This is just enough money to survive for tonight.’

No, to be precise, it was only enough money to pay the taxes that would be collected tonight.

When night fell, abnormal weather would come, and to avoid it, one had to use lodging services or find a charitable person willing to open their room for free.

Without securing money to pay taxes, survival was uncertain in reality.

‘Then those elderly people earlier were probably robbing to earn money for lodging fees.’

There was a slightly guilty feeling, but what could be done?

This was now the daily life of humanity.

Unless someone distributed commemorative coins every day, there was an inevitable shortage of money.

And if there was a shortage of money, there was a high probability of dying that day.

‘I wonder if every Strongest Sword in the country is experiencing a miracle of scattering golden coins… Well, anyway, it’s probably unavoidable that people die every day.’

Yeongwoo had seen corpses appearing on the streets again.

However, unlike Gimcheon City, it seemed he hadn’t fallen victim to monsters.

‘There are no signs of being eaten. Someone killed these people.’

From the messy dismembered parts and the remaining swords, it didn’t seem like the work of a skilled individual.

It was probably a skirmish between people of similar skill levels or a group of robbers like the elderly ones he had seen earlier passing through.

‘Is this the situation in all cities nationwide? Have they either completely collapsed or become lawless territories?’

While Yeongwoo paused for a moment to inspect the corpses, something rustled in the corner of his vision.

“….?”

Yeongwoo, who wouldn’t miss it, turned his head immediately, and the subject of the problem jumped in the opposite direction, startled.

The other person was a man in his forties, carrying an excessively large number of bags.

At least ten, it seemed.

‘What is that?’

Due to the unique silhouette created by the bags he held in both hands, Yeongwoo couldn’t help but follow the man.

They were going in the same direction anyway.

“Hey!”

Yeongwoo called out with the softest voice possible as he followed the man.

Naturally, the distance between the two sides shortened rapidly, and the man turned around in alarm.

“Well, what is it?”

The man was in a very frightened state.

The tip of the blade he wielded unskilfully trembled, evidence of his fear.

“Well, I followed you because I saw you suddenly running away.”

Yeongwoo raised both arms to indicate that he had no intention of attacking.

Although a shield was attached to his left arm, the early bird and dagger were neatly tucked into their sheaths.

“….”

However, the man’s fear seemed undiminished.

He couldn’t take his eyes off the early bird at Yeongwoo’s waist.

‘What kind of things were the owners of these early birds doing in this neighborhood?’

As Yeongwoo looked in the direction of the man’s gaze, wondering, something finally clicked in the man’s mind.

“Uh, do you need a bag? If you need one, I’ll give it to you, so please don’t harm me.”

“Huh?”

The man thought that Yeongwoo was a robber.

“I don’t intend to harm you, but why do you carry so many bags around?”

When Yeongwoo pointed to the bags with the tip of his shield, the man flinched and took a step back.

“I-it’s for sale.”

“For sale? But earlier, you said you’d give it to me if I needed it.”

“…Well, it’s better than dying.”

The man glanced at Yeongwoo again.

“So, sir, are you currently in the business of selling bags?”

“Yes, well… You could say that.”

However, customers were limited to those weaker or at a similar combat level.

If he encountered a strong person who seemed unwilling to engage in a normal transaction, he would either run away or willingly throw the bag to save his life…

‘It’s a very unstable business.’

With the government and laws gone, safe transactions were not guaranteed, so it was only natural.

‘Actually, this person is somewhat unique. Instead of resorting to robbery, he decided to make a living by trading.’

Of course, it was unclear whether he had no intention to rob or lacked the ability to do so.

Anyway, this person had decided to earn money in a positive way, and he had chosen a good business.

‘Since the bags haven’t become stones, he could still obtain goods even without a foundation.’

He probably searched abandoned houses or corpses on the roadside to acquire items.

“So, is everyone in Sangju City living like this? Either robbing or doing business like you?”

“No. In fact, most people who were doing business like me are dead…”

The man’s statement went far beyond Yeongwoo’s expectations.

“Most… sell their bodies.”

“What did you say?”

As Yeongwoo furrowed his brow, the man made a terrified expression and tightly shut his mouth.

“No, go on. What are you talking about?”

“That’s what I said. Since there’s nothing else to sell, they sell their bodies. It’s a kind of slavery.”

In reality, it was followed by a whisper about selling their bodies.

“It’s unbelievable.”

This time, Yeongwoo showed a horrified expression.

“It’s the second day since the reset. Are you saying people are being bought and sold in exchange for karma?”

“As a reward to keep them from dying rather than in exchange for karma. Because if you have no money, you’ll really die.”

The man made a bitter expression and continued.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

“It’s not all like that, but anyway, it’s like that in the city. Since that place has the most resources, people with money gather there. People who want to live even if they become slaves are also there.”

“…”

Yeongwoo couldn’t help but be shocked.

This phenomenon was different from fighting against goblins with a height of 2 meters and entangled in the back.

Of course, there were similar incidents in Gumi, where the golden rain fell.

People who had become poor again by robbing commemorative coins spread their businesses in places like marts and convenience stores.

‘Back then, there were people who sold their labor, saying they would carry the baggage if you gave them.’

But what if you couldn’t earn money by considering yourself a baggage carrier?

Would you end up choosing to be a slave?

‘Damn, is it really worth living like that? I’d rather…’

As Yeongwoo’s thoughts reached this point, he recalled the elderly people he had seen on the outskirts of Sangju City.

‘If they don’t choose to commit suicide, they have no choice but to harm others.’

Even those who buy slaves cannot be harmed.

The fact that they can spend money is evidence of ‘strength’ in itself.

“Most of the people buying slaves probably succeeded in monsrer hunting, right?”

“That’s right. Probably.”

“Then there were probably people who didn’t agree to such things, like human trafficking.”

“There were, but they’re all dead.”

“…?”

“The one who started buying people with karma was the Strongest Sword of Sangju City.”

“Ah.”

Yeongwoo unknowingly shifted his gaze to the regional status.

|The current residence is ‘Sangju.’

|The Strongest Sword in this area is ‘Dokgo Sehwan 01.’ 2nd generation, defense 147 times.

From the first glance, I expected him to be no ordinary madman, but leading human trafficking, that’s beyond belief.

“I heard rumors that he also controls monster hunting. Probably to prevent money from flowing freely in Sangju City.”

“Then, the mutants should be the same, right?”

“Mutants? Whether they control them or not, unless it’s at the level of Strongest Sword, they can’t catch them, can they?”

The man laughed as if he were making absurd remarks while looking at Yeongwoo.

In response, Yeongwoo looked at the road leading north and asked.

“By the way, sir, you seem to know the situation in this area very well.”

“Yes, I’ve lived here all my life, and… I’ve heard a lot from customers.”

Most of them had lived inside the city and fled for various reasons, the man added.

“Then, let me ask one last thing.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Uh… Where can I meet those who engage in human trafficking?”

“Are you talking about those who live there, or…”

“Those who live there.”

“If you consider it as a trading area, you can think of it as near the city hall.”

Trading area.

Hearing this phrase felt peculiar.

Earlier, the elderly people who were killed had told him to go to the city hall to meet the Strongest Sword, so it was a cross-verification.

“Thank you for your time. I’ll have to go to the city hall.”

“Why do you… Wouldn’t it be better to go to another city?”

“What about you, sir?”

“Yes?”

“Shouldn’t you have moved to another city? You never know when you’ll die if you stay here.”

After Yeongwoo’s words, the man made a momentarily blank expression, then asked.

“Isn’t it the same anywhere else? At least here, I know the geography well…”

“Anywhere would be better than here.”

After saying this, Yeongwoo turned to the road leading to the city hall, but he looked back at the man.

“Do you know that the person who killed the mutants can distribute money to everyone?”

“What…?”

At the sudden line, the man made a puzzled face but soon nodded.

“Ah, yes. I know.”

This also meant that even if the one who killed the mutants chose to absorb 3 million karma, a notification message would be displayed.

“I’m going to kill mutants today. If I succeed, I’ll distribute karma to everyone.”

“Excuse me, but mutants…”

The man tried to repeat what he said earlier.

It meant that unless one is at the level of Strongest Sword, it’s impossible to challenge mutants.

So, Yeongwoo…

Blam!

Before the man could finish his sentence, Yeongwoo revealed his title.

『Gumi’s Strongest Sword』

“G… Gumi’s… Strongest Sword?”

The man, who had been reading Yeongwoo’s title with narrowed eyes, shivered as he reached the end.

“Are you saying you’re the Gumi’s Strongest Sword?”

Only now did the man’s eyes meet Yeongwoo’s peculiar appearance.

Golden gloves and bracelets, an inexplicable pendant, and bare feet.

Initially, the man thought he might be a skilled outsider just by looking at the early bird.

But now, there were many more hints.

“Why did you come here?”

Unconsciously, the man lowered his body.

At the very least, he should bow.

Given the existence of the Strongest Sword in this city, it wasn’t an odd reaction.

“I came to kill mutants and achieve accomplishments… but it seems that’s not the only thing I should do here.”

Saying this, Yeongwoo glanced at the regional status once again.

Upon seeing this, the man also looked at the corner of his vision following Yeongwoo.

Strongest Sword of Sangju City, defense 147 times.

“It’s impossible to capture mutants peacefully. You have to fight with that person.”

“Well, it’s good. I needed to collect the Strongest Sword title anyway, and I’m even more grateful when the opponent is a villain.”

With these words, Yeongwoo placed his foot on the road.

“If I win, the golden rain will come. Then commemorative coins will fall, so take them and leave.”

“What if it doesn’t rain?”

“Then I must be dead. Go somewhere else. Personally, I recommend Gumi.”

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]