Chapter 427. There are two ways to achieve peace (4)
Once the auction was over, I decided to talk to him again. I silently made such a light-hearted plan in my mind
"Oh."
And even in this brief mont, it seed the conversation had ended well, as I saw Esther approaching with a relieved expression on her face...
"Phew."
"What happened?"
"I was worried that he might brazenly ignore even the [Fairy's Promise], but thankfully, that wasn't the case."
"How could anyone ignore the results when the item was even used?"
"The world's gone completely mad, these days, you can't even expect common sense."
Talking with her soon revealed this piece of information. S-rank hunters are almost always individuals with a strong reputation. Therefore, that foreign hunter was said to be quite famous for having a very high number of SNS followers.
"Using the internet to resolve a dispute... that's such a truly Earth-like idea."
Therefore, a Hunter from a certain Western European country continuously posted ssages like these in online spaces where many people would see them: a friendly photo taken with South Korea's second S-Class Hunter, and a caption containing content such as, 'We had a slight misunderstanding between us, but we've sorted it out well, and now our bond is even stronger than before.'
To be precise, it was at the request of the victim, Esther. Honestly, if they tried to correct the rumors one by one with all the acquaintances who had spread them, there was a high chance the words would get distorted along the way. So, after so thought, Esther apparently decided to go with an online public announcent.
"I'd honestly like to swear, 'If you get caught up in paranoid delusions again, may you truly receive the [curse]', but..."
It seems the person's true feelings were sowhat different from how things appeared.
"Just be patient."
"Yes. But now, as a guildmaster who has to run a business rather than be a shut-in, she decided to hold back her fists sohow."
Anyway, nothing new had occurred as a result of this false rumor. Therefore, we were able to peacefully conclude the confrontation with the European S-rank, which could be seen as having remained at an attempted stage.
"There are two ways to achieve peace, and the best of them is a calm discussion."
It was quite an intelligent, thoughtful conclusion.
"Excuse ."
But just as I was quietly satisfied with the peace on my side...
"Giryeo-ssi."
The usual Korean curse master suddenly spoke up from beside .
"By the way, this matter was only resolved so smoothly because you personally stepped in, Giryeo-ssi. But..."
If she had sothing to say, she could have just said it. Even though she clearly seed to have more to say, she hesitated and couldn't get the next words out for quite a while. Judging by the atmosphere, it was as if she had recalled a sentence she couldn't speak carelessly.
"What is it?"
So, with interest, I waited to hear what she had to say.
"Cheeee......"
Unfortunately, the speaker activated just a mont before she could speak.
[Attention to all auction participants.]
Why did we even travel all the way to this distant federal country in the first place? In truth, our main purpose wasn't to resolve disputes. If anything, I would have preferred to avoid seeing that unfortunate awakened one nad Leo altogether, if possible
"It's about to begin."
But I had endured that long flight out of necessity, in order to trade the [Sin Classification] loot I had finally obtained.
'Lower-ranked hunters often can't even touch them... I'm going to see a whole bunch of high-quality magical tools.'
The three S-ranks who had been talking in their seats—naly, Esther, the foreigner, and I—heard the broadcast sound from above and moved forward.
"It's pretty dark inside."
And once inside the auction hall, I subtly showed my curiosity. When I asked Esther what she had been trying to say earlier, she didn't give a proper answer.
She just evaded the question, acting as if it was difficult to talk about at the mont.
"Hmm."
I just hope the words that Earthling was hiding weren't a curse or insult.
"For now, I'll just focus on selling the loot."
Tang. Tang. Tang.
After a short wait, a clear, resonant sound echoed throughout the space. It was the result of the organizers signaling the start of the event by moving a wooden hamr.
***
Ten million dollars, fifty million dollars. And occasionally, Swiss francs, Korean won, and so on. There's only one item for sale, so why are there so many ways to state its price?
"Maybe because it's been a while since I went out, but I feel an unfamiliarity in modern society all over again."
As all sorts of thoughts were running through my mind...
"Anyway, adapting to a new planet isn't an easy task."
At this point, it had actually been a full three hours since the auction began. There was no need to reconsider new bids; the transaction event was already mostly concluded.
"Hmm."
However, describing the event as simply having gone smoothly felt a bit off.
"Adapting to human society really is a difficult task."
At this point, it's worth explaining that I was in a fairly generous mood after being out for the first ti in a while. My greed for money had lessened to the point where I'd buy a [Fairy's Promise] worth hundreds of millions just on soone else's behalf, and today, in particular, I was lavishly showing kindness to humans.
Therefore, I wanted to make it clear that I had absolutely no bad intentions at the start...
"Giryeo-ssi."
"Yes."
"What are you thinking about now?"
To get straight to the point, I had publicly announced here that I would share the [appraisal] results when the highly toxic greatsword went up for auction. This had happened just thirty minutes ago. Originally, the buyer would have to hire a professional appraiser (since the authenticity needed to be verified anyway) and pay for it, but if I personally vouched for it for free under my na, the chance of it going unsold would decrease. That said, lowering the appraisal value was a separate matter. The greatsword nad Hydra had already been famous under other nicknas...
[Forr S-Rank Hunter's Beloved Item: What Was the Loot He Obtained from the Japan Raid?]
For reference, I had never revealed the weapon's actual performance—mainly out of fear that my F-rank status might be exposed. However, the sword's appearance was far too distinctive: black leather on the outside, deep green within. As a result, even without disclosing its abilities, the artifact had already beco widely known across the world as a prized possession of a Korean hunter.
"Why on earth are people so interested in that kind of useless information..."
Thus, the one who finally won the bid for Hydra asked for a review.
"Sir, first of all, thank you for sharing the [Appraisal] results. I trust you, so I won't be requesting a cross-verification."
"Yes."
"But if it's not rude, could I ask you one question before receiving the item?"
"Yes."
"How potent is the weapon's toxicity? Please answer based on the standards for an S-rank user."
I had really only shared that information out of sincerity.
"It's nothing special. To be honest, when facing an S-rank monster, this alone doesn't seem capable of yielding any aningful advantage."
The problem ca right after that. Although the auction for the Hydra went quite smoothly, the hunter who had won the bid suddenly began to complain of a faint stomachache.
"Oh! What the? My stomach hurts."
"That weapon's supposed to be venomous, right? Then... could it be because of the poison...?"
"He didn't even get cut by it, but he's in pain just from keeping it nearby?"
In the end, due to a series of events, a strange rumor spread everywhere—that what the Korean Hunter had really ant was, "You guys are] nothing special." Since word had already gone around the auction house that I was supposed to be breaking, it's understandable that people might be confused by the whole situation. Still, it wasn't exactly sothing worth worrying about.
"The item's already been sold, and maybe out of pride, they didn't even ask for a refund."
It's just that I accidentally ended up screwing over the buyer, which made things a bit awkward.
"Huh?"
But it was at that mont, lost in thought.
"Finally!"
Just as that thought crossed my mind, the long-awaited opportunity finally arrived.
"Let's get things done right away."
Before long, I caught sight of a pale-skinned foreigner in glasses heading sowhere. I instinctively followed him outside. After walking for about forty-five seconds, I found myself in a familiar place—face-to-face with him once again.
"Uh, um... h, hello?"
The restroom. For the record, it didn't seem like running into soone here was considered a pleasant thing. The man who had once proposed to Esther couldn't even manage his expression properly—he just gave the alien creature an awkward, sidelong glance.
"Or maybe he's just reacting that way because he really needs to go?"
I gave him a polite nod, holding back my words to let him take care of his "urgent business" first.
"--"
As I lingered by the sink, washing my hands a little too slowly, the awakened man—who'd been sneaking glances at through his lenses—unexpectedly spoke up first.
"By the way, what happened earlier really surprised ."
I wondered what exactly had surprised him so much.
"The [Fairy's Promise]... I'm not sure if that's the right translation, since the na differs a bit from country to country."
"Fortunately, there's no problem."
"That item, when set to the maximum penalty, is said to be no less binding than a pact itself. And apparently, there have been quite a few cases where people ended up crippled because of it."
For now, I simply maintained a listening attitude.
"But while I was watching from the side, I noticed that Miss Esther even seed uncomfortable around you."
I quietly listened to the other person's words and leaned forward slightly, signaling for him to continue.
"Always keeping a physical distance. Constantly watching your every move, as if you were dealing with a boss at work."
"--"
"Anyway, just as the rumors say, it doesn't seem like you two are on close terms. So that ans you made a [Fairy's Promise] with soone who's practically a stranger to you."
At that mont, the other person shrugged as he spoke.
"That's why I was surprised. Honestly, it was also a choice I found quite concerning."
"Concerned?"
"I'm a bit worried my talkativeness might get in trouble again. But still, if I may share my opinion—people in my country speculate that the reason you retired was because of an 'illness.'"
"But what does that have to do with the [Fairy's Oath]?"
"It's a little unsettling when soone who's supposedly too ill to maintain their career seems completely detached from everything."
Ah.
"To be honest, it makes you wonder if they're using such an item so fearlessly because... they've got nothing left to lose."
But even though that wasn't my intention from the start, I found myself unexpectedly realizing sothing through this conversation.
"Ah--"
Co to think of it, earlier Esther kept hesitating, opening her mouth as if to say sothing but stopping halfway.
A gaze filled with worry. And the faint wrinkles etched between her brows, and so on.
I recalled the expression a certain person had made, and instinctively realized the truth.
"So that's what the Guild Master of the Korea Magic Tower Guild had been trying to say, too."
It seems that, from an Earthling's point of view, a terminally ill person using a [Fairy's Promise] could be interpreted in a rather unusual way. But what can I do about it? Even if I go out of my way to explain that I'm fine, no one's going to believe anyway.
"I'm far too old to be called a boy, yet every day I end up playing the shepherd for sothing I never even asked for."
By now, it's sothing I can't even be bothered to explain anymore. So, after a brief mont of thought, I decided to just give up on everything. Then, I simply brought up the topic I'd wanted to ask about from the very beginning.
"Alright, I've heard all about what surprised you. Now, may I ask you sothing?"
"--Yeah, yeah... yes!"
"It's not anything too serious—I've just been curious for a while about how you ended up proposing to Hunter Esther."
Hearing this, I was taken aback and managed to say a few words.
"You're curious about that?"
After all, until yesterday, they didn't even know each other's faces, so it's understandable that a Korean asking about soone's choice of spouse would be a bit embarrassing.
"Did Esther herself ask you to do it?"
"Not at all. On the contrary, I promise I won't relay anything to her. So please, feel free to answer honestly from now on."
I was worried he might dodge the question and fall silent. So, at this point, I added a tiny bit of seasoning—an Alphauri trick known as [Wordcraft].
"What's this... could this be so kind of tactic South Koreans use to, um, test or probe soone..."
"Test or probe? I don't know what you an by that. Anyway, whatever the reason, it's fine. Just speak honestly and comfortably, alright?"
Simply put, it ans that a spell has been activated that imbues each word with imnse power.
"Honestly..."
Of course, compared to genuine [Mind Control], its stability is far inferior, so it can only nudge soone toward sincerity by a rather unusual way. But that seed to be enough. After a mont, the other person began to answer with a rather bland expression.
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