The Returnee's Hidden Strategy Stream

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter: 102

"You want to buy that?" The owner of the restaurant, standing by the entrance, pointed at a dilapidated shack in the corner with an astonished expression. The adventurer who had suddenly appeared before him had expressed a desire to purchase the house.

"Yes. Are you the owner of the building?"

"...Well, I suppose so."

[Merchant Bolivo]

The man in front of him, who seemed to be simply a restaurant owner, was in reality one of Ifrit's major capitalists. Few people were aware of this fact.

-Who is he?

-Was there someone like this here?

-Who would come all the way out here?

-Even the perverted Bangga guy avoided this place.

[Avantgarde has donated 10,000 won.]

[Viewers? Unfortunately, I've been here a few times! I haven't had many conversations with Bolivo, but judging by the number of properties he owns, I suspected he had some kind of financial backing. Of course, I'd really like to see firsthand what Black Dragon knows...]

Thud-

Hanbit moved his finger and cut off the long stream of donation messages. It felt like it would go on for a minute.

-LOL

-TMI cut

-He really was a pervert.

「Black Dragon」

「I'll show you something interesting later. For now, please focus on this. Guarding outside the village is the most important thing right now.」

Having received 10,000 won, Hanbit sent a comforting message to Avantgarde.

The reply came quickly.

「Avantgarde」

「Oh! Then I'll look forward to it! Actually, I'm quite fond of Ifrit, and I wasn't satisfied with the known story progression. The ending felt kind of unsatisfying... 」

Thud-

Hanbit closed the message window and turned his attention back to Bolivo.

Having observed Hanbit for a moment, he stroked his chin and asked, "I've never seen your face before. Are you an adventurer?"

"Yes. This is my first time visiting Ifrit."

"Then that's even stranger. Why do you need that old shack?"

Bolivo narrowed his eyes slightly and pointed at the shack. As he said, the house was in such a terrible state that it seemed about to collapse. It was comparable to the ruins he had seen in the private area.

"I'm an outsider, so I need a quiet place to stay. Can I buy it?"

"Hmm."

Bolivo scrutinized Hanbit again. Unlike before, his eyes moved much slower. It was his habit to assess how much wealth someone had.

"Let me warn you in advance, just because the house is in such a state doesn't mean I'll sell it cheap. Land is the most expensive thing in Ifrit."

"Of course. Oh, but I heard a rumor."

"A rumor?" Bolivo asked, puzzled by the sudden change of topic.

Seeing his expression, Hanbit smiled and said, "I heard there's someone selling illegal luxury goods outside. I heard that the amount of money they've accumulated over the years is unbelievable."

"...What?"

The unexpected truth of the rumor momentarily scattered Bolivo's expression.

But that was only for a moment.

"All sorts of rumors fly around,” He regained his composure and said nonchalantly.

"You don't know anything about that?"

"Is that so?"

Bolivo waved his hand dismissively, as if it wasn't worth his time.

He had lived as a cunning man all his life, but Hanbit knew him all too well. He also knew how much money he had made from illegal luxury goods.

"The luxury goods made in Ifrit. Because they pursue perfection, there are many products that don't meet the standards. According to the market's guidelines, they are all supposed to be incinerated."

"...An outsider knows a lot. What are you getting at?"

"If items that aren't incinerated leak out, there will be problems. Especially if they have the 'Ifrit' label... what do you think will happen?"

"..."

Bolivo, a powerful but secretive businessman, was silent. The slowly revealed information had already made him realize that Hanbit knew his secret.

"As you said, defective products with the Ifrit label are quite dangerous. It would lower the overall evaluation of the luxury goods market."

"You know it well. And you also know how dangerous that is, right? What would happen if the mayor found out?"

"...Indeed, if something like that happened, it would be a big problem,” Bolivo replied flatly, his eyes cold. Turning his body towards the entrance of the shop, he glanced back and said, "Why don't you come in? We seem to have a lot to talk about."

"Alright."

Nodding immediately, Hanbit followed behind him.

"Sit."

Bolivo took a seat at the central table in the shop. However, Hanbit walked a few more steps.

"It's an ordinary shop. There's nothing to see, is there?"

"Don't beat around the bush now that you've figured it out."

"You're too cautious for a young adventurer. If an outsider has such an attitude, he won't be able to stay in Ifrit..."

"Should I try breaking this?"

"What?"

Hanbit stopped at the fourth table and asked abruptly.

Bolivo's eyes widened as he realized where Hanbit was pointing.

"Why there... no, why would you break it? What kind of nonsense is that? Are you trying to commit a crime on top of your accusations!"

His emotions were gradually wavering, despite his attempts to remain calm.

Hanbit smiled and extended his hand towards the floor.

"A crime?"

"Of course! As an outsider, you'll be exiled after serving your sentence! I'll report you to the guards right now!"

"Go ahead and report me. Fire Burst."

Bang-!

A fireball exploded with the incantation. Shattered wooden planks flew in all directions.

-What the... lol

-As expected of Black Dragon.

-Sudden GOAT

-Art is an explosion.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The loud explosion didn't matter. This shop was completely isolated from the commercial and residential areas.

"You crazy..."

Bolivo, completely losing his composure, rushed forward.

However, Hanbit had already lightly descended below the broken floor.

"So many, so many."

Piles of boxes lined the spacious underground space. Everything that was revealed in the open space was a luxury item. Statues, jewelry, gemstones, and glass crafts, there were too many kinds to name. Even the obscene objects tucked away in the farthest corner.

"You've gone too far!"

Bolivo's shout echoed from the dusty hole.

At that moment.

Hiss-!

A sharp sound of wind followed.

Swish-

Hanbit lightly stepped aside.

At the same time, a person fell sideways.

Clang-!

A man with a fierce expression landed on one knee, the sword he held piercing through the wooden planks on the floor.

"You dodged that?"

The man's eyes widened in disbelief at his failed attack. He was one of Bolivo's mercenaries.

"You useless bastard! Finish him off quickly!"

Bolivo shouted in annoyance.

Finally coming to his senses, the man tried to get up.

However.

Whoosh-!

A foot was already flying towards his face.

Smack-!

Hanbit's kick, delivered with force, landed squarely on the man's face. Unable to regain his posture, the man fainted from the impact.

"..."

The mercenary collapsed on the floor. Bolivo was speechless at the events that unfolded in the blink of an eye.

"You should have hired better mercenaries. You've been too cheap."

"Ugh..."

Crouched beside the broken hole, he gritted his teeth and trembled.

Considering the risks involved in such an illegal operation, it was no wonder he had been so cautious. If only he hadn't been hiding in peaceful Ifrit.

"So, how about we make a deal?"

"Don't be ridiculous! Do you think threats from a mere adventurer like you will work? You've picked the wrong person..."

Suddenly, Bolivo's voice, which had been shouting, stopped. His gaze fell on Hanbit's finger, where a golden bracelet was hanging.

"How did you get that?"

"I got it from the mayor. Don't you believe me? Shall we go together? I can tell you all about it."

Hanbit twirled the bracelet provocatively.

Despite the provocative attitude, Bolivo couldn't even give a proper response. He was merely envisioning his future crumbling completely. The movement that had subdued his mercenary and the unique golden bracelet were undeniable proof.

Thud-!

Jumping up, Hanbit returned to the first floor. Standing in front of Bolivo, he patted him on the shoulder and said, "So, I don't seem like the bad guy, do I? I just came to make a deal."

"No..."

-Now, who's the villain?

-Black Dragon always lives up to his nickname.

-Hey, that's self-defense.

-If you throw the first punch, you have to expect to get hit.

The balance of power had clearly shifted. The viewers were thrilled, but this was a significant event. Bolivo was going to be a very useful financial resource. In fact, from an outsider's perspective, his business wasn't even a crime.

"I have no intention of sabotaging your business or reporting you to the mayor. In fact, I might even be able to help you expand your business."

"...Are you serious?"

"Of course. This is a business deal."

In a situation where he could easily be fleeced, Bolivo had to try to salvage the situation. If this 'deal' was real, he had to somehow steer the conversation in his favor. Even though he was in shock, Bolivo was a veteran businessman who would desperately seek a way out.

Lifting his head, he asked Hanbit, "What do I have to do?"

"First, I need the shack. And I also need the workers you have."

"Workers?"

"The workers who were discarded by the mayor, you've hired quite a few, right? Stop all other work and gather them. Oh, and hire all the dwarves too. I'll tell you what other things you'll need later."

"..."

Bolivo's face hardened at the sudden demands. Hesitating for a moment, he cautiously asked, "Did you just say to hire all the dwarves? Me? Personally?"

"I can't do it as an outsider. The dwarves will work hard, so don't worry."

"Won't that draw too much attention? It's too dangerous!"

Money wasn't a big problem for Bolivo. He was initially prepared to pay a large sum as a hush money. However, hiring the dwarves was completely unexpected. If he brought in all those people who were looked down upon, it was obvious that the public eye would be on him.

"Why? Are you afraid the mayor will take an interest?"

"Of course! If an ordinary restaurant owner hires dwarves, she'll naturally be suspicious!"

"That's better than me reporting you, isn't it? Or should we go meet her now?"

"No, wait..."

Bolivo hurriedly blocked Hanbit's path as he turned to leave.

Seeing his panicked expression, Hanbit patted him on the shoulder and said, "Just think of it as an investment. You won't have anything to worry about."

"...Really?"

"I'm the one who's taking the lead. Besides, it's for the sake of Ifrit, so they won't be able to complain."

"For the sake of Ifrit?"

"It's a matter of life and death for everyone in the city. If you don't believe me, just wait and see. I'll show you."

"..."

Bolivo was silent. His eyes fixed on Hanbit, trying to read his mind. However, there was no reason for the adventurer to lie. After all, there was no way he could resist the threat.

"Ugh."

Lowering his head, Bolivo sighed.

There was no other choice. If the situation had come to this, he might as well help and seek future benefits. Especially since if danger came to Ifrit, his business, as well as his life, would be ruined.

Raising his head, Bolivo spoke.

"Alright. I accept your offer."

Immediately after, an alarm sounded in Hanbit's ear.

Ding-!

[Main Quest #4 completed.]

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]