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Chapter 256: Golden Desire

Golden Desire collects anything of value without discriminating types, filling its warehouse with items that are impossible to fathom how they even came to be.

And it wasn’t limited to just the warehouse. The Demon King, more greedy than any other, Leviathan.

She considers the downfall of the world a waste, plotting to crush all the Demon Kings and seize a world that remains intact.

In her mind, she even stores things that can be sold.

That is, information. Golden Desire takes a stance about information that is the exact opposite of that of the All-Knowing God.

While the All-Knowing Church pursues the right to know for everyone, Golden Desire treats information as a ‘product’ that can be sold.

[Ha ha, how was that? I tried to imitate Behi, do I sound similar!?]

“Not at all.”

[Hmph…so harsh….]

With Yeon-woo’s refusal to join the comedic play, Leviathan’s voice notably deflated. What’s wrong with this Demon King?

“So, why did you call? How did you get my phone number?”

[Are you looking to buy information? By the way, your phone number is being sold at a high price.]

“Ah, no thanks, not buying.”

What kind of pointless expenditures would I make, knowing what might happen if I showed interest in her information network? When Yeon-woo declined, Leviathan’s laughter could be heard from the other end of the line.

[Well, whatever! The reason I called is that I sensed you were looking for something. A strong scent of desire wafted through. So, what do you want? What do you desire!?]

“Are you a psychic now? Totally creepy….”

[Psychic!? Calling a Demon King a psychic!! You bratt, do you want to be smitten with divine retribution!?]

“Is the Demon King the sky? No wonder it looks overcast lately….”

[For some reason, that’s incredibly insulting. Can I sue you for that?]

“I was talking about the sky.”

Leaning into Yeon-woo’s teasing, a frustrated “kugh!” echoed from Leviathan over the phone. It truly is entertaining to tease such a lively character.

“But about what I desire…. Well, I do have something in mind.”

[Oh really!? What is it, just say it, and I’ll find it for you! Just pay me!!]

“Kugh, you stingy demon. You’ve got plenty of money…!”

[The only favor I offer, Leviathan-style, is a single one!! From now on, it’s a paid service!]

“Whatever. I was going to pay anyway.”

Common sense dictates you should pay for things, right? I wouldn’t mooch off someone’s kindness like, “Hey, keep finding things for me, Leviemon~” forever.

“Then, could you help me find something? An artifact that can forcibly open gates and another that accelerates gate explosions. Oh, and if you can find a soul container artifact as well, that’d be great.”

[If someone heard that, they’d think you were asking for artifacts lying around on the street.]

“Ah, looks like you can’t do it. If you can’t find them, it can’t be helped. I’m hanging up now-.”

[Okay, wait! I’ll definitely find at least one of those within a month, so just wait!!]

Beep-beep, only the sound of the call disconnecting echoed from my smartphone. What a joke, and she hung up first.

And I can’t believe she’d set the timeframe to a month but only one item. Guess being a guild master really sets you apart….

“Well, if it’s Leviathan, she might actually bring something. Guess I don’t need to worry too much…?”

It seems it all depends on how you choose to think. I’ve decided to work hard, and things are starting to line up. I wish everything would wrap up that easily all the time.

*

“Nea, eat this.”

“Hmm? What’s this out of the blue?”

Nea, who had suddenly been handed a wooden box by Yeon-woo, cutely tilted her head. Though a mature beauty, the cuteness undoubtedly resembled Shar, her mother.

With a satisfying click, the wooden box opened. Seeing the red ginseng inside, Nea frowned, and Yeon-woo averted her gaze.

“…Did you notice? Who told you?”

“No? What? Riley said you’ve been having trouble concentrating on work lately, so I brought it back for you?”

“Who brings such a precious item saying someone can’t concentrate on work? Who told you!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Anyway, I’ve delivered, so I’m off! I’ll check if you’ve eaten it!”

Watching Yeon-woo dash off, Nea stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. She looked like she could burst with disbelief, but there was definitely a gleeful smile lurking amid all that.

At that moment, Shar approached with her little steps. Her footsteps sounded like they’d jingle with every step, irresistibly bringing a smile to Nea’s face.

“Mama, did Daddy give you something?”

“Uh, um, it’s, um, a nutrient supplement…?”

“Gasp! Is Mama sick? Can we do anything to help…?”

“Hearing you say Mom’s unwell, I’ve rushed in. What’s going on?”

Startled by Shar’s voice, Tae-oh hurried over. Where is Dawn? Nea scanned the room, finding Dawn distractedly fiddling with a toy.

As soon as she saw that, Nea realized someone must have spilled the beans to Yeon-woo.

“Dawn? What are you doing over there?”

“Nothing! I just wanted to play with the toy today….”

“Hmm? Dawn doesn’t like building blocks. What’s going on?”

“T-Tae-oh! It’s just one of those days!”

Screaming at the oblivious Tae-oh, who didn’t get the cue. His sudden shout “I understand…please don’t be mad….” was so adorably downcast.

Nea stared at that scene momentarily, then softened her expression. Upon reconsidering, berating someone for this was a foolish thing to do.

After all, they all worried about her. Even if she had silenced Yeon-woo, she could hardly keep quiet forever. Maybe it was better this way than to keep it too secretive.

‘…And.’

What Nea feared the most was how Yeon-woo’s perspective might change.

What if she got too careful, wary of who might pass away, or what if recalling she was a clone drifted her thoughts away? There were many worries.

However, those worries quickly faded as Yeon-woo acted no differently than usual. She didn’t forsake her; instead, she even brought this precious thing, showing kindness.

‘…What was I even worried about.’

Nea lightly slapped her cheek with her palm. She’d doubted herself, even though she knew that the Yeon-woo she knew was not that kind of child.

Having regained her composure, as Nea wiped her face, Shar, with a serious expression, suddenly cried out tearfully.

“Why are you hurting yourself!!! Your cheeks are all red!!”

“Oops.”

That was probably not a move to show in front of the kids…! Realizing that late, Nea had to comfort Shar, who was about to start crying.

Even Momo, who usually sleeps in, dashed over at the commotion, whining.

‘This has become a rather noisy morning….’

While struggling to soothe the kids, Nea didn’t dislike the chaos one bit.

*

“…How’s the development on the requested item?”

“Here it is.”

In a dimly lit workshop, two people engage in conversation. The man who spoke first faced the alchemist cloaked in dark robes, who presented a bag.

The man’s eyes quickly scanned the contents of the bag. After nodding, he closed the bag and spoke.

“Quite well made. It’s beautiful enough.”

“Kehehe, it’s my masterpiece…. How much will you pay?”

“Rest assured. I’ll pay satisfactorily.”

Kehehe…. The two began to unleash delightfully treacherous laughs, reminiscent of cartoon villains.

“Ugh, it’s hot.”

With a sudden gesture, the alchemist tore off his robe. Expert in bomb-making, Sullivan.

Seeing this, Yeon-woo stepped out from the shadows, turning on the air conditioner. Why, you ask? Because all men are like this.

Though posing as a secret deal might be playful, the quality of the goods was quite good. It’s essential to have someone who knows the aesthetics of explosions make bombs. That’s the ideal utilization of talent.

“The quality seems decent. I had no chance to conduct clinical trials back at the Academy.”

“Hmm, very good. With this kind of holy water and purification effect, even a mere undead would disintegrate upon contact.”

“Glad to hear it. I don’t know what you plan on doing with it….”

“I think the Ice Palace might be interested in buying this recipe. If they contact you, I’ll let you know my details, so adjust it as needed.”

“Haha, I appreciate that even just your words. I’ve exhausted all the materials in hand, so make whatever you need if you want more. I’ll pass the recipe on to you.”

‘He really means it, huh.’

No wonder he’d be skeptical about even hearing the news that the Ice Palace had started moving, as that information wasn’t easily accessible. But it doesn’t matter. If they contact later, Sullivan will manage it.

He’ll hand over the whole bag to the Ice Palace, and they’ll send back the reviews all on their own. With that thought, Yeon-woo placed the bag in Relin’s Warehouse.

“That’s that. I have a suggestion, would you be interested?”

“A suggestion? What should I make now?”

His tone sounded like he was reluctant, yet his voice brimmed with excitement. There’s no denying this guy’s a true perverted alchemist. While I worry about him being a bomb expert, I wonder if he could also handle the Sap of the Tree of Life well.

“Po….”

“Bombs!?”

“No, I was going to say how about making potions. Would you be interested?”

“Ugh, what? It was just a potion…. What kind? I’ve got no reason to make a regular healing potion since there are surplus ones available.”

“It’s not an ordinary potion. This is a truly groundbreaking item. If you want to hear more, you’ll need to sign a confidentiality agreement.”

“What’s it about….”

While pondering suspiciously, as Sulllivan frowned in curiosity, Yeon-woo whispered in a quiet voice. Sullivan, who had been quietly listening, jumped back in shock.

“…Does that even make sense?”

“Whether it makes sense or not can only be proven through experimentation.”

“Still, I feel weird doing that. It’s not my specialty.”

“I think if you can make this, it could help in making bombs too.”

“Bombs!”

Though Sullivan seemed reluctant, the enthusiastic word “bombs!” erupted from Yeon-woo’s unexpected cue. This man is quite the lunatic.

Thinking seriously, I questioned whether I should allow him to do this, but coolly, among the Academy students, a practitioner with these skills was rare.

‘As long as the outcome is good…right? Isn’t that what matters…?’

There’s a fierce clash between the rational side deeply opposing this and the emotional side wishing to protect the poor bomb maker.

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

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