Chapter 35

Three million. No, I was completely flustered when I suddenly got 3M.

"No way, this much money is just too much! Wait, hold on, just a moment!"

In response to my outburst, Claude tilted his head, while Maggie and Lili smiled wryly.

"You get paid for the work you do. It's only natural. And the amount we agreed on beforehand was what we all thought was fair. There's no foul play."

So, the three of you each contributed 1M?! No, no, I feel too guilty about that.

"I can't possibly take this much..."

"Relax. In this game, you'll spend this kind of money quickly. In fact, it's about twice what we needed to open a shop. If we want to expand or open a shop in another town, we'll need even more. So, keep it. Or do you want to return it?"

At Claude's final words, I was at a loss. The large sum of money was tempting, but it also made me very uneasy. I was worried. First, my equipment wasn't good enough to win if I got PKed. Second, I didn't want to risk losing such a large sum of money. Personally, I'd prefer items. Right, I should just convert it into items right away.

"Ugh... Claude and Lili, 1M for equipment. Can you prepare it for me?"

"Sure. Yun's weapon is a bow, right? What kind do you want? A longbow or a shortbow? For bonuses, do you want ATK or DEX? I can do it for about 400,000."

"Then I'll take 600,000 for the inner and waist equipment. The rare drops from bosses can be enhanced later. For bonuses, I'll stick with DEX, and you can leave the design to me, okay?"

"Um, Lili. For the bow, I want a longbow with an ATK bonus. For the armor, the same bonus. And no skirts, please."

Somehow, they accepted my request without hesitation. And Claude, don't make such a disappointed face when I say no to skirts.

"You are one of the ideal models I've found! I want to dress you in sailor uniforms, shrine maiden outfits, battle goddess armor, yukatas, Chinese dresses, swimsuits, and more! I'm holding back now, but at least let me have the skirts!"

"No, I don't want to be that persuasive. And why are you talking down to me?"

"Try it once! And let me take screenshots from various angles! I'll give you a discount, and I'll be satisfied!"

"Still no! And I'm a guy!"

What... a guy? Then, how about Boy Scout uniforms, military uniforms, naval costumes, or even a flowing samurai style? No, no, how about something that hides your figure, like a mascot or animal pajama series...

Some unsettling words were being said. Maggie was adjusting her Trion Ring and checking her grip, and Claude started to sweat.

"Please, no skirts or embarrassing stuff."

"Hmm, got it. A craftsman should fulfill the client's requests. But I'll get you to wear my cosplay outfits someday."

Hehehe... That's scary. It ruins the cool atmosphere.

Well, whatever. I'll pay 1M to each of them as a down payment.

"I really don't know how to use the remaining 2M."

"Yun, you might not know because you've been using initial equipment, but repairing equipment can be quite time-consuming and expensive."

"For example, the higher the rank of the equipment, the longer it takes to repair. For weapons, it's about 20% of the original price, and for armor, it's about 10%."

So, for the weapon I just ordered, it would be 80,000, and for the armor, 30,000 for each of the two parts. Total: 140,000.

"Of course, the price can vary depending on the condition. But it's a significant amount, so plan accordingly."

That was a very helpful comment.

So, that's how I logged out that day. Of course, I delivered the potions.

A Hi-Potion costs 1,000G and an MP Potion costs 1,500G. I delivered 30 Hi-Potions and 15 MP Potions, making a profit of 52,500G.

"Ah, no need to worry about money. In fact, I don't want to carry around 200,000G or 50,000G."

It's really scary. Maybe this is how people who win the lottery feel about carrying large sums of money.

"Maybe I should ask a reliable friend."

The next day, I logged in and connected to Tak via chat.

"Hey, are you there? Tak."

"What's up? If you're inviting me to hunt, I can't. I'm hunting around the second town."

"It's not that. I need some advice. It won't take long."

"Got it. Everyone, take a break! I'll be back in a bit."

I feel bad for interrupting his hunting.

"So? It's rare for you to ask for advice, Yun."

"Well, I've accumulated a lot of money, but I'm scared to carry it around. Is there somewhere I can store it? Like a bank in the game?"

"I haven't seen one. But if you have a home or guild, you can store items and money using their functions."

"I don't have a home."

"Well, you don't have a guild yet either. Some people are planning to start one soon."

I see. A guild. But it doesn't really concern me as a solo hunter.

"So, how much have you accumulated?"

"I'm not saying because it's scary. I want to store it somewhere to avoid spending it all at once. I tend to use it up quickly."

"Right. Like a farm."

"Ahahaha... After the fifth farm, the price and fees increase tenfold."

"Don't tell me you bought more."

"No, I bought up to six. I've spent nearly 100,000G on farms so far."

I earn more than that, but for some reason, it disappears somewhere. On materials and tools. It's strange.

"Are you planning to set up a shop there?"

"Huh, is that possible?"

"I don't know, but it might be. Maybe you should ask an NPC."

We had a conversation like that and parted ways. No way, a farm in the South District? If that's possible, everyone will buy farms around here.

But that's not the case, right, NPC?

"Hmm? You want a shop in the South District? You need to buy a certain amount of land to become a landlord before you can build one."

So, it's possible?!

"By the way, how much land do I need?"

"You need ten plots to be recognized as a landlord, and the land for the shop is separate. And if you want to build, it's even more."

"Then, about four adjacent plots."

"That's 200,000G. Are you sure you're sane? Maybe you should hire a farmer's daughter?"

Even the NPC is worried. I guess they think I can't manage it. Despite their concern, I received the land deed.

"You want a shop, right? There's a lot of available land now, so you can choose."

"Then, a plot adjacent to the farm and the main street..."

"Again, you're choosing a prime location. One plot is 200,000G."

What? Four farms for 200,000G, but now one plot is 200,000G!

"Well, one plot is just a shack. It's better to buy three or four for a larger space."

"How big is one plot?"

"The same size as a farm."

Ah, so four plots would be large, but three might be just right.

"Then, three plots, please."

"That's 800,000G. Wait a moment! You just said 200,000G!"

"That's the minimum price. For a prime location, 800,000G is a good deal. I'm already giving you a discount."

The NPC scolded me. Grr...

"Alright, I'll take it. Please, I'm counting on you."

"Here's the land deed."

I didn't expect 2M to be reduced to 1M in such a short time. But with ten farms producing 200 items, I'm happy. Maybe I should hire an NPC to manage them.

"Here, take this."

"What is this?"

The NPC handed me a few sheets of paper and a pen. They seemed important, even though they were blank.

"Use this to draw the layout of your shop and show it to the foreman in the second town—Jupini. They'll give you an estimate. After that, pay me, and I'll build the shop for you."

So, this is a quest item. In this town, you either borrow or buy a shop, not build one. This might be a special quest for construction.

In fact, a new quest called "Estimate for Shop Construction" was added to my quest list.

But...

"Hey, do I have to go to the second town?"

"Yes, but once you go, you can use the portal to travel."

"Before that, I need to fight the boss, right?"

"Right."

The NPC closed his eyes and folded his arms. I don't know what to do even if you agree. Is there anything else?

"Oh, right. I forgot."

Some new conversation. Is it something that will benefit me?

"If you hire a farmer's daughter, it's 100,000G per month."

"Are you serious!?"

"What do you want to do?"

"...A three-month contract."

Well, I hired one. Ah, she'll plow the fields, spread fertilizer, and plant seeds in the designated plots. She'll also harvest the crops when they're ready.

Thanks, NPC. It's hard work. But once the fields are plowed, it's just an hour a day for harvesting and planting seeds, even while I'm logged out.

This solves the farm problem. I need to start planning to go to the second town tomorrow!

To my dream shop! And the remaining balance is 750,000G!