Chapter 49

Chapter 49. This Is Samgyetang

People could never know something until they experienced it. Balun was the same. He had thought that the Magic Tower was probably an impressive organization, but only now did he realize that it was truly an extraordinary place.

His experience and knowledge were too shallow for him to know many things, but he could be certain of this much.

The sight of the towering spire, the various magic devices inside it, and the robed Mages visible here and there were all things that could not be easily seen in this world.

“I am truly having my eyes opened today.”

“Pardon? Your eyes opened?”

“Yes. It feels as though my eyes are being opened.”

Balun said that while looking around the Magic Tower. Gregory, who had been guiding Balun through the facilities, shrugged after hearing his words.

“Haha. Hearing you say that makes inviting you worthwhile, Lord Balun. Ah, please wait in that reception room for a moment. It seems the payment settlement has just finished.”

“Understood.”

Having his eyes opened. That expression was very appropriate. Balun had indeed had his eyes opened today. Simply touring this branch of the Blue Magic Tower had allowed him to indirectly understand what kind of abundance the privileged class of this world enjoyed.

If this place, which was merely a branch, was this splendid and impressive, then what about those who enjoyed even greater authority? How incredible a prosperity did they enjoy, and how mighty a power did they possess?

Naturally, his standards rose as well. Balun’s goal, which had once been only a vague desire to enjoy wealth and honor, was upgraded.

Originally, he had simply wanted to buy an expensive house. But after touring a building that was truly on an entirely different level, his thoughts changed.

‘I want to have something like this too. Something big and impressive.’

How much money would he need to own something as grand as a Magic Tower? Or how much would the construction costs be? And how high would the maintenance costs be?

‘A thousand gold would not even come close.’

When he asked, he was told that installing a single magic elevator cost more than three hundred gold.

Then how expensive would this entire towering spire be?

‘Ten thousand gold? No. Somehow, I think it would be even more expensive than that.’

Balun smacked his lips. Ten thousand gold. That was truly a sum that would make someone gasp. He was not even sure whether he could save that much money in his lifetime, and the thought that he would need to gather even more than that left him speechless.

‘I need to become stronger quickly.’

In the end, that was the conclusion he reached.

No matter how much he thought about it, that was the only answer. In this world, that was correct.

Because this was a world where those with power commanded those with money.

“Now, please take this.”

After Balun waited for a short while, Gregory returned to the reception room and handed him a pouch.

“It is quite small and light.”

“It should be. It is a Subspace Pouch.”

“A Subspace Pouch?”

“Yes. Simply put, it is a magic pouch. It is connected to a separate subspace where items can be stored. That way, you can put many things inside it.”

“An inventory.”

“Pardon?”

“How much can it hold?”

“It is a micro-subspace, so it is not particularly wide. About this much?”

Gregory stretched out both arms and indicated its width and length.

Balun understood immediately.

‘So roughly thirty-six square feet.’

Was that supposed to be micro-sized?

Where in the world was there a pouch as wide as thirty-six square feet?

At that level, he thought it would be more accurate to call it a storage room rather than a pouch.

“I apologize. I wanted to give you something better, but there is nothing spare left in the branch at the moment……”

“No. This is good. I will use it well.”

“Please do.”

Just how good would something better than this be?

He was extremely curious, but he decided not to ask.

He felt that if he did, he would end up wanting it for no reason.

1. ***

Balun received the Subspace Pouch containing five hundred and fifty gold, and at last, his total assets had reached one thousand gold and then some.

After being deeply moved and shedding many hot tears inwardly, he met a familiar-looking man.

It was Senior Mage Banet, an older-looking Mage with a eunuch-like mustache.

As soon as he saw Balun, he rushed over in a fluster and grabbed Balun’s hand without letting go.

It felt almost like a mother-in-law meeting a number-one son-in-law.

“I knew your martial prowess was impressive after watching your duel with Philip, but I never knew you were this remarkable. Truly. Hahaha!”

“I understand, so could you let go of my hand?”

“Ah, I am sorry. I was simply too glad and grateful.”

“What is there to be grateful for?”

“Why, you saved Gregory’s life, did you not? Gregory is the junior I cherish the most.”

“Ah.”

No wonder he had looked so glad.

“Look at me losing my head. This is not the time for this. I should treat my guest properly. Have you eaten?”

“I am not hungry yet.”

“Then we should at least have a cup of tea. Gregory, will you drink some too?”

“That would not be bad.”

“Good. I will hurry and bring out the tea.”

They had a light teatime.

Black tea and muffins.

The black tea was extremely sweet, perhaps because a great deal of sugar had been added, and the muffins were also terribly sweet.

Because his body was clean and had not been exposed to stimulating ultra-processed foods, it reacted on its own.

“What is wrong? Does it taste bad?”

“It is too sweet.”

“Is that so? It seems just right to me.”

It was so sweet that his body shivered.

The traditional tea Seria had given him had been just right.

“Do you eat a lot of things like this?”

“Of course. People like us, who have to use our heads a great deal, must eat sweet things. That is how our research goes well. Magic works better too.”

“Be careful. If you eat a lot of things like this, you will get diabetes.”

“Diabetes……? What is that?”

“When your blood sugar is high…… no, never mind. Just eat a lot.”

He gained knowledge.

It was the knowledge that the Mages of this world were all likely diabetic or at high risk of diabetes.

“I would like to hear the tale of your exploits. Could you perhaps tell me?”

“It is not a heroic tale. It is the story of a defeated soldier. Is that still fine?”

“A defeated soldier? Who would say that about a mighty man who slaughtered more than a hundred Assassins of Black Moon alone?”

After that, he spoke of what had happened during the expedition team’s journey.

From the underground dungeon to their return.

When Balun recounted the story of fighting the Assassins, Banet looked almost like an idol fan at a fan-signing event.

In other words, it was unbearably burdensome.

And that was not all.

He kept standing up and pacing around, making a great commotion.

It was so distracting that Balun could barely stand it.

‘Does he have ADHD?’

He really might.

“Stay still for a bit.”

“Ah, I am sorry. I cannot calm my excitement. To think you produced such a miracle with your bare body, without Aura or magic power. Is this not magic in itself? As a Mage who governs miracles, how could I not be excited?”

Banet paced a few more times before sitting down in his chair and calming his breathing. As he did, the excitement that had shown on his face visibly subsided.

“Phew, I should have gone in Gregory’s place. If I had been there, I might have been able to see your battle. If so, perhaps a solution might have opened up…… and I would not have had to rack my brains so much. Phew.”

“A solution? Is something troubling you?”

“Ah, no. It is nothing. Nothing at all…… hmm.”

Banet shut his mouth firmly.

Then he began moving his lips restlessly while staring blankly at the teacup on the table.

He looked just like someone who had something to say.

“What is wrong? Do you have something to say?”

“Something to say? Hmm, no. I was simply thinking about something.”

“Ah. You need to take a dump.”

“A dump? Why would you say something so crude…… of course not.”

“Then you need to urinate. Go relieve yourself now. If you hold it in too long, you will get sick.”

“It is not that. It is just, just……”

“Just?”

“My mind is simply complicated. There is a problem I need to solve.”

“I see.”

Balun nodded. No wonder he had been sighing. It seemed there was some sort of problem.

Then it made sense that he could not focus. Even if he was in the middle of a meeting with a guest.

“I am sorry. I invited a guest and ended up saying useless things.”

“It is fine. That can happen.”

Balun emptied the remaining tea into his mouth. Seeing the empty cup, Banet asked,

“Would you like more tea?”

“No.”

“Then this is just as well. There is something I wish to give you.”

Banet rummaged through the hem of his robe, took out a small wooden box, and handed it to Balun.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

“It is my repayment for saving Gregory.”

“May I open it?”

“Of course.”

Balun opened the wooden box. His expression turned strange when he checked its contents.

It was an unexpected item.

‘Is this wild ginseng?’

Why wild ginseng?

“It is a Mandragora rootlet. It is at least three hundred years old.”

‘Uh, Mandragora. I have heard that a lot. Was it a screaming monster?’

He thought it had been described as a talking wild ginseng that screamed when pulled out.

“I wondered how I should repay you, and in the end, I concluded this would be the best. Since I owe you a life, I should give you something precious. Is that not right?”

“That is true.”

It was bewildering to suddenly receive a three-hundred-year-old wild ginseng, but there was no reason to refuse.

Soon, Balun’s smile stretched from ear to ear.

‘What kind of unexpected windfall is this? Hehehe.’

To think he would get a nourishing meal he had never expected.

“Thank you. I will eat it well.”

“Please do.”

“But is this meant to be eaten?”

“Of course. Eat every last bit of it. That way, the absorption rate will be good.”

“Good!”

Balun nodded. Well, it was only right to eat all of a wild ginseng.

‘Tonight’s dinner should be samgyetang.’

Balun quickly made his dinner plans. He would go to a nearby inn, order chicken stew, and add this wild ginseng root to it before eating. Then the taste would surely be incredible.

‘Damn, I cannot wait.’

He needed to go eat samgyetang right away.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“If I were to make things to say, I would have them. Why, are you leaving?”

“I should. You Mages are busy. If I stay any longer, I will be a nuisance.”

Right now, Balun’s head was full of nothing but samgyetang.

“It would not be a nuisance. But I cannot keep holding a guest here. Very well. It was good to meet you. I hope we will meet again through another good connection.”

“That is what I hope as well.”

“If you have any good commissions, call Balun. Balun will solve them.”

“I would be grateful if you did.”

Balun did not forget to manage his business connections.

“Let us shake hands.”

“Sure.”

Banet held out his hand. Balun clasped it and shook it. He felt the wrinkles of the old man’s shriveled hand.

“Then I will go.”

“Ah, Lord Balun. I will see you out!”

“You do not have to.”

“You do not know how to operate the elevator anyway, do you?”

“Do you not just press the button?”

“Uh, that is true, but even so, seeing you out is proper etiquette.”

Balun left the Blue Magic Tower, and Gregory followed behind him to see him off.

Banet stared quietly at the place the two of them had left. Then one of the subordinate Mages who had been watching from behind spoke to him.

“Senior Mage. Why did you let him go like this? You did not even bring up your business with him.”

“I thought about it a great deal, but I decided not to bring it up. I simply could not make myself say it.”

“Pardon?”

“A person must have some sense of shame. How could I use a benefactor as a test subject? I simply cannot do that.”

“But you said that Barbarian might hold the hope for improving the Mana Concentration Array. You should have kept him here somehow.”

The subordinate Mage’s expression was solemn.

“This will not do. I will go bring him back at once.”

“Stop.”

The subordinate Mage began to move, then froze.

“Do not go.”

“Senior Mage. This is not a matter that should be decided by private sentiment. In the end, he is nothing more than a stinking savage, is he not? It does not matter at all if we forget someone like him.”

The subordinate Mage spoke rapidly, as though firing words from a crossbow.

“Moreover, you even gave him a Mandragora rootlet. If people learn that you gave such a precious elixir, one that is difficult to obtain even with money, to a man like that, everyone will laugh at us.”

“…….”

“Please wait. I will be back quick……”

“Thomas. Do not test my patience. I clearly told you not to go.”

Thomas’s face hardened. Anger had settled over Banet’s expression.

Senior Mage Banet was someone who had devoted himself to the Blue Magic Tower for more than thirty years. Although he was buried away in a branch, his skill was genuine. He was not someone a mere Rank-and-File Mage could dare oppose.

“Before we are seekers walking the path of magic, we are human beings. Do you understand what I mean?”

“…….”

“I am telling you not to cast away the mask of humanity. Even if all the other Mages act like monsters, at least we should not.”

“I-I apologize. Please forgive me.”

In the end, Thomas bowed his head deeply. Banet watched him for a long while before raising him up.

“I will not order you into probation.”

“Thank you.”

“Mage Thomas.”

“Yes.”

“Does Balun look like nothing but an ignorant savage to you?”

“Uh, hmm.”

“You may speak honestly. I will not scold you for this.”

“Yes. He does. A savage is a savage, is he not?”

Seeing Thomas nod without hesitation, Banet chuckled.

“Even though that savage is a mighty man who slaughtered more than a hundred Assassins of Black Moon?”

“Hmm, that was probably because he was lucky……”

“He saved Gregory, and he also saved the legitimate heir of Rotenfeld. The legitimate heir of Rotenfeld, whose life was saved, is even considering appointing him as a Knight of his family.”

“Hup, pardon?”

Thomas’s eyes grew round.

“Does that make sense? No matter what happened, appointing such a savage……”

“I heard it directly from Sir Martin. Does a Knight of Rotenfeld look like a man who would spout lies?”

“Th-then it must be true, but, uh, hmm.”

“Now, look. Does it make sense to see someone who accomplished such things as nothing but an ignorant savage? I do not think so.”

Thomas mumbled vaguely. He could not continue speaking.

“Thomas. Set aside your prejudice and see the world as it is. Then new eyes will open for you. You will also see just how absurd that Barbarian truly is.”

Even after saying that, Banet did not think Thomas would change his mind.

Nevertheless, the reason he offered such advice was because he himself was not free from prejudice.

In other words, these were words Banet was speaking to himself.

Words mixed with guilt, directed at the version of himself who had nearly used his benefactor as a magical test subject.

***

The first thing Balun did after leaving the Blue Magic Tower was stop by an inn and eat chicken stew.

The bowl was filled to the brim with thick broth and tender chicken meat. Into it, he placed the washed Mandragora rootlet whole, then devoured it all.

He did not leave a single drop of broth behind.

The taste was incredible.

Was it because he had put in wild ginseng?

‘Ah, that was a good meal. Now this is samgyetang.’

Balun let out a burp and patted his stomach. He was very satisfied from being full.

Honestly, it did not taste like samgyetang, but what did that matter? If it had chicken and ginseng in it, was that not samgyetang?

‘Now I should go see Seria.’

Balun headed toward Workshop Street. He intended to visit Seria and ask her about his Ego Weapon.

He needed to know why that damned weapon of his gave no answer no matter how much he called it.

While he was on his way.

‘Mmm.’

Balun groaned softly.

‘What is this?’

His body suddenly felt strange.

It felt extremely hot.

As though a ball of fire were moving around inside his body.

‘Do I have an upset stomach?’

It was not an upset stomach.

That heat came from the condensed mana within the Mandragora rootlet he had eaten beginning to spread.

Dense mana that had absorbed and condensed the mana of nature for three hundred years. It was being absorbed throughout his entire body and causing a change.

Of course, Balun had not realized that yet.