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Chapter 45
Chapter 45
[Translator – Helga]
[Proofreader – Lucky]
Chapter 45
—
“Stay in here.”
The stables of Rehinar were quite large, but they were ridiculously small for the massive Blood Tigers.
“This will be your home from now on.”
“Growl.”
A few Blood Tigers growled in discontent.
“Do you have any complaints?”
At Kane’s gaze, the Blood Tigers wagged their tails. They even rubbed against Kane, showing affection.
“I’ll expand your living quarters soon and let you roam the territory freely.”
Kane petted the Blood Tiger’s head.
“Whine.”
The Blood Tiger was already acting like a tame puppy, constantly showing affection to please its master. The Blood Tigers, who no one had been able to tame, were especially obedient to Kane.
“Come to me one by one. I’ll heal your wounds.”
The Blood Tigers lined up, sitting down and waiting for their turn.
Buzz.
Kane’s mana touched the Blood Tiger’s body.
“Growl.”
The wounded area slowly began to heal. Blood mana was the source of the Blood Tigers’ power and it was compatible with them.
“Next.”
The one who received treatment licked Kane’s face, a form of gratitude.
“Are you the last one?”
This one had come to Rehinar with a dislocated leg bone. It also had a scar crossing its belly. It was a miracle it was still alive. Without treatment, it would’ve died within a few days.
“Even monsters are so loyal, but humans… they’re worse than these creatures, aren’t they?”
Kane murmured quietly, looking down at the egg in his arms. It was a divine creature that would protect its master even at the cost of its own life.
—
[Shrugging]
“Speak.”
[Egg: Smiling]
Kane shook his head and continued the treatment.
Lick! The blood tiger showed gratitude to Kane for healing its wound.
The Blood Tiger licked his face, covering it in saliva.
“I need to find someone to take care of you all.”
To hire a beast handler, a beast training ground was necessary. \
The stable could be upgraded to a beast training ground if it reached a 4-star level.
However, now that the Blood Tigers had entered,
—
[Stable (Lv.MAX)]
Grade: ?????
Description: You know you need horses to train cavalry stronger than infantry, right? Along with the soldier training facility, it’s an essential structure for your territory!
Effect: Horse production, horse health +30%, mount summoning available
—
The stable’s level had reached maximum. It could be upgraded to the next building easily now.
—
[You can upgrade the stable.]
[To upgrade to the next level, ‘Warhorse Training Grounds,’ you need 15 million gold.]
—
“It’s time to bring in the black crows to the mill.”
Leaving the Blood Tigers behind, Kane headed to the Blue Merchant Guild where Daniel was. As soon as he arrived at the guild, he flung the door open.
“You’re here?”
Daniel greeted Kane calmly.
Kane had massacred the mutant monsters without anyone noticing.
“You’re not even surprised anymore.”
“No one but you, Young Master, would open the group’s door so roughly. What brings you here today?”
“Is there anyone trying to come into the mill?”
“As you expected, the Black Crow exchange is trying to come in.”
“You asked for high rent and usage fees, right?”
“Of course.”
“And they’re still trying to join us?”
“Yes. Shall I approve it now?”
Kane’s lips curled up into a mischievous smile.
“No, let’s wait a little longer. They won’t be able to hold back and will come to us soon. The later it gets, the higher the price we can charge.”
He planned to let the Black Crow exchange establish their base there and extract a lot of money from them.
—
The second-in-command of the Black Crows, Hano Dashner, was at a tavern located in the southern part of Rehinar’s territory. He spoke irritably to his subordinate.
“Are you sure you submitted the building lease request properly?”
“Do you think they’re suspicious of us?”
Bang!
Hano slammed his beer mug down roughly.
“We’re not even asking for a discount, we’re willing to pay a high price. What’s their problem?”
“Exactly.”
“The boss is waiting for news….”
“Should we barge in and settle this?”
Smack!
“Ow.”
Hano smacked the back of his subordinate’s head.
“Did you fucking forget what Boss told us?”
“Oh, come on. Do we really need to worry about a family that’s falling apart?”
“You fool. Are you just clueless or brainless?”
“What did I do?”
“The atmosphere in Rehinar has changed. Look around carefully.”
The two looked around at the territory residents chatting and drinking. They overheard an interesting conversation.
“There’s a rumor that Young Master Kane is targeting a bunch of traitors.”
“Where’s that information from?”
“The old man at the Blue Merchant group.”
“It’s reliable then… Will he drive out more traitors from the territory this time?”
“Probably.”
“Whew. It’s good we handed the southern lands over to Administrator Daniel.”
A wealthy-looking man sighed with relief. The man sitting opposite him agreed.
“It’s pointless to be stubborn; it would only harm us.”
“Exactly.”
“But some people are still trying to negotiate the amount, right?”
“With Chief Administrator Daniel?”
“Do you think I’d be talking like a wuss if it were him?”
“C-Could it be with, Young Master Kane?”
The man opposite him nodded.
“Do you think they’re crazy?”
“They’re walking right into the fire.”
“The outcome of their actions will change the atmosphere here drastically, Rip bozos~!”
“For real!”
“I hope our decision was the right one.”
Listening to the residents’ conversation, Hano turned to his subordinate.
“Was the atmosphere in Rehinar like this before?”
“No, something’s different.”
“And there’s no benefit in provoking that damned bastard.”
Hano was referring to Kane. In Hano’s view, Kane was a mad dog, biting recklessly without considering the consequences.
“Do we just keep sitting around doing nothing?”
“Of course not.”
Hano stood up from his seat.
“Why are you getting up?”
“We need to go.”
“Where to?”
“To the Blue Merchant Group, you idiot.”
“But you said there’s no benefit in provoking them.”
“Who said we’re going to fight? We’re going to bow our heads and ask them to do business with us.”
“Is there no other way?”
“Do you have another idea? Speak up if you do.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then just follow me, dumbass.”
Hano headed towards the western district where the Blue Merchant Group was located, taking his subordinate with him. With a huge axe strapped to his back, he looked like he was going to a fight.
Before long, they arrived in front of the Blue Merchant Group. Just as Hano was about to open the door,
“Ugh!?”
The door flung open from the inside, striking Hano’s face and sending him sprawling backward.
“I was about to come find you since you were taking so long, but you came on your own.”
Feeling humiliated from being knocked to the ground, Hano quickly got up and yelled,
“Who the hell—ah….”
Standing right in front of the guild was an all-too-familiar face: Kane Rehinar, the mad dog or rather, the Young Master of the Guardian House, .
“Good to see you again.”
Hano bowed deeply, greeting Kane while also scrutinizing him closely. As the second-in-command of the Black Crow Exchange, a massive information network, he examined his opponent thoroughly. But…
‘I have no idea. He wasn’t like this when I first saw him.’
Hano couldn’t hide his confusion. More than his skills, he prided himself on his mana sensitivity. He could usually gauge the strength of even those more powerful than himself. But with Kane, he couldn’t sense anything at all.
“Are you planning to set up a Black Crow exchange base in the mill?”
Kane’s straightforward question caught Hano off guard for the second time. While he was frantically thinking of a response,
“I’ll let you use the mill.”
It was an unexpected offer. Allowing the Black Crows to establish a base there meant Rehinar was willing to do business with them.
“Are you serious?”
Hano’s face lit up. Things were going too smoothly, but then he heard a thunderous demand.
“But you’ll need to pay a deposit of 100 million gold. The rent should be prepaid for a year.”
‘This crazy bastard. Does he think 100 million gold is some random dog’s name?’
Hano cursed inwardly.
“Do you agree? Daniel, bring the lease documents quickly.”
It was swift and decisive, a method that left the opponent reeling.
It was a tactic that only Kane could pull off.
Daniel handed the documents to Kane.
“Sign here.”
Under Kane’s direction, Hano found himself signing the papers almost involuntarily, as if his mind were being controlled by a demon. He couldn’t understand why he was signing the documents.
“Good. I hope we maintain a good relationship from now on.”
Kane handed the signed documents to Daniel and then extended his hand for a handshake. After shaking hands, he extended his open palm towards Hano.
“Yes?”
“The money. 100 million gold and a year’s rent.”
“Oh shit, we’re screwed.”
Hano suddenly realized that something was amiss.
***
Kane practically extorted the money from Hano and then went straight to the stables. As soon as the Blood Tigers saw him, they wagged their tails.
“Come outside, all of you.”
Dozens of Blood Tigers came out simultaneously, positioning themselves behind Kane.
—
[Funds: 124 million gold]
—
“Now I can upgrade the stables immediately.”
—
[You have used 15 million gold.]
[The stable (Lv.MAX) is being upgraded to Warhorse Training Grounds (Lv.1). (Construction time: 10 days)]
[Would you like to complete the construction immediately? (Y/N)]
[Immediate completion cost – 7 million gold]
—
‘Immediate completion.’
—
[Warhorse Training Grounds (Lv.1) has been completed.]
[Your Barracks has increased by +10.]
[The Barracks level has increased to level 2.]
[A new upgrade building is available.]
[The Warhorse Training Grounds has reached MAX level.]
[Warhorse Training Grounds (Lv.MAX)]
Grade: ?????
Description: You know that horses with good lineage have superior stamina and speed, right? Bloodline is crucial for everything!
Effect: Horse bloodline +60%, Mounted combat skills +40%
Additional Effect: Able to recruit a Trainer.
[To upgrade to the next tier, ‘Mount Summoning Grounds’, you need 30 million gold.]
‘Needing 30 million gold to upgrade to a 3-star Grade is ridiculous. No wonder this game flopped.’
A game that didn’t make sense, designed for heavy spenders. It seemed like the developers had no intention of attracting players. Kane still wondered why they even made it. However, since he was living in this game world, he continued upgrading without hesitation.
[You have used 30 million gold.]
[The Warhorse Training Grounds (Lv.MAX) is being upgraded to Mount Summoning Grounds (Lv.1). (Construction time: 15 days)]
[Would you like to complete the construction immediately? (Y/N)]
[Immediate completion cost – 15 million gold]
‘Immediate completion.’
[Mount Summoning Grounds (Lv.1) has been completed.]
[Your Barracks has increased by +20.]
[The Mount Summoning Grounds has reached MAX level.]
[To upgrade to the next tier, ‘Beast Training Grounds’, you need 50 million gold.]
[Mount Summoning Grounds (Lv.MAX)]
Grade: ?????
Description: Ever seen a horse with flaming or watery legs? Raise ghost and spirit horses, and you’ll see it often!
Effect: Adds ghost and spirit horses to mounts, Mounted combat skills +100%, Able to recruit the Beast Handler.
“It would be nice to go straight to the Beast Training Grounds, but with the Barracks level only at 2, I have to stop here.”
To build the Beast Training Grounds, the Barracks needed to be at least at level 3. But the Barracks level was currently just 2.
He needed to upgrade the Barracks or the Mage Tower to increase the level and then construct the Beast Training Grounds.
[Egg’s Status: Happy to have a nice home]
With the new abode for his subordinates established, the egg felt joyful.
[Translator – Helga]
[Proofreader – Lucky]