“Um…”
It was in the middle of the night when Lennok, who was grunting with thirst, opened his eyes.
The room was already covered in darkness, and nothing could be seen.
Grabbing his throbbing head, Lennok barely got up from his seat and fumbled with his hand on the wall before fumbling with the switch.
Only then did the room light up and the scene of the hotel room was revealed in front of my eyes.
I find the sink in the small kitchen, turn on the water, and inhale frantically.
As my thirst was satisfied, I took a breath and tried to get up, but I grabbed the sink again because of the feeling of vomiting.
“Oooh!!”
The only thing he ate and drank all day was tobacco smoke, so only bitter gastric juice came out.
Grabbing his brittle head, Lennok finally lay down on the bed in the middle of the room.
My head is pounding like crazy, and the muscle pain I feel all over my body is like tearing every joint.
My whole body trembled and my limbs protruded in strange directions. The abdominal pain and rumblings that rip through your organs continue to squeeze your body like a rag.
“…is it a side effect?”
When I think about how hard it was to die when I was working in the factory, it was definitely not painful like this.
I’ve never done drugs in my life, but maybe the aftereffects are like this.
Even as the ceiling went round and round, Lennok instinctively realized that he wouldn’t be able to let go of the tobacco for a while.
Because I couldn’t give up the only means to make this poor body move like a normal person, even temporarily.
After coming to my senses, my stomach hurts after not eating anything for over twelve hours.
Crawling and opening the refrigerator door in the corner of the room, Lennok opened the canned food inside and ate the contents with his bare hands.
It has an ambiguous taste like finely ground meat, but compared to the food served at the factory, it is no different from a banquet.
After filling the stomach to some extent, drowsiness pours out again.
The few nights he couldn’t sleep due to insomnia were seriously gnawing at his mind.
In the end, Lennok was only able to wake up the next day after the hotel phone rang loudly.
[The scheduled check-out time is one hour left. Would you like to extend your reservation?]
“…Yes.”
[200,000 for this special stay. 20,000 cans of consommé flavor that the customer ate yesterday. A total of 220,000 cells. Since you paid 100,000 cels in advance, you can pay 120,000 cels to the counter today.]
One canned food is equivalent to 20% of the cost of a night’s lodging.
Lennok chuckled and tossed the phone away.
Even after sleeping all day, my body is still heavy, but it is still much better than when I first ran away.
Lennok struggled to get out of bed and counted the money he had.
“130,000 cells… After paying for the hotel, only 10,000 cells remain.”
It’s been less than 24 hours since I learned about the monetary unit of this world, but I have a rough idea of how much it is.
It is also true that nothing can be done with only 10,000 cells.
Realizing that he couldn’t stay in this state for more than a day, Lennok immediately stood up.
After escaping, I had my first target.
I needed money.
I went into the cash procurement shower and wiped my body.
This is the first time I have washed my body since waking up here.
I stand in front of the sink only after soaking my whole body in water. It was only then that Lennok was able to see his face properly.
“…….”
Wide eyes and long black hair. Deep dark circles and pale lips. Skin pale enough to show through blood vessels.
Should I say it’s fortunate that the bridge of the nose is sharp?
Lennok looked down at his bony body, skinny like chopsticks because he couldn’t eat properly, and let out a blank laugh.
It was hard to recognize how bad the condition was, to the point where I wondered if he was the guy he had created in the character selection window for the first time.
He grabbed a razor blade from the sink and cut off all of his long hair.
After he shaved his head completely, his impression was completely different from the first, and he began to look nervous rather than sullen.
Lennok stared into the mirror for a moment before nodding his head in satisfaction.
Even at this level, it would not be easy for the supervisors to recognize Lennok.
I thought I had already left the chase, but I still needed to be cautious.
Lennok, dressed in loose overseer’s plain clothes, took out all his belongings and laid them out on the bed before moving.
About 130,000 cells in cash. A handgun and five bullets. Twelve bunches of tobacco stolen from the Overseer’s bedroom.
The work clothes worn at the factory had been changed a long time ago, and the car keys had been thrown inside while abandoning the car, so this is all Lennok has now.
Lennok thought as he sat on the bed.
What do you need to live in this world where you have fallen without knowing anything?
The first has already been decided.
However, there were not one or two issues to think about before making money.
“No matter how much you think about it… It is impossible to make money legally.”
In this world, Lennok is nothing more than an illegal alien who does not even have a proper identity.
I don’t know if there is any way to legally become a citizen in this city, and even if such a means exists, it’s all time and money.
It was an act close to luxury for Lennok, who could not even pay for the lodging tomorrow.
After all, what you can do is limited.
Even in a situation where food expenses are at a loss right now, Lennok’s brain steadily derives a method and presents a reasonable possibility.
It doesn’t have to be legal, but if you don’t mind, there are endless ways to get money.
Even if you get out of the rules, there are many things you can do as long as your morals and conscience allow.
With his magic, it wasn’t difficult to beat the criminals wandering around the city and steal their money.
“It’s the best plan under the circumstances.”
It’s hard to become a fixed source of income, but it’s suitable for raising funds right away. Resolved, Lennok rose immediately from the bed.
If you want to catch fish, you must first go to a place with a lot of water.
Lennok, who swept the items from the bed into his bosom and left the room, went down to the lobby, paid for today’s accommodation, and came out.
Get into the shade to avoid the harsh sunlight.
His head was dizzy and he was starting to run out of breath, but Lennok held back the urge to smoke.
‘I have to be patient.’
There is no way to prevent your body from breaking down in the long run if you start making it a habit to smoke cigarettes just because you are having a hard time right away.
Besides, if you start to smoke tobacco from now on, it’s like taking a time limit before the side effects come.
If it is not urgent, I had to refrain from smoking as much as possible and move soberly.
Lennok, who had watched hundreds of people roam the streets in the shadows, turned his head.
I couldn’t figure out where to go, but as I sat there, there was a direction I could feel.
‘It’s over there.’
In the middle of the city where countless life reactions intersect, Lennok’s natural talent snatches the strands of faint magical power.
A shady, sticky smell of magical power rising from the corner of the city.
It was a sensation he felt for the first time, but Lennok instinctively realized that this was the magical power of those who live in darkness.
The magical power of criminals living in the city, sucking the blood of others in the shadows.
It was a perfect place for Lennok today.
Following the traces of magic, they arrived at a chaotic street mixed with huge entertainment districts, gambling halls, all kinds of street vendors, and abandoned construction sites.
On the corner of the street, a sign with the name District 49 was thrown away.
Neon signs and flashy lights that bother the eyes surround all sides, and terrible perfume and acrid smoke that stings the nose rise from everywhere.
Even in the middle of the day, this street with thick shadows was full of people trying not to meet each other’s eyes.
Even though the atmosphere was completely different from the busy streets in the heart of the Balkan city, Lennok was not too surprised.
There is no need to try to understand the side effects and harms that exist behind the growth of a mega city that has developed by embracing all kinds of industries and capital.
Like flies swarming where money flows. It was commonplace even in Lennok’s world.
Beyond the level of not being interested in each other, the attitude of thoroughly widening the distance and turning off the nerves is transmitted from all sides.
Occasionally, a group of people exchange small talk in a secluded place, but most of them go into a building whose purpose is unknown and disappear.
However, it is not that there is no way to eavesdrop on their conversation. Especially for Lennox.
He settled down on the corner of the street and raised his mana, concentrating it on his ears. Even if no one taught me, the series of processes was very natural.
In an instant, his hearing became sensitive and he began to pick up sounds from all directions.
Lennok leaned against the street wall, paying attention to every sound coming from inside the building.
“They say they are looking for an agency to lobby for the selection of a construction company for the 17th development district. It is a condition of sharing 8 to 2.”
“The engineer who was inspecting Falmouth’s new AI unarmed operation error went missing. In a little while, I will hire a replacement.”
“I want to make a request to the druids who will participate in the green belt reduction plan. I’m thinking of stealing one of the T9 endangered species.”
There are many stories that are dangerous and money-making just by listening to them, but I have no intention of getting involved in a situation that I can’t understand right away.
Quickly pass unfamiliar words that come from around you and expand the range a little more.
Just as Lennok thought, his senses expanded rapidly, absorbing sounds across the entire street in an instant.
It hadn’t even been a week since he started using magic properly, but Lennok’s magic control ability was far beyond his perception.
A story that seems absurdly dangerous Skip all overly esoteric conversations.
Occasionally, there was a space that was completely blocked off and Lennok’s magic couldn’t enter, but he didn’t even look at it.
What you need to find is a case that is simple enough for Lennok to intervene moderately, and that makes money without leaving any repercussions.
It is to fish for capital in the urban jungle far away from the shadow of laws and regulations.
By the time his magical energy reached a damp alleyway where a street and a sewer intersect.
[I told you to bring the stolen money quickly. Can’t you hear me?]
“…I found it.”
Lennok’s eyes flashed, and he moved quickly.
An unknown back alley full of dampness.
Between the remote cracks of factories where wet water flows down the floor and exhaust fumes from the ventilation fans do not go away.
Two men were mercilessly kicking one who fell to the floor.
puck! puck!
“…..What did I say?”
The man who kicked first lit a cigarette with a trembling hand.
“I told you that as long as you do this job well, there will be no problems. But why are you talking bullshit that you stole money well and then lost it? uh?”
“That’s not a lie…. It really really disappeared on the way…”
Rejoice!!
The head of the old man, who had been making excuses with a bloody face, turned around.
Another man standing next to the man who was shaking his arms and legs in anger shook his head.
“There is no answer. I need to combine the money this guy brought to pay for this month’s installment…”
“Whoa whoa… This is the third. This time, the dwarf really won’t let him go.”
“Do this.”
The man’s eyes shone dangerously.
“Let’s kill one person and sell organs.”
A colleague grinned.
“You agree with me.”
The eyes of the two were simultaneously directed to the man who was lying down.
The moment the man’s complexion turned pale after realizing its meaning.
“Ughgguggguk!!!”
“Baby go go go!!”
Suddenly, the two men rolled their eyes and began to tremble.
Lennok pokes his head out from behind the men who had collapsed with foam at their mouths and convulsions.
Before he knew it, there was a piece of tobacco in his mouth.
“hmm.”
An electric current of blue light flashed from both of his hands.
“It works very well.”
It’s the most basic bolt magic, but it’s enough to stun two people.
Lennok ignored the man’s stare blankly looking up at him and began to search the arms of the two who had fallen.
I didn’t even feel the slightest bit of remorse at the thought of stealing the wallet of an attempted organ trader.
Take out the cash from the wallets of the two people, take it all, and collect the watches and accessories that were piled up mercilessly.
Finally, while searching for something useful, I caught something hard in the arms of the man who had been actively kicking earlier.
“What is this?”
As soon as I took it out, the older man fell on the ground again in a fright.
“Hee! Please don’t aim this way!”
It was metal with a design similar to a fountain pen, but when I pressed the button in the middle, I heard a rumbling sound like an engine running inside.
In addition, it seemed that it was not an ordinary thing that faint light of magical power leaked through the circuit-like patterns engraved on the surface.
“This is an illegally modified Dyke laser cutting machine. It’s like a monster that can pierce through steel plates. If a person gets hit, they just get cut off…”
“Hmm…”
Do the bullies of this world carry these things as weapons?
‘If cutting is the purpose, it would be more convenient to use magic…’
Lennok pondered, but eventually put a pen-like cutter into his arms.
He has only five bullets left in his handgun. The more means of self-defense, the better.
Lennok, having packed everything, stood up and looked at the man who had not yet run away.
Among the things that were happening on this street, I chose the simplest and most innocent incident and intervened, but wouldn’t it be right to deal with the witnesses completely?
“If I faint, will my memory disappear?”
The man trembled as Lennok muttered that while heating up an electric current in his hand.
“I will never tell anyone!!”
“It’s easier said than done.”
The man asked with a frightened face at the cold reply.
“If this is what you want…”
“It’s been a while since I came to this city.”
Lennok grinned.
“I am looking for a job.” Looking at the back of the man as he hurriedly disappears across the alley
from the library,
Lennok straightened his tired expression.
I thought about killing him to silence him, but no matter how cold Lennok was compared to before, he wasn’t cruel enough to kill an innocent person.
He had no hesitation when he killed the supervisors who had abused him mercilessly at the factory, but this time the case is a little different.
I received a separate business card, so if you get into trouble about this, it’s not too late to visit him then.
The anger of the bullies who woke up would pierce the sky, but up to that point Lennok was not a part-time job.
As I made my way through the damp alley, I took out the stolen money and counted it.
“…isn’t that bad?”
He said he was filling up the lack of money to pay installments, but he seemed to be holding a pretty big lump sum.
If you add up the amount the two had, about 700,000 cells were in Lennok’s hands.
With this amount, I should be able to stay at the hotel for about four more days after excluding various incidental expenses.
It can’t be anything but a good harvest for having ripped off the back alley bullies once.
Lennok took the money and immediately left the entertainment district and bought a new suit at a nearby clothing store.
The clothes he was wearing now did not fit Lennox’s physique too much, and were unnecessarily conspicuous.
A suitable shirt and jeans. It didn’t seem like there would be anything that would stand out anywhere with this outfit.
Returning to Precinct 49, Lennok looked around the streets and found a shabby pharmacy with a sign barely hanging up.
When the door opened, the scruffy pharmacist lifted his head helplessly to check on the customer.
“sleeping pills. How much do you need in a week?”
The pharmacist replied slowly.
“150,000 cells.”
Lennok’s brow twitched at the price that exceeded his expectations, but he quietly handed over the money and received seven bags of pills.
It was a must-have item to solve the insomnia that plagued him all night.
Lennok, who realized how painful it was to spend a night without sleep at the factory, had no intention of going through that pain again.
I’ve confirmed that you can fall asleep after smoking cigarettes in a row, but it’s stupid to chain smoke at the risk of side effects in order to sleep.
Doping is repeated out of necessity, but actions that strain the already weak body should be avoided as much as possible.
Having the money you need right away and the means to sleep properly gave you room to think.
Lennock left District 49 and headed straight to the main downtown area, where most people gathered.
Asking people for directions, we arrived at a large library located at the end of the downtown area. The entire 10-story building was used as a place to store books and data.
After moderately shaking off the smell of cigarettes, Lennok settled down in the library.
The first thing to look for was various information about this world—not knowledge about magic.
‘The important thing is to develop my magic ability to the maximum. Everything else can be put aside for later.’
After waking up here, many things had happened, but Lennok clearly remembered the existence of the penalty that hit his body.
A bunch of bad traits that I used to inject extra stats into my magical talents using the karma system.
Among them, ‘Jae In Park Myung’, which can be said to be the most lethal.
An extreme characteristic that cuts off one’s entire lifespan in exchange for talent and creates a terminally ill life.
‘Thinking about it now, it was strange that such a trait even existed.’
Since it is a lifespan-related characteristic applied against game characters without lifespan, would it have changed if you noticed something strange from there?
There is no point in regretting it now.
After all, because of that, Lennok’s goal was set to only one thing.
to survive.
We need to find a way to increase his time melting like a short candle.
And the talent closest to the answer was in his hands.
‘The magic related to time… Among them, there might be some method in the top-tier unique magic series.’
When playing Horse Musketeer, a unique magic (Sinister) that I wanted to learn but could not learn due to the nature of my job.
Lennok was very aware of how powerful and great his magical talent was, and he knew what kind of process it would take to use it properly.
Fortunately, the category related to magic used the entire 8th floor, and various books and data were organized.
Lennok took out all the books that he thought were introductory books among them and began to read them.
‘How to feel mana, the principle of storing it in the body, the danger of mana control ability, 15 items needed to use magic…’ These are
meaningless things for Lennok, who awakened mana in three days and started to use magic. .
Skip boldly.
I read the book frantically, flipping through dozens or even hundreds of pages at high speed.
With the sound of waving papers, the bookshelves that were falling over came to a halt at the last chapter.
‘Magic pattern. I also had this concept.’
When playing the horse musketeer character, it was a concept he knew but had nothing to worry about, so Lennok concentrated his mind and read the book.
From the moment magic is awakened, magic patterns are created for wizards, which are left like traces whenever magic is used.
According to the book, the pattern is called the fingerprint of wizards, and once hardened, it is stated that it is impossible to fix it.
‘However, from the 8th level or higher, the magic power can be adjusted in particle units, so it is meaningless… What level is the 8th level?’
In WORLD 2.0, where Lennok was playing the Horse Musketeer, the level of wizards was not divided by level, but by the level of ‘Sinister’ that could be used.
That’s why it was hard to get a sense of exactly what level 8 means in this world.
Anyway, since Lennok is unfamiliar knowledge that he has not seen in the game, it is necessary to examine his own magic pattern.
‘Open the palm of your hand, place the index finger of the other hand in the middle, and let the magic flow through.’
When I moved my magic as instructed in the book, the magic that flowed through my fingers spread across my palm and began to draw a really consistent pattern.
Lennok’s expression changed to grotesque as he watched the three spirals intersect and swim through his palms with a curious expression.
It was because the moment he moved his mana little by little, the spiral that flowed through his palm completely overturned and turned into dozens of lozenges.
“……”
He moved his mana aside again, and this time, countless concentric circles floated up and wet his palm.
It wasn’t long before Lennok realized that he could freely change the patterns of magic to his imagination.
I don’t know exactly how much, but even in this state, it’s proof that I have the magic control ability at the level of an archmage.
Considering the fact that it hadn’t been three days since he awakened his magic, it was absurd.
‘One talent is certain.’
Yes. As much as he was given such a weak body, shouldn’t his talent reach the top?
Feeling oddly comforted by that fact, Lennok tossed the introductory books he had brought with him into the return box at the library.
I’ve only read one volume, but I can guess what’s in the introduction.
Lennok’s excellent memory had already memorized most of the contents as perfectly as photographs.
From now on, I was planning to look only at the books on public magic and unique magic.
