I Am the Madman of This Family

Episode 74. If you’re curious, bring 5 million gold (1)

Cork, who became a mercenary as soon as he became an adult, never quarreled with or fought with anyone stronger than himself.

It’s only natural that the one with the most skill and experience wins in a fight. Until he grew up enough, he knew his fraction and took care of himself.

Then one day, Cork visited a bar with his colleagues to celebrate his promotion to the gold class.

“Oops!”

A drunken colleague spilled beer on the man at the next table.

The man was alone and was wearing a cloak. Just by looking at his well-groomed hair and clean clothes, it was obvious that he was a knight or a nobleman.

However, the drunken mercenaries lost their fear. No, the main reason was that the man was alone and seemed easygoing.

“Oh, I’m sorry about this. Those clothes look expensive.びぁぅ!”

The drunken mercenary trembled.

“Tsk.”

The young man pushed the mercenary away and left the bar, and his attitude offended the drunken mercenary.

“Young laborer, kicking your tongue? Don’t you think nobles don’t die?”

A mercenary who draws his sword and follows the young man.

Cork and his colleagues didn’t hold back. To them, the young man didn’t look that strong. Just by looking at his gait and callus-free hands, it was the same.

Kang! Caang!

The sound of sword fighting came from outside the window.

Tuduk!

Drops of blood splattered on the windowsill.

Cork jumped up.

“Such a madman, you couldn’t have killed him, right?”

It’s not like guilt or anything like that, I had to run away as soon as I killed him.

Cork, who went outside with his colleagues, couldn’t believe it. Lying on the floor was not a young man, but his colleague.

Besides, he didn’t even move, as if he was already dead.

“Jolt!”

The drunken mercenaries grabbed their weapons and rushed at the young man holding the sword.

The young man fixing his sword and holding it, as expected, seemed to be a novice in swordsmanship, as expected.

Caang, Kang!

A young man struggling to block the mercenary’s sword.

However, the union of the two did not last long. The mercenary’s sword suddenly broke.

“Huh?”

While the mercenary with the broken sword panicked, the young man struck the mercenary’s neck with poor swordsmanship.

The mercenary tried to block it by raising his arm, but the young man’s black arm was gently cut off, and his torso was severely cut.

“Dead!”

In the meantime, the mercenary who had returned behind the young man thrust out his sword.

The young man didn’t even wear armor. It was a very light outfit.

However, the mercenary’s sword was blocked so helplessly. The cloak the young man was wearing blocked the sword.

“No, nonsense!”

Chew!

The mercenary who was ambushed from behind also had his throat cut and fell backwards.

Left alone, Cork trembled. Tears flowed out of my eyes.

Even when he was drunk, his colleague’s death was not due to resentment. It was because I was so pathetic that I thought only skills and experience were everything.

The swordsmanship of the young man in front of him was very poor. As a mercenary, it was at the level of a silver class chin-up.

The difference in equipment made the difference between winning and losing.

There was no need for swordsmanship or experience.

“aaa!”

Cork screamed and ran away. Leaving my comrades who have become cold corpses… … .

Even the next day Cork couldn’t get out of his disappointment. He had no desire to avenge his comrades.

“Is equipment more important than skill and experience… … .”

A diamond class mercenary who accidentally found out about his troubles gave him the answer.

“You say that? The things with the name Artifact can be used by a country farmer and can kill thousands of guys like you. If you use the magical tool called the replica, you can beat me, right?”

Cork wanted to know if that was true.

but how can i get it

Even if it was a gold class that was said to be above average in the mercenary industry, it was just an insect in the end if you looked at it nationwide.

Still, I went to the auction house in the city to try to get a magic tool, but the price was ridiculously expensive.

The magic tool in the form of a dagger engraved with a spell to enhance cutting power cost as much as 300 gold.

Compared to a dagger made of the highest quality steel that could be bought with 10 gold, the difference in price was 30 times.

“sh*t. 300 gold for just one spell?”

The reward for C-class quests that Cork usually takes on is 8 gold. Rarely played B-ranks for 20 gold.

Even doing that once takes at least a week, at most three months, and the risk is high.

The money that Cork had accumulated for six years as a mercenary without a break was only 200 gold.

That was a lot of money for a mercenary. Most mercenaries don’t know when they will die, so they spend everything on alcohol, women, and entertainment.

In order to fill the insufficient 100 gold, he had to complete the dangerous B-class quest five more times.

I mean, B-class commissions, among these, there were some that I couldn’t take on, so I couldn’t do it right away.

In addition, if you get injured during the referral, it will cost a lot of money to treat. There were days when the treatment cost was more than the referral fee.

“It will take two years at the earliest, three years at the worst.”

To put it bluntly, Cork’s patience was running out.

I was going crazy because I wanted to experience the performance of magic tools myself, but I couldn’t wait for 2 or 3 years.

In addition, the anxiety of what would happen if the price of magic tools increased as time passed came over.

“I can’t help it. It’s really unavoidable.”

Cork bought a mask at a general store.

and after 6 months.

An invisible dagger hung from Cork’s waist.

Cork, who used magic tools, experienced surprise, admiration, and joy in that order.

“You can cut steel without using an aura… Was this really possible?”

Of course, cork can also use Aura.

However, at most eight swings is enough.

Furthermore, Auras are not only used for offense, they are more often used for defense.

Cork immediately tried using the magic tool dagger in real combat. Participated in a B-class quest to catch an orc, and rushed alone.

“That crazy bastard, why are you rushing all alone!?”

Contrary to the mercenaries’ worries, Cork fought well. It was because the aura was entirely used for defense and fought with a magic tool and a dagger.

The mercenaries’ attention was focused on their tremendous performance.

“What is cork? Did your skills improve while you couldn’t see them?”

“Did you drink the elixir? Please tell me the secret.”

“Thanks to you, I caught it comfortably.”

Cork stupidly didn’t show off his dagger. And I knew for sure.

From noble mtl dot com

‘It’s this much with just one magic tool.’

It was from then.

Cork became obsessed with magic tools.

However, magic tools are expensive. One enchantment imprinted on it cost 300 gold.

In the industry, this is called a ‘level’. If there is one imprint, it is level 1, if there are two, it is level 2.

Level 2 magic tools are not 600 gold. 3,000 gold.

Level 3 with three spells is over 50,000 gold.

It is said that a level 5 magic tool has performance equal to that of an artifact, and it is said that it was sold for 2 million gold at the largest auction house in the empire.

“I can’t help it. Same this time.”

Cork has stepped into forbidden territory. The first time was difficult, the second time was not difficult. As a mercenary, I did things I shouldn’t have done as a person.

loot and murder.

In particular, they focused on the masters of magic tools.

There were times when monsters possessed magic tools, but most of them were stolen by killing adventurers. Cork was engrossed in collecting magic tools by looking for monsters who were said to have magic tools.

After about 8 years, cork has become stronger in many ways.

He coated his entire body with magic tools and handled all weapons to suit himself to the variety of magic tools.

None of them were particularly good at it, but the performance of magic tools supported their skills.

In the mercenary industry, being able to handle tools well is also considered a skill, so there were no restrictions on Cork’s promotion.

Cork, which went beyond platinum and became a diamond class, tasted the greatest thrill in my life.

The diamond class that I thought I would never be able to reach. Even if he borrowed the power of magic tools, it was a wonderful achievement.

‘Okay, I’m going to challenge Orihalcon, the highest class.’

But Cork’s dreams and confidence were shattered within a year.

The upper level of the diamond class, amantium, was a level that could not be achieved with magic tools. In the first place, the level 2 magic tools that Cork could obtain were the best.

Cork did not give up easily, but the walls of Amantium were more distant than he had imagined.

Even Cork was confident that he could win if he fought Amantium.

“I admit that I am lacking in the amount of auras or the technical aspects. However, in real life, I am also an amantium class!”

When I went to the Mercenary Association and protested like that, the receptionist sneered and said,

“Would you like to try it?”

The receptionist introduced a man. He was an amantium class mercenary.

Cork fought against him and lost three magic tools that day.

The Amantium class mercenary said while smashing the magic tool.

“It’s just a level that depends on the equipment.”

Cork, whose pride was hurt by those words, failed to assassinate the Amantium mercenary who ignored him, and fled with liqueur.

Even though he is a fugitive, he knows he can’t get out, but Cork did not give up his life for revenge.

While adapting to the environment while fighting fiercely with the liqueurs, she found a strange note in the arms of the man she had quarreled with and killed.

-I finally found the labyrinth where the artifact is sleeping. But the security is too tight. Traps and mazes abound. I’m not good enough on my own. Gather a team and come to me. I’ll be waiting for you at home

“Artifact?!”

Cork hurriedly covered his mouth.

The origin of magic tools, weapons of the age of mythology, and artifacts!

It is said that all the “records” of its power are beyond the truth.

The ‘Demonic Sword Hellfire’ burns down an entire city once it is swung, and the saint possessing the ‘Holy Sword Arondite’ is famous for its invincible defense.

Not all artifacts were in the form of weapons.

The ‘Armor of Ayers’ gives the wearer unlimited vitality and vitality, and the ‘Malphite Ring’ grants the strength of a giant.

Of course, all of the aforementioned artifacts have owners. All of them are famous strongmen who are unknown to anyone on the continent, or are great nobles. It is impossible to take away

‘An artifact without an owner… . This is a God-given opportunity for me!’

The note only said a house, so Cork wasted a year just looking for the house where the labyrinth was hidden.

There were a lot of traps, and the structure was complicated, befitting a labyrinth where artifacts were sleeping. Occasionally there were undead monsters, so it was impossible to attack alone even if it took hundreds of years.

“You have to work behind the scenes, with guys you can trust.”

Where do you get such a person?

be a mercenary

Coincidentally, there was also a mercenary guild in Liqueur.

Cork worked hard to become the branch manager of Liqueur, and succeeded in taking the position of the branch manager by pouring three years of time.

“hahahahaha! It’s like half the success.”

With the authority of the head of the mercenary guild, he controlled the area around the labyrinth and recruited reliable mercenaries to attack the labyrinth.

If the existence of the labyrinth is revealed, there will be tens of thousands of competitors in an instant, so Cork has worked hard not to reveal the labyrinth attack.

Then one day.

“Take the rookie!”

In a mercenary guild with only dull guys, a little boy came and said boldly.

“What is it, kid? go play somewhere else This is not that kind of place.”

“Isn’t this a mercenary guild?”

“Right. your mother is not here Maybe there is an abby? hey! Who are you! Come out, you bastard, you bastard!”

At Cork’s words, the mercenaries burst into laughter.

“I go?”

“Hey, will you have a kid like that on your face?”

Despite the mercenaries’ ridicule and attention, the little boy didn’t care.

“Little boy, go quickly. This is not your place.”

“I will become a mercenary. Because that is my dream.”

“Gulp Gulp. did you? Go and get some more mother’s milk.”

A mercenary approached the kid and provoked him.

“My uncle said Anyone can become a mercenary if they do their part.”

“How are you going to do one man’s part? We’re not an assassin’s guild, so we don’t raise kids.”

“I never asked to grow up. After all, I am already stronger than you.”

“what? Because this bastard is coming… … !”

It was the time when the mercenary grabbed the boy’s hair tightly.

baek!

The little boy hit the mercenary’s thigh with his head.

“Huh!?”

As the mercenary knelt down, the little boy started punching the mercenary in the face with his small hands.

“Oh, that little boy! They have chains on their hands!”

“Suddenly?!”

“Dry!”

The mercenaries rushed out, but the mercenary who had already stepped out had a messed up face.

The little finger was also bleeding profusely. It was only natural that he was chained and beaten. But the little boy said without showing that he was sick.

“One person’s share. I did, am I a mercenary now?”

“… … .”

When the blood-stained kid spoke with a bright smile, the mercenaries couldn’t tease them like before and looked at the branch manager, Cork.

Cork frowned.

‘When you sign up a kid, you get attention from the people around you. That’s a specification.’

Excavation of artifacts must be kept secret. Of course, the mercenaries he worked with were also going to kill all of them and silence them, so Cork approached the kid.

“That is not right. Come when you are at least twelve years old. I’ll sign you up then.”

“late. Is there no reason to wait that long?”

“Don’t worry. Time goes by fast. Listen to the adults.”

“A grown-up I know said age doesn’t matter.”

“Who is he?”

“The man who used to be the branch manager here.”

“That’s his policy. I am not.”

“Black… … .”

The little boy lowered his head and let out a whining sound.

Cork went over to the kid and got down on one knee, putting his hands in his pockets. I was thinking of sending it at least 1 silver.

Hiss!

“hmm!”

Cork hurriedly reached out to block something from coming into his eye.

Cork, who always wore magic tools, was wearing gloves, and what was clogged in his gloves was a sharp awl.

“It doesn’t work.”

The little boy quietly backed away and said.

“Mister, what is your name?”

“cork. I am the new branch manager here.”

“huh. My name is Keter. Do you have a dream you want to achieve?”

It was strange to say it after suddenly attacking, but Cork subconsciously nodded at the word dream.

Keter then smiled and said.

“Great. I will also destroy your dreams.”

Since then, Keter has repeatedly quarreled with Liqueur’s mercenaries and Cork. At first, I thought it was a joke, but then I stopped.

10 years passed like that.

Cork was nervous.

I thought I would be able to conquer the labyrinth in 5 years, but Keter was annoying and the work was very delayed.

I had the heart to kill. But Keter, as if he knew it, pumped it up to the limit and bounced repeatedly.

Still, I did reach the last room of the labyrinth. The problem was that I couldn’t open the last room no matter what I did.

“Damn it, what the hell is the condition? It doesn’t even have a keyhole!”

It was impossible to pierce by force.

Cork slammed his fist on the door, furious. Because it was a bare fist, the flesh was chapped and blood flowed.

however… … .

“Blood… Are you absorbed by the door?”

Cork tried again.

This time, a handful of blood was sprayed on the door. Blood absorbed blood in the blink of an eye.

“This is it! Blood, blood is the key!”

It didn’t matter how much blood was needed. Liqueur is overflowing, and overflowing is the corpse.

However, Moon rejected the blood of the dead.

Only the blood of the living was accepted.

Cork said easily.

“I can’t help it.”

The first time was difficult, the second time was easy, and the third time I didn’t even have to worry.

Cork kidnapped countless people and drew their blood and poured it over the door. When one of the fellow mercenaries dissuaded him, he killed him too and used it as fertilizer for the door.

The number of people killed just like that exceeded 100 people. There were also children among them. It was because he intuitively felt that Moon preferred the blood of children.

“It’s almost done. Just a little more… … .”

There is a bead embedded in the center of the door, and the more blood is poured, the more the bead fills red from the bottom.

When 300 people were sacrificed like that, the beads were finally dyed perfectly red. Cork thought it was over.

Soon a reaction occurred at the door.

As the labyrinth rang, there was a sound of the device moving. The marble was sucked in, revealing a new marble.

“uh?”

This time it was not one, but three.

“what?”

The cork was wobbly.

He had to kill 300 people just to fill one marble. However, three new marbles appeared.

900 more kills?

From noble mtl dot com

“Kuh, kuhh… … .”

Anxiety that this might not be the end crept in. However, Cork muttered with his eyes already darkened.

“Okay, I didn’t think it would be this easy to get. No way.”

Cork found out more.

Killing a human with an aura filled the orb faster. In addition, killing a young maiden was also effective.

Cork killed anything he could. Since it was a liqueur overflowing with people who didn’t mind killing it, the supply of ‘ingredients’ was smooth.

An incredible amount of time has passed. Cork had been head of liqueur for far too long, considering that the head of the department is usually replaced every five years.

Gradually, outsiders began to wonder why Cork had been keeping the position of branch manager for so long.

Cork became more and more obsessed with his work. No matter what people say, I was sure that everything would be solved once I got the artifact.

‘I will become a mercenary king here in liqueur.’

On the verge of filling three blood orbs with ferocious tenacity-

The guy appeared out of nowhere.

Liqueur’s mad dog and solver, Keter.

It was regrettable that he suddenly disappeared four days ago. After obtaining the artifact, the first person to find and kill was Keter.

However, he came to the guild first and asked me to give up the position of branch manager.

can never give up The entrance to the labyrinth was made so that only the branch manager could enter.

‘Keter, you can’t… You’re not targeting me knowing the existence of the artifact, right?’

Keter said revenge, but the timing was too right. Of course, I was aiming for the branch manager right before I got the artifact.

In any case, Cork could never lose this trial of the goddess. The Keter he knew was reckless, but he wasn’t the kind of guy who did things for no reason. There must have been some ulterior motive.

Cork ordered his subordinate mercenaries.

“Come find out what Keter is doing. And you, you, recruit those skilled in detection in advance so that Keter does not employ anyone.”

Class A named monster Red Comet. To find it requires magical detection. If so, the first thing to do is to go to a wizard or shaman.

‘There’s no way I can catch the red comet, but I won’t let you even start it.’

However, the subordinate who returned brought an absurd report.

“Keter… Taking a nap in the square.”