WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 216: 216

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Jegang entered the reception room, looked at the sofa, and flopped down onto it. The puppet he had brought stood silently behind him, waiting. I slowly sat down on the sofa as well.

“What brings someone from the Trading Company here?”

I asked cautiously while looking at Jegang. However, instead of answering immediately, he merely looked around the room at his leisure.

Soon, he opened his mouth with a relaxed expression.

“Hmm, I’m a little thirsty. Make me a cup of tea.”

I frowned slightly. His tone carried the arrogance of someone ordering around an underling. Despite being a guest, Jegang acted as though he owned this shop.

Should I just throw him out?

I considered it, then shook my head. Jegang was clearly a member of the People’s Council. If he had come looking for me like this, it meant they had something to say to me on their behalf.

So, I needed to hear them out first. Jegang must have known that too, which was why he could act so relaxed. I closed my eyes briefly, then bowed my head.

“Could you wait a moment?”

I sent my will to Isabella. It seemed she had been preparing refreshments even before I contacted her, because she entered the reception room as soon as she received my message.

Isabella gently laid everything out before us. Jegang lifted his teacup and began savoring its fragrance. He seemed to like the tea quite a bit, as a small smile appeared on his face.

“Oh, very nice. I never thought I’d find Millennial Herb in such a small shop.”

“I had it prepared in case an esteemed guest happened to visit. I’m glad you like it.”

I smiled gently at Jegang, though I could not help complaining inwardly. A single leaf of Millennial Herb was worth well over five hundred points. To think I had used something so precious here.

Still, serving it had been worthwhile. The contempt Jegang had subtly shown toward me began to fade somewhat. He sipped his tea, then set down the cup.

Seeing the cup was half empty, Isabella approached him with graceful steps and refilled it. Jegang looked at Isabella and narrowed his eyes.

“This is a puppet, isn’t it?”

I could not help hesitating for a moment. Was he talking about Isabella?

Without waiting for my answer, Jegang nodded slightly and continued as he examined her.

“No wonder they told me to bring this puppet back if things went well. If I hadn’t seen the portrait, I would’ve thought she was a real person. Such craftsmanship. She’s so excellent that my puppet cannot even compare.”

Jegang glanced at the puppet standing behind him and clicked his tongue quietly. Then he stared at Isabella with a smile.

His eyes overflowed with desire.

That desire became magical power and headed toward Isabella. It began wrapping around her body as if to bind her.

My face twisted.

He was touching my puppet. He had crossed a line.

Isabella was clearly just as displeased. Her magical power erupted explosively.

Jegang’s puppet stepped forward to block it, but it could only falter before Isabella’s power. Yet even as magical power rushed toward him, Jegang did not lose his relaxed smile.

Rather, Isabella’s deep magical power seemed to interest him even more. The desire in his eyes grew stronger.

Jegang lightly waved a hand.

The magical power rising from it gently diverted Isabella’s magical power. I could not help widening my eyes slightly.

Over the past while, Isabella had steadily recovered. As her soul’s cracks were filled and her body was restored, she had regained some of her former strength.

She now possessed magical power that surpassed a fourth-floor mage.

Anyone in the Young Tree realm would surely find it difficult to oppose her. But Jegang’s power exceeded even that. I swallowed as I felt the powerful magical power surging from him.

The fact that he could stop Isabella so easily meant he was at least on the fifth floor.

He was a mage who had reached the domain of the completed tree.

I looked at the name tag that read Probationary Employee. Did even a probationary employee of the Trading Company possess such strength? It was truly astonishing.

After diverting Isabella’s magical power, Jegang raised both hands.

“It seems I made you uncomfortable. Hmm, I was only confirming what my associates told me. I have no intention of forcibly taking the puppet, so please rest assured.”

“There are university rules as well.”

Jegang added that with a faint smile. I frowned and looked at Isabella. Since he had backed down like that, we could not press the matter further.

Isabella settled her magical power and stood behind me. Jegang looked at her and smacked his lips softly.

Despite what he had said, he still seemed to want her. I cleared my throat and released a little magical power.

Jegang turned his gaze and met my eyes.

“So, if you have something to say, could you say it quickly? I have things to do afterward as well.”

Isabella was my puppet. His interest in her was unbearably unpleasant. Perhaps reading my attitude, Jegang nodded slightly.

“Then I’ll get straight to the point. I have much to do as well. Your name was Evron, correct? I came to express my gratitude.”

Gratitude? I could not help frowning at those incomprehensible words. Seeing that, Jegang spread both arms and smiled contentedly.

“Our business is a tremendous success right now. It’s all thanks to you, Mr. Evron, for showing us the way forward. At this rate, we’ll soon swallow up the first floor.”

Jegang’s eyes shone with anticipation for the future.

As he said, their efforts to gather customers were going very smoothly. Perhaps they would be able to spread puppets throughout the first floor, or even across the entire city.

But there was something I did not understand. Were they not moving too aggressively?

I slowly opened my mouth as I looked at him.

“Do you really need to go that far? If you continue like this, you’ll suffer enormous losses.”

Their motive for targeting my shop was obvious. They wanted to separate me from Hwaryeong. Removing an opponent’s associate was the basis of dealing with an enemy.

That was why they had drastically lowered the price of their puppets. They had done it so I would not even dare start a price war.

If I lowered my prices to match theirs, I would certainly be unable to endure the losses.

Conversely, that meant they were suffering losses as well. Even if they lowered their costs by using corpses as puppets, adding functions still cost points.

At first, I wondered whether they possessed some innovative magic I did not know about. So, over the past month, I had repeatedly studied their puppets. I had even tried adding several functions myself.

During that process, I gained a rough understanding of the magic their puppets used.

And I became certain they were operating at a loss.

Every spell they had added to their corpse puppets was something I had created.

Recalling the puppets I had examined, I clicked my tongue quietly.

The various spells I had named “Perfect Magic” were created through long periods of trial and error.

The results of those spells, produced through delicate applications of magical power and complex flows, were excellent. They had been good enough to satisfy even the extremely demanding Professor Irian every day.

But the structure behind those spells was fairly simple.

That could not be helped. A more complicated structure would require far too much magical power.

I wanted my spells to be light enough to use in any situation. That was the most fitting form for support magic.

Besides, I was not the only one using those spells.

Just as with this shop, my puppets also needed to be able to use magic easily with only their own magical power. To do that, they needed structures that used the minimum possible magical power rather than complex forms.

And they had copied the magic engraved into my puppets exactly.

Of course, I had taken various precautions to prevent people from breaking into my spells, but they would not have been enough to stop them.

As Jegang had shown just now, they were mages in realms far above mine. To them, the magic I created must have been easy prey to plunder.

I had suspected something when they copied my entire business model, but I never expected them to steal all my magic and apply it to their own puppets as well.

They must have decided my magic was the most useful, which was why they did it. These spells were the culmination of the talent Professor had recognized in me, so it was only natural that they appealed to them.

And because I noticed that, I knew they could cut other costs but could never reduce the cost of adding functions.

They were only imitating my magic, after all.

That was why I could not understand why they were selling their puppets at a loss. The price I had set for adding functions only gave me the bare minimum profit, even accounting for points.

Even if I added a function worth one hundred points, I received fewer than ten points myself.

Yet they were selling it for nearly half the price.

The more puppets they sold, the more their losses would grow.

In that sense, their actions had gone beyond my expectations. I had helped Hwaryeong considerably, but they were making this far too big a matter just to destroy me.

“That’s correct. At this rate, we’ll only suffer losses. But we have seen a new possibility. A way to use these losses as a stepping stone to gain even greater profits.”

Jegang smiled faintly and nodded. Then he tapped the corpse puppet behind him.

The puppet held out an arm.

A small mirror was embedded in its arm. I blinked slightly when I saw it.

--

Here is a list of shops recommended by the Arcana General Trading Company.

1. Arcana Puppet Workshop

2. Arcana Tavern

3. Arcana...

--

The mirror contained descriptions of various shops. When Jegang touched one of the advertisements, directions to that shop appeared helpfully.

It was a kind of guide.

“What do you think? A puppet that stays beside you can show you the way. It’s only a prototype for now, but it’ll soon be attached to every puppet. With this, we’ll be able to guide people’s behavior.”

“You mean guide their behavior?”

“Yes. We’ll consume the first floor, expand further into this entire city, and then go beyond that to the entire university. With these puppets, we’ll see limitless possibilities.”

Jegang clenched both hands with confidence.

I clicked my tongue quietly as I watched him. I understood his idea. With mirrors like that, they could squeeze points out of many shops in the name of advertising fees.

I narrowed my eyes at the mirror.

For some reason, its form felt familiar. It was similar to what I had seen in a mirror bug.

It did not have communication functions, but they had clearly stolen and incorporated its conveniences.

Just like that, it was the result of applying the system I created on a larger scale.

I began selling puppets for one point in order to gather customers. I could do that because I was confident I could gain profits later, even if I took losses for a while.

I had stopped there, but they had gone further.

They were trying to connect puppets to the Trading Company’s other businesses and make their losses worthwhile through greater profits. They would likely introduce many functions beyond simple advertisements like that.

Then I could understand their prices as well.

But I could not imitate them. Even if I attached mirrors like that, who would entrust me with requests?

They could install those mirrors because they had sufficient capital and trust behind them. In that respect, it was a method only the Trading Company could use.

Besides, they lowered the prices of their puppets solely because they were hostile toward me.

If I disappeared and they monopolized this territory, they would naturally raise their prices again. This business alone would then produce sufficient profits.

This puppet was the result of stealing everything I had made, from beginning to end. To think they had tied it all together into such an excellent business.

It was a truly perfect plan.

Jegang nodded with satisfaction.

“So naturally, I have no choice but to thank you. This shop will become my new stepping stone. Hwaryeong, that scheming woman, will soon fall as well. The day I reclaim my position is not far away.”

Jegang lightly gritted his teeth as if recalling Hwaryeong. The way he fiddled with his name tag made his deep resentment toward her seem almost tangible.

His position?

I shifted my eyes slightly.

I had thought it was strange that a probationary employee possessed such skill. Had Hwaryeong taken his position from him?

Jegang slowly continued.

“The possibility you created was excellent. That is why it seemed such a waste to cut you off just like this. So, I would like to give you an opportunity.”

Jegang looked at me. I could feel a small amount of interest in his gaze.

An opportunity?

I narrowed my eyes at those sudden words.

“An opportunity?”

“Yes. If you let go of Hwaryeong’s hand and come to us, we’ll provide a position for you. As a token proving that promise... the puppet behind you will be enough. That puppet is what they wanted as well.”

Jegang jerked his chin toward Isabella, who stood behind me.

His greed for her was obvious. The magical power she had used against him earlier seemed to have greatly interested him.

I silently tapped the table.

He was offering me a chance to join them.

I had wondered why he explained their plan in such detail. It was clearly all preparation to persuade me.

I glanced at Jegang. He was studying Isabella with a very relaxed smile. He probably believed he had completely caught me.

As he thought, my situation was not good. If things continued this way, I would have no choice but to close my shop.

For someone who could not give up this shop, it was practically a massive crisis.

Seeing that he had come looking for me, Jegang had surely noticed my situation to some degree. He was using the shop to tempt me into betraying Hwaryeong.

I quietly closed my eyes.

Hwaryeong had not given me any clear help despite things reaching this point. She was surely judging whether abandoning me would be profitable.

I did not believe she could have failed to notice what they knew. She was very capable.

Then why was she not helping me?

Perhaps because she had no reason to help me. Even if I collapsed here, she would not suffer much of a loss.

In fact, she might want me to collapse like this.

I quietly touched my wrist. It was where the mirror bug contract was engraved.

As long as this contract remained, I had to steadily supply mirror bugs to the Trading Company. That directly became Hwaryeong’s achievement.

If I lost my shop and returned to the tower, I would surely remain someone even easier for Hwaryeong to use.

The beginning of this contract had come from Hwaryeong. That was why my resentment toward her continued to build.

Perhaps this very moment was an opportunity to settle that resentment.

The contract bound us together, but it did not necessarily have to be Hwaryeong who received the mirror bugs.

The current situation was practically the same as Hwaryeong cutting off her support first. So, even if I betrayed her, there would surely be no great problem.

I had justification.

If I betrayed Hwaryeong and joined them, my situation would surely become easier. I could protect my shop and repay my resentment at the same time.

But I could not accept it.

“Thank you for the generous offer, but I don’t think I can accept it.”

I firmly shook my head.

Jegang looked somewhat puzzled. He did not seem to expect me to refuse.

“Why? Surely you don’t trust Hwaryeong.”

As he said, Hwaryeong would not move. To help me, she would need to take risks herself. So, she would surely focus more on protecting her own position than stepping forward.

But I did not refuse his offer because I expected Hwaryeong’s help.

I had never expected her to involve herself in this matter to begin with.

There was only one reason I could not accept his offer.

I knew nothing would change even if I joined them.

Of course, I would be comfortable for a while. Even if Hwaryeong tried to retaliate, they would protect me. They had formed a faction of their own.

But that would only mean I owed them a debt.

And they would use that debt as an excuse to tighten their grip around me, just as when they took the mirror bugs from me before.

That was not the direction I wanted to pursue.

I could not let the same thing happen to me again after I had already suffered through it once.

So, even if I was crushed, the only thing I could do now was fight until the end.

I shook my head slightly.

Perhaps Hwaryeong did not help because she understood this determination of mine as well.

Feeling my firm resolve, Jegang clicked his tongue quietly.

“...Is that so? You’ll regret it. The offer I’m making now is the best option for you. The situation will only become more difficult from here on.”

“Though I find this direction more entertaining.”

Jegang shrugged as he added that. Despite my refusal, he looked quite pleased.

Well, I must have seemed foolish to him.

They had already taken control of the market with capital. So, he must have concluded that I had no way to defeat them.

“Then I’ll be leaving now. I’ve said everything I came to say. Well, enjoy this brief moment of peace. You’ll soon come looking for us.”

Jegang dusted off his trousers and rose from his seat. Then he turned around and confidently left the shop.

Watching his back, I let out a small sigh.

Nothing good ever came from getting involved in a struggle between factions.

[Would it not be better to hand me over for a while? Then Master could have had some room to breathe.]

Isabella wrote those words.

Her face was filled with concern for me as she offered to sacrifice herself. I shook my head slightly.

“It’s all right. How could I hand over Isabella?”

I rubbed my chin for a moment.

To think they would place Isabella on the negotiating table. Jegang had said his associates requested her, had he not?

Seeing that they were after Isabella, Ugo seemed to be involved in this matter to some degree as well.

I looked at Isabella.

I had been considering the source from which my information had leaked. But seeing the situation now, it did not seem to be her.

Isabella would not have wanted to return to Ugo.

Therefore, she was not the culprit.

That was one of the gains I had obtained from this conversation.

There were several others as well.

I narrowed my eyes and watched Jegang’s departing figure. Since they had come looking for me like this, they surely believed their plan was perfect.

But accidents always happened when people believed things were perfect.

Had I not experienced that several times before?

So, I needed to create a gap in the plan they considered perfect.

A crisis could also mean an opportunity.

If I could guide the flow, the situation could turn around at any time.

I gave Isabella a look.

We needed to call back the people who had been waiting while we spoke.

I needed them to resolve this matter.

The greed of mages pursuing profit would make them move.

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