BXBX NOVEL Chapter 19
Chapter 19
*Lodging.
[*Changed “Lounge” to “Lodging” for better accuracy.]
Renting out rooms for a fee.
The term itself wasn’t particularly special or dangerous, in fact.
The issue lay in the world where this term was being used.
A world of dragons, quests, where most people carried weapons.
For Yeongwoo, as the Strongest Sword, it merely led to confusion, but others were downright terrified.
“Lodging…?”
“What’ll happen at night?”
“Do we have to pay even to sleep?”
Amidst the gathered Haneulchae residents filled with worry, Yeongwoo hurriedly finished his meal, as if time was slipping away.
At that moment, Yechan, sitting across from him, cautiously asked while nibbling on bread, lowering his voice.
“Mister.”
“Yeah?”
“What do you think about the lodging?”
From the currency exchange to monster appearances and elimination of the mutants.
Yeongwoo’s entire trajectory since the reset was nothing short of a miracle, thus, Yechan had no choice but to trust his insight.
“Not sure. I don’t know whether they’ll continue providing lodging or are just offering it for convenience on the first day…”
“Yeah.”
“Be it the Strongest Sword or anyone else, while they’re asleep, they’re completely defenseless, right? So, maybe it’s about ensuring that one can sleep safely, no matter how it’s arranged.”
Of course, it won’t be free, but that’s what Yeongwoo concluded with.
Yet, Yechan’s doubts lingered.
“Then where?”
“Huh?”
“Lodging means renting a room, right? But in a way, isn’t this mart a huge room?”
A valid point.
Even Yeongwoo found it hard to imagine how the world’s offered “lodging” would manifest.
It wouldn’t even be strange if a motel suddenly appeared in the city center.
“We’ll find out in an hour. But one thing’s certain.”
Yeongwoo stopped mid-sentence and stuffed canned tuna into his mouth.
“With enough money, you can solve most problems.”
* * *
Time flew by in an instant.
Just by seeing that it was much darker outside the mart, one could tell.
Maybe not even an hour had passed?
During that time, all Yeongwoo and Yechan did was eat and pack their belongings onto the bicycles.
There were several visitors bringing food from outside, mostly thanking Yeongwoo and dispersing to find their own meals after seeing his title.
Thanks to the commemorative coin, he had become something of a recognized figure in Gumi.
Of course, not everyone was kind to Yeongwoo.
Those clearly experienced in battles above the average tended to either be wary or jealous of him.
Some subtly tried to gauge his power, especially since they hadn’t seen him handle the mutants.
“…”
Feeling the gazes from all around, Yeongwoo checked the local status.
|Currently in the area of ‘Gumi.’
|The Strongest Sword in this area is ‘Jeong Yeongwoo07.’ Rank 1, Defenses 6.
Perhaps due to the incident at the mart entrance, his defense count had increased to 6.
‘Not as high as I thought.’
He thought this himself, but how did others perceive it?
Some might consider the Strongest Sword a mere bubble.
Especially if they hadn’t seen him deal with the mutants.
“Mister, I’m all set.”
Finally, Yechan, done with packing, reported.
So, Yeongwoo did a final check on the bags strapped to the bicycles and the ropes.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man who had been loitering nearby approached slowly.
“Um… Strongest Sword-nim.”
“…”
Tired of correcting his title every time, Yeongwoo continued the conversation as it was.
“Yes. What can I do for you?”
“Do you happen to need a watch?”
“A watch?”
When Yeongwoo glanced at the wall clock that was still intact, the man reached into his sleeve and produced something.
It was nothing other than a digital wristwatch. Not petrified, a real watch.
[20:48]
Current time: 8:48 PM.
For the first time in a while, Yeongwoo widened his eyes at the sight of ‘time.’
“Why are you selling this when you’ve already reversed it back from petrification?”
“Because I don’t have any money right now. I heard the lodging will start soon, and I might need money by then.”
“Have you spent all the commemorative coins?”
The man looked apologetic at Yeongwoo’s question.
“Ah, they were actually taken from me.”
“By whom?”
“The younglings.”
Younglings. Even in a situation where he’d been robbed, the man’s expression remained polite.
He must be a fairly decent person.
Yeongwoo remembered the somewhat hazy policemen at the currency exchange and tried to relax his expression as much as possible.
“So, how much do you need?”
“I’d like half the amount I spent to reverse the petrification. 2,000 Karma.”
So, that meant he paid 4,000 Karma to initially reverse the watch.
“Yes. Alright.”
With his backpack brimming with crimson coins, Yeongwoo essentially bought change by giving away coins.
Jingle.
As Yeongwoo rummaged through his backpack for 2,000 Karma, the man’s eyes sparkled.
“Looks like luck’s on my side this time. To think I’d be selling a watch to the Strongest Sword.”
“You think too highly of me.”
As Yeongwoo handed the man the coins, he also received the wristwatch in return.
It was, in essence… a barter based on trust.
A belief that the other party wouldn’t hand out a knife instead of money.
“I really must go now. Seems like the lodging starts at 9 PM.”
After finishing the transaction and resting his hand on the bicycle, Yeongwoo said this, and Yechan glanced at the Haneulchae group on the other side.
“What about those people?”
“They have to go their own way. I’m not interested in trailing after them.”
The Haneulchae group still seemed occupied with packing.
Understandable, considering they probably had a lot of people to take care of over there.
While here, they were in a position where they might have to constantly deal with challengers, mutants, and perhaps even fight with Strongest Swords from other areas.
It was best not to get involved with each other.
“…Alright. Let’s go quickly then.”
Yechan seemed to understand the situation soon enough and pulled the bicycle away from the gazes of the Haneulchae residents.
* * *
The time spent by Yeongwoo and Yechan in the mart was probably only about an hour, yet the atmosphere outside had completely changed.
It had turned into complete chaos.
“Please, move!”
“Let us through. We’re heading out now.”
The chaos was caused by people trying to enter the mart and those finishing their business and leaving, all jumbled together.
And then, on top of that…
“Please give me just one coin. I was robbed…”
“Could someone share a bit of food? I haven’t eaten anything all day.”
“I’m looking for work! Porter, companion, odd jobs, I’ll do anything!”
Beggars, people trying to earn money through odd jobs – the crowd was a complete mess.
“Goodness… how did it become like this in just an hour?”
“It’s no surprise, especially in a place like a mart.”
To Yeongwoo, it was quite understandable.
The current time: 8:56 PM.
It was the time when those who hadn’t eaten a meal would be extremely hungry, and it came after the hologram of the president had sufficiently explained the function of Karma.
The fact that with Karma, even petrified food could be reversed.
‘I even went as far as giving money to everyone.’
After handing money to hungry people, rushing to buy food was a natural thing to do.
Of course, there seemed to be quite a few people who had been robbed on their way here.
Nevertheless, now that people with money had gathered at the mart, it was natural for those in need of money to come here.
“People will probably gather in places like the mart, restaurants, and convenience stores for a while.”
It seemed like a dual purpose of job hunting.
In other words, a new economic center had emerged.
“Oh… the Strongest Sword?”
“It’s the Strongest Sword!”
“Mr. Yeongwoo!”
“Jeong Yeongwoo!”
As Yeongwoo and Yechan stepped out of the mart entrance, the already bustling area became even more chaotic.
However, it was different from the previous chaos where people were unwilling to make way. Instead, now everyone seemed inclined towards Yeongwoo, showing a friendly attitude, clearing the path, or following him.
“Mr. Yeongwoo! Where are you going?”
“Strongest Sword-nim! Can I come with you?”
“I’ll use the coins wisely!”
This was thanks to the commemorative coins, carving a sense of familiarity among Gumi citizens.
Moreover, everyone knew Yeongwoo had gave up his monopoly of 3 million Karma to distribute the coins.
“…Mister, you’re incredibly popular.”
Yechan struggled to keep up, continuously nudged by people trying to get past to follow Yeongwoo.
“We might get trapped here if this continues. Let’s get out quickly.”
Yeongwoo signaled Yechan behind him and swiftly got on the bike, pedaling away.
“Huh?”
“Let’s go together!”
“Mr. Yeongwoo!”
As Yeongwoo’s group picked up speed, people attempted to run after them, but due to a significant difference in abilities, they were soon left behind.
“It’s almost frightening.”
Yechan, still trailing behind a few people, murmured.
To which Yeongwoo replied in a subdued voice, looking back at those chasing.
“I guess it’s because everyone’s been through so much.”
“Because they’re in such a difficult state, they’re so happy to see you?”
“Hmm. There’s hardly anything to be genuinely happy about now.”
Youngwoo stopped going on and remembered what the old man from the Haneulchae group had said.
―Since this whole reset thing, it’s the first good thing that has happened. Thanks to what Yeongwoo did.
What Youngwoo did.
“…”
Yeongwoo kept contemplating the last sentence the old man from the Haneulchae group had pronounced, which had made him feel quite good, even as he pedaled through this dismal world.
Beep! Beep!
After about a minute of pedaling, the wristwatch beeped, indicating exactly 9:00 PM.
Bzzt!
Simultaneously, a system message appeared before Yeongwoo and Yechan.
「The Lodging System has commenced.」
「All buildings classified as ‘residential’ will now be in an inviolable state due to the Lodging System.」
‘All buildings classified as residential?’
Referring to existing buildings that were used for lodging purposes.
Places such as villas, apartments, and other accommodations.
「Everyone can occupy any desired residence by paying Karma for a certain period.」
「During the lodging period, access to the space will be controlled, and collecting accommodation fees is also possible.」
It essentially meant acting as a hostel operator. Depending on the perspective, it could also be a way for several people to split the lodging fee.
But did one have to pay money to sleep?
Coincidentally, Yechan seemed to be having a similar thought.
“Um… Can’t we just find a suitable place and sleep without using the lodging?”
“If you don’t mind getting stabbed in your sleep, that might also be a good option.”
But there seemed to be another reason.
Just when they thought the explanation was over, there was one last piece of information.
「For your information, tonight’s weather is a Red Mist.」
「Please beware of possible respiratory damages.」