**#174. The Wilderness (1)**
—
**[323,188,600]**
Approximately 300 million shillings.
As long as it wasn’t squandered, it was a sum that could let multiple generations live in luxury without ever needing to work.
It was enough to start several small businesses, or build more than a dozen buildings without breaking a sweat.
“…This exceeds expectations.”
The total funds held by the current party didn’t even amount to 5 million shillings.
Of course, by leveraging the Amon Family, it was possible to reduce expenses within the sector to zero and siphon off all the money that originally went to Amon, generating a steady income…
But ready cash at hand was different. It could be used anywhere, at any time.
Yes, with this kind of money, one could even afford to add meatballs to the regular set meal every single day.
Ray continued with his business, basking in the feeling of being rich.
“Withdraw, 100,000 shillings.”
A mechanical sound came from the light cluster.
**[Please select the ratio of bills to coins.]**
“All bills.”
**[Confirmed.]**
Another pillar rose from the floor, and the light cluster’s glow intensified.
His vision flashed for a moment, and atop the pillar, ten crisp 10,000-shilling high-denomination bills were neatly stacked.
“…….”
It had definitely been empty just before.
But Ray’s sharp vision had caught the slight crevice of the briefly opened space.
What he had seen beyond it—
‘…A spirit?’
To confirm what he’d seen, Ray repeated the withdrawal.
“Withdraw, 100,000 shillings.”
**[Confirmed.]**
“Withdraw, 100,000 shillings.”
**[Confirmed.]**
“Withdraw, 100,000 shillings.”
**[Confirmed.]**
The cash piled up on the pillar, and Ray finished his analysis of the situation.
First, what lay beyond the crevice was an expansive space made entirely of black and white marble.
An endless repetition of numbered shelves created a seemingly infinite scene.
On them, countless bills and coins were stacked in neat piles—so many that it made his head spin.
And throughout the area, money appeared and disappeared, wrapped in the same kind of light cluster.
…But the most noteworthy detail wasn’t that.
It was the colorfully glowing animal spirits, of indeterminate species, that reappeared with the money and sorted it onto the shelves.
Even when using Skyle’s card, the same space was visible beyond the crevice.
“…….”
A memory from Binjin that had been floating in his head finally settled into place at that moment.
…A rumor about the Cube.
It was said the Cube had been built in the ancient era through a collaboration between elves and dwarves.
It didn’t seem to be a mere baseless rumor.
After all, elves were renowned for their affinity with spirits.
And dwarves were known for their incomprehensible level of craftsmanship.
Ray mulled this over for a while before exiting the Cube.
—
**Outskirts of District 27.**
Thanks to the rows of parked wilderness-crossing vehicles, it wasn’t hard to find the Metafold Inn.
Creeeak—
Opening the door revealed a bright hall.
Rough-looking men were playing cards at various tables, eating meals, or checking over their firearms.
“What’s this kid doing here?”
“Someone send him on an errand?”
Ray calmly surveyed the interior amid the stares.
The expedition was set to depart in two days.
Recruitment was either already closed or essentially complete.
It looked like the expedition team had rented out the entire inn.
“Selling something?”
“Kick him out. He doesn’t know where he’s walked into.”
One man approached and tried to poke Ray’s forehead with his finger.
“Kid, if you walked into the wrong place, close the door and leave—”
**Boom—!**
The man was flipped and slammed to the ground by the wrist.
The atmosphere in the hall turned cold.
The man on the floor looked bewildered, not yet understanding what had happened to him.
Ray’s low voice cut through the tension.
“I’m not in the wrong place. I came because I saw the notice.”
A burly man with a thick beard, who appeared to be the highest-ranking in the group, asked again.
“Notice?”
“The one about recruiting for an expedition to the ruins. Said there was good money to be made.”
Ray pulled out the recruitment booklet from the mercenary office and, at the same time, conjured a flame in his hand.
“…A mage, huh. Should’ve said so earlier. Hey, someone go upstairs and fetch Mr. Gaiole. Let him know we might have one more mage for the expedition.”
“Make that two.”
“…Alright, tell him it’s two. Have a seat. No need to wait standing.”
Ray walked over to the bearded man’s table and sat down.
All the gazes around him had grown respectful and cautious.
A good sign.
It meant they weren’t the sort of fools who didn’t understand the value of magic.
“Impressive. You’ve held eye contact with me this long without flinching.”
The bearded man said, arms crossed.
His reddened eyes suggested he’d been having a silent staring contest.
Ray met his gaze head-on.
“Are you the expedition’s second-in-command?”
“Sharp. I’m Deputy Commander, just below the commander. Name’s Demper.”
“Ray.”
“Cute name. I hope your magic skills aren’t as cute.”
“How’s the expedition structured?”
“One commander. One deputy commander. Three team leaders. Twenty-seven team members. It’s a full roster. You’ll probably be an exception.”
Neither man backed down during their intense stare-off.
Just as Ray was about to jab the back of his fork at Demper’s eye—
“This is quite a young recruit we’ve got here.”
A man sat beside Demper.
With a calm demeanor and sun-weathered skin, he looked older than he likely was.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Gaiole, expedition leader.”
Ray shook the extended hand and replied.
“Ray.”
“You want to join the expedition?”
“They said it pays well.”
“Got any experience?”
“No.”
“I didn’t expect someone your age would. Mind telling me more about yourself? Where you’re from, what you’ve done, your age…”
Ray tilted his head, unfazed by the direct gaze.
“Not sure why origin or age matters for an expedition. Isn’t ability the most important thing?”
Silence fell over the hall.
Gaiole was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.
“Ahaha! You’re right. What matters is skill. I asked needlessly. It’s nice to have that info, but not essential. Besides, I’ve got the ability to assess and assign people appropriately even without it—guess I was underestimating myself. So, your skills? What type of magic do you use? How many circles?”
Ray took a moment to think.
Of Binjin’s absorbed memories, those related to exploration and ruins were vague.
Fuzzy, unclear, and sparse in volume.
But one fact was etched into his mind:
The most dangerous enemy wasn’t the traps or the ruin’s keeper—it was your own teammates.
‘I didn’t understand why at the time.’
Now, he thought he did.
Everyone here was filled with intense competitiveness and greed.
There was no need to downplay his skills and be underestimated… but revealing everything wasn’t necessary either.
Ray opened his mouth.
“First Circle. Specializes in fire magic.”
**Fwoosh!**
A flame the size of a human head burst into the air beside Ray.
People nearby quickly stepped back, voices rising in awe and surprise.
Even Gaiole’s eyes had changed.
“The other one specializes in healing magic.”
“Excellent. Fire and healing magic—both very useful—”
**Tap-tap-tap-tap!**
Suddenly, two figures came rushing down the stairs.
“Mr. Gaiole, the interview…! Damn, it already started.”
“You’re not seriously thinking of recruiting another mage besides us, are you?”
A man and woman in their mid-twenties, each having a single circle.
They glared at Ray with unfriendly eyes, then turned to Gaiole and protested.
“The roster’s full. No reason to hold interviews.”
“You’re saying we’re not enough?”
Gaiole replied calmly.
“There’s no such thing as too many mages. The journey is dangerous, and ruins are unpredictable.”
“Still, bringing in a kid like this… It’s not child’s play, you know.”
“Well, talking to him, I don’t think he’s the type to be a burden.”
After much bickering, Gaiole sighed and added,
“…Adding more mages won’t affect your compensation. The division of profits won’t decrease. I promise.”
The two went quiet.
After a forced cough, they reluctantly left.
Gaiole gave a bitter smile.
“Apologies for the scene. Don’t mind them, Ray.”
“Didn’t bother me.”
Gaiole’s lips curled slightly at Ray’s composed reply.
He continued explaining the expedition.
“The expedition is divided into three teams of ten, excluding Demper and me. Each team has a mage. You and your friend will act as a support team, moving between them as needed.”
Three teams with one mage each.
Ray raised a question.
“So besides those two who just came down, there’s one more mage.”
“Correct. Actually, there are three more—ah! You’re here!”
Gaiole stood abruptly at the sight of someone descending the stairs.
A noble-looking middle-aged woman with long emerald hair.
Beside her stood a boy and girl, each wearing a wide-brimmed hat pulled low.
Gaiole approached respectfully.
“Lady Grine. Are you comfortable?”
“Thanks to you. I’m quite comfortable.”
“Please let us know if there’s anything you need.”
The lady accepted a tray of food from the dining area and disappeared upstairs with the two children.
Returning, Gaiole explained,
“That was Lady Grine, a Second Circle mage. The two kids are her disciples, both First Circle. So with you and your friend joining, we’ll have seven mages in total.”
“…….”
Gaiole’s words didn’t reach Ray’s ears.
His focus was entirely on the three who had just left.
Particularly the two whose bodies glowed with green mana.
—
**Departure Day of the Expedition**
“Hoo…”
Philip stood shirtless in the bathroom, staring into the mirror.
One hand stretched to the ceiling, then leveled out to aim at the reflection.
“…The tip of my gun shines, and the trigger delivers judgment.”
He held a handgun—specifically, the third model in the Macaronif series, which Ray had acquired from the black market.
“I gladly avenge my enemies and repay hatred with hatred.”
**Click!**
He mimed shooting the gun with a dramatic movement.
“Oh Lord, keep me by Your side and place me among Your saints.”
His voice was solemn, and his expression full of earnest emotion.
With reverent poise, he holstered the gun at his waist.
“…He who sheds another’s blood, shall bleed himself. That is God’s will.”
After delivering the final line, Philip continued to breathe deeply and stare at himself.
“…Philip, you magnificent bastard.”
Grinning in satisfaction, he began putting on his shirt—
**Thud!**
He collapsed as his legs gave out, startled by Ray crouching in the corner of the bathroom.
“……”
“…….”
A long silence passed before Philip finally stammered.
“W-why are you there? No, when did you even come in?!”
“I came in to wash my hands, but it looked like you were doing something important, so I didn’t interrupt. If you’re asking how long I’ve been here…”
Ray pulled a recorder from his coat and pressed play.
**─The tip of my gun shines, and the trigger delivers judgment.**
“Since this part.”
“KYAAAAAA!”
Philip’s scream echoed through the bathroom.
It took quite some time before Philip was able to collect himself from the embarrassment and hold a proper conversation again.
“Philip, I want you to stay in the Sector.”
“Huh… stay? Not go with you?”
Philip asked with a sour expression.
He was the one who had pushed himself through grueling driving and shooting practice to be helpful to the group.
He had, in fact, been waiting for this day to come.
And now they were telling him to stay in the Sector?
“Philip, if you were to come with us, you’d definitely be a big help. But I’ve judged that there’s something where you can be even more capable.”
“…What is that?”
“Manage the Ammon family’s businesses. I’ve already spoken to Bassel. He’s been filled to the brim with fear, so you don’t need to worry about him causing you any harm.”
Philip was shocked—though for a different reason than earlier.
“Managing the businesses…? Me…?”
“Yes. When it comes to money and operations, there’s no one more reliable than you.”
“……”
“Also, visit the mansion and meet the Ayla siblings. You’re much more mature and clear-headed than your peers, so I’d like you to take on the role of overseeing the children as well.”
Philip felt his earlier disappointment quickly melt away.
Managing a proper business.
That had been his dream ever since they began building the hotel in Sector 49.
Ray pulled a black card from Ignis out of his coat and handed it to him.
“It’s Skyle’s card. I’ve transferred part of the funds from John’s account. If you need any capital, use this.”
Trying hard to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his lips, Philip asked,
“What are the conditions for running the businesses?”
“Just set the protection fees for the street vendors at the minimum. Beyond that, do as you like.”
“Alright. Got it—memorized.”
They continued discussing related matters after that.
Ray left, and Philip stood for a long while staring at the door his friend had disappeared through.
“……”
The truth was—he already knew.
No matter how much he practiced driving and shooting, he wouldn’t be of much help to magic-users like Ray and Veronica.
In fact, in dangerous situations, he’d only become a burden.
‘…Ray must’ve come to the same conclusion.’
That’s why.
Ray had deliberately given him the responsibility of managing the businesses and the mansion.
So that he wouldn’t get hurt.
So that he could accept staying in the Sector without bitterness.
‘I… ended up being cared for.’
Philip stood dazed in the bathroom for a long while, the bridge of his nose inexplicably stinging.
Then he suddenly snapped back to his senses.
“The recorder! I forgot to delete the file!”
*
*
A few hours later.
Southwest outskirts of Sector 37.
A dozen or so vehicles raced across the wilderness beneath the chill of the winter wind.
