## Chapter 311 – 311. God’S Atlantis
“Merchant Harmon.”
“Yes, Heavenly Demon. Please, speak.”
“Let’s make a deal.”
“A deal… As a regressor, Heavenly Demon, you certainly know my unique trait.”
“Yes, I know.”
“What kind of deal is it?”
“If you give me 10 million AP, I’ll tell you what will happen in three years.”
“10 million AP… You know that’s 1 billion pennies, right? Is the information worth that much?”
“Of course. If you hear this information and prepare in advance, you might become the greatest merchant on the continent.”
[It is true.]
“That’s very tempting. So tempting that I feel like drooling. Ah, really. This district is amazing, isn’t it?”
[It is true.]
“It’s convenient to know what’s true and false.”
“I’ve begged the boss for control of this district countless times, but he won’t budge. So, what will happen in three years? A pandemic?”
“You could say it’s similar. And don’t try to get it for free, make a deal.”
[It is true.]
At my words that it was similar, Sparkle’s eyes curved. Her eyes were full of anticipation.
“Of course, I will.”
[Harmon proposes a deal.]
[Will you accept the deal?]
“I accept.”
[The deal has been accepted.]
[Harmon purchases the information you possess.]
[Harmon pays you 10 million AP as payment for the information.]
[Please set the penalty for non-compliance with the deal.]
“I have 10 million AP here.”
He took out a piece of paper from his pocket. It wasn’t an ordinary piece of paper. It was an item called a ‘blank check,’ used to transfer AP to others.
“I’ll entrust this to the system. Therefore, there is no penalty for non-compliance for me. Because I’ve already complied.”
[Harmon has no penalty.]
Harmon’s unique trait, Trade (SS), is a unique trait where the system guarantees the deal. It wasn’t a combat-related skill, but Harmon used this unique trait very well.
‘The system is close to an omnipotent god in Atlantis. Since the system guarantees the deal, it must be fulfilled.’
Because of this deal, there must be over 1,000 people whose lives are mortgaged to Harmon.
“I’ll bet my life.”
[Your penalty for non-compliance with the deal is your life.]
“…Oh. You’re coming on strong. If your information is false and not worth more than 10 million AP, you become my slave. You have to live if I tell you to live, and die if I tell you to die. That’s what betting your life means.”
“I know. And if it’s not this, the deal won’t be established. Because I have to give a price that exceeds 10 million AP.”
I don’t think my life is worth 10 million AP right now. This deal was accepted because I bet the most I could.
“Hehe. If you become my slave, I’ll suck you dry.”
[It is true.]
“Then, Heavenly Demon. What is the information? Ah, I will judge your information fairly and impartially. And the system will correct it. You don’t have to worry, I have no intention of being unreasonable.”
[It is true.]
Even if the system didn’t tell me the truth, I knew.
I looked at his jeweled mask and said,
“In three years, a volcanic island will appear in Atlantis.”
[It is true.]
“…Surely that’s not the end, is it? It’s certainly interesting information, but it’s not worth more than 10 million AP.”
[Deal not established. Penalty will be executed…]
“Listen properly. I’m not finished yet. The volcanic island that appears in three years will affect all of Atlantis. More precisely, it will only affect the exiles in Atlantis.”
“…Affect in what way?”
“It’s close to a curse. The body temperature rises. To maintain their condition, they have to drink at least 3 liters of water a day.”
“Good. You’re saying the value of water will rise. But it’s not enough. Getting water in Atlantis is easier than you think. Magic, skills, traits, items… Considering those, this information is worth less than 2 million AP.”
“A fine volcanic ash, close to a curse, will fly around.”
“…A curse?”
“Every time an exile breathes, they accumulate fine volcanic ash in their body, and the accumulated ash rots their lungs and other internal organs. If those with mana stats below 40 live for a week while breathing in the volcanic ash, their skin will turn black, and they will die after two weeks.”
“What is that? Isn’t that incredibly dangerous, like the Black Death? There must be a solution, right?”
“Didn’t I say it’s close to a curse? If you use purification-related skills, you can remove the volcanic ash accumulated in your body.”
“That’s good information. But it still doesn’t seem to be worth 10 million AP. Purification is a rare ability. Even if I move right now, there’s a limit to how many people or items with purification skills I can gather in three years. Therefore, it’s only worth about 700,000 AP to me.”
[It is true.]
[Deal not established. Penalty will be…]
“Anti-dust masks.”
“Yes?”
“You can block the volcanic ash by wearing an anti-dust mask of E-rank or higher. The effect varies depending on the rank, but E-rank can last for 24 hours.”
[It is true.]
“Oh… Oh…!”
“By the way, E-rank masks are at a level that any professional tailor can easily make. If you, a great merchant, start preparing masks now, you can have hundreds of millions.”
“H-h-how long will the volcanic island last?”
“At least three months. No matter how fast, it’s impossible to capture the volcanic island within three months.”
[It is true.]
“There will be a mask crisis! At that time, masks will be worth at least 10,000 pennies… Damn it. My body is starting to tremble! A time when masks become power…!”
“Is the value sufficient?”
“It’s sufficient! More than sufficient! It was information worth at least 30 million AP to me! Maybe it will become information worth over 100 million AP later!”
[The deal has been established.]
[You have acquired 10 million AP.]
In the original story that Kang Myungjin knew, over 65% of the exiles died because of the volcanic island that appeared in three years. And in the original story that I know, Kang Myungjin moved and the mortality rate dropped below 40%.
‘Kang Myungjin uses this information to become the most powerful person in Atlantis… but it won’t be like that here.’
Harmon, the great merchant of the west, is a person who chases money rather than power. If he starts moving now and accumulates E-rank or higher masks, the mortality rate will be below 20%… maybe even below 10%.
“This is not the time for this! I’ll be going now! HODL! HODLing is the only way to liveee!”
As he was about to run, he suddenly stopped and turned back to look at me and the mirror.
“This information is top secret! You must never tell anyone else! Especially the mirror! I’m talking about you!”
“Hehe. Thanks to you, I heard some interesting information. If I hadn’t heard it at all, I wouldn’t know, but if I heard it, I have to prepare to some extent.”
“I know you don’t plan to play big.”
“I don’t plan to play with money. But it’s convenient to have money. Moreover, these days, money is power.”
“Anyway. Please cooperate with me. I’m not asking for much.”
“That’s why you sent me, right? Fine. I’ll cooperate.”
“The plan is… still in the works, so I’ll come to you later. And I’ll need Helten’s power too.”
“Proceed discreetly.”
“You know who I am, don’t you? It’s unnecessary worry. Well, I can’t help it if those who are watching me react sensitively… I have no intention of causing trouble for you or Helten, so don’t worry.”
Sparkle bowed and disappeared.
Only the mirror and I remained.
“Shouldn’t we get out of here first?”
I said to the mirror, who was staring at me intently.
“Don’t rush. There’s still about 10 minutes left. Even if time passes, we’ll just be kicked out. There’s no need to be hasty.”
“Do you have any questions for me?”
“It’s not a question, but a curiosity. If I could, I’d like to torture you to find out.”
[It is true.]
“But Heavenly Demon, you’re our comrade now. I’m not an unreasonable person who would torture a comrade.”
[It is true.]
“What are you curious about?”
“…First of all, I’m curious about your face. Can you take off your mask? You know my identity, but I don’t know yours. Don’t you think that’s very unfair?”
“It’s not like I have to reveal my identity.”
“That’s true. There are only about four people within Helten who know my identity. Including you, that makes five.”
The mirror said, taking off her black cloak and mirror mask. It seemed she decided to reveal herself since I knew her identity and there was no one around.
She was wearing a white uniform. There were no wrinkles on her clothes, and despite being a uniform, her chest area was voluptuous. At least a D-cup. Maybe an E or F cup if she took it off. Her figure was so outstanding that it was admirable, but her face was even more beautiful.
Soft blue bobbed hair swayed gently in the breeze. White skin and distinct features. Blue eyes that reminded one of the sea. She was smiling arrogantly at me. Judging by her face alone, she was in her early twenties.
She was indeed arrogant, and she had the ability and status to match her arrogance.
The Eustia Empire.
One of the five pillars supporting the only empire in Atlantis that controls over 700 districts.
One of the Five Dukes of the Empire.
The Duke of Illusion. Elena Valdert.
“You’re staring a hole through me. Didn’t you know my identity?”
“I heard about your appearance. But this is the first time I’ve seen you in person.”
[It is true.]
“It seems you haven’t encountered me before the regression. No, you said you were something similar to a regressor. Hmm.”
“…Why do you want to know my identity? Are you planning to threaten me with my identity later?”
I quickly changed the subject. If this thoughtful woman was thinking, she would probably consider that I was not a regressor.
“I don’t do such low-level things. I have personal curiosity, but you’re someone I’ve been assigned to. If I know your identity, it will be convenient in many ways. I can help you when you’re in trouble.”
[It is true.]
I could get help from one of the Five Dukes of the Empire. That was a pretty big advantage.
‘And this woman. I’ll definitely get her. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a woman who seems as worthwhile to get as Priscilla the dragon.’
I couldn’t get her with my current level. In terms of skill, status, everything was superior to me. Money? Of course, it wouldn’t work. Threat? I’d be lucky if I wasn’t threatened instead.
“Okay. I’ll take off my mask.”
“Hmm.”
I took off my clown mask. Of course, I didn’t just take it off. I used my unique trait, Deception (SS), to transform into a very handsome man.
“Hoo. So that’s what you look like. …Are you kidding me?”
“…What’s the problem?”
“Do you think I wouldn’t know that’s not your real face? I scanned your body when I sealed your mana earlier. Thanks to that, I roughly know the shape of your face. It’s completely different from your current face. More than anything… the skin color of your neck and face is different! You idiot! It’s so clumsy that it’s annoying.”
It was a mistake.
I roughly changed my face to that of a handsome actor I saw on TV, but I didn’t think about the skin color.
“…No. Wait. You scanned my body? Then my….”
“I know. It’s quite big.”
“……”
She smirked. She was a formidable woman.
I revealed my true appearance in front of her. I didn’t really want to, but if she knew the shape of my face by scanning my body, it was clear that I would eventually be found out.
“You look ordinary. What’s your name? Surely your name isn’t Heavenly Demon?”
“…Seong Yujin. I’m a member of the A-Plan Legion.”
Now that I’ve shown my face, it’s easier than eating a piece of cake for her to find out my identity.
[It is true.]
“Is that so? I see.”
I knew from her simple reaction. She didn’t know about the A-Plan Legion.
‘That’s understandable. The other party is one of the Five Dukes of the Empire… It would be stranger if she knew about the A-Plan Legion, which has just started its activities.’
The place where the empire was located was also quite far away.
“Then let’s get out of the district. I’ll tell you what you need to know about Helten. And… about what you need to do.”
I followed her out of the district.
