Overgeared

Chapter 23

“Hey, Old Man! You still haven’t decided? Will you hand this building over to us? Then won’t you be able to buy alcohol every day until you die?”

The men who entered the smithy were rough looking and their physique was good. They reminded me of the employees from Mother’s Heart is Happy. They took a heavy-handed attitude as they handed a sheet of paper to the elderly blacksmith.

‘What’s this?’

It was a contract to sell this building and the land to the Mero Company. I instinctively realized it.

‘If I analyze this based on my recent successes and troubles, it’s likely that I’ll get involved in a stupid quest as I stand here.’

That absolutely couldn’t be allowed to happen. The urgent thing right now was to earn money by making items.

‘There’s no time to waste on unwanted quests.’

I admired my brain’s quick thinking and moved to avoid this situation. But how many things ever went according to my will? I only managed to move a few steps before I was caught by the gangsters.

“Hey, where did this newbie come from? You trying to sneak into our business like a rat?”

They started to question me in an intimidating manner.

“Did you come to steal the contents of our contract? You, are you a spy? Did the Skaner Company send you?”

Why did I get caught up in the contents of that piece of paper? This was really some useless curiosity.

‘I should’ve just stayed in the rear and avoided looking at them.’

I shrugged as if to say ‘Spy, me? What are you talking about? It isn’t like that, so don’t worry about me. I just want to go my own way.’

But they continued to act tough.

Gulp.

‘Damn.’

My saliva dried up and sweat beaded up on my forehead. I remembered my low-level days in Satisfy.

Was it due to the fearful memories of being a bread shuttle, or being threatened by teenage gangster NPCs in the back alleys? Or maybe it was because they resembled the employees from Mother’s Heart is Happy Financial Services.

I reflexively shrank back from the group; I couldn’t cope with this.

‘I should behave.’

Violent NPCs didn’t fear the law. It was entirely possible to be severely injured or killed if I even so much as touched these guys. Of course, I could report the NPCs to the guards, but their fists were closer than the law was. It might be possible if I was stronger or quick enough to flee from this building. However, that wasn’t the case so it was better to avoid irritating them.

‘Judging by their appearance and atmosphere, they aren’t back alley bullies. They don’t just smoke cigarettes and use bread shuttles.’

business company in the Eternal Kingdom. They wouldn’t give jobs to losers.

their equipment, they’re at least

frightened in order to level up? I couldn’t imagine

I am only level 3. While my stats are superior compared to

only lose if I got into a fight with

let’s act prudently and discard

I smiled as brightly as possible and explained, “I’m not here to spy on

NPCs! I felt no shame. The hand of the man holding my shoulder

“Customer? At this smithy?”

“Yes.”

customer of this

hand on

‘Ouch, it hurts.’

Curse words almost popped out of my mouth, but I remained patient. Instead of scolding him, I tried my best to maintain my smile. Why? Otherwise,

gangsters eyed me with

weapons stores, so

be many weapons stores, but this is the only smithy. I don’t want to buy a weapon, but instead find a blacksmith for production-related work. Therefore, it was inevitable

for the New Actor Award at the end of year ceremonies. My appearance and tone were subservient. I continued to smile and the suspicious gangster

feel like hitting you, but you’re a blacksmith as well? Umm, indeed. You’re so weak that

me? Did I look poor and weak? These scum thought they could make fun of me just because of how I looked? The fury in my heart boiled

for believing in me.

was heard behind me, “Yes… there’s nothing to

a moment, the old man blinked his

I’ll sign

“Eh? R-Really?”

Good thinking Old

took a long time, but you have finally made a

the old man’s words. It was like a festival. The one who seemed to be the leader handed the contract

sign. Then you can take it

“……”

reaching towards the contract with trembling hands. At that moment, tears fell from the old

old man was unbearable. But the gangsters mocked him instead of

bottles? You don’t have a successor,

mention my son with

loud? Do you

hit the old man. I was angry

speak rudely

a gangster called ‘Um’ spoke, “Look,

foal, “No, I’m mad. Didn’t we have to wait a few months for the old man to acceptwhile that old man refused?

agree… Fuck, we couldn’t even properly handle an old man. We

the silent leader, ‘Veil’ smiled coldly and said, “That’s

cheek and said, “Hey Old Man, once you receive the money for selling this smithy, half of it will be used to pay off your debt, while the other half will be handed to us. Isn’t it obvious to compensate us

dog bastards!” The old man, Khan, angrily replied

to feed, so why do you need a large amount of money? You should