Everyone is Young Except for Me - Chapter 148

Chapter 148
Portland was the continent’s largest casino. The symbol of this place was a six petaled flower. This was a flower called ‘daylily.’ It was a wildflower that bloomed in clusters between June and August and in the flower language, it meant ‘wishes come true.’ It also had the meaning of desire. Aidan had made this symbol in order to let the people here forget their troubles and achieve their desired goals.

There was a room where this symbol was hanging.

[Nobles’ Room]

It was usually a meeting room for the closest nobles but now it was only for the owner of the casino. Aidan was smoking a cigarette made of the daylily. “Sigh. Is this a new cigarette? As the name suggests, it seems to make you forget all your anxieties. I like it very much.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

The name of the woman standing opposite him and bowing was Lanya. She was the real ruler of the black market hidden in the casino. She also acted as the Madam, the one who directly led the black market auction. However, her true identity was supporting the Assassin’s Guild hidden in the black market, assisting with commissions, and doing terrible things.

“I’m going to commission an assassination. If you connect me to some decent people, you will receive a decent reward.”

“I understand. Can you tell me who the target is?” Lanya questioned and Aidan gulped down the wine in front of him.

He slammed it down with considerable strength and his eyes were bloodshot. “Helena.”

“......!”

“Huhu, why are you so surprised? You never expected me to mention the woman who is my wife?”

Lanya’s eyes momentarily widened and once he met her eyes, she bowed her head again.

Aidan was pleased by the sight. “Kukuk. It would be good if all women were as obedient as you.”

"You're overpraising me. There is this newly registered Assassin’s Guild...”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“There are some unique people.”

“What do you mean by mean?” Aidan asked and Lanya replied, “They don’t only do assassination. Their slogan is that as long as you give them money, they will do any wicked deed with no hesitation. It is a bit different from the usual assassin guilds.”

“Hoh. Really? I’m interested.”

“The daylily cigarettes you just smoked were brought by these people. They made it themselves.”

“They’re funny people. Okay, I’ll try out these guys. Connect them to me now.”

“I understand.”

Lanya gave a short bow and left. Five minutes passed before a knock was heard on the door.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

The door opened. It was Lanya who had gone out earlier. Behind her were two people. One of them was as large as a bear and the man beside him gave a sharp expression despite his tired look. Lanya spoke, “Their names are...”

“Hello, I am called Supreme Fire Dragon.”

The man called Supreme Fire Dragon interrupted Lanya’s words and bowed. He was the man that Aidan thought had a good physique earlier. He was a polite person who knew to bow as soon as he met someone. Aidan nodded at Lanya. It was a sign telling her it was okay for her to go out and leave him alone with his guests.

“Please have a good time.”

Creak.

The door was closed.

* * *

“Please sit down. Your name...”

Supreme Fire Dragon, who had been contacted by Madam Lanya, sat down the moment Aidan offered him a seat.

“I am Supreme Fire Dragon.”

“Yes, Supreme Fire Dragon. It is hard to pronounce. Are you an immortal human?”

Supreme Fire Dragon once again spoke politely, “That’s right. It is an infinite honor to meet Aidan, the next great merchant king.”  

The NPC in front of him was the most influential figure in the next presidential election. It was possible that something good might happen one day if he flattered Aidan. Fortunately, Aidan looked pleased. “You know how to be polite to nobles. I like you, yes. What is the name of the person next to you?”

“Ah, this person is...”

Aidan crossed his legs and pointed to Yoon Seowon. Supreme Fire Dragon tried to answer but Yoon Seowon raised a hand to stop him. “I am called Cocaine.”

“I see. By the way, are you an assassin? You look a bit weak...”

“I’m not an assassin.”

“Um....? Then why did you come in here?”

Aidan frowned and Supreme Fire Dragon quickly responded, “He is a business partner who is working with me.”

“Business partner? What does that mean?”

“In fact, we’re in the tobacco business together.”

“Oh, I’ve heard. It was the daylily cigarette. I tried it and it’s satisfactory.”

“I’m glad you like it. In fact, I wanted to see Aidan because...”

“Hahh, it’s fine. It’s obvious why you are doing this. You want commercial permission for your cigarettes. That isn’t the purpose I’ve called you here for today so don’t tell me anymore.”

‘Shit.’

He was truly a businessman and was quick to notice things. The smile on Supreme Fire Dragon’s face froze for a moment but he soon regained his smile. “Then the reason why you’ve called us..”

“I want you to assassinate someone.”

Supreme Fire Dragon’s expression became serious when he heard it was an assassination.

“Who is the target?”

“Helena, my second wife.”

“Huh...?”

Supreme Fire Dragon’s eyes widened at the unexpected statement. It was the same for Yoon Seowon beside him. Aidan continued speaking, “I’ve heard that you won’t hesitate to do anything bad as long as you receive money?”

“Huh? Ah, yes. That’s our specialty...”

“$10 million.”

“1-10 million?”

“It is too low? Then 20 million?”

Just then, a whisper came. It was from Yoon Seowon sitting just across from him.

-Cocaine: Brother, accept it unconditionally. Right now!

-Supreme Fire Dragon: Hey, this money is just so sudden...

-Cocaine: It is a huge 20 million. What are you hesitant about? If this is converted to cash, it is 100 million!

He knew this. Arkstar’s currency was the dollar and the exchange rate for real money was 1:5. Due to the ridiculous conversion, many people entered this world. Should he praise Union for solving the employment difficulties of young and old people at once? All of the currency exchanges were done by Union banks under the order of Chairman Lee Geonmyeong. He did this instead of giving all the money he earned back to society. In any case, Supreme Fire Dragon frequently used it and his rating was quite high because he was a regular customer.

Just then, a quest window popped up.

Ttiring~

[Noble Quest - Fortren’s Noble, Aidan’s Assassination Request]

[Difficulty: A-

The most prominent noble in the trading city of Fortren, Aidan, is the most likely candidate to be the next merchant king and he has commissioned you to assassinate someone for him. The target is his second wife, Helena. If you kill her and catch Aidan’s eye then you will obtain many things.

-Completion Conditions: Helena’s death 0/1

* Rewards: Aidan’s trust, $20 million.]

‘Um...’

Supreme Fire Dragon thought for a moment. The rewards were Aidan’s trust and $20 million. They were huge enough to gulp but he had many thoughts. $100 million didn’t just fall from the sky but Supreme Fire Dragon’s business ingenuity was good. He made a decision.

“I will accept half of that, which is 10 million.”

“Hoh.”

“Instead, if we succeed then give us the exclusive rights to cigarettes in Fortren.”

“Hrmm. It is this again. Exclusive rights...”

Aidan’s mind started working at the unexpected suggestion. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened and he stroked his beard as he talked to himself, “Currently, my nephew, Galdan, is in charge of Fortren’s cigarettes...”

He murmured to himself a few more times before moving his gaze. He asked, “How much will you give me if I allow it?”

“I’ll give you half of my income, just like your nephew, Galdan.”

“Hrmm. Half...”

Supreme Fire Dragon’s had already finished doing market research. Currently, the cigarettes in Fortren were made from Aiolia. It was a mysterious cigarette with a different taste according to the surrounding environment but he heard that sales plummeted recently due to the volcanic eruption that worsened the surrounding air. This was why the import of mechanical cigarettes from the Parta Principality was discussed but then who would smoke in virtual reality? Supreme Fire Dragon wouldn't even do it himself.

‘The daylily cigarettes we make are different.’

The daylilies were addictive like a drug but they weren’t a drug. It was a great advantage and the taste was a bonus. Cigarettes weren’t good for the body thus the Aiolia cigarettes temporarily reduced all stats by 10% while the daylily cigarettes only reduced it by 5% There was enough marketability.

“Okay, it tasted pretty good when I tried it. It seems there is enough product value. Let’s do so.”

“Thank you!”

“Instead, you have to make sure you successfully accomplish the task I’ve given you. If you fail,I’ll make sure you won’t be able to step foot in Fortren ever again.”

“I will keep that in mind!!”

“Hrmm. I’ll give the money upfront. Think of it as an investment. I’ll talk to the Madam so go and get the money from her yourself later. Oh, send around 100 cigarettes to my mansion.”

"Of course! Thank you!”

Indeed, this was the dignity of the second largest capital power in Fortren. It was worth around $10 million. A man had to live a big life like this...

Ttiring~

[The quest rewards have changed.]

[$20 million -> $10 million.]

[The Fortren Cigarette Monopoly will be given as an additional reward.]

-Cocaine: Ahhh! Brother Fire Dragon is amazing!

-Supreme Fire Dragon: Did you see it, brat? This is how you do business.

-Cocaine: Hahaha. Now we have the cigarette monopoly.

-Supreme Fire Dragon: Now our path is solid. Huhuhu.

-Cocaine: Drive along it with my Lamborghini!

Currently, all the money spent on manufacturing the cigarettes came from loans. It was another loan after losing Ifrit’s Bracelet but this time, he wasn’t buying items. He was manufacturing and selling cigarettes. Rather, it was an opportunity to make more money.

‘Fortren is a capitalist city. It will be a huge profit even if I subtract half the income. It will be tight to pay off the loan interest but if I can get the monopoly, it will only be a matter of time before I become rich.’

He had already finished talking with Yoon Seowon. Yoon Seowon said he wanted to invest more in the business and then run it like a franchise. Chairman Yoon of the Holy Spirit Group had promised support so it was almost equal to success. Then Aidan spoke, “Oh, there is something else I would like you to do.”

“Huh? What is it...”

“Um, it’s like this.”

Just then, someone knocked on the door. The door opened and a familiar face appeared. It was Madam Lanya who previously left this place. She glanced at Aidan and opened her mouth, “Excuse me...”

“What's going on?"

“Um. That...” Lanya hesitated and Aidan frowned.

It was the same for the curious Supreme Fire Dragon.

“What happened that made you suddenly come in like this?” Aidan urged and Lanya sighed.

“I think you should see it for yourself.”

“What is it?”

“Someone got the jackpot.”