I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 245

Chapter 245: I Need to Make Money (2)

-Ding!

▶ Episode II: The One Who Proves Their Worth has begun. ◀

▶ Participation in the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament has been confirmed. ◀

▶ Your ranking may increase the affinity of those around you. ◀

The episode notification appeared, confirming my enrollment.

“…Huh.”

Arina made a sound of exasperation as I signed the document without even listening to her explanation.

Well, wasn’t this what she wanted?

“Carsein, you remember what you did at the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament in the past, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“And yet you sign this without a second thought?”

I knew very well.

Carsein had caused trouble not only during the symposium, but everywhere else he went.

‘The Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament was one of the events where he acted the most unruly.’

According to the information I had seen in the game’s Memorials, he had behaved violently, recklessly, and with a complete disregard for etiquette during the tournament.

He had fought with excessive force, as if seeking revenge on his opponents.

While I found his actions somewhat satisfying, they were unacceptable in this society.

He had essentially ruined the tournament.

In any case, Arina’s reason for bringing this up was obvious.

She was asking if I was going to repeat my past behavior.

-Kim Min-hyeok. If you do that again, I won’t forgive you.

Just like my older sister had once said.

I was used to this treatment.

So I could easily give her the answer she wanted.

“I told you, I won’t disgrace the family name anymore.”

“…”

I would give them any answer they wanted.

I would do anything they wanted.

Just like I did in the past, until I could finally leave this house.

-Slide.

She took the signed document without her usual display of anger or snatching.

That was unusual.

“And while you’re at it, help Flora with her studies. Claire and I are busy, and Mother is even more so. You’re the one with the most free time, aren't you? Look after her.”

-Click.

Arina left my room, and…

-Ding!

▶ Sub-Episode: Flora’s Studies IV has begun. ◀

A new sub-episode notification popped up.

“So this confirms that the structure of Chapter 3 hasn’t changed.”

Chapter 1 had revolved around activities within the Duchy.

Most of the main episodes took place within the Duchy, and clearing them was the primary objective. The main goal was to reduce Emma’s influence, prove my innocence, and ultimately, eliminate Theo Lamster as the final boss.

Similarly, Chapter 2 focused on external activities and territorial management.

With fewer system restrictions and more choices available, the player was given more freedom. But that freedom came at a cost. Inaction, even if motivated by a desire for safety, inevitably led to death.

The unlocking of new areas and the progression of the main episode through sub-episodes clearly showed that the player had to take risks and act decisively.

And with the symposium and the demanding task of managing a territory, the player faced a new enemy: the territory itself.

So how would Chapter 3 unfold?

What new enemy awaited me?

The sub-episode notification provided a clue.

Another Plan.

Since the player had a defined objective, there would undoubtedly be those who would try to hinder its achievement.

In Chapter 1, it was Emma and Theo.

In Chapter 2, it was the Waglu faction.

There had even been instances of mini-bosses in specific parts of the story.

But this time, it was different.

▶ Failure to complete the sub-episode will result in decreased affinity. ◀

“What a nasty game. It doesn't even mention that affinity affects the Another Plan.”

Unlike previous chapters, where enemies appeared to directly obstruct the player, this time, the sub-episodes themselves affected Another Plan.

Exactly how they affected it, I couldn’t say.

Decreased affinity. Penalties. Increased map danger. Lowered reputation. There were countless possibilities, making it impossible to predict the consequences.

The only thing I knew for sure was that clearing the sub-episodes with a sufficiently high completion rate prevented any negative consequences. That was it.

In other words, in Chapter 3, the sub-episodes themselves were obstacles.

Remembering this, I sighed.

“And of all things, I have to hear that again.”

-You have so much free time, Kim Min-hyeok. Why don’t you help your sister with her studies?

I was used to hearing it, so it didn't bother me much anymore.

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

I doubted she would actually listen, but I knew how to handle that little brat.

I grabbed a book and writing materials and headed to Flora’s room.

***

“…”

After dinner, Flora pouted and returned to her room.

Her lower lip jutted out in a clear display of displeasure.

Even the maids were wary of her mood.

They offered her dessert to try to cheer her up, but Flora remained upset.

The reason was simple.

“Carsein, that idiot!”

It was because of Carsein.

From the hospital visit after the symposium,

To the beach trip,

He had spent all his time with her, that fiancée of his.

“Hmph! I even went to visit him in the hospital when I heard he was hurt!”

When she had heard he was injured, she had been worried, even pestering her mother and sisters to let her visit him.

But when she had arrived at the infirmary, her mood had immediately soured.

She had rushed to his side as soon as she heard he had finally woken up after being unconscious for so long.

She had even taken the initiative to create a gift for him, concerned that the remnants of her past actions might still affect him, explaining that it was customary to give gifts to the symposium winner.

-I don’t need a guardian. As you can see, my fiancée is taking good care of me.

Hearing that, a small ember of frustration had ignited within her.

Telling her to go away because she had no reason to visit was one thing, but to hear that a woman who was practically a stranger, except for her engagement to him, was taking good care of him… it rubbed her the wrong way.

And a strange, unpleasant feeling had caused her to lash out, just like she used to.

“Carsein is a Bagrand!”

“Y-yes?”

“He’s family!”

She had ended up directing her anger at that fiancée, who was essentially a stranger.

Her frustration had only grown after the symposium ended.

Even during the school trip to the beach, she couldn't help but pout.

Carsein was always with his fiancée.

They were always on the same team, working together, succeeding in every event, ultimately winning first place.

She could understand that much, but her frustration stemmed from the fact that it didn't end there.

Even after the small competitions were over, he had stayed with Harnie, never once visiting the Bagrand camp.

“He’s a Bagrand. He’s family. But he’s always with her… Hmph.”

And today, he had even refused to join the family dinner that their mother had arranged.

That was the reason for Flora’s current sulk.

As she sat there, pouting,

Someone knocked lightly on her door.

-Knock, knock.

“Who is it?!”

Her already sour mood worsened at the intrusion. If it was one of the servants, the person on the other side of the door was in for a scolding.

But…

“It’s me.”

“Huh…?”

The moment she recognized Carsein’s voice, her pout softened.

Flora rushed to open the door.

“What is it?”

“What do you think? I’m here to help you study.”

He held up his writing materials as proof.

‘Study…’

Right. There was that.

Her pout disappeared completely.

Carsein was older than her. Flora was still a young girl.

It was perfectly normal for an older sibling to help a younger sibling with their studies.

“Come in, quickly! I have so many questions!”

Any lingering resentment she had felt about being deprived of her family member by Harnie was instantly forgotten.

-Ding!

▶ Flora’s affinity has increased. ◀

[Please ■■■ ■, O■■■: 92%

***

A day. Two days. A week.

Time passed quickly.

While helping Flora with her studies, I made good use of my remaining time, and today, I was inspecting the territories.

“Hmm. So you’re suggesting we use Lusmire as a transit point for a two-stage carriage inspection.”

“Is it feasible?”

The two territories I currently managed would continue to generate income, but this game wouldn’t just hand it to me for free.

I had to thoroughly investigate and plan to maximize profits. And there was no management UI to help with that.

Brem pondered my suggestion, then replied,

“I’ll send a letter to Barak. I think it’s possible, but please give us some time to make sure the villagers don’t get agitated.”

“Alright. Let me know when you have an update.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Good. This should reduce transportation costs and save money.

Which meant…

▶ Sub-Episode: Reduce Transportation Costs III cleared. ◀

▶ Projected expenses reduced, updating current funds. ◀

[Current funds: 102,817 Pesel]

▶ 100,000 Pesel acquired, fulfilling Stage 1 requirement. ◀

‘Nice.’

Of course.

Preventing unnecessary expenditures meant more money in my pocket.

So, the first stage was a success.

But I would have to repeat this process several more times. I still had a long way to go.

▶ Stage 2 requirement: Acquire 300,000 Pesel. ◀

‘Wow. The amount tripled just because it’s the next stage?’

The staggering requirement made me want to scoff.

It probably reflected the substantial debt owed to the Duchy.

Still, it was meaningful that I was earning this money through my own efforts.

Just like when I had diligently saved my earnings from part-time jobs.

I would work tirelessly, eagerly anticipating the day I could finally escape this wretched house.

I had done it once before.

As I reaffirmed my resolve, Camilla approached me.

“Young Master, a letter has arrived from the Duchy.”

Was this an attempt to interfere, so soon after I had begun the second stage?

It couldn’t be helped.

“From whom? What does it say?”

“It’s from the Duchess. It’s about the martial arts tournament, but it seems she wishes to discuss other matters as well.”

A letter from Isabella.

That was unexpected.

It would have been easier to deal with Arina in this situation, and I had a plan in place for Claire’s guaranteed sub-episode. Flora was the easiest to handle, I could simply listen to her complaints.

But Isabella was the most unpredictable.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

-Ding!

▶ Sub-Episode: Isabella’s Summons is in progress. ◀

▶ Decide when to return to the Duchy. ◀

“I’ll return immediately.”

Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.

Just like with Arina, I would simply give them the answers they wanted to hear.

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter