My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 6

§ 6. Try P2W!(1)

Sian’s spirit, which had ascended, did not return easily.

Inside the dark cave.

Sian’s face, illuminated by the light from his smartphone screen, was devoid of any soul.

How much time had passed?

“So…”

Sian, his senses returning, stared blankly at the notification window that appeared on the screen.

『[Lord Exclusive] – Beginner Growth Support Package (3,000 G)

Contents: S-Rank Equipment Set.』

“What is this supposed to be?”

What is ‘Lord Exclusive’ anyway?

What is ‘Beginner Growth Support’?

And what does ‘Package’ even mean?

《When you’re stuck, try P2W!》

What on earth is that supposed to mean?

“Hmm…”

I see.

He didn’t understand what it meant.

Sian pondered deeply, trying to decipher the meaning of the notification window in front of him.

The notification window blinked, and among the flashing lights, a familiar word caught his eye.

To be precise, it was the only word he could understand.

(3,000 G)

3,000 Gold.

No matter how he looked at it, it could only be seen as 3,000 Gold.

And 3,000 Gold was the currency unit used here in the Empire, and also throughout the continent.

In other words, it meant money.

“Could ‘P2W’ possibly mean… spending money?” [P2W stands for ‘Pay to Win’, a common term in gaming referring to purchasing advantages with real money.]

Sian was able to understand the meaning of the notification window a little better.

So, if he paid 3,000 Gold,

He could purchase an S-Rank equipment set.

The only problem was.

“What is S-Rank equipment that it costs 3,000 Gold?”

3,000 Gold was not a small amount of money.

Based on the Empire’s cost of living, about 30 Gold was enough for a family of four to live on for a month.

3,000 Gold was a considerable sum that could allow a family of four to live comfortably for about 8 years.

He didn’t have to go far to see how much 3,000 Gold was worth, as Sian had given the coachman 100 Gold.

The coachman’s reaction of great joy showed how significant 3,000 Gold was.

But the value of something called S-Rank equipment was a whopping 3,000 Gold.

“It looks like a scam no matter how I look at it?”

Sian was able to come to a conclusion at once.

However.

Contrary to those words, Sian found himself rummaging through his pockets.

Sian took out the money pouch he had in his pocket.

Upon checking, he had 98 platinum coins and 100 gold coins.

Since one platinum coin was equivalent to 100 gold coins…

“That’s 9,900 gold.”

Sian had 9,900 gold in his possession.

Considering he gave 100 gold to the coachman, he originally had 10,000 gold.

Of course, it wasn’t money that Sian had saved up.

How could Sian have saved up 10,000 gold?

This money was given to Sian by the family as a gesture of goodwill before he left for Ruben.

The justification was travel expenses and funds to manage the Ruben estate.

But it was nominally travel expenses and estate management funds.

In reality, it was little more than pocket money.

“Is it too much to send off a good-for-nothing?”

Sian chuckled.

Then, he turned his gaze back to the notification window on his smartphone.

“I can buy it, but…”

Should I buy it?

Not only was 3,000 Gold a significant amount,

But this was Sian’s pocket money… no, estate management funds.

Was he crazy to spend this precious and valuable money on something he didn’t even know about?

Frankly, even at this moment, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a scam.

“Hmm…”

However, on the other hand, there was also the thought of ‘what if…?’.

That was because the smartphone that was currently scamming(?) him was no ordinary magic tool.

It could be an artifact left by the six Arnaizes who saved the world a thousand years ago.

Two thoughts collided in Sian’s mind.

“Come to think of it…”

At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through his mind.

“It’s not like it can take my money right now anyway.”

Come to think of it, that was true.

The notification window only said, ‘Would you like to purchase?’

Even if Sian pressed the purchase button,

There was no way to take the gold from Sian’s pocket right now.

“Let’s just try it, even if it’s a scam.”

To check the function of this smartphone.

Sian nodded his head firmly.

Then, he brought his finger to the notification window that appeared on the screen.

Press.

《Please select the equipment you wish to purchase!》

At the same time, several images appeared on the screen.

Swords, bows, spears, axes, etc.

There were countless types of weapons listed.

After a moment of consideration, Sian chose a sword.

Elan Dur, the family of swordsmanship.

Although he had no talent, the only thing Sian could use was a sword.

Press.

《Purchase complete!》

Soon, a notification window popped up, as if waiting, indicating that the purchase was complete.

“Is it done?”

But nothing seemed to be changing…

At that very moment.

Sway.

Suddenly, the money pouch in his pocket began to sway.

And then again.

Rustle, rustle!

The gold coins in the pouch began to disappear somewhere!

“Wh, what!”

Sian was greatly embarrassed and blocked the opening of the pouch.

However, the gold continued to evaporate, regardless.

After a little time, the swaying pouch became quiet.

Sian hurriedly checked the money inside the pouch.

“It’s, it’s gone…!”

30 platinum coins.

Exactly 3,000 gold had been taken.

“Wh, what is this…”

Right then.

Whoosh!

A bright cluster of light burst out in front of Sian’s eyes.

The light, like a small sun, lasted for quite some time.

And when the light subsided again.

“Huh?”

Sian was able to find a sword and armor lying alone in front of him.

“It was… real?”

Therefore, Sian couldn’t believe the situation.

Sian carefully lifted the sword.

The sleek blade shone sharply, as if it could cut through anything.

The armor also looked light yet quite sturdy.

“The condition looks good…”

Frankly, it wasn’t just good, it was better than anything else.

Sian didn’t know anything about the quality of the equipment,

But he could immediately tell that the sword and armor in front of him were not ordinary.

That was because he had never seen equipment of this level even in his family.

“Of course, I’ll have to check the performance to know for sure…”

This smartphone.

What is it?

Sian let out a hollow laugh.

#

Sian put on the S-rank equipment and slowly moved.

Either way, he had to get out of the cave first.

He had already wasted a lot of time.

Sian illuminated the way with the light from his smartphone and moved out of the cave.

How long had he been moving?

Sian was able to find a shining light in the distance.

It was none other than the entrance and exit of the cave.

“I wonder if the goblins are still outside…”

I wish I could avoid them as much as possible.

He was wearing S-rank equipment, but he hadn’t checked its performance yet.

It was possible that it was just flashy on the outside and useless.

If that were the case, it would be the end for Sian.

So it was better not to encounter the goblin group here.

The performance of the equipment could be tested later with Hans.

That was the best option.

Sian raised his tension to the maximum and carefully looked outside.

And what he saw in his view was none other than the quiet scenery of the forest.

“They’re not here.”

The goblin groups were not visible.

It seemed that they had grown tired of waiting for Sian outside the cave and had returned.

After all, Sian had fainted,

And he had spent quite a lot of time in the cave checking the effectiveness of the smartphone.

It was enough time for the goblins to get tired and return.

“It’s a relief.”

Sian let out a sigh of relief.

Then, he slowly came out of the cave.

“I wonder if Hans is okay.”

Just as he was about to set out to find Hans.

“Keruk?”

A chilling sound that stimulated his eardrums was heard from behind.

He hurriedly turned his head and looked back.

“Keheureuk!”

“Keruek!”

There, goblin groups were revealing themselves one by one from the dense bushes.

The ever-increasing red glow.

It was flashing as if waiting for this moment.

“Ambush…?”

Sian couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

That was because the berserk monsters had their reason cut off.

Only the madness of instinct remained.

That’s why he didn’t expect the goblins to ambush him at all…

“Keheureuk!”

It seemed that he had underestimated the instinct of hunting too much.

The goblins slowly tightened the noose as if hunting Sian, their prey.

He has to go back to the cave.

Sian forced his frozen body to move.

But as if reading Sian’s thoughts,

The goblin groups had already blocked Sian’s path back to the cave.

Surrounded on all sides.

“Damn it.”

There was no way.

No way to escape, no way to survive.

Nothing came to mind.

He’s going to die here.

Only this thought was repeated.

“Hehehe.”

The laughter of the goblins was heard.

Sian soon grabbed his sword.

Can he do it?

It would be a meaningless struggle.

The hesitation filled with fear grabbed and clung to Sian.

Trembling hands.

“Keruek!”

In the meantime, a goblin rushed at Sian.

Sian swung his sword at the approaching goblin.

Swoosh!

The sword cut through the air, scattering the sound of tearing wind.

However, there was no system to be found at all. [Here, ‘system’ refers to a practiced or refined swordsmanship technique.]

It was just a random, instinctive swing.

“Hehe.”

So it didn’t feel particularly threatening.

A bitter smile appeared on the goblin’s lips.

It was really stupid.

Look at that clumsy posture and how he swings his weapon.

Is that what you call an attack?

Neither in strength nor in momentum.

That stupid human can never beat himself.

The goblin swung the weapon he was holding without hesitation.

Sian and the goblin’s weapons quickly approached.

“Hehe.”

The goblin laughed again.

And that was.

Slash.

It was the last word the goblin could utter.

Swoosh, thump!

With a clean cutting sound, the goblin collapsed to the floor.

The view looking down.

There, the goblin was split in half along with the weapon he was wielding.

“Keruk…?”

“Keruek…?”

For a moment, the expressions of the other goblin groups began to freeze.

“Huh?”

And that wasn’t much different for Sian.

The goblin was split as easily as cutting tofu.

“Wh, what…?”

Sian couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

The goblin was split in one blow.

In the process, he didn’t need much strength.

All he did was swing it.

But is that possible with just that…?

Even that wasn’t an ordinary goblin, but a goblin living in the Dark Forest.

If he had the power of Aura [Aura, in this context, refers to a magical energy or life force that enhances abilities.], he wouldn’t know.

It was an absolutely impossible phenomenon with just simple force.

Sian slowly looked down at the sword he was holding.

The S-rank sword.

The pure white blade was stained with goblin blood.

“What is it?”

Right then.

“Kieeeeeeeeeek!!”

A goblin screamed and rushed at Sian.

Was there a connection with the goblin who had just died?

The momentum of the rushing goblin contained a terrifying rage.

“Keuh!”

Sian hurriedly turned his body.

But because it was an attack made in a moment of panic, his body didn’t move as he wanted.

Swaaek!

The approaching blow.

He can’t avoid it.

Sian closed his eyes tightly.

And.

Thud!

What he heard was not a terrible tearing sound.

It wasn’t even Sian’s scream close to a scream.

It was just a dull roar.

“Huh?”

The expressions of Sian and the goblin froze at the same time.

In particular, the goblin’s expression was, ‘Th, there’s no way this could happen…?’

“Keruek!!”

The goblin swung his weapon at Sian again.

Thud! Thud!

But still, only a dull sound could be heard.

He couldn’t penetrate Sian’s armor.

“What is this again?”

Because of that, Sian wasn’t even taking any damage!

“Keruk…!”

The goblin was embarrassed.

Sian swung his sword lightly.

Slash.

Then a clean cutting sound was heard again.

In the meantime, thump! The goblin was split in half and collapsed.

“What is it?”

Sian stared blankly at the armor he was wearing.

Even though he blocked the goblin’s attack, there wasn’t even a scratch on it.

Of course, the weapons used by the goblins also had a crude effect.

It wasn’t for nothing that goblins were called the lowest-ranked monsters.

But even considering that, this situation didn’t make sense.

The S-rank sword and armor.

Somehow… it seemed to be much more amazing equipment than Sian thought.

“Ke, Keruk…?”

“Kieeeek…”

The goblin groups surrounding Sian began to step back.

Goblins terrified and frightened.

It was the fear of death that spanned the realm of instinct.

Sian grinned.

“You’re all dead.”

He rushed towards the fleeing goblin groups.

#

Hans swung his sword at the last goblin.

“Keheureuk!”

Thump!

Then, with a rattling sound, the goblin collapsed to the floor.

There were no more living goblins.

“Heok…! Heok…!”

Huffing and puffing.

‘It’s later than I thought.’

Hans immediately moved his body.

It took longer than he thought to deal with the goblins.

The goblins living in the Dark Forest were more powerful than expected.

Because of that, he missed where Sian was going.

Sian volunteered as bait to save himself.

Thanks to that, he was able to deal with all the goblins like this.

But Sian is…

No, maybe Sian is already…

‘Young master.’

He should have stopped him.

He should have dissuaded him to the end that it wouldn’t work.

He should have protected Sian even at the cost of his own life.

But what hope did he have?

What miracle did he want?

That reality is more than ruthless.

That there is no such thing as a miracle in this damn world.

Hadn’t he realized it painfully when he was young?

But what am I…

‘I have to find the young master as soon as possible.’

Hans quickly moved his body.

Self-blame is the next problem.

He has to find Sian quickly now.

Although he missed Sian’s direction, fortunately, he had a rough idea of where Sian went.

‘The cave the coachman was talking about.’

A clear-headed Sian couldn’t have missed those words.

To be precise, it was a desperate struggle to survive.

‘Please… please just be alive, young master!’

Hans squeezed out all his strength and moved.

He arrived near the cave like that.

Hans could smell the strong smell of blood.

“…!”

Hans’ heart sank.

That was because he shouldn’t have smelled blood.

Sian had no power to fight the goblins.

Nevertheless, the fact that he smelled blood.

He could know who the owner of that blood was without having to mention it.

The terribly crushed corpse of Sian flickers in his head.

“Young master!!!”

Hans shouted as if screaming.

And when he pushed through the bushes and ran to where Sian’s body was.

Hans was able to see.

“Oh? Hans? Are you here now?”

The corpse was talking.

“…!”

Hans’ wrinkled eyes widened.