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Translator: uly
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Fortune Telling Shop Opening (1)
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"So, you're a shaman, then?"
"That's right."
The spread before us consisted of just a few fruits, some dried meat strips, and a light stew.
To my starving self, it was a feast fit for a king.
Would you believe me if I said the dried meat tasted like chicken?
That's how famished I was.
"You live in the county seat below, and you've been scraping by hunting?"
"Yes. But I just quit that hunter gig."
"Hmm?"
Instead of answering, I waved the bow with its snapped string.
"A shaman can't do other work."
"Huh?"
Parmon's eyes still held some curiosity, but he didn't press further.
The understanding of an old man who'd seen many years?
His expression said he figured I had my reasons.
"So, you're planning to set up as a shaman? Open that fortune-telling shop?"
"Yeah. It won't be easy, but..."
To reiterate, there was no such profession as shaman in this world.
In Korea, word of a 'gifted shaman' would spread, and clients would come knocking. But here? No chance.
I had to build it from scratch.
Without a single coin to my name.
"Reading futures and soothing grudges?"
"Yeah, that's right. I'm trying to eat here..."
Even dogs don't bother someone mid-meal—that's common sense.
Not here, though.
Anyway, this was my first meal in two days, and the constant interruptions were grating on my nerves.
Who do I owe this extra hunger to...?
"So, you get paid an offering fee for that."
"Yes, yes..."
I mumbled a reply and slurped down the stew. Parmon stood and headed somewhere.
"You've done me a great service, so I should give you that offering fee."
"Pardon...?"
"Technically, aren't I your first customer?"
There was that orc Gullak, so not exactly first.
But who counts an orc whelp as human clientele?
From the possession earlier, he seemed like some knight order captain.
That meant he had serious money.
A real customer, unlike that pathetic orc.
Clink.
As expected, the pouch Parmon brought was hefty.
"Fifty silver. That's all I have on me right now. What do you think? Enough for your offering fee?"
My eyes went wide.
50 silver.
Fifty silver coins, literally.
In this world, one silver was worth about 100,000 won in Korean currency.
Think it's pricey? Silver doesn't just sprout from digging dirt.
"F-Fifty silver?"
An enormous sum.
With that, setting up the shop would be a breeze.
As expected from a big-hearted human, not some cheap orc on credit.
This must be what racial dignity means.
"More than enough!!!"
"Hmph... Glad to hear it."
I hefted the pouch myself—heavy, reassuringly so.
The kind of weight that made me grin involuntarily.
"Heh heh... Old Man, anything else you need? Want to know your future?"
A little service for my first proper customer.
With the fat offering already paid, one more divination was no big deal.
"Heh heh... I'm already past ninety-two."
"Pardon?"
Simple reason for my double-take.
Parmon looked far too young for over ninety-two.
Smooth skin without a wrinkle, even his brown hair was lustrous.
His body was bulging with muscle, straining against his clothes.
Makes sense—I'd sensed a massive soul when shaking the rattle.
He must have some great talent.
"What's the point of wondering about the future after living this long?"
Parmon said with a wry smile.
"It changes based on how you live..."
True enough.
That's why I'd busted my ass soothing his grudges—to live well.
"In any case, I wish you the best. You've helped me greatly."
"Thanks to you, Old Man, my path ahead looks smoother."
Bigger reward than expected.
I hadn't even thought to ask, let alone expect it.
My Master, the Great Shaman, always said to shun material greed.
Or it'd happen whether I liked it or not.
But I couldn't exactly refuse what's offered.
Got to eat to live.
"Now that the meal's done... I'll be off."
"Already?"
"Gotta set up the shop!"
"Fair enough... If fate allows, we'll meet again."
Nice to see him again, sure, but nothing good comes from ties to a shaman.
Shaman bonds are mostly forged by gods, anyway.
"For fate to tie us... Hm... Never mind."
I stuffed the money pouch into my small bag and stood.
The hunting gear inside? Sell it off the moment I got back.
No use for it anyway.
My steps were light as I passed the statues and hit the road.
"Oh right, almost forgot the farewell."
Not just Parmon needed it.
The lingering souls were still worried about something.
I bowed lightly, then looked up—and chuckled.
The armless spirit now had an arm.
Identical to the one Parmon had carved.
"Maybe a shaman's fate isn't so bad...?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Having seen Chris off, Parmon lightly packed his things and rose.
"Been a while since I met a young man I like..."
A mysterious youth.
Chris, was it?
"Someone who communes with spirits... Heh heh..."
Stepping out of the roughly built hut, Parmon glanced over the statues.
"Told them to be happy? Guess I'll give that a shot..."
With a clearer gaze, Parmon set off again.
Passing a statue, he paused.
A knight born without an arm, yet greater than any.
Chris's voice echoed in his mind.
"What good is carving an arm for an armless man?"
"Hmm... Should I cut it off?"
After a moment's thought, Parmon shook his head and continued.
"Been ages since I returned to the territory..."
He'd wandered a lifetime—maybe time to head home.
His son was probably managing well, but it was still home.
"Hmm?"
Parmon picked something up from the ground.
"Huh... Thought he was money-hungry, but no."
The pouch he'd given Chris.
The tie was loose—he'd taken a few coins and left the rest.
Placed right in the path for him to find.
"About five silver, I'd say."
Just from a short chat, the kid's character shone.
Caring for others' pain, no greed for coin.
Unique ability to speak with souls, yet no arrogance.
The more he thought, the more he liked the young man.
"Said he's opening a fortune shop? Should help him out."
Five silver was nowhere near repaying the favor.
Parmon reached into his bag and pulled out a small crystal orb.
Shooo...
Mana flowed from his fingertips; a faint light appeared, showing a face.
"...It's me. Doing well? Nothing major—just met a fine young man."
Gazing into the orb, Parmon walked on.
"He lives in your boy's territory."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Sizzle.
The meat skewered on the spit was roasting appetizingly.
Finally, some proper meat.
But curses kept spilling from my lips.
"This fucking... shitty fate..."
How could I not curse?
The money from Parmon was gone.
By the time I checked my bag after passing the barrier, it was too late.
Only five silver left—the pouch vanished entirely.
I rushed back, tried opening the barrier, but no dice.
Shook the rattle like a madman, danced with it, begged it—nothing.
Know what this means?
The god linked to me only permitted five silver as offering.
"Give and then take back? What the hell..."
Seemed the deity wouldn't allow more than five silver.
Another cosmic screw-you, and my net worth dropped from fifty to five.
"Shaman fate isn't bad, my ass... Damn it..."
I eyed the roasting meat and moved my hands.
In them, a sizable wooden plank.
The new shop's signboard.
- I will read your fate. 5 copper.
"About five thousand won... Too cheap?"
No choice.
Who'd pay top dollar for divination they've never heard of?
With this gift, and I could only make this much...
"In Korea, I'd be rolling in it..."
At least enough to eat for now—start business tomorrow and see.
For now, mealtime.
Time to savor fantasy world meat.
But my meal never happened.
As I reached for the meat—
Clank.
Clank.
Commotion outside.
"What now?"
Multiple footsteps.
Armor clanks—soldiers and knights, by the sound.
Soon, a booming voice from outside.
"By order of the Lord!!"
"Huh?"
Order what?
The local lord was a count; I'm a commoner.
No way a count singles out one nobody for orders.
I flung open the door in a panic—and froze.
Knights and soldiers filling the space before my house.