I checked the new request with a pounding heart.
As expected, a hologram flashed with a spark of light, and a new request appeared.
[Request: Relief Supply Aid]
Requester: Apprentice Paladin Leon
Content: Evil demons are running rampant in this world, yet the reach of the Order is limited. Even the strength I possess is meager, so I prayed to the Goddess for guidance, and she revealed this place to me. Although I have nothing but this humble body, I wish to receive supplies for the poor in exchange for lending my strength.
Reward: Regular relief supply payments
I rubbed my eyes after reading the request.
I hadn’t misread it.
“I thought there would only be fantasy races. To think another human like myself exists on the other side.”
But at the same time, I realized that the world they lived in was a completely different dimension.
Goddess and demons.
“What kind of world is it, exactly?”
“What is the matter?”
Aria, who had been sitting on a branch of the World Tree resting, flew over and asked when she saw me looking surprised.
“I’m just surprised because the person who sent this request is a human like me.”
“A human? Are humans different from Barbarians or Halflings?”
I was momentarily lost for words at Aria’s innocent question.
As a spirit, the distinction between humans and other demi-human races didn’t seem particularly important to Aria.
…Perhaps I was the one who was prejudiced?
“Humans, Barbarians, and Halflings have many differences, from their physical build to their habits. But now that you ask, I can’t give you a definitive answer.”
Indeed, isn’t the term ‘demi-human’ itself a very human-centric way of speaking?
First, I accepted the proposal immediately.
When I pressed the accept button, the system presented the estimated dispatch amount.
[Estimated Dispatch Amount: 3,000 Coins]
However, since what Leon requested as payment was relief supplies rather than coins, it was decided that 2,100 coins’ worth of relief supplies would be sent each time he was hired instead of coins.
“The world he lives in seems quite different, even if we are both human.”
That was obvious, considering he was talking about Goddesses and demons.
Just as I was becoming curious about his background, a system notification popped up.
[Notification: The ‘View Request Details’ function has been activated.]
“View Request Details?”
Then, detailed information about Leon and his follower appeared.
[Ceres]
Description: A world where civilization has been destroyed by a demonic invasion and the Goddess’s grace has faded, leaving people struggling to survive. It is a world where demonic energy has contaminated the land and water, leading to a shortage of food and water, and the Order can no longer fulfill its role.
[Apprentice Paladin Leon]
: An apprentice paladin belonging to the Agnes Holy Knights. He possesses a righteous and pure faith and considers helping people to be his calling. He believes he discovered the Rocket Store through the Goddess’s prayers after being frustrated by the threat of monsters.
[Squire Albert]
: A boy who voluntarily became a squire for Leon, who saved him when he had nowhere else to go. He devotedly assists Leon with realistic judgment and a supportive role.
“It doesn’t seem to be in a much better state than Earth, which is predicted to be destroyed by the Tower.”
The world Leon lived in seemed to be a so-called dark fantasy world.
I immediately picked up my smartphone and accessed a shopping mall to prepare relief supplies.
Looking at the dozens of products on the screen, I carefully chose the items.
The place where Leon and Albert were was a dangerous location where battles never ceased.
“If he’s a paladin, can he use heals? Still, his mana must have limits, so he’ll need a first aid kit, right?”
I included emergency rations that were easy to carry, like jerky, and also added bread for the poor and instant soup that was easy to prepare.
Since the environment was contaminated, clean water could not be left out either.
Once I finished the payment, the hologram screen activated again, and a large packing box appeared.
When I pressed the delivery button, the box vanished in a flash of light.
[Notification! Apprentice Paladin Leon and his squire Albert have been officially registered as mercenaries in the Rocket Store.]
“I guess a separate contract isn’t needed in this case?”
In Finch’s case, I had made the proposal myself, but in the case of Leon or Kargar, it might be because they had requested a contract first in this manner.
“I think I’m starting to see the pattern.”
[A new review has been registered in the Rocket Store.]
Buyer: Apprentice Paladin ‘Leon’
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: The supplies received from this place will be of great help to the poor who have lost hope. I am deeply grateful to the Rocket Store. We will continue to work faithfully with all our strength.
I smiled with satisfaction as I looked at Leon’s review.
Even without meeting him in person, I could indirectly feel how sincere he was.
I hope things go well for him.
Though they were weaker than the Barbarian Kargar whom people wanted, Leon and his squire were registered as a set for a lower coin burden, so I hoped for a lot of support.
“If Leon helps the beginners climbing the Tower, the number of Hunters achieving the second condition will increase, and Leon will be able to save many people by receiving relief supplies.”
It was truly a contract that benefited both sides.
Since there was nothing specific to do until the next request was updated, I turned on the TV for the first time in a while.
“I usually only use my phone and computer, so it’s been purely decorative. I wondered if I bought it for nothing, but it would’ve been bad if I didn’t have it.”
When I flipped through the channels, I saw a program where a chef had acquired the recipe for Candy Sweet Potato Pie and was presenting it on a cooking show.
As the camera zoomed in on the golden-brown pie, my mouth watered involuntarily.
One of the panelists took a bite of the pie and their eyes widened.
-Wow, you’re telling me a pie can taste like this? This is truly amazing!
“I know. I know.”
Because I had the same thought when I first ate it.
-But actually, this pie is not a product perfectly reproduced according to the recipe.
-It’s this delicious, and it’s not a perfect reproduction?
The chef smiled shyly at the hosts’ praise.
-Yes. In addition to the main ingredient, Candy Sweet Potato, additional ingredients grown directly by a Halfling are required.
-Doesn’t the Rocket Store sell them?
-No. There are no ingredients other than Candy Sweet Potatoes and Cream Potatoes yet.
-I see.
At the host’s words, the chef said there was something he wanted to say to the camera.
-If the owner of the Rocket Store happens to be watching this broadcast, I definitely want to convey that I hope other crops will be added as well.
“He’s talking to me, isn’t he?”
Turning to that channel was a complete coincidence, but I actually heard it at the perfect timing.
“Of course, it’s not like I can acquire them just because I want to, but I want that too. I’ll definitely add them if the opportunity arises.”
It was then.
Aria, who had been tending to the World Tree branches, saw the pie on the TV and flew over in an instant.
Aria stuck close to the screen and stared at the pie with sparkling eyes.
“Guardian, can a human chef make that pie too, not just a Halfling?”
“Ah. I sold the recipe at the Rocket Store a while ago. Do you want to eat it?”
“Yes! Of course. Although I’d like to try the pie made by a Halfling too.”
“True, it would be fun to compare it with the pie made by O’Donnell.”
The host asked the chef about his sales plan.
-I’d like to sell it too, but since the core ingredient, Candy Sweet Potato, can only be obtained through the Rocket Store, the supply is not stable. So, I plan to sell only a fixed quantity through reservations every day.
The hosts made a fuss, saying a reservation was a must.
Aria spoke as if she had made up her mind.
“Guardian! Please leave the reservation order to me!”
“To that extent?”
“Yes!”
A laugh escaped me at Aria’s firm determination.
“Okay. Do as you like.”
As I flipped the channel again, an expert panel from the Hunter Association and a host were discussing the Rocket Store.
the expert panel spoke first.
-According to official press releases published by the Association today, thanks to the appearance of the Rocket Store, cases of Hunters almost losing their lives in crisis situations have plummeted. Above all, its mere existence has given many beginner Hunters courage, leading to an increasing trend of Hunters challenging the Tower.
-That is very positive news! If this trend continues, are you saying it’s possible for 50% of the total Hunter population to reach the 5th floor?
-Yes. At the current pace, it’s a bit tight, but new items are constantly being added to the Rocket Store, and we especially have high expectations for the hiring of mercenaries.
-Mercenaries?
The expert panel nodded at the host’s question.
-Yes. In the case of the Barbarian mercenary Kargar, who was temporarily added, it was proven that he is strong enough to break through the 9th floor alone, but few could hire him due to the somewhat expensive cost. However, if mercenaries in a lower price range are added, it will have a positive impact on clearing the 5th floor.
Just then, a staff member rushed into the studio and handed something to the host.
The host turned away from the screen for a moment to check the content and then opened his eyes wide.
-This news just in! It’s reported that new mercenaries have been officially added to the Rocket Store!
-My goodness! Right now?
The panel and the host made a fuss as if they couldn’t believe it.
The host soon calmed his excitement and spoke to the expert panelist.
-Hunter Lee Jeong-hoon! What an amazing foresight befitting a former director! To think what you just said became a reality so quickly!
-Haha. No, it’s nothing.
-Could it be that the person with abilities at the Rocket Store is watching our broadcast? It’s truly an honor to receive this amazing news in real-time like this. I’d like to convey my sincere gratitude once again.
“Was it a live broadcast?”
Just ten minutes ago, the function I added to the Rocket Store was being broadcast and spreading to the entire nation.
It felt like the world was watching my every move.
Is this what the life of an influencer feels like?
-Hunter! But there are many people who question if the owner of the Rocket Store is really human. Is there no possibility that it’s an additional element of the system or a non-human existence?
The expert panel shook his head.
-Initially, we were open to that possibility as well. However, seeing as there are no similar cases in the Towers of other countries and it only appears in the Tower of our domestic branch, it’s becoming certain that it’s a Korean person with abilities.
The host mentioned another possibility.
-In some circles, there are opinions that perhaps the reason for not revealing their identity is because they were a criminal in the past or for some other negative reason.
The expert panel spoke with a firm expression.
-We see the credibility of that opinion as low. If they had intended to seek private profit, the Rocket Store would have been used in a completely different direction than it is now.
The host asked again.
-Then if they’re not a criminal, why aren’t they revealing their identity?
-Several speculations are possible. It could be such a massive power that they can’t control it themselves and are reluctant to step out publicly, or they could be hiding their identity out of concern that it might harm those around them. Or it could be a choice to protect their personal privacy.
The host nodded.
-I see. Then what do you think is the most important thing right now?
-It’s clear. The government and the Association must take the lead to recruit them before anyone else. And if we succeed in establishing a friendly relationship with them, we must lead this ability in a direction for the benefit of humanity.
While the expert’s heated speech on TV continued, my expression darkened.
Aria, who noticed my state, tilted her head and asked.
“Guardian. Everyone is praising you and saying you’re amazing, so why is your face darkening?”
I gave a bitter smile and stroked Aria’s head.
“That’s because people are speculating on grand reasons why I’m not stepping forward, but the truth is I’m just trapped at home because of the system.”
“Ah-!”
I want to step forward more than anyone.
I’ve contributed so much to saving our country from the Tower like this, so if I reveal my identity, wouldn’t I receive an award or something from the government or the Association?
But as of now, fame, awards, and even dreams were out of the question.
Damn penalty.
I vowed that I would find a way somehow.