Abdul’s Depression

Deolkeong, deolkeoeong-

“Huuk… Come on! Everyone quickly, quickly, push!”

“Yes, Chief Merchant!”

Arzhan Khanate Tasham Province.

The dirt road of the 4th district in the eastern part of the Grabadra Sea.

Carts led by donkeys trudged forward.

Chulleong, chulleoeng-

The sound of water echoing from water jars loaded on the carts.

These are goods to be delivered to Akran, the village of assassins.

Dozens of workers also walked alongside the carts.

“Huuk, maybe because summer has come… It’s damn hot!”

An appearance with cooking oil dripping down a plump face.

A man with a large frame walks wobbling with his hands behind his back.

The desert sun was blazing from early morning.

‘Why do those assassin bastards choose to live in such a rough place by themselves!’

Abdul inwardly complained while diligently wiping the flowing sweat on his face with a rag used as a handkerchief.

Such a march was quite harsh for a wealthy obese merchant.

But he had no choice as it was his profession and position.

‘How can I trust servants or clerks with money transactions and payments?’

Distrust and suspicion were essential qualities for merchants.

In matters like this, the chief merchant had to step forward personally.

But thinking about something gave him strength.

‘Still, money will be rolling in soon! Hehehe!’

Abdul held a sinister smile with his eyes wide.

For desert water merchants, recluses were a gold mine.

They can even supply water with slightly lower quality.

Straightforward and old-fashioned, so subtly dull.

Of course, they frown on days when the water quality is too low.

But they couldn’t refuse water, which is an essential means of life maintenance.

There’s no discrimination even for an extreme combat group pursuing survival under harsh conditions.

He was excited at the thought of delivering lower quality 2nd-grade water and pocketing the profit from cost-saving.

‘Fortunately, they’re ignorant guys who just eat sword food. It’s easy to deceive them. Hehe!’

The Dream of Water-colored Oasis.

It’s a merchant guild composed of caravans traversing the great desert.

Abdul is a member in charge of supplying and selling drinking water to clients.

The guild handles many items besides food, spices, leather, clothing, ore, weapons, and magic tools.

Nevertheless, the most important item is drinking water.

The source of all life and an essential element.

It’s also the first priority as a military supply.

“By the way, where are the reception personnel… Ah, there they are.”

Abdul squinted in the sunlight, shaded his eyes with his hand, and finally identified.

On the hill that had to be crossed before seeing the village, a man with a sharp impression like a hawk with his hair braided stood with folded arms.

The man waved his hand and shouted.

“You’ve come!”

It was Tagor, an assassin with the position of warrior captain.

He is the external contact and finance manager of the Akran village.

The assassination clan consists of ranks: warrior, warrior captain, great warrior, great warrior captain who also serves as the village chief for each village, and the clan chief who is the top representative of the clan.

Abdul snorted inwardly.

‘What a useless tradition.’

According to tradition, reception takes place at a considerable distance from the village.

Because the person in charge with the position of warrior captain leading warriors in the clan warrior corps must observe and confirm whether village visitors have malice and intention to attack.

When all observations are made, entry to the village is finally permitted.

That is the custom maintained by the desert assassins.

Abdul smiled his business smile.

“Hahaha! The most precious water for you all has arrived! Come on, everyone quickly!”

Abdul urged the carts to move faster.

The water jars loaded fully on the carts rippled.

Eventually, the distance between them was dramatically narrowed.

When the carts stopped, Tagor greeted.

“Welcome.”

“Hoho… Are you well? It’s really damn hot…! Maybe because spring has passed and the desert summer has begun…!”

Abdul again wiped his face where sweat and cooking oil dripped profusely with a handkerchief.

“Has there been anything special lately?”

“Here, it’s always the same.”

“Repeated training and asceticism every time?”

“Enduring pain and fostering fighting spirit is the basic quality of an assassin.”

“Ah! Indeed amazing!”

Abdul adjusted his turban slightly and expressed admiration.

Before entering into business, small talk with clients is the basis of business tactics.

Abdul picked up a brass kettle and a pottery water cup placed on a tray in the cargo compartment of the cart right next to him.

“Hmmhmm.”

Joreureu-

Humming, he directly pours water from the kettle to fill the cup.

Like the ritual of desert water merchants, he offered the water-filled cup to the customer.

“You must be thirsty? Here, have a cup of fresh water. You can have more.”

“Good. My throat was burning just now.”

Tagor didn’t refuse, took the cup, and drank it all at once.

Immediately, Tagor’s expression frowned.

“The water taste is mediocre.”

Tagor spat out the water he was drinking to the side.

One of Abdul’s eyebrows rose extremely high.

‘What?’

For a moment, he doubted what he saw.

Undoubtedly, a sight never seen before.

‘Today… is he in a bad mood?’

It feels like watching a dog that just wags its tail and prostrates to its master who feeds it, suddenly showing its teeth and trying to bite.

Abdul was wrapped in such profound shock.

Because he was someone he had been seeing for a long time.

“Was it water that went through the purification process of properly boiling slowly during the day, cooling in the night chill of the desert, and then filtering only the top with a skimmer and ladle? Since there are many oases that are at the level of muddy water with poor quality and a paradise for parasites.”

“Th, there’s no way that could be!”

Abdul denied with effort while inwardly sticking out his tongue.

‘He’s quite sharp.’

In fact, it’s not muddy water, but low-grade water mixed from 2nd-class oases and downstream river water.

Water for normal humans to drink is naturally rated 1st class.

Befitting a desert where water is a resource, there were various standards.

In terms of cost, it’s a quality that requires cutting more than 30% of the usual transaction price.

Naturally, if you keep trying to sell low-grade water, you get caught.

Therefore, the basics of business tactics is to mix low-quality ones with genuine products and sell them.

He had been doing well until now…

But today, he just got caught.

Abdul was confused.

‘No, but did he know from before?’

So questions could only surge.

“The business tactics of water merchants who just sell water are obvious. Mass procurement of low-quality water with lower quality. And when mixed with relatively small amounts of first-class water, it would be perfect, right? That’s how it would be. Isn’t it?”

Today is truly surprising in many ways.

Tagor actually knew everything.

I thought they were just empty-headed ignorant fighters…

Abdul naturally didn’t know that studying basic academics and exploring philosophy about death was also a basic quality of desert assassins.

“…We always hold honest transactions as our belief.”

“Can you swear on the sun god Zanitra whom you serve with your soul?”

“Hoho…”

No particularly forthcoming answer.

Abdul just stroked his catfish mustache that he had grown coquettishly.

“Do you really think I didn’t know all along?”

“Hehe… Well, such suspicion…”

“Actually, I’ve had many things I wanted to say for a long time. Just that it’s better to go well, and since you didn’t overcharge with an extremely expensive price, I just maintained an appropriate relationship. Because other trading partners are ultimately similar. Our discipline also doesn’t allow us to be excessively stained and entangled with such worldly things.”

Tagor reprimanded with a strict tone.

The atmosphere is completely different from usual.

Abdul pleaded, rubbing his hands like a fly.

“…Well, for now, let’s talk after going to the village? It’s a bit awkward to continue like this on the road.”

“I was going to go anyway. Follow me.”

“Everyone! Move!”

Dageudak, deolkeong-

The carts move again at the chief merchant’s order.

The two proceeded along the hill path, no longer the khanate road.

Abdul inwardly steeled himself to extract the truth.

‘I need to know why there’s been a change in attitude.’

Like any secret group, the assassination order was an existence wrapped in the veil of mystery.

It was impossible to know what they do from the outside.

Because they pursue their own closed group life.

This was also a reason for surrounding the village with high ramparts.

Occasionally during visits by outsiders, behavior is thoroughly controlled.

Everyone waits at home until the visitors leave.

Visitors see a village empty of people.

Surely, today would be the same.

“…There seems to be some misunderstanding.”

“What misunderstanding? We’ve been patient.”

“Hoho… Still, considering our existing relationship, as much as possible in a good direction…”

“Still don’t understand the story roughly?”

The two continued to talk about various things while walking.

Abdul reached the top of the hill when thinking about some excuse.

“…Actually, there’s a slight defect in quality-“

When Abdul was finally about to confess.

Something surprising caught Abdul’s eyes.

“Wa, waterwaaays-!?”

The obese merchant’s eyes bulged as if about to pop out.

The view from the top of the hill overlooking the Akran village below.

Waterways that intertwine yet split were spread out to the distant horizon.

The terrain of the area was completely transformed overnight.

It was an unbelievable sight.

“In the village! On the surrounding land! What on earth happened!”

“Let’s just say we gained extremely excellent workers.”

It wasn’t just mere waterways.

It was as if a grand canal had been constructed.

An environment suitable for a city to be established was created.

Abdul frantically asked with raised eyes.

“Did you employ some desert giants! How on earth!”

“…He is a savior sent to us by the desert god.”

Tagor looked up at the sky with a nostalgic gaze.

Abdul looked at the assassin with confused eyes.

Today he truly doesn’t know how many times he’s been surprised.

“This is… such nonsense.”

Abdul’s guild descended the hill and crossed the land.

The gravel field terrain, which was just better than a sandy field as a residence, was transforming with an abundant supply of water.

Perhaps in the distant future, plant sprouts might emerge.

Abdul had already reached the entrance of the village.

“Actually, I didn’t tell anyone that today was your guild’s delivery day.”

“Huh?”

“I wasn’t going to come out, but I did. For the sake of our past relationship, as you said.”

“What does that…”

“Tsk. Originally, entry of outsiders to the village without control is strictly prohibited.”

Tagor clicked his tongue and pointed to the sturdy wooden gate of the village, closed like a fortress.

“I’ll show you a bit of what we do and how we live now. Keep the guild outside and come in alone.”

Ururung…

As Tagor exerted force, the firmly closed gate opened obliquely.

The internal scene was revealed.

“Aber! Come here quickly!”

“Let’s all play together!”

“Slide! This is more fun!”

Noisy laughter of children.

A water park had opened in the assassin village.

It was full of manifested play equipment everywhere.

Adults were watching over the children appropriately.

“Heok!?”

Abdul’s jaw dropped in astonishment.

“Wh, what on earth are those things-!”

Naked children cheering run around all over the village.

Everywhere, the bright laughter and cheers of children overflowed.

For now, they are just children, not assassin buds.

Tagor nodded with folded arms, as if satisfied.

“The White Sovereign called it a water park.”

‘Who on earth is the White Sovereign!?’

Abdul’s confusion was repeatedly amplified.

There are many strong ones who wander the great desert and make a name for themselves.

Was there also a being with such a title?

There is a dangerous legendary reaper in the Grabadra Sea.

But there’s no possibility that it’s the White Sovereign corresponding to that.

Surely, these humans wouldn’t worship a great magical beast.

The changes that appeared in the village were not just one or two.

Wells had even properly appeared in various places in the village.

I thought the wells had dried up?

“What on earth is this…!”

When Abdul glanced somewhere while swallowing his shock.

Finally, Abdul received a shock for the third time.

“Fou, fountaiiins-!”

The blood vessels in his bloodshot eyes from shock burst.

Fountains spraying water here and there, harmonizing with the wells.

All were in the form of glass with bubbles trapped inside like solidified oxygen.

They are structures that exert fixed formulas, no longer consuming mana.

“How are those precious structures in the middle of the village!”

“Those were also created by the White Sovereign. It’s a great magic.”

Again, only an incomprehensible answer returned.

Abdul shouted, spraying saliva from his mouth.

“Did you find a magic lamp in a cave where rubbing it makes a genie come out to grant wishes!?”

“There’s no way we have such a vast treasure. It’s just the result of a grand excavation project.”

In the great desert, water is precious.

Clear and clean water that can be drunk is even used as currency.

It was natural since it’s a means of basic life.

Also, the desert itself is survival from the environment.

Because one must survive in a place that’s unprecedentedly dangerous.

There’s no separate reason why everyone living in the desert is a combat tribe.

That’s why conflicts occur between each force for the purpose of securing drinking water sources.

However, no matter how fiercely they fight with strong power, they don’t touch water.

It was a mechanism to prevent mutual destruction.

But a sudden change appeared in a corner of the 4th district of the Tasham province.

In no time, it transformed into a terrain rich in water.

It was the beginning of a full-scale change.

‘Now Akran is sitting on a pile of money!’

Abdul held an expression of regret.

He truly felt like his stomach was about to burst.

“We’ve gained abundant water, the most precious thing for living in the desert. The water sphere magic water of the fountains has even applied the formula of purification technique Purify, making it first-class water, so we could sell it to make money and become rich. Now your guild is unnecessary. That’s just it.”

Tagor spoke as if concluding, then went to a nearby fountain and brought a glass of water.

“Here, compare this taste with the water you fed me.”

Tagor held out a manifestation glass cup of solidified oxygen similarly.

Abdul snatched the cup from Tagor’s hand and drank it all at once.

Abdul’s eyes widened in surprise at the taste of the water.

‘I, I’ve never tasted such cool and delicious water in my entire life!’

Finally, Abdul had no choice but to declare defeat.

Eventually, the village gate closed.

“Our past relationship ends here. The transaction ends today. Now we don’t need your guild’s water, so go back.”

Ururung-

As the gate closed, Tagor’s words left an echo.

In front of Abdul were carts and workers.

Water jars that were originally to be sold were loaded plentifully.

“Uh, greuut……!”

Abdul’s expression instantly twisted like a demon’s.

His face flushes bright red.

His teeth grind involuntarily.

“Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.”

He just couldn’t believe what he had just seen.

Was it really reality?

It seemed so.

Abdul is in charge of drinking water sales for the guild.

He was making profit by selling water.

The assassin village Akran was his biggest source of revenue until now.

It meant he had virtually lost all the profits he had made so far.

“Don’t think… I’ll just take this.”

Abdul wobbled in front of the closed village gate.

With folded arms, he caressed his double chin.

‘How is this possible? Is it magic after all? But who could use magic of such scale? Who worked for Akran? No, it’s impossible.’

Despite his large physique, his brain actually rotated quickly.

Very swiftly, he grasped the situation and entered into calculation.

It was instant that greed settled on the plump merchant’s face.

‘Yes… Undoubtedly, they got some great genie’s treasure from somewhere! Assassins do external activities like hunting or labyrinth exploration!’

Abdul opened his mouth wide and laughed.

‘Ahat! How shall I cook this up!’

Should he report to higher-ups in the khanate to escalate the matter?

Officials in key positions surely wouldn’t leave it alone?

Or should he contact mercenary groups connected to the guild?

Saying there’s a new job, not a guarding mission?

Or should he leak information to desert bandit groups?

To make a true survival game unfold?

“Uh, hehe…!”

Any choice was a flower-viewing card for Abdul.

The hatred of a merchant who lost his money-making was very intense.

Abdul shouted with a militant expression, shaking both arms.

“Such an extraordinary treasure is unacceptable… Either share it with everyone! Or have it seized and destroyed!”

While Abdul continued to mutter to himself as he pleased.

Below the ground beneath his feet were things he couldn’t imagine.

The White Sovereign was eavesdropping on all the conversations.