7 times
Hassan is now a free man
007 –
Last day of duty.
Even though it’s been several years since then, I can still remember that day.
Sunny sunshine.
The lovely weather in the mountains of Gangwon-do. The rice paddies and fields spread out before our eyes and the hazy eyes of the guards looking at us.
An irony that feels refreshing yet sad at the same time.
A feeling of confidence that you can do anything, along with a bit of vague fear.
Any man born in Korea would have felt similar emotions on his discharge from military service.
As I left the main gate of the battalion, I thought I would never feel that way again.
I was able to enjoy that feeling for a completely absurd reason in a completely absurd world.
freedom.
I kicked open the gate of the slave house in Calcutta and rushed out. In my hand I held a slave document comparable to a certificate of discharge.
If I just break this, I will be truly free.
From military life to slavery, is this the real story of my life?
I felt a bit sad because it seemed like most of the passionate and energetic people in their 20s were thrown into a dark trash can.
I feel like my life is ruined.
In the first place, I wonder why I am going through all this trouble. Where on earth did this medieval world come from?
However, a whooshing wind blows past my face and sweeps away all the negative thoughts.
Rather than regretting what I’ve done so far, it would be better to decide what to do in the future. I have to decide that myself.
What military life and slave life have in common is that you just have to do what you are told.
Every time someone gives me something to do, I’m so busy that the whole day passes by just doing that.
But since they are given at least the bare minimum of food and shelter, I guess you could say that they can live to some extent by just listening to what other people say.
I feel like something like a slave mentality is developing and blocking the direction of development.
But now I am free.
It means that I have to make my own decisions and make my own decisions.
The freedom I had just regained felt like a sailboat thrown into a vast ocean without a single wave. It was so vast that I didn’t know where to go, and it felt like panic was creeping up on me.
But I do have short-term goals that I can call my compass.
Become an adventurer.
It was a goal I had been thinking about since before I became a slave.
As you become an adventurer and accumulate a certain amount of achievements, you will gain a status and be eligible to receive protection from various public institutions, including banking services.
Hassan, an illegal immigrant who trembled in fear of the immigration office raiding at any moment, has now become Mr. Hassan who has officially obtained a work visa!!
“Damn, no one can stop me now.”
After giggling like that, I returned to the treatment room where Finley was.
“Geometry-! Ah, Elfriede!”
“어머나, 이제야 오시네. 어딜 그렇게 개새끼처럼 싸돌아다니는 거야? 회복되려면 며칠 더 걸릴 줄 알았더니, 이제 다 나았나 보네?”
Elfriede’s eyes are as red as flames, but their coolness is almost like ice.
Because of that, my liver quickly became cold like a mackerel thrown into an ice rink.
I thought it would be at least three more days before Elfriede would come looking for me. When I suddenly encountered her like this, my legs started shaking and I felt dizzy.
A bitch who comes without even turning on her blinkers.
Campride Year-.
You little shit!
“Hey kid, you’re spacing out again. You must be thinking shit. Are you swearing at me? Huh?”
“Oh, that’s not it… .”
“No? It’s informal speech if it’s not, kid.”
As Elfriede raised her palm, I trembled like an aspen tree in winter. If I were to get slapped with that palm, I would probably lose consciousness for at least a week.
“Heeeeek-!”
“Now that you’ve healed up, come out. You have a lot to do starting tomorrow. I need to do some shopping that I’ve been putting off with the money I made from selling the artifacts I recently acquired. And I also have a lot of luggage to move.”
Elfriede gave me arrogant instructions as if it were a daily routine.
I almost answered “Yes” and moved my body. The imprint of violence engraved on a person’s body is stronger than you might think.
But, but I was no longer her slave.
I will be the master of my own destiny!
So I decided to shoot Elfriede a few sharp words.
“I, that’s Elfriede… sir. Please listen carefully and don’t misunderstand. I, I am now a free man… .”
“What the hell are you talking about? You want to get back? You slept comfortably in bed for a few days and now you’re feeling really good?”
“Geeeek-!”
***
The Golden Fleece of the Healing Center.
In the reception room, which was remodeled to accommodate guests, only silence reigns.
To me, the silence and stillness were so horrible that I felt like a hole was going to be drilled into my stomach. So I just continued to sip from the already empty teacup in a daze.
“So, you’ve paid off all your debt now?”
“That, that’s right… , yeah.”
In response to Elfriede’s question, I answered confidently, saying that I was drinking from a cup.
Elfriede’s red eyes narrowed as if lost in thought as she looked down at the scroll on the table.
I felt goosebumps.
When Elfriede is truly scary, it’s not when she’s angry or frowning, but when she’s lost in thought!
It’s clear that he’s coming up with some evil plan to harass me.
But if I just stay scared of her, the story won’t progress, and I won’t be able to move forward either.
So I decided to be brave.
“Bur, by law, I am free. I have no reason to listen to your orders anymore.”
“Yes, it is definitely an official document. You couldn’t have stolen it from the management office. You stole the money, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to pay that much money.”
“No, I acquired it legitimately and paid for it legitimately.”
“Hmm… .”
Elfriede unrolled the scroll and waved it around. Her narrow eyes moved around the living room, then her expression became sharp as she fixed her gaze on a certain place.
“Hic-!”
Then I heard Finley’s small scream behind me. Perhaps he was eavesdropping on our conversation.
“I get it. Wow, this is really funny. This is ridiculous. Okay, I get it. You’re a strong slave, so if you save me again, that’s it-.”
Hwaruk-.
Elfriede, who was frowning and laughing alone, started to burn in her palm. My slave document turned into ashen dust and scattered into the air.
With that, my status became that of a completely free citizen. But before I could even feel any other emotions about it, Elfriede said.
“That’s the end of it, Hassan. But still. You’d better not show up in my sights in the future. If you’re ever sold to a slave camp again, I’ll know how to cut off your balls this time.”
“… We’ll never meet again, you little bitch.”
“what?”
It was less than a tenth of the amount of swear words I usually had in my heart, but I felt relieved after I courageously blurted them out.
Above all, looking at Elfriede’s face, which was distorted with embarrassment, made me feel so good that I felt full even without eating.
Is this the taste of freedom?
“So, what are you going to do now that you’re free, you savage?”
“Why should I tell you that?”
“Huh, well, that’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it obvious? You want to become an adventurer, get a proper status, and live like a human being, right? You’re a Samaritan.”
What the fuck, how did you know?
I feel uneasy as if my plans, which I have never told Elfriede, have been revealed one by one.
Could it be that they are interfering or something? Elfriede is considered a veteran among adventurers.
It’s something that might make you act like you’re never going to make it in this industry.
It was when I was so nervous.
Bam.
Something quite heavy was placed on the table from Elfriede’s arms. It was an old package, and there was even a familiar, dull sound coming from its weight.
I could tell right away that this was the money I had been saving and saving for two years.
Elfriede said.
“Take this too and get out. It’s dirty and bothersome to keep something that has your hands on it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, these few silver coins are just small change to me.”
Hoeeeeeeung-.
My eyes were spinning as I looked at the bundle of coins lying on the table. Who would have thought that I would never see the bundle of silver coins again in my life?
However, because they are unable to figure out Elfriede’s true intentions, they end up engaging in a mediocre war of nerves.
This woman is not the type of woman who does favors for free. She must be plotting something bad. The Elfriede I know is full of plots.
“What are you planning?”
“What the hell are you talking about? If you don’t want it, I’ll take it back.”
“No, no.”
I quickly packed my purse and put it in my pocket as Elfriede listened to the story.
That familiar weight, that hard, squeaky shape, felt so good that the corners of my mouth almost went up.
Elfriede was watching me with narrow eyes as I packed my bundle of money.
The guy pushed the chair away and stood up, speaking coldly.
“Hasan, this is the end of our relationship. You’d better stay out of my sight from now on. If you don’t want to get stabbed in the back of the head with a fireball, I recommend leaving this city. I don’t think I can stand the feeling of being fucked up after seeing that face. Consider it my farewell gift.”
Elfriede, who thought there would be a back end, turned around and walked out of the treatment center.
I should say that the story turned out better than expected.
I started to feel a sense of discomfort and unease somewhere.
Of course, just thinking about the bundle of coins makes me feel energetic.
“Hehehe, so cool!”
***
“Are you really leaving the city?”
I nodded to Finley’s question.
“Yes, I owe you a lot, Mr. Finley.”
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to get a lot of help. The massage technique I learned from Mr. Hassan was quite well-received. I’m not very good at it, but…”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I think that with that level of ability, Hassan would be able to live comfortably without starving wherever he goes… It’s too bad. I thought it would be perfect if you got a job at our clinic.”
Finley, who seemed to be really regretful, regained his appetite. I too had thought about calling in a reasonable amount of money here.
But this place is too heavily influenced by the silver-haired witch Elfriede.
If you stay here, or rather, in this city of Calcutta, you may unintentionally encounter that woman more often.
So I decided to leave the city and start a new life in a new place, using this silver coin.
“I have to leave.”
“Well, if you’re starting out as an adventurer, it might be a good idea to leave Calcata. There are many dangerous dungeons here, and the jobs are tough, so it’s a difficult place to start anew.”
“Is that so? Then which city would be a good place to start anew?”
Finley seemed to hesitate aloud in response to my question, but then nodded and answered.
“Of course it’s Sodomora. They say that ruins and dungeons have been excavated in Babylia next door. There’s no place with as much work as Sodomora.”
“Sodomora… .”
I repeated the name of a city I had heard several times during my time as a slave: Sodomora, Sodomora.
“Mr. Hassan, will you also open a clinic after becoming a silver rank?”
“A treatment center?”
“Yes, if you raise your credit to a Silver-rank adventurer, you can build a clinic and get a bank loan. I heard that our director used to be an adventurer who rolled around in dungeons. Isn’t that what Hassan is trying to do?”
“hmm-.”
I had no idea that opening a clinic would require such requirements.
New knowledge has been gained. While I was immersed in such small impressions, Finley added a word.
“You know that it is illegal for a healer to personally perform healing acts on the street or in a square, right? You must be affiliated with a temple or a healing center.”
“If I don’t comply, will I be fined?”
“I’m glad it’s just a fine.”
Finley smiled and then fell silent for a moment. Something quite frightening seemed to be happening, no matter what.
Is there a law to weed out quacks and street vendors? I was planning to make some money on the street like a pharmacist. I had a feeling my plan was going a little wrong.
It’s a good thing I found out in advance. I survived because Finley was kind.
“Mr. Hassan, if you open a clinic, please contact me. I want to work with you, Mr. Hassan!”
“Tsk tsk.”
“Why, why?”
“No, it’s a little touching… I hope it happens someday.”
I pictured myself setting up a small clinic and building a future with Finley.
I’d like to have a son with black hair like me and a daughter with blue hair like Finley to help me with the work. I don’t mind having more. I’m not the one who’s going to have them anyway.
I wonder if it would be okay to name children after the spirit of the family that follows nature, such as Ha-gang or Haneul.
It was when I was thinking like that.
“I really hope that day comes. My son is also a capable therapist, so if we work together, we can quickly grow the clinic!”
“Ah-, son…? Your son?”
“Yes, the boy who worked in the morning shift. He’s not even ten years old, but he can use healing magic six times a day. The usual limit is five, so he’s amazing! Of course, Mr. Hassan’s secret technique is also amazing-.”
I think Finley is talking about something.
None of it reached my ears.
You had a son! Was Finley married? I don’t know who the guy who worked in the morning shift was, but he apparently had a son. That means he’s married.
Damn, nothing in this world is easy.
In short, my plan to get a wife locally and obtain a long-term visa, and even permanent residency, was doomed from the very beginning!!
[Work Review] When I write a novel, I think about what I should say in the work review! But when it comes time to post it, I forget everything, Hoaeng-eeeeeek!!!
I always appreciate your suggestions and recommendations!! Please click like and help free the poor slave of writing, Michuri ㅠㅠ
