My Cell Prison - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Chapter 41 – Reward and Ghoul

“We’ll split this evenly between us!”

When Kaz had first asked for support, the split was supposed to be 70/30.

But as they went about the assignment, because of Han Dong’s accurate deduction of the ghoul potentially making an escape that led to the discovery of the secret tunnel in the basement, Kaz had decided to go 60/40.

Later, due to Han Dong’s assistance, they only had to deal with just the one ghoul and it was through Han Dong’s unique abilities that they managed to slay the monster in the end.

Kaz Martini had handed a half-filled purse of jingling copper coins right outside the Church entrance after handing in the proof of completion for the bounty assignment.

“So much?” Han Dong was quite surprised. The purse he was handed had at least a 100 or so copper coins within.

“Were it not for Alan’s assistance this time, not only would I have not been able to complete the assignment in the first place, I’m afraid I might even have endangered my own life in the process. You deserve this cut… Besides, I’ve only mentioned my name when I turned in the assignment, as per your request.”

Kaz did not bother to pry as to why Han Dong had wanted to deliberately hide his involvement. After all, everyone had their own reasons… Kaz reckoned that Han Dong must have snuck out in secret, so if the Academy were to find out, the reward that he earned today would have been for naught.

“Okay.”

Han Dong was temporarily uncertain just how much was half a purse of copper coins worth.

“Friend Alan, is your summon the ‘contract signing type’ or the ‘mind control type’? It’s so powerful!”

“The former, I suppose.”

“Looks like it was no coincidence that you got your Fate Weapon! Could you leave your contact information? So I can reach out and team up with you again if I ever need to form a team to deal with a bounty assignment or any important ‘Destiny foray’ in the future. Don’t mind how I got wounded dealing with the ghoul from before; I’m actually pretty strong when I get serious.”

It was not that Han Dong did not wish to form a team. After all, knowing a ‘Crusader’ who already had 3 Fate points assigned would be a great advantage for Han Dong’s future development.

It was just that Han Dong had no idea how to answer this question of his; A method of contact naturally implied the contemporary means of communication, but going according to the history that he was familiar with, the means of communication had halted at ‘paper mail’ during the steam era… Telegrams were only discovered at the start of the second Industrial Revolution.

Han Dong had asked this of Nina before, and the answer that he got was that the Holy City of Newtonia did not have ‘electricity’, which naturally meant that telegrams could not exist, and they would therefore still rely upon methods of communication that did not rely on electricity.

But means of communication still existed.

In this unique era where the supernatural and steam technology had collided, humanity had invented a different means of communication as they faced extinction.

By using a combination of copper parts and gears to send off related signals, as well as the intricate spell sigils that could identify signals and transmit them, humans had managed to achieve ‘Instant transmission’ and ‘Directional transmission’, though Han Dong had no idea how it looked.

But just as Han Dong was clueless as to how to reply to Kaz’s request, the Knight had used his index finger and thumb to toggle the clockwork device on his wrist.

The clockwork device that was used as a watch began to emit a rattling sound.

It folded and opened up, revealing delicate copper keys inside. It was similar to a handphone’s keypad, where the digits 1-9 were all represented on keys that resembled what would be found in a typewriter.

Han Dong immediately did the same, and sure enough, his clockwork device also revealed a similar operating panel.

At the same time, he saw a string of numbers at the base of the clockwork device… Which was his device’s number.

Just like that, the two young men exchanged numbers, and Han Dong had also officially become acquainted with an ‘experienced Knight’.

This ghoul case had at the very least shown that Kaz Martini’s character was decent and worth befriending.

“Well, that’s that. I’ll need to hurry up and get my armor repaired. We can contact each other at any time if anything crops up in the future.”

“Indeed. Goodbye.”

Honestly speaking, ever since Han Dong had survived his experience in the Space of Destiny, he had yet to find the time to study the clockwork device he had on.

Staring at the clockwork device right now and observing it for quite some time, he felt that such a masterpiece of engineering might very well have other functions that might be activated once Han Dong officially becomes a Trainee Knight.

“Time to head on home.”

Han Dong used his Trainee Knight identity and crossed the heavily guarded bridge over the Mosrabi River, returning back to the familiar Samuel Commoner’s District.

Nina had already registered the family along with the ‘Trainee Knight’ over by the Public Security Branch, and their family would not be restricted by the limitations of the mandatory rule in the district, allowing them to move out from the slums from here onwards.

The moment Han Dong returned home, Nina came leaping out to give him a tight hug, excitedly chattering on so much that he had difficulty making out just what she was saying.

After all, Han Dong had brought about too much change to the household.

“Big brother… Did you know that after you got hauled away, Security Chief Dace personally made the trip over to apologize and he even gave us 5 copper coins? We don’t have to worry about getting what food we want for the next few days.”

“Is 5 copper coins a lot?”

“A LOT! Mom could only get 10 copper coins a year working outside… While my master would occasionally give me 1 copper coin at the end of the month when he’s in a good mood.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Han Dong placed that purse he was holding in his hand on the table.

Hearing the sound of jingling coins in the purse as her brother set it down… Nina’s entire body was also shaking along with it.

Han Dong very plainly said, “Take these coins and use it on mom and yourself. I’m sure we’re going to need new furniture when we move to the opposite bank of the Mosrabi River, right?”

Nina did not make a sound.

She very slowly got close to the purse and opened it up.

Nina had never seen a pile of copper coins like this before. Even in her dreams, she had not dreamed there could be so much.

She was standing in a complete daze, not a word escaping from her lips. Her eyes even looked like they had glazed over.

After a while, Nina stuttered as she quietly asked, “Brother, did you… Did you use your power to commit a robbery…?”

“Relax, I’ve obtained all that money through legitimate channels.”

“How… How much is there here?”

“No idea, I haven’t counted it yet. Anyway, be sure to keep it safe. I’ll be looking for you if I ever need funds. In the meantime, you’re allowed to use the rest as you see fit.”

“Brother… I.. I…” Nina was so flustered that she was on the verge of tears.

“Count how much money there is first and keep it safe… Use it after we’ve moved across the Mosrabi River.”

“Understood!”

Nina tied the purse and looked all around, afraid that some stranger might discover this sum of money in her possession as she quickly scurried off into the bedroom she shared with their mother.

She first counted each and every copper coin inside the purse before keeping it in the bottom most drawer of a wardrobe.

As for Han Dong, he still did what he always did, walking back into his bedroom all by himself, closing and locking the door behind him… Waiting till Nina called him for dinner.

Han Dong was not particularly concerned with the copper coins. Since he had gotten all that from a bounty assignment offered by the Academy and the relevant associations, there would still be such similar opportunities in the future.

What Han Dong cared about was the windfall he had gotten.

He had not simply gained the monetary reward from this ghoul incident.

Han Dong had also gotten hold of a Cell Essence, a complete arm of a matured ghoul, as well as the books that Chenli had found in the study pertaining to ghouls.

(Chenli did not understand English, but she could actively transmit visual images to Han Dong, and Han Dong was able to direct her to grab the relevant tomes and books)

Han Dong began speed reading them like he was reading scientific research literature.

In a short time, he had finished reading the relevant books and was able to simplify the information of what he just digested, organizing it neatly in his notebook.

[Ghoul]

Cause for formation: Cemetery work, degenerate thoughts.

Commonly found with Cemetery workers or citizens that live around cemeteries, after succumbing to the fungal infection or the evil energy, the body would turn into a sort of ‘cemetery state’.

Common characteristics are anorexia, sunlight, and shyness.

The moment such symptoms are detected, it is important to immediately head to the Chapel and receive the relevant Holy Purification… Do not go near any cemetery until the symptoms are abated.

If such precautions are not taken in time, there is a 70% chance of the subject dying, with a 20% chance of succumbing to madness.

The remaining 10% chance would be the establishment of contact with ‘higher lifeforms’ from beyond the walls on a subconscious level, becoming influenced by their decay and transforming into a Ghoul.

New-born Ghouls need to subsist on cemetery moss, miscellaneous bacteria, and other dark organisms.

With a strong carnivorous appetite that is only active in the deep of the night, their green skin as well as the smell of rot that they give off makes it easy to identify them.

Once they have eaten enough, they will fully develop into maturity, resulting in the ghoul attaining consciousness, granting them the ability to reproduce offspring and construct Ghoul Nests.