Chapter 200: Episode 200_Beco a Well-Treated Sucker (1)
1.
mbership. The word itself sounded grand. It implied sothing private, sothing that made you feel like special services existed just for you, simply by possessing it. And now, "VVIP" was attached to it. Even "VIP" alone was enough to excite people. Very Important Person. Who in the world didn’t want to be important?
But there was a vast difference between thinking of yourself as important and having others judge you as such. It was the difference between being treated with respect and not. And the difference in where you received that treatnt.
In that sense, the Rich Territory VVIP mbership—a ticket signifying that you could beco a very, very important person—was bound to beco a hot topic.
"A territory that guarantees complete safety from black magic mages and demons is issuing mberships."
"Does that an you won’t die as long as you’re there?"
"Eh, what if the demons just smash the whole place to bits?"
"It’s still better than dying from so random curse without even knowing why."
The continent was at war. Although the full-scale conflict hadn’t begun, the thought that their lives could be on the line created a greater sense of urgency than actually having their backs against the wall. Anyone with a bit of money showed interest. How would the mberships be issued? What were the benefits?
The fact that it was an adventurer’s territory that earned a fortune under the guise of a the park only added to the NPCs’ interest. The very concept of a "mbership" was foreign on the continent; it was a term from the world of adventurers. Expectations were naturally high. Hadn’t they already experienced imnse satisfaction at the the park?
The NPCs pestered Han Simin, and living up to their expectations, he promptly announced how the mberships would be issued.
"The Rich Territory VVIP mbership is a mbership whose benefits are effective only within the Rich Territory. This may change in the future if other branches like the Rich Casino are established, but for now, holders of this mbership will receive treatnt within any place bearing the na Rich that not even an emperor could envy."
He was a con artist who knew exactly how to stir people’s hearts. Han Simin knew all too well that in the real world, people didn’t hesitate to spend money on vanity and honor. Why would Fantastic World be any different, especially in a place with a caste system even more rigid than reality? For those who yearned to climb to a higher station, the word "emperor" in the context of the Rich Territory would be a stimulus, prodding at the desires buried deep within their hearts. It was a status that even a duke with imnse wealth couldn’t attain if he wasn’t born into it. Even if it was just for show, the chance to receive such treatnt was irresistible.
"Ah, of course, if you act as if you’re actually soone important and cause a disturbance, your mbership will be imdiately revoked, and you will be blacklisted. So please maintain the dignity befitting a VVIP mber."
Of course, this was Han Simin’s territory. Unlike in the real world, the VVIP would not be the one in charge. It simply ant you were a sucker who got the red-carpet treatnt.
Nevertheless, the people listened intently.
"The thod for issuing VVIP mberships is simple. Twice a year, on a semi-annual basis, we will award them to the ten individuals who have shown the most active participation in the Rich Territory. The next ninety individuals will receive VIP mberships. From that day on, our mbers will be able to enjoy nurous benefits within the Rich Territory."
The rest of his explanation was mostly fluff. It was so aningless that the players who were listening could summarize it in a single line.
—So basically, he’s telling us to spend a lot of money.
It was an irrefutable point. But Han Simin was shaless. If you didn’t like it, you didn’t have to beco a mber! No one was forcing you. The Rich Territory was already overflowing with things to enjoy. What was there to complain about when he was turning that spending into points for even greater benefits and better treatnt?
’None of the people complaining are big spenders in my territory anyway,’ Han Simin concluded. When it ca to self-brainwashing, he was the best in the world.
The mberships were thus launched.
"Ah! And I haven’t ntioned the most important part, sothing I’m sure you’re all curious about. For the duration of their mbership, the top ten VVIP mbers will each be provided with one of the mansions we’ve poured our heart and soul into building in the Rich Territory. The remaining VIP mbers will be provided with a room they can use at any ti during the period."
He was offering slightly differentiated service, along with guaranteed safety.
*
The backlash was, of course, severe. It would have been strange if it wasn’t.
"This is an act of deceit against the people who spend money in the territory!"
Discrimination. Deprivation. These were feelings people didn’t want to experience. The idea of being judged by money was especially painful for those who couldn’t asure up. Unfortunately for them, this wasn’t a place where such complaints worked. Relatively few people voiced their dissatisfaction through action.
"It’s not just about money, it’s also about how often you use the facilities, right?"
"Just throwing money around isn’t the most efficient way."
This was because Han Simin had cleverly left a loophole. A mileage system! It wasn’t his invention, of course. He had simply imported the point system from the real world. He did, however, create one blind spot.
"Still, you can’t beat the people who pour in tons of money."
At first glance, the frequency of use seed important. But ultimately, there was no limit on spending, so those who spent staggering amounts of money would also accumulate a lot of mileage. However, that small distinction was enough to sway the minds of those with minor complaints. It was the difference between having hope and having none. The difference between a 0% chance and the thought that, ’if I work hard, soone at my level of wealth could actually make it.’
Others simply didn’t care. ’I’ll just enjoy what I want and leave.’
’There’s no need to get hung up on sothing that changes every six months.’
Most NPCs, not just the players, thought this way. Only the highest-ranking nobles considered trying for a VVIP mbership as an insurance policy for their lives. Few were willing to invest their entire fortune and ti in a potential demon invasion that might never happen. So, in the end, it didn’t matter. Not getting a mbership didn’t diminish the enjoynt the Rich Territory offered. Other people getting better treatnt? As long as I don’t pay attention to it, it’s not my problem. That’s what people thought.
2.
The rumor spread quickly among the black magic mages.
"They say a Sanctuary has been installed in the Rich Territory."
"A Sanctuary? There?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"We don’t know the full details, but we must consider the possibility of a second Sanctuary."
"Damn it."
The Sanctuary was their number one threat. The Grand Priest, the Saintess—none of them mattered. There was no magic circle more vexing and formidable than the Sanctuary. While living in hiding, they had managed to learn of the Sanctuary created by the Grand Temple and were diligently investigating its whereabouts. For it to appear now, of all tis!
"Thanks to it, all the black magic mages who infiltrated the Rich Territory have been captured."
"Damn it all."
They had been careless. No, not careless. It was sothing they always had to keep in mind, but no one would have ever imagined it would be there. Any sane person would install such a Sanctuary in the Imperial Capital to protect the Emperor, or at the very least, to preserve the capital that served as the continent’s backbone. But to install it in another territory, and a re adventurer viscount’s territory at that? Who could have possibly imagined it? It might have been a different story if it were a natural fortress that even demons would have trouble invading.
"What was the result?"
"There is currently no way to extract them."
"I see."
This miscalculation ca at a cost: sacrifice. The black magic mages, who had successfully hidden from the Imperial Knights and Paladins until now, had been caught. This ant one thing: their future activities would beco more difficult. And more dangerous.
The black magic mages had to make a choice.
"A rescue is impossible, I assu?"
"Correct."
As individuals who focused solely on magic, they were physically weak. Still, they wouldn’t easily sell out their comrades under torture. It wasn’t simply a matter of outstanding loyalty. Black magic, the symbol of curses and brainwashing—wouldn’t they use it on each other? As enemies of the continent, they needed such constraints to ensure they could stick together and survive. Naturally, a curse would activate upon any attempt at betrayal. That’s why they couldn’t speak. To speak was to die.
"Our location will be revealed. It would be best to abandon this place as well."
"Agreed."
However, one could still choose to speak, even with death as the price. The curse was triggered by the act of betrayal; it couldn’t prevent the betrayal itself. From the black magic mages’ perspective, their enemies were more demonic than demons. Watching them hunt down black magic mages in the na of God sotis made them wonder if their pursuers were the real demons. Was there any black magic mage who could withstand that? They had heard stories of black magic mages begging for death while spilling secrets, but never one who endured.
That’s why this was so infuriating. They had been caught sooner than expected, all because of the existence of the Rich Territory. They didn’t even bla their decision to attack it. A truly magnificent, Han Simin-esque mindset!
As they prepared to relocate, the black magic mages made a vow.
"We will erase the Rich Territory, no matter what it takes."
"It will not be easy."
"I know, but it must be done."
"It might be easier to aim for the capital than to destroy the Sanctuary."
"There’s a chance one is installed in the capital as well."
"The probability is low."
"Even so, the Sanctuary must be destroyed."
He fell silent.
Attacking the capital versus entering the Sanctuary to destroy it from within. They had never imagined a day would co when they’d have to compare the two. But now that the situation was upon them, the latter seed more plausible. Even assuming there was nothing comparable to the Sanctuary in the Imperial Capital, the sheer number of priests and the abundance of holy water created an environnt where curses could not easily spread. It was better to strike the Rich Territory—weaker, but with less security than the capital.
Having made their decision, a black magic mage spoke.
"Gather our forces as soon as we move. We strike imdiately."
Their planning was precise, and their actions were swift. They would strike the weak point. Believing themselves to be cornered, the black magic mages began to gather in secret.
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