BOPE 17

Donghui tried her best not to look pathetic, but it was a question that could only sound pitiful no matter how it was asked.

“Of course, this might be pocket change to you, Lord, but there are countless commoners who live on just 5 Bron a month.”

How much is 1 Bron in Korean won, anyway?

Donghui wracked her brain, but no answer came to mind. Left with no choice, she opted to play dumb once again.

“What can you buy with 1 Bron?”

“Hmm… about three slices of bread, a jug of goat milk, and half a sack of coarse wheat?”

If three pieces of bread cost 1 Bron, then it was roughly equivalent to 10,000 won.

So they’re living on 50,000 won a month?

Donghui was momentarily stunned, but quickly accepted the reality as she reflected on her own past. She had once lived on 40,000 won a month for food.

Eating a single pack of ramen in the morning, then saving the broth to reheat and pour over rice for dinner—it was a regular thing back then. Because of that, the harsh life of the fief’s residents felt all the more real.

When Chloe said nothing, Scrooge continued speaking, still wearing a frustrated expression.

“But because of the prolonged drought, even that has become difficult. They probably haven’t even held 1 Bron in a long time.”

Donghui’s gaze drifted back to the carriage window.

This land, filled with large coniferous forests and dry weeds instead of green fields, looked utterly unsuitable for farming in both climate and soil.

Ah! That knowledge about Grace’s terrain!

Feeling overwhelmed, Donghui remembered the geographical knowledge she had recently purchased using hidden points.

She glanced at the silent Scrooge and called out to the system in her mind.

Would you like to access the recently purchased Level 1 Geographical Information?

As if reading her mind, the status window presented her with exactly what she needed.

Donghui nodded quickly.

Chwararararak!

With a noisy rustle, the status window began unfolding small square panels one by one.

As Donghui studied the tiny squares filled with dense writing, she was taken aback.

Do I really have to read and memorize all this?

Of course not. Based on your user profile, it is estimated that it would take approximately five years to fully read and learn even Level 1 geographical knowledge. To ensure efficiency, the system will store the information directly into your brain.

That sounded suspiciously like it was calling her dumb.

But since it wasn’t wrong, Donghui pursed her lips and stared at the busy status window.

After about ten minutes, the stream of panels finally stopped.

The little squares had piled up, covering the floor of the carriage and even burying Scrooge’s feet.

Just like the status window itself, no one but Donghui seemed to be able to see the panels.

Would you like to begin the knowledge transfer? Please answer with Yes or No.

There was no reason to hesitate.

“Yes.”

You have chosen Forced Acquisition. The process will take approximately ten minutes…

What? Forced acquisition?

The term sent a shiver down her spine. Donghui involuntarily imagined someone prying open her skull and shoving the knowledge in.

As unease crept up, the explanation continued.

During forced acquisition, you may experience mild nausea and headaches.

That didn’t sound too bad. Donghui took a deep breath. If there was one thing she was good at, it was pretending not to be in pain. Working part-time jobs had taught her how to smile through sickness just to avoid getting fired.

Soon, the letters scattered across the floor began wriggling like ants. Then, with a whooooosh, they flew up toward the space between her eyebrows like dust getting sucked into a vacuum.

Huh? Oh!

At first, it felt cool.

Donghui was relieved, thinking maybe she wouldn’t have any side effects. But suddenly, one of the letters got stuck right between her eyebrows.

“Uuurrrgh!”

A wave of nausea hit her like a tidal wave.

“My Lord! Stop the carriage!”

Startled, Scrooge jumped up and checked on Chloe’s condition, then quickly banged on the carriage wall.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each bang made Donghui’s head feel like it was being split open. It was as if someone were slamming a hand axe into her skull.

This is what they call mild headache?!

“You scammy, two-faced bastard! Uuurrrgh!”

“My—My Lord?”

Scrooge dropped to the floor in surprise at Donghui’s outburst as she clutched her head.

The headache lasted exactly ten minutes.

For ten whole minutes, Donghui gagged like someone with severe morning sickness, clutching her head, groaning, and vomiting again and again.

Scrooge suggested returning to get her checked by a physician, but Donghui flatly refused.

“My Lord, are you all right?”

Scrooge asked with concern, watching Chloe slump weakly in her seat.

“I’m fine. Really.”

Her face was pale, and sweat beaded on her forehead, but she was clearly doing better than before.

“Perhaps it would be best to turn back, even now?”

Caring for the people of the fief was important, but not if it meant risking the lord’s health.

“Really, I’m okay.”

Donghui even managed a grin.

Scrooge still looked worried, but he nodded reluctantly.

“Very well. But you must see a physician later. That’s non-negotiable.”

He said it firmly.

“Okay. I will.”

How long had it been since someone had shown her this kind of concern?

Even though she still felt drained, the way Scrooge looked at her—like she was family—melted away the lingering headache completely.

It was just Level 1 knowledge, but the sheer amount that had entered her mind was overwhelming.

Even so, she still couldn’t forgive the system for calling the experience “mild.” Still, she took a deep breath and recalled the knowledge she had earned through that pain.

She searched her mind for the most immediately useful information.

<Grace Territory Terrain Knowledge – Level 1>

• Level 1 terrain includes only parts of Morta and Kondal. Some climate data included.

• Has four seasons. (Cool summers, severe winters)

• Well-developed coniferous forests.

• Due to the cold climate, water evaporation is low. Rainfall is limited, but dense forests keep water supply relatively high. (Currently, rivers have dried due to drought)

• Soil not suitable for farming (some areas excluded)

• Northern regions are covered in snowfields for more than half the year.

• A few residents live in snowfields. Reindeer, snow rabbits, and snow foxes inhabit the region.

[Morta Region Terrain Features]

1. Not ideal for farming, but certain treatments can turn the soil arable.

2. Home to the Healing Forest—also called the Black Forest or Forest of Beasts. The green sap from pine trees has excellent healing properties but emits a foul odor harmful to eyes and respiratory systems.

3. Contains natural habitats for Dural—main food for low-level monsters but edible for humans.

4. Avoid the Black Forest at night.

5. Up to 00 types of resources available in the Pure White Lands.

6. Underground water (originating from snowfields) and damp land found in the middle of barren fields.
   …

7. Abundant moss habitat (Moh Moss).

[Kondal Region Terrain Features]

1. Mostly flatland.

2. Dry soil with poor nutrients—not ideal for farming. Limited crop cultivation possible.

3. Porous soil drains water well; groundwater flows beneath firm bedrock.
   …

4. If moss habitats are reclaimed, Dural can be cultivated there.

Out of all the knowledge, what caught Donghui’s attention most was a plant called Dural.

You can eat it?

But the name sounded weird.

“Dural? What the heck? Does it look like balls or something? Ew. No thanks.”

Even though it was just Level 1 knowledge, the information was surprisingly useful.

While cheerfully pondering which piece of knowledge to use first, Donghui’s carriage arrived at the entrance of Morta Village.

As the lord’s carriage came to a stop, the villagers rushed toward it as if they had been waiting.

“The lord has arrived!”

“My Lord!”

Donghui stared in a daze at the crowd, even as the guards held them back.

It was the first time in her life anyone had ever welcomed her like this.