Tech Hero in Another World
Chapter 25: [24] Need more money

Chapter 25: [24] Need more money

At Ren’s place, two days had passed since he began designing the vehicle he would use for his long journey. The blueprint was complete, but one major challenge remained—finding the right materials for its components, especially the tires and engine.

Rubber was the ideal choice, but Ren wasn’t sure if such a material even existed in this world. If not, he would have to find an alternative with similar elasticity. This wasn’t just about building a vehicle—it was about reverse-engineering technology from scratch.

At that moment, Ren heard news that a merchant caravan from the east had arrived in Vermont. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, he immediately headed to the marketplace, hoping to find something useful.

And—

Yep.

Among the various stalls, Ren’s eyes caught sight of something interesting. A dark, solid material with a slightly flexible texture, similar to hardened rubber sap.

Excited, he approached the merchant.

"Hey, this thing... where does it come from?" he asked, his voice sounding more serious than usual.

The merchant, a middle-aged man dressed in eastern-style clothing, gave him a friendly smile before answering.

"Ah, that? We call it ’black resin.’ It’s tree sap from the deep southern forests. It’s usually used for weapon grips or waterproof coatings on certain goods."

Ren’s eyes gleamed slightly. If this material had enough elasticity, it could serve as a rubber substitute.

"Can I buy a few kilos?" he asked without hesitation.

The merchant nodded, chuckling.

"Of course, sir. But this stuff isn’t cheap, you know?"

Without a second thought, Ren pulled out a pouch of coins.

"No problem. As long as it’s enough for my experiments, I’ll pay whatever it costs."

The merchant was momentarily surprised but quickly broke into a wider smile.

"Haha! Now that’s my kind of customer. Take as much as you like!"

Without delay, Ren bought out all the rubber sap available in the merchant’s caravan. Though the quantity wasn’t large—only two wooden crates—it was more than enough for his needs. The merchant seemed pleased with the hefty sale, while Ren carried his newfound resources back home.

Once he arrived, he immediately began analyzing the material. He squeezed a small piece of the hardened sap, testing its elasticity, then brought it close to his nose. The distinct pungent scent and flexible nature only reinforced his suspicions—this was definitely rubber.

A satisfied grin spread across his face. "Hah, at this rate... I can finish the car in a week!" he exclaimed with excitement. With his ability to manipulate materials, building a vehicle like this was just a matter of time. In fact, if he had enough resources and tools, he could create something even more advanced than what existed in the 22nd century.

However, one major problem remained—his finances were running low. The money he had earned from hunting and previous quests was being drained by material costs. Because of that, while working on his vehicle, he continued taking small quests to keep his funds afloat.

Sometimes, Wendy would help him with minor jobs. She would take simple tasks like playing with Lady Eleanor’s pets or gathering herbs around the city. While enough for daily expenses, the earnings were nowhere near enough to make him rich.

Ren knew that if he wanted to complete his project faster, he needed a bigger source of income. That was when, while scanning the guild’s quest board, his eyes landed on a notice that caught his attention.

A bounty on bandits.

Ren stared at the notice for a long moment, then narrowed his eyes. (Bandits... huh?) he thought, as an idea began forming in his mind.

From that moment on, the bandits around Vermont began experiencing their worst nightmare.

That night, the peace within a hidden bandit stronghold deep in the forest was shattered in an instant. Explosions erupted across the camp, lighting up the darkness with raging flames. Screams of panic and terror filled the air, mixed with the sharp, precise sound of gunfire.

"Aaaah...!"

"Mercy... Please!"

Bandits scattered in all directions, running blindly without a clue what to do. But there was one voice that haunted them more than anything else.

"I-It’s... Black Death! Run!!"

They weren’t just afraid—they were utterly terrified. In the past two weeks, that name had become a horrifying legend among the bandits operating near Vermont. A ghostly figure who emerged from the shadows, bringing death without a sound, as if the Grim Reaper himself had descended upon them.

Watching over the chaos from a small cliff, Ren stood tall, his eyes sharp and calculating.

The all-black outfit he wore wasn’t just for disguise. With his lightweight armor infused with technology, a tactical vest packed with ammunition, and a skull-patterned helmet that concealed his entire face—he truly looked like a special forces operative from his previous world.

If someone were familiar with modern warfare, they would undoubtedly compare his appearance to Ghost from Call of Duty.

But this wasn’t a game.

His assault rifle was fitted with a suppressor, and each shot landed with deadly precision. The small grenades he had crafted himself were used to create confusion, scattering the bandits like ants whose nest had just been destroyed.

Ren moved swiftly through the shadows, avoiding the flickering flames of the burning camp. In his mind, this was nothing more than training.

When he entered the cave where the bandits stored their stolen loot, his eyes immediately locked onto an unexpected sight. Before him, several wooden crates lay open, revealing piles of gold coins glimmering under the dim torchlight.

Ren clicked his tongue, letting out a small scoff as he stared at the wealth left unguarded. "Tch, damn... These guys are richer than me," he muttered in an amused yet exasperated tone.

However, before he could get any closer—

"You!!"

A furious roar echoed through the cave, causing Ren to instinctively turn around. There, standing at the entrance, was a towering man with a muscular build, clad in a worn leather coat, his face scarred from past battles.

His eyes burned with hatred—this was the bandit leader.

"Hah... So there’s still one left," Ren remarked casually, lowering his rifle slightly.

The bandit boss yanked a massive battle-axe from his back, his arm muscles flexing as he prepared to attack. "You bastard! You think you can steal from us without consequences!?" he roared, his voice echoing through the cavern.

But Ren simply let out a long sigh.

Without another word, just as the bandit boss was about to charge, Ren raised his rifle and pulled the trigger.

BANG!

A single bullet pierced through the man’s skull with pinpoint accuracy.

The massive bandit staggered, his body trembling for a moment before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.

Ren stared at the lifeless body for a few seconds, then shrugged.

"You talk too much."

Without a shred of guilt, he turned back to the treasure before him. With one hand, he began prying open more crates, assessing just how much wealth he could take with him.

Tonight’s profit was far greater than he had expected.

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