Episode 38: How a Veteran Levels Up (5)

Was Jinhyuk’s voice too loud? The old man overheard his words, and immediately, a rage-filled shout erupted.

“What, what did you say? Osteoporosis? Did you dare say that about my summons?”

Hmm. Was that too harsh for a first encounter? But it looked that way, didn’t it? To a veteran player like Jinhyuk, they just seemed cute, regardless of how formidable they might appear to others.

“Stop hiding behind the screen and show yourself!”

Due to the nature of video calls only showing faces to friends, a third party can only hear voices. However, with consent, it could switch to a group call.

“Is that okay?” Teresa cautiously asked.

“It’s fine. It seems we’ve contacted him at a rather troublesome time; this should be interesting.” Jinhyuk nodded.

[The video call is switching to a group call.]

Along with a brief message, a man wearing a peculiar mask appeared.

A moment of silence, followed by immense commotion.

“That mask!”

“The one from the relic raid!”

“Unbelievable. I thought there were no connections to him, but Teresa, you know him personally?”

It was natural for everyone to shout. The player who had concealed his identity behind the mask, sought after by many but without a trace, had appeared before them. Everyone thought the same: they must seize him first.

‘Teresa operates solo, so this man is likely unaffiliated with any guild.’

‘Then the first to hook him claims him.’

‘Spare no coins, items, or money.’

‘Of course. This could completely change the level of our guild.’

‘Maybe this is our last chance.’

The guild leaders swallowed dryly, each waiting for the right moment to present their offer.

Then, the old man stepped forward.

“Funny.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. The player who triumphed in the first-floor relic. But this boss raid is different.”

In the relic, each monster was powerful but in limited numbers. In contrast, the path to the third-floor boss was marked by a multitude of weaker monsters.

“It’s a different field. You think you can handle it, despite the overwhelming numbers?”

Jinhyuk scratched the mask with his finger.

“Yes, commanding numerous summons is my forte.”

Summoning numerous creatures… Referring to these skeletal soldiers, no doubt. The numbers were impressive, but…

“That fake staff will struggle.”

“What did you say?”

“It’s a half-complete product, isn’t it? You synthesized it without the ‘Heart of a Saint’ and ‘Cloth Drenched in Holy Water’.”

“How do you know that!”

Well, it’s obvious.

“It looks different from the real Staff of Greed. A complete one has a red gem under the right skull. Plus, the quality of these skeletal soldiers is too low.”

“You’ve seen the completed staff?”

The old man muttered incredulously, trembling in shock.

“Curious? I can tell you where to find the remaining materials if you want.”

“Really? Where are… ugh!”

The old man almost blurted out his desire for the information. He swallowed it down, knowing it would mean admitting defeat.

Seeing this, Jinhyuk smirked knowingly.

As expected, just a loud empty cart.

‘Probably planned to swindle the guilds with fancy words.’

His intent was clear from flaunting a half-complete staff – get a down payment in coins or items and then vanish.

As the situation spiraled strangely, the old man finally gritted his teeth.

“Fine. I’ll retreat for today. And you, whoever you are, I will repay this humiliation.”

“Wow… first time I’ve seen someone actually use that line.”

“…What?”

“Aren’t you embarrassed to say something like ‘I will repay this humiliation’? That’s so outdated, even 90s animations would get scolded for such a line.”

If he had just quietly disappeared, he could have avoided creating this embarrassing history.

As always, the man’s pride and mouth were the issue.

“You…”

The old man glared murderously at Jinhyuk, but only for a moment.

Suddenly, a shadow surged.

“Let’s see if you can be as composed when we meet in person. And remember, everyone here, only our force possesses an army-grade troop.”

As he said this, the old man’s figure vanished into the darkness.

In the silent banquet hall, everyone needed time to come to terms with the recent whirlwind of events.

“If you want to trust such an amateur and fail again, that’s fine, but personally, it doesn’t seem like a good choice to me,” Jinhyuk shrugged at Patrick.

“…I know. But we don’t have other options.”

No other options? Jinhyuk opened his mouth again.

“Leave it to me. I’ll provide you with a reason not to cooperate with the Mains and ensure the benefits of conquering the tower.”

“Really? You can do it?”

Patrick’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Jinhyuk nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, I can.”

“And the fee and the advance…?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Just let me enter alone. Seal the area so no other players can interfere. I won’t ask for any compensation.”

Jinhyuk’s words left Patrick gaping like a fish.

“Why would you do that for us?”

“For humanity, and for a colleague I care about,” Jinhyuk glanced at Teresa while pinching his thigh.

Oh, damn.

‘I feel embarrassed even after saying it.’

But to the listeners, his words shone with an indescribable light.

Teresa bit her lip, her dimples twitching at his words.

“Such a noble act,” the guild representatives mused.

Jinhyuk’s small act of deceit had everyone fooled.

‘I’ve put up enough of a façade.’

He refused compensation not out of altruism, but for a better long-term gain.

[All conversations and visuals are being recorded.]

A player sacrificing rewards for humanity would reap far greater benefits than any immediate offer from the guilds.

‘Who would take immediate pay when you can gain more later?’

Jinhyuk’s heart raced at the thought of what lay ahead.

“And if I succeed, I’d like to meet and have a meal together.”

“Certainly.”

“We look forward to it.”

Everyone agreed, genuinely excited.

But Jinhyuk thought,

‘…Should I do it alone?’

His mouth watered at the potential.

‘If I can copy just a few of their abilities…’

It would be a jackpot.

＊＊＊

[Video call ended.]

With Jinhyuk gone, everyone’s gaze turned to Teresa, like wolves eyeing a sheep.

“Teresa, can you tell us about that man?”

“Name, age, nationality… anything.”

“Oh, Europe has recently recruited a promising new member, right? Maybe give us a chance this time.”

“A Grade-A barely made it, is that promising? I’d give you a truckload of them if you step back this time.”

“What? Are you saying that?”

“Oh my. Why are you getting heated? Ah… right. Losers always raise their voices first.”

“Ugh!”

The conversation heated up on a different topic.

In the middle of it all, Teresa looked troubled.

‘Jinhyuk… you fool.’

She had no idea how to handle the aftermath.

＊＊＊

‘Things turned out better than expected.’

Jinhyuk stretched contentedly, having firmly made his mark.

‘The guilds will be battling over me now.’

“Ah. Ah. Are you trying to kill me?”

Alice, pale-faced and panting, had exhausted all her mana battling bugs at Jinhyuk’s behest.

“Complaining means you’re okay. If you were really dying, you couldn’t even speak.”

“But… am I just a slave to you?”

Alice slumped in defeat.

Jinhyuk, feeling a twinge of conscience, said, “I’m not just using you. I was planning to buy you a ‘Mana Replenishment Potion’ from the coin exchange.”

The cheapest one, but she didn’t need to know that.

But Alice shook her head.

“That won’t work on me.”

“Why not?”

“I thought you said you’re not just using me?”

“Yes, but…”

Alice grinned, revealing sharp fangs.

“I’ll make sure to regain all the mana I used.”

Jinhyuk recalled her first words about him: ‘Tempting blood.’ This could be dangerous.

Jinhyuk instinctively stepped back, wary of the threat.