# Player with Maxed-Out Talent, Episode 21

The great explorer “Jackson” was known to have cleared the ‘Seoul Station Dungeon’ more than 300 times. Jackson once said:

[Mandra in Latin means a stable.]

Interpreting it as a stable, Jackson had tried several different answers.

[Finally, I have discovered the correct way to clear the Seoul Station Dungeon.]

Simply speaking its name would grant one ordinary items, perfectly suitable for a beginner’s dungeon. Of course, it wasn’t bad. But it was ambiguous to refer to such items as ‘hidden pieces.’

“My name is—”

Jackson’s guidebook was a standard for beginners, and I had it memorized thoroughly. Jackson described it this way:

[The answer is Rancher.]

“Your master. He who has given you new life. Rancher.” (*Rancher: The owner of a ranch)

“……”

The body of the Mandra statue began to tremble. Perhaps intrigued by my answer, Seo Ju-hwan and Ma Sang-hyun could not take their eyes off me. I was to speak its name, but instead, I answered with the seemingly out-of-place English word “Rancher.”

Indeed, the great explorer Jackson’s strategy was correct.

[I greet my master.]

Notifications reached me.

[You have discovered the ‘correct answer’.]

[You have satisfied the ‘hidden piece’.]

At the same time, notifications from the guardians followed.

[The ‘Nameless Observer’ tilts its head.]

[The ‘Lady of the Scales’ marvels.]

[The ‘Whispering Demon’ is greatly intrigued.]

Right. Of course. The guardians were likely flushed with excitement, too. Beings who viewed the play as a form of amusement and stimulation. To them, I was going to be an incredible stimulant. I was well aware of that fact and planned to make good use of it in the future.

Golden light began to emanate from the body of Mandra.

[Please choose one thing, my master.]

A hologram appeared before me, visible only to my eyes, offering three choices.

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[Selection Rewards]

(1) Mandra’s Heartguard (掩心甲)

(2) Mandra’s Greatsword (大劍)

(3) Mandra’s Gauntlets (掌甲)

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The content was already known to me. In the meantime, Seo Ju-hwan asked me.

“It seems like you’ve been given something special… should we wait?”

“Just a moment, please. It should take about a minute.”

While I was distracted for a moment, my Sensing Eye (感覺眼) caught a dubious feeling. Seo Ju-hwan’s licentious gaze kept drifting towards Sun-hwa. He hadn’t actually done anything, but that sticky gaze was unpleasant nevertheless. However, I did not show my disgust. It was better not to reveal that I could read a person’s emotions, inclinations, and characteristics.

I made my choice without hesitation.

“I’ll choose the gauntlets.”

Mandra nodded.

[Very well. I offer you my gauntlets. May they be a gift to pave the way ahead for you.]

While I already knew what it was, I checked the gauntlets once more.

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[Mandra’s Gauntlets]

Mandra’s Gauntlets (掌甲) possess special efficacy. They contain a unique resistance to ‘poison’ and protect the wearer from numerous infections.

Defense: 2

Options: Poison Resistance +3

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Concurrent notifications arrived.

[You have passed ‘Mandra’s Trial’.]

[‘Mandra’s Square’ has been cleared.]

[Proceed with the next scenario quest, ‘Two Forking Paths’.]

The quest was generated.

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[Two Forking Paths]

The final fork in Seoul Station Dungeon. Find the appropriate clearing condition to clear the Seoul Station Dungeon. If the dungeon is not cleared, a dungeon break will occur. Each of the two paths must be entered by at least one player.

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Ahead, two forking paths were visible. The ‘Seoul Station Dungeon’ fundamentally progressed through a series of diverging paths. The difficulty of the two paths was comparable.

Seo Ju-hwan spoke up first.

“I’ve been doing some analysis.”

Through the Sensing Eye, I could feel a sticky contamination, an abhorrent gaze filled with lust towards Sun-hwa.

“As you all know, I am a dealer who attacks the enemy’s vital points with quick movements. A reliable tank like Miss Sun-hwa would enable me to perform well.”

Seo Ju-hwan continued.

“In my opinion, it would be balanced for the four of us—myself, Sun-hwa, and two of my party members—to take one path. The other path would be for Mr. Ma Sang-hyun, Mr. Kim Hyuk-jin, and another of my party members.”

It sounded like he was considering some semblance of balance. However, I had no intention of handing Sun-hwa over. Not to someone who had the ‘creepy pedophile’ tag.

“I do not agree with that.”

Seo Ju-hwan was not particularly flustered as he replied.

“Could you please provide a reason?”

“Sun-hwa is like a younger sister to me. In fact, my mother has even considered adopting her. I will go with Sun-hwa.”

I wonder, what would the leader of the devil’s army that I know of, Seo Ju-hwan, say in response?

“Won’t it be inefficient considering you conveniently gave up the item?”

“Efficiency? The dungeon was intended to be cleared just by Sun-hwa and me to begin with.”

“Do you really think the two of you can handle it? The middle management also recommended seven people. Think it over carefully.”

Seo Ju-hwan’s gaze was less than cordial. It wasn’t exactly bad, but it wasn’t friendly either. His eyes had changed from the beginning. I answered,

“We wouldn’t have entered if we thought it was impossible.”

“Such confidence.”

Seo Ju-hwan’s emotions could be felt. When the other party feels intense emotions, the Sensing Eye doesn’t miss it. To put it bluntly, he probably thought, ‘Annoying brat.’

“It seems you’ve been conferred much information and favors from a guardian.”

“Well, maybe.”

I had not received any information from a guardian, but it seemed like a good enough reason to convince Seo Ju-hwan. Soon, he smirked.

“If you had received information from a guardian… then it means ultimately Miss Sun-hwa and Mr. Kim Hyuk-jin could have cleared the dungeon by themselves, right?”

Technically, he was correct. Sun-hwa and I could also clear it by ourselves. Seo Ju-hwan’s eyes glinted. I knew the reason behind it.

‘Do you think you’re on the same level as me?’

That must be it. Let him believe that. I deliberately held back my strength for this reason.

‘So if I can clear it, you probably guess that you can too.’

It’s not strange for him to misunderstand. After all, I saved my strength for them to think that. Now, what will you do? I decided to observe.

“Then, how do you suggest we proceed? Since you planned to clear it with Miss Sun-hwa… will just the two of you go down one path?”

He said that but then added,

“But if you do that, it may spread out our strength too thin… Let’s do this instead. Our group will move on our own, and it would be better for just Mr. Ma Sang-hyun to join your side and clear it.”

He smiled slyly. Once again, I used the Sensing Eye to read his inclinations. I didn’t miss any of them.

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Inclination: Hypocrisy

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Realizing the atmosphere was a bit odd, Ma Sang-hyun intervened.

“Alright. I’ll join you.”

Thus, the party split apart. My team consisted of myself, Kang Sun-hwa, and Ma Sang-hyun, while Seo Ju-hwan led three other players in his team.

Seo Ju-hwan headed towards the right path first.

“Then I wish you luck.”

I entered the left fork, and as soon as Seo Ju-hwan’s party was out of sight, Ma Sang-hyun commented.

“You seemed quite upset.”

From Ma Sang-hyun’s perspective, it must be strange. I had openly shown my displeasure with Seo Ju-hwan. There was no particular reason to be friendly with him.

“Yes, I’m not fond of that kind of behavior.”

“……”

I decided not to elaborate. There was no need to mention that Seo Ju-hwan would become a named player of a group called ‘Nightmare’ or ‘The Nightmare,’ nor that his current predominant inclination was ‘hypocrisy,’ nor that his tag was ‘pedophile.’ They wouldn’t have noticed that he was looking at Sun-hwa with dirty eyes. There was no need to persuade them, and there was no evidence either.

Notifications arrived.

[You have entered the first fork.]

[Reach the end of the fork.]

[At the end of the fork, there exists a ‘clue to clearing’.]

Apart from the notification, Ma Sang-hyun readily accepted my words that he didn’t like Seo Ju-hwan.

“That’s understandable.”

And then he suddenly grabbed my hand. For a moment, I almost pulled away. I don’t share Seo Ju-hwan’s depraved inclinations, nor do I welcome the touch of another man’s hand. Let’s be clear. A man’s hand. Not a fan. I almost struck back.

“Are you the one who saved me?”

“……”

“I definitely saw you at D Tower’s second floor. Two heroes escaping with a magic troll.”

Uh, well, that’s a bit of a strange memory. It wasn’t about escaping with a magic troll, it was escaping from a magic troll as if our lives depended on it.

“Although all my comrades perished there… I survived. I owe you my life.”

Uh. Well. So, is that how it is?

“You are my hero.”

“……”

“Please allow me the opportunity to repay your kindness. I repay my debts well.”

I didn’t know what to say. I should dismiss his hand, but those bright, calf-like eyes were hard to ignore. Especially considering I couldn’t resist for this reason:

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Status: Affection/Respect/Admiration/Gratitude

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Even without actively using the Sensing Eye, I felt it painfully clearly—what this person’s emotions were about. Ma Sang-hyun was being sincere right now. Sincerity was positively radiating from him.

“Would it be alright if I called you ‘big brother’?”

“We’re the same age, you know?”

“What does it matter? You’re my lifesaver.”

I scratched my head. This Sensing Eye… it’s quite useful. But sometimes it’s too sensitive, making you overly aware of people’s feelings. Ma Sang-hyun’s sincerity was communicated through the Sensing Eye. Has this guy always been so simple?

“Well… as you wish.”

“Please speak to me informally, big brother.”

“……”

Sun-hwa laughed as if she was amused by the situation.

“But, you know, if Hyuk-jin oppa is ‘oppa’, and Mr. Ma Sang-hyun is ‘mister,’ then if ‘mister’ is the brother of oppa, what should I call you?”

After pondering on her own, Sun-hwa came to a conclusion quite quickly.

“Well, ‘mister’ is ‘mister,’ and ‘oppa’ is ‘oppa.’ That’s how I’ll do it.”

Ma Sang-hyun’s expression seemed to crinkle upon being called ‘mister,’ but he didn’t make it obvious. He asked another question.

“But… it seems like you’re purposely not moving. Am I right?”

Ma Sang-hyun seems to catch on fast.

“Yes.”

“Big brother, I told you to speak informally.”

“……”

I just nodded. Right. What’s wrong with having the future King of Power as a younger brother at his own request? If he wants to do that and there is no reason to object, why should I?

“Right.”

“Why is that? Does my little brother know some deep and truthful secret?”

“Just wait and you’ll see.”

Ma Sang-hyun did not object to my words, nor did Sun-hwa. They simply waited without leaving the safety zone, even though it might have seemed odd. They just waited.

After about ten minutes, a notification came.

[A new player has entered.]

[The number of base members has exceeded five, and the safety zone setting has been removed.]

The reason I had waited without expending any strength was one thing—I anticipated that the others would enter our path. I had hoped this prediction would not come true.

“Did they clear the other path already?”

I knew Seo Ju-hwan would enter this place and would strike from behind. I also knew the summary label ‘creepy pedophile’ and his sticky gaze towards Sun-hwa.

And lastly, I knew that Seo Ju-hwan at this moment was no match for me.