#재능만렙 플레이어 Episode 41

21. Speak up, dwarf.

[You have opened 7 random coin boxes in a row.]

7th coin random box is now open.

[Hidden Piece. You have fulfilled the ‘Challenge for the Jackpot.’]

Luckily, it worked out just as I knew it would.

‘I really did return to the past.’

It hit me anew. At the beginning of the tutorial, which in the time I lived was about 10 years ago, hidden pieces were known to be common.

Things so obvious 10 years later were so new 10 years ago. The ‘Challenge for the Jackpot’ is also something that people in the future are all aware of.

Then another notification followed.

[You are the ‘first’ to meet the ‘Challenge for the Jackpot.’]

[There is a title linked to the Hidden Piece ‘Challenge for the Jackpot.’]

I hadn’t linked the title when I discovered the ‘Collective Mind of Gold Turtle’ before. There wasn’t much merit.

‘How about this time?’

[The linkable title is ‘Pioneer of the Firsts.’]

[Would you like to proceed with the scenario, linking the Hidden Piece ‘Challenge for the Jackpot’ and the title ‘Pioneer of the Firsts’?]

I activated the detailed description.

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[Pioneer of the Firsts] If a player with this title discovers [the First Hidden Piece], they can proceed with a related linked scenario. The number of times for the scenario to proceed is three.

*Linked Scenario Progress: [0/3]

*Linked Hidden Piece: [Challenge for the Jackpot]

*Scenario in Progress: Random coin boxes turn into double coin boxes.

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‘Double coin box?’

A double coin box is a box that gives you as many coins as you currently have.

‘I have about 40,000 coins.’

So if I open that double coin box, I can get another 40,000 coins.

‘That makes 80,000 coins.’

I had aimed for 70,000 coins, and now I’d have an extra 10,000 coins. Observers seemed antsy for me to continue.

[An ‘Unnamed Observer’ watches your actions.]

[A ‘Whispering Devil’ is curious.]

[The ‘Lady of the Scale’ focuses on you.]

[The ‘Pearl of Cheonmasan’ is frustrated.]

[A ‘Brave Lion King’ beats his chest in frustration.]

They must be wondering why I’m not opening the seventh box.

“Senia, share the reward I’ve obtained with the guardians.”

I revealed my reward to the guardians. Whether to switch the random coin box to a double coin box or not. Right now, in front of the guardians, I’m showing them my actions. What I’m going to do.

“Guys. Did you know I can get something called a double coin box right now?”

Shin Yeon-seo blinked her eyes and asked me.

“What’s that? Are you giving it to me?”

Such eagerness, as if a squirrel craved an acorn. Knowing her question was trivial, I ignored Shin Yeon-seo’s words lightly.

“It’s a box that doubles the current residual coins.”

“Ah, so why not gather more coins and then get it? It’s more profitable with more money, right?”

Indeed, Shin Yeon-seo hit the nail on the head. Thank you for being smart. Lady of the Scale, are you listening?

“Right. In theory, that’s true. But coins from trades won’t count.”

In other words, there’s no point in receiving their coins and then obtaining the double random box.

“And this place is where we have all struggled and cleared together. We are party members who have trusted each other with our lives.”

“Eh, What… Right?”

Shin Yeon-seo gauged my reaction.

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Status: Anxious / Doubtful / Anxious

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To summarize, ‘Why is he acting like this all of a sudden? Did he eat something bad?’ I totally understand Shin Yeon-seo’s heart. It’s awkward for me too.

“I think there should be a fair distribution and reward here. That’s the righteous thing to do.”

“……”

Shin Yeon-seo just looked at me, not adjusting well to the situation. She looked like a startled squirrel.

“That’s why I’m going to obtain it right here. Then I can distribute at least 3,000 coins to each of you.”

I can easily reach my goal of 70,000 coins. Then I can distribute the remaining coins among them. That’s about 3,000 coins each.

‘It’s a lot for novices.’

For novices, that’s enough coins for decent items or life-saving potions. Considering that typical guardian sponsorships are at best 10 COIN, or 300 COIN, this is a substantial amount.

[The ‘Lady of the Scale’ admires your nature.]

[The ‘Whispering Devil’ despises you.]

Senia said to me.

“The link between ‘Pioneer of the Firsts’ and the Hidden Piece is limited to only three times. Will you still use it?”

“Yes. It’s only fair.”

Actually, it’s not because it’s fair. It’s because I need 70,000 coins right now.

‘Right now, I need 70,000 coins.’

This 70,000 coins will take me much higher, if I follow the strategy I know.

‘A strategy that only the well-off could do.’

Who would invest 70,000 coins in a beginner? A strategy conceivable only for high-level players or children of conglomerates. Unimaginable for commoners.

‘Then… The gate clear reward, which will lead to the quest completion reward.’

Moreover, if things go well this time, the ‘Lady of the Scale’ might give a generous sponsorship. I painted the picture in my head.

[Would you like to proceed with the title effect ‘Pioneer of the Firsts’ and ‘Challenge for the Jackpot’?]

This time, I chose ‘Y’.

[The connection between the title effect and the Hidden Piece is complete.]

[The random coin box has been replaced with a double coin box.]

I immediately opened the double coin box at the spot.

[Current remaining coins: 43,219 COIN]

[You have opened the double coin box.]

[+43,219COIN]

My coins doubled in an instant. Therefore, the current remaining coins are 86,438 coins.

“I will distribute 3,000 coins to each of you. You did well.”

At the same time, another notification followed.

[The ‘Lady of the Scale’ sponsors you 500 coins.]

As expected, it’s a bit stingy. Too little compared to the ‘Lady of the Scale’s’ reputation. Still better than nothing.

“Brother, shall we destroy it now?”

Ma Sang-hyun’s lid-like hands held a purple crystal. It was the clear crystal of ‘Turtle Nest’. I nodded my head. Ma Sang-hyun placed the crystal in the air. The crystal floated in mid-air.

“Euracha!”

He threw a punch. After several strikes, the crystal shattered.

[Gate. ‘Turtle Nest’ has been cleared.]

[Gate clear reward will be provided.]

[+500COIN is given to all players.]

[All players receive ‘Novice Tower Return Scroll’.]

Oh, a Novice Tower Return Scroll. This was interesting. Usually, an item given after clearing a gate.

“Use the Novice Tower Return Scroll. Don’t bother holding onto it.”

The gate hadn’t been too difficult. We had come the long way for coins, but really, destroying that crystal was all it took to clear it. Overall, it was an easy gate, so the reward wasn’t huge. I was never expecting much from the gate clear reward anyway.

‘The fact that the Novice Tower Return Scroll has appeared means…’

That means, evidently, the Novice Tower has been established while we were in the Japanese gate.

Another notification ensued.

[The quest, ‘Turtle Nest’ has been cleared.]

The quest given to us by Senia. Senia approached us. Looking at me, she said,

“I’ll deliver the Turtle Nest clear reward.”

I wasn’t anticipating much.

“……”

“What’s the matter? Say it quickly before we use the return scroll to leave.”

Once we go out, probably the police or reporters will swarm in. I’d like to avoid such tedious matters. It would be more convenient to move to the Novice Tower.

[The quest, ‘Turtle Nest’ clear reward will be given.]

Senia handed me a bag.

“Huh?”

It seemed like a bag containing coins.

“What’s this?”`

“Please check.”

I received the bag. I acquired some coins.

[+7,000COIN]

What is this?

“……”

“……”

There was a moment of silence between Senia and me. The game clear reward was 500 coins, but a middle manager’s personal quest reward was 7,000 coins?

‘This is…’

I had a hunch. The Turtle Nest clear quest.

‘It’s not a quest from a middle manager.’

Considering Senia’s attitude, it was clear. This was a quest delegated by someone else, and this reward was provided by someone else as well. And that someone didn’t reveal their identity.

‘Who could it be?’

I can’t think of any guardian who would sponsor 7,000 coins for such a basic-level gate.

‘The Devil’s Guardian?’

It seems impossible unless there’s someone like that.

‘If not that… It has to be someone like the ‘Shepherd of Las Vegas’.’

But the ‘Shepherd of Las Vegas’ would be focusing on the US server right now. Not the Shepherd of Las Vegas either.

‘Who could it be?’

I had no idea. If it were the ‘Lady of the Scale’, she would have offered the quest herself, and awarded it directly. Something was odd. Although it was good, it was strange. There was no more information in the current situation.

‘Who could it have been?’

I said to everyone,

“Everyone, use the return scroll we just received. If you want to avoid hassle.”

* * *

[You used the ‘Novice Tower Return Scroll’.]

I felt sudden dizziness. A sensation like being sucked into somewhere. When I regained my senses, I was standing on the ground.

[Arrived at the Korean Novice Tower – D Tower.]

I looked around.

‘It’s open. The Novice Tower.’

I saw people with names written above their heads. They are not human. They are called NPCs. They exist in special spaces only, like artificial intelligence. They’re like NPCs in games.

‘The Potion Store’s Aria. The Weapon Store’s Charles.’

All familiar names. They sell better-quality items than the system store weapons. Depending on your intimacy with the NPC, they might even sell you hidden items.

‘I have really arrived.’

This place, which used to be the tutorial dungeon, has now become the ‘Novice Tower’. Shin Yeon-seo grabbed my sleeve with her eyes wide open.

“Oh my God. Is this for real? We were in Japan just a moment ago?”

“……”

“Isn’t this D Tower? Right? I’m not dreaming, am I?”

The D Tower name changed. The existing stores were all gone, and the ATM machine that dodged the goblin soldier’s spear was also gone. It had transformed into a completely new space.

Shin Yeon-seo dropped her jaw.

“Wow……”

In a world where monsters appear and over 140,000 people die, where gates and dungeons emerge, she’s marveling over a return scroll.

“Amazing. Super amazing. Super duper amazing!”

Her bubbly excitement was slightly cute, but her grip on my clothes was a bit annoying. I shook it off.

“That’s horrible. I’m not just dust.”

“Good work. Now go about your business. I’ll contact you again in a few days, so Sang-hyun and Yeon-seo, please clear the Seoul Station dungeon up to 25 times.”

“I understand, brother!”

“Got it. Just up to 25 times, right?”

Meanwhile, players who recognized Ma Sang-hyun began approaching us.

“Hey, isn’t that Ma Sang-hyun?”

“Really? The Tutorial Concluder?”

Their interest in our sudden appearance soon shifted to Ma Sang-hyun. Good. Let Ma Sang-hyun take all the attention.

I’m also in a hurry. Now that the Novice Tower is created, selections for class changes and guardians will follow.

‘But before that.’

To execute the strategy once conceivable only by the wealthy, I started to walk.

“Oppa (brother), what should I do?”

“Go home and stay there. I’ll be home later tonight.”

“Can’t I stay with you? I’m still pretty good at tanking.”

Suddenly, a summary came to mind.

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Summary: Mild Brother Complex

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Surely the ‘brother’ in that summary isn’t referring to me.

“Go home.”

“…….Alright.”

“What flavor of ice cream do you want on the way home?”

“Really?”

As if her sullenness disappeared, Sun-hwa smiled brightly. It seemed through my senses that her happiness meant she was quite fond of ice cream.

I took a few steps, and there before me, unlike the past, was an escalator with no cooldown and a usage fee.

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[Escalator to the 2nd Floor]

An escalator to the 2nd floor of the Novice Tower. Up to 15 people can travel at a time. Currently, there is nothing on the 2nd floor.

Cooldown: –

Required Coins: 100COIN

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I took the escalator. Senia, who hadn’t closed the channel yet, followed me. No doubt she thinks what I’m doing is a waste of money.

“Do you think what I’m doing is wasteful?”

“Yes. There is nothing on the 2nd floor at the moment.”

Now, dear guardians, please pay attention. I will show you what I am about to do here.

We moved to the 2nd floor.