# Player with Maxed-Out Talent, Episode 49

25. A Party Worthy of the Name

We got one-third of the map. That means to clear the dungeons or gates following ‘Short Table Dungeon,’ we need the remaining two-thirds. Kang Sang-gu must work with us.

‘The Giant of the Sunset must know that too.’

He’d be quite shocked. For Kang Sang-gu, the dungeon was practically laid out for him to feast on, yet suddenly, variables like me and Seonhwa showed up and claimed more shares of the rewards than he did.

‘He may favor some players excessively, but… he can’t ignore the order completely, can he? Favoritism or not.’

There are rules inherent to the system.

That’s why ‘The Giant of the Sunset’ tried to grow Kang Sang-gu through ‘dungeons.’ He offered trials without direct intervention, and only upon overcoming these trials, would the rewards be granted.

‘Unless it’s someone reckless like the Guardian of the Demon King.’

The Guardian of the Demon King. With his guardians unknown, for someone of his caliber, the notions of order and rules might be entirely dismissible. He’s known to wield more powerful forces and authorities than any other guardians in the world. Unlike The Giant of the Sunset, who gives through dungeons, he is rumored to distribute rewards recklessly. That’s what the rumors say.

‘Anyway.’

We decided to make a formal contract with Kang Sang-gu. Moreover, it had to be Kang Sang-gu who volunteered to enter the contract.

“I have a special eye.”

Luring people isn’t entirely based on lies. A cunning mix of truth and falsehood bewitches them.

“The Tome of Avatar Bodies is an item not for me but for Mr. Kang Sang-gu. Therefore, it would be best if Mr. Kang Sang-gu uses this magic tome.”

“Ah. So, that’s it. Anyway, you must take this, okay? It will ease my mind!”

Right. That makes sense. So, listen to me.

“That’s why I want to make a contract. Of course, you may refuse if you don’t like the idea.”

On the first floor of the Gwanghwamun D Tower, NPCs now exist. There’s an NPC for overseeing contracts, called the ‘Notary NPC.’

“This is how we’ll make the contract through…”

Kang Sang-gu frowned.

“I have my pride. What’s this petty 3%? I’ll give you a grand 30%.”

The contract wasn’t anything extraordinary. For the next ten years, 3 percent of Kang Sang-gu’s total earnings would be transferred to me.

‘Players. And the market of new wonders is growing rapidly.’

Among them, the income generated by Kang Sang-gu, the Emperor Yum, is beyond imagination. Even just 3 percent of that would be monumental.

“No, 3 percent is appropriate.”

Being too greedy can backfire. The Giant of the Sunset would likely object as well.

‘The Giant of the Sunset doesn’t ignore rules. Rather, he values order and justification.’

In such a situation, I transferred the Tome of Avatar Bodies, a magic tome of a grade that shouldn’t exist at beginner levels, for merely a 3 percent revenue share contract?

‘The Giant of the Sunset will have no choice but to accept.’

Even if he doesn’t want to, he has no choice but to accept the situation we’ve created. The contract is notarized and processed, leading Kang Sang-gu voluntarily to want to play dungeons with me, essentially a kind of ‘party contract.’

‘He won’t try to kill us anymore.’

No. He can’t. Going forward, I can interfere with Kang Sang-gu’s personal scenarios, sharing information and rewards.

‘Good.’

On the first floor of Gwanghwamun D Tower, we had the notarization done by ‘Sena,’ the Notary NPC. Sena, in her early thirties, wore a black suit and black high heels, looking at us with an enigmatic expression.

Looking at Kang Sang-gu, she remarked:

“Hmm. Just by looking, it seems you’re quite fond of our friend here. A 3 percent transfer, camaraderie declared, wanting to progress personal scenarios together.”

That’s what the contract stated. I had intentionally written it that way. It’s a contract stating Kang Sang-gu ‘voluntarily’ wants to work with me. On the flip side, there’s really nothing I’m required to do for Kang Sang-gu. After all, I simply allowed Kang Sang-gu to keep the Tome of Avatar Bodies he had obtained.

“Alright. The contract is now fulfilled. A fee of 1,000COIN is required to register the contract in the system, who will make the payment? It will be recorded in the contract.”

Kang Sang-gu eagerly raised his hand.

“Me! Me! I will pay!”

Looking at me, he put on a stern expression.

“Going Dutch is not my style. I will pay this myself.”

…Although I never intended to pay, it turned out to be a welcome gesture. See you in 10 days, friend.

* * *

Seonhwa and I hailed a taxi. It’s a luxury considering my status; back when I was preparing for the civil service exam, I only took buses, as taxis were a costly mode of transportation for me. It does feel nice though. No need to be crammed with other people, and the air conditioning is refreshing.

We decided to head to a tonkatsu restaurant in Sinchon. We could see the U-Plex building, linked to the Sinchon Hyundai Department Store.

‘It will become a dungeon too.’

It’s where a seven-floor dungeon will form. But the current Sinchon was teeming with life. Many who looked like college students filled the streets, waiting for each other, infusing vibrancy.

‘U-Plex Dungeon.’

It’s a place I absolutely have to clear.

‘I should go a few times before it becomes a dungeon to get familiar with the layout.’

We arrived at the tonkatsu restaurant.

“Wow!”

Seonhwa reacted like an excited child. In her wide-open eyes, happiness was brimming. In front of freshly fried tonkatsu, she salivated.

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Status: Happiness/Joy/Anticipation

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Even the summary had changed.

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Summary: Sister Charmed by Tonkatsu

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‘Why is the summary always like that?’

Last time it was about a mild brother complex. Now, it’s ‘Sister charmed by tonkatsu.’ Words like middle school student, human, or gourmet also fit, but specifying ‘sister’ seems like Seonhwa wishes to slot herself firmly into that role.

‘It does look good.’

Steam wafted invitingly from the thick, crunchy tonkatsu that was covered in glistening batter.

“It’s so delicious. Really, really delicious.”

I felt slightly happier. Seonhwa was genuinely delighted by something as simple as tonkatsu. To see her that joyful wasn’t so bad after all.

“Poor and eating tonkatsu?”

I won’t have to hear that anymore.

“This world sucks.”

I don’t have to think that way anymore.

“Tastes good?”

“Yes!”

I brushed Seonhwa’s hair softly. Somehow, I just wanted to. It didn’t seem to bother her; she glanced at me and then smiled contently.

“You happy with that?”

“I am. Delicious. I’m so happy.”

On the way back, with a slightly flushed face, Seonhwa made an indirect confession.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making me feel like I have a family.”

It’s not about feeling like a family; we became one. Legally, we are family. And I regarded Seonhwa as family, too. She was a girl who had risked her life for me. Perhaps more of a family than most.

“We are a family.”

Seonhwa smiled brightly at my words. There were some tears building in her eyes, but I pretended not to notice.

“I’ll try not to be a burden and do my best in everything.”

I gave Seonhwa’s head a gentle squeeze.

“You don’t need to. You’re not hired help.”

Family isn’t about that. It’s not about doing well and working hard only to be cherished and loved. You don’t have to be perfect to be loved. That’s what I believe. My mother and sister sacrificed for me, who wasn’t great at anything. They loved me.

I learned love and devotion from them.

‘I might not do as well.’

But still, as long as I live, I want to live properly.

“There’s no need to try to do your best.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

I smirked.

“Just take the hits for me. The monsters hit pretty hard.”

“I will.”

“Why? You look upset.”

“No, I’m not!”

“Then take lots of hits for me, alright?”

“…Sure.”

What does it matter if she’s tiny and fragile? If she can tank hits better than me, she should. It might hurt, but…

“Anyway, it’s not me getting hurt.”

Silence.

Even now, I smiled as warmly as Seonhwa did when we ate tonkatsu.

“Let’s go home.”

* * *

June 23, 2018.

‘In two days, a dungeon will form at the Peace Park in Paju.’

Rated the most difficult of the beginner level dungeons. Tougher than Seoul Station dungeon, it will result in many deaths.

‘And in five days… Kang Sang-gu’s personal scenario dungeon will begin.’

I think and plan what I need to do every day. Now, I’m solely responsible for shaping my own life.

‘I must clear the Peace Park.’

But not yet. Although it will cause numerous deaths, I don’t have the power to stop them. I need to be at least level 30 to clear that place.

I checked out the news. Some incidents caught my attention.

[The Players Association is established.]

Under the powerful support of the conglomerate Seongshin, the ‘Players Association’ was formed. Humanity is gradually adapting to this changed world.

[Song Gi-yeong elected as the first president of the Players Association.]

Seongshin’s chairman, Song Gi-yeong, has been appointed as the first president of the Players Association. Several incidents followed.

[‘Lion’s Roar’ guild registered as an official guild with the Players Association.]

[‘White Butterfly’ guild registered as an official guild with the Players Association.]

The White Butterfly has already registered. For reference, the White Butterfly is led by the future Sword Master ‘Shin Yeon-seo.’ All this is known to me. I have altered a few incidents, but the events followed as I knew them.

‘Right now, somewhere, the Demon King is growing.’

The unknown existence of the Demon King. I still haven’t made a decision. If I want to live well on my own, I don’t have to oppose the Demon King. The eight Korean heroes chose to confront the Demon King, and two of them died by his hand.

I shook my head.

‘Don’t look too far ahead.’

For now, I’ll focus on the happiness in front of me, like Seonhwa with her tonkatsu. To concentrate on my immediate happiness, I’ll devote myself to the tasks at hand.

Seonhwa and I continued to run through Seoul Station’s dungeon. Solo plays garnered us plenty of experience through the grind.

‘One more clear and it’ll be the 30th.’

We’ve come this far.

[You have cleared Seoul Station dungeon 30 times.]

[Hidden Piece. ’30 Clears of Seoul Station Dungeon’ has been satisfied.]

Good. That’s why I’ve been tackling Seoul Station’s dungeon. To acquire this hidden piece. This hidden piece, too, is almost like a common good.

‘But.’

It’s different when I do it. I anticipated it. Another alert was bound to come.

‘As expected.’

My prediction was correct. Instead of the typical hidden piece notification, another alert began to sound.