Chapter 19

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“… Hyung, don’t lie about this. I’m really getting hurt.”

As if his voice had somewhat become gloomy, Yeon-woo spoke pitifully.

However, the truth is the truth.

“I really filled them all. It’s the lowest Rank 1 in the first place, isn’t it?”

“Going higher is naturally more hellish. But any magic takes at least a month?”

“Isn’t it because it’s just fake?”

“Leaving aside whether it’s fake or real, you can’t finish any skill in a single day!”

The words seemingly pouring out his pent-up frustration contained sincerity.

Han-bit opened the skill list and manipulated it to show on the screen.

“You see it, right?”

[Fireball (Rank 1 – Unique)]★

[Basic Archery (Rank 1 – Unique)]★

[Basic Swordsmanship (Rank 1 – Unique)]★

[Swiftness (Rank 1 – Unique)]★

“What is this… Does this make sense? No, seriously, it’s a bug, right? It’s a bug, right?”

Yeon-woo looked genuinely bewildered.

Proficiency, one of the conditions to acquire a Rank 2 skill.

The proficiency of all the skills had already deeply surpassed the required threshold.

The power of The 55th Recorder was added, but the existence of this is something nobody knows.

Looking from afar, wouldn’t it truly feel like a bug?

‘Wait, I wonder if the operators are watching?’

At the sudden question that arose, Han-bit turned his gaze into the air.

It was certain that the developers called Team ‘Zero’ and the game company had some connection with the goddess.

If so, it wouldn’t be strange even if they were watching him.

Although their intentions remained unknown.

“Hyung, why are you looking in the air? I’m asking what happened with your skills.”

Seeing that appearance, Yeon-woo shook his arm and interrogated him.

Folding his thoughts, Han-bit shrugged his shoulders.

“It just happened like that. Ah, and don’t talk about the proficiency on the broadcast yet.”

“What do you mean it just happened… But why aren’t you going to talk about this? It’ll draw insane aggro.”

“It’s like a smokescreen. The other people need to be under the illusion that I couldn’t fill the proficiency.”

To maximize the information gap, the opponent’s illusion and carelessness are important.

Especially in order to screw someone over.

“More importantly, you saw earlier, right? The people who were only keeping an eye on us.”

“They didn’t seem to have much intention of hiding it either? Actually, someone also recorded a video, so I already saw all their characters.”

A single video posted on the RPG site.

It was a scene of a group of players talking to Atsbel and taking rewards.

It was said that a player who fell asleep with the recording left on happened to capture it by chance.

“Looking at it, they were all Rashten people indeed.”

“That’s great. Since my objective is them anyway.”

“… What do you mean objective?”

Feeling a sense of unease, Yeon-woo halted.

“They picked a fight first, right? So I’ll show them something entertaining.”

“No, show them what? It’s a major corporation that even has a vanguard! Even if we try to argue with them, we’re the only ones who lose!”

“Just listen for a second.”

Han-bit conveyed his meticulously thought-out plan.

Thereupon, listening to the story, Yeon-woo’s eyes widened.

“Is that real?”

“It’s real. So just match the atmosphere well.”

“Obviously. If it’s like this, we can just screw Rashten over without any risks and be done with it. It’s a relief you kept the line, hyung.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Yeon-woo nodded his head.

Right or wrong aside, a newbie who just started antagonizing a major corporation was a nonsensical story.

However, if the proposal Han-bit brought was true, it could produce the best outcome.

“Then I’ll turn on the broadcast now.”

“Don’t get nervous for nothing, and just do it comfortably.”

“Don’t worry. I’m also really good at this stuff.”

Along with a somehow joyful voice, the call ended.

Han-bit put the headgear back on as well.

Flash!

As the screen returned, Yeon-woo, who was right next to him, came into view.

A camera and a broadcast screen that had materialized in the air at some point.

Upon accepting the message asking whether to broadcast, the number of viewers began to rapidly fill up.

It took no time for that number to enter the tens of thousands.

– Why turn it on now?

– F*cking late.

– Shut up and explain.

– Anyone who hasn’t watched the video?

– Go study a bit before coming;

The chat window, which was instantly scrolling up, was still a mess.

Quickly scanning the content, Yeon-woo brought up a greeting first.

“Hello. This is Loafer. Everyone knows Black Dragon hyung next to me now, right?”

– Seriously, how is his name Black Dragon;

– Considering how heavily he baited people, the Black Dragon class is real.

– Yup, the one who baited was Rashten.

– Those monopolizing bugs.

– For real, like rats.

The chat, which showered down unfiltered, at some point turned into criticism towards Rashten.

It was due to there being many people who only now verified the truth.

“First of all, everyone calm down. We also needed some time to check what happened. Giving you just the conclusion, we have absolutely no relation with Rashten. If we were going to join hands to monopolize it, we wouldn’t have disclosed it in the first place.”

– Actually, I believed in you.

– Yeah, yeah, that guy suspected you.

– Well, it wasn’t me.

– No relation at all, right?

– Right, let’s work hard.

– What are we doing now?

– Today we’re searching for the swordsman’s master~

– No ending broadcast until we find him~

The power of the recorded video was strong.

The people trying to muddy the waters in between were lightly buried.

“Ah, there’s something we have to do before looking for the swordsman’s master.”

– Something to do?

– What is it?

– Even if you unleash a barrage of curses at Rashten’s chairman, it’s recognized.

– But why come to Atsbel’s store again?

– Gotta do a face check-in, of course.

Han-bit naturally entered Atsbel’s general store.

She was turning her back once again, but soon discovered Han-bit.

“Black Dragon?”

Atsbel, who was writing in a ledger, stopped what she was doing.

The face emanating gladness had visibly brightened.

“Ria ran away again. She really doesn’t listen to me.”

RP steadily builds up the narrative between the player and NPCs.

That truly felt like reality.

“You’ll be able to live together soon.”

“… That would be nice.”

Atsbel nodded her head in a somewhat bitter voice.

Standing up from her chair, she returned her expression to a bright one and asked.

“So, what brings you here today? You need help with something again?”

“I wanted to learn the next magic. Is that okay?”

“The next magic? Of course you can.”

– ?

– No, why is that possible?

– Going straight to Rank 2?

– What about the proficiency?

– The trolls broke Black Dragon’s mental state;

The answer that returned too simply and the noisy chat window.

The viewers fell into shock and confusion.

However, Han-bit knew well how dangerous this conversation was.

Slide.

Atsbel dragged a single box from the back up to next to the counter.

Then, opening the lid, she spoke.

“Here, this is the second magic book.”

Ding.

[Quest]

Let’s learn the second magic from Atsbel.

After 5 minutes pass, the lock on the book will be released.

Objective: Use Atsbel’s magic book

Reward: 10,000 Gold, Fire Burst (Rank 2 – Hero), 3 Stat Points, 3,000 Experience Points

– A Hero grade again?

– Isn’t this first-come-first-serve too?

– Unconditionally.

– Then Rashten is going to eat it all. F*ck.

– Seriously, aren’t these bastards in league with them?

‘So it’s this method.’

Han-bit, who examined the quest content, nodded his head.

The in-game concept of using a magic book was different from the past, but it was merely a matter of method.

The 5-minute grace period specifically created by adding a lock.

Because it flawlessly contained Atsbel’s underlying intention.

“Contemplate it sufficiently, properly, before taking it. So you won’t regret it.”

“Got it.”

Despite her warning, Han-bit accepted the quest.

Approaching the box, he pulled out a book.

In the center of the hard cover, a small keyhole was carved.

‘Right, you guys must be curious.’

Han-bit stealthily observed outside the store.

The crowd bustling more than earlier was clearly the people of the Rashten corporation.

They were likely waiting for him to use the magic book first.

“…”

Atsbel said nothing.

She simply watched Han-bit holding the magic book quietly.

Click.

After 5 minutes had flown by like that.

A sound rang out from the keyhole.

As if it was only natural, Han-bit flipped the cover over.

[Will you use it? (Yes/No)]

The hologram popping up in a familiar form.

Upon touching the ‘Yes’ button without hesitation, the book disappeared while emanating smoke.

‘Fire Burst’ was registered in the skill list.

[Quest has been completed.]

[Due to the first clear, the provided rewards are adjusted to the maximum.]

[Upgraded to 20,000 Gold from 10,000 Gold.]

[Upgraded to Fire Burst (Rank 2 – Unique) from (Rank 2 – Hero).]

[Upgraded to 6 Stat Points from 3.]

[Upgraded to 7,000 Experience Points from 3,000.]

[Level has increased by 2.]

[2 Stat Points are distributed.]

“Are we done?”

– ‘Are we done’ my *ss f*ck

– First again? Unique again?

– That seriously works?

– Hit with reality check like crazy;

– I’m getting pissed off at Rashten.

– I’m gonna terrorize their homepage, seriously.

– Beat Julio to death first.

The viewers who couldn’t hold back expressed their rage.

The first clear and Unique grade that made an appearance once again.

It wouldn’t be strange even if they felt a reality check.

“If your progress gets blocked, try going to the Magic Research Institute in the city of Ifrit. You’ll probably be able to find a method.”

“Thanks. I’ll come again.”

Han-bit, who exchanged greetings with Atsbel, left the store right away.

Simultaneously, people began to swarm inside.

All together, 132 people.

They were the members of Rashten who monopolized the previous quest.

Since 100 people would be the Hero grade, the rest must be Rare grade.

‘The Ranger is there too.’

The vanguard Ranger carrying the golden bow.

He picked up a magic book from the box.

Following that, red books were held in the hands of the remaining people as well.

And after 5 minutes had passed.

Click.

Along with a sharp sound, all the locks on the books were released.

The ones who exchanged glances flipped the covers over simultaneously.

That moment.

Whoosh!

Their books started burning bright red.

“Huh?”

“What is this!”

“My magic book!”

Conversations clearly heard thanks to automatic translation.

The shocked Rashten employees hurriedly struggled to put out the fires.

However, the blazing flames fiercely gnawed away at the books.

“Do something about it!”

“No, I told you it won’t go out!”

“Damn it!”

– ?

– Why are those guys burning?

– I don’t know about that but, it burns weeeell~. Lol.

– As expected, watching a fire is the best spectacle.

– Hey, Rashten. Try doing that again.

– ???: We are the true conquerors, yada yada.

People causing all sorts of chaos inside the cramped general store.

Looking from afar, a hearty laugh escaped.

“Everyone out!”

The situation was exactly the same for the Ranger, who was a vanguard.

Casting his magic book onto the floor, he grasped a handful of gray powder from his inventory.

Swish!

Powder scattered over the vigorously blazing books.

However, there was truly not a sliver of effect.

“Wow, they’re going to burn completely. What a waste, what a waste.”

– Teacher Black Dragon, you have no soul.

– It is a waste, indeed. Lol.

– But seriously, why did it only work for Black Dragon?

– Presents are not given to bad kids.

– For real, they should’ve lived kindly. Lol.

Han-bit leisurely continued watching the spectacle.

It’s just a pity he doesn’t have popcorn in his hands.

“The box! Is it still open!”

“It’s closed!”

“I’ll try talking to her again for now!”

The Rashten members gave up on the hopeless magic books.

However, the firmly shut box showed no signs of opening.

No matter how much they talked to Atsbel, the result was the same.

“Confirm the personnel who haven’t received the quest yet!”

“Yes!”

At the Ranger’s instruction, the employees who had stayed back moved en masse.

However, the expressions of those who checked the quest were dyed in bewilderment.

“Th- The reward magic has changed to Rare grade!”

“What did you say?”

At the unexpected report, the Ranger quickly examined an employee’s screen.

[Quest]

Let’s learn the second magic from Atsbel.

After 5 minutes pass, the lock on the book will be released.

Objective: Use Atsbel’s magic book

Reward: 5,000 Gold, Fire Burst (Rank 2 – Rare), 1 Stat Point, 1,000 Experience Points

The reward information generally lowered, including the grade of the skill.

Confirming it was not a lie, the Ranger raised his voice while looking around.

“Are there any personnel! Who succeeded in the quest!”

“That is… there is no one.”

The 50 personnel who accepted the quest together with the Ranger.

Absurdly, just by failing the clear, the chances for the first-come-first-serve rewards were entirely exhausted.

The Hero grade magic that nobody obtained had its opportunity completely vanish.

Whip.

Right then, the Ranger abruptly turned his head outside the store.

Then, moving with anger-filled strides, he approached Han-bit.

“Let’s chat for a second.”