Chapter 23

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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[Quest has been completed.]

[You have received 100,000 Gold.]

[You have received Asla’s Secret Manual.]

[10 Stat Points are distributed.]

[Experience Points increased by 10,000.]

[Level has increased by 1.]

[1 Stat Point is distributed.]

– F*ck he really cleared it.

– Quick, check the skills.

– Is a real hidden skill coming?

– Try using it quickly.

– Please.

Amidst the viewers’ urging, Han-bit received the green book.

Upon flipping the cover, a hologram window bordered in gold popped up.

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

Beep.

As he immediately touched the ‘Yes’ button, the hologram disappeared.

Poof!

The book vanished, turning into smoke.

At that moment, messages naturally popped up.

[Skill Swiftness (Rank 1 – Unique) is deleted.]

[Skill Basic Swordsmanship (Rank 1 – Unique) is deleted.]

[Hidden Spirit Skill Movement of the Wind (Rank 1 – Epic) is added.]

[Hidden Spirit Skill Swordsmanship of the Wind (Rank 2 – Epic) is added.]

– Wow.

– It really dropped.

– Hidden + Spirit + Epic-grade f*ck lmaoooo

– It gives 2 skills?

– Offering normal skills as a sacrifice.

– So there was a use for Swiftness;

– The community is going to explode. Lol.

[SmallSpender has supported 50,000 won.]

[No, stop spouting bullshit, seriously.]

[ㅇㅇ has supported 70,000 won.]

[Is this real life;]

‘This is fascinating again.’

The vanished Basic Swordsmanship and Swiftness skills.

Both were abilities necessary for this moment.

In reality, since it was a form of ingraining the techniques into one’s body, there was no such thing as them vanishing or not.

Seeing it this way instead, should he say it felt like things were being clearly organized?

“This really doesn’t make any sense…”

Muttering, Yeon-woo couldn’t hide his shock.

His consciousness could barely keep up with the words Hidden, Spirit, and Epic.

Ding.

[SwordGod has supported 200,000 won.]

[Demonstration go go.]

Right then, a message containing a large donation popped up.

That content stimulated the chat window as well.

– Thump thump

– Hidden Spirit Swordsmanship Skill -> Unpredictable

– F*ck it probably won’t even consume mana.

– Quickly, Teacher.

“Thank you for the donation! Hyung, try using it quickly!”

Yeon-woo, regaining his senses at the donation, reacted immediately.

‘Active skills for swordsmanship appear from Rank 3 upward.’

The viewers’ thoughts were divided, but understandable.

Because skills like swordsmanship and archery, excluding magic, were classified solely as passives up to Rank 2.

To that extent, there was a thirst for active skills and their own sort of pride in them as well.

Swoosh.

Grasping his sword, Han-bit twisted his body toward the empty air.

The memories of the past are vivid.

The sensation of the spirit’s power dwelling within is also fascinatingly well implemented.

‘Is it because of the Movement of the Wind?’

Han-bit perceived the change that occurred in his body’s movements.

A feeling where the creaking sensation that persisted was noticeably alleviated.

It was more satisfying than when the Swiftness skill was applied.

He hadn’t tried using a more expensive gear, but wouldn’t this at least bridge the gap of one tier?

Chirp!

As he took a stance, the body of the spirit Sylph on his shoulder scattered.

It was right after that when the wind began to gather around the sword.

Whoosh.

The strengthening wind condensed like a small vortex.

And the moment the raging flow subsided.

Han-bit struck down with his sword.

Swish!

The sword drawn diagonally with a sharp sound.

That trajectory turned into a crescent moon-shaped wind and extended forward.

Kaboom!

The wind that crashed into the cave wall quickly dispersed.

In the spot where it vanished, a long, straight mark was deeply gouged out.

“… An active skill? Hyung, did you just use an active skill?”

– Lmaooooo seriously spitting bullshit.

– Not just an active skill, it looks like it would even chew up a f*cking Rank 4 skill;

– I’m quitting RP.

– Why quit? You should get that.

– Balder is the gatekeeper.

– I’m going to sign up for a Kendo dojang today.

– 35 years old (White belt)

The swordsmanship that launched the wind gave the viewers a strong shock.

It was the same for those who hadn’t obtained an active skill yet, as well as those who already had.

“How could you obtain one before me!”

Yeon-woo’s genuine pent-up frustration burst forth.

Half of it seemed like acting, but he did look a bit aggrieved.

“Does it really cost no mana because it’s a spirit skill? Then can you fire it infinitely?”

“It doesn’t cost mana, but it’s not infinite. At the current level, preparation time is required.”

“Even with that, it’s overpowered…”

Pure spirit power does not consume mana.

However, if it’s not a space brimming with the power of spirits like this place, the process of gathering wind is necessary.

Though compared to the merits, it wasn’t a significant risk.

‘There are some guys who use it bizarrely too.’

The existence of spirits leaves traces throughout the world.

Therefore, a group that chose danger by deviating from orthodox methods also existed.

Should one say they forcibly used the spirits’ power by shaving away their own mana and life force?

Although rare, he would face users of it right away even in Edlen’s storyline.

Ding.

[OtherworldSwordsman has supported 10,000 won.]

[Are there no hints?]

– Oh.

– If you give a hint, I’ll bark like a dog.

– Woof! Grrrrrr… Woof!

– I haven’t given it yet;

At the word ‘hint’, the flames ignited once again.

The single desire to try using this skill was deeply felt.

Han-bit decided to stealthily leak a lie.

“A hint? Because this is a hidden skill, I was somewhat deliberating on selling it.”

Words thrown in a voice that seemed truly deep in agony.

Naturally, the bait was exceedingly sweet.

[SwordMr has supported 100,000 won.]

[Please.]

[SwordEmperor has supported 150,000 won.]

[Are you abandoning us? It’s the end of the month so my limit is tight;]

[SwordGod has supported 200,000 won.]

[How much do you need?]

The viewers immediately reacted by pouring out donations.

He had intended to unconditionally release the information on the broadcast from the start, but the flow was simply too good.

‘How much should I release.’

Actually, even if you call them hints about spirits, they are all just obvious stories.

In the end, if one lacks their own skill, they would absolutely never be able to obtain it anyway.

However, even that fundamental information was bound to be desperately needed by the players.

Ding.

At that moment while reiterating his thoughts, a slightly larger alarm rang.

Turning his gaze, Han-bit froze.

[Avant-garde has supported 1,000,000 won.]

[Hello, Black Dragon-nim. I am the streamer Avant-garde. Could we possibly chat for a moment?]

“Huh? It’s the real Avant-garde-nim?”

– ?

– Is it the real deal?

– Yeah, the guy Vant’s been turning his tape recorder on constantly since yesterday.

– Vanty, just go farm.

Looking at the reactions of Yeon-woo and the viewers, he seemed to be quite a famous streamer.

‘1 million won?’

Naturally, Han-bit’s interest reached the amount first.

1 million won.

It was a number contained in a single donation.

However, that surprise didn’t last long.

[Powerbridge Inc. has supported 2,000,000 won.]

[Hello. I am Kim Joo-ho from the RP Dedicated Team at Powerbridge Inc. We would like to inquire regarding the purchase of the hidden skill information.]

– Gasp, Powerbridge?

– Aren’t those guys mid-sized?

– I think they have one semi-vanguard.

– Even corporations are arriving here. F*ck lol.

The appearance of a rather sizable company.

Surprisingly, that was only the beginning.

[Taesung Inc. has supported 3,000,000 won.]

[MOKA has supported 3,000,000 won.]

[Yeonhwa Gaming has supported 5,000,000 won.]

…

Companies gradually increasing in number and growing donation amounts.

Han-bit couldn’t help but stare piercingly at the stacking messages.

***

“The spirits will always be with you. Always commune deeply in your heart, and aim for a balanced growth of your body…”

Asla’s advice continued for quite a long time.

It stemmed from his gratitude and sincerity towards the spirits.

“Thank you. We’ll be on our way now then.”

“Yes. Oh, this is a story born of an old man’s unnecessary worry, however.”

Right before turning his feet, Asla raised his hand and stopped him.

Then, with a slightly darkened expression, he continued his words.

“It would be best to be careful if you stay in Edlen.”

“Be careful of what?”

“An unidentified, ominous aura briefly appeared and vanished. I could not find it in the forest, but there is a possibility that something exists inside the city.”

Asla added that he had thoroughly searched the surroundings since yesterday.

Han-bit, who knew its identity well, nodded his head.

“Understood. I will be sure to be cautious.”

“It may be an entity capable of harming the spirits. Keep your guard up at all times.”

Concluding that conversation, Han-bit and Yeon-woo moved outside.

It was thanks to using an exit created by the power of the wind.

“Hey, they came out over there.”

“Sh*t, can’t we catch them and just do something?”

“Don’t act up, just stay put. They said they’d release the info.”

The gazes of all sorts of players gathered on the path back to the city.

They didn’t seem to have any intention of hiding what they wanted.

‘No, how much is stacking up?’

The donations that had been pouring since earlier were still continuing.

Even just counting the numbers in the millions, it had easily surpassed 20 million won.

He did have an expected donation amount, but it seemed he had estimated even that far too conservatively.

‘Hidden skills truly are amazing, indeed.’

There were two main reasons for revealing the process of obtaining this skill on the broadcast.

One. To build a stepping stone for broadcasting alone someday.

Two. To confirm people’s reactions to hidden skills and the revenue stemming from them.

As for broadcasting, he would have to keep putting in effort, but the judgment regarding hidden skills was somewhat concluded.

‘It was a bit ambiguous to sell.’

The moment information is traded, responsibility falls upon the seller.

Transmitting his own experiences, which he had strived for through 55 playthroughs, exactly as they are is virtually impossible.

Especially the powers related to spirits were even more abstract.

The mere thought of a buyer filing a claim saying they couldn’t get the skill makes his head hurt.

The information and items to sell are in his head, but he needed to be prudent.

“I should clear this up before going.”

Stopping his tracks, Han-bit looked at the camera.

“Since everyone supported so much, I’ll just release the information for this hidden skill.”

Han-bit spoke with a nuance suggesting he had been conflicted.

He had stealthily told Yeon-woo beforehand, so he wasn’t surprised.

– He’s really distributing it?

– Is this what leeway looks like;

– Wouldn’t it be worth at least hundreds of millions if he sold it?

– I don’t think millions are the issue here.

– Everyone shut up and worship him.

[SwordGod has supported 100,000 won.]

[He’s actually doing this.]

[Avant-garde has supported 200,000 won.]

[Black Dragon-nim? I’m sorry, but couldn’t you please unblock your message settings?]

– Vanty, read the room.

– Shut your trap.

Streamer Avant-garde quietly bringing out a request through a donation.

This game allows blocking messages from players not on the friend list.

It’s adjustable in the settings, but it was obvious contacts would pour in crazily if he unfettered it.

Thinking of Rashten, contact from the outside wasn’t very welcome.

“Please send your inquiries this way.”

Han-bit patted the shoulder of his younger brother standing next to him.

Yeon-woo, who was already monitoring the messages, nodded his head.

“Whether it’s a proposal or whatever, you can just summarize it simply and send it. Depending on the content, we will also consider it with an open mind.”

He continued with various explanations while looking at the camera.

When it was roughly wrapped up, Han-bit spoke.

“I will upload the information as a post after the broadcast ends today. It’s not that grand, but it should be better than nothing.”

– I will lick like a dog no matter what it is.

– I already watched it live so I’m good.

– Anything is fine.

The viewers who needed any kind of information were positive.

‘The donation amount is what it is, shall I brief them a bit more detailedly.’

The accumulated donation amount touched Han-bit’s heart.

Even if it was information released to the world, he had no intention of imparting purely meaningless things.

Though they wouldn’t be able to copy it even if he explained everything from A to Z.

“Hyung, but if you tell them, aren’t they just going to monopolize it again?”

Yeon-woo expressed his worry, recalling Rashten.

The possibility of Rashten’s tyranny repeating.

It was a natural concern, but this time was different.

“No, a monopoly is out of the question.”

“There are cases where they claim a spot and control other players. Ah, would it turn into a war then?”

– If they control it, it’s a war.

– Are we seeing a Vanguard battle this time?

– For real, it’ll probably turn into a total mess.

– Betrayal of a betrayal of a betrayal of a betrayal.

– Yeah, 1st place is already decided.

There’s no corporation that wouldn’t leap at a hidden skill.

If even the vanguards get mixed in and engage in a monopoly competition, it would become a chaotic mess.

However, a simpler outcome was painted in Han-bit’s mind.

“If they pull that kind of stunt in front of Asla, they’ll be kicked out. Well, they’d be shunned by the spirits in the first place anyway.”

“Is that so?”

“A lot is visible to the eyes of a spirit.”

Chirp!

As it was mentioned, the spirit that had returned to the form of a bird let out a clear sound.

There is no deceit or injustice before a spirit.

It was a proverb-like phrase widespread in the other world.

If they do something redundant, they themselves will bear the price.

“Let’s go.”

Recalling scenes from his memory, Han-bit moved his steps toward the city.