Chapter 8

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“There are even more people here.”

Arriving at the port, Han-bit observed the bustling crowd.

It was an influx several times larger than when he first logged in.

“I told you it spread completely across the community in just a day. There will probably be even more people.”

– A whole bunch of RP-related companies swarmed in here.

– It does feel like f*ck seeing them gang up together;

– But still no one has cleared it. Lol.

The viewers’ chat was sharply edged.

Companies claiming to make money off all sorts of things related to RP.

It was due to their perception being bad in various ways.

Checking his surroundings, Han-bit asked Yeon-woo.

“Do you have some gold?”

“Well, I do. It’s a little, but I’ve cashed some in too.”

“Really? Then, are you pretty strong?”

“Ay, not even close. There are limits even if you spend money.”

Because cash transactions were active in RP, currency was also highly fluid.

Of course, could you become tremendously strong just by pouring money like that?

That simply wasn’t the case.

“Are you saying it doesn’t work even if you use a high grade?”

“Item grades are important too, but rank is absolute. In order to overcome this difference, you need to bring at least a Hero grade or higher.”

Level and stats fundamentally intervene in the equipment wearing criteria.

It meant that no matter how much money you spent, you couldn’t move on to a rank higher than your current level.

“How much is a Hero grade?”

“Looking at recent trades… A Rank 5 Hero grade sword was sold for 100 million.”

“…100 million?”

His eyes grew wide at a price that made him wonder if he misheard.

Han-bit recalled the item grade explanations again.

[Common – Uncommon – Rare – Hero – Unique – Epic – Legendary – Mythic]

‘It’s only the fourth one, but it’s 100 million?’

Even if it was Rank 5, the grade was closer to the middle.

It was far too surprising that an item of that level was traded for a huge sum of 100 million.

Questions about other grades sprang up in Han-bit.

“How much is it starting from Unique grade?”

“There are no listings for those at all. Because by the time you’re around the vanguard, it’s better to use it yourself.”

Unique, Epic, Legendary, and Mythic grades higher than Hero.

Just as the names weren’t ordinary, they seemed exceptionally precious.

Recalling the treasures in his memory, Han-bit threw another question.

“Are there no classes or anything?”

“There is no class system; usually, it’s categorized according to skills. Weapons are equipped correspondingly as well.”

– Is he a real newbie. Lol.

– He’s so bad at living up to his nickname;

– There’s no class system, but people just call them however on their own. Lol.

– So I’m a warrior but I carry around a staff. It’s super fun using only basic attacks.

– Are you a pervert?

This system was somewhat similar to the world in his memories.

There too, it felt like classes were divided according to detailed techniques.

If there was a difference, it was perhaps the point that one could uniquely employ weapons rather freely.

Though it wasn’t exactly easy using archery with a sword, anyway.

“Anyway, you’re saying you have enough to spare, right? Could you lend me 70,000 gold?”

“Of course I can, but is a fishing rod going for 70,000 gold?”

“It’s an item worth its price.”

“… I don’t know what it is, but I’ll give it to you for now.”

[Player Loafer has requested a trade.]

[Do you accept? (Yes/No)]

Han-bit immediately clicked ‘Yes’ on the trade window that popped up.

Since it was specifically a game-like system, it was oddly refreshing.

Ding.

[You received 70,000 gold.]

‘This should be enough.’

The currency unit in the game, distinct from the other world.

Taking glances occasionally, Han-bit examined the prices of goods sold in the city’s stores and stalls.

Fortunately, the value of goods hadn’t changed, making it easy to convert the currency.

“I’ll pay you back soon.”

“Ay, that much is fine.”

The two exchanged such a conversation as they moved their feet again.

The place they arrived at soon after was a low cliff on the outskirts of the port.

There, a fisherman was looking at the sea.

[Fisherman Eldrok]

The familiar name appeared above his head.

Approaching closer, Han-bit started talking.

“Old man.”

“Huh?”

The old man opened his eyes blearily.

Beside the mat he was sitting on, over 10 fishing rods were laid out.

“I want to buy just one of these.”

“What? Did you say there was an accident?”

“I know you can hear everything. I’ll give you 50,000 gold, so please sell just one.”

– Black Dragon…

– Attacking an elderly. Shivers.

– He says he can’t hear well;

– This is a bit…

Perhaps it appeared rude, as viewers cast criticism one by one.

However, the old man’s expression changing took only an instant.

“50,000 gold? Not a chance. You have to give 10.”

– Old man?

– We got fooled by this;

When his true colors were revealed, the viewers were flustered.

Fisherman Eldrok.

Han-bit knew just how much this old man loved money.

“10 doesn’t work. Let’s make it 6.”

“That doesn’t even cover the cost. Make it 9.”

“Then let’s do 5.”

“This rascal? Who do you take for an old man who doesn’t even know numbers!”

The initiated price competition proceeded at a rapid pace.

In the end, it was Han-bit who emerged victorious.

“Here’s 70,000 gold.”

“For a young brat, you’re quite sly…”

The appearance of the old man shaking his head as if tired of him was exactly identical to his memory.

Back then, they too had moments where they exchanged insults while he learned fishing.

“Take it fast and get the hell out!”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll come again.”

“Don’t come back!”

Leaving behind his outbursts, Han-bit departed the site.

In his hand, a metallic fishing rod was held.

[Modified Fishing Rod]

Rank: 1

Grade: Uncommon

Description: A fishing rod modified by adding a special device. It’s hard to guarantee if the status of the fish caught will be decent.

Simply organized item information.

Viewing it together, Yeon-woo asked.

“What’s this? A modified fishing rod?”

“It has an added function. That old man from before is serious about fishing.”

The purpose of the old man making this was ultimately entirely fishing.

A product crafted precisely out of anger from fish not getting caught.

“So you’re saying you’ll catch the Bomb Slimes with this?”

“More accurately, I’ll fish them.”

Turning his head, Han-bit looked in the direction where the forest was visible.

And resting the fishing rod over his shoulder, he spoke.

“Let’s depart.”

***

“No matter how I think about it, bring you along was the right decision, hyung.”

The mountain near Edlen.

Climbing the sloped path, Yeon-woo said while nodding his head alone.

“What sudden nonsense is that?”

“Where would you find someone fishing for monsters with a fishing rod in a forest? You have sufficient qualifications to become a clown, hyung. You totally have the aptitude for streaming.”

“…”

– Lmaoooo

– Passed the clown screening.

– Passed starting from the nickname.

– Failed based on the face.

– For real, the character is pointlessly good-looking.

– Let’s change it to an Orc.

– That’s a bit;

The viewers agreeing with Yeon-woo’s opinion.

Though he didn’t agree with ‘clown’, broadcasting itself was more fun than expected.

Was it because there was no weight of responsibility right now?

‘It’s about time they start showing up.’

Shaking off idle thoughts, Han-bit slowly inspected the inside of the forest.

When he walked out a bit further, an abruptly cut-off cliff at the end of the mountain trail appeared.

‘Just perfect.’

Checking the terrain, Han-bit nodded as if satisfied.

“Is it here?”

Yeon-woo, following behind, asked while looking around.

Quickly pulling his arm, Han-bit spoke quietly.

“Don’t raise your voice. They might run away.”

“Hyung, you do know what Bomb Slimes are, right? Running away isn’t the problem.”

– For real lol.

– Should just drop the slime part and call them bombs.

– They explode even if you mess with them from afar.

– No no, they explode even if you make eye contact.

– Total tofu mental monsters.

– The useless GOATs that give neither materials nor exp.

[Bomb Slime has supported 1,000 won.]

[Yeah, I just explode and that’s it~]

Whether they were notorious monsters to the viewers as well, the chat window’s speed picked up.

Bomb Slimes that exploded no matter how carefully you tried to catch them.

As expected, that unique property seemed to be identical in this place as well.

“I know too. They are indeed tricky guys.”

“It’s beyond tricky; you literally can’t even get materials. That’s the reason no one has cleared the quest yet.”

“It’s because their hunting method is unique. If you catch them properly, they drop it.”

“No…”

Yeon-woo stopped talking as he was about to say something.

Thinking about it, there was no need to question Han-bit’s actions.

Even though he was a hyung who occasionally said silly things usually, he was different in this place alone.

Should one say that whatever he spat out wasn’t nonsense and showed results.

Even putting aside reading web novels, he was a person who originally had deep expertise in peculiar areas.

“Fine. I’ll quietly focus on filming. Show us something fun.”

“Fun, my foot.”

At the strange expectation, Han-bit let out a hollow laugh.

Because he didn’t exactly have talent in that area.

For now, he would just focus solely on the immediate goal.

“Hmm.”

Han-bit approached close to the cliff and looked below.

The height was about 4 meters.

It was the perfect position for fishing.

“Found one.”

[Bomb Slime (Lv.1)]

A dark brown slime discovered from a slightly distant position.

Looking at it like this, he actually felt a bit happy to see it.

Whirrr.

Han-bit lightly reeled and loosened the fishing line.

The eccentric trait that it exploded just by looking at it, exploded when touched, and didn’t even leave any materials behind.

However, a small error existed in that information.

Swoosh.

The slime began to move at a slow speed.

Other Bomb Slimes wiggling around it.

Han-bit slightly shifted his position, waiting for those guys to naturally clump together.

‘… I need to get used to the sensitivity.’

Even if virtual reality is a scientific revolution, it is different from a real body.

That disconnect hindered precise movements.

‘Still, since it’s Level 2, is this all?’

He could guess the reason.

The 1 million won Level 1 gear and the 5 million won Level 2 gear.

Even just looking at the price, the difference in performance was felt.

He felt nothing but gratitude towards Yeon-woo who gave him an expensive gift.

Ding.

[Cuckoo has supported 1,000 won.]

[Breaking news. Bastards without a conscience are approaching the forest.]

The content of the message popped up as the alarm rang.

Yeon-woo, who was focusing alongside him, frowned as if on guard.

‘They’ve arrived at a good time.’

Having anticipated this early on, Han-bit wasn’t flustered at all.

This was because he had noticed the group following them from afar since they left the city.

In the first place, with the broadcast on, it wasn’t weird no matter how many people tail them.

“Hyung, what are you going to do? It doesn’t look like just one or two.”

“You’re right. We’re in big trouble.”

Replying without soul, Han-bit turned his gaze towards the forest.

Bushes rustling here and there.

Among them, one group’s speed was quite fast.

Swoosh.

The steps of those who had taken the lead began to slow down little by little.

Perhaps they intended to watch the situation unfold through the stream.

‘Shall I give them a little surprise?’

A fun thought suddenly crossed Han-bit’s mind.

Moving his finger to the system window, he said.

“I’ll turn off the broadcast screen for a bit.”