God-Tier Enhancement: My Upgrades Never Fail-Chapter 118: Episode 23 _ Turning Dead Weight into a Feast(4)
7.
The efficiency of the hunt was indescribable.
"...Seolah, this is a jackpot."
"It seems like more materials are dropping than usual, and some equipment items are dropping too."
"Whoa."
Even Han Simin, who wore the item, was surprised.
’Why is it dropping so well?’
It was only increased by 10%. Of course, the premise was that the sample size was based on hunting 20 hours a day for three days at a speed incomparable to other players. Furthermore, he had to cleanly dissect the caught monsters.
But still, the noticeably increased loot and items compared to before were a good result, proving it was indeed a Unique item. Considering the money the Specialists invested in the game, the daily profit from hunting wasn’t jaw-dropping, but if it helped even a little since they were spending anyway, it would be helpful enough.
"Still, it’s a bit ambiguous to pay $100 per hour to hunt."
"Use it later when your levels are higher."
"I think we’ll have to do that."
They were clearly satisfied, but unfortunately, the negotiation fell through because the monster levels were still too low to make a profit of more than 1 gold per hour by selling the loot.
Nevertheless, Han Simin was happy.
’This is a jackpot.’
Selling the effect would be nice, but that was strictly a secondary gain! The real effect he was aiming for was acquiring high-grade items through named monster raids.
A man lives for that one shot!
Since he was someone who still couldn’t forget the thrill of the $6.1 million skill book, he could afford not to dwell on small change! So, even when he saw Baron Karan on his way home, he spared his fist.
"What are you doing here?"
"...Uh!"
"Uh my ass. Did you bring what you said you’d bring?"
"Ah!"
’I’m saved!’
He abruptly stood up and grabbed his hands in welcome.
Pow—!
"Agh!"
"What the... Are you crazy?"
He smiled, undeterred by the familiar pain. You came!
"Let us go quickly. I brought what you asked for."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"A gift worthy of the princess?"
"Yes."
He stared at him silently.
It’s doubtful.
He scanned the pig with suspicious eyes, but the shabby appearance was full of confidence. An attitude that somehow generated trust naturally.
"Let’s go in for now."
But since he had nothing to lose anyway and his mood was high from getting a good item for just $100, he decided to take him in.
Karan followed, wagging his tail. The gatekeeper was surprised to see that.
"My lord. That person is..."
"Ah. It’s fine. If he tries anything funny inside, I’ll just kill him."
"...Yes."
The massive castle gate opened.
’I really do need to find a coming-of-age gift for the princess.’
Although he took him inside, he didn’t have even a speck of expectation until then. Han Simin knew himself too well. Unless Baron Karan suddenly awakened and picked up a hidden legendary sword of the continent from the street, there was no way something that would satisfy his eyes—which already possessed several Legendary items—would appear.
Was it just a sliver of hope? The influence of Simmani, who had visited not long ago, played a significant part.
Like that, the treasure prepared by Baron Karan was revealed before Han Simin, who had zero percent expectation.
* * *
A small ring box was carefully taken out of his bosom.
Upon opening it, a black crystal shining with a pitch-black darkness that seemed ready to swallow the world caught his eye first.
A very small stone. And the blue band supporting it.
"Ooh. Looks a bit expensive?"
Han Simin showed a reaction that exceeded expectations to Karan, who was swallowing his saliva in anticipation. He didn’t think much of it, but the ring looked expensive, didn’t it! One must always worship money.
He gave him attention, though not as much as Karan wanted.
"What is it?"
"It is a wedding ring passed down through my family for generations. Of course, it has only been passed down as a ceremonial gift and no one has ever worn it."
"Hoh."
Certainly, if high-ranking nobles of that level cherished it that much, it proved that its value was sufficient, if nothing else. Han Simin, who had been lying on the sofa, sat up, and Karan continued speaking.
"The gem you see here is made by collecting the dust of black crystals from the Demon World that flowed out in tiny amounts through the gate connecting the Demon World and the Continent during the invasion."
"A gem of the Demon World?"
"Yes."
"Isn’t the size a bit small?"
Karan bit his lip.
’This damn bastard.’
Baron Karan felt the urge to ask if he had listened to the explanation with the back of his ear or his toes, but he struggled to hold it back.
"A single gem of this size is worth enough to buy a kingdom."
"Eh? Really?"
"...Yes."
Of course, if it were traded, he would be chased for the rest of his life from that moment on. He didn’t bother saying that much. There was no such closeness or friendship to worry about him.
"If I have two, can I buy half the Imperial Capital?"
Karan was at a loss for words.
"Alright. Go on."
"Yes, and the ring band here is made of pure gold mithril."
"It’s not pearls before swine then."
"The value of the ring is roughly this much."
"Hmm. It certainly has no flaws as a coming-of-age gift for the princess."
He was itching to nitpick, but since there was nothing to pick at, he gave up cleanly. Certainly, as long as it wasn’t a lie, a ring with a gem that couldn’t be found on the continent would be the most flashy, brilliant, valuable, and rare existence among the coming-of-age gifts.
’Look at this guy?’
To think he brought such a treasure on his own when I didn’t even expect it. He could understand why he had been so sure, and at the same time, he couldn’t help but admire his stupidity. To think he gave up the chance to run away with it—deceived by a fake contract—and start over or live comfortably in hiding anywhere.
As expected, if you’re stupid, your body suffers.
He shook his head and held out his hand.
Karan hesitated.
"What are you doing? We have to finish the contract."
"You will complete the contract immediately."
"Of course."
The trembling hand placed the ring on his palm. He seemed desperate not to let go, but Han Simin didn’t wait for the treasure that had entered his hand.
"Thanks."
Karan stood frozen.
Robbery!
Throwing the sparkling ring into his subspace, he stood up from his seat.
"Um, the contract..."
"Ah. That? It’s all resolved, so go now."
Karan looked confused.
"Our deal was made on your life, so naturally, the territory is mine, right?"
It was the desired ending, but it felt incredibly icky. It felt like he had been scammed somehow. But since Han Simin left the office before he could even argue, Karan had no choice but to leave with that icky feeling.
"Haa."
And then came the moment of clarity.
Is it over now?
Had he ever ignored his instincts and kept a promise so diligently in his life? A useless sense of skepticism and accomplishment washed over him.
I should have lived like this sooner. They say humans only grow right before they die. Even now...
"...Wait, that’s not it."
Suddenly, a reality he had been ignoring for a moment came to mind. The fact that told him this wasn’t the end, but the beginning.
He was a fugitive.
8.
The Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony was one week away.
The Emperor’s decree flew into the territory, and while he was preparing to go to the Imperial Capital, Simmani visited once again. This time, the Specialists were there with him.
"Lord Simin, I brought more."
"Ah. Already?"
"Yes."
Once again, a pile of junk poured out. His eyes widened at the quantity, which was much larger than last time.
"No way. Do you have an antique collection skill or something?"
"Haha. Actually, I changed my class to a related job, so there should be more and better things mixed in than last time. Please take a good look."
"Don’t worry."
’I’m good at finding things that smell like money without being asked.’
Watching Han Simin naturally rummaging through the items, the Specialists showed interest.
"Simin, what are you doing?"
"What does it look like? I’m doing investment tech."
"Why are you doing investment tech with such beggar-like things?"
"Originally, to make money, you have to buy low and sell high."
"Ayy. Who would buy this stuff at a high price?"
He sent a burning gaze at Kang Yeseul, who was mocking him in the guild chat.
’You, you punk!’
Afraid she might be disappointed, he didn’t say it and went back to choosing items.
"This is trash. Don’t need this either. Hmm."
"Can I look too?"
"Yes, look at the ones I’ve checked, and if there’s anything you want to buy, just give that person about $50 to $100."
"Okay."
Then he warned Jeong Seolah, who had participated out of curiosity.
"Attack Power +1, Stamina +3... Where on earth does he get items like this?"
Jeong Seolah nodded, examining them with fascination. Kang Yeseul and Jeong Hyeonsu joined in too. Of course, the items they were looking at were all ones Han Simin had filtered out as unnecessary. But there were quite a few that caught their interest.
"Oh! Seolah. There’s a ring that raises Mana by 4. Should I buy it?"
"If you buy it and enhance it, it should be usable."
Because their standards were lower than Han Simin’s.
"Mister, I’ll buy this. $50. Deal?"
"Oh my. Of course."
Kang Yeseul, who understood Han Simin’s intent at once, shamelessly called out a price. Simmani nodded happily, and the transaction was made on the spot.
Jeong Seolah and Jeong Hyeonsu also put a few Rare-grade or higher rings on their empty fingers and equipped accessories, but Han Simin didn’t buy anything.
"There’s nothing that really appeals to me. I’ll buy next time."
"Oh my. Thank you."
Even so, Simmani bowed politely. It was possible because he had already sold much more than expected! He set out for tomb raiding again, beaming.
"Simin, but is it really okay to buy this for $50?"
"...My conscience does prick a little."
Han Simin clicked his tongue at the remaining people’s "off the record" talk.
"It’s not like they’re particularly good."
"Still, they’re better than $50."
"You’re just going to throw them away when you switch to something else later anyway, right?"
"...That’s true."
With that, he began his persuasion in earnest.
’Just seeing the Specialists get ripped off is worth it alone!’ "That man is in the same boat. It’s awkward for him to sell if we don’t buy. At best, they’re items you use for a brief stint and discard, so who would pay full price for something like this? Maybe one gold coin at most? Anyone willing to pay for this would just invest a little more to buy something decent. It is jewelry, after all."
"That is true."
"And you’re only saying that because you’re a gold spoon who can afford to use things roughly and toss them aside."
Seolah was speechless.
Since he was stringing together words that seemed logically sound from beginning to end, it really started to sound correct.
"You see, this is a chicken rib situation. Gyereuk. You know what that means, right?"
"...Yeah."
"For him, there is too little meat to make it worth eating, but it’s too wasteful to just throw away. From our perspective, it’s a waste to pay a high price for it, but it’s also a waste of time to go hunting for chicken ribs ourselves. It’s a win-win for both sides."
"I guess so?"
With the final nail driven in, Yeseul nodded.
"So don’t complain and just buy it cheap when he brings it."
"Okay."
"Originally, a chicken rib’s use depends on the chef. It could become spicy stir-fried chicken, or it could become fried chicken."
Of course, that story only applied when the chef could wield supernatural powers beyond science.
With a satisfied smile, Simin held out his left hand, wearing the fried chicken made from a chicken rib.
"Wow! What is that ring? I’ve never seen it before. It’s completely pitch black."
* * *
