God-Tier Enhancement: My Upgrades Never Fail-Chapter 30: Episode 6 _ What Would Happen If I Enhanced This_ (5)
6.
The place he had tumbled into was a desert once again. An oasis spread out before his eyes, with long rows of cacti.
“Where is this?”
Kang Yeseul’s question was not out of place. Was it another desert inside a dungeon they had been sucked into through the desert sands? It wasn’t easy to comprehend, even for a game.
“Another boss room.”
But Han Simin couldn’t care less about such trivial matters. The only thing that mattered was enhancing that pure white, money-guzzling staff to +14 and finally escaping his cramped studio apartment. He didn’t care if he had to do it in a desert or a volcano.
“Humans.”
“...Hah.”
Of course, it was only Han Simin who didn’t care; the owner of the room had begun to speak to the intruders who had opened his door.
“It’s a named monster, Oppa.”
“I know.”
“What do we do?”
“Good question.”
Jeong Seolah and Jeong Hyeonsu would follow them eventually. The problem was when.
*Maybe I shouldn’t have left all the monsters to them,* he thought with a pang of regret. *If I’d at least dropped the squirt off, they would have caught up faster.* But what could he do? He couldn’t exactly ask the floating guy to wait because his comrades hadn’t arrived yet.
"Weak humans," the creature rasped.
"Mind your own business," Simin shot back.
"However," he continued, his voice echoing, "merely breaking through the children of the ruins and opening the door of lies is qualification enough to meet me."
The named monster, Illusion, was cloaked in a black robe. He looked like a mage at a glance. On top of that, he was floating in the air with giant wings, making it difficult to attack. For Han Simin, who relied on his +15 dagger to push through, he was the worst possible opponent.
‘Let’s not overdo it.’
His defense wasn’t very effective against magic. This meant his leather armor might not be able to block a named monster’s magic without taking damage. And so, Han Simin put his own strengths to good use. His control might be lacking, but he could confidently say his situational judgment and decisiveness were on par with, if not better than, Jeong Seolah’s.
“...What are you doing, human?”
Taking advantage of the time the insane monster was giving him, Simin pulled out his anvil and began searching for the heart of the prime spot.
“Ah, go on with what you were saying. I’m listening.”
“You are a strange human. Are you not afraid of death?”
“Nah, not really.”
Fortunately, whether Illusion wasn’t interested in his scheme or just thought he would win no matter what, he didn’t interfere with Simin as he moved around. Instead, he spouted a bunch of nonsense.
“The continent has already rotted to the core. There is corruption, oppression, and despair. Humans crush, dominate, and plunder other humans. The honor of the heroes who united a hundred years ago to restore peace to the continent is being used as a tool for their rule, and they enslave the other races who fought alongside them, showing a wickedness worse than that of demons.”
"Is that so?" Simin mumbled, pacing. "Hmm. Here it is."
“I, the great mage Illusion, could not even die in the face of the continent’s misguided path. Thus, I refused death and decided to create a new continent.”
“Let’s see. The probability is 88%. And it needs a sacrifice?”
“...The continent must be steeped in darkness and greet a new era through a new advent. Of course, the help of those who are awakened will be needed in that process. You adventurers, who have reached this place before anyone else, are more than qualified. What say you? Will you join me? I shall grant you the power to make your names known across the continent at the forefront of this change!”
‘Ding—’
[Accept the ‘Disciple of the Great Dark Mage: Job Change Quest (Special)’?]
[This quest can only be accepted by the first person.]
“Huh?”
The hologram that appeared before Han Simin, who had set up his spot and placed the staff on the anvil, was enough to break his concentration. At the same time, he looked at the source of the voice that had gone in one ear and out the other.
“What was that?”
He didn’t know what it was, but it seemed like a very important moment. He needed a bit more explanation.
“He’s asking if we want to be on the bad guys’ side,” Kang Yeseul supplied.
“Ah. Wait, what?” Simin blinked. "So... I’d be changing my job class to a villain?"
“I am not a villain. I am giving you the chance to fight as a warrior who will purify the continent!” the creature shouted.
“...Same difference.”
Wow! Simin was genuinely impressed. A monster was trying to recruit a player who came to clear a main quest!
“Isn’t this AI a little too advanced?”
“This is a first for me, too,” Kang Yeseul agreed.
On top of that, it was a Special-grade job.
‘Should I take it as a sub-job?’
Even Han Simin, who already had a Legendary job, was tempted. How would players with Normal-grade jobs feel? Changing jobs would come with an experience penalty depending on the grade, but the allure of a unique job would make players fall even deeper into Fantastic World. A villain, a pioneer who would destroy the continent! The name alone was thrilling.
In a game enjoyed under the mask of anonymity purely for pleasure, people would go wild just for walking a different path from others and would invest everything to grow. It wasn’t for nothing that web games had abysmally low player counts but high payment rates. It came from the inner desire to wipe everyone out by yourself! For a mere monster to touch upon that deeply embedded desire was impressive!
“What do you give me if I change jobs?” Simin asked blatantly.
“Power! Is there anything more attractive to adventurers than that?”
“Nope.”
Most players would probably accept, especially the top rankers.
‘It’s not like they have any attachment to the NPCs.’
For players whose reason for doing the main quest was growth and money, this kind of development was a way to gather more viewers, grow faster, and simultaneously pioneer a new field with no competitors. It was an opportunity too good to pass up. But it wasn’t quite enough for Simin.
“Hey, kid, you interested?” he asked, turning to Yeseul.
“But I like being a healer.”
“Really?”
And so, he began to persuade her. It would have its share of downsides, but it wouldn’t be him doing it.
“Hey! Uh, what’s-your-name. If she changes jobs, can she still use healing?”
“She will become my disciple. Black magic is, by its very nature, a superior version of white magic! Healing magic is one of the most basic of basics,” Illusion confirmed.
“See?”
Yeseul hesitated.
The golden staff, shining alone in the isolated space, was long forgotten. There was only its owner, being brainwashed!
"There are plenty of healers," Simin began his sales pitch. "A saintess? You could probably pay to become one. But do you think you’re the only rich person in the world? You’re just a chaebol heiress using your dad’s money. Think of all the rich old guys who have a thing for saintesses! People will spend hundreds of thousands just for that title."
“No! That can’t happen!” she gasped.
“But this? It’s the only one on the continent. How about it?”
“Ooh!” Her eyes lit up.
Kang Yeseul was simple. And she didn’t distinguish between good and evil in a game. She was all about aesthetics and collecting rare items. The only thing she cared about was how others saw her. And so she was tempted.
Illusion was slightly flustered by Han Simin, who was pitching the deal even more enthusiastically than he was.
"I’ll do it!" Yeseul declared. "I’ll be a grand black mage!"
“You heard her, right?” Han Simin said, puffing out his chest proudly. The fact that the being before him was a named monster was irrelevant. If you needed something, you had to be willing to deal with monsters, too.
“Good,” the creature rasped.
"In that case, let’s make a deal," Simin said smoothly. "Just give me five of your wing feathers—"
Vwoom!
Just as he was about to state his needs, Illusion’s robe fluttered as a thick aura of darkness emanated from it. Simultaneously, mana seeped into Kang Yeseul.
“Yay! I changed jobs! I have a Special-grade job now, too!”
And arrows of darkness flew toward Han Simin.
“Wa-wait a minute!”
‘You crazy bastard! This was so out of nowhere!’ He had worked so hard to persuade her to become a disciple, and this was his reward?
“There is no need to show any more mercy to an intruder,” Illusion snarled.
“Wow. You ungrateful bastard! Simin yelled, dodging. Biting the hand that feeds you!”
“Die.”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Only then did the Level 35 named monster, the final boss of the scenario quest, reveal its dazzling true form. Destruction followed wherever the spears of darkness struck, and the arrows lodged in Han Simin’s back drained his health.
“Hey! Wait, time out!”
“I will not be swayed by your silver tongue.”
“Hey! Kid! Help me!”
“Sorry, Oppa. I can give you a heal, at least. I changed jobs, but there’s not much I can do to help.”
The only silver lining was that her heals were quite substantial. As he dodged and took hits, refilling his health with heals and his aura, he gradually found his footing. With a moment to breathe, other thoughts began to creep in. His mind filled with rage.
“Dammit, seriously! I came here to enhance something, not to go through this hell!”
It was a hundred-thousand-dollar job, so he could understand some trouble, but this was just too unfair! What was the point of having a +15 dagger if he couldn’t even reach the enemy?
“Ah, screw it.”
This dagger was just getting in the way! He simply threw it at Illusion.
Illusion was stunned.
The monster, not having anticipated that he would throw his weapon while fleeing, had the dagger lodge in his robe.
“Ack!”
He had tried to identify it and dodge, but Han Simin’s stats were higher than he’d expected.
“How... You’re clearly just a weak adventurer!”
“You son of a bitch! Get down here and fight me!”
Seeing the creature stagger was immensely satisfying. So, as long as he stabbed it, it was helpful in some way. But his satisfaction didn’t end there.
“Mr. Simin! Yeseul!”
“Unni!”
He brightened at the voice coming through the guild chat. Perfect timing. He could finally be free of this annoyance! He watched Jeong Seolah charge in, perform an acrobatic double jump without a second thought, and swing her sword at Illusion, and he shouted urgently.
“Ms. Seolah! Get me five of that thing’s wing feathers!”
“...Okay!” she replied instantly.
Though the request seemed bizarre for the situation, she surmised he must have a reason and changed the trajectory of her sword. Her faith in him was absolute.
Illusion was shocked.
His wings flapped, and the body twisted. It was an instinctive movement to avoid a vital spot, but thanks to that, the target was clearly within range.
Slice—
“Gaaah!”
“You said you were dead, but you can still feel pain, I see.”
A sword engulfed in flames sliced through the wing, and feathers scattered. Han Simin sneered and quickly picked up a few of the falling feathers. He didn’t care what they were used for or what effects they had. They were just a sacrifice needed for the enhancement.
‘This is going to get more and more annoying.’
It was just a +14 enhancement for a level 20 Rare-grade staff, and it was already demanding a sacrifice. It was fortunate that the sacrifice was from a monster in the prime location; if he didn’t have it on hand, he would have been in trouble.
‘Hmph. This must be a sign that I need to make a sacrifice pouch.’
It would have to be big to carry all sorts of things, which meant he’d have to enhance it. Money came in just as fast as it went out.
“Please make sure that bastard’s magic doesn’t come my way!”
“Unni! You can do it! Protect my staff!” Yeseul cheered.
“Raaah!” Seolah roared.
Boom!
Jeong Seolah, too, had only been able to get a running start without any interference at first; fighting a floating enemy was no easy task. Moreover, Illusion, seemingly angered by the surprise attack, had flown even higher. The raid might just end with them taking a beating. But that didn’t matter. Failure was not Han Simin’s responsibility.
‘This is more than enough time to enhance.’
He wasn’t sure if Kang Yeseul, who had become a disciple of a black mage, could even use this staff she got from the temple, but...
“Haah.”
He began the solemn ritual. Five feathers were placed on the shabby anvil with the golden staff. He circled it, bowing once with each turn, then paid his respects to the sky.
“I pray. I pray. Please let this succeed.”
Crash! Boom!
The strikes provided the perfect sound effects!
“Aah! Unni! Sorry, targeting miss,” Yeseul yelped.
And the familiar voices faded into the background. Finishing the ritual, Simin slowly brought down the hammer.
‘Ninety-four percent. That’s enough.’
The probability, which had increased by six percent with the sacrifice, made it difficult to even think of the word ’failure’.
Clang!
Clang!
The staff, almost too precious to strike, was in the hands of the legendary enhancement master, and...
Flash!
...it was bathed in a new, glorious light.
[Enhancement successful.]
[The ‘+13 Holy Staff’ has evolved into the ‘+14 Corrupted Holy Staff’.]
[’Simin’ has successfully enhanced the ‘+14 Corrupted Holy Staff’!]
[You have acquired 8 stat points.]
[The special effect aura of the ‘+14 Corrupted Holy Staff’ recovers health.]
[The special effect aura of the ‘+14 Corrupted Holy Staff’ recovers mana.]
[The special effect aura of the ‘+14 Corrupted Holy Staff’ imbues attacks with holy dark power.]
For Illusion, who had just taken on a disciple, this was triumphant news. In just three minutes, his student had surpassed the master.
* * *
