God-Tier Enhancement: My Upgrades Never Fail-Chapter 95: Episode 19 _ Don_t Worry, I_ll Sell It for a High Price(2)
3.
He grabbed the microphone.
"Ah-ah. I’ll keep it short and sweet."
Why did this remind him of the principal who would keep students standing under the scorching sun while he droned on from the shade back in elementary school?
Perhaps the knights and nobles standing here now were thinking the same thing?
Even if the nobles were in the shade, the knights were standing motionless under the blazing sun.
It must be exhausting.
Even after just a few words, they might be cursing inwardly for him to finish quickly.
Han Simin, who had felt that sentiment more keenly than anyone during his childhood and military service, nodded.
’Trust me, friends.’
Although there were many knights who held grudges for having their equipment stripped, he needed the mercy to embrace even them.
"First of all, thank you for congratulating me on my victory. I heard this is the first time a Tamer has taken the championship since the Knight Tournament began. If my master in hell heard this, he would probably be very happy. That damn bastard. He left behind a shit-ton of experience penalties, but I’m glad that even dog shit has a use."
There was no reaction.
Even if they had ten mouths, they wouldn’t have had anything to say.
"As you may have seen, I am actually not that outstanding in martial arts, but merely an Enhancement Master who wanders around enhancing equipment. Nevertheless, I think outstanding gear played a part in allowing me to occupy the glorious position of winner."
The biggest reason was that he had tied the hands and feet of the winning candidates, the Imperial Knights. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
But few people knew that.
That was what was important.
"However, as I mentioned last time, I lack the funds necessary for adventuring, so I have decided to sell my most cherished and best leather armor set. The auction date will be two weeks from today. The location will be the Rich Territory Auction House, and I ask for your active participation."
Successful promotion!
The crimson leather armor sparkled brilliantly in harmony with the sunlight!
He could see the nobles’ eyes shining.
“I have no intention of price gouging. I simply believe it is reasonable for gear to command a price that matches its true value. In this harsh world, with darkness closing in from all sides, shouldn’t you prioritize protecting your own life? No matter how elite your knight escort is, if a blade strikes your neck, you die. The same applies to the knights themselves! If a demon’s claws sink into their flesh during battle, they are helpless. But what if you are wearing leather armor? You can show those damn demons the true meaning of a counterattack!”
The impassioned speech continued.
Five minutes. Ten minutes.
The sermon, short yet impactful enough to border on brainwashing, finally concluded after thirty minutes.
“Then, I will see you at the auction. I hope those who understand its true value will take it home.”
By this point, the brainwashing was so potent they would have believed a rolling piece of dog shit was a luxury good!
The Emperor clicked his tongue.
’That guy is a true merchant.’
He was the type of bastard who could sell sand in a desert by claiming he had transformed it into ice.
Even the Emperor, sitting comfortably in the shade, felt a headache coming on, so how must the knights feel?
If not for the mental fortitude and training they had undergone since childhood, half of them would have already collapsed.
“Thank you.”
And so, the Knight Tournament, which had begun in a daze, came to a close.
It ended with Han Simin taking all the profit, completely ruining the plans the Emperor had laid out.
4.
Players who saw the posts on the FW Community began to flock to the Rich Territory one by one.
It was the mid-point junction of Main Quest Act 2!
If they could clear that, putting everything else aside, there was no need to take the long way around.
Of course, they couldn’t receive the quest immediately.
“To receive the Raid Quest for the Mid-tier named monster, you first need to build affinity with the Rich Territory NPCs. After that, if you gain the trust of the aide currently managing the territory, you can receive the quest.”
Jeong Seolah explained the progression method to the flocking players.
It stung a bit to share the information, but it couldn’t be helped.
The three of them were certainly strong, but after devoting so much time to the quest, they realized that the Ruler of the Gloomy Forest was far stronger than them.
There were only two options: level up more and challenge it later, or gather people now. In the former case, the progress of the quest might be reversed while they were grinding levels.
It was clear that other players would struggle just as much as they did, but there were countless ways to progress through the Main Quest of 『Fantastic World』. A group like the Kenji Guild, which could mobilize a large workforce, might find a way to bypass the mid-tier named boss entirely.
If that was the case, they might as well call everyone in and suffer together.
In a relative evaluation rather than an absolute one, the Specialists were confident they would secure the upper hand no matter what.
As players flooded in, the Rich Territory, which was in the midst of construction, reaped unexpected benefits.
“Here. Over here! We need to get some materials. Could you go to the forest and get some wood?”
“Monsters keep coming down around the territory looking for food. Please take care of them.”
“We’re short of hands for laying the foundation of the castle.”
Free labor!
If ordered, they worked hard without resting just to gain affinity.
Moreover, these were players who had entered Act 2 of the Main Quest, meaning the majority of them were hardcore gamers who played day and night without sleep.
The sounds of construction and gathering materials echoed through the day and night.
In the midst of this, the Kenji Guild appeared.
* * *
Many players came to the Rich Territory, but none showed such an overwhelming presence as the Kenji Guild.
All guild members, numbering over a hundred, were wearing the same armor set, and the same went for their weapons.
“Whoa. What is that? Isn’t that the level 50 Black Cow Leather Armor Set?”
“What about the weapons? Those look expensive too.”
“That’s insane. Is this the dignity of the number one guild?”
“I heard that Guild Master is incredibly rich. There are rumors he spends tens of thousands of dollars per hour just hunting.”
“I want to join too.”
“Don’t even dream about it. It’s rumored that getting in there is harder than getting a job at a major corporation.”
“Even so, aren’t all the guild members there just gaming addicts?”
“They aren’t just addicts. They’re experts who have staked their lives on games for at least five years and made a name for themselves among tens of thousands in various games. I heard all that equipment is supported by the guild, and they even get to keep it personally. Plus, they get full benefits.”
“Whoa.”
Armor and weapons were standard issue.
Their hidden power lay in accessories that were hard to find!
Among them, the most conspicuous one was, of course, the Guild Master, Kenji.
“Look at that flashing light.”
“Wow. Is that weapon +12 enhanced?”
“I saw on the broadcast that most of his armor is +10 too.”
“...But honestly, after watching Simin’s broadcast, enhancement doesn’t really impress me anymore.”
“True. The gear looks good, but after seeing someone with truly god-tier stuff, it’s just okay.”
Although such comments were heard, the dignity of a fully equipped army was not something to be taken lightly.
Kenji, having entered the territory, stood before the Specialists.
“It’s been a while.”
“Indeed.”
And beside him stood Dino, the holder of a Legendary class.
“I wonder where the player named Simin went?”
“Who knows.”
A taut war of nerves ensued.
Dino, who had been asking about Han Simin, turned his gaze toward Kang Yeseul.
“You’re the one who took my skill.”
“...Your skill?”
“Because it belonged to my master.”
The winner of the auction was private, but since the Specialists attracted so much attention within the game, rumors spread quickly.
The disappointment of not obtaining the skill he believed he deserved, combined with the absurdity that it had gone to a rival guild, fueled his anger.
Of course, Kang Yeseul was a nutjob on par with Han Simin.
“Whatever. If you’re salty about it, let’s throw down.”
Dino fell silent.
Dino was a genius, but he was clumsy when facing such a lack of common sense.
For someone who fought with logic and knowledge, how common was it to have a fist thrust in his face so abruptly?
“Let’s stop. We didn’t come to fight.”
“Yes, Master.”
At Kenji’s restraint, the confrontation between the two paused.
Then, smiling, Kenji extended his hand.
“We aren’t here to fight today. Since you showed us courtesy regarding the Main Quest, let’s try not to touch each other for the time being.”
“Funny guy. Considering you attacked unilaterally and got smashed.”
“...I don’t think provoking each other will do either of us any good.”
“That’s right. Simin, stop it.”
Jeong Hyeonsu looked ready to throw a punch, but Jeong Seolah stopped him.
Though the smile hanging on her lips as she stopped him didn’t look like the expression of someone sincerely trying to prevent a fight at all.
“Then, let’s have a fair competition.”
In any case, from the moment they attacked and were miserably defeated, Kenji had practically lost.
He retracted his awkward hand and moved on.
Defeat can be experienced at any time in life.
What matters is the present!
If he moved forward and succeeded, he could trample the opponent to the point where he wouldn’t even remember the disgrace of the past.
He comforted himself with that thought.
Watching the guild members following him, Kang Yeseul clicked her tongue.
“Tsk tsk. What’s the use of dragging around so many people? They aren’t even worth one Simin.”
“Yeseul, isn’t that the same for us?”
“Simin, don’t kill the vibe. I feel good because I got a hit in.”
Furthermore, this wasn’t the end.
“Oh my. Many adventurers have arrived!”
A lump of fat approached the passing Kenji Guild!
Naturally, a helper frowned and blocked the way.
“Who are you?”
“Ah! I haven’t introduced myself. I am Herison, the aide managing affairs on behalf of the Lord of the Rich Territory.”
Kenji was stunned.
The NPC who gives the Mid-tier named monster Raid Quest!
Kenji, who had been wearing a displeased expression, stepped forward with a smile as if nothing had happened.
“Nice to meet you. I am Kenji, the Master of the Kenji Guild. I’ve heard a lot about you. To think you’ve grown a territory that was practically a wasteland this much...”
“Haha. Did I do anything? It’s all thanks to the Lord.”
“Still, one cannot dare to downplay the importance of the one who assists. You are amazing.”
“Oh my. That is excessive praise.”
“Please take care of us while we are here.”
“Of course. If you need anything at any time, just say the word! Our Lord specifically told us to treat visiting adventurers extra well.”
“Ah. Is that so? Then perhaps the named monster...”
Kenji, showing the essence of social maneuvering!
He subtly brought up the main topic.
However...
“Before that, it must be uncomfortable for you, so how about moving to the lodgings first? In our territory, accommodations for adventurers designed personally by the Lord are very well prepared. The same goes for the surrounding restaurants and even the entertainment district.”
“...Yes, let’s do that then.”
He couldn’t cut off the aide who beat him to the punch and began guiding them.
Naturally, the Kenji Guild moved to lodgings that rivaled a five-star hotel in the city for a one-night stay.
“Tsk tsk. Poor bastards.”
“Seolah, how is it that everyone around Simin oppa is just like him?”
Seolah didn’t respond.
Indeed.
Jeong Seolah’s charming smile, which had been soured by the confrontation, deepened.
Was there any need to feel bad while facing them directly?
If left alone, they would naturally become suckers and have their money sucked dry.
Of course, that money wouldn’t come to the Specialists but would go straight into Han Simin’s wallet.
“Let’s go hunt.”
They had called the players in, but the time when they could actually raid together would be at least two weeks away.
Before that, what the Specialists had to do was widen the level gap while the others raised their affinity with the NPCs.
“Simin, when are you coming?”
Stimulated, Jeong Seolah cast the ultimate spell: spending real money.
