Chapter 11
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 011
Chapter Title: I Became a Big Shot
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Haegyeom checked the item options for Newbie Shield once again.
- Upon use, extends the selected nation's 'Beginner Protection Period' by one week.
- Beginner Protection Period: All stats of climbers affiliated with the nation increase by 20%, Salvation Tower rewards increase by 50%, and all Gate break timers within the nation's territory are paused.
- The user receives double the effects.
"...This is insane."
That was still the only thing that came to mind.
The 'Beginner Protection Period' had been the driving force behind the rapid growth of hunters who awakened at the start of the Great Cataclysm.
Boosted stats let them clear higher-difficulty floors.
Enhanced rewards by 50% made them even stronger.
That strength led to another 20% stat boost, allowing them to conquer even taller floors.
A perfect virtuous cycle!
And on top of that, Gate break timers paused?
No more rushing to raid high-grade Gates before they could burst. The entire nation would be safer.
He could revive this 'Beginner Protection Period'?
A period that had ended decades ago?
'...This is going to cause an uproar.'
It would create even bigger waves than a simple SSS+ clear announcement.
And above all...
'......All of this doubles for me.'
The effects on Haegyeom himself were twice as potent. A 40% stat increase and double the rewards!
"......Whoa."
Haegyeom let out a quiet sigh of awe.
And then.
??? Why's Dragon Emperor reacting like that?
Isn't it a bust? lololol Total flop.
Or maybe it's something amazing.
What is it? Stop spacing out and turn on the mic!
?????
The viewers hammered him with question marks as they watched Haegyeom freeze up. Of course, they assumed it was an upgrade to his unique ability, not some item.
"...Everyone."
Haegyeom spoke in a low voice.
What what
Oh, he's talking.
Gonna reveal the unique ability?
And then.
"For now, that's it for today's stream. Exiting the Salvation Tower."
He ended the broadcast.
Whatever it was, it wasn't something to reveal right then.
What
!?!?!?
No way you're ending here you bastard!!!
* * *
Back in reality, Haegyeom immediately got in touch with the Korea Awakening Management Bureau.
- ...What did you say?
"I can extend the Beginner Protection Period for you."
- W-Wait... You mean the one that ended decades ago? How could you possibly...
"I can. I broke an achievement."
- What!? You've only cleared up to the 5th floor, how... Ah, don't tell me...?
"Yes."
Haegyeom explained to the bewildered Yeowon Han.
"I got it for achieving SSS+ clears five times."
- ......!!!
Haegyeom could sense her shock through the phone as he thought to himself.
'The original contract was generous enough, but it was just betting on the potential of a promising talent who pulled off SSS+ clears.'
So those terms were an 'investment.'
An investment in future returns, not immediate gains.
But Newbie Shield?
'It's a product with instant value.'
A hunter who'd only reached the 5th floor could now wield massive influence over the entire nation.
For the better.
'A 20% stat buff across the board? Hell, even the Sword Emperor might be able to tackle one more floor.'
The economic impact?
No need to spell it out. It'd just hurt his jaw.
- Uh, um... Haegyeom-ssi?
"Yes."
- ...I can't give you an answer right now. I need to talk to the higher-ups first.
"Of course."
- Thank you. I'll get back to you soon!
Haegyeom ended the call, listening to her voice laced with panic, excitement, and anticipation.
"Good. At least they get the item's value."
It was convenient for the bureau—who'd been negotiating smoothly—to properly compensate him.
Otherwise, he'd have to deal with other companies or overseas offers.
Not just a hassle, but ideally, fewer people knowing about this item the better.
"Alright, then..."
Now, something to do while waiting for their reply.
"So, what's this Kids Cafe?"
Time to check the enhanced unique ability reward from clearing the 5th floor of the Salvation Tower: Kids Cafe.
Haegyeom opened the tenant management screen.
Tenant: Drong (Red Dragon Hatchling)
Status: Grateful, Hungry
In Use: None
Mana Stone: 15kg
Mana Stone: 15kg
"Ah."
The first thing that caught his eye was Drong's status.
"Drong, you hungry?"
Kkudeok.
Lord Drong is hungry!
Present food at once!
Haegyeom quickly supplied mana stones to Room 101.
Ppeya...!
Wam.
The mana stones were steadily absorbed into Drong's belly.
"Hm."
He was getting a feel for it now.
From experience, Drong got hungry after firing a breath attack.
Maybe the formula was '1 Breath = 5kg mana stones'?
Not confirmed yet, but plausible enough.
"Gotta expand inventory space too..."
His inventory capacity was running critically low.
SSS+ clears showered him with mana stones, but each slot held only 15kg.
Already, 87kg were spilling over—he couldn't leave them at home forever, so expansion was necessary.
"...Or sell to the bureau."
That'd net him nearly 100 million won, but he didn't want to.
Drong's food, and he might need them for multiple breaths later.
Anyway.
"Let's check the Kids Cafe."
Haegyeom recalled his original goal, briefly forgotten amid feeding Drong.
In Use: None
"Hm. Register Drong here?"
Haegyeom glanced back at Room 101.
Drong had finished the mana stones and was staring right at him.
Tenant: Drong (Red Dragon Hatchling)
Status: Grateful, Bored
The status had updated too.
"......Bored after eating?"
Ppe!
Seemed like it wanted to play.
Normally he'd oblige, but not today.
"Perfect timing for a test."
He pulled out Drong and moved it to Room 102.
In Use: Drong
Room 102's environment transformed in an instant.
From a plain inventory slot to a vibrant kids cafe.
"......What?"
Haegyeom blinked at the sight.
A miniature ecosystem had sprung up inside his inventory: lava pools, ponds, rocks, meadows.
"Th-This is... a kids cafe?"
Haegyeom was dumbfounded.
But apparently, that was just him.
Drong eyed the new surroundings warily at first, then waddled toward the lava.
A tentative dip of a front paw.
Ppeya!
Ploosh!
It dove in headfirst with pure glee!
"D-Dr-Drond!"
Haegyeom panicked and tried to pull it out, but then realized.
"It's fine? No, it loves it...?"
Ppihya─!
Drong was having the time of its life.
A lava bath.
"..."
And right on cue, a system message popped up.
The optimal play environment has been provided to tenant 'Drong'.
Tenant's latent abilities awakening accelerated!
Current: Fire attribute potential awakening in progress...
Haegyeom realized.
This was the proper way to use a 'Kids Cafe'.
"Kinda shocking, but if Drong likes it..."
Drong looked thrilled, splashing in the lava, rolling hot rocks around.
"Hm."
Looked good.
And it even awakened potentials.
"Yeah. Have fun."
Ppehah! Ppehah!
Kyarruruk.
Just as Drong burst into joyful laughter.
Kids Cafe operation ending due to unpaid usage fee.
"?"
The environments vanished in a flash: lava, everything.
Back to a plain inventory slot.
Ppi...?
Drong stared blankly at its empty paws.
And then.
Ppiik... Ppiik...
Grrumble.
Ppeyaaaaa─!
It started crying.
"Wha-No... Uh... E-Eh?!"
Haegyeom panicked too.
How'd it come to this!?
What was he supposed to do!?
Kids Cafe usage fee: 5kg mana stones / 1 hour.
Up to 10 hours can be prepaid in advance.
"Warn me beforehand next time!"
Good thing mana stones fixed it.
Haegyeom hurriedly shoved all his remaining mana stones into Room 102.
He couldn't bear more tears from the cute, noble, magnificent Lord Drong!
Kids Cafe usage time charged.
Remaining time: 10 hours
Providing optimal play environment to tenant 'Drong'.
The environments returned.
Drong looked around, grasped the situation, and resumed playing with a bright smile.
"...Phew."
Haegyeom wiped sweat from his brow.
Crisis averted.
"Threw everything in a panic... How much was that?"
Now that it was settled, the math hit him.
Kids Cafe fee: 5kg per hour.
Mana stone value: ~1 million won per kg.
So...
"...5 million won?"
He'd just paid for an hourly 5-million-won kids cafe.
And...
"Full top-up!?"
10 hours.
In one lump sum.
"......Gahk."
* * *
Luckily,
the unintended 50-million-won flex didn't haunt him long.
"Yeah. Drong earned it anyway, and potential awakening... should have good effects. Probably."
On second thought, it was a solid investment.
And.
"Hoo."
Ppehah!
"...Look how happy it is."
When Lord Drong was beaming, who cared about money!
5 million an hour?
He'd pay it gladly.
Haegyeom steeled his resolve.
And right then.
Vrrr-
His phone buzzed.
Yeowon Han from the bureau.
"Ahem."
Haegyeom steadied his breath and answered.
"Hello?"
- Haegyeom-ssi? I talked to the higher-ups. Bottom line: we're upping the terms even further.
"How much?"
- From 60th-floor hunter treatment to 67th-floor hunter treatment.
"Pardon? 67th floor is..."
- Correct. Sword Emperor-level treatment.
"......!!"
Had the bureau finally lost it?
Haegyeom thought.
- But there's one condition.
"Ah."
There it was.
"...What is it?"
- The Sword Emperor wants to meet you personally.
"And?"
- That's it.
"That's all?"
- Yes. Will you?
"......Whoa."
Day 5 of seriously climbing the tower.
Haegyeom had become a big shot the Rank 1 hunter in Korea was seeking out.