Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Those Preparing for the Wave (2)
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[What the hell is this 15th Floor full clear commemorative event?]
It was one of the staple questions on the DAT community boards.
In truth, veteran players would start drooling the moment they saw that title.
It reeked so strongly of newbie energy.
Plus, as seniors who had already endured what these rookies were about to face...
‘So you guys got screwed over by this crap too, huh.’
They’d chuckle to themselves and hit the recommend button.
[Why did all the market prices suddenly change? After the event ended, all the hides and resources I’d stockpiled to sell are worth jack shit now.]
It was the hurdle that hit players who’d just started adapting to the game and thought they’d shed their newbie label.
In a way, it was the first trial born purely from the system itself, not personal playstyle or preferences.
‘Known as the First Wave. The moment the 15th Floor is fully cleared, all item prices either plummet or skyrocket.’
Even the list of items that shot up in price felt like a slap to the back of the head.
Because every resource that would keep being essential from here on out surged without fail.
Unaware newbies would end up beggars after the ‘15th Floor commemorative event.’
Those who’d proudly amassed a bunch would wipe away tears in an instant.
[Yesterday, I had items that added up to 100 gold. Fuck, now they’re trash value. Sold them all and got 30 gold.]
They probably never imagined getting swept up in such brutal market swings even in DAT.
This was also when some players deleted their characters for the first time.
‘Other classes can tough it out somehow, but as a scroll enchanter, if I can’t adapt, I’m in deep shit.’
Regin, being a scroll enchanter, felt the First Wave’s aftermath even harder.
It was a unique class that required investing resources and materials to strengthen scrolls and grow stronger.
Thanks to that, you had to secure funds early on to keep playing afterward.
That’s why it earned the nickname ‘Silent Scribe.’
Even with such broken balance, people still played it to the endgame.
“This is the first time coming to market with you, Regin. And the first time you suggested heading here first, too.”
He quickly dragged the baffled Greg along to the market.
A massive sign reading ‘Unified Market for Western Explorers’ came into view.
The carriage fare to get here had been paid without complaint.
Truth be told, time was tight. He’d thought about it on the way, but the First Wave was just a week away.
‘One week until the First Wave.’
Everything that could be done had to be finished within that time.
The moment he spotted a decent-looking vendor, he rushed over.
“Boss, do you buy stuff like this?”
“Huh...?”
“You don’t?”
“No, no... That’s not it. Isn’t this Skeleton Knight pauldrons and breastplate?!”
Greg and Regin opened their bags to show him simultaneously.
Inside were the Skeleton Knight drop items they’d lugged along, enduring the weight.
Black pauldrons and breastplate gleamed, drawing the merchant’s eye.
Soon, the merchant unconsciously licked his lips.
‘He’s hooked.’
No helping it.
Even with equip restrictions, these were rare in the west.
It’d be easier to go to another region to get them.
And taxes for out-of-region purchases were extra.
It wasn’t worth paying double taxes, so sourcing locally was the better deal.
‘But demand still outstrips supply. Local explorers don’t feel the equip limits personally... They just buy anything that looks good.’
They knew there were downsides, but it still beat mithril armor.
Western explorers with money to burn were a dime a dozen, snapping up gear on impulse.
“50 gold each. 90 for both, how’s that?”
For buyers like that, 90 gold was a solid offer.
“90 gold...”
Even so, the merchant furrowed his brow as if pondering, then spoke.
“80 gold for both.”
“Hmm.”
“They’re rare, sure, but hardly anyone can use them properly... This is already a generous price.”
“Hmm.”
“...What, you don’t believe me? The stats are top-notch, but almost no one can equip them, I’m telling you?”
The merchant looked at Regin indignantly.
The downside to these items was needing strong mental fortitude to use them right.
He started emphasizing that he knew.
‘Seems like he’s got a decent grasp on items.’
If so, he’d know all the more.
That despite the restrictions, buyers were lining up.
The merchant had already done the math in his head.
80 gold meant a hefty broker’s cut, so he threw out the offer.
‘Not bad on item knowledge or acting chops.’
But one thing was missing.
Merchants needed something even more crucial than those two.
‘Information savvy.’
Unfortunately, he didn’t have it.
He didn’t know the raiding party had returned from the Tower today.
“Got it. But we’ll take the 80 gold now.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Cash on the spot, and it’s yours.”
“Suck it up. I’ve got exactly 80 gold. Deal! Good call!”
Clink!
The merchant grinned, handing over the gold pouch.
Regin snatched it and turned away.
‘If I hadn’t haggled down 10 gold, he’d have tried delaying payment.’
Not happening.
Rumors would start spreading slowly from tomorrow.
The merchant’s grin would drop by tomorrow at the earliest, a week at the latest.
Low-floor armor would be the first prices to crash.
Regin smirked and headed to the market center with the group.
* * *
Regin’s group moved along, gold pouch in hand.
Once they’d put some distance from the merchant, Greg couldn’t hold back.
“Regin. Didn’t we sell that armor way too cheap?”
“Hm?”
“From that guy’s face, it looked like we could’ve gotten way more...”
“You’re right.”
“You knew?”
“Yeah. For those with the mental stats to back it up, we could’ve sold high. Even those who don’t qualify would’ve paid up anyway.”
“So we... just lost 10 gold?”
“Yep.”
Regin nodded coolly.
“You took a loss...?”
“Hm?”
“No, you seem human after all. I was thrown off since it’s our first market trip together.”
“What’re you talking about?”
“Hmm.”
Greg continued as cautiously as possible.
“I may look like this, but I’ve haggled plenty over ore.”
“Heard you did that running the forge.”
“And I’ve butted heads with explorers trying to lowball finished weapons.”
“Figured as much.”
“So... Sigh. I respect your choice, but why not leave the bargaining to me next time?”
His eyes flicked to the gold pouch.
“If you can’t handle it, I’ll go back now and get the real price. Haggling’s about standing your ground...!”
“...Huh?”
“I’ve lived my life with thick skin, so no worries. Trust me—I’ll resell without a loss...”
“Haha, Greg.”
“Yeah?”
“I did say it was a loss.”
“Right. Figured you’re weak on haggling. Can’t say no to money sometimes. Tough if you haven’t practiced.”
“What I meant was, selling for 80 gold is a loss—today.”
“...Huh?”
“Definitely a loss today. But in a week, it’ll be different.”
“What do you mean?”
Regin glanced toward the distant Tower and continued.
“The raiding party cleared the 15th Floor. Explorers’ average clear floors will keep rising now.”
“Huh?”
Celia, overhearing, chimed in knowingly.
“Low-floor gear will lose value bit by bit.”
“Exactly.”
“Next portal opens, at least 16th Floor drops will flood in.”
“Right. And from the 16th Floor, no boss blocking the portal, they say. Ecosystem’s not identical to other Towers, but similar enough.”
Greg finally got it, mouth agape.
“Wait, then... all item prices will shift!”
“Yes. But keep it down... Word’ll spread.”
“No way—others don’t know yet?”
“Nope. Raiding party’s return hasn’t hit here. They went straight to their noble sponsors.”
“You thought that far ahead?”
“If we sat on it, our stuff’d halve in value overnight.”
Once the raiding party reported to the nobles and they announced the 15th Floor clear...
The market would change first.
Item values would flip.
Gold today could be trash tomorrow; trash materials could turn diamond-priced overnight.
“Can’t say about ore, but Skeleton Knight gear needs dumping fast. Explorers won’t settle for 6th Floor boss drops anymore.”
“Makes sense.”
“Better hold the ore, but liquidate the rest—mana stones and all.”
“Got it.”
Greg’s face was a sight.
Flustered at first, then grimly resolute like he’d received a special mission.
“Brings back memories.”
Having lived his whole life in this world, he knew.
“Back when Tower clears were just kicking off—before stalling at 15th Floor—prices were pure market rate.”
New resources per floor.
Shifting values constantly back then.
“Stabilized around 13th Floor, right?”
“...”
“Then reaching 15th froze prices. Ten years now. Forgot how short that is, myself.”
As a smith back then, Greg had tracked every fluctuation.
Ten years dulled it, but Regin’s words brought it flooding back crystal clear.
“Let’s liquidate what we brought. No need to undersell hard, but cash out fast.”
“Alright.”
Merchants eyed them like golden goblins.
Regin’s group smirked and kept trading.
‘Stuff that looks like gold now won’t even be trash tomorrow.’
Tomorrow, they’d see today’s golden goblins differently.
Probably as mad trading geniuses who sold trash at peak prices.
* * *
While Regin’s group hustled for the First Wave, the raiding party returned to their factions.
“...You succeeded in the clear?!”
“Yes, my lord.”
Some headed straight to their noble sponsors.
The house heads, convinced they’d die, went wide-eyed.
Years of support, yet no victory report from 15th Floor ever.
The long-awaited news brought a rush of exhilaration.
“Well done. I’ll wire the marquis immediately and secure fitting rewards.”
Scratch, scratch—
Viscounts and barons alike scrambled to draft letters.
They had to relay this to the kingdom’s heart, the capital.
Flutter—
Soon, messenger birds and owls flew from each noble house, letters clutched tight.
Packed with their houses’ contributions, heading to the capital.
“Marquis Dylan. Victory reports incoming from western nobles. 15th Floor fully cleared.”
All those wires converged on one middle-aged man overseeing east and west.
Marquis Dylan nodded, eyes gleaming.
“Compile all reports. And... reply soon: commend their feats and announce a western festival.”
“Understood. Consider it done.”
“All non-Tower climbers must join the festival.”
Time to fire the celebratory cannons.
For the west, rid of its aching tooth.
‘And to yank out the kingdom’s other lingering cavities.’
He intended to steer this western shift his way.
‘No more letting kingdom’s light-dodgers scurry in shadows.’