Chapter 56

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 56

Chapter Title: Holy Nation (3)

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"Hoo..."

"You're really gonna do it...?"

Even Yena looked shocked, trying to talk me out of my decision.

But I'd already made up my mind to go for it.

If I backed out now, just like Yena and Hyeji were worried about, it would look weird in its own way.

More importantly, this time it wasn't just gambling on a 5% chance.

"Don't worry, guys. This time, I have a good feeling about it."

Equipment without infused attributes that had specific modifiers was extremely rare.

Moreover, this was a modifier I'd never seen before, and both pieces matched perfectly.

So, just one shot at this.

There was no other way to get S-grade gear right now besides synthesizing A-grade pieces.

I had no intention of settling for A-grade forever, so synthesis was inevitable sooner or later.

If I could prove my macho cred by trying it early, wasn't that worth it?

"Th-the gauntlets are perfect for me..."

"You need to run around a lot, so agility-boosting thief gear suits you better."

No words could stop me now.

"Everyone, get your spirit bombs ready."

"Okay...!"

Yena and Hyeji, realizing my resolve was ironclad, took their positions.

Honestly, even as I was about to hit synthesize, I doubted if I could hold back if it failed.

The loss of A-grade gear, the hope for S-grade...

Would I blow through all my A-grades chasing that high?

Even if I did, if I pulled an S-grade at the end like with the Eye of the Storm, it'd be a win.

That obvious path made me think I could control myself.

Last time, I hadn't expected to go that far, so I got caught off guard. But now I knew better.

I'm not some dopamine addict. I know better than to actually do it.

"Here we go!!!"

Shkshkshkshkshkshkshk—

"Come oooon!!!"

Above all, I just needed to succeed this time.

Click.

Fwoosh!—

"Eek! Why cover it!!"

"Hoo. Hoo. Hoo. Hoo..."

The moment I hit synthesize, I flipped my phone over to hide the screen.

I didn't trust myself to handle the result.

"Hoo... Let's wait five minutes before checking. I gotta hit the bathroom."

The instant I pressed it, my head filled with the thought that yeah, I really was a crazy dopamine junkie.

So if it failed, I'd definitely blow all my A-grades. That's why the delay.

Shwaaaaa—

Splash splash

I rushed to the bathroom, splashed cold water on my face to clear my head, and braced for the result calmly.

If success, don't get too hyped. I predicted the formula; it's expected.

If fail, don't get down. Predicting synthesis isn't that easy, or I'd have S-grades already.

"Urghhh..."

Pfft. "Hyeji, what're you doing?"

"She's been like that since you went to the bathroom~ She's dying to know."

Hyeji with her face pressed right up to the flipped phone, staring holes through it.

How curious must she be?

If Yena weren't here, she'd have flipped it for sure.

"Let's check."

"Finally!"

"Don't get your hopes up. It's just one A-grade... We can macro-farm more in a few days of chilling..."

"It... IT'S UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The moment I checked the phone, "success" slammed into my brain.

I yeeted the phone, dove onto the sofa chair, and rolled around like mad.

"For real...?"

"Hngh!! For real!!!"

I slid off onto the floor, and Yena's wind magic lifted me back up.

"Insane... Insane...!"

Feeling her wind magic made it hit even harder.

The Eye of the Storm that turned even S-grade Awakener Chae Yeonhwa into a normie.

Another piece on that level was born.

"Y-Yujun, appraise it quick!!"

"R-Right."

She must've been so curious she tapped the screen multiple times, even knowing she couldn't.

"Full Retreat...!"

The name alone screams badass.

I immediately appraised the new S-grade Full Retreat.

"Whoa..."

Whether by looks or options, this was made for a total tank.

"I-Indestructible..."

"Sigh. Kim Hyeji."

"Sorry..."

I shut down Hyeji's subconscious greed real quick, then pulled Full Retreat from my inventory.

"Eek...!"

Thud!—

Too heavy to hold with two hands; it cratered the floor.

Yena belatedly floated it in front of us with wind magic.

"Hmm... Hyeji, let's shift the rug over here a bit."

"Yeah!"

It's my place for now anyway, so I'll cover it and pay when I move out.

We quickly forgot the minor mishap and ogled Full Retreat's glory again.

"Yujun, who're you giving this to?"

"Huh?"

"Full Retreat probably has equip restrictions too, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right?"

"Oh..."

Of course, until I checked, but Yena was probably 99% right.

-Upon receiving the Blacksmith's recognition, becomes the equipment's true owner.

That line was on the Eye of the Storm too. Yena became its true owner, gaining an EX-grade skill but locking it to her exclusively.

High chance this was the same.

Regrettable, but no one to use it right now.

The +4 stamina tempted me to carry it, but reality said no.

Among acquaintances, warrior-types Um Taesoo and Kim Hyuncheol used sword and shield mainly, so meh.

Plus, neither was fully my guy.

"Really tricky..."

I made an S-grade, but no immediate use. Feeling ungrateful, but true.

One S-grade bludgeon fan came to mind, but no connection yet.

"Yujun, what about using it as a blacksmith hammer?"

"...Come here, let me smash you with the hammer."

"Heh... Can't even lift it yourself."

When recruiting guildmates soon, scouting a fitting A-grade wouldn't hurt.

"No rush. Getting an S-grade is huge luck."

Plus, I got a feel for synthesis formulas, so next try should work.

"Anyway, Yena. Time to keep that promise."

"Huh? What promise?"

——

"Urghhh..."

"Spit it out."

"Yujun's the luckiest guy ever. Man of Fortune. Solves everything with luck. 0% skill, 100% luck."

"...Yeah..."

Not the best vibe, but I got my correction for doubting my luck.

Not just pulling rank as guild master—proved it with skill, constructively.

Even sent Hyeji to another room to preserve vice-guild master's dignity.

"Wait for Hyeji. Let's go."

Vwooom—

"Ugh!..."

Plop—

As I headed to free Hyeji, Yena's wind magic grabbed me.

Clunk—

I got laid on the bed, door slammed shut.

"Heh... Yujun, you're trapped too."

I didn't leave that room or bed until morning.

——

Next morning, we finally escaped our rooms and gathered in the living room.

Yena was last, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠emerging from my room to plop on the sofa.

At some point, sharing a bed with her became normal—no choice given.

Truth be told, her warm breeze lulled me to sleep perfectly; embarrassing but satisfying.

Anyway, today was huge.

Not just for our Boastful Guild—the world's eyes on one nation.

One guild.

Holy Nation S-Grade Gate Raid, D-DAY