Chapter 119: Vampire's High Castle (1)
Malay Merchant Guild branch manager Marco.
He was utterly shocked right now.
‘Is this for real?’
Piles upon piles of finished products stacked right in front of his eyes.
Like some magic wand, every time he handed over materials, thousands of completed items came back.
And all within less than a day.
[Receiving crafted items from ‘Kim Minwoo’!]
[Paying 1,302,500 points!]
Two thousand on the first day.
Four thousand on the second.
He’d bought nearly six thousand crafted items, and over two million points had vanished in a flash.
It was enough to make even a major merchant guild stagger.
Cold sweat beading on Marco’s forehead was only natural.
“Th-thank you, we’ve received the goods safely this time too.”
At those words, Kim Minwoo flashed a grin.
“We’ve received the payment as well. By the way, the materials you supplied this time seem a bit light?”
“W-well… We’ve already swept up every available material in this city. We’ve sent people to nearby cities to gather more, so if you could just wait one more day…”
“You’ll supply plenty this time, right?”
“Of course. We plan to buy up everything, so no need to worry at all.”
Five nearby cities.
If they hauled in everything from there, it’d be enough to produce at least thirty thousand items.
“Will you be able to pay the points?”
“Haha. We may look like this, but we’re a major merchant guild. We can cover it.”
Marco replied boldly.
Of course, if those thirty thousand items came back as finished products, they’d have to shell out an enormous amount of points.
‘Even if it means eating and vomiting it back up, this deal has to go through.’
The mind of a profit-driven merchant began spinning at high speed.
Thirty percent of the items Kim Minwoo produced were Magic grade.
If thirty thousand items came in?
Nine thousand Magic grade.
Twenty-one thousand Normal grade.
The guild could sell Normal grade for about 20 points each and Magic grade for 80.
‘Even taking just ten percent profit…’
That’s 1.14 million points in earnings.
Factor in the boost to the guild’s influence, and the ripple effect went far beyond a mere million points.
Successfully closing a deal like this and turning those items around?
‘Branch manager of the head office isn’t a pipe dream anymore.’
Not just managing one city, but aiming for head branch manager—an achievement worth that.
Naturally, Marco had gone all-in long ago. Like putting up every guild-owned building in the city as collateral for full loans.
It was the only way to pay over ten million points in such a short time.
‘It’s overstepping my authority, but…’
Borrow and repay later, right?
Fail, and he’s a gambler. Succeed, and he’s a hero.
‘And damn, it’s impressive…’
Just ten percent profit is 1.14 million points.
Then nine times that?
10.26 million points.
If he really delivered thirty thousand crafted items, a mercenary with more points than most nobles might be born.
* * *
‘Not bad at all.’
He had the crafting ability, but materials were running short.
He’d planned to pause production around now anyway.
The reason was simple.
[VIP Shop hidden unlock condition achieved!]
[You currently hold over 1 million points!]
[VIP Shop can now be unlocked.]
[Discover more hidden conditions, and you might unlock even higher shops.]
This message had popped up after closing the deal.
‘VIP Shop, huh.’
They’d said something special happens once you hit a certain point threshold.
It was true.
‘Though the condition is brutal.’
One million points?
Most wouldn’t reach it.
‘Day two rankings…’
Second place: 530k points.
Third: 360k.
Only two participants could pull off scores like that.
Park Siwoo and Seo Yerim.
‘If they play it right, they might scrape by too.’
Anyway.
With the unlock condition met, time to check the goods.
The moment he thought of opening the shop in his mind.
[VIP Shop unlocked!]
[Shop sales assistant arriving!]
With the message, something popped into existence in the air with a puff.
A small bear doll.
A very familiar sight.
“Meeting here too? Good to see you, buddy.”
―…!
The doll’s eyes went wide.
―N-no way, you’re the one who hit a million points…?
“Yeah, that’s me. Examiner and you didn’t know?”
―It’s not a lack of ability on my part; the system isn’t built for intervention or even observation.
Popo protested indignantly, then bowed its head.
―Uh… anyway, good to see you.
“Yeah. You’re the sales assistant, right?”
―Y-yes.
“What’re you selling here?”
―One moment.
[Sales list unlocked!]
〈Tip 1. This shop is usable up to the second exam.〉
〈Tip 2. Only usable items for unlocked users are shown.〉
[1. Light Bomb (500k points)]
[2. Supreme Elixir Recipe (1M points)]
[3. Elixir (1M points)]
[4. Random Item Box (2M points)]
[5. Worn Key (5M points)]
[6.???]
[7.???]
[8.???]
‘Whoa.’
Kim Minwoo whistled at the price tags. Cheapest started at 500k points.
Brutally high prices.
‘But…’
The items for sale were top-tier.
Way too good.
He skimmed the details.
Light Bomb: high-performance explosive.
Supreme Elixir Recipe: exactly what it sounded like, a recipe.
Elixir: Consume for 72 hours of maximized recovery. Basically, eat this and you won’t die from most wounds for three days.
Random Item Box…
[Random Item Box]
[Grade: Special]
[Level Limit: 251+]
[Item box containing gear for level 251+ wearers.]
[Effect 1. Grants random Necromancer gear (accessories excluded).]
[Effect 2. Yields items between Legend ~ Ancient grade.]
Very similar to the achievement shop’s gear gacha tickets.
Difference being those used achievement points, this used regular points.
‘Ancient grade for 2M? Jackpot if it hits.’
Ancient grade?
Even rotten water like Kim Minwoo, with over ten years in the game, had only seen about five.
Selling something like that outright? No wonder it was shocking.
Finally, he checked the Worn Key.
[Worn Key]
[Grade: Special]
[A worn-out key.]
[Effect 1. Might open something.]
‘Straight to the point, huh.’
Price: a whopping 5M points.
Find what it opens, and jackpot.
Intriguing.
‘Every item’s a gem.’
Even judging by the Supreme Elixir Recipe.
The recipe held solely by America’s witch, Kristen, out of the whole world.
Players naturally coveted it.
Figure out the ingredients, and they could make it somehow.
‘But no one did.’
The witch’s tight lips, America’s ironclad security. Millions of trial-and-error attempts, all failed.
Even elite raiders shook their heads and called it impossible.
And that recipe cost 1M points.
Seemed pricey at first glance, but actually felt like a bargain.
He looked at Popo.
“What’re the question mark items?”
―You need to meet conditions to see them.
Kim Minwoo nodded.
‘Current points: 2.13M.’
Save or spend crossroads.
Saving widened options for the next shop.
‘But…’
Blind saving wasn’t smart. Especially now, with Vampire’s High Castle in mind.
High Castle reward: 500k points.
Truth was, not going for the points.
[Vampire’s High Castle]
[Exterminate the vampire horde guarding the castle.]
[Time Limit: None]
[Difficulty: Extreme]
[Rewards: 500,000 points,???]
[Remaining Attempts: 1/1]
‘Question mark reward.’
500k plus something extra.
But that??? might be the real prize.
A mission dozens of times harder than the 10k-point Cyclops extermination.
Go in naked?
‘Too risky.’
The Mercenary Guild had kindly warned: mid-level missions and up mean death on failure.
Needed countermeasures.
Vampires had insane regeneration typically.
To take them down, needed heavy single hits over petty damage.
‘So Random Item Box is out for now.’
Legend to Ancient gear was for long-term gains, not burst DPS.
‘Light Bomb’s way better.’
500k for a consumable bomb.
Light was vampires’ hard counter too. They’d love it exploding on them.
Decision made.
Best defense is offense.
All-in DPS route.
“I’ll buy.”
―Yes. What would you like?
“Four Light Bombs.”
Popo blinked, then gaped.
―Wow… you’ve already got 2M points?
“Yeah. Hand ’em over.”
―Here you go.
[Paid 2M points!]
[4 Light Bombs added to inventory!]
[Light Bomb]
[Grade: Special]
[Bomb filled with light. Explosion will sweep the surroundings.]
[Effect 1. Detonates in a burst of light.]
[Effect 2. No damage to user or allies.]
Lightning poor in an instant.
‘Use it when needed.’
If bombs left over, save for later.
Description didn’t limit to point city anyway.
―Anything else…?
“Out of points. Oh, Popo.”
―Yes?
“Look at this.”
Showed it photos of guildmates saved on his phone.
“Familiar?”
―Th-the lady I recognize, but…
“The other’s my guildmate?”
―Ah, yes. But why show me…
“Pass a message later. When they unlock the shop, tell ’em not to buy the recipe?”
No news, and all three might buy the same recipe.
Conveniently acquainted with Popo—perfect messenger.
Popo blinked.
―Well… that might count as intervention…
“No need to speak. Just shake your head slightly if they’re about to buy. Subtle gestures okay?”
―That much should be fine. But… hehe…
Popo rubbed its paws together.
Seemed eager to build a connection.
No surprise.
Back in the last exam hall, hadn’t he linked up with its boss angel?
Even became sponsors.
Some bonds speak for themselves.
Kim Minwoo nodded.
“Got it. I never forget a favor.”
Favor doubled.
Grudge multiplied by a hundred.
Life’s truth.
This counted as a small favor received.
Popo’s eyes sparkled.
―Yes sir! I’ll relay faithfully!
“Good. Thanks for the trouble.”
―Yes. Then I’ll…
Perhaps due to the new connection, Popo bowed extra politely before vanishing.
He summoned Cedric and Merhen.
“Get ready. Hunting time. Vampires. Probably tough ones.”
―Vampires?
“Yeah. Vampires.”
―If Master says that, purebloods at least?
“Probably.”
Cedric’s eyes blazed.
―Won’t be boring then.
Cedric steeled for battle.
Merhen, meanwhile, frowned slightly.
“What’s up?”
―Just… old memories.
Then Cedric cut in.
―Thinking of Olivia?
―Yeah.
“Olivia?”
―Lord’s third legion commander. Vampire.”
Sudden intel on the third legion commander.
So the four commanders’ races…
‘Skeleton, banshee, balrog, vampire?’
Looked at Merhen.
“You two close?”
―… We’d chat occasionally?
―Guilt or something? Not even related to her vampires.”
―Just popped up hearing ‘vampire.’”
No issue for the hunt. Headed to Mercenary Guild, stood before the board. First, tore off a high-rank 10k-point mission slip.
New one respawned on the board.
‘As long as you don’t tear…’
Could stockpile multiple this way.
Then head far off to complete.
Completing here risked thousands of skeletons spawning on exit, so planned empty spot.
Gathered about a hundred high-rank slips.
No weird looks.
Other mercenaries did it occasionally.
Finally, grabbed the ‘Vampire’s High Castle’ paper.
Instantly, receptionist and mercenaries’ eyes locked on.
All with dumbfounded, “are you insane?” stares.
Ignored, stashed slips in inventory.
Vampire mission respawned on board. Remaining count vanished only on full clear.
Left the guild.
Arrived at deserted smithy.
Rip!
Tore a paper instantly.
Scenery flipped.
Bright day to crescent moon night sky.
Winding path.
Encircling forest.
Ahead, a massive fortress exuding eerie vibes.
[‘Vampire’s High Castle’ mission started!]
[Slaughter all vampires!]
[Remaining Vampires: 100/100]
Vampire horde probably inside the castle.
Extended hand.
Massive bone golem first, then dullahan horde, specters, skeletons—thousands of undead legions materialized.
[Undead legions now under Dullahan command!]
[‘Knightly Honor’ effect applied!]
[All commanded undead stats +20%!]
Puffed-up buff.
No wonder they say necromancers start pulling weight with a dullahan.
Immortal army knowing no death.
They marched toward the castle.