Chapter 121: Overwhelm
Before examining the nuke, he checked the title he had just acquired.
[1. First Volume Completer]
[Filled ten items in the first volume list.]
[Effect 1. All stats increased by 10%. (Applies to bonus stats as well.)]
Kim Minwoo blinked.
‘Huh.’
A 10% boost to all stats.
And it even applied to bonus stats.
“Jackpot.”
He nodded in satisfaction.
Even for Kim Minwoo, who had rolled through hell and back, he only had one title like this: Indomitable Soul. Now he had two.
Filling out that first volume list had definitely been a pain.
From Death Lord's Heir all the way to the final one he just got, ‘Vampire Duke Executioner.’
None of them had been easy.
He checked out the newly unlocked middle volume list.
[Legend's Beginning - Middle Volume]
[An awakener writing their legend. Their second chapter is recorded.]
[Effect 1. Filling the entire middle volume list adds a very special effect to the ‘First Volume Completer’ title.]
[Effect 2. Filling the entire middle volume list allows creation of the lower volume.]
〈Middle Volume List 0/15〉
‘It went up from ten to fifteen.’
This one would fill up bit by bit as he went along.
There was one more title he had earned.
[Executed a Vampire Duke]
[Granted eternal rest to Duke Timorn, leader of a vampire castle and true bloodkin.]
[Effect 1. True bloodkin authority is applied.]
[Effect 2. Instills intense intimidation in lesser vampires.]
‘…True bloodkin authority?’
Did that mean the origin of blood?
The reason true bloodkin vampires had such a notorious reputation.
They possessed a passive skill that prevented bleeding.
He lightly sliced his wrist with his spirit sword. A sharp sting accompanied a trickle of blood.
That was the moment.
Like rewinding footage, the blood was sucked back into the wound.
The injury smoothly healed over as if it had never bled at all.
Cedric, who had been staring blankly, tilted his head.
—Master. Wasn’t that just now the true bloodkin authority?
Kim Minwoo nodded.
“It’s from the title I just got.”
—You got something good. To think a non-vampire could wield the origin of blood…
Cedric’s pupils gleamed with interest.
—That level of recovery puts you at least at the level of a true bloodkin baronet. It’ll feel like having a potion active at all times.
“Yeah.”
Not quite top-grade potion level.
But it was like having an advanced potion’s recovery constantly applied.
—Minwoo, that’s amazing! With this… Olivia will probably love it!
“That vampire would like it?”
—Yeah! She hates humans a ton. But now you’re special, right? Using true bloodkin powers and all. At least way better than an average human?
He could score points with the legion commander?
An unexpected side benefit.
Either way.
Duke Timorn had been generous to the end, showering him with gifts like a bottomless tree.
A monster worth the cost of two light bombs.
That wrapped up the appetizers.
‘Time for the main course.’
Time to cash in the real reward from smashing those vampires.
[Would you like to use the VVIP Shop Access Pass?]
He nodded.
[The shop has been significantly upgraded!]
[New items are now available!]
[New!]
[6. Stigma of Lightning (7 million points)]
[7. Elru’s Tear (9 million points)]
[8. Nuclear Bomb (10 million points)]
Items previously shown as question marks were now unlocked.
He checked the details.
[Stigma of Lightning]
[Grade: Special]
[A mysterious stigma. Automatically engraved on the body upon purchase.]
[Effect 1. Gain control over lightning.]
‘Stigma?’
It looked like a pictogram of lightning.
About the size of a 500-won coin.
‘Control over lightning power…’
Compared to other items loaded with multiple effects, this one’s was ridiculously simple.
Which made it all the more appealing.
In other words, every effect was poured into the pure ability to wield lightning.
‘Doesn’t seem like it boosts lightning affinity just by engraving it on the body.’
If it did, it would say so in the description.
‘Adds another card to play…’
He was a close-range necromancer.
No one would expect a necro to blast lightning point-blank.
At 7 million points, it seemed solid.
Next, Elru’s Tear.
[Elru’s Tear]
[Grade: Ancient]
[Level Restriction: 251+, Summoner class.]
[A ring said to be crafted from the tears shed by Goddess Elru.]
[Effect 1. All stats +100]
[Effect 2. All recovery speeds +100%]
[Effect 3. Once per month, ‘Elru’s Miracle’ can be used. When activated, something mystical occurs.]
‘Whoa…’
Good.
Really, insanely good.
That was his impression upon seeing Elru’s Tear. Accessories were already rare enough, and not a single effect was worthless.
All-stats boosts were near-universal buffs.
A 100% increase to all recovery speeds was equally massive.
Mana and stamina regenerating twice as fast. In terms of combat sustainability, could there be a better option?
‘The miracle…’
It seemed to trigger something mystical when used, but that sounded incredibly useful too.
‘Gotta check the last item at least.’
Something more expensive than this ring.
Nuclear bomb.
He was dying to know what it was.
He read the description.
[Nuclear Bomb]
[Grade: Special]
[A mysterious bomb. No radiation. But its power will exceed anything you can imagine.]
[Effect 1. Causes a super-powerful explosion in the surroundings.]
[Effect 2. No damage to user or allies.]
For 10 million points, the description was very straightforward.
But being the most expensive meant one thing.
‘The power is absolutely insane.’
Sure, whether it would work on real outer gods was questionable…
‘But anything below that should fall easily.’
Two light bombs took down a vampire weaker than Vulcan.
At this price, the power was at least 20 times greater.
It could even take down a Death Lord-level monster.
‘Not bad.’
Kim Minwoo’s eyes lit up.
Insanely pricey for a one-use item.
But it had an overwhelming advantage over the others.
In a life-or-death crisis, this could be his trump card.
Elru’s Tear had a similar ‘miracle’ effect, but obviously nowhere near as good.
‘In other words…’
An extra life.
An item that could flip an impossible situation in one shot.
About four days left.
Even grinding hard, he could probably afford one VVIP item if lucky.
‘All-in on the bomb.’
No hesitation.
‘The second exam is still coming.’
VVIP Shop worked like the VIP one, usable until the second exam.
Meaning more scoring chances beyond the first exam.
‘If not, oh well.’
He had to pick one anyway; no point agonizing.
Ancient accessory was great, but not more than an extra life.
His mind raced.
Must-buy list.
To avoid being dragged around by America, he needed the top-grade elixir recipe. Plus the nuke: 11 million points.
‘Pushing for the gear gacha box might be tight.’
If some points were left, grabbing light bombs wouldn’t hurt.
“Gotta farm a ton of points.”
Kim Minwoo’s eyes gleamed.
The scenery before him shifted.
He immediately tore into the next mission.
[Starting ‘Advanced’ difficulty mission.]
[Exterminate the entire Cyclops pack.]
Before the caravan materials arrived, squeeze some extra from the Cyclops.
* * *
150 participants.
A mix of countless nationalities, but they shared one thing.
Shock.
“…What the hell are these guys?”
It started on day two, when scores were first tallied.
Even Ryu Wei, a famous druid, only had 120,000 points.
Most hadn’t even broken 100,000.
But the top three were different.
3rd: 360,000 points.
2nd: 530,000 points.
Insane scores already.
‘2.13 million points?’
‘What kind of freak is this?’
1st place was earning on a whole other level.
“…Did they find some exploit?”
Suspicion was inevitable. Naturally, the awakeners didn’t sit idle.
They had already scoured the city, but they double-checked every corner. Some even ventured outside for hidden elements.
And realized.
“…Nothing like that?”
No way to rack up points secretly.
‘Hunting’s the only way to score.’
Merc guild quests or monster packs.
Nothing beat hunting for points.
‘And everyone here is combat class anyway.’
A deadly tournament.
No country sent production classes.
All combat specialists.
So they fought and earned.
‘How do you hit 2.13 million? Join a war or something?’
Questions piled up.
Curiosity about the top ranks grew.
“…Korean awakeners?”
The guild war with Ilsung.
Their performance was legendary. Hot favorites for the win.
Most prelim participants acknowledged it.
‘Definitely…’
‘Divine Bow could take second.’
‘Park Siwoo’s a beast too. Third is fine.’
Second and third weren’t that shocking.
They were strong enough to crush anything under level 500.
But first…
‘Who the hell is this?’
Divine Bow?
Even she might not score that high.
Park Siwoo, weaker than her, was out of the question.
‘Not Kim Minwoo either…’
If Divine Bow vs. Kim Minwoo one-on-one, most would bet on her.
His summons were great, but beating a high-level veteran like her? Doubtful.
Yet he outscored her nearly fourfold?
Impossible.
That’s why heads were scratching.
‘Who is it?’
Total question mark, no identity.
Some dark horse hiding their strength?
Meanwhile, anomalies kept coming.
Vampire castle merc mission vanished.
And 1st place’s score skyrocketed.
[Day 3, rankings revealed.]
[Score Rankings]
[1st:??? - 3,133,800 points]
[2nd:??? - 812,300 points]
[3rd:??? - 562,130 points]
Up to day three, it rose humanely at about a million per day.
[Day 4]
[1st:??? - 6,172,300 points]
[Day 5]
[1st:??? - 9,637,400 points]
[Day 6]
[1st:??? - 13,212,300 points]
[Day 7]
[1st:??? - 15,211,230 points]
“…What is this guy doing?”
The gap was laughably wide now.
15 million points?
Cyclops extermination, the best farm, would take 15,000 runs.
Everyone lost the will to fight.
No point trying against that.
First exam was doomed.
“Fuck this, ptoo. Take it all, asshole.”
Awakeners spat on the ground.
* * *
[Current points: 13,211,230]
Past four days.
He farmed without rest. Smashed Cyclops, crafted non-stop for three days.
Luckily, the caravan delivered over 30,000 materials.
Finished them all, plus merc gigs. That was the total.
Gap to 15 million? Rankings summed all points ever.
‘13 million…’
Opened the shop.
[Opening VVIP Shop!]
[Shop assistant arrives!]
“Yo.”
—Hello.
“Buying stuff. This. And this.”
[Paid 10 million points!]
[1x Nuclear Bomb added to inventory!]
[Paid 1 million points!]
[1x Top-Grade Elixir Recipe added to inventory!]
About 2 million left.
Planned light bombs, but overfarmed somehow.
“Hmm. Gear random box…”
Then.
—Ahem!
Popo cleared his throat out of nowhere.
Kim Minwoo’s eyes sparkled.
“You know, buying gear feels off.”
—Is that so?
“Yeah. Debating saving points… or not.”
Saving.
tilt
Or not.
nod
This guy.
Must’ve learned from last talk. Nailed it.
—Quite the dilemma.
“Yeah. But screw it, spending. Who knows second exam.”
—As your assistant, I respect your choice.
“Elixir recipe…”
tilt
“Kinda meh. Maybe sweep all the light bombs.”
—Shall I?
“Yeah. Explosions are art, right?”
He and Popo had a symbiotic vibe. Mutual back-scratching, cozy like that.
No reason to refuse help.
[Purchase 4x Light Bombs!]
Full sweep.
—All done shopping?
“Yeah. Good work. Let’s grab food sometime.”
Patted Popo’s shoulder.
—No biggie. Just doing my job. Hehe… Wishing you survival in the second exam. Then…
Popo left.
Soon, a message appeared.
[First exam ended!]
[Settlement beginning!]
[Total participants: 150]
[Deaths: 12]
[Remaining: 138]
[You placed 1st.]
[Reward: Slight info on second exam!]
[Cursed Land]
[Sacrifices]
[Survival]
[Enter second exam?]
[* Life-threatening.]
[* Decline: Offer goes to those outside top 50.]
Cursed land?
Knew why Popo acted up.
Light always purged evil curses, right?
Light bomb full sweep.
Already felt secure.
“I’ll participate.”
His form vanished.