Settlement in Ranzi: Dividing the Spoils
Namgung Seojun's party didn't head straight to the 15th floor after the linked quest on the 14th. Instead, they decided to settle up in this small town called Ranzi. The reason was obvious: to avoid any trouble from Liu Dajing.
When the group stopped by the shop and laid out their loot, the merchants were stunned.
"What? Troll blood? Trolls on the 14th floor?"
"Looking at the head... Snow Troll???"
The merchants got excited over the Snow Troll byproducts, which weren't supposed to appear on the 14th floor, and quickly tallied up a price.
"The troll blood's condition is a bit iffy. One troll head is clean, but the other's in rough shape. The white fur and hide from the Snow Troll are decent enough. So..."
The shop owner, who seemed to be in charge, pondered for a long moment before making an offer.
"We'll give you 97 gold for it here."
True to his status as a temple-certified merchant, he gave an honest assessment.
"If you sold this stuff in Kamel, the big city on the 15th floor, you'd get at least 10 gold more—maybe up to 30. But that's the best we can do: 97 gold."
Kim Hoon glanced at Namgung Seojun. With a nod from him, the negotiation began—Kim Hoon was a master at this.
"Come on, why so stingy? If the gold's short, throw in some extras. How many merit point coupons you got?"
"We were gonna do 120..."
"Hey now. Bump it to 200 merit points, and we'll sell here."
The shop owner thought it over and agreed.
"Fine, deal."
They sacrificed a bit of gold profit for extra merit points.
The party found the best inn in Ranzi and checked in. Namgung Seojun booked four VIP rooms and said,
"Everyone, wash up first and we'll meet."
"Yes!"
The group scattered to their rooms. Seojun headed to the one he was sharing with Gisohee.
"Let's wash up."
"Okay."
They naturally slipped into the bathroom together. Soon after, Gisohee's moans echoed softly from inside.
Thirty minutes later, the party gathered in the lobby for the settlement.
"As you all know, normally we'd wait for five items of similar value before divvying up. But with that one party member we can't stand on the 15th floor, let's settle clean here and move on."
Everyone agreed with their leader Seojun. Better to wrap it up now than deal with Liu Dajing stirring up nonsense and causing stress.
"The loot's a bit unbalanced, but we'll split it into four shares."
The first item was the most valuable: a Mid-Upper Random Trait Book. The second was excellent too: a Lower Talent Selection Ticket. They'd also split the 97 gold into a 60-gold pouch and a 37-gold pouch, plus 1120 merit point coupons added in.
Gisohee remembered some of those coupons came from selling Jin Soyoung and asked,
"The merit points from selling Jin Soyoung... Liu Dajing's bound to bring it up, right?"
"I'll handle it."
No one questioned Namgung Seojun further.
Everyone eyed the five rewards greedily, but they followed his lead and began the distribution.
"Shall we write them on paper and pick like last time?"
Then Lee Guho suddenly raised his hand.
"I'd like something else instead of a share this time."
Curious faces turned to him.
"I want ownership of Yuki."
It was a sudden request, but everyone knew Lee Guho had a thing for Yuki—it was an open secret. They all understood, and Kim Hoon even burst out laughing.
"Kekeke, ballsy! We all knew you liked Yuki. But even now, you can't let go? Kekeke!"
Kim Hoon's teasing was annoying, but Lee Guho looked to Seojun for approval.
He answered right away.
"I saw that coming. And it's fine as long as everyone here agrees."
He glanced around.
"Anyone object?"
All nodded yes. Seojun double-checked.
"Guho, Yuki's slave term ends at the 20th floor, and you're taking a financial hit. You sure?"
Lee Guho's final "Yes" sealed it—Yuki became his personal slave.
Now for the remaining four: distribution resumed. Gisohee suggested,
"Let's go by contribution—highest first."
The other two agreed, so Seojun switched it up.
"Then, for this quest, who contributed most? Me, right? Can I pick first?"
Seojun was unanimously the MVP—perfect in scouting, commands, and combat.
"Yes."
The other three said it almost in unison. He naturally took the Mid-Upper Random Trait Book.
Next were Jo Jaehun and Gisohee for contributions.
"Between Jo Jaehun and Gisohee, who goes?"
"I'll pass."
Gisohee yielded first. She'd played support but wanted to honor Jo Jaehun, who'd protected the team despite his injury.
"Haha... I'd rather you pick first, Sohee."
They yielded back and forth, lightening the mood with laughter. Jo Jaehun picked first in the end.
"Your choice, Jaehun."
He took the pouch with 37 gold and 1120 merit coupons.
"Huh??"
Gisohee blinked in surprise, but he said calmly,
"This suits me better. Gold and merits at once."
"Thank you."
She thanked him profusely anyway and got the Lower Talent Selection Ticket.
In the warm atmosphere, the 60-gold pouch naturally went to Kim Hoon last.
"Alright, that wraps up the 14th-floor linked quest settlement."
With that, the group's accounting was done.
Back in his room after the others left, Seojun sat on the bed and eyed the book before him: the Mid-Upper Random Trait Book. Auctioned in a big city, it'd fetch at least 400 gold—500 if timed right.
"Gotta use it, obviously."
No plans to sell—he picked it up.
'...'
Focusing his Super Sense, he waited for the right vibe. When it hit, he opened the book.
Reading Mid-Upper Random Trait Book.
Acquired Upper Elemental Resistance trait.
Upper-tier trait! But elemental resistance?
Namgung Seojun felt pleased yet a tad disappointed. Elemental resistance wasn't hugely useful on lower floors. But higher up, enemy attacks often carried elements, and this slashed that damage big time. Long-term, it was gold—but for his immediate needs, a bit underwhelming.
As he mulled it over, the door opened and Gisohee entered.
"Back?"
"Yeah. Thanked him properly."
She'd met Jo Jaehun separately—his gesture was special, even among close comrades.
Gisohee asked Seojun,
"Lower Talent Selection Ticket... what should I pick?"
To help, he offered two paths.
"Picking a special lower trait is great, obviously."
Prime example: spirit arts. Even lower-tier, summoning spirits aided combat and exploration. Water spirit arts let you conjure water anytime, making summoners VIPs.
"But upgrading one of your existing traits to mid-tier's worth considering too."
Selecting a duplicate lower trait upgraded it to mid. Mid-tiers doubled performance at least, so key lowers were prime upgrades.
Gisohee pondered his advice.
My traits: Lower Intelligence, Lower Instant Judgment, Lower Luck.
She didn't realize how solid they were, leaning toward the shiny new water spirit arts.
'Hmm...'
But Seojun's thoughts and Super Sense said otherwise. He chimed in.
"Sohee, mind if I give a direct rec?"
"Yes! Tell me, Seojun."
He pointed to one.
"Upgrade Instant Judgment to mid-tier."
For an archer like her, quick situational calls were vital. Mid-tier would skyrocket her combat prowess—Super Sense confirmed it.
Gisohee decided on the spot.
"Instant Judgment it is."
Used Lower Talent Selection Ticket.
Select desired trait.
Gisohee selected Instant Judgment.
Duplicate trait detected. Existing Lower Instant Judgment upgraded to Mid Instant Judgment.
Her status window now showed the mid-tier Instant Judgment trait. Gisohee stared at it for a while.
"It's good, right?"
She still regretted the water spirits a bit.
Seojun stroked her head.
"Trust me?"
She nodded. He slipped off her clothes naturally.
"As my girlfriend, here's the truth: just trust me. That's it."
His tongue teased her clit, drawing a moan.
"Ahh... Yes... I trust you, Seojun."
Her cries grew louder as they shared a passionate time.