Chapter 4

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 4

Chapter Title: Perfect Body Potion #2

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Finding the request board wasn't all that hard.

Just like how I'd found the [Exchange] section.

I tapped the three-line menu bar and entered through the [Requests] option at the very bottom.

《Request Board》

[Request: Hidden Piece info for Tower ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of Struggle floor 19]

[Request: Craft or purchase Unique-grade or higher light-attribute greatsword]

[Request: Mandragora gathering spots in Tower of the Conqueror]

[Request: Purchasing dragon-slaying specialized gear, any type]

[Request: Looking for guild recruitment - Climber for Tower of Bugs floor 15]

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"Ooh..."

As expected of a board only verified users could access.

Unlike the general board flooded with worthless crap.

This place had a seriously solemn vibe.

"Let's take a look around first."

So, while getting a feel for the board's atmosphere.

I browsed through various requests.

This was basically a back gallery for Climbers only.

People buying and selling info they needed.

Trading materials or rare ingredients one-on-one or directly to avoid fees.

"That side's a bit messy, though."

Well, not hard to understand.

That place was overrun by beasts hiding behind anonymity.

It had already turned into half lawless wildlands.

"At least wear a highnik like me."

Strictly speaking, it was six of one and half a dozen of the other.

Anyway.

As I looked over the requests, a thought suddenly hit me.

"Selling recipes alone could rake in some serious cash, huh?"

This was a place where people bought and sold needed info.

Of course, there were requests for specific recipe info too.

And I had the skill to create those recipes.

"Selling just the recipes... that should be fine, right?"

I wouldn't be the one selling the items made from them.

If I sold recipes completely anonymously, those black-suited guys wouldn't come sniffing around.

And if they did, I could just say I lucked out and found it in a tower.

Of course, I'd have to control the quality of recipes I sold.

"Gotta protect my own rice bowl."

In that sense.

I'd spotted a suitable request while browsing earlier.

"Where was it...?"

"Ah, this one."

A request seeking a recipe for the Battle Hornet monster's antidote.

With a reward of 100 million won, it seemed pretty rare.

But to me, it was pure honey – one skill click for 100 million.

"Alright, this it is."

But what kind of monster was a Battle Hornet?

Out of curiosity, I searched it up.

Battle Hornets appeared from floor 40 of the Tower of Bugs – pretty damn strong monsters.

They resembled giant hornets, and when one was nearby, you could hear helicopter noises.

With their massive size and potent poison, Climbers in the Tower of Bugs called them 'that bastard'.

"Whoa, fucking scary."

How big were they to sound like helicopters?

I hadn't entered a tower yet, so I didn't know which one I'd get.

But please, not the Tower of Bugs.

"Makes the Climbers tackling those towers seem impressive all over again."

So, time to make some money and help out our Climber seniors.

This junior's gonna put in some effort.

This recipe wasn't for me, so I needed to be detailed.

I didn't know who the alchemist making the antidote was.

They sure as hell wouldn't have EX-grade Synthesis, let alone Emerald Cauldron (SS+) or Pure Flame (S+).

So, assuming that, when creating the recipe...

"This should do it."

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Long story short.

I succeeded in creating the 'Universal Battle Hornet Antidote' recipe.

But was the process easy for me?

Hell no, I could say that with full confidence.

"I've been through so much. I'm exhausted for real."

Who could've guessed that many recipes would pop out?

I figured it'd be 3-4 like the previous ones.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

But over 2,000 recipes poured out, and I broke into a cold sweat.

"Ugh, my eyes are gonna fall out..."

Honestly, I wanted to just toss any old one and tell them to make it.

But for 100 million, that'd be pretty unethical, right?

So I read through every single one to pick the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠simplest.

And that's how I found ver.1839 – makeable without special tools.

"They should be able to make this..."

I even gave exact mg amounts, no special tools needed. If they can't?

That alchemist should quit and find another job.

"Alright, time to sell."

With that, sacrificing 0.1 vision, I applied for a 1:1 chat with the requester to express intent to trade.

"Hm? Why's this guy's reaction like that?"

I couldn't quite tell, but he seemed flustered from the text.

No way... he didn't actually expect me to deliver a real recipe...?

"Please don't tell me..."

I spent over an hour reading recipes.

If he pulls "Actually, the 100 mil was a joke!", I might flip out.

Waiting half-worried, half-anxious.

"...This is a pain."

The "100 mil was a joke!" didn't come, thank god.

But now I was hit with the precondition of revealing identities to get paid.

"Well... that's standard, I guess?"

From their side, why hand 100 mil to a total stranger's recipe on faith?

Makes sense to verify the goods first, then pay.

"But I've got my own circumstances."

Anything but exposing my identity.

No telling where that info could leak and boomerang back.

Better not give any openings.

"Tch... a bit disappointing. But can't sell my future."

So, I'd find money another way.

The moment I tried to exit the 1:1 chat.

"What with this guy...?"

No idea what he saw in a total stranger like me today.

Proposing trade right away? What if I scam him?

"Must be really desperate."

Well, if he's willing to trust and trade, great for me.

No reason to refuse.

Hm... cash is convenient, but it leaves bank records. Better take materials.

Right after Bug Hater said that.

He messaged that he'd gathered all the materials I asked for and sent a 1:1 trade request.

[Orc Great Warrior's Intact Heart]

[Orc Great Warrior's Sturdy Bones]

[Processed Orc Great Warrior Meat]

[Soil Infused with Spirit Mana]

[Water Infused with Spirit Mana]

"Orc?"

Checked the exchange – regular orcs were cheap, tens to hundreds.

But Orc Great Warrior, an upper variant, easily topped 10 million – pricey.

Especially that 'intact heart' – super expensive. Yeah, matched 50 million worth.

"So brewing with this turns me into an orc body?"

Hm... orc body on my current face...?

Let me imagine.

Orc's wild, bulging muscles full of primal appeal.

Combined with my bad-boy looks...

"Whoa, damn."

Just imagining it – no better combo.

This screams testosterone, virgin-busting alpha male who ensnares women with a glance.

"Orc! Definitely going orc!"

"Heh heh heh..."

A grin crept up.

I wanted to synthesize the Perfect Body Potion right now and see my perfect self.

So, needed to wrap this trade quick.

Recipe sent.

Finally, time to synthesize.

The moment I went to exit the chat.

Bug Hater suddenly calling me desperately.

"What now? I gotta go synthesize!"

Stopped exiting and replied a bit curtly.