Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Hidden World - Interlude (2)
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A cheerful system chime rang in my ears.
The minimized quest window burst open, filling my entire field of vision.
⚙ Main Quest Chapter 2 ⚙
【Escape】 Escape from the Backside World. (Completed) Rewards: 20,000 points (additional rewards based on performance), 2 Grade-Up Tickets (C-grade or lower), B-grade Talent & Skill Selection Ticket, 3 Random Cheat Usage Tickets. Failure: Death.
The quest details appeared first.
✨ Quest Clear! ✨
Congratulations! You cleared the quest!
As if saying just that, a dazzling clear message sparkled into view.
And below it...
「20,000 points have been awarded as a reward.」 「2 Grade-Up Tickets (C-grade or lower) have been awarded as a reward.」 「A B-grade Talent & Skill Selection Ticket has been awarded as a reward.」 「3 Random Cheat Usage Tickets have been awarded as a reward.」
These were the rewards for all the hardship I'd endured in the Backside World.
But this was just enough to stave off hunger—the real feast was something else.
Bam-bam-ba-bam!
☆★ Performance Bonus! ☆★
The "additional rewards."
"...Here it comes."
A fanfare blared in my ears.
A rainbow-hued message dazzled my eyes.
But it was only for a moment.
As the fanfare faded and the rainbow colors dimmed...
My anticipation grew, tension rising in tandem.
"Let's see..."
Who destroyed the main core?
Me? Or Kang Cheol-su?
The answer came soon enough.
「Quick assembly of 15 people, including main and supporting characters.」 「40,000 points awarded as additional reward.」 「Led supporting characters (Park Ga-ram, Im Da-hee) to destroy sub-cores.」 「1 Random Cheat Usage Ticket awarded as additional reward.」 「'Perfect' command of 15 people, including main and supporting characters.」 「A-grade Talent Selection Ticket awarded as additional reward.」
...No main core destruction achievement.
I double-checked the reward list.
No change.
I looked for a scroll bar.
None.
I closed and reopened the quest window.
Still the same.
Checked three times. No difference.
"...Hmm."
I let out a groan and slumped against the bed's headboard.
I'd half-expected it, but confirming it was really gone left me deflated.
But that disappointment didn't last.
I shook it off quickly and rallied my spirits.
"Eh, I figured as much."
No need to grieve too much.
And while it's the system's judgment, even I think Kang Cheol-su destroyed the main core.
The bomb went off after he fell on it, not from my grenade.
So the core, touching his body first, must have been shattered by his 'Crush' skill.
Anyway, even without the main core achievement, the rewards were top-notch.
Especially the Grade-Up Tickets (C-grade or lower). Perfect for me.
Why?
Because I could upgrade my signature 'Transfer (F)' skill with them.
"Wonder how much the range will increase."
Current Transfer range: 1m.
How much for two grades up?
I used the tickets right away.
[Grade-Up Ticket (C-grade or lower) used.] [Transfer (F → E)] [Grade-Up Ticket (C-grade or lower) used.] [Transfer (E → D)]
Finally, Transfer escaped F-grade.
How much did the range change?
I checked the skill info immediately.
⚡ Skill: Transfer (D) ⚡
Transfers possessed items to a desired location.
• Transfer items in possession to locations within 15m radius.
• Mana cost increases with distance.
• Cannot transfer into living beings.
"Oh, oh!"
The range jumped to 15m!
I shot up from my seat, shouting in excitement.
F-grade was a measly 1m.
Just two upgrades to 15m!
No more risking my neck to plant bombs.
And not just bombs—with a 15m radius, I could pull off some of the ideas I'd been mulling over.
"D-grade is this good... how insane will C-grade be?"
Like how a mid-tier superhuman beats ten low-tiers.
Talents and skills skyrocket from C-grade onward.
A whole different league.
"Maybe 50m?"
D-grade at 15m means at least that much.
"Ha... Can't wait to upgrade to C-grade."
Got C-or-lower tickets this time.
Next, hoping for B-or-lower ones.
Just my wish, of course.
Got it, system?
"Oh, and there's a new note in the skill info?"
Mana cost increases with distance...
"It was barely anything at 1m. How much at max 15m?"
I tested it out.
The result?
"Ah, damn."
30% of my magic power vanished.
In one use.
"...Range is great, but mana drain is brutal."
Was gonna save the selection tickets...
But looks like I need magic power talents anyway.
"Got one B-grade and one A-grade selection ticket this time..."
Save the A-grade for later, grab a talent with B-grade.
And with 100,000 points, buy Insight too.
I opened the point shop, typing 'Magic Power Increase', 'Magic Power Recovery', 'B-grade' into search.
Four talents popped up.
"...What? Only one I can use?"
Keywords too broad maybe.
No comparison needed—only one usable out of four.
「Hero's Skill Management Method (B)」 A management technique created by a hero to reduce skill mana waste. • 10% reduction in mana consumption for B-grade or lower skills. • +30% mana recovery when magic power ≥60%. • +50% mana recovery when magic power <40%. • Magic Power +10.
"Not bad?"
No derivatives, but perfect fit for me right now.
I used the B-grade Talent & Skill Selection Ticket to acquire it.
Then spent 80,000 points on 'Insight (B)'.
⚡ Skill: Insight (B) ⚡
Glimpse opponent's talents and skills.
• Reveals opponent's talents and skills.
• Mind +10
Skills all bought.
Time to check my status window—been a while.
How much has it changed from the start?
⚔ Status ⚔
Name: Lee Yoo-jin
■ Physical Abilities: 23
- Stamina: 3
- Strength: 3
- Agility: 17
■ Mental Abilities: 45
- Magic Power: 15
- Mind: 30
- Holy Power: 0
■ Talents
- Keen Eye of the Aging Gunslinger (B-), Resilient Mind (A), Swift Movements (B), Hero's Skill Management Method (B)
■ Skills
- Transfer (D), Insight (B)
■ Derived Skills
- Fleeting Moment (Keen Eye of the Aging Gunslinger (B-))
- Steady Heart (Resilient Mind (A))
"Whoa, is this the same trash status I first saw?"
I'd called it a "trash stats" window for good reason.
Well... Stamina and Strength dropped more, but everything else skyrocketed.
The empty talent slot now had four entries, and skills had three including derivatives.
Good enough to call it a proper status window again.
"Feels good."
I grinned in satisfaction and closed it.
"Last thing: the cheat tools..."
Total usage tickets: 8.
7 random, 1 selection.
6 randoms fulfilled for a gacha pull, but...
Too soon.
Best efficiency: use selection first, then randoms.
But with only 1 selection—not the minimum 3—pulling now duplicates the lowest ones: 'Infinite Stamina', 'Infinite Items', 'Speed Limit Release' from 6 to 12.
Everything doubles, actually.
So prioritize selections—practically essential.
"Super Accuracy's plenty for now."
Infinite Items would be nice.
But early story—no need yet.
Good items come mid-game anyway.
And no guarantee it'd drop even if I pulled.
If 'Infinite Stamina' or 'Speed Limit Release' hits, I'd be sucking my thumb for ages.
So, stick to plan: endure till 3 selections.
Besides, no Infinite Items, but I've got infinite supplies.
"Sleep tonight, restock supplies tomorrow."
Restock supplies.
Extort cash and named info from Fallen worshippers.
Ah, tomorrow's a rest day too.
Getting busy again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next morning, at the training grounds.
I was in high spirits, thinking of restocking my inventory.
But that mood crashed quick.
Thud.
I plopped down in front of the firearms storage.
Empty.
Should've been packed full.
...Why? Why empty?
Restocks daily, right?
Academy's loaded.
Why skip this?
Discriminating 'cause it's guns?
A whirlwind of emotions hit me.
But then...
I spotted a note inside instead of supplies.
I trudged over and picked it up.
Read the message:
[Student Lee Yoo-jin, visit the Supply Department at your earliest convenience. Firearms supplies will not be restocked until then.]
- Supply Faculty -
"......"
A message from the supply faculty.
Judging by the wild scrawl... they're pretty pissed.
"Ah."
Maybe just roll the gacha.
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