Chapter 46
Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Second Cheat (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Having confirmed that the item counts didn't change even with the cheat active...
Now it was time to dig into the details.
Just like how Super Accuracy required designating a target to take effect...
Infinite Items probably had some condition too.
Or maybe there was a difference, like between genuine articles and fakes.
With that in mind, I first pulled a holy bullet from my inventory to check its info.
[(Replica) Holy Blessing-Engraved Bullet (A)] "...As expected."
There was a difference.
The item had a 'Replica' prefix attached.
Looking at that prefix, I switched the cheat to 'OFF' this time.
Ding.
The sound of the cheat deactivating rang in my ears.
And at the same time, I saw the holy bullet in my hand, as well as those scattered on the bed, blur and vanish.
At that sight, I opened my inventory to check the holy bullets.
[41][Holy Blessing-Engraved Bullet (A)][1] And then..., huh?
"......?"
What the...?
I'm sure... I had 5 holy bullets, not just 1?
I blankly stared at the screen that seemed to have the wrong count, then squeezed my eyes shut.
I counted a few seconds in my head before opening them again to check.
...No change.
This time, I closed the inventory and reopened it.
...No change.
Staring at the unchanged screen, I let out a smirk.
"Ah, a bug."
System, you've got a cheat bug.
Or maybe the inventory update glitched.
So, wanna fix it quick?
......
No response.
"Hey, system, there's a bug."
......
Still no response.
"...Not a bug?"
I asked in a deflated voice.
Ding.
A message window popped up as if it had been waiting.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Due to the activation of Cheat 'Infinite Items', System 'Inventory' has been updated. Would you like to view the details? "Now you tell me...?"
After my 4 holy bullets vanished?
"Could've said something sooner, sigh... whatever."
I let out a deep sigh and tapped the message window.
────────────────────
⚙ SYSTEM UPDATE LOG ⚙ [Table of Contents]
＊ Improvements
['Lee Yoo-jin' Player-Exclusive Cheat 'Infinite Items' Activation Changes to 'Inventory']
• □ With the 'Infinite Items' cheat activated, 'Inventory' has been improved for easier viewing and higher visibility.
• □ When 'Infinite Items' is set to 'ON', all items in the inventory display as '9999+', and counts do not decrease upon consumption. However, while active, items gain a 'Replica' prefix, and switching to 'OFF' fixes all inventory item counts to '1'.
• □ 'Replica' items cannot be traded except for consumables.
• □ Recipients of 'Replica' items cannot receive other items until they use it.
• □ Recipients of 'Replica' items cannot give them to others. (Violation causes item deletion.)
• □ Combined items made from 'Replica' items also gain the 'Replica' prefix.
• □ 'Replica' items cannot be sold for cash or bartered. (Violation causes deletion.)
• □ Currency cannot be duplicated.
※ Cheats are the exclusive privilege of 'Lee Yoo-jin' Player only.
────────────────────
Maybe because items are such a sensitive topic.
There was more detail here than in the last cheat tool visibility update.
But it covered everything I wanted to know, so I read every word carefully.
And that last line...
Emphasized like it was saying:
'Cheats are for you alone, so here are the restrictions.'
Interpreting it that way, I stared at the message window, deep in thought.
And after a moment, my conclusion was...
"Eh, not bad?"
No loss for me.
Of course, there was one annoying part.
I'd have to go back to the alchemy workshop.
No duplicating money or selling high-value items for cash, so I'd need to earn it the old-fashioned way.
Still, with Infinite Items, registering recipes and collecting royalties should suffice.
Just one of any item turns into '9999+'.
And for consumables, despite restrictions, others can use them too.
A limited taste of the 'Infinite Items' privilege.
For example... elixirs or the miracle potion called Elixir (restores HP, MP, cures all status ailments)?
Sure, elixirs and potions don't stack, but how many do you need...? Just a couple?
Anyway, being able to hand out consumables to others?
That alone makes 'Infinite Items' a true cheat...
But thinking about the outer beings or their apostles, I feel equipment items should be shareable too.
One of the 'Ending Quest' conditions is 'All main characters survive'.
Yet in 'Arena Academy', once outer beings and apostles appear,
in every run, at least one—no, up to all—main characters fall or die. Guaranteed.
So, not being able to share replica gear is a real shame.
But what can you do?
That's the system's restriction.
"Or maybe..."
There's a reason for the restrictions.
Like... it's busy blocking outer beings crossing dimensions to Earth, so it can't use full power?
The dev's email said 'the world I created', so it's basically a god here.
Thus, it's putting all effort into delaying the outer gods—Outer Gods—from invading Earth, giving cheats but skimping on support.
"...Yeah, that tracks."
I stroked my chin at my self-Q&A revelation.
Definitely, considering the power Outer Gods wield on Earth... wait.
"...Come to think of it, the cheat effects resemble the powers Outer Gods use?"
How did I not notice this?
I definitely remembered what their powers were...
The moment that thought hit, I opened the cheat tool to check.
And it wasn't just similar—it was exactly...
DISTORTED WHISPERS Stop stop don't stop please stop it's better to stop grrr ma ma stop please stoooop don't don't doooon't A voice echoed in my head.
Faint and distant, those voices saying what I was thinking... thinking?
"...What was I thinking about?"
My head throbbed suddenly, and I clutched it.
I definitely recalled something crucial... but the memory was gone.
But the pain faded quickly.
As if it never hurt, my head felt fine, so I scratched it.
"Eh, it'll come back eventually."
If it doesn't pop up now, it probably wasn't that important.
"By the way, when did I open the cheat tool?"
Wasn't I just reading the inventory update?
A flicker of unease hit me, but...
"Oh, probably opened it to turn Infinite Items back on."
Seeing it off eased it away.
Nothing to it.
...Right?
Ding.
The familiar sound of the cheat activating played,
and inventory counts returned to '9999+'.
"Heh."
A grin slipped out.
Even if mostly I can't share them, seeing '9999+' felt as satisfying as a hearty meal.
I spent a while pulling items out and stashing them back,
then realized it was getting late.
"Ah, time to sleep."
Got sparring with Lee Seo-yeon tomorrow morning; can't mess up my condition.
With that, I slid off the headboard and lay down.
And in seconds... sleep...
&
&
&
The next morning.
Class 1-A exclusive training ground.
"Chief! Chief!"
The moment I entered, Asuka spotted me and came toddling over.
Twin tails like last time, wooden swords in both hands.
I waved to her warmly.
"Asuka, long time no see."
Long time? It'd only been two days.
But after back-to-back shadow world trips, it felt like ages.
She stopped in front of me and tilted her head.
"Uh... long time no see?"
So cute today too.
Her squirrel-like expression made my hand rise unconsciously.
Just as I went to pat that round head...
"Chief, again! Trying to pat my head again!"
Tch, she noticed.
"Nah, there was something on your head; was gonna brush it off."
"...Really?"
"Really."
"...Then brush it off."
She'd backed away but shyly approached, offering her head.
I grinned and placed my hand on it.
And pat pat.
"Ow! Knew it!"
Asuka flushed red from the headpat and squeaked.
Even that sounded like a little animal chirping—adorable.
Ah, patted Asuka's head today; day's gonna be good.
My superstition, sure.
"S-Stop patting!"
I kept going, so she finally bolted back.
Panting a bit, she said,
"Ch-Chief... haa, why do you always pat my head?!"
Because it raises affection?
...Can't say that, so I picked a smooth reply.
"'Cause Asuka's hair feels nice?"
Her eyes went wide staring at me.
Did I mess up? I started to correct,
but...
"R-Really...?"
She twisted her body bashfully.
But only for a moment.
"Ah, right!"
Asuka suddenly yelped as if remembering something.
"Chief, this isn't the time! The seniors just..."
But her words didn't finish.
Or rather, I didn't hear them.
Because...
"...Ah, so that's it."
My Predator's Sense had activated.
I turned to the killing intent from behind and looked at the training ground entrance.
There stood a group of second-years in black uniforms.
The leader-looking senior approached me.
And said,
"You the one who taught Lee Seo-yeon how to use a gun?"
I answered politely.
"Nope?"
Not me.