Chapter 125
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: New Matters (1)
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For now, I'd made it into the top 20, so the goal was achieved.
But even with all my efforts, landing in 9th place left me with a strange, underwhelming feeling.
-You're 9th.
"You said it'd be around 5th or 6th."
-Looks like I lost a few points in elemental magic and alchemy.
"From what I can see, practical combat wasn't full marks either."
Even if I'd bombed elemental magic and alchemy, the point deductions seemed way too harsh.
I figured practical combat must have dinged me some points too, and Lee Seojun confirmed it.
-Yeah. Considering the score from the uninhabited island survival test, it wasn't perfect.
That said, Cheon Seo-yun's score—taking 1st place again—was astonishing.
"Cheon Seo-yun took 1st again."
-I told you it'd be Cheon Seo-yun.
I nodded and checked the others' scores.
"Everyone's scores went up. Except Joo Ha-yeon."
Joo Ha-yeon had entered at 4th place but had dropped to 7th now.
Lee Seojun stared at the overall improvements, then remarked on Hong Ju-a in surprise.
-Hong Ju-a's a surprise. She usually drops from 7th to 8th. But now she's up to 5th.
"Her condition's always been peak."
Thanks to my massages keeping her stress and fatigue at bay, it must've boosted her performance.
"Still, no top 3."
For reference, 2nd and 3rd were still Seo Ji-ho and Jo In-jun, same as before.
Unless something major happened, the top three spots weren't budging.
"Not good enough?"
-For Hong Ju-a? Finals are still coming, so who knows.
Hong Ju-a had said she'd face flame torture all vacation if she didn't make top 3.
But with these scores, no matter how hard she tried, top 3 seemed out of reach.
'Can't exactly help with her grades.'
I could assist in other ways, though.
Like granting flame immunity or meeting her mother directly to talk her out of it.
-You gonna help her?
"Eh. Letting her overcome it herself isn't a bad idea."
-Not sure if she will or not, but she'll graduate at least.
I gave Lee Seojun a puzzled look at that response.
"Aren't you close with Hong Ju-a?"
-Close? As my scores climbed, she started glaring at me like she wanted to kill me.
"..."
Apparently, Lee Seojun and Hong Ju-a weren't on good terms.
-Now her scores are below yours, she gets massages, and she's hoarding points too. Big difference.
While chatting with Lee Seojun, Ha Chae-jeong passed along a message from the healers.
"Hm."
-What's up?
"Ha Chae-jeong relayed something from the healers."
-What'd she say?
Lee Seojun sounded curious, so I casually repeated it.
"Song Bi-yeon from the black market says she's gathered all three 10-level Skill Stones."
After receiving Ha Chae-jeong's message, I immediately focused on the healers.
Midterms were over, and these were 10-level Skill Stones—no way around it.
"What're you gonna do?"
I answered Ha Chae-jeong without hesitation.
"Gonna go."
"Guess I should get ready then."
"...?"
She spoke like it was obvious she'd tag along.
Not getting it, I stared at her, and she stared back, puzzled.
"Why're you looking at me like that?"
"You planning to come?"
"You got zero combat power."
Ha Chae-jeong brought up my lack of fighting ability, adding gently.
"What if something happens out there? Can't bring the new villains either—that'd cause a mess. Obviously, you take me and Ga Se-yeon."
She had no holes in her logic.
Kang Ju-young was tied up with school till evening.
"No choice then."
I reluctantly agreed to bring Ha Chae-jeong and Ga Se-yeon.
Thanks to holding them daily, they now had B-rank Hero stats—should help some.
'Plus, with my support...'
I could probably take an A-rank Hero.
Decision made, I left the villa and headed to the warehouse with the organization members.
"Oh, you're out?"
Ga Se-yeon, who'd been at the warehouse, lit up and approached me.
Just hours since last seeing her, but her warm welcome showed how much she'd changed.
'Specifically, after she felt her stats rise.'
Healing plus stat boosts had turned her into a B-rank, and now she treated me with real respect.
"Heading to the black market."
"Got it. Call Kim Young-ho?"
"No need."
Kim Young-ho was the sharpest of the bunch.
From the 14th world ability Job Assignment, he'd gotten Warrior and Destroyer.
But this was just grabbing Skill Stones and dipping—no need for him.
"I don't know where the black market is."
"..."
I glanced at Ha Chae-jeong after Ga Se-yeon's admission.
"Don't know either. Only been there when I got captured."
"...Call Kim Young-ho."
In the end, I called Kim Young-ho and headed to the black market, sitting quietly in the back, pondering what skill it might be.
'Something brain-related would be nice. Probably won't be that easy.'
My current 10-level Skill Stones were [Star Tracking] and [Dragon's Breath].
A brain-related one to match? No clue what it'd be.
"Uh, Healer."
Kim Young-ho, driving to the black market, called me.
"Speak."
"You probably know, but with no jobs, everyone's just idling."
"..."
I'd planned to put the organization to work earning money somehow.
Forgot amid the chaos, but Kim Young-ho's reminder got me thinking.
"True. Can't let them sit around."
He meant the organization's funds were drying up.
I could refill them with my abilities anytime, but no way I was doing that.
"Ha Chae-jeong, Ga Se-yeon."
"What?"
"Yes?"
I called the one in the passenger seat and the one beside me, handing it off.
"Figure out how to make the grunts earn money."
"Money? You've got plenty."
"Spend my money on them?"
"Oh. That's what you meant?"
Ha Chae-jeong got it instantly, tilting her head in thought.
"Money... Heard the black market does organ trading. Sell theirs?"
"..."
I stared at Ha Chae-jeong's very villainous suggestion.
Sensing my gaze, she glanced back and immediately defended herself.
"Hey, with your healing, you can regenerate organs. Harvest, regrow, repeat. Easy money."
"Think of a way I don't have to lift a finger."
"Without you, it's construction sites or bust."
"Then do that."
The contract forced them into it anyway.
But Ha Chae-jeong grumbled, unhappy.
"Feels like there should be something that pays better than construction."
She pondered higher-earning options, but legal gigs were slim without illegal stuff like online gambling.
'They haven't even awakened mana.'
Anyway, we arrived at the black market while leaving it to them.
I got out, called Lee Seojun from Hero Officer Academy over.
-Already at the black market?
I nodded and headed to Song Bi-yeon.
"Ugh. Coming back here."
Ha Chae-jeong clearly hated walking into the black market voluntarily.
Made sense—no good memories. I just walked quietly.
"You've arrived."
At Song Bi-yeon's building, a man at the entrance bowed.
"Where's the Madam?"
"Inside. Please enter."
Clunk—
He opened the door. I brought Ha Chae-jeong, Ga Se-yeon, and Kim Young-ho in.
Song Bi-yeon sat in the same spot as before, standing slowly to greet me.
"Welcome. Sorry for the late notice."
"Don't worry about it."
I sat across from her.
She gave a small smile and sat back down.
-Huh? The guy behind her is Park Jeong-woo.
Looking past Song Bi-yeon, a man stood silently like a statue.
-He's a Hero who spends all his earnings on his wife's treatment. Looks like Song Bi-yeon cured her with an elixir.
"Ah, that's Hero Park Jeong-woo behind her. You probably know him, Healer."
-He's S-rank too, FYI.
I replied simply, taking Lee Seojun's info.
"S-rank Hero Park Jeong-woo."
"Yes. Made things easier."
Apparently, she'd used him as a bodyguard.
Elixirs of youth were treasures—needed muscle to guard them.
'Not bad.'
Better than my organization goons losing artifacts everywhere.
Process didn't matter. I cut to the chase.
"Show me the goods first."