Chapter 126
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: New Business (2)
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As soon as I said I wanted to see the Skill Stones, Song Bi-yeon nodded calmly and handed over the small box she'd placed beside her.
"Take a look."
Song Bi-yeon confidently opened the box, revealing three Skill Stones.
I naturally assumed they were all Level 10 stones, so I examined each one with my Observation Skill.
【F-Rank (Lv.10) Colossus Turret】
Using this grants the F-Rank skill 'Colossus Turret'.
【F-Rank (Lv.10) Instant Execution】
Using this grants the F-Rank skill 'Instant Execution'.
"Colossus Turret and Instant Execution..."
"For reference, those two were purchased from Daeyang Corporation's chairman, Han Seok-ho."
"Daeyang Corporation?"
The name rang a vague bell, and right then, Lee Seojun spoke up.
-That's the place Lee Seongmin half-destroyed while rampaging as a Destroyer and looted Skill Stones and artifacts from.
Lee Seojun's words jogged my fuzzy memory.
But it wasn't important, so I brushed it off and checked the third Skill Stone.
【F-Rank (Lv.10) Fatigue Dissipation】
Using this grants the F-Rank skill 'Fatigue Dissipation'.
"...Fatigue Dissipation?"
According to the Observation Skill, it was indeed Level 10, but it felt subtly different from the skills I'd seen before.
"Yes. From what I hear, it prevents any fatigue from building up. For example, you could go your whole life without sleeping and be perfectly fine—and as the rank increases, your baseline condition improves beyond normal."
From Song Bi-yeon's explanation, it seemed like a skill that eliminated one of humanity's three basic needs: sleep.
Normally, skipping sleep would cause health issues, but this Level 10 Skill Stone apparently resolved that too.
"Not sleeping isn't always a good thing, though."
"You can still sleep if you want. The principle is that it immediately dissipates even the slightest fatigue."
Following Song Bi-yeon's words, Lee Seojun chimed in.
-Lee Seongmin, I think you should learn Fatigue Dissipation. It's not just about not feeling tired—it's a skill that keeps you in peak condition at all times.
In truth, I could already go one or two weeks without sleep, but that was just enduring.
After enduring, I still needed some rest—but acquiring Fatigue Dissipation meant I'd never have to again.
'Might as well learn it.'
If I did, all-nighters for training would be a breeze from now on.
"Anyway, you've carried out my instructions perfectly. I'll pass along that you've done well."
"With that level of support, it'd be weirder if I hadn't."
Hearing her response, I pictured the organization members back at the warehouse in my mind.
Even if I'd given those guys the same support, could they have secured three Level 10 Skill Stones like Song Bi-yeon?
'Lucky if they didn't just get robbed.'
There was a high chance they'd have been fleeced by random lowlifes.
In that sense, Song Bi-yeon had proven her capabilities with this deal.
'Maybe I can entrust her with more.'
As that thought crossed my mind, Song Bi-yeon smiled brightly and said to me,
"Does this mean we're friends now?"
Hm?
Her mention of getting friendly reminded me that I'd told her to prove her abilities first.
Of course, since she'd delivered exactly what I wanted, I nodded without further comment.
"Yeah, you've more than earned it."
"Glad to hear it."
"Now, let's talk about mutual benefits."
What I wanted from Song Bi-yeon was rare artifacts and Skill Stones from the black market.
Conversely, what she probably wanted from me was the artifacts I crafted and my healing abilities.
"Once a month, I'll give you one Elixir of Youth and ten artifacts. Sell them and split the proceeds 70-30. Use that money to buy rare artifacts and Skill Stones from the black market."
"So I'd get the 30, right?"
"It's recognition of your skills—and a friendly gesture."
I'd originally considered 90-10 or 80-20, but she'd boldly proven herself worthy of 70-30.
Plus, she'd secured Level 10 Skill Stones, not 9, so she deserved it.
"Sounds good. All I have to do is receive and sell? 70-30 is generous. So you want rare artifacts and Skill Stones?"
"Exactly. For artifacts, I'd prefer special ones over attack or defense types."
"Special ones... You mean artifacts that aren't weapons or armor—unique items."
I was referring to things like the Gluttonous Bundle I'd received from Hero Association Chairman Jeon Il-seop.
Song Bi-yeon got it immediately and nodded—another point in her favor compared to those warehouse organization idiots.
'Speaking of, what to do with them.'
Dump them in this black market?
"Got any work for about 30 regular folks?"
"Thirty civilians?"
At my words, Song Bi-yeon glanced briefly toward Kim Young-ho.
She seemed to grasp that I meant Kim Young-ho and his organization crew.
"No jobs for civilians in the black market. But I could introduce them to Gate mining operations."
"Gate mines?"
I had no idea what that was, but Lee Seojun did and explained briefly.
-Gates have all sorts of environments inside. Some have mines with rare ores, so the pay's good—but monsters can attack anytime, so nobody wants the gigs.
It sounded perfect from the description.
I'd planned to work those guys for profit anyway, so I nodded approvingly.
"Perfect. Can you send them there?"
"They're always short-staffed, so no issue. But if they run off midway..."
She meant it'd put her in a tough spot if they bolted after she vouched for them.
Luckily, they were under absolute obedience to me, so no such worries.
"Won't happen. Don't stress."
"Got it."
Having covered everything I wanted, I asked what she needed.
"Anything you want?"
"Sometimes I'd like to borrow the healer's skills. That okay?"
"My skills?"
She probably meant healing and resurrection.
Since I was operating as a healer now, that was the only thing worth asking for.
'Can't just hand it out for free, though.'
After some thought, I set modest terms.
"Secure a Level 10 Skill Stone or three Level 9s, and I'll help once."
"Level 9-10 stones will take time. What about artifacts?"
"S-Rank or higher. Special ones only."
"Obviously."
Song Bi-yeon replied as if it went without saying.
With that, our business seemed wrapped up, and I was about to stand—
"By the way, those two women behind you. Their power levels have shot up dramatically."
Song Bi-yeon glanced at Ha Chae-jeong and Ga Se-yeon standing behind me, noting their growth.
Ha Chae-jeong shot back at Song Bi-yeon—who'd addressed her directly—with a dissatisfied tone.
"Yeah, they've improved. So what? Got a problem?"
"No problem. Glad to see you're doing well."
I glanced back and saw Ha Chae-jeong looked uncomfortable just talking to her.
Regardless, Song Bi-yeon complimented Ha Chae-jeong then asked me how it happened.
"Did you do it, Healer?"
Thinking about it, Ha Chae-jeong and Ga Se-yeon had gone from C- and D-Rank to B-Rank in just over a month.
Her curiosity was understandable, so after debating whether to say, I decided it wasn't that big a secret.
"Yeah, I did."
"Like you did for Kim Young-ho, giving them power."
"..."
Did Kim Young-ho spill about job assignments too?
I mentally downgraded him a notch and nodded.
"Something like that."
"Then, when I borrow your skills, could I get some power too?"
I'd expected a request for healing or resurrection, so this caught me off guard.
If I seriously assigned a job, even a normal person could hit A-Rank minimum.
'If I throw in skills too...'
They might surpass S-Rank.
Not that I'd go that far, of course.
"Didn't see that coming. Not healing or resurrection, but power."
"It's actually for your benefit, Healer."
"My benefit?"
"Yes. Even Daeyang's chairman collects artifacts and Skill Stones to fully support any family member who awakens."
I vaguely recalled Lee Seojun saying something similar before.
The issue was that my job assignments granted power entirely separate from this world's mana awakening.
"Sorry, but my power isn't mana awakening. Even if I give it, they won't be able to use artifacts or Skill Stones."
Local artifacts required mana to function.
That's why the artifacts I'd handed to the organization for sale were mana-free ones.
"Not mana awakening?"
"If you're talking mana awakening..."
I thought of the Gluttonous Bundle, where my clones were still diligently working.
Lee Seojun had said a mana awakening stone came from it, so maybe then.
"Hold on a bit. There might be a way."
"There is a way?"
"Could be as soon as a few days."
I planned to stuff a month's worth of summoned food into the Gluttonous Bundle and see what popped out.
And since I wanted the mana awakening stone, I'd use luck abilities to boost the odds.
"If you find a way to awaken mana, you could bait the whole world into handing over every Level 10 Skill Stone."
"The whole world?"
"Not everyone who wants mana awakening can get it. Lots of people like Daeyang's chairman are desperate for it."
In short, plenty of rich folks craved mana awakening.
Targeting them with it as bait? Level 10 stones would roll in easily.
"Not bad."
Of course, no guarantee the Gluttonous Bundle would produce one—but her proposal appealed to me.