Chapter 163

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 163

Chapter Title: Replenishing Funds

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After that, we stayed in the Rest Area for a while to regroup.

I wanted to set out right away, but we'd used up all ten Summoner's Letter Envelopes, so we had to wait another ten days here to restock them.

'Well, it works out fine. I can train properly during this time and knock out all my to-dos.'

So first, we decided to fill our empty coffers.

"How?"

"We've got these, right?"

"Oh, right!"

Ninety-nine magitech cores. There had been more originally, but we'd sold off most of them in Haran because we ran out of inventory space.

'Magitech cores are pretty valuable items. Even broken ones fetch 50,000 points each.'

But what if we turned them into brand-new ones using the [Fresh Core] and sold those?

Heh heh heh. Me and the two airheads grinned slyly in front of the [Fresh Core].

"Hey, but these won't fit."

"Nngh. Th-the machine's too small."

Damn... The cores were medium-sized, so they wouldn't go into the Fresh Core.

Fortunately, it seemed we could increase its capacity.

"Ooh, how much?"

"One million points."

"Guh."

Unfortunately, we didn't have that kind of money on hand. We scraped together everything we had in a hurry, but it was barely this much.

We'd all thrown ourselves into the challenge quests, only to fail at the end and get hit with penalties.

"...We're broke."

"Yeah."

"Losing 78 million points hit us hard."

What could we do?

We packed up our things and headed out of the inn. It was to sell off the gear we'd farmed in Haran.

"But is that okay?"

"?"

"I mean, will this stuff even sell for good money?"

Indeed, all the equipment we'd farmed in Haran was Mythic-grade. We'd raided noble and royal treasuries to get them. Since we had limited space, we'd cherry-picked the best, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and it all turned out to be Mythic items.

We weren't sure if we'd get fair value for them.

"No worries."

I brushed off the concern easily.

"Why?"

I quietly pointed down the street. In that direction, crowds of people were promoting their guilds, desperately trying to recruit members.

'Guilds forming is a boon for us.'

Because people who'd operated in small groups until now had become a shared fate community, surviving together under an organizational framework.

Under the banner of survival, they'd pool money and buy items more expensive than what they could afford individually.

'For us, it means we can finally unload all those high-end items we've been hoarding.'

So they would definitely sell. That's why Iseul and I deftly spread out a mat and laid the items on it.

Someone who saw it spat curses.

"Ugh, who's setting up shop right at the inn entrance? If it doesn't sell, just pack up and quit."

"Don't they know they're a nuisance?"

"Selfish bastards."

As always, the moment we prepared to sell in front of the inn, the guys lounging there smoking spat on the ground and cursed us.

But once we laid everything out and started business, their eyes went wide.

"Huh? Wh-what are these?"

"Insane. How are the stats this good?!"

"Hey, how much for this one? Sell it to me!"

The same people who'd been cursing moments ago became our first customers, clamoring excitedly.

"What's going on over there?"

"Dunno."

Their commotion drew crowds, and soon a few who recognized me and the Saintess shouted with brightened faces.

"That party's selling stuff!"

"Who?"

"You know! The Homerun Ball party!"

...I had no idea why our party symbol had become Homerun Balls, but the rumor spread like wildfire across the entire Rest Area.

"Long time no see!"

"Haha! I thought you'd already sold out and left!"

"First time meeting you! I've heard so much about your group!"

Our party's fame had apparently risen; people swarmed like clouds not long after we started, crowding around.

A quick glance showed the street packed solid with people. More than in front of any major guild. No, it was busier than guild offices.

"Selling some seriously rare stuff again, I see."

"How much is this?"

"Weapons are 40,000 points, other armor 20,000, accessories 5,000."

Ah... People expressed disappointment. The prices were steep, as expected. Trial ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rewards were only about 400 points, after all. Most individuals couldn't dream of affording them.

Of course, guild reps snapped them up readily, but the majority could only watch enviously.

"How about these, then?"

In fact, for those folks, I'd stopped by the weapon shop and bought a few pieces from [Weapon Random Boxes].

Our image as high-end item sellers was important, but being seen as only selling ultra-expensive gear wasn't ideal.

"These weapons are 1,000 points, armor 500."

"Ah, those are affordable."

"Can I try holding that weapon?"

And as expected, people loved them. They left satisfied after deals, rather than regretful.

'This is about the right time to clear those out too.'

I also sold off the [Snowfield Accessories] I'd been putting off. Ignoramuses glanced and thought, "Huh? Just regular gear?" but anyone who'd been wrecked by magic in certain trials snatched them up.

They sold like hotcakes, people pooling money for sets.

The money piled up fast.

"Yes! Already booming!"

"Yeah!"

But this was just the beginning. Familiar faces complained.

"No steel brew today?"

"Not selling food like last time? Got any leftovers?"

Regulars showed up, begging for food. People even crowded the Saintess beside me, pleading for heals today.

'...I just planned to sell items moderately and rest today.'

We exchanged looks and nodded. No helping it. Money rolling in on its own? Kicking it away would be stupid.

Without a word, we divided roles.

Shin Seo-yeon and Han So-hee guarded the Saintess, while Iseul dashed in and out of the inn, hauling food from the vending machines in bulk.

"Ooh!"

"Finally!"

The crowd cheered as if they'd been waiting.

With thousands doing so, it felt like a famous singer had taken the stage at a concert.

And so the real business began.

"Whoa, what's with this line?"

"Heard there's a party selling amazing gear."

"What, how good can it be?"

"Every weapon's Mythic-grade. And they sell Earth food too."

"What? For real?"

Even those who didn't know us started lining up in groups. Until now, it was just Seoul folks, but now people from all over Korea with various dialects gathered.

'No one else could dream up a moneymaker like this.'

I worried a bit if the goddess would impose restrictions. But since she didn't, it meant this level of earning was allowed.

For us, we'd secured an easy money route.

'Anyway, the Saintess is killing it again today.'

Her all-purpose healing was churning out followers left and right.

"Hmph, what kinda power heals a severed arm?"

Skeptical customers dragged by friends.

"It's fine. Just live with the scar."

Resigned ones who'd given up.

"No way?! My arm!"

"Sniff. Sigh, the scars!"

One heal, and permanent damage vanished. It was tempting enough to hook anyone, plant strange faith in their hearts.

"Th-thank you! Truly!"

"She really is the Saintess! I doubted the rumors, but..."

"Ahh, Goddess!"

Half wept in, half gawked in shock. They pivoted instantly, evangelizing wildly.

"Come on, everyone try it! Worth every point!"

"Just this once, trust us!"

Among them, the three hookers I'dseul had wrecked last Rest Area were top zealots.

Somehow surviving the third trial, they promoted and worshipped harder than anyone.

This kept human hunters in check. Normally they'd strut around now, but none dared.

"Fuck, you call yourself a saintess? More like a sow. Hoarded all that holy power in your udders."

Occasional braggarts dragging slaves.

"You dare call the Saintess a sow?"

"Die!"

"Gaaah! M-mercy!"

The Saintess's fanatics—who'd already executed hunters—tore them apart on the spot. After that, no hunter raised their head.

Impossible in my first run.

'Anyway, most who buy from me end up meeting again.'

About 70% felt like reunions.

Proof gear quality was key to survival in the Selection Process.

So as we chatted, built connections...

"Congratulations."

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

Someone approached with greetings.

"Your guild climbed into the top 10 rankings."

Rankings factored fame. Same for earnings. This commotion was boosting our guild's prestige sky-high.

I wondered how he knew our guild name, but seeing his face brought more joy.

"Glad to see you again."

"Same here."

A smiling man. He was always the type buying food with stat shards.

Many like him survived, came back, traded shards, left happy.

He offered shards too.

"What can I get for these?"

I filled a bundle like last time. Satisfaction spread on his lips.

"Thanks."

A rare smile.

They arrived stern and cold. But left content after shopping.

For these hollow souls, maybe their only joy was stocking up from me in Rest Areas.

They looked that happy.

"Is all this okay? Seems more than last time."

"Added extra to match your shards' value. Hard to get these days, right?"

Satisfied ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠smile. Calculators like him cut ties if over-served. But with good reason, they loved it and returned.

"No need to feel indebted, then."

By now, I'd guessed their identity.

'Members of the secret group [Arcane Sanctuary], backed by the Golden Citadel Lords.'

Opposite the flashy overlords, they lurked in shadows, maintaining Selection Process balance.

Organization men, yet solo beasts clearing trials to the end.

As hair coarsened, Earth polish faded, their traits emerged.

Not sure if all were from there.

We'd only glimpse their truth late-game, and I didn't know that many faces.

Still, most seemed familiar.

"Hope we meet again next time."

I handed the food bundle, sincere.

He blinked, nodded calmly.

"Me too. See you next Rest Area."

I hadn't expected to learn his name like this, but he left with a satisfied smile and goodwill, vanishing from sight.