Chapter 17

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 17

Chapter Title: Random Box

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Random Box

'Let's see. So opening this box gives me a longsword, with Agility added between 1 and 10, right?'

It was one hell of an intriguing gacha.

In short, I no longer had to waste days grinding in the trial zones for the weapons and options I wanted.

'What a steal.'

It cost a hefty 1,000 points, but cutting down on time wasted was worth noting.

And that wasn't all.

'Huh? There are other boxes too?'

The random boxes weren't just that one.

There were more varieties than expected.

I could choose the weapon and option, or not.

The thought that picking specifics was always better vanished once I checked the item info.

'Ha, look at these.'

I should've predicted it when they slapped the random boxes right there.

The prices varied.

In other words, picking what I wanted cost more.

But that wasn't all.

'The max values differ?'

Assuming Agility, each box had different max possible values. Like this:

Weapon Random Box: 20

Longsword Random Box: 15

Agility-Infused Longsword Random Box: 10

'Damn, so if I want top-tier options, I have to go all-in.'

It was so absurd it was funny.

In short, it was pushing gambling by saying blind pulls were the way to win big.

But I couldn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ignore it—the values beat what farming in trials could give.

The next trial's normal Agility max was 3, but these boxes could hit 20.

'This isn't a trial; it's practically telling me to have fun.'

Anyway, this meant revising my plans.

I'd planned a safe snowball route, but now that wasn't necessary.

'I can farm everything right here in the rest area. No need to move for gear.'

So how should I carve my future?

I hit the [Next Zone] button via the quest window. Notifications popped up with options.

When moving from rest areas to trial zones, players could choose their trial spot.

But choice didn't guarantee entry.

Like the tutorial, spots had capacity limits—if full, you'd get bounced to another "by force."

That's why parties usually formed in trial zones, not rest areas.

'No need for gear hunting means switching routes.'

I'd aimed for the safest, most rewarding [Lakeside], but now riskier spots were viable.

'Somewhere dangerous but with solid growth potential.'

[Lair of Evil Spirits]

[Description: The Lair of Evil Spirits is a ruin haunted by cursed souls. Once a renowned temple, now a den of darkness thick with curses and grudges. Countless undead roam...]

'Among first trials, this has the nastiest difficulty.'

About 200,000 reached the final layer.

From [Lair of Evil Spirits]? Fewer than 50.

Other zones had ~50% survival; this was under 1%.

'But high difficulty means big rewards.'

Risky? No.

After 10 years rolling through the selection process, I remembered every major and minor event.

To me, it was just an enticing pie.

No hesitation in my choice.

I picked one random box from the many.

I snagged what would've cost 1,000 points normally at 50% off via resident perks.

The box popped into my hand; I caught it smoothly this time, no flinch.

'Average is 5%, so a bit above average.'

Still, I gazed satisfied at the sword gripped in my hand.

To get just this, I might've had to head to [Lakeside] and spend three days dodging baby lizards while scrounging the shores.

'But with this, [Lair of Evil Spirits] is doable.'

The low survival there was because of the undead mobs everywhere.

They wouldn't stay dead no matter what—unless your unique ability specialized in that, no survival.

"Dickhead! What's that?"

No sooner had I gripped the sword than Shin Seo-yeon came rushing over, eyes sparkling.

"Fuck, what is it? Looks goddamn good."

"Yeah, it's fucking great."

"What about mine?"

I looked at Shin Seo-yeon.

No, there were limits to shamelessness.

"You have money."

"Me?"

"Yeah."

She'd taken 100 points from me yesterday.

But our shameless, adorable Crimson Flame Witch suddenly acted like she'd downed a bottle of booze, twisting her body coyly, fiddling her fingers with a bashful face.

"Aing, I don't have much money."

"Got any shame?"

"Aww, c'mon. You think I'm doing this for money? It's special 'cause you bought it, Min-jun. We're pretty close, right?"

"We are?"

"Yeah!"

"Wasn't aware. Hmm, don't remember that."

As I stayed rock-solid, Shin Seo-yeon rolled her eyes and switched tactics. She stuck to the belatedly arriving Saintess, beaming.

"And I've been getting along great with this sister like you said!"

In other words, since I'd promised to hook her up if she did, now she wanted the hookup.

Yeah, no way.

"What do you need, Ha-na?"

"Well... I lack strength, so heavy stuff is tough... Maybe, uh, a bow?"

The Saintess's Strength was 5. No way she could wield a mace or flail. A bow didn't seem likely either.

"Hey, a staff! Magic staff for me!"

No, expecting combat from the Saintess was wrong to begin with.

"Min-jun! I want that staff!"

Her full recovery alone nailed her role perfectly.

Assigning her else was a hassle.

In the first run, I'd never seen her fight.

"Hey! You listening?!"

I ignored Shin Seo-yeon yelling in front of a staff on the weapon shop wall and told the Saintess.

"We'll figure out weapons later."

"Okay, whatever you say, Min-jun."

I considered armor, but wearing it from the first trial was luxury.

With the Saintess, as long as no instant death, armor was unnecessary.

'Better spend on essentials at the general store.'

As I stepped toward the exit,

'Huh?'

Boxes popped from thin air.

Third time, so confident—but sword in one hand, two boxes falling, they bounced off and rolled on the floor.

Then they shook on their own, unwrapping.

Bang!

With fireworks, items emerged.

I stared blankly at the items on the floor.

"......"

One healer robes, one mage staff?

The world was screwing me over.

"Hey, what's this?"

"Huh?"

They rushed over and snatched them up.

Like they knew which was theirs, each held one and stared. I had nothing to say.

I eyed the Saintess's holy robes oozing premium aura.

'+10 to all stats?'

Mythic item this early?

Damn, even I felt greed surge. Plus per-second percent mana recovery.

'...If it weren't priestess robes, I'd wear 'em. Tsk.'

10 years in the [Selection Process], but not shameless enough for women's clothes yet.

Regrettably, had to yield it.

"That's yours, Ha-na. Take it."

"Thanks, Min-jun!"

The Saintess hugged the robes, beaming happily.

Yeah, couldn't keep it anyway. Right choice.

Her [Recovery Authority] cost 10% current mana; these recovered 1% per second.

Perfect combo in hindsight.

"Dickhead! Gimme that one? Gimme the staff!"

Having dealt with the [Robes of Lumina], I turned to Shin Seo-yeon.

The bob-cut beauty was pulling every cute, pitiful act in the book.

She knew I wasn't giving. I held out my hand.

"Hand it over."

"No."

Stubbornness wouldn't work.

Random box was mine. Contents were mine.

Saintess's I gifted, but not this one.

"Wh-what?"

As I reached to reclaim, the staff slid naturally into my grip.

"Hey! You're really doing this?!"

Someone was jumping and yelling; no clue what she was on about.

"Kang Min-jun!"

"Shut up. You have transcendent abilities anyway—no weapon needed."

Yesterday's [Full Appraisal] on Shin Seo-yeon: her output beat average fire magic by 5x+.

Overwhelming Magic Power plus cheat unique ability.

Mana efficiency included, her hunt speed vs. same-level mage? 20x difference. She could solo through trials 3-4 without gear.

"You're really gonna be this stingy?"

"Yeah, sorry I'm a petty guy."

I activated trade with the weapon merchant and listed it.

[Sale Price: 0 points]

Tch, random box items can't be resold?

"Min-jun, gimme it. Please?"

"Buy it with your money."

"I don't have enough for that."

Checked shop staff price: 300 points.

Ha, basic 10% power-up staffs that pricey? This at 0?

"Aing, Min-jun."

Now the Crimson Flame Witch clung to my arm, rubbing her tits, fiddling my dick with her hand.

I gazed down at her desperation and greed.

"200 points."

"What?"

"200 points, it's yours."

"Why free for her but pay for me?!"

"My call."

"You're serious?"

"Don't want it? Guess I'll sell it back."

As I moved the staff to the merchant, Shin Seo-yeon freaked, grabbing my wrist.

"Wait. Consider my situation."

"What situation?"

"I don't have 200. Spent it staying here 10 days."

Made sense.

"Then 100 points."

"...You're really taking all my money?"

She teared up, staring like it was too much. Nope, no mercy.

As I shifted the staff again, she glared fiercely, popped the trade window, and offered 100 points.

The staff became Shin Seo-yeon's.

But her grinning? She had more cash, faked poverty. Infuriating.

"The other 100 is a loan. Pay back later."

"Hey!"

Then the Saintess tapped my shoulder.

"Min-jun, I'll pay too. Here."

She opened trade, offering 100 points. Wow, our Saintess is...

"No need. Keep it, Ha-na."

"Dickhead! The temperature difference between her and me is insane!"

Her actions differed vastly.

Plus, 100 points was the Saintess's full fortune. Felt wrong taking it.

"It's a gift. Just keep it."

"No. I should pay. If I have shame. And you fed me fancy dinner yesterday."

"Sister? What dinner? You went somewhere good without me?"

She really paid the 100.

Every move from our Saintess was too lovable.

"...Thanks. Won't waste it."

"Glad it helps. So, where to now?"

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

Plenty left, but nothing more here.

"General store and restaurant for supplies."

Truth was, supplies outranked gear in combat.

Planned to dump the rest there.

Plus, stuff to check.

'Maybe perks like the weapon shop.'

Even another random box possibly.

I hoped. Sure enough, after buying at general store,

Not the random box hoped for.

But way better.

'Item copying? Didn't know this existed.'

Ha, keeps handing me "don't die" bonuses.

I pondered.

The reason was clear: general store sells consumables. Use [Arcana Mirror] to cut recurring costs.

'What to copy?'

Careful thought, quick answer.

I slotted the [Summoner's Letter Envelope]. Hologram shook comically, then bang—10 items spat into my hand.

'Functions identical to original.'

With these, trial zones would be fun. Satisfied, I stowed them in inventory.

Then headed for food.

No more perks at restaurants. Same across food shops.

'Time to go for real.'

Gear secured, sundries and rations stocked. Triple-checked; nothing missing.

"Dickhead, can't we grab drinks there? Legs hurt from walking. You too, right sister?"

"Uh? W-well..."

I halted. Shin Seo-yeon yanked my right arm, pointing.

I sighed deeply. Treated like royalty.

"No, heading to trial zone now."

"Tch, unavoidable then."

"So how about splitting here, Seo-yeon?"

"Huh? What're you saying?"

I stared down at Shin Seo-yeon. She blinked back blankly, then eyes quivered as she retorted.

"No way... you two alone? Take me too!"

"Dunno."

I'd planned solo early trials. Saintess joined by chance; no more party adds.

Even without, Saintess struggled with people. Not ready for groups.

And Shin Seo-yeon of all people?

No.

As I moved to refuse,

"Why're you doing this to me..."

Shin Seo-yeon sniffled. Head down, hands over eyes. Shoulders shaking.

Uh... first time seeing her like this. Thrown off.

'Her crying?'

The Crimson Flame Witch? That brazen, tough girl why?

"......"

Her shaking shoulders left me speechless.

You know that daze when the unexpected hits?

Never seen her cry in over 10 years. Doubly so.

As I froze, Saintess whispered.

"Min-jun, don't. Let's go together."

Haa, total curveball. I scratched my head briefly, sighed, and said.

"Fine. Together."

"...For real?"

"Yeah."

"You're... not going back on your word like a man?"

She looked up beaming, back to normal Shin Seo-yeon. No tears.

"Hey, weren't you crying?"

"Idiot, can't spot acting? Think I'd cry over this? I'm Shin Seo-yeon!"

Ah, pissed. Ditch her now?

Not a bad idea.

"Ha-na, just us."

"Pardon?"

"[Lair of Evil Spirits]. Follow quick. No delays."

"Ah? Y-yes."

Shin Seo-yeon's eyes widened. Unheard destination, she hopped mad.

"Hey, kidding? You bastard...!"

Accepted. Body sensations faded. Saintess beside me blurred like a mirage.

"Hey, you fucking bastard!"

"Seo-yeon. Was fun while it lasted. See ya."

"Tell me quick! Where?! If you don't say where, I won't let you off!"

"Yeah, sure."

Shin Seo-yeon flailed long, but they vanished.

Street fell quiet briefly.

Then a voice echoed.

"...Hey, you shitty bastard."

Alone on the street, Shin Seo-yeon stared long at where Kang Min-jun vanished, muttering the same.

Clutching tight the staff he'd given.

"...You shitty jerk. Sniff."