Chapter 49

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 49

Chapter Title: Treasure Warehouse

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Just because something looks shiny and luxurious doesn't mean it's necessarily a good item.

In the Selection Process, seemingly unremarkable items often hold tremendous value.

'An ancient holy relic, huh.'

Technology progresses the closer it gets to modern times, but divine power is different. The older it is, the stronger it becomes, and especially those imbued with the power of ancient gods often have unique effects.

This one was no exception.

'It forms a barrier to exorcise evil. Somehow, it reminds me of the abilities of the [Priestess of Radiance].'

For reference, the [Priestess of Radiance] is the second most famous figure among cleric classes after the Saintess.

She's known as an overwhelmingly powerful holy-attribute ability user with no rivals against undead and demons, and her abilities were similar to this lantern.

The difference was that hers also included continuous recovery.

"Ha-na."

"Yes?"

I picked it up and handed it to the Saintess.

"Take this. It'll be helpful from now on."

"Ah. Th-thank you."

"Try using it."

The Saintess, who took the lantern, hunched her shoulders with a slightly frightened expression. She must still be shaken from the skeleton incident earlier.

That lasted only a moment. Soon, as if checking the item info, she let out a sigh of relief and infused mana into the lantern.

Whoosh!

Flames bloomed in the lantern, casting a soft blue light around. The light, which gave a faintly ethereal feeling, seemed to have a calming effect on the mind.

'Let's see.'

I tested it by directing some hostility and killing intent toward the Saintess. The lantern immediately flared red.

'So that's how it works.'

"Unnie, what's that? Huh? M-Myth?! Where did you get that?!"

"W-well, Min-jun gave it to me..."

From then on, I started rummaging through the gold coins. Seeing me, the others began digging through the pile as well.

'Oh, this one's interesting too.'

A so-called cursed item.

Also known as a forbidden book or the red book.

Upon ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reading, extreme stress surges, and in some cases, it can drive you insane within 10 days. A dangerous object.

'Yeah, but to me right now, it's just a tasty supplement.'

I read it and then got healed by the Saintess.

The book vanished like smoke the moment it was opened. Books that disappear like this fly off somewhere in the Selection Process and drop with a thud.

That's why people often pick them up casually by the roadside, open them without thinking, and end up as lunatics.

'In a way, it's one of the trap systems in the Selection Process.'

Anyway, that was it. After scouring everything, including the last gold coin hill, there were no more Myth-grade items or anything exceptional.

I spoke to Han So-hee with some regret.

"I was hoping to grab a decent weapon for you, but looks like there aren't any more."

"It's fine. You didn't get anything special yourself."

Shin Seo-yeon got a magic book, and the Saintess got a holy relic.

Though the magic book was a narrative one and the relic a support tool, they were still weapon-class items in hand.

Good weapons are hard to come by, so they're worth their weight in gold.

'Well, we didn't get weapons, but everyone got some defensive gear that fits, so that's something.'

When we came down, everyone was still wearing modern gear, but now they had gloves, shoes—all enchanted equipment.

They'd shed the newbie vibe and looked adapted to this world.

'If we snag some pants and tops, they'd pass as proper players.'

"Hey, if we're done grabbing stuff, let's head back."

Shin Seo-yeon, satisfied with the farming, urged us to hurry to the Rest Area.

'Speaking of which, she's just as greedy in the first run as now.'

The Crimson Flame Witch, backpack on her shoulders, two duffels on top, staff and magic book in one hand, gem pouch in the other—shaking all over with her frail build. It was a wonder she could stand.

"Seo-yeon, can you even walk like that?"

"We'll reach the inn once we cross anyway, right? Once we're there, I can drop the bags and sell ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to the shop in trips."

"True, that works. Then grab as much as you can, everyone. Pocket money time."

After watching them pack to the brim, I lit a fire and tossed the remains on top.

Ah! Everyone's faces lit up at finally being able to move to the rest area. I waved my arms widely to draw their attention.

"Then let's eat in the Rest Area. Anyone have a watch?"

The Saintess had the one I gave her, and Han So-hee showed her wrist, saying she had one too. Shin Seo-yeon grumbled beside her.

"You didn't give me one."

I shoved a spare watch into Shin Seo-yeon's mouth to shut her up.

"Wash up, rest, and meet at the inn in 6 hours."

"Do we need to meet that late? How long ago did we even sleep?"

"Mmph mmph!"

Shin Seo-yeon mumbled something too. Sorry, but I couldn't hear. Han So-hee checked the time and said,

"It's just lunchtime now. In 6 hours, it'll be dinner."

"I know. Rest well at your inns, and to celebrate safely finishing the Trial, let's have a dinner feast."

"Mm."

"Even if you feel fine now, soaking in hot water and relaxing might change your mind."

"...Maybe you're right."

Finally convinced, they nodded.

"Rest well and see you then. Oh, and don't wander outside alone. It's dangerous. Especially you, Ha-na."

"Y-yes! I'll listen to Min-jun!"

From the second Rest Area onward, people are on edge.

Half of humanity dies in the first Trial, and survivors have seen all sorts of horrors, so trust in fellow humans plummets.

Especially since we're late arrivals, the remaining people might be even lower quality.

Meaning crimes like rape and murder can happen even in the Rest Area anytime.

"We'll move as a party for a while, so keep that in mind."

Nod.

I didn't explain in detail, but recalling incidents of betrayal by other humans here, the group nodded gravely.

"See you in 6 hours then. It's 17:08, so 5 PM."

"Yes!"

With that, the group vanished into the Rest Area one by one. Confirming everyone gone, I turned and left the warehouse.

Pop pop pop.

Quick on the uptake, Lee Sera was already scurrying around, looting player corpses.

Her movements, like harvesting crops, made me join in.

Crack!

Smashing each corpse's chest, checking for stat shards.

'This is why I delayed the meetup by 6 hours.'

The fierce battle left stat shards scattered everywhere, but the group, focused on boss rewards, ignored these peculiar stones.

After about 4 hours of thorough looting, we sat in front of the warehouse, trading what we'd found.

Thud. Thud.

Thud thud thud thud.

I gave her Intellect ones, took the rest.

Sitting face-to-face, cracking and eating stat shards like boiled eggs, Lee Sera across from me glanced at me and asked,

"But I have a question."

"?"

"With so many, why not share with others?"

Hm. I hadn't expected Lee Sera to ask that, caught off guard, but I answered flatly.

"Even allies, giving them for free feels off."

The 150cm hime-cut kid tilted her head, unable to comprehend.

"You gave me accessories, food—for free."

"That was... because it's you."

"Eh?"

Momentarily blanking on an excuse, I just said what came to mind.

And honestly, it wasn't a lie. S-Rank assassin Reaper Lee Sera. Owing her a debt wasn't bad.

"Oppa, what does that mean?"

"Who knows."

Having eaten all the shards, I stood up.

"Tell me! What did you mean just now?!"

Lee Sera clung to me, whining, but I had no obligation to answer. So she jumped to conclusions.

"Oppa likes me too? Is that it? Thinking of marrying me?"

Ignoring her as I didn't respond, she wrapped her legs around ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my waist, hanging off and kissing my mouth repeatedly.

She looked like a baby-faced kid, but her actions were bold. Starting with lip-locking, she plunged her tongue deep, wrapping and sucking mine.

Not stopping there, she rocked her hips, grinding her crotch against my dick, so I reached out, pinched her nipple hard, and twisted.

"Ahh-!"

"If you wanna marry, come back after drinking more mommy milk."

Even as I said it, I was amazed inside. Twisting the nipple of one of humanity's heroes, the Reaper. In the first run, my head would've flown off instantly.

'Anyway, her Intellect is 49 now. Safe enough to raise her as party member.'

In short, she could join the party.

"You're in our party now too, so don't be late for the meetup. 5 PM."

"Okay!"

I fastened the last spare watch on her wrist, and she kissed me again. Pushing her head down, I opened my status window.

'My stats are excellent now.'

More than excellent. Compared to my stats right after clearing the first Trial in the first run, this was worlds apart.

Total stats differed by over 120.

Purely by numbers, my current stats could handle the twelfth Trial.

'Shin Seo-yeon shares my stats, so no need to mention her. Han So-hee got an 80 total stat bonus awakening as Sword Empress.'

In short, strong enough to survive the eighth Trial alone.

That's why stats matter in the Selection Process.

You get 10 bonus per level up crossing Trials, so raising them extra beforehand makes future Trials easier forever.

'Reason people desperately chase good gear options and bonus stats.'

Anyway, the first Trial yielded far better than planned.

'Plans ahead will go smoother now.'

Of course, the Selection Process is just beginning.

"Let's head over too."

I snatched Bardo's bone that Lee Sera carried and burned it while she suckled my nipple.

Then, glancing once at the abandoned monastery left in solemn silence, I moved to the next Rest Area.