The 108th Step
✧Overview✧
This enchanting snow globe, acquired by the Taebaek Faction warrior 'Yerin Lee', is an extremely rare item found only in the random boxes of the secret shop, Astroal Merchandise. The glass sphere, containing a tiny world, is filled with a soft blue magical energy and presents a fantastic feast of light whenever shaken.
◆ Owner: Taebaek Faction warrior 'Yerin'
◆ Source: Astroal Merchandise Random Box
◆ Astroal Collection Grade: SSR
✧Efficacy✧
◆ Emits a relaxation wave that induces very deep sleep within a narrow radius.
◆ Enhances the body's natural recovery and reduces mental fatigue.
◆ High potential for growth due to its unique rarity.
✧Appraisal Results✧
◆ Masterpiece Certification: Certified as a Masterpiece by three A-rank appraisers.
◆ How to Use: Gently shake before bed to make the mana crystals dance inside the glass sphere, then place it on your bedside table. The gentle waves will guide you into a world of deep sleep.
ManaWeb. A magical connection network accessible to anyone who knows how to handle mana.
The Taebaek Faction's portal site on ManaWeb. The collection introduced on the Taebaek Faction site. And, the Astroal Named Series collection.
Penguin Aro's panel drew a satisfying arc. According to what it had seen in dramas and movies, humans smile like this when they are in a good mood.
[First SSR item. Rave reviews.]
Aro had invested a portion of the Astroal Merchandise profits into itself, and after a self-upgrade, it now possessed a 'Core' that generated mana. Therefore, Aro could now access the ManaWeb.
Flap, flap.
Flapping its two arms, it searched for 'Astroal' on the adventurer community.
Can you only go to that Astroal shop in dangerous situations? Is there no way other than being summoned?
It was true. Aro had planted merchandise invitations here and there in the adventurer fields, and many had come seeking them. Most of the random boxes they bought were duds. But human psychology has a very devious side; people rarely admit their losses honestly. Perhaps it's pride, or perhaps they don't want to look like fools for wasting their money. Thanks to that, it was helping with word-of-mouth.
Flap, flap.
Aro moved its arms and clicked on another post.
Damn, everyone says they got good pulls, but I failed lol. Blew 5 C-grades and only recovered about the value of one. But the penguin gave me a bag of medicinal snacks as an event, is this any good? Has anyone used it?
However, not every customer should return with a bad experience. The SSRs in the random boxes were already sold out, but it needed a steady seller to sell to them. It had already made one.
【Astroal Mint】
A medicinal herb, Gentian, which has a bitter taste so intense it's almost toxic, making it inedible for humans. It was a medicinal snack refined by taking Seol Ha-woon's herb garden and pushing its performance to the limit, then putting it into a snack box. A.k.a. Astroal Mint.
Aro prepared its comment squad while flapping its arms. It had scraped all the activity logs of heavy community users and created about 100 personas for ManaWeb. But it couldn't be obvious. If it were caught, it would have the opposite effect. It had to ensure not even a scent of viral marketing remained.
After writing that, another persona deployed.
【Astroal Invitation】
These invitations were popping up on Carrot Market quite often lately. The price was also quite high. Still around a thousand dollars. Aro had a grand plan. It was to drive the price of this ticket up to over 10,000 dollars. If the Astroal Merchandise invitation itself became valuable and expensive, the SSR, UR, and LR grade items they would sell in the near future would become even more precious, and their performance would advance further. These fonts were all part of a differentiated premium strategy.
Stupid human. You've expressed the will to be deceived by me and try it. Deceive yourself for me. Being deceived by me is a gain at your intelligence level. Because this Astroal Mint will also become rarer and more expensive as time goes by. Deceive yourself, make money, and promote it. You have to earn so I can earn too.
[Beep-beep-beep-boop.]
Aro laughed "Muahaha" like the mastermind of a movie it had once seen.
A night where the full moon illuminates the fog. Clatter, clatter, clatter. The truck stopped in front of the temple stairs. Before heading to Imgak Mountain, this was the last place where the grudges of Wolryeong Village resided. To at least do some scouting, I came here borrowing the truck's body.
Four hikers confirmed missing near the temple. Contact lost after visiting on the full moon last month. The search party only found burnt incense and empty shoes left at the temple entrance. Residents mention an old taboo: "You must not climb the 108th step." This brings the total number of missing persons related to the temple to 13.
It would probably be impossible to clear this in truck form. So, for now, I am in the role of a scout gathering information. Hehehehehehe.
— Let's go.
The truck climbed with a will-o'-the-wisp, counting the steps. A total of 107 steps. At the end, the temple was revealed. One wooden building stood in the front, and two spread out on either side like wings.
Swish. Swish.
In the central courtyard, a monk was walking in circles. The truck approached him and asked.
— Are you the head monk?
Without a word, he continued to sweep with a broom. The truck clattered closer and peered at him closely. His face and appearance seemed familiar from somewhere.
— ...Wait a minute.
I took out the wanted poster I had obtained from a missing person's backpack.
■ Only walks around without any change in expression. Usually peaceful.
■ If this appearance or montage differs even slightly, extreme caution is required!
Bald head, a monk's robe mixed with gray and vermilion, and dry, emotionless eyes, nose, and mouth. The face and appearance drawn on the montage were exactly the same.
Clatter, clatter, clatter.
The truck examined the entrance of the largest hall in the temple. Nine pairs of empty shoes were placed exactly, and there were only three incense sticks. It was identical to the photo I saw in the newspaper clipping.
Swish. Swish.
The sound of the expressionless man walking as if sweeping the courtyard. Hehehehehehe.
— Yeah. I think I know what this is.
The truck looked at the back of the temple. There was a high staircase leading up the mountain. Click, click. Changing its wheels, it climbed quickly, counting the steps. One, two, three... 107. 108. There is a 108th step. You must never step on it. The truck reversed. Beep-beep-beep. After completely descending to the bottom of the stairs, it caught its breath and climbed the stairs again. One, two, three... 106, 107. This time, the 107th step was the end. The 108th step had disappeared.
The truck climbed the stairs. Beyond it was the same temple. The same temple buildings, and the same expressionless man walking around the courtyard. The truck approached the man. The moment it confirmed his face.
Hehehehehehe.
— ...Yeah, I guess so.
The truck also gave a hollow laugh. The man was smiling. He was smiling until his lips tore.