Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Massive Jackpot
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Latent Ability Grant Scroll.
A kind of enhancement talisman that raises an item's limits even further.
Equipment obtained from the Abyss has its attack power, durability, and the like predetermined by its level and grade. Once set, those stats never change.
And the more competent a hunter who frequently challenged the Abyss, the more often they ran into frustrations with this very issue.
'You finally snag some high-grade gear, but then your level rises and it's time to replace it. That's when everyone hesitates at least once. Swap it out, or keep using it?'
A high grade meant excellent unique options.
But even with a high grade, if the equipment's level was low, its attack or defense would inevitably be lackluster.
Leveling up meant a replacement was inevitable, and if you couldn't find gear of the same caliber by then, you'd have to sacrifice at least one aspect.
For example, swap to a sword that matches your level to boost attack power, or stick with the high-grade but low-level one to preserve its unique options.
There always came a point where you couldn't have both.
'The Latent Ability Grant Scroll solves that problem to some extent.'
This scroll could resolve such dilemmas in one go.
True to its name, it unlocked the equipment's hidden potential.
It was typically used on so-called "endgame" or "graduation" gear.
Naturally, acquiring one was extraordinarily difficult—like plucking a star from the sky. You needed at least level 80 to even attempt it.
Park Chan-woo had once spent an entire month bleeding money trying to get one. Without heavenly luck, no amount of effort would secure it.
'The standard play is to save it until you're around level 99.'
He wouldn't pretend he wasn't a little disappointed, but he shook his head.
His current level was -95.
Thanks to clearing that Sniper Abyss, he'd gained a level.
If he held onto it until 99, it might end up as nothing more than toilet paper.
'Use it now, get stronger now.'
Having returned to the past, Park Chan-woo steeled his resolve.
He vowed to pull humanity's ranking up to at least 8th in the Interracial War that would begin in half a year.
To do that, he needed to grow stronger every single moment.
There was no room to hoard or hold back.
The opponents he'd faced in that Interracial War had far surpassed humanity's level. To close that gap, not a minute or second could be wasted.
And besides...
'...If I don't return to my original level within 500 days, I'm dead.'
Within that time, Park Chan-woo would die.
Due to the abnormal status "Terminal."
To escape certain death, he had to level up as fast as possible.
Going from -99 to -95 in just two days gave him hope.
Park Chan-woo gazed at the items he'd laid out.
'I'll use everything today.'
The boxes, the scroll—all of it.
Then he'd face tomorrow.
His task for tomorrow was set, and to achieve the best outcome, he needed to prepare thoroughly.
Park Chan-woo put on a determined expression.
'Tomorrow, I face the strongest.'
Humanity's first to reach level 99—the supreme being.
The one masquerading as a savior, the "Incarnation of the Great Nine Lords." There was a good chance he'd meet him tomorrow.
If things went as Park Chan-woo predicted, it was certain.
No room for hesitation.
"Open."
He started by opening the 2-star Gold Box that all survivors had received.
With a pop!, smoke billowed out, and a belt shot forth from within.
"......"
Park Chan-woo was momentarily speechless.
Squeak Belt.
The name alone was ominous.
It looked like coiled iron chains, and since it was his first time seeing one, he needed to check the details.
✨ Unique Options:
'...Female orcs feel charmed?'
He let out a small sigh.
The ridiculous name and crude appearance came with equally absurd unique options.
Most people would call this a dud.
It made you wonder about the creator's tastes.
Honestly, even Park Chan-woo didn't think it was good.
But he knew.
This belt's true value.
'Great for pulling aggro from orcs.'
It was for drawing "aggro"—orc-exclusive high-tier gear.
Especially since it let you use orc "language," which had its own significance.
With no belt equipped now, it wasn't a bad immediate choice.
Defense was important too.
'At least my luck didn't trigger. Good.'
He felt pleased.
If an Easter Egg had procced on a Gold Box, it'd be a waste.
No luck could overcome a Gold Box's inherent limits.
Plus, no duplicates so far.
None of the boxes he'd opened had overlapped with his equipped gear slots.
Heavenly luck.
Park Chan-woo took a deep breath.
One box left.
Time to ride the momentum and finish it.
"Open."
Rumble rumble!
The box shook and emitted light.
Park Chan-woo carefully clasped his hands together.
How long had it been since he'd prayed like this?
Even average luck now would make him cheer.
And then...
"...Oh!"
Park Chan-woo let out an exclamation.
Then he noticed something off and tilted his head.
Soon, he straightened up and rubbed his nose bridge.
'Not Frost Sovereign, but Frost... Stolen?'
Hold on.
Not the "Frost Sovereign" Helmet, but a "Frost-Stolen" Helmet?
'...As in, stolen frost?'
In other words, a helmet stolen by someone.
"What kind of..."
...What kind of name was this?
It felt like plummeting from heaven to hell in an instant.
He'd cheered thinking it was the helmet of the Death Lord who ruled winter.
It even looked similar.
Bluish hue aside, it had six horn ornaments and the visage of a despairing skull.
The sheer intimidation from looking at it was intense.
Enough to make his current Demonic Helmet feel like a baby's toy.
But a Frost-Stolen Helmet!
There were limits to jokes.
For it to come from a 3-star Platinum Box meant stolen goods.
'Still, it's Legendary grade.'
The highest possible from a normal Platinum Box was Legendary.
No matter the name, it was worth checking the options.
Park Chan-woo inspected the helmet with his last sliver of hope.
✨ Unique Options:
"...!"
Park Chan-woo's eyes trembled.
He'd been half-resigned by then.
He never imagined it hid such a twist.
Not Eternal grade, perhaps, but for a mage, its unique options rivaled Eternal gear without falling short.
'Magic crit!'
Magic crit—the chance for spells to land critical hits.
A dream option for any mage.
The kind that drove endless "infinite box openings."
Rumored to appear only in Ancient grade or higher, at under 0.1% odds.
And that wasn't all.
It granted spellcasting, boosted magic crit chance, and raised Magic Power.
All three options were keepers.
'Jackpot.'
A massive jackpot.
Who cared about the name?
What mattered was if it worked.
'I'll lose the Demonic set bonus, but it more than compensates.'
Equipping the Frost-Stolen Helmet meant ditching the Demonic Helmet from the first night's Abyss.
He'd lose the set's Intimidation and +1 Intelligence.
But he felt no regret.
Ten pieces of Demonic gear couldn't match this one helmet.
He wouldn't just toss it—the Demonic Helmet could be used as an offering.
'Last up: the Latent Ability Grant Scroll.'
The final task of the day.
The big question: which gear to apply it to?
'World Tree Staff or Frost-Stolen Helmet. One of the two.'
He pressed his temple, pondering.
Both had unique options worthy of endgame status.
The randomized stat boosts were top-tier, and no other options were lacking.
'When levels rise and I have to replace gear, which first?'
Eventually, both would need replacing.
Grades were high, but levels too low.
The moment attack or defense felt insufficient would come.
Enemies that nullified attacks below a threshold, or unavoidable hits—such foes would appear.
...He needed to apply it to whichever he'd replace latest.
After much deliberation, Park Chan-woo decided.
The outcome was practically predetermined.
He placed the Latent Ability Grant Scroll atop the World Tree Staff.
Clench!
In that instant, Park Chan-woo unconsciously gripped his fist.
Thanks to leveling up from the Sniper Abyss, the Easter Egg luck had procced.
The absolute best-case scenario among all possibilities.
'Not over yet.'
But it was too early to relax.
Latent abilities had grades and types.
The odds of everything maxing out were slim.
Even with Easter Egg luck.
Park Chan-woo widened his eyes.
And then...
A massive jackpot hit.