Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: [S공금] |VER.C.DAWN Shop that Opens at Dawn
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Once the swordsmanship tutorial ended, Dun grabbed Willy by the collar and dragged him to a relatively quiet spot away from the crowd.
The players, curious about what the NPCs might be discussing as he took Willy away, tried to follow. But when Willy warned that they wouldn't proceed to the next tutorial stage if they tagged along, they clicked their tongues and dispersed.
"So, Dun. What's the reason you suddenly sought me out?"
"Willy, have you checked your role yet?"
Dun cut straight to the chase once they reached the secluded area.
"My role...? Oh, you mean the record parchment."
The record parchment had drawn a crowd at the tavern last night, sparking heated discussions.
Many speculated it might be similar to the 'info window' or 'system window' that adventurers used to gather their stats. In any case, no one knew exactly what it was.
One thing was clear: the record parchment wanted the people here to take on specific roles in service of the adventurers.
"I don't know why you're so curious about it.... Mine was beginner swordsmanship guide."
Ah, just as expected. He'd become the swordsmanship tutorial NPC. There was a high chance his role had been set because he'd pointed himself out back then.
"So, you accepted the role?"
"I only had one option available. And it's called an oracle, so turning it down felt wrong."
Willy smiled at Dun.
"So, what changes if you pick a role? What happens if you get fed up and quit midway?"
"Whether you do it or not, it's your choice. But if you follow what the parchment instructs, you get heavenly currency."
"What kind of currency?"
"TGO. I don't know the details."
Ah. Aha.
TGO.
NinaPinta hadn't been widely distributed and stabilized for long yet, so it wasn't fully active. But soon, capsules would be supplied worldwide.
As more people awakened abilities and enjoyed the entertainment through NinaPinta, countless lucrative markets opened up.
TGO was the unified virtual currency designed to facilitate smoother exchanges between real-world monies like WON, USD, EUR, and in-game currencies like UNT, KLD, DWD within the NinaPinta universe.
Players traveled between empires and kingdoms during quests, and having TGO—purchased with real money like WON, USD, or EUR—allowed the system to convert it on demand into UNT, DWD, KLD, or whatever local currency was needed.
Since his rebirth, he'd had no need or chance to use or earn TGO, so his info window always showed 0 in that slot. But now, even NPCs could earn it.
With a unified currency bridging the players' world and this one, hoarding TGO—which would surely appreciate far beyond UNT—seemed like the smart move going forward.
"What are you pondering so deeply, Dun?"
Willy chuckled at the sight of Dun perched on a rock, stroking his chin with a furrowed brow.
Must be mulling over the role assigned on his parchment. Should he offer some career advice?
"What role did you get, Dun?"
"Mine are a bunch, which is the problem."
"Oh ho, agonizing over which to pick? Not sure if it'll help, but I'll advise you as best I can."
He was dying to know what role the talented potion-maker Riaowel's kid had received. He'd only heard rumors secondhand—plenty of weird ones, since they hadn't talked much.
Rumors that he could tame monsters, looked frail but occasionally displayed monstrous strength, and that powerful adventurers who only dealt with royalty fawned over him to stay in his good graces.
What divine task had the gods assigned to this unpredictable child?
"No need for advice. They're all weird and boring. Stuff like trash cleaner, random kid errand boy, etc."
Dun lowered his head, gripped a stone, and flung it diagonally upward. A monster monitoring him from the trees exploded and died. It was a fairly strong one—items tumbled down in a heap.
"Why are items dropping out of thin air...?"
"Beats me."
Willy hadn't even seen Dun's motion; the stone had flown at incredible speed.
After killing the monsters with his throw, Dun felt exhaustion crash over him and let out a sigh.
Lately, surveillance monsters were everywhere, making it impossible to speak freely even when he wanted to say something.
The mosquito netting over Montgel Hell was starting to tear, letting a few pests slip through and buzz annoyingly. Damn it.
But the monsters weren't the only irritants.
"Willy, there's actually something I need to tell you. It's one of the problems that'll get serious soon."
"What is it?"
Dun closed his eyes and focused on the surrounding sounds.
It was secluded, but not far from the village, so faint voices carried over. From the jumble, he isolated a few.
"Perfect timing. They're almost here."
While Willy tilted his head in confusion, multiple sets of footsteps converged from afar.
"Hey, Willy the slacker headed this way alone, right?"
"There was a village kid with him too, but I didn't catch the name clearly. Dun, or something?"
"Yeah, that's the one. Riaowel's brat. Grab her too. We can threaten the mom for unlimited potions."
"There they are. The kid and Willy. Let's nab 'em quick."
The growing cackles were utterly repulsive. The fully geared players soon arrived where Dun and Willy were.
They were armed head to toe, clearly prepared.
For intimidation, they brandished normal items that looked menacing but were superficial. They weren't high-level enough for top gear.
Still, it worked. Willy tensed up at the sight of gleaming scythes, axes, and serrated swords.
In his rush to talk privately with Dun, he'd stupidly left his own sword behind. Of all times.
"That Willy guy, I've got some business with you too."
One player approached Willy, thrusting a shining blade forward.
"W-what is it?"
Willy grabbed Dun's hand and edged backward. This was bad; the vibe was off.
"If you've got words for him, how about putting the weapons down first?"
"We need the threat level high for this conversation to go smoothly."
Willy tried reasoning, but it fell on deaf ears.
"Then how about sending the kid home and talking privately?"
Fear of impending disaster made his heart pound. His hand on Dun's shoulder trembled.
"Nah, we could use the kid too."
Willy looked terrified, but the child was surprisingly calm.
Even with weapons shoved in her face, she just fiddled with the blades, her dismissive gaze unchanged. Kids were fearless, huh.
"What's your demand?"
"From now on, Willy, you only run tutorials for adventurers we approve."
"You'll be an NPC under Smart Blade Company's banner."
Former job-change brokers.
The type who demanded cash for class changes.
They cornered NPCs with specific roles, forcing other players to go through them for achievements and skimming profits.
Warrior classes were the most popular first steps, usually via Willy, so monopolizing him meant raking in huge fees from aspiring swordsmen.
Unlike NPCs in other games, NinaPinta's had emotions and autonomy, enabling threats and negotiations—which made such absurd businesses viable.
Back in the early days, he'd seen plenty of groups exploiting NPCs mercilessly to squeeze TGO from players.
Of course, by then market order had stabilized somewhat, so charm-based brokers outnumbered outright coercers.
"Ah.... So if I join up, I just teach whoever you tell me to?"
"Exactly. And you'll move to housing we provide."
"My home? My wife and kids?"
Willy read their faces. No mercy for convenience.
If only he'd brought his sword—just his sword—he could've fought.
"Fine. I won't resist; I'll come quietly. Just let the kid go."
"Our target's you anyway. Come along, and we'll release her."
Obvious lie.
Riaowel's daughter, who sometimes handled even epics, had endless uses.
Willy couldn't trust them, but he had no choice.
Amid this sudden tragedy, he whispered to Dun with a devastated expression.
"Dun, please deliver a message to my wife and kids. I beg you."
The adventurers seized Willy's arms and dragged him off, and he complied meekly.
Dun toddled after them.
"Where are you taking Willy? I'm scared; I wanna come too."
"No!!"
Despite their frantic shouts, Dun ignored them and kept following.
"If you take Willy, I'm the only witness—you'll kill me right away, right? I'm scared. I wanna stay with Willy. Waaah, sob sob."
"Why's this kid talking like she has no soul?"
"Probably her character setting. Whatever."
Willy sighed deeply at Dun's words. His oversight.
Alone with those armed thugs, who knew what they'd do. He glanced back at the pursuing Dun, frustration making him click his tongue.
"You heard her. Hey, this just got easier. Dun, you come with us too."
"Okay."
Dun nodded and followed.
* * *
Somewhere in the woods, a ramshackle hut.
This was Smart Blade Company's temporary in-game base.
Thud, thwack. Slap, smack!!!
Dull thuds and sharp slaps echoed without end.
Willy couldn't believe the scene unfolding before him.
"Get it now, what I was getting at? Gotta be careful till order sets in."
Dun wielded a flyswatter, smacking one player's face.
Blood drained sharply from the guy's HP again.