Chapter 299
Chapter 299
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 300
Chapter Title: Random Rewards and Raid Prep
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10 times. No, including the first purchase and the bonus random box at the end, it took a total of 12 attempts to finally snag one.
If I hadn't gotten that random box as the final reward, I would've been out over 100,000 points.
Still, it worked out in the end, so that's a huge relief.
"Thank you... Thank you..."
I calmed my pounding heart and checked the reward I'd just obtained.
[SS-Rank or Lower 45% Comprehensive Discount Coupon (???)]
Category: Special (One-time consumable item)
Description: Allows purchase of one SS-Rank or lower item from the point shop at a 45% discount.
* Duration: 30 days
"Wow..."
Just as the name implied, it was a coupon that gave 45% off on any SS-Rank or lower item.
Since SS-Rank abilities started at a minimum of 400,000 points, this one coupon would save me 180,000 points.
Of course, subtracting what I spent on the random boxes would reduce that a bit.
"How many points do I have left?"
[Points in possession: 203,000]
"Hmm."
203,000 points.
Considering SS-Rank traits started at 400,000 points, I'd need at least 220,000 with the coupon...
With 30 days left on the duration, there was no rush.
I could easily scrape together 20,000 points with a few outrageous stunts (?).
"But what should I buy?"
A trait or skill seemed better than an SS-Rank item.
The first one that came to mind was the 'Blessing of the Moon' I'd eyed last time.
It seemed advantageous for future developments to get reliably stronger on a set day rather than vaguely powering up.
Of course, it had tricky usage conditions, but I could mitigate that with a [Ability Condition Change Ticket (???)].
Beyond that, most SS-Rank abilities were growth-type, so they didn't feel as efficient right now when the future was being accelerated.
"First, let's gather 20,000 more points and think about it."
Once summer break started, point-earning events would pop up endlessly.
20,000 points would come quick.
I stowed the coupon and checked the other rewards I'd gotten earlier.
"Ugh..."
...
Opening 12 reward boxes meant a lot to sort through.
Cola, chicken, mana amplification potion, low-grade proficiency potion...
No need to explain these, so I set them aside.
As I did, my eyes caught a hairpin with a blue gemstone lying on the floor.
[Lapis Lazuli Hairpin (B)]
Category: Accessory
Description: A hairpin that boosts the wearer's mana.
>Blessing of Lapis Lazuli
Mana capacity increases by 10%.
Mana recovery speed increases by 100%.
Mana control ability slightly increases.
The effects looked decent.
It had mana recovery bonuses and even a slight boost to mana control.
...But.
"How the hell am I supposed to wear this?"
Sure, it wasn't impossible to equip... but to get those effects, I'd have to give up way too much.
Still, just in case, I tentatively pinned it into my hair.
[Mana capacity increases by 10%.]
[Mana recovery speed increases by 100%.]
The effects applied properly.
As I sensed the mana, I stepped in front of the full-length mirror in the living room.
My handsome(?) face and the striking blue gemstone hairpin.
It might actually suit me more than I thought...
"...Like hell it does."
A weird sense of self-loathing hit me, and I yanked it out.
"Gotta give this to someone else."
Who would be good?
Choi Seo-yoon? Yoon Ha-young? Yoo Ah-ra?
"Choi Seo-yoon wears hairpins sometimes..."
As I pondered alone, Yoon Ha-young suddenly came to mind.
I'd have to hunt demons with her until graduation.
With its solid effects, it could be a big help to Yoon Ha-young...
"Nah. All sorts of incidents are about to blow up around Yoo Ah-ra soon."
Especially since the special task force internship overlapped.
Plus, during this internship, there was a major incident tied to Jaun waiting.
What to do...
After mulling it over, I figured Yoo Ah-ra might be the best choice.
"Not sure if she'll accept it."
I stored the lapis lazuli hairpin in my subspace.
Next, I picked up a small brown wooden stick.
[Ancient Tree from the Underground World (C)]
Category: Material
Description: Amplifies mana-related effects when crafting items.
Seemed like crafting material. I could hand it to Yang Tae-min later.
Pass for now.
Whoosh.
I tossed the ancient wood into my subspace.
"Now just this one left."
I picked up the dark red half-glove.
[Lava Lizard Half-Glove (B)]
Category: Glove
Description: Half-glove made from lava lizard hide.
>Lava Lizard Hide
Wrist protection increases by 50%.
Martial technique destructive power increases by 15%.
"Gotta give this to Lee Seo-jun."
Decision made without hesitation.
Wrist protection and martial technique damage boost.
It screamed Lee Seo-jun item.
"No item for me, huh."
Looking down at the desk, nothing else remained.
"Oh, right."
Come to think of it, I'd gotten a trait from one of the random boxes.
Blessing of True Aim.
True Aim probably related to magic hit rate...
[Blessing of True Aim (B)] [Rank: 1 (0%)]
Category: Trait
[Passive Effect]
>Precision
Sight improves.
Composure increases when aiming.
Hit rate slightly increases.
[Active Effect]
>True Aim
For 5 seconds, probability of predicting living targets' movements greatly increases.
Hit rate greatly increases.
*Cooldown: 1 day
"Oh. What's this?"
I hadn't expected much from a B-Rank trait, but the effects were pretty solid.
It was a trait tied to 'hit rate,' the foundational ability for manifestation-type wizards like me.
And it even had an active effect.
"This is really good."
Short 5-second duration, but a massive hit rate boost would be huge for a manifestation wizard like me.
Honestly, among today's random box haul, this was second only to the coupon.
"Nice, nice."
I'd thought everything except the coupon was trash, but gathering the results, it wasn't bad.
I'd also gotten stats like +1 stamina and +4 mana.
With this, maybe I could blow all my remaining 200,000 points on random boxes?
"...Nah, hold back."
30 days until coupon expiration. Need to save points to scrape up the missing 20,000.
Two days passed, and it was the first day of summer break.
Break had started, but the special task force internship kicked off without a moment's rest.
I headed to the association and immediately looked for Lee Seo-jun and Yoo Ah-ra.
"They're not here."
Their seats were empty. No signs they'd come in yet.
Still 30 minutes till clock-in, so maybe obvious.
I placed the pre-packed hairpin and half-glove on their assigned seats so they'd find them when they arrived.
Then, Jung Hyun-soo passed by, coffee cup in hand, and spotted me.
"Kim Sun-woo? Early bird, huh?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Newbies are always so diligent. Oh! Might have a big op this afternoon. Rest up now just in case."
...An operation?
I felt a flicker of doubt.
As far as I remembered from the original, nothing major happened on the first day of break.
"What op?"
"You know, that Taesang Finance Demon Gate that blew up recently."
Jung Hyun-soo sipped his coffee and continued.
"We ID'd a related group and pinned their location. Raid tonight."
I vaguely pictured the incident. It was supposed to happen much later, but my involvement must've sped it up big time.
Since it tied deeply to the Ten Demon Society, we had to resolve it flawlessly.
"Hello."
"Hi."
Lee Seo-jun and Yoo Ah-ra arrived late, all buddy-buddy.
They glanced at me, gave a light nod, and sat down.
"...What's this?"
Yoo Ah-ra, now seated, eyed the hairpin on her desk.
Lee Seo-jun picked up the half-glove, looked around.
"There's one on my seat too. Looks like magic gear."
Then their gazes turned to me next to them.
"Did you see who left these?"
Lee Seo-jun asked, and I nodded.
"Yeah."
"Who?"
"Me."
"...Huh?"
Lee Seo-jun and Yoo Ah-ra shot me puzzled looks.
I smiled faintly and replied.
"Gifts. Take 'em."
At "gifts," their eyes went wide.
"...W-Wait. Gifts? Isn't this magic gear?"
Yoo Ah-ra said in a startled voice.
"Yeah. Wearing that should help with mana recovery. The glove'll boost your swordplay."
"...It looks expensive just from a glance."
"Probably go for about 100 million at auction."
They stared at me in disbelief at my casual answer.
"Don't sweat it. I got 'em for free. Don't need 'em, so here."
"Free?" Lee Seo-jun questioned.
"You got these for free? How?"
I gave a small smile.
"Doesn't matter."
Couldn't exactly say gambling.
As Jung Hyun-soo predicted, come afternoon, assembly for the demon group sweep.
"Today's op is a raid on a place disguised as a trading company, 'Jinhae Networks.'"
Kim Deok-hyun projected a holographic map.
Location: Massive 6-story building at Pyeongtaek Port.
From memory, no S-Rank demons, so no real danger expected.
But variables always existed, so no slacking.
"Jinhae Networks evades association surveillance to procure human blood from overseas. Basically a human trafficking ring."
"...Procuring human blood."
Lee Seo-jun muttered stiffly beside me.
His sense of justice couldn't stand it.
After that, Kim Deok-hyun briefed for 30 minutes on op direction.
Summary: Their scale, infiltration with 15 people.
And capture their boss, A-Rank Demon 'Kwak Hyun-do,' alive.
"Kwak Hyun-do has the key to a safe with Taesang Finance classified docs. Capture him alive and secure the key."
With that, everyone stood.
Time passed, and we gated to Pyeongtaek.
Like last op, a vehicle waited at the gate.
Drove about 15 minutes.
Arrived at a hill overlooking a distant 6-story building.
That was Jinhae Networks, the backdrop for this incident.
Looked like a huge logistics warehouse from outside.
"That's the Jinhae Networks building where Kwak Hyun-do's holed up. Frontal assault, seal the doors excluding blockers, everyone else to the top floor for Kwak Hyun-do capture."
"Yes."
Agents checked their gear and responded.
I donned the association-issued comm magic tool and tactical vest, then activated my newly acquired [Special] ability, Third Eye.
A pure white orb floated above my hand.
Being special, invisible to others, I could send it undetected toward the enemies.
Sent the Third Eye, spotting 20 demons on guard at the entrance.
Plus tons of magic detectors monitoring ambient mana.
"See anything?"
Yoo Ah-ra sidled up beside me.
I turned; the lapis lazuli hairpin was pinned in her hair.
She'd been too embarrassed earlier since she'd never worn accessories.
"You wore it after all."
"...Situation's the situation. And it's a gift."
Yoo Ah-ra mumbled, face slightly flushed, fiddling with her hair.
"Doesn't suit me?"
I chuckled.
"Suits you."
Half genuine.
Bit off from her image, but not mismatched.
Answered, then sent the Third Eye inside the building.
To find key target Kwak Hyun-do.
I scanned likely spots for about 2 minutes.
But.
"...Huh?"
Couldn't spot him.
What? He should definitely be somewhere here.
As I panicked, Kim Deok-hyun's voice rang out.
"Looks like prep's done."
All eyes turned to him.
"Op starts now. Infiltration team as briefed. Charge."
Everyone dashed forward at once.