Unlimited Reinforcement Materials
Suddenly, a low-level monster appeared right in front of them.
Kieeeek!
Mu-hyuk's expression remained impassive, unfazed. He stepped onto the skeleton warhorse's back and launched himself forward.
-2249 Damage
Additional -4049 Damage
Experience gained.
A smile crept across his face at the rising damage numbers.
"You okay?"
"Yeah!"
He activated Wind Step to catch up with the charging warhorse and hopped onto its back.
"Let's go!"
They picked up speed again.
How long had they been riding? Far in the distance, the gates of the Weibra Empire came into view.
He didn't slow down until they reached the warp gate, dismounting only then.
"Welcome!"
"To the Hemil Empire."
"Understood. The fee is…"
He pulled gold from his inventory and paid.
"Initiating transfer."
Upon arriving in the Hemil Empire, they headed straight into the castle. A soldier guarding the front stepped forward and slammed his spear into the ground with a thud.
"Halt!"
Mu-hyuk and his companions stopped.
"State your business."
He showed the token proving his nobility. Since it marked him as a noble of the Hemil Empire, the soldier had no choice but to show respect.
"I'm here to see Duke Amur."
"Ah, my apologies."
The soldier hurriedly opened the gate.
The three entered the castle grounds.
Sung Min-woo was grinning ear to ear, clearly thrilled, while Ye-rin looked awkward in her overly polite demeanor. Mu-hyuk, having experienced it a few times before, was somewhat accustomed.
"We're in the castle, so let's walk."
"Okay."
After dismounting, he reverse-summoned the warhorse.
They strolled leisurely toward Duke Amur's residence.
"Man, I can't wait to get enhancing. It's killing me."
"Me too."
Sung Min-woo and Ye-rin stared intently at Mu-hyuk.
"Ugh, you said we'd sell the gems, buy materials, and head to the village, right?"
"It won't take long, will it, oppa?"
"Nah, not long. Gotta hurry and enhance."
"Ugh, yes! Just thinking about it…!"
Sung Min-woo suddenly tilted his head, a question popping into his mind.
"Wait, but didn't you just learn enhancement? That seems way too fast."
"Didn't I mention it earlier?"
"What?"
"I got a title that boosts every skill by one level as a reward."
"Whoa, you didn't say that."
"Really? Combined with my existing titles, it bumped skills by two levels, so I hit master this time."
"Ah, got it. That's impressive."
"What is?"
"Your titles and items are on another level."
"Just got lucky. Thanks to that, I'm in the lead. Staying ahead means I snag little advantages here and there."
"True."
"And it's not like latecomers suffer for it. Right, oppa?"
"Exactly. Known info lets you grow fast. Plus, Illusion's so vast, there's still tons hidden."
"Fair."
"We're here."
They arrived at their destination mid-conversation.
"Long time no see."
"Yes, it has been."
Thanks to his familiarity with the knight guarding the mansion, the greeting flowed easily.
At the same moment,
the heated debate in Mu-hyuk's chat room settled in an instant.
The chat scrolled rapidly upward.
Coupons were piling up nicely.
Of course, Mu-hyuk had no idea about the chat's vibe. He was already seated in Duke Amur's office with Sung Min-woo and Ye-rin.
"We meet again."
"Yes."
"Sit, all of you."
"Thank you."
"You brought the gems?"
"Yes."
Mu-hyuk pulled out the topaz, emerald, and ruby.
"Ho, may I take a look?"
"Of course."
He handed them over.
Duke Amur narrowed his eyes, inspecting the gems meticulously.
"Hmm, hoo."
Exclamations of admiration escaped now and then.
After being absorbed in the gems for a while, he looked up directly at Mu-hyuk.
"Excellent. Very excellent."
"Glad to hear it."
"So, what price are you thinking?"
It wasn't easy to state a price outright.
The best approach?
Flatter the buyer.
"I trust your judgment, Your Grace."
Duke Amur chuckled at that.
"Haha, clever."
The moment Mu-hyuk said it, lowering the price became impossible. It would admit his own poor judgment. A duke, one of the highest nobles, wouldn't choose that.
"One question."
"Yes."
"Gold, or something else?"
"Something else is fine?"
"Naturally."
A idea flashed in his mind.
"Then, could you provide unlimited supplies of certain materials?"
"Unlimited might be tough. A time limit, maybe. What materials?"
Mu-hyuk listed the enhancement materials.
"Pig iron, black iron, black panther fangs…"
After naming five, Duke Amur nodded.
"That much? Three months is doable. But unsellable to others, and only you can use them."
"Hmm."
"Or 5,000 gold per gem."
15,000 gold total for three.
Over 150 million won in cash alone.
Which was better?
Three months of unlimited enhancement materials?
Or 15,000 gold?
He didn't agonize long.
"Unlimited materials, please."
"Three months, remember."
"Yes."
"Good. Settled."
A quick think showed materials were far better.
Sourcing took time—this cut it. Free materials meant liberal use, skyrocketing enhancement skill levels.
And that wasn't all. Sell successfully enhanced gear to users? Profits beyond imagination.
"Wait a moment."
"Ah, yes."
Duke Amur pulled out two sheets, scribbling with a fountain pen.
"Here."
Guarantee and contract.
"Guarantee and contract. I'll explain the contract first. As mentioned, unlimited materials can't be sold or traded to others. Temple-made—if broken…"
"I've used them a few times."
"Oh? Then no need for details. Sign the contract."
"Yes."
Contract signed, guarantee received.
"Take this guarantee to the castle shops for your items. Pig and black iron at the smithy. Fangs at the general store."
"Thank you."
"I'm grateful too. Gems like these…"
Duke Amur smiled contentedly.
"Haha, see you next time."
"Yes."
The three left the office.
"Whoa, jackpot! Unlimited materials…!"
"Pretty huge, yeah."
"Oppa, endless enhancements now? Other items too?"
"Yep. While hunting too."
"Huh? Hunting too? Not focusing on enhancing?"
"Both."
Ye-rin tilted her head.
"How?"
"What's my class?"
"Necromancer, obviously…"
"Right. I enhance, skeletons hunt."
Ye-rin finally got it, mouth agape.
"Whoa…"
Cheating just thinking about it.
Mu-hyuk quickened his pace.
"Stock up on materials first."
They hit the castle smithy first.
"Welcome."
"How much pig iron and black iron you got?"
"Haha, tons."
"All of it."
"Whoa, all that? Let's see, pig iron alone costs…"
Mu-hyuk showed the paper.
"This…?"
"Read it."
The smith's face twisted upon reading.
"Ahem. Actually, not that much pig iron…"
"Shall I fetch Duke Amur?"
"Ha, haha. Joke. Just a moment!"
The owner brought pig and black iron.
"Here."
"One box?"
"Magic box—holds a ton inside."
He checked.
An insane amount.
"Y-Yeah, a lot."
"Tons. Blood and sweat to stockpile. Without the guarantee…"
"Pardon?"
"N-Nothing. Duke Amur promised fair pay, so no worries. Still…"
"Ah, right. Thanks for your trouble."
"Ha, haha. C-Come again."
Mu-hyuk smirked and turned away. He stowed the magic box and headed to the general store for the rest.
The owner there, unlike the smith, fetched items immediately upon seeing the guarantee.
"Here."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Enough materials for serious enhancing marathons.
Who knew exactly how long.
"Now to the village."
"Sweet."
Warp gate to Abenso Village, then mounted the warhorse.
An hour's ride later, Column Village appeared—far more lively than when they left.
"Decent user traffic?"
"For real."
Lively compared to before, but newcomers might still gripe about the quiet.
Anyway, inside, Mu-hyuk headed to Rakak's house. He knocked and called out—no response.
"Not home."
A passing youth recognized him and greeted.
"Village chief?"
"Ah, long time."
The carpenter, Yohan.
"Haha, you remember me?"
"Fastest at the stockade. Yohan, right?"
"Yeah. You know my name."
"Of course."
Yohan's loyalty slightly increases.
No rank up, but still nice.
Just from saying his name.
"Where's Acting Chief Rakak?"
"Checks northern land daily. Probably there."
"Ah."
"He'll be back soon."
"Got it. Thanks."
"No problem. See ya!"
Yohan left.
"Hmm, head north?"
"Far?"
"Not really."
"Warhorse it is."
To grasp the current situation, meeting Rakak now was key.
"Yeah, let's—"
As he moved to summon the warhorse,
"Wait, isn't that the old man coming?"
Sung Min-woo's words made him turn.
Rakak approached with a relaxed expression.