Chapter 121
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: 8th Round End
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[Traitor Group Quest]
└Prevent the caravan from reaching its destination
└On success ▶ Mandragora's Magic Stem granted
[You have completed the Traitor Group Quest!]
[As a Traitor Group Quest reward, 'Mandragora's Magic Stem' has been granted!]
[Mandragora's Magic Stem]
-Classification: Possessed Item
-Description: A stem containing the magic power of the carnivorous monster mandragora.
Note that Traitor Quest rewards are identical to sub-quest rewards.
So if someone who completed the sub-quest had received this, they would've said something like this the moment they got it.
-What the hell is this garbage even for?
It's the natural reaction when you get an item whose use you don't even know.
That's how Ryu Min reacted the first time he got it, too.
'I never expected a material item as a quest reward. Usually, it's something you can use right away.'
But thinking differently, it means it's that much more important.
He didn't know back then, but now he knows its value.
'Mandragora's Magic Stem is none other than a God-grade material item.'
He'd planned to craft God-grade before Round 11, and now all the materials were gathered already.
That's why a smile crept across Ryu Min's lips.
Whether it did or not, the angel was focused solely on her own business.
[Have you all checked the rankings? Then, from highest contribution, ranks 1 to 1,083 survive. Everyone below that will be eliminated.]
"No, don't!"
"Please spare me! I swear...!"
As always, half the players turned to a handful of ashes.
Ryu Min had no time to worry about others' eliminations.
Reward messages were popping up one after another.
[Congratulations! You achieved 1st place in this sector's quest!]
[Congratulations! You achieved 1st place across all sectors' quest!]
['Black Scythe' is currently ranked 1st across all sectors and 1st in this sector.]
[As reward for 1st in this sector's ranking, 'Reputation Boost Ticket' has been granted!]
[As reward for 1st across all sectors' ranking, 'Special Reward Selection Box' has been granted!]
Usually, 1st in a sector gave equipment items, but this time it was different.
'A Reputation Boost Ticket... Anyone else would've wondered what kind of reward that even is.'
But it was a proper reward.
A definite one.
It was a chance to raise reputation with another race by one level without any effort.
'It's also a message to start seriously working on reputation now.'
It hadn't come up until now, but from here on, the main stage would be a fantasy world full of NPCs.
In that regard, reputation with races was crucial.
Especially if he planned to mooch off other races—the importance went without saying.
[Select one race below to boost reputation.]
[Touch the desired race.]
└ 1. Humans (Time Regressor-Hostile)
└ 2. Elves (Black Scythe-Friendly)
└ 3. Dwarves (Forerunner-Friendly)
Reputation application varies by nickname and title.
For example, if he met dwarves using a title other than Forerunner, he wouldn't get special treatment.
'For now, I need to upgrade Friendly to Very Friendly.'
He didn't agonize long.
Ryu Min's finger tapped the elves.
[Elves' reputation toward Black Scythe has risen from 'Friendly' to 'Very Friendly.']
The reason for choosing elves was simple.
'I can get better rewards.'
Raising dwarves might've laid groundwork for Legendary and God-grade materials.
'But all things considered, elves are better. Mages versed in magic hold a lot of rare rune fragments.'
Ryu Min valued runes higher than items.
Both were important, but if he had to choose, elves.
'Now, meeting the elf race as Black Scythe will get me royal-level treatment.'
Maybe even the council elders who control El Sorium's power would hand over a princess to maintain friendly relations.
'Whatever, I don't care about that. I just need the rune fragments.'
There were a few rune fragments he wanted from the elves.
That was all Ryu Min was after.
Looking forward to the next elf encounter, he used the Special Reward Selection Box.
[Select one special reward below.]
[Touch the desired reward.]
└ 1. Material Item Selection Ticket
└ 2. 30,000 Gold
└ 3. Information on Round 9
There was usually a stat or EXP buff in slot 1, but not this time.
Without hesitation, he chose the Material Item Selection Ticket.
[Choose one material below.]
└ 1. Broken Ironwood Branch
………………
…………
└ 8. Mage Skeleton's Bone Dust
└ 9. Sturdy Magic Shell
└ 10. Moose Antler
A cascade of items appeared, most Unique materials.
'But only one among these is Legendary.'
Ryu Min's finger selected 8.
[Mage Skeleton's Bone Dust]
-Classification: Possessed Item
-Description: Ominous magic power emanates from the powder.
That made three Legendary materials.
Just two more to craft one.
Materials were piling up steadily.
◀ ROUND 8 END ▶
[All Sectors]
└Survivors: 1,523,955
[This Sector C2-ESKA003]
└Survivors: 1,083
[Your soul will soon transfer back to your original dimension's body.]
[Round 9 begins at midnight on September 1, 2022. See you in the next round. Congratulations on surviving.]
* * *
After Round 8 ended.
Christine opened her eyes and immediately went to find her father.
"Father."
"You're late."
The butler Jeffrey was already by her father's side.
She'd come as fast as she could, but it felt pointless.
"Did you hear the report?"
"Yes. Jeffrey told me everything."
Her father Nathan's eyes flashed.
"That Ryu Min's prophecy was all true."
"Yes. Honestly, I was shocked too. It was hard to believe."
The Round 8 quest info from Ma Kyung-rok had proven accurate.
Unlike Round 7's vague details, this was specific, leaving no room for doubt.
Proof that the Prophet class truly existed.
"Your fiancé has been preempting next-round info through prophecies all this time. It's been confirmed."
"Yeah."
Christine's lips pursed.
She was miffed he'd kept it from her.
"What now?"
"Pardon?"
"A prophet who sees the future is in business with your fiancé. Play it right, and you could reap the benefits too. So shouldn't you snag him?"
"Snag? You mean the Prophet?"
"Of course. In these chaotic times, a prophet is no different from a goose that lays golden eggs. If you know the clear strategy for the next round in advance."
With survival on the line each round, info's value was immense.
Nathan had seen that from the start and was saying not to let the Prophet slip away.
"Get close to him. Use any means necessary."
"But..."
"Something bothering you? Still don't believe in prophecies?"
"No, it's not that. It's just... intentionally approaching someone for a goal feels sleazy..."
"Can you afford to be picky now? He's the one holding your lifeline."
Christine remembered.
The Prophet's words that Round 11 would bring mortal danger.
"Go to Korea. Get more info from him. Find out how to survive. Make sure Round 11 isn't the end of your life, as prophesied."
"...Yes."
Christine obeyed her father.
Your rice bowl is yours to protect.
To survive, she needed more than that.
"I'll go rest then, since I'm tired."
As Christine left, Jeffrey asked as if waiting.
"What about me? Should I go to Korea and keep surveilling the Prophet?"
"No. Now that the Prophet's real, no need to sneak info anymore. If tailing gets caught and sours his mood, that'd be trouble."
"Then..."
"You go with Christine to Korea too. As her attendant, watch the Prophet up close and report back to me."
"By the Lord's name, I shall obey."
Jeffrey bowed deeply and left the room.
Left alone, Nathan muttered.
"A Prophet, huh. Truly worthy of being called God's apostle."
A thought crossed his mind.
'If my daughter's fiancé were that Prophet instead of President Ma, it'd be even better.'
Regret flickered across Nathan's face.
* * *
Upon waking in his room, the first thing Ryu Min did was open the shop.
'The shop items have all upgraded to Master grade.'
The shop's items change based on the player's grade.
Over level 60 now, he could buy Master-grade gear.
'Still, they're just unremarkable Normal items.'
Most players would fill their equipment slots with these Normal items.
Those with cash might have a few Rare or Epic from the daily item corner.
'But from now on, I'm ignoring anything Epic or below.'
Starting today, Ryu Min planned to equip only Unique or higher.
He'd bought all materials via the PlePle app, enough for three crafts.
'Time to get started.'
Ryu Min bought a helmet, armor, boots, and ring from the shop, each for 6,000 gold.
All plain Normal items, but still Master grade.
'In a bit, magic will transform them into Unique.'
Ryu Min filled the synthesis slots with gear and ordered Unique materials.
[Main Material]
-Lively Leather Boots
[Sub-Materials]
-Deer Tree Root
-Orc Fang
-Troll Dorsal Spine
-Sturdy Magic Shell
-Black Adamantite
Sub-materials got the Unique-upgrade stuff, main material the freshly bought Master gear.
'This combo turns Normal gear into Unique.'
That's why he'd waited till over 60.
Better to upgrade Master-grade if strengthening gear.
He hit the button, and a welcome message appeared.
[Synthesis success!]
[Created 'Ghost Step Boots.']
[Ghost Step Boots]
-Classification: Boots
-Grade: Unique
-Defense: 300
-Effects: All stats +15, Movement speed +15%, No footstep sounds.
-Durability: 5,000/5,000
-Requirement: Master grade or higher
-Description: Boots that silence footsteps like a ghost's. Feels like you've really become one.
A Unique item was born.
He churned out the others in sequence.
[Synthesis success!]
[Created 'Devil's Ring.']
[Devil's Ring]
-Classification: Helmet
-Grade: Unique
-Defense: 400
-Effects: All stats +10, Skill damage +15%, +1% damage per enemy killed (stacks 15 times)
-Durability: 5,000/5,000
-Requirement: Master grade or higher
-Description: An item designed to wear a devil's ring above your head instead of an angel's.
[Synthesis success!]
[Created 'Red-Eye Skull Ring.']
[Red-Eye Skull Ring]
-Classification: Ring
-Grade: Unique
-Effects: All stats +15, Damage +10%
-Durability: 5,000/5,000
-Requirement: Master grade or higher
-Description: A skull ring with striking red eyes.
Three Uniques made, and his hoarded materials were spent.
'Now for God grade.'
Ryu Min had pondered.
What to make first for his inaugural God-grade item.
Weapons, helmets, armor—performance varied by slot.
But he didn't deliberate long.
'Better start with whatever I can make right now.'
Not like he could pick materials freely; he'd craft as they came.
Each slot demanded slightly different items anyway.
'What can I make with what I have...'
Ryu Min loaded God-grade materials into the synthesis window.
[Main Material]
-Faded Coat
[Sub-Materials]
-Condensed Ether
-Black Iron Powder
-Glossy Horse Tail
-Angel's Golden Dust
-Mandragora's Magic Stem
'Armor it is.'
He hit synthesize immediately.
A golden effect unlike the usual bloomed, and the item was born.
A full God-grade item.