Chapter 205
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: Listing
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[Congratulations! You have achieved 1st place in this sector for the quest!]
[Black Scythe's current ranking is 1st in this sector.]
[As the 1st place reward for this sector ranking, a 'Rune Pack' has been awarded!]
[As the 1st place reward for this sector ranking, a 'Special Reward Selection Box' has been awarded!]
By now, hitting 1st place every time was starting to feel routine.
'Not that I'd be okay with skipping out on the rewards.'
He figured it was only right to claim what was his due and used the rune pack.
[You have used the Rune Pack.]
[Congratulations! You obtained the 'Gale Rune'!]
[The acquired rune is automatically engraved onto the player's body!]
[Gale Rune]
- Effect: Attack speed and movement speed increase by 100%.
'Ooh, not bad at all.'
His attack and movement speeds were plenty fast already, but more never hurt.
'Considering runes alone, this one's above average.'
There was no downside to getting stronger, and it might come in handy later.
'Can't tell how strong Michael, the 1st-ranked Archangel, really is.'
Last time he'd seen him, the guy felt as unfathomable as an abyss. Who knew now?
'I need to get even stronger to prepare for facing Michael.'
For now, he'd taken out 6th and 7th, so 5th was next—but he wasn't getting his hopes up.
If he could dispatch 6th and 7th so easily, how tough could 5th be?
'Still, better stay cautious. He might descend into the present world.'
Other dimensions weren't much of a worry, but if an archangel showed up in reality, even Ryu Min would have to tense up.
'He might even target my little sister, for all I know.'
With that in mind, he tapped the special reward selection box to prepare for the worst.
[You may select one of the following special rewards.]
[Please touch the desired reward.]
└ 1. EXP 2x buff (Round 13 limited)
└ 2. Mercenary Corps rank up one level
└ 3. Information on Round 13
'No contest—it's 2.'
He was deliberately holding off on leveling, so EXP was useless.
Round 13 info went without saying.
'Raising the mercenary corps rank gives us a shot at a dragon.'
He touched 2, and a message appeared right away.
[Your Mercenary Corps rank has risen from 'Expert' to 'Veteran'.]
Just one more step to go for dragon hunting.
◀ ROUND 12 END ▶
[Integrated Sector CA-EA001]
└ Survivors: 9,994
[Your soul will soon transfer back to your original dimension's body.]
[Round 13 begins at midnight on January 1, 2023. See you in the next round. Congratulations on surviving.]
* * *
'Glad I could snag that ranking reward this round.'
Ma Kyung-rok, who'd hit 2nd in Round 12 rankings, woke up from bed with a satisfied smile.
It was only 5 a.m., but sleep wouldn't come.
Clink—
He picked up his whiskey glass with ice and gazed out at the hotel's night view.
Round 11 had left him staring blankly at the wide-open Han River, feeling stuck. Now, finally, he could breathe.
'Thought zero points would leave me in the dust, but pulling off a decent showing was a relief.'
The prophet's prophecy on the strategy had been key.
'He said personal rankings were based on monster kills, so I had to solo as many golems as possible.'
Thanks to that, he'd taken down all 100 in the second trial and secured 2nd place.
Not that it got him past Black Scythe.
'Tch, that damn bastard. How the hell did a melee DPS solo 200 for 1st?'
Looked like he'd cleared the second and third trials alone. That meant he'd have to know magic too.
'Or maybe he had a ranged weapon like a bow?'
Hated to admit it, but with Black Scythe's strength, even a weak weapon would crush golems no problem.
'Hoo, annoying prick.'
The anger from Round 11 hadn't faded, so Black Scythe didn't sit well with him.
'Could've partied up with five, but he turned it down.'
He'd passed on teaming with Ma Kyung-rok, Ahn Sang-chul, and Seo Ah-rin, taking only Democracy instead.
He wouldn't say it out loud, but it rubbed him the wrong way.
'And come to think of it, he's always with that buffer. They dating or something?'
Nah.
Who'd fall for a rude, half-assed, ego-tripping personality wreck on first sight?
'Ah, right. Someone did.'
The person Ma Kyung-rok thought of was Christine.
She tried hiding it, but he was sharp. He knew she secretly liked Black Scythe.
'Can't blame her. Guy saved her life, after all. Feelings creeping in wouldn't be weird. But...'
Ma Kyung-rok chewed his lower lip.
'Why's he eyeing someone else when he's got a fiancée right there?'
Their relationship wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.
It just felt like a show for the public, which was par for the course.
'But they're engaged. They've promised a future together. You don't go looking elsewhere in that situation.'
Honestly, Ma Kyung-rok didn't care who Christine liked.
Just a month ago, he'd been fine with her not loving him.
But now he got it crystal clear.
No way could he stomach her cozying up to Black Scythe.
'The sector's sole rep, hogging 1st place every time—no shortages there—and now he wants to steal another man's woman?'
Even though Black Scythe had saved Christine's life, resentment overshadowed any gratitude.
'Had I known it'd stress me out this bad, I'd have saved her myself, fuck.'
Maybe the prophet knew all this?
That Black Scythe would save Christine.
'Damn prophet bastard.'
Now even the innocent prophet was starting to grate.
'One way out: prove to Christine that Democracy's his girlfriend. She'd drop the crush then.'
It wasn't a crush but respect, though Ma Kyung-rok had no clue.
In his negative gaze, even admiring looks came off as lovestruck.
'But how do I prove Democracy's his girlfriend?'
Didn't know her real name, face, nothing.
Same for Black Scythe.
Plus, maybe she wasn't even his girlfriend?
'With skills like that, though, she'd have to stick close.'
A buffer boosting all stats, attack speed, movement speed by nearly double.
One hell of a talent—totally covetable.
'Who wouldn't want her by their side for endless buffs?'
That's why Ma Kyung-rok had pried so hard into Democracy's identity and address.
'If only I had that buffer... it'd help in so many ways.'
Regrettable, but time to give up the hunt.
Ma Kyung-rok downed his whiskey in one gulp and scowled.
The shitty mood made the booze taste bitter tonight.
'Perfect night for some work.'
Killing a criminal always lifted his spirits when stressed like this.
'This is why I can't quit murder.'
No sleep anyway—might as well pick a target.
He sat at his laptop, selecting a criminal to off, killing time.
Too absorbed?
Daylight hit before he knew, and he missed breakfast.
'Already this late?'
Breakfast hours were over, but no sweat.
Tell the hotel chef to whip something up downstairs, and it'd be ready pronto.
Riiiing— riiiing—
Then his phone rang. Unexpected caller.
"Yeah, Ma Kyung-rok speaking. What? For real? Haha, thank you. Got it. Yes, please proceed."
Post-call, Ma Kyung-rok's face lit up.
It was the approval for the KOSPI review he'd applied for earlier.
"Hahaha, just like the prophet said. KOSPI in half a year, for real."
How shocked would his father be, who'd written him off?
He hurriedly called to share the news.
Joy killed his appetite.
* * *
Listing on KOSPI came with strings.
Over 3 years established, revenue over 100 billion won, capital over 30 billion.
'And net profit over 6 billion for 3 years straight.'
Cleared those hurdles, and Ma Kyung-rok's Player Place Co., Ltd. passed KOSPI review.
Shedding mid-cap status for a shot at major corp glory.
'Best part: finally earning Dad's respect.'
Long eldest son, yet never acknowledged by father Ma Dae-chul.
No lacking compared to his second and third brothers, but treated like it anyway.
'Dad's expectations for the firstborn were sky-high.'
Father always nagged like this.
-You know what I did at your age to earn Grandpa's respect? Turned a pittance into a venture that boomed. That's Oseong Electronics now, 65% market cap!
More griping followed, but the gist: born firstborn, build an empire like him.
'And then he tells me to start a company.'
Gave startup cash, grow it to KOSDAQ top 30 in 5 years.
Do that, get recognized as successor, inherit everything—public promise.
But 4 years in, Cheonma Consulting languished at KOSDAQ 85. One year left, Ma Kyung-rok near gave up.
'And right on cue, the apocalypse hits...'
But quitters never prosper, right?
Met savior Ryu Min, pivoted to PlePle Market, nailed KOSPI in half a year.
'All thanks to the prophet.'
Gratitude welled up, then he recalled his morning curses.
Felt bad for no reason.
'When he gets here, gotta welcome him big.'
Called him over with good news; he'd arrive soon.
"Congratulations in advance, sir."
Ahn Sang-chul bowed beside him; Ma Kyung-rok grinned.
"Haha, you've worked hard all this time too, Manager Ahn."
"I didn't do much."
"No way. Without you, could I have made it this far? You're the one helping me unwind every time."
The "unwind" meant murder.
Ahn Sang-chul handled cleanup—reliable backup.
"Did Chairman call you to the company?"
"He did."
"Does he know about the approval?"
"Yeah, told him over the phone. Couldn't believe it, kept asking if it was real."
Skipping KOSDAQ top 30 for straight KOSPI? No wonder the shock.
"Why not tell the prophet this good news?"
"Didn't need to—he knew. Said he'd come celebrate gladly. That's proof enough."
"Lucky it matched the prophecy."
"Yeah. Heh heh."
Ma Kyung-rok's smile wouldn't quit.
So giddy, he prepped the staff's celebration party himself.
"You haven't eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Not even breakfast?"
"Hit my 5-year goal—hunger's the last thing on my mind."
As Ma Kyung-rok beamed, the awaited guest arrived.
"Sir, Chairman's here."
Before Ahn Sang-chul finished, Ma Kyung-rok saw.
Chairman Ma Dae-chul entering.
"You're here, Fa—"
Ma Kyung-rok's smile froze mid-word.
His lesser brothers—second and third—followed right behind.