Chapter 117

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 117

Chapter Title: The Far Beyond

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Kang Seol's score from safely completing Adventure 16 appeared on his interface.

'Over three million, huh.'

He couldn't exactly judge if an adventurer's score was high or low, but just looking at those neatly aligned digits made it clear this was a number few could touch.

Kang Seol showed no particular reaction to the massive score, but his eyes widened slightly at the next message that popped up.

'A first achievement... and a first title!'

He'd gotten one before when he hit one million points.

The title from that time was 'Rich Kid.'

That title let him gain extra stat points every time an adventure ended, laying the foundation for him to pull far ahead of other transfers.

Of course, thanks to getting dragged into all sorts of messes, he still hadn't invested those stat points anywhere.

Han Somi's group stared at the rankings in shock.

"Three... three million points? Insane... Bro, that's you, right?"

"Didn't we just do the same adventure? Does that mean ours went up that much too?"

"Kyung-taek, you got beef with whatever's on your shoulder? How's the contribution difference between us and bro that big...?"

"Oh... yeah, you're right."

Han Somi corrected the group's misconception.

She was spot on.

Party adventure scores didn't rise equally for all members.

It was based on contribution.

Your score depended on how perfectly you'd fulfilled your role in the adventure.

Besides, for a transfer like Kang Seol, this adventure hadn't been one that gave big points to begin with—and he'd basically monopolized even those, so no way the others got much.

The reason he'd racked up so many this time was because the previous adventure had been dangerously volatile.

Plus, sudden adventures gave bonus points on top of regular ones.

Of course, Kang Seol—who'd barely done any party play—had no clue about any of this.

"Bro, what's it feel like hitting over a million?"

"...Beats me?"

"I'm still miles from a million..."

Jo Kyung-taek looked deflated.

Kang Seol ignored him entirely, focusing elsewhere.

His attention was on the new title.

'...What? A unique ability?'

True unique abilities only showed up on unparalleled-grade gear or higher, barring special cases.

It was incredibly rare for one to appear on a title.

'The ability... it's passive?'

It boosted damage, healing, and recovery by 10% for all allies in a wide radius.

"......"

Kang Seol's expression hardened as he checked the ability.

"Bro? What's up?"

"Oppa?"

Whoooosh...

A geometric pattern appeared beneath Kang Seol's feet.

The pattern's light flickered a few times before evaporating into mist-like vapor that swirled around him.

Blending with the black shadow energy he wielded, it formed an aura of profound mystery.

And that aura spread to his party members.

"...Huh?"

"Heavenly Myriad? What's this? Something popped up in my buff window."

"Damage and healing +10%? Awesome... Kyung-taek, you had a skill like this?"

"If I did, why would I party with you, sis?"

"Hey! If I had one, I'd be partying with celebs!"

"Even if you did, celebs wouldn't let you in."

"You little—get over here!"

As his party questioned the new buff, Kang Seol checked if it applied to others too.

'...It works on summons too!'

Kang Seol was basically a walking party solo.

Damage, healing, recovery—all crucial options for him.

And one title boosted them all at once. What a steal.

"Huh? Bro? Why the grin all of a sudden?"

Karen waved a hand in front of his face.

"Leave him be. He gets like this sometimes."

The moment they arrived in Novira, Han Somi spoke up.

"Seol oppa, got a place to stay yet?"

"Why ask about bro's lodgings?"

"'Cause it'd be nice to stay together..."

"Ohhh, your networking project thing!"

"Shh! Shut it, Jo Kyung-taek!"

"Bro, hear that? This is her true colors showing. Oh yeah, you were trash-talking the anonymous one at the end too, sis. Forgot?"

"...Oh, right."

Han Somi had a history of gleefully ripping into the anonymous ranker under the motto ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of "if I can't have it, no one can."

Without realizing the anonymous one was right there.

Kang Seol answered Han Somi's initial question.

"Lodging, you mean?"

"Yeah, lodging."

"Should be fine. I plan to leave Novira soon anyway."

"Huh? You're not staying here?"

"No. Any issue with that?"

"Oh, no, not that... Oppa, everything's great, but how about just one meal together...?"

"Yeah, bro. Even if you're leaving, let us treat you to a meal at least. We made it back safe thanks to you. It'll haunt us if we just let you go like this."

"Hmm..."

Kang Seol glanced at Karen.

Karen met his eyes, shrugged, and signaled it was okay.

"Alright then. Let's go now. Where to...?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"We'll pick! Hmm..."

A clean, welcoming restaurant.

The fine wood gave off a warm vibe mixed with the patrons' energy, no off-putting smells.

"So, you wiped them all out?"

"Yeah, every last one."

"Then why come back?"

"Eh... just felt like it?"

"Hahaha! 'Just felt like it' after that nightmare, and you return to Novira? Hilarious, just hilarious!"

Kang Seol was a bit surprised.

'Pretty lively. Wasn't like this when we left.'

Of course, the signs were there.

Novira was slowly regaining its vitality.

But this fast, back to its old self?

"Heading south...?"

"Yes."

"Audenin, maybe?"

"Probably?"

"Audenin... that's where that Park Chang-sik guy or whatever hangs out."

"Famous?"

"You've never been to Audenin?"

"No. Have you?"

"Nope?"

"Rumors, all rumors."

"How do you even hear these rumors?"

Kang Seol was more surprised that this fragile-looking girl knew so much.

The answer was simple enough.

"Transfer community. You know it?"

"Heard of it, but getting news from other bases seems tough."

"Not really, within the same country. You only use the association community?"

"Yeah."

"Kyahaha! Hear that, Kyung-taek? Turns out he's surprisingly pure."

"Bro... mind blown."

Jo Kyung-taek stared at Kang Seol like his idol had crumbled.

Shin Mun-ho cleared his throat and offered some wisdom.

"Ahem... Friends can exchange messages via the association, right? That's where info flows."

"Oh, that."

Kang Seol knew the friend system existed.

But he'd never bothered with it.

Too focused on getting stronger, he'd dismissed little systems like that as trivial.

"You can send letters to friends through the association. Info gets swapped there."

"I see."

Kang Seol rarely considered anyone a friend.

His mindset was unique, and since coming here, he hadn't mingled much with other transfers.

If anything, he was closer to his summons than them.

"It's way more convenient than you'd think. I still chat with a guy I met early on. He's gone even further south than Audenin, sends updates during rests. I fill him in on here."

"Hmm..."

"So, here's the thing..."

Han Somi's eyes darted slyly.

Chi... chi... fri...

"Can I add you as a friend, bro?"

"Hey! No cutting in line! And saying it like that makes it sound..."

"Sure."

"Nice!"

"...Huh?"

It wasn't a bad deal for Kang Seol.

He could gain intangible value—info—from them, and turn it into tangible gains.

As long as they didn't ask for useless favors.

He started to lay out terms.

"But..."

Han Somi jumped in frantically.

"No need to help or anything. Just... business? Yeah, business! Like passing on offers or small news. Oh, and hear about oppa too. Whaddya think?"

Kang Seol nodded.

No downside.

Han Somi bounced in her seat with joy.

"Oppa, I'll totally keep your identity secret."

"...Yeah? Well, I hate getting bothered."

His combat power had risen to a solid level now, so he could handle annoyances before they became problems.

Still, openly revealing himself felt off.

"I-I'll guard your identity for sure. That's the lone strongman's vibe, right? Read it in books tons."

"Is that so?"

"Feeling lonely?"

As Han Somi gazed at him with eyes full of "I get your loneliness," someone entered the restaurant.

Creeeak...

Thud... thud...

"There you are."

A familiar voice.

Murmurs rippled around, suggesting she wasn't ordinary.

Kang Seol greeted her as if it were natural.

"Yumi."

Jo Kyung-taek whispered to Han Somi.

"Whoa... it's Yumi."

"Back from Yog'natun, I guess."

"First time seeing her in person, but... scar over her eye?"

"Real deal's meh, right? Sis is better."

"She's got presence... No joke. Score's sky-high too."

"...Hey, we're friends with that anonymous guy now."

"Bet Yumi'd friend him too."

"Nah, look—pure business!"

Kang Seol shot a glance at Han Somi's group. She and Jo Kyung-taek nodded frantically, waving him off to go.

Scraaaape...

Kang Seol followed Yumi out.

Her demeanor was utterly calm.

"Still business?"

"Not about us. Something else. Probably... your issue, Seol?"

"Something else?"

Her next words shook him deeply.

"Hamin's gone."