Chapter 7
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 7. Motivation
"Wait, but why 3?"
"Hmm..."
This class is somewhat like an onion.
The more I peel it, the more things keep coming out.
I stored the new information in my head and picked up the potion I made.
Orange liquid contained in a transparent glass bottle.
It was dimensionally different from the existing dark red, sticky, sh*t-water-like visuals.
—Pop!
When I pulled out the potion stopper, it opened with a refreshing sound.
A subtle orange scent captivated my nose.
First, smell pass.
[Sweet Healing Potion]
Grade: Normal
A potion created by the Maker SW, who is still a simpleton but possesses high potential, with his lacking ability. It was made by heating Troll's blood to remove impurities and mixing in Dreamflower and apple juice. Although not perfectly refined and showing some sediment, it is characterized by having a sweet taste instead of a disgusting one.
HP Recovery: +100
*Pain Suppression
*Orange Flavor
Usage Conditions: Level 1 or higher.
Effect pass.
Considering existing potions have a recovery amount of 50, it was a respectable figure.
Time to taste the most important part.
I poured it into my mouth without hesitation.
"Wak!"
This is really a potion?
The moment it touched the tip of my tongue, a bursting freshness dominated my mouth.
The nauseating taste was nowhere to be found, and the concentrated sweetness of fruit wrapped around my tongue.
When it went down my throat, it was smooth without catching on anything, as if I had drunk a cool sports drink.
"I could sell this as a beverage instead of a potion?"
Speaking of beverages, I thought of something.
"Guide, by any chance, are other flavors possible too?"
I raised my finger and said.
"Okay, proceed."
Result of making potions for roughly 12 hours.
To admit it honestly, I have no talent for Alchemy.
For Blacksmithing, I got the hang of it to some extent by brute-forcing it.
But this Alchemy guy was a bit different.
"Does it make sense to explode with a 0.01g difference?"
It required delicacy that didn't allow an error of 0.01g and high intelligence.
I am a bit on the impatient side.
It is absolutely not because my intelligence is low.
It's not.
It was a little sad to have to miss the money-copying event like this, but don't I have Blacksmithing that earned me 80 million won!
"I'm too tired for now... I should sleep a bit and come back to make more or something."
"Huh?"
Feeling a strange dissonance, I turned on my phone and checked the time.
3:12 PM
If my memory is correct, I definitely entered the workshop at 3 o'clock sharp.
And I made potions in the workshop for about 12 hours.
But the sun is still high in the sky.
It was like this last time too.
Back then, I just passed it over thinking I was mistaken because I got hit by the Unique 'Ddu-dda' Beam and my mind was fuzzy.
"Time moves differently...?"
Just in case, I tested it.
1 hour elapsed.
Checking the time immediately again.
3:13 PM.
"Ay... Surely it's just a coincidence."
The sample size was still insufficient.
1 hour elapsed.
3:14 PM.
1 hour elapsed.
3:15 PM.
1 hour elapsed.
3:16 PM.
"Phew..."
Okay, let's admit it at this point.
1 hour in the workshop is 1 minute in reality.
No, this crazy ability.
I'm using something like the Hyperbolic Time Chamber as a workshop?
Indeed, an onion-like class.
I listed the crafted potions on the Exchange.
Since existing potions are trading at 1,000 won, I cast Kim Si-woo Style 1 Price Gouging.
You guys endured 5 times last time, right?
This time it's 10 times, you punks.
However, the price-gouged potions sold out immediately.
"...What?"
In a daze, I entered the gallery.
[Title: Hey SW new product uploaded!!! But it's potions lolol]
[Author: Head-broken-SW (Fanboy)]
(Potion Screenshot)
Crazy lolol Wasn't this person a Blacksmith?
Suddenly potions?
But look at the options.
'Pain Relief' and 'Taste Improvement'?
It even says Cola flavor lolol
Price was 10,000 won, bought one thinking I'm getting scammed.
[Title: Is SW potion for real? Revealing review of buying Cola flavor]
[Author: Head-broken-SW (Fanboy)]
Wow... Crazy.
I just got stabbed in the arm while hunting and drank it, you know?
The pain disappeared as soon as I drank it.
And first off, the recovery amount is higher than existing ones so it's comfortable to fill HP.
And this is the most important thing.
It's tasty.
It's fuuuuuucking tasty. It's just tastier than beverages sold in the market.
Sh*t I love you.
Conclusion: 10,000 won is a steal (Hyeja). Buy it right now. Buy it twice.
The gallery reaction was very good.
To think it would easily overcome my 10x price gouging.
I reflect on myself.
I underestimated you guys too much.
Next time, 100x marku...
"Huh?"
As posts related to taxes came up on the gallery, I naturally clicked on them.
[Title: Newbies Must Read. Organizing Association regulations since tax reporting period is soon]
[Author: TowerGPTA]
Since the quarter closing is approaching, tax question posts are overflowing in the gallery so I'll organize it for you.
Don't cry later and read it carefully.
Hunters registered with the Association must submit all 'Exchange' records quarterly.
This is all because of taxes, but the tax rate is murderous.
Online (Exchange) Transaction: Collects 44% of income.
Offline (Auction House) Transaction: Collects 22% of income.
As you can see, if you use the Exchange, they take almost half.
That's why high-level players prefer direct transactions even if it's annoying.
FAQ
Q: I didn't register with the Hunter Association? What are you gonna do? What can you guys do? Sue me lol
A: Yeah I'll sue you (cut your belly).
If you get caught trading secretly without registering with the Association?
Claim 20 times the income as a penalty.
Don't ignore the Association's information power.
They know even if you bought a pack of gum somewhere.
Do it if you are confident you won't get caught.
Recommended if you want to live life in Hard Mode.
3 Line Summary.
Exchange Tax 44% (Daylight Robbery)
Offline 22% (At least decent)
If caught doing it secretly, 20 times (Life Logout)
"They collect taxes??!"
Wait a minute, then my 80 million won...?
If I get caught now... 1... 1.6 billion??!
Should I register as a Hunter even now...?
I shook my head.
Go to register at a timing when it's already noisy because of the equipment and potions I made?
Nine out of ten, something tiresome will definitely happen.
With the power of those with high noses.
With the force of High Rankers.
They probably won't leave me alone.
"Ha... What do I do..."
Is a life of easy pickings truly not an easy path?
No, thinking about the days before awakening, this level is cute.
I thought while rubbing my dry face.
Wait a minute, in the end, don't these worries and problems stem from me being weak?
Looking at the massive Tower visible beyond the window, I muttered.
"...Is climbing the Tower the answer?"
If I just reach High Ranker level, the government, Association, and other Awakened will crawl on their bellies.
Are you asking if I think High Ranker is someone's dog's name (easy)?
Of course, High Ranker won't be easy.
But I thought about when I easily surpassed the World No. 1 score on the Tower's 1st Floor before.
"It doesn't look difficult either."
I intended to park moderately, but I don't think I can do that.
Just when I was trying to gather information about the 2nd Floor, a vibration rang from my stomach.
—Grumble
Come to think of it, I hadn't eaten anything because I was making potions.
Even Diamond Mountain is post-meal sightseeing (food comes first), so shall I eat first and think?
"Hmm..."
Do you know what the biggest worry for modern people is?
Choosing the lunch/dinner menu.
"Should I write a post on the gallery asking for dinner recommendations?"
Forget it... It's better not to write posts on the gallery if possible.
So what do I eat?
Then my gaze fell on the T-shirt with a cow drawn on it.
Beef?
Before, my hands trembled even when eating pork belly.
Who am I?
80 million owner Kim Si-woo.
Two-plus Hanwoo (Korean Beef), come here!
I went out and bought it quickly.
In my hand was top-grade Hanwoo.
The cut is Salchisal (Chuck Flap Tail).
Grade is Two-Plus (1++).
As soon as I tore open the packaging, admiration came out naturally.
White fat had settled like snowflakes on the bright red lean meat.
"Wow... Look at the marbling..."
I placed the meat on the heated frying pan.
—Sizzle!!
Along with the pleasant sound, a savory smell occupied the room in an instant.
The Maillard reaction occurring as the meat surface turned brown captivated both sight and smell simultaneously.
I waited with patience.
Perhaps because I gained some sense while crafting, I instinctively knew when to flip it.
When juices started to form beads on the top surface.
I flipped it exactly once with tongs.
—Sizzle!
Unlike the crisply cooked outer surface, the inside still held moist pinkness.
The fat melted and wrapped the entire meat in a glossy coating.
Perfectly.
Evenly.
I carefully moved the grilled Salchisal to a plate.
I picked up a well-cooked piece and dipped it lightly in salt only.
The moment I put it in my mouth.
There was no need to chew.
As soon as it touched my tongue, the meat disappeared like melting snow.
The fat I thought would be greasy gently wrapped around my tongue, showing the extreme of savory flavor, and the rich meat scent wrapped around my entire mouth.
"Wow... Sh*t...!!! You guys lived eating things like this?!!"
I felt like I had lost half my life.
The thought that I had to earn more money arose.
It was the moment I firmly vowed inside that to do that, I must become stronger.
"Tower, you're dead!!!!"