Claiming the Overdue Rewards
"Hmm..." Three options, similar yet entirely distinct. I have to choose one from among them.
'First... the purpose of the mansion...'
If I remove the source that spawns monsters for all three rewards, I can use the mansion literally like a pocket-dimension villa. I walked around it last time, and it was quite large and complex; it was big enough to accommodate a hundred people with ease.
'If I really intend to use the mansion as a mansion... choosing the Mad Master's Eye is the right call.'
If I choose the Mad Master's Eye and receive the mansion from the era when the dolls were roaming about, the mansion's condition is at its best. Furthermore, by deploying the jeweler, Hellus, and the engineer Jung Ji-yeon, I might be able to repair the broken doll-production devices. If that happens, I could churn out an infinite number of dolls that follow my orders and use them as my personal army. Although they aren't living, sentient beings, so I can't brand them with a Soul Stigma, they would still obey my commands if I make them recognize me as their master. Of course, that's just a hypothesis...
If things don't go as well as I expect, the broken dolls will be useless, and I'll have no choice but to clear them all out and use it strictly as a villa.
'Hmm...'
If I obtain the Truth-Seeking Guest's Tongue, I can possess the mansion from the era when the cannibals occupied it. It was incredibly filthy, covered in blood everywhere, and the air was foul. However, since mutant beasts would continue to mate and be born there, I wouldn't have to worry about food. It would also be easy to raise Black Beetles.
'If you put it that way... wouldn't the Nest of the Alien be better...'
The Aliens could also be fed to the Black Beetles, and since they are intelligent, I might be able to brand them and turn them into slaves. However, the mansion from the era when the Aliens took hold was almost completely destroyed, so it's safe to say it has almost no functionality as a mansion.
All three had clear pros and cons. An era with a pristine mansion but dolls that might not be usable. An era where the mansion's condition is a bit poor, but food is abundant. An era where the mansion is smashed to pieces, but Aliens that can be used as slaves emerge.
'It's a difference between using the mansion as a villa... a food warehouse... or a slave-training camp...'
After pondering for a while, I eventually decided to take the Mad Master's Eye. If I can use the mansion as a mansion and fix the doll-production devices, I'll be gaining a new type of military unit. Non-organic dolls would have distinct advantages of their own... If I deploy Hellus, Aila, and Jung Ji-yeon, I'll definitely be able to fix them.
"Ugh... damn it."
As I selected the reward, an eyeball fell from the air. I shoved the eyeball, which must have belonged to the master, into my side bag. Something sticky and slimy got on my hand, but I wiped it off on my clothes.
"Next."
This time, it's the reward for achieving the 'Dollmaker's Secret' achievement. It seems to be a reward achieved after facing the master of the Thrill Mansion and his dead daughter. If Meiling is still alive, isn't this a challenge achievement that she, who witnessed the master with me, also attained?
1. Dollmaker's Diary
2. Original's Experimental Records
3. Memory Sockets of Failed Experiments
Dollmaker's Diary: A diary left behind by the most brilliant dollmaker. Reading it allows you to change class to 'Doll Master'.
Original's Experimental Records: Experimental records left by the most brilliant dollmaker. Reading it allows you to change class to 'Marionette'.
Memory Sockets of Failed Experiments: Memory sockets of discarded failures. Acquiring them allows you to change class to 'Arcane Figure'.
"Oh, oh... what is this...?"
They were rewards for class advancement. I couldn't be sure exactly what kind of jobs these were, but roughly speaking, the first would be the master's diary, and the second would be the records left by the original entity of all jewelers. The last one would be what the master's failures left behind.
Trying to get a hint from the reward descriptions... 'Doll Master seems to be a dollmaker... Marionette is doll-manipulation? No, what is an Arcane Figure?'
I don't know. I could ask someone... 'I can just ask Aila...'
Come to think of it, Aila, who is a jeweler and a doll herself, is highly likely to know the true nature of these jobs. Of course, I can't ask her to come all the way here, so I'll ask her when I get out later.
'Next...!'
There are so many rewards to receive that I'm getting confused. Even so, I can't just skip them...
'The Black Market Rascal...'
This is likely an achievement attained as a result of breaking a large number of rules that must be strictly followed in the Black Market. Perhaps it's an achievement that can only be attained by a survivor who has been to both the surface and underground floors of the Black Market.
1. Black Market Discount Card
2. Black Market Shop Deed
3. Vigilante Medal of Honor
"What is this again..."
Black Market Discount Card: Items purchased in the Black Market are half price. Can only be used for one item per merchant. Don't get scammed.
Black Market Shop Deed: Allows you to set up a shop in the Black Market's central plaza. You can sell any items you possess. Work hard to scam others.
Vigilante Medal of Honor: An honorary medal that grants you the status of a Black Market vigilante. Possessing it grants you immunity. Catch and kill the troublemakers.
"Wow, damn..."
As expected, rules are meant to be broken. I almost died several times, but... I think this is worth it.
'What should I choose...'
If I choose the discount card, I can buy one expensive item at half price. This is a good way to save points permanently.
'The shop deed is also good...'
This is literally an item that allows for Black Market management simulation. I can do business targeting the demi-humans wandering the Black Market. For instance, I could sell potions made by Hellus, or even boil zombie heads and sell them as 'Zombie Head Soup,' claiming it's popular on Earth; I bet it would sell well. Since I even have the favor of the Manma-jeon... I might be a huge hit just by standing there...
The immunity allows me to kill annoying demi-humans without any sanctions, but the first two are so good that it didn't really catch my eye. Furthermore, if Cheshire, who already has immunity, is by my side, it becomes useless...
'This is it... the Black Market Shop Deed is the answer...'
Getting a discount is nice, but... scamming demi-humans and selling them things is also good. Having wandered the Black Market several times, I've seen that demi-humans value performance more than taste, so if I just grasp their needs well, I think I'll succeed. Then I can collect points steadily, which is a long-term gain. Also, I don't need to do the business myself; I can just send in a slave. Sending a sturdy Slaughter Beast as the shopkeeper would be perfect...
When I selected the shop deed, a purple paper with golden letters fell. They say if I take this to the real estate office in the central plaza, I can be introduced to a shop.
"Good..."
There are still nine left. I need to put in more effort. This time, it's 'The One Who Tamed Sin'. This, no matter how I look at it, seems to have been attained by making the Slaughter Beast my slave.
1. Camouflage Pouch
2. Curse-Blocking Lump
3. Mimicry Skin
Camouflage Pouch: You can store a total of 3 items in the camouflage pouch. They must be small enough to swallow directly. If there are no items in the pouch, you will feel extreme hunger.
Curse-Blocking Lump: A large lump on your chin. It absorbs poisons, curses, or diseases that negatively affect the owner and neutralizes them. If the lump swells too much, it may burst.
Mimicry Skin: You can steal the skin of a target you've killed and mimic them. When mimicking, even your voice changes. If you do not mimic, scales will form on your skin, and you will feel significant itching.
All three are grotesque rewards. They aren't even items that appear when selected; the moment I receive the reward, my body changes... it's a kind of curse and blessing.
'The Curse-Blocking Lump is too grotesque and cumbersome... Mimicry Skin is also bad because of the scales and itching...'
The effects are all outstanding, but given that penalties are imposed on the user, the Camouflage Pouch was the best of the bunch. Since I can put 3 items in it, it's like gaining a kind of inventory.
"Camouflage Pouch..."
-Gurgle...
At the same time as the selection... I felt extreme hunger. I have to put something in the camouflage pouch right now.
'Something I can put in...'
An item small enough to swallow directly with my mouth...
'The master's eye...'
It can't be helped. I have to swallow something right now. I swallowed the Black Market key and the miscellaneous items I always carried with me.
-Gulp...
"*Burp*... damn it."
Once something settled inside, the hunger disappeared. It was disgusting to swallow the eyeball, but... it couldn't be helped.
"Damn it..."
I wiped the slime off my mouth and selected the next reward. The next one was the reward for the 'Paimon's Enemy' achievement. It must have been attained after killing Paimon's subordinates.
1. Soul-Betting Challenge Letter
2. Demon King's Invitation
3. Demon Promotion Exam Paper
Soul-Betting Challenge Letter: Send a challenge letter to the demon of your choice. If the demon refuses the challenge, you can use them as a familiar. If the challenge is accepted, you will engage in a 1-on-1 duel with your soul on the line.
Demon King's Invitation: An invitation to go to Demon King Paimon's territory. A total of three people can enter. You can have a serious interview with Paimon. You gain the right to form a contract.
Demon Promotion Exam Paper: You can officially become a demon. Selecting the exam paper allows you to change class to 'High Demon'. Your sense of guilt and conscience will be castrated. You will become hostile to all factions.
"Invitation."
Paimon, you son of a bitch. I'm going to kill you. Of course, Indikron said she would track Paimon, but I can't just wait around. She's an Evil God who's always busy, after all. Moreover, since three people can enter the mansion, I won't be going alone just to get beaten up. I'll pick two of my strongest assets and cut off Paimon's head. For example, someone like Sataniel, who is working hard...
And since he's the King of Demons in name, I'm sure a new achievement will be attained once I cut off Paimon's head. The challenge letter or the promotion exam paper weren't even worth considering. It was obvious that if I brought a challenge letter and asked for a 1-on-1 fight, he would pull all sorts of dirty tricks, and I didn't feel the need to become a demon through the promotion exam paper. I didn't need to turn any of my slaves into demons, either.
"Next."
This achievement was 'Guide Usurper', for finding Cheshire's soul fragments in the Black Market underground floor. Since I took away Cheshire, who was a kind of Black Market-exclusive NPC, it's definitely an achievement.
1. Poacher's Snare
2. Drug Dealer's Syringe
3. Slave Trader's Chain
Poacher's Snare: Returning it to the Poacher allows you to go to Sieg's Hunting Ground.
Drug Dealer's Syringe: Returning it to the Drug Dealer allows you to go to Franken's Laboratory.
Slave Trader's Chain: Returning it to the Slave Trader allows you to go to Enkidu's Sealing Ground.
"Ha..."
These all seem to be legendary heroes... I was lost in thought for a long time until the Saintess arrived. If I play my cards right, I might be able to obtain the ultimate force to kill Paimon.