Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Preparations Before Entering the Event
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"Oppa, what's that?"
A-reum asked, slurping on her ramen. The other girls looked equally curious about it.
"This is a Missing Persons' Forest Pass."
"Oh... that event they updated?"
"Yeah, exactly."
I explained to them about the items I'd bought from the peddler that morning.
"Hmm..."
Merhere nodded with her eyes closed after I relayed the exact explanation I'd gotten about the Missing Persons' Forest from the peddler.
"As expected. I suppose I'll have to go."
"Hold on, Merhere unnie. What are you planning to do in the forest?"
Gang Hwa-young immediately challenged Merhere's declaration of intent to join the forest expedition.
"Well, since I'm the strongest, I'll help the master..."
"Wouldn't swinging that scythe around be tough in the forest?"
Eun-ji chimed in to dissuade Merhere from coming along.
"I don't necessarily need the scythe..."
"You're the strongest, unnie, so you should guard the mart while oppas away."
"Uh..."
Finally convinced by Ye-won-i's logic, Merhere nodded with a regretful expression. She seemed to agree that staying behind to protect the base while I was gone made sense for her.
"I was initially thinking of taking either Hee-sun noona or Ha-rin first. Since it's a forest, they seemed the most suitable."
"But now we have two tickets."
"Right. So Ha-rin and Hee-sun noona are mandatory, and so am I. That leaves one spot open."
We debated who should fill the remaining spot.
Eun-ji and Hwa-young, A-reum and A-ram, Ye-won-i and Merhere.
Among them, A-ram and Merhere were assigned to stay at the mart. Their weapons were too large, making combat tricky in the dense forest.
Plus, both A-ram and Merhere were exceptionally strong. I figured they'd lead the Dullahan and the rest of the Awakened in defending the hideout while we were gone. No telling what might happen during that week without us.
That meant Ye-won-i, who handled scouting with summons and rooting out threats, should stay too. If I took the Ebony Cockroach and Shadow Moth into the forest, she'd need to cover that role here.
So the remaining candidates were Hwa-young, A-reum, and Eun-ji.
Hwa-young could sniff out human blood scents like a pro, perfect for detecting other players in the forest. A-reum had top-tier one-on-one combat prowess. And Eun-ji could probably slip into shadows amid the dark woods and pick off enemies undetected.
"I'll just stay at the mart with unnie... I hate bugs so much... Ugh, gives me chills just thinking about it."
A-reum shuddered, rubbing her arms at the thought of forest bugs, and volunteered to stay with A-ram. She was out of the running automatically.
Now it was down to Eun-ji and Hwa-young, who exchanged smiles laced with rivalry. The air grew tense as their subtle power struggle began.
Hwa-young saw Eun-ji as a rival, and Eun-ji hated losing to her. Their age gap wasn't that big...
They were always vying for the seat to my right.
"Eun-ji unnie, why don't you yield?"
"Hehe... Hearing that just makes me want to go even more."
"Hold on. Let's both calm down and settle it with rock-paper-scissors."
This was the fairest way. Picking one outright might hurt the loser's feelings.
"Yes!"
Eun-ji jumped for joy after winning rock-paper-scissors.
"Alright. Then we'll split into teams: me and Hee-sun noona, Eun-ji and Ha-rin. That's how we'll go in."
I'd cover for the combat-weak Hee-sun noona, while Eun-ji and Ha-rin supported each other.
I'd already split the "Couple's Necklace" I'd bought from the peddler and handed half to Eun-ji and Ha-rin.
"If one of you wears this..."
The metal piece on the necklace floated up, trying to fly to its counterpart. It was like a super-strong magnet, drawn irresistibly to the other half.
"You can track the other's position like this. We'll get separated into pairs upon entering the forest, so use the necklace to rendezvous as fast as possible."
"Got it. Ha-rin, you wear this one."
"Okay, unnie!"
"I'll keep the other half."
Now Ha-rin and I could sense each other's direction.
"Next up, the other items..."
I distributed the rest of the peddler's goods.
"Take two bottles of Goddess's Tear for Eun-ji and Ha-rin's team. We'll leave one at the mart."
Merhere had hit level 16 and learned a healing skill. It wasn't as good as my Rising Flesh, but it could handle minor cuts or fractures. I also gave her the emerald ring that sped up mana recovery.
With her new healing skill, Merhere needed to be on standby for emergencies. Meanwhile, I took back the Archmage's Earrings from Hwang Su-min and equipped them myself. They gave me a 45% chance to cast skills without mana cost.
"Now, the Ghost Ward Talismans..."
We had five Ghost Ward Talismans.
'Missing Persons' Forest... The name alone sounds deadly. Ghosts or spirits are bound to pop up.'
They were essential against ghostly mental attacks.
I gave one each to Hee-sun noona and Eun-ji the day before entering, leaving three at the mart.
I'd discovered last night that I was immune to ghostly possession, and Ha-rin could detect and kill approaching ghosts before they got close, so she didn't need one.
Leaving three at the mart made sense—too many people for Possession Warrior Lee Hoon to cover alone. The talismans affected the wearer's vicinity, so the stay-behinds could huddle in three groups overnight: non-Awakened, Awakened, and my girls.
Plus, the peddler would swing by next week while we were lost in the forest, so we could restock. Talismans and Goddess's Tears were always in stock.
"Lee Hoon can eat any ghosts, so no big worries, but Ha Jin-seong said getting possessed is basically game over. It affects those around you too, so wear it well."
"Got it, master. Don't worry."
With reliable Merhere around, the girls could handle most things without me.
We took all ten Dawn Sevens. The mart had plenty of people and easy watch shifts, but we might not sleep for days in the forest.
"The large-capacity bag goes with Eun-ji's team. We have Hee-sun noona's inventory."
Hee-sun noona had chosen an inventory over zombie repellent or antidote as her first achievement reward. It let her pack five slots full of survival gear bags for the forest.
So Eun-ji and Ha-rin's team took the 1-ton magic bag. If we didn't meet on teleport day, we'd each need to survive solo until rendezvous.
"Your team takes the ultra-high-performance purifier too. We'll handle the scent remover."
With Hee-sun noona, our team had no water worries, but theirs might run dry, so they got the purifier.
For scent remover, Eun-ji could stealth and Ha-rin detect enemies early to avoid them, but Hee-sun noona and I couldn't, so our team took it.
No need for unnecessary fights. Our goal: raid the shrine fast and escape via the exit.
"In exchange, you take the bug repellent..."
I took the beast-taming rope.
No telling what lurked in the Missing Persons' Forest, but judging by the peddler's recommendations, bugs and beasts were definite. I'd capture any healthy-looking beasts with the rope.
We packed the rest of the survival essentials for the forest.
"Oh, and if the peddler shows before we return, can you buy some stuff?"
"All six?"
"Yeah, all six plus the staples. A-ram, hold out your wrist."
"Huh? Why my wrist?"
I pressed my wrist to hers like Cheshire had taught me in the black market, transferring coins mentally. They flowed to A-ram.
"Whoa..."
"Gave you about 60,000 coins—should cover his whole stall."
"Got it. I'll buy everything."
A-ram was thrilled to trade coins directly, passing them back and forth with the others in amazement.
'Now just waiting for the weapons and jewelry merchants. Gotta hit the black market again Friday night.'
Black market for essentials, maybe a decent slave, and check the druggist for birth control.
'Gotta thank Cheshire too...'
She'd tried her best to get me and Merhere out, even if we didn't escape right away. I'd summon her as guide and say thanks.
"Oh, and this too. Leaving it here."
"This is..."
I handed Totsmir's Blunderbuss to Merhere.
"Use it if a Ghost Gate appears or a Field Boss spawns. Test-fire first; if it doesn't work, blast away. Should one-shot most things."
Among those staying, Merhere had the highest strength, so she'd handle it best. Weaker ones like Ye-won-i or A-reum might get flung to death.
'I'll take the Full Metal Jacket... Hmm, what about this?'
I thought of Sesha's Serum, reward from the molting achievement. Remembering to warn before eating, I explained it to the girls.
"Become a true naga lord...? Sounds like turning into a snake, right?"
"Exactly. That's why I haven't used it."
"Hmm... Good call. Looks too risky."
No one seemed keen. I skipped Sesha's Serum again. No clue what a naga lord was—no way I'd risk it blindly.
"Shall we patrol the neighborhood?"
"Yes!"
"Sounds good!"
In this ruined world, patrols were practically dates. Everyone perked up—no wonder, cooped up in the dreary mart all day was tough.
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Time passed once more.
In the meantime, Ha Jin-seong and the Awakened slaves hauled empty water tanks from nearby buildings to the rooftop. For the mart's people to use while Hee-sun noona and I were in the forest.
Her two summoned undines had to fill them non-stop, 24/7.
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More time flew by, and Friday finally arrived.
We'd fended off one skeleton soldier raid and taken in a few more refugees fleeing to the mart. Slave numbers were swelling alarmingly.
More mouths meant food shortages loomed. Even rationing, the mart's stock might last less than six months.
'To survive long-term, we need to head to the outskirts and farm...'
Population growth was inevitable. Could use folks with farming knowledge, doctors, pharmacists.
As I pondered, Ha Jin-woo approached.
"Hey, hyungnim."
"Yeah? What?"
"Someone's here on the first floor."
"Who?"
"Yeah. But from her look and speech... seems like one of those peddlers."
"Ah."
Here we go.
Showing up on the first floor meant an NPC. Peddler had come already this week—probably weapons or jewelry merchant.
I headed straight down.
There stood a woman in a gothic black dress, arms crossed, scanning the area. She looked like a stunning 'doll.' Skin whiter than vampire Hwa-young's, purple eyes on both sides, utterly expressionless.
"Pleased to meet you. Are you... the jewelry merchant?"
"Yes. And you're a servant of the evil god?"
"Uh... yes."
"All these humans your slaves?"
"Yes..."
What? NPC who hates slaves?
Previous ones hadn't batted an eye, so I'd ignored it...
"Hmm. Guess you're the only one who can buy from me."
"Yes... for now."
Not slaves— just no other customers on the first floor.
"Got a room with a table and chairs? Or should I lay gems on the floor?"
"Ah, one sec. Hey! Bring two chairs!"
I quickly led the displeased, arms-crossed merchant to the first-floor checkout counter and sat her down.
If the peddler was a laid-back uncle, she was a picky missy.
Her speech and manner were a bit rude, but attacking merchant NPCs brought backlash I couldn't handle. I'd accommodate her—for now. No outrageous demands yet.
"Heard about you from the peddler. Big spender, huh."
"Yeah. Lots of slaves means steady coin flow."
"Nice. I like rich humans. Coin's always key. Remember that."
Money-grubbing type, as expected.
"I've got three items. Buy all, some, or none. If you're not interested, say so outright."
"Uh... doesn't that mean you can't leave?"
"I'm not like the peddlers. I come and go as I please—no bosses breathing down my neck. But buying one would be nice."
"Yes..."
Up close, she wasn't breathing. Definitely not human. Doll-like... but I didn't ask. Might offend and tank affinity.
Trading with the peddler taught me: max affinity always.
He'd hooked me up big-time just hearing about the forest.
The jewelry merchant pulled a leather sheet etched with magical runes from her bosom, laid it on the counter, removed her black glove, and snapped her fingers.
Her finger joints were mechanical, like a doll's.
*Snap!*
Three accessories floated above the leather: a ring with blood-red gem, a sky-blue necklace, an opal-like bracelet.
⚙ ITEM INFO ⚙
Firenze Bloodstone Ring: The more blood your enemy spills, the more your wounds heal. Gradually induces thirst...
[Warning: Prolonged use may change your race.]
[Price: 38,000C]
⚙ ITEM INFO ⚙
Sky Necklace: Increases wearer's Magic stat by 100. Reduces Strength, Agility, and Stamina by 30 each.
[Warning: Stat gains from accessories don't count toward achievements.]
[Price: 45,000C]
⚙ ITEM INFO ⚙
Overload Bracelet: Sacrifice lifespan to boost physical abilities. Effect accelerates aging.
[Warning: With little lifespan left, activation causes instant death.]
[Price: 22,000C]
All tempting, but each had issues.
'Pricey... but worth it. No need to buy all.'
Even one would boost affinity.
'Skip the Overload Bracelet—no point trading lifespan for stats. Firenze Ring's a buy. Race change to vampire, probably. But Hwa-young proved slaves can suppress blood urges somewhat. Might even be good—could engrave slave marks post-change...'
Sky Necklace traded physical stats for magic boost—perfect for mages like Hwang Su-min.
'But burning this many coins...'
Two would cost 83,000. Black market soon—too much?
'Field Boss netted over 100k...'
I bit the bullet and bought two.
"For real? Wow, big wallet. Skipping the bracelet?"
"Yes. Don't need it."
"Good deal. Dictatorships are easier sales. See you next time. Survive well, customer."
"Thank you."
She nodded satisfied, vanishing in light. Expression never changed.
'Living doll, huh...'
Pygmalion types would love her. Gorgeous.
I pocketed the accessories and headed back to the roof.
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