I Think I Messed Up Grandma (2)
I Think I Messed Up Grandma (2)
-Gumi Miho: What the fuck is that.
-Talisman-selling Girl: Unni, you broke character.
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: This is worth breaking character for, yeah.
-Spiritual Master: Wait, that thing isn't supposed to be killable, right..? Was that Monster Bird supposed to die from a single talisman?
-Jack the Ripper: Am I seeing this right? I don't think even my dual pistols could handle that?
-Vatican: OMG
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: All the lurkers are coming out because of this monster newbie lol.
I watched the chat window, which was a crucible of chaos.
Even in their eyes, the effect of the talisman just now seemed nonsensical.
"Then, shall we just escape for now?"
-Spiritual Master: No, you absolutely must loot first.
"Looting...!"
-Spiritual Master: For giant anomalies like that, you should be able to loot by putting your hand into the glowing spot.
I immediately went out to the road and approached the giant Monster Bird.
Its beak was as huge as my height.
'At this rate, I could be swallowed in one bite.'
As I got closer, I saw light flowing from its head area.
When I put my hand inside, a looting window popped up.
[ Monster Bird's Eye ]
[ Thorny Monster Bird Heart ]
[ Pitch-black Feather Pile ]
I grabbed everything immediately and headed to the convenience store.
I threw myself into the place where green smoke was rising.
"Phew..."
Since I had no more talismans, if another Monster Bird appeared, I would be a dead man.
[ The broadcast has ended due to escape. ]
At the status window's message, I realized the scenery around me had changed.
It was a familiar ceiling.
"It's my house...?"
It was my humble, small studio apartment.
Despite moving around so much, I didn't feel any pain in my body. On the contrary, I felt refreshed.
"It was a dream...?"
That makes no sense.
There's no way that realistic experience was a dream.
The sensation of the bastard called the Suicide Ghost grabbing my neck remained vivid.
Ding—!
As expected, a blue window appeared with a familiar notification sound.
[ Escape Results ]
EXP: 56240XP
Items: Monster Bird's Eye, Thorny Monster Bird Heart, Pitch-black Feather Pile, Torn and dirty clothes
-Spiritual Master: Now that the escape results are out, please upload them to the gallery.
I immediately took a picture of the results and uploaded it.
Title) Tutorial escape results.
'Occult Newbie'
(Escape result photo)
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: Legend, legend... 50,000 EXP?
ㄴTalisman-selling Girl: That's basically the same as catching a boss, right? Tsk.
ㄴGumi Miho: I think I got like 1,020 EXP during the tutorial... You'll be able to use the flea market right away.
With the gallery window still floating, I realized the reality.
'This is real...'
-Spiritual Master: First of all, good work. Check the gallery's 'Must-Read' tab and learn about the Spiritual World.
-Occult Newbie: Thank you.
I sent a reply and collapsed onto the bed.
Grumble...
My stomach clock rang.
I opened the shelf to boil a pack of ramen.
Crack.
The shelf door was ripped right off.
"Ah..."
Title) About the Spiritual World. (For newbies)
'Fire Fist'
Hi, I'm Fire Fist.
Today, I'm going to look into the Spiritual World for newbies.
What is the Spiritual World? It's a world where ghosts, yokai, anomalies, and what we commonly call monsters exist.
We Occultists enter the Spiritual World at regular intervals to perform exorcisms and farm good items to bring out.
Why were you dragged into the Spiritual World? Don't know? Only the chosen ones can go, right?
Oh, for your reference, the raid time is one hour, and if you exceed it, you'll be automatically processed as dead, so be careful.
Basically, if you die in the Spiritual World, you lose all the items you brought and your level drops, but keep in mind that if your level is 1 or below, you die in reality too.
Just in case there are newbies thinking, 'So it's okay to die?', let me tell you that the more you die, the more your sanity is whittled away.
If you die multiple times, you can literally become a vegetable with a perfectly fine body.
Some people describe it as having your soul stolen. So don't think it's okay to die just because your level went up a bit.
If you die repeatedly, you won't be able to distinguish between reality and the Spiritual World. This is from my own experience.
Levels are similar to a game system; your stats increase overall, but you have to develop your spiritual abilities yourself.
Below are the escape routes and farming points for each map.
(Map with various points marked)
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: Fire Punch! Fire Punch! Fire Punch!
ㄴJack the Ripper: Hi!! Fire Fist, I've liked you since the moment I first saw you, I wanted to confess before the raid, but like a fool, I didn't have the courage back then, now in front of all these people, I want to say that I only love you, so I'm gathering my courage...
ㄴSpiritual Master: Wow, these are real honey tips. Straight into the Must-Read tab.
While reading the gallery, I put ramen in my mouth and savored it.
A ray of light for a poor student living alone, and a god-tier food that is delicious whenever you eat it.
If you have ramen and a single egg, it was a feast that would break the table legs.
'So, the Spiritual World is a world full of ghost-like bastards. Occultists farm items and perform exorcisms there to gain EXP and escape.'
At the neat three-line summary, I found myself nodding.
"Status window."
[ Occult Newbie ]
Level: 24
Skill: Anomaly Bloodline.
Title: Monster Bird Slayer
Special Equipment: None
"I think I got Monster Bird Slayer from killing that thing... but what is that?"
Anomaly Bloodline written in the skill.
I have no idea what it's talking about.
"Anomaly Bloodline? I'm a human, though? Isn't that the 'anomaly' from 'anomalous'?"
I pressed the skill with my hand.
Anomaly Bloodline.
-It is ■■■■.
-Can ■■ the swallowed ■■ and ■■■■.
"Well, there's no proper explanation."
I ignored the skill and focused on the level in the status window.
Since I was originally level 1, it made sense that my strength had become significantly stronger now.
I wonder how strong I'll get when I go over level 100 later.
Next is the inventory.
[ Monster Bird's Eye ]
The eye of the giant Monster Bird that used to see spiritual beings.
The Monster Bird was looking into things other than spiritual ones.
[ Thorny Monster Bird Heart ]
It has thorns so that the heart cannot be easily ripped out.
The vigorously beating heart is truly the source of life.
[ Pitch-black Feather Pile ]
Feathers like a shield that no blade or spell can easily penetrate.
It is said that in the past, a certain Occultist targeted only Monster Birds to make clothes. That clothing became armor that could deflect any spell.
Every single description was amazing.
But what exactly is the value of these items?
'Come to think of it, I think there was something called a flea market.'
That point came to mind, so I accessed the gallery again.
The flea market was no different from what I knew.
-Commoner-grade Sealing Talisman X35 (10,000) 'per piece'
-Middle-class-grade Protective Suit X1 (250,000)
-Noble-grade Talisman X10 (500,000) 'per piece'
It was a place where gallery users could buy and sell items.
Those grades seemed to mean the social classes of the Joseon Dynasty.
"In order of highest, it's Noble, Middle-class, Commoner, Low-born. I wonder how much my items are worth?"
They were items obtained by catching a tutorial area boss that you couldn't even kill at first glance.
I was about to ask out of curiosity, but a post had come up.
Title) Monster Bird items are up on the flea market!
'Talisman-selling Girl'
Did you think so?
You fell for it.
It's a celebration for escaping the Back Alley safely! Go look at some Ghost-kass.
(Image of naked old people without eyes running towards you)
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: Looking at Ghost-kass right after escaping! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!
ㄴGumi Miho: I'll give this Ghost-kass a score of 2 points.
ㄴJack the Ripper: As expected, the cold evaluation is Gumi-standard.
ㄴMonk No. 24: Amitabha, might I ask where the address is.
ㄴTalisman-selling Girl: Gasp;; (Image of a ghost looking around nervously)
ㄴSpiritual Master: Aaaargh, it's a tactical nuke! But you survived even after meeting Red Mask?
"Aaaargh... why me too..."
The sight of naked, skinny old people with sagging skin, who seemed to be a type of minor ghost, running towards me was truly a nightmare.
I, who had been hit by the tactical nuke, clutched my eyes.
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: But how much are Monster Bird items worth?
ㄴTalisman-selling Girl: Maybe... around 10,000,000 Spiritual Rubles? Has anyone actually caught a Monster Bird in the tutorial?
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: Would there be such a person? Only the Admin catches bosses lol.
ㄴTalisman-selling Girl: Hahahaha, that's true.
Spiritual Rubles seemed to be the money in the Spiritual World.
At the mention that I was the only one who had them, I searched the flea market, but there were no Monster Bird items.
"Then is this really the only one?"
I was looking at the Monster Bird items in my inventory when another post came up.
Title) Occult Newbie, look at this.
'Talisman-selling Girl'
If you obediently hand over the Monster Bird's Eye, I will make you special equipment.
(Image of a ghost threatening with a knife)
I'll threaten you with a knife until you trade with me.
ㄴOccult Newbie: For free?
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: Bu-pal-i? No way lol.
ㄴTalisman-selling Girl: If you give me the feather pile, I'll make you special equipment.
ㄴGumi Miho: Bu-pal-i is trustworthy. Since entrusting equipment is done through a contract anyway. You won't be losing out.
Since everyone said so, I initiated a trade with Talisman-selling Girl.
'You're not scamming me, right?'
Just in case, I looked it up, and it's said that 'Talisman-selling Girl,' or Bu-pal-i for short, is someone who has maxed out her crafting ability.
-Talisman-selling Girl: Oh, you're here.
-Occult Newbie: Should I upload this and request a trade?
-Talisman-selling Girl: Just write 'Special weapon crafting' in the requirements section next to it. Wait, before that.
Bu-pal-i suddenly started a speech.
-Talisman-selling Girl: You have no idea what the value of the item you got is, right?
"Wow... how did she know?"
I got goosebumps for a moment.
-Talisman-selling Girl: Hmm... in game terms, it's an item that can create a super-duper legendary grade equipment that only exists once per server.
For example, in the case of the 'Talisman Pocket' I use, I can put thirty of any talisman in it.
And I can pull out the talisman I want. Items that can create equipment with special effects like this are boss items.
"Ooh..."
It makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
-Talisman-selling Girl: Usually, items from bosses that come from the head, arms, or legs are used as special weapons, and the torso or organs are made into curse-breaking potions.
-Occult Newbie: But what happens if the requirements are violated?
-Talisman-selling Girl: Flea market private trading could be banned for a month, or gallery access could be banned. Most people end up bowing their heads at the former.
-Occult Newbie: I see.
When I pressed trade ready, a window popped up saying the trade was complete.
But for some reason, three Commoner-grade talismans were in my inventory.
-Occult Newbie: Wait a second. These talismans are...
-Talisman-selling Girl: It's a service, a service. I think you'll become my regular customer. Private trading is also cheaper in fees than uploading to the flea market.
By the way, newbie, can I ask you one thing?
-Occult Newbie: What is it?
-Talisman-selling Girl: By any chance, how many cm is your dick?
-Occult Newbie: Huh...??
[ 'Talisman-selling Girl' has been banned for 12 hours by the Admin. ]
Before my brain could keep up, a post went up on the gallery.
The tab was the 'Public Shaming' tab.
Title) Talisman-selling Girl 12-hour gallery usage restriction
'Spiritual Master'
Talisman-selling Girl sexually harassed the newbie, so I restricted her for 12 hours.
Yeah, Bu-pal-i is a crazy bitch.
Below is the evidence of the catch.
-Talisman-selling Girl: By the way, newbie, can I ask you one thing?
-Occult Newbie: What is it.
-Talisman-selling Girl: By any chance, how many cm is your dick?
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: Newbie, you got hit too?
ㄴMonk No. 24: She is a young woman with demons in her head. Amitabha...
ㄴJack the Ripper: In fact, there probably isn't a man here who hasn't been hit. I want to spray them with dual pistols.
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: So how many cm is it? I'm a guy, so let me know.
ㄴOccult Newbie: Oh;;
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: Hahaha, good reaction.
ㄴOccult Newbie: My Mudeungsan baobab tree can't be measured with a ruler;;
ㄴBack Mountain Mountain Spirit: ...???
ㄴMonk No. 24: Amitabha...
I am a 3rd-year resting youth.
If we're talking about real-life gallery experience, I might be higher.
'Trying to show off in front of an expert.'
It seemed like the Admin wouldn't ban you as long as you didn't mention it directly.
If they can even see private trade chat content, the Admin's authority might be quite high?
I laughed and lay down on the bed.
"Haa... nice..."
The fluffy mattress of the bed supported my waist. Even though it's a tiny, rat-shit-sized studio apartment, I bought a high-end bed.
"This is the life..."
Why I was dragged in.
Why it had to be me, those worries disappeared, and before I knew it, I was deeply immersed in the gallery.
I got up and headed to the bathroom.
My reflection in the mirror was unmistakably a resting youth. My beard wasn't shaved properly, so it was dark, and my hair was messy.
"Haa..."
Looking at it, I let out a sigh without realizing it.
"I don't even know if I'll earn money."
I washed up briefly and lay back on the bed. I used to play games in the past, but now I didn't feel like it.
I turned on my phone and went to YouTube, and I saw an ad that a famous actress was appearing in a new movie.
Actress Choi Su-a, she is a rising star who appeared a few years ago, appearing in many works and taking the position of the nation's little sister.
'She really is pretty.'
Her squirrel-like appearance, bright eyes, and cheeks that I wanted to pull on stimulated a man's protective instinct.
"How much does she earn..."
Since she's a national actress, wouldn't she earn almost tens of millions every time she appears?
"Ah... this fucking unfair world..."
Without realizing it, I entered the gallery again.
But there was a private message from the Admin.
-Spiritual Master: Newbie-nim, Newbie-nim. You said you didn't have spiritual power, right? Is that still the case?
-: Yes, I think that's still the case.
-Spiritual Master: Could you look out the window for a second?
At that, I looked out the window once.
"What... is that."
Ghosts visible here and there came into my view.
I realized it only now.
That my life as an ordinary person was completely over.
-: I can see ghosts now.
-Spiritual Master: Right.. lol. If you go into the Spiritual World and come out, your spiritual power automatically gets stronger. Then, since you've become an Occultist, would you like to take on an exorcism request that pays money?
Money..?!