Chapter 36
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The True Value of a Song
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Virtual Reality's Musical Genius
Chapter 36
Are you suggesting we sell my sheet music at an auction?
Just leave it to me. I will do my utmost to sell it at the best possible price. With trust and sincerity!
W-wait a moment.
Yuhyeon finally realized he had completely misunderstood the situation.
He shouldn't have been fussing over 10 or 15 gold in the first place.
Is my sheet music really that valuable?
What surprised him most was the idea that his sheet music could fetch any price it demanded.
Of course, he had some idea of how musically complete the piece was.
However, wasn't there a clear distinction between musically brilliant sheet music and sheet music that was outstanding in a game?
Hoh, judging by your expression, customer.
The middle-aged man said, studying Yuhyeon closely.
Then, drawing on his 40 years of experience as a merchant, he ventured a guess.
It seems the customer has no idea how incredible this sheet music is.
If that was the case, it was only right to kindly explain.
The man organized his thoughts and spoke slowly.
Theres no need to be surprised. Its because this sheet music is just that incredible.
He then began to add explanations to help Yuhyeon understand.
Im not sure if youre aware, but agriculture still has a profound impact on the economy. While various minerals have been discovered recently, leading to growth in fields like magitech, no staple food has been found to replace the grains that come from the earth.
The residents of Wonderland still made their living through agriculture.
Grains not only feed the common folk but also the nobles and even the emperor. They are a common yet indispensable resource. The efforts each nation pours into the years farming follow the same logic.
The middle-aged man spoke with emphasis.
Farming is the strength of a nation. The commoners must live for the nobles to live, and only when the two are in balance can the nation ultimately prosper.
If that was the importance of agriculture, it was now time to explain specifically what made Yuhyeons sheet music so remarkable.
Most of the sheet music that comes up for auction is focused on individual user benefits. Take The Diligent Ant sheet music, which is currently featured at the very top of the auction house. It gives a certain chance for an additional drop of wheat during harvest, or a lucky strike.
Most sheet music had buffs that enhanced specific skills.
For instance, increasing the drop count of a specific grain, triggering a lottery-like massive drop, or reducing skill cooldowns.
So youre saying my sheet music is different because it has a buff related to farming as a whole.
Correct!
Then the fact that it can be used universally, regardless of the type of field or crop, would also be a merit?
Indeed. Thats exactly right!
But that wasn't all.
A 30 reduction in stamina needed for farming means, conversely, that you can work 30 more. The same goes for the 20 reduction in farming time due to enhanced labor.
The fact that one wouldn't tire easily, thereby reducing mental stress, also ultimately meant an increase in farming efficiency.
In other words, it meant a labor efficiency at least double that of others.
If heatwaves and heavy rains are reduced, the overall harvest will increase by that much. In the end, this means it can produce a yield on a completely different level than harvesting one or two extra stalks of wheat.
Above all, the most unbelievable effect was the reduced probability of heatwaves and heavy rain.
Providing a buff to all aspects of farming while also reducing the chance of heatwaves and heavy rain
The middle-aged man added with an excited expression.
This is enough to far exceed a normal years harvest, enough to fill the granaries over and over again.
The man wiped away the beads of sweat trickling down his face and said.
When the granaries are full, the commoners can eat their fill, which will strengthen the workforce, and the nation's overall labor and growth potential will increase. In short, it holds enough value to change the fate of an entire nation.
It was a well-known fact that the village of Hemona was experiencing an unprecedentedly bountiful harvest thanks to a supreme blessing from the Goddess Cecilia.
It was also certain that it would achieve tremendous growth within the next year or two, becoming a much larger village than before.
Yuhyeons sheet music was the same.
I am certain that the moment this sheet music is released, many kingdoms will take an interest. When that happens, the price will skyrocket.
If it came to that, the price would surely climb so high that the outsidersthe playerswouldn't even be able to look at it.
Thats why I suggested starting at 50 gold. Theres no telling how much higher it will go.
I understand. Could you tell me why you set the starting price at 50 gold?
Yuhyeon asked cautiously.
Sheet music capable of changing a nation's fate would surely be difficult to appraise.
He was curious why they would start selling an item of that caliber at the relatively low price of 50 gold.
Its because of the specific nature of sheet music. No matter how outstanding the effect, the number of uses is fixed. In other words, it has a limit.
The middle-aged man said calmly.
Moreover, if you list it at a high price from the start, it actually dampens interest. Its better to set a price that anyone can show interest in, and let the buyers themselves drive the price up. Its an auction technique.
He exclaimed with a tone full of conviction.
That being said, it will never, ever! sell for just 50 gold, so dont you worry. I am certain it will sell for many times that amount. I stake my merchants oath on it.
A merchants oath
Yuhyeon nodded.
Given the nature of the brokerage, the higher the final price of his item, the larger the managers commission would be.
He at least shows conviction that hell properly appraise the value of my item.
Since they were business partners of a sort, working for a common profit, he felt he could trust the man enough to leave everything to him.
I will handle the entire brokerage process from start to finish. Since this is your first transaction, Ill proceed with only a 3 commission. What do you say?
I would be very grateful if you did.
Yuhyeon answered without hesitation.
He had already heard that the brokerage commission was 10, so there was no reason to refuse a spontaneous offer to lower it.
I hope you will continue to visit our brokerage in the future. Please consider the commission discount a sign of our goodwill.
In that case, Ill have to make sure to frequent this brokerage. As a sign of my own goodwill.
Haha, I would be most grateful if you did!
Yuhyeon gave a slight smile.
He had to stay in Lutetia until level 40 anyway.
In that situation, an offer like this was more than welcome.
Then we will proceed with the auction as soon as the starting price is set. A transaction usually takes two days, but given the rarity of this sheet music, we will proceed until the highest bid is received, regardless of the time frame.
Ill leave it entirely in your hands, so please proceed in the way you see fit.
Once the transaction is complete, I will send the remaining amount, minus the commission, to you by mail. All you need to do, customer, is wait comfortably for a few days.
Tiring!
Senior Appraiser Ned has proposed a brokerage transaction to you.
Give Sheet Music: Work Song to Ned?
Then Ill be in your care for this transaction.
That is what I should be saying. I will do my absolute best to sell it.
Yes, Ill see you later then!
Appraiser Ned said, bidding Yuhyeon farewell with an affable smile.
If you have any questions, please feel free to visit anytime. Have a good day!
After Yuhyeon left the brokerage.
Excuse me for a moment.
A woman entered Neds reception room.
It was Rachel, the junior appraiser who had initially consulted with Yuhyeon.
Oh, Rachel. What brings you here?
Well, theres something Id like to ask
She asked cautiously, fidgeting with her hands.
I heard that you will be handling the brokerage yourself, Director. May I ask why you didnt entrust it to me or a mid-level appraiser?
As far as Rachel knew, the starting price for the sheet music was around 50 to 70 gold.
While the total sale price was unpredictable, it didn't seem like a large enough transaction to warrant a senior appraiser's involvement.
Senior appraisers, after all, were the ones who managed major transactions ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 gold.
I also heard youre only taking a 3 commission. May I ask the reason for that?
She had even heard that the commission was discounted to 3.
Considering the labor costs and other expenses involved in the brokerage, it was safe to say there would be almost no profit left for them.
In other words, it was tantamount to handling the sale for free.
So youre wondering why a senior appraiser is stepping in to do something for free that isnt worth their time.
Thats not what I meant, but
Truthfully, theres no special reason. Lets just say I had a good feeling.
A feeling?
Rachel asked again, a look of bewilderment on her face.
Ned then put on his good-natured expression and said.
I saw potential in our customer.
He recalled his first encounter with Yuhyeon.
He had the ordinary appearance of a novice adventurer.
His attire clearly marked him as a beginner.
Yet, such a person had produced sheet music with abilities surpassing that of a royal court musician?
That could only mean one of two things. One, Yuhyeon was a master on the level of a royal court musician hiding his identity, or
Or he is someone with that much potential.
Of course, it could have been a masterpiece created by mustering all the luck of a lifetime.
But on the other hand, if it wasn't a masterpiece, but merely one of the many works he would create in the future
Theres no harm in building trust with someone who has such potential.
Ned said with a friendly laugh.
If you say so, Director, then that must be the right answer.
Rachel smiled slightly, as if she finally understood.
And why wouldn't she?
It is the word of the Director, who is recognized even on the four continents.
The man before her was a merchant who could see the value in all things.
He was Ned, one of the ten great merchants recognized across the four continents.
I wonder how much it will sell for.
Rachels intrigued gaze fell upon the spot where Yuhyeon had departed.
Click.
Well, is there anything to do
The farmer ranker and named user, Hwaseong Subak Nongwon, was idly browsing the Wonderland community forums.
With all his stamina and fatigue depleted, this was the only time he had to check out the farming community.
No new drama today either.
Of course, just because he logged onto the community didn't mean exciting things would magically appear.
Nothing worth reading.
That was because the farming board was so dead that it barely reached five pages of new posts a day.
As expected of a trash-tier class, few people chose the profession, and even fewer posted about it.
Then, one post caught his eye.
Huh, whats this?
WTF I just found something insane is this a bug?
Sheet music?
It was a post with an image of an item listed on the auction house.
He tilted his head in confusion as he looked at the title.
Ah, is it that The Diligent Ant thing?
He had, in fact, just been looking at the auction house because a piece of farming-related sheet music had been listed for the first time in a very long time.
I didnt buy it because the price was too high for the buff.
To be honest, the effect wasn't that great.
The success rate was too low for the number of uses, and the starting bid of 10 gold was the real problem.
Unless it was an urgent situation, there was no reason to spend 100,000 won on such sheet music.
Though people probably buy it out of desperation since theres nothing else
It was likely bought by users who were a few percent away from ranking up or needed to harvest something urgently.
But if it was just that kind of sheet music, there was no reason for it to get so much attention, so why did it have 40 comments?
With that thought, Hwaseong Subak Nongwon clicked on the post, his expression full of curiosity.
Wh-what?
At the same time, his eyes widened like saucers.
Sheet Music: Work Song
Stamina required for farming is reduced by 30, and stamina recovery rate is increased.
Labor is enhanced, reducing the time required for farming by 20.
Reduces fatigue and mental stress.
Reduces the probability of heatwaves and heavy rain.
Repeatedly singing the work song enhances the effect.
Buff lasts for 24 hours.
Uses: 500500
In-insane Wha-what kind of effect is this!
Hwaseong Subak Nongwon rubbed his eyes again and again.
A buff this incredible, and it had 500 uses?
He scrambled into his capsule machine and shouted.
If the starting bid is 70 gold, I still have a chance! Please dont go any higher!
And on that day, the farmer board hit its highest traffic ever.
What is this sheet music?
OMG the real-time price just hit 100g LOL
Whoa it's too expensive;; anyone wanna group buy with me?
It boasted a refresh rate of over 10 pages of new posts.
All because of Yuhyeons single piece of sheet music.