Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 46
>Chapter Title: Irad Back Alley
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Chapter 46
>46.
The next day.
Do-hyun, who had faithfully woken up early as always, finished his morning jog and a simple breakfast before heading straight to the capsule.
This was when his day truly began.
He was excited to dive into God Ose again, just like yesterday, but his expression was somehow odd today.
A bit dazed, perhaps. And understandably so—it had been that shocking.
‘God Ose makes that much money...’
He knew it raked in cash as the most popular game in history.
But 10 billion?
A monthly revenue of 10 billion meant an annual salary pushing 120 billion.
Even after taxes and deductions, nearly 100 billion would be left.
He’d heard even some Top 10 Guild Masters out-earned the game itself—how much did they make, then?
‘NewTube and streaming make up the bulk of the revenue, right?’
Shooting ads, appearing on shows.
Guilds in God Ose were practically businesses, so Top 10 ones had to be on the level of major corporations.
Considering all those income streams, 10 billion might even be underselling it.
‘A real era where you can get rich off a game.’
Another world. One that swallowed the real one.
He’d heard the grand phrases forever, but hearing the actual numbers made it hit home.
The world he’d only dreamed of had arrived, and he’d spent this golden age in the army...
It was the military everyone had to do, for defending the country and all, but it still stung.
Still, it was fine.
‘Late start, but not impossible.’
Climbing a mountain was the same.
People who never reached the summit and came back down never got to see that view.
He’d hit number one once already—why not twice?
And Do-hyun had a whopping six traits, plus a one-of-a-kind god.
One of them was even a unique trait.
‘Let’s claim the top again.’
Monthly 10 billion?
Nah, might as well aim for 100 billion while he was at it.
Just a dream for now, but the bigger the goal, the better.
In that vein, he’d done some light research on NewTube as his first step toward that 100 billion monthly dream.
-Streaming? Just record and upload. Super accessible. For high quality, you need editing and it costs money... but that’s for the real pros.
-Don’t get your hopes up too high, okay? Even if it pays well, not just anyone blows up.
...He’d heard more from Hyun-ah than his own digging.
If he had to make excuses, there wasn’t much else to research beyond that.
No budget for an editor, and even tutorials wouldn’t make him an overnight success.
Still, he had a rough direction.
-Content? Hmm... all kinds. Something without connections? Just raid videos? Good control draws viewers even in low-level zones.
Control porn videos.
Do-hyun’s most confident area. Or rather, it was the only option, regardless of confidence.
Fun content needed networks, and he had none—nor the knack for it.
‘Record some footage for now.’
Might come in handy someday.
He planned to do it on the side when opportunities arose.
Once his ranking climbed, even basic hunting clips would gain value.
‘Should’ve recorded before the rankings dropped...’
That was a small regret, but on second thought, not recording might’ve been better.
He wouldn’t have been able to bring Jihard Black along.
He’d think about it slowly for now.
More importantly...
[Loyalty -2.]
[Loyalty +2.]
[Loyalty +1.]
[Loyalty +1.]
“...What the hell happened to this guy?”
The moment he logged into God Ose, Do-hyun couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the greeting message log.
He’d just logged out and back in— what were these mood swings?
From the timing, it dropped 2 right after logout, then rose 4 in the Guardian Room... The drop made sense given the guy’s personality.
What puzzled Do-hyun was the rise.
‘That much?’
Come to think of it, the Guardian Room was designed to soothe a guardian’s mind.
A system to give users with tough loyalty management some breathing room.
Seemed Jihard Black was no exception.
Makes sense—after centuries hiding underground by lore, why not?
‘But why was he hiding?’
Born bloodline aside, the guy was full of mysteries.
Anyway, one less worry now.
[Loyalty: 20 / 100]
He’d hit the target of 20, and the warnings about betrayal were gone.
-Woah, you’re here? Boss.
Right on cue, Jihard Black slinked over, gauging his mood.
Summoned from the Guardian Room upon login.
His bleary, half-asleep look screamed hungover shut-in roused from bed.
Must’ve slept like a rock.
Do-hyun stared at him for a moment before blurting,
“Casual speech?”
-No, Master.
“Whatever. Call me how you want.”
-...Really?
Do-hyun nodded carelessly instead of answering.
-...Then, Boss.
“Yeah.”
No more “Master” thrilled him—Jihard Black’s face lit up instantly.
Then he caught himself, schooling his expression, and Do-hyun chuckled.
‘This much is fine.’
As long as it wasn’t “hey, you, human”—who cared?
Spoil too much, and it’d backfire.
Plus, his awkward formality grated more than casual talk, as long as it wasn’t arrogant.
Loyalty over 20 anyway, and periodic training would keep the cockiness in check.
Unless it dropped, anyway.
-Where to now... Boss?
Do-hyun grinned at the cautious probe.
Obvious.
“Time for rewards.”
The linked quest “Dungeon Clear” reward.
Time to fetch that low-grade skill draw ticket waiting for him.
* * *
[Linked quest “Dungeon Clear” completed.]
[Reward: 10 gold, set amount of EXP, low-grade skill draw ticket acquired.]
‘Finally.’
Do-hyun clenched his fist at the long-awaited skill draw ticket.
Just low-grade, sure, but skills were precious right now.
Even Charge Slash... heck, basic Heavy Strike was getting solid use.
‘No level up, though.’
No quests left, so a timely level would’ve been nice. Bit of a shame.
These things really drove home how EXP requirements ballooned later.
Quests alone leveled him to 20 easy.
“You’ve done well. Now the beasts won’t dare eye our Raven. Ho ho.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Fate brought me such a fine hunter—care for a cup of tea before you go?”
“No, I’ve got work piling up. Appreciate the thought.”
“My eye for people never fails! Finishing one job and rushing to the next!”
Ding-.
[Title “Max Affinity from the Start?” effect triggers. Affinity rises sharply.]
[Zrinna’s affinity is very high.]
Do-hyun gave perfunctory replies to the chatty Zrinna while prepping to leave.
Sit down, and an hour would vanish to chit-chat.
‘Can’t have that.’
As a true gamer, 10 hours a day wasn’t enough.
No way he’d waste time when he needed to optimize every second.
He hurried for the door.
“But who’s that with you? You were alone yesterday... New companion?”
“...Yeah, something like that.”
Do-hyun glanced aside and nodded.
Zrinna stroked his white beard, impressed.
“Looks young, but must be a talented mage. Ho ho.”
“Kyrk!”
“Huh? Kyrk?”
“Oh, my companion has rhinitis. Nose is stuffy, I think. Got work, so I’ll head out. Take care.”
“Mm? Sure, go ahead.”
Do-hyun cut him off, slipped out the door, and sighed.
Then shot a side-eye.
“Wanna die?”
-Sorry, Boss. The human seemed sharp, so I...
“Watch it.”
-...Sorry.
Do-hyun sighed at Jihard Black, who averted his eyes like a scolded puppy, then scanned around.
A goblin wandering the village should draw stares, but no one batted an eye.
Some glanced, but no big deal.
‘Effect’s working great.’
All thanks to the robe Jihard Black wore.
The auxiliary gear from capturing him: Black Goblin Shaman’s Robe, with its facial recognition interference magic active.
Options aside, the robe’s coverage helped.
Fully shrouded, even small, he’d pass as human, not goblin.
‘I dropped it, and he’s wearing it.’
Funny, really.
It was his robe originally—Do-hyun looted it off him, then gave it back.
Not like he stole it after giving. What even was this?
Kyrk, kyrk!
Jihard Black buzzed with joy at reclaiming his clothes.
Do-hyun scowled.
“Quiet.”
Kyrk...
Jihard Black deflated, clamping his mouth with both hands.
Annoying, sure, but this wasn’t just venting.
Recognition magic or not, goblin noises were unavoidable.
A tiny guy squeaking while walking? Suspicious.
‘Gonna keep him in that for a while.’
Shame, but level-locked anyway—he couldn’t wear it regardless.
No magic skills yet...
‘And no need to gear him up. Two birds, one stone.’
By rights, Jihard shouldn’t equip the robe either, but trying it before town worked.
[Judged as Black Clan.]
[Creator’s power lifts equip restrictions for original owner.]
Even the Soul Orb worked.
What kind of clan were they? But hey, saved on spare gear costs.
-Where we headed, Boss?
“Got a spot.”
-Weren’t we gonna smash cards ASAP or whatever?
Jihard Black tilted his head, puzzled.
Singing card-grind anthems on the way, but now just village-strolling post-win?
“Users have our secrets.”
-...?
Still curious, but shut his mouth—asking might earn a smack.
Do-hyun ignored him, no time to spare.
‘Around here somewhere...’
Definitely the spot from the community post.
Minutes of walking while checking the thread. He arrived, grinning.
Bustling crowds.
Just a bare alley, no shops, yet packed with people.
All staring into space, cheering or groaning.
“Argh! No drop!”
“Screw this, how’s a basic skill popping from a rare draw?! Who called this a hot spot?!”
“Yes! Heroic!! Hallelujah!! Thank you, Lord Rene!”
“Rare Nice! This is the hot spot vibe...? Holy shit.”
Some wept, some laughed.
Every city had one: the card-grind mecca.
That was the secret of this “Irad Back Alley.”