Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Yorden's Recommendation
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An astonishing achievement! Here, take these stones as a gift!
By making it public on the server, Jeong Hoon could now claim 10 stones.
Of course, mining more from the vein was impossible, so he received nine from Yorden.
Thank you.
Jeong Hoon stored the 10 Evolution Stones in his inventory.
This was more than enoughoverflowing, evenfor evolving the Red Dragon Bone Bow.
I could sell one or two.
Simply using Evolution Stones to raise the grade wasnt possible.
It took time to repeatedly evolve and increase the grade.
The weapon couldnt withstand fully absorbing the stones energy all at once.
No need. Thanks to you, I gained some valuable experience myself.
NPC Yordens trust increases.
Yorden gazed at the vein with a pleased smile.
He was a treasure hunter before he was an appraiser.
That was why he recognized the value of the Evolution Stones at a glance.
Jeong Hoon checked the question mark above his head.
General Quest: Yordens Recommendation Letter
-Restriction: Users who have earned Yordens trust
-Reward: Trust increase with Blacksmith Vulcan
-Description: Take Yordens recommendation letter and visit Blacksmith Vulcan.
Oh? Yorden himself would write a recommendation letter?
This was unexpected.
The blacksmith Jeong Hoon had planned to visit was none other than Vulcan.
Having a recommendation will make things smoother.
The higher the trust, the more an NPCs attitude changes.
Normally, Yorden would never write one, but the rising trust had shifted his demeanorthat was proof.
Accepting the quest, Yorden pulled out a sheet of paper right there, scribbled quickly, and handed it to Jeong Hoon.
Here, take this to Vulcan in Edenhark. Among the blacksmiths I know, hes the most skilled. Hes also the one who can handle that Evolution Stone energy.
Thank you.
Heh, youre probably the only one Ive ever written a recommendation for. I wish you luck in your future endeavors.
Psssh
The capsule hissed open, and Jeong Hoon stepped out.
Phew.
He headed straight to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and chugged it down.
Was it because hed spent two days in the capsule?
His throat was parched.
Hunger hit at the same time, leaving his limbs weak.
He hadnt been eating properly.
Oh dear, youre finally out.
In the living room, his mother sat watching him with a face full of worry.
...Youre here?
Yeah. Even living under the same roof, its this hard to see your face...
Haha...
Jeong Hoon scratched his head sheepishly.
His mother stood and prepared a meal for him.
Its good to be dedicated, but you have to take care of your body too.
Yes.
His mother knew nothing about the future.
Even so, she never nagged much about the game.
She only worried about her sons health.
If I could, Id smash that capsule to pieces.
She shot a displeased glance at the capsule in his room.
Cough...!
Food went down the wrong way, making him choke.
But its something you worked hard for, so I cant... What should I do, son?
...Ahem, Ill moderate it.
Right answer. At least sleep at night. You can manage that much, right?
Yes.
As long as nothing major came up, hed log out for 3-4 hours at night to sleep.
His mother was just worried about him.
After finishing the meal, Jeong Hoon stepped outside for some fresh air.
Hey!
Descending to the first floor, he locked eyes with Ha-jin, who was rushing over out of breath.
Huh? Whats up? Why are you here?
Unbelievable. I whispered you like crazy with no reply, so I came myself!
Oh righthed seen the whisper icon blinking.
But hed been in the middle of a quest, and right after finishing, he was mentally drained and logged out without checking.
Was busy, didnt see it.
Sigh. Anyway, you said you went to Edenhark, right?
Yeah.
Perfect timing! Ive got good news to share.
Evolution Stone?
Huh? You already knew?
Hed expected some surprise, but Jeong Hoon nodded calmly, making the trip feel wasted.
Then a fleeting thought crossed his mind.
No wayhe didnt leak the Evolution Stone reward, did he?
Anyway, great. I wanted to ask you a favor.
A favor?
Yeah. Lets walk and talk.
Sure. No matter how extraordinary this guy was, it couldnt be the Evolution Stone.
Ha-jin shook off the thought and walked with Jeong Hoon.
What is it?
Get me one item.
Item?
Yeah. Saw a good one on the auction house.
Jeong Hoon couldnt use the auction house yet.
You needed level 100 or a second job change.
Thats why he was asking Ha-jin.
Of course, it wasnt free.
He planned to have Ha-jin sell one Evolution Stone for him and buy the item with the gold.
Any leftover profit would go to Ha-jin.
What? You have an Evolution Stone?
Yeah.
...Wait, does that mean youre the first one who got the reward?
Ha-jins voice trembled as he asked.
After all the insane feats, and now thisit was natural to suspect.
Jeong Hoon nodded.
Yeah.
...Crazy. Now youre getting rewards like that too?
Good luck.
You cant just call that good luck! Ha... So damn unfair.
Jeong Hoon shrugged once and entered the convenience store, buying two ion drinks before coming out.
Anyway, drink this and head to Edenhark for me.
After parting with Jeong Hoon, Ha-jin headed to the capsule room early the next day.
Huh? Youre earlier than usual today?
Lee Hyun-woo greeted him warmly as always.
A friend asked me for a favor.
A favor?
Yeah. Wants me to grab an item for him.
Oh? What is it?
Lee Hyun-woo showed interest.
Jeong Hoon, Ha-jins friend.
The one who came to the capsule room and invested 20-21 hours a day.
Plus, he had an amazing memoryapparently appeared on that genius discovery show.
Old footage on NewTube showed his student days perfectly.
Hed memorized over ten themes of images and text without missing a thing, then applied it to solve problems. It gave chills.
And hed won first place in Genesiss event, taking a 30 million won capsule as a prize. Impossible to forget.
Dunno yet. Hell tell me once I log in.
Curious now. Which village did your friend go to? He mustve left Origin Village by now.
Edenhark.
Edenhark? That place is blowing up lately.
The Edenhark Evolution Stone acquisition quest posted on the forums.
Countless users were flocking there now.
Yeah.
Ha-jin didnt mention Jeong Hoon getting the first reward.
Unaware, Lee Hyun-woo clicked his tongue.
Rough. Already a tough village, and now swarming with players? Even running quests will be a chore.
Evolution Stones worked regardless of level to evolve items.
So high-level users were there in droves too.
What can you do? His own choice.
Ha-jin brushed it off and entered the capsule to log in.
He headed straight to the portal for Edenhark.
But about 20 users were queued in front.
All heading to Edenhark.
A lot of them.
All gunning for Evolution Stones, probably.
Might as well try for one myself?
He could ask Jeong Hoon how while doing the favor.
Quite the crowd.
Jeong Hoon thought to himself, seeing the village bustling unlike usual.
Named players dotted the mix here and there.
His lips twisted slightly.
His excellent memory recognized familiar faces.
Jung Chang-ho, Oh Min-ji.
The nameds in the plaza were those two.
In his past life, they werent betrayers.
Theyd died before Jeong Hoons betrayal.
But he had no good memories of them.
It was shortly after hed unlocked his power.
Ha, whyd we accept such a half-baked martial artist?
Hey, if youre in the way, well kill you, so stay quiet like a dead rat.
From the start, theyd looked down on him for being weak, showing contempt every meeting.
Not just that.
Theyd provoked him repeatedly out of others sight.
Hed been in crises more than once or twice because of it.
Feel like smacking them...
Bad blood didnt justify causing a scene here.
Theyd cross paths eventually.
Hed crush them then.
Whisperzl12 - Hoon: Yo, Im at the plaza. Where you at?
Ha-jin had arriveda whisper came.
WhisperHoon - zl12: By the fountain here.
Whisperzl12 - Hoon: OK, heading there.
Soon after, a handsome guy in his early twenties stopped by the fountain, looking around.
Clearly Ha-jin.
Havent seen that look in ages.
When New World became reality, customizations vanished, reverting to true appearances.
So Jeong Hoon hadnt seen Ha-jins customized face in forever.
Hey. Its me.
Jeong Hoon approached and tapped his shoulder.
Huh? Oh, its you?
Ha-jin only recognized him after checking his player info.
Yeah. Levels come up nicely?
Player Information
-Nickname: zl12
-Level: 159
-Job: Formal Knight (2nd Advancement)
Rare job, but level nearly 160.
Proof hed put in real effort.
Who hears that and thinks youre higher?
It had been that way before regression.
All Master Jeong Hoon had hit 703.
Without short-term level-up opportunities, he wouldnt have reached even 300, let alone 700but hed found them, rocketing to 700 fast.
Hed find them again this time, leveling quickly.
No need to rush.
Only he knew the conditions, past or present.
Anyway, trade accepted.
Jeong Hoon sent a trade request to Ha-jin, passing one Evolution Stone.
Jackpot! Free Evolution Stone!
Run and you die.
Ha-jin burst out laughing at the playful threat.
Got it. Back here tomorrow?
Selling and buying would take time.
Yeah. Whisper if youre late.
Roger. So, what do I need to buy?
Forgotten Mid-tier Knights One-Handed Sword.
The item Jeong Hoon wanted was the Forgotten Mid-tier Knights One-Handed Sword.