Chapter 38
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Soulstone Fragments
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Normally, he would have logged into New World right after waking up, but not today.
It was his father's death anniversary.
No relatives ever came to visit, so every year, his mother prepared the food herself.
As a result, Jeong Hoon naturally helped her with the cooking.
"Thanks for helping out again this year."
"It's only natural."
His mother selected the ingredients, and Jeong Hoon put them into a basket and carried them.
After two hours of shopping at the market, they prepared the ingredients according to his mother's instructions.
Once everything was ready, they set it out on the ancestral table.
'Father.'
The image of his father remained vividly in Jeong Hoon's mind.
Up until the sudden traffic accident that took his life, his father had been in perfect health.
His father had always praised and cheered him on.
'Top of the school again? Hah... As expected of my son. I live for you.'
Pleased with his son's report card, his father had bought him beef.
And the next day, the accident happenedhis father died on the spot.
Was it because he remembered everything?
On his father's death anniversary, an overwhelming wave of longing surged up.
'Father, this time, I will definitely protect you.'
But now was not the time to be ruled by emotions.
Instead of saying he missed him, Jeong Hoon conveyed his resolve.
Though he couldn't prevent his father's accident, he would definitely stop the catastrophe that happened before his regression.
He vowed to do his utmost to honor his mother, making up for his father's share as well.
Worldcom burns 247.
The hot topics change constantly, but some can last for days depending on the impact.
Lee Hwarang's was one such multi-day topic.
A named player causing a scene in a restaurant.
What a perfect topic for drawing aggro.
But contrary to expectations, the hype around Lee Hwarang fizzled out quickly.
The reason was a strategy post that went up that morning.
Hey! This strategy is legit! I got an Evolution Stone with it lololol
-Thanks a ton for posting the strategy
Lol I just got a pendant with that strategy post too
Even users stuck on the map interpretation got theirs after seeing the post!
On my way to Edenhark right now;;
Fuck, I want an Evolution Stone too!
The post had already surpassed 200,000 views.
It was climbing the real-time rankings as a hot rising post, currently at 41.
For a post less than 12 hours old to hit top 40.
At this rate, it could aim for the top 10.
And rightly soit was a strategy for obtaining an Evolution Stone.
Thanks to it, Lee Hwarang's story got buried fast.
"What the hell is this...?"
Park Jin-hyuk, who had logged out for a break, jumped straight onto Worldcom.
He wanted to check how much the minor restaurant incident had heated up Worldcom.
But Worldcom was flooded with posts about the Edenhark Evolution Stone quest, not Lee Hwarang.
Now he understood why all those users who had left had come flooding back.
"Should I call this a blessing?"
It was a relief that Lee Hwarang wasn't on everyone's lips anymore, but it also meant it would be even harder to find the user who got the Red Dragon Bone Bow.
Would those who had given up on the quest once really have found the Red Dragon Bone Bow?
"No way."
Park Jin-hyuk shook his head.
Guys relying on strategy posts without that level of patience wouldn't have found such a rare weapon.
His prediction was spot on.
"...We're heading back."
Lee Hwarang said with a hardened expression.
It had been a full five daysover two days past their initial plan.
They had scoured every corner of Edenhark, but came up empty.
Despite the massive influx of users, no one wielding the bow had shown up.
'Hmm, consolation won't help in that state.'
Park Jin-hyuk wisely kept his mouth shut.
He didn't want to risk getting burned by offering comfort to that fierce face.
And so, the two headed back to the field.
Jeong Hoon's Myeongwang Fist Technique struck true.
"Kyak!"
The White Murkun, hit squarely in its vital spot, foamed at the mouth and collapsed.
It twitched a few times before breathing its last.
Acquired White Murkun Fang.
Level up!
All stats 1.
Bonus stat 1 granted.
He had just leveled up to 41 from the hunt.
And with that fang, he had collected all the materials.
Material List
-Will Tiger Fangs: 500 (Complete)
-Black Tiger Fangs: 500 (Complete)
-Murkun Fangs: 500 (Complete)
-White Murkun Fangs: 500 (Complete)
Now he had all the advanced decomposition materials.
Jeong Hoon wiped his sweat and prepared to return to the village.
'Hmm? That guy?'
His steps halted at the sight of a very familiar face.
Bowmaster Lee Hwarang.
And Lord Knight Park Jin-hyuk.
They looked younger than in his memories, but it was definitely them.
'Didn't expect to run into them here.'
This was the first time since his regression that he'd met Lee Hwarang face-to-face.
Despite spending quite some time in Edenhark, Jeong Hoon hadn't crossed paths with him until now.
Lee Hwarang had spotted Jeong Hoon too, his eyes gleaming as he approached.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"What is it?"
Jeong Hoon played dumb.
A flicker of anger rose inside him, but he suppressed it masterfully.
He had to hold back.
It wasn't time yet.
'So relaxed even seeing a named like Hwarang?'
Park Jin-hyuk, watching from behind, quietly admired Jeong Hoon's composure.
The reactions from users they'd met in Edenhark so far had varied wildly.
But Jeong Hoon's was a first.
Most low-level beginners under level 100 couldn't help but look up to named players, yet Jeong Hoon showed none of that.
"By any chance... Haah, have you found a bow recently?"
There wasn't even a shred of expectation on Lee Hwarang's face as he asked.
The user before him was a level 41 low-tier Martial Artist.
He couldn't imagine a Martial Artist like that snagging the Red Dragon Bone Bow.
But Jeong Hoon's answer defied their expectations.
"Yes. I picked one up while hunting."
"Is that true?!"
Lee Hwarang's eyes widened.
"Yes."
"Could you show it to me for a second?"
He hurriedly sent a trade request to Jeong Hoon.
But it was declined.
"Hmm... That's a bit much. It's not an item I'm looking to sell right now. Anyway, see you."
Jeong Hoon gave a light bow and tried to leave the field.
Lee Hwarang urgently grabbed his shoulder.
"I'll buy it on the spot if you show me! Whatever the priceten times the market value! Ten times!"
How desperate must he be to make an offer without even checking.
Jeong Hoon smirked inwardly at his clouded judgment.
He widened his eyes and asked.
"Ten times...?"
"Yes!"
"Hmm... Well, it must be something you need."
At the words "something you need," Lee Hwarang grew even more frantic.
He was dying to check the item right then and there.
"So please accept the trade."
"...You're really offering ten times?"
"Yes."
He was prepared with gold.
He was even willing to pay with items worth more if needed.
Lee Hwarang sent the trade request again, and finally, Jeong Hoon accepted.
'Red Dragon Bone Bow. If it's a bow he got, that has to be it.'
There weren't many quests in Edenhark that rewarded weapons.
And those that did gave job-specific ones, so a Martial Artist would be forced to take Knuckles.
Plus, he said he got it from hunting, so it could be the Red Dragon Bone Bow.
But the item that appeared was not the Red Dragon Bone Bow.
Receive Bow
-Type: Bow
-Rank: Rare
-Attack Power: 53
-Critical Hit Rate: 0.7 0.75
-Remaining Durability: 100
-Special Ability (1): Arrow damage 3.
-Special Ability (2): Proficiency gain 1.
A mere Rare-grade bow appeared, leaving Lee Hwarang blinking in stunned silence.
"What is this?"
"It's the weapon I got from hunting. I'm a Martial Artist, so I don't need it... And isn't it just what you need?"
"Hah..."
Lee Hwarang let out a hollow laugh of disappointment.
"You're not backing out, right? You said you'd buy it for ten times the price if I showed it."
Jeong Hoon tilted his head.
This bow really was from monster hunting.
Field monsters had a very low drop rate for weapons, so most got them incidentally while hunting for other purposes.
Jeong Hoon was no exception.
"No, I mean, that's..."
Lee Hwarang stammered.
Distracted by the mention of a bow, he'd made a ridiculous blunderhow embarrassing.
"A Rare like this usually goes for about 30 gold."
True to his word, that meant paying 300 golda fortunefor this bow.
"...Fine. A deal's a deal."
Rubbing his throbbing forehead, Lee Hwarang registered 300 gold and traded for the weapon.
"Thanks for the good trade."
Jeong Hoon left the field with a satisfied smile.
'I really gave him a big middle finger.'
Recalling his dumbfounded face brought laughter automatically.
For now, this was satisfying enough.
Jeong Hoon's idea of revenge wasn't beating them to a pulp.
It was taking what should have been his and forcing them to quit the game they hated to end.
That had been his ultimate revenge plan from the moment he regressed.
Of course, reaching that point would take time.
'Anyway, 300 gold in handlet's put it to good use.'
First, decomposition.
Jeong Hoon headed straight to Heyrn's mansion.
"Oh, you've already gathered everything?"
Heyrn asked, his face lighting up in surprise.
An exclamation mark hovered over his head.
"Yes."
As Jeong Hoon completed the quest, the materials vanished from his inventory and appeared on the table.
Quest completed.
The NPC will perform advanced decomposition. The results go to 'Hoon.'
"Ooh! Perfect, all accounted for. This is enough to start the advanced decomposition!"
Heyrn pulled extraction equipment from a pouch in the corner.
The device was fist-sized in his hand, but swelled to fill the table once infused with mana.
"Then I'll begin, so step out for a bit? The process might give off an unpleasant smell."
"Got it. I'll wait outside."
Before his regression, he'd watched in person and ended up inhaling the acrid smoke.
It had been a foul stench.
Not eager to smell it again, he agreed to wait outside.
"Yes! Please give me a moment."
Heyrn locked the door tight after speaking.
Jeong Hoon sat in a nearby chair, waiting.
Soon, the door opened, and Heyrn emerged.
"Done already?"
"Yes. Want to come in and see?"
"What about the smell?"
"Cleared it all with a purifierno worries."
"Alright."
As Heyrn said, the room was spotless, without a trace of odor.
And on the table were the extracted materials Jeong Hoon had so desired, neatly sorted.
'So this is it.'
Soulstone fragments.
They had finally revealed themselves.