Chapter 97
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Ancient Recipe
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Your level has increased.
All stats have increased by 1.
A bonus stat point has been granted.
Countless messages announcing level-ups appeared alongside the revealed experience points granted.
43,782,982
A whopping 43 million experience points.
Insane... 43 million.
The staggering figure of 43 million was also revealed to the viewers watching the broadcast.
-What the fuck?
-43 million?
-No way... is that even possible?
-What is this...
-43 million is like running a level 200 dungeon 100 times!
-That's generous; on average, you'd need 150 clears!
-You can get that all at once?!
Such reactions were only natural.
They'd cleared a single dungeon and received experience equivalent to spinning through a level 200 dungeon 100 to 150 times.
With this, Jeong Hoon's level reached 164.
Whoa... I gained 5 levels just here.
Jang Ha-jin's level reached 169.
-Can you really get that much in the Collapsed City?
-Didn't they use a cheat key or something?
-This is wild...
The Collapsed City wasn't a dungeon no one could clear.
For users below level 200, it was an extremely difficult dungeon that required a quest to even enter.
But once you surpassed level 201, the quest became unavailable, and you could only enter the dungeon directly.
The experience points there became utterly ordinary.
It devolved into just a plain vanilla dungeon.
No first clear reward, huh.
Naturally, the first clear reward had gone to someone else.
The dungeon's first clear reward was just an epic-grade accessory anyway, so he hadn't coveted it.
What mattered more was the epic quest reward.
D-Did you succeed?!
The nameless man greeted Jeong Hoon and Jang Ha-jin with an ecstatic expression.
Yes. We succeeded.
Thank you! Truly, thank you!
A purple exclamation mark blinked above the man's head.
It meant the quest was complete.
-Wow lol
-Didn't that guy have no emotions originally?
-Completing the quest makes him super expressive? Got corrupted by capitalism?
-Lol can't resist quest completion lol
-So what's the reward?
-With a face like that, it better be good.
-It was a difficulty no one clears without a cheat key lol
Viewers watched with eager anticipation for the reward reveal.
We'll end the broadcast here.
But Jeong Hoon had no intention of showing the reward.
Just revealing the massive experience gain is enough.
The reward he was about to receive was an item not yet known to New World.
???
-???
-He's ending it here?
-This ain't right!
-Show the reward!
Viewers raged.
Jeong Hoon ignored them completely and signaled Jang Ha-jin.
Everyone, sorry about this!
Quick on the uptake, Jang Ha-jin apologized to the viewers and ended the broadcast.
LIVE broadcast ended.
Confirming the broadcast off, Jeong Hoon finally claimed the reward.
You have completed the quest.
You may choose your reward.
1. Ancient Recipe
2. Lv.10 Up!
Two reward options.
Jeong Hoon chose the Ancient Recipe without a second thought.
You have acquired the 'Ancient Recipe.'
Perfect.
He'd finally obtained the Ancient Recipe.
The epic quest reward wasn't just any simple recipe.
Ancient Recipe
-A recipe that allows the development of new ancient alchemy.
A recipe for developing ancient alchemy, no less.
But it was written in ancient script, with over 70 severely damaged and illegible.
Good. Now I can prepare for the next plan.
Using the Legendary Enhancement Stone Yeo Sun-woo would bring and this recipe, he'd pull that future 10 years ahead.
Wait a sec! So why don't I get to choose?!
Jang Ha-jin was dumbfounded.
There was only one Ancient Recipe.
The right to choose went solely to Jeong Hoon, who completed the quest first.
Of course, if Jeong Hoon hadn't chosen it, the choice would have gone to Jang Ha-jin.
Sorry.
Jeong Hoon apologized to him inwardly.
Jang Ha-jin had partied with Jeong Hoon, so it was a first clear for him too.
But as party leader, the choice priority went to Jeong Hoon.
Jang Ha-jin would still get a reward, though.
A standard epic quest item.
Oh, my apologies... I only have one. Instead, I'll give you a level 10 boost.
The nameless man made a generous offer.
Level 10.
Of course, this reward was available to the first 1,000 claimants.
After 1,000, it's just 3 levels.
That was right.
This epic quest's reward was also a 3-level up.
Unlike shrines, though, you got levels even after the first rush.
Since each user could clear it only once but anytime, that's why it became a national dungeon.
In that case, I'll gladly accept!
Jang Ha-jin grinned widely in satisfaction and claimed his reward.
Welcom was ablaze.
Hey! The guy who cleared Collapsed City showed up!
-Even took the epic quest and cleared it!
I saw it too lol wtf suddenly ended the LIVE and I was so confused
So what was the reward lol
Fr felt like I got cockblocked mid-shit
I'm a level 182 archer.
-Looking for people to tackle Collapsed City together.
Honestly, one-time quest or not, that EXP is too tempting. 3-4 levels easy...
Ha... this is such a honey pot.
Epic quest, so rewards seem solid.
Gotta go claim it anyway.
Shortly after the posts went up, over 100 users gathered at the entrance to Collapsed City.
All thanks to the honey tube effect.
Anyone memorized the cheat key location and monster attack routes?
......
But memorizing the cheat key spot and monster routes from just one broadcast was practically impossible.
Then, one mage raised a hand.
Not perfectly, but I got about half.
Really?
Yeah. I had two smartphones. Watched on one, recorded on the other.
Whoa, awesome!
At the mention of recordings, users swarmed the mage.
Basking in the attention, the mage naturally became party leader, formed a 5-man group based on levels and job grades, and entered Collapsed City.
I recorded it too!
Then more self-proclaimed recorders.
They formed 5-man parties and entered Collapsed City.
But no matter how much time passed, no one completed the quest from the nameless man.
They hadn't mastered it yet.
One day later.
WhisperMomFuckerBongGu - Hoon: We've arrived at Merhen Kingdom!
Kim Bong-gu hurriedly reached Merhen Kingdom and whispered Jeong Hoon.
He never imagined hitting level 151 would be this tough.
You're here?
Jeong Hoon sat in the inn, waiting for him.
Sensing the ominous glint in the eyes staring at him chin-on-hand, Kim Bong-gu rushed forward.
Sorry I'm late!
What if you trip running like that? Take it slow.
Y-Yes...?
Kim Bong-gu felt a chill down his spine.
What was this bastard planning, starting off all nice?
Bong-gu. You're taking forever to hit 151. Right?
......Well.
Making excuses?
No, sir.
So I figured I'd help with your leveling.
That's okay...
What was that?
Jeong Hoon's eyes sharpened.
Kim Bong-gu frantically shook his head and forced a smile.
No! You're helping me level... Wow! I'm thrilled!
Knew you'd say that.
Jeong Hoon pulled a token from his inventory and handed it over.
What's this...?
A token I recorded with a camera. It has my full Collapsed City strategy inside. Study it and clear solo.
S-Solo...?
Yeah. Partying splits the EXP.
Two players was fine, actually, but Jeong Hoon saw no need to tell Kim Bong-gu.
He figured solo clear was plenty doable once he found the cheat key.
Of course, if Kim Bong-gu weren't a thief-class, it'd be different, but he was epic-grade Dark Shadow.
More than enough.
Contrary to Jeong Hoon's thoughts, Kim Bong-gu's mind had gone blank long ago.
He couldn't process Jeong Hoon's words.
A-Alone? This... solo...
He'd watched the LIVE.
Jeong Hoon's monstrous maneuvers conquering Collapsed City.
And he was certain.
I can't do it.
Yeah.
Yet Jeong Hoon was telling him to solo it.
How long would this guy keep shoving him into hell's pit?
That bastard Hong Hyun-woo.
Cursing the guy he'd cut ties with long agowhose whereabouts he didn't even knowhe pocketed the token.
......I'll do my best.
He couldn't bring himself to say he couldn't.
Good. You'll probably hit 160 coming out.
Yes...
See you in a week.
In a week...?
Yeah.
Jeong Hoon nodded and left the inn.
Left alone, Kim Bong-gu sat dazed for a long while.
Pssshhk-
The capsule door opened, and Jeong Hoon stepped out.
Phew.
He planned a short break after finishing Collapsed City.
Looks like getting the Legendary Enhancement Stone takes a while.
Unavoidable.
Legendary Enhancement Stones dropped at low rates from boss monsters.
Plus, there were crazies hoarding them aggressively.
Competing with those lunatics meant it took time.
In the end, those crazies win out.
New World's world was still vast.
Higher levels unlocked new content, metas shifted wildly.
Legendary Enhancement Stones' value would skyrocket eventually.
Son!
Then, the door opened, and his mother entered.
Yes?
Did you stream?
How'd you know?
How did she find out about the broadcast?
Just happened to catch it.
......I see.
Impressive, though? How'd you spot a cheat key like that?
Good luck. I played bug-hunting games before, remember? Similar rules.
Jeong Hoon had enjoyed all sorts of games as a kid.
Those experiences helped him become All Master pre-regression.
Ah.
His mother nodded understandingly.
Have you been leveling, Mom?
Yeah. The guild's supporting me hard, so second job change soon.
Whoa... that's great!
Jeong Hoon's lips curved up wide.
Mom was progressing excellently.
No need to worry much.
......Good thing Hoyoung's taking care of her.
If it kept going like this, all good.
A message from Yeo Sun-woo arrived.
Got the enhancement stone. Can we meet now to hand it over?
The Legendary Enhancement Stone was finally within reach.
Jeong Hoon entered the capsule and logged in.
But this Muk-ho guy's been quiet.
Since choosing the Sign of Divinity, Muk-ho stayed silent.
Jeong Hoon hadn't messaged him either, figuring who'd win this standoff.
He assumed Muk-ho would yap soon enough.
But Muk-ho remained utterly mute.
Seemed seriously pissed.
If he didn't smooth it over, it'd drag on.
......Kinda nice, though?
It was too peaceful.
Jeong Hoon had no plans to appease him.
Without that noisy voice in his head, he felt alive.
I'm going insane! Peaceful? PEACEFUL?!
Muk-ho suddenly screamed.
Whoa, startled me... Turn signal next time, please.
Jeong Hoon sighed.
He'd forgotten Muk-ho could read his thoughts.
You're the worst master! Know that? That's 11 years in jail time!
Detailed where it doesn't matter?
Why ignore me! Why eat shit! You telling me to serve a retard master? You're a retard! Retard! Retard! Cough! Cough...!
Choking on his own rage, Muk-ho coughed.
Choosing the Sign of Divinity had really irked him.
Fine, calm down. There's a reason I picked it.
Reason? REEEASOOOON?!
Just shut up for now.
Not the time to chat with Muk-ho.
You're here?
Yeo Sun-woo had arrived.
Yes.
Jeong Hoon brushed off Muk-ho's voice and greeted Yeo Sun-woo.
Hope I'm not too late.
Yeo Sun-woo smiled awkwardly.
Hoyoung didn't collect Legendary Enhancement Stones, so acquiring one was tough.
It's fine. You got it, that's what matters.
Yes.
Without asking its use, Yeo Sun-woo pulled out the Legendary Enhancement Stone and handed it to Jeong Hoon.
A glistening green enhancement stone.
This was the Legendary Enhancement Stone.