Chapter 29
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Quick Sellout
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Anyway, if things proceed as discussed, the awakeners will gather at the Incheon Alliance.”
“Yes. It's currently the largest group, and it can accommodate many people, right?”
As Lee Geon-woo said, the Incheon Alliance's total population was over 30,000.
It was undeniable that it was the largest group remaining in Korea.
“Should that include me, the people in my group, and our families heading to the Incheon Alliance?”
“It won't be that difficult. We're planning to send Lee Jeong-woo and a two-ton truck.”
“You're talking about Lee Jeong-woo, the awakener with the space-folding ability?”
“Space-folding... yes. Lee Jeong-woo, the awakener who can fold space to cross distances.”
It seemed they planned to use Lee Jeong-woo's ability to transport people in the truck.
That method would definitely allow them to reach the Incheon Alliance quickly and safely.
“Then when will Lee Jeong-woo arrive?”
“We're thinking three days from now. There are many other awakeners we need to request help from besides Han Soo-yeon.”
Han Soo-yeon nodded upon hearing that.
In fact, there was also the path of not joining the Incheon Alliance and forging their own independent route.
'But that's dangerous.'
What if the second Zombie Queen moved up toward Icheon?
Han Soo-yeon would have to fight relying only on her group's strength.
'If we fight, it'll be a total defeat.'
No, the chances of even a fight happening were slim.
Everyone would focus on fleeing rather than fighting.
“And there's one more thing I'd like to ask of you, Han Soo-yeon.”
Han Soo-yeon instantly intuited what the request was from Lee Geon-woo's words.
“Item purchases?”
“Yes. You posted in the gallery that you'd buy items worth 100 points per bloodstone.”
This was the condition Han Soo-yeon had posted in the gallery to collect bloodstones.
At first, everyone was skeptical, but word spread from the group that traded first, and that's how Lee Geon-woo found out.
“Think of 100 points as roughly the value of 100,000 won.”
“Isn't 100,000 won too little for an individual?”
“The 100,000 won I mentioned is the price from before the zombie outbreak.”
Of course, even instant noodles now were worth worlds more than before.
You could tell just from how the Castaway's auctioned ramen had sold for 870 points.
“Even at pre-outbreak prices, it feels expensive.”
“If you buy ramen for 100 points, you'd get 3-4 boxes. In terms of individual packs, that's 120-160.”
Han Soo-yeon explained the value of points thoroughly, like a salesperson.
Lee Geon-woo narrowed his brow and attempted negotiation since he wasn't getting anywhere.
“Given the current situation, how about 300 points per bloodstone?”
“300 points means you'd want purchases worth 300,000 won.”
“Once you join the Incheon Alliance, many people will want to trade with you. 300 points wouldn't be a loss.”
“I don't know why Lee Geon-woo gets to decide that. This side could be taking a loss too.”
Lee Geon-woo shook his head at that.
“What's the difference between giving 100 points for 100,000 won worth and 300 points for 300,000 won worth?”
“The number of bloodstones you receive is different. If you think of bloodstones as compensation for effort, it'll be easier to understand.”
“Bloodstones are compensation?”
“You could also call it labor costs.”
Han Soo-yeon decided to convince him thoroughly to avoid any later disputes.
“Think about it. For 100,000 won worth of goods, you have to register each one in the 1:1 trade window. That's the reward: bloodstones. But if it's 300,000 won worth, that's three times the work.”
In truth, Han Soo-yeon vaguely knew the Castaway didn't register items like others did.
Previously, when one group handed over items by category, it took only a few seconds.
'After trading 2 tons of rice, he posted 100 boxes of ramen just seconds later.'
That alone showed he wasn't registering them one by one like everyone else.
“Having to register each one... it's almost like someone awakened the Modern Item Purchase ability.”
“Could be.”
“No intention of telling me?”
Han Soo-yeon nodded.
“I signed a contract with a Superior Ability Awakening Stone as payment. And agreed to ongoing bloodstone supplies. It's not me personally hoarding bloodstones out of greed.”
“If you have a Superior Ability Awakening Stone, you can contract with that person?”
“Who knows. I've already made the first deal, so I don't know how it'll go.”
Lee Geon-woo realized Han Soo-yeon had no intention of revealing more.
In short, they were back to square one: negotiating points per bloodstone.
“How about 200 points per bloodstone?”
“200 points...”
“As you know, Han Soo-yeon, morale has plummeted since rumors of the Zombie Queen spread.”
While Han Soo-yeon and Lee Geon-woo were calmly conversing here, others weren't.
With the Zombie Queen rumors, most thought it was over, and some had given up entirely.
“That sounds like something I can request.”
Han Soo-yeon was well aware, so she accepted 200 points this time.
Of course, she'd have to ask the Castaway, but she had a good read on his personality.
'If I explain the situation and ask, he'll agree.'
Besides, they were buying with points provided, so the Castaway wouldn't lose out.
'Plus, the number of bloodstones the Castaway has consumed so far...'
Ten at first. Then 150 next. Totaling 160.
'If he's eaten all 160, he's level 6 now.'
By calculation, 290 more would get him to level 10.
However, level 10 involved [Ability Specialization], so it wouldn't be exact.
'The odds of reaching level 10 are usually 1%.'
After filling experience at level 9, eating a bloodstone gave a 1% chance to hit 10.
Lucky ones might hit it with one or two, unlucky ones could eat 200-300.
'But combining the Incheon Alliance and other joining groups...'
He'd get at least 1,000 bloodstones.
That would push him past 10 to 13 or 14.
'13-14 levels.'
A level with few equals.
Han Soo-yeon thought that would make even the Castaway safe.
“Ah, Han Soo-yeon. Do you take Awakening Stones instead of bloodstones?”
“...Awakening Stones?”
At that moment, Lee Geon-woo asked if they could trade Awakening Stones instead of bloodstones.
'I barely slept.'
All because Rubyel said something unnecessary yesterday.
I spent ages debating whether to touch her chest while she slept.
'She said anytime, so even while sleeping should be fine.'
But skipping when she offered and doing it while asleep felt wrong somehow.
“Castaway. You look tired.”
“Ah, I'm fine.”
Elisicia immediately noticed my state and commented.
I was tired as she said, but not to the point of issue.
'It's not like I have to fight.'
Anyway, lack of sleep didn't change the schedule.
Like yesterday, I woke up, ate breakfast, listed items at the exchange, and set off.
“You need proper sleep. Maintaining peak condition is important.”
“...Yes.”
“Should I ask Aila to relieve your fatigue?”
“Is that possible?”
Aila approached me briskly, as if waiting.
In her neat white priestess robe, she spoke to me sympathetically.
“You haven't adapted to the labyrinth yet, so you're fatigued. If you allow it, I'll ease it.”
“Isn't relieving fatigue tiring for you?”
“No. Even a simple holy spell works.”
Her casual response made me nod.
“Then... please.”
Aila smiled brightly and clasped her hands.
Fwaaah!—
A brilliant golden light enveloped my body, washing away the fatigue completely.
'What is this?'
No joke—my condition was like after a full night's sleep, incredibly refreshed.
This could handle several sleepless nights easily.
“Impressive.”
“We're only on the 10th floor, so my voice reaches the Goddess easily.”
I wondered what that meant at first, but realized upon thinking.
'Right, holy spells get harder deeper in the labyrinth.'
On the 10th floor, they were relatively easy.
Thanks to her, fully refreshed, I thanked Aila.
“Aila, thank you.”
“Anytime.”
With fatigue gone, I leisurely surveyed the 10th floor.
Elisicia said it was like a wasteland, a pretty accurate description.
'Just endless parched earth.'
Not entirely flat—small hills and massive mountain ranges appeared.
'But no trees or grass anywhere.'
Overall, it felt desolate.
“At this pace, it'll take four days... no, about a week to reach the beastkin area.”
While I looked around, Elisicia spoke.
“A week?”
“Four days among ourselves, but we have to consider you too, Castaway.”
“Can't I ride Rover?”
Rubyel, riding Rover today, chimed in.
“No rush, right? It's been years since we relaxed like this. Let's take it slow.”
I changed my mind at Rubyel's words about years since relaxing.
“Ah. Then let's walk like today.”
“Yeah. The labyrinth isn't going anywhere. Plus, people's situations are improving.”
By the way, when listing items today, the entire Hero Party gave me their sales points.
Food including chicken skewers and beer sold out, and surprisingly, over half the weapons too.
'Thought weapons' high prices would slow sales.'
Anyway, my points increased a lot, but current holdings were low.
[Points: 146,481]
I'd bought items today and handed them to the Hero Party.
Still, tomorrow's settlement should push me past 300,000 easily.
“Hm?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, Elisicia and the Hero Party made sounds like they'd spotted something.
Thinking monsters appeared, I scanned around but saw nothing, so I looked back at Elisicia.
“Hero? What's up?”
“No, all the items listed at the exchange sold out.”
“Already?”
I was surprised too, as it hadn't even been hours.
“Yes. I have no idea how...”
Elisicia peered at the gallery with a puzzled expression.
Conversely, the sudden total sellout sparked an idea in my mind.
'No way, Channel 3?'