Chapter 37
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Deal Sealed
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"...Value is relative. There's no way an android's worth would be the same in this world as in another."
Rubyel had been listening quietly from the side but finally chimed in.
"Even so, I don't think the difference would be as much as sixteen times."
-Conditions can make the difference a hundredfold, and that wouldn't be strange. More importantly, who might you be, jumping into the conversation?
I paused to mull over the Golden King's words.
She had a point—androids would indeed be valued differently across worlds.
'An android that goes for about 500 million on 4chan could fetch tens or hundreds of billions back in the modern world.'
Of course, I figured the elixirs were just as potent.
But while Yu Hyun-min desperately wanted an android, the Golden King didn't seem quite as eager for the elixirs.
"Is there something specific you're hoping for?"
When I asked directly, the Golden King stared at me for a moment before speaking.
-I want something that can make me special. That's how I've lived my life so far.
"Something to make you special?"
-Yes. I know full well the value of those elixirs. In this era where we can only use outdated gear, they'd be incredibly precious.
Channel 4's cutting-edge equipment carried the risk of parasite infection.
That was why they resorted to old models as a fallback.
-If consuming that elixir could turn me into a superhuman, I'd gladly make the deal. Can an elixir take down a mechanical legion?
I recalled Channel 4's tech level and shook my head.
"That seems unlikely."
In the case of the Race Tal, it granted E-rank hunter physical abilities, but that wouldn't cut it.
Eating maybe ten of them might do the trick, but one? No chance.
-Just as I thought. And physical enhancements? Tough skin? Those are fully achievable with augmentation procedures.
Channel 4's tech even allowed for augmentation procedures.
At that moment, Elisicia pondered deeply before speaking up about the procedures and elixirs.
"I've been thinking— what if you combined an augmentation procedure with an elixir? Wouldn't that make you even stronger?"
-I've considered that too. They enhance you in different ways. But unless it's an overwhelming boost, it's pointless.
Strong enough to crush a mechanical legion.
Anything less was useless, the Golden King declared.
'Then... what about a Channel 3 awakening stone?'
I'd gained telekinesis from one, but not everyone would get the same ability.
I didn't have one on hand right now, but Ice Queen would probably deliver soon.
"How about an awakening stone?"
-An awakening stone?
"It grants each person a unique superpower."
-A superpower... That's intriguing. What kind do people usually get?
I was about to say it varied and I didn't know specifics, but something stopped me.
Answering that way felt like it'd loop us back to the elixirs, so I added a little flair.
"It seems to depend on one's potential. The greater the potential, the rarer the superpower."
-In that case, I'd get a one-of-a-kind superpower the world has never seen.
"If your potential is that exceptional, maybe."
Awakening stones wouldn't even hit Channel 4 in any real numbers, so a unique superpower wasn't exactly a lie.
'Unique to Channel 4, at least.'
The Golden King smirked, clearly pleased, looking down at me from her superior angle—like a queen, though I kept that thought to myself.
-I like it. But what if the superpower's power doesn't live up to my expectations?
"Oh, no need to worry about power. There's a red stone that boosts the superpower's strength."
-Then all issues are resolved. Very well. Let's make the deal.
"..."
Fortunately, she'd agreed, but I didn't have an awakening stone right now.
-What's wrong?
The Golden King picked up on my expression and asked immediately.
"No, just grateful you're willing to trade. Still, I need to prepare too—how about we finalize tomorrow?"
-Tomorrow... You don't look the type, but you're quite the schemer.
"Pardon?"
A schemer? Me?
-I've seen through you. You'll ask to add me as a friend for a smooth trade tomorrow. Then you'll try to get close little by little.
"..."
I stared at the Golden King, who'd wildly misinterpreted things, seriously pondering my response.
Since flattering her had sealed the deal earlier, something similar might work now.
"Ah, you're right. I didn't expect you'd catch on so quickly—impressive."
-Of course, it's me we're talking about. Reading people is child's play.
Her first impression had been pure queen...
Now she was leaning toward spoiled young lady.
-In return, I'll play along with your scheme. If the superpower tomorrow satisfies me, I'll give you a chance to get close.
I'd planned to keep trading for bloodstones anyway, but even that might not matter.
If she got a useless power, no amount of bloodstones would help.
'Ice Queen's stone will be low-grade, though.'
Mid or high-grade were too rare to expect.
So, I'd have to hope for a good roll from a low-grade stone.
'Will that even work?'
[Nickname 'Golden King' has requested to add you as a friend.]
While I was lost in thought, the Golden King sent a friend request.
I accepted, and she promptly introduced herself properly.
-Consider it an honor. You've been friended by Dioren Arcanis, vice president of Golden King (GK).
"Pardon? Ah, I..."
-I'll hear your name after seeing tomorrow's results.
[1:1 video call has ended.]
Before I could respond, the Golden King ended the video call with those words.
"..."
As I thought about her utterly unpredictable personality, Rubyel muttered in disbelief.
"What was with that attitude? It felt like we were the ones begging."
"We pretty much are."
She was the only source for an android, after all.
Besides, neither the elixirs nor the awakening stones were coming from my pocket, so no real loss.
'Now I just wait for Ice Queen's contact.'
By the timing, she should be linking up with the Incheon Alliance and trading by now.
If no word came, I'd ask tonight and pick up the stone tomorrow morning.
[Friend 'Ice Queen' has requested a 1:1 chat.]
'Huh?'
But no need—she'd contacted me right on cue.
Channel 3.
Ice Queen Han Soo-yeon began the groundwork to fulfill the castaway's request.
"First, I'll limit the item types people want to 100. Otherwise, the list would just keep growing endlessly."
"Isn't 100 too few?"
Lee Jung-woo, who had escorted her to the lodging, said.
"No, I think 100 is plenty. If we pick only the essentials, it won't exceed that."
Selecting only the truly necessary food and daily goods wouldn't surpass 100.
Lee Jung-woo had his doubts but nodded in the end.
"Understood. I'll pass that along."
Han Soo-yeon was nonchalant about trading or not anyway.
"In exchange, anyone bringing Channel 4 items will get a direct trade from me worth 1,000 points."
"Do they need to bring Channel 4 items plus 1,000 points in bloodstones?"
"Yes. The only change is I'll handle their desired items personally."
"Why Channel 4 items specifically?"
"The merchant needs them."
Soon after settling into her lodging, Incheon Alliance leader Lee Geon-woo visited.
"I've heard the details. Group purchases limited to 100 item types, and you'll trade desired goods for Channel 4 items."
"Yes. No issues there. If they don't like it, no deal."
She wasn't holding a knife to anyone's throat.
But people were already buzzing with anticipation at the chance to buy supplies.
"Any reason for wanting Channel 4 items? Maybe repairing their weapons for use..."
Channel 4 weapons would be a huge boon against the upcoming Zombie Queen fight.
Even 10-20 could give them overwhelming superiority.
"I don't know the details. Repairing them, or just needing parts."
"Even without knowing, couldn't you ask on our behalf?"
"Sure, I'll ask. Is that all?"
Lee Geon-woo knew her "I'll ask" was empty without benefit to her.
"No, that's actually my real business."
So he offered a concession first.
"We'll supply the awakening stones in place of the people's bloodstones."
"For all these people, with awakening stones?"
Low-grade ones traded for 30,000 points—not insignificant.
That equated to 30 million won, but the problem was Incheon Alliance's population.
Over 30,000 people.
And supplies were equally scarce for all, so 30 million fell short.
Lee Geon-woo thought similarly and pulled out prepared awakening stones.
"This should suffice."
Three mid-grade awakening stones.
Six low-grade awakening stones.
That was his offer.
"...Mid-grade ones. You sure about giving these up?"
Mid-grade stones could produce immediate combat assets.
A good power plus bloodstone levels could handle stage-1 variant zombies easily.
"It stings, but no choice."
(Low-grade powers barely scaled with levels, so limited value.)
"What's the value on mid-grade stones?"
They'd started at 50,000 points.
Now, 60-70,000 was common.
"50,000 each. With your 3x multiplier, that's 450,000 points total. Plus six low-grade at 180,000."
630,000 points combined.
6.3 billion won.
"..."
Han Soo-yeon realized gathering bloodstones would be tough this way.
"But I'll knock off one mid-grade. 480,000 points. Just pass on that I'll ask the merchant as requested."