Chapter 014 – Black Market Second Shopping

After a long and exhaustive explanation from the Operator, Sungjin was finally teleported to the Black market .

[Once you have finished shopping, please feel free]
[to return to the “Ninety Nine Nights” Inn at any time . ]

The Operator continued to speak, but Sungjin had had enough .

“I got it, Thank you,”

Sungjin waved the cube away and entered the Black Market .

‘…Bookstore… where was that again…?’

Sungjin had been to the Blackmarket innumerous times, but couldn’t recall the last time he had entered a bookstore .

There never was a really good reason to enter one . Sungjin roamed the Blackmarket aimlessly until he found a bookstore hidden away in a corner .

[This bookstore ‘Dry Mouth’ is run by bookkeeper Gourmet . ]
[Various books and information can be purchased here . ]

The shop owner was a quiet looking goat man . He was so absorbed in his reading that he did not notice that he had a customer waiting . Sungjin eventually let out a fake cough to attract his attention .

“Cough… hmmm . ”

The Goat man finally noticed that he was not alone; only his eyes moved as he gazed up from his book . He saw Sungjin and greeted him .

“Ah, please excuse me for not noticing you there… I hope you can understand; this is a great paragraph you see… so, was there something you wanted to buy?”

Sungjin shook his head .

“No… I did not come to buy a book . ”

Sungjin carefully took out the part 1 of ‘Ancient Stories of the East’ from his vest and showed it to Gourmet .

“…Do you recognize this book?”

Gourmet’s eyes grew wide in surprise .

“Oh… My goodness!”

His eyes took turns looking back and forth between the book and Sungjin .

“This is a very precious item… where did you manage to obtain one?”

Sungjin replied matter-of-factly .

“What do you mean? I obviously got it as a raid reward . ”

Gourmet shook his head in disbelief and replied, licking his dry mouth .

“I thought chapter 2 just ended… how is it possible to obtain a legendary crafting material this early on?”

“…I didn’t know it was possible either . So… do you carry any of the later parts of this book?”

“Hmm… Please wait for a moment . ”

Gourmet closed the book he was reading and stood up . Behind him were mountains of books . Some were even taller than Sungjin .

He dug into the mountain and disappeared from sight . Once a minute had passed since his disappearance, the mountain seemed to collapse with books cascading down . After two major and chaotic book avalanches, Gourmet appeared holding two volumes .

In his hands were the ‘Ancient Stories from the East’ Part 2 and the ‘Ancient Stories from the East’ Part 3 . Gourmet proudly announced:

“As I thought, I have them . So, have you come to purchase them?”

Sungjin instinctively swallowed .

“…How much are they?”

“5000 Black coins per Volume . ”

Sungjin couldn’t believe his ears .

“What?”

“5000 Black coins per Volume . Did you already lose your hearing at such a young age?”

5000 black coins per each crafting material; it was expensive . Far too expensive .

“That means… the final item has the component cost of 15,000 Coins…”

“In my humble opinion, the complete item is incomparably more valuable than 15,000 Coins . ”

Sungjin fell quiet . Gourmet was right . For now, he decided to leave the shop .

“…Understood . I will come again at a later date . ”

He needed 10,000 Coins to purchase the two components . Haggling or intimidation did not work with Vendors .

“… If you want to read to pass the time before the next raid, feel free to browse . Any book unrelated to combat is free after all . ”

Sungjin waved his hands and left Gourmet’s bookshop . His destination: ‘Ninety Nine Nights” . There was nothing he wanted to purchase . There were only two items that he yearned for .

‘I currently have 2580 Coins . My old sword is 9700 Coins…but the remaining two crafting materials cost 10,000 Coins…’

“Mister Hunter! Please look at my wares!”

A Vender shouted for his attention, but Sungjin paid no heed . He was deeply troubled by his dilemma .

‘Finish the book, or reunite with the old sword…’

Sungjin was short of about 7500 Coins needed to purchase either of the two items . He would need to complete at least two more raids to earn the required amount . Sungjin debated on which item to get first as he walked back to the ‘Ninety Nine Nights’ Inn .

*

Once he returned to ‘Ninety Nine Nights’, he found that a familiar friend was waiting for him at the table . It was the wolf ‘Grand Kin’ . Cain barked once as if to greet Sungjin .

“Woof”

It was unexpected . But the Operator gave an explanation .

[Beings connected via ‘Spiritual Link’ skill]
[Will be available at ‘Ninety Nine Nights’ from now on . ]

Sungjin welcomed the information . He didn’t feel comfortable with other people, but being able to spend time with a loyal companion like Cain had no demerits .

Sungjin walked up to Cain and petted him .

“Cain… Let’s go in and eat dinner or something . ”

Sungjin entered ‘Ninety Nine Nights’ . Owlbear Dalupin greeted Sungjin as always .

“Welcome back, Mister Hunter . ”

He bowed deeply until his back was nearly level with the floor .

“Ah, thanks . ”

“Awoo…”

Hearing an unfamiliar wolf voice, Dalupin turned his head around to look at Cain from his bowed position . Sungjiin was reminded that owl men could turn their neck around at 180 degrees .

“This Wolf…”

Sungjin answered casually .

“He’s my ally . Please take care of him when I am not around . ”

“Understood, sir . ”

Dalupin finally stood up straight and asked

“You must be famished . What would you like for me to prepare today?”

Sungjin deliberated for a moment .

“Sushi . Various kinds, about 20 pieces . Oh, and make about 5 fatty tuna . ”

Dalupin nodded .

“Understood . I will prepare them right away . ”

“Ah… And raw meat for Cain . A good cut of beef around 500 grams . It’s okay right?”

Dalupin nodded once more .

“Not a problem . ”

*

Sungjin picked up the last remaining Fatty Tuna Sushi with his chopsticks . He had been saving it for last . He dipped the tip of the rice in soy sauce before putting it in his mouth .

The soft meat of the tuna, with the perfect ratio of fat mixed in… it, almost seemed sacrilegious to swallow such a perfectly prepared culinary masterpiece .

But eventually, the tuna was masticated and swallowed .

‘Should I order 5 more fatty tunas?’

Sungjin considered his options for a while . After carefully weighing his options, he decided not to . If he over indulges on food today, it could cause problems in the raid tomorrow .

Sungjin took a glance down once he was done eating . Cain finished his meal and licked his plate clean .

“I’ll see you tomorrow Cain . ”

Sungjin petted Cain one more time and returned upstairs . He asked the Operator as he took off his clothes .

“Operator, Time left?”

[10 Hours 49 Minutes 21 Seconds until the next raid . ]

Until the next raid, there were two things he had to do; Distribute his status points, and decide on a title .

Sungjin sank himself into the tub and called upon the Operator .

“What is my status right now?”

Title: Master Hunter
HP :   1500    MP :   220
Strength:            275   212   (+63)
Dexterity:           381   293   (+88)
Endurance:        150    115    (+35)
Magic Power:      18     14      (+4)
Mind Power:       22     17      (+5)

Unallocated points: 2200

 

‘2200 unallocated points after completing chapter 2… I don’t think my total stat points added up to 2000 after four chapters last time though…’

It was certainly an incredible amount . It helped that Sungjin took the majority of the contribution points from both Chapter 1 and 2, as well as clearing them at 100% completion .

‘I guess it’s because I did everything by myself…’

The most important question that needed an answer now was how to distribute his status points . After thinking about it carefully while idly splashing about in the tub, he decided to invest 700 into strength, 800 into dexterity, and 700 into Endurance .

The reason why such a high percentage of status points went into endurance was simple .

‘There will be mages starting with the next chapter . ’

There were magical attacks that cannot be dodged no matter how dexterous you were . In order to clear a raid safely, investing in Endurance was necessary . Of course, investing so much into Endurance could lead to shortage in attack power, but

‘If I really need to, I could always rely on Yahurat to get me through rough spots . ’

His next dilemma was what to do with the titles .

‘If I use Master Hunter, I receive bonus stats . If I use Treasure Hunter, the opportunity to find hidden pieces would increase…’

It was a difficult decision . After much thought, Sungjin finally decided to keep Master Hunter for one more round .

The reason was that it was such an excellent title . Even to the final chapter, Sungjin had never even heard of such a good title .

‘… I will decide on the Treasure Hunter after trying the active skill at least once . Couldn’t hurt to wait and see first…’

Sungjin finished his bath and wrapped up his thoughts . Fatigue from the battle today, and the subsequent relaxation at the bath made him drowsy . He felt drawn to the bed and laid himself on its soft sheets . But…

‘Knock knock’

He heard a knocking at the door .

“Who is it?”

Dalupin answered from the other side .

“Dear Hunter, it is the information pertaining to the next Raid . ”

‘I don’t need it though…’

But Sungjin opened the door anyway . He felt it was against etiquette to refuse gestures of kindness . Especially against Dalupin who provided him excellent meals and a place to lodge .

Once Sungjin opened the door, Dalupin handed him a piece of paper . Sungjin accepted the note and said

“Thank you . ”

“Hope you have a restful evening . ”

Dalupin closed the door and left . Sungjin took a glance at the piece of paper . It goes without saying that there was no hint regarding the ‘Hidden Piece’ .

Information mostly pertained to terrain, the different kinds of monsters dwelling in the area and about the boss that ruled the place . Ordinary things . Everything that Sungjin already knew by experience .

Sungjin placed the paper on his bedside table . The title was illuminated by the lamp .

‘Information pertaining to the Greysoul Cemetery’

But he turned off the lamp . While other hunters diligently studied the note, Sungjin laid on the bed and went to sleep .