A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 48

I unleashed a sword strike so violent that everything around me was swept away in its wake.
I wasn’t even sure if it could be called a sword strike anymore.
The sheer firepower was comparable to modern tactical weaponry.
“Cleanup’s done. Let’s gather what we need and head out.”
“Understood.”
We divided the items fifty-fifty without bothering to check their options.
I didn’t even protest when they offered me their share.
Even if we resold everything, it wouldn’t fetch a fortune, but it would cover our travel expenses—a modest gesture of goodwill between us.
Fortunately, after that last ambush, no further threats emerged.
We returned to Dran Village relatively unscathed.
“Kael, are you planning to head straight to City Hall?”
“Yes. Getting out of this kingdom comes first.”
In medieval negotiations, personal safety was paramount above all else.
Coercion worked far too well in this world.
It was because of the mechanism where testimony created evidence.
Add to that the influence of connections and affiliations.
I maintained a careful balance between the Meriam Kingdom, the Belhard Kingdom, and Seoguang, refusing to commit fully to any single faction.
“Phew. We finally made it to City Hall. You’ve worked hard.”
“You’ve worked hard as well.”
The paperwork proceeded swiftly.
Since dead players couldn’t return for a week anyway, I was still just an ordinary user in their eyes.
“Have a pleasant journey.”

* * *

I returned to Liam.
Only then could Eden and I clasp hands without reservation.
“Thank you for helping me come this far.”
Though it began as surveillance, it ended in triumph.
Without him, I would have faced death after enduring tremendous hardship.
The hidden Dungeon carried suffering proportional to its rewards.
I’d stumbled from the start, encountering an unprecedented mechanic called Magi for the first time.
“Thanks to you, I cleared the Dungeon and returned safely. Moreover, I obtained a hidden class I never anticipated.”
“I’m glad I could be of service. May I ask where you intend to go next?”
“Hmm…”
There was no reason to withhold the truth.
Honesty seemed the better approach.
Seoguang had instructed Eden to tail me, after all.
“I’ll handle basic preparations first, then open negotiations. We need to discuss ownership of the Dungeon.”
Control of a hidden Dungeon wouldn’t remain mere game mechanics.
It could become an extraordinary opportunity that transformed my entire life.
Moreover, since I’d touched the funds destined for Six Heavens, there was ample room for entanglement with them.
For now, the best course was to finalize a proper deal with Seoguang—securing both safety and wealth simultaneously.
“We’ll meet again soon, then.”
“Would you like to add me as a friend?”
“Yes.”
And so I became friends with Eden as well.

[Friend List]
[Online: Eun-nyang E]
[Online: Bella]
[Online: Nyx]
[Online: Eden]

All my friends were online.
A friend list of unparalleled dedication.
Not a single one prioritized their real-world life.
Among them, I ranked lowest.
Only upward remained.
Steeling my resolve, I settled into a comfortable position and sent a whisper to Sung-chul (Elder).

[Kael: Elder, I’ve arrived in Liam.]
[Nyx: Huh? I thought you were in Kela Village?]
[Kael: I’ve also advanced into a Hidden Class.]
[Nyx: What? Then it’s a high-tier Hidden Class? Stage-unlock Hidden Classes are incredibly rare—only a handful of people have them. That’s insane.]
[Kael: Ah, please keep searching for traces. I heard it’s a job that unlocks abilities in stages.]
[Nyx: Of course. I had a feeling something was off about you, but I never imagined you’d turn out to be this much of a monster. Looks like I’ll have to deliver some results myself.]
[Kael: Thank you, Elder. Oh, and there’s one more thing.]
[Nyx: Yeah?]

Sung-chul was already quite motivated at this point.
But what would happen if I added another bombshell on top of this?

[Kael: I discovered the first Hidden Dungeon. And I cleared it. ‘Link: Large Mana Stone’.]
[Nyx: Gasp.]

Along with Sung-chul’s sharp intake of breath, the whispers fell silent for a while.
A delicious reaction.
I waited with anticipation, wondering what kind of response he’d give upon seeing the Large Mana Stone.

[Nyx: Is this for real?]

After a long pause, his response finally came—a question of authenticity.
Sung-chul had already reached the stage of denial.
Considering the status a Large Mana Stone held in the upper Guilds, it was only natural.

[Nyx: Ah. Yeah. It must be real. After all, you can only display the Link if you actually have a Large Mana Stone.]

Now he’d reached the stage of acceptance.
His last response carried a hint of resignation.

[Nyx: A Hidden Dungeon that drops Large Mana Stones. And it’s near Dran Village, right? There were those malicious users and goblins involved. But with a Large Mana Stone being such a heavyweight item, are you sure you’ll be okay?]

And now he’d reached the stage of concern.
I’d enjoyed his reactions enough—now it was time to ease his worries.

[Kael: Yes. That’s all correct. Fortunately, there was a user from Seoguang tailing me. I received their help.]
[Nyx: Huh? Our guild? What’s their nickname?]
[Kael: Eden.]
[Nyx: Hmm? That person is…. No, never mind. I’ll tell you once I’m certain. Anyway, Eden is definitely one of our guild members. One of the guild’s hidden assets.]
[Kael: They were certainly no ordinary person. The hidden dungeon happened to be saturated with magical energy, and I received tremendous help because of it.]
[Nyx: This can only be attributed to sheer luck. Magical energy dungeons cut damage output in half, making solo clearance incredibly difficult. That’s why resistance potions are essential.]
[Kael: Yes. I drank one thanks to Eden. The large mana stone came from the dungeon boss. And in that dungeon, I discovered traces of the ancient Dark Mage Group and a adventurer’s footprints. Because of that, I was even able to advance my class.]
[Nyx: Wait. Dark Mages? What kind of lead is that? It’s actually rare to find traces of dark mages in magical energy dungeons.]
[Kael: Really? This could be profitable too?]
[Nyx: Yeah. What exactly is that dungeon? If it’s producing large mana stones and has dark mage-related leads, this could turn into a corporate-level transaction.]
[Kael: If it’s Seoguang, how about them as a trading partner?]

I didn’t need to ask any further than this.
The answer was well within my expectations.
I was someone who had directly witnessed the coup Sung-chul (Elder) orchestrated at the company.

[Nyx: Absolutely possible. Even if the guild funds are short right now, with Cha Eun-kyung’s help, it’s more than feasible. Congratulations in advance.]
[Kael: Do you have an estimate?]
[Nyx: I’ll tell you upfront—this is difficult to pin down. What’s certain is over hundreds of millions. We might even dare to look at tens of billions? Since it already includes existing hidden class transactions.]

For a moment, I was speechless.
I had naturally anticipated hundreds of millions, but I never imagined it would exceed a billion.
Tens of billions is an amount comparable to winning the first prize in the lottery—the kind of sum that profoundly transforms a person’s life.

[Kael: …Phew. Thank you for the advice. I look forward to seeing Kela Village’s performance.]
[Nyx: Got it. Leave it to me.]

Both Eden and Sung-chul (Elder) must have had many thoughts.
But we didn’t say everything.
There were simply too many critical decisions at stake.
From now on, everything depends on my judgment.

[Kael: Eden.]
[Eden: Yes.]
[Kael: I’d like to conduct an official transaction with Seoguang. Would the day after tomorrow in the evening work?]
[Eden: If it concerns the dungeon transaction, Seoguang will accommodate all of your requests. Please feel free to decide whatever is most convenient for you.]
[Kael: Then the day after tomorrow in the evening at the Light and Salt Inn.]

The Light and Salt Inn was the very lodging I’d used before.
Now that I possessed the stat redistribution ability, I could proceed with the flower tea World Cup generously.

[Eden: Yes. Is there a specific condition you’d like beforehand, Kael?]
[Kael: Cash is the top priority for now. Beyond that, I’d like to set the fountain water volume from Beginner Villages in countries other than our nation and China as a condition as well. I have a personal hobby of collecting such things.]
[Eden: Hmm. It seems simple but is quite demanding. Will this affect the transaction significantly?]
[Kael: Of course, only within what’s not burdensome. It’s something I could handle myself through legwork anyway.]
[Eden: Understood. Your requirements will be conveyed to the Guild Master as stated.]
[Kael: Thank you.]

I estimated two days would be sufficient to settle the surrounding matters.
Therefore, I set the transaction date for the relatively soon day after tomorrow.
“Welcome.”
“Three nights’ lodging, please.”
“Yes. I’ll show you to your room.”
With the plan made, I decided to call it a day here.
Now I would quickly retire to my room and spend the remaining time in reality.
“Logout.”

* * *

Evening had arrived before I knew it.
Fortunately, I managed to reach the department store before closing time.
My destination was the luxury goods section.
Clothing came first among them.
“Welcome.”
“I’m looking to put together a formal suit. Could you check inventory according to my measurements?”
“Of course, sir.”
“I’d like alterations to be minimal. Among those, please show me the highest-priced line.”
“Yes, sir.”
After taking my measurements and a brief tea service, various formal suits began to be presented.
“Our store currently carries the highest-priced line like this. Is there a design you prefer?”
“Hmm.”
I didn’t need to look at the price.
I’d already researched the price range of the highest-priced line beforehand and confirmed there would be no issue with the purchase.
“I’ll take this one. Full payment.”
“Yes. Card received and full payment confirmed, sir.”
I chose a premium formal suit that exuded subtle sophistication rather than flashiness.
The fabric alone was so overwhelming that anyone looking at it would never judge it as cheap.
“Please keep the alterations as minimal as possible. How long will I need to wait?”
“I’ll have it finished within an hour.”
“Yes. I’ll come back later.”
“Thank you, customer.”
The combat outfit was ready.
Next came the watch and shoes.
As for the watch, even my current assets couldn’t touch the highest price range, so I had to choose carefully.
That’s why the plan was to buy shoes first and then match a watch to whatever budget remained.
“Phew. Alright. Let’s do this properly.”
One day before my resignation, the eve-of-storm shopping spree began in earnest.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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