A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 49

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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 49

“I’ll take these shoes. One payment.”
This time, I selected shoes that matched the formal suit reasonably well in color.
“I’ll assist you with the lump sum payment, sir.”
The feeling was oddly novel.
Normally my hands should be trembling, yet I found it strange how naturally I accepted this as ordinary.
“Your payment of 6 million won has been processed. Thank you for your purchase.”
Even though I’d selected a premium pair of shoes—the most expensive and finest-looking ones in this store—they amounted to only about 4 Gold.
Compared to Magic Stones and even Hidden Class prices, it was trivial.
“Finally, the watch remains.”
The watch would likely be the final boss of this shopping expedition.
Even I hesitated to aim for the highest-priced watch line.
The top-tier lineup here was priced in the hundreds of millions of won.
“Welcome.”
I entered today’s final dungeon—the Luxury Watch Store.
A brief reconnaissance phase followed.
“Is there a particular watch you’re looking for?”
A quiet yet composed tension hung in the air.
I decided to maintain silence for now and examine the watches displayed throughout the store.
The employee’s gaze alternated between me and the watches, yet they refrained from pressing further.
Suddenly, one watch captured my attention.
It was studded with diamonds—unmistakably expensive-looking.
From the display case alone, I could discern it was a considerably high-end timepiece.
Moreover, with two other even more elaborate display cases besides this one, I estimated this watch held a supporting role rather than being the store’s centerpiece.
“How much is this one?”
“The current retail price for the model you’re viewing is 230 million won.”
As expected, it was as I suspected.
I could afford it, but the price approached roughly half of my available funds.
The store itself was a worthy protagonist in its own right, boasting combat power befitting a hero’s party.
If it were a supporting member of a hero’s party, it would rank at least as an Archmage or Sword Master.
“May I try it on?”
Curiosity suddenly seized me.
I had no sense of what effect high-end equipment from reality might possess.
“We only display the actual items; we don’t allow them to be worn.”
“I see.”
This store was indeed formidable.
The suit I’d purchased was being tailored, and all my shopping bags contained was a pair of shoes worth a few million won, so the employee made a reasonable judgment based on what was visible.
This customer wasn’t a buyer, after all.
That certainty crystallized within me.
“Process the payment. Full amount, one lump sum.”
“Pardon?”
Instead of answering, I extended my card.
This choice might prove reckless later, but right now I needed to shed this shabby appearance decisively.
I suspected it would become a crucial weapon in tomorrow’s resignation battle.
Tomorrow, I had to resurrect my sense of self and execute my resolve with absolute conviction.
“Sir, I could show you a few other models as well.”
“No, this will do. A watch worth admiring only with the eyes has sufficient purchase value.”
“Ah, yes. Then it would be better to notify your card company first, or process the payment through bank transfer. Our store’s terminal can handle large transactions, but a standard card will hit its transaction limit.”
“I see. A transfer would be better then.”
Indeed, the Dungeon where the hero party stayed was on an entirely different level.
Having never made such a massive payment before, I even had to learn the transfer method itself.
“Here’s the brand’s corporate account number.”
Living this way, I was even seeing account numbers packaged in luxury.
“I’ll step away to make a call.”
“Of course.”
I went through various authentication procedures and received approval for the bank transfer.
Finally, I could transfer 230 million won.
“The transfer is complete. Please verify.”
“Yes, confirmed. Would you like to try it on?”
Now that payment was finished, the employee’s demeanor had shifted noticeably.
The energy remained the same, but the preferential treatment toward a paying customer was unmistakably evident.
“How does it feel on your wrist?”
“Mm.”
Honestly, I had no idea.
I’d never been interested in watches to begin with, and unlike games where high-end equipment came with practical bonuses, real-world luxury gear offered only social influence as compensation.
Yet something within me swelled with emotion.
It was sentimental.
“It looks wonderful.”
“I’m glad. Please review the warranty as well.”
Just from buying a watch, countless items came with it.
Inside the watch box were quite luxurious printed materials and various supporting documents.
“Yes, I’ve reviewed everything. Please put it in a shopping bag.”
Even the shopping bag boasted an uncommonly substantial thickness.
This was the power of hundred-million-won shopping.
“Thank you for your patronage.”
“You too.”
Before leaving the Department Store, I picked up the tailored suit that had finished alterations.
With that, all preparations were complete.
What remained was sufficient rest and the right mindset.

* * *

Monday dawned.
An ordinary commute like any other day, yet this was not my reality.
Today I would commit an act of absurdity I could never have imagined before.
I donned equipment that defied ordinary civilian sensibilities and steeled my resolve.
Ding.

-I’m outside your place. Come on down.

A text from Sung-chul arrived.
With that, all preparations were truly complete.
“It’s my first time meeting you. I’m Lee Han-gyeol, a manager at Seo-gwang Security.”
“Hello. I’m Lee Seo-jun. Thank you for everything.”
After living this long, such a day had finally come for me.
A Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
I found myself boarding a vehicle worth over 800 million won in pure value.
None of this would have been possible without Sung-chul’s help.

-You’re really quitting? On a Monday, just like that? Okay. Then I have no choice but to help. Right now, I think the real me is more useful than the game version of me anyway.

-Yeah, it’s done. They’re dispatching me as a manager-level position at Seo-gwang Security. No matter what, your resignation will be handled. Do it your way, freely.

That’s why I sought out Lee Han-gyeol standing right before me.
“How are you planning to proceed with your resignation?”
“I’m going to submit a resignation letter first.”
“A textbook approach. In that case, I’ll support you in a way that leaves no room for complications.”
“Thank you.”
No room for complications.
In other words, it meant I could do whatever I wanted.
The effects of the temporary buff called ‘Social Apex Predator (Temporary)’ were almost painful to describe.
Since I had no permanent status in reality, I resolved to make the most of this temporary buff while it lasted.
“Is this water?”
“Yes. Svalbard Glacier Water. In plain terms, Arctic glacial water. It boasts a pristine taste.”
“Oh.”
Clearly expensive mineral water at first glance.
I’d never seen this brand in stores before.
Normally, one wouldn’t have the opportunity to drink Arctic glacier water in their lifetime.
“It’s excellent.”
True to Lee Han-gyeol’s word, the water had a pristine taste.
I couldn’t detect any practical difference, but the emotional satisfaction was undeniable.
“The ceiling sparkles too.”
“Yes. Starlight Headliner with fiber optic options. It resembles the Milky Way, doesn’t it?”
“It certainly does.”
Despite being alcohol-free mineral water, I felt intoxicated.
Money truly is wonderful.
For some reason, time seemed to pass more quickly as well.
“We’ve arrived. Please wait a moment.”
“Yes.”
I exited the vehicle with Lee Han-gyeol’s escort.
The astonished expressions of my usual colleagues captured my attention immediately.
“S-Seo-jun?”
“Hello.”
“Huh? Y-yes….”
Even Chae-rim, who always greeted me warmly first, and Dong-hyuk, who would normally have offered a curt greeting, fell silent.
Their reactions were entirely different from usual.
Thud. Thud.
Since this was reality, Ashen Stride didn’t activate.
With everyone around me in silence, my footsteps echoed all the more clearly.
“I’ll show you the way. Chairman.”
Somehow, I’d become the chairman.
Hearing the title at my age was quite a novel experience.
Before long, security personnel—apparently dispatched additionally from Seo-gwang Security—were stationed all around me.
“W-wait, Kang. That’s Seo-jun, right?”
“Yeah. Probably?”
My coworkers’ bewilderment was fleeting—now only Seo-gwang Security personnel filled my vision.
Only the path forward remained open.
Thud. Thud.
Beep.
The employee-only corridor unlocked.
But naturally, the Seo-gwang Security staff entered first.
“W-wait! You can’t do this!”
“No. We can.”
The security guard’s protest was swiftly suppressed by Lee Han-gyeol.
If anything, it was the security guard who found himself pushed back.
“As of yesterday, Lee Seo-jun became a VIP of Seo-gwang Security. Therefore, we are legally authorized to provide protective services.”
“O-oh. R-really?”
“Here is my business card.”
“Gasp. The real Seo-gwang Security! What an honor!”
“Then, we’ll be going.”
“Yes!”
Could things really work this way?
The security guard voluntarily opened the entrance.
Because it was Seo-gwang Security—or more precisely, because of the prestige of Seo-gwang itself—I’d gained absolute confidence that everything would be handled.
I boarded the elevator while receiving meticulous protection.
Though we were clearly external personnel and the company had its own staff, no one attempted to stop us.
“Please use the next one.”
“Yes.”
So this was the extent of Seo-gwang’s influence.
If one of the Four Major Guilds wielded this much power, what level did the others operate at?
And what of the Six Heavens in China?
I’d been profoundly ignorant.
Ignorant of how the world turned, of how it had transformed.
Beep.
I stepped into the Office.
Word would have already spread.
About the form in which I’d returned.
Thud. Thud.
“U-um…. Uh….”
I stood before Manager Park.
Had this person always been so small?
Before, as the company owner’s nephew, he’d once seemed impossibly distant.
“Hello, Manager Park.”
“Y-y-yes… W-what brings you here?”
Manager Park’s gaze wavered ceaselessly.
He stared at my clothes, shoes, and watch for a long moment, then shifted his eyes to the Seo-gwang Security emblem, before his focus seemed to dissolve entirely.
Moreover, as if he’d developed some kind of Seo-gwang-related trauma, his hands and feet trembled without pause.
Step.
“Kyaaaah!”
“…?”
“I’m not going to hit you! Just tell me what you want!”
Unlike Sung-chul, I had no particular intention of striking my superior standing before me.
Rather, having him ask first what I desired was more than welcome.
“What I want is to resign.”

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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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