Monopolizing Skills to the 666th Floor - Chapter 146
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Skill Devouring Up to Floor 666 Episode 146
146. Heavenly Taste
The evaluation of Lawrence Winterstone from those around him was positive.
As the chairman of Winterstone Energy with branches all over the world, his reputation was beyond question.
Moreover, he was a well-known gourmet that everyone in the know was aware of – some called him picky, but others praised him for his knowledge of taste.
When such a gourmet announced he would sell food exclusively to the upper class, the surrounding reaction was nothing but surprise.
“You were invited by the Winterstone family, right? To try their food…”
“Yes. They said they’re selling absolutely amazing food.”
“They said we’d experience heavenly tastes that can’t be found anywhere else in the world…”
“Honestly, I think the exaggeration is a bit much.”
“Right? I agree.”
“What kind of food are they selling that they only invited a select few from the upper class…”
“Food is food, isn’t it all the same?”
Food sold by Lawrence, who was a gourmet.
It was both anticipated and somewhat suspicious.
Perhaps the food was just bait and he had called them for some other purpose.
Then Lawrence appeared before the people gathered in the restaurant.
“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedules. There’s a specific reason I invited you all today. I wanted to give you the opportunity to taste-test before our official opening.”
“Excuse me, by opening you mean…?”
“We’re planning to start a business with a new menu we’ve developed. But the price range is quite high. So I invited you all to taste it first and hear your opinions.”
“You’re really going to sell food?”
They already knew he loved food since he was a gourmet.
But to think he’d even consider doing business.
Winterstone Energy was such a large company that it wouldn’t be strange for them to venture into other fields…
But wasn’t this a bit out of the blue?
“How much is the price going to be…?”
“We’re planning it as a restaurant, with course meals priced at 20,000 pounds.”
“2, 20,000 pounds!?”
20,000 pounds was worth about 45 million won in Korean currency.
Of course, as wealthy people, they had the ability to pay this much, but wasn’t it too much for the price of a single meal?
“What kind of meal costs 20,000 pounds?”
“You might go bankrupt doing business like this.”
“Actually, I’m considering whether to raise the price even more.”
People made dumbfounded expressions at the thought of raising it even higher.
Lawrence smiled broadly as he looked at them.
“Don’t worry. I won’t charge you anything today.”
“…”
“Well then, you must be hungry, so shall we prepare the meal?”
Each person sat at their table and waited for the food to come out.
No one would leave after being invited.
Especially if it was free.
However.
‘There must be some other ulterior motive.’
‘A 45 million won lunch? Does that even make sense?’
‘Has Lawrence lost his mind?’
‘This isn’t business, it’s fraud, isn’t it? Who would pay this kind of money to eat?’
‘The energy business must not be going well. Seeing how he’s trying to force-sell to us.’
The majority thought it was a rip-off.
Or they thought there was some other scheme.
It was understandable.
Whatever the taste might be, they had never heard of or eaten a 20,000 pound meal.
“Here’s the first dish.”
What the chef brought directly was ordinary steamed egg.
Just like Lawrence had done, everyone showed stunned reactions.
‘So that’s the expression I made.’
Lawrence barely held back the laughter that was about to come out.
He gestured for them to hurry up and try it.
“Please try it.”
People picked up their spoons with reluctant faces.
However.
“!!!”
“Ah!!”
“Hm?”
“Huh…!”
Surprise, bewilderment, confusion, shock, astonishment, chaos, amazement, admiration, etc.
Truly various reactions appeared.
“H-how can steamed egg have this kind of taste…!?”
“Lawrence! Did you really develop this?”
“You’ve really done something incredible, haven’t you?”
Lawrence showed a relaxed smile to the amazed political figures.
“You shouldn’t be surprised already. I’ve only shown you the first menu item.”
Soon the second dish came out.
This also looked unremarkable, but when tasted, it had a flavor that wouldn’t be lacking even if called heavenly.
Everyone who had tried all ten course dishes had completely satisfied expressions.
“How is it? Do you think this is worth 20,000 pounds?”
“Absolutely!”
“I would definitely eat this.”
“Me too!”
“Not just my family, but acquaintances and friends too. I’d gather everyone I know.”
“Haha, thank you.”
The reaction was good.
Truly explosive popularity.
‘At this level, I could probably raise the price even more?’
But it wasn’t a completely profitable business for Lawrence either.
The ingredients that created the heavenly taste were actually Labyrinth Materials.
Moreover, they were difficult to obtain on the current floor, making ingredient supply challenging.
Except for one person.
‘I need to talk to Tae Seong. Tell him the ingredients are running out.’
The payment made before was purely for the recipe.
He was afraid because they hadn’t discussed the cost of ingredients yet.
How much would he ask for…?
“I’m back.”
Jason returned home after finishing his strategy.
Before entering his room, he checked around the house first.
To see if his master was there.
Since he was someone who came and went using Spatial Movement, opening doors directly like this was more reliable than checking the shoe rack.
“Oh? You’re here?”
Today his master was in his room.
He hadn’t been visible lately.
“Jason, you’re back?”
“Yes, mas-, no, Tae Seong.”
He barely suppressed his desire to call him master.
‘He says it’s cringy and wants me to call him by name…’
Still, a master is a master, isn’t he?
His Spear Arts before and after meeting his master were completely different.
Truly like heaven and earth.
The teachings he received from Tae Seong were ongoing.
‘I want to repay his kindness… but there’s no proper way.’
All he had was money, so when he tried to give him dollars, he only accepted living expenses.
He refused anything more, saying it wasn’t necessary.
“How was it? Partying together?”
At his master’s question, he immediately knew who he was referring to.
“Henry and Thomas?”
“Yes.”
“Both of them really have good skills.”
It wasn’t empty words.
In reality, both had abilities and skills optimized for dealers.
With more people, hunting becoming easier was a natural progression.
“Everyone has good combat sense and does everything well without being told, so there wasn’t much for me to do.”
“You mean the teamwork is good?”
“Yes. The Supporters are comfortable too, and even though it hasn’t been long, everyone gets along well.”
“That’s good.”
“Yes, it’s good.”
“But why does Jason’s face look so gloomy?”
He was greatly flustered for a moment.
How did he know?
Did my expression look that bad?
“Is something wrong?”
“Uh… well…”
Should I be honest?
He’s my Spear Arts master, so what can’t I say?
“Sigh, I feel like my position is getting narrower.”
“Your position?”
“Yes. Originally, the Supporters only relied on me, didn’t they? But now that attention is being divided…”
“You feel somewhat disappointed and maybe jealous, is that what you’re saying?”
“Hmm… not quite jealous, but I do feel like I’m falling behind.”
That’s why he had been dejected.
He was just grateful that his master noticed.
“I should work hard not to fall behind in the party. Haha!”
He tried to smile, but Tae Seong’s expression didn’t lighten.
“Jason. Who’s the leader of the party?”
“Huh?”
Why is he suddenly asking that question?
“Me… perhaps?”
“Yes. Jason is the leader. It was like that before and Jason is still the leader of the Supporters now. Even if new members join, that fact won’t change. Because I designated it that way.”
“….”
“Have confidence. Take responsibility as a leader too. A tanker has the role of a tanker.”
A tanker.
Where would you find a tanker who uses Spear Arts, but my master designated me as a tanker.
I knew that since he told me from the beginning.
‘I have to protect the party.’
Hearing my master’s words somehow gave me confidence.
How could I not feel energized when he encourages me like that?
“Still, since Jason is having a hard time, I should give you a gift.”
“A gift…?”
Crackle – the air tears as my master takes something out of his Inventory.
“!”
It was a spear with a dragon engraving, magnificent at first glance.
“I’ll give you this as a gift.”
As I received the spear, an information window appeared.
[Dragon Scale Spear(B)]
―Classification : Spear
―Durability : 1,500/1,500
―Effect : Increased penetration, Fire attribute granted
―Usage Restriction : Apostles who have cleared 90th Floor or higher
―Description : A high-grade spear made from ancient dragon scales. Imbued with dragon power, it boasts powerful penetration and fire damage. Only those who pursue the extremes of Spear Arts can unleash its true power.
It was a spear perfect for use since I just passed the 90th Floor.
“Th, this spear is really good.”
“Take it.”
“C, can I really have this?”
“You’re not saying you won’t take it, are you?”
My master chuckles while making a joke.
I could only feel gratitude.
“Ah, the spear you gave me before was worn out and unusable due to durability… To give me something so precious. Thank you so much, Master!”
“I told you not to call me master.”
How could I not?
When he’s such a grateful person.
“Thank you. I will definitely repay this kindness.”
“You don’t need to repay it. Just cheer up and do your best as a leader. That’s all I want.”
“Understood! I, I’ll steel my heart from now on. I’ll work hard! I’ll fulfill my responsibilities as a leader!”
Jason made a firm resolution.
That no matter what happens, he won’t be discouraged.
That he’ll lead and protect the party well as a tanker.
‘Even if it means sacrificing my life.’
That was the way to repay his master’s kindness.
‘He got all fired up just from gifting him one spear.’
It’s just a B-rank spear.
Could he really be that happy?
I chuckled while watching Jason constantly caressing the spear.
‘Should I go see Joshua now? I need to give him the B-rank Magic Crystal too.’
It seems like Jason will lead the party well, so I put one worry to rest.
But then, I got a phone call.
‘It’s Lawrence?’
The call content was simple.
He was running low on Labyrinth Materials and asked for more support.
Of course, I have no intention of giving them for free.
I gave him the recipe to sell materials regularly in the first place.
‘Labyrinth Materials are essential for creating heavenly flavors.’
I’ll meet Joshua next time and should meet Lawrence first.
I need to negotiate the price of materials with him.
‘He’ll have no choice but to listen to me.’
What’s next?
Repeat Labyrinth conquering again.
I’m planning to rush toward the 399th Floor where there’s a boss raid.
Precisely, to the Mysterious Floor where Joshua died.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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