The Automatic Rooting Range Is Too Wide - Chapter 65

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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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Auto Looting Range Too Wide Episode 65

 

Episode 65: Treasure Hunt (2)

 

“Treasure hunt… is it by any chance the one I know?”

 

A game where slips of paper with prizes written on them are hidden in forests or inside buildings for people to search for.

 

Mincheol had also experienced it during elementary school field trips.

 

“It’s probably similar. On the 15th Floor, you have to find orbs hidden in the stage.”

 

Then it was indeed what Mincheol knew.

 

“You gain points by finding orbs, and the higher your score, the better rewards you can get.”

 

Yeonhui continued speaking while raising her finger.

 

“There are three types of orbs: gold, silver, and bronze. As you might expect, orbs made of more expensive metals give higher points.”

 

The rules were simpler than expected.

 

Mincheol focused on the part about better rewards for higher scores.

 

“You said the higher the score, the better the reward, right? Then what’s the highest reward?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“Sometimes the highest score gets updated. And each time that happens, the reward changes too. So nobody knows what the highest reward obtainable on the 15th Floor is.”

 

Mincheol’s eyes lit up.

 

A floor with no limit on rewards. This was extremely interesting information.

 

“From what I heard, the score was updated a year ago. The reward was supposedly a Unique grade item.”

 

The currently confirmed highest reward was a Unique grade item.

 

If he updated the highest score, he might be able to get an even better item.

 

“However, earning points on the 15th Floor isn’t easy.”

 

“Is it because the orbs are hard to find?”

 

“The orbs are easy to find, but getting them is difficult.”

 

Mincheol tilted his head.

 

Easy to find but hard to earn points?

 

“You have to discover the orb and put it in your inventory for it to convert to points. But after discovery, you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can put it in your inventory.”

 

“How long do you have to wait?”

 

“Bronze orbs take 5 minutes, silver orbs take 15 minutes, and gold orbs take 30 minutes. It means you have to guard the orb during this time.”

 

“The waiting time is longer than expected… but couldn’t you just hide and wait? It shouldn’t be that difficult.”

 

At Mincheol’s words, Yeonhui smiled slightly.

 

After seeing only expressionless or angry faces, seeing her smile felt completely different.

 

“When you discover an orb, a notification message appears to nearby awakeners. Bronze orbs send messages within a 50-meter radius, silver orbs within 150 meters, and gold orbs within 300 meters.”

 

“…Really?”

 

Mincheol was shocked.

 

Notifications reaching up to 300 meters in a stage with multiple awakeners participating?

 

Unless you were extremely lucky, you’d be discovered immediately.

 

“Can you steal points by killing other awakeners?”

 

“I heard that’s impossible. You can only earn points through orbs.”

 

Then fighting would be even more unavoidable.

 

Everyone would desperately try to get the orbs.

 

‘At least bronze orbs have a narrow alarm range and short waiting time…’

 

But they would surely give fewer points accordingly.

 

In other words, if he wanted high scores, he’d have to target silver and gold orbs.

 

‘This floor is more troublesome than I thought.’

 

If he wanted high scores, he couldn’t avoid fighting other awakeners.

 

He might have to keep fighting until the stage ended.

 

Suddenly, Mincheol had another question.

 

‘…Could I acquire orbs with Auto Looting?’

 

If this were an actual game, it would be impossible.

 

But Mincheol had already seen multiple times in the Tower.

 

Just how much his Auto Looting skill defied common sense.

 

If Auto Looting worked, he could easily earn many points.

 

‘No, not just high scores. I might be able to update the highest score.’

 

Not just barely updating it, but by an overwhelming margin.

 

‘The currently confirmed highest record reward is Unique grade, right?’

 

Then what reward would he get if he earned points far exceeding the highest score?

 

‘Legendary grade?’

 

It was a delightful worry just to imagine.

 

Of course, Auto Looting might not work, so he shouldn’t get his hopes up too much.

 

“Mincheol, are you thinking of aiming for high scores on the 15th Floor?”

 

Her younger brother, Yoo Cheon-hee, casually interjected.

 

Mincheol came to his senses and spoke to him.

 

“It’s better to set your goals high, isn’t it?”

 

“I agree with that, but the 15th Floor will be difficult. Guilds form alliances on the 15th Floor.”

 

At those words, Mincheol recalled what happened on the 5th Floor.

 

Even though it was a floor with only five participants, guild-affiliated awakeners joined hands to monopolize the rewards.

 

‘The 15th Floor has far more people than the 5th Floor. There must be many more awakeners forming alliances.’

 

Mincheol remembered the guild awakener he met in the event hall.

 

Although Mincheol had won, he wasn’t an opponent to take lightly.

 

“That’s why it’s wise for unaffiliated awakeners like us to target bronze orbs moderately. Guild awakeners don’t bother with those since the points are too low.”

 

At Yoo Cheon-hee’s words, Mincheol tilted his head.

 

“Cheon-hee, were you also unaffiliated? Weren’t you a member of Yeonhui’s guild?”

 

He didn’t know much about Yeonhui in detail, but he was certain she belonged to a guild.

 

She knew too much about the Tower.

 

“Ahaha, no. It’s true that I receive help from Older Sister, but I have no intention of joining a guild.”

 

“Huh? Why not?”

 

Mincheol was so surprised he asked back.

 

For Mincheol, whose dream was to join a large guild, this was an incomprehensible statement.

 

“I’m aiming to become a civil servant.”

 

At Yoo Cheon-hee’s answer, Mincheol immediately understood.

 

Just because you were an awakener didn’t mean you only belonged to guilds.

 

There were also awakeners affiliated with civil service, namely government agencies.

 

‘Though their numbers aren’t that large.’

 

The early exploration of the Tower was carried out by civilians.

 

Before the government could intervene, awakeners gained power in the Tower and formed alliances with each other.

 

As a result, the government’s influence on the Tower became extremely weak.

 

The government hastily began training awakeners too, but it was already too late.

 

“My goal is to become a police awakener and protect citizens’ safety.”

 

Mincheol inwardly admired his noble conviction in a way.

 

“Your sushi is ready.”

 

Just then, the food they ordered arrived.

 

Mincheol picked up a piece of sushi with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

 

“…!”

 

Mincheol trembled at the symphony of flavors exploding in his mouth.

 

‘This tastes even better than that 80,000 won sushi I had before?’

 

Mincheol held back tears of emotion.

 

If tears got into his mouth, the salty taste would prevent him from properly enjoying the sushi.

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Mincheol ate his sushi with such a reverent attitude that the two siblings couldn’t bring themselves to speak to him carelessly.

 

“Owner, we’ll have two D-set meals, please.”

 

Soon, the two smiled lightly and ordered their food from the owner.

 

* * *

 

After the meal ended, the Yoo siblings parted ways with Kim Min-chul at the restaurant.

 

“Min-chul, stay strong.”

 

“You too, Cheon-hee.”

 

They exchanged words of encouragement and headed in opposite directions.

 

“Older Sister, why did you act like that earlier?”

 

While walking through the alley, Yoo Cheon-hee asked.

 

“What?”

 

“Earlier, you asked Min-chul about the Goblin Soldiers. It’s the first time you’ve asked questions first, isn’t it?”

 

Yeonhui was competent enough to serve as the direct secretary to Lee Ji-hun, the guild master of Seol-aeng.

 

But being in such a position, she had a strong tendency to be selective about people.

 

She wasn’t the type to ask questions first to strangers like this.

 

“I wanted to confirm whether it was true that he’s climbing the 13th Floor.”

 

These days, information about the Tower could be easily obtained online.

 

But when you actually had conversations, the difference between those who had real experience and those who didn’t was starkly apparent.

 

“How was it?”

 

“Seeing how he pointed out the goblins’ coordination as the most troublesome aspect of the 13th Floor… it seems like he really has experienced it.”

 

“See, what did I tell you? I said it was probably real. Why are you so suspicious?”

 

“You’re too trusting. Who would believe that someone climbed to the 13th Floor alone without any help? Of course, I’m not sure if he really climbed alone.”

 

“Again, you’re being suspicious again.”

 

Though her younger brother criticized her, Yeonhui had no intention of changing her thoughts.

 

‘He reached the 13th Floor alone in such a short time? That’s impossible.’

 

Even Yoo Cheon-hee, despite receiving knowledge and items from her, took several weeks to pass the 14th Floor.

 

An unaffiliated awakener reaching the 13th Floor alone in the same time? It was absolutely unbelievable.

 

“But what if he really is climbing alone?”

 

“What do you mean what would I do? In that case…”

 

Yeonhui thought of the guild master.

 

She was one of the few people who could speak directly to guild master Lee Ji-hun.

 

In other words, she could get anyone a free pass to an important position in Seol-aeng.

 

However, she had never recommended an awakener before.

 

Though she received many requests from various places, she hadn’t seen any talent worth her personal recommendation.

 

“…We’ll have to see when the time comes.”

 

Yeonhui gave a vague answer.

 

* * *

 

The next day, Mincheol challenged the 14th Floor.

 

【You have entered the 14th Floor of the Tower.】

 

【Obtain the ‘Noble’s Bracelet’ held by a monster.】

 

【However, beware of the goblins in this forest.】

 

It wasn’t very difficult. Compared to the special floors, it was far too easy.

 

“Kyaaak!”

 

“Kieek!”

 

Mincheol cut down the goblins charging at him with his twin swords.

 

There was no need to aim for weak points. Mincheol’s sword strikes cut through the goblins along with their armor.

 

‘I can really feel how much stronger I’ve gotten.’

 

While clearing Hidden Quests, Mincheol’s stats had increased significantly.

 

So unlike when he first challenged the 11th Floor, he could now cut through armor like paper.

 

‘But my weapons can’t keep up.’

 

Each time he cut through armor, the blade wore down little by little.

 

This was the limit for rare-grade weapons.

 

It was unfortunate, but unavoidable. Getting unique-grade weapons at this point was impossible.

 

‘There aren’t even any unique-grade items for sale at the Auction House.’

 

Unique-grade and above were the grades used as main weapons by top-tier awakeners.

 

So they weren’t even listed for sale at the Auction House.

 

To obtain unique-grade items, you had to complete quests or find the owner and trade directly.

 

Or join a guild and receive items for use.

 

Guilds were even more impressive because they lent out weapons most optimized for each floor.

 

【You have discovered the quest item ‘Noble’s Bracelet’!】

 

【You have obtained the quest item.】

 

【You have cleared the 14th Floor!】

 

【1 hour 11 minutes, outside the rankings.】

 

After obtaining the quest item, Mincheol challenged the 14th Floor again.

 

【You have successfully cleared the 14th Floor!】

 

【0.01 seconds! A world record!】

 

【You have cleared the 14th Floor in an impossible time!】

 

【You gain massive experience.】

 

Lv.29 -> Lv.31

 

-All stats increase by 2 per level.

 

【You obtain clear rewards.】

 

-All stats increase by 20.

 

-You obtain 1 ‘Inventory Expansion Voucher’.

 

【You have obtained the title ‘Goblin Slayer’!】

 

-Effect 1. Increased intimidation when facing goblins.

 

-Effect 2. Increased fear felt by goblins.

 

【You obtain a hidden piece.】

 

-You obtain 3 ‘Bound Coin of Fortune’.

 

The familiar messages appeared in succession.

 

Mincheol checked the messages with a satisfied expression.

 

However, an unwelcome message followed after them.

 

【You have cleared ‘Normal 14th Floor’ instead of ‘Special 14th Floor’.】

 

【Please proceed with the ‘Hidden Quest’ on ‘Special 14th Floor’.】

 

【If you clear two more floors, the Hidden Quest will be automatically canceled.】

 

The Tower didn’t let Mincheol leave his Hidden Quest alone.

 

It kept displaying messages that the Hidden Quest would be automatically canceled if he continued climbing floors like this.

 

“Damn, this keeps bothering me.”

 

He wanted to ignore it, but human nature wasn’t that simple.

 

It felt wasteful to give up on a Hidden Quest he’d worked so hard to get to the final stage.

 

“Two more floors means the 16th Floor.”

 

That meant he still had some leeway until the 15th Floor.

 

Mincheol decided to focus on the 15th Floor first.

 

If Auto Looting didn’t work, he’d have to run around on foot to collect the orbs himself.

 

Returning to Earth, Mincheol rested for a day.

 

The next day, after eating a hearty lunch, he pulled out a mask from his inventory.

 

【’I Don’t Know Mask’】

 

-Grade: Rare

 

-Description: A mask that interferes with others’ perception. When worn, no one can properly recognize you.

 

Mincheol put the mask on his face.

 

It had been a while since he’d worn it, but fortunately it didn’t feel awkward.

 

“I’ll challenge the 15th Floor.”

 

Mincheol’s body was enveloped in light.

 

A moment later, Mincheol found himself in a space bustling with people.

 

‘Where is this?’

 

Mincheol looked around with a curious expression.

 

Dozens of people were gathered in the White Space.

 

It was so spacious that it didn’t feel cramped at all.

 

‘Wow, everyone looks pretty fierce.’

 

Mincheol clicked his tongue as he looked at the awakeners’ faces.

 

Befitting awakeners who had survived to the 15th Floor, they all had intimidating appearances.

 

But Mincheol had no idea.

 

‘What’s with that crazy bastard wearing such a weird mask?’

 

‘I heard people who hide their identity from the start are up to no good…’

 

‘What the hell, that’s scary.’

 

‘Just to be safe, I should stay away from him.’

 

He was completely unaware that he was being regarded as the most dangerous presence in this space.

—————
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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