Chapter 121

Chapter 121

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 121: Overwhelming

Before checking out what the nuke was all about,

He first looked at the title he had just obtained.

[1. Completer of Part 1]

[Completed ten items on the Part 1 list.]

[Effect 1. All stats increased by 10% (also applies to additional stats)]

Kim Minwoo blinked.

‘Huh.’

All stats increased by 10%.

It even applied to additional stats.

“Awesome.”

He nodded in satisfaction.

Even after all this time, the only title of this kind that Kim Minwoo had was ‘Indomitable Spirit’.

Now he had two.

It was true that the process of completing the Part 1 list was a bit tricky.

From ‘Heir to the Death Lord’ to the last one obtained, ‘Executioner of Vampire Duke’...

None of them were easy.

He looked at the newly opened Part 2 list.

[The Beginning of a Legend – Part 2]

[The Awakened One who writes legends. His second steps are recorded.]

[Effect 1. Upon completing all items on the Part 2 list, a very special effect will be added to the ‘Completer of Part 1’ title.]

[Effect 2. Upon completing all items on the Part 2 list, Part 3 can be created.]

‘It increased from 10 to 15.’

This would also be filled up one by one as he progressed.

There was one more title he had obtained.

[Executioner of Vampire Duke]

[Granted eternal rest to Duke Timorn, the head of the castle and a pure-blood vampire.]

[Effect 1. The power of the pure-blood vampire is applied.]

[Effect 2. Gives a strong sense of intimidation to lower vampires.]

‘...The power of a pure-blood vampire?’

Could it be referring to the Source of Blood?

The reason why pure-blood vampires were particularly notorious.

It was because they had a passive skill that prevented bleeding.

He lightly cut his wrist with the Command Sword. A stinging pain followed, and blood trickled down.

It was at that moment.

It was like watching time being rewinded; the blood was sucked back into the wound.

As a bonus, the wound healed smoothly as if there had never been any bleeding.

Cedric, who was staring at the sight, tilted his head.

―Master, wasn’t that the power of a pure-blood vampire just now?

Kim Minwoo nodded.

“It’s the effect of a title I just got.”

―You got something good. To think you could use the Source of Blood even though you’re not a vampire...

Cedric’s pupils gleamed with a strange light.

―With that level of recovery, you’d probably be at the level of a Baron amongst pure-blood vampires. It must feel like having a potion applied constantly.

“That’s right.”

It wasn’t quite at the level of a Highest rank potion.

It felt like having the recovery power of a high-rank potion applied all the time.

―Minwoo, that’s amazing! If that’s the case... I think Olivia will like it too!

“You think that vampire will like it?”

―Yeah! She really hates humans. But Minwoo is special now, right? You can even use the abilities of a pure-blood vampire. You’ll probably look much better than ordinary humans, at least?

Could he score points with the Legion Commander?

It was an unexpected bonus effect.

Anyway.

Duke Timorn gave generously, like a bountiful tree.

He was a monster worth two light bombs.

With this, the appetizer tasting was roughly over.

‘Time for the main course.’

It was time to utilize the real rewards for defeating the vampires.

[Would you like to use the VVIP Shop Opening Ticket?]

He nodded.

[The shop is upgraded!]

[New items are unlocked!]

[New!]

[6. Mark of Lightning (7,000,000 points)]

[7. Elu’s Tear (9,000,000 points)]

[8. Nuclear Bomb (10,000,000 points)]

Items that were previously hidden with question marks were now newly available.

He checked the details.

[Mark of Lightning]

[Rank: Unique]

[A mysterious mark. It is automatically engraved on the body upon purchase.]

[Effect 1. Allows you to wield lightning.]

‘Mark?’

A picture resembling lightning appeared.

It was about the size of a 500-won coin.

‘Wielding the power of lightning...’

Compared to other items with multiple effects, the mark’s effect was overly simple.

That’s why it was even more appealing.

In other words, it meant that all the effects of the mark were focused on the ability to wield lightning.

‘It doesn’t seem like getting the mark engraved on my body would increase my brain attribute either.’

If it did, it would have been written in the effects.

‘It’s like getting another card to play...’

He was a close-combat necromancer.

It would be hard for anyone to imagine a necromancer shooting lightning at close range.

It was definitely worth 7 million points.

Next, he checked Elu’s Tear.

[Elu’s Tear]

[Rank: Ancient]

[Level Restriction: 251 or higher, Summoner class.]

[A ring said to be made from the processed tears of the goddess Elu.]

[Effect 1. All stats +100]

[Effect 2. All recovery speed +100%]

[Effect 3. Once a month, you can use ‘Elu’s Miracle’. When the miracle is activated, something mysterious happens.]

‘Wow...’

Good.

Really, really good.

That was his impression of Elu’s Tear. It was already a hard-to-find accessory. Plus, there wasn’t a single effect to discard.

Increasing all stats was a near-universal buff.

Increasing recovery speed by 100% was also a tremendous effect.

It meant that mana and health would regenerate twice as fast. In terms of combat sustainability, it was hard to imagine a better option.

‘The miracle is...’

‘Who is it?’

The situation was a complete mystery, with no way to know who it was.

Was there a dark horse who participated while hiding their skills?

Meanwhile, the anomalies continued.

Not only did the Vampire’s Castle mission disappear from the Mercenary Guild, but the 1st place score started to rise like crazy.

[Day 3, rankings are revealed.]

[Score Leaderboard]

[1st place: ??? – 3,133,800 points]

[2nd place: ??? – 812,300 points]

[3rd place: ??? – 562,130 points]

.

.

Still, the score, which had been rising at a somewhat human pace of 1 million points per day until Day 3...

[Day 4]

[1st Place: ??? – 6,172,300 Points]

[Day 5]

[1st Place: ??? – 9,637,400 Points]

[Day 6]

[1st Place: ??? – 13,212,300 Points]

[Day 7]

[1st Place: ??? – 15,211,230 Points]

“...What the hell is this guy doing?”

The gap had widened to the point where it was almost laughable.

15 million points?

That was the amount of points one would get from defeating 1,500 Cyclops, the most lucrative point-earning activity.

How can we even try when there’s no chance?

No matter how they looked at it, the first exam was a complete loss.

“Damn it, forget it. You can have it all.”

The awakened ones spat on the ground in frustration.

* * *

[Current points held: 13,211,230]

Four days ago.

He set out to earn points, determined to not even breathe. He hunted down Cyclops and spent three days crafting nonstop.

Thankfully, it seemed the merchants were serious this time, sending over 30,000 materials.

He finished all of those and earned the points above from some mercenary work.

The reason it’s different from the 15 million points shown in the ranking is because the ranking system adds up all the points he had earned so far.

’13 million points...’

He opened the shop.

[VVIP store is now open!]

[A store assistant will visit you!]

“Greetings.”

—Yes, hello.

“I’d like to buy some things. First, this. And this.”

[10,000,000 points will be deducted!]

[1 nuclear bomb has been added to your inventory!]

[1,000,000 points will be deducted!]

[1 recipe for the highest rank potion has been added to your inventory!]

This left him with about 2,000,000 points.

He was originally going to buy light bombs, but he had been working so hard that he had more points than he had expected.

“Hmm. A random equipment box...”

That’s when it happened.

—Ahem! Ahem!

He saw Popo clearing his throat out of the blue.

His eyes sparkled.

“On second thought, buying equipment doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

—Is that so?

“Yeah. I’m wondering if I should save my points...”

Should he save them?

Shake head.

Or not?

Nod.

This guy.

He must have learned something from their last conversation because he’s reading him like a book.

—That must be a tough decision.

“Yeah, but I think I’ll just use them. Who knows what will happen in the second exam.”

—As an assistant, I always respect the buyer’s choice.

“Potions are...”

Shake head.

“Not really. I’m thinking of buying all the light bombs.”

—Is that so?

“Yeah. Explosions are art, right?”

Popo and he had a symbiotic relationship. They were the kind of comfortable friends who pushed and pulled each other without having to say anything.

There was no reason to refuse his helping hand.

[Purchasing 4 light bombs!]

He immediately bought them all.

—Have you finished shopping?

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work. Let’s have a meal together sometime.”

He patted Popo on the shoulder.

—No problem. It’s my duty. Hehe... I wish you the best of luck in the second exam. Well, I’ll be going now...

After Popo left.

A message popped up soon after.

[The first exam has ended!]

[The results are being tallied!]

[Total participants: 150]

[Deaths: 12]

[Current survivors: 138]

[You are currently in 1st place.]

[As a reward, you will receive some information about the second exam!]

[Cursed Land]

[Sacrifice]

[Survival]

[Would you like to enter the second exam?]

[* Your life may be in danger.]

[* If you refuse, the offer will go to someone outside the top 50.]

Cursed Land?

Now he understood why Popo acted the way he did.

Since ancient times, light has been known to defeat evil curses, hasn’t it?

Buying all the light bombs.

He was already feeling reassured.

“I’ll participate.”

Soon after, his figure disappeared.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]