Episode 66 No.388 Feather Serpent Altar (5)
– Bam——smack——!!
My vision went white as if a flash grenade had exploded.
Even after the light went out, Go Hyun-woo and Seo Ye-in remained in a daze for a while.
This was a really rare case, so I was a little taken aback.
I pulled myself together and checked to see what items came out.
A large cushion with a simple design.
Unfortunately, it is a lifestyle item, like the wooden cup that Go Hyun-woo just picked.
However, the grade of daily life items is not ordinary.
[Feather Cushion (B)]
‘On the topic of cushions… … is it a B rank?’
It is possible for C and B grade items to appear in a D grade random box, but the probability is so low that it can be considered as non-existent.
But who would have thought that the calligrapher would overcome such miraculous odds and pull out this cushion?
B-rank is usually worn by third-year students, and is a rare item such as the [Transparent Ghillie Suit] worn by calligraphers or the [Cloud Treader] received as a gift some time ago.
The fact that it is of the same grade as those precious pieces of equipment means that the cushion’s value is also similar.
As if to prove that fact, there were a lot of options attached.
[Feather Cushion (B)]
A cushion filled with feathers from an unknown deity.
▷Accelerates fatigue relief speed
▷Recovery from mental status abnormalities
▷Slightly increases resistance to mental status abnormalities when used for long periods of time
… … .
… .
Accelerated fatigue recovery simply means that 1 hour of sleep relieves 2 hours’ worth of fatigue.
It also has the benefit of recovering from mental status abnormalities and increasing resistance.
In addition, it has many beneficial effects that help users sleep well, such as relieving insomnia and relieving cervical disc herniation.
In terms of performance alone, I would say it’s comparable to the equipment dropped from deep dungeons…
‘It’s a shame that it’s something you use when you sleep.’
The options for lifestyle items are focused on a ‘comfortable and luxurious life.’
I’m an extreme efficiency nerd who values combat and growth, so about half of those options aren’t really necessary.
Since I spend most of my free time at the training center, I rarely have the opportunity to use a cushion.
Of course, it will be helpful even if you only look at the battle and growth related options.
But in that case, wouldn’t it be more useful to dispose of it and secure other items?
If it becomes a B-class lifestyle item, there will be quite a few people who will buy it.
‘Should I hand it over to the errand center or put it up for auction?’
While I was thinking about various directions, I saw a calligrapher.
“… … .”
Staring straight through the cushion.
As always, he has no expression, but his gray eyes sparkle.
Just by looking at it, I can tell that you really want it.
“Do you want it?”
“… … .”
When I asked to confirm, he nodded immediately.
Normally, the response is about half a beat late, but this response was so immediate.
Is this the power of a cushion?
I left out the emotional part like, ‘We’re friends!’ and tried to calculate it in my mind.
The most important question now is.
Is it better to sell it?
Would it be better to give it to him?
‘I don’t know if it would be better to give this.’
There is no way to know how much sleep a calligrapher gets each day, but it is certain that he sleeps a lot.
Using the cushion’s fatigue recovery acceleration option will significantly reduce your rest time.
As your rest efficiency increases, your waking hours will increase, and in the long run, this will likely lead to more training time.
Of course, there is a clear possibility that, contrary to expectations, there will be no change.
‘It’s still worth a walk.’
Considering the amount of free time you’ll gain if you succeed, it’s worth giving away some B-grade lifestyle items.
With that in mind, I gently pushed the cushion towards the calligrapher.
“Okay, I’ll give it to you.”
“really?”
He looks half incredulous, as if he doesn’t believe me when I say I’ll give it to him readily, or because he doesn’t really receive anything from others.
I just picked up the cushion and put it in the calligrapher’s arms.
“Uh. A gift.”
“……thank you.”
The calligrapher looked down at the cushion in her arms for a moment in silence, then hugged it tightly.
* * *
After quickly finishing the strategy battle starting on Monday, I was able to focus the remaining time solely on training.
[Use ‘Rank Up (E)’.]
[The level of ‘Amplification’ increases. (E->D)]
[Duration 2:00->3:00]
[Reuse waiting time 50 minutes -> 40 minutes]
The E-rank up from the random box was used to increase [Amplification].
It is a skill with a short duration and long cooldown, so it is only used at really crucial moments, but as you level up further, you will be freer from such restrictions.
The following are traits copied from the Feather Serpent Priest, [Priest].
The first reason I prioritized this trait was to increase mana sensitivity.
All magical actions have a positive bonus, and among them, it accelerates the speed of stacking [Cores].
The related item, [Priest’s Black Bracelet], has an effect that multiplies this mana sensitivity.
If you add the [Black Mithril Band] you got earlier, you can get a fairly satisfactory efficiency, even if it doesn’t reach the level of the special performance room.
‘It will run to C-class like this.’
As the level of the skills I have increased, it was becoming burdensome to just have a D-rank [Core].
You should level it up to the next level so you don’t run out of mana during battle.
I was planning on finding a solution within a few days, before entering the deep dungeon.
I devoted myself to practicing mana meditation until the sun set and morning came again.
* * *
The next day,
After school, Shin Byeong-cheol called me.
It was obvious what was going on even without looking.
“Hey, I was talking about the deep dungeon before.”
“What happened?”
Shin Byeong-cheol looked somewhat embarrassed.
“That’s a bit… … . Things have gotten complicated. Sister, take a look.”
“What should we do? Right now?”
“It would be better if you come now.”
“Go straight there.”
So, I found the thieves’ club again with Shin Byeong-cheol.
There’s a lot more used furniture here, I don’t know where I found it.
The interior feels more messy than before.
The fact that the office was crowded with members of the public also added to the chaos.
The atmosphere is closer to a tavern than a club room.
Several men, including twins, are hunched over on a leather sofa, playing cards, while a tablet girl is busy typing away on her tablet in a corner.
And Dang Gyu-yeong was sitting on the same wooden table in the same posture as before.
He looks like a bum with nothing to do, but he has a strange charisma.
Sensing a presence, its black eyes slowly move towards us.
At the same time, Shin Byeong-cheol said,
“Sister, I brought you.”
“Oh, you’re here.”
Dang Gyu-yeong tried to greet him warmly, but he was conscious of the gaze of those around him and controlled his facial expression.
One of the twins looked up from his cards and tilted his face toward mine.
“Is this guy that guy? The guy your sister was working on these days?”
The ‘work’ he’s talking about is recruiting me into the thieves’ club.
The offer came in after the temporary storage was broken into.
Although it was true, Dang Gyu-yeong frowned, perhaps because he didn’t like the way it was expressed.
“Work? Your choice of words is a bit odd?”
“Oh, that’s not right. You had a fight with the Magic Engineering Club too, but you told us to keep our hands off your juniors.”
The other twin added an extra hit.
“What I’m saying is, I heard that Bong Jae-seok was really happy that he got teased, but I’ve never seen you like that in my entire life—”
But their words could not continue any further.
Because a large shadowy hand rose from below and grabbed my face.
The Iron Claw went in very well.
– Ddududduk,
A rather sinister sound came from the human skull, and the struggling twins fell to their knees.
The shadow hand extended its index finger and pointed toward the door.
“Everyone get out.”
The members of the Thieves’ Club rose from their seats.
The tablet student also tried to go out with them, but Dang Gyu-yeong called her.
“Dabin stays. And Byeongcheol too.”
The club room suddenly became quiet.
The shadow hand pulled a chair out near me.
Let’s lean back comfortably on the chair. Dang Gyu-yeong coughed slightly and said.
“Hmm, hmm, don’t pay attention to what you just heard.”
“Yes, sir.”
“… … Pay a little attention.”
“I’ll think about it.”
When I answered vaguely, Dang Gyu-yeong pouted his lips.
Actually, I’ve wanted to join the thieves’ club for a long time! Maybe I wanted the same answer.
Of course, that’s nonsense.
Let’s get straight to the point.
“I heard things have gotten complicated.”
“Yeah, I’ve got a bit of a problem. An external problem.”
Before discussing details like dungeon raids or rewards, we should first discuss whether or not you can accept my request.
And the request will not be successful without resolving the ‘external problems’ that Dang Gyu-yeong talks about.
If it’s an external problem related to the basement, most likely,
“I guess there was a bid.”
“okay.”
“Is this a general bid or a preferential bid?”
“First of all, it’s a bid.”
bid.
Once the core of the underground dungeons is destroyed, it becomes inaccessible until time passes and it is regenerated.
A good example is when Go Hyun-woo and I conquered [Feather Serpent Altar] and the portal turned gray and blocked.
In this way, the number of people who can challenge a specific dungeon within a certain period is limited, and there is bound to be competition for dungeons that drop good rewards.
In order to resolve this competition in a smooth manner, Yongsal Academy introduced the bidding system.
It is to collect data such as the fighting power of the bidding parties, the success rate of existing strategies, and the expected strategy period, and then rank the most suitable parties first.
This is the normal bidding method,
Each club has a certain number of [priority bidding rights].
Just as using a [Production VIP Ticket] allows you to bypass the waiting line and place a production request with top priority, using a priority bidding ticket allows you to bypass all conditions and gain the right to challenge the dungeon first.
And now [Black Death] has this priority bidding right at stake.
First of all, the fact that there is a bidding right means that the club in question has influence over the dungeon.
What if I ignore this and go in?
‘You’re saying we should fight openly?’
It is inevitable that conflict will arise.
That’s why the client tries to avoid these dungeons as much as possible, and the thieves’ club also called me to confirm my intentions.
“What should I do? Look for something else?”
The only problem here is that I absolutely need to attack Heuksabang right now.
To be exact, it is a specific reward that can be obtained from the Black Room.
It is also ambiguous to wait for the next opportunity, as dungeons containing a huge amount of energy such as deep dungeons take a very long time to regenerate once the core is destroyed.
However, the difficulty level is much higher compared to conquering other dungeons that offer similar rewards.
So I expressed my willingness to even risk clashing with the opposing club.
“No, I want you to force it.”
Dang Gyu-yeong frowned slightly.
“You want me to break through even though there is a priority bid?”
“Yes, no?”
“… … .”
I try to avoid it if possible, but if the compensation is sufficient, it’s not impossible.
It also showed me that I had the ability to pay my salary.
However, Dang Gyu-yeong still looked uneasy.
What this implies is one thing.
First of all, it means that the force that made the bid was a huge force that would make the thieves’ club hesitate.
I asked again.
“Which club is it?”
“… … It’s a bit big.”
I couldn’t help but nod my head at Dang Gyu-young’s subsequent answer.
“Swordsmanship club.”
… … It’s a bit big there.
