Chapter 39

Chapter 38: The Way a Veteran Grows (5)

Was it because Jinhyuk's voice was too loud?

The old man also heard those words.

Immediately, a roar filled with anger burst out.

"What, what did you say? Oste... osteoporosis? Did you dare say that to my summons?!"

Hmm.

Was it too harsh for a first meeting?

But what can I do if it looks that way?

They might not seem powerful to mediocre guys, but to a veteran's eyes, they just look cute.

"Stop hiding behind the screen and show yourself immediately!"

Due to the nature of video calls, where only the friend's face is visible, third parties can only hear the voice.

Of course, it could be switched to a group call if the person agreed.

"Will it be okay?"

Teresa asked cautiously.

"It's fine. It seems I contacted you at quite a troublesome moment, but it should be interesting."

Jinhyuk nodded.

[The video call is switching to a group call.]

With a short message, a man wearing a mask with strange patterns appeared.

A brief silence.

Then, a huge commotion followed.

"That, that mask!"

"It's the one who cleared the ruins! The one who cleared the ruins!"

"Good grief. I thought there was no one with any connection, but you personally knew Teresa?"

It was natural for everyone to shout.

A player who completely hid their identity behind a mask.

The one so many people had been searching for, but without a single clue, was right in front of them.

They had to catch him. Faster than anyone else.

That was the common thought of everyone present.

'Teresa works solo, so there's a high chance this person isn't in a guild.'

'If so, the one who grabs him first wins.'

'Whether it's coins, items, or money, we need to pour it all out without hesitation.'

'Of course. With this, the guild's level will completely change; nothing would be a waste.'

'This might be the last chance.'

The representatives of each guild swallowed hard.

They watched each other, waiting for the right moment to offer conditions.

Right then.

"Ridiculous."

The old man stepped forward.

"Yeah, I heard it too. Something about being a player who was active in the first floor ruins. But this boss strategy is different from there."

In the ruins, each monster was powerful, but their numbers were few.

In contrast, the path to the boss monster on the third floor boasted overwhelming numbers, even though each monster's combat power was low.

It's a completely different field.

"Hmm. Are you saying it's possible? No matter how many enemies there are?"

Jinhyuk scratched the mask with his index finger.

"Yeah. Controlling a large number of summons is my specialty."

Controlling a large number of summons...

Does he mean these skeletons?

I admit there are quite a few.

But, well.

"It would be tough with that fake staff."

"What, what did you say?"

"It's just a half-finished one, right? I saw that you left out 'Heart of an Adult' and 'Cloak Dipped in Holy Oil' when synthesizing it."

"H, how... how do you know!?"

How does he know?

"It's different from the real Greed's Staff. A fully completed one has a red gem embedded below the right skull. Most importantly, the quality of the skeleton soldiers is too low."

"Have you... seen the completed form before?"

The old man muttered, seemingly unable to believe it.

Judging by his trembling jaw, he was quite shocked.

"Curious? If you want, I can tell you where to find the remaining materials."

"Really? Where... Gulp!"

The old man almost asked for it without thinking.

He barely managed to swallow the words that had risen to his throat.

If he had said anything, it would have been admitting defeat.

Seeing this, Jinhyuk chuckled as if he had expected it.

As they say, an empty cart makes the most noise.

'He was probably planning to get a good deal from the guild with some plausible talk.'

Just by seeing him put on airs with a half-finished staff, his intentions were clear.

His cheap plan to collect coins or items as a down payment and then disappear.

As the situation became strange, the old man finally gritted his teeth.

"Fine. Let's retreat for today. And you. I don't know who you are, but I will definitely repay this humiliation."

"Wow... I've never seen anyone actually say that line."

"...What?"

"Come on, aren't you embarrassed saying it? 'I will definitely repay this humiliation.' If you said that in a 90s anime, you'd get a slap from the studio president."

If he had just quietly disappeared, it wouldn't have become a black mark.

Anyway, his meager pride and mouth are the problem.

"You...!"

The old man glared at Jinhyuk as if he wanted to kill him.

But only for a moment.

Rumble!

A shadow rose.

"Let's see if you can still act so smug when we meet in person next time. And... remember this. We are the only ones who have a legion-level force."

At the same time, the old man's figure was swallowed by the darkness.

***

The banquet hall, now silent.

Too many things had happened in a short time, and everyone needed time to process the reality.

"If we fail again by entrusting it to such an incompetent person, it's fine, but personally, it doesn't seem like a good choice."

Jinhyuk shrugged at Patrick.

"...I know. However, we have no other choice."

Why not?

Jinhyuk spoke again.

"Let me handle it. I'll give you a reason not to team up with the mines and the practical benefits of clearing the tower."

"Seriously, are you saying it's possible?"

Patrick's pupils dilated rapidly.

Clearing it alone.

If the person wasn't the player who cleared the ruins, he would have dismissed it as a joke.

Jinhyuk nodded without hesitation.

"It's possible."

Of course it is.

That's why he's here on the first underground floor.

"Then, how much should we give for the down payment and reward...?"

"You don't have to give anything."

"Excuse me?"

"Just let me go in alone. If you seal off the entire area so no other players can interfere, I won't take any reward."

At Jinhyuk's words, Patrick's mouth opened and closed like a goldfish.

As if asking, 'Just for that condition?'

"Exactly why are you doing this?"

"Well."

Jinhyuk glanced at Teresa.

"For humanity, and to do what's right for a colleague I value."

As soon as he said it, Jinhyuk pinched his thigh.

Damn.

'I feel my limbs shrinking just saying it.'

'I can imagine how that old man felt just now...'

But unlike Jinhyuk, who was shuddering, the faces of those who heard his words were filled with indescribable light.

"..."

Teresa bit her lip.

Her dimples kept twitching at the mention of a valued colleague.

"Heh. As a guild representative, I have nothing to say."

"Amazing."

"A true hero. We need to reflect on ourselves."

"Ha. I started with such a heart, but I don't know how it came to this."

Admiration and exclamations.

The representatives of large guilds even reflected on themselves.

Just one sentence, and they all started to misunderstand.

'Let's leave it at this level of pretense.'

The reason he said he wouldn't take a down payment wasn't for the love of humanity.

Neither was it to help large guilds.

Jinhyuk glanced at the camera on his shoulder.

[All screens and conversation contents are being recorded.]

A player who gives up rewards for humanity.

How much benefit could this phrase bring?

It would be several times more than what the guilds offered.

Fools would greedily accept the down payment.

'I'm not a fool who chases small things and misses the big picture.'

Think about it.

How much could the down payment from early guilds be?

At most, a low-grade relic?

Or a bit of coins or cash?

'I can get those things anytime if I have the time.'

But the solid position in the public eye and the benefits derived from it...

It would undoubtedly have a huge impact later.

Moreover.

'The first broadcast feature. If I succeed in a solo raid where everyone else failed...!'

Just imagining it is thrilling.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Like knowing the next week's lottery numbers in advance, Jinhyuk's heart began to beat with a pleasant sound.

"And. If I succeed this time, I'd like to meet everyone and have a meal together."

"Of course."

"We look forward to it."

"I hope that day comes."

Everyone added a word, their faces filled with anticipation.

They seemed genuinely happy.

But no matter how happy they were...

'Should I be the only one?'

Jinhyuk swallowed and licked his lips.

Does it feel like this when a spirit holds ginseng and jujube and does tap dance in front of boiling water?

'Wow! If I can copy the abilities of two or three of those rankers...!'

This is a jackpot.

***

[The video call has ended.]

As Jinhyuk disappeared, everyone's gaze turned to Teresa.

The look in their eyes was like wolves eyeing a flock of sheep.

"Ms. Teresa, can you tell us about that man?"

"Name, age, nationality. Any small detail is fine."

"Heh, didn't Europe just recruit a new prospect? How about letting us have this one this time?"

"Is a B+ grade even a prospect? If you want, I'll give you a truckload, but in return, step back this time."

"What? Are you calling that a deal?"

"Oh my. Why are you getting so worked up? I've noticed that the one who loses in words always raises their voice first."

"Ugh!"

The atmosphere heated up instantly with a new topic.

In the middle of it all.

Teresa made a troubled face.

'Mr. Jinhyuk... you're such a fool.'

She had no idea how to deal with the aftermath.

***

'Things went better than I thought.'

Jinhyuk stretched, satisfied.

Thanks to the mines, he had made a strong impression on the large guilds.

They were probably in the middle of a fierce battle, sipping kimchi broth.

'Hmm. I feel a bit guilty for leaving the aftermath to Teresa...'

I should treat her to a good meal later.

Just then.

"Haa. Haa. Haa. Are, are you trying to kill me?"

Ellis, pale-faced, was panting heavily.

Right.

I forgot about this guy.

During the video call with Teresa, I pushed him a bit to deal with the bugs.

Told him to block them all by himself.

As a result, Ellis used up all his remaining mana and was on the verge of fainting.

"You can complain, so you're okay. If you were really dying, you wouldn't have the strength to speak."

"Is, is that supposed to be comforting? We... aren't in a cooperation agreement but a slave contract?"

Ellis weakly lowered his head.

What?

Why is he suddenly being so serious?

It makes me feel guilty.

"Tsk! What do you take me for! Do you think I only use you? I was planning to buy 'Mana Restorer' from the coin exchange and give it to you."

I bought the cheapest one, but since Ellis can't see the coin exchange, it doesn't matter.

What can he do if I claim it's the most expensive one? He can't become a player.

But.

"I'm sorry, but that kind of restorer doesn't work on me."

Ellis shook his head.

"What?"

"You said you don't just use me, right?"

"Well, I did say that..."

"Hehe. Don't worry. I'll definitely get back the mana I used."

Ellis smiled.

His sharp canine teeth gleamed at the corners of his mouth.

It doesn't feel good.

Definitely.

When I first met this guy, he said...

'Tempting', 'delicious-smelling blood'. Yes, a sentence with two keywords.

Damn. This is dangerous.

Without realizing it, Jinhyuk took a few steps back.