Chapter 10: The Throne Quest (1)

I had a good sleep for once.

I can't remember the last time I slept so comfortably.

The future, 20 years from now, was a time when humanity could be wiped out at any moment.

Even in a city surrounded by a massive wall, invasions occurred without warning, and attacks during sleep were frequent.

Those days were a constant state of tension.

Just the guarantee of safety seemed to wash away all the fatigue from my body.

I got out of bed and, out of habit, picked up my dagger and scanned the surroundings.

I chuckled and put the dagger away.

The musty smell filled the semi-basement studio.

The bed was incredibly hard, but in this condition, it felt like a palace.

"Hmm?"

A message had arrived while I was sleeping.

"Oh ho."

The Source of Greed is sending a love call.

I had heard from the Sword Saint.

The stars test humans in various ways and only those who pass the tests become their followers.

The beginning is a small quest, but the difficulty gradually increases, and with each step, one can receive enormous rewards.

Moreover, many stars were showing interest in me.

It felt as if my every move was being observed.

Just like when someone is looking at you, the stars' gaze was the same.

From this, I could infer one fact.

"Beta testers are not common. The fact that stars, which are hard to encounter in a lifetime, are showing such interest in me proves it."

Thinking about what I had to do today, achieving three achievements didn't seem too difficult.

What would the star's messenger look like?

I started the day with a bit of anticipation.

The first thing to check was the player system.

You have received a daily gift.

Daily gifts are given based on your level.

10 Enhancement Stones, 10 Experience Pills, 5 Coins

"Coins...?"

I couldn't believe my eyes.

They were giving coins? I was sure it was 1 kg of gold and 10 coins.

Equivalent to 80 million won.

Five coins would be worth 40 million won. This meant that just from the daily gift, I could earn over 40 million won a day.

I had thought the player system was just a money-eating monster, but it wasn't.

It provided a foundation for rapid growth.

Just like in the game, where there are whales and non-payers, it seemed the same here.

It aimed to make non-payers strong enough to maintain interest, with the ultimate goal of inducing them to pay.

Since the Hell Maze had reset, I set my avatar to auto-hunt and started shopping.

While 5 coins were a meager amount compared to the immense power of player authority, the items sold here far exceeded the average level.

After about 15 minutes of deliberation, I bought three items.

Three items appeared in my inventory.

I immediately used the items obtained from the daily gift and coins.

"..."

It was an exhilarating feeling.

My level became 25, and I gained two skills.

I am a magic user, but I hadn't learned any offensive spells.

Mastering the 1st Circle makes one a D-rank Hunter.

The concept of magic was firmly imprinted in my mind.

Using internal mana to process external mana and using mental power to hit the target.

In addition, basic trigonometry, ballistics, and some mathematical knowledge were also imprinted.

After confirming the manifestation of magic, I reflected on physical training.

The skill "Physical Training" was imprinted on my status window, and although it was only level 1, I could feel my bones becoming stronger and my skin tougher.

The basic level was 20, and after that, it would advance to intermediate.

Even without this skill, my physical abilities as a non-mana awakened person were superior, but with the skill, they became even more outstanding.

The buff potion lasted for 3 hours, so I didn't use it.

Since the dungeon I would enter today was level 35, it would be better to save it.

In the "Red Orc Village," I could obtain a Mythic skill.

If I was lucky, I might get it easily, but would other beta testers appear?

Based on various circumstances, I expected the number of returners to be small, but this was just a guess.

If it was a dungeon where one could obtain a Mythic skill, it wouldn't be strange for murders to occur.

Especially for people from the future who value human life less than livestock?

"It's best to prepare as much as possible. Might as well achieve some achievements."

I had accumulated 30 Enhancement Stones.

The reinforcement probability skyrocketed with the player authority.

I could understand why the Sword Saint could easily sell reinforced equipment.

All Hunters except me had an extremely low reinforcement probability.

The failure rate from 1st reinforcement was 50%, and if it failed, the item would break.

But what about me?

Additionally, the Beta Tester title gave me a luck bonus of 10.

This luck applied broadly, so I could probably reach 4th reinforcement without much trouble.

Reinforced equipment had the disadvantage of quickly losing durability, but if I only used the stat boost without actually using the item, it would last longer.

I could use a secondary weapon for a long time.

With sufficient funds, obtaining a Unique-grade weapon wouldn't be difficult, so it would be better to prepare for the dungeon.

I might as well achieve some achievements.

I finished the reinforcement preparations.

I placed the item on the reinforcement machine marked with a blacksmith's symbol.

If it was 100%, there was no need to hesitate.

Pressing Y, a bright light and fanfare erupted.

This time, I challenged the 2nd reinforcement.

I didn't think it would break immediately.

I had the Beta Tester adjustment.

"Wow, this is amazing."

Even with just a +2 reinforcement, the item's efficiency doubled.

However, the durability decreased.

I was curious about the price of items that could increase durability, so I searched.

"Insane."

Yes, the price was insane.

Unless it was a Relic-grade item, it would be better to use it and then dismantle it.

After reinforcing to +3, my fingers hesitated for a moment.

The probability from 3rd to 4th reinforcement was 70%.

With the Beta Tester luck adjustment, I estimated it would increase by 10-20%, but there was still a chance of failure.

"Should I stop?"

I searched for a cash item that could preserve the item even if the reinforcement failed.

I found one.

Primordial Promise: 1,000 Coins

Reinforcement additional material.

Preserves the item even if the reinforcement fails.

However, the reinforcement value drops to +0.

"Don't even look at high-level items."

It would just make me feel bad.

Before I become incredibly rich, I should be satisfied with early-game items.

However, I couldn't ignore early-game items, as they were essential for building a foundation.

I planned to focus on summoning and learn various skills to support it, so my current situation wasn't bad.

I could have stopped here, but I decided to challenge the reinforcement.

I could achieve an achievement if I reached +4.

If it broke, it would be a bit disappointing.

But it was just a Rare item.

I could sell it for a huge amount of money, but...

Achievements were also important.

The quest expires today.

This means time is tight.

After thinking for a moment, I pressed Y.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of hammering in the blacksmith's shop.

The way they hammered so brutally.

The speed of the hammering and the force of the blows seemed to increase with each reinforcement.

Boom!

A brilliant light soared.

"Wow..."

Thud.

I sat down on the spot.

I understood why Hunters tried so hard to obtain reinforced items.

Despite the disadvantage of decreased durability and the fact that items were consumables, they boasted insane efficiency.

With this, it was possible to top the world rankings with item power.

There was the disadvantage of frequently changing items, but I could quickly secure high-level dungeons.

Most importantly.

In the system-allowed hunting areas, such as the Hell Maze or stages, durability didn't decrease.

So, the conclusion was that if I used the system well, I could become stronger faster than anyone else.