Chapter 11

It seems that the quality is definitely good.

By the way, the name is also "Advanced A-Space Workbench."

I thought it meant a higher level than the basic, but it seems I was wrong.

'Just the mouth is advanced.'

I have a rough idea of its nature.

Still, there was a problem.

'Why do I have to feed it something good?'

If I put in one 4K monitor to get twenty old, bulging CRT monitors, wouldn't I be the only one losing out?

Therefore, to make use of this thing, two conditions had to be met.

First, it had to be of good quality.

Second, it had to be useless.

"Let's see."

I rummaged through my house.

What could I find?

"How about this?"

It was a glove I bought on the recommendation of a friend when I briefly joined a social baseball team.

It cost around 140,000 to 150,000 won?

Compared to the gloves used by real enthusiasts, it was dirt cheap, but it was still expensive for me.

I had decided to start playing baseball again when I had some free time, but it's been over a year now.

Maybe it's time to let it go.

──The "Advanced A-Space Workbench" looks at the material with a hazy gaze.

But even this was rejected.

'Just because it's advanced doesn't mean it's good enough!'

Tam, who had been watching, approached the new friend and shook its light beams.

It seemed to be angry, telling the new friend to act less expensive.

'...You're the only one, Tam.'

Time was passing.

「00:05:21」

「00:05:20」

「00:05:19」

I became anxious.

If it wouldn't even accept a 150,000 won item, there weren't many options left.

Is there really no such thing as a free lunch in this world?

With tears in my eyes, it was time to part with something I cherished.

But then.

'I've got it! Something utterly useless but ridiculously expensive.'

I remembered some items I had forgotten about.

*

Chik─

"Ugh."

I instinctively grabbed my nose.

No matter how many times I smell it, I can't get used to it.

The foul odor of the super-high-grade perfume given by my ex-girlfriend.

I had refused it from the first time I smelled it, saying I didn't like the scent.

But she insisted I use it at least when we met.

'How can this cost 700,000 won?'

Even if it's a luxury brand, it's still too much.

Perfume is a matter of personal taste, and it's hard to understand why such a high price tag is attached.

700,000 won?

To me, it's worth nothing.

'Perfect.'

It was a waste to keep it, and I never used it.

"Would something like this be okay?"

As I gently shook the perfume bottle, the new friend cautiously approached.

It seemed quite interested.

When I handed the perfume bottle to the new friend, a message immediately appeared.

──The "High-Quality Conversion" ability is activated.

The new friend acknowledged it as a super-high-grade item.

"Okay!"

──Item: Louis Vuitton 'Homme Kid Bleu' 100ml

──Quantity: 0.94

──Estimated processing time is 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

──Do you want to start the conversion process?

The basic procedure was the same as with Tam.

Since it was still Level 1, there was no "Preview."

──The "High-Quality Conversion" begins.

A little later.

──The "Quality to Quantity Conversion" is complete.

──Please "Consume" the converted items.

──Time limit: 2 minutes

I held up the summer quilt with both hands, ready to catch anything that might fall.

But there was no need.

──The "Advanced A-Space Workbench" flares its nostrils.

──The "Advanced A-Space Workbench" is in awe of your sophisticated taste.

"Oh."

As the new friend's light beams swayed, five or six perfume bottles gently descended.

The speed was slow enough that I could catch them all with my bare hands without the quilt.

"Really convenient. Thanks."

The new friend seemed to be in a good mood.

It can be quite picky when it's not in the mood, but when it's happy, it's incredibly warm.

I placed the perfumes on the desk and tried them one by one.

Chik─

Hmm, nice. It's my style.

Chik─

Oh? This one is good too?

Surprisingly, all five perfumes were to my taste.

Two of them I had even seen in department stores, priced around 100,000 won?

Well, since this super-high-grade perfume costs 700,000 won, if we think of it as an 80% conversion efficiency, the new perfumes must be quite good.

I got five high-end perfumes from something I never used and found disgusting!

'What a great deal!'

Completing the "Consumption" marked the end of the quest.

──Congratulations!

──You have completed the tutorial quest Ⅳ, "Quality to Quantity Basics," of "Brilliant 30s."

──The experience of the "Advanced A-Space Workbench" has increased.

──The efficiency of "High-Quality Conversion" has slightly improved.

──The processing time of "High-Quality Conversion" has slightly decreased.

──The time limit for "Consumption" has slightly increased.

──As a quest reward, you have received a "Lucky Strike" coupon (one-time use).

"Yes!"

I passed this tutorial with ease!

The "Lucky Strike" coupons I had used to interpret the clinical report were now back to two.

Most importantly, I gained a new tool, "Quality to Quantity Conversion."

"Please do well, friend."

The new friend seemed a bit embarrassed, then flew away.

I chuckled and returned to my computer.

It was already 3:30 PM.

I had been checking the stock market regularly, and today was no different.

[ HTBioLogics 16,700 ]

[ +3,850 +29.96% ]

Bull market! Hellfire!

It hit the upper limit for two consecutive days.

'Awesome!'

When you make a lot of money, you want to do some proper calculations.

'How much is it all together?'

7,200 in my stock account.

1,000 in my bank account.

7,000 in the deposit for this house, minus the 4,500 loan, leaving me 2,500.

So, all together...

"Ugh."

It exceeded 100 million won.

'I have 100 million won...?'

100 million won.

I couldn't believe it.

It felt like a dream.

'Thank you, Grandma...'

But at this rate, 100 million won isn't the end.

I could make even more money.

I was confident it would happen.

Still, the feeling of "100 million won" was overwhelming.

I wanted to celebrate this achievement, even if it was a small one.

A gift for myself, perhaps.

'Now that I think about it, I've only been working since I quit my job.'

I had bought various things for "High-Quality Conversion," but I hadn't spent much on myself.

'Should I treat myself to something incredibly expensive?'

I shook my head.

After quitting my job and living alone, my head must be messed up. On such a good day, I should go out and eat, not order delivery.

'Should I call my sister and treat her to something nice?'

No, that wouldn't work.

She's very busy now that she's entering her major.

And if we meet, we'll just end up upsetting each other, sigh.

It would be better to send her a generous allowance.

'Should I call my friends?'

The guys who teased me at the karaoke bar on the day I quit.

'I need to get back at them.'

It's too early.

100 million won isn't enough to show off.

Just wait, guys.

'...Should I just spend the money without thinking?'

Have I ever spent money freely in my life?

Always comparing prices, looking for discounts, calculating the cost per unit, and trying to get card discounts and points.

Yeah, let's just flex once!

I'll go to all the places YouTubers brag about spending money.

I'll go to the places Gu Ji-hyun went alone and bragged about.

To become a "Brilliant 30s," I need to know how to enjoy life!

It's Friday.

The market won't open from tomorrow, so I'll take a two-day vacation.

I might get busier in the future.

'I made 100 million won! This much is okay, right?'

I put on the beautiful clothes made by the new friend and left the house.

*

A Friday afternoon in April.

The gentle breeze and the perfect sunlight were just right.

I walked to the bus stop out of habit, but then I caught a taxi.

'I'll only take taxis this weekend!'

The driver asked.

"Where are you going?"

Let's start small.

"Nam Mountain Shilla Hotel."

I decided to start with a five-star hotel.

Every moment is sweet.

The chandelier in the lobby was like a galaxy of dazzling lights.

I quickly tore my gaze away and walked to the desk, pretending to be calm.

And I said nonchalantly.

"I don't have a reservation. Can I have the most expensive room for one night?"

The neatly uniformed staff member nodded lightly and flipped through the screen.

"The Superior Suite Double is available. It includes breakfast, and you can use the Executive Lounge. Which view would you like, mountain or city?"

"City view, please."

"Would you like to check in now?"

"Yes."

I handed over my check card without asking the price.

As soon as the payment was complete, another staff member followed.

"Let me show you the way. Do you have any luggage?"

"No."

Ding─

The elevator took me to the 22nd floor, the highest level of the guest rooms.