Episode 209 Berserk Charm (3)
“You can share the vision of the Spirit World like this. It’s easier if you make contact, but it’s perfectly possible to do it without contact. It does increase mana consumption a bit, though
.” “That’s creepy.”
“Still, just not fainting is enough. Usually, people faint when they see this guy right in front of them.”
“This guy? Do you know him?”
“Beirek. He’s a ghost that follows me around. A year ago, he was attacked by Inferno players and died on the California coast.”
“…….”
Sophia was speaking with a resolve completely different from the players he had seen so far.
Even Upper Rank couldn’t easily adjust and was momentarily speechless.
Of course, there were players specialized in mental abilities in his past life as well.
They usually participated in high-level dungeon raids or received offers from such players.
As a result, there was almost no contact with Upper Rank, who had been living a life of hardship at the bottom of society back then.
He knew such players existed, but he had never experienced their abilities in such concrete detail.
“Shall we go to the window? Just seeing the immediate view isn’t enough.”
“Honestly, it’s a bit scary, but I do think it’s a necessary task.”
“We need to get used to it. The gate we have to go through is essentially a place inhabited only by spirits.”
“I think I understand why Frederick said Sophia was essential.”
“I also heard from Frederick that we wouldn’t be able to conquer this gate without Sanghyun.”
Although Frederick had never said such a thing directly to Sanghyun, he felt a sense of pride knowing that he had mentioned it to Sophia.
Is this what it feels like to be acknowledged by someone of true skill?
The weight of his value felt heavy, and an infinite sense of self-pride welled up within him. Enough to ignite his fighting spirit.
He wanted to live up to expectations.
Not to impress Frederick, but to prove that his judgment was correct.
Moving to the window with Sophia, Sanghyun followed her 'link' and began the experience in earnest.
Countless souls were wandering aimlessly across the city center that lay clearly below.
Some ascended to the heavens as if drawn by something, while others vanished into the underground.
Some sobbed and others screamed as they watched the people inside from outside the window.
It was not a particularly pleasant experience.
It was an ability necessary for clearing the dungeon, and that was why they were undergoing it, but it was not something they wanted to witness every time.
On the other hand, they also wondered how mentally exhausting it must be for Sophia. After all,
the world she sees is completely different from that of ordinary people. She must have to see many things she didn't want to see.
After that,
Sanghyun and Sophia returned to their seats and sat facing each other at the table to familiarize themselves with the information regarding the Gate.
Based on the information secured by the Nobility Guild, Sophia explained her planned route and strategy.
She described the status effect options required for the process and checked Sanghyun's current holdings.
Since they would see each other's items anyway once they entered the Gate, Sanghyun made no effort to hide anything.
Whenever a circle was drawn indicating possession on the checklist, Sophia's expression changed.
"You have this too? The form that presses down from above—that is, modified gravity enhancement—is hard to find."
"Yes, I have it."
It is a downdraft.
It is a skill that is the opposite of an updraft and is not used often, but it is certainly one of the Upper Moon's options.
“Then what about freezing?”
“Yes. There is also a way to inflict it with certainty.”
“You mean the full option?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s truly amazing. Just how far does it cover? I’m ashamed of myself for having been skeptical.”
There wasn’t a single X mark on Sophia’s list. This was because it was included among the status effects possessed by the Upper Moon.
It seemed that everything up to the three-quarters point, where the internal layout was complete, could be resolved entirely with the Upper Moon’s status effects.
The remaining section was a problem, but the mere fact that they could resolve everything up to that point was greatly encouraging.
For Sophia, who had only suffered bitter defeats until now, she couldn't help but feel hopeful.
After finishing the detailed sharing, Sophia left
the letter of commitment she had received from Frederick. It was a document promising the opportunity to clear the Endless Dungeon, bearing the double signatures of Frederick and the Guild.
Of course, this promise would only take effect if the Gate clear was successful.
For Sanghyun, this effectively gives him a reason to stake everything on this Gate raid.
“Let’s finish our final preparations, coordinate our schedules, and meet. As long as the two of us are ready, we can enter the Gate anytime.”
“I will contact you as soon as everything is set up.”
“I’m excited. It feels like a chance to see a Swordsman with a concept I’ve never seen before.”
“Thanks to you, I think I’ll get to fully experience the Spirit World as well. I look forward to working with you.”
“Then, see you soon.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Ending his meeting with Sophia like that, Sang-hyun fell asleep immediately.
Tomorrow morning, he would meet Han Hyun-jung to proceed with the deal, and he would enter the Gate by the afternoon at the latest.
Since he would be frantically busy starting tomorrow, this was the only time he could get a good rest.
* * *
The next morning.
Han Hyun-jung came straight to find Sang-hyun. The meeting took place at a secret house she had rented herself.
As the name suggested, it was a place where every conversation was safely protected from eavesdropping or filming.
The hourly rental rate was exorbitant, but to her, it was just pocket change, so she didn't mind.
Yi-yeon stood guard outside just in case, leaving Sang-hyun and Han Hyun-jung inside the house.
Tea time began early in the morning. The Ssanghwa tea
that Han Hyun-jung had brewed and served herself tasted better than expected.
Ssanghwa tea adorning a morning in America. You really do live long enough to see everything.
Just as Sang-hyun took his first sip of the tea… Han Hyun-jung took a sip of tea and spoke abruptly.
“The sponsorship contract. How about signing a new one? The existing contract would expire immediately. Of course, I won’t ask for the down payment back.”
“Suddenly?”
Judging solely by the wording, it was a proposal advantageous to Sang-hyun.
Expiring the existing contract meant the obligation to return the down payment would vanish immediately.
And signing a new contract meant offering much better terms than the current ones.
“I just want to make a better offer.”
While Han Hyun-jung was the type to go straight ahead whenever necessary, this was practically a sudden acceleration.
Sang-hyun could read a sense of urgency in her. He felt as though she had received a significant stimulus from an external source.
“I’ll listen to the terms.”
Sang-hyun took a sip of tea and leaned back deeply into the sofa. It was an expression of composure.
“One year. And 600 billion won.”
“If you give me that much, will you have any money left?”
She was the one promising a monthly sponsorship of 50 billion won.
Sang-hyun asked not out of surprise, but because he wondered if her calculations were cost-effective. This
was because he had never once experienced running a guild or an organization throughout his past or present life.
“You’ve been a hot topic in the media lately, haven’t you, Sang-hyun? From the Jamsil Station rift incident to the death match with Ma Dong-ho.”
“That’s true.”
“Since then, the number of players joining our corporation has increased by 200 compared to usual.”
“Compared to usual?”
“Yes. Considering what those players will bring as they grow within the corporation, it’s a profitable deal.”
“Even if each person just brings in 3 billion won…”
“That’s right. You could apply that simple calculation method.”
The organization holds the right to sell the by-products that its players obtain from dungeons.
While the distribution ratio may vary, the organization is the primary entity responsible for the sales.
As Han Hyun-jung said, if the number of players increases, the sale and distribution of related by-products will naturally follow.
It seemed she had boldly proposed the current amount, viewing it as a sum that could be fully recovered.
It was a tempting offer.
The amount was not small, either.
In fact, as I listened, I found myself wondering if it was a realistic figure.
However, I decided to decline.
I had a new gate raid coming up, and there were quite a few factors that would drive my value up.
Seeing Han Hyun-jung rushing, I could sense a strong sense of competition.
On the other hand, it was highly likely that my value would rise even further due to that competition. Waiting was the better option.
“Let’s discuss this later. I don’t think this is something we need to rush.”
“Hmph, just as I expected… Alright. Let’s do that.”
Han Hyun-jung nodded as if she had anticipated this. She didn’t insist a second time or harbor any lingering regrets.
It was because she had somewhat foreseen Sang-hyun’s reaction. She felt that she would have done the same if she were Sang-hyun.
Han Hyun-jung changed the subject.
“I spoke with Mr. Frederic Villin twice—once before I left and once after I returned.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. He kept praising you, Sang-hyun. It seems the colleagues who went with you spoke very highly of you.”
“You did show a lot. You also demonstrated that you aren’t dependent on the team.”
“Personally, if you are thinking of expanding your scope of activity globally, I think the Nobility Guild is a good choice.”
“I think so too.”
He was right.
Of course, the Nobility Guild is not the guild holding the number one spot in the world. The throne belongs elsewhere.
However, considering the guild's composition, infrastructure, and the capabilities of the Guild Master, the Nobility Guild is a good choice.
“You’ve been asking me a lot of questions about various things. That is definitely a good sign. Make sure you get whatever you can from the Nobility Guild, no matter what.”
“I intend to do so. Thank you for your kind words.”
“You’re welcome. I am a player who fell for your charm, Sang-hyun, and at the same time, a patron.”
Han Hyun-jung, who in her past life had to watch from afar.
But now, she stands by his side as a more reliable supporter than anyone else.
That is why she felt a little apologetic for rejecting his earlier proposal.
However, there is absolutely no benefit in proceeding with a contract based on loyalty or personal feelings.
Such a contract is inevitably regretted as time passes. This
is because it was not made after a cool-headed judgment and because the contract appealed to him, but rather because he was swept up in his emotions and sentiments.
“Sang-hyun, shall we talk about the talisman now? I plan to meet with the seller within three hours.”
“Are you handling the transaction directly?”
“To be precise, I will be handling the transaction. Your identity will not be exposed.”
“I’d like to see the talisman options.”
“I’ve actually listed everything. Since the seller is trustworthy, there shouldn’t be any errors in the information.” The file
Han Hyun-jung handed over contained details that were neatly organized.
Among the talismans with different concepts, some were not the Berserk Charms Sanghyun had wanted.
He was grateful for her consideration in going to such lengths just in case. After all, that much time investment was required.
With his lips tightly sealed, Sanghyun meticulously scanned the contents.
It wasn't just 6,250 won; this was a decision regarding a Legendary Artifact that required an expenditure of 625 billion won. It
would have been strange not to be cautious in this situation. Among the listed talismans, Sanghyun couldn't take his eyes off the one that particularly caught his eye for a long time.
“Madness, Radiance, Frenzy…”
The words he muttered unconsciously were the special skills attached as options to that talisman.
This talisman, whose very name exuded the scent of a Berserker, seemed to be the perfect fit for him right now.
Every option was equipped as if it had been carefully selected with tweezers, capturing exactly what he needed.
It was the perfect choice, one that made the other talismans completely inaccessible.
