Chapter 119 - The Money-Blowing Necromancer

Vampire Castle (1)

Marco, branch manager of the Malay Trading Company, was utterly stunned.

'Can this really be right?'

An enormous quantity of finished goods lay piled before him. As if by the wave of a magic wand, every batch of materials he supplied came back as thousands of finished products.

And in less than a day, at that.

[Receiving crafted goods from 'Kim Minwoo'!]

[Paying 1,302,500 points!]

Two thousand items on the first day. Four thousand on the second.

Buying nearly six thousand crafted goods had drained over two million points in a flash. That was enough to shake even a sizable trading company. No wonder cold sweat was running down Marco's forehead.

"Th-thank you for another delivery."

Kim Minwoo smiled.

"And thank you for the payment. By the way, you've brought fewer materials this time."

"W-well... We've already bought up every available material in this city. We've sent people to the neighboring cities for more, so if you could wait just one more day..."

"You'll bring plenty this time, right?"

"Of course. We intend to buy up everything, so you needn't worry at all."

Five nearby cities. If they brought back all the materials from those cities, there would be enough to make at least thirty thousand items.

"Will you be able to pay the points?"

"Haha. We are a major trading company, you know. We can certainly afford it."

Marco answered confidently. Granted, if all thirty thousand items came back as finished goods, he would have to pay an astronomical sum.

'Even if we bite off more than we can chew, we have to make this deal happen.'

The profit-seeking merchant's mind began racing.

Thirty percent of Kim Minwoo's products were Magic grade. Thirty thousand finished goods would mean nine thousand Magic items and twenty-one thousand Common items.

The company could pocket around twenty points per Common item and eighty per Magic item.

'Even with only a ten-percent share of the profits...'

That was 1,140,000 points in profit. And if he factored in the growth of the company's influence, the deal's impact would be worth far more than a mere million points.

If he successfully closed a deal this big and moved all that merchandise...

'Even becoming general branch manager wouldn't be a pipe dream.'

It would be an accomplishment that could put him in contention for general branch manager, rather than a branch manager overseeing just one city.

Naturally, Marco had already gone all in. For instance, he had taken out the largest loan possible against every building the company owned in the city.

It was the only way to cover a payment of well over ten million points on such short notice.

'It is beyond my authority, but...'

Couldn't he simply win big and pay it back? Failure would make him a gambler, but success would make him a hero.

'Still, this is incredible...'

A mere ten-percent share amounted to 1,140,000 points. Nine times that?

10,260,000 points.

If Minwoo really delivered thirty thousand finished goods, they might be witnessing the birth of a mercenary with more points than most nobles.

* * *

'Well, not bad.'

He could produce the goods, but materials were running short. Still, he had intended to pause production around now anyway.

The reason was simple.

[Hidden condition for unlocking the VIP Shop fulfilled!]

[You currently possess over 1,000,000 points!]

[You can unlock the VIP Shop.]

[If you discover the hidden conditions, you may be able to unlock an even higher-tier shop.]

Those messages had appeared before him as he completed the latest transaction.

'A VIP Shop, huh.'

They had said something special would happen once he accumulated enough points. They hadn't been wrong.

'Though the requirement is brutal.'

A million points? Most people would never manage it.

'The Day 2 rankings...'

Second place had 530,000 points, and third had 360,000. There were only two obvious candidates capable of earning scores like that.

Park Siwoo and Seo Yerim.

'With some luck, those two might just barely make it too.'

In any case, now that he had met the unlock requirement, it was time to inspect the merchandise. The moment he thought about opening the shop, messages appeared.

[Opening the VIP Shop!]

[The shop sales assistant is coming to visit!]

Something popped into existence in midair along with the messages.

A small stuffed bear. A very familiar sight.

"Fancy meeting you here again. Good to see you, buddy."

"...!"

The doll's eyes went wide.

"D-don't tell me you're the one who earned a million points..."

"Yep, that's me. You're the evaluator, and you didn't even know?"

"It's not a matter of my abilities. The system itself doesn't allow intervention. It doesn't allow observation, either."

After protesting the unfair accusation, Popo bowed his head.

"Er... In any event, it's good to see you."

"Right. You're the sales assistant?"

"Y-yes, I am."

"What do you sell here?"

"One moment."

[The merchandise list is now available!]

〈Tip 1. This shop remains available through the second test.〉

〈Tip 2. Only items usable by the person who unlocked the shop are displayed.〉

[1. Light Bomb (500,000 points)]

[2. Top-Grade Elixir Recipe (1,000,000 points)]

[3. Elixir (1,000,000 points)]

[4. Random Item Box (2,000,000 points)]

[5. Old Key (5,000,000 points)]

[6. ???]

[7. ???]

[8. ???]

'Wow.'

Kim Minwoo marveled at the prices. Even the cheapest item started at five hundred thousand points.

The prices were vicious.

'But...'

The merchandise was good.

Far too good.

He skimmed the detailed descriptions.

The Light Bomb was a powerful bomb, and the Top-Grade Elixir Recipe was exactly what it sounded like: instructions for making top-grade elixirs.

The Elixir maximized his regenerative abilities for seventy-two hours after consumption. In short, for about three days after drinking it, most injuries wouldn't kill him.

As for the Random Item Box...

[Random Item Box]

[Grade: Special]

[Level Requirement: 251 or higher]

[An item box containing equipment with a minimum equip level of 251 or higher.]

[Effect 1. Grants a random piece of necromancer equipment upon use. (Excludes accessories)]

[Effect 2. Produces an item ranging from Legend to Ancient grade.]

It was very similar to the equipment draw tickets sold in the Achievement Shop. The only real difference was that those cost Achievement Points, while this cost points.

'Hitting Ancient would be a jackpot.'

Ancient-grade equipment for two million points? Getting one would be a guaranteed windfall. Even Kim Minwoo, a diehard veteran who had played this game for over ten years, had only seen about five Ancient-grade items.

It was astonishing that they were selling something like that outright.

Finally, he inspected the Old Key.

[Old Key]

[Grade: Special]

[A worn-out key.]

[Effect 1. It might open something.]

'Well, that's certainly to the point.'

The price, on the other hand, was a whopping five million points. Presumably, finding whatever it opened would mean hitting the jackpot.

His interest was piqued.

'Every single item is good.'

The Top-Grade Elixir Recipe alone proved that. It was a recipe possessed by only one person in the world: America's Witch, Christine.

Naturally, players of this game had coveted it too. Once they knew the ingredients, they could find some way to make it.

'But we never figured them out.'

The Witch's tight lips were one problem, and America's ironclad security was another. Even tens of thousands of attempts had failed. Things had been so hopeless that even the notoriously tenacious guide writers had shaken their heads and declared it impossible.

Yet here was that recipe for a million points. It looked expensive at first glance, but on reflection, it actually felt rather cheap.

He looked at Popo.

"What are those items marked with question marks?"

"They'll become visible once you fulfill the conditions."

Kim Minwoo nodded.

'I currently have 2,130,000 points.'

He had to decide whether to save or spend. Saving could give him more options when he unlocked the next shop.

'Still...'

Blindly hoarding points wasn't the answer. Especially not now, when he intended to take on Vampire Castle.

The castle offered five hundred thousand points. But the points weren't really why he wanted to clear it.

[Vampire Castle]

[Eliminate the vampires guarding the castle.]

[Time Limit: None]

[Difficulty: Very High]

[Reward: 500,000 points, ???]

[Remaining Attempts: 1/1]

'There were question marks among the rewards.'

It offered something on top of the five hundred thousand points, and that unknown reward could be the real prize.

This mission was dozens of times harder than the cyclops hunt, which paid ten thousand points. Going in without any preparations?

'That would be dangerous.'

Hadn't the mercenaries' guild kindly informed him? Failing a Medium-or-higher mission meant death.

Of course he needed countermeasures. Vampires typically possessed tremendous regenerative abilities. Taking them down required a heavy blow, not a string of little hits.

'That rules out the Random Item Box for now.'

It would give him one piece of Legend-to-Ancient-grade equipment. Gear like that paid off over the long term; it wasn't suited to a short-term showdown.

'Something like the Light Bomb would be far better.'

Five hundred thousand points for a single consumable bomb. And light happened to be the perfect counter to vampires. They would just love it when he set one off. Love it to death.

His mind was made up.

The best defense was offense. He was going all in on burst damage.

"I'll buy something."

"Certainly. What would you like?"

"Four Light Bombs."

Popo blinked for a moment, then asked with his mouth hanging open.

"Wow... You've already earned two million points?"

"Yeah. Hand them over."

"Here you are."

[Paying 2,000,000 points!]

[4 Light Bombs have been added to your inventory!]

[Light Bomb]

[Grade: Special]

[A bomb filled with light. It looks capable of sweeping away its surroundings upon detonation.]

[Effect 1. Creates an explosion of light when detonated.]

[Effect 2. Does not harm the user or allies.]

He was suddenly broke.

'Well, you've got to spend when you need to.'

If he had any bombs left over, he could always use them later. It wasn't as if the description said they could only be used in the point cities.

"Would you like to buy anything else...?"

"I'm out of points. Oh, right. Popo."

"Yes?"

"Take a look at this."

He showed Popo the photos of his guild members saved on his phone.

"Look familiar?"

"W-well, I recognize the woman..."

"The other one's in my guild too."

"Ah, yes. But why are you showing me...?"

"I want you to pass along a message later. When they unlock the shop, could you tell them not to buy the recipe?"

Without a message, all three of them might end up buying the same recipe for no reason. Since he already knew Popo, having the bear act as a messenger seemed reasonable.

Popo blinked.

"Um... That could potentially be considered interference..."

"You don't have to say it out loud. Just shake your head a little if they try to buy it. Can't you give them a subtle gesture like that?"

"I think something along those lines might be possible. In return... Hehe..."

Popo rubbed his hands together eagerly. Apparently, he wanted to establish a connection with Minwoo.

That wasn't strange. The last time Minwoo entered the Testing Grounds, hadn't he made what looked like a significant connection with the angel who was Popo's superior? It had even become an actual sponsorship arrangement.

Some things in life didn't need to be spelled out.

Kim Minwoo nodded.

"Of course. I never forget a favor."

Repay kindness twofold. Grudges a hundredfold.

That was the truth of life. This would certainly count as a small favor.

Popo's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, sir! I'll carry out your request faithfully!"

"Good. Keep up the hard work."

"Yes. I'll take my leave, then..."

Perhaps because of the connection they had just established, Popo gave a markedly more respectful farewell before disappearing.

Minwoo summoned Cedric and Merhen.

"Get ready. We're going hunting. Vampires. Probably pretty strong ones."

"Vampires?"

"Yeah. Vampires."

"If you say that, Master, are they truebloods?"

"Probably?"

The lights in Cedric's eyes blazed.

"Then it shouldn't be boring."

He seemed to be steeling himself for battle. Merhen, on the other hand, was frowning slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It just brought back some memories."

Then Cedric interjected.

"Thinking of Olivia?"

"Yes."

"Olivia?"

"The Lord's third legion commander. A vampire."

He had unexpectedly learned something about the third legion commander. So the four commanders' races were...

'A skeleton, a banshee, a balrog, and a vampire?'

He looked at Merhen.

"Were you close?"

"... We talked from time to time?"

"Are you feeling guilty? These vampires shouldn't have anything to do with her."

"Hearing about vampires just made me think of her. That's all."

That didn't seem likely to interfere with the hunt. Minwoo headed to the mercenaries' guild and stood before the mission notices. First, he took down a High-difficulty notice worth ten thousand points.

The notice reappeared on the board.

'As long as I don't tear them...'

He could collect multiple mission notices this way, then travel somewhere far away to carry them out. Doing them here would cause problems when thousands of skeletons appeared upon his return, so he planned to find a suitable empty location first.

He collected about a hundred High-difficulty notices. No one gave him particularly strange looks; other mercenaries occasionally did the same thing.

But the moment he picked up the sheet labeled 'Vampire Castle,' every mercenary, along with the receptionist, turned to stare.

Their dumbfounded expressions seemed to ask whether he had lost his mind.

Ignoring their reactions, he put the notice in his inventory. The vampire mission reappeared on the board. Apparently, the remaining attempt would only disappear once the mission was fully cleared.

He left the mercenaries' guild. Upon reaching the deserted smithy...

RIP!

Kim Minwoo promptly tore a sheet of paper.

The scenery changed in an instant. It had been broad daylight, yet a crescent moon now hung in the sky.

A winding road. Forest all around.

And ahead of him stood a massive castle with an inexplicably sinister air.

[Beginning the 'Vampire Castle' mission!]

[Eliminate all vampires!]

[Vampires Remaining: 100/100]

The vampires were probably inside that castle.

He stretched out a hand. An undead army numbering in the thousands appeared, from the enormous Bone Golem to the dullahans, specters, and skeletons.

[The undead army is under the dullahans' command!]