Chapter 70: Chapter 70

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Chapter 70: Choice (2)

"Welfare points can be used to send gifts too…?"

Sola murmured, blinking her large eyes.

"I just experimented to see if it worked."

"…Why would you even think of trying that?"

"Seriously! Uncle, you’re like some kind of researcher!"

I shrugged, wondering if it was something so surprising.

Sola frowned and widened her eyes further, while Yeojin opened her mouth into a perfect 'O.'

Their reactions were so different that it was adorable.

Anyway.

"Buying random junk items as gifts every time was a hassle, so I looked for an alternative."

"Oh… So when you send a message, you can just send 1 welfare point instead of junk items?"

"Yeah, it works."

"Wow!"

No more exchanging moldy bread or spoiled milk.

Since upgrading to the intermediate shop, finding cheap junk items had also become challenging.

But the real reason for gathering the group to explain how to gift points wasn’t as trivial as that.

"So, if we send our points to you, you’ll buy items from the shop and gift them back, right?"

"Exactly. We might need items from the intermediate shop."

"Intermediate shop?"

It wasn’t just a possibility; it was a necessity.

The fine print at the bottom of the proposal, written almost as a disclaimer, had made that clear.

「…However, for fire-attribute users, note that distinguishing power may be reduced.」

The text was written so small—about 3-point font size in Korean word processors—that it was clearly intended to be overlooked.

I only noticed it because of my habit of thoroughly reading even the footnotes in government-supported projects.

‘If fire-attribute users have reduced distinguishing power, there are two possibilities.’

First, the enemy I’ll face is of a type—like plants—that fire isn’t particularly effective against.

Second, the enemy specializes in fire-based attacks.

In either case, fire users are likely to have resistance to each other’s abilities.

Well, it doesn’t matter which it is.

Whoever faces the enemy can be prepared in advance.

‘Let’s see who’s chosen first, then decide.’

In the meantime, I should get ready myself.

I’m certain I’ll be summoned anyway.

"Shop."

[Summoning the intermediate shop, ‘The Golden Carriage Found Everywhere and Nowhere’!]

[Please select the items you wish to purchase.]

With that thought, I summoned the golden carriage.

The translucent, truck-sized carriage shimmered as always, its presence still unfamiliar despite the number of times I’d seen it.

Maybe it was because I’d never had the chance to closely examine it.

Gripping the cool, ornate medieval-style handles on both sides, I swung the doors open.

Clunk!

The doors swung wide.

Then—

Flash!

Instead of seats, the interior was filled with display shelves.

Lined up neatly were various items on those shelves.

Let’s see.

Thanks to careful saving, my welfare points had accumulated to about 75,000.

The 50,000 points I earned from reviving the skeleton soldiers made a huge difference.

So, I had plenty of ammunition.

‘What should I buy to get the best value for my points?’

I couldn’t waste points on random items.

Once spent, who knows when I’d be able to save this much again?

The skeleton soldier mission had gone surprisingly well, but even that had originally only promised a maximum reward of 10,000 points.

If only there were a weapon so stunning it made the decision easy…

But there wasn’t anything like that.

The best items here were probably…

‘These two.’

Two swords displayed slightly above eye level caught my attention.

One was a white sword radiating a faint bluish glow, exuding an aura that screamed of otherworldly power.

The other was a black sword, curved like a scimitar, coated in dust.

▣ Barintos’ Meteorite Sword

-A sword forged by Barintos, a renowned blacksmith, using iron from a fallen meteorite.

Increases attack power by +15 when used.

Caution: Due to the weight of the material, high strength stats are required.

-Required stat: Strength 20 or higher.

-Price: 50,000 welfare points.

-Stock remaining: 1.

Its straight, double-edged blade bore intricate patterns of stars and comets, as if it refused to forget its origins.

And next to it—

▣ Shattering Sword

-A sword forged with great care by an unknown blacksmith.

While its durability is exceptional, its condition has deteriorated from years of neglect.

Increases attack power by +10 when used.

Caution: Due to its weight, high strength stats are required.

-Required stat: Strength 15 or higher.

-Price: 30,000 welfare points.

-Stock remaining: 1.

Despite its imposing name, the black sword appeared dull, with its blade caked in dust.

The contrast between the glowing white sword and the dull black sword made the latter seem even more unremarkable.

However—

Bzzzt!

Each time I held it, it emitted a faint, brief hum.

How should I interpret this?

Even though it wasn’t fully corporeal, as if it were trying to express its liking for me…

Would that be too far-fetched?

In any case, the problem was this:

‘I can only pick one.’

First, the meteorite sword.

The +15 attack boost was tempting.

Adding that to the +20 bonus from my basic swordsmanship (Lv.3) would be incredible.

But—

‘It’s too expensive.’

The steep price of 50,000 points made me hesitate.

The fact that my current strength stat wasn’t high enough to use it immediately was also a drawback.

Sure, I could buy it now and wait until I could use it, but…

Next, the shattering sword.

A +10 attack boost wasn’t bad.

With just 2 points invested in strength, I could start using it right away.

‘Which one should I choose?’

Should I go for the stronger white sword, even though I couldn’t use it immediately?

Or the black sword, which I could put to use right away for the current mission?

Or perhaps a third option?

Maybe I should stick with my current blade and wait for something better to appear later.

Rather than focusing on raw attack power, a more versatile item might be the better choice.

…Caught up in such thoughts, I absentmindedly brushed my hand over the two swords displayed on the rack.

‘For now… oh?’

That’s when I felt an unfamiliar sensation at my fingertips.

My index finger, which had been gliding over the blade near the hilt, touched a shallow groove—one deliberately carved out, as if inviting something to be inserted.

Wait.

Could it be…?

If this is what I think it is…

‘This one it is.’

[Would you like to purchase the Shatterblade?]

“Purc—”

Ah, wait a second.

Just as I was about to say “purchase,”

[Congratulations!]

[You have obtained the title ‘First Sponsor’!]

The title I received after gifting an item to Jaehyuk during the last observation mission flashed through my mind.

If the system considers me gifting something to myself as “sponsorship”...

“...Gift it to Lee Eunho.”

[When sponsoring a target, a permanent 10% discount is applied.]

[The effects of items sponsored through ‘Eye’ are increased by 10%.]

With the same mindset as digging for a discount coupon before buying an expensive item, I asked on a whim, not expecting much.

After a brief pause, the system responded:

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[Sponsoring the Shatterblade to ‘Lee Eunho.’]

[The effect of the title ‘First Sponsor’ applies a 10% discount.]

[The Shatterblade’s attack power increase is enhanced by 10%.]

Oh?

It worked.

This system… there’s nothing useless about it.

Thinking I needed to dig deeper into its mechanics, I called out to Hanul with satisfaction.

“Hanul.”

“Yes, Teacher?”

“Would you like to use this sword?”

“!!”

Handing over the blade I had always used—a trusty sword with a sharp, curved tip.

Hanul flinched in surprise, even letting go of Yura’s hand he had been holding.

“W-What? But this is the sword you’ve always carried…”

“I’ve got a new weapon.”

“I’ll pay for it!”

“No need. I can’t sell it back to the shop anyway.”

“But… I’ve only ever received help from you…”

He looked genuinely regretful, as though burdened by the constant aid.

There’s no need for him to feel this way.

Is it just his gentle nature?

How does someone like him survive in such a harsh world…

“I will definitely repay this! Even if it costs me my life…”

“Don’t—no, thank you.”

Thinking that repayment might come sooner than expected, I changed my reply.

Then,

“Jieun, could you hold onto this for now?”

“This is…!”

“I’m not giving it to you; just lending it.”

“Oh… Yes! Even so, thank you so much!”

Handing over another blade to Jieun, I concluded my arrangements as she gave me a gentle smile.

All that remained was to accept the pending mission.

──────◆──────

An additional mission for assessing the rank of ‘Lee Eunho’ has been assigned. Would you like to accept?

[Yes] │ [No]n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

──────◆──────

I finally faced the message window that had been lingering for a while.

And I reached out with my finger and pressed firmly.

“Yes.”

Pouring all my determination into it.

Then, as if it had been waiting:

[Commencing additional mission for the target ‘Lee Eunho!’]

─ FLASH!

A brilliant burst of light erupted before me, engulfing my vision.

The dazzling brilliance flooded through my corneas and seemed to envelop my entire body, making me think I might go blind.

“!!”

“Kyaaah!”

A column of light surged upward, wrapping around me, Jieun, and everyone else.

[Transferring to the ‘Arena!’]

[Brace for impact!]

* * *

─ THUD!

The space we landed in was a stark white room, about a meter off the ground.

It reminded me of the first time I visited the academy—a pure, featureless room that made it hard to distinguish between the walls and floor.

The emptiness of the room, coupled with the blinding white surfaces, gave the impression of a psychiatric ward, leaving me with a faint headache.

And…

‘There’s so little here.’

The only objects in the room were a desk and three large screens mounted on the wall.

The screens were turned off, as if they weren’t connected to power.

[Welcome to the ‘Arena,’ target Lee Eunho!]

The Arena.

This must be the “stadium” mentioned in the proposal.

[The sacrifice has been prepared.]

[Broadcasting will now begin!]

The “sacrifice” referred to must be my companions who were with me earlier.

The bigger question was how many of them were pulled into this alongside me.

But before I had time to dwell on it, the system turned on one of the screens.

─ FLASH!

The central screen lit up first.

“!!”

The scene displayed was dominated by an enormous figure that filled every inch of the space.

A massive, scaly body so wide it would take both arms outstretched to measure.

Wings so large they couldn’t even be fully unfurled in that confined space.

And a gaping maw spewing:

FWOOOOOOOOSH!

Flames.

The walls of stone blackened instantly, as if a wildfire had swept through.

This…

‘…A dragon?’

The mythical beast you only ever read about in stories—a dragon.

It was right before my eyes.

To be precise…

[Check ‘Arena I.’]

[Audio connection initiated for smooth proceedings!]

I stood between Arenas I and II, separated only by a single door on either side.

"Hey, didn’t you hear that just now?! Damn it! Was it just me?!"

"I-I-I heard it! Aaaaah!"

The ancient Roman Colosseum-like structure, now with two partitions stuck in the middle, divided into two arenas and a dragon's waiting room.

In one of the arenas, on the dirt floor, was a group of people huddled together, trembling in fear.

On the left side:

“Eeeeek! P-please calm down! Even if you’re bitten by a tiger, they say you can survive if you stay sharp!”

That was Jaehyuk, sweating profusely but trying his best.

“We’re really going to die, aren’t we?”

“Damn it! Stop saying ominous things!”

There were the foul-mouthed one, trembling like a leaf, and Yeji.

“Yura... Get behind Dad!”

“Hold her hand! Hold Yura’s hand!”

Despite their shaking legs, Habul and his daughter Yura were doing their best to protect each other.

How admirable.

Meanwhile…

[Check Arena II!]

The same mix of courage, fear, and determination was displayed on the right screen.

— ROOOOOOAAARRR!

“Oh my goodness!”

“What in the world is that sound?!”

In Arena II, there were the security guard and cleaning lady, standing their ground despite their fear.

“Everyone, draw your weapons!”

“There’s something behind the door...”

“Mister, the shield! Sola and Yeojin, stay behind me!”

Leading the group was Jieun, with Sola and Yeojin holding tightly to her hands.

[Choose a door to open!]

Five on the left, five on the right.

How conveniently divided.

Ⅰ≪≪ OPEN ≫≫Ⅱ

On the table were two buttons, clearly labeled Ⅰ and Ⅱ.

[You have 10 seconds to decide.]

[Failure to choose will result in immediate deletion. Proceed with caution!]

A simple question.

Which arena should the dragon enter?

Pressing button Ⅰ would send it to Jaehyuk and Yura’s arena.

Pressing button Ⅱ would send it to Jieun and Sola’s arena.

Doing nothing would result in me being deleted.

[10 seconds, 9 seconds, 8 seconds...]

In other words, I had to choose.

So, I…

“Accelerate! Summon! Activate!”

I prepared everything I possibly could.

[3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second...]

Ⅰ≪≪ OPEN ≫≫Ⅱ

Click!

I pressed the button.

[Selection confirmed!]

['Arena II' is now open!]

RUMBLE!

As the arena shook violently...

— BANG!

I caught the sound of a gunshot.

A familiar sound, though much louder and more powerful than I’d ever heard before.

‘This is it.’

Before the mission began, I had asked Jieun to locate the spot with the "eye" symbol and shoot at it with her gun.

It was to help identify where I was being held.

While the mission stated I couldn’t leave the observation room...

「※ To ensure fairness, additional mission participants are prohibited from leaving the 'Observation Room.'」

…I didn’t care about the "fairness" those jerks upstairs wanted.

I had no intention of just sitting around twiddling my thumbs.

So, I…

[Using Bone Bomb!]

Threw it hard toward the wall where the gunshot came from.

Whizz!

A shinbone, likely from a skeleton soldier, left my hand.

With a thud, it struck the wall and...

BOOM!

The pristine white wall cracked, shattered, and sent dark ash flying.

Through the breach, sunlight, dust, and…

“Eunho!”

“!!”

“Why are you there?!”

Cheers and astonishment from familiar faces poured in.

As I felt the breeze blow past me, I gauged the height to the ground below.

Not enough to kill me.

About 6 meters, maybe?

Considering I’d jumped off Namsan Tower twice, this was nothing.

‘My shell armor should absorb the impact… and if I break a leg, I’ll just ask Sola to heal me.’

…That was the plan as I prepared to jump out.

Then came a mechanical sound.

BEEEEEP!

[Warning!]

[You have left the observation room! Return immediately!]

Huh?

[You have entered an unauthorized area.]

[Penalty will be applied!]

Penalty?

[In an unauthorized area, movement is restricted.]

[Agility stat reduced by 99%.]

[In an unauthorized area, dangers feel more imminent.]

[Defense reduced by 99%.]

…What the hell?

Should I be thankful for this?!

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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