Chapter 97

The decision to choose Moon Byeong-ho over Ha Dong-geon for the first attempt at bestowing the Power of the Star was straightforward.@@novelbin@@

“[Would you like to use 100,000,000 won to bestow the Power of the Star on Citizen Moon Byeong-ho?]”

“[Success rate: 65%]”

The success of the process wasn’t guaranteed, as there was a 35% chance of failure.

At a glance, 65% might seem reassuring, but anyone familiar with the cruel nature of probabilities—especially South Korean men who’d experienced mandatory service gacha systems—knew how dangerous that remaining 35% could be.

“Failing with a single attempt that costs 100 million won is not an option.”

Thus, I chose Moon Byeong-ho, the luckiest of the retainers, to minimize the risk.

“Bestow.”

At that moment, a flash of light burst from Moon Byeong-ho’s information screen.

And then—

“[The Power of the Star has been successfully bestowed upon Citizen Moon Byeong-ho.]”

It was a resounding success.

Name: Moon Byeong-ho (Lv. 50☆) [+]

Titles: [Second Blade] [Knight] [Assassin]

Trust: 100 Loyalty: 100

Awakening Abilities: Teleportation, Invisibility

Experience Distribution Rate: 200% (+100%)

★ Quest Enabled

[☆]

All stats increased by 100%.

“Not bad.”

Since the Power of the Star was an effect applied to citizens, it was amplified twofold by the Absolute Dweller’s Crown.

In other words, all of Moon Byeong-ho’s stats were now increased by 200%.

Considering the hundreds of billions of won already spent to raise his level, achieving such a massive enhancement for just 100 million won was an exceptional deal.

“I’ll definitely need to enhance the other retainers as well.”

The Power of the Star didn’t just enhance physical abilities—it boosted all abilities, including mental power, the primary resource for using skills.

Following Moon Byeong-ho, I bestowed the Power of the Star on Ha Dong-geon, Kim Ga-yeong, and Oh Eon-ju. Each enhancement succeeded on the first try.

However, when it came time to enhance Kang Deok-su—

Puhk!

“[Enhancement failed.]”

“Ah.”

For the first time, there was a failure.

A new message appeared:

“[Star Dust has accumulated for Citizen Kang Deok-su.]”

“Star Dust?”

I discovered what it was when I attempted to enhance him again.

“[Would you like to use 100,000,000 won to bestow the Power of the Star on Citizen Kang Deok-su?]”

“[Accumulated Star Dust (50%) increases the success rate.]”

“[Success rate: 85%]”

The accumulated Star Dust had increased the success rate by 20%.

An 85% success rate meant nine out of ten attempts would likely succeed.

“Bestow.”

As the flash of light erupted again, a thought crossed my mind.

“What happens when the Star Dust reaches 100%?”

And then—

Puhk!

“[Enhancement failed.]”

“[Star Dust has accumulated for Citizen Kang Deok-su.]”

“[Star Dust for Citizen Kang Deok-su has reached maximum capacity.]”

“…I wasn’t that curious.”

Regardless, I now understood the effect of fully accumulated Star Dust.

“[Would you like to use 100,000,000 won to bestow the Power of the Star on Citizen Kang Deok-su?]”

“[Star Dust is at maximum capacity.]”

“[Success rate: 100%]”

“…Bestow.”

Flash—

“[The Power of the Star has been successfully bestowed upon Citizen Kang Deok-su.]”

While the process succeeded, it wasn’t exactly satisfying.

Star Dust ensured a 100% success rate once fully accumulated, but this meant the cost of bestowing the first star ranged from a minimum of 100 million won to a maximum of 300 million won.

Not bad, considering the investment wasn’t entirely wasted.

Enhancing all twenty-one retainers to one star ended up costing around 3 billion won—not as expensive as I had anticipated.

Even if the first attempt failed, the 85% success rate for subsequent attempts ensured the majority succeeded without too much trouble.

“All done.”

There had been no hesitation in enhancing the retainers.

I had already invested tens of billions of won to raise their levels beyond 40. Spending a few more billion to double all their stats was a no-brainer.

Failing to invest adequately and losing retainers would be a much greater loss.

“What about two-star enhancement?”

Naturally, I began with Moon Byeong-ho.

“[Would you like to use 300,000,000 won to enhance the Power of the Star for Citizen Moon Byeong-ho?]”

“[Success rate: 55%]”

The cost for a second enhancement was a steep 300 million won, with only a 55% success rate.

Slightly better than a coin toss—meaning one out of two attempts would likely fail.

“…Enhance.”

With another flash of light—

“[The Power of the Star bestowed upon Citizen Moon Byeong-ho has been enhanced.]”

The system confirmed the success.

[☆☆]

All stats increased by 200%.

Gains 50% additional experience.

“Hm?”

The existing stat boost had doubled, and a new ability had been added.

My instincts urged me to try for a three-star enhancement immediately.

“[Would you like to use 1,000,000,000 won to enhance the Power of the Star for Citizen Moon Byeong-ho?]”

“[Success rate: 45%]”

The cost had skyrocketed to 1 billion won, and the success rate had dropped below 50%.

Still, there was no hesitation.

And then—

“[The Power of the Star bestowed upon Citizen Moon Byeong-ho has been enhanced.]”

True to his reputation, Moon Byeong-ho did not betray my expectations.

[☆☆☆]

All stats increased by 300%.

Gains 50% additional experience.

Gains 50% additional monetary rewards.

The third effect, additional monetary rewards, appeared.

“This means I’ll have to enhance everyone to three stars.”

Even with the growing number of citizens, the majority of my income still came from monster hunting.

In particular, the monetary rewards earned by the retainers constituted the largest share.

“An extra 50% is huge.”

Thanks to the Absolute Dweller’s Crown, this effect would be doubled to 100%, and the retainers’ titles would triple it again.

In other words, a three-star enhancement would result in a 300% increase in monetary rewards.

Considering the current monetary efficiency for retainers was already at 900%, this would boost their contributions by roughly 1.3 times.

Given that the retainers earned billions from their hunts, the cost of bestowing the Power of the Star would be quickly recovered.

While I was enhancing retainers to three stars, a telepathic message from Kim Da-bin interrupted me.

“[Jaehyun-nim, everyone is gathered.]”

I used the Absolute Dweller’s Eye to glance at the public facilities, where Kim Da-bin, Seo Ye-jin, Ha Dong-geon’s party, and Kim Min-ho’s party were all waiting in black suits.

I teleported there using the Absolute Dweller’s Door, dressed in a sharp black suit myself.

Looking at the neatly dressed retainers, I spoke.

“Shall we go?”

Closing the door to my room, I linked it to another destination with the Absolute Dweller’s Door.

As the door opened, a faint wailing reached us.

We had arrived at a funeral hall, a place to bid farewell to the deceased.

The battle against the vampires had claimed more than just the lives of retainers.

Some died at the hands of berserk vampires, others during their escape, and some while fighting to hold back vampires crossing the bridges.

People had lost family, friends, and lovers.

Here, those who had lost loved ones were gathered for a joint funeral.

Tragically, only a small number of the deceased had been properly recovered.

Many mourners clutched a single flower, unable to even find a photograph of their loved ones, as they paid their respects.

The sound of crying and wailing was ceaseless.

“Sob... Honey...”

The mourners here were, ironically, the lucky ones.

Most of those who had died in Ulsan were left alone, their deaths unacknowledged on desolate streets.

We passed the joint funeral and entered a small room where about twenty people had gathered.

“Jaehyun-nim, you’ve arrived.”

“Yes.”

These were members of Lee Jun-hyuk’s party, a group contracted to me for their talent in monster hunting.

Two of the deceased retainers, Shin Ah-young and Kim Ji-tae, had been part of this party, making Lee Jun-hyuk the host of this funeral.

Unlike survivors in Ulsan, they still had access to smartphones, allowing photos of Shin Ah-young and Kim Ji-tae to be displayed inside.

After paying my respects, I stepped aside, and the other retainers followed suit.

When Lee Jun-hyuk approached me as the host, he spoke.

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”

“It’s only right that I came.”

The war against the vampires had been my decision.

Therefore, it was my responsibility to bear the consequences of the sacrifices it entailed.

“If there’s anything you need, just let me know. I’ll provide whatever support you require.”

“Thank you.”

Still, it pained me that this was all I could offer.

“Would you like a meal?”

“No, I still have other places to visit.”

“I understand.”

After offering my condolences, I moved on to Hong Gyeok-taek’s funeral.

Fewer people had gathered there.

Hong Gyeok-taek had been part of Jang Sung-jun’s party, but the host of this funeral wasn’t Jang Sung-jun.

“Who are you, mister?”

A young girl, appearing to be a middle school student, was hosting the funeral in mourning attire.

She was Hong Gyeok-taek’s daughter, Hong Jin-ah.

She was one of the family members Jang Sung-jun’s party had risked their lives to rescue and was Hong Gyeok-taek’s only surviving family.

With swollen eyes, the girl looked up at me.

Her gaze, initially blank, soon seemed to recognize me.

“...Jaehyun-nim?”

Though I didn’t respond, the reactions around her confirmed her suspicion.

She knelt before me.

“Jaehyun-nim, you’re Jaehyun-nim, right? Please, bring my dad back to life. You can do it, can’t you? Please?”

Among the citizens, my abilities were greatly exaggerated.

Ironically, her request might have been within my reach.

Though I couldn’t grant full resurrection, as I had done with Oh Eon-ju, it was possible to allow a temporary reunion for a day.

However, such actions were fleeting and ultimately harmful.

As Oh Eon-ju had warned, they could sow seeds of discord, with others demanding why their loved ones hadn’t been revived.

At that moment, Oh Eon-ju stepped forward and embraced the girl.

The girl hesitated, trying to push her away, but then noticed the tears streaming down Oh Eon-ju’s face.

After a brief pause, the girl hugged her back and began sobbing uncontrollably.

“Waaahhh!”

The world was filled with too many wounded people.

Too many needed solace.

The harsh world left countless people hurt, yet the world took no responsibility.

Who should shoulder this pain?

I had vowed to take responsibility, but could I truly bear it all?

This immense grief and suffering—

“I don’t know.”

I could only hope that such pain would no longer be reproduced in the world.

“What can I do?”

If the problem was the world itself, perhaps I needed to change it.

But could I?

I didn’t know.

All I could do was resolve to do my best.

“To make this world a little better.”

As the mournful cries of the bereaved filled the night, it grew darker.