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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The All Master Who Regressed to Bronze 008
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"...And that's the full rundown of the placement exam."
"Kuhahaha! Crushing money with money. Crushing Oseong with money, no less! I already knew the story, but hearing it from my grandson's mouth hits different."
A phonograph.
No, the moment Shin-hyeok finished speaking, Choi Cheol-ho—who had already finished his meal—beamed with a smile and clapped his hands.
Unable to hide his pride at having landed a solid blow on his rival Oseong, Choi Cheol-ho soon turned his gaze to Shin-hyeok.
"Can you show me your status window?"
"Of course."
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 📛 Name: Choi Shin-hyeok 💼 Job: X 📊 Stats ⚡ Strength: 29 ❤️ Vitality: 27 🧠 Intelligence: 27 ✨ Mana: 27 🔮 Traits 1. Versatile ⚔ Skills Necromancy [C], Fist Fighting [E], Shield, Comprehensive Weapon Mastery [D], Tracking [E]
"Hah, I can hardly believe it even seeing it with my own eyes. You pulled off that overwhelming victory with stats under 30?"
"It's easy if you use your skills right."
"...Kuhahat! Right, study well and you get into Seoul University, train hard and you win medals! You're spot on! Spot on!"
Choi Cheol-ho burst into laughter at Shin-hyeok's calm yet confident words, slapping him on the shoulder.
Watching the scene, Shin-hyeok smirked inwardly.
'Good thing the status window hiding feature hasn't leaked yet. Just showing a bit builds trust.'
Anyone could tell at a glance, but the status window he'd shown Choi Cheol-ho was full of holes from Shin-hyeok's perspective.
It was possible thanks to the status window's hiding function.
A feature that let you hide whatever you didn't want to show.
Of course, it was unknown at this point in time.
Having hidden his job and traits with the hiding function, Shin-hyeok had also unequipped his Armor of Absorption and stowed it in his inventory before arriving at the estate.
All precautions for a situation like this.
And his calculations were spot on— he'd earned Choi Cheol-ho's full trust.
Showing a status window that even parents and kids kept hidden from each other? It was only natural.
"Right. I can't just sit back with a grandson this impressive. In-ho, bring 'it' here."
"...Father, are you really giving that to Shin-hyeok? Wouldn't it be better for Ho-seong—"
That was why Choi Cheol-ho wanted to give Shin-hyeok a gift.
But at the mention of "it," Choi In-ho—guild master of Shinwa Guild and his second son—waved his hands frantically, face paling.
"You said everything bearing the Shinwa name is mine, didn't you?"
"...Yes."
"Bring it."
"...Understood."
Under Choi Cheol-ho's stern voice, he finally pulled something from his inventory and set it before him.
"An Advanced Stat Enhancer and an Advanced Mana Pill."
"...!!!"
Advanced Stat Enhancer and Advanced Mana Pill.
Items on a whole other level from the low-grade ones Shin-hyeok had taken before the placement exam.
Shin-hyeok swallowed hard without realizing it and asked back.
"You're giving these to me, Grandfather?"
"Yep. Your old man prepared these instead of pocket money for his fine grandson. What do you think?"
"...Thank you. Really, thank you, Grandfather."
Even the great Shin-hyeok couldn't help asking twice or thrice—these were must-haves in the early game.
Bowing deeply to Choi Cheol-ho in gratitude.
Unlike his earlier calm confidence, Shin-hyeok's show of thanks clearly pleased him, as Choi Cheol-ho burst into laughter.
"Kuhahaha, good, good. If you need anything else, just say the word. If it's within my reach, I'll make it happen once or twice."
"Actually, there is something. Can I talk to you about it later? Just us?"
"No reason not to. First, take these. You're skin and bones. Eat up and grow big and strong."
"I'm not skinny... Anyway, thanks for the meal."
Like a grandma stuffing holiday treats into her grandkids' mouths, Choi Cheol-ho shoved the Advanced Stat Enhancer and Advanced Mana Pill into Shin-hyeok's mouth.
Shin-hyeok accepted without protest, and soon a message window appeared.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ All Stats have increased by 20. From now on, for one month, stat growth rates will increase.
'That's the stuff. Honestly, +20 to all stats is great, but the growth rate boost is the real winner. Outside of training or game achievements, there aren't many ways to gain stats. Boosting training efficiency is huge.'
A whopping +20 to all stats.
But Shin-hyeok focused on the follow-up message.
Growth rate increase.
The real prize: faster gains from training.
As Shin-hyeok inwardly cheered at the chance to grow even stronger,...
"Looks like everyone's done eating... Shin-hyeok, stick around and keep your old man company for a bit."
"Yes."
The family meal had ended before he knew it.
Choi Cheol-ho rose first, beckoning Shin-hyeok as he strode to his study, hands clasped behind his back.
"Shin-hyeok..."
"Don't worry. I'll be right back."
In-gyun's eyes reddened again, treating the study like a tiger's den, but they calmed at Shin-hyeok's bold assurance.
Thud!
The heavy study door slammed shut, swallowing Shin-hyeok and Choi Cheol-ho.
"What'd you give Shin-hyeok?"
"Tell us, just us."
"Hwa-yeon was grumbling about her tier-up being slow lately. Spill it. That's what family's for."
In-gyun's face drained white under the onslaught from his ravenous hyena-like siblings.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Take a seat. What'll you have? Tea? Coffee?"
"Cola. Zero cola, please."
"Pepsi?"
"...Even you, Grandfather? No Pepsi."
"Kuhuhu, kidding. Pepsi's distributed by Oseong anyway. No one from Shinwa touches it. Here, Coke."
"Thanks."
After some light banter...
"Shin-hyeok."
"Yes."
"From now on, you'll face endless scrutiny, trials, and stares."
"...Yes."
"That punk Lee Joo-ho got humiliated—serves him right—but it's got Yong-jae fuming. Oseong's chairman, that is."
"I see."
"Not surprised? You've pissed off Oseong's chairman, one half of Korea's twin pillars alongside Shinwa?"
A barrage of sharp questions assaulted him.
Shin-hyeok met Choi Cheol-ho's piercing gaze with calm composure.
"But I've caught the eye of Korea's top dog, Shinwa Group's chairman."
"What? Ha... haha... kuhahaha! Right you are. Piss off second place, impress first place—that's the win. Spot on, spot on!"
Shin-hyeok's reply delighted him so much he slapped his knee, wiping tears of laughter as he asked.
"So, what was that favor you mentioned?"
"I got some good materials this time. Want to turn them into a weapon..."
"Use Shinwa Guild's workshop."
Hearing Shin-hyeok's plan to forge a weapon with Blessed Steel, Choi Cheol-ho questioned quizzically.
And not without reason—Shinwa Guild's workshop boasted the world's top artisans.
It was why Shinwa was quietly acknowledged as Korea's number one.
But Shin-hyeok let slip a smirk.
"Shinwa Guild's workshop is fine. But I want real talent, not flashy posers."
"...Calling Shinwa Guild workshop artisans posers? Can you back that up?"
Choi Cheol-ho unleashed his displeasure at Shin-hyeok disparaging the workshop tied to his finest masterpiece.
The aura of a corporate titan and absolute ruler.
Combined with his Platinum player's might, the pressure was immense.
"Yes. You saw it yourself this time— I stand by my words."
"...Interesting. So what do you need?"
But Shin-hyeok didn't flinch.
Only possible for one who'd reached Challenger in the past.
Not just enduring, he pushed forward with his demands.
"I want to slot in the person I choose directly into Shinwa Workshop. No interference from anyone, including Uncle the guild master and the workshop head."
"Your own little untouchable zone...? You that confident? Ask for a unique-grade weapon instead. You'd profit without risk. Still turning it down?"
A personal no-interference zone in Shinwa Guild's Shinwa Workshop.
If Shin-hyeok's artisan flopped, the zone vanishes, and his standing plummets.
Worried, Choi Cheol-ho offered a unique-grade weapon instead—
"I'm not settling for mere unique-grade."
"What?"
"Don't you want to see the world's first legendary-grade weapon born from Shinwa Workshop?"
"...!!!"
Shin-hyeok countered the offer with one of his own.
World's first legendary-grade weapon.
Those sweet, sweet words enchanted Choi Cheol-ho into nodding.
"Thank you, Grandfather."
As expected, Shin-hyeok bowed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Thud!
The heavy study door's slam echoed through the room.
"...Shadow. What do you think?"
"Which part? Overcoming Oseong's pressure? Or actually forging a legendary-grade weapon?"
"Both."
"The first seems solid. The second... hmm, too soon to tell."
Alone in the sealed study, Choi Cheol-ho conversed with his shadow.
The shadow had heard everything, so answering was easy—but the second question lingered.
Could they really make a legendary-grade weapon?
The shadow wondered too.
But something even more shocking caught its eye.
"...Haha, first time I've been tailed."
"What?"
"Looks like a note Young Master Shin-hyeok left for me."
"Shin-hyeok? How does he even know about you, Shadow..."
A note had appeared where the shadow stood, unnoticed.
Unthinkable that Shin-hyeok had pinpointed its position—they cautiously unfolded it.
[Since you're Grandfather's man, I'll let it slide.]
"..."
"...Guess I need to log into Dimension Arena after ages."
Choi Cheol-ho was speechless at the audacity.
But soon, the study filled with one man's laughter.
Bouncing off the thick door, it lingered within—but the shadow knew it lasted quite a while.