Chapter 94 - Chapter 96

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 96

Chapter Title: Choice

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At first, I couldn't believe it.

'Forcing even residents into these assignments?'

If they were going to throw something this insanely dangerous at us, they could at least ask if we wanted to participate first.

This was worse than how they treated refugees.

They'd even blocked us from freely using the Rest Area facilities.

'No wonder I can't just casually stroll into the shop anymore.'

But now I got it.

The reason they were forcing residents—who should be treated well—into these assignments.

This was an assignment any resident had to clear. It was basically a giveaway quest.

Come enjoy if you want, and even if you can't afford to play, at least stop by and grab a freebie consolation prize.

No joke—they were actually handing out real consolation prizes.

Suddenly, a plate floated by in front of me. An arrow appeared above it, blinking insistently as if urging me to pick it. When I glanced at it, a notification popped up next to the arrow.

"..."

...Well, it was free, so I snatched it up quick. I popped the lid open, and some kind of certificate inside expanded, trailing an afterimage before vanishing.

"Eek! W-what is it? Did it fail? Unni!"

"Y-yeah! R-ready!"

I waved off the tense party members, telling them not to worry.

"It's not a failure, so no need to freak out."

"What are you talking about? The plate's empty now."

"Looks like not everything here is gear. A benefit popped up."

"A benefit?"

I nodded.

This challenge assigned each player exactly what they needed. Like the bracelet with the mana shield the Saintess picked, or the Archmage's Circlet floating by right now.

I checked the benefit notification that appeared for me.

"Holy shit, they give stuff like this too?"

"I-it's amazing."

"Oppa, jackpot."

Even I, with ten years in the Selection Process, was shocked—imagine how the girls felt. They all stared at me with wide eyes, blinking in awe.

"Perfect. No more awkward meetups outside, right?"

"Yeah, something like that."

The women cheered. I was thrilled too. Scheduling around Trial ends, meeting outside... it was a hassle.

'But seriously, it's ridiculous. How does something like this even pop up?'

A dimension gate? I'd never seen this in lodging upgrades.

It had to exist somewhere—probably unlocked after heavy upgrades. But here, in this special spot bypassing Selection Process limits, I snagged it early.

"This is insane! Dickhead, how'd you know? Huh? Teach me!"

I turned to the Crimson Flame Witch clinging to my arm, her soft breasts rubbing against me as she wheedled sweetly.

"Not curious how I knew—just want me to find yours, right?"

"Yeah, yeah! Exactly!"

Shin Seo-yeon nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling. She wasn't whining like usual even if I groped her; she was totally fired up.

"Everyone hold on. Let's see what's out there first."

We watched the parade of plates drifting by. Real treasures were sprinkled amid countless traps, sliding past.

'...Can't buy everything with limited funds.'

Our budget was finite.

With limits off, everything poured out—if luck soured, we might get nothing.

'Prices rise steadily in the Selection Process, skyrocketing in higher Trials.'

That's why I said 40 people when they asked our group size—to expand options.

More choices meant more gear we needed, or could afford.

In that vein, Tiriel's Blessing for the Saintess was perfect for her funds.

'Immediate utility, huge growth potential. Tiriel's one of the rare twin ancient gods.'

With the right opportunities, it could soar higher.

'Anyway, Saintess blew her budget, so now just us four...'

I clicked my tongue at the drool-worthy items passing by.

[Elshard Fang]

[Brimnash]

[Moldraken Earrings]

[Parnak Hornpipe]

...

Each plastered with proper nouns—only insiders would know what they did.

'Moldraken? Ha, dying to grab that... too pricey. Even Brimnash would be nice.'

Some were late-game only; others, godly just from the inscribed deity's name, worth grabbing instantly.

'Damn, this stuff here? Why's everything so top-tier?'

Was my [Luck] influencing this?

Numbered gear from my first run's Selection Process chaos zipped by.

Way beyond our buy range, obviously.

"You okay?"

"Oppa, your face..."

The women voiced concern at my shifting expressions.

"If it's not going as planned, take it slow. Don't push."

"Yeah, Min-jun. Listen to So-hee."

Misreading my regret, they fretted and tried leading me to a chair. All but one.

"No worries. Dickhead's just stressing over pricey shit we can't afford."

"Huh? What do you mean, Seo-yeon?"

"Looks like tons of stuff too expensive for our cash."

Sharp as ever.

I knew Shin Seo-yeon well; she knew me too.

I took a deep breath and stood.

"No more breaks?"

"Yeah, decided what to pick."

I cooled my head.

Regret greed—that was the trap here.

I checked our party's balance again.

'Crew averages 17,000 points. Me at 29,630.'

Huge for fourth Rest Area.

Average player had ~200 then.

We were way past norms.

But with limits off post-Dimension Rift, it was pocket change.

Genuine rate upped to 10%—80 real items in 800—but only 17 fit our budget.

'Exceed price, pay the cost. Stay on the line.'

Suppressing greed, I mentally sorted buys and beckoned Shin Seo-yeon.

She zipped over, sticking tight. I pointed quietly at a plate.

"This one?"

"Yeah."

Plain circlet. Name underwhelming vs. others.

But for maxed-Intelligence Crimson Flame Witch—unrivaled raw power in Selection Process—nothing better.

Pre-assigned for her from the start.

"But I already picked once. Funds okay...?"

"Don't worry."

Blanks cost nothing. Why? No idea. Rules say so.

She grabbed it.

It resized, revealing itself.

"Whoa!"

Shin Seo-yeon's worried face lit up.

Mythic item with one option. But Shin Seo-yeon's face bloomed with smiles. Guaranteed one-shot punch.

"Yes! This is what I wanted!"

Matched her explosive personality perfectly.

"How'd you know the price?"

Relieved with her item, now curious how I knew costs. [Full Appraisal] let me peek, but I gave the standard answer.

"Check the bottom of the plate."

"Oh?"

Flipped, price revealed.

Shin Seo-yeon: 15,300 points.

Saintess: 19,600 points.

She dashed to flip Saintess's too. Women's eyes widened.

"Hey, Unni's over budget! Isn't that bad if it exceeds funds?"

"W-what do we do, Min-jun?"

"It's fine. We can trade and cover each other."

Ah—the women got it instantly.

Simple logic anyone could've seen, but near-death tension had stiffened their thinking.

"And settle all at once later. Dump it on me."

Shin Seo-yeon pouted inwardly.

Makes sense. Saintess overspent by 2k; she underspent by 2k.

I approached, smacked her ass, took the circlet, fitted it on her head.

"Seo-yeon, don't dwell. Another chance'll come. Right?"

Adjusted twice, smiled softly. Hmm...! Suits her great!

The Crimson Flame Witch stared blankly, then beamed.

"Yeah!"

No joke—circlet made Shin Seo-yeon stunning. Proof not every guy stared on streets for nothing.

'Whew. Anyway, Tiriel's Blessing near 20k? Can't dream bigger.'

Many passersby: 1M+ points. Some 100M. [Full Appraisal] prices made me tsk.

'100M? Ridiculous.'

Dazed by items, I closed eyes, calmed mind.

'...Don't dwell. Another chance'll come.'

Advice for her—and me. No rush. Snowball rolling fine.

"Next, So-hee."

"Item with clear pros and cons."

"Seems so."

Low HP limits it. But high Strength/Agility—value depends on use.

"Now Sera."

"Yup!"

Isera was tricky. [Stealth] already perfect—no adds or cuts needed.

Great for hiding/escaping, ambushes easy.

'Normally supplement her damage lack.'

But she couldn't kill. After deliberation: pick usable, even if wasteful chance.

"Lightning effect...?"

"Means shock. Stun."

"Ooh!"

Isera's face brightened at the stun-gun-like relic. Her giggling hinted at dark imaginings—creepy, but ignored.

...Not happening to me.

'Girls all got theirs.'

They stroked/polished happily.

Still, I hid regret. Seen mega-items on rails.

'Only Saintess got a god-named item.'

Excluding hers, cheapest god-item: 580k. Beyond our pooled funds.

'...Another chance'll come. Selection Process far from over.'

Calculated balance. Check remainder, buy mine.

Narrowed to two.

'Here it is.'

Followed a drifting item. First: necklace.

Focusing triggered [Grand Lord Arken's Ring] resonance—proving the match.

This challenge includes gear-synergies with yours.

For interaction bonuses.

'Pick this, no worries for Im Ha-rin's bitch squad.'

Copies 50% my stats. Crisis? Overwhelm with my overwhelming ones.

Good for me too—protect investment, gain stat per use.

'Plus, Im Ha-rin's lord-type skill boosts surrounding women as she grows.'

10 min: not just her—whole party power up.

Handy for massive battlefield Trials later.

'Downside: late-bloomer. Too long-term.'

Eyes shifted next. Cute potion vial drifting.

'Haha, +200? Still nuts.'

Opposite necklace. Instant effect.

'Current [Frost Fang] earring: measly +10 Magic Resistance.'

Without it, Han So-hee flailed in Trials, crawled between my legs coquettishly sucking me off.

This? +200.

'Pick it, no magic worries til mid-Selection Process.'

But...

Eyes back.

[Valentina's Necklace].

Too bad to pass. Synergy mythic? Rare chance.

Even without, 50% positive aura boost—if Black Wolf Guildmaster Lee Jong-chul saw, he'd scrape every penny.

Investment gold.

"Hm."

Torn.

Personal gain or group?

Short-term or long?

'...Decided.'

Grabbed both plates. Watching women gawked.

"What the hell?!"

"M-Min-jun?"

"Oppa, thoughts and actions reversed? Happens to me too."

"Calm down. Probably cheap, grabbing two."

Yeah, no.

17,300 pts. 120,000 pts.

~137k total. Way over.

'Normally, can't exceed.'

But couldn't ditch either. No choice—pay the cost, however unwilling.

Luckily borderline doable.

'Worst case, die.'

Turned to faceless staff.

"We're done."

"This way. To the checkout."

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