Chapter 90

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

Chapter 90: Wave (4)

“Hmm.”

The sea was somewhat expected.

It was understood that the items provided by the other party would not be typical.

However, this exceeded Yeongwoo’s expectations by two levels.

‘A merchant selling legendary-grade items.’

Until now, the highest grade of goods offered by all the merchants encountered was Epic.

Moreover, those items couldn’t be purchased even with a lot of Karma.

It was only possible to exchange them for Legendary achievements.

However, this merchant not only sold Epic-grade items for Karma but also possessed Legendary-grade items.

This was an unprecedented transaction.

3 ― 「Rohm’s Bottom」 – Legendary Sword Technique

【Fight like a prisoner.】

◇ Local martial arts

‘Rohm’s Bottom… But what does it mean to fight like a prisoner?’

Does it mean to fight cruelly and viciously?

Whatever it was, it certainly didn’t sound like a refined combat style.

“……”

Finally, when Yeongwoo’s gaze fell on the price of “Local Martial Arts” of Legendary Swordsmanship, a new message appeared in the empty space below.

Faahh!

[Exchangeable] Gyeongbuk Swordsmanship – Unique Grade

[Non-Exchangeable] Icheon Swordsmanship – Relic Grade

[Non-Exchangeable] Yeongdeok Swordsmanship – Relic Grade

…

…

…

[Non-Exchangeable] Gumi Swordsmanship – Relic Grade

That was none other than the list of martial arts possessed by Yeongwoo.

Including the ones directly collected by Yeongwoo from Gumi, Gimcheon, Sangju, Mungyeong, and Chungju, and the Yeongdeok, Cheongsong, and Yeongju swordsmanship handed down to him.

And even the Icheon Swordsmanship of Kim Byungcheol, which was sacrificed to him.

“……”

As Yeongwoo looked at the long list of swordsmanship laid out like a grave, he felt a tingling sensation in his chest.

He had thought he had tried not to live wickedly in his own way, but seeing this, he realized that the people he had killed so far were by no means few.

There were a total of ten martial arts in Yeongwoo’s possession, including nine swordsmanships that existed as the guardian martial arts of each region.

And the Gyeongbuk Swordsmanship obtained during the process of collecting them.

‘Among these, the only one I can exchange for that prisoner’s swordsmanship is Gyeongbuk Swordsmanship.’

Moreover, the grade of Gyeongbuk Swordsmanship was Unique.

It was a martial art that was two grades lower than Rohm’s Bottom, which was of Legendary grade.

‘I thought the title of Gyeongbuk’s Strongest Sword was Epic, so I assumed the swordsmanship would be Epic too, but it was just a concept of sub-options.’

In the midst of this, Yeongwoo learned another thing.

In any case, that problematic swordsmanship had to be bought.

‘There’s a high chance that I’ll be fighting against Gangnam’s Strongest Sword in an hour, so I have to go to the assembly with all the available forces.’

As he had already exhausted all the summoning counts of his friends today, this trade was practically the last chance to create a variable.

“I’ll buy Rohm’s Bottom first.”

When Yeongwoo decided to buy the swordsmanship, the intermediary Kubu blinked his eyes.

―Confirmed. Would you like to see other items as well?

At this, Yeongwoo’s gaze returned to the list of goods.

1 ― 「Broken Scale」 – Unique Ring

【30% reduction in muscle strength.】

【Endurance and senses increased by 40%.】

◇ 680,000 Karma

Broken Scale.

As it was a unique ring, if Yeongwoo were to buy it, he could complete one achievement.

[Jeweler’s Touch]

|Wear two rings of Hero-grade or higher on your index and ring fingers. (3/4)

Now, all he needed was one more ring of Hero grade or higher.

“But the value of strength is too high. It’s a stat that affects the speed of movement.”

Moreover, the sense increased by the scale ring was a stat that had always been Yeongwoo’s advantage.

‘In terms of total stats, it’s definitely a gain… but in actual value, well, I don’t think it’s worth 680,000 Karma.’

At least, it was not a valuable item on this side.

Yeongwoo considered the broken scale as a trap item and skipped it.

‘So, what’s left?’

2 ― 「Masochism」 – narrative gem

【Slot: Strength increases by 25% when bleeding.】

◇ 1,700,000 Karma

The last item, Masochism.

In fact, as soon as Yeongwoo saw the list of items earlier, he had thought that he must buy Masochism.

Thanks to the slime’s nucleus, his regenerative ability was almost inhuman.

Of course, it would be best to end the fight without bleeding at all…

‘But there’s no way I’ll end up like that against Gangnam’s Strongest Sword. And with 25% strength… it’s right to be in a bleeding state, even if I have to self-harm.’

In fact, he was worried that his blood might clot too quickly due to his fast regeneration.

It was a terribly gruesome idea, but Yeongwoo was sincere.

“I’ll also buy Masochism.”

As he finished the transaction by mentioning his second purchase, Kubu blinked his eyes twice.

―Alright. I’ll confirm the deal as it is.

With Kubu’s declaration, the common oils within the column of light began to bubble.

And then.

Acquired!

Yeongwoo’s Karma balance decreased from 5,046,500 to 3,346,500.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

1,700,000 Karma had been transferred immediately.

And then.

Sizzle!

A bubbling pool of hot oil formed at Yeongwoo’s feet, then pushed a palm-sized red gem onto the ground.

Swoosh.

As Yeongwoo bent down to pick up “Masochism,” Kubu, who judged that the item had been safely delivered, blinked his eyes and said.

―All transactions have been completed safely.

“Yes, thank you for your hard work. Both sides.”

Yeongwoo said this, looking at the merchant’s side, but the quietened pool of oil showed no reaction.

* * *

Masochism and the legendary swordsmanship, Rohm’s Bottom.

Yeongwoo, who bought both items from unidentified prisoners, immediately used Masochism as soon as the deal was over.

Flicker!

「Fearful Cat」 – Epic Compass

【Indicates a threatening object.】

【Strength increases by 25% when bleeding.】

Yeongwoo inserted the gem into an empty slot on the epic compass “Fearful Cat,” just like he did with the kekidite.

He could see that a new tooltip had been added.

From now on, his strength would increase by 25% while bleeding.

‘But does this really work?’

A radical effect befitting an epic grade.

Yeongwoo briefly looked at Fearful Cat, which had become something he could never abandon, and then belatedly brought up the tooltip of the title.

Ping!

Then, he saw that Gyeongbuk Swordsmanship had indeed disappeared, replaced by an unfamiliar message.

「Gyeongbuk’s Strongest Sword」 – Epic Title

【The Majesty of the Strongest Sword】

【Voting Rights】

【Rohm’s Bottom】

‘A legendary swordsmanship under an epic title.’

Could it still be called Gyeongbuk’s Strongest Sword if he no longer used Gyeongbuk Swordsmanship…?

He had his doubts for a moment, but it was probably for the best.

It was much better than becoming a wandering spirit all the way to Seoul.

‘Now, all that’s left is how to spend this money.’

* Available Karma: 3,346,500

Yeongwoo’s current cash was about 3.34 million Karma.

In terms of stats, it amounted to 3,340 points.

Finally, he could raise his average stats to around 2,000.

『Character: Jeong Yeongwoo07』

[Strength] 1,300 (19+1,281)

[Stamina] 950 (21+929)

[Endurance] 1,150 (13+1,137)

[Senses] 700 (24+676)

‘The top priority stats are strength… followed by endurance and stamina.’

To properly utilize his strong strength, he needed evenly distributed endurance and stamina to control that power.

While there were no issues with everyday movements, when he had to continuously output maximum power like in a duel with the Strongest Sword, an enormous amount of stamina was consumed, and there was considerable strain on his body.

‘Anyway, I can always steal senses from my opponent, so it’s not urgent right now.’

Furthermore, in practical terms, his strength would increase by more than 25% due to Masochism, so Yeongwoo invested 1,500 points into strength and evenly distributed the rest to stamina and endurance.

『Character: Jeong Yeongwoo07』

[Strength] 2,800 (19+2,781)

[Stamina] 1,850 (21+1,829)

[Endurance] 2,050 (13+2,037)

[Senses] 700 (24+676)

* Available Karma: 46,500

When his strength level, which was initially only 19 and previously only 1,300, soared to 2,800 in an instant, he felt nauseous for some reason.

‘I wasn’t human before, but now my output has doubled. How much stronger can I get like this?’

Moreover, his current stats were close to those of the second day’s Strongest Sword in Seoul.

Therefore, the Strongest swords that monopolized the third day’s mutant would have an additional ability score of at least 2,000 points.

‘At this point, aren’t the real threats not the mutants, but the Strongest Swords? They’re practically bombs residing in the city.’

There might be a reason why Gwanak’s Strongest Sword, Jo Sangik, was wary of the Seoul Alliance.

“……”

Having finished distributing his stats, Yeongwoo naturally looked northward, having completed all his tasks in Gangnam.

Then, Negwig, who understood Yeongwoo’s intentions, approached him and let out a strong breath by his side.

“Snort!”

Now, it was time for Yeongwoo to meet the Strongest Swords of Seoul.

* * *

2:23 PM.

The Strongest Swords of Seoul were all smiling knowingly.

They were getting ready to attend the assembly when they received a strange message from Gangnam’s Strongest Sword.

《If you encounter a stranger riding a horse, please bring them to the assembly hall alive. Please.》

This was the function of Gangnam’s Strongest Sword’s signature equipment, “Wave.”

「Wave」 – Unique Ring

【Voice transmission to the Strongest Sword of the acquired area.】

|Area: Seoul

A truly unique item that allows any Strongest Sword in Seoul to send their voice to anyone.

It was all thanks to this item that Jeong Hyunsik played a central role in the Strongest Sword assembly.

However, because the content of this message was so absurd, the reactions of the Strongest Swords were vastly different.

“Riding a horse? Has the Strongest Sword gone senile?”

Some mocked Jeong Hyunsik behind his back.

“Even Jeong Hyunsik is asking for a favor…? What on earth is going on?”

“If we ask Gwanak, we might get an answer. Something happened there today.”

Some sensed that something unusual had happened, thinking about the sender’s position.

And even those who had not yet participated in the assembly.

“Something interesting seems to be happening.”

“No, is there really someone riding around deliberately? Why…?”

“What’s going on at the assembly?”

As a result of this message, they seriously considered attending the assembly.

They couldn’t tolerate the idea of a “stranger riding a horse.”

Meanwhile, Yeongwoo, the protagonist of the widespread “equestrian rumor” that spread throughout Seoul in no time, was…

Kwaaaah!

Riding on Negwig’s back, rushing towards the Dongjak Bridge.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]