Chapter 1488: 1486: Unknown Fate

Chapter 1488: Chapter 1486: Unknown Fate

『Formal Employee: Han Dong, you are now connected to the Black Tower Transit Station.

Since you are collaborating with teammates possessing “Demon Attributes” to enter Fate Space, your activity time within the Transit Station is limited to [three days].

Once the time limit is reached, regardless of where you are within the Black Tower or whether you’ve chosen an event or task, a Fate Event will directly commence.』

As the familiar system prompt echoed in his mind, Han Dong found himself standing in the familiar plaza area.

“Three days… that should be enough.

In the Transit Station, the main task is intelligence gathering; the rest is less critical.

I need to figure out how using the “Treasure Map” will alter the corresponding Fate Event, as well as how [Open-door Level] influences the changes in [Fate Events].

However, for such matters, there’s no need to trouble Mr. M.

Should I go to the Fight Club or try another method?”

Considering the time constraints, Han Dong ultimately decided against visiting the Fight Club.

After all, according to the rules of the Fight Club, once Han Dong entered the club area, he might face challenges he couldn’t refuse.

If he ended up fighting the creatures in the club, even if he won, he’d almost certainly end up bedridden in a hospital for a few days.

Not only would he fail to gather any intelligence, but he’d also enter the Fate Event in a severely injured state.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Han Dong’s mind.

At the same moment, a voice came from behind him:

“Nicholas, you’ve finally arrived~ The sales channels for [Yttrium gold] have been fully negotiated; here’s the first order from the other party. I hope you can spare some time.

The production site and the required conditions for Yttrium gold will all be handled by me. You’ll just need to focus on Yttrium ore production.

Since this channel has just been established, it requires significant costs to maintain, and it’s tough to go with an even split… For this initial batch, we’ll settle on a 60-40 split. Once it stabilizes, we can aim for a 50-50 division. What do you think?”

As expected, Han Dong had barely arrived before being cornered by Handsome Jack.

In Jack’s eyes, Han Dong was essentially Pandora’s treasure trove—a limitless Yttrium ore production device, a walking Treasury.

Han Dong took the order and conducted mental calculations regarding supply and pricing.

The results showed that 50 hours of uninterrupted ore production would be needed to fulfill the order requirements.

The price offered by the other party was staggeringly high… Even with the 60-40 split, Han Dong would directly earn 3,800 Fate Points.

Bear in mind, when Han Dong initially controlled [Node-Strange Tales], the annual rent was only 60 points.

Such a large sum of points would allow Han Dong to purchase rare materials or necessities within the Black Tower, even acquiring bottles of Efficient Recovery Medicine to take into his upcoming Fate Event.

However.

The risks hidden in this transaction couldn’t be ignored.

A capitalistic figure as ridiculously obsessive as Jack could very well be scheming against Han Dong—trying to restrict him, or even removing his consciousness to transform him into a specialized Yttrium ore production device.

After reviewing the order, Han Dong replied calmly:

“Mr. Jack, since this is our first deal and the channel is still unstable, how about a 30-70 split? I take 30, you take 70… But I hope to get some intelligence regarding [Fate Space] from you, Mr. Jack.”

Jack, being a shrewd man, pinched the synthetic skin on his face with his Fingers, forcing out an artificial smile:

“Oh? It seems this time you’re planning to embark on your first post-gate “Fate Journey.”

Sure, sure, we’re partners, after all. I’m excellent when it comes to sharing intelligence—I’ll make sure to accommodate your needs.

Because if you die, this entire Yttrium ore channel vanishes instantly.

Once this transaction concludes, I’ll provide you with all the intelligence you require. For now, come with me—I’ll take you to a secret location where you can produce Yttrium ore without concern.”

“Fine by me.”

Han Dong discreetly used the Black Tower’s communication device to send a message to a certain individual.

Before the two could leave the plaza, they ran into someone—a headless figure with densely floating black hair around his neck: Headless.

It had been a while since Han Dong last saw Headless, and the concentration of resentment emanating from him had deepened significantly.

The moment the two encountered him, it felt as if a hand carved with ghostly faces was gripping Jack’s body on an artistic-conception level.

“Yo, where are you planning to take my brother Han Dong?”

Jack responded awkwardly: “Just a business deal. Han Dong has already reached a cooperative agreement with me… Since the matter concerns less-than-transparent items, it requires a hidden location for execution.”

Smack!

Headless’s greasy palm pressed against Han Dong’s chest, leaving an inescapable mark in the form of hair on his skin.

[Resentful Mark. True]

“If I detect anything abnormal about my brother Han Dong, I’ll personally bring the club’s most aggressive guys to pay you a visit… Han Dong isn’t exactly short on friends in the club.

Even the club president has a good impression of him…

Make sure to treat him well.”

Before leaving, Headless buried Han Dong’s head into his bloated stomach, rolling it around three times to express their heartfelt camaraderie.

Naturally, the ensuing transaction went smoothly.

Handsome Jack, no matter how daring, wouldn’t risk provoking an organization like [Fight Club]. If one of its lunatics set their sights on him, his time in the Black Tower would end abruptly.

Inside a hidden Secret Room nestled within the Black Tower’s alleys.

Han Dong was hooked up to numerous IV lines, with extremely concentrated nutrient solutions continuously flowing into his body.

Without sleep or rest, he worked tirelessly for a full fifty hours to produce enough “Yttrium gold” using his Right Arm.

Under the looming threat from Headless, Handsome Jack asked multiple times about Han Dong’s physical condition and whether he needed a break… Han Dong, though desperate for rest, was denied that option due to the three-day limit.

『Ding! Points [3,600] have been credited to your account, available for use in any Black Tower zone… A special reminder: Only 18 hours remain before the commencement of your Fate Event. Please select your task or designate a related event before the time limit expires.』

After Handsome Jack completed the first Yttrium ore transaction, he transferred the points to Han Dong’s account as per their 60-40 split agreement, and brought back a stack of documents that Han Dong needed.

The folder was labeled with four words: [Unknown Fate].

From Common Fate (promoting the development of the “Seed of Fate”) to True Fate (providing points for the Talent Tree).

After witnessing the Door of Truth, completing the gate-opening, and reaching a new stage, Han Dong was now faced with an even higher level fate adventure, defined by the Black Tower as [Unknown Fate].

“Indeed, such high-tier “Fate Events” take place in expansive worlds or even higher-dimensional realms, with minimal fixed guidance and events. They’re far more open-ended while directly engaging the essence of the corresponding world.

It’s no wonder that the predecessors in the Holy City, after opening the gate, never rush to embark on new adventures before the year-long cooldown ends—they prepare thoroughly beforehand. A single misstep could lead to death.

The opportunities provided by [Unknown Fate] are entirely unpredictable. There’s even the possibility of achieving something as monumental as Captain Marlon’s acquisition of kinghood in someone else’s world.”