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nAfter a long and exhaustive explanation from the Operator, Sungjin was finally teleported to the Black market.

nOnce you have finished shopping, please feel free

nto return to the “Ninety Nine Nights” Inn at any time.

nThe Operator continued to speak, but Sungjin had had enough.

n“I got it, Thank you,”

nSungjin waved the cube away and entered the Black Market.

n‘…Bookstore… where was that again…?’

nSungjin had been to the Blackmarket innumerous times, but couldn’t recall the last time he had entered a bookstore.

nThere never was a really good reason to enter one. Sungjin roamed the Blackmarket aimlessly until he found a bookstore hidden away in a corner.

nThis bookstore ‘Dry Mouth’ is run by bookkeeper Gourmet.

nVarious books and information can be purchased here.

nThe shop owner was a quiet looking goat man. He was so absorbed in his reading that he did not notice that he had a customer waiting. Sungjin eventually let out a fake cough to attract his attention.

n“Cough… hmmm.”

nThe Goat man finally noticed that he was not alone; only his eyes moved as he gazed up from his book. He saw Sungjin and greeted him.

n“Ah, please excuse me for not noticing you there… I hope you can understand; this is a great paragraph you see… so, was there something you wanted to buy?”

nSungjin shook his head.

n“No… I did not come to buy a book.”

nSungjin carefully took out the part 1 of ‘Ancient Stories of the East’ from his vest and showed it to Gourmet.

n“…Do you recognize this book?”

nGourmet’s eyes grew wide in surprise.

n“Oh… My goodness!”

nHis eyes took turns looking back and forth between the book and Sungjin.

n“This is a very precious item… where did you manage to obtain one?”

nSungjin replied matter-of-factly.

n“What do you mean? I obviously got it as a raid reward.”

nGourmet shook his head in disbelief and replied, licking his dry mouth.

n“I thought chapter 2 just ended… how is it possible to obtain a legendary crafting material this early on?”

n“…I didn’t know it was possible either. So… do you carry any of the later parts of this book?”

n“Hmm… Please wait for a moment.”

nGourmet closed the book he was reading and stood up. Behind him were mountains of books. Some were even taller than Sungjin.

nHe dug into the mountain and disappeared from sight. Once a minute had passed since his disappearance, the mountain seemed to collapse with books cascading down. After two major and chaotic book avalanches, Gourmet appeared holding two volumes.

nIn his hands were the ‘Ancient Stories from the East’ Part 2 and the ‘Ancient Stories from the East’ Part 3. Gourmet proudly announced:

n“As I thought, I have them. So, have you come to purchase them?”

nSungjin instinctively swallowed.

n“…How much are they?”

n“5000 Black coins per Volume.”

nSungjin couldn’t believe his ears.

n“What?”

n“5000 Black coins per Volume. Did you already lose your hearing at such a young age?”

n5000 black coins per each crafting material; it was expensive. Far too expensive.

n“That means… the final item has the component cost of 15,000 Coins…”

n“In my humble opinion, the complete item is incomparably more valuable than 15,000 Coins.”

nSungjin fell quiet. Gourmet was right. For now, he decided to leave the shop.

n“…Understood. I will come again at a later date.”

nHe needed 10,000 Coins to purchase the two components. Haggling or intimidation did not work with Vendors.

n“… If you want to read to pass the time before the next raid, feel free to browse. Any book unrelated to combat is free after all.”

nSungjin waved his hands and left Gourmet’s bookshop. His destination: ‘Ninety Nine Nights”. There was nothing he wanted to purchase. There were only two items that he yearned for.

n‘I currently have 2580 Coins. My old sword is 9700 Coins…but the remaining two crafting materials cost 10,000 Coins…’

n“Mister Hunter! Please look at my wares!”

nA Vender shouted for his attention, but Sungjin paid no heed. He was deeply troubled by his dilemma.

n‘Finish the book, or reunite with the old sword…’

nSungjin was short of about 7500 Coins needed to purchase either of the two items. He would need to complete at least two more raids to earn the required amount. Sungjin debated on which item to get first as he walked back to the ‘Ninety Nine Nights’ Inn.

n*

nOnce he returned to ‘Ninety Nine Nights’, he found that a familiar friend was waiting for him at the table. It was the wolf ‘Grand Kin’. Cain barked once as if to greet Sungjin.

n“Woof”

nIt was unexpected. But the Operator gave an explanation.

nBeings connected via ‘Spiritual Link’ skill

nWill be available at ‘Ninety Nine Nights’ from now on.

nSungjin welcomed the information. He didn’t feel comfortable with other people, but being able to spend time with a loyal companion like Cain had no demerits.

nSungjin walked up to Cain and petted him.

n“Cain… Let’s go in and eat dinner or something.”

nSungjin entered ‘Ninety Nine Nights’. Owlbear Dalupin greeted Sungjin as always.

n“Welcome back, Mister Hunter.”

nHe bowed deeply until his back was nearly level with the floor.

n“Ah, thanks.”

n“Awoo…”

nHearing an unfamiliar wolf voice, Dalupin turned his head around to look at Cain from his bowed position. Sungjiin was reminded that owl men could turn their neck around at 180 degrees.

n“This Wolf…”

nSungjin answered casually.

n“He’s my ally. Please take care of him when I am not around.”

n“Understood, sir.”

nDalupin finally stood up straight and asked

n“You must be famished. What would you like for me to prepare today?”

nSungjin deliberated for a moment.

n“Sushi. Various kinds, about 20 pieces. Oh, and make about 5 fatty tuna.”

nDalupin nodded.

n“Understood. I will prepare them right away.”

n“Ah… And raw meat for Cain. A good cut of beef around 500 grams. It’s okay right?”

nDalupin nodded once more.

n“Not a problem.”

n*

nSungjin picked up the last remaining Fatty Tuna Sushi with his chopsticks. He had been saving it for last. He dipped the tip of the rice in soy sauce before putting it in his mouth.

nThe soft meat of the tuna, with the perfect ratio of fat mixed in… it, almost seemed sacrilegious to swallow such a perfectly prepared culinary masterpiece.

nBut eventually, the tuna was masticated and swallowed.

n‘Should I order 5 more fatty tunas?’

nSungjin considered his options for a while. After carefully weighing his options, he decided not to. If he over indulges on food today, it could cause problems in the raid tomorrow.

nSungjin took a glance down once he was done eating. Cain finished his meal and licked his plate clean.

n“I’ll see you tomorrow Cain.”

nSungjin petted Cain one more time and returned upstairs. He asked the Operator as he took off his clothes.

n“Operator, Time left?”

n10 Hours 49 Minutes 21 Seconds until the next raid.

nUntil the next raid, there were two things he had to do; Distribute his status points, and decide on a title.

nSungjin sank himself into the tub and called upon the Operator.

n“What is my status right now?”

nTitle: Master Hunter

nHP : 1500 MP : 220

nStrength: 275 212 ( 63)

nDexterity: 381 293 ( 88)

nEndurance: 150 115 ( 35)

nMagic Power: 18 14 ( 4)

nMind Power: 22 17 ( 5)

nUnallocated points: 2200

n‘2200 unallocated points after completing chapter 2… I don’t think my total stat points added up to 2000 after four chapters last time though…’

nIt was certainly an incredible amount. It helped that Sungjin took the majority of the contribution points from both Chapter 1 and 2, as well as clearing them at 100% completion.

n‘I guess it’s because I did everything by myself…’

nThe most important question that needed an answer now was how to distribute his status points. After thinking about it carefully while idly splashing about in the tub, he decided to invest 700 into strength, 800 into dexterity, and 700 into Endurance.

nThe reason why such a high percentage of status points went into endurance was simple.

n‘There will be mages starting with the next chapter.’

nThere were magical attacks that cannot be dodged no matter how dexterous you were. In order to clear a raid safely, investing in Endurance was necessary. Of course, investing so much into Endurance could lead to shortage in attack power, but

n‘If I really need to, I could always rely on Yahurat to get me through rough spots.’

nHis next dilemma was what to do with the titles.

n‘If I use Master Hunter, I receive bonus stats. If I use Treasure Hunter, the opportunity to find hidden pieces would increase…’

nIt was a difficult decision. After much thought, Sungjin finally decided to keep Master Hunter for one more round.

nThe reason was that it was such an excellent title. Even to the final chapter, Sungjin had never even heard of such a good title.

n‘… I will decide on the Treasure Hunter after trying the active skill at least once. Couldn’t hurt to wait and see first…’

nSungjin finished his bath and wrapped up his thoughts. Fatigue from the battle today, and the subsequent relaxation at the bath made him drowsy. He felt drawn to the bed and laid himself on its soft sheets. But…

n‘Knock knock’

nHe heard a knocking at the door.

n“Who is it?”

nDalupin answered from the other side.

n“Dear Hunter, it is the information pertaining to the next Raid.”

n‘I don’t need it though…’

nBut Sungjin opened the door anyway. He felt it was against etiquette to refuse gestures of kindness. Especially against Dalupin who provided him excellent meals and a place to lodge.

nOnce Sungjin opened the door, Dalupin handed him a piece of paper. Sungjin accepted the note and said

n“Thank you.”

n“Hope you have a restful evening.”

nDalupin closed the door and left. Sungjin took a glance at the piece of paper. It goes without saying that there was no hint regarding the ‘Hidden Piece’.

nInformation mostly pertained to terrain, the different kinds of monsters dwelling in the area and about the boss that ruled the place. Ordinary things. Everything that Sungjin already knew by experience.

nSungjin placed the paper on his bedside table. The title was illuminated by the lamp.

n‘Information pertaining to the Greysoul Cemetery’

nBut he turned off the lamp. While other hunters diligently studied the note, Sungjin laid on the bed and went to sleep.

nNote: Here is today’s chapter The next one will be posted as per schedule which is on Saturday unless a chapter’s sponsor queue fills up.

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