Chapter 168

The Power of Money 1

Translator: Moliere
Editor: SootyOwl

Sora had gone through abnormal narcolepsy and returned alive, and reports about the Dimensional Battlefield were sent to the Guardians’ CEO. Sora didn’t try to hide what happened, and Eunseo worried about what to do with the reports.
She told Doyeol everything that was on her mind—he was like a spiritual guide for her—and Doyeol looked at her sitting on her wheelchair and walked over to her. He grabbed her hands and lifted her up.
Once she stood up, he calmly explained,
Now, you also have to know.

She gulped. Doyeol offered her a seat, made her a tea and said,
Abnormal Narcolepsy happens when souls from this dimension are called to the Dimensional Battlefield. Over there, the souls must fight, risking their lives in the process. A few of those souls will activate their powers.

Eunseo froze while listening to the story for the first time, and Doyeol poured himself some scotch and drank it.

If they die at the battlefield, they will never wake up here again. So, most of those patients don’t wake up.


You knew?!

Doyeol nodded heavily.

Yes, I knew,
he said and continued,
I know you are shocked, but the Dimensional Battlefield can’t be known yet.


Why?

Her expression was rigid, and Doyeol raised his glass of scotch, pointed to her and said,
Our Regeneration and Iron Soldier Projects depend on mana stones and bloodstones from the Dimensional Battlefield.

As she listened, she understood the entire situation, the reason why Doyeol didn’t want people to know about the Dimensional Battlefield.

We must make it public.


Not yet.


Big brother.

She remained set, and Doyeol glared at her.

I told you not yet.


More people returning alive means more mana stones and bloodstones.


Yes, and other people will also have access to them.


Big brother!

He gulped down his scotch and said,
I won’t repeat it again. If you go public with this information, you will be removed as Guardians CEO.

Eunseo’s eyes twitched, and Doyeol put his glass down.

You know it already, but there are people who helped us secretly who know about it too. If you know what kind of people they are, you won’t say anything to keep us safe.

Eunseo bit her lips and, listening to him, she came to a different conclusion. She couldn’t just go public and she would have to think of another way.

I understand.

—
It was time for him to leave, and Junhyuk lay on his bed. He hadn’t slept the entirety of the previous night and that day so that he could train. However, at that point, he wanted to rest and lay on his bed and closed his eyes.
It was time for him to go to the Dimensional Battlefield, and he had a lot to tell Sarang. She knew she would meet him at the Dimensional Battlefield, so she hadn’t called him that day. Junhyuk closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep, but his burner phone vibrated, and he got a text message.
He looked at it and laughed.

I thought so.

[Big brother, see you soon.]
Junhyuk texted her back.
[See you soon.]
He put the phone down and closed his eyes. Once he fell asleep, the world turned white.
He opened his eyes slowly and checked on his gold: 16,240G.
Junhyuk made sure he had the correct amount from what was left from the Champions’ Battlefield. He inspected the new standard armor, and it was better than the expert’s armor, but not by much.
Junhyuk took off his helmet and summoned his equipment, looking at the standard equipment in front of him.
Experts got two swords, but there were long spears for champions.

Champions use long spears?

His summoned his swords instead.
[Welcome to the Valley of Death.]
Junhyuk inspected his equipment and lightly moved his body.
[You may exit through the central door.]
He walked to the door, but the explanation continued.
[You activated three powers and became a champion. You may revive five times.]
Just as he had expected, Junhyuk knew he could die more times, but he didn’t want to do it. He felt an extreme emptiness when he died and he didn’t want to feel it again.
Once he stood in front of the exit, he heard the soft voice.
[Champion Junhyuk Lee deployed.]
Champions didn’t go by numbers and were instead called by name. It felt different for him, but he walked out proudly. Just like Adolphe, whenever there was an item on the ground for him, he had to pick it up.
He didn’t want to die, but he still couldn’t give up on the items.
Junhyuk went out the door and saw the minions talking among themselves. As he passed them, he realized he had grown taller. He was now 2.3 meters tall, and the minions made way for him. He was looking for Sarang, and soon, she appeared, making her way through the minions toward him.

Big brother!

She hugged him by jumping on him, and he laughed and tapped her helmet.

Long time no see,
she said smiling.
Junhyuk pushed her down.

Don’t forget.


What?


You are still a high school student.


What about it?


Don’t hug me like that.


Hm.

She pouted, and he saw some people coming through the gate. Artlan and Vera came in and waved once they saw him.
Artlan simply waved, but Vera jumped toward him and hugged him. He couldn’t move, and she shouted,
I knew you’d win!


What?

Junhyuk wanted to know what she was talking about and pushed her away.

What are you talking about?


I knew you’d win at the Champions’ Battlefield.


I also knew I’d win.

She put him in a headlock and continued,
You rascal! You are too cute. Everyone wants to see you.


Me?


Right. You.

Junhyuk was curious and looked at Artlan, and Artlan patted his shoulder.

Everyone bet that you would win.

Curious, Junhyuk asked,
You mean you bet on me to win at the Champions’ Battlefield?


Right.

Junhyuk laughed very hard.

Is that possible?

Vera smiled.

Heroes can use their gold coins to gamble on the Champions’ Battlefield.


You must’ve earned a lot.

Artlan nodded.

Thanks to Kaljaque, your team had lost ten times straight, and they thought you’d also lose. Considering Kaljaque’s record, they thought you’d lose. You were just a variable. The odds where 20:1 against you.

Junhyuk laughed.

So, you bet on me?


Sure! We trust you!


And you earned a lot?


More than you can imagine. The three of us need to go to Bebe. We’ll go there with you.

Junhyuk laughed again.

That’s nice. You must’ve come out really well.

Vera headlocked him and said,
Let’s go. We’ll get new equipment and fight.

Artlan and Vera took the lead, and Junhyuk followed them.

I want to sell the Twin-Headed Ogre’s Umbilical Cord. How much will Bebe give me for it?

Vera answered,
The original price is 50,000G, but Bebe will only pay you half of that, so 25,000G.

Artlan stopped and looked back.

Talk to Diane. She wants to upgrade her bowstring, so she might pay you the full price.


So, 50,000G?


It depends on Diane.

Junhyuk wanted to sell it to her at full price. It was expensive after all, but he had to meet her first.
They arrived at Bebe’s, and Bebe waved at them. He saw Junhyuk and smiled at him.

Thanks to you, I did some business. Thanks.


Bebe can bet?


Sure.

Junhyuk shook his head and stepped back. He wanted to upgrade the Frozen Rune Sword one last time, and it would cost 40,000G. He didn’t have enough money yet, but he would earn more in the battlefield.
Artlans stepped up and made a purchase.

Do you have the King’s Bracelet?

Bebe touched his chin and looked at Junhyuk.

You must have some money on you!


Not as much as you, but I have a good amount.

Bebe pushed the plate.

The King’s Bracelet is the most expensive item among set items, you know?


I know. You can’t sell it even though you have it?


Only a few people are collecting this set.

Artlan placed his hand on the plate, and Bebe laughed.

OK. One King’s Bracelet. I will give you a discount, it’ll total to 400,000G. Will you buy it?

Junhyuk didn’t know if he heard it correctly. The Pure Golden Knight set items were about 100,000G, but a bracelet was 400,000G. It’s too expensive, even for a set item!
Bebe pulled the bracelet out. It was surrounded by a dark energy, and Bebe smiled.

I thought you would focus on your attack.


The King’s set items give you increased attack and health. I’m buying it because of that.


It’s been tough on your health since you’ve advanced, huh?

Artlan put the bracelet on and nodded.

Yes, to deal with the new monsters, I need and entirely new set of equipment.

Junhyuk learned that Artlan had bought it to increase his health. It wasn’t as high as Jean Clo’s but Artlan had about as much health as Bater now.
Artlan looked at him and smiled.

A single item can’t change the flow of things, but set items are different.


Do you have any other King’s set items?
Junhyuk asked.

I didn’t buy it, but I picked one up thanks to my good luck.

If he picked up something that expensive, he is definitely lucky.
Vera stepped up.

I need the Flame Flower Orb.

Bebe stared at her.

What about your weapon?


I’ll sell it.

Bebe clicked his tongue.

As you know, the Flame Flower Orb is 800,000G.


I know. You should give me at least 300,000G for my staff.

Bebe shook his head, and Vera placed her hand on the plate. Bebe clicked his tongue again.

You must’ve bet all of your assets on your friend. How much did you earn?