TSDSE 15

Chapter 15: Change (1)

To put the conclusion simply, ordinary items had no time limits or anything of the sort.

I don’t know why, but the fact that I’d been wearing the equipment Shin Jia gave me for six straight hours with no changes whatsoever made it clear.

To sum it up:

Race-restricted items (ancient relics) are one-use trump cards with outstanding effects, as well as single-shot devices for acquiring traits.

Stat-restricted items (ordinary items) have lesser effects than ancient relics, but they can be used indefinitely—long-term devices.

Certainly, with this, I’d be able to quickly overcome my early weakness.

Ordinary items may have inferior performance compared to ancient relics, but—

once you reach A-rank or S-rank levels, the story changes.

They’re more than a match for ancient relics.

Being able to use such items indefinitely is definitely a huge advantage.

It’s all well and good, but there’s one thing that bothers me.

“What’s the difference between stat restrictions and race restrictions?”

As I said before, I simply can’t figure out the reason.

I can roughly guess.

Maybe the system doesn’t even recognize ignoring stat restrictions as a bug, or something like that.

But a hypothesis is just a hypothesis.

It can’t become the truth.

“Something feels oddly unsatisfying.”

I’m happy, but unsatisfied.

As I said, being able to equip ordinary gear without penalties is a big advantage, so of course I’m happy.

But I’d resolved most of my questions through that day’s dream, and now a new question had popped up, which was quite unsatisfying.

At this rate, I might get blindsided later with a “Ta-da! Actually, there was this amazing secret hidden all along~.”

“Aaahhh!”

I scratched my head vigorously and let out a frustrated groan.

“Ah, whatever.”

If I get blindsided, I’ll deal with it then.

There’s no point thinking about it now when no answer will come.

For now, let’s just be happy that I’ve gained new power.

I cleared my head and sat down in front of the computer.

“Let’s see.”

Now that I knew ordinary equipment had no equip restrictions, I planned to look for some suitable gear on an online shopping mall.

Using the hologram keyboard that I was still not used to, I searched for the site’s name.

The name of the world’s best, largest online equipment shop.

[Made in china]

“Never thought the day would come when I’d be searching for Chinese-made products with my own hands.”

A hollow laugh burst out of me without meaning to.

[Made in china] is, as the name suggests, an online shopping mall operated by China.

Some might ask, “Wait, why does China have the world’s best equipment shop?”

This question can be answered in one sentence.

Because China’s ancestors are the “Dwarf race.”

“The world’s best luxury brand mark being [Made in china].”

I checked the shopping mall’s review section.

—As expected, Made in China is trustworthy!

—Even at the same price point, MIC is on another level.

—Are there still fools not using Made in china?

Everyone was raving about Chinese products.

Even seeing it with my own eyes, I couldn’t believe it.

“It is funny, though.”

I know the reason China’s ancestors became dwarves.

I heard it from Shin-i hyung.

He said that since Korea, China, and Japan don’t get along, he wanted them to be mutually antagonistic races in the novel as well.

Korea was designated as elves, given its identity as a people of the bow.

China was decided to be dwarves, who are antagonistic to elves.

He also added that it would be funny if Made in china were the world’s best luxury brand.

It is funny, certainly…

Maybe it’s because I’ve been burned by Chinese knockoffs before.

I feel an odd sense of resistance.

“Ugh.”

But what can I do.

I have to buy.

They say Chinese products are the best.

And they actually are.

“I wonder what items there are that can boost stamina.”

I began browsing [made in china] with anticipation.

* * *

I’d taken life too easy.

“Damn, these are expensive.”

I’d forgotten that Made in china is a luxury brand.

The real equipment is expensive—far too expensive.

“There are plenty of items I’d love to have, but…”

I have no money.

How much money could the orphanage-raised protagonist possibly have?

It’s all pie in the sky.

“…The cheapest being 200 million is a bit much.”

And the options aren’t even that good.

No, the comment reactions were explosively positive, so they must be pretty good options.

Maybe it’s because I only remember impactful items like [Ancient Relics] or mid-to-late game equipment.

They just look shabby to me.

“…This is a headache.”

Items that make a noticeable difference to your body all cost over a billion.

Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?

A sigh comes naturally.

“Asking Jia… no.”

Even so, that would weigh too much on my conscience.

The items she got me this time alone cost enough to buy a house—what more could I ask for?

While browsing the site, I realized.

All the items Jia had prepared were [made in china] brand products, and all four types together cost a whopping 700 million.

She said she covered it with her allowance, so I’d assumed it was at most 10-20 million.

“…I think she’s been managing funds without her father knowing.”

The Shin family pursues a frugal lifestyle.

Jia’s allowance only rose to 6 million won after she turned twenty.

That’s already a lot for someone frugal, but it’s true that it’s a ridiculously small amount for a third-generation chaebol’s allowance.

And that girl spent 700 million to get me equipment, and now I’m supposed to say,

‘Get me this too’?

My conscience would never let me say that.

Therefore, asking Jia for help is out.

“In the end, that means I have to earn money myself…”

Three methods come to mind right away.

Hunt monsters.

Do stocks.

Sell information only I know.

“Stocks are out for now.”

Even if I wanted to, I don’t know much.

If there were some rising rookie guild, maybe, but there was never such a description in the novel.

The only thing that comes to mind right now is investing in Yuhwa’s Nonhons Guild.

However, that’s already an established guild, so the returns wouldn’t be that big.

Same for Shin Jia’s Shinwha Group. They’re already at the top, so it’s fine as a safe asset, but it’s not realistic to aim for a windfall.

“Do I have to hunt monsters?”

Naturally, monsters in this world are worth money.

They don’t drop mana stones or anything, but their byproducts trade at quite high prices.

“…That’s a perfect way to die.”

The problem is that I currently have no way to hunt monsters.

With my strength, I couldn’t even scratch a monster’s hide.

I could pick off ones with weak defenses, but the risk is too great.

“Then there’s nothing left but selling information.”

But who would buy information from an F-rank cadet?

I wouldn’t buy it either.

“Ugh.”

Bzzz—

That was when the phone on my desk vibrated.

It was a message from Yuhwa.

[Thank you. Things worked out well thanks to you.]

“Ah.”

There was one.

A person who would pay fair value for an F-rank cadet’s information.

I quickly sent a reply.

[I have something I want to talk about—are you free tomorrow or sometime?]

[All of a sudden?]

* * *

After Thursday’s classes had all ended.

I headed to a nearby room cafe.

She’d said room 17 at the end of the second floor.

I opened the door and stepped inside.

“Let me say this in advance—I’m not that easy a woman, you know?”

Yuhwa, looking somewhat displeased, said something out of the blue.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I’m a guild master with a lot of work. These days I’m incredibly busy with external activities. And managing guild members always gives me a headache.”

I don’t know what she’s trying to say.

“Hmm. That must be tough.”

When I responded indifferently, Yuhwa said with a sigh.

“I’m not the kind of woman who can just drop everything and meet someone the next day when they suddenly ask.”

“Ah, I see.”

She must have felt her pride wounded because I’d asked to meet suddenly today.

Had she had prior plans today and canceled them to come here?

“If you had prior plans today, you should have said so. We could have met later.”

It’s not like a week’s delay would cause any major problems.

If she was busy, she should have just said she was busy.

“Because you suddenly asked to meet tomorrow, I thought it might be something urgent—!”

Yuhwa shouted angrily.

Then, as if trying to suppress her anger, she took a deep breath.

“Kkeuk… Never mind. I didn’t have any plans today.”

Judging by her reaction, that’s 100% a lie.

As expected, she must have had other plans.

“Anyway, what’s the reason you asked to meet today?”

Yuhwa, who had by now returned to her guild master’s face, crossed her legs leisurely.

“I need some money.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said I need money.”

I spoke bluntly.

When dealing with Yuhwa, I should avoid beating around the bush or lying.

It won’t work on her anyway, and it’ll only damage trust.

“…You called me here to ask me to lend you money? When I’m already busy enough to die?”

Yuhwa’s brow twitched.

Her irritation seemed to have shot to the top of her head.

“No. I’m not asking you to lend me money.”

“Then what?”

I smiled leisurely.

“I was thinking of selling some information that would be helpful to the Nonhons Guild.”

“…Information?”

Yuhwa’s pupils dilated slightly.

She was surprised.

Well, after the doppelganger incident last time, she must have realized that my intelligence network was no ordinary thing.

“Tell me.”

“Will you buy it?”

“After I hear it first. If it’s high-quality information that satisfies me, I’ll pay the corresponding information fee.”

I see. So that’s how you want to play it?

“And if it’s information I don’t particularly need, you won’t pay the fee?”

At my words, Yuhwa smiled blandly.

“I’ll pay. The amount might differ a bit, though.”

“And you’re not planning to hear the information and then wipe your mouth clean?”

Yuhwa’s eyes sharpened.

“Me? The great Yuhwa? That’s an insult I find hard to endure.”

“Ah. If you felt that way, I apologize.”

“How cool of you. I’ll forgive you, just this once.”

Sparks flew between Yuhwa’s eyes and mine.

“What? Are you not confident? Worried that the information I need might be something you already know?”

Yuhwa said provocatively.

How cute.

“There’s no way. I’m just worried about you, is all.”

“Worried? About me?”

Yuhwa scoffed.

“Yes. You said it earlier, didn’t you? That you’d pay as much as you’re satisfied with.”

“Yes. I did.”

“That’s why I’m worried.”

Yuhwa’s brow furrowed.

“So what exactly are you trying to say?”

She looked like she was wondering what nonsense I was spouting.

“Once you hear my information, Yuhwa-ssi, the Nonhons Guild’s warehouse is going to be completely emptied. I can’t help but worry.”

I smiled confidently.

“…That’s what people call a needless worry. You know that?”

Yuhwa seemed to take my words as a joke and let out a light laugh.

“Go ahead and tell me. I promise I’ll pay a generous price.”

“Well, if you say so.”

Yuhwa is trustworthy.

She won’t try to lowball the price for no reason.

No—there’s no way anyone could lowball the price after hearing this information.

“Then I’ll get straight to the point.”

I spoke without emotion.

“You know that secretary you have right now?”

“Shinwoo-ssi?”

“He’s a villain belonging to the ‘Saviors of Truth,’ just like the doppelganger.”

Silence fell for a moment.

“…What?”

“Your secretary. He’s a traitor.”

The worst traitor, one who doesn’t just stab the protagonist’s party in the back during the mid-story—he tears them apart with a chainsaw.

I’d decided to get that traitor out of the picture early, at this point in time.

“How about it? Satisfied?”

And I’d make some money on the side, too.