3.

Videos never told the whole story, and Gold Ring's weapon transformation was a prime example.

"Wow, so this is what it feels like to have mana drain away."

Transforming Gold Ring wasn't exactly free. Thankfully, it didn't cost gold, but it did consume a significant amount of magic. It made sense, in a way. A ring suddenly taking the form of a weapon defied conventional science, after all. It was only possible through the intervention of an unknown power: magic.

Of course, it wasn't a major burden. He could feign nonchalance, freely changing weapons to suit any situation during a hunt.

"This is when having no skills comes in handy."

There were two reasons for this. First, he had no other skills that required magic. Second, despite this, his magic power stat was ridiculously high compared to his other attributes.

Though a considerable amount of magic was required to manifest a weapon, it was hardly a strain for him. He had a magic power stat of forty-nine—a value that would require investing all the points from roughly seventeen level-ups, or fifteen if you included base stats.

And so, the magic issue, which could have been one of his few weaknesses, simply vanished, unable to overcome the towering wall of his strengths. He began to ponder his next move.

'Is the Gold Mission the only way to level up?'

His plan was to raise his own level while also leveling up Wait for Free Gold. During the event, the buff had allowed him to grind dungeons nonstop and earn an absurd one hundred fifty to two hundred fifty gold. While he couldn't expect that much normally, he needed to at least match the average amount he could earn from regular dungeons. Especially as he moved on to 2-star dungeons and his clear times grew longer, his passive income needed to keep pace with his active hunting.

That was the only way for the Gold Maker to live up to its name. It was the only way to take another step toward the future he envisioned. Right now, he earned more gold by wiping out everything himself, but he knew the amount of gold he could acquire would eventually hit a ceiling as he climbed higher.

The principle was similar to the idle games that were once popular. You start by grinding for money, then use that money to increase the amount you earn passively until it surpasses your active income. Even without the comparison, reality worked much the same way. In the end, it wasn't the hardworking people who raked in the most money. The saying "you reap what you sow" wasn't entirely obsolete in 2022, but you could never beat the people who just sat around counting the zeroes appearing in their bank accounts.

From that perspective, the true core of the Gold Maker class was Wait for Free Gold.

[The level of 'Wait for Free Gold' is increasing.]

[Due to the effect of Gold Power (12), the level-up cost is discounted by 7 gold (12%).]

[53 Gold has been used.]

.

.

[The level of 'Wait for Free Gold' is increasing.]

[You have reached Level 10. You can now unlock Trait (1).]

He raised the level of "Wait for Free Gold" from six to ten all at once, after it had been stagnant for months. It cost three hundred gold, but the discount alone was thirty-six gold, which gave him a strange sense of satisfaction for having leveled it up slowly.

[Wait for Free Gold]

▶ Grade: Legendary

▶ Classification: Passive

▶ Level: 10

▷ Generates 10 Gold every day at midnight.

▷ You can spend 100 Gold to increase its level.

▷ You can spend 400 Gold to unlock Trait (1).

▷ Due to the effect of Gold Power (12), all 'Gold Maker' content level-up costs are discounted by 12%.

Ten gold a day. It was still a drop in the bucket compared to his hunting income, but he wasn't disappointed. This was just the beginning. He'd already spent up to two thousand gold on Gold Reinforcement; he figured this skill deserved at least that much investment.

"I'm low on gold, so let's stop leveling for now."

With his remaining 440 gold, he could raise it to level thirteen, but that would only increase his daily income by a meager three gold. He planned to pour any gold he earned into leveling it up, but for now, he decided to invest in something more efficient.

"Unlock Trait."

[400 Gold will be used.]

[Due to the effect of Gold Power (12), the level-up cost is discounted by 48 gold (12%).]

[Trait (1) of 'Wait for Free Gold' has been activated.]

He had never once regretted unlocking a skill's trait, whether it was expensive or cheap. It was almost always better to unlock them for the additional perks and greater benefits they provided.

▷ Trait (1): The Sweetness of Patience

→ There is a (Gold Power)% chance that the amount of gold acquired will be tripled.

▷ You can unlock Trait (2) at Level 20 / by spending 2,000 Gold.

"Oh."

His four-hundred-gold investment did not disappoint. A twelve percent chance wasn't particularly high, but looking toward the future, it was as good as saying the amount of gold he acquired would be tripled every day.

"Is every day a bit of a stretch?"

Perhaps when he reached level 60 or so and acquired another ten to twenty Gold Power from achievements, it might become a daily possibility, assuming he was lucky. In any case, for four hundred gold, it was a fantastic trait.

Satisfied, he rose to his feet. There was a unique reassurance that came from having a weapon on him at all times, even in the bath. He stroked Gold Ring—so weightless he often forgot he was wearing it—and left the hospital.

"Just one more run."

A player with a goal, especially an RPG player, does not sleep.

* * *

Event box opening videos were one of the most milked pieces of content on streaming channels. The number of players who received Epic-grade or higher boxes was just over two hundred worldwide, but billions of people tuned in to watch them test their luck against the whims of RNG. Even a conservative estimate of the players with streaming channels would number in the thousands.

Among them, the ones who garnered the most attention were, naturally, those opening high-grade boxes, those who were so good-looking they hunted the hearts of their viewers instead of monsters, and those who had already built a following around their box openings.

If you were to pick the single hottest player among all three categories right now, the answer was clear:

—What's Park Sijun doing?

—Hurry up and give the box to Kim Buja.

It was a bet unlike any other. Over the past five years, plenty of players had wagered their event prizes. But it was certain that no one had ever bet a Legendary-grade item. People had grown smarter and wouldn't fall for simple attention-grabbing stunts. To hook them, you needed the clout to secure a Legendary item in the first place, like Park Sijun. And a player of that caliber would never take such a risk just for a little attention.

Which was why this was so explosive. The youngest son of the SJ Group. With event expenses easily exceeding a billion dollars and labor costs alone hitting 150 million, all with zero return, how would he handle this?

Simply keeping his mouth shut would be an immense gain. If he sold the box right now, at least ten people would be lining up to pay more than ten times what he had spent. Would he really hand it over just because he lost a bet? All because of one thoughtless comment? That made even less sense.

"This is ridiculous."

Sijun knew it, too. He would rather be called a coward for the rest of his life than give it away.

[Iron Wall]

▶ Grade: Legendary

▶ Level: ★★

▶ Defense +55

▶ Strength +12

▶ Vitality +12

▶ A certain chance to activate 'Toughness (★★★)' when blocking an enemy attack.

▷ A shield forged to contain a great mountain. It will never be destroyed.

▷ Additional options will activate through resonance with the owner.

How could he possibly hand this over? For a brief moment, he had considered it. After all, the odds of getting an item useful to him weren't very high. He'd worried that if he stubbornly opened it and got something useless, his morale would be shattered, and he wouldn't be able to maintain his composure while being mocked by viewers.

Ultimately, however, the decision to open the box was influenced more by his corporate advisors than by his own choice. A tarnished image could be restored, but a forfeited Legendary item could not. 'A Legendary item you could use for the rest of your life might be inside, so just open it!' his advisors had urged. 'It was just a thoughtless comment, anyway. If a good item comes out, use it. If not, trade with another player who got something good, then politely apologize to Kim Buja and offer some appropriate compensation. End of story.'

He was immensely satisfied that he had followed their advice.

'With this, I can…'

It felt like he could block anything. Besides, for an attack-type Special class like him, a shield with high defense was equivalent to that much attack power. Plus, it had hidden options that resonated specifically with his class.

'There's no way I'm giving this up.'

The shield could only reach its full potential in his hands. Just a few hours ago, Park Sijun had been unwilling to bow his head to Kim Buja of all people. But now, a fake, practiced smile spread across his face.

"Let's go. Prepare something that will adequately convey my apology."

Memories of being constantly bested by Kim Buja from their very first meeting flashed through his mind. This was essentially another loss, and he might face even greater humiliation than before, but his shoulders were held higher than ever.

That was power. The power of a Legendary item. For that, he was willing to kneel.

Or so he thought. Until he met Kim Buja.

* * *

A month of a grueling schedule, followed by a sweet reward, and then the next item on the agenda. Anyone would feel good receiving an unexpected gift while steadily making their way in the world.

"I got some vacation time. Would you like to go with me? It's just for two days and one night."

Especially when that gift comes from a woman you like.

So it was only natural that Kim Buja, who had just completed his daily dungeon quota to diligently level up 'Wait for Free Gold,' would stop in his tracks.

"A hot spring?"

"A hot spring would be nice, too."

Had he misheard? He glanced over, but she didn't seem to be joking.

"Alone—"

"I guess it's better if I just go alone, right?"

"Don't go alone. Go with me."

Of course, it wasn't the kind of intimate gift Kim Buja had been hoping for, but that was mostly just wishful thinking. Wasn't it a stroke of luck just to go somewhere alone with her?

And just like that, as Kim Buja was basking in the glow of receiving the event's greatest reward, he appeared. That damn guy was even smiling.

* * *

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