God-Tier Enhancement: My Upgrades Never Fail-Chapter 14: Episode 3 _ The Enhancement Master Born of Capitalism (2)

Chapter 14: Episode 3 _ The Enhancement Master Born of Capitalism (2)

[Enhancement has failed.]

[Enhancement has failed.]

[Enhancement has succeeded.]

[Enhancement has succeeded.]

[Enhancement has succeeded.]

Enhancement hell. The gates that frayed the nerves of any player attempting to enhance had swung open. Twenty-three enhancement stones quickly disappeared.

“Fifteen gold coins left.”

When there were sixteen enhancement stones remaining, Han Simin glanced at Jeong Hyeonsu’s expression. It was a moment where he could have been getting anxious. It had gone up smoothly at first, but now it was stuck at the +6 to +7 wall, consuming over forty gold coins. There was no progress to show for it; it was like throwing money on the ground, so it would be natural for him to be scowling.

‘...He doesn’t seem bothered at all.’

But Jeong Hyeonsu’s face was calm. He just watched silently. Seeing that, Han Simin realized something.

‘He must be even richer than I thought.’

When you hand over one hundred gold coins at once, you’d normally want to be done with it. But that expression meant that even if he didn’t reach his desired enhancement level, he was willing to pay more. He valued the target enhancement level more than the money.

‘Time to start raising it.’

This was excellent news for Han Simin. Picking up the anvil and shield, he started walking.

‘This should get it to exactly +10.’

It was currently at +7, so three more enhancements with the remaining fifteen gold coins would use up all the money he received and bring the enhancement level to ten. Leaving those three attempts to luck wasn’t a bad idea, but this wasn’t some random stranger. Creating a decent enhancement level at a decent time was part of painting a bigger picture for the future. The fatigue from the mental energy spent searching for prime spots and the annoyance of waiting for his mana to regenerate after repeated failures also played a part.

“Going a bit far this time, aren’t you?”

“I’ve used up most of the prime locations in the castle, so I have to go out.”

For the sake of success, he hammered away in a hunting ground outside the castle.

Holding the shield that had reached +8, he moved again. Countless sensations stimulated him, and finding the closest location among them was how Han Simin used his Absolute Enhancement. For now, the required level of the item was low and its grade was Normal, so he could feel many prime sites here and there.

‘Later on, I might really have to traverse the continent.’

With each increase in enhancement level, the number of those sites dwindled. By the time he reached +12, the number of nearby prime locations he could feel would be countable on one hand. Naturally, as the quality of the item increased, the journey to enhance it to a high level would become more arduous. A sigh escaped him, but he decided to worry about the future later.

Clang! Clang!

[Enhancement has succeeded.]

In any case, when that day came, the Han Simin of the future wouldn’t be a penniless level five player like he was now, and he would be decked out in more items enhanced with the gold coins he was earning.

[Enhancement has succeeded.]

“Hyeonsu, I’ve made it +10.” He handed over the shield, which was now emitting a deep, pure white light. The remaining thirteen enhancement stones were returned with it. If he had his way, he would have used those up too, but trying to get full on the first bite would only bring disaster.

‘Pace yourself, Simin. The valued customer isn’t going anywhere.’

He had only just been introduced to the drug known as enhancement. Rather than handing him an unimaginably powerful shield from the start, it was important to leave some room for more.

“What’s this, there’s no aura effect?” Jeong Hyeonsu scowled as he inspected the shield. His already grim face became even grimmer. But Han Simin, who had a rough grasp of his personality by now, spoke without being intimidated.

“The aura effect starts from +12. But we’ve run out of the money you gave me to get to +12, and the probability of it suceeding is low...”

“Hmph. How much more would it take?”

“Well, in Seolah’s case, she was lucky and got it in one go, but honestly, getting to +12 can be harder than getting to +10. From this point on, you can’t ignore the probability of destruction either...”

“It costs a ridiculous amount of money.” 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

“Try using it for now, and if you need it later, come find me again.”

“...Alright. I can’t just waste more money on something useless.”

Fortunately, he seemed to like the stats on the enhanced shield, as he didn’t complain any further and equipped it. A more impulsive man might have demanded to press on, but Hyeonsu, for all his bravado, showed surprising restraint.

“Well then, good luck! You’ll be able to reliably protect Seolah now.”

“I’ve always protected her just fine.”

Watching the giant’s retreating back, Han Simin waved. His first impression had been rough, but now he felt an odd affection for the man, almost like a big brother.

‘Damn. A hundred gold coins in one hour.’

That sense of affection came from the fact that he had filled his wallet. Feeling proud that his total assets had grown to 158 gold coins, Han Simin also began walking. He had agreed to act separately from Jeong Seolah until she needed an enhancement, so he headed for the forge.

‘Time to go for +15.’

In any case, his method of playing the game was different from theirs, and his level was nowhere near high enough to keep up with them. To enjoy the game in his own way, Han Simin took out his dagger.

* * *

3.

“Master!”

“What?”

“Your disciple has decided to take on the challenge of getting a +15.”

“You crazy bastard.”

“Though it may be a long and distant journey, I will surely succeed and return!”

“Do whatever you want.”

One of only five Legendary-grade jobs on the continent. Naturally, the NPCs knew about it too. Han Simin had told Khan that he had advanced to one of them, and Khan had informed him that the first person who held the title of ’Ultimate Legendary Enhancement Master’ was the hero who had founded the seven enhancement families that currently exist on the continent. He said it nonchalantly, but Han Simin’s surprise was considerable. He had thought it was just some randomly generated name, but it had its own history. Had Betago predicted even this situation?

‘No way.’

It gave him chills, but he didn’t jump to conclusions. It could have been hastily created, with the new history injected into the NPCs. Either way, he wasn’t interested. The important thing was his quest for +15.

“So, with that said, could you spare some travel expenses?” Simin asked Khan.

“Why should I?”

“Because I am working for the eternal glory of the Khan family.”

“What does enhancing your weapon to +15 have to do with our family?”

“You’ll be able to gloat in front of the other six families.”

“I don’t need that.”

“What? Why not?! What kind of company doesn’t pay its entry-level employees a salary!”

“Originally, outsiders who join the family have to pay a monthly tribute. If you want to argue about that, then go ahead and argue some more.”

“Please take care of yourself, Master. Your humble disciple is leaving now.”

Just thinking about the money he had to spend was giving him a headache. Even with over one hundred gold coins, it was an amount that would vanish after just a few enhancements. Besides, to travel around alone, the armor he was currently wearing was far from sufficient.

‘I should at least buy some leather armor.’

He didn’t have the control to fight without getting hit like Jeong Seolah, so to protect himself, he needed to be equipped with some sturdy armor. For now, he was under level ten, so he would revive quickly even if he died while wandering around, but the moment he hit level ten, not only would he lose experience, but he would also receive a whopping 48-hour login restriction penalty. Just thinking about the back-breaking costs made him sigh.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

Just as Han Simin was about to leave with the mindset that you have to spend money when you need to, Khan called him to a halt. When Simin turned around, he saw Khan throw something.

“Huh?”

He caught it without thinking, checked what it was, and then looked back at Khan.

“What’s with the leather pouch? I have one already.”

It was a little bigger than the leather pouch used for gold coins, but he already had one, so why give him another? He should have just given him some gold coins instead.

“Stop talking nonsense and check it.”

Khan clicked his tongue at his grumbling and spoke. When Simin checked the item information, his eyes widened.

[Decent Mid-Grade Magic Pouch]

Grade: Rare

Option 1: Space Expansion Magic applied (1x1x1)

Option 2: Seal of Imprinting applied

“Th-This is...!”

A magic pouch! In the damnably unfriendly world of Fantastic World, an item that could replace an inventory! Awe filled his eyes as he looked at Khan.

“Ahem. You’re an enhancement master of our family, after all. I can’t have you carrying an anvil around like a beggar.”

“Master...”

Everything was great, except for his comment about being a beggar. Simin’s brow twitched slightly, but the magic pouch in his hand was more moving. His body trembled with the emotion contained in the small leather pouch.

“I couldn’t buy this because they wanted one hundred gold coins for it...”

A magic pouch that could hold a cubic yard of items cost a whopping hundred gold coins. It was a clear message to the players to experience realism and hard struggles fully. Not only that, but the magic pouch he received from Khan even had a Seal of Imprinting applied to it.

Vwoom.

He already knew how to use it from looking up magic pouches before.

[Imprinting has been completed.]

“Hahahahaha!”

Simin laughed, clutching the magic pouch that could now only be opened with his mana, lest it be torn apart.

“Stop laughing like an idiot and get lost.”

“Master! May you live a long and prosperous life!”

He bowed deeply to Khan, who was smirking and cursing at him. Simin was only leaving for a short while for the +15 enhancement, but since he had received a leather pouch worth 150 gold coins, this was the least he could do to show his sincerity. He shoved the shabby anvil and hammer inside and, tying it to his waist, shouted.

“I’ll be back soon!”

For some reason, he felt that with Khan’s blessing, he would be able to reach +15 easily, without much trouble.

‘Maybe two days will be enough?’

After getting way ahead of himself, he left Haran Castle with a light heart.

* * *

4.

"Adventurers have begun to appear, and the once-peaceful continent will be plunged into chaos once more. However, as those who bear God’s blessing, we cannot shift this great responsibility onto you, who have just taken your first steps. While it is our duty to protect you, it seems you possess the minimum qualifications to participate in the coming war. Take this ring and join our cause."

[You have accepted ‘The Prelude to War’.]

After killing the polar bear, completing the quest, and getting a lead on the first main scenario quest, Jeong Seolah was rapidly leveling up by hunting monsters in the forest, relying on her enhanced items. If she wanted to get ahead of others and clear the main scenario quest quickly, she had to level up diligently whenever she had time.

“Hah!”

Crack.

“Seolah! How am I doing? I’m tanking well, right?”

She didn’t answer.

Naturally, this process was done with her team members. Jeong Hyeonsu, holding a shield that emitted a deep, pure white light and tanking appropriately; Kang Yeseul, holding a staff with a small ruby crystal and using healing magic; and Jeong Seolah, who had advanced to a mage. Backed by money and skill, they boasted a much faster leveling speed after their job advancements.

Pshnk.

[You have leveled up.]

Seolah was already level sixteen. Considering she had just leveled up her job two days ago, it was an unbelievable speed. It had been a long time since they had made it onto the first page of the rankings, which displayed the top fifty players.

“Geez. What’s with you two? You’re just flying through.”

Kang Yeseul, who had realized from watching that the number one contributor to their success was none other than their enhanced items, grumbled. She was a healer with no combat skills, but she was envious of the two of them with their magnificent auras. Especially since Kang Yeseul was no less wealthy than they were, her envy was even greater.

“I want to enhance my stuff too!”

After holding out for a few more days, she made her declaration. No one stopped Kang Yeseul, dressed in a pure white priest’s robe and holding a luxurious staff. Having always gotten what she wanted in life, she immediately sent a one-on-one chat request to Han Simin. After a few rings, it seemed to connect, as the sound of his surroundings came through. Of course! With a triumphant smile, Kang Yeseul loaded up her most charmingly cute voice.

“Oppaaa!”

The response she got was a single phrase.

“Dammit. Who is it!? Aaaargh!”

Beep.

“...Hello? Oppa? Hey?”

Kang Yeseul, who had been in denial, finally figured out what had happened.

“Did he hang up on me?”

Because of her cutesy voice? She didn’t even remember the sound of Han Simin’s scream.

“This is the first time a guy has ever done this to me...”

Kang Yeseul muttered in a daze. Jeong Seolah, who was watching from the side, shook her head.

“There she goes again.”

* * *