Flash!
Our vision was montarily engulfed in white as if a flashbang had gone off.
Even after the light faded away, Go Hyeon-woo and Seo Ye-in remained dazed for a while.
Such occurrences were exceedingly rare so I too found myself slightly taken aback.
I gathered my wits and checked to see what kind of item had appeared.
It was a large cushion with a simple design.
Unfortunately, it was another daily life item just like the wooden cup Go Hyeon-woo had just drawn.
However, the rank of this daily life item was no ordinary matter.
[Feather Cushion (B)]
A cushion, of all things is ranked B?
While its possible for C and B-rank items to erge from a D-rank random box, the chances are so slim that theyre practically negligible.
Yet Seo Ye-in actually did overco those miraculous odds to draw this cushion.
The B rank was typically reserved for items worn by third-year students and is precious items such as the [Invisible Ghillie Suit] that Seo Ye-in used or the [Cloudstepper] I received as a gift previously.
That such rare equipnt shared its rank with the cushion ant its value was similarly significant.
As if to prove that fact, there were a lot of effects available.
[Feather Cushion (B)]
A cushion filled with feathers from an unknown mystical creature.
Accelerates fatigue recovery
Recovers from ntal status ailnts
Slight increase in resistance to ntal status ailnts with long-term use
.
.
The acceleration of fatigue recovery ant, in simple terms, that one hour of sleep could alleviate two hours worth of fatigue.
The benefits of recovery from and increased resistance to ntal ailnts were also very good.
Moreover, it offered nurous beneficial effects to aid a good nights sleep, such as alleviating insomnia and easing neck disc problems.
Judging solely by its performance, it was comparable to equipnt dropped in deep dungeons, but
Its a sha its sothing you only use when sleeping.
The effects of daily life items were geared towards facilitating a comfortable and affluent lifestyle.
Being soone who prioritizes combat and growth and is obsessed with extre efficiency, I found about half of these features sowhat unnecessary.
Given that I spent most of my free ti at the training center, there was little use for a cushion in my routine.
Of course, even considering only the combat and growth-related features, it would be sowhat beneficial.
However, it seed more practical to sell it and secure other items instead.
A B-rank daily life item would likely attract many buyers.
I wonder if I should hand it over to the errand center, or perhaps put it up for auction.
While I was pondering over various options, my gaze fell on Seo Ye-in.
She was intently staring at the cushion.
As always, her expression was unreadable but her gray eyes sparkled with interest.
It was clear that she really wanted it.
Do you want it?
When I asked, she imdiately nodded her head in confirmation.
Normally, her reactions tend to be a half-beat delayed but this imdiate response was a first.
Was this the power of the cushion?
Setting aside emotional aspects like were friends, after all, I tapped into my ntal calculator to weigh my options.
The most pressing question at the mont was:
Would it be better to sell it?
Or should I give it to her?
Perhaps giving it to her might be the better choice.
I had no way of knowing exactly how much Seo Ye-in slept each day, but it was clear she needed a lot of rest.
Using the cushions fatigue recovery acceleration feature could significantly reduce her resting ti.
If her rest beca more efficient, she would naturally have more waking hours, which, in the grand sche of things, could lead to increased training ti.
Of course, there was also a definite possibility that the outco might not et my expectations.
Still, its worth a shot.
Considering the potential ti saved if successful, it seed like a fair trade to part with a B-rank daily life item.
Having thought this through, I subtly pushed the cushion towards Seo Ye-in.
Alright, its yours.
Really?
When I readily offered it, she seed incredulous as if she couldnt believe I was giving it to her or perhaps she wasnt accustod to receiving things from others.
I took the cushion and firmly placed it into Seo Ye-ins arms.
Here. A gift.
Thank you.
Seo Ye-in silently gazed at the cushion in her embrace for a mont before hugging it tightly.
***
Since I swiftly dealt with the strategy battle for Monday, I found myself with ample ti to dedicate solely to training.
[Using Rank Up (E).]
[The targets Amplification rank increased. (E->D)]
[Duration 2:00->3:00]
[Cooldown 50 minutes->40 minutes]
The E-rank Rank Up from the random box was used to upgrade [Amplification].
Because it was a skill with a short duration and long cooldown, it was only used at really critical monts, but upgrading its rank in the future will likely free from such limitations.
The following was the trait copied from the Feathered Serpent Priest, known as [Priest].
The main reason for prioritizing this trait was the increase in mana sensitivity.
This enhancent positively affected all magical actions, especially accelerating the rate at which [Core] was amassed.
The related item, [Priests Black Bracelet], doubled this mana sensitivity effect.
And if I were to add the [Black Mithril Band] I acquired previously, the efficiency achieved was quite satisfying, even if it didnt match the Special Training Room.
Ill rush to C-rank with this montum.
As the levels of my skills increased, relying solely on D-rank [Core] beca increasingly difficult.
It was essential to advance to the next stage to avoid mana shortages during battles.
I planned to resolve this before entering the depths again within a few days.
I dedicated myself to mana training from dusk until dawn.
***
The next day,
After school, Shin Byeong-chul called out.
The purpose was obvious.
Hey, about that deep dungeon you ntioned before.
How did it go?
Shin Byeong-chul seed sowhat perplexed.
The thing is its gotten a bit complicated. You should et Noonim first.
Alright, now?
If you can co now, thatd be great.
Lets head over.
So, I found myself back in the thieves club room with Shin Byeong-chul.
The room was cluttered with even more used furniture than before that was seemingly picked up from who knows where.
The interior felt more chaotic than ever.
The fact that the clubroom was crowded with club mbers also contributed to the chaos.
The atmosphere was closer to a tavern than a club room.
Several n, including the pair of twins, were hunched over on a worn leather sofa and were engrossed in a ga of cards, while a girl in a corner busily tapped away at a tablet.
And there was Dang Gyu-young, just as before, sitting in the sa position on the sa wooden table.
She had the air of soone with nothing to do yet there was an unmistakable charisma about her.
Sensing our presence, dark eyes slowly shifted in our direction.
At the sa ti, Shin Byeong-chul spoke up.
Ive brought him, Noonim.
Ah, youre here.
Dang Gyu-young started to greet us warmly but then she was conscious of the gaze of those around her and composed her facial expression.
One of the twins glanced up from their card ga to examine my face.
Is this the person? The one Noonim has been working on lately?
The working on he referred to was the effort to recruit into the thieves club, following the proposal made after the break-in at the storage room.
While the statent was true, Dang Gyu-young frowned as if she didnt like the way it was said.
Working on? Your choice of words could be better, no?
Ah, thats not right. Considering the trouble we had with the magical engineering club, you should really keep your hands off this junior.
The other twin chid in with a follow-up jab.
Exactly. Ever since she made Bong Jae-seok owe her a favor, Noonim seed thrilled. Never seen her like that in all my life
However, their conversation was abruptly cut short.
Because a large shadowy hand rose from below and grabbed their faces in a firm grasp.
The Iron Claw found its mark perfectly.
Crrrrunch,
A grueso sound, too harsh for human skulls to make, echoed as the twins ceased their struggles and slumped down.
The shadowy hand extended its index finger before pointing toward the door.
Everyone out.
The mbers of the thieves club hastily rose from their seats.
The girl with the tablet also attempted to leave but Dang Gyu-young called out to her.
Da-bin stays. Byeong-cheol as well.
The club room fell into sudden silence.
The shadowy hand kindly pulled out a chair for .
Leaning comfortably in the chair, Dang Gyu-young cleared her throat softly and spoke.
Ahem, ahem, pay no mind to what was just said.
Yes, senior-nim.
Do give it so thought though.
Ill consider it.
When I responded vaguely, Dang Gyu-young pursed her lips.
Actually, Ive wanted to join the thieves club for a long ti! Perhaps she wanted this kind of answer.
Of course, that was far from the truth.
Lets go straight to the main issue at hand.
Ive heard things have gotten complicated.
Yes, theres been a bit of a problem. An external issue.
Before delving into the specifics of dungeon strategies or fees, it was necessary to discuss whether she could take on my request.
And without addressing the external issue Dang Gyu-young ntioned, the request couldnt proceed.
If it was an external problem related to the underground levels, it was almost certainly about,
Bidding, I assu.
Thats right.
Is it an open bid, or a preferential bid?
Preferential bidding.
Bidding.
Once the core of an underground dungeon is destroyed, it becos inaccessible until it regenerates over ti.
A good example of this was when Go Hyeon-woo and I tackled the [Feathered Serpent Altar], after which the portal turned gray and was blocked.
Given this, the number of people who can challenge a specific dungeon within a certain period is limited, and theres always competition for dungeons that drop valuable rewards.
To manage this competition in an orderly manner, Dragon Slayer Academy introduced a bidding system.
This system collects data on the combat strength of bidding parties, their previous success rates in dungeon raids, and the expected duration of the raid, then assigns turns starting with the most suitable party.
This is the usual bidding process.
Each club holds a certain number of [Preferential Bidding Rights].
Just as using a [Crafting VIP Ticket] allows one to skip the queue and place a crafting request at the top of the list, using a preferential bidding right allows a party to ignore all conditions and gain the right to challenge the dungeon first.
And now, these preferential bidding rights are at stake for the [Black Death] dungeon.
The involvent of preferential bidding rights indicates that a particular club is exerting its influence over that dungeon.
And so what if I ignore this and just go in?
A conflict will arise.
A conflict was inevitable in this case.
For this reason, the client preferred to steer clear of such dungeons, and the thieves club had summoned to gauge my intentions.
What will you do? Shall we look elsewhere?
However, the issue at hand was the pressing need for to conquer the Black Death.
Specifically, it was about a particular reward that could be obtained only within the Black Death.
Waiting for another opportunity was problematic since dungeons filled with imnse energy like deep dungeons, take a very long ti to regenerate once their core is destroyed.
And the challenge of finding another dungeon offering similar rewards was far greater due to the higher difficulty levels.
So, I expressed my willingness to even risk conflict with the opposing club.
No, I would prefer to proceed.
Dang Gyu-young slightly furrowed her brow.
So, despite there already being a bid, you want to break through?
Yes, is that not possible?
While she generally preferred to avoid such situations, it wasnt impossible if the compensation was sufficient.
And I had already demonstrated that I had the ans to pay her adequately.
Yet, Dang Gyu-young still seed reluctant.
This implied one thing.
The force that had placed the bid was powerful enough to make even the thieves club hesitant.
I asked again,
Which club is it?
A big one.
I couldnt help but nod my head at Dang Gyu-youngs reply.
The swordsmanship club.
. A big one indeed
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