Player with Maxed-Out Talent

Chapter 21

# Player with Maxed-Out Talent, Episode 21

The great explorer “Jackson” was known to have cleared the ‘Seoul Station Dungeon’ more than 300 times. Jackson once said:

[Mandra in Latin means a stable.]

Interpreting it as a stable, Jackson had tried several different answers.

[Finally, I have discovered the correct way to clear the Seoul Station Dungeon.]

Simply speaking its name would grant one ordinary items, perfectly suitable for a beginner’s dungeon. Of course, it wasn’t bad. But it was ambiguous to refer to such items as ‘hidden pieces.’

“My name is—”

Jackson’s guidebook was a standard for beginners, and I had it memorized thoroughly. Jackson described it this way:

[The answer is Rancher.]

“Your master. He who has given you new life. Rancher.” (*Rancher: The owner of a ranch)

“......”

The body of the Mandra statue began to tremble. Perhaps intrigued by my answer, Seo Ju-hwan and Ma Sang-hyun could not take their eyes off me. I was to speak its name, but instead, I answered with the seemingly out-of-place English word “Rancher.”

Indeed, the great explorer Jackson’s strategy was correct.

[I greet my master.]

Notifications reached me.

[You have discovered the ‘correct answer’.]

[You have satisfied the ‘hidden piece’.]

At the same time, notifications from the guardians followed.

[The ‘Nameless Observer’ tilts its head.]

[The ‘Lady of the Scales’ marvels.]

[The ‘Whispering Demon’ is greatly intrigued.]

Right. Of course. The guardians were likely flushed with excitement, too. Beings who viewed the play as a form of amusement and stimulation. To them, I was going to be an incredible stimulant. I was well aware of that fact and planned to make good use of it in the future.

Golden light began to emanate from the body of Mandra.

[Please choose one thing, my master.]

A hologram appeared before me, visible only to my eyes, offering three choices.

──────────

[Selection Rewards]

(1) Mandra’s Heartguard (掩心甲)

(2) Mandra’s Greatsword (大劍)

(3) Mandra’s Gauntlets (掌甲)

──────────

The content was already known to me. In the meantime, Seo Ju-hwan asked me.

“It seems like you’ve been given something special... should we wait?”

“Just a moment, please. It should take about a minute.”

While I was distracted for a moment, my Sensing Eye (感覺眼) caught a dubious feeling. Seo Ju-hwan’s licentious gaze kept drifting towards Sun-hwa. He hadn’t actually done anything, but that sticky gaze was unpleasant nevertheless. However, I did not show my disgust. It was better not to reveal that I could read a person’s emotions, inclinations, and characteristics.

I made my choice without hesitation.

“I’ll choose the gauntlets.”

Mandra nodded.

[Very well. I offer you my gauntlets. May they be a gift to pave the way ahead for you.]

While I already knew what it was, I checked the gauntlets once more.

──────────

[Mandra’s Gauntlets]

Mandra’s Gauntlets (掌甲) possess special efficacy. They contain a unique resistance to ‘poison’ and protect the wearer from numerous infections.

Defense: 2

Options: Poison Resistance +3

──────────

Concurrent notifications arrived.

[You have passed ‘Mandra’s Trial’.]

[‘Mandra’s Square’ has been cleared.]

[Proceed with the next scenario quest, ‘Two Forking Paths’.]

I decided not to elaborate. There was no need to mention that Seo Ju-hwan would become a named player of a group called ‘Nightmare’ or ‘The Nightmare,’ nor that his current predominant inclination was ‘hypocrisy,’ nor that his tag was ‘pedophile.’ They wouldn’t have noticed that he was looking at Sun-hwa with dirty eyes. There was no need to persuade them, and there was no evidence either.

Notifications arrived.

[You have entered the first fork.]

[Reach the end of the fork.]

[At the end of the fork, there exists a ‘clue to clearing’.]

Apart from the notification, Ma Sang-hyun readily accepted my words that he didn’t like Seo Ju-hwan.

“That’s understandable.”

And then he suddenly grabbed my hand. For a moment, I almost pulled away. I don’t share Seo Ju-hwan’s depraved inclinations, nor do I welcome the touch of another man’s hand. Let’s be clear. A man’s hand. Not a fan. I almost struck back.

“Are you the one who saved me?”

“......”

“I definitely saw you at D Tower’s second floor. Two heroes escaping with a magic troll.”

Uh, well, that’s a bit of a strange memory. It wasn’t about escaping with a magic troll, it was escaping from a magic troll as if our lives depended on it.

“Although all my comrades perished there... I survived. I owe you my life.”

Uh. Well. So, is that how it is?

“You are my hero.”

“......”

“Please allow me the opportunity to repay your kindness. I repay my debts well.”

I didn’t know what to say. I should dismiss his hand, but those bright, calf-like eyes were hard to ignore. Especially considering I couldn’t resist for this reason:

──────────

Status: Affection/Respect/Admiration/Gratitude

──────────

Even without actively using the Sensing Eye, I felt it painfully clearly—what this person’s emotions were about. Ma Sang-hyun was being sincere right now. Sincerity was positively radiating from him.

“Would it be alright if I called you ‘big brother’?”

“We’re the same age, you know?”

“What does it matter? You’re my lifesaver.”

I scratched my head. This Sensing Eye... it’s quite useful. But sometimes it’s too sensitive, making you overly aware of people’s feelings. Ma Sang-hyun’s sincerity was communicated through the Sensing Eye. Has this guy always been so simple?

“Well... as you wish.”

“Please speak to me informally, big brother.”

“......”

Sun-hwa laughed as if she was amused by the situation.

“But, you know, if Hyuk-jin oppa is ‘oppa’, and Mr. Ma Sang-hyun is ‘mister,’ then if ‘mister’ is the brother of oppa, what should I call you?”

After pondering on her own, Sun-hwa came to a conclusion quite quickly.

“Well, ‘mister’ is ‘mister,’ and ‘oppa’ is ‘oppa.’ That’s how I’ll do it.”

Ma Sang-hyun’s expression seemed to crinkle upon being called ‘mister,’ but he didn’t make it obvious. He asked another question.

“But... it seems like you’re purposely not moving. Am I right?”

Ma Sang-hyun seems to catch on fast.

“Yes.”

“Big brother, I told you to speak informally.”

“......”

I just nodded. Right. What’s wrong with having the future King of Power as a younger brother at his own request? If he wants to do that and there is no reason to object, why should I?

“Right.”

“Why is that? Does my little brother know some deep and truthful secret?”

“Just wait and you’ll see.”

Ma Sang-hyun did not object to my words, nor did Sun-hwa. They simply waited without leaving the safety zone, even though it might have seemed odd. They just waited.

After about ten minutes, a notification came.

[A new player has entered.]

[The number of base members has exceeded five, and the safety zone setting has been removed.]

The reason I had waited without expending any strength was one thing—I anticipated that the others would enter our path. I had hoped this prediction would not come true.

“Did they clear the other path already?”

I knew Seo Ju-hwan would enter this place and would strike from behind. I also knew the summary label ‘creepy pedophile’ and his sticky gaze towards Sun-hwa.

And lastly, I knew that Seo Ju-hwan at this moment was no match for me.