CH 68

Chapter 68

We stayed peacefully in our rooms and didn’t leave until nightfall.

We were worried that we’d draw undue attention if we left for dinner (since Kim Sangyoon stands out), so we solved that problem through room service. While we were eating, the two vengeful ghosts whispered to each other in low voices, plotting and revising a route with the map.

“Or, just send Kim Sangyoon into the hallway first. Hyung can approach from the other side…”

“Hm, We could do that…But it depends on whether Kim Sangyoon can last five minutes until I arrive.”

“Let’s put that on hold then. How about you both go through the entrance…”

Of course, at this point, Seo Dawon and Jung Garam have yet to manifest themselves, so I was the only one listening carefully to their planning.

And this [mapping skill]…It seems that view of the hologram wasn’t shared with Kim Sangyoon….? Can only the Necromancer and his servants see it?

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[Choi Lee-kyung: Mapping…Can Kim Sangyoon not see it?]

[Seo Dawon: Nah, though it’s possible after party invite]

[Choi Lee-kyung: So, not now?]

[Jung Garam: Uhuh]

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Through the [message] app, I was told that skills can be shared with party invitations. That’s a relief…Kim Sangyoon’s specs were low in the first place, so it’ll be exhausting if his vision was not augmented.

During this conversation, I locked eyes with the Warrior without much intent…He suddenly asked me a question, “Um…Lee-kyung-nim…Do you perhaps have accessories or armor enchanted with [Shield]?”

“What? Ah, no…I have a combat uniform…but I don’t have any accessories yet.”

As soon as Kim Sangyoon opened his mouth, the two servants unnaturally suspended their debate and blatantly stared at us.

Of course, Kim Sangyoon could not see them so he couldn’t feel the weight of their stares…As for me, I couldn’t help but notice the inexplicably piercing gaze–nervously, I couldn’t help but wonder what was running through their minds.

Kim Sangyoon hesitated a little, before speaking with a hint of embarrassment, “Uh, well….I know an old friend who works as an alchemist in an enchanting workshop.”

“Ah? Yes…?”

“He had some decent accessories, so I brought them here.”

“Yes?”

Then, without allowing me a chance to properly respond, Kim Sangyoon’s arm suddenly disappeared into some midair void. After reappearing, he unfurled his large fist in front of me–nestled in his palm was a necklace with a slightly burdensome 1 design.

How should I say this…It’s honestly a little too flashy for me. Gold filigree in the shape of twisted branches surrounded a transparent, rhombus-shaped jewel…This…would fit a delicate beauty more than me. And don’t tell me…is that jewel a diamond?

“Uh…You’re giving this to me?”

“…….Yes. I think you should have at least one accessory embedded with the [Shield] enchantment. Ah! And it’s not some one-off disposable item; it’s multi-use.”

I hesitated because it looked far too expensive, but Kim Sangyoon continued to explain its function: the shield could be used up to three times. Besides, it was somehow hard to reject this gift.

If I said it was too much here…I felt like he would go cry alone in the bathroom. So I had no choice but to accept that gift with both hands, politely.

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[Multi-use Shield Enchantment Necklace. (Product name: White Christmas no. 3)]

Type: Necklace

Rank: Normal

Durability: 100

Equipment Level Restriction: None

Special Skill: Shield (3/3)

Description:

*When a certain threshold of physical damage is inflicted upon the wearer, a shield is automatically created to offset the impact.

*The Shield can be activated a total of 3 times.

*The inscribed number will be deducted after each use.

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When my hands grasped the item, a [system message] had popped up.

After reading the description on the [system message], I thought it was a much better item than I had originally imagined. So, I felt even stronger guilt for accepting this present. Disregarding the design, the item’s aspects are too good…

But I couldn’t really reject it after accepting…I bowed my head in thanks once again. “Really…thank you so much. I don’t have anything prepared right now…I’ll make sure to rustle up something to give in return next time.”

“No! There’s no need to reciprocate.” He murmured, “How could I dare…” His mutters were somewhat tragic–perhaps I really should buy him something from the money left in my bank account…

“Shall I put it on for you?” The Warrior asked.

“What?”

I didn’t expect him to offer to personally adorn my neck with the necklace.

I replied, “Ah, no need! I’ll put it on later before we leave!”

Perhaps Kim Sangyoon realized how over the top his offer was, he stopped in the middle of walking towards me. “Yes yes….” He turned and sat back down again–the tips of his ears bright red.

A deathly silence sank its claws into the room.

" "

“It looks like you got a confession, Choi Lee-kyung?” Jung Garam’s smug voice suddenly stabbed me in the back.

I turned my head to glare at him, telling him to knock it off. However, Jung Garam did not just stop at teasing me, but also snatched the necklace from my hands.

Jung Garam wore a monocle–taken from who knows where–and observed the necklace upon the desk with a ferocity that resembled animosity.

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[Choi Lee-kyung: What are you doing -_-] 

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I double-checked to make sure Kim Sangyoon was not looking my way before sending a protesting message to Jung Garam…

Jung Garam took off his monocle and threw it into his inventory. “It’s a bit low-quality, but the centerpiece is a mana stone?” He mumbled, reluctantly admiring. “You know mana stones jewelry are way more expensive than gems, right? This would be worth an apartment.”

When I heard that, I was shocked.

The price of an apartment…I expected it to be expensive, but I didn’t know it would run in hundreds of millions. He’s not lying, right??

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[Choi Lee-kyung: It’s that expensive??]

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Ignoring my question, Jung Garam rather calmly evaluated the value, “I guess he’s not a cheapskate.”

This isn’t even in the ballpark of considering him a cheapskate! Who just buys someone an apartment as a gift…? Is it alright for me to receive something like this? To be honest, I expected the necklace to be anywhere from a few thousand to 100 million won–items are usually pricier than normal jewelry.  I never imagined it would be at least ten times my expectation.

So, I seriously considered returning it back to the Warrior now…Suddenly, Jung Garam rummaged something out of his inventory and tossed it on the desk next to the table.

A black bracelet threaded with thick beads.

“Hey. Put this on.” Jung Garam brusquely pushed the bracelet with a finger and sent it rolling towards me.

Even before I touched it, I could see its extraordinary shine–so much that I was afraid to handle it…When I froze, Jung Garam crumpled his brow and huffed, “Why aren’t you wearing it?”

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[Choi Lee-kyung: But]

[Choi Lee-kyung: I’m okay ^^;;]

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I rejected him through a message, trying to calm him down.

But…….

“What do you mean you’re okay! You’re so sloppy, you might as well have good items.” Jung Garam did not back down. “Just grab it and take a look at its data. You were fast to snatch up whatever that boar gave you…” He obstinately grabbed my arm.

Since he is such a cute, young guy, I completely forgot that he is a well-known close-range physical class ranker. I shook my arm with all my strength, but he held it still. I was so surprised at the unbecoming strength that I couldn’t control my expression.

However, when he saw my stunned expression, Jung Garam gave a pleased smirk; he slyly clasped–handcuffed–the bracelet on my wrists.

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[Counterlight Anti-Magic Bracelet +10]

Type: Bracelet

Rank: Rare

Durability: 200

Equipment Restriction Level: None

Special Skill: Counterlight (Curse Reflection)

Psychic magic resistance +1,000/+10%

Description:

*It greatly increases the user’s resistance to psychic magic

*User may resist certain curse spells and automatically invoke the ‘Counterlight’ skill to reflect the curse.

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“Pretty.” He teased my dumbfounded face and turned around to return to his original seat. I honestly appreciate you giving me an accessory of this quality and rank but…

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[Choi Lee-kyung: Ah, I said it was fine!–]

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The way he gives gifts…it’s just too humiliating!

TL: Me, tl’ing this chapter, I’m being fed…competitive dog food…

I also have two bonus chapters to give, but I’m letting the stockpile build up, expect those in a few days~

Footnotes Basically way too much…like it’s uncomfortable to accept
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