Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 132

Let’s say about 2.5 billion [currency unspecified], so I need to sell four to make 10 billion.

If I sell 40, that’s 100 billion, and 400 to make one trillion.

The original cost of the mineral plate was 100 million. If I sell 400, that’s 960 billion, excluding the original 40 billion.

And then there are various taxes… Hmm, do tax exemption benefits apply to buying and selling items too? I don’t think so.

Ah, this is complicated. I might as well clear a Tier 1 Bio Dungeon; it would be more time- and cost-effective.

Okay, then. How do I utilize this?

Since it requires Psy’s handcrafting and time investment, mass production is impossible.

Make it a limited edition for a select few… Hmm….

First, let’s confirm the certainties.

I asked Psy, who was caught up in the excited atmosphere next to me.

“How many of these can you make in a month?”

“Are you talking about when I draw the magic circuit like this one?”

“No, what if you add a few other things to it?”

“Well, I can do the space reduction magic circle, but I’m not yet familiar with the electric circuit and wind-based magic circuit….”

“Just the conclusion. Briefly.”

“I think I can make one or two a month.”

“Good. Then do your best to make them, and bring me one every two weeks.”

“Yes, I understand. But what about the item’s performance….”

“Just make it a little better than this one.”

“Yes. Then there’s no problem.”

Psy clenches his fists with a confident expression.

Suddenly, this bastard feels so lovable… not really, he’s just Psy.

Now that I’ve confirmed the supply, next is.

“Don’t worry about the mineral plates; I’ll get them myself. You heard how much they were offering, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then, how about a 70/30 split of the sales amount?”

“T, thank you! My lord! You’re giving me 30%!”

“Oh? Oh.”

Huh? Is this some kind of advanced psychological warfare?

Or is he really this clueless?

Looking at his expression, he seems genuinely happy.

Hmm, 30%. 30%….

Why do I feel like I’m scamming him?

Seven hours and 30 minutes into the private jet flight to Paris, France.

“…So, you’re saying you’ll give priority to the guild members?”

“Not give, sell.”

“Yes, sell. But not all guild members are in such good financial shape.”

“They only need to deposit about 20%. The rest can be in the form of loans or advances.”

“Hmm, then quite a few people might flock to it, and the amount could get quite high.”

“Bingo.”

I gathered the team leaders in the first-class seats to discuss the sale of the special limited-edition items that will be produced in the future.

Even if we put it on the market through an auction, the amount is no longer meaningful to me.

So, as a second-best option, we’re releasing it within our support guild. It wouldn’t make sense to give it away for free, so this is the only way.

After all, if they absorb this item and their stats increase, it’s good for the affiliated guild.

A groundbreaking special offer considering the morale boost and welfare benefits for guild members!

A dedicated mindset to raise stagnant stats at the guild level!

The best guild in the country, selling luxury limited-edition items only to guild members!

What a wonderful and great idea this is!

As I spread my wings of imagination alone, wearing a sly smile, Jihye says a word from the side.

“Oppa [term of endearment for older brother or male friend], your expression is totally devious right now.”

“Want me to show you what’s *really* devious?”

“Absolute reflection.”

“Oh, when did you start liking it?”

“Only when no one’s around.”

“Rejected!”

“Reflection!”

“Hehehe.”

“Haha.”

“Kyahaha.”

The people around us all burst into laughter.

They also know the meaning of the jokes Jihye and I are making.

When an organization is financially well-off and outstanding in terms of military power, it’s time to take care of those who belong to it.

But, I’m not taking everyone with me.

Even taking care of those who *want* to follow is not enough in the world of the Awakened.

Show your will. Express your sincerity.

Then I’ll take you with me.

That’s how I asked for their intentions.

And, next to me, the deputy director of the Dungeon Management Bureau and a government official glance at us, gauging the atmosphere.

Gentlemen, you heard that, right?

Then, you know what to do in the future, right?

Show me. Your abilities.

That’s how I simultaneously asked the intentions of the useless people next to me.

Is this what they call killing two birds with one stone? Hehe.

After roughly organizing and finishing up, eating another in-flight meal, and watching a few entertainment programs, the private jet began its landing approach.

The same pattern, the same action as in Japan.

Somehow, even if the country changes, even if the people change, the reactions are similar.

Well, people are all people.

Everyone eats, sleeps, and poops.

There’s nothing different. Hehe.

After roughly swallowing the tremendous welcoming crowd and greetings from government and association executives, we got out of the airport, and what awaited us was, of course, a large limousine bus.

Escorted by French soldiers, police, Awakened Association, and government officials, along with dozens of police cars, we arrived near the Tier 1 Bio Dungeon in Paris in less than two hours.

After checking the drinking water, food, potions, and emergency supplies one by one, we immediately entered the dungeon.

Because the faster we clear it and move on to Switzerland, the faster I can go home.

Five minutes after entering the Tier 1 Bio Dungeon in Paris, France.

“Summon one Prolbe!”

[Ding! Summoning one Prolbe.]

“Create a crystalline structure, create a gateway, Dracan Core, Acceleration Core, Land Core!”

‘Pa… chi… zzz.’

Instantly creating a tech tree, I started producing shuttles from the Land Core.

Since there are 85 people, producing only 10 shuttles should be enough.

“Board the shuttles.”

“Boarding!”

The guild members divided and boarded the shuttle teams, and after launching the shuttles,

“Sarah.”

Sarah appears with a white light.

One thing I learned while wandering around looking for only multi in Japan for two days last time.

When you don’t know anything, just ask.

“No multi, right?”

“No.”

“What’s the location of the main base?”

“285.451km to the northwest.”

“Okay. What’s the name of the species subordinate to this?”

“Achilles.”

“…Ligament?”

“…….”

“Never mind. Shuttles, depart!”

Whether it’s Achilles or Ligament, I’ll know when I get there.

Anyway, I should have just asked Sarah from the beginning.

Since it’s a bio dungeon, the dungeon units have no reason to attack because Sarah is here, and we just need to liberate the species subordinate to the dungeon and collect the clear reward… or not. Hehe.

First, I vigorously launched the shuttles to the northwest, as Sarah said.

Three hours and 20 minutes after entering the Tier 1 Bio Dungeon in Paris, France.

“A1, A1, main base found!”

“Range 2.8km, 12 o’clock forward! Main base found!”

“Range 2km, 12 o’clock.”

“Main base range 1.3km.”

“800m! G, Guild Leader!”

“500m! Guild Leader!”

“H, Hyungnim [term of endearment for older brother or male friend]!”

“300m! Shuttle landing….”

“Oppa!”

“Guild Leader!”

The people around me are making a fuss.

Wait. I said let’s clear it quickly and move on to Switzerland.

Whether it’s Achilles or Ligament, whether it’s a person or a dungeon unit, anyway, it’ll be over if I just find that girl.

“B2.”

“B2! It’s B2!”

“Mages, manifest mana! Warriors, summon weapons!”

After landing the shuttle, I broadcast the situation to the guild members to prepare for a surprise attack, and as I started walking towards the main base, Sarah followed.

“Call Ligament.”

“…Achilles!”

The main base spine moves to the side, and the bottom of the giant mature tower begins to split vertically.

A graceful woman walks out of the split gap and opens her mouth in a sweet tone.

“Welcome. The one chosen by that person and that person’s servant, Sarah.”

As expected.

The same pattern. The same tone.

The same appearance as Therapy and similar looks.

Do only female units exist in their world?

If there are no males, how do they maintain the species?

Ah, is it creation, not reproduction?

I don’t know. It’s none of my business.

“To break the seal of subordination, do I have to go inside?”

To my question, Achilles, or Ligament, answers carefully.

“Yes. You must sit on the throne of authority and absorb the mana for the dungeon to regenerate. After that….”

“Okay. Wait a moment. Hey, Art Team over there! Come here.”

At my shout, Team Leader Moon Junghwan, Deputy Team Leader Hong Munhee, and Psy quickly run over.

“Did you call, my lord?”

“Did you find me, Guild Leader?”

“Everyone, follow me.”

“Yes? A, are you going inside?”

“Yes?”

“I’m going! Take me wherever my lord goes.”

“Stop talking nonsense and follow me. Let’s go.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Achilles enters the mature tower that split vertically.

I followed her, the female unit Achilles, and pondered.

‘I can’t keep wandering around here and there, clearing dungeons forever.

And it’s impossible to raise the Awakened ranks of mages or warriors by two or three levels in a short period of time.

First, I’ll pour all the dungeon clear shockwave mana into the Art Team.

From my experience, if I just raise the stats of the summon targets to some extent, I think a pretty interesting combination will come out.’

While making plans for future dungeon clears, I entered the mature tower, and as expected, a bizarre appearance, geometric patterns, and a dim atmosphere appeared. After moving silently for a few minutes, a huge space appears at the end of the hallway.

There, like the Tier 1 Bio Dungeon in Osaka, Japan, numerous bio units were lined up around a huge joint, making bizarre cries, and a golden chair was placed at the top in the back.

“Kheuheum.”

“Heok!”

“M, My lord! I, I’m deeply moved!”

Is it because of the others besides me?

The surrounding Zerglings, Hydras, Lockers, Ultras, etc., toss and turn, wary.

“Ignore them and follow me.”

I strode towards the golden chair.

Climbing dozens of steps, I see a golden chair that looks like it’s made of pure gold.

Ornate decorations and unknown bizarre patterns.

“Please ascend. The one chosen by that person.”

Achilles next to me recommends me to sit in the chair.

“Okay. Junghwan, take the right, Munhee, take the left, Psy, take a seat in the back.”

“Yes!”

“Understood.”

“Yes. My lord.”

As the Art Team stood in the places I had designated, I sat down in the golden chair.

After a while, mana began to swirl around the chair I was sitting on.

“Art Team, absorb as much of the surrounding mana as possible!”

The huge joint gradually becomes faint in the swirling mana and the storm-like pure white light, and my body sways like a small boat in front of a storm, making it difficult to even open my eyes.

How much time has passed?

The notification ringing in my head wakes us up.

[Ding! You have cleared the Dungeon Tier 1 Bio Dungeon. Calculating contribution. 19 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds, 56 seconds…]

At the dungeon clear notification, the others come to their senses and look around.

The giant mature tower that exuded a dim atmosphere has disappeared somewhere, and the guild members are caught floundering in the distance, not knowing what’s going on, just like last time.

“Everyone, check your status.”

“…Ha….”

“I, In the world….”

“M, My lord! I, I am deeply moved!”

I said one word and got up from the dungeon floor, dusting off my pants.

Team leaders such as Han Deuk, Gilsu, Jihye, and Mihye are running from afar.

After a while.

“…Ah, even so….”

“From late Rank 7 to early Rank 4? No way!”

“Us? Us! Why only let the art team absorb mana!”

“That’s right. Why don’t you use Spell Shockwave evenly like you did in Osaka Rank 1 last time, Guild Leader? Why only us like this….”

“Are we disposable hunting dogs now?”

Team leaders, flustered and not fully understanding the situation, pounced on Junghwan from the art team, who was stammering an explanation, frothing at the mouth.

They must feel betrayed.

They’ve been sucking up to me, trying to please me, and now some newcomer is kicking away the old guard.

Moreover, Junghwan’s stats jumped from early Rank 7 to early Rank 4 in an instant, and Moonhee’s stats rose from late Rank 7 to late Rank 5, while Ssai’s stats soared from late Rank 7 to early Rank 5.

As expected, Dungeon Rank 1 Spell Shockwave.

If I give them all the Swiss Bio Rank 1 boost, then next time….

“Did you forget everything you said coming here?”

At my question, they, who were frothing at the mouth, blinked, not knowing what I meant.

“Don’t you remember? Who made this.”

When I pointed to Ssai next to me, they hesitated for a moment, and then Haneuk stepped forward and said.

“Are you perhaps talking about the item that Byungchan made? You said you would sell it to the guild members first, didn’t you?”

“Tsk, you know one thing, but not the other.”

“Yes?”

“Oppa, what do you mean?”

“… Ah!”

Mihye, who was the only one not frothing at the mouth, exclaimed as if she felt something.

“Think about it. Who benefits when the art team’s stats increase? I’m going to mine gas. Art team, follow me.”

“Yes! Guild Leader!”

“Yes. My lord!”

At my words, the art team followed me, and the others, not knowing what was going on, stared at Mihye.

Like chicks wanting an explanation.

Can’t you figure it out with a little thought?

If Ssai’s stats, his enchantment, increase, it will naturally be easier to activate magic circuits, and high-level magic circuits can also be enchanted.

Then, he will be able to create better items than now, and the stats of the wizards who absorb them will also increase dramatically.

I’m sorry to the warriors, but Ssai can specialize in purifying ice and fire magic for wizards, so continuously in the future… Huh? Enchantment stats? Wait a minute!

“Ssai!”

I stopped walking and called Ssai, who was following me.

“Yes! My lord!”

“How did you distribute the personal stats you received when you leveled up just now? Maybe….”

“Yes. I put them all into enchantment! I will continue to put all my stats into enchantment from now on!”

“… Ha….”

Yeah, good job.

Yeah, that’s right.

Yeah, keep doing that.

I give up.

Or maybe this is better. No one knows what will come out if you dig into only one thing. Ahem.

“Everyone, raise your tech trees and activate your cores.”

“Yes. Dron summon!”

“I understand. Dron summon!”

“Yes. My lord!”

After moving to the open space behind the base and absorbing as much gas as possible, I instructed the art team to raise their bio tech trees.

Even if the Awakener rank goes up and the level stats increase significantly, we, the Art Factors, are less than a mere Rank 10 warrior unless we use mineral and gas fragments to produce units.

Of course, my physical stats are at a level to chew up Rank 4 or 5 warriors, but not these guys.

Everyone summons a Dron, morphs it into a Mature Tower, and then morphs the Drons produced from the Mature Tower into Zergling Cores, Hydra Cores, and Speed Cores… Huh?

“What are you doing?”

Ssai doesn’t raise the tech tree any further after creating only the Zergling Core and Speed Core.

“I, It’s over.”

“What is?”

“I’ve raised all the tech trees?”

“This? End?”

“Yes.”

“Mature Tower 2? Hydra Core? Wyvern Core?”

“… It says my level is not high enough.”

“… You said you went up to early Rank 5?”

“Yes.”

“But why not? Moonhee over there is also Rank 5! How can she do it and you can’t?”

“W, Well. I don’t know….”

“Ha… Recite it. Your status. From physical characteristics to buildings and inventory, tell me everything! There’s no such thing as an Awakener system where some can and some can’t!”

“Yes! Agility 28, Endurance 27, Strength 25, Stamina 26, Intelligence 24, Luck 19, Enchantment 718, buildings are Mature Tower, Zergling Core….”

“Wait a minute! What was that earlier? How much is your enchantment?”

“It’s 718.”

“… 718 from 98?”

“Yes, yes. Did I do something wrong again….”

“Ah, no. You said you put everything into enchantment, right?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah, good job. Keep reciting.”

“Yes. Buildings are Mature Tower, Zergling Core, Speed Core….”

Ha, you crazy bastard!

I thought he just distributed it roughly by percentage because he said he put everything into it.

This bastard.

He’s a Rank 5 Awakener, but he’d die if you threw him into a Rank 10 dungeon?

Except for the enchantment stat, all the stats are Rank 10 Awakener stats. No, even lower than that.

How many times has he been on the bus [been carried by others], how many times has he cleared Rank 6 and 7 dungeons, and how can his physical stats be less than 30 after being hit by Spell Shockwave in Rank 1 dungeons twice, including today!

Even I find it amazing, and others will gape and drool when they see it.

“Everyone, consume as much gas as possible to produce advanced units. There’s a lot of gas, so do everything you can to upgrade your status.”

“I understand. Guild Leader.”

“Yes!”

“M, My lord. What about me….”

“Keep pumping out Speed Zerglings. And upgrade them too.”

“I understand! Dron production! Dron production! Mature Tower morph! Mature Tower morph!”

Ssai returned to his place, happily morphing Drons and Mature Towers, as if he had never looked sullen.

Ha, that bastard.

No matter how I look at it, his character setting is really strange.

Anyway, should I fill my inventory with advanced bio units too?

The art team won’t be able to use all the gas anyway.

“Dron full summon!”

“[Ding! Summoning 101 Drons.]”

101 Drons appeared with a blue light.

They used to be quite grotesque, but now they look quite friendly after seeing them so often.

But sorry.

Guys, let’s morph.

“Dron full Mature Tower morph!”

At my command, 101 Drons scattered around, took their places on the dungeon floor, crouched down, and began to morph.

Junghwan and Moonhee, who were producing bio units one by one nearby, exclaimed, and Ssai’s strange cry was heard from the side.

Those guys.

When are you going to summon and produce them one by one?

You have to produce them all at once, like me. That way, you can save dungeon clear time and be efficient… Huh?

If all 101 Mature Towers produce Drons, that’s 303.

With those 303 Drons….

What should I build?

It’s been a while since I’ve done bio tech trees.

First of all, one Zergling Core, one Hydra Core, one Speed Core, and Mature Tower morph are the priorities… Why did I build 101 Mature Towers… Ah! Unit production!

As expected, my memory is excellent. Ahem.

But, is there a reason to produce about 300 Drons… Hmmm.

4 hours and 40 minutes after entering the France Paris Rank 1 Bio Dungeon.

“Ultra Core creation! Ultra Speed upgrade! Magic Worm mana recharge upgrade! Ultra production, Wyvern production….”

After creating Hydra Core, Wyvern Core, and Queens Core, upgrading the corresponding mana in Ultra Core and Magic Worm Core, and mass-producing Ultras… Hmm, I’m running out of gas.

Since I’ve consumed all the absorbed gas fragments, I was walking to re-absorb gas in the back open space,

“Y, You’re amazing. My lord.”

“It’s amazing.”

The art team members stare at me with blank eyes.

Well, considering that Junghwan, the art team leader, can produce dozens of Hydras with Speed and Range upgrades or Wyverns from the Hydra Core with Rank 4 stats, I can understand why they’re so surprised.

“Did you fill it up?”

I asked the art team members who followed me, absorbing gas fragments from the pre-built gas mine.

“Yes. I filled the summon stats with upgraded Hydras as you said, Guild Leader.”

“I filled it full with upgraded Speed Zerglings.”

“Me too. My lord.”

“Okay. We’ll test it in the mech dungeon when we go back to Korea later, so keep that in mind. Just wait a little longer. Fill up the Wyverns too.”

“Yes.”

“I understand. Guild Leader.”

I barely listened to their answers and started producing Wyverns from the Mature Tower as soon as the gas fragments were absorbed.

After a while.

I also produced advanced bio units up to the maximum limit and stored them in my inventory, and when I returned to the place where the minerals were buried in front of the base, the guild members were setting up tents and lighting fires.

It’s because we have to start 본격적으로 [gyeon-gyeok-jeo-geu-ro: in earnest] harvesting dungeon clear rewards from now on, and it’s not going to end soon, so we’re setting up a campsite.

But that’s the old way.

“Zhulut full summon!”

“[Ding! Summoning 1,160 Zhuluts (Defense + Attack 200%).]”

Thousands of Zhuluts were summoned with a white light. They are my dedicated mineral-mining workers.

The warriors and wizards are supervisors who store the minerals mined by those workers in their inventories.

Even though the number of dungeon clear personnel has decreased compared to before, the system for clearing is becoming more organized.

As the Zhuluts summoned in all directions stared blankly at me, I said one word.

“What are you looking at? Mine minerals.”

6 hours and 10 minutes after entering the France Paris Rank 1 Bio Dungeon.

Sitting on a cot inside the Guild Leader’s tent, I was drinking black tea and checking my status.

A problem I didn’t think about during the last Japan Osaka Rank 1 Bio Dungeon.

And this time, I felt the same problem as I gave the art team all the mana, so I had a strange feeling.

Simply put, the guild members’ stats are going up, but my stats are not.

I clearly released Therapina and Achilles, who were subordinate to the bio dungeon, and was clearly hit by the mana wave, that is, Spell Shockwave, but mana absorption is not working.

It’s the first time this has happened.

No, mana absorption was definitely done. It was absorbed, so I was able to cast Spell Shockwave in Osaka.

And mana absorption was clearly done here too, but why aren’t my stats going up?

Have I reached the maximum?

Is level 99 the highest?

Is it meaningless because the Awakener rank stat, which is arithmetically calculated, exceeds 12,800 anyway?

No.

Theoretically calculated rank stats are not a reason. There must be another reason….

Just as white steam was rising from my head, the tent entrance opened and all the team leaders except Junghwan entered.

“Oppa, let’s talk.”

“Later.”

“Are you busy?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t seem busy?”

“Even if I’m not busy, I’m busy.”

“It’s important.”

Regardless of my answer, everyone came inside and took their places around with stiff expressions.

Okay, let’s hear it. What is that important thing?

If you say nonsense, I’ll pass on all the things I’ve been worrying about to you.

As I stared at Haneuk and Gilsu without saying anything, Jihye opened her mouth as expected.

“I heard a rough explanation of the situation from Mihye, and I vaguely heard from the art team leader, are you going to abandon us, Oppa?”

“…….”

Eh?

What kind of skit is this?

What am I abandoning?

You? Or you guys?

“W, What are you talking about?”

I was so dumbfounded that my words were twisted.

However, Jihye began to sob as she realized that my stammering words were true, and Haneuk and Gilsu’s expressions became fierce.

“G, Guild Leader! Is that really the case? Are we being abandoned because we are no longer needed? Really?”

“Hyungnim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]! This is not right! If we acted rudely, we are really sorry. We will never do that again.”

“Guild Leader! Why are you doing this to us… That’s not true, is it? Right?”

“It’s true that we’ve benefited a lot from the Guild Leader so far, but this is sudden. I’m disappointed.”

“Sob… Sob.”

Jihye and Mihye burst into tears, Haneuk and Gilsu sat down on the floor as if they were about to grab my pants, and Kim Eunhee and Choi Eunji had cold expressions.

You guys!

I’m already having a headache, what kind of play are you doing now!

“Did you plan it as a group? Hidden camera?”

“… Yes?”

“…….”

“W, What are you planning?”

You damn immature, stupid bastards!

Let’s say Kim Eunhee and Choi Eunji joined later than the others.

Haneuk and Gilsu, Jihye and Mihye are members who have been partying together and clearing dungeons since I awakened and was Rank 10.

I know that families know each other and parents come and go.

Moreover, I know that Jihye and Mihye often have meetings with my wife, and Haneuk and Gilsu’s buildings are also going up around the house I’m building.

I distributed the dropped items without any conditions when I first cleared as an Art Factor, and I’ve cleared dungeons back-to-back with each other dozens of times so far.

Jihye was the one who cried and worried the most when I was shot in the back by some 개씨밤바 [gae-ssi-bam-ba: a very strong curse word] bastard and had a hole in my chest.

But, what?

Abandon?

Who is abandoning who now?

No matter if it’s a skit or a play, there are things you can say and things you can’t.