Chapter 205 - Listing
[Congratulations! You have reached the first place in that mission area!]
[Currently, Black Scythe holds the first place in this area.]
[As a reward for being in first place in this area, you will receive a package of runes.]
[As a reward for being in first place in this area, you will receive a "Special Reward Selection Box."]
Now, consistently obtaining first place even becomes boring.
"It's not like I feel bad if I don't get it."
He took the rune and used it, considering it his deserved share.
[You have used the package of runes.]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the "Rune of Storm."]
[The acquired rune will be automatically engraved on the player's body.]
[Rune of Storm]
-Effect: Increases attack speed and movement speed by 100%.
"Oh, seems quite good, doesn't it?"
Although the attack speed and movement speed are fast enough even now, it's better to have it than not.
"If I only consider the runes, this one has above-average performance."
It's not bad to become stronger, and it might also be necessary to prepare for the future.
"One cannot know how strong Michael, the archangel holding the first place among the archangels, is."
When I first saw him, I felt his strength like an abyss, but now I'm not sure how it will be.
"Anyway, I need to get stronger, just in case I have to face Michael."
Once ranks 6 and 7 are eliminated, I didn't have high expectations for 5, but I still had to be careful.
"It might not be a problem in this world, but if an archangel appears in the real world, even Ryu Min must be wary."
Who knows, he might have intentions to target my younger brother.
Thinking about precautions for any eventuality, he pressed the special reward selection box.
[You can choose one of the following special rewards.]
[Touch the reward you desire.]
└ 1. 100% experience boost (valid only for round 13)
└ 2. Rise in the mercenary company ranking.
└ 3. Information about round 13.
"No need to think, choose number 2."
He was deliberately keeping his level low, so he didn't need experience.
Information about round 13 is obvious.
"If I rank up in the mercenary company, I'll have the chance to hunt dragons."
By touching number 2, a message appeared immediately.
[Your rank in the mercenary company has risen from 'Expert' to 'Veteran'.]
Now, he just needed to climb one more step to hunt dragons.
◀ End of Round 12 ▶
[Integrated Area CA-EA001]
Survivors: 9,994
[Shortly, your soul will be transferred to your original dimension body.]
[Round 13 will start at midnight on January 1, 2023. See you in the next round. Congratulations on surviving.]
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"Fortunately, I can receive the ranking reward in this round."
Ma Gyeong-rok, who placed second in round 12, got out of bed with a satisfied expression.
Although it wasn't even 5 in the morning yet, he couldn't fall asleep.
Clank-
He lifted a glass of whiskey on the rocks and looked out at the landscape from the hotel window.
When he looked at the clear Han River during Round 11, he felt overwhelmed, but now he felt a bit more relieved.
"I thought I'd be the last because of the 0 points, but I managed to do well."
What he heard from the prophet about the strategy was crucial.
"According to the number of monsters eliminated, individual positions are ranked, so I had to defeat as many golems as possible on my own."
Thanks to that, I was able to eliminate all 100 of the second trial and achieve second place.
But, in the end, I couldn't surpass Black Scythe's threshold, but that's beside the point.
"Damn, this annoying guy. How the hell did a melee fighter manage to eliminate 200 on his own and stay in first place?"
Apparently, he conquered the second and third trials on his own, and to do that, he must have also mastered magic.
"Or maybe he had a ranged weapon like a bow?"
Although he wouldn't admit it, with Black Scythe's strength, he could easily handle a weak weapon.
"Ugh, this annoying guy."
The anger from Round 11 still hadn't dissipated, so Black Scythe didn't seem pleasant.
"We could have formed a group of five, but even that he rejected."
At first, he could have formed a group with him, An Sang-cheol, and Seo Arin, but he rejected and took Min Juri.
He didn't say it, but it felt like a presumptuous act.
"And come to think of it, he was always close to that buffer, is there something more between them?"
Probably not.
Who would like someone who, from the beginning, only showed arrogance and a strong personality?
"Oh, wait a moment."
The person Ma Gyeong-rok remembered was Christine.
Although she tried not to show it, Ma Gyeong-rok was perceptive.
He didn't ignore the fact that Christine appreciated Black Scythe.
"It makes sense. After all, he saved her life. Even if personal feelings arise, it wouldn't be strange. But..."
Ma Gyeong-rok bit his lower lip.
"Why look away when your fiancée is right beside you?"
It couldn't be said that their relationship was bad, but it couldn't be said that it was good either.
It was simply a relationship of appearances to show to others, and it was natural that he felt that way.
"But I'm engaged, we promised a future together. I shouldn't be paying attention in a situation like this."
Honestly, Ma Gyeong-rok didn't care who Christine liked.
Just a month ago, he didn't care if she liked him or not.
But this time, he understood it clearly.
He couldn't bear to see Black Scythe next to Christine, even if he's the sole representative of the territory and monopolizing the first place in the ranking.
Even though he was the one who saved Christine's life, his negative emotions prevailed over the gratitude he should feel.
Perhaps Black Scythe knew he would save Christine.
"The damned prophet."
Now, even the innocent prophet began to seem precious.
"There's a solution. You should show Christine that Min Juri is his girlfriend. Then, he will give up his unrequited love."
Although it wasn't unrequited love but admiration, Ma Gyeong-rok couldn't know that.
In his negative eyes, it looked like a gesture of admiration, so it seemed like he was looking with admiration.
"But how do I prove that Min Juri is his girlfriend?"
He didn't even know her real name, her face, or anything.
The same went for Black Scythe.
And, moreover, who knows if she really is his girlfriend?
"Well, with that level of skill, I can't help but stick close to him."
The buffer that boosts attack stats, attack speed, and movement speed twofold.
He couldn't help but be tempted by such an enticing talent.
'I want to have that feeling of receiving buffs by having him by my side forever.'
That's why Ma Gyeong-rok had been thoroughly investigating the identity and whereabouts, in search of the essence of Min Juri.
'If only I had that buffer by my side, it would be greatly helpful in many aspects...'
It's regrettable, but it seems I have to stop searching.
Ma Gyeong-rok furrowed his brow as he took a gulp of whiskey in one go.
Is it because of this shitty mood that alcohol tastes bitter today?
'It's a perfect night to work.'
When I'm stressed, killing a selected criminal significantly improves my mood.
'This is why I can't stop killing.'
Although I can't sleep, I should choose a target.
Time passed as he sat in front of his laptop, selecting which criminal to kill.
Am I too focused?
Although it's already dawn, I missed lunchtime.
'How did time pass by so quickly?'
Breakfast time has already passed, but I didn't worry.
I just have to go down and ask the hotel chef to prepare something for me.
Ding-dong —
At that moment, his phone rang, and he looked at it surprised.
It turns out the call came from an unexpected place.
"Yes, I'm listening. Ma Gyeong-rok. Really? Haha, thank you. I understand. Yes, please, come in."
Ma Gyeong-rok's face lit up after hanging up the call.
It was a call informing him that his company, Player Place, had passed the evaluation to be listed on the KOSPI, something he didn't expect.
"Haha, as the prophet predicted. Really climbing up to the KOSPI in just half a year."
How surprised would his father be, whom he didn't expect to receive this news?
Ma Gyeong-rok quickly called to share the good news.
So thrilled, he didn't even think about food.
------------------
For a company to be listed on the KOSPI, there are several conditions that must be met.
It must have been more than 3 years since its foundation, with revenues exceeding 100 billion and a social capital of over 30 billion.
'Furthermore, net profit must exceed 60 billion for three years.'
Exceeding those strict conditions, Ma Gyeong-rok's company, Player Place, passed the evaluation to be listed on the KOSPI.
Now he had the opportunity to advance from a small company to a respectable one.
'Best of all, I got my father's recognition.'
Although he was the eldest son, Ma Gyeong-rok had never been recognized by his father, Ma Dae-cheol.
Despite not lacking in skills compared to his younger brothers.
'The problem is that my father's expectations for the eldest son were too high.'
Whenever his father scolded him, he would say something like that.
-Do you know what I did to earn my grandfather's recognition when I was your age? I increased the insignificant initial capital, founded a start-up company, and made it grow. That became the current Ohsung Electronics, which represents 65% of the company's market capitalization.
Although there were a few more sermons after that, the conclusion was that as the eldest son, he should know how to establish a big company.
'What he meant was that I should found a company.'
He would provide capital, and in return, he should grow the company to be among the top 30 in the KOSDAQ within five years.
Only then would he recognize his abilities and confirm him as the heir, promising to leave him the entire fortune in front of everyone.
But even after four years, the consulting firm Cheonma remained at rank 85 in the KOSDAQ, and one year before the final deadline, Ma Gyeong-rok had almost completely given up.
'Furthermore, just when the world was about to collapse, the Great Revolution happened...'
But don't they say that if you don't give up, opportunities come?
By meeting a noble prophet and changing his consulting business to Player Place, and then achieving the feat of being listed on the KOSPI in half a year.
"All thanks to the prophet."
Ma Gyeong-rok, feeling sudden gratitude, remembered the insults from the morning.
Somehow, he feels bad.
"I should give him a warm welcome when he comes later."
Since he was called to the company with good news about Ryu Min, he will surely arrive soon.
"Congratulations in advance, sir CEO."
When An Sang-cheol bowed his head to the side, Ma Gyeong-rok smiled kindly.
"Haha, An Sang-cheol has suffered a lot by my side too."
"What did I do?"
"No, wouldn't it have been possible to come this far without An Sang-cheol? Haven't you helped me every time I've relieved stress?"
The stress they talk about here is the stress of murder.
It was An Sang-cheol, a solid ally who took care of the consequences of murder.
"Did you also invite the chairman to the office?"
"Yes, I called."
"Do you know if he passed the test?"
"Yes, I do. I told him everything over the phone. It seems he can't believe it."
How surprised would he be to surpass rank 30 in the KOSDAQ and be listed on the KOSPI?
"Why didn't you tell the prophet about this good news?"
"It wasn't necessary to say it. Even without saying it, he understood. Just by coming to sincerely congratulate, he would know."
"What a relief. It's been fulfilled as he prophesied."
"That's right. Haha."
Ma Gyeong-rok's smile didn't leave his face.
How happy he was manifested to the point of personally preparing the celebration with the employees in the company.
"Haven't you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"You really haven't had breakfast?"
"I haven't eaten in five years what I've wished for, so I don't even feel hungry."
As Ma Gyeong-rok smiled with satisfaction, the client he was waiting for finally arrived.
"Mr. President, the company's client is here."
Before An Sang-cheol could say it, Ma Gyeong-rok saw it.
The entrance of his father, Ma Dae-cheol.
"You came, father...?"
Ma Gyeong-rok's smiling expression that spoke turned stiff instantly.
Because behind him were the second and third sons, who were less successful than the others.
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