Chapter 66

The day before my discharge, I was suddenly dragged to Ardenia and wondered if it wasn’t some virtual reality after witnessing nobles killing civilians. Falling asleep in a military barracks only to suddenly find myself standing in a medieval village naturally led to such thoughts.

However, I quickly realized that this place was real.

‘It is due to the limitations of virtual reality.’

An ordinary human could experience virtual reality just by overlaying their vision and hearing. This was because sight and sound were the two largest senses through which humans perceived the world. Furthermore, when touch, smell, and taste were also overlaid, it resulted in perfect virtual reality. If all senses were covered and there was no difference from reality, user immersion would be complete. It reached a point where it became impossible to distinguish between reality and fiction.

Realizing this required quite high technology but on Earth 34, which had entered the third civilization era, even small and medium-sized enterprises could achieve it occasionally. However, there was a problem when dealing with psychics. Even if their five senses were covered, they still possessed one more sense—the Sixth Sense, commonly known as spiritual perception.

“Hmm. So…this level 1 depth means that even a Completed Being can’t distinguish between reality and virtual reality?”

I searched the internet to understand what level 1 depth meant. In other words, despite the existence of perfect virtual reality, people on Earth 34 couldn’t experience it until now. The situation changed due to the technology obtained through the partnership between Revenge and Legion.

Naturally, all communities were ablaze after this announcement was made.

Firefighter: If this is real, it means that virtual reality will be indistinguishable from reality? NPCs will look like real people? >

Open Door: No matter how much money Revenge makes, isn’t it surprising for a game company to come up with such technology… Have the Truth Disciples verified it yet? >

Holy Knight King: Uh, I hate to say this but… if this technology really exists… won’t it enable certain activities within the virtual world?

Open Door: What do you mean? >

Holy Knight King: You know, what men and women can enjoy together. It’s quite delightful, but I’m hesitant to spell it out here…

King of Heroes: You idiots, is that all you can think about? If the depth reaches Level 1, psychic energy training will also be possible within the virtual world! The number of Completed Beings could increase by several times more than it currently stands!

The technology borrowed from Legion’s power would have a profound impact on Earth as a whole. It was no longer just a matter confined to the game realm!

And…

Nemesis - 4,557,000 won (+1,656,000 won) ↑

This news immediately reflected in the stock prices.

“No way, does this make sense? How can the stock value of Nemesis, such a massive company, triple overnight?”

As someone needing to purchase stocks to interfere with Ardenia’s system, I found this development both exhilarating and concerning.

Nemesis - 4,871,000 won (+1,970,000 won) ↑

“Ah, enough…”

In District 34, under the jurisdiction of the Gods of Justice and Truth, speculation or market manipulation was not possible. Therefore, it had looser financial regulations compared to other civilizations within the macrocosm. If there were potential, stocks could rise endlessly once their capabilities were proven! This was because there was no possibility of someone manipulating it as a fraud.

“Should I buy now?”

Actually, it’s funny that I’m even contemplating this issue. With my current available funds, I can only afford one stock at most, maybe two if lucky. Of course, loans exist… However, using borrowed money for stock trading is strictly regulated. Accessing private finance would involve numerous risks.

“I’ll let it be for now. The price has likely inflated due to excessive anticipation, so waiting might bring it back down.”

Buying stocks with borrowed money was regulated for various reasons. Since my purpose wasn’t to make money, there was no need to stick my neck out while things were hot.

“I have to earn more money…”

‘Two Names’, which depicted the life of an imperial knight who acted as a boss in the underworld during the day and sang the glory of the emperor at night, finished its 12th volume. As always, the response wasn’t good but it had its core fans, resulting in average sales exceeding 40 copies per volume.

As a result…

[Hello Writer-nim!^^ This is Green Dragon Publishing.]

Please check the attached e-book settlement statement.

Take care of your health amidst the fluctuating weather,

and we look forward to more great writing from you!

I checked the deposit details:

[Killian Author-nim’s November Settlement Statement]

There was no need to see anything else. I just needed to confirm the settlement amount at the bottom.

Settlement Amount: 1,786,000 won

“Wow.”

It wasn’t a huge amount. Part-time work was still much better for now. However, unlike fixed part-time wages, my royalties were steadily increasing. I could feel it accelerating like rolling snowball.

“I have to decide on the next work. Login.”

I moved to the study. On Earth, I would soon have to go to my next part-time job so there was no time to organize my thoughts.

“Let’s see…”

For a moment, I pushed aside some documents and looked at the list of works. There were still more than half a dozen remaining but I hadn’t delayed them without reason. While I was pushing the ‘retro’ concept…it was difficult to serialize a novel with themes such as praising the glory of the emperor or justifying noble rule by stating commoners weren’t different from beasts.

It would be a problem on a completely different level from being criticized now, and I was sure to be treated as a writer with strange ideologies.

“Ah, ultimately…is this all that can be done?”

In the end, I chose ‘Burning Flames’. It was an adult novel.

“Wow! What’s this suit? Is it new? It looks cool?”

“Boss, this suit…it suits you in many ways. If you wear black sunglasses, nobody will mess with you…”

“Hello everyone! Huh! Isn’t this from a really expensive brand? How stylish!”

I continued my daily life. After finishing work at the factory, I went to the club, then after leaving there, I started working at the convenience store. On weekends, I searched for stuntman jobs or stayed home writing novels if none were available.

Sometimes, when writing became annoying, I tried summoning my works back to reality using teleportation scrolls.

The result was failure. Unfortunately, only the teleportation incantation scroll itself was summoned. The ‘Item’ designation was stricter than I thought.

“Han-ssi is really good because he is sincere. Are you single? Do you want me to introduce you to a nice young lady?”

“Boss, have you come? You look really tired lately. Are you sleeping well?”

“Wah, boss, sorry! I’m late due to the immigrant protests blocking the road.”

One day, two days, three days passed…

“Have you heard? Huanhong Company has partnered with Nemesis, a game company. They are handing over some of the Giga data, what’s going on here?”

“Ah, boss. It is sad. My investment failed…”

“Wa, boss! I got accepted for Iron Giant at Magic Tower!”

A week, two weeks, one month, two months passed…

Various things happened over time. I smiled, declined, interacted, comforted or congratulated while working. Many things occurred in this world but my daily life was repetitive, like turning a grindstone day after day. However, there was enough satisfaction to be found.

Freedom Savings Deposit (G-Bank 1173-5511)

40,443,112 won

“Good, it is speeding up.”

I managed to save 40 million won in just two months. This income exceeded those working at large companies. Still, I had a long way to go.

‘I will start the war once I have saved at least one billion.’

There was no room for delay. The Vulcan Orcs were reaching their limit, and the army of the Ice Queen was expanding its territory steadily. As soon as an opportunity arose, I needed to seize the orc fortress and invade the flower.

And once I consumed that flower…

And once I consume those flowers…

I can create them: Mythical pets and…a Mythical gatekeeper.

I continued to restore Kasim and the awakened Thunderbird before sending them to Ardenia. It was unfortunate that aiming for a Mythical class wasn’t feasible at this time, but even with just one Mythical pet and gatekeeper, my power would reach another level entirely. Currently, I could barely handle a single combat police officer on Earth, whereas in Ardenia, I’d be among its strongest warriors. With such a drastic increase in strength, passing the test might even allow me to become a ‘Cosmic Mercenary,’ as mentioned by the elders—no joke!

Time passed swiftly, and it was already March.

The adult novel, ‘Burning Flames’, reached its conclusion. In some countries of Ardenia, it was deemed controversial enough to warrant banning, reflecting their more conservative culture. However, Earth’s reception differed due to their familiarity with provocative literature.

Q.Q2020: Why is this considered adult fiction? Seriously, any suggestive scene with metaphors… Just rate it for ages 15 and above. Even the kissing scenes were like… It’s similar to how they labeled “The Black Knight and Rose Princess” as romance.

HeavenlyHorseRocks: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your latest work! The intricate psychological descriptions throughout left me in awe. However, I’m slightly puzzled if there was a need to classify such a great piece as adults-only. Rating it general audience would allow more readers to appreciate it fully.

Boddle: Please delve deeper into side plots! It will enhance reader immersion significantly!

SleepyHead: Author! Here’s my sponsorship! With Dragon Stones in hand, please muster up some courage and reveal more details!

Although the number of comments decreased, the purchase count told a different story.

Finally, the average number of purchases exceeded 100!

“Wow, this is better than I thought?”

I couldn’t help but smile. Thanks to the burning flames, my monthly income increased even more. The royalties were snowballing bigger and bigger.

Of course, there was also bad news:

Nemesis - 10,122,000 won (+123,000 won)

“No way, over 10 million won in one week…”

There was no loss yet it made me feel uneasy. In fact, it wasn’t just that there was no loss—I had actually made a substantial profit. Remember those stocks from Bae Sarang’s representative? Initially valued at 15 million won for 10 shares, they now surpassed 100 million won, resulting in a significant gain!

However, I wasn’t happy at all and just felt annoyed. It was such a stupid decision not to take out loans earlier.

“Should I buy now?”

Yet when I thought about it, I hesitated. The storm-like rise had subsided, and Nemesis’ stock prices were fluctuating up and down.

“Sigh…it is frustrating, let’s not look.”

I closed the window and accessed the web novel platform ‘Five Dragons’. It was for assigning forums related to my next work. However, there was a fireworks effect occurring on the completed ‘Shine Light Hero Biography’ forum.

”…What is this?”

Feeling puzzled, I clicked on it. Then:

[Wow! Member M-4 has sponsored three million dragon stones!]

”…What? Three million?”

For a moment, he froze. The reason being, Dragon Stones were not just items but also currency that could be exchanged for cash. One Dragon Stone was consumed to read one chapter of a web novel, and its value equaled 100 won. Therefore, three million Dragon Stones meant:

“Three hundred…million?! Someone sponsored me with three hundred million…?!”

He abruptly stood up, his mind reeling from this unexpected situation.

When he clicked on the newly opened window, a message from the sponsor appeared:

[M-4: Enjoying your work.]

“That’s it? Wait, what does ‘enjoying your work’ mean?”

Feeling bewildered yet determined, he immediately entered his secret code and requested settlement. His bank balance now showed 280,443,112 won.

Sixty million won had been deducted as fees.