Chapter 33: Remarkable Growth, Lavishly Bestowed (2)

Could Remarkable Growth be activating here too?

Judging solely from the skill’s description, it seemed to be a straightforward ability that simply increased stat gains and skill acquisition rates.

Manager Mi opened the chat window.

“Hmm.”

She had a point.

Considering the instances where Remarkable Growth had activated so far, it was difficult to believe it was merely a skill that boosted stats and skill acquisition rates.

After all, hadn’t Remarkable Growth been responsible for temporarily linking my Status Window Synchronization Rate to my lifespan, essentially giving me a death sentence?

“So, your ‘Company’ couldn’t crack it either, huh?”

In the end, they completely failed to determine:

• When Remarkable Growth is triggered.
• How it so deeply interferes with the Current Status Window system.
• Whether it’s even a simple ‘Skill’ in the first place.

No wonder Manager Mi has been sticking to me like glue, personally reporting every detail.

“At this point, I’m genuinely curious about the former employee who supposedly developed this Skill.”

“No, it’s not because I’m curious about the Remarkable Growth algorithm.”

[…]

“I just wanted to say thank you for now.”

Well, considering you’re the one who made me suffer for seven years and even gave me a terminal illness, we’ll definitely need to settle that score later.

But for now, I want to express my gratitude.

And for good reason.

Furthermore, a small buff to future item enhancement success rates will be granted.

Thanks to this ridiculously overpowered skill, I’ve received this absurd bonus.

I quickly use the Item Analyzer to examine the crystal in my hand.

Still garbage.

But the important thing is…

Against all odds, I successfully completed the first enhancement with only a 30% chance.

This triggered the Remarkable Growth buff, and as a result:

“So, this crystal is guaranteed to succeed in enhancement?”

“Hmm?”

What nonsense.

I was simply marveling at the timing of Remarkable Growth’s appearance.

I turned my attention to the chat window.

Once more, the Demon Lord handed over a Soul Remnant for 1 Coin.

I opened the crystal container, poured in the remnant, and watched.

Whoosh!

This time, the enhancement succeeded with a slightly stronger vibration and a vibrant purple glow.

I updated the chat log again.

I received the remnant, inserted it, and spun the wheel.

Again, I received the remnant, inserted it, and spun the wheel.

A dazzling purple light erupted.

Deep breath? What a joke.

He yawned widely and rolled the Remnant onto the tip of the Crystal.

Time passed.

Gradually, Star-Shaped Demon Ball began to fall silent.

By the time he had successfully enhanced the Crystal to +9, Star-Shaped Demon Ball had only typed two “ㅋㅋ”s.

Meanwhile, he had already sold 45,000 Coins’ worth of “watching fee” (equivalent to 4.5 billion in Remnant) for a mere 450,000 won.

I stared at the crystal in my hand.

After a series of successful high-level enhancements, the crystal had completely transformed. A shimmering, rainbow-colored aura flowed like viscous oil across its surface, and even at a glance, it was clear that a substantial amount of mana churned within.

Its performance spoke for itself:

All stats +10.

While a flat +10 stat increase was already remarkable…

“I actually acquired a Mana Cultivation Skill like this?”

I never expected to gain the very skill I needed most. Could things really align so perfectly? It felt almost too good to be true, a little conscience-pricking.

Grinning, I tapped out a message in the chat window:

Star-Shaped Demon Ball: One more time, please. After all, +10 is the maximum enhancement level.

+10, huh?

My success rate is currently 100%.

The enhancement is guaranteed to succeed.

Yet I replied with a hint of reluctance, because…

By now, I was certain the Demon Lord had ulterior motives.

Every time I successfully enhanced my gear, I could practically see his displeasure and impatience through the chat alone.

And frankly, I don’t believe in unconditional kindness.

The Demon Lord hastily added, as if in a panic.

The Demon Lord paused before adding to the chat:

Aha.

“I knew it.”

A faint smile crept across my lips.

Now I understood what this Demon Race member was up to.

It was becoming clear why he was so eager to give away enhancement materials that weren’t even available on the market and why he was sticking around so persistently.

Star-Shaped Demon Ball: So, just one more try, okay? If you reach +10, you’ll unlock a unique ability.

“A unique ability?”

This meant the crystal would gain a special power exclusive to it, one that no other item possessed.

If that’s the case, there’s no reason to hesitate.

“Alright, let’s give it one more shot.”

But…

“You’ll have to pay me a mission fee.”

I smirked and tapped the Status Window.

“I’m enhancing this item knowing it’s likely to break, just to show you. You should pay me a mission fee for that.”

“That’s separate. You need to consider the mental shock I’ll experience if my +9 item shatters.”

“If you don’t like it, we can stop the enhancement here. I’m perfectly satisfied with +9.”

For a moment, the Demon Lord was silent.

Beyond the Status Window, I could picture the Demon’s dumbfounded expression.

But the silence was short-lived.

2,000 Parsley Coins.

That’s equivalent to 200 million won in real currency.

Still, I stroked my chin with a slightly disappointed expression.

“It’s a little underwhelming… I’m about to lose 45,000 Coins worth of Enhancement materials. Could you spare a bit more?”

The chat remained silent for a moment.

Then, an item appeared.

It was a mask that covered the entire face, with a slightly unsettling appearance. It looked like a silicone cast of human skin.

“What’s this?”

Just to be sure, I checked and confirmed that it was indeed unavailable at Parsley Market.

Only then did a satisfied smile spread across my face.

Good. He’ll be the one regretting this anyway.

I quickly gathered the Remnant, Coins, and the Demon’s Jam Jam Infimask before tapping the Status Window.

I picked up the Remnant and inserted it into the crystal’s tip, where an iridescent aura flowed.

Instantly.

Woooooooong—!

The Obsidian Crystal vibrated with unprecedented intensity.

The vibrations intensified, shaking my entire body along with the crystal.

But soon, the tremors grew unbearable, escalating beyond my control.

Kiiiiiiiiing!

A piercing resonance erupted as a swirling, pale violet wind began to churn around the crystal.

Manager Mi’s scream was swallowed by the raging gale.

Kwaaaaaaaah!

Crash!

Inside the VIP room, luxurious furniture and decorations were swept away by the wind, collapsing in utter chaos.

Just as I began to worry that every Hunter in the Cheongyeon Guild headquarters might come rushing here,

Drip.

The crystal’s resonance finally ceased.

So, what was the outcome of the enhancement?

The Demon Lord continued the chat excitedly.

I picked up the crystal that had fallen onto the bed.

A dazzling, five-colored crystal graphic appeared in the chat window.

As expected, I had succeeded.

The final +10 upgrade, completed flawlessly.

A brief silence followed.

Star-Shaped Demon Ball: You little shit!

The chat window suddenly erupted in flames.

“Well, he certainly lives up to his nickname,” I chuckled softly.

I completely understood why he was having such a meltdown.

Which made it even clearer: I no longer needed to deal with this guy.

Leaving the howling Demon Lord behind, I cleanly exited the chatroom.

Of course, I, Lee Taejun, wasn’t about to let things end there.

I reported “Star-Shaped Demon Ball” for abusive language and personal attacks.

“Manager Mi, this guy’s definitely getting banned, right?”

“Absolutely! Parsley Market’s reporting system is foolproof. With language like that, he’ll definitely be suspended for a while!”

“What’s the chance he’ll hold a grudge and come after me?”

“Zero percent! There’s no way for him to get your personal information, Taegoon-nim. You have nothing to worry about!”

I nodded with a smug grin.

Indeed, leading the charge for a brighter and healthier chat culture requires getting your hands dirty.

Now then…

My gaze shifted to the brilliant, five-colored crystal in my hand.

A Unique Item, enhanced to +10.

Time to test its abilities.

“So, the Mana Storm struck Mr. Taejun’s room?”

“Y-yes, President.”

“Was Mr. Taejun injured?”

“No. The room was completely wrecked, but Hunter Taejun was unharmed.”

Inside the Cheongyeon Guild President’s office, Seo Yeon-hwa forced a bitter smile as she listened to the guild member’s report.

Ten minutes earlier, a sharp roar had shaken the entire building, followed by a massive surge of mana that permeated the guild headquarters. Seo Yeon-hwa had panicked, wondering if the mastermind behind the Promotion Examination rigging had launched an attack, or if a Gate had suddenly manifested. Fortunately, her fears proved unfounded.

“Should we investigate the cause of the Mana Storm?”

“That’s fine, as long as it wasn’t Mr. Taejun who caused it.”

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder how someone could trigger a Mana Storm of that magnitude. Trying to uncover the reason seemed futile.

“Did he mention anything else?”

“Yes, aside from the Mana Storm… Oh, and he asked if I could pass on a request to the Guild Leader.”

“To me?” Seo Yeon-hwa asked, her face puzzled.

“Yes. He… well…” The guild member hesitated before cautiously speaking, “He asked if you could possibly share the Hwarang Guild Leader’s personal contact information. He wanted me to ask you for it.”

Matthew’s personal contact information?

Seo Yeon-hwa tilted her head for a moment, then smiled. “Ah, so it’s your turn now, is it?”