chapter 52

Just because you are poor, it doesn’t mean you’re a good person (1)

[You found a new recipe.]

[Successfully made basic health potion.]

[Intellect increases by 1.]

[Combines Poisonous Candle and Troll’s Blood. You have succeeded in a new catalyst combination.]

[Intellect increases by 1.]

[Combines poisonous herb and magical essence. You have succeeded in a new catalyst combination.]

[Combines Poisonous Grass and Orc Molar. New catalyst combination failed.]

Alchemy wasn’t that difficult. Of course, it didn’t mean that the logic found in technology didn’t apply to my craft. The timing of using the synthesis magic circle, the type of the magic circle that would vary by material for each catalyst, the amount of magical power entering the magic circle, and the combination of catalysts and materials…

One had to think about every little aspect, understand them, and work on them. This reminded me of doing experiments more than anything else. Along with experiments came the large probability of failure.

This was why one had to be prudent when it came to alchemy.

Considering the gold spent on one experiment as the materials needed were expensive, various hypotheses had to be made after digging into theories on potion making or catalyst combinations.

Based on one’s hypothesis, a virtual experiment would be conducted, and based on the success of the virtual experiment; the scientist would decide when it was the right time to strike.

This was basically how alchemists did their alchemy.

However, this type of methodology didn’t work on me.

Why? Because I had a lot of money to spare.

I planned to use them for virtual experiments to immerse myself within countless combinations of catalysts and potions. I would put away crafted theories and hypotheses and would solely focus on the results I would receive on my own logical accord.

Of course, I also had to consider that my efficiency would differ from that of a normal alchemist, who would have practiced on a rare catalyst before attempting anything else.

[Failed.]

[Failed.]

[Failed.]

‘Damn’

I knew I shouldn’t waste time trying to find the reasons for my combinations. Instead, I had to focus on how exactly I could reverse my failures.

[Successful.]

I didn’t know how much exactly, but I could surmise that about a thousand gold had already been spent just this past week. However, it didn’t mean that it was all spent on nothing.

It wasn’t immediately noticeable, but the potion recipes sold in the market by default were already stored in my head, and above all, I was able to increase my intellect and magic stats.

In other words, I had bought my increased stats with the gold that I was given.

Once again, as I was about to pour gold into my alchemy kit, I heard a voice from outside.

“Oppa!”

“Ah. come in. Don’t forget to disinfect with the artifacts…”

“Okay.”

The door opened to reveal both Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan. I wasn’t surprised at this point. As I saw some of the bags in their hands, I could roughly guess why they came.

“Why are you bringing this in? Other members of the guild have already decided to help me organize my luggage. I also already informed the lobby attendant, so you don’t have to move it yourself next time.”

“No. If we don’t do this, then we won’t have any excuse to see you, Hyung. I don’t know how we can live on the same floor but never see each other. Can I put your luggage down here?”

“Yes, you can leave it there. Thank you, Deokgu.”

“Huh. Well, this is not a big deal for me.”

“Oh, Oppa. Have you already eaten?”

“Ah.”

Cringing slightly, I turned to look at the time. I had been so focused on the work that I had lost track of how much time had passed.

“My… I guess I’ve been a little too busy…”

“Ah. Then, let’s eat together!”

“That sounds great!”

I laughed at the cheerful expressions of my two friends. Pausing briefly, I went to check the luggage. It seemed that all my ordered goods had arrived properly.

“By the way, where did you order all those items?”

“It’s a catalyst for each alchemy.”

“Oh. This potion that you made… Can you save people who are dying with this?”

“No. It only heals basic wounds. Oh, Hayan! Anything over there shouldn’t be touched. Don’t even think about drinking it.”

“Yeah… Yeah!”

“I don’t really know anything about alchemy, so… What are you trying to make?”

“Well… for now…”

“Mmhm?”

“I’m trying to make money.”

I resisted the urge to laugh at the confusion my words brought to both their faces. However, what I said was the truth.

Money was the most important thing to me. It was only natural to earn as much as I spent. If I wanted to be a good investment, I had to bring lots of money to the table.

After all, it wasn’t just Kim Hyunsung who invested in me. There was also Cha Hee-ra.

I had already handed her the list, but it was natural that I should still appear useful to her.

Of course, what I was making was a secret. Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan didn’t need to know about it,

“By the way, what is Hyunsung doing these days?”

“Same. I think I haven’t seen Hyunsung for a long time.”

“Well… We train together at the training center, but after the training, he always runs to the slums with some food in hand.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, I knew that I was a good man, but is he really that angelic? I don’t know what kind of volunteer work he’s doing, but it’s already been a week since he started… goodness. Well, it seems both respectful and bad.”

“You mean he plans on doing it every day?”

“Maybe. Ah! I think there are times when I also hear tales of new dungeons… Anyway, Hyunsung’s been walking around the city and seems to be looking for either someone or information. One thing is certain, Kim Hyunsung is really nice.”

‘Volunteer?’

Of course, it suited him.

I thought he would bring in new talent, but it seemed that it would take longer than I expected. If we could recruit quickly, there would be no reason to do volunteer work there yet.

“I don’t know how much you think of the people there, but sometimes frowning is not the only worry.”

‘What?’

I felt like something was going to go wrong soon enough.

‘Shall we go even just this once?’

It didn’t seem like anything too bad would happen.

Anyway, my craft had reached its final stages, and I was really curious about what my fellow party members were doing.

Looking up at the faces of Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan, I made up my mind.

“I should go once too…”

“Huh? Really?”

“I’m a little curious. I wonder how it’s like in the slums.”

“Well, go with me, Oppa.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah… Yeah!”

Park Deokgu seemed to want to go, too, but he seemed to be stuck between ruining my time with Jung Hayan or not. I smiled to myself and turned to Jung Hayan.

“Then shall we go now? Are you ready, Hayan?”

“Yeah… Yeah!”

It felt nice to just up and do whatever we had planned right on the spot. I hadn’t even gotten the chance to do much exploring since I’d been so busy, so this felt nice.

Climbing up the carriage that would take us to our destination, I held Jung Hayan’s hand. She positively glowed at this. It felt like we were enjoying a city tour.

The scenery we passed by all looked interesting. However, the glorious feeling did not last long.

As the carriage wheeled us slowly, the scenery also changed from rich and majestic to shabby and dull. Even the coachman himself could feel the unpleasant change in the atmosphere, and he seemed uncomfortable. The air itself felt humid.

“Why are you going to this place?” The coachman couldn’t help but ask.

“Nothing special. In fact, it hasn’t been long since I entered the city. I’m curious about what this place is like.”

“Ah. It looks like you received an offer from a guild on good terms.”

“Haha. It’s embarrassing, but I have.”

It was then that I saw a young man walking by the sidewalk. He moved with his head down, but I could see his anxious expression when he regarded us. Was he afraid we might suddenly hurt him?

Were the people who lived here the ones who got rejected from receiving any guild offers? Or were they simply too afraid to join one?

The circumstances of each person we passed by were unknown to us, but one thing was for sure – this was a very unhappy place.

“The atmosphere is a little different from the West Square, Oppa.”

“Huh. You feel that too?” Now I felt truly worried. With a carriage to wheel us around, it was almost as if Jung Hayan and I were flaunting our financial difference to the slums.

However, I also knew that no one would dare to attack us. Whether it be from their fear or the fact that they knew we were in a guild and therefore were stronger, they all had hesitation on their faces.

The threatening situation felt the same as Jung Hayan and I got down from the carriage. I made sure I was protectively around her, as I was worried about what these people could do.

I then caught sight of a woman in high-quality clothing with people in filthy clothes crowding around her.

[Check player Sun Hee-young’s status window and talent level]

[Name-Hee-young Sun]

[Title-Saint of the Forsaken]

[Age-32]

[ALIGNMENT-Ideal volunteer]

[Job-Priest of the Sun-Hero Level]

[Occupational Effects-Acquisition of basic divine power knowledge]

[Occupational effect-intermediate knowledge acquisition of divine power]

[Capacity]

[Strength -30/Growth limit: Normal or less]

[Agility-28/Growth limit: Normal or higher]

[Health -30/Growth limit: Hero or less]

[Intellect-45/Growth limit: Hero or higher]

[Durability-32/Growth limit: Rare or less]

[Luck-45/Growth limit: Hero or higher]

[Holy-69/Growth limit: Legend or higher]

[equipment]

[none]

[Talent-Saint’s Prayer]

[General review-It is not an exaggeration to say that she was born to become a priest. The difference between her and Lee Kiyoung, a rotten player, is also very clear. Please do not think about approaching her by any chance. Unlike Lee Kiyoung, she is a clean person.]

With this information, I made sure to regard the woman with closer and more focused regard.

‘Mhh…’

My eyes widened. This woman had legendary divine stats.

Surprisingly enough, she reminded me of Jung Hayan.

I caught sight of Kim Hyunsung amongst the crowd. However, he wasn’t the center of attention. Rather, Sun Hee-young was.

I noticed that Sun Hee-young’s outfit and flag were greatly different. I didn’t know what Kim Hyunsung was up to, but one thing was for sure – she was probably his intended target.

Some would wonder why so many people were crowded around her. But to someone with observer skills such as mine, it was obvious why.

‘Ah, is everyone trying to recruit her?’

I felt pretty sure that this was the case.

It seems that the talent Kim Hyunsung wanted to attract this time wasn’t someone only he wanted. It was a talent that everyone desired.

It was shocking that someone of Sun Hee-young’s stature would be unaffiliated, but she was. From this, I understood why Kim Hyunsung visited this place often, and why there were many members of the clan who seemed to be unrelated to volunteer work.

Everyone was busy pretending to be good. The appearance of everyone volunteering collectively to catch her eye was quite a spectacle.

‘The saint of the outcast?’

In my eyes, they looked like pigs who didn’t want work but had to for the sake of self-interests. If there was one thing I didn’t expect, it was that Jung Hayan had the same opinion as me.

“They look like pigs trying to butter up.”

“Yeah. Hyung! They look… They look like pigs!”

Unlike my quieter tone, Jung Hayan’s louder voice attracted the attention of the people nearby.

‘Damn…’