AECS 13

Chapter 13

Player Headquarters
Assemblyman Park Chang-seok’s Office

“Sir! Sir!”

A secretary came rushing in.

“This is amazing! Check the news articles!”

“I’ve already seen them.”

On Park Chang-seok’s phone screen were headlines like:

• [South Korea Breaks Records in Tuesday Dungeons! Behind the Scenes? Headquarters’ Ace, Assemblyman Park Chang-seok.]
• [Assemblyman Park Chang-seok Brings ‘Rare Info Bought Cheap from Overseas.’]
• [Proud Headquarters’ Rankers Led by Park Chang-seok! Will They Challenge World Records? Citizens Excited for the Possibility.]

To an outsider, it seemed like nothing.

But the citizens went wild.

They had been starving for news like this.

Wow.

South Korea might challenge world records!

• Always at the bottom of the leagues.
• National wealth gaps caused by low-grade benefits.
• A summoning backwater.

People had been hearing only demoralizing news—so this was a rare glimmer of hope.

For a brief moment, the community buzzed with the name of the record-holder, Baek Jin-woo, but it was quickly forgotten.

All attention now went to Park Chang-seok, once it was revealed he had orchestrated the record-breaking.

“Uh… all of this came from Baek Jin-woo, right? That first-year gamer…?”

The secretary asked cautiously.

No fool could be unaware.

Why?

Recently, Park had created the Talent Management Team, moving three of the most capable employees under him.

Kim Byung-jin, Yoo Ji-ah, and Hwang Tae-seop—three elite members of headquarters.

Incidentally, the Talent Management Team’s sole purpose was effectively to manage Baek Jin-woo.

Whenever he reached out, everyone dropped everything to assist him.

Right now, they were dedicating all their energy to legitimately securing the stock of low-grade summoning scrolls.

“That’s right. After this, I’m sure—during my term, I’ll devote all my efforts to supporting Baek Jin-woo.”

Park Chang-seok was confident.

Years in the industry taught him to read people.

Just by observing Baek Jin-woo’s expression and gestures, he could tell—those who are truly at ease, who hold something precious, act in a certain way.

From now on, Park’s task was simple: help him while subtly extracting valuable information.

A mutual Win-Win strategy.

“Byung-jin.”

“Yes?”

“What’s Baek Jin-woo doing now?”

“Seems like he’s still tearing through summoning scrolls.”

“…Still?”

“Yes, he took some again this morning.”

Ha.

Can someone really do that in a single day?

‘Why…?’

Most D-grade summons are basically worthless, barely sellable.

Only C-grade or higher fetches a proper price.

“He’s not selling any of them separately, right?”

“No, he seems to be using all of them for synthesis. We confirmed he shows up at the synthesis center every night.”

Huh.

Synthesis—the method of sacrificing summons for experience—exists, but it’s inefficient.

It would yield more XP to simply run a dungeon.

“Ah, he also asked something.”

“What?”

Park’s eyes lit up.

“He asked if he could spend 150 million to buy more low-grade scrolls.”

“…What?”

Park was stunned.

No.

He barely manages with 10,000 a day, and now he wants more?

“Instead… he asked if we could sell them a bit cheaper, so I said we’d consider it.”

Huh.

Does he really need a specific summon from F–D grade?

If so, he probably already got it.

‘At least,’

The fact that he’s willing to reinvest the 150 million he earned shows how desperate he is.

“How should we handle this? I feel awkward reporting it to the management; don’t they get suspicious if we keep taking stock?”

“Low-grade scrolls… they’re just piling up anyway. Might as well give them all.”

“So… sell them cheaper?”

“Half price.”

“Excuse me?”

The secretary’s eyes went wide.

He knew exactly how insane this was.

As a public official, Park must act carefully.

If anyone found out he was giving someone an unreasonable benefit with government funds, he’d be politically attacked.

“Don’t worry, Byung-jin.”

Park smiled as if he knew exactly what his secretary was thinking.

‘This is political strategy.’

Baek Jin-woo might become a national hero someday.

If people knew Park had supported him materially and politically…

He’d be praised for his insight and could even gain more public support.

Creating such a story was no problem for Park.

“Just follow orders, keep it absolutely secret. Only you, Ji-ah, and Tae-seop know.”

“…Yes, sir.”

SFX: shhh, shhh!

The sound of paper tearing was like an auditory hallucination.

10,000 scrolls a day—70,000 in a week.

Baek Jin-woo had been tearing non-stop for about two weeks.

He didn’t even go home.

Instead, he rented a small apartment near the Player Zone.

A modest 16-pyeong two-room place—not too fancy, not too shabby.

‘I need to be independent.’

For a man making over 100 million in a week, living at his parents’ house with little sleep didn’t feel right.

• “Jin-woo… I’m gonna die…”

Ignoring Lamba whining for cream buns, he headed straight to the synthesis center.

Three years ago, a building near Jamsil Tower became a full-fledged synthesis center, like how Jamsil Tower had transformed into the Trial Tower.

Inside, there were about 500 rooms, each a separate synthesis chamber.

The center was managed by headquarters.

“Your queue number is 125.”

About five minutes of waiting.

On the third floor, the summoning circle was drawn on the floor.

[Welcome to the Synthesis Center!]
[Try synthesizing your summons!]

“Up, Lamba.”

• “Jin-woo! Don’t make a mistake!”

“Of course.”

Summon synthesis required care.

If he accidentally used Lamba as a sacrifice… it would be catastrophic.

He set the synthesis target as the Wind Fairy (EX-grade) and placed the summons on the circle one by one.

[Synthesize?]
[Y/N]

“Yes.”

A flash!

The circle glowed and absorbed the summoned creatures.

[Synthesis Complete!]
[‘Fire Lizard’ (F-grade) has been sacrificed.]
[‘Blue Bat’ (F-grade) has been sacrificed.]
[‘Poison Goblin’ (E-grade) has been sacrificed.]

…and so on.

Messages appeared:

[‘Wind Fairy’ (EX-grade) has reached level 21.]
[‘Wind Fairy’ (EX-grade) intelligence increased by 2.]

Lamba had reached level 21.

‘Just 21?’

After sacrificing almost 140,000 summons in two weeks, only level 21?

The max level was 100.

As levels rise, the experience required increases exponentially.

Level 22 would need as many sacrifices as before.

‘Whatever.’

As I said, this is just clearing out the warehouse.

The next day.

Shhh, shhh!

Jin-woo sat in the empty lot, tearing through summoning scrolls.

About an hour in, someone approached.

‘Hmm?’

Originally, he thought it was Kim Byung-jin, carrying 10,000 low-grade scrolls.

It must not be headquarters then, right?

‘…but.’

The visitor wore a headquarters badge.

“Hello. We haven’t met. I’m Yoo Ji-ah from headquarters.”

“Oh… yes.”

Lamba fell silent, intrigued by the newcomer.

Jin-woo stopped tearing and stood respectfully.

“What brings you here?”

“Regarding the scroll sale you mentioned before.”

“Ah.”

Jin-woo’s eyes lit up.

Right. Since the scrolls were scarce, they agreed to increase the quantity.

Would 150 million be a waste? Not at all.

Investing for oneself made perfect sense.

“Normally, the scroll price is 5,000 won, right?”

“Yes… but last time I asked for a little negotiation.”

“Haha, yes. After a meeting, we decided to offer you half price for this 150 million batch, given your recent contributions.”

“Really?”

Jin-woo grinned.

At 2,500 won per scroll, 150 million buys 60,000 scrolls.

He could tear even more today.

“And furthermore…”

Yoo Ji-ah hesitated, then continued:

“We’ve added an additional 100 million under ‘Talent Management Costs.’”

Whoa.

Really? That’s 40,000 more scrolls—100,000 in total?

“Just keep it secret…”

“Of course.”

“I’m the only one receiving this benefit, so I won’t tell anyone.”

“And this is to foster a more cooperative relationship between you and us.”

“Understood. Noted.”

Jin-woo accepted this goodwill.

10,000 more scrolls in tow.

Shhh, shhh!

• “Jin-woo.”

“Yes?”

• “How long do we have to keep going?”

“Until Hoon-gyo and Pok-sul appear.”

‘Hoon-gyo’ is the Training Instructor; ‘Pok-sul’ is the Dragon Master.

• “Ugh! I think I’ll develop neurosis from this shredding sound!”

No choice.

Even if it was tough, he had to finish.

The extra 10,000 scrolls he had paused on earlier were being shredded now.

Sun had set, the surroundings dim.

Stomach growling, but no rest.

• “You stubborn beast!”

“Yes, that’s what I hear a lot.”

By anyone’s standard, he was relentless, especially in Battle of Summoners.

Probably never slept more than five hours a day during school.

Shhh, shhh!

[Player ‘Baek Jin-woo’ acquired summon ‘White Serpent’ (F-grade)!]
[Player ‘Baek Jin-woo’ acquired summon ‘Giant Stag Beetle’ (F-grade)!]

…Please.

Just give me the EX-grade.

Hoon-gyo, Pok-sul.

Other summons? Don’t care.

If only those two come out, world rank #1 is within reach.

Time required is another matter.

Shhh, shhh!

Jin-woo was a machine.

A summoning-scroll shredding machine.

Time passed…

Suddenly, the lightning effects over the torn papers looked different.

Pazzzz!

Far more intense, glowing golden.

• “Wha… what?!”

Lamba panicked; Jin-woo’s eyes widened.

‘That’s…’

Just like when the Wind Fairy appeared.

Swooosh!

Finally?!

[Using ‘Low-Grade Summoning Scroll’!]
[Player ‘Baek Jin-woo’ acquired summon ‘Dragon Master’ (EX-grade)!]

“Whaaa!”

Jin-woo yelled without realizing.

• “Kyaaa!”

Lamba somersaulted in excitement.

‘Really?’

It was real.

EX-grade summons do appear after persistent attempts.

Our Pok-sul!

The anxiousness of the past—gone in an instant.

“Not now.”

Stopping now would be a mistake.

Shhh, shhh!

• “Jin-woo?”

“Cannot stop now.”

Must keep drawing consecutively.

“Ddeu-sun.”

‘Ddeu-sun’—short for “right when it comes out.”

Jin-woo’s personal jinx: when one appears, keep going immediately for consecutive success.

“Huahhh! Let’s gooo! Keep tearing!”

• “Tear, tear, teaaaar!”

Shredding with vigor.

After about 300 more scrolls…

Kugugagaga!

[Using ‘Low-Grade Summoning Scroll’!]
[Player ‘Baek Jin-woo’ acquired summon ‘Training Instructor’ (EX-grade)!]

It really happened.

• “R-Really?”

Lamba nearly fainted in shock.

“Whoa!”

Jin-woo fell backward.

Finally!

At last!

“I got them….”

Dopamine poured through his brain.

This is… bliss!

Ah, this is why summoning is worth it!