Chapter 78
Line Up (1)
1.
The giant bait I’d thrown into the water rocketed across the internet as if everyone had just been waiting for it.
<Title: Explaining the value of a Transcendent-grade Unique Trait>
Content: It’s just clickbait lol. I don’t follow the Abyss that much—
but is it really that huge a deal that everyone’s freaking out? Someone please answer
ㄴ It’s better than winning the lottery 1st prize 100 times
ㄴ Just being able to obtain a Unique Trait is already insane
ㄴ (4th-floor player) A player’s entire base spec is determined by their Unique Trait. If it’s Transcendent-grade, just having it puts you in the global top 100
ㄴ And it’s not just any Transcendent — it’s a Necromancer-type Transcendent Trait. If you get that, you basically secure the potential to aim for rank 1 in the world
ㄴ OP: Then why did Meteor give it up? Is he crazy? I’d have eaten it on the spot
ㄴ It’s Meteor, bro lol
ㄴ Analysis posts say Meteor might have double or even triple traits
ㄴ Maybe he already has a Transcendent one?
ㄴ ??? He’s never revealed his Unique Trait
It hadn’t been long since the raid ended, yet my name was once again conquering the internet.
The rapidly climbing subscriber count on my MiTube channel was a bonus.
My subscriber count was now nearing two million.
And on top of that, membership subscriptions—especially the top-tier “Omakase” level that grants access to Abyss intel—were increasing at a ridiculous speed.
I used to tremble just buying a triangle kimbap, and now I’ve basically entered financial freedom.
At this rate, I really might buy a building soon.
Of course, the attention wasn’t just on the internet.
— Hahaha, Player Meteor. I’ve heard the news. I hear you’ve discovered a Transcendent-grade Unique Trait?
“Ah, Minister.”
— This old man called to congratulate you.
“It just sort of happened.”
— I am truly proud and happy that Player Meteor is a citizen of the Republic of Korea.
“Ah… yes.”
— I’ll bring some good liquor and visit you soon. Hahaha!
Minister Hwang Beom-seok of the Ability Management Department.
Last time, he drank with me for three hours straight at the company dinner—his physique isn’t the only thing un-elderly; his alcohol tolerance matches it.
It sounded like a call to encourage me, but the meaning behind his words was blatant.
He’s worried, obviously.
A Transcendent Unique Trait— a Necromancer-type one at that.
A Trait that could summon named undead, the nightmare of any player above the 6th floor.
Basically a winning lottery ticket no one’s scratched yet.
“Dude, did you check your email?”
“My email?”
“America, China, Japan, Europe… bro, these are all offers! They want to ‘discuss business’?”
We were at a café near my house.
Right after his livestream, Inseob rushed over to me.
He held up his tablet as he continued:
“Most of them say they want to ‘buy ad space,’ but when you look at the content, they’re all talking about the Unique Trait.”
“They want to buy it?”
“Exactly.”
“Anyone name a price yet?”
“Not directly, but… there are companies coming out aggressively. They said they’d match whatever price we want. China and the Middle East.”
“Oil money and China money, huh.”
The proposals were sent to the email address listed on my MiTube channel for sponsorship inquiries.
Since I left all ad management to my MCN, Astral Core, Inseob had caught wind of everything quickly.
Chaos—absolute chaos.
Even in the middle of winter, he downed his iced Americano and sighed.
“…Because of you, we’re increasing staff.”
“As long as I’m earning enough to justify it, it’s good news.”
“Good, yeah. But seriously—are you actually going to sell that Trait?”
“Who knows.”
Sure, I’d joked about selling it on stream—but that was just talk. I had my own idea in mind.
“What do you think the price would be if I did sell it?”
“Minimum—trillions.”
“Be serious.”
“If it’s Saudi or China, they’d pay it and smile. It’s a Necromancer-type Transcendent Trait. Something that has never appeared before.”
The unit was so big I couldn’t even process it.
“Come on—nobody’s actually going to offer that kind of money.”
“…You just haven’t seen high-tier Necromancers yet. Some of them climb the Abyss alone while others need whole parties. The class is made for solo clearing.”
“They’re not that omnipotent.”
“Why not?”
“Because ignoring the undead and killing the Necromancer ends it.”
“…Ignoring the undead is easier said than done.”
“I did it. I killed hundreds of Necromancers with my own hands in Avalon.”
Inseob sighed again, shaking his head.
“Why would you give that up…”
“I said it on stream—I’ll awaken Necromancer abilities soon.”
“…A boxer, a mage, an archer… and now a necromancer? What next? Are you gonna awaken as a swordsman and priest too?”
“Wow, how’d you know? Not a priest, but I do have saint-class abilities.”
“…I’m done.”
He didn’t believe a word of it.
Well—my Skill Archive’s fourth slot was storing Death Blasphemer Sin.
That guy was the apex of Necromancers.
A melee-capable Necromancer, even.
Everyone in my Archive is a peak monster, but Sin stood out even among them.
A guy who wiped out an entire demon legion alone with a human body.
He didn’t get along with Bellua since he was fundamentally a Necromancer, but he was a pretty good guy.
A contradictory mess… but a good contradictory mess.
“I’ll show you later.”
“Anyway—what are you going to do with the Trait? Sell it for money?”
“Money, hmm…”
I could probably squeeze an absurd amount if I picked the right buyer…
But honestly, the scale was unreal.
If it was millions or tens of millions, I’d feel it.
But hundreds of billions? Trillions?
That’s not an amount you feel.
After a sip of my Americano, I leaned back and said:
“I’m not selling it to just anyone.”
The basic conditions included me providing after-service.
Meaning, I had to guide the chosen candidate so they could command the Immortal Army properly.
Necromancers scale well, sure.
But a well-raised Necromancer is a walking catastrophe.
Selling the seed of a potential catastrophe just for money?
There couldn’t be a dumber decision.
“So here’s my plan, Inseob.”
“Huh?”
“What if we do this?”
I explained my plan.
“…You’re serious?”
“Of course.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to.”
Inseob stared at me like I’d grown a second head.
Look at this brat acting shocked.
2.
The next morning.
My “plan,” which I had explained to Inseob, was immediately set into motion.
“MiTuber Meteor — ‘I may or may not sell the Trait. I’ll listen to offers though.’”
“Two major Chinese corporations officially enter the bidding. ‘A decision made for all of Asia.’”
“Saudi state-owned enterprise: ‘We wish to negotiate with Meteor soon.’”
“US West Coast guild Phoenix: ‘We’re ready as well.’”
“Expected price?”
“Minister Hwang Beom-seok: ‘It’s an opportunity he earned on his own. I only hope he chooses wisely.’”
Inseob leaked the story through a friendly reporter—boom.
Everyone was practically drooling.
Everywhere I went, people were talking about the Unique Trait.
My name value skyrocketed. Until now, I’d been limited to East Asia, but with this incident, my channel was expanding globally.
I was more than satisfied.
“Tell me honestly—what’s the highest offer you got?”
“Curious?”
“Middle East and China are bidding. It’s not like they’re short on cash.”
Another peaceful morning at home.
My brother, holding a piece of toast, threw me the question.
I smirked.
“You’ve become quite the materialist, bro.”
“You try raising a kid. See if you can do that without money.”
“Then should I sell it? We could probably buy a building in Gangnam. If you want it, I’ll do it.”
My brother froze mid-toast.
But only for a moment.
He regained composure quickly.
“…Would you put it under joint ownership?”
“Where’s your conscience?”
“Then no thanks. You’re not going to sell it anyway.”
“Oh? How’d you know?”
“I can tell just by your face. Right, Bitna?”
“Seong-woo’s expression gives everything away.”
Bitna said while feeding baby Ian.
Did these two learn mind-reading somewhere?
I ate a spoonful of cereal and shrugged.
“If you need money, tell me. I’ll sell it.”
“No thanks. You’ll handle things well. I can earn money myself.”
“…That’s kinda touching.”
“By the way—you didn’t pay rent this month. Pay up.”
“Wow, treating a little brother who survived hell like this… harsh.”
He chuckled while finishing his toast.
“But why did you spread the rumor like that anyway?”
“To bait them. Expand globally while I’m at it. And most importantly—it prints free money.”
“What?”
“Money prints itself while I sit still. I’ll show you on stream.”
They’d shower me with cash trying to butter me up.
Just like last time.
America, China, Japan—people threw millions at me instantly.
And now I’d stirred up the biggest bait yet?
They’d throw money again.
“I’m a patriot, bro.”
“Explain how that has anything to do with patriotism.”
“I’m bringing in foreign currency. That’s patriotism.”
“…Be thankful Ian is here. Otherwise I’d say something bad.”
“If China and Japan send me money—that’s patriotism! You don’t get it.”
This was my personal form of economic retaliation.
It’s not like taking their money means I’ll sell the Trait.
Still, if they’re willingly offering money, why wouldn’t I take it?
“Oh right, bro. Should we move houses?”
“Huh? Why suddenly?”
“There’s a big place about ten minutes from here. This place is a little cramped for four people.”
“Couldn’t you just move out on your own?”
“I refuse to be separated from Ian. Bitna?”
“A bigger house sounds nice. I’m in.”
“I’ll earn more and make it happen. When this month’s streaming revenue comes in and I sell the magic stones, we can move.”
I didn’t get reunited with my family just to split apart again.
“Sam-chun! Sam-chun! Eat!”
“You’re giving uncle a strawberry? Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Ung!”
I ate the strawberry little Ian handed me.
If this isn’t happiness, what is?
“You streaming today?”
I nodded.
“Yeah. I have to go to the Abyss anyway—got work to do.”
To transfer the Trait to someone else, I must satisfy the conditions.
After the last stream, I checked with Agatha. She said placing the statue was fine, but activating it would require materials.
Like catching a monster called a Dimension Fairy alive.
Turns out they appear on the 4th floor.
If I catch them using the special capture cage Agatha made, I can activate the statue.
So my next target was the 4th floor.
[You have acquired enough achievement points to qualify for 4th-floor promotion.]
[You may now proceed with the 4th-floor advancement quest.]
I got all the achievement points from meeting the Immortal King.
Meaning, I was done with the 3rd floor.
“I’m doing the advancement quest today.”
“Already on the 4th floor?”
“I’m a hardworking man, bro.”
“Great. Then pay rent.”
“Ahem.”
Right—I should post a notice first.
<Title: Stream Announcement>
Content: 4th-floor advancement quest today. Have a meeting in the morning, so stream starts after lunch. See you at 2 PM.
Let’s go—time for the 4th floor.
