Chapter 84
Boss, Gambling Should Only Be for Fun (1)**
1.
First thing I did was end the stream.
I always feel this, but my timing for ending a stream is pure art. By now, rumors should already be circulating online, right?
Cutting things off right at this moment is how you leave an impact.
“W-wait. There are too many people. Why is everyone coming into my stream…?”
While I was nodding in satisfaction, Gguk-jung—who’d been spacing out next to me—waved his hands frantically.
Ah, right.
Gguk-jung was streaming too.
I casually wrapped my arm around his shoulder and said,
“Senior, you should end your stream too.”
“Y-yes… Ah, yes.”
And just like that, his stream ended as well.
It was a sudden collaboration, but honestly it turned out pretty great.
Because I used up all the grindstones he’d painstakingly collected.
Honestly, I thought collecting grindstones would be annoying, but thanks to him, I got them for free.
Sure, at first he annoyed me since he sniped my stream… but I’ll consider the fact that he sacrificed himself in my place as enough payment.
He knew he’d messed up, so he kept quiet like a good boy, right?
If it were me, I would’ve thrown myself on the floor and yelled.
“Senior Gguk-jung. We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?”
From here on, it’s off the record.
I did consider flaming him live on stream, but then I thought about it.
Korea is tiny.
The player industry is even smaller.
Is there any need to make enemies? Especially when he actually helped me today. I might as well let his past mistakes go.
Ah, of course…
There is one thing I need to address properly.
“I heard you’re close with a streamer called Dae-ho, Senior.”
That bastard Dae-ho really crossed the line.
He tried to steal my editor. After abusing that kind kid, he shamelessly tried to scout him the moment he thought he needed him?
He’s out.
Sure, Gguk-jung sniped me early on, but recently he’s stayed quiet. Meanwhile Dae-ho? Every time I browse online, he takes cheap shots at me.
“Anyone can look like a pro in the low floors,”
“If Meteor had the same conditions, he’d have done the same,”
—stuff like that.
“Ah, yes. Dae-ho… We aren’t that close, really.”
“You sure?”
At my questioning, Gguk-jung hesitated, then squeezed his eyes shut and confessed.
“To stay active in this industry, you have no choice but to watch what Dae-ho thinks.”
“That much?”
“…He has the most influence, wide connections… He even appears on TV now and then…”
“So did he tell you to snipe me?”
“N-no, that was just me trying to get views… I’m sorry.”
“Since you’re being honest, I’ll let it go.”
I didn’t expect him to be this honest.
Surprisingly likeable, actually.
I smirked and gestured toward Peanut.
Piiii—!
Peanut came running toward us with dirt on his head.
“Peanut. Did you do what I asked earlier?”
『Yep! I did everything Master told me! There were a lot around here!』
“Take them all out right here.”
Piiii—!
When I gently asked, Peanut began pulling things out of his cheek pouches one after another.
Gguk-jung’s eyes widened when he saw what they were.
“T-these are all grindstones…?”
“I asked Peanut earlier. I hate being in debt.”
The pile was easily triple the amount I used.
Our Peanut is amazing. Works hard, is adorable, and incredibly smart.
Truly the greatest hamster in the world.
Peanut made a literal mountain of grindstones, and I gave him a thumbs-up.
“Let’s eat a ton of delicious things when we get home.”
『Okay!』
Peanut hopped back on my shoulder and immediately fell asleep. I gently stroked his back, then looked back at Gguk-jung.
“These are all for you, Senior.”
“A-all of this?”
“I used all your grindstones, remember?”
“That was the price for sniping you on MeTube…”
“Hey, colleagues in the industry fight and snipe each other sometimes. I’m not that petty.”
At my magnanimity, Gguk-jung’s eyes welled with tears.
Seriously? He was that worried? I’m not some psycho who beats people at random.
“I… I dared to doubt you, Meteor-nim…”
They say it’s the sun that makes a traveler take off his coat, right?
Gguk-jung suddenly dropped to his knees and began confessing.
“I actually deleted that video a long time ago.”
“Senior.”
“Yes.”
“You deleted it because the backlash was bad. Let’s be honest.”
“Ah…”
“But it’s fine. Anyway, don’t get too close to Dae-ho. If you hang out with him, I might have to see you again under bad circumstances.”
I said it with a smile, but there’s no way he didn’t get the message.
Anyone who runs a drama-bait channel has sharp instincts.
He nodded vigorously while still kneeling.
“Yes. Understood. As soon as I get home, I’ll upload a video praising you, Meteor-nim!”
…Huh?
“Gguk-jung! I’ll stake my three-syllable name and my channel on apologizing for my rudeness! Thank you for forgiving me! I’ll also expose that trash Dae-ho! I was preparing it anyway!”
“Senior.”
“Yes, sir!”
“In your past life… were you a bat— never mind. No, you don’t need to upload a praise video…”
“No! I must do it! As a commentary MeTuber, correcting wrong info is my duty! Please allow me to atone!”
Wow, look at him switching sides instantly.
This is how you survive long-term in this industry.
“…Well, good luck.”
“Then I’ll go attempt my rank-up quest with these grindstones!”
He gathered the grindstones and practically sprinted toward the anvil.
I watched his back and scratched my head.
“…He’ll be fine… right?”
Feels like I may have awakened something dangerous.
But… it’ll probably be fine.
“Lord Meteor. Are you finished with your business?”
“Ah, Euryel.”
Euryel had patiently waited like a true angel.
She smiled warmly.
“By lawful procedure, you are the rightful owner of this forge. But since you are a Wanderer, you cannot stay here permanently.”
“That’s true.”
“So if you give me instructions, I will manage this forge in your stead.”
[Angel <Euryel> will manage <The First Forge>.]
[As the one who liberated this place, you may demand payment from those who use it.]
So she’ll run it automatically for me… basically taking commissions?
This is literally a casino house.
“Some players might cause trouble.”
“Do not worry. Though I am bound to this place, I am still strong enough to subdue Wanderers.”
She did look strong.
So she’s basically the casino bodyguard.
An angel guarding a legal gambling house… sounds weird.
“Hmmm.”
I needed time to think.
“How does equipment enhancement work?”
“Trying it yourself will be fastest. Here, take this.”
Euryel pulled out a glowing orange stone.
It looked similar to the grindstones we saw earlier.
“This is a stone found while wandering the Abyss. Now that the forge has awakened, the stones dormant throughout the Abyss should also have reawakened.”
[Low-grade Grindstone]
Grade: Magic
Description: A grindstone used to enhance equipment. Used for equipment from floor 3 and below.
So there’s a new resource, after mana stones.
“Do you have gear you want to enhance?”
I immediately took out the Miracle Matryoshka from my inventory.
The MVP of this rank-up quest. My most broken item.
I wondered if non-weapon items could even be enhanced, but Euryel nodded.
“It’s possible. It has already surpassed its limits, but its origin is still equipment from the early Abyss. Place it on the anvil.”
A tutorial, huh?
I placed the Matryoshka on the anvil. A window popped up.
[You may attempt <Equipment Enhancement>!]
[Miracle Matryoshka +0 → Miracle Matryoshka +1]
Enhancement Effect: Each level increases all efficiency by 3%.
Max level: 5
Success Rate: 50%
[You are the owner of the forge! All enhancement costs are waived!]
[The Goddess’ blessing doubles all enhancement success rates!]
Being the liberator is insane.
Everything is free for me.
This is the life.
From now on, every new item → enhance immediately.
“Is level 5 the max?”
“For gear from early Abyss, yes. Deeper gear can reach higher levels.”
“Destruction chance?”
“Like the Proof of Luck trial—starts from +10. Too much power can break the vessel.”
Got it.
3% per level means… +10 gear gives +30%, +15 gives +45%.
As I calculated the value of this system, one conclusion came:
“…This is insane.”
Top players with top gear will drool over this.
Gear specs = survival. No one will spare money.
“This will cause a huge stir.”
“What do you mean?”
“A double-edged sword.”
Looks like the real reward is the enhancement fee… no matter how expensive, players will throw money at it.
And I’ll be swimming in cash.
But… there is one issue:
I might end up being a MeTuber who runs a gambling house.
That could ruin my image.
Is there a way to maintain my reputation and fill my pockets—
“Oh.”
…Actually, yes.
“What do we collect as fees?”
“Mana stones would be suitable.”
“Good. Approved.”
Let’s see.
One mid-grade mana stone is 500,000 won.
Charging two per enhancement attempt sounds reasonable.
Rich players won’t care.
If players enhance 100 times a day → 50 mil.
1000 times → 500 mil.
10,000 times → 5 billion.
This will absolutely work.
Smells like success.
I nodded, took out my phone, and called Deputy Manager Choi Seong-hoon from the Ability Management Department.
He picked up in one second.
—Hello, Player Meteor! Congratulations on reaching floor 4!
“Oh, Deputy Manager Choi. You watched the stream?”
—Yes. I also confirmed that the Abyss now has an equipment enhancement system.
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.”
A perfect way to gain public favor and make money.
That idea was…
“You know the gambling addiction treatment centers? I’m thinking of supporting them.”
—Gambling addiction…?
“Players get to enhance their gear and donate to a good cause. I look good, they feel good. Win-win. I’m thinking of donating 30% of the forge’s revenue. What do you think?”
I protect my image, and my wallet gets thicker.
This is Meteor-style corporate social responsibility…!
