#231
Aftermath (3)
The Karma Shop was an essential system for Awakened Ones who were transported alone to the other world.
No matter how exceptional one’s unique skills might be and how fast growth was guaranteed, power was always lacking in a dangerous unfamiliar world.
“At the start, be as cautious as possible and gather Karma to enhance your main stats.”
This was a widely accepted common sense, as normal as it could be on Earth.
‘Of course, there are cases where one meets an untimely end before gathering enough Karma, just like Hans became Undead in just two days.’
Yet, that critically important Karma Shop—
For a shop, it had only “Return”, “Unique Skill Enhancement”, and “Stat Enhancement” available. How simple could that be—?
‘So it turns out you need a whopping ten million points to unlock the next stage?’
This was information I had never encountered even with the information network I had established back on Earth.
Well… it wasn’t really possible to accumulate such Karma ordinarily; even if one did collect it, who would hold onto it without spending it immediately?
‘This situation was a special exception for me.’
Though unexpected, it was still a splendid gain.
I checked the upgraded Karma Shop… ‘Karma Shop Ver.2.’
『Karma Shop Ver.2』
『Unique Skill Enhancement (1,200,000)』
『Other Skill Enhancement – View Details』
『Stat Enhancement – View Details』
『Item Purchase – View Details』
『VIP Market – View Details』
『Dimension Barrier Mitigation (5,000,000)』
Unlike the emptiness from before, there was a plethora of new items.
First up was ‘Other Skill Enhancement.’
Now, in addition to unique skills, I could also enhance lower-tier skills as well.
‘…But can I not enhance skills that the Avatars possess?’
The detailed list was limited only to skills owned by “Seong-hyun Han.”
From the “Mind Hub” derived from the “Avatar” ability to skills like “Super Recovery” and “Clear Mind” acquired through stat enhancement.
‘It would have been better if I could enhance the Avatar’s skills too, but oh well.’
Pushing aside a small disappointment, the next item that caught my eye was the ‘Item Purchase’ option, which allowed the purchase of actual goods, just like a real shop.
‘This is just like the ability Hesperon boasted about, right?’
It was the fake unique skill I had resorted to when discussing items acquired through “Avatar Cloud,” where “pay some price and summon a specific item.”
I had now actually obtained that ability for real.
‘Let’s see… are the items available only those from Auterica?’
From weapons and armor to magical equipment, along with groceries and minerals—most items that could be found in Auterica were listed.
‘…This seems to suggest that the prices fluctuate based on the difficulty of obtaining them.’
Upon further inspection, I realized that the price determination rules were quite clear.
Lesser quality iron ore than what Howard was carelessly using was priced over double, solely because it was harder to obtain due to its distant source.
Cause (因果) leads directly to the fruit of deeds (業).
In simple terms, it was close to acquiring results while ignoring intermediary processes at the cost of Karma.
‘But this isn’t bad. No, it’s actually excellent.’
As long as there’s any possibility of acquiring something, it’s a huge advantage to be able to buy it even with expensive Karma.
Like those items on the list, for instance.
『······』
『Horn containing the essence of the 14th Demon King Rerae (5,150,000)』
『Dragonheart of the White Dragon Shiraionil (1,830,000)』
『XX Fragment of the XXed XXX (30,000,000)』
『······』
“Ow, but what the heck is with those prices?”
Prices so horrifyingly inefficient that it made no sense.
Even the fragment of some unknown object was a staggering 30 million points.
‘Surely they aren’t forcing us to take things that clearly have rightful owners…’
Whether those items were actually hidden somewhere in Auterica or were information on items that had mysteriously vanished, with prices determined by the difficulty of acquiring similar items, nothing was clear yet…
‘…Well, I’ve still got loads of points left. Let’s keep looking and shop as efficiently as possible.’
I suppressed the urge to splurge from the dazzling array of items, forcing my gaze downward to the next item.
『VIP Market – View Details』
‘VIP, huh? That sounds appealing!’
That satisfied expression made me nod instinctively.
Well, given I had ten million points, I suppose some special treatment was in order.
However, when I saw the detailed list, I understood that VIP was merely synonymous with “sucker” in this system.
『Growth Potion (7 Days) (200,000)』
『Random Other Skill Acquisition (500,000)』
『Dimensional Teleportation Circle Summon (Auterica) 1 Time (1,000,000)』
『······』
‘Is Growth Potion like an experience points booster? 200,000 for a week is barely enough for a day’s worth of 30,000, right?’
A miracle potion that could burn through the 1 million points an average Awakened One would gather over ten years in just over a month.
Still, compared to other products, this one was relatively decent.
It was indeed expensive, but if it guaranteed performance, I couldn’t overlook it.
No denying it; I was the kind of person who managed to rake in a whopping ten million Karma in less than a month.
The problem lay with the next items.
“Random… lottery?”
Random Other Skill Acquisition.
That meant I could potentially get a skill with a somewhat useless performance, like “Sturdiness,” which the first Han had.
All for a hefty 500,000 points.
‘When I got “Super Recovery,” I spent a total of 310,000 points, and at least that came with stat boosts as a bonus.’
Moreover, the next item, the “Dimensional Teleportation Circle Summon,” was the same one I had always used as a bonus.
The price of a million for something I’d search for in a dire situation when it inevitably went on cooldown!
I even checked if there were teleportation circles leading to other dimensions besides Auterica, but there might be limitations as all teleportation-related items were restricted.
All I could discern through this was that an “extra life” for 10 million was a thing.
‘…Okay, let’s remember these as well. Now, it’s the final one. Dimension Barrier Mitigation… 5 million points?’
Unlike the clearly understandable items like ‘Other Skill Enhancement’ and ‘Item Purchase,’ the effect of ‘Dimension Barrier Mitigation’ was hard to grasp just from the name.
It was pricier at 5 million, and there was no helpful description whatsoever.
‘Dimension Barrier… it should pertain to the walls separating various dimensions. If it weakens, does that mean I can already cross between them at will? Does it really matter?’
While pondering over that phrase, I suddenly realized there could be significant implications.
‘Holy Power, and the restrictions of the Abyss would be reduced.’
Additionally, the penalties for summoning would be influenced by this as well.
Thinking of just this, there was plenty to consider.
‘It’s a chance to lessen the restrictions on my main forces—Hans and Heinrich, and Harris too.’
I had to avoid impulsive decisions, but I felt a strange pull to this ever since earlier.
My instincts developed through managing five transcendent beings told me I desperately needed this.
‘Alright then, let’s buy it.’
Sure, 5 million was a shocking number, but it was an upgrade made possible by the special circumstances of the Karma Shop.
Moreover, it wasn’t just listed under the VIP Market; it had its separate independent section, reflecting the special treatment it was accorded.
‘It’s valued that highly, so that’s the price!’
Surely the system wouldn’t cheat its users, right?
Caught in that peculiar conviction, I ultimately succumbed to my urge, firmly using my points.
And as for the result of my impulsive purchase—.
“O?”
I felt something surrounding my body twitch, something I hadn’t been conscious of until now.
But that sensation was fleeting, disappearing in an instant.
‘It feels like something has changed…’
And that was all.
… I never expected anything extravagant, yet thinking that I had just burned through 5 million in such a short moment left me feeling a bit empty.
To ease this feeling, I had to confirm that my current expenditure wasn’t in vain.
‘I’ll need to use “Entity Projection” to investigate this further. What’s left of my Karma now…’
Adding up the achievements and rewards, it was about 5.3 million.
Now was the time to engage in rational spending and contemplation.
*
The desert city of Beorsen in the south had suffered immense damage due to the rampage of the Undead King.
While many lives were lost amidst the chaos, a significant number of survivors remained.
Hans had been particularly attentive to the marauding warriors, neglecting the city’s residents he deemed as mere collateral.
Of course, if he had delayed even a bit longer, the aura of death spreading through the air would have dramatically reduced the survivors.
Fortunately, the arrival of a hero party before it was too late prevented the situation from spiraling into the worst-case scenario.
“Hey! Old man! You’re alive!”
“Cough cough— How timely of you! Had you been any later, I might have had to bury corpses!”
“Granny! Are you alright? Anything hurt?”
“Oh, Misty. Yes, thanks to you, I’m safe. You’ve had a rough time.”
Morgana, the great mage and representative of the Southern Delegation, who had sheltered as many residents as possible behind barriers immediately after the calamity began, pushed back her reunion joy and devoted herself to managing the aftermath.
With the warriors’ assistance, recovery efforts in Beorsen began, gradually tightening the grip on the remaining remnants through cooperation with other regions.
“Great Mage! The berserkers are starting to regain their senses!”
“That’s splendid news.”
“Just one thing—due to madness, many are still suffering from side effects. Those who were brainwashed for a long time seem to be particularly bad off…”
“Gather those warriors separately. It may be tough to solve through magic alone, but it shouldn’t be that hard with Harley’s abilities added into the mix.”
Though many problems still required time, the remaining issues could be resolved neatly with their strength alone.
In a sense, the southern matters could be seen as practically resolved.
Meanwhile, as time passed and the chaos began to calm, odd changes started spreading centered around Beorsen, the site of the event.
“Did you see that thing back then?”
“Of course! How could I miss such a ruckus?”
“I’ve never seen such an intense battle in my life.”
“I know, right? I thought such warriors only existed in stories!”
The residents who once supported Balteon and fell for his deceit now felt profound betrayal for having handed their city over to the Undead King.
Naturally, they began to fervently adore Harley, the one who freed them from that same man.
Well, it wasn’t too strange.
The southern custom had always been to idolize great warriors.
“So is that why you’re dressed like that? Trying to imitate the great warrior Harley? Showing up with some rag, it’s quite a surprise.”
“Ahem! It’s not a rag! This is the true warrior attire that boasts the long-standing tradition of the South!”
“Better than those who just flaunt their bellies in old age! Know your place!”
“…Come here, you! Let’s have a match! I’m still stronger than you!”
“Gosh, do you think just because you have that attire you’re as strong as Harley? Alright, let’s give it a shot!”
Yet, alongside that idolization came the revival of the ‘barbarian warrior look,’ which had been declining since the elder generation and was now only seen during traditional festivals—a phenomenon no one saw coming.
The emergence of the superstar Harley suddenly brought about a retro craze.
Of course, for now, it was a story limited to Beorsen, but it was only a matter of time before it spread across the entire South.
“Lately, rumors have been rampant; I wish I could see it for myself. Apparently, Balteon looks like a child when standing next to Harley?”
“That great warrior called Harley from the Special Task Force came from Beorsen this time….”
“Lately, Harley….”
Even now, rumors about him were multiplying and spreading like wildfire…
《The entity has achieved a condition and attained enlightenment. The skill “Kalkose Style Combat Engraving” has evolved into the special skill “Engraving of the Dragon King.”》
