When I opened my eyes in the morning, numerous messages appeared before me.
[Achievement ‘Little Hero’ unlocked.]
[Reward: 5,000 points acquired.]
[Two million citizens feel gratitude for your courage.]
[Reward: 10,000 points acquired.]
[Multiple characters you have yet to encounter feel curious about you.]
[Reward: 3,000 points acquired.]
[Multiple characters you have yet to encounter are wary of you.]
[Reward: 3,000 points acquired.]
“…Wow.”
After just a night’s sleep, I had gained a total of 21,000 points.
This was the first noticeable change following yesterday’s demon subjugation.
I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
[At around 9:30 PM yesterday, just 30 minutes before the Han River Fireworks Festival, a demon outbreak occurred. The incident resulted in the deaths of nine citizens and injuries to twenty-three others. The demon was identified as ‘Jang Han,’ who had been conducting the Seoul Opera Company three weeks prior…]
The news anchor was reporting on yesterday’s incident involving Jang Han’s rampage. Shortly after, CCTV footage was shown, displaying Jang Han’s frenzy and my battle against him.
[The mage who subdued Jang Han has been identified as C-rank mage, ‘Kim Jinwoo.’ Despite being a C-rank, he demonstrated outstanding magic abilities and managed to defeat the demon single-handedly. The Mage Association has announced that they are considering adjusting Kim Jinwoo’s rank.]
“A rank adjustment meeting?”
Does this mean I’ll be promoted to B-rank?
Well, even before my regression, I had received several offers for B-rank promotion.
I had declined them all, worried they might interfere with the storyline.
But now that I plan to actively intervene in the story, a B-rank promotion is more than welcome.
Higher mage ranks come with increased benefits such as reduced fees, greater authority, and better perks.
[…Prior to subjugating the demon Jang Han, Kim Jinwoo had also cleared the ‘Hidden Floor’ of the Tower of Proof, garnering significant interest among mages.]
After the lengthy news report ended, I turned off the TV with a sigh.
“Hoo.”
With this, my alternate identity, Mage Kim Jinwoo, had been introduced to the world.
Since I had gained a lot of attention at once, it was possible that I had caught the eyes of hidden villains lurking in this world.
In the original story, a demon who mourned Jang Han’s death harboured resentment toward Lee Seo-jun and launched a surprise attack.
“…I need to be careful not to get exposed.”
Now that my name was out in the open, I might unknowingly be followed by demons.
If it were just B-rank demons, I could detect and evade them, but if a higher-ranked demon started tailing me, things could get complicated.
“Maybe I should just buy a trait.”
Thinking back, the points I had accumulated from the demon subjugation and the Tower of Proof run were quite substantial.
It might not be a bad idea to purchase a trait as a precaution against potential dangers.
[Entering the Points Shop.]
[Using the search function.]
[Adding ‘Traits’ category.]
[Searching for ‘Detection.’]
━━
▶ [Trait] Killing Intent Detection (A)
▶ [Trait] Sixth Sense Awakening (S)
▶ [Trait] Divine Eye (SS)
…
…
━━
A list of traits appeared before me when I searched for ‘Detection.’
I casually scanned the options and noticed high-ranking S and SS-grade traits such as Sixth Sense Awakening and Divine Eye.
However, those were beyond my reach for now.
S-grade traits required a minimum of 100,000 points.
“This won’t work.”
With my current points, the only trait I could afford was Killing Intent Detection.
I selected it.
━━
[Killing Intent Detection (A)]
Category: Trait
Description: Detects killing intent directed toward you.
[Passive Effect]
▶ Killing Intent Detection
Detects killing intent directed at you regardless of the opponent’s abilities. The maximum detection range is 500 meters.
Price: 50,000 points
━━
“…Ugh.”
As expected of an A-grade trait, it was ridiculously expensive.
I had 50,500 points at the moment, meaning I would have to spend almost everything.
But I couldn’t afford to skip purchasing this trait.
“Alright, let’s buy it.”
Hoarding points wouldn’t mean much if I ended up getting assassinated.
At least with Killing Intent Detection, the chances of dying without realizing it would significantly decrease.
And since I had to navigate the main storyline actively, it was all the more necessary.
“Yeah, survival comes first.”
[Killing Intent Detection (A) has been purchased.]
Spending 50,000 points hurt, but ensuring my survival was the best investment I could make.
After checking out of the hotel, I disguised myself as Kim Jinwoo and stepped outside.
Enjoying the gentle morning breeze for a moment, I got a taxi and travelled for about 20 minutes.
My destination: Gangnam, Seoul.
This area, packed with numerous large guilds and major corporations, was considered Korea’s economic hub.
Standing before a towering skyscraper, I read the sign at the entrance.
[Hanseong Pharmaceuticals]
Hanseong Pharmaceuticals was one of the core subsidiaries of the Hanseong Group and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
It was no exaggeration to say that the majority of potions and elixirs used by mages were produced here.
I had come here for one reason.
To sell the Sacred Bloom I obtained as a reward from the hidden floor yesterday.
Upon entering, I saw many people inside.
There were mages who had come to trade medicinal ingredients and researchers dressed in white lab coats.
A man, who appeared to be an employee, approached me.
“Hello. How may I assist you?”
“I’m here to sell an herb.”
“Ah, do you have a scheduled appointment?”
“No.”
“Then, may I ask what kind of ingredient you’re looking to trade?”
“It’s called Sacred Bloom, but you probably haven’t heard of it.”
At my words, the employee’s smile briefly disappeared. He must have assumed it was nothing special. However, maintaining his professional demeanor, he quickly regained his composure.
“Sacred Bloom… Please follow me this way. I’ll call in an appraisal specialist.”
I shook my head.
“No, I’d prefer someone else to appraise it.”
“…Pardon?”
The employee looked at me with a puzzled expression. I offered him a slight smile.
“I obtained this ingredient as a reward from the Tower. You’ve seen the news, right? About the hidden floor in the Tower of Proof being conquered.”
“…Don’t tell me you’re the mage who took down the demon at the Han River yesterday?”
On the 32nd floor of Hanseong Pharmaceuticals, inside the director’s office.
I glanced around the elegantly decorated office, waiting for someone.
After about three minutes, the door swung open, and a beautiful woman in a white lab coat entered.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Se-yeon, Director of Research and Development at Hanseong Pharmaceuticals.”
She smiled politely and greeted me with a slight nod. She looked far too young to be the director of such a major company—barely in her early twenties.
Her true identity? The youngest daughter of the Hanseong Group’s chairman.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jinwoo Kim.”
Han Se-yeon played a significant role in the original storyline.
Not only because her older brother, Han Se-jin, would later collude with demons and become a major villain, but because her own story held great influence.
“I heard about it on the news yesterday. You single-handedly stopped the demon’s rampage at the festival… You’ve done an incredible thing.”
I smiled faintly.
“It was just something that needed to be done.”
“There are many people who don’t do what needs to be done. What you did was commendable. Please, have a seat.”
We sat across from each other at the table. Se-yeon elegantly tucked her shoulder-length black hair behind her ear and spoke.
“I’ve heard you obtained a unique ingredient from the hidden floor. May I see it for appraisal?”
“Here it is.”
I took the Sacred Bloom and its seeds out of my bag and placed them on the table. Se-yeon examined them with a curious expression.
“I’ve seen countless medicinal herbs, but never anything like this before. You called it Sacred Bloom?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
She nodded and touched the herb gently.
After a brief moment, her smile faded.
“I’m sorry, but this isn’t a medicinal ingredient. It lacks the fundamental mana flow needed to qualify as one.”
She was right. The Sacred Bloom wasn’t classified as a medicinal ingredient—it was purely an enhancer.
“However, it’s intriguing. I can sense a quiet yet powerful energy within. It feels like it could trigger something when combined with other ingredients…”
Oh…
As expected from a future top-tier alchemist.
Just by touching it, she instantly grasped the essence of the Sacred Bloom.
It was clear that her rise to director at the young age of 21 wasn’t simply due to nepotism.
She possessed an innate talent for alchemy.
“That’s correct. The Sacred Bloom has the effect of amplifying the properties of medicine.”
“Amplify medicine’s properties?”
“Yes, I believe it can enhance efficiency by up to 20%.”
She looked at me in disbelief.
“…That’s impossible. No such ingredient has ever been discovered before. And wasn’t this herb only found yesterday? How do you know its effects in such detail?”
“Well, I’ve studied herbs for a long time. I analyzed it on my own last night.”
Was that too shameless?
Se-yeon looked momentarily at a loss for words. After a brief pause, she spoke again.
“…Even if what you say is true, we must verify the herb’s properties and check for any potential side effects before we can proceed with a deal.”
“Of course. However, since I’m short on time, I’d like you to verify it right away.”
She studied me for a moment before nodding and getting up.
“Alright, let’s test it immediately.”
Thirty minutes later.
Se-yeon re-entered the office after finishing the verification.
Her pale cheeks were slightly flushed, and the corners of her mouth twitched, as if she was excited.
“You were right, Mr. Kim. The herb truly enhances medicinal effects. Though it’s a bit tricky to handle, which limits its full potential for now, that’s something we can work on over time… This herb is truly remarkable.”
Then, glancing at me, she spoke.
“But without professional tools, how did you figure out its effects so quickly? You must have been busy dealing with the demon yesterday.”
“As I said before, I’ve studied herbs quite a bit.”
She gave me a skeptical look.
“This isn’t just ‘a bit’ of studying, Mr. Kim. The energy entwined within this herb is incredibly complex. Even our top researchers would need at least two days to fully analyze it.”
I shrugged.
“Guess I got lucky.”
“…Right.”
She looked at me with an sceptical expression, which made me chuckle.
“Anyway, let’s get down to business.”
“Alright. What terms do you have in mind?”
I locked eyes with her and spoke.
“I want 0.005% of Hanseong Pharmaceutical’s shares, and a VIP membership to Hanseong Group’s underground auction.”
“…Excuse me?”
Se-yeon stared at me, dumbfounded.
“You’re joking, right?”
“I’m serious.”
“Do you even realize how much those shares are worth? And an underground auction? We don’t involve ourselves in such illegal activities.”
“Once the Sacred Herb is commercialized, it will dominate the pharmaceutical industry. Shares will be more valuable than money. Besides, I’ll provide you with information you might find useful.”
“Useful information?”
She sneered.
“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing Hanseong Group can’t obtain through its information networks.”
Her confidence was understandable. After all, Hanseong Group owned the country’s largest intelligence guild.
However, the information I had wasn’t about financial markets or business deals.
It was information that could stir up desires.
“Han Se-jin.”
“…?”
“Your older brother, Vice Chairman Han Se-jin—I’ll tell you about his hidden secrets.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Se-yeon’s face.
But she quickly masked it with a twisted smile.
“Please, enough jokes. What would I do with such information? My brother and I have a strong bond…”
“Han Se-yeon.”
I stared into her eyes.
“You want to take over Hanseong Group, don’t you? Even if it means destroying your own family.”
[Character ‘Han Se-yeon’ is now wary of you.]
[You have earned 1,000 points.]
Her face hardened instantly.
“…Who are you?”
The overwhelming greed that ran through the veins of the Han family…
It was the driving force that made Hanseong Group the world’s top corporation.
And Han Se-yeon—
I knew that within her, greed burned stronger than anyone else in the Han family.
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