Chapter 242: A Bigger Deal (2)

Kang Min-Gu’s attire was quite different from the last time Kai had seen him in the in-game office. At that time, he had been wearing a business suit that didn’t suit a fantasy game, but now he was clad in armor and carrying a sword, unmistakably looking like a warrior.

“It hasn’t been long at all. You arrived faster than I expected.”

“I should have come to find you first, but I lacked foresight. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“Thank you. Honestly, I might’ve felt a little disappointed otherwise.” Kai, smiling warmly, tapped the spot beside him as he sat down. “Please, take a seat first.”

“

Oh

... yes.”

Kang Min-Gu was taken aback after looking at the stone floor, then hurriedly nodded and sat down. He was someone who, ever since his rise to success, had only used soft sofas or beds. The sensation of the cold, rough stone beneath him was completely unfamiliar.

Taking advantage of Kang Min-Gu’s moment of discomfort, Kai got straight to the point. “You were looking for me because of the gold, right?”

“Pardon?

Oh

, yes. I’m here regarding the gold you currently possess.” Kang Min-Gu reflexively nodded at the abrupt question and continued, “Kai, do you happen to know the daily transaction volume at the exchange office?”

“

Hmm

.” Kai, pondering for a moment, replied with an uncertain tone. “I’m not sure. I’d guess around 10,000 gold?”

“There’s some daily variation, but it averages about 30,000 gold.”

30,000 gold. At 100,000 won per gold, that amounted to roughly 3 billion won in a single day. That was the volume of funds passing through the exchange office in just one day.

“Our headquarters places utmost importance on the management of the exchange office. If even a single bug were to occur, the losses would be catastrophic. Because of this, although players are unaware, the daily transaction limit at the exchange office is capped at 50,000 gold.”

“50,000 gold,

huh

... What happens if someone requests an exchange beyond that amount?”

“At that moment, the entire system of the exchange office is configured to shut down.”

“I see.”

Kai finally understood why Kang Min-Gu had rushed here so urgently.

The total gold I currently hold is...

It was an enormous amount, roughly 127 times the daily gold exchanged. If Kai casually exchanged even just 50,000 gold, the exchange office system would shut down.

That would be utter chaos.

The reason why

MID Online

had such active item and cash trades was simple.

You can easily exchange gold for cash anywhere, and anytime, through the exchange office.

Unlike older games, buying in-game items was now considered a form of investment. Moreover, since Pegasus Corporation managed it directly, it boasted the highest level of trust. But what if that trust were to falter even once, even for just a few minutes?

That’s when the headaches would start.

Humans were highly imaginative and easily frightened creatures. No matter how many announcements Pegasus Corporation would release, once the seed of distrust had been planted in the players’ minds, it would never be fully erased.

“So, what exactly does Pegasus Corporation expect me to do?”

“We will raise the daily transaction limit at the exchange office specifically for you. However, this adjustment will take about a week to implement. In the meantime, we ask that you refrain from using the exchange office.”

“I’ve already exchanged 3,000 gold, though.”

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with the daily transaction limit, it’s fine.”

“I see. Still, a week of this is going to be quite inconvenient.”

Give and take. It was a demand for compensation.

“In exchange for enduring a short inconvenience, I’ll provide you with information.”

“What kind of information?”

“Two pieces of information. These are essential for you and impossible to obtain within the game, no matter how hard you try.”

“Deal.”

From Kai’s perspective, all he had to do was hold onto his gold for a week. In return, he would receive two pieces of information, making it a perfect zero-risk, high-reward deal.

“The first is about your territory. Do you often check the territory management interface?”

“Yes, I check it from time to time.”

“Then you must already know that territories have ranks.”

Of course, Kai was aware of this. Whenever he opened the management screens for his three territories, their ranks were displayed.

When Kai nodded, Kang Kang Min-Gu faintly smiled. “But I’m guessing you don’t know the benefits of upgrading a territory’s rank.”

“There are benefits tied to territory ranks?”

“Yes. We don’t include any detail in this game without purpose.”

Libertia’s territory rank was rising at a remarkable pace.

But as for benefits... Does it just mean higher taxes?

Kai gave him a look that demanded an explanation.

“The first benefit is word of mouth. As the rank of your territory rises, its reputation spreads further among NPCs.”

“That would bring more people in, wouldn’t it?”

“Exactly. Naturally, your territory’s income will also increase. However, the most important aspect of a territory’s rank is that it determines the territory’s value.”

“Value?”

“Yes. When a territory reaches rank B, it is promoted to a city. At rank A, it becomes a metropolis. And at rank S, it could even serve as the capital of a nation.”

“A capital?” Kai’s eyes lit up.

“Yes. Once a territory reaches rank S, the player can declare independence from their current nation.”

Independence. In other words, it meant breaking away from their nation to establish their own kingdom.

“Does declaring independence mean the nation automatically allows it?”

“Of course not. They would outright refuse. The player would have to negotiate or defend their kingdom by force.”

In short, they would set the stage, but what happened afterward was up to the player.

“So, how does a territory’s rank increase?”

“It’s determined by factors like the territory’s size, population, tax revenue, and the number of visitors. All of these contribute to its rank.”

“In other words, if the land is large, has many model taxpayers, and attracts generous tourists, the rank goes up?”

“That’s one way to interpret it.”

Kai grinned at Kang Min-Gu’s reluctant response.

Well, in that case, I’ll need to pay more attention to Haveros and Arkan too.

Though he hadn’t visited them personally, according to the community, those two territories were quite ordinary. Naturally, they weren’t places people would go out of their way to visit.

Those two territories also need a strong concept like Libertia.

Libertia had the concept of being a city for the demi-humans. So, what concepts would suit the other two territories?

As Kai was deep in thought, Kang Min-Gu said, “The second piece of information is advice regarding one of the titles you possess.”

“Title?”

“Yes. Specifically, I’d like to discuss the Episode Conqueror title. Of course, you must have your reasons for not using it yet.”

The Episode Conqueror title was one of two titles he had earned after defeating Zatan.

I completely forgot about it.

He hadn’t even read the effects of Episode Conqueror or the other title Disaster Destroyer.

Under Kang Min-Gu’s gaze, Kai awkwardly opened the title book.

[Episode Conqueror]

Rank: Special

Description: A title awarded to the one who defeats the main episode boss.

Effect: Using the Spirit of a Hero, it allows a one-time private meeting with any desired NPC, without any conditions.

[Disaster Destroyer]

Rank: Special

Description: A title awarded to the one who defeats Zatan, the master of deceiters.

Effect: +10% to all attack power (This effect remains even when title is unequipped).

Kai suppressed the scream that almost escaped his lips.

What kind of effect is this?!

A 10% increase in all attack power. One-tenth of all the specs Kai had built up so far would be increased. It went without saying that he had never seen or even heard of an effect like this.

And the Conqueror title... By allowing a private meeting with any NPC means...

If Kai wanted to meet the emperor of an empire, it meant the meeting would happen instantly.

“

Hm?

Kai, you’re trembling. Are you alright?” Kang Min-Gu asked, staring strangely at Kai, whose whole body was shaking with excitement.

“

Oh

, I’m fine. I was just vividly recalling the moment I earned these titles.”

“I see. I also watched the Zatan raid livestream as it happened. It was truly an incredible fight.”

“Thank you. So, what’s your advice regarding the Conqueror title’s effect?”

“The capital of the Ogon Empire, a nation that pursues magic and knowledge. If you visit the library there, you can access books that document the great figures of the continent.”

“You’re saying...”

“Yes, some of the individuals recorded there are absolutely impossible to meet through ordinary methods.”

“

Hmm

. In short, you’re advising me to save the Conqueror title’s effect for that moment.”

“Of course, the choice is yours. However, since these figures are so hard to meet, the rewards from meeting them will undoubtedly be significant.”

Kai squinted in doubt. It was hard to tell if Kang Min-Gu’s words were for his benefit or the company’s.

Well, there’s no point in overthinking it. As he said, the decision is mine.

Visiting the library of the Ogon Empire wasn’t a big deal. If it turned out to be a wasted trip, he could simply move on.

“I won’t be using the exchange office for the next week.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Kang Min-Gu stood up, bowed politely, and said goodbye.

In exchange for waiting a single week, Kai had gained valuable information.

***

After his meeting with Kang Min-Gu ended, Han Jung-Woo logged out of the game and found himself deep in thought.

“Money...”

He had become incredibly wealthy overnight. Of course, he had already been well-off before, but now his wealth was at a level that could rival that of a conglomerate. As a result, he seriously contemplated what to do with all that money.

I want to buy a house, but moving sounds like too much hassle, so I’ll pass for now. I don’t go out much, so I don’t need a car... Same goes for clothes.

Despite having plenty of money, he didn’t have anything he particularly wanted to spend it on. Human nature was like that. Just as buying a new weapon made him want to swing it around, having an immense amount of money made him feel like spending it.

After pondering for a while, he suddenly clapped his hands and pulled out his phone.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The call connected before the third ring.

—Jung-Woo.

“Yes, Dad, it’s me.”

The person on the other end was none other than his father.

—What’s going on at this time of day? I thought you’d be gaming right now.

“I just wanted to ask you something.”

—Go ahead.

“Do you remember during dinner a few days ago, you mentioned supporting an orphanage?”

—I did.

Han Jung-Woo’s parents had been regularly supporting an orphanage for years. It was something they had been doing since Han Jung-Woo was a child.

“I used to go with you and mom often to volunteer at the orphanage, but I haven’t been able to lately. So, I thought about it and decided I’d like to provide financial support to help the kids.”

—You do?

His father’s voice was filled with surprise as he asked again in disbelief. But that surprise didn’t last long. Realizing it was none other than his own son, he chuckled softly.

—They say a position shapes the person. It seems you’ve started thinking maturely.

“Honestly, I feel like I’m a bit late to the party.”

—We have a list of places we’ve considered supporting when funds allow. Want me to recommend one?

“I’d appreciate that.”

—Then I’ll send you the address and phone number via text. But remember one thing—supporting someone is not something you do on a whim.

“Come on, I’ve been following you two around since I was a kid.”

He had never forgotten for even a moment the lesson he was taught by his parents to take full responsibility for whatever he undertook.

And, well, I’ve got plenty of money now.

Doing good deeds in the game was, of course, important. Above all, it could increase his Benevolence stats. However, just because he did good deeds in the game didn’t mean he couldn’t do the same in real life.

Ding.

He checked the text message containing the orphanage’s address and phone number and smiled.