God-Tier Enhancement: My Upgrades Never Fail-Chapter 124: Episode 24 _ How Much Will You Give Me_(5)

6.

Naturally, the Kenji Guild was also invited to the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony.

They were a guild that had made quite a name for themselves in the Ain Kingdom, and at the same time, they had paid much attention to relationships with NPCs for the sake of the Main Quest.

At the very least, they were one of the top five guilds that came to mind for noble NPCs when they thought of adventurers.

Kenji, who made impossible things reality with sheer money splurging, booked expensive lodging even after coming to the Empire, as if to show off his power.

Despite having over 100 guild members, and despite the rip-off surcharges added during the festival!

"Wow. Sleeping in a nice place. How much is all this? If you gave me this money, I would have let you sleep in an even better place."

Even compared to the Imperial Palace, it didn’t lack at all.

Starting from the scale to the minute details, one wouldn’t dare compare, but considering just the aspect of resolving room and board, he wanted to give a high score to the fact that it was a fairly pleasant space usable only by guild members. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

To sleep in a place like this while spending money like water as if it were nothing.

Indeed, it was no exaggeration to call them the Money-Splurging Guild.

"What brings you here?"

While he was admiring the place, Kenji appeared and asked with a sour expression.

His feelings toward Han Simin couldn’t be good.

"Well, just. I came to see how you were doing. Believe it or not, I’m the Emperor’s son-in-law."

He remained unimpressed.

So what?

Since it was a fact he knew, there was no look of respect or envy.

Certainly, that was a story completely unrelated to Kenji!

It was an unchanging reality, and from Kenji’s perspective, since there was no way to take it away right now, it might be much better for his mental health not to hear about it.

"If you have nothing to say, please leave."

"Ayy. Why are you being like this? Between us. I even deliberately left behind the people who make you uncomfortable."

He did not respond.

Kenji’s face crumpled at the sight of him winking one eye.

He wasn’t stupid enough not to understand what that meant.

The Specialists.

He must be talking about the group he always traveled with.

And by deliberately not bringing them, with whom the Kenji Guild had severe friction, he intended to convey that he wanted a conversation.

A consideration that wasn’t really a consideration, perhaps.

However, Kenji now found Han Simin more detestable than the Specialists and thought that if he could kill him, he would kill him until he quit the game.

At first, the Specialists were his rivals, but now he knew that everything had started with Han Simin.

The Ring of Blessing!

Enhancement!

And countless other things.

It was safe to say that more than 70% of the Specialists’ current growth and martial power came from Han Simin’s abilities.

Not only did just three of them show tremendous hunting speed and maintain the level gap, but they even widened it, hunting monsters of a higher level than the Kenji Guild, which hunted in units of 100.

If Han Simin hadn’t existed, would that have been possible?

He could assert that it wouldn’t.

Of course, the ability of the Specialist guild alone was worth acknowledging, but only up to that point.

So, having realized reality, Kenji began to be wary of Han Simin.

’What kind of trick is he trying to pull this time?’

What was scarier was that he was a guy who could sleep with the enemy for money.

Weren’t more than 80% of the Kenji Guild’s users still using weapons or armor enhanced by Han Simin last time?

Making such a person a partner could help them grow, but at the same time, they were a target to be wary of.

A person who maintained neutrality from a position Kenji couldn’t reach and took profits.

"Don’t look at me like that. It’s all a game; do you think I did it because I liked it? I have to enhance things and sell items to make a living, what can I do? Although I am technically a Specialist, I’m kind of like a freelancer, so don’t be too guarded. Let’s do a transaction we both want, believing that what’s good is good."

He stared blankly.

And then there was the man approaching him so naturally that even Kenji found himself nodding along.

Han Simin sidled up next to him, whispering slyly in the tone of a seasoned insurance salesman.

"Honestly, for me, whoever pays more is best. What does guild affiliation matter?"

Kenji remained silent.

"You might be lagging a bit right now, but let’s be real—you have way more money. You have to look at the future. The future."

He found himself nodding before he even realized it!

Although he didn’t like Han Simin, this was exactly what Kenji had been thinking.

Eventually, the gap would be overturned.

What was certain was that in 『Fantastic World』—this second reality—conquering the continent with just three people was simply impossible.

"So, speaking of which, I happen to possess an item essential for designing that very future."

"...An item?"

"Yes. Something that will really tempt you."

The moment Simin gained empathy, he struck hard.

Before Kenji could even form a judgment, Simin boldly revealed the item.

"A title of nobility in the Empire. How about it? Tempting, right?"

Kenji was struck speechless.

"Although it’s only a Baron title, growing it from there depends on your ability. You get a territory, become a noble, raise your contribution points, and it happens. Actually, that part isn’t hard. The real problem is becoming a noble in the first place."

"How can you..."

’How can you possibly give that?’

His vow never to be swayed, made with eyes full of disdain, didn’t last even ten seconds.

A noble!

It was the first prerequisite Kenji needed to solve to rise to the highest position in the game and reign over the players!

"How about it? Tempting, right?"

Kenji couldn’t find the words.

He couldn’t deny it.

He couldn’t refute it, either.

As a businessman, he knew better than anyone that the moment you showed weakness, you became the subordinate party. But Han Simin’s sudden ambush was a fatal blow to him in his defenseless state.

Moreover, if it were a noble title, it was an item he was willing to pay any amount for.

"How much is it?"

Kenji admitted it.

He didn’t like Han Simin, but the item he offered was sufficiently attractive.

He was ready to swallow his pride, just like when he paid him for enhancements.

No, he had already swallowed it.

Before he knew it, the disdainful look in his eyes toward Han Simin had vanished, replaced by the demeanor of a Guild Master conducting a transaction in a public setting.

"Well. I haven’t thought about the price yet."

Then, Han Simin began to perform his role as the seller to the fullest.

What sheer audacity!

It was a remark maximizing his leverage as the one holding all the cards.

It was the phrase a buyer hated hearing the most.

’Make an offer.’

Whatever price he named, the seller would ask for more, but if he named a price too low, the other side might refuse the deal altogether.

He knew the seller had a desired price but was holding out because he knew it was a one-of-a-kind item!

But Kenji was an expert.

He was a man who maintained his composure and coolly closed deals even when hundreds of billions were changing hands.

"I will give you 10,000 gold."

$1 million!

An amount that would make a seller trying to test the waters gasp.

It would be higher than any reasonable estimate, and he wouldn’t dare dream of haggling.

Even the tyranny of a seller holding a rare item wouldn’t be able to withstand this attack.

The moment Simin wavered, the power dynamic would flip.

’There’s no way a guy like him can resist.’

Kenji snorted inwardly.

In fact, there was no reason to bid up to $1 million.

Even if it was a noble title, it was only a Baron, and even considering it was from the Empire, it was something he could eventually earn with his abilities.

However, the reason he was buying it now was that shortening that much time would allow him to widen the gap with other players significantly.

The price he originally thought of was about $300,000.

He spent a little more money just because he wanted to crush the nose of that annoying Han Simin.

This amount wasn’t even a big hit to him.

A raised chin.

He looked down at Han Simin.

No doubt he was standing there with a vacant expression, agonizing over what to buy with $1 million.

Kenji looked puzzled.

’Huh?’

Unfortunately, his prediction missed the mark.

There was no joy or happiness to be found on Han Simin’s face.

"10,000 gold is only $1 million?"

Kenji blinked in confusion.

’Only?’

’Did I hear that wrong?’

Han Simin drove a wedge into the confused Kenji.

"Ay. I thought you were a big spender, but I’m disappointed. This isn’t a Baron title in some backwater countryside kingdom; it’s an Imperial noble title that works like a VIP pass even in other kingdoms, and you’re offering only one billion?"

Kenji was dumbfounded.

To think he didn’t waver even a little!

"If the price is only that much, it’s a shame. I thought we could have a good conversation. Take care."

Actually, it was a natural reaction.

From the start, Han Simin had come with the intention of bleeding Kenji dry.

Of course, $1 million was a bit more than he expected, but that didn’t mean he could afford to waver there!

He almost wavered, but thanks to the $6.1 million skill book from last time, he was able to endure.

"Wait!"

A scene seen often somewhere.

In novels or dramas, the desperate person always holds the other back in moments like this.

And Kenji was no exception.

"How much do you want?"

"That depends on your capacity, Kenji. Actually, 10,000 gold is tempting, but I feel like I could get more if I put it up for auction. It’s not like it’s an item I have to sell right away."

In a way, a title was a license.

A license to become a building owner!

Considering the money earned from Han Simin’s territory currently, it was an amount that was by no means wasteful.

"Can I think about it and contact you again?"

"By all means."

Kenji, with a complicated expression, postponed the deal.

From his perspective, the situation was too twisted to proceed with the transaction right now.

He desperately wanted it, but at the same time, spending more than that amount was burdensome.

Han Simin nodded cheerfully.

The traps he had set for the deal didn’t end here.

Tomorrow, when all the adventurers were gathered, Kenji would surely become convinced that he wanted to buy it.

* * *

Upon returning, Han Simin immediately proceeded with the next transaction.

“He offered 10,000 gold.”

The Specialists fell silent.

“Wow. Expensive.”

Although they expected it, the Specialists were surprised by the price, which was higher than they thought.

Of course, it wasn’t an absurd price.

In 『Fantastic World』, a class-based society, entering the top percentage as a player was worth that much.

If looking several years ahead, buying a position for a few hundred million might not be that expensive.

Even in reality, politicians didn’t hesitate to pour billions into securing a position for just a few years.

The second-generation chaebol heirs, who had seen such sights since childhood, nodded.

“I want to try being a noble, too.”

Since he promised to give it at half price, that meant $500,000!

Even though it was a matter of swallowing $1.5 million for free since there were three of them, Han Simin acted as if he were doing them a huge favor.

“Actually, I was going to sell it for five times more, but there’s no need to rip you off between us, and I think I’ll receive a lot of help later, so I’ll do it for 5,000 gold.”

An excellent transaction.

Gaining trust from colleagues and money from suckers!

“Please deposit it tomorrow after you receive the title.”

There was a slight feeling of loss, and the temptation to ask for a little more was constant, but he held back.

After all, he could just rip the money off Kenji tomorrow.

* * *

The next day.

The Emperor and the princess appeared once again at the place where the coming-of-age ceremony had taken place.

And even the nobles.

The difference from yesterday was that the nobles were sitting in the observation seats, and this time, the players were lined up.

“I am pleased to see the adventurers who are being of great help to the continent. With the hope that you will devote yourselves even more to the continent in the future, I intend to bestow Imperial titles upon a few of you. Also, we plan to hold a tournament to select the best warrior among the continent’s adventurers in the near future, so I hope for your active participation. First, I bestow the title of Baron upon three people.”

The Emperor spat out information that would tempt the players in a solemn voice, and with his final words, three people went up onto the podium.

A glorious position!

Envious gazes poured in, and at the same time, some frowned.

Kenji ground his teeth.

Among them, Kenji, who had the foulest expression, looked at Han Simin, who was acting lovey-dovey next to the princess.

Just then, Han Simin waved his hand at him.

It was a long distance, but Kenji could read the shape of his mouthing lips.

’How much will you give me?’

* * *