God-Tier Enhancement: My Upgrades Never Fail-Chapter 69: Episode 13 _ Tokemon (6)

8.

[+15 Rabbit Suit]

- Grade: Rare

- Required Level: 25

- Restriction: Rabbit

- Defense: 10 (+100)

- Option 1: Agility +2 (+20)

- Option 2: Applies ‘Deep Red Aura’ effect

- Defense +20

- HP Recovery +30%

- HP +10

- On hit, a chance to reduce incoming damage by 10%

[+15 Rabbit Gold Teeth]

- Grade: Rare

- Required Level: 25

- Restriction: Rabbit

- Attack Power: 30 (+300)

- Option 1: Strength +2 (+20)

- Option 2: Applies ‘Deep Red Aura’ effect

- Attack Power +15

- On attack: 3% HP drain

- On attack: chance to inflict Bleed

- Special Option 1: On attack: chance to inflict status ailments (Poison, Confusion, Stun)

The rabbits’ beautiful gear.

From the production stage, he had used expensive materials, so the items turned out to be Rare grade. Once they were enhanced, the result was a squad of monster rabbits that could easily beat players of a similar level.

“This is insane.”

Even Han Simin hadn’t expected results like this. He had been worrying that he might have to personally take the lead and watch over them so the rabbits wouldn’t die, but that concern now felt pathetic.

Biting, tearing, killing, looting. The adorable rabbits, carrying out his orders with 200% efficiency, made his chest swell with pride.

“Damn. That investment paid off.”

Of course, most of the cost had effectively been covered by the enhancement masters, but he had still spent over $100,000 just to make the gear, so in his head, the idea that all of this was thanks to him was firmly entrenched.

“Beautiful. Just beautiful.”

There was no need for him to lift a finger; a single command resolved the entire situation, even though they were wrecking a guild that burned money like water. A battle where a mere tamer’s monsters handled everything on their own.

He walked toward the decimated Kenji Guild.

They had thought they were in a safe zone and let their guard down, and now they had taken far heavier losses than before. If they had all charged in at once, ready to die, the rabbits wouldn’t have come out completely unscathed. Even if the items were +15, the rabbits weren’t decked out from head to toe like Han Simin, and most of the Kenji Guild’s weapons were excellent pieces of gear.

But the fact that they didn’t know the rabbits’ level, habits, or attack patterns had made them hold back from reckless attempts. The complacent thought that they could just run and hunt other monsters had played a part as well.

In any case, the level 28 rabbits had been free to slaughter the Kenji Guild, and once their numbers dropped below a certain point, they no longer had the strength to resist. Running away was unthinkable while Kenji himself was still fighting.

“Well now. Hello, everyone?”

They looked at him in bewilderment.

Once the situation was mostly wrapped up, Simin revealed himself. With only a few people left, including Kenji, they were inevitably surrounded by a ring of rabbits, just like the Specialists had been.

“You all look like you’re having a hard time. Need a hand?”

“I don’t know who you are, but please, we would appreciate it!”

Tsk tsk.

They must have been really desperate. If they had been thinking straight, they would at least have wondered why the rabbits weren’t attacking the person who had appeared in the middle of this mess. But Kenji, focused solely on blocking attacks and staying alive, answered without hesitation, and Han Simin clicked his tongue.

Well, nobody liked dying, whether in a game or in real life.

Simin decided to help.

“Got it. Tokachus, fall back!” he ordered the rabbits.

“Kyuu!”

At his command, the rabbits instantly pulled back into formation. For a moment, the dozen or so survivors all turned their eyes on Han Simin.

’Who the hell is this bastard?’

That was what their looks conveyed. It was a gaze he was very familiar with—and, in a way, happy to see.

“Who are you?!” they demanded.

“Wow. The way you switch your tone the moment you catch your breath is on another level. Must be what being ranked number one does for you.”

“...Is this your doing?” Kenji caught himself and tried to take his words back. Even now, his stream was running. And it wasn’t as if there were only a few people watching.

“Well, they are my rabbits, but I didn’t tell them to do this...”

Like hell he hadn’t. They had all clearly heard him shout for them to bite. Kenji was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even find words to argue.

“Don’t look at me like that. You’re making me feel like the bad guy here.” Simin expressed.

“...Do you really think you’ll get away with this? We’ll have you listed on the FW forums as a random PKer, and our guild will take revenge on you until the day you quit.”

“Go ahead.”

He wasn’t scared in the slightest. The only thing that could scare him was if the rich stopped having anything to buy from him.

But he had plenty to sell, including the Ring of Blessing and his newly formed rabbit army to start.

For wealthy players who wanted to cut down on the hassle of playing, Han Simin was not someone whose reputation would be ruined by a few angry posts.

“If you do that, you’ll be the ones losing out.”

Simin continued, “The EXP ring. You’ve been looking for it, right?”

Simin smiled at Kenji, who was trembling with rage, and slowly raised his left hand.

Kenji’s expression shifted ever so slightly, and he asked, “That’s... yours?”

“This is what you get for picking a fight with innocent players. Tsk, tsk. You started this, so don’t hold it against me.”

It could have been a lie, but the overflowing confidence in Simin’s voice made Kenji believe him.

“How did you... What level are you?”

The thought struck him so forcefully that he blurted out the question, momentarily forgetting that his own guild members had just been wiped out.

That was the kind of man Kenji was: a businessman. In the game, he threw around sums of money that made people gasp, but in reality, he earned even more with a cold, calculating mind. Naturally, he was always ready to treat yesterday’s enemy as today’s ally.

“Oh?”

This was a welcome development for Simin, who had only planned to put in a half-hearted effort before casually pitching his services.

Kenji asked, “Would you be willing to sell that ring?”

“Of course.”

“Oh! I’m prepared to pay any price—”

“But I’m not selling it. I only offer it as part of an hourly service.” Simin continued, “$300 an hour. If you’re interested, get in touch later.”

Kenji’s face twisted into a scowl. While he was still processing the offer, Simin, having finished his business, issued another command to the rabbits.

They charged again, rushing in and tearing into the remaining players.

In the end, only Kenji was left standing.

“What are you trying to pull?”

“I told you. This is payback for killing the Specialists.”

He had never said it outright, but simply mentioning them was a hint enough. That, however, didn’t seem to be the source of Kenji’s displeasure.

“If you’re going to kill me, then do it. Don’t waste my time.” Kenji said.

“That’s my call. Honestly, I’d love to take your money and let you live, but my VIP clients are pretty loaded themselves. Just wait a bit.” Simin answered.

It didn’t take long for Kenji to understand. After a short wait, the swarm of rabbits parted to reveal a group of players.

“Wow. Those rabbits look sick.” Yeseul shared.

“I’m killing that bastard myself.” Hyeonsu declared.

Seolah looked at Simin. “Thank you.”

The Specialists had arrived from the city.

It was a signal, declaring an all-out war with the Kenji Guild.

* * *

In the end, Kenji died.

It was a revenge that left only wounds in its wake.

“So much for easy hunting now, huh?”

“We were holding back a lot to begin with.”

“True. When have we ever just sat around grinding like this? We always leveled up while dealing with whatever guild picked a fight with us.”

War with the Kenji Guild was inevitable. They would obviously seek revenge for the forty-eight-hour lockout, the levels they would have to grind back, and the blow to their pride.

It was going to be a long, drawn-out war. Neither side was the type to back down after going ‘just far enough.’

It might not end until one side was completely wrecked and practically forced to quit the game, and there was a good chance it wouldn’t be decided in a day or two.

“Starting today, anyone who uses our service gets a special Safe Guard escort against troublemakers, so you can hunt without worry.”

They were speechless. Simin had struck a nerve.

The rabbits would be hunting in his place anyway, so any players who showed up could just be treated as bonus income.

There was definitely risk involved for him as well, but where in the world could you make money without risk? If word spread that he could handle this kind of crisis smoothly, everyone and their mother might start lining up to use his Ring of Blessing.

“My dad would absolutely love you. You’re the kind of guy who could sell sand in the desert,” Yeseul told Simin.

“Thanks. To think the chairman of a conglomerate would think so highly of me. If the game ever tanks, I guess I’ll just start a company.”

“Yeah, I’ll cash out everything I own and invest in you.”

Kang Yeseul spoke in awe, her words filled with gratitude.

They had already died once and had been suffocating, unable to leave the city walls despite their pride as the strongest players in the game.

Their already formidable pride was now fueling an even greater desire to get stronger, faster.

And in the midst of all that, the same Simin who charged them for literally everything was now offering free protection.

Their eyes were practically sparkling.

If it had been just Yeseul, she might have turned him down, but Jeong Seolah’s gaze was also warm, so he straightened his shoulders and basked in their approval.

’Humans really are simple.’

This was why Simin didn’t hand out favors easily. Favors given too freely quickly became entitlements, while those given rarely were etched twice as deeply in the memory.

And this was trust he had earned with a service that hadn’t cost him a single coin.

“Then, how about we push to level fifty? Kenji’s guys were kind enough to recommend a great hunting ground on their way out, so let’s just stay here.” Simin stated.

“Yes, let’s do that. Please take us straight to fifty,” Seolah said.

“Don’t worry. I won’t be going anywhere even if I wanted to.”

He had to strike while the iron was hot. Full of goodwill, the Specialists began preparing to hunt.

Staying put and playing in the same hunting ground where they had just slaughtered everyone was an obvious provocation, but somehow, watching the rabbits pull items from the leather pouches on their belts was oddly reassuring.

And they admitted it: at this point in time, Simin was an insurmountable wall. He was a Legendary-grade enhancement master and tamer. Luck or not, the fact that he had climbed this high was a testament to his own skill.

They acknowledged that and accepted his help, believing that if they grew under his wing, the day would come when they would surpass him.

“We’re currently level 41. That’s nine levels to fifty, so let’s cut sleep down to two hours, assume three days per level, and aim to hit our target within a month.”

“Ughhh. Hell is starting.”

“One month. After that, we gear up.”

“I like that attitude. As a special favor, if you bring me a hundred enhancement jobs, I’ll knock about one gold coin off the total.”

To an outsider, a month sounded like a grueling sentence, but for those who had steeled themselves—and for Simin, who was determined to rake in every last coin—it didn’t sound long at all.

“Let’s go!”

Their endurance training began.

9.

A month later, after calculating the amount he was due, Simin suddenly shouted.

“Holy shit. I should buy a house.”

A day or two was fine. A week, even two, was still bearable. But after spending an entire month in the same hunting ground, staring at the same monsters all day, he genuinely felt like he was going to lose his mind.

If not for the ability to zone out and empty his head—a skill he had learned in the army—he might not have endured even that.

It was the same for the others.

“Unni, let’s take just two days off. I need to hit a club. After listening to nothing but monster screams, I’m starting to hear things.”

“Let’s do that. We’re going to wreck our bodies at this rate,” Hyeonsu added.

“Then just two days.”

Even the ever-passionate Jeong Seolah nodded without a single complaint.

They had literally poured their souls into the grind.

Aside from the few hours wasted when the Kenji Guild charged in once or twice for revenge, all they remembered was hunting.

They were almost wishing Kenji’s people would show up again. In any case, they had pushed through a brutal stretch, and all three of them had reached level 50.

Considering that Kenji, who had started his chase late, was only level 47, they had secured at least a ten-day lead.

“Well, good work, everyone.” Simin cheered.

“I’ll transfer the money once I log out,” Seolah told him.

“Sure, no rush.”

“It’s obvious you’re lying when your eyes look like that.” Yeseul pointed out.

“Really?”

They all made a fuss about collapsing into bed for six hours of sleep and logged out.

Left alone, Simin stretched.

He was planning to log out and get some rest as well.

“Simin!”

A voice suddenly called out to him.

’I’m hearing things now.’

It was a man’s voice, so he was about to ignore it without a second thought and log out.

“...It’s Gongheon. We have a bit of a problem.”

’Damn it.’

Simin’s face scrunched up as he scratched his head.

“Where are you?”

He wanted to ignore him, but he and Gongheon had already discussed making a serious, long-term investment in the Rich Territory.

With slumped shoulders, Simin started walking.

* * *

Episode 70