Chapter 2396 – 2396. Eternal Eden
I grabbed the reward for clearing the A-rank dungeon. It was a small bottle made of bone.
Seeing the uniquely shaped bottle, my eyes widened.
‘Could it be the potion I know?’
Even in modern times, recovery potions exist and are considered essential items for hunters, second only to weapons and armor. The top-grade recovery potions I mainly use are also made by alchemists in the real world.
‘You can get recovery potions in the God’s Atlantis world too, but the recovery potions from the real world don’t lose their effectiveness even when used in other worlds.’
The potion-making technology in the real world is quite advanced. Of course, recovery potions aren’t a panacea. They don’t have any significant side effects, but they have limitations.
Their effectiveness decreases with excessive use in a short period. Even the top-grade recovery potions can’t regenerate a severed arm. And unlike external wounds, their efficacy for internal injuries is lower.
‘Besides recovery potions, there are also doping potions. But they’re not as popular as recovery potions.’
The biggest reason is the side effects.
Useful doping potions had side effects. Those without side effects weren’t very effective. And yet, they were quite expensive. So, most hunters don’t use doping potions.
But there are exceptions.
Doping potions obtained as rewards for clearing dungeons, not those made by real-world alchemists.
They have excellent effects and no side effects.
‘This potion is it. The power of the Earth Dragon.’
A doping potion with no side effects. Its effect is the best among existing strength-doping potions. It costs about 7 billion won, and it’s hard to get even if you have the money.
The amount of strength increase varies depending on the user. If a C-rank hunter uses it, their strength increases more than sevenfold. For an A-rank hunter, it’s more than double. The effect lasts for exactly one minute.
It’s called a potion, but it’s more like magic.
‘Since I have a potion copier, I got one for free. It’s a 1+1 deal just for me.’
Especially, strength-doping potions are very useful for me, so I’m even happier.
For combat? Of course, that’s not bad either. That’s what it’s originally for.
But the first use that comes to my mind is for my inventory. The conditions for putting things in the inventory. It has to be mine, and I have to be able to lift it.
‘Right now, if I use all my mana, I can somehow lift up to 2 tons.’
I can easily lift a supercar that weighs a little over 1 ton, so I can store it in my inventory.
‘I want to put fighter jets in there. But most of them weigh over 10 tons. Helicopters are better.’
There are lightweight helicopters under 1 ton, but they don’t look cool. What I want is an attack helicopter.
‘The famous Apache helicopter weighs 5 tons, right? That’s when it’s just a shell.’
If you add weapons and fuel, it weighs even more.
‘If I take the Earth Dragon’s Power potion, I can put an attack helicopter in my inventory. One minute? I can put in dozens.’
There were no conditions for taking things out of the inventory. Once you put it in, that’s it.
Of course, buying an attack helicopter is difficult. At least, it’s impossible in Korea. The same goes for the US.
‘Right now, there are wars in Africa and the Middle East, so it’s easy to meet arms dealers or brokers.’
Africa is called the kingdom of monsters because there are so many monsters.
In the Middle East, wars between people are bigger than monsters.
‘Well, it’s easier to get one in the Eternal Eden world than in the real world. But… the problem is that I can’t bring real-world items into the Eternal Eden world. The opposite is possible, though.’
Besides, I was weak in the Eternal Eden world. I probably couldn’t even lift 1 ton. A helicopter would be impossible.
I was thinking about this and that when Han Ah-young and Ciel approached.
“You worked hard, Yoo-jin. It didn’t seem like you needed any help at all? The reward was the Earth Dragon’s Power, right? You’re lucky.”
“Hah. It wasn’t that difficult.”
My hands and feet were shaking a little, but I still had some energy left. Besides, I didn’t even use full recovery.
“You’ve worked hard. Mr. Sung Yoo-jin’s potential seems enough to be a candidate for S-rank. I, Ciel Russell, guarantee it and will report it to the World Hunter Association.”
Ciel approached.
I paused for a moment, looking at her pink hair. She was flawless. For now, I have no idea how to approach her. I also lacked information about her.
‘I should postpone approaching her for now.’
“Is the S-rank candidate announced immediately?”
“No. It will take at least two days. The final approval of the World Hunter Association President is required. Mr. Sung Yoo-jin, I will guarantee it with my name, so it’s certain that you will become an S-rank candidate.”
“I’d rather not have it announced publicly.”
“Why?”
“It attracts too much attention. It’s annoying if I get too much attention every time I go to the convenience store.”
Han Ah-young nodded beside me. She recalled the time when she was an S-rank candidate. Back then, her popularity was more than that of a top celebrity.
“That’s right. I had a hard time because of that. Broadcasting stations contacted me every day, other large guilds made various offers, and even special agents from other countries approached me? Even ordinary people recognized me, so it was hard to go to the convenience store.”
I had to go on dates with Han Ha-rin and other girls, but ordinary people would stick to me asking for autographs? Just imagining it was annoying.
“I understand. I will suggest that to the World Hunter Association. But everyone who needs to know, like the Korean Hunter Association, will know.”
“Of course, they should.”
That way, I could also receive national support as an S-rank candidate.
“If you become an S-rank candidate, the country and the association will support you in various ways. I was able to get stronger quickly thanks to that. But… don’t just accept everything they give you. They all become debts.”
Han Ah-young said with a bitter smile. The reason she works so hard is partly because of that. Because she received a lot of support from the association.
“Okay. Thanks for the advice, sis.”
Of course, I have no intention of blocking what’s coming. Support? I’ll take it all. And when I become S-rank… I’ll just pretend I don’t know.
‘I’m S-rank, what are they gonna do?’
I’ll just suck up their support.
We left the dungeon. We parted ways with Ciel. She had to report to the World Hunter Association.
“Sis, is Ciel high-ranking in the World Hunter Association?”
“Maybe? She doesn’t tell me the details, but… she seemed to have quite a lot of authority within the World Hunter Association.”
The absolute hypnosis sticker came to mind. If I could hypnotize her with an absolute hypnosis sticker like Baek Ji-eun, wouldn’t it be easier in many ways? I could also get internal information from the World Hunter Association.
‘I don’t have the 3,000 points to buy an absolute hypnosis sticker right now.’
After that, I went to Han Ha-rin’s house with Han Ah-young. I enjoyed a 3P with Black and White Twin Treasures after a long time.
• • •
[You have selected Eternal Eden.]
[The game begins.]
I entered the Eternal Eden world.
The first thing to do is to check the inventory. The items in the inventory hadn’t disappeared. But due to the penalty, I couldn’t take them out. The same goes for items from the [Eternal Eden] world. Once you put them in the inventory, you can take them out in other worlds.
‘It’s annoyingly troublesome. If I want a cola, I have to go to the fridge instead of taking it out right away.’
I shook my head.
And in this world, cola is a rare and precious drink. This world is heading towards destruction. TV is still on, and trade with other countries continues, but… how long will that last?
I can feel that the world is going to shit just by looking out the window.
‘January 5, 2024. It’s snowing like crazy.’
It’s winter, so it’s natural for it to snow. But it’s a different story if it’s a blizzard where the snow piles up to your thighs. Outside the window, all I can see is white snow. And it keeps snowing. The temperature is -7 degrees.
This isn’t Gangwon-do, it’s Seoul. It’s out of the ordinary for this much snow to fall. And the temperature has dropped drastically.
‘The summit between South and North Korea is on January 7. They were supposed to fly to Pyongyang, North Korea, but… if the weather continues like this, the plane won’t be able to take off. The same goes for helicopters.’
The summit was likely to be canceled.
‘But the fact that the cancellation hasn’t been announced yet means… the leaders of South and North Korea want the summit. Well, it’s a real war-like atmosphere, so that’s understandable. They wouldn’t want that.’
If the weather is good on the day, the plane or helicopter will take off, and the summit will proceed.
Outside, people wearing work clothes and holding shovels appeared. They started snow removal work at Sungak Elementary School before more snow piled up.
‘With the current technology, we can easily make snow removal machines, but… it’s a waste of resources to invest in snow removal machines. We can just make those lazy bastards do the snow removal work.’
They’re not working without pay. It’s a very small amount, but they will be paid. And they’ll use the money to buy candles or firewood. Those with a lot of money will buy electric heaters. Electricity bills are separate.
Currently, Sungak Elementary School was a small society. A small society where I exist as the owner. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s my territory.
“Yoo-jin.”
While I was blankly watching the people struggling with snow removal, Na Chae-young, who had entered the room, called me. A busty woman in a white gown.
“Oh, Chae-young, Chae-young. What’s up? You’re out of the lab even though it’s still morning?”
“The electricity consumption has increased rapidly due to the recent weather. The electricity stored in the batteries is about to run out.”
“Ah. I see.”
There is a generator in Sungak Elementary School, but it’s not running. I supply electricity instead of the generator to save fuel.
Usually, I charge the super-large battery once a week. Until now, that was enough. It was unexpected that it was already running low when there were still two days left until the next charge.
“Well, I can just recharge it.”
“Please do. It’s a big deal if the lab equipment stops working even once. There are backup batteries, but it’s better to prevent any emergencies.”
I headed to the electrical room on the third floor. I placed my hand on the battery and sent electricity. It was important to maintain a constant voltage. If the voltage is too high, the battery will explode.
It was the most boring and tiring task. I was standing there blankly, charging the battery, when Na Chae-young’s urgent voice came from the ceiling speaker.
-Yoo-jin! It’s a big problem! Dozens of Mu Hounds have crossed the fence and invaded Sungak!
Mu Hounds.
One of the mutated forms of dogs. They have the form of a dog, but their skin is red, and they are faster and stronger than ordinary dogs. They are extremely aggressive and more dangerous than wolves. Surprisingly, they don’t have a good sense of smell, but they have excellent hearing.
It’s difficult for ordinary people to fight Mu Hounds without firearms.
‘In the original game, invasion events happened all the time. So, it’s not surprising.’
I continued charging the battery and asked.
“How did they cross the fence?”
-The snow has piled up. It’s almost 1m or more outside. And the more you step on the snow, the harder it gets.
“They jumped over the fence by stepping on the snow. Even so, it’s strange that they suddenly attacked. Those bastards don’t usually attack human territories.”
As a hunter by profession, I knew the characteristics of the mutants in this world to some extent.
-The leader seems to be a variant. The regular Mu Hounds can be handled by the Holy Guard. But… the variant is still too much. We don’t have the weapons for that. We need your power.
“No, the Holy Guard can handle it. If they die, I can just revive them. It’s a good opportunity to gain experience.”
-Yoo-jin. There are too many eyes watching. You know. Not everyone in Sungak Elementary School is a true believer of the Sungjin Church who follows you.
The ability to revive people could be known to the whole world. If that happened, I would become the target of the whole world. I didn’t have the power to handle that yet.
“…Damn it.”
I clicked my tongue and ran out of the electrical room.
