Your Commander-in-Chief

A peculiar farming craze began in Deron. It was all due to the newly introduced equipment transcendence system.

To transcend equipment, you needed an item called Transcendence Stone, which had a low drop rate in the New Area.

That’s right. It could only be obtained through drops.

You grow your weapons using the Transcendence Stones. It looked like an enhancement system common in other games, but since every stage of equipment transcendence guaranteed a 100% success rate, the backlash wasn’t too severe.

At 3 AM in Korea.

It was time for ordinary players to hit the sack.

I stared in disbelief at the massive crowd before me.

As news spread that Transcendence Stones were dropping in the Hunting Ground, users from all over the world began flocking there.

They weren’t progressing through the main quest. This newly arrived content was monetizable. They were here to make some gold.

I never thought so many people would gather…

I suddenly felt the impact of the server merging.

Standing there anxiously in front of the Hunting Ground, Helena returned after stepping away for a moment.

“Why are you standing there?”

“Um… I wanted to max out my weapon before continuing the main quest.”

“If that’s the case, I can help you.”

Helena said this and pulled a Transcendence Stone from her inventory, placing it in my hand.

[Weak Transcendence Stone x30]

“W-what’s this?”

“I got it earlier.”

I blankly stared up at Helena. Where on earth did she find so many Transcendence Stones?

All the cheap ones listed in the Auction House were sold out.

The few still available were priced absurdly high.

I used the Auction House system to check the average selling price of the Transcendence Stones.

As a result, I discovered that each little stone held a value between 200 to 300 gold.

And the prices were still climbing. Supply could not keep up with demand. Price increases were only natural.

“Uh, how much did you buy these for? They’re going to drop in value fast since they’re the lowest grade…”

“I didn’t pay much. Some acquaintances got them for me.”

“The, those people don’t need them?”

“No.”

I blankly nodded at Helena’s words.

It’s amazing that such kind-hearted people exist in the world. Maybe the world is still a warm place after all.

But I couldn’t accept so many. I shook my head and returned the Transcendence Stones to Helena.

“Take it. Don’t feel burdened.”

“But…”

“I want you to take them, Yeo. Don’t you like my gift?”

Helena tightly grasped my hand and asked.

I barely shook my head. I didn’t dislike it. In fact, I was so pleased that I felt like smiling.

Wasn’t I receiving too much from Helena?

A true friend should know how to reciprocate, not just receive.

But there was nothing I could give Helena. All I had was this beautiful body and my exceptional gaming skills.

“If it’s a burden, should we call it a loan?”

“A l-loan?”

“Yeah. Just use the Transcendence Stones now, and return them later after you find some. With the same items, of course.”

The value of the Transcendence Stones now and then would probably not be the same.

Helena was being considerate so I wouldn’t feel burdened.

So… so… kind-hearted.

“Thank you!”

Now that I had the materials for transcendence, I thought I’d dive right into it.

I grabbed Helena’s hand tightly and dashed into the Capital City.

It was inconvenient not being able to summon my mount, but what could I do? Everyone else had to walk too.

As soon as Helena and I arrived at the blacksmith, we began to hammer in the Transcendence Stones.

First, we used them on the armor. Since they only enhanced defense and stats without any special options, there was no burden in using the Transcendence Stones.

We didn’t use them on accessories. Raid accessories had special stats attached.

One ring constantly maintained low health levels; that was one such example.

[Legacy of the Void – Chain Mail]

Strength +200 Health +100 Unique

Physical Defense 700

Ether Grade 1st Stage

Light Armor

Bound

Level Limit 85

Reduces damage from Ether Monsters by 10%

Additional 2% damage when attacking Ether Monsters

[Options that can be granted]

The first thing I transformed was the armor I was wearing.

The appearance and name of the transformed item remained the same, but the exclusive Void options that were attached were all reset.

At this state, the additional options that could be granted were limited, adding two lines for each equipment.

I looked over the list and added the most practical strength and health stats.

[Options that can be granted]

↓

[Strength +55]

[Health +40]

I repeated this operation on the other pieces of armor.

That consumed 6 Transcendence Stones.

I had 24 left out of 30.

I shoved all the Transcendence Stones I had into the Demon Sword.

[The Ether Grade of this equipment significantly rises!]

[Corrupted Demon Sword – Black Sun]

Strength +600 → 750 World

Physical Attack 4200 → 4700

Ether Grade 1st Stage → 5th Stage

Two-handed Sword

Bound

Level Limit 85

Additional damage on Ether Monsters increased from 100% to 110%

[Options that can be granted]

*Maximum slots reached.

The total number of Transcendence Stones put into the Demon Sword was 23.

The moment the Ether grade reached 5th stage, it was no longer possible to transcend the item with weak Transcendence Stones.

So I was left with one Transcendence Stone.

I turned to gauge Helena’s reaction.

She too seemed to be struggling with setting options added after the equipment transcendence.

I stroked my chin and manipulated the system.

It didn’t have to be the highest efficiency. I was crafting my gear. I needed to add options that were comfortable for me.

It was a minor drawback that overlapping options couldn’t be granted, but I was satisfied with this.

I nodded and adjusted the option settings.

[Options that can be granted]

↓

[Physical Attack Power +300]

[Attack Speed 15% increase]

[Max Damage 20% increase]

[Additional Damage 20% increase]

“Hmm…”

Was this what it felt like to be a craftsman making a fine sword?

Holding the sword in my hand, I couldn’t help but smile satisfactorily.

Indeed, the best options should bring out the maximum damage for my weapon.

After all, it’s for me. I boldly discarded any survival or utility options.

My lack of survivability would be covered by my physical prowess. My innate gaming sense would create the opportunities.

Lost in my thoughts, I stared blankly at Helena who was still setting her options.

Her gaze flitted back and forth. It seemed she was searching for the most effective options for a wizard.

Helena’s option settings were completed about five minutes later.

As we exited the blacksmith together, I raised the swords high above my head.

The eerie Ether swirling around the Demon Sword sparkled in the sunlight.

Nearby users began glancing at my sword.

A smile crept onto my face. Everyone was looking at my weapon. They were undoubtedly marveling at my splendid sword.

The Demon Sword, now with a 5th stage Ether grade, possessed a special effect.

Transparent winds enveloped the blade, drifting calmly away.

“Heehee…”

“Are you that happy?”

I nodded at Helena’s question.

How could I not feel great? Even though Helena had helped me, I had crafted my own custom weapon.

It was a different feeling from when I lucked into a good weapon.

“Yeo.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s log out now.”

“Ah…?”

I stared blankly at Helena’s words.

Log out now? It was just getting started. Why on Earth?

I looked at Helena, my eyes full of questions.

With all my stats greatly increased, hunting would be faster than ever.

This was the flow. It was time to test out my new gear!

“You’ve stayed up too late. We have to stop now.”

“But…!”

“Yeo, you said you’d stick with me. You promised to do quests together.”

“That, that was…!”

I gazed up at Helena with trembling eyes.

An unbearable trial was upon me. My heart felt constricted. I wanted to run out and start swinging my sword at monsters right this moment.

I wanted to show other users my strength.

“Do we really have to log out right now…?”

“Yes.”

“Then can I just hunt a little bit here?”

“Yeo. If you keep this up, your skin will suffer.”

“But, that’s not true! My skin is fine!”

I denied Helena’s words and started rubbing my cheeks vigorously.

I could feel my soft and smooth skin perfectly.

Of course, it was game skin, but even in reality, it wouldn’t differ too much.

Helena stared at me silently.

Her hands were trembling slightly.

Oh no…

I was making a scene in front of my friend.

I let out a deep sigh.

“Fine…”

What could I do? I couldn’t defy Helena’s words.

After all, it was for my own good.

Nodding my head, I replied to Helena.

“I’ll log out. See you at school later.”

“Okay… Did you remember to light the incense while you sleep?”

“Yeah, I keep it on every night.”

I waved goodbye to Helena as I logged out of the game.

My vision blurred with the light.

“Hmm…”

Left alone, Helena looked down at her hands.

She almost succumbed to the temptation of that softness.

“Haah…”

A deep sigh held a multitude of emotions.

Shaking off the clingy feelings as best she could, Helena moved to another spot.

Chimani – [Helena! I mined some Transcendence Stones!]

Helena – [Send them via mail. I’ll pay as always.]

Chimani – [Sure thing!]

As soon as the one-on-one message ended, a shiny package containing stones arrived in Helena’s mailbox.

It was the Transcendence Stones sent by a user nicknamed Chimani.

As usual, Helena operated the VR system and transferred money to Chimani’s account.

Chimani – [Thanks! Boss! I’ll let you know if I find more!]

Helena – [I’ll match the market price, so bring them all.]

Chimani – [Okay!]

After ending the conversation with Chimani, Helena gazed at her message box.

Messages began pouring in from dozens of users, making the mailbox blink brightly.

Your Commander-in-Chief – Chapter 150

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