Light of Arad: Forerunner

Chapter 40

In the game *Dungeon & Fighter*, there are three ways to strengthen your equipment: Enhancement, Amplification, and Refinement.

Each character chooses one of these methods based on their characteristics. Usually, players combine Refinement with either Enhancement or Amplification.

For the male Ghost Knight class, the ‘Asura’ specifically benefits from Refinement. If you aim for efficiency, just Refinement will suffice. However, if you’re looking for higher damage, you can opt for both Amplification and Refinement.

In general, Asura players who have a +10 Amplification, 8 Refinement weapon, and +10 Amplification armor can consider their gear upgrades fairly complete.

‘Since items can break and disappear starting from +11 Amplification, the optimal setup is around that level. You can’t predict how much gold you’ll need for +11 or +12 Amplification. That’s why characters needing Amplification usually lament the lack of *Bun-ganzhi*. Compared to +13 Enhancement, +13 Amplification requires far more resources, so most don’t bother with it. It’s normal not to aim for +13 Amplification…’

But Sunsu did it. And it wasn’t even Amplification.

She enhanced it — a method that doesn’t directly affect Asura’s damage.

And she reached +13 Enhancement!

‘If I exaggerate a little, it’s completely pointless! Even characters focused on Enhancement tremble at the thought of getting a +13. Why would a Refinement-focused character go all the way to +13 Enhancement — just for a mere *Bun-ganzhi*? How much did she burn on this?’

Even though Enhancement requires slightly fewer resources than Amplification, it’s still not an easy amount of money to spend.

To do it solely for appearance’s sake was even more shocking.

Even Jinseong, who thought he’d enjoyed *Dungeon & Fighter* with unparalleled passion, was taken aback.

‘She’s crazy… I thought she wasn’t normal when she became obsessed, but she’s even more insane than I imagined… Then again, that nickname makes sense.’

Sunsu.

Maybe madness.

Another word that paralleled Sunsu’s meaning surfaced in Jinseong’s mind.

How could you possibly distinguish between the two?

At least, there was one thing he was certain about.

The *Spearmaster* he briefly partied with to safely enter Sky Castle wasn’t a rookie.

‘No, not just a non-rookie. This person…’

Although their direction differed from his, this person was just as skilled as Jinseong.

Or perhaps, they were a player whose life had revolved around *Dungeon & Fighter*, just like Jinseong.

But what mattered to Jinseong right now was only one thing.

If they were that skilled, in other words…

“It’d look so much cooler if the *Bun-ganzhi* shone with the *Lotus* appearance as well.”

…it meant that they had the wealth to buy Jinseong’s item.

Whether they were crazy or not didn’t matter — as long as they were useful to Jinseong.

—

Sunsu adjusted her large, round glasses again.

A smile never left her lips.

[ㅋㅋ I came to see your item, ㅋㅋ]

[I also thought it might be time to change my weapon skin.]

[But isn’t the tentacle look a bit much??]

Even while typing rapidly, she laughed, because she wasn’t entirely sincere.

She logged onto a different character, forgetting about leveling her *Spearmaster*, for one reason: to meet Jinseong and talk to him.

[It’s not too much. If anything, a *Lotus’s Great Tentacle* shape for a greatsword would give more of a *Lotus* feel, but even this shows the Apostle’s power well. From my experience fighting him, this form feels more realistic than the giant tentacles.]

More specifically, she was curious about Jinseong’s reaction.

“Heehee, the Apostle *Lotus’s* power, he says! Heehee, he fought him? Does he mean that low-level quest?”

Sunsu chuckled but didn’t stop moving.

She seemed to be checking something as she opened the [Auction House], as if trying to confirm something from Jinseong’s words.

“But how did he know about the greatsword shape? There’s nothing in the auction house now… No one uses that these days.”

Sunsu tilted her head but continued to smile.

If this “rookie player, estimated to be at least in their 50s” knew about old items, there could only be one explanation.

[Hey, how did you know about the greatsword weapon form?]

Sunsu’s heart pounded in anticipation.

After a brief pause, Jinseong replied.

[I looked it up in the encyclopedia.]

Although Jinseong had no access to the in-game [Encyclopedia] system and was relying solely on memory, his answer seemed appropriate for the moment.

“Hahaha! I knew it! Of course! These days, kids rely on wikis, but the older generation is different! They use official encyclopedias, hehe! Does anyone even use the term ‘encyclopedia’ anymore?”

The more she laughed, the clearer her mental image of Jinseong became.

Sunsu asked.

[So how much are you selling the form for?]

[I’m still thinking about the price. What do you think would be reasonable?]

Nodding, Sunsu felt a sort of admiration.

‘After seeing players use terms like “suggest” or “offer” all the time, his polite way of speaking makes me a little nervous. Also, he’s clearly experienced; he knows better than to sell at a ridiculous price. Yeah, elders are wise from experience.’

He might be awkward, but he wasn’t a fool.

This was why Sunsu found Jinseong both endearing and impressive.

[If you’re not listing it in the auction house, should I invite some guild members to check it out?]

[Actually, Jinseong, why don’t you just join our guild? We’ve got a lot of young members, but they can help a lot.]

Sunsu changed the subject for a moment to propose guild membership to Jinseong.

While chatting with Jinseong, she was also conversing rapidly in the guild chat.

[Guild] Sunsurasura: Anyone online from the sub-guild masters?

[Guild] FirstApo: Yeah, I’m here.

[Guild] Sunsurasura: Hey, is it okay if that elder I mentioned joins?

[Guild] FirstApo: It’s your call, sis. You’re the guild leader anyway.

[Guild] FirstApo: But would an elder fit in here? We do raids and stuff…

[Guild] Sunsurasura: Hang on, he hasn’t answered yet. I’ll explain if he agrees.

Even as she conversed with the guild, Jinseong’s eyes widened at the speed and thoroughness with which Sunsu juggled both conversations.

—

Jinseong’s first thought was obvious.

‘Is she asking me to join the guild to get a discount?’

What connection did he have with the characters *Sunsujikgi* or *Sunsurasura*?

He’d only interacted with them to use as a sales route for his weapon appearance, assuming the player had enough gold.

Why the sudden guild invitation?

‘More importantly, I’m not sure if I can even use the guild system. I could take a chance on megaphones or whispers, but a guild…?’

This was different.

First, joining the guild could violate the rule of *not receiving direct help from a Character Adventurer*.

If joining triggered a penalty, Jinseong would be in trouble.

‘I won’t die, but if I get a debuff like that *Ranger* user, it’d be a problem.’

With much left to do and just getting started, Jinseong couldn’t afford such a risk.

Joining the guild would be beneficial — but only once he had grown stronger.

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I can join the guild right now.”

He could only collaborate with them when he no longer needed help from *Character Adventurers*.

Sunsu’s tone remained casual, but her expression grew a bit more serious.

“Why not? ㅋㅋ Some say our guild is exclusive, but once you’re in, it’s fine ㅋㅋ. We’ve got a reputation for being a bit strict, but it’s not really like that.”

“Oh, it’s not about the guild members. I just don’t feel ready yet. It’s a bit too soon for me.”

Sunsu’s curiosity piqued.

‘Raiding together as guildmates isn’t unusual. Hardcore, experienced players, the so-called experts, often do it. There must be hundreds of guilds like that.’

Her comment about their guild being seen as exclusive suggested that there was a reputation among *Dungeon & Fighter* players — something significant enough to make her mention it.

‘…I don’t know much about guilds, just enough to get guild coins. But I do know most of the famous ones…’

The unfortunate part was that all Jinseong could see was Sunsu’s username, *Sunsurasura*, not the adventurer or the guild’s name.

“Haha, I understand. If you ever think of joining a guild, give me a whisper instead of going elsewhere.”

“Thank you for understanding. Maybe next time…”

“Oh, and how about this price for the weapon form?”

The *Sunsurasura* character, dressed in a fluffy white Samoyed outfit, suddenly pulled out a pouch.

Jinseong didn’t even need to check it to know the amount inside.

“N-no! This is too much! Even for something rare, this price is just… Thank you, but I can’t accept this much.”

The gold offered was so substantial that even Jinseong, who sought to grow his

capital, had to wave it off.

At this point, he began to worry about violating the rule of not receiving aid from a *Character Adventurer*.

“ㅋㅋ There’s nothing on the auction house, so isn’t it fine?”

“Even so… I’m really grateful, but I can’t accept this much.”

Supply and demand usually determined prices, but this transaction felt too irregular to be legitimate.

So Jinseong politely declined.

Sunsurasura, dressed in her dog costume, tilted her head thoughtfully, as if she’d just remembered something.

“Oh, then I’ll give you this much in gold.”

“Alright, that sounds good.”

The clinking of coins echoed as Sunsurasura opened her pouch again.

Looking inside, Jinseong slowly nodded.

The amount seemed reasonable based on the usual prices for weapon forms — not overly excessive.

“Thank you ver—”

“I’ll throw in something you don’t have as well, ㅋㅋ.”

Just as Jinseong was about to grab the pouch, Sunsurasura handed over something else.

It was an egg.

Jinseong’s face instantly brightened.

“…A creature?”

“This should be fine, right?”

It was one of the most necessary additional items for Jinseong — a creature!

After selling the *Lotus’s Thorned Tentacle* weapon form, his plan was to buy a creature through the auction house.

“Not just fine, it’s perfect! I was planning to buy one anyway, but I didn’t know how to use the Serashop or auction house… Thank you! I’m really grateful, Sunsu!”

“Don’t mention it, ㅋㅋ it’s nothing special. Try it out.”

Excited at the ease of obtaining one, Jinseong quickly completed the trade.

What did he receive in return?

A hefty 8,000,000 gold, the in-game currency of *Dungeon & Fighter*.

And another item — the *Creature Egg*, which Jinseong immediately hatched.

“…Kkoruk.”

A creature emerged from the egg and gazed up at Jinseong.

He recognized it instantly.

“Oh…?”

It was the creature *Petit Lotus (Claw)*.