Player with Maxed-Out Talent

Chapter 74

# Player with Maxed-Out Talent, Episode 74

[The Enhancement Success Rate for +1 is being calculated.]

While slight differences occur according to a player’s talent, the success rate for a first-level enhancement (+1) usually sits around 90 percent. That number nearly reaches a perfect 100 percent when a ‘Property Affinity Powder’ is mixed in.

It’s only in the case of terribly bad luck or a talent that is virtually zero that one would fail with an exceedingly horrendous probability.

[+1 Enhancement Success Rate: 120%]

In that moment, I couldn’t believe my ears.

“120 percent?” I muttered in disbelief.

It was supposed to be out of 100. What was this about 120 percent?

Then I remembered...

In the past, a master of enhancement known as ‘Lucas’ from Germany had said that enhancement was not just a fight of numbers between 1 and 100. He described it as a much more profound and magnificent world.

‘Could this be what he was talking about?’

120 percent. What could this possibly mean?

[Due to the Property Affinity Powder, an additional +10% success rate is calculated.]

[+1 Enhancement Success Rate: 130%]

[The current field’s property displays a high affinity with the property of the item being enhanced.]

[Due to Field Affinity, an additional +10% success rate is calculated.]

[+1 Enhancement Success Rate: 140%]

Whether it’s 100 or 130 or 140, isn’t it all the same? That’s what I thought, but it didn’t seem so. If it was the same, there would be no need to specify 140. There must be something different here.

‘What am I missing?’

The notifications continued.

[Enhancing ‘Wind Shoes’.]

[Congratulations!]

[You have succeeded in the enhancement!]

[The ‘Wind Shoes’ have been enhanced to ‘Wind Shoes +1’.]

In an instant, I realized it.

‘Is this... a blue-grade enhancement?’

I felt as though I’d been hit in the head.

‘Ah, so this is it!’

In the past, those referred to as ‘masters’ were known to enhance in a special way. They had networks and connections all over the world and were said to share know-how amongst themselves.

They possessed special abilities to create outstanding items, and they were enhancement artisans who could practically rake in the world’s money.

‘The item name color is... blue.’

As the item was enhanced, the name color of the item changed from white to blue.

‘Blue above purple, purple above brown, and above brown there is...’

The enhancement grade known as ‘Black’, which was said to be scarcely found around the world.

‘I’m certain a very special method is required for that.’

Yet, I hadn’t made any significant investments. Sure, I had to buy the enhancement stones at an inflated price due to penalties, but setting that aside, I hadn’t used any special enhancement techniques like those masters did. I didn’t have a special enhancement skill.

‘But I managed to achieve blue grade?’

What does this mean?

‘I didn’t do anything special.’

Could it be that I have an extraordinary talent for enhancement? Without any skills or unique abilities, I managed to get an enhancement of blue grade. Depending on the item, but a blue grade at +1 often equates to the level of a +2 enhancement.

‘Let’s think about it later.’

Right now, the priority is to clear this place and get out.

――――――――――

[Wind Shoes + 1]

Shoes endowed with the blessing of the wind. Significantly increases affinity with the wind attribute and produces a synergistic effect when using wind-based movement skills or steps. However, full functionality is realized only when both shoes are worn.

Attribute: Wind (風)

Agility: +2

Grade: Rare

Level Requirement: 25

Special Skill: ‘Faux Leap’ usable

Wearing Restriction: Wind class users

――――――――――

With the enhancement to +1, a boost in agility and a special skill option appeared. The wind affinity must have increased as well.

――――――――――

[Faux Leap]

A leap is to run over a set distance to increase one’s jumping power. The special skill ‘Faux Leap’ contained in ‘Wind Shoes’ supports the user to exert maximum jumping power without running the distance. It has excellent synergy with the ‘Step-Patter’ movement.

――――――――――

‘I understand now.’

To jump high or far, a run-up is essential. Jumping from a run-up is naturally going to carry you further than jumping from a standstill.

Kim Hyuk-Jin merely smiled broadly.

“Do you see that? The central pillar.”

“Yes, we have to bring the sacrificial vessel from up there.”

Right, and every time a smaller pillar is destroyed, the central pillar lowers.

“But the difficulty increases proportionately.”

So, if possible, it’s best to clear it now.

“There’s a faint flow of wind between the central pillars. Helical. Pay attention.”

Gwak Tae-Woon narrowed his eyes, concentrating hard to feel the mana.

‘Is it really... there?’

He hadn’t noticed before, but now that he was aware, he could see it.

“Here, take this.”

“What?”

He handed over an item—a ‘Rare’ grade one. Even more unbelievable was that it had an agility option and a unique skill attached to it—a rare item that was unheard of.

“You’re giving this to me?”

“No, I’m lending it to you.”

Gwak Tae-Woon was again deeply moved.

‘What does he trust in me...’

What made him trust him with such an item?

‘What do I even possess?’

He had done nothing for this person. Not only had Kim Hyuk-Jin saved his life but also lent him such an item.

“No need to be excessively moved. This place is about live or die. I’m just looking for a more efficient way to clear it.”

Nodding, Gwak Tae-Woon was convinced. Kim Hyuk-Jin, he affirmed, was a ‘real adult.’ The sensibilities of his late-teens surged.

“What should I do then?”

Acting more like an observer (?), Kim Hyuk-Jin relayed the information gained through observation to Gwak Tae-Woon, explaining in detail how he should proceed.

“Do you think you can do it?”

“I’ll try.”

“It could be dangerous.”

“I know.”

“Ride the flow well. The moment you step out of it, you’ll be swept away by strong winds.”

It would be dangerous. Definitely dangerous.

‘But you’ve done it before.’

He had cleared this place even with just regular ‘Wind Shoes.’ Though more than half of the players had died, he had nonetheless cleared it. He could do it again this time. Kim Hyuk-Jin gazed at the central pillar.

The wind attribute mana faintly encircling the central pillar like a spiral, barely visible even to the observer’s eye.

‘I will rise to the top using that flow.’

The flow would protect him from the strong winds blowing across the field. If he could master it, he could reach the top without being affected by other winds.

‘Gwak Tae-Woon can do it... It’s possible.’

Gwak Tae-Woon began to run. To Kim Hyuk-Jin, the boy was undeniably overflowing with talent.

‘Even the path is precise.’

He could read the flow accurately. As if stepping on invisible spirals in the air, it seemed like he was climbing up invisible stairs toward the central altar.

‘He’s doing well.’

Much better than expected. Perhaps thanks to the blue-grade ‘Wind Shoes’ enhanced to +1. Gwak Tae-Woon had indeed started climbing the central pillar.

‘Now then.’

Now it was time for me to do my duty. Because from now on, another scene would unfold. I approached Ma Sang-Hyeon, neither too quickly nor conspicuously.

“Ma Sang-Hyeon. Attack while listening. Don’t make it too obvious.”

Ma Sang-Hyeon, who was assaulting the tenth pillar, responded while swinging his fist.

“Yes, brother.”

“Do you see that Gwak Tae-Woon has started to climb the central pillar?”

Ma Sang-Hyeon took a quick glance and nodded, a little surprised but not showing much reaction.

“Things are about to change.”

It’s not a change in the system. Not a drop of a new quest or anything. It’s a prediction based on the current situation.

I gave one instruction.

“If someone causes a fuss, beat them down. Just short of killing them.”

“Just short of killing?”

“Yeah, don’t ask, don’t argue. Just do it.”

And just as expected, Kim Tae-Cheon erupted in anger.

“Hey, you son of a dog!” he roared.

His gaze was fixed on Gwak Tae-Woon, who was climbing the central pillar.

“What kind of idiotic thing are you doing all by yourself! Why are you moving on your own without orders, you piece of trash!!!”

As Kim Tae-Cheon was showing off his bravado, Ma Sang-Hyeon, following Kim Hyuk-Jin’s orders, made his move.