Ch.196196. SS+ Rank Grand Mage Kim Su-jeong

Everyone stood before me with high expectations.

“Now… as I mentioned, I’ll distribute ability selection rights for the better development of Farming Company.”

*Clap clap clap*

Is it a man’s instinct to feel proud when three women applaud? Or was it my happiness at being able to put these abilities to better use?

What was clear was that I didn’t feel the slightest regret about sharing abilities with these three people. After all, to develop the farm, it was much more efficient to have multiple people with good abilities handling their respective roles rather than me hoarding all the abilities myself. The more people, the faster the development.

That’s exactly what multiplayer in Farming World is about.

When two people do what one person would do, it means investing twice as much time in the farm. With three people, it’s triple, and with four, it’s quadruple.

That’s why Farming World was known as a game you shouldn’t play without friends.

“First up, our farm’s security officer, chef, and farmer. Kim Sujeong, step forward.”

“Yes, boss!”

Kim Sujeong stood at attention before me with an excited expression.

Seeing her so full of anticipation, I suddenly felt like teasing her a bit.

“Attention!”

“Attention!”

“At ease.”

“At ease!”

That was about all I could do without having served in the military.

I asked Kim Sujeong.

“Have you thought about what ability you want, soldier?”

“Yes! I want to become an ice mage!”

“Are you targeting Kelin?”

“…Is that inappropriate? Then a fire mage would be fine too, since it suits my specialty!”

“Just pick whatever you want.”

Honestly, whether it’s fire mage, ice mage, or lightning mage—what does it matter? Using an SS+ grade ability selection right to become an SS+ grade mage would highlight different advantages regardless of which element she chose.

The fact that Kelin was already an SS-grade ice mage might be a slight concern when selecting an ability, but honestly, there was no need to overthink it.

Whatever connection would form was predetermined from the moment she chose magic.

If she became an ice mage too, she’d be known as the rising star in the ice magic world with an SS vs SS+ comparison.

Conversely, if she chose a different magic, the world would buzz about fire vs ice and which attribute was stronger.

Either way, at SS+ grade, she’d have nation-toppling hunter abilities, so choosing what she wanted made sense.

After pondering briefly, Kim Sujeong made her choice.

“So can I be a fire mage?”

“Sure.”

“Hehe. I can make YouTube videos comparing myself with Kelin unni, and I bet fire will melt ice.”

Watching Kim Sujeong chattering excitedly, I didn’t bother telling her that with the current level difference, she couldn’t win against Kelin unless she was SSS+ grade, not even if she lived to old age.

Actually, should I tell her now to make her more frustrated?

Anyway, it was natural that she’d grow quickly as part of the farm, and if she got her hands on an antique ruby staff, the gap would narrow incredibly fast.

Especially with Kim Sujeong receiving a full 400% experience gain boost, her growth rate focusing solely on magical abilities would be tremendous.

[‘Kim Sujeong’s’ Fire Magic has been raised to SS+ grade.]

“Huh?”

Kim Sujeong covered her mouth in surprise as her fire magic rose to SS+.

“What’s this?”

“What?”

“My fire magic rose to SS+. Didn’t you say SS? Is it because I have talent that it rose to SS+?”

“…I used an SS+ grade ability selection right.”

“Oh really…? Really? For real, oppa?”

Come to think of it, I had told Kim Sujeong I’d give her the SS grade ability selection right when the quest appeared, but after obtaining two SS+ grade ability selection rights, I had decided on my own to give her the SS+ instead.

So she was surprised when what she thought would be SS grade turned out to be SS+.

Though SS and SS+ differ by just one grade, the performance gap is as vast as heaven and earth.

The same gap exists between SS- and SS, and the difference in treatment is clearly distinct.

Even comparing the total number of SS-, SS, and SS+ grade hunters shows quite a significant difference.

“This is crazy… wow… me, an SS+ grade hunter…”

Kim Sujeong threw herself at me.

I pushed her head away.

“Oppa, I love you! I’ll never marry and just serve you for life. Even when you get old and have dementia and smear poop on the walls, I’ll hire people to take good care of you!”

“Shut up.”

Siblings will be siblings—seeing her so happy makes me feel a bit jealous.

But she’s been working hard lately.

As Kim Sujeong was about to run upstairs in uncontainable joy, I pulled a staff from my belt and tossed it to her.

“What’s this… gasp?”

“If the farm gets breached while I’m gone, it’s all your responsibility.”

“…..”

Kim Sujeong’s expression turned serious, and after sniffling for a while, she gave me a deep bow.

“Thank you. Thank you. I will burn this body for the eternal glory of Farming Company. I, Kim Sujeong, from this moment until I turn 30, solemnly swear to remain single, unmoved by any man’s advances, and work solely for the dimensional rift.”

Then she ran up to her room on the second floor.

Something about learning the skills she gained from her ability.

Lee Jihyun and Kim Sol, who had been watching Sujeong’s outburst, met my eyes and smiled awkwardly.

Kim Sol in particular scratched her head and asked me:

“I don’t think I’ll react that strongly, so can you give me mine last?”

“Please don’t act that crazy. It’s exhausting.”

I used one SS grade ability selection right for Kim Sol.

I did have an SS- grade lifestyle ability selection right, but for construction, a higher grade was better. While SS+ might be excessive, at least SS grade was necessary to use ultimate skills and buildings without restrictions.

“If you need something that’s only available at SS+ grade, I’ll upgrade you later or you can raise it with points.”

“Okay.”

[‘Kim Sol’s’ Construction has been raised to SS grade.]

With a slightly indifferent yet somewhat expectant attitude, Kim Sol began exploring her first hunter ability with curiosity.

Most people react like that when they awaken as hunters.

The wonder of experiencing something for the first time.

After exploring for a while, Kim Sol covered her mouth with both hands.

“Wait, I can learn this recipe? Wow… I can create a lake?”

“I’ll register you as a construction shop NPC when we go to town tomorrow.”

Not hearing what I said, Kim Sol also bounced up and down before heading to the second floor.

Still better than Sujeong.

The remaining Lee Jihyun smiled awkwardly.

“Everyone seems happy.”

“Jihyun, you need to get yours too.”

“…Me too?”

“Yes. I have one for you too.”

I hadn’t mentioned it to Jihyun separately.

It wasn’t that I deliberately didn’t tell her, but since I’d been cooped up in my room all day and moved to the first floor, I wouldn’t see her unless I went upstairs, which I rarely did unless necessary.

This time too, I hadn’t told her in advance, not as a surprise but because I figured I’d give it to her when she came down since I’d called everyone to distribute abilities.

“What kind of ability should I…”

Jihyun tilted her head and asked.

She didn’t seem particularly greedy.

Well, unlike Kim Sujeong’s C- grade magic ability, Jihyun already had an A grade alchemy ability.

While it would be nice to improve, she was already doing what she wanted with her current ability, so maybe she wasn’t greedy.

“What else? An alchemist needs alchemy.”

That’s why I thought Jihyun might make the least fuss.

Going from A grade to SS+ might not feel as impactful right now as it did for Kim Sol or Kim Sujeong, since she already had the ability.

[‘Lee Jihyun’s’ Alchemy has been raised to SS+ grade.]

“Gasp!”

But that was just my misconception.

As soon as she saw the message, Jihyun threw herself at me with teary eyes.

“Boss… thank you. I’ll live as your slave for the rest of my life.”

“…”

It seemed there were no normal people on the farm, but I could understand why someone might react that way when their ability suddenly jumps to SS~SS+ grade overnight.

Even I feel like I’m floating on air and find myself grinning for no reason on days when I learn an SSS+ grade ability.

Anyway, despite telling them not to make a fuss, seeing the farm employees so happy didn’t make me feel bad.

Above all, I still had the main SSS+ grade ability and lifestyle ability selection rights left.

I’d already roughly decided what kind of ability to use the SSS+ grade on and just needed to choose the specific ability, but for the lifestyle one, I needed to think more carefully.

“There’s also one SS- grade lifestyle selection right left.”

I could give that to the next farm employee who joined.

“Hahaha! SS+ grade archmage Kim Sujeong is coming through!”

I clicked my tongue as I watched Kim Sujeong run outside wearing a mage’s robe she’d found somewhere.

“Tsk tsk.”

Enjoy it while you can.