Ch.5454. Glass Stone Ring (2)

When a C+ grade glass stone was processed into a ring, it became B grade.

This is no easy feat.

Naturally, it’s not difficult for a blacksmith’s skill to raise the grade of a gemstone when crafting it into jewelry.

However, when simply processing a raw stone into jewelry, the grade usually follows that of the main material used.

For example, just as a recovery potion made from C- grade recovery fruit becomes C-.

Or like when mixing C- and D+ grades with improper ratios, resulting in D+.

When using a single material, it logically follows the original grade of that material.

Unless, of course, various resources that amplify the material’s performance are added.

In other words, the blacksmith who made this ring has extraordinary skill.

“He said he put a lot of effort into it, using polishing stones and various other materials.”

“Isn’t that extremely expensive?”

“It is. Dad’s friend kindly made it really well for us.”

“Wow… these options are insane.”

Kim Sujeong’s excitement level had risen even higher, perhaps due to having another drink.

Even without alcohol, such a reaction wouldn’t be strange given how good the ring’s options were.

Just the 20% increase in mana skill effect alone would have made it worth around 7 billion.

But not only was the effect increased to 25%, it also had two additional mana-related options.

And they weren’t just random options, but legendary grade options with no upper limit.

While +1 grade to ability stats is generally highly valued, magic power is particularly prized since it’s related to skills, making it more valuable than other stats.

Especially when attached to an item that already has mana-related damage amplification options.

And on top of that, maximum mana increases by 20%.

“If this were sold, every magician in the world would come running.”

And not just magicians.

Practically every renowned hunter might rush to buy this ring.

“Dad’s friend said he’s never seen anything like this despite making countless pieces of jewelry. Though it’s only B grade, in terms of value, it’s better than an S-grade ring. Since the glass stone itself is only C+ grade, he said the grade is actually being suppressed.”

Dad continued boasting while swallowing his regret.

“Suhyeon’s farm, you say? Take good care of it. I’ve been getting a lot of help too, but the resources coming from there really do seem excellent.”

I already knew they were good, but seeing this glass stone ring gave me renewed confidence.

Resource rarity SSS.

The grade truly proves its worth.

“Oppa. Can I really have this? I’m asking one last time.”

Kim Sujeong, fidgeting with the silver ring that shone like transparent moonlight, asked me with a face full of lingering attachment.

I extended my hand.

“If you don’t want it, give it back.”

“Are you serious?”

“Think of it as a lifetime employment contract fee.”

“…”

After trying it on her finger once, Kim Sujeong removed the ring, grabbed my hand, and slipped it onto my finger.

“What’s this about?”

“Investment.”

“?”

“I think you should be the one wearing this.”

Then she coolly handed the ring over to me.

“I’ll take 10%. Honestly, this is family favoritism, and I hate that the most. I’ll consider giving you the ring as an investment and take 10%. That works, right?”

“…It seems like I’m the one giving in both cases?”

“Fine. Like you said, it’s like pearls on a pig. And seeing the item options, I’d be scared to wear it anyway.”

“Well…”

I wanted to say “You’re being difficult even when given something,” but I could somewhat understand her feelings, so I didn’t say much.

Realistically speaking, it does make more sense for me to wear it.

The options perfectly suit a user with SSS+ abilities, and now that I’ve learned [Double Slash], I’d inevitably feel the burden of mana when using skills freely, but this glass stone ring could solve that problem to some extent.

“We still need to hunt the ogre. This should be enough preparation, right?”

“I suppose so.”

As they say, seeing is coveting.

I hadn’t thought much when passing it up, but now that I’m wearing it, it does feel quite nice.

For something gained while eating pork belly, it’s quite expensive.

“Pfft.”

As I was about to tilt my soju glass while making a joke, I spat out my drink upon seeing Dad’s expression across from me.

“…Dad.”

“Huh? No, it’s not like that, you punk. What do you take your dad for?”

“Dad. Should we sell it?”

“I said no.”

“Honey…”

He must be feeling some regret.

Selling it at auction would be a good opportunity to make the name Gwangjin Distribution known worldwide.

“I really am fine with it. I know it’s better for someone who needs it to wear it. This is already more than enough.”

Since I absolutely hate this kind of awkward back-and-forth refusal atmosphere, I didn’t press further.

As Dad said, it’s more than enough, even excessive.

While not as valuable as the glass stone ring, the recovery fruit I brought this time will have top guilds exerting considerable effort to obtain potions from Gwangjin Distribution for quite some time.

—————

“Kyaah! Insane! What is this?”

Lee Jihyun came over after receiving my call and collapsed with a scream.

“I’m seeing things, right? This isn’t recovery fruit but miracle fruit, right?”

Asking twice won’t change the text in the item description.

[Corrupted Recovery Fruit]

– Grade: A-

– Fruit grown from recovery herbs saturated with chaotic energy. Though life force and chaotic energy are strongly mixed, the fruit that survived between them has extremely strong vitality.

– When crafted into recovery potions: Recovery effect +100%

– When consumed: Attack power +30% for 30 minutes

– Very small chance of acquiring chaotic energy.

“A- grade recovery fruit actually exists? What dungeon did you go to?”

A- grade recovery fruit certainly exists.

If you run A-grade dungeons, you’ll find A- to A+ grade recovery herbs.

The issue, as Jihyun pointed out, is that A-grade recovery herbs only come from A-grade dungeons.

Currently, even the top guilds are tackling A-grade dungeons and barely managing S-grade ones, so it’s surprising that a recently awakened herbalist(?) would bring A- grade recovery fruit.

“Unnie. Knowing might hurt you.”

“…”

Kim Sujeong neatly settled the matter.

Though Jihyun’s expression didn’t say “Ah… I see… I understand,” she didn’t ask further.

For Jihyun, what mattered more than the source was that the recovery herbs were right in front of her.

“How many are there… looks like over 300 at a rough estimate…”

As before, she seemed remarkably good at counting.

“Can I really turn all of these into potions?”

“Make them all.”

“Gasp…”

Hunters are also given quests.

Like in farming worlds.

Not as many as the countless quests given to me in the Rift Dimension, but quests suited to one’s abilities are continuously provided, offering growth motivation and rewards.

Naturally, most quests given to alchemists are related to alchemy.

Make potions.

Make rare potions.

The harder a quest is to clear, the greater the reward, and for users who level up through grinding, earning points through quests, even little by little, is beneficial.

“Should I… come to work starting tomorrow?”

“What?”

“To take all this with me…”

“Take it with you, unnie. We have a relationship of trust.”

“…No. I think I’d feel more comfortable coming to work.”

Jihyun firmly opposed taking everything with her.

The previous batch was of a relatively high but mid-level grade, and since she had purchased all the recovery herbs, she could comfortably take them to work on. But this time, the profit would only come after making and selling them on credit, which made her uneasy.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I’m worried about potential problems. Even if no one knows… just in case.”

Since she insisted, I told her to do as she wished.

After breathing a sigh of relief, Jihyun checked the recovery herb leaves and had another fit.

[Corrupted Recovery Herb Leaves]

– Grade: A-

– Leaves grown from recovery herbs saturated with chaotic energy. The life force goes to the fruit, while more chaotic energy remains in the leaves.

– When ground into a potion with the fruit, chaotic energy is amplified.

– When made into ointment: Natural life recovery +100%

– When used as ointment: Complete recovery and sterilization of wounded areas

– When used as ointment: Skin cell regeneration and restoration

Jihyun covered her mouth and explained her excitement in a trembling voice.

“There was a time when A-grade recovery herbs appeared. The leaves and fruit combined sold for just over 100 million at auction, and the alchemist who bought them made the leaves into ointment and the fruit into recovery potions mixed with lower-grade fruit. The result was, unfortunately, high-grade recovery potion and top-grade recovery ointment.”

A-grade is labeled as “top-grade.”

However, since there was only one fruit, they had to mix it with lower-grade recovery fruit when making the potion, which lowered it by one grade to “high-grade.”

On the other hand, they bought about three leaves and made them directly into ointment.

“The options were fewer than these, but it had this ‘skin cell regeneration and restoration’ option.”

Naturally, when compared to the SSS resource rarity of the Rift Dimension, options might be inferior even at the same grade.

“After research showed that this option made the skin younger in the applied area when used as ointment, the last remaining ointment was auctioned again for 450 million won.”

Seeing my confused expression, Jihyun, counting the leaves that were several times more numerous than the fruit, explained in a soul-drained voice:

“It’s basically natural cosmetic surgery ointment.”

You’re saying it rejuvenates your skin to that of a child without even using a knife, just by applying it…

She certainly took a roundabout way to say it was expensive.