How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

I’m thinking of investing the earned meta points in status and skills.

However, if my status or skills increase suddenly without leveling up, a perceptive con artist might catch on, so I should invest all at once when I level up. For example, after clearing a dungeon.

I saw the con artist talking to the kids in Class F.

They were getting excited about identifying weapon affinities and were planning to head to the weapon shop.

But I distanced myself from the kids, using the excuse that I wanted to check my new weapon.

For now, I planned to use the standard-issue weapon I had just received.

The academy’s standard-issue weapon is decent enough to use, essentially a basic training tool with no enhancements.

Therefore, if they have the luxury, everyone usually buys their own weapons.

Of course. The place we ultimately aim to go is the battlefield.

It’s a place where lives can easily be lost, so it’s only natural to use a good weapon with at least some enhancements or effects. Life is precious.

But since I had no money, I had to use this standard-issue one.

As the classroom, which had been noisy for a while, gradually calmed down, I turned my gaze and saw the con artist striding toward me.

“Gang Nahyun.”

“Oh, Yuhan! Why?”

“Do you want to go to the weapon shop with us at lunch?”

Here it comes.

I tried hard to suppress the smile that wanted to break free and managed a composed smile.

“Sure!”

The reason they suggested going to the weapon shop together was probably because they saw me with the standard-issue weapon.

I was now part of the con artist’s grand plan to seize the hidden treasures, or hidden pieces, in this world.

***

85

After all, I can’t afford to buy a dedicated weapon.

I saw Gang Nahyun with the kids checking their standard-issue weapons and made my plan.

“Gang Nahyun, do you want to go to the weapon shop with us at lunch?”

“Sure!”

Let’s wipe out debts and establish a contract.

Despite having only offered a brief kindness, they follow me like this. If I burden them with a bigger debt, it will be easy to secure a contract later.

Unbeknownst to my sinister intentions, Gang Nahyun smiled innocently.

I feel a bit sorry about this.

185

Is there really a need to feel sorry? I’ll be taking as much as you’re using me.

I casually skimmed through the appearance parts and walked alongside the con artist in the weapon shop.

Bows, spears, swords, shields… various weapons were shining brightly.

Of course, the brilliance varied with the price. It felt like watching weapons upgrade in a game, with each upgrade becoming more flamboyant.

I was in awe. These weapons looked like they were worth spending money on.

And then I was horrified by the price tags attached to them.

A few hundred was standard, and those that looked good were priced in the thousands. Wow, how many years of part-time work would that take?

“Wow… there are so many varieties… and they’re expensive!”

“Because they’re weapons for awakeners.”

Yeah. And this is the price for weapons used commonly.

Let’s not even think about the advanced “meister” weapons that will appear later… let’s not go there for now.

I made a sullen face, then shook my head and clenched my fists, trying to pump myself up.

At the same time, I attempted to play the heroine who was trying to think positively despite all the worries.

“I need to save money!”

Feeling motivated, I smiled, and the con artist chuckled and ruffled my hair.

Don’t pat me. Do I look like a puppy?

You want a bite, huh?

“It might be quicker than you think.”

Yeah, like you could buy it with your own money?

I found myself smiling naturally, seemingly looking forward to the future.

“Yuhan, what are you planning to buy?”

“Hmm? Well, let’s start by checking out the guns.”

“Sure!”

There was no need to pretend to be excited. Yay! Shopping with someone else’s money! The best!

I followed the con artist with a bright smile.

I kept repeating in my mind, “Something expensive, please!”

“Oh, this one is cool.”

“It has a burst fire skill. It’s a type that spreads multiple bullets from one barrel, right?”

“In that case, it might not be a good match for me.”

“Snipers rely on accuracy. Burst fire skills could actually be a minus.”

Skills, even if they have the same name, can manifest different effects depending on the person or weapon.

For example, let’s say there’s a person A and B with the skill “Eagle Eye.”

A can see a far distance with high precision but can only view what’s directly in front of them.

B can sweep a wide area out of their line of sight at once but has a shorter range and less precision than A.

Such differences can be made up through skill training or leveling up, but initially, they manifest this way.

Thus, even if the skill is called “burst fire,” the exact effects can differ.

That’s why you need to be meticulous when selecting weapons and checking their attached skills.

I happily watched the con artist examining sniper rifles as if he were choosing his own weapon.

Yeah, if you don’t want to waste money, be diligent and compare.

After passing by and comparing various guns, I spotted a long sniper rifle with a white barrel.

“How about this one?”

“The skill is… mana enhancement. It focuses on enhancing just the bullet, right?”

The con artist nodded satisfactorily. Then he naturally picked up the gun.

“I’ll buy this for you.”

Wow! This is it! This is the taste of investment!

I couldn’t help but let my mouth curl up, and my hand reached out instinctively, but I tried to suppress my desires as much as possible.

“Huh? Why…?”

And with trembling eyes, I seemed to manifest what they call a “dazed expression.”

Stammering, I finally pulled myself together and started to dissuade the con artist.

“Yuhan! You can’t just spend money like this! Why are you saying you want to buy it for me?”

Get a grip! With a serious expression, I lightly shook his shoulder. The con artist chuckled mischievously. Amusing, right? Yeah, it would be.

“It’s not for free.”

“I don’t have anything to give you! I’m broke!”

I looked pale, as if I had suddenly imagined something ridiculous.

“Oh, or do you need one of my organs? Are you in a hurry?”

Finally, the con artist burst into laughter, unable to hold it in any longer.

I wanted to laugh too, feeling ridiculous and embarrassed. At this point, I must have more acting talent than a master marksman.

After a long laugh, the con artist finally calmed down and wiped the tears from his eyes.

During that time, I pretended to be baffled. I thought I might die from holding my breath. I hope you get a muscle ache later, you jerk.

“It’s not like that. But it’s true that I need you. I have one more favor to ask.”

“W-Wait, it’s not something dangerous, is it?”

“It might be?”

“Huh?”

The con artist smirked, looking oddly pleased.

Happy, huh? Of course, you would be. I’m putting in all my effort to entertain you. Our orphanage siblings would be enamored by this acting talent.

“I’m just joking. But it’s true that I need your skills.”

“My skills…?”

“I can tell you more details after you agree, but I promise it won’t put you in danger.”

With a serious face, the con artist tries to act cool.

I hesitated for a moment while meeting the con artist’s gaze, but my answer was already decided.

I looked straight into the con artist’s eyes. This was an important question. A question that would show my values.

“Is it something that won’t harm anyone?”

“It’s something that helps people.”

“Then I’ll do it.”

Use me as much as you want!

Once I agreed, the con artist grinned. I wanted to match his mischievous grin, but I held back to avoid breaking character.

The con artist handed me a sniper rifle as an advance payment.

Look at this white body, it’s amazing…

All this time…

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