“Raising a stat by 1 is special, of course.”
“It’s not just special—it’s extraordinary!”
Sanghyun looked at me with a stunned expression, as if thinking, ‘What is this guy?’
Minjun, who was sitting beside him, let out a small sigh.
Why are they all acting like this toward me?
“Stats are super important to Hunters, right? That’s why, isn’t it?”
“Hah… I should have explained this sooner.”
“I’ll explain it for you. Of course, Minjun knows the details better than I do.”
The more stats you gain, the better, right?
If one stat raises by 3 instead of just 1, then even eating Eggs by grade would raise it by 9, so wouldn’t that be better?
That’s why I thought it was disappointing that it only raised by 1.
“It’s not important or special because it raises a stat by just 1.”
Minjun nodded with his arms crossed.
“As you know, Awakened grades range from C to A. Of course, there are a few S-Grade Hunters abroad, but none domestically yet. Generally, these grades are divided based on whether the average of the stats—excluding mana—exceeds a certain threshold. Oh! For mages or healers, mana is included in the calculation.”
The average stat for an ordinary person is considered to be 10.
That’s the average of strength, agility, and stamina, excluding mana.
C-Grade ranges from 15 to 19, B-Grade from 20 to 24, and A-Grade from 25 to 29.
Since I’m preparing to be a Hunter, I know the criteria for Promotion.
But I was told you need experience clearing high-level Dungeons for Promotion, and I’ve never heard anything about stats from Sanghyun.
“Of course, this isn’t common knowledge. It’s an unspoken rule within the Association of Superhumans. About two years ago, a single piece of data that was circulating only within the Association leaked outside and became known. When the average stat exceeds the threshold, that’s when the opportunity for Promotion arises. That is, clearing a Dungeon of a higher grade than your current one.”
A C-Grade Hunter clears a B-Grade Dungeon, a B-Grade Hunter clears an A-Grade Dungeon.
I already knew that.
“Now, let’s suppose a C-Grade Hunter with an average stat of 19.3 clears a B-Grade Dungeon. Would they be eligible for Promotion?”
“They’d be short by 0.7 to become a B-Grade Hunter.”
“Yes, exactly. Now, if this Hunter eats one Egg and one Peanut, totaling 60 points and raising the average to 20, they’d get the opportunity for Promotion.”
That’s exactly what I’m saying.
Then why is everyone telling me that’s not the case?
“When the Promotion Test is conducted, all worn Artifacts are removed before measurement. That means only the individual’s inherent stats count. Also, to prevent temporary stat increases from affecting results, the test is conducted once daily for three consecutive days. You probably know that Stat Increasing Potions are extremely rare. Major guilds monopolize them, and some even suspect collusion. Ordinary Hunters find it hard to get even one.”
So Artifacts are useless for the Promotion Test, and Stat Increasing Potions are temporary and hard to acquire, making them unusable.
Therefore, the agricultural products I cultivate are much better because they can be produced regularly and permanently raise stats upon consumption.
“Now you look like you understand. That’s why I rushed here as soon as I cleared the Dungeon.”
It seemed too simple for them to grasp.
It’s not just about the number 10, but about creating a chance for Promotion that some might have already given up on.
But Sanghyun seemed oblivious to an even more important fact.
That the effect applies as stat +1 per grade—A-, A, and A+.
I was curious how he would react if I told him that the Egg raises stats differently by grade, even though he marveled that one Egg only raised strength by 1.
“Then, how much do you think these are worth?”
“Well… I’ve been thinking about this since I learned they raise stats. Typically, Elixirs that permanently raise stats by 1 sell for about 1 billion won. They’re also rarely on the market.”
“1 billion won?! That’s insanely expensive… Then my Eggs and Peanuts…”
“But Elixirs can be taken multiple times, and stats rise indefinitely. So personally, I estimate about 100 million won. Since there are limits and a large quantity, they can be sold to many people, so it’s a high-volume, low-margin situation.”
Isn’t that still a huge amount for high volume and low margin?
Of course, after hearing the 1 billion won figure, 100 million seems less impressive.
Time to negotiate.
I laid out my cards.
“Then… what if the Eggs and Peanuts don’t raise stats by just 1?”
“What do you mean…?”
“What if each raises stats by 3? The Egg can raise strength up to 3, and the Peanut can raise stamina by 3… then what would you estimate the value to be?”
“What?! But the limit is only once per item… The Grade Checker is accurate…”
“Yes, it’s accurate. The limit is one time, but that’s per grade.”
Sanghyun’s mouth dropped open.
His eyes immediately locked on Minjun.
“Mi-Minjun, is what Minho says… true?”
Sanghyun gripped the armrest tightly as if ready to jump up, questioning the truth.
“Yes. I even checked it directly on my status window.”
Minjun swallowed hard.
Only one stat point left to reach S-Grade.
One single Peanut would elevate me to the absolute top tier of Hunters domestically.
“…There definitely wasn’t an A+ Grade Peanut in the box earlier, right?”
At Minjun’s voice, a tiny flicker of hope passed by.
He was asking just in case.
But…
“Yes? Ah, yes. It’s written on the paper as well.”
Hearing Sanghyun’s answer, Minjun’s expression darkened rapidly.
Because he had already brought all the Peanuts from home and couldn’t fill the last 1 stat needed for S-Grade.
I had already eaten all three grades of Eggs and the Peanuts at A- and A-Grades, so the only one left was the A+ grade.
“Hah…”
“You’re disappointed? You can just grow more, so why be so down?”
“I’d go crazy waiting. Wouldn’t it take about a year…?”
Ah.
Did I not say?
Because of rapid growth effects, I’m going to keep cultivating as much as possible within this year.
“No. I can grow more. It should all be ready in about two weeks.”
“I thought farming was once a year?”
“Depends on the growth period. Some take longer, some shorter. Peanuts don’t take that long, so about two weeks should do.”
At that moment, Sanghyun joined in, looking confused.
“Did I hear wrong? You’re going to harvest this again in two weeks? Wasn’t it two months? No, even two months is short…”
“Two weeks is right. It’s part of my skill set.”
“Oh! So you’re Awakened!”
Minjun swallowed hard.
He’s known to be impatient, but I didn’t expect him to be so restless like a desperate puppy.
“Oh, right. Earlier, you asked how much it would be worth if the stats raised by 3 per item. Hmm. Since all three grades come as a set, I estimate 5 billion won for the set. Of course, the price will drop as auctions continue and items are sold separately.”
Of course, prices go down when supply increases.
This price is more than enough.
Seeing my pleased expression, Sanghyun casually pulled a contract from his pocket.
“This is the contract. Take your time to read it, and just sign your name in the signature box below.”
As I read through the contract carefully, an annoyed voice sounded beside me.
“Sign quickly and get going! Even now, the Peanut harvest time is slipping away.”
Are they trying to scam me or what?
Weren’t they here to look out for me?
“Haha. You can go now. All necessary procedures are complete.”
As I stood up to leave, Sanghyun, as promised, took out the A+ grade Honey and handed it to Minjun.
“Thanks for the honey.”
Sanghyun bowed at about 90 degrees and saw us out to the exit.
He said my next Promotion is guaranteed thanks to me.
“Thank you.”
“I’m the one who should thank you. Minho, if you visit the Auction House again, please look for ‘Kim Sang-hyun.’ Since you’re VIP grade, we’ll contact you once the sales are complete.”
Sanghyun shouted from behind even as he got into his car, “Please contact me if there are any other special items!!”
As soon as I got home, unable to resist Minjun’s nagging, I took the Peanut Shell Bag and headed to the field.
He said he was tired after Dungeon runs and would rest.
He looked worn out.
But I had no intention of asking him to work.
I have Goldie, who works much better anyway.
“Goldie~ Let’s play with Dad!”
(Owner, what’s up?)
As soon as I called him, he appeared from somewhere.
“Wanna play Peanut Planting?”
(…What kind of game is that? Does the owner think I’m stupid?)
Uh…
That was an unexpected reaction.
I thought he’d be happy.
“I didn’t mean to ignore you, Goldie. Sorry if you felt that way.”
(It’s fine. But you gotta give me Peanuts after. What should I do first?)
Promising to give him Peanuts, I asked Goldie to dig.
But I only have the Peanuts I saved for planting. That should be fine, right?
(All done.)
His speed is astonishing every time.
The spacing is perfect too.
“Thanks for your hard work, Goldie. Go rest, and I’ll bring the Peanuts.”
(Okay.)
After finishing up, I grabbed the remaining Peanut Shell Bag and found Goldie in the henhouse.
“Enjoy! Thanks for helping.”
As I turned to leave, I heard Goldie’s angry voice.
(This isn’t it! These aren’t the Peanuts I ate! You tricked me! Owner is a scammer!)
Flapping his wings and panting heavily.
I gave him the same A-Grade Peanuts, so what’s different?
“Those are A-Grade Peanuts too. Aren’t they the same?”
(This one tastes bad! The last time, the nuts were harder and more savory! You can’t fool my taste buds!)
Last time meant the Peanuts harvested and eaten fresh from the farm.
Maybe it tasted better because I worked hard before eating them?
But this time, I worked hard before eating too.
“Sorry, I don’t have any now. When I harvest again, I’ll save some for you.”
(Promise.)
After coaxing Goldie for a while, I managed to calm him down.
After all the fuss, I realized if animals prefer the fresh ones, then they must indeed be tastier.
‘Maybe I’m good at farming. Hehehe.’
Since Minjun still hadn’t returned to Seoul, I headed to the market to cook him a meal.
It’s always the same market for buying ingredients, but I’m always excited.
Things I missed yesterday might be here today, or things I planned to buy later but forgot might come to mind.
“Let’s see. Peanuts first…”
I carefully wrote down what I needed before coming to the market.
Of course, I wasn’t planning to buy only what was on the list.
Once at the market, there are always too many tempting things.
I only wrote down the essentials.
First, I need to boost my brother’s health.
He’s always struggling on the Dungeon frontline, so as his older brother, I want to make him something delicious now.
I decided to make something different.
‘Haesintang? Nah, can’t eat a fellow human in front of my guys.’
I eat Eggs daily, but I’m particular about things like this.
Excluding duck too.
Alright, seafood stew it is!
I’ll make a special seafood stew packed with only the best ingredients for health.
Moving deeper into the market, I spotted a seafood stall I usually pass by because I prefer meat.
Inside the tanks were various seafood quietly resting.
Still, they looked lively and fresh—definitely delicious once cooked.
“Boss, I’ll take four abalones, one octopus, twenty shrimp, and five blue crabs, please!”
I carefully picked the ones I liked.
While they were packaging my order, I looked around and noticed a particular creature on the ice.
‘Hmm. Should I buy squid? It’d go great in seafood stew or seafood pancake. Or squid rice bowl would be awesome too.’
Even if frozen, it shimmered bright yellow and looked fresh.
The owner must have seen me hesitate and offered a deal.
“Hey young man, making seafood stew? You’ll need sea squirts too. If you buy the squid, I’ll throw in sea squirts for free.”
He was right.
Sea squirts make the broth fresh and flavorful.
But I was hesitating since it was a small amount, so getting them for free with the squid was perfect.
In the end, I bought the squid I had my eye on plus two more.
“Thanks~”
Next, I bought crown daisy, onions, green onions, bean sprouts, and radish at the neighboring stall.
‘Should I grow green onions? I could harvest them endlessly. Need to think about it.’
While pondering, I stopped in front of a stall unexpectedly.
It was the honeycomb ice cream!
In the past, there was controversy over honeycomb mixed with paraffin or sugar-fed bees making the honeycomb.
But this place uses purely natural honeycomb!
I immediately ordered one.
The honeycomb sat atop pure white soft-serve, drizzled with pale yellow honey.
I cautiously took a small bite of the honeycomb.
“Ugh…! Too sweet!”
I know.
Honeycomb ice cream is meant to be a sweet treat that melts in your mouth.
But this was… overly sweet!
Suddenly, I wondered about the A+ grade Honey Sanghyun served at the Auction House.
Is it just as sweet? Or does it have some other special flavor?
Once home, I planned to secretly make some honey tea for Minjun.
While at it, I also bought corn rice cake with alcohol flavor that’s said to be unforgettable once tasted.
I tried to open it to take a warm bite, but the soft, fluffy texture combined with the heat stopped me from opening it immediately.
“Hoo~ Hoo~”
I kept touching it, checking the temperature until it was bearable, then I tore a small corner and bit into it.
Wow!
The parts with beans were sweet, and the fluffy texture was interesting.
There wasn’t a single unappealing aspect, so I kept eating more.
‘Come to think of it, Kasia loved delicious food like this too… I wonder if she’s eating and sleeping well in Eliya? We used to enjoy going to the market together…’
As I chewed heartily, memories of life with Kasia flooded back.
I have to go get her.
For now, I’ll leave the leftovers for Minjun, who’s probably starving at home.
Although I’d already eaten too much to say that properly.
I packed the remaining rice cake and looked over the seafood I bought.
Just looking at it made me feel satisfied.
As I stepped out of the market carrying the Styrofoam box with the seafood and the black plastic bag on top, something unexpected happened.
Rattle, rattle.
The Styrofoam box felt unstable?