70: Limit Break
The sales list appeared.
<Goblin Shop (Guardian Tree)>
Sales List:
Red Section
Green Section
Blue Section
Purple Section
Yellow Section
Riding Horse
Premium Riding Horse
War Horse
...
Among the extensive list of items, the colorful scrolls particularly stood out.
Limit Break Scroll Allows activation of 5 additional Strength Orbs. - Non-transferable, requires 50 Goblin coins to activate. Price: 200 Goblin Coins.
"Hmm? Can't give these to others?"
"Hohoho. All items purchased from the Goblin Shop are soulbound. Can't transfer them."
"That wasn't the case in the Beginner Zone."
"Those trash-tier items don't have restrictions."
Indeed, after clearing the Final Trial, the only purchasable items were beginner clothes and basic resources like spoons or strings.
"Lieutenant Oh would love this."
Cheoldu asked just in case:
"You're not permanently stationed at this tree, are you?"
"Of course not. I only appear when someone offers 1,000 coins."
"Quite the expensive fellow."
"Hohoho. What do you expect from a merchant?"
Cheoldu browsed through various items.
Since the merchant was here, he might as well buy what he needed.
"I'll take this."
"Hoho. Most choose that."
Cheoldu bought 10 Limit Break Scrolls of each color.
This alone would allow activating 50 additional orbs per stat, ensuring no issues entering the ranked tiers.
'I wonder how far my limits go.'
The average for barbarians must be higher than the typical human limit of 30.
Exceptional humans can exceed 50 through innate talent alone, so as an exceptional barbarian, he might surpass 100.
This item was preparation for that possibility.
Though he spent 10,000 coins, it wasn't wasteful.
"Got anything besides junk?"
"Kukuku, calling steel weapons junk? How about this?"
As the goblin merchant produced another chest from thin air, the sales list updated with additional items.
Allows reactivating the same type of Trait Orb for enhancement. - Non-transferable, requires 100 Goblin coins to activate. Price: 5,000 Goblin Coins. Allows reactivating the same type of Skill Orb for enhancement. - Non-transferable, requires 100 Goblin coins to activate. Price: 5,000 Goblin Coins.
"What! You should've shown these first!"
At Cheoldu's outburst, the goblin merchant chuckled and put the chest away.
"Hohoho."
"......"
Cheoldu glared, but the merchant only grinned more mischievously.
'He's checking my wallet.'
These creatures could view status windows, so they likely knew exactly how many coins he had left.
"You showed these just to tease me."
"Hohoho. Quite perceptive for a barbarian."
"Tch."
"Kukuku, bought everything you wanted?"
"Junseop."
"Yes, hyung."
"You should buy too."
"Okay."
"Take your time."
"Uh, y-yes."
As Junseop carefully selected items, a group approached from afar.
"Lieutenant Oh! Get over here!"
At Cheoldu's call, Oh Junhwan, who'd been leading the way, hurried over.
"Huff, huff! What's up?"
"How many coins do you have?"
Oh Junhwan checked his hand and replied.
"1,251."
"Enough for six. Buy them now."
"Huh?"
Pushed forward by Cheoldu, Oh Junhwan checked the Goblin Shop's list and his eyes widened.
"This can't be!"
The item he'd longed for.
"Hah, just as I thought."
Having been frustrated right at the threshold of the ranked tiers, the shock and joy from the Limit Break Scroll were overwhelming.
He'd hoped such items existed. When New Seoul's development neared completion, he'd given up due to lack of clues.
After meeting Kang Cheoldu and deciding to return to Nova, he'd vaguely considered it.
'I knew something like this would happen someday.'
Power surpassing ranked players despite not being one.
And the charisma to command over a hundred subordinates already.
Oh Junhwan believed following Kang Cheoldu would eventually lead him to his dream, but never expected it to happen this quickly.
"Buy now. If he leaves, you'll need 1,000 coins to summon him again."
"Ah, right."
Oh Junhwan's usually cheeky tone toward superiors became respectful.
Mercenaries crowded around the goblin shop, buzzing with excitement.
"Hey, lend me some coins."
"I don't have any to spare."
"I'm really 30 short."
With coins lacking everywhere, Cheoldu shouted:
"Keep at least 50! You need to donate to the tree and accept quests."
"Ah, right. Need the quest."
"Wow, that was close."
Excited after hearing about the quest from Oh Junhwan, they'd gotten sidetracked by the shop but all managed to accept exploration quests.
"Hoho. Business concluded?"
"Even if we wanted more, we're out of coins."
The entire mercenary group had spent freely.
Not all bought Limit Break Scrolls—some chose quality gear instead.
"Wow, check this sword. Better than anything from the forge."
"Look at this horse. Keke. Finally can ride!"
"Idiot. Why buy that? We're all going horse hunting with the boss later."
"Huh? We weren't supposed to buy them here?"
"Ugh, moron. Wasted money. Should've bought scrolls."
The atmosphere was lively as everyone shopped with their savings.
"Let's all go get horses!"
Just four days' march to the nearest outskirts.
"Boss. How about mobility training this time?"
"Mobility?"
"Let's march at maximum speed."
"Oh! Good idea."
Running was fundamental stamina training.
Once everyone had horses, they'd rarely run unless forced—perfect time for a hellish marathon.
"Follow me! Prizes by placement!"
"Wooooah!"
Though facing grueling training, the prize announcement boosted morale.
Cheoldu ran without summoning his horse.
His stamina had reached its 49-orb limit, but running developed more than just stamina.
With additional Strength, Agility and Sense orbs activated, Cheoldu led the charge.
"Let's go!"
"Ooooh!"
Thud thud thud thud thud.
Following their barbarian leader, the group dashed from the Ogre Forest toward the outskirts.
Bandit leader Kim Chunbae's eyes wavered at the message.
Only one person came to mind.
'Kang Cheoldu.'
After three stagnant years, something had changed in New Seoul. The only possible culprit was him.
"Boss!"
"The fog is lifting!"
Stepping outside at his subordinates' calls, Kim Chunbae's eyes shook.
The fog was dissipating.
"......"
"What's happening?"
"The Cyclops must have been defeated. Only explanation."
"......"
Kim Chunbae silently watched the decade-old barrier vanish.
"What do we do?"
All eyes turned to him.
"What else?"
He summoned his horse and mounted.
"I'll scout ahead. Prepare to move. Reconnaissance."
"Yes, Boss!"
As always.
Striving to explore ahead of others.
This was how he strengthened his nation—his patriotism.
Brigadier General Park Junpil made his usual rounds before returning to office work.
His main duty remained:
"Thus concludes my report, Magistrate."
"Hoho, your work remains impeccable, Deputy."
"Your praise honors me."
"Hohoho!"
Even a Korean history professor would balk at their archaic exchange when a system message appeared.
"What's this?"
"I-I don't know."
"Perhaps..."
Supply Officer Captain Ahn Seungwoo interjected:
"The Cyclops expedition succeeded?"
"Huh, must be."
"So this place will become like Osaka?"
"Unsure. Draft a report first."
"And summon Major Lee."
"Yes, sir."
Major Lee arrived sullenly.
"What?"
"Everything's fine. What? Huh?"
"Why call me?"
"Check the Cyclops Forest. See what's happening."
"Got it."
"Huh?"
Unusually compliant.
"I'll take some Special Task Force members."
"Do that."
Major Lee left, soon returning with urgent news:
"Emergency report."
"What?"
"Goblins are appearing throughout Paju and surrounding urban areas. Martial law declared, residents evacuating to shelters."
"How far? Bigger than Osaka?"
"25km radius. Covers Gimpo, Ilsan, Uijeongbu."
The issue wasn't the area—but the massive population affected.
"And the President has summoned you."
"Now?"
"Immediate orders to escort Brigadier General Park."
"Understood."
One doesn't refuse presidential summons.
"Captain Ahn."
"Captain Ahn Seungwoo!"
"Take temporary command."
"Yes, sir."
Before leaving, Park paused. If Paju's portal changed like Osaka's...
The government would start sending Novices to New Seoul.
"Stockpile maximum food. Prepare for new residents."
"Understood."
Operations would continue smoothly.
City management was the Deputy and Supply Officer's domain.
"I'll return."
Park took the portal, changed from robes to suit in his locker room, and found an official car waiting.
"Let's go."
"Mmm."
Arriving at the presidential office, President Kim Seungtae beamed and grasped his hands.
"You've worked hard. Very hard."
"Huh?"
"Hahaha. I always believed in you."
"......No. New Seoul's situation is still unclear."
"Hahaha, regardless, you've achieved something great."
"More importantly... public opinion?"
With residents evacuating, complaints were inevitable.
"Hahaha. Public opinion couldn't be better. Prepare quickly."
"Eh?"
"This is your accomplishment—you must announce it personally!"
"......"
So that was why.
"Korea leading the Dimensional Frontier Era! A speech from our frontline general!"
"......"
This... is rather burdensome.
