Chapter 46 (1/2)
Chapter 46 – Day 12, Theft
I thought they would bring me a blanket at most, but Kim Tae-hyun's brought me pants, a t-s.h.i.+rt, jacket and sneakers. After changing clothes and looking in the bathroom mirror, I examined something I learned today: Essences could also be absorbed.
[Essence – Elder Salamander]
[The 'Fire Lizard's Mark' will be inscribed on both hands. It is possible to switch it from an active/inactive state through a command.]
[Fire and heat resistance have increased by 10%. This won't turn off as long as your HP doesn't fall below one.]
[The average body temperature will rise by one degree. There is no physical deterioration caused by high body temperature.]
[You have become 5% more vulnerable to cold air.]
[Technique – Fire Lizard's Mark: A technique that controls the energy of a salamander through the inscriptions on both hands. You can shoot out flames of various sizes and shapes, as well as in the form of explosions. They are magical flames, but consume the user's 'Hunger' and 'HP' instead of magic power. If either of these numbers aren't high enough, then it can't be used.]
[The maximum firepower will rise in proportion to the level. Precision has increased.]
[Once active/inactive is used, it requires five minutes for the next inactive/active.]
[Become 50% more vulnerable to the cold when active.]
[Current level: Lv 1. 1/100]
It was certainly a pleasure to gain the technique that almost killed me, but my resistance against the cold had further weakened. It was already weak due to the leech essence. Moreover, the suited man wasn't a king. I hadn't seen a message about gaining a city. He might not have tried this if he had such a position.
The Fire Lizard's Mark. Active.
The same pattern as the suited man appeared on the palm of my hands. I imagined a flame. I imagined the explosion that attacked me earlier.
Hwakak.
At that moment, a very delicate flame rose from the palm of my hand. Of course, it was an intentionally small fire. Was it due to my imagination being enhanced in the dungeon? I was able to create a much cleaner flame compared to what the suited man blew from his hands.
As I heard footsteps coming into the men's bathroom, I formed a fist. Then I turned towards the entrance of the bathroom. ”Have the rest of the people been sent back?” I asked Kim Tae-hyun, who had just entered the bathroom.
Of course, I didn't order it, but Kim Tae-hyun was bound to do so. It was the most obvious action after explosions had occurred. I had done such a widespread provocation that it was unknown what type of conflict would have occurred if Kim Tae-hyun left it alone.
”Take this.” Kim Tae-hyun threw a piece of paper at me. It was laser printed paper like a bank sheet. The ID of a virtual account to handle electronic money and the pa.s.sword were written. The account contained '72' points, the number I earned today.
I asked a question in a blunt manner. ”How many points to cover up murder?”
”It varies.” The answer came back straight away. ”It's because the value of human life isn't the same.”
I personally disagreed with that, but it wasn't the place to discuss the value of human life.
”In addition, it will be different depending on how they are killed and the situation going on around them. We look at the convenience of covering up the murder. For example, if there were thousands of witnesses in the middle of a city then it would cost thousands of points.” Kim Tae-hyun continued. ”But… Let's see… If there are no witnesses and the victim doesn't have a nuisance job like a journalist or lawyer… It will be around 50 points.”
He seemed like a salesperson describing a product in the catalogue. I could understand the meaning in his eyes. If there was a mysterious and sudden death, the police would turn away if the victim didn't have a special background.
Yes. That was exactly what I wanted to know. For example, even if I was stronger than Yoon Sang-gyu's grandchildren, I couldn't attack them first. Their status wasn't a joke. But they didn't have to worry about that. I had a weaker status. They might try and use their points to bury me with no hesitation.
“Is this an unfair game? The man who attacked us before is in a lower bracket than you. Maybe he noticed this unfairness and acted.”
I bent down and tied my shoelaces. Then I asked. ”What about theft?”
”… Theft?”
”For example, if I steal someone's wallet, then is there a difference between stealing from an ordinary person and high cla.s.s person?” Kim Tae-hyun narrowed his eyes.
”There isnt' a single person who would use points on such a 'wasteful' thing. At least, I've found that throughout my career.”
”But it isn't certain.”
Kim Tae-hyun was silent for a moment. ”… It depends on the material worth. It depends on how much capacity the victim has to punish you. If it is a simple pickpocket then it should be around two points.”
”Hrmm.”
”I roughly know what you are thinking.” Oh really?
”If you try to hack in order to gain more points, then it's useless. Points are a distinct credit a.s.set that this country deals in. A person with a mere background shouldn't make a fuss.”
”…”
Kim Tae-hyun had almost growled out the words.
”If I think about a pickpocket…”
I got up. As soon as I got up, I moved closer to Kim Tae-hyun.
”Uh!” Kim Tae-hyun gave a short moan but didn't pull his body back. He thought I was trying to scare him.
”I asked because of this.” I pulled out a gun from the waistband of my pants. It was the gun that I had taken away from Kim Tae-hyun. ”I’m quite greedy so I took this without knowing.” I put the gun back in the holster revealed by my open coat. I continued keeping an eye on Kim Tae-hyun.
”Now. Haven't I given it back?”
”…”
”You seem to keep on misunderstanding me. Why are you so scared?”