Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 960
Item Distribution (1)
"I will take a step forward."
'It feels like something is about to happen...'
"You don't have to rush forward. Hyunseong."
Because there might be side effects.
"When you're ready enough to handle it, Hyunseong, trying it might be a good idea."
"Yes, Ki-young. Thank you for your advice."
I'm not sure if this bastard really understood my advice, but along with Kim Hyunseong's dawn, a morning that will dispel unease is brightening.
Naturally, sounds of bustling and murmuring could be heard from all over. It was still early, but it seemed that those who had confirmed that Kim Hyunseong and I were here were already present.
Those who had been watching me gave a nod, and everyone got up to start their tasks.
'They're fast.'
As always, mornings were the busiest time of the day for adventurers.
Most adventurers prefer to be active when the sun is up.
There are many reasons, but the most basic one is safety.
Reasons like ensuring visibility and the working hours of church priests may vary, but in any case, the fundamental reason is safety.
As a result, the custom of starting expedition preparations early in the morning has spread everywhere.
'Who's competing to wake up early?'
The saying that the early bird catches the worm is an unchanging truth in this context.
By occupying a hunting ground, receiving quests first, and completing missions earlier, the chances of encountering monsters also increase.
To sum it up, being able to move faster than competitors, the expedition members here are all those who are one step ahead of their rivals.
The act of folding up the camp happened in an instant, and even though there was a proper mealtime, there were those who tore into dried meat or bread like a habit.
The assigned supply team was preparing to provide breakfast to the adventurers one step faster than those guys.
Basically, I'm not the type to wake up early, but it's not bad sometimes.
'I should start a little earlier.'
The day had already started a long time ago, but I had no choice but to speak while drinking my coffee.
"Then, Hyunseong, I'll be counting on you today as well."
"Yes. I'll do my best today as well."
"That's right."
"You don't have be too concerned about what I said today. Then..."
"Yes."
"Shall we start the meeting? Oh! Let's have a simple meal together with the meeting."
"Ah..."
'Disappointed? But you can't.'
Although the busy atmosphere has an effect, it wasn't solely because of the atmosphere.
'I'm curious about the results.'
I wonder what Messenger Gerk dropped after he disappeared. The expedition's teams probably confirmed it already, but due to various circumstances, they couldn't.
Those various circumstances are right here, next to me.
Even in the midst of the busy atmosphere, it seems like this punk wants to enjoy a leisurely mealtime.
Although I don't have the desire to have a cup of coffee and find some leisure, the act of checking Messenger Gerk's results is a form of rest in itself.
Actually, things like items or money had already become meaningless to me.
But the Radiant Saint is greedy. If there's something good, I want it. I want more gold, I want this thing to be mine, I want that thing to be mine, I want everything to be mine.
"We will check the results and items from Messenger Gerk, so please have all commanders, including officers, come to the makeshift conference room."
"Um... No, I will personally speak to Prophetta."
"Yes. I understand. Ki-young."
Moving my steps to the makeshift conference room happened in an instant, even though I thought I came rather quickly, those who had already gathered were already in sight.
'How did you guys come so fast?'
They were already awake. What's this?
It seemed like they were waiting for us fully armed, maybe all of these guys were already awake.
Could it be that while Kim Hyunseong and I were going around, talking about this and that, they realized and couldn't come out?
Being able to confirm the presence of the military banners was welcoming, but it's still strange no matter how I look at it.
Perhaps showing the scene of dragging down Kim Hyunseong yesterday morning might have been impressive. They might have felt something from the charisma of Lee Ki-young, the dictator who wields power to drag down even the Assault Leader from their position.
Even though I started staring as if by force, it didn't take long for me to realize that I had been shortsighted.
"Then, let's start with the regular situation report."
"Yes."
"Currently, the 1st Assault Unit has merged with the 2nd and 3rd Assault Units. They have entered the 8th floor of the underground and are taking a break."
"The 8th floor of the underground?"
They said they were on the 5th floor.
"Yesterday morning, it was confirmed that they completed the strategy against the boss monsters of the 6th and 7th floors, Executive Seo Sarang and Advisor Archelle. Six people have died, and along with multiple injured members, they reported that they will focus on treatment and take a day of rest. They have requested rum and beer to be supplied to the supply unit and are waiting for approval..."
"Denied."
"General Jin, for the expedition members who worked hard..."
"We are still inside the dungeon. No matter how much you want to create a safety zone and want to have the members put their efforts into it... even if it is said that you want to use the effort of the members, it... the investigation of the 8th floor of the underground... even the basic sample investigation of basic monsters hasn't been completed yet. If I think about it again... it's my judgment that it's dangerous."
"There are casualties... and many members are tired. Commander. At least..."
"I won't allow it. If you want to make use of the efforts of the expedition members who have worked hard, there are other ways. Don't you think?"
"Yes... that's... right."
Why are you trying to eat rum and beer inside the sacred dungeon of Benigore? It doesn't make sense.
Although I seemed to hear a voice saying "Lee Ki-yeong, you bastard" from somewhere, I couldn't allow it for the sake of the integrity of the attack unit.
If any unfortunate incident were to occur, it would be because I would surely lose sleep due to guilt.
"Next is the 6th Assault Unit."
"Yes."
"The leader of the 6th Assault Unit, Elios, is still unable to get up from his sickbed. Although recovery is underway, it has been judged that his body is not in a state to lead the assault unit, and they are currently considering joining the main unit."
"Did you report to Hyejin?"
"Yes. I received a report from Cho Hye-Jin."
"Yes, it seems that it would be better for the 6th Assault Unit to join the main unit. Please give me the coordinates of the joining point."
"I understand."
"Is there any other business?"
"That... yes. Regarding the issue of the loot from Messenger Gerk..."
"Ah!"
Look at their expressions.
I now understand why they were out so early.
'They were waiting for this.'
"I see. First, I should look at the loot. The classification..."
"It's already done. Lee Ki-yeong. It has been classified into items that can be used immediately and items that need further investigation as samples. In addition, the items that can be used immediately have been classified by unit..."
"Yes."
"And... from now on, the data you will see is the contributions of each clan, guild, or individual."
At the same time, various pieces of data appeared in front of me.
"It's off-topic data, but I've prepared a list of the items that each clan and guild want. I would appreciate it if you could refer to it."
'How long have you been waiting?'
It already felt like everything had been taken care of and they were waiting. Was it because I made these greedy and avaricious guys too eager?
'They must have been really excited.'
There was no way to avoid realizing that I hadn't considered the expedition members' feelings. Even without saying it, I could feel how frustrated they must have been throughout the day.
The faces of those who were waiting for the decision whether they could directly claim the results of their hard work looked like puppies desperately needing to relieve themselves.
Where are the guys who aren't interested in the items that would level them up? Strictly speaking, unlike me, a non-combatant, most of the people gathered here are individuals capable of direct combat.
High-quality items increase their survival abilities, take them up a step, or even make them leap two or three steps.
While the Blue Guild is not particularly attracted to legendary-grade items because they have so many accumulated items, that's not the case for the average adventurers.
Means that can elevate the reputation of a clan or guild, and the power to enter dungeons that had been unexplored until now.
Although not a general case, there are also those who care about appearances... Regardless, they would have eagerly checked the loot from Messenger Gerk with an excited heart.
The problem was that they could only confirm the items. The distribution, to some extent, was our responsibility.
With so many groups gathered, these loot items would likely become a starting point for problems. Naturally, figures like attack unit commanders are conventionally responsible for distribution.
'Good things must have come out.'
They were just heroes gathered for the continent's sake, but no one among them would have the thought of doing unpaid labor.
Moreover, this time, we hadn't discussed the precise item distribution in advance.
"Did everything come in?"
"It's still coming in, Lee Ki-yeong."
Messenger Gerk was the one who ascended while absorbing the boss monsters on the lower floors. There must have been a lot of dropped loot as well.
"Quite a lot."
I was sure that they wanted to talk about the loot problem yesterday. I was going to ask what we should do, but... the fight between Kim Hyunseong and me started, and the atmosphere of the expedition turned cold, so there was no one I could ask. I didn't have anyone to ask, in case sparks flew...
"These guys..."
There was, of course, a direction where we needed them in the temple... Even so, I should act with compassion.
It doesn't help with morale.
"To proceed with the expedition smoothly... it would be best to distribute the items now."
"I appreciate your judgment."
"I'm a bit sorry to say, but it seems that we cannot distribute the items exactly as desired by each clan and guild."
"I understand."
"Of course, we will try to distribute them as fairly as possible, considering contributions and what items are suitable for each user."
"...."
"The atmosphere seems to have become quite tense. It feels even more serious than when you were dealing with Gerk... I hope you have a drink while listening. You might not be entirely satisfied with the distribution, but... we will proceed with the distribution as quickly and simply as possible. I will allow one counter-argument per group."
'Of course, I won't accept counter-arguments.'
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Let's start with the easy ones. These are the items that came out of the boss monsters that Messenger Gerk defeated. The helmet of Guardian Commander Palt from the underground temple. An item of legendary grade, it returns the impact applied to the helmet to a certain extent. We will give it to the 11th-ranked clan union. Additionally, we will also distribute the flag of Guardian Commander Palt. Any objections?"
"...."
"None."
"...."
"If there are no objections, we will proceed with the distribution as is. Please handle individual distribution within the clan union."
"Thank you!"
'Yeah, you guys probably just wanted that one. The helmet of Palt is a bit ambiguous, but... Palt's flag seems to be a useful area buff item.'
The higher-ranked adventurers a bit higher up are likely aiming for different items.
For example...
[Confirmed: Herald Gelk's Boots of Semi-Mythical Grade]
'Awesome.'
Items like that.
Kim Hyunseong opened his mouth at that moment.
"I'll go with this.Ki-young."
The guy who had been sitting quietly suddenly extended his hand over the table.
Naturally, it was a moment of exultation, perhaps he had finally taken a step forward. Had he made up his mind to give himself a gift?
But that hand passed over Gelk's boots.
[Herald Gelk's Letter Bag - Legendary Grade]
"A nice bag indeed."
"...."
"...."
You crazy bastard.