Solo Max-Level Newbie – Pure Blood

Chapter 23: All Opportunities in One Basket (1)

After the raid on the dungeon, Withered Garden, several things happened.

The biggest of them all was, without a doubt, the interviews with the survivors.

— I… I can’t remember well.

— I think I saw something terrible. Ngh… Uaaaaaah!

— No. No. No. No. No.

There weren’t that many casualties, but because of the “something” that appeared at the end, there was an outbreak of those who suffered mental damage.

Mental derangement, partial memory loss, cognitive dissonance, and so on.

Even doctors, magicians, and priests declared it was a curse beyond treatment.

Of course, not everyone lost their memories.

Some had managed to escape before the Slaughterhouse of Living Spirits was triggered.

“Meeting outside like this feels rather new.”

“New, my ass. Relationships made in a dungeon should end in the dungeon, not drag on like this, tch. And what’s with the franchise café? I only go to places in Apgujeong or Cheongdam.”

They were currently at a café overlooking Seokchon Lake in Jamsil.

Yohan, Seo Changhee, and Park Yeri had gathered together.

“Not to your taste? Want me to make sure you’ll never have to cross paths with us again?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…. I was just saying, instead of a café like this, wouldn’t a nice restaurant or bar have been better?”

Hmm, a meal, huh.

“That’s not a bad idea. Since you brought it up, you’re paying for everything.”

“You’re seriously….”

Park Yeri shook her head and pulled out her credit card.

She’d realized that the more she talked back, the deeper she’d sink into the mire.

‘So I finally get to eat it, huh.’

Inside the Forbidden Book, he hadn’t been able to taste food.

It was merely a means to replenish nutrients — dry and tasteless, like chewing sand.

But now, he could finally savor flavor and aroma freely.

Since he’d only eaten to survive while inside dungeons, his anticipation was that much higher.

“Here’s your Triple Mint Chocolate Frappe, large size.”

Grumbling, Park Yeri brought over a tray full of food.

“Wow.”

Yohan let out a small exclamation.

A beautiful jade-colored sea of a drink, topped with dark chocolate pieces like works of art.

It was the mint chocolate that countless people had praised unanimously.

His father had gone hoarse praising this devilish dessert — claiming that sealing the Tower of Trials was his life’s greatest regret precisely because of this.

Just how good was it supposed to be?

“Ohh. That’s a dessert I’m quite fond of myself. It’s polarizing, sure, but it’s got a really loyal fanbase.”

Seo Changhee added.

Even someone with Spirituality said that? It made it even harder to resist.

He took a big bite of the perfectly balanced creation—

“……!!”

Yohan’s eyes widened.

Without a doubt, this dessert was…

Not food.

It was murder.

A chilling coolness that refreshed his brain mixed with a sweetness that melted to his bones, making the taste buds on his tongue stage a coup d’état in outrage.

He quickly gulped down his coffee to neutralize the flavor.

From this moment on—

Never again.

Not ever again.

Moreover, from now on, anyone who ate this would start with a -10 on his favorability scale.

‘I almost died just now.’

Even the first time he tasted the Red Crane Herb or Spirit Herb of the Western Cliff from the Four Heavenly Sects had been cleaner than this.

He was certain: if used against vampires, this would be far more effective than holy power or garlic.

‘Still, I suppose it’s not entirely bad.’

Yohan took out a flower pot.

With poison this potent, there was a good chance it would make for perfect food — for that one.

“What’s with the flower pot? Planning to raise a plant or something?”

“It doesn’t suit you… no, actually, it kind of does. They say that kind of hobby is good for emotional balance. You know, reduces that tendency to torment others.”

Seo Changhee and Park Yeri each had their own reactions.

Sorry, but this wasn’t an ordinary flower pot.

Just a few hours ago, Priscilla had brought it directly from Vivian — a freshly delivered reward.

Squirm.

The soil covering the top of the pot began to move.

[‘Seed of Living Spirit’ shows strong curiosity toward its first taste of energy.]

As expected, it was interested.

[Mint Chocolate]

[Feed Grade: S]

[The more emotions of ‘disgust’ or ‘hatred’ are imbued, the faster and stronger the ‘Seed of Living Spirit’ will grow.]

Black mamba venom or blue-ringed octopus toxin would have far higher lethality, of course.

‘But what matters more is how common it is in people’s actual lives.’

How often did ordinary people come across snakes or octopi?

Threats from afar were never as impactful as those right before one’s eyes.

In that sense, this green-and-brown abomination was infamous enough.

Even Seo Changhee himself had said it was extremely polarizing.

Gulp, gulp.

As it devoured its meal, the seed sprouted — something burst up through the soil.

“Kiiiiii…”

A black flower with jagged, tooth-like petals.

It even had a single red, glaring eye.

“Kyaaah! Wh-what is that?!”

“This ominous energy…”

Park Yeri toppled backward in her chair, while light gathered at Seo Changhee’s fingertips.

“Calm down. She’s mine. Besides, what’s with that reaction toward a newborn? You’ll hurt her feelings.”

Bright, glimmering eyes.

Teeth like a kitten’s.

Definitely a girl.

Then naturally—

She needed a name befitting her.

“Right. My cute little Elizabeth I, isn’t that right?”

Every living being deserved a proper name spoken with affection.

“Kieeee!”

As if pleased, Elizabeth shook her entire body with excitement.

“……”

“……”

Seo Changhee and Park Yeri were speechless, frozen in place.

Regardless, Yohan’s eyes dripped with affection like honey.

And for good reason.

The plant grown from the Seed of Living Spirit bore fruits capable of maintaining the Eye of the Prophet.

Among all known methods to fully acquire the Eye of the Prophet, this was the most certain and efficient choice.

Moreover, the fruits produced by this plant carried different effects depending on their color.

For instance—

Pop.

At the tip of Elizabeth’s leaf, black and red fruits appeared.

The red one could sustain various Eyes existing in this world, or similar semi-permanent passive abilities.

Meanwhile, the black one—if fed to another person—produced effects akin to solitude.

In simple terms, should the target defy its master’s command, the seed within their body would devour them alive.

“For such growth speed… even if it came from inside a dungeon, it’s extraordinary.”

“C-cute. In its own way. Hiiiik—b-but can you not bring it any closer? I get it, you’re proud of it, but stop shoving it in my face! And don’t look so satisfied either!”

The café grew noisy once more.

Now, only two days remained before the first episode.

Yohan already knew what he had to do.

“Oh, right. You remember you’re helping me tomorrow, don’t you?”

At Yohan’s words, Seo Changhee and Park Yeri set down their tiramisu.

“Spending a day isn’t an issue, but… does it really have clues about the Fragment of Dawn?”

“There’s plenty more than that.”

If the Knight’s Token and the Seed of Living Spirit were the sweetest rewards available in this first week—

Then naturally, there were third and fourth most valuable ones as well.

He couldn’t obtain everything with just one body, but these were far too precious to miss.

Of course, he wasn’t talking about diving into another dungeon.

By the fifth day, the tastiest parts had already been picked clean by others.

So instead—

He would politely “ask” those who had brought such items out of the dungeon… and persuade them to hand them over.

That was the plan for tomorrow — to visit a rather special place.

＊＊＊

The following evening.

The three headed to a shabby bar in Itaewon called Running Rabbit.

“So this is what you meant by ‘work’? Just coming here for a drink? And in a place this out of the way?”

Seo Changhee frowned.

The bar was buried deep within a maze of alleys — getting there had been quite the ordeal.

“Whatever the dress code was, I even wore heels, and now my feet are killing me. Ow, ow. I probably have blisters all over my toes.”

Both were dressed in matching black — suits and dresses.

Especially Park Yeri, who had gone all out with sparkling jewelry and elegant makeup.

“Don’t worry. Once we’re inside, you’ll see it was worth the trouble.”

Yohan smirked faintly.

This wasn’t an ordinary bar.

It was a kind of exchange hall—a place only for the special few.

—“After all, it was the statue that killed my subordinates. And if it weren’t for you, both I and my men would’ve been buried there. So, let’s call it even.”

The recommender was Sa Junhyuk.

Normally, one had to build considerable reputation—at least by the third episode—before ever meeting a recommender.

But thanks to his well-traveled mercenary connections, Yohan had entered with ease.

That alone was a huge reward.

To reach a position where one could even recommend others required surviving countless trials.

“Alright, first put these on.”

Yohan handed them masks that covered only the area around their eyes.

It was a basic measure to guarantee anonymity.

“This isn’t Halloween…”

“But you picked nice ones. You’ve got taste, I’ll give you that.”

With the masks on, everything was ready.

“You’re guests of Member Sa Junhyuk. Verified. Please enjoy your time.”

The guard at the entrance checked their recommendation slip and opened the way.

Once inside, a breathtaking sight unfolded.

“Wow.”

“What in the world…?”

Shock rippled through Park Yeri and Seo Changhee’s eyes.

They’d expected a small bar with tables and a bartender—

But the interior was unimaginably vast.

Dozens of gambling machines reminiscent of a casino filled the area, while one side offered food and drinks for chatting patrons.

It was a dazzling and overwhelming scene straight out of a movie.

“A very high-level spatial magic is deployed here. Probably the largest in Korea.”

A gathering place where the latest intel, secret commissions, and immense sums of money all converged.

If one wanted to trade something, there was no better place than this.

Of course, one had to pay an equivalent price—or take a risk.

“I’ll have to apologize for saying this was a waste of time earlier.”

Seo Changhee nodded, sensing new possibilities.

Meanwhile, Park Yeri was visibly thrilled by the atmosphere.

“They take cards here, right?”

Her expression screamed that she wanted to order a classy cocktail and hit the slots immediately.

“Do whatever you like, but I’d prefer if you paid off your introduction fee first. You know the rule—nothing’s free in this world.”

Yohan wrote something on a napkin with a pen.

It was the list of items they needed to acquire here.

“Of course, I’m not planning to freeload, but are you sure those items are actually here?”

“They’re definitely here.”

He hadn’t seen them personally—since his past runs had started a week later—but he knew one thing for certain:

Taehwa Pharmaceuticals had secured most of their Hidden Pieces right here.

So their people were likely among the crowd even now.

“Then how exactly are we supposed to get them? Judging by the scale of this place, it looks like ordinary money won’t cut it.”

“If you look around, you’ll find a way. Transactions here often use… alternative methods.”

There was no shortage of options.

To satisfy the dark tastes of the VIPs, all kinds of illegal and inhumane bets took place here.

According to rumor—

Even the Church of the Moon had once acquired its sacred sacrificial material here, for use in dispelling black magic.

“In that case… I think that cage over there suits me best.”

Seo Changhee’s gaze turned toward the central arena.

The so-called Colosseum.

“Uwoooo!”

“Go! I bet on you!”

“Damn it, fight back! If you go down here, you’ll lose everything!”

The air was thick with shouts and the smell of blood — far beyond anything like UFC.

Weapons and abilities were all permitted — a true fighting pit.

The fact that Seo Changhee chose that meant his Spirituality was guiding him.

That to conquer this episode, he had to move boldly.

“I came here expecting something light, but things are getting complicated again. Haah… guess I’ll head that way then.”

Park Yeri’s eyes landed on the Texas Hold’em tables.

That area, too, was anything but ordinary.

The stakes were so high that most couldn’t last thirty minutes.

To stay in the game, players often had to wager additional stakes—

Such as a written oath to enter the Labyrinth here voluntarily, even at the cost of their body.

Still, with this group, any choice they made held promise.

A heart-eating killer, and the protagonist of this world — of course it would be enough.

‘Now then, what should I do?’

Yohan leisurely surveyed the interior.

And then—

He spotted something quite interesting.