Chapter 60:Money and Talent Pour In

            Chapter 60:Proof of Effect

The day before Chuseok.

After a quick preparation, I headed to the gym for my evening workout. While waiting for the light to change at a crosswalk, I heard a rhythmic *tap-tap-tap* beside me.

I turned my head and saw a man wearing sunglasses. He was walking cautiously, tapping the ground ahead of him with a cane.

*Click, click.*

The man then pressed something in his hand. However, when there was no response, he looked flustered, appearing at a loss for what to do.

"Uh? Uh..."

He seemed to be visually impaired.

Ryu-seong immediately approached him.

**[A quest has appeared...]**

Ignoring the hologram, he spoke to the man.

"May I help you?"

"Ah? Oh, yes! Thank you. May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Is this the crosswalk? The tactile paving on the ground tells me it’s a crosswalk, but the acoustic signal for the traffic light isn't working."

Ryu-seong’s eyes momentarily dropped to the ground.

He saw the bumpy yellow blocks.

"You're right, this is the crosswalk. There is a signal light here too."

"Ah, I see."

"I'll let you know when the light changes."

At Ryu-seong’s words, the man bowed his head.

"Thank you so much."

"It's no trouble at all."

After a short wait, the traffic light turned green. Ryu-seong immediately informed the man.

"The light has turned green now. Would you like to take my arm?"

"Would that be alright?"

"Yes, it’s right here."

Ryu-seong offered his forearm to where the man reached out.

"Thank you."

"Let's go."

Together, they crossed the street.

"By the way, where are you headed?"

"Ah, I heard there’s a Mimir Cafe nearby. I’m on my way there."

"Mimir Cafe? That’s not far."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I’ll walk you there. I’m heading that way anyway."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to be a bother..."

"It’s really no trouble at all."

The man bowed deeply.

"Thank you, truly."

"Aigoo, it’s fine. No more thanks needed."

"Ah, yes."

As they walked slowly, a conversation naturally unfolded. He mentioned he was meeting a friend there because Mimir Cafe provided Braille menus.

"I struggled a bit since it's my first time on this path. Without a Braille menu, ordering is very inconvenient. That's why I decided to try coming here, but it's difficult."

Ryu-seong thought he was impressive.

Even people with sight often lose their way in unfamiliar places.

"You're amazing."

"Amazing? Not at all. I'm just... struggling to live my life. I can't just stay inside the house forever."

Just moments ago, he must have been incredibly uncomfortable.

Because there was no acoustic signal.

Yet, the man’s expression never soured. He maintained a faint smile throughout.

"Ah, is it strange that I keep smiling?"

"No, it's just nice to see."

"Haha, thank you. Actually, if a visually impaired person looks unhappy, it makes others feel even more uncomfortable. Nothing changes either way, so I try my best to live positively."

He was a truly strong person.

He was also someone who made Ryu-seong think deeply. Lost in thought for a moment, they arrived at their destination.

"Here we are. Mimir Cafe."

"Thank you. I hope you have a wonderful day."

"You too."

Ryu-seong only turned away after watching the man enter the cafe.

He entered the nearby gym building. There, he ran into the man who had given him a business card a long time ago. It seemed their workout schedules had simply been misaligned until now.

"Hello."

"Ah, it's been a while."

"It has. You look much better than before."

"I've been working out quite hard."

Even at a glance, the man had clearly put on some muscle.

"Well, have a good workout today."

"Yes, thank you."

"If you ever need a spot, just let me know. It's good to help each other out."

"Will do."

After a brief greeting, Ryu-seong began his full-scale workout session.

On the way back home.

He thought about the visually impaired man from earlier.

The 'acoustic signal,' he had called it.

Searching on his smartphone, quite a few articles popped up.

**[Incheon City: Nearly 30% of Traffic Lights Lack Acoustic Signals]**

**[Incheon City allocates 500 million won in budget to install and maintain lacking acoustic signals...]**

The costs were more significant than he expected.

500 million.

If expanded nationwide, it would easily exceed 10 billion won.

"It all comes down to money."

With money, most deficiencies could be filled. The problem was that there wasn't enough of it. Even with 2 billion won in hand, there wasn't actually that much he could do.

Small donations were the extent of it.

To truly change something, far more money was required.

He realized this truth clearly.

"I want to earn more."

Ambition surged within him.

He possessed the ability to earn plenty, after all. Continuing his thoughts, he soon arrived home.

*Nyaaaa!*

Lucky greeted him warmly.

"Oh, hey there. Let me just wash up and then I'll play with you."

He went into his room, changed clothes, and washed his hands and feet. After playing with Lucky f

or a bit, he belatedly remembered the card reward.

This time, too, he was with Lucky.

*Tap.*

The selected card vanished, and in its place, dozens of new cards materialized.

**[You have selected an 'Unranked' Item.]**

**[This is a very low probability event.]**

**[You have obtained 'Tarot Card of Fate (3 Charges)' as a reward.]**

**[The Shop has been refreshed.]**

**[This item has been added to the Shop list.]**

It didn't seem like an ordinary object.

**[Tarot Card of Fate (3 Charges)]**

**[Activates when standing at a crossroads of choice.]**

It was a consumable item with three uses.

*A crossroads of choice...?*

It looked quite special, but because the description was so vague, it didn't really hit home yet. However, the moment he checked the Shop:

**[Miscellaneous]**

**6. Tarot Card of Fate (3 Charges)**

**Required Prerequisite Points: 500**

He couldn't help but be certain that this was a truly insane item. It was a tarot card that cost a staggering 500 points.

"If it's something that 'activates'..."

It seemed he couldn't use it manually.

*The Tarot Card.*

No matter how much he focused his will, the tarot card did not respond. Whenever a moment of choice arrived, the card would likely respond on its own.

He decided to wait for that day.

The next day, on the way to his family's ancestral home, he headed to the cat-only hotel he had booked.

*Nyaaaa.*

The whole family said their goodbyes to Lucky.

"We'll be back soon. Just relax and stay comfortable."

"This place is really nice."

"We can definitely leave him here for a few days without worrying."

Since the hotel separated the cats into individual spaces, his stress wouldn't be too high. Seeing it with his own eyes made him trust it more, so he felt at ease leaving Lucky behind.

"Well, we'll leave him in your care."

"Yes, please have a safe trip."

Leaving the cat hotel, they traveled to the family home located in Incheon.

It seemed they were the first to arrive. His grandfather and grandmother, who appeared to have been waiting for a long time, welcomed them warmly.

"Aye, you're here?"

"Grandmother! Grandfather!"

Ryu Hyun-ah was the first to run and embrace them. His grandfather patted her shoulder nonchalantly, while his grandmother couldn't hide her smile.

"Aigoo, look how much you've grown."

"Even if she's grown, she's still my little puppy!"

"Ahem, well, you're right about that, dear."

Hyun-ah just beamed, looking happy as could be.

"Hehe!"

"Aren't you hungry?"

"Yes, I'm okay for now!"

"Alright, go play. Everyone else says they'll be here before evening, so I'll feed you all once they arrive."

"Yes, Grandmother!"

Hyun-ah replied as she went into the room. Ryu-seong and Ryu-hwan also shared their greetings and followed behind her.

"I wonder when Hee-yeon is coming."

Curious, Hyun-ah immediately contacted her younger cousin.

"Yeah, Hee-yeon. Where are you? You're almost here? Okay, got it!"

Before long, relatives began to arrive one after another.

"Unnieee!"

"Kyaaaa! Hee-yeon, you've gotten so pretty!"

"Hehe, I lost some weight."

"Are you a high schooler already?"

"Of course! Even though you're a college student!"

"Ehehe."

Following them, his aunt and uncle entered the room.

"Aunt, Uncle!"

"Seong, Hwan, and Hyun-ah too. It’s been a long time since we’ve all seen each other."

"Have you been doing well?"

"Of course."

Most of the relatives were relatively well-off. Perhaps because of that, every one of them had a bright face. The eldest uncle's family, who arrived last, were the same.

"Now, now, since everyone is gathered, let's start with dinner."

"Yes, sounds great!"

Together, they prepared a grand feast. In the midst of the busy movement, Ryu-seong watched for an opportunity while helping set the table.

"Hyun-ah! Could you scoop the rice and bring it over?"

The chance presented itself.

Ryu-seong immediately answered his aunt's request.

"Aunt, I'll do it."

"Oh, will you?"

"Yes."

"Then Hyun-ah, you help move the pancakes and songpyeon (half-moon rice cakes)."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Ryu-seong stood by the rice cooker and scooped the rice. One, then two bowls were filled. Looking at the bowls matched to the number of people, he glanced quickly at his surroundings.

Everyone was busy doing something else.

Since no one was paying attention to this spot, he hurriedly pulled a transparent bottle from his pocket.

It was the **Aging Recovery Potion**.

Using a dropper, he squeezed two drops into each bowl of rice.

*Okay, done.*

He tucked the potion back into his pocket and moved the rice bowls with a much lighter heart.

"Whew."

In an instant, various dishes were placed on the table.

"I think that's everything."

"Let's eat."

They settled into their seats and began the evening meal. For the first time in a long while, he ate until he was about to burst. Afterward, all the relatives gathered in the living room and shared small talk.

"Are Hyun-ah and Hwan doing well in school?"

"Yes, we

're doing well."

"Oh, by the way, Seong... you're doing that thing, right? Painting?"

Ryu-seong tucked the potion back into his pocket and moved the rice bowls with a much lighter heart.

"Whew."

In an instant, various dishes were placed on the table.

"I think that's everything."

"Let's eat."

They settled into their seats and began the evening meal. For the first time in a long while, he ate until he was about to burst. Afterward, all the relatives gathered in the living room and shared small talk.

"Are Hyun-ah and Hwan doing well in school?"

"Yes, we're doing well."

"Oh, by the way, Seong... you're doing that thing, right? Painting?"

"Yes. Emoticons."

"Right, that. I actually use them on K-Talk sometimes."

"Really?"

"Of course. That chubby little servant character is quite cute."

Hearing that his grandfather used his emoticons made Ryu-seong break into a grin.

"I'll try to draw even cuter ones later."

"Ho ho, I'll look forward to it."

It was a small, yet joyful time.

The next day.

A commotion broke out from early morning. It was only natural, as everyone’s skin was suddenly glowing with health. The change was especially striking in the elderly members of the family.

"It's because the rice was so good yesterday."

"Eating well makes your skin look better, that's all."

Everyone seemed to agree with the grandparents' assessment.

*Well, I suppose that could be it,* their expressions seemed to say.

"But strangely enough, my back feels a lot more comfortable."

"You too, dear? My joint pain has subsided quite a bit as well."

"Even the wrinkles a little..."

"Honey, your skin is quite firm. You look much prettier somehow."

"Oh, stop it. Has this old man gone senile?"

"Come here. Let me get a closer look."

"Stop it. Go away."

Watching them from a distance, Ryu-seong smiled to himself.

*They look good.*

He prayed that this would make their daily lives even just a little bit easier.

That evening, they headed down to his mother’s side of the family, and the atmosphere there was much the same. His aunts and uncles were doing well, as were his maternal cousins.

Truthfully, he wanted to do something for his cousins, but there wasn't anything specific he could provide just yet. Though it was a bit disappointing, seeing that everyone was living well was enough.

He spent a day with his mother's side too.

Thanks to that, he was able to feed the **Aging Recovery Potion** to everyone once again.

"I feel like I'm overflowing with energy today."

"My body feels strangely light."

"I think my skin got better, too."

Just then, Ryu Hyun-ah cried out in surprise at something she saw.

"Whoa, Uncle! Your hair...!"

"Huh? What about my hair? Did more fall out?"

Letting out a voice full of despair, his uncle rushed into the bathroom, only to let out a scream a moment later.

"Gwaaaaah!"

His hair loss had been progressing rapidly since last year, but in just one day, fine new baby hairs had sprouted in the balding spots.

"It—It’s a miracle. A miracle!"

The whole family offered their sincere congratulations.

"I'm going to manage it like my life depends on it from now on."

Seeing his uncle so happy made Ryu-seong feel great as well.

*I’m glad I used the potion.*

Furthermore, about two-fifths of the bottle still remained.

He intended to save this strictly.

By testing it on his relatives, he had confirmed that if timed correctly, it even had the effect of recovering hair loss. It was clear that if used wisely, it would be a massive help in various ways.

Moreover, the potion he used now was only **'Low-grade.'** According to the description, the same grade wouldn't have a cumulative effect. That meant that if a 'Lowest-grade,' 'Mid-grade,' or eventually a 'High-grade' appeared, they would each manifest their own unique effects.

If he could obtain them someday, he would be able to use them even more efficiently than he did now.

It was already time to return home.

"Load this in, too."

"Grandmother, there's enough..."

"Just put it in."

After loading several containers of kimchi into the trunk, he shared his final greetings with his maternal grandmother.

"Drive safely on your way up."

"Yes. I'll come visit often when I have time."

"Nonsense, you're busy."

"I'm not busy."

"If you're not busy, find a girlfriend and bring her next time!"

"Ahem. I'm leaving now, Grandmother."

"Alright, go on."

His grandmother stayed in her spot until the very moment the car started. Seeing her, Ryu Hyun-ah and Ryu-hwan kept waving through the rolled-down windows.

"Grandmother, we're going!"

"Go on now."

Even after the car pulled away, his grandmother didn't move. His grandfather stepped up beside her lonely figure. Only then did Ryu-seong turn his head back toward the road, 

feeling relieved.

Truly...

He firmly resolved to visit them more often.

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