Chapter 89 – Checking the loot

Lee handed Hajin the bag filled with historical fire arms and weaponry that Boss had raided from the Smithsonian.

Although Lee could vaguely feel that they were special in some way, since he didn't have a cheat-like Gift that let him draw out a weapon's full potential like Hajin, he didn't know how they actually worked.

But he knew for a fact that they definitely felt different. Just like Excalibur had when Evandel had pulled it from the water.

And from Hajin's serious expression as he stared at each bayonet, musket, and other ranged weapons from the spatial bag Lee handed over, it seemed like it was worth the trip.

Which definitely confirmed one of Lee's theories. Mainly that if an item had a proper history behind it or was involved in historical events, it definitely could stand up to the legendary and mythical weaponry that Heroes pulled out from Dungeons and Towers.

Durability was of course going to be a problem. But if you used it right...

'Hopefully this makes Hajin start using his brain more.'

The guy WAS the author of The Returnee Hero and the setting they were in.

If this didn't open his mind to new possibilities, it was kind of sad...

While Hajin looked through that all, Yeonha looked over at Lee before saying, "You had a productive evening, I see."

"Me? I was just sorting out some personal affairs and treasure hunting. Nothing major."

Evandel let out a solemn nod and said, "Daddy, treasure hunting. Yes."

Rachel sighed. "...Yes. Treasure hunting. In Europe. Definitely so."

Yeonha eyed the ominous dark blue diamond on Lee's pitch-black necklace. The one that looked freshly recut and was emitting an eerie red light. "...Well, you certainly found 'treasure.' That reminds me quite a bit of the infamous Hope Diamond."

"I get that a lot." Lee nodded, keeping a straight face. "But the Hope Diamond didn't have any mana in it. This does. It's also a magical artifact."

As for what it was now...

===

[Black Lotus of Despair - Pinnacle-Grade | Fear-Element | Pseudo-Gift Artifact]

Formerly the symbol of the Chameleon Troupe's Seat of Black, the strongest member. Now combined with what had once been the infamous Hope Diamond said to bring misfortune and death to its owner, it has become the manifestation of despair that individuals feel towards the strongest of the world's most feared criminal syndicate.

High synergy, as well as fusion through an unknown means of mana manipulation has created an unprecedented form of artifact.

<Effects>

1. Increases all variable stats by 1.5 point.

2. Wearer can become invisible and turn what they contact invisible.

3. If the opponent fears the wearer, all of the opponent's attacks unilaterally fail.

4. The wearer becomes intangible upon a successful attack to the opponent, preventing counter-attacks and reflexive counters to the wearer.

===

...That was the summary that Droon had given after appraising it.

It was honestly better than Lee thought.

The fact that it increased variable stats by 1.5 points (though it didn't increase his Magic Power sadly) was already massive.

But the additional effects...

The necklace was already useful. And in its new form, it was a great boon to anyone.

But for Lee, whose fighting style revolved around instantly ending encounters with overwhelming force, as well as disabling them with <No Second Strike (Rederived)>...

Well, if he had to rematch Yeonha's father, it would be different this time.

'I, too, can now snowball, you cheap Asura and Kratos wannabe...'

Of course, Lee didn't let it get to his head. After all, he had recently learned that while having a Perception of 11.0 was impressive and pretty much capped there with diminishing returns...

The other stats didn't.

Lee had an average of 9.0 in his stats give or take in his physical stats right now when wearing the necklace.

And because of that, he could feel that he was stronger than pretty much everyone around...

But because of that, he could also feel that there were DEFINITELY levels to this.

Because he was fairly sure Boss was at least three times stronger than him in base form, even without using her Gift....

Which implied that stats ABSOLUTELY scaled up to a hundred plus at the heavy hitters.

There was superhuman, and then there was SUPER human.

Lee needed to be the latter. Especially since his baby girl seemed like she was going to end up running into those sorts of characters when she got older...

"...Hello? Lee?"

Lee blinked and realized that he had trailed off into his own thoughts while Yeonha was talking to him.

Yeonha realized that and rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you men keep doing that these days..." She paused and looked concerned. "...Is there something going on that you aren't telling us?"

"Nah." Lee sighed. "Just realizing there's always another level when you hit the top..."

At least for now though, he didn't have to worry too much.

"But anyway," Lee said. "Hajin's alive, so I guess the interrogation went well?"

Rachel, idly braiding Evandel's hair to complete the Disney princess look, glanced over at Yeonha and said, "Yes. Is everything fine? If it is too troublesome, you are always welcome in Britain, Yeonha."

Yeonha let out a warm smile, idly tracing her belly. "I appreciate that, Rachel. But all is well." She chuckled and glanced back at Hajin, who...

...Looked like he was testing out loadouts and theorycrafting?

Considering how his eyes flickered light blue with magic power and how his shoulder lit up as Stigma activated, he was doing something at least.

Yeonha glanced back at Rachel and said, "My husband proved he was competent. At least, barely passing competent."

Hajin quickly looked up and said, "Even if that's true, do you have to say it like that, Yeonha...?"

"Husband. I vowed to be honest in our relationship... and honestly, you barely meet the standards right now. Of course, that is nothing to be ashamed of... but you must look at yourself objectively, do you not agree?"

"...Yeah." Hajin sighed. But then his eyes flickered with determination and said, "...I'll just get better then."

Lee laughed. "That's the spirit. And remember to spend your points."

Hajin froze and quickly glared at Lee.

Lee tilted his head. "What? Cube has the reputation points for stat boost items if you do well. You should have got some since you tied with me and Rachel for first in theory. Have you not checked your email yet?"

Hajin opened his mouth. Paused. Then he gave Lee a blank stare and shifted his gaze back to the spatial bag, murmuring, "Not worth it, Hajin. Just roll with it..."

Lee resisted the urge to laugh.

Yeonha started leading them to a nearby room to relax and said, "Are the exam grades out then?"

Rachel picked up Evandel, carrying her in her arms while she followed Yeonha. "Not for the combat exams, but the written grades are out, yes. As expected, my fiance and I are tied for first. Unexpectedly, so is Hajin." She eyed Hajin with a skeptical gaze.

Yeonha paused at the doorway to the nearby room and turned back to look at Hajin.

Sensing the gaze, Hajin looked up and said, "What?"

Lee laughed and said, "Don't be too hard on him, Yeonha. Even if he isn't too intelligent, Hajin IS knowledgable. In fact, it's almost like he has a search engine in his head, you know?"

Evandel gasped and said, "Uncle Haji cheating?!"

Hajin's head snapped up. "Wh-What?! No, I don't- I mean, just because I can see what the answer is-"

Rachel stared at Hajin, her blue eyes frosty. "...See what the answer is?"

Hajin quickly clamped his mouth shut.

Lee laughed again and said, "Don't stress about it, Rachel. What was it that Nayun said on our first mission together again...? 'Having to be carried... literally and figuratively...' That's just Hajin's lot in life. At least he's lucky, right?"

Evandel nodded. "Uncle Haji... luckiest!"

Rachel chuckled and looked at Lee. "I suppose that is true." She pecked Lee's cheek and said, "Hajin used up a lifetime's luck meeting you, after all."

"I would say more than a lifetime, but absolutely."

Hajin's expression went through a series of emotions. Definitely disbelief, frustration, irritation, and then resignation.

Because while he definitely could tell that Lee was trolling him, Hajin didn't know HOW Lee was trolling him.

After all, Lee kept randomly dropping on point comments, but he mixed it up well enough that it was juuust borderline believable.

And he knew how to tell truths that let people fill in the blanks for themselves without actively lying.

In short...

'I could definitely be a bad person, couldn't I?'

...A master gaslighter, manipulator, and overall deceptive person.

Of course, Lee thought that was boring, so he didn't bother with it.

...But he'd need to keep an eye on his daughter in the future.

'If *I* can do this, then Eva DEFINITELY can...'

===

After a while, everyone settled in for an early lunch and to just chat and relax.

Evandel, as always, was digging into her 'nom noms' and prioritizing food over everything else while sitting on Rachel's lap.

As for what those 'nom noms' were today, since Yeonha had learned that Evandel disliked super fancy things... and since Yeonha also learned she didn't need to play up the pretenses around Lee, Rachel, and Hajin...

"Fried Chickies~" Evandel held up a freshly fried and crisp golden chicken nugget. "Rich Auntie, amajing!"

Yeonha chuckled. "It's 'amazing' Eva. And thank you. Although..." She frowned. "...Can't you call Auntie by her name?"

"Huh?" Evandel tilted her head as she nibbled her chicken nugget. "...But Rich Auntie is Rich Auntie. Auntie Nayn not rich. Auntie Boss not rich too. Rich Auntie is Rich Auntie!"

Rachel smiled as she decorated a nugget with ketchup, drawing a smiley face for Evandel. "Just accept it, Yeonha. Besides, you are undoubtedly the richest young women in the world at this moment."

Yeonha opened her mouth to protest. But then she closed it when she realized she couldn't.

Hajin absently nodded while typing on his laptop. "My wife is the richest woman in the world right now. And if I play my cards right, she'll be that way forever."

Yeonha's breath hitched and she leaned against Hajin's side. "...I should scold you for calling me such a material woman. ...But I appreciate it, Hajin."

Lee gave Yeonha a blank stare and said, "...But you ARE a material woman. Like, Primadonna Girl is unironically about you."

Yeonha tilted her head. "Primadonna Girl?"

Lee nodded. "You know... Primadonna girl, all you ever wnated was the world. Can't help but need it all, primadonna life the rise and fall? Living life like you're in a play, in the limelight you want to stay?"

Yeonha immediately blushed. "That's not- I mean... Yes, but still...!" She looked at Rachel, clearly flustered. "T-Tell your man to behave, Rachel!"

Rachel looked amused and said, "You think I can make Lee behave?"

"...True."

Evandel looked up from nibbling her chicken nugget and said, "Daddy, bad guy. But good to us! So, best daddy!"

"Right. I'm the baaaad guy. Duh."

After singing it, Lee looked at Hajin to see if he got the references.

But Hajin just looked confused.

'...Oh. Right. Darn.'

Lee forgot.

Technically, Lee was from the future compared to Hajin since The Novel's Extra came out in 2018, meaning Hajin was from that time too.

Meanwhile, Lee was from 2026.

...Which was also technically still the future from the current world too, since it was only 2025.

Lee sighed. But then his eyes flashed with mischief as he remembered something. "So. You guys deal with Jonghak yet?"

Yeonha's fork that she had been using to stab her nuggets suddenly scraped across the plate and snapped it in half.

Evandel gasped. "Mister Plate! No! I fix!" She quickly held out her hands, making golden light pulled the pieces together, causing it to look like golden lines gluing together the cracks.

Yeonha paused, acknowledging the magic that Evandel had just used. But she set it aside for the moment to look at Lee. "No, Lee. I had forgotten about it with everything else. But..." She smiled. "Do elaborate. What exactly was that about a 'roster?'"