Testing the Broken Stigmata

Monsters burst out of the gate, skeleton soldiers swarming the streets of Seoul. But the awakeners' mood wasn't bad. Gate breaks like this had low-level mobs. If you responded early, it was no big deal.

…Of course, that didn't mean they were laughing it up.

"If this had been inside the gate, we'd have taken the boss's head by now. Sigh. This is so frustrating."

"Can't be helped. Better than rushing in, getting people killed, and tanking the stock price, right?"

Outside the gate, preventing civilian casualties was priority one. They had to be careful even with stray arrows. Luckily, the level gap made it manageable. But it was still a hassle—that's why their eyes were glazed over like rotten pollack…

-Slash.

"Huh?"

A chilling sound rang out in that instant. All the awakeners' eyes snapped to one spot. The boss monster's head was tumbling off.

"Gasp?!"

What the hell is that?!

The guild members' eyes filled with shock. Even these veterans couldn't comprehend what had just happened and froze in place.

Ryu Hwi-min, standing about 200 meters away, wore an expression they couldn't see.

"Oh."

450-level one-shot? This thing's specs are insane.

Hwi-min's lips curled up. His new 3rd Order Stigmata, Space Slash+. Its range and homing performance were already cheat-level, but the power was nuts ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠too. Had to be the All-Cutting Sword trait kicking in.

He was thrilled.

And it doesn't even hurt.

Even the one shred of conscience in this total cheat Stigmata—the self-damage penalty from its constraints—barely tickled him. Performance enhancement was 5x, after all. That meant the range boost efficiency was 5x too, so he only took 20% of the damage he should've. Stack on the Dragon Armor trait cutting all damage by 80%, and…

About 4%?

The damage he took was a measly 4%. Mythic traits combined with Stigmata were this broken.

What a conscienceless cheat Stigmata.

"…That's why I love it."

Heh. Hwi-min's face lit up with a grin.

Was just gonna steal the boss, but since I already drew the sword, might as well do a little service.

"Space Slash."

Whoosh—!!!

Hwi-min's sword slashed through empty air. Four times in a second. At speeds where the blade itself vanished. To the other awakeners, that furious assault looked like an incomprehensible miracle.

-Halt.

"What the—?!"

A skeleton soldier one of the Arirang Guild members was fighting had its sturdy skull split like tofu. Several at a time, crumbling in seconds. Even Korea's top dog, Hwang Hee-chan, couldn't pull off this overwhelming massacre.

"Hyung, what the hell is this…?"

"If I knew, I'd be Cheolgangmin, you punk!!"

The guild members froze on the spot. Right up until the last stray mob crumbled to dust.

It kept going.

"This is insane, what…."

"I'm out~ Good luck~."

Leaving the stunned awakeners behind, Hwi-min stored his sword in his Inventory. He slipped into an alley, took off his hat, and withdrew the mana from his necklace.

Step, step.

By the time Hwi-min stepped back onto the main street, there was no trace of the powerhouse who'd just gone on a rampage.

'Easy peasy, young man~.' He hummed a cheeky tune as he kept walking. After pulling off something like that, he planned to head home all casual-like, without a hint of it showing.

…Of course, it didn't go down that way.

"I don't know who this mystery master is, but find them no matter what!!!"

"They're probably still nearby!!!"

The Arirang Guild members scattered in all directions. The identity of the one who'd just swept away their enemies in their stead? Probably some hidden expert in disguise. If they could recruit that overwhelming powerhouse, they'd become Korea's number one guild. So drag them in with promises of billions if they had to—that was the guild master's order after the report.

-Rustle!

Someone promising… huh?

At the end of their heated search, one awakener's eyes landed on Hwi-min. Less than a kilometer away.

That guy….

His gaze scanned Hwi-min. Seemed ordinary at a glance. But the shoes were unique—definitely gear from the Tower.

Was there an awakener I didn't know about? World's a big place.

Impressed by the quality, the awakener's attitude turned polite on instinct.

"Excuse me, sir? Got a moment?"

"Yeah?"

The man clasped his hands and stood before Hwi-min.

"You're an awakener, right?"

"…Gasp?!"

Hwi-min's shoulders hunched. Was this a Management Bureau guy? That fear flashed through him, but…

"Were you perhaps the one who just took out the monsters for us?"

"Ah."

Arirang Guild guy, huh.

Hwi-min caught on and relaxed. Sure, his identity was still under suspicion, but he'd prepared for this.

"Yeah, I'm an awakener, but I haven't even climbed the Easy Tower yet."

"…Pardon? But those shoes look like high-quality gear."

"Can't trust people, huh? Check this out."

Smoothly, he pulled out his phone.

"Here's a pic…."

"Dude, why are you showing me shit?"

"Ah, swiped the page by accident! Sorry!"

He took a brief hit, but anyway. Hwi-min checked the screen and held it out again. A commemorative photo with Luca popped up.

"Oh, the kid from the Beginner's Tower."

The man nodded in understanding. Awakeners couldn't switch Towers once chosen. Meaning this guy was from the easy-mode Tower anyone could clear. A total noob among noobs.

The man's lips twisted.

-Snicker.

Should've known.

"Well, could happen."

An unconscious sneer slipped out. He was from Normal difficulty, Challenger's Tower. Hwi-min couldn't help but look pathetic. The disdain was blatant enough that even Hwi-min clocked it.

Ah, this guy's looking down on me.

An awkward smile tugged at Hwi-min's lips. A look he'd gotten ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠plenty back at the construction site. He knew exactly how to handle it.

Just look down on him right back~.

"Anyway, nothing else? Gotta go. Can't waste time with a scrub like me when you're such a big shot."

He tossed out some self-deprecating bait, then—

Whoosh!

Hwi-min turned and walked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠off briskly. Pouring mana into the Hermit Necklace made him vanish like a dot to the guild guy in seconds.

"Uh… tsch."

Feels kinda bad now. Maybe he's got health issues or something. Shouldn't have dissed him.

The man scratched his head belatedly. Late regrets included.

…The problem was, it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was way too late.

-Swipe.

Arirang Guild's done for. Time to school their members on manners.

Hwi-min pulled out his phone again. The top bar blinked with a VPN notification. His familiar nickname reflected on the screen.

"…Phew!"

After venting on the community, Hwi-min set off with light steps. No need to spell out the butterfly effect his post caused.

-Boom!!!

"You fucking idiots!!! Do you know how much you tanked the stock today?!"

"Calm down, hyung!!"

"Calm my ass… Ah, ahh. Blood pressure."

That evening, at Arirang Guild HQ. The guild master's roar echoed. He even clutched his neck. But that wouldn't bring back the plummeting stock price.

Even Hwi-min would freak out at the drop, but…

It wasn't a guild with a spotless rep to begin with. Self-inflicted wounds, really. Thanks to that, Hwi-min slept like a baby.

"Do-hwa, night night~."

"Kyaang…."

The hectic day wrapped up peacefully amid fluffy pink fur. At least for Hwi-min, it had been fulfilling.

Inadvertently tanking one shady guild aside, anyway. Life after that didn't flip 180 degrees… maybe 30. Thanks to the 12 billion won.

"Here to see the place~."

"This one's a bit pricey…."

"I'm an awakener?"

"Welcome!!!"

First things first: scored a new house. Clear the 3rd layer, and sis wakes up. Time to move to Seoul—nice apartment too.

"Thirty billion…."

This big, and it still doesn't feel real.

Blew through cash like water, but hey. With 12 billion, who cares. Worth it for Se-rin.

Plus latest PC, furniture….

Everything else was for Se-rin too. Sure, he splurged on himself a bit.

-Sniffle.

"Holy crap, I actually made it…."

Not that it was anything wild—just a Burger King burger with every topping. Still a luxury to him. Made for happy days.

"All moved in~."

"Thanks!"

And finally, move complete. All that took nearly a month. The world changed a lot too.

Cheolgangmin's name wouldn't die down domestically.

Got immigration offers too.

Other countries, especially the UK after he cleared their 7th gate for them. Pretty much every nation love-bombing him to come over. Government even issued a statement telling them not to stir up our citizens. No candy, but they're slurping kimchi soup. Wonder what's up with them.

"Why go abroad? With this money, Korea's the best place to live. Right, Do-hwa?"

"Kyaang~."

"Good girl, you get it."

He petted Do-hwa, then reached for his phone.

Ring ring—

The call connected to a weary voice.

"Sunbae, it's me. The artifact guy from before."

[…Eh? Hwi-min-ssi?]

Yu-na's gasp burst through the speaker. Then her voice rose, full of delight.

[Calling me means… maybe?]

"Yeah, exactly."

I smiled back. Took a deep breath.

And let it out slow.

Along with the words I'd held back for a month.

"Time to head up. To the 3rd layer."

Se-rin-ah, come home now.

To our house.