Chapter 62: Aftermath (1)
Even when it was just a B-rank gate, I thought escaping the middle zone was the best outcome. An A-rank? Forget it.
Plenty of people were waiting for news, but even they figured the Sword Sage would end up dead inside.
Then it all flipped.
First A-rank gate clear.
Just two in the party.
Korea lost its mind.
[How the hell did they clear this???]
First clear means A+ difficulty, and the party was one A-rank and one E-rank. Am I the only one who doesn't get it?
―The entire world's awakeners are baffled right now~
―Those tin-can S-ranks who said it'd fail? Sunk lol
―Sword Sage bolted straight to the clinic without an interview lol Still no one knows how they did it lol
[Joseon Top Guild]
(Dorim Guild Master Lee Minjun bowing his head photo)
We atone for the sacrifices of those two with this clear.
―Kya lol
―Dorim's the real legend lol
―'Joseon's Best Guild Master'
―Seeing this really hits home how grim Joseon was lol
―Just turn himself in and apologize, perfect lol
[Most Watched Martial Artist in History]
(Isabella looking sympathetic photo)
Clear possible? No chance. My condolences in advance.
―Baguette you again? lol
―Just goat lol
―Giving airtime to hacks like her now? World's improved lol
[???: Had your fun?]
(Kim Minwoo, Seo Yerim photos)
This has been your Korean awakeners.
―'Korea's Hope'
―Sword Sea Pavilion enlistment applications exploding 😨
―Necro boom incoming 😨
―Kya; lineup insane lol
―Makes sense they cleared A+ lol
―For real real lol they actually did it lolol
[???: Kim Minwoo? 1 trillion should do it?]
(Overseas famous guilds that scouted with 1T offers list)
―Seeing this, total scumbag list lol
―1T? Can't buy him now even for 100T you fucks lolol
[Seeing him come out after the clear, Kim Minwoo feels legit amazing;]
(Kim Minwoo pre-awakening luxury news photo)
Dude lived like a titanium spoon just taking pocket money, now hitting a second peak as an awakener, and he feels impressive lol
―For real lol Sword Sage rushing right over shows it. If he just bus-ridden, would he hustle like that to nurse? lol
―Has it all but risks his life to fight 😨
―Realized today. Kim Minwoo's dead serious about clears lolol
―Yeah. Looked like his body was totally wrecked coming out lol Not a one- or two-day fight lol
―Honestly, Sword Sage's reaction was shocking. Even if he went in to save Sword Sage for that guy's sake, no need to act like that after coming out.
―Did he save his life or something? Nah, Sword Sage's personality wouldn't let that fly.
―Even so, that's over the top. No way lol
―Praising him and now he's brainbroken. Save Sword Sage's life? Chill lol
―Anyway, A+ performance is fact, right? Just how nuts is Kim Minwoo's potential?
―If he really shone in there, not just necro #1 super rookie lolol straight world-top king god super rookie lol
―Curious about his level. Guesses? Let's speculate.
―At least 70 pre-entry. Tons of mobs in there? Probably blew past 100 easy.
―Awakened two months ago to D-rank? Speed's insane;
―Yeah. Baguette martial artist took four months, so yeah insane speed lolol.
―But how does a fresh 100-level noob shine in an A-rank gate? Lowest mobs probably 200+
―That's why he's world-top king god super rookie, dumbass lol
―I'm a newbie awakener, can I necro too?
―Uh… was gonna curse but yeah, go for it.
―Yeah. Not my life anyway lol
―If you're loaded, worth a shot? But just mid-rich…
* * *
Kim Minwoo opened his eyes after passing out.
Luxury top-grade furniture filled the hospital room. A familiar sight.
‘Ilsung Clinic.’
Clinic.
Different from a regular hospital—a treatment group run by awakeners.
He checked his body.
‘All healed up.’
Despite near-fatal wounds that should've killed him instantly, everything was restored.
Unyielding Soul.
Without it, one palm from the Heavenly Demon would've ended him.
Truly a god-tier title.
He checked the new titles he'd earned.
[New Title List]
[1. One Who Took the First Step]
[You were the first to enter a new gate.]
[Effect: Vitality +5]
[2. Persistent Striker]
[You struck the same spot repeatedly for massive damage.]
[Effect: Additional damage on stacked attacks.]
[3. Mad Gambler]
[You racked up consecutive wins in an all-in gamble.]
[Effect: Higher win chance when going all-in.]
[4. Strong Slayer → Law of Victory]
[Repeated unbelievable wins, forging a single law.]
[Effect 1. All stats +10% per 100 level difference with monsters]
[Effect 2. All damage +10% per 100 level difference with monsters]
[5. Beginning of the Legend – Part 1]
[An awakener writing a legend. His exploits now recorded.]
[Effect 1. Part 1 chronicle created.]
[Effect 2. Fill Part 1 for a very special effect.]
[Effect 3. Fill Part 1 to unlock Part 2 creation.]
[Part 1 List 7/10]
[Death Lord's Successor]
[One Who Ended Eternal Imprisonment]
[Warrior Remembered by Mutakta]
[Hero of Northern Kaisar Continent]
[One Who Became Master of Divine Beasts]
[Dragon-Phoenix Tournament Winner]
[Executor of the Demonic Alliance Leader]
Titles first.
From the one for first gate entry, to the one from breaking the humanoid's shell.
‘…Starting with the fourth, effects are nuts?’
The first three? Nice to have, nothing special.
But from the fourth? Different league.
Law of Victory first.
Old version was just 20% damage up at 200 level gap. Now exploded.
Stats and damage balloon per 100 levels.
Huge for high-level monsters.
And Beginning of the Legend – Part 1.
‘Whoa.’
He swallowed hard.
The reason was simple.
‘Stacks?’
Part 1 list entries.
Most already earned achievements. Little left to squeeze.
But Part 1 enables it.
‘Ten total…’
Not just special—very special effect.
‘Yeah, recycling era.’
Fan the embers, rejuice old rewards.
Filling naturally as he goes.
Plus Part 2 exists.
‘Part 3 too?’
Recycle thrice.
Chest swells.
Titles checked, now.
‘Time for items.’
Thread of Ascension.
The item that caused all this hell.
Evolved to ring on clear.
Rifled inventory.
Ring popped out.
[Ring of Ascension]
[Grade: Ancient]
[Ring forged from the evolved Thread of Ascension. Imbued with special energy.]
[Restriction: Level 100+]
[Effect 1. Grants eligibility for 'Ascension Ritual.']
[Effect 2. All stats +100]
[Effect 3. Curse power +50%]
[Effect 4. Spectral Swordsmanship (S) usable.]
“Ancient?”
Kim Minwoo's eyes widened.
Item grades in seven tiers—this was sixth. Even in the game, he'd snagged ancient-grade just five times.
Dorim Guild Master's revealed legend ring?
Compared…
‘Sorry to our Ascension one?’
Effects were broken.
Near BiS options.
All stats +100.
Pure national dish.
Curse power +50%…
‘Can't believe my eyes.’
Curse of Aging.
20% off defense and movespeed.
Now 30%.
And that's not all?
Curses core to necromancer—tied to summons.
More curses ahead. All boosted.
Proves the ancient grade.
Last, Spectral Swordsmanship.
‘Finally a sword skill.’
Oasis in drought for Kim Minwoo.
No matter how he swung, no skills spawned. Just honest swings.
‘Not anymore.’
Sword skills now.
Confirmed vs Baek Hak-seong. Dozens of gloomy sword qi blasts.
AOE or single? Stellar.
Versatile.
Slid ring on finger.
[Equipping Ring of Ascension!]
['Ascension Ritual' eligibility granted!]
[* 1,321st ritual currently in progress.]
[* Can apply for 1,322nd when recruitment opens!]
‘Huh? 1,321st?’
Periodic thing?
Can't now.
‘Not itching to go anyway.’
Fresh off clear. Even clear-serious needs rest, time to check gains.
‘Time to gear up.’
Level 151 now.
Elixirs prepped, but C-rank skillbook +9, bone swaps, new gear setup—tons to do.
‘Post-maintenance…’
Recalled gate-end message.
Death Lord's second call activated. Not forced like first.
‘Handle second call.’
Four legion commanders total?
Likely snag another.
Cedric alone thrilled. Second? Already hyped.
‘Gotta rake in cash.’
Pre-entry elixirs bankrupted him. Trillions barely scratch now.
Big money era.
Run crafting.
Bigger investments.
Grind hard.
Pre-exit sight—lip smacked.
Post-Demonic Leader kill, sword and loot dropped.
No pickup time.
Inventory needs hands-on.
No telekinesis snags from afar.
Missed it.
Regular bosses? Meh. But A+ boss?
‘Demonic Leader near-boss tier.’
Sword probably dope.
Equippable great, unsellable? Trillions possible.
Stings missing it.
“Whitey.”
―Kuu.
Voice from room corner. Safely followed out.
Soon.
Flutter!
Whitey flew in.
Mouth clamped big.
―Kuu.
Dropped in hand.
“…?”
A sword.
The Demonic Leader's sword.
[Spectral Sword]
[Grade: Legend]
[Sword handed down through Demonic Alliance Leaders. Said to grow stronger absorbing blood. Non-leader needs qualifications.]
[Restriction: Demonic Alliance Leader, or their killer.]
[Effect 1. Absorbs blood from same-level+ kills. Sword grows with blood. (0/10,000)]
[Effect 2.????]
[Effect 3.????]
…Brought the sword?
Hugged Whitey tight.
“Oh, my baby! Who did you take after to pick only the cutest things?”
Petted head; Whitey cooed happily.
‘Insane.’
Unique ghost sword?
Just 40k mana effective.
Illusions, wraiths—useless vs high-levels.
This Spectral Sword?
‘Legend.’
No level restriction, growth type. Embarrassing to compare to ghost sword. Masterpiece.
‘Finally a usable sword.’
One to grip long-term.