68. The Heavenly Edge Sun Moon Chart

It could be seen as sacrificing one artifact, but it depends on how you use it. If done right, it turns useless artifacts into something valuable.

"Didn't expect to get a treasure like this here."

We'd obtained treasures from the hidden stage 'Cannibal Village' and the main stage 'City Ruled by the Immortal Leader' respectively. Could every stage in this world hide a treasure? It wasn't entirely baseless. The description of the Heavenly Edge Sun Moon Chart mentioned "Three Great Treasures," after all. That meant two more existed. Of course, like this one, they might just have been passed down in Taegang Valley—and there was no guarantee Taegang Valley still had them. They could be scattered across the world.

More importantly, I needed to figure out the best way to use this Heavenly Edge Sun Moon Chart right now.

"Put the frame in the moon, materials in the sun..."

How exactly did it work? The only way to find out was to try it myself. As I pondered which artifacts to use, I pulled out the silver robe that the Jecheon Palace Lord had worn from the mirror.

"Alright. This'll be the material."

-You're going to use a broken item as material. A fine idea, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Master.

"Yeah, something like that."

I immediately held the silver robe up to the sun in the Heavenly Edge Sun Moon Chart. Like the mirror that opened passages with Cromwell's key, its volume shrank and slipped right inside. Once fully inserted, the sun revealed a faint outline of the robe.

The frame artifact would be none other than the Manager Suit Set from the military factory. I stripped off the suit and pressed it into the moon. It slid in smoothly, just as expected.

"It works."

As the suit's shape appeared in the moon, anomalies began. Whoosh...!

The sun and moon glowed red and yellow respectively, then rushed toward each other as if about to collide. They merged in the center, reflecting an even brighter light onto the lake.

Splash!

Bubbling. Bubbles rose from the lakeside like boiling water, and a single shape slowly emerged from the depths. I reached into the painting and pulled out the suit.

"Oh."

I let out a gasp of admiration as I examined it. The suit itself was unchanged, but the silver robe had transformed into a long coat. A perfect blend of East and West. Checking the artifact info confirmed it retained all the silver robe's functions. The aura concealment seemed to apply automatically at all times.

"The Jecheon Palace Lord fiddled with her waist sash a lot, huh?"

Tying the sash at my waist made my body semi-transparent. I'd figured out the stealth mode. But soon after, the sash untied itself, and I became visible again.

"Hmm."

My brief joy at acquiring stealth was short-lived. The stealth duration seemed to be about 10 seconds per use.

"Well, it's better than nothing."

Ten seconds was plenty to land a surprise attack on an enemy. Grinning ear to ear, I picked up the Heavenly Edge Sun Moon Chart again.

"...Ah."

The merged sun and moon had turned pitch black in the center of the sky, like a total eclipse. Replenishing spiritual energy must mean it had a cooldown. I tried inserting another artifact and infusing it with mana, but nothing worked.

"Tch."

Looks like I'd have to wait for next time.

The desk I sat at was piled high with various books. Mostly martial arts manuals studied by Jecheon Palace disciples. I'd found them while exploring after taking over the palace.

Flip.

I skimmed through the pages at high speed.

"Not impressive."

Compared to Black Moon Sect techniques, they fell short. If any resident employees here were interested in martial arts, I'd leave them in the library for them to learn. I pocketed the technique the Jecheon Palace Lord had cultivated. It wasn't better than the Thunder Cloud Heart Knot, but I couldn't just leave it for anyone to pick up.

"...Should I learn it myself?"

The thought crossed my mind, but I shook my head. Forming a Spirit Pill vessel postnatally was incredibly difficult without something like the Fire Spirit Divine Essence. If cultivating two immortal arts meant awakening two Spirit Pills, who knew what side effects that could cause. I'd ask Director Seon Ga-hee if the chance came up.

Unfortunately, there were no other Spirit Pills or opportunities left behind. But there was good news.

Click.

I opened the breeding box of Geum-sago, the so-called Dream Worm. It was sleeping soundly in its now-slimmer body, as expected—it had produced another gold silk orb today. I'd named these Gold Silk Pills. Still soft, it needed time to harden. Probably by tonight.

As I tucked the Gold Silk Pill into my pocket—

"Section Chief Kim!"

A subordinate's voice called from outside.

"What?"

"A guest is here. Says he's the head of Sangjo Pyoguk."

"Got it. Be out soon."

"Yes, sir."

Creak.

Opening the main gate revealed the outside scenery.

"Hup!"

"Yah!"

Employees sparring martial arts in the courtyard. Whoosh!

"Ooooh."

"Nailed it?"

"Hahaha. Now I can leap over the first form no problem."

Others showing off lightness skills.

"Oh? It's the section chief."

Spotting me, the employees bowed.

"Good morning, Section Chief."

"Have a good morning."

All of them were from the Safety Planning Department, stationed here permanently. They used the disciples' old quarters as housing. This 'City Ruled by the Immortal Leader' had become a safe zone for the department. The company's central pillar allowed instant teleportation here. A few wondered how I'd dodged punishment to reach this stage, but I had no reason to explain.

"Ugh... S-Section Chief Kim."

Suddenly, someone called out.

"What now?"

"Forgive me. I was wrong. Urk."

I turned toward the voice. Subordinates stood in a line, hands behind backs, foreheads to the ground. Like Tae Ja-seok, these were the rookies who'd challenged me.

"Asking for forgiveness?"

"Yes. Please have mercy..."

"Right, I said I'd let it slide if you held that pose for twelve hours straight."

"Y-Yes, that's right."

About two hours left, by my estimate.

"Anyone see these guys slacking?"

No one answered my shout.

"Hm."

I nodded and approached one, kicking his rear.

Thwack!

"Urk!"

"Oh? You broke form?"

"Guh...!"

He hastily corrected his posture.

"Twelve hours added."

"W-Why...!"

"That's the price for mouthing off to me."

"S-Section Chief! Section Chieeeef!"

"Every time you open your mouth, it's another twenty-four," I said, dashing to the gate.

Crackle!

Using Body Thunder Knot, I reached the gate in an instant, drawing awed exclamations.

"Kuh. The section chief's lightness skill is the best, as always."

"But doesn't it look familiar somehow?"

"Does it? I dunno. If it works, who cares?"

"True that."

Ignoring them, I opened the gate to find a familiar face waiting.

"Head Jin."

"It's been a while, Young Master Kim."

"What's up so early? Unless it's about marriage talks with your daughter, I'm listening."

He blinked, hit right on the mark.

"...Ahem! Not just that. I wanted to thank you for handling the troublesome Jecheon Palace—and share some info."

I nodded.

"Go ahead."

"Remember the servant who attended you in the carriage when you first came to the city?"

"Yeah."

I'd tipped him silver then.

"He saw someone dressed like you, Young Master Kim."

My eyebrow twitched.

"Where?"

"Loitering around Jecheon Tower."

I glanced back. Same outfit meant Hunter Stock Company suits. The Safety Planning employees here wore artifact versions from Sangjo Pyoguk's military factory outfits. So no one else should have a suit—except my [Manager Suit & Silver Robe Set].

"You sure?"

"I wouldn't know. Just passing on what he said."

"Got it. Thanks for the info."

"But what about that painting?"

"Found it."

"Planning to return it to Taegang Valley?"

"Nope."

Why would I?

"I see. Do as you like. Just make clear it's got nothing to do with Sangjo Pyoguk."

"Of course. No worries."

I gestured him away, but Jin Kang-o eyed me sparklingly.

"More importantly, about Hwa-wol..."

"No."

"If Jecheon Palace and Sangjo Pyoguk joined forces..."

"Not interested."

"Aw, tsk tsk tsk."

No time for lovey-dovey with Jin Hwa-wol when 18th branch employees might be here. Probably a scout team spotted by the servant. As I pondered countermeasures, an idea struck. First, back to the company.

Jin Kang-o turned as he left.

"If you ever head to Taegang Valley, let me know. I'll slip you some travel funds."

"Thanks for the thought."

Back at the company, I headed straight to the operations control room.

"Woooah!!"

"What's with the reaction?"

"Isn't this the heroic Section Chief Kim Jeongha of Safety Planning, who seized the 18th branch's stage?!"

"That's what I came to talk about."

Cherubim's eyes narrowed.

"Spill it!!"

"Looks like 18th branch employees were here. They might form a conquest team soon."

"Hmmm...!!"

Cherubim stroked his chin, deep in thought.

"The question is whether they'll try to take our turf!!"

"Exactly."

"What's your take, Section Chief Kim!!"

Since I'd claimed the stage, he'd defer to me. Silently, I pulled out what I'd brought from the mirror.

Thud, thud.

Two heavy corpses hit the table.

"...Th-That's!!"

I looked up.

"Brought back resources from that stage."

"They look perfect!! Can't wait to use 'em!!"

Cherubim beamed and flapped over excitedly. But he frowned at one corpse.

"One's decapitated!!"

Even sulking, his energy stayed high.

"Should be fine. Probably."

"Anyway, great job, Section Chief Kim!! Let's make cards outta these!! Hehehe!!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Cherubim scooped up one corpse per tiny hand and flew off.

"Manager, didn't you say you couldn't handle heavy stuff?"

"...Gah!!"

Thud!

He deliberately dropped them. Obviously on purpose.

"Waaah!! Baby Manager!!"

Then—

Bang.

The door flew open. I thought it was Manager Lee Jun-yeol, but no. A welcome face I hadn't seen lately.

"Heejeong?"

"Jeongha."

"Where've you been? Haven't seen you around."

"Sigh... I've been wandering the company, looking for an exit."

I chuckled.

"Told you, there isn't one. Our only link to the outside is the central pillar."

Unless you had something special like Cromwell's key.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Yeah... Guess I have to accept it."

Even as she said it, she hadn't let go of hopes for her home world. I gave a wry smile and sat across from her.

"Don't lose your drive, though."

"Okay. Thanks, Jeongha."

Choi Heejeong was key to who I was now. Without her Gift Transfer, I never could've gotten the Jade Legged Blood Hand's inner core. Seeing her downhearted hurt a bit. She was the only one from the same world in Hunter Stock Company. Denying any bond would be a lie.

So I opened up.

"I want you to become a comrade I can trust at my side, Heejeong."

"Keep growing so I don't abandon you?"

Her tone held loneliness. This cold, cutthroat world without ties must feel suffocating.

"..."

I pointed outside instead of answering.

"Heejeong, wanna go somewhere quiet?"

"Huh?"

She tilted her head.

"Got a gift for you."

I pulled a book from my pocket and handed it to Choi Heejeong. She took it curiously.

"What's this?"

"The secret to becoming a fairy."

She giggled.

"Pfft. Then you're the woodcutter?"

"Hurry and become one. So I can steal your winged robe."

"Hahaha! What even is that?"

She playfully swatted my arm.

"Heejeong, you said once you wanted to learn magic."

"Huh? Oh... yeah. You remembered? It was just idle talk."

I wiped the smile away, turning serious.

"This is way better."

"Huh?"

"An immortal art in three volumes: upper, middle, lower. Never show it to anyone."

"...Jeongha?"

Realizing I wasn't joking, her expression hardened. I briefly explained immortal arts, then continued.

"Start with the upper volume, Nine Heavens Merit. If you lack talent, no middle volume. And return Nine Heavens Merit, of course."

"..."

Nine Heavens Merit. Creation Knot. Nine Heavens Creation Merit.

The Jecheon Palace Lord's technique consisted of these three.

"I could've given it to some other talented, trustworthy person. But I want to believe in you, Heejeong."

I hated saying that as a talentless hack myself. But now I had a chance to repay her for the two inner cores from the Jade Legged Blood Hand.

"I believe you won't make me regret choosing you."

She looked at me with complex emotions swirling in her eyes. Then, cautiously:

"Why me?"

"Your Gift is great, but unless it's S-rank, limits will come someday."

Maybe even S-rank wouldn't cut it.

"Limits..."

"I want that to be your pillar. Something to assure you can push through."

When she faced the truth. When she saw the changed modern Earth in the coming 20th floor stage. So she'd realize becoming a Hunter Stock Company employee was a massive stroke of luck.

Just like I had.