Chapter 140: The Weapon Thief
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 140: The Weapon Thief
The fact that her incompetent older brother was currently holding that treasure, the Reaper's Scythe, was obviously a golden opportunity for us. Of course, I didn't know the internal circumstances of why Jang Gi Hoo was holding the Reaper's Scythe instead of Jang Ye Ri.
It could be for an absurd reason like a preference for a male heir, or perhaps Jang Ye Ri was intentionally hiding her own abilities. But it didn't matter. All we had to do was steal it.
I spoke to Lee Wanyong.
“I'll give you exactly three days to map out the routes of Park Han Cheol, Jang Gi Hoo who has the Reaper's Scythe, and finally, the blacksmiths and herbalists, and report back.”
“Ah... ah... yes. Th-three days is more than enough.”
It would probably be a tight schedule. But I was sure he would manage. It wasn't as if he had a choice. The mere thought, 'I'll be in danger if I fail,' was enough to make him move with desperation.
While Lee Wanyong made his preparations, I decided to conduct a few experiments. Sometime after Lee Wanyong left, I also decided to step outside my tent.
My mana had increased considerably after evolving into a High Demon. The most crucial factor for this plan was none other than the range of my unique ability. The range had certainly increased to a point incomparable to before. The ability worked even at what I considered a fair distance, but I was curious to see how it would fare at a truly long range.
“Hmm...”
As I went outside, the sight of the young ones playing happily entered my view, as expected. It seemed they were still playing cards, but as soon as I appeared, they ran over with bright smiles. Only after shaking off the little ones could I head into the forest behind the settlement.
As I adjusted the distance and my mana output, calculating the range and the amount of mana consumed, I couldn't help but smile at the satisfying results.
‘About two hundred meters.’
When I pushed my mana to its maximum, I could swap a weapon from two hundred meters away. Two hundred meters—it was an absurd distance. A distance so far that things would look blurry unless I focused mana into my eyes.
‘This will succeed.’
I was certain this theft was bound to succeed.
Three days later, the settlement was still quite lively. This was partly because the construction was in its final stages, but also because the popularity of the card game had spread to the adults, including the Goblin Three Sisters. Mev, in particular, who had to refrain from running or flying around like she used to, had completely shifted her hobby to this new card game.
What I did during that time was simple. I started taking Abar out for walks. I had given Lee Wanyong three whole days, but surprisingly, he finished everything by the second night. I was already growing impatient, so his early completion was a welcome surprise. Thanks to him, I was able to start scouting the routes and searching for my target even sooner. I also didn't forget to pack plenty of daggers for the weapon swap.
For now, I didn't want any rumors about a 'weapon thief' to start spreading, so I passed by even when I saw decent weapons. Still, I was able to get a rough grasp of how the humans of Hadum lived.
Of course, seeing me go out every day, my clan members made a fuss about wanting to follow, but this was a job I had to do completely alone. It was much more convenient and safer that way.
While I stole the weapons, the Goff Clan, the Black Spear Clan, and the Blood Dagger Clan led by Ragia would abduct the blacksmiths and herbalists.
Lost in thought, I idly stroked Abar's head.
“Krrrrrrng.”
She immediately let out a pleased sound. In the distance, I could see Gurva watching Abar. I could feel the heart of a male who wanted to follow but couldn't, but of course, I couldn't take him with me. Abar looked back at Gurva and seemed to nod in greeting. It seemed the internal assessment of Gurva had changed, as Abar had gradually warmed up to him.
It seemed something had happened in the settlement while the brothers were out hunting beasts in the East. According to the Green Skin mothers, the two had apparently grown closer after going on a hunt together.
It looked like there was an incident I didn't know about.
Naturally, I was pleased, so I climbed onto Abar's back and once again left our home.
Abar was certainly fast. Not only could she run like a horse, but she could also run without making a sound. Lee Wanyong had marked about five points on the map. They were areas where medium or large magical beasts frequently appeared.
There was even a terrain completely surrounded by swamps. Contrary to my expectation that we might struggle a bit, Abar moved forward, clearly distinguishing the safe places to step even within the marsh.
I could sense the presence of humans hunting in the distance, but it wasn't Park Han Cheol's clan. Another empty-handed day, it seemed. I let out a deep sigh.
A little more time passed like that. It was a tedious task, but I treated it as taking Abar for a walk. Aside from training and developing the settlement, my days were spent roaming the eastern forest.
Then, one day. A flag bearing the image of a giant shield. Park Han Cheol's clan, the one Lee Wanyong had described, finally revealed themselves in the forest.
*
Park Han Cheol was a very ordinary warrior. To be precise, he had been a very ordinary warrior in the past. He was the type who had a large frame and a great sense for blocking things, but couldn't advance due to his lack of offensive power.
But Park Han Cheol didn't give up. To put it bluntly, the only thing he lacked was attack power. Thanks to his clan members who believed in him and the many people who invested in his potential, Park Han Cheol grew.
He moved restlessly, grinding his way through this world for items so expensive he couldn't have dreamed of them before. He would pull all-nighters to earn points before going out to hunt, and his clan members and acquaintances who supported him would even let him have the 'last hit,' so to speak. And when the weapon he bought with an enormous amount of points began to make up for his lack of attack power, Park Han Cheol and his comrades began to soar.
He started receiving requests—more like pleas—from all over to join their hunts, and his name was always mentioned when it came to hunting large magical beasts. From the outside, his growth was explosively fast, almost miraculous. His skills grew as if he'd sprouted wings, and by the time he realized it, he had become one of the strongest warriors representing the city.
His life had changed overnight. All because of a weapon that was a perfect fit for him.
[ Dark Bat ]
[ A blunt weapon created to inflict internal rather than external shock. Its origins are unknown. It has no special additional functions, but it can deliver a powerful impact proportional to the opponent's defense. There is a chance to land an additional hit. ]
[ Vitality +5 ]
It was all thanks to this baby, which he had bought for a whopping 3 million points. Despite its rather simple name, the weapon was truly efficient and powerful. Not only did it have the perfect function for hunting large magical beasts, but the chance-based additional hit boasted truly explosive damage. It had enough power to shatter most ordinary weapons.
After chancing upon it in the shop, he had even built up his proficiency with blunt weapons, which hadn't suited him well before. Now, it felt like an extension of his own body.
In a way, it was like a partner that had helped him navigate this world.
Such was Park Han Cheol, and he had decided to spend some time with his clan members for the first time in a while. Lately, he had been busy with requests from large guilds, so it had been a long time since he'd gone out with just his old comrades. It wasn't that they never hunted together anymore, but he felt a certain happiness in spending time like this, just with them.
“Thanks, hyung.”
“No, I'm the one who should be thanking you. Honestly, if it weren't for you guys, I never would have been able to buy this weapon. Thank you for believing in someone like me, who was just a stranger back on Earth.”
“Not at all! Thanks to you, oppa, we were able to participate in magical beast hunts and monster subjugations organized by the big guilds. We're the ones who've been getting a lot of help from you lately.”
“I appreciate you saying that. Still, it doesn't change the fact that you are all my benefactors.”
A warmth spread through him. Dangerous raids certainly brought a sense of accomplishment, but they lacked this kind of warmth.
And so, Park Han Cheol smiled before the comrades who believed in him.
This hunt for a medium-sized magical beast was meant to be a refreshing change of pace from the start. After the small city of Somorah was completely wiped off the map, the monsters had been rather quiet, so they were able to venture deep into the forest without much worry.
This was because most demi-humans would lay low for a while after a major battle. Of course, the situation for humans was the opposite. With the city in chaos, major jobs weren't coming in, which was another reason they could afford this rare leisure time.
With his current skills, he could take down not only magical beasts but even Named Monsters without much difficulty, but some of his clan members were still lacking. Safety was always important.
With that, Park Han Cheol continued to move forward.
“Oppa. It's a monster.”
A voice called out. Park Han Cheol, whose senses were quite sharp, had felt it too.
A medium-sized magical beast covered in iron-like armor. Just as its appearance suggested, it wasn't very agile, making it an easy opponent. His role today was strictly that of a tanker. It was a beast they could take down easily, but he held back his attacks, needing to let his dongsaengs have the points.
“Alright. Hyung will go in first. Let's do this like we always do.”
“Yes, hyung!”
“Yes, oppa.”
It was a little larger than a typical medium-sized beast, so Park Han Cheol figured it would take some time and began to move his shield leisurely. As he continuously blocked the beast's path with his shield and drew its aggro, his dongsaengs began to slowly fire off magic and arrows. Of course, the melee-oriented warriors were also watching for an opportunity from behind him.
It was incredibly stable. Just as he had grown, so had his dongsaengs. Feeling pleased with the situation, Park Han Cheol blocked the beast's path with his shield once more.
It was then.
“Hyung... hyung!”
“O... oppa!”
From somewhere, an absurd amount of mana began to erupt. Park Han Cheol instinctively focused mana into his eyes. Rushing toward them from the distance was a demon riding a wolf. The horn on its forehead showed that this was by no means an easy opponent.
A type he hadn't seen recently. But not an opponent he couldn't beat.
His body moved on instinct. First, he had to deal with the magical beast. He poured mana into the shield blocking its path and swung it upward powerfully. The magical beast was instantly turned into a bloody pulp and died.
“Everyone, get behind me! Now!”
“Y-yes!”
He was safe. But the kids he was protecting might not be.
Fortunately, the demon riding the wolf was alone.
'With my abilities, I should be able to protect them and defeat it.' Park Han Cheol tightened his grip on his shield and weapon.
“Come on!”
He let out a huge roar without realizing it. The admirable kids behind him also began preparing for battle. If this was how things were going to be, then it was a different story. Only then did Park Han Cheol realize.
His dongsaengs were no longer beings he had to protect.
‘Reliable comrades.’
The wolf-riding demon was rapidly approaching. Five hundred meters, four hundred, three hundred... Just as he was watching the demon charge in at incredible speed... the creature, which had been glaring as if to kill them, suddenly turned its back and began to flee.
It was a situation that couldn't help but be a little anticlimactic. There would be no fight. Park Han Cheol quietly turned back to his comrades and smiled.
His dongsaengs spoke up, their faces bewildered.
“Hyung... what's... what's that in your hand?”
And then,
where his dongsaengs were pointing...
...was a single, incredibly shabby-looking dagger.
