Chapter 164
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 164: How to Make a Choice (2)
And my ominous premonition hit the mark.
“Wait, wait-wait-wait-wait!!! Too fast—!!!!”
“You call this fast?!”
“Crazy driver…”
“Uwaaaaa—!!!”
“Nyahahahaha—!!!”
The minecart shot forward at high speed.
We were forced to taste the feeling of riding a roller coaster, feeling the humid wind inside the mine.
There seemed to be something... monsters... here and there...
But we passed them faster than the monsters could react...
“Aaack!!! No road ahead!!! Road!!! Sujeong-sunbae!!!”
“Okay!”
Thankfully, when the track was broken, Choi Sujeong used her wind ability to float us.
But even though we completely trusted Choi Sujeong, we had to tremble in fear, imagining the light-speed sprint that would resume after this stable flight…
“...Didn't you say monsters would appear?”
“...Urp... too fast... the monsters couldn't catch u... Uweeeeeek—!!!”
“Puke over there.”
Watching Na Yuri scold Na Yuhan, I shivered.
Clunk, the minecart landed back on the tracks...
And that triumphant, majestic smile appeared on Kim Kang-ha's lips again.
“Let's go!”
“Noooooo—!!!!”
And so, we rode the runaway minecart to the end of the dungeon…
“Urp... Uweek….”
“Are you okay?”
“I'm... urp... not okay….”
I patted Na Yuhan's back as he suffered, emptying his stomach.
Na Yuhan, who had vomited everything he had and was now dry heaving, calmed down only after a long time.
“...I'm driving on the way back.”
“Yeah... please do...”
I patted him one more time with a wistful feeling.
I don't think I've ever seen Na Yuhan that desperate.
Ahem, Na Yuhan cleared his throat and straightened his back.
“There should be something that looks like an anvil nearby. That's the clue to clearing this dungeon. Let's find it.”
The order was given, and we searched the area thoroughly.
Not long after, an anvil made of black ore was found.
“What do I do with this?”
“Simple. Kim Kang-ha. You just have to strike this anvil with all your might with your hammer.”
“Easy!”
As soon as he heard that, Kim Kang-ha smiled brightly and lifted his giant hammer.
And he struck down on the anvil without hesitation.
Kuuung—!
The anvil and hammer collided, making a tremendous sound.
At the same time, the cave began to vibrate.
Dudududu—
Part of the ground sank down, down, turning into a furnace, molds, and other things.
As the underground transformed into a smithy centered around the anvil, rocks began to rise from the ground.
The square rocks rising from the ground formed the shape of stairs, one by one, creating an altar.
When the rocks finally took the clear shape of an altar, a voice came from somewhere.
<Bloodline of the artisan, prove your skill!>
As soon as he heard that voice, Na Yuhan grinned.
He looked at Kim Kang-ha and said.
“Kim Kang-ha. You brought the equipment you made before, right?”
“Yes!”
“Offer that over there.”
“Over there?”
“Originally, you'd have to make equipment on the spot and offer it, but that takes too much time, right? So I told you to make it in advance.”
Ah, so that's why he grilled Kim Kang-ha all that time to make equipment and invested a huge sum.
As expected, problems are solved if you have money. If a problem isn't solved, check if you don't have enough money.
“You made that without sleeping all week, right?”
I asked, recalling Kim Kang-ha, whom I hadn't seen sleeping at all. Kim Kang-ha affirmed.
“That is correct!”
Then he smiled brightly.
“But I do not regret it. Because masterpieces were born.”
“Masterpieces?”
“Yes. Various items were created. A sword that doubles attack power, a shield that blocks any attack for 5 minutes…”
“...Amazing.”
“Because I am amazing!”
Kim Kang-ha laughed confidently, not at all embarrassed or intimidated.
That attitude, which could easily look arrogant, only seemed like an expression of confidence based on his undeniable skill.
“You worked hard.”
Na Yuhan said.
“So, what are you going to choose in the end?”
“Hmm… the shield is good, the sword is good, the bow is good too….”
“Pick one. Ah, for reference, once you offer it, you can never get it back.”
“You didn't say that?!”
“How much material did I grind up for you? Give me at least one, come on.”
Kim Kang-ha, having nothing to say to Na Yuhan's retort, groaned and fell silent.
But seeing him clutch his head wordlessly, he seemed to be suffering from a massive internal conflict….
Anyway, Kim Kang-ha seemed to ponder for a moment, then soon took a golden ornamental sword from his Inventory.
“I liked this one the best. Since it said to prove my skill, let's offer the best one!”
“Okay.”
Kim Kang-ha soon climbed the rock stairs one by one and placed the sword on the altar.
“...Goodbye, My Lovely Sword…!”
“Stop being dramatic.”
“You have surprisingly no mercy!”
Na Yuhan was cold.
As soon as the sword was placed on the altar, it floated above the altar and began to shine.
Soon, a voice was heard from somewhere.
<Hmm… this material… only top-class materials were used.>
<And these curves, the decoration, the finish… adorned with a delicate touch.>
<Above all, outstanding functionality! It is flawless even for combat!>
The voice seemed genuinely impressed.
Key…!>
The sword on the altar began to shine even brighter.
I closed my eyes at the blinding light, and when I opened them again, a black key was floating above the altar.
“It's the Key!”
At my exclamation, Na Yuhan grinned and nodded.
“As expected, I knew Kim Kang-ha would be recognized. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any interference from the Wild Hunt this time either… that's a relief.”
“...Yeah.”
Seeing Kim Kang-ha hesitating at the sight of the Key, I shouted.
“Ah, Kang-ha. Could you give the Key to me?”
“Hm? Yes!”
Kim Kang-ha nodded immediately and snatched the Key floating above the altar without hesitation.
As soon as Kim Kang-ha picked it up, the Key made of black ore strangely spat out something like gems for a while. The top of the altar was filled with glittering gems.
Kim Kang-ha looked at the brilliant gems with fascination, then handed the Key to me.
“Here!”
“Thanks.”
I accepted the Key from Kim Kang-ha.
Seeing this, Na Yuri shouted cheerfully.
“This is the end! Thankfully, we finished in time!”
“Let's go have a Christmas party…!”
“Okay!”
I faintly heard the excited voices of Min Jaeyun and Shin Baran.
But I didn't move.
…I couldn't move.
The group, who had started walking, suddenly felt something strange and looked back.
“Nahyun?”
Even though I knew they were calling me, I just stared down at the Key made of various ores and bit my lip hard.
Na Yuhan was looking at me.
I suddenly recalled the times I spent with him.
If I walked the same path as him, I would be relieved.
It would be comfortable.
…But I can't.
Because my precious thing is on the opposite side of that path.
That's why I,
“It's done, Tornito.”
Made a choice.
“—Understood.”
Fzzzt—!
The moment my words fell, a barrier of lightning enveloped me.
As soon as the barrier of lightning surrounded me, the group responded nimbly.
“Tornito!”
“It's a battle!”
“Nahyun, this way…!”
They judged I was in danger and tried to save me.
But I just stood still behind the barrier of lightning and looked at them.
Not making a gesture for help, not making a gesture to help them.
As if finding that strange, Na Yuhan called me slowly.
“...Nahyun?”
“...Na Yuhan.”
Tornito approached my side and stood next to me.
Seeing that, Na Yuhan's expression hardened stiffly, as if he had seen something unbelievable.
“Nahyun-ssi!”
“What are you doing, Nahyun?!”
Na Yuri's desperate shout and Shin Baran's scream of shock were directed at me.
“Kang Nahyun! Come here!”
Park Siwoo shouted desperately at me, like someone who had realized something but wanted to deny it.
His sword energy clashed with the barrier of lightning, sparking.
“...I can't.”
Through the flashing sparks, I saw Park Siwoo's shaking eyes.
“Because I'm not going back to the Academy anymore.”