The Price of Humility
When I left Oryukdo Gate with Hyeondo in tow, a familiar face appeared on the bridge. It was Tes, the hunter-pol for the Oryukdo Gate.
“What the hell are you doing here? I told you not to come out!”
Phew, that temper.
It looked like today was one of those bad-mood days.
But I had warned him not to step out until the artifact set I commissioned from Breath of Steel was finished.
He was even worried the Mir Guild might kidnap me.
“Hyung, the delivery’s almost here.”
“Delivery? That perverted chair?”
“It’s not perverted. We have to go pick it up.”
“Where?”
“Upo Wetland.”
“Why ship it there?”
“It’ll draw too much attention anywhere else.”
“You’re impossible. But what’s that?”
Tes pointed with his chin at Hyeondo. ‘That’? A human?
Hyeondo bowed politely.
“Nice to meet you, Tes-hyung-nim. I’m Choi Hyeondo. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
Oh, he knows Tes?
I guess I was the only one who didn’t know.
“Honors are bullshit.”
“Hyung, seriously, what kind of first impression is that on a stranger?”
That’s the guy who always gives a bad first impression and then acts normal. No, actually, that really is his normal self.
A mood person, pure and simple. Every day his mood changes.
Why do people even act like this? He’s not a bad person.
Is that his charm?
“Whatever. Anyway, if we’re going to Upo Wetland, take my car instead of yours. You might get followed. No, just get in mine.”
I thought he was overreacting a little, but—
Beep—
As Tes reached into his fishing-vest pocket, the patrol car flashed.
“Come on, Hyeondo.”
I changed my mind the second I thought about riding a patrol car for the first time.
“Get in the back. The front seat is only for cops.”
The front and back seats were completely shielded by reinforced acrylic, but there was a small gap in the middle so we could still talk.
“Seatbelt.”
Tes gave one order and, without even waiting for me to buckle, reversed hard.
Screech. Whoosh.
Beep beep beep beep.
Sirens blaring.
“Waaah!”
The car jolted like crazy.
Speed bumps were completely ignored.
Screech.
Drifting.
“Ugh!”
I had never ridden a police car before.
“Hyung, does a cop really drive like this? Slow down, we have time!”
“You interfering with my hobby?”
“What kind of hobby… whoa, car ahead!”
Cut-throughs were basic. Signals? He just pretended to follow them.
What kind of cop is this?
If he can drive like this after picking up a criminal, it feels like there are no real colleagues.
We finally reached Upo Wetland Gate.
It took one hour and twenty-five minutes.
And the proud statement was—
“Oh. A new record.”
“We only beat it by twenty minutes and you’re throwing your life on the line?”
“Ugh… ugh-uh…”
Hyeondo was nauseous the moment he stepped out of the car.
“Here we go again. Hey, where’d you even get that?”
“Don’t do that to people, seriously.”
“You’re really picky. So that thing over there, where’d you pick it up?”
I had to shut up.
Hyeondo had actually downgraded it from ‘that’ to ‘that thing’.
“He told me how to catch fireflies.”
“You saw it on YouTube, right?”
“Yeah. That guy is the retired expedition BJ YouTuber Rui.”
Rui was feeding nutrient to a rotten old tree.
“Uweeeek…”
“So when does the delivery come?”
“Looks like it’s almost here.”
* * *
The delivery truck arrived.
Thud thud.
Rumble… rattle rattle….
“Shit, what kind of delivery is this?”
Those were the first words from the 5-ton truck driver who stopped in front of the Upo Wetland Gate.
Annoying.
The guy looked mean.
The tattooed arms peeking from his sleeveless shirt only added to the intimidation.
Squeak. Creak. Bang.
“What the fuck? Why so big? This is bullshit.”
He grumbled even while working and spewed curses.
“You worthless Upo Wetland trash, you think you can talk to people like that?”
Casual from the very first greeting. Starting a fight.
But he was carrying the Throne of the Immortal King alone, and I froze under that pressure and couldn’t say a word.
But—
“Hey. You’re getting paid for this work, right? Free work? You have no idea who I am and you’re already being rude? If you’re a delivery guy, act like one—finish the delivery, take your picture, and get lost.”
“Hyeondo, don’t.”
“Why?”
“You’re pissing people off. Can’t you hear me? You’re the one barging in.”
“H— what’d you just say? Delivery guy?”
He slammed the Throne of the Immortal King on the ground from his 5-ton truck.
Super strength.
Boom.
But how big was it? Shipping it like this?
Veins bulged on my forehead.
But that was it.
“Just Upo Wetland Gate people moving around…”
Right then, a car was parked in the shadows and the guy who finished his business behind a tree lit up a cigarette and walked out—Tes.
“Park Wonchang? Why are you here?”
He knew the tattooed delivery driver’s name.
“…What’s your problem? Hey! Excuse me, I’m sorry!”
The delivery driver immediately pulled his cap down the moment their eyes met and tried to scramble into the driver’s seat.
But he couldn’t get past Tes.
“No greeting? Hurt feelings?”
“Ah, haha. Oh, I see. It’s Tes-hyung-nim!”
The gangster who acted tough in front of us was now squirming in front of Tes.
Annoying.
“When did you get out?”
“Ah, haha. Three months ago.”
“So parole?”
“Yes. As you can see, here are the power-restraint bracelets on both ankles.”
He lifted the ones on his ankles.
They could prevent use of mana and even track location.
“Nice to meet you! Well, I’ll be going now.”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Smack.
“Agh!”
Tes immediately kicked the delivery driver’s shin.
Annoying, but violence?
Yet the sight of Tes, the corrupt official who accepted bribes and abused power every day, looked completely natural.
“Park Wonchang, from my memory you still had a long way to go until release. Seven years in prison, wasn’t it?”
It’s said even a worm will squirm when stepped on.
He squirmed.
“Why are you hitting me?! It’s conditional parole for employment! I already paid my debt, can’t you treat a civilian like this?!”
“Conditional parole? That shit law is fucked. Letting a criminal like this loose in society?”
“Tone it down, Tes. I already have a job and I’m paying four insurances and taxes. Can the government treat a solid taxpayer like this? I’ll report you to the National Civil Service Hotline!”
“Kyaak. Taxpayer? Solid? If you pay taxes does that erase your crimes?”
“I already paid my debt! Stop interfering with me trying to live decently! I’ll sue you!”
Smack—
Tes hit the back of his head hard and grabbed his neck, slamming him into the truck.
“Ghk.”
“Hey. Park Wonchang. What are you going to do with that tongue? Want me to kill you right here?”
“Why are you like this?!”
“Where’s Bae Hyeongsin? You know him, right?”
‘Bae Hyeongsin?’
“I don’t know! I don’t know!! How many times do I have to say it?! I don’t know!!”
“Still don’t know?”
Tes’s grip on his neck tightened and the scream came out anyway.
“Kyahhhhh! I really don’t know! Why are you asking after I hunted with that guy only fifty-four times?!”
“Exactly fifty-four. One more casual word and I’ll twist your head off.”
“Kyah— I really don’t know! How could you know that?! I was in the bread when that guy started his terror act! Fuck, Tes-hyung! No, seriously, I’ll live decently from now on, please! Please!”
“Still don’t know?”
“How many times do I have to say it?! I don’t know!”
“Hah… that bastard Bae Hyeongsin is a complete piece of shit.”
Tes suddenly accelerated in rage and kicked the 5-ton truck wheels.
When it had to do with Bae Hyeongsin, the person changed.
The wheel spun and the air hissed out of the tire.
Seeing that made me feel how scary he really was.
“Hey. Park Wonchang. I’m watching you. If you mess up, I’ll really tear you apart.”
“Hah. Fuck.”
“What?”
“I got it! I won’t cause any accidents! I have to earn money and pay taxes!”
“Get out.”
Park Wonchang finally got into the driver’s seat and drove away, the truck wobbling because one front wheel was wrecked.
“Tes, what’s going on? Suddenly?”
“That Park Wonchang guy. He’s a rapist. High-level B-class hunter.”
“What? A rapist?”
His face alone gave off a criminal vibe, but a rapist?
That was just messed up.
“It wasn’t just rape. There’s no proof beyond that, but he was part of a fixed party with Bae Hyeongsin before. He definitely kills people too. Something’s there… that guy.”
Then Tes pulled out his phone.
“Hey, hello? Captain Jang. Park Wonchang got out? You knew? I didn’t even ask— if you knew he was connected to Bae Hyeongsin you should have told me! Captain Jang, do you have time for one-to-one day?”
Tes was grinning like he hadn’t cooled down yet and lit another cigarette while talking, walking slowly toward the patrol car far away.
I asked, “Hyung, what was that all about?”
“Hyeondo. If it weren’t for you, I would have been in big trouble just now. From now on, don’t act so recklessly like that.”
Even the two of us together couldn’t beat Park Wonchang.
He lifted the 1.2-ton Throne of the Immortal King like it was an empty box.
According to what Tes said about B-class high-level, that meant over level 400.
“But… how can a delivery driver just throw something like that?”
“All Babylon delivery drivers are awakened. And in this world, level and status are the same. You always have to be humble.”
It was advice I had heard from someone.
“…Yes. Sorry, hyung. I’ll remember.”
Somehow I felt like I was getting the upper hand in front of Hyeondo.
Actually, Hyeondo is better than me in this world…
Higher level.
Anyway, the Throne of the Immortal King I had been waiting for finally arrived, so it was time to unpack it.
A huge box looked majestic on the dirt, like four refrigerators smashed together.
‘It’s not dented, right?’
“Summon.”
Skeletons emerged from the split spaces all around.
“Unpack.”
Changsik tore the box tape with his spear.
The Throne of the Immortal King was revealed, wrapped neatly in bubble wrap.
Looking at it up close… the pressure was no joke.
Anyone who sat on it would feel like they were becoming king that very day.
Seven dragon pieces with mouths wide open threatened the front of the throne backrest.
The very dignity was radiating.
“Whoa… hyung, what is this? It’s seriously amazing.”
I spun the Throne of the Immortal King to check if the damage from Park Wonchang’s throw was real.
Luckily there was no damage.
With a solemn heart I climbed onto the throne.
[(Legend) Do you wish to wear the Throne of the Immortal King?]
[It will be bound upon equipping.]
[‘Reflection’ option activates and you take 70% of HP damage.]
The moment I sat,
“Cough.”
Suddenly my breath was cut off and an invisible hand squeezed my neck at the same time my HP, which had been held at 30% because of the bundle, dropped to 9% and drained away.
[‘Fortitude’ effect activates.]
[Strength, agility, stamina, intelligence, and willpower all rise by the amount of your ‘Luck’ stat.]
At the same time all stats rose by 11.25, and
“Oh…”
I felt power surging through every part of my body.
The saying that you have to be humble in this world was canceled.
This thing… the moment you sit, you can never be humble again.