Chapter 54

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Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 54

Chapter Title: Became the Last Giant Clan

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Kang Hyuk swallowed hard at the sight of the object before him.

"This is... the key to the warehouse holding Lv. 4 Legendary items, isn't it?"

Kang Cheol-woo nodded.

"That's right. But... how did you identify it so quickly? This is a rare item that's hard to come by."

Snapping out of it at the question, Kang Hyuk realized his mistake.

'I slipped up.'

The item had been so unexpected that he'd reacted without thinking.

Regaining his composure, he calmly explained.

"I read about it in a book ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠while studying for the civil service exam. It's the key to the warehouse holding Korea's one-of-a-kind seven Legendary items."

"Oh, really? The civil service exams these days cover some impressive details. Is it because the department you wanted was the Hunter Management Office?"

It was a hasty excuse, but thanks to his solid backstory, Kang Cheol-woo accepted it easily and continued.

"Exactly. This is the key to Korea's seven Legendary items, stored in that warehouse."

Kang Cheol-woo went on to explain.

"When the gate era began and the world changed... Korea faced countless gates and monster invasions. Among them, we endured seven A-rank gates dubbed disasters, and the Legendary items they produced are all kept by the Association."

His eyes gleamed.

"As you know, Legendary items are priceless. Their insane power and performance are one thing, but losing even one poses a national security risk."

"......"

"That's why we strictly prohibit them from leaving. But this time, we're making an exception."

Kang Hyuk's jaw dropped.

"You don't mean..."

Kang Cheol-woo flashed a mischievous grin.

"Correct. For you, we pulled some strings—both of us. Even as Association President, lending out a Legendary item is a huge risk, but we saw that potential in you."

Lee Hyun-wook, the bureau chief, picked up the teasing tone.

"If you're handing it over, just do it nicely. Why make such a fuss, President? You're putting pressure on our Team Leader Kang."

"That's the point—let him feel the weight. How often does this happen? We only lend Legendary items during wars or A-rank gate outbreaks, and now to a single individual?"

Kang Hyuk, dazed by the exchange, closed his mouth at the word "lend."

"Even as a loan, it's for ten whole years! That's huge!"

"Exactly! Even top S-rank talents or national-level hunters don't get these!"

As the two bantered unexpectedly, Kang Hyuk muttered to himself.

'Legendary item. An artifact even my future self never obtained.'

The world's only 100 top-tier artifacts didn't just boost a hunter's innate power—they shattered the limits of their unique "talent."

'It really did. "Hakata of the Twin Blades" had two and was only B-rank talent, yet he's a national-level hunter in Japan.'

No wonder they were bragging about this feat.

'...The downside is it's just a loan. But given the value of a Legendary item, that's minor.'

Having weighed it all, Kang Hyuk asked cautiously.

"What should I watch out for with the item? Any 'restrictions' or 'conditions'?"

Kang Cheol-woo answered as if expecting the question.

"None at all. Knowing you, you'd refuse if there were any."

"......"

"Just remember it's a loan. Loss in unavoidable circumstances is one thing, but these are national treasures—equivalent to nuclear weapons."

He smiled faintly.

"Handing you such a weapon means... I really want to hold onto Team Leader Kang."

"......"

"Truth is, I thought long and hard. Once the Jeju Island gate news fully breaks, you'll get flooded with offers again."

This reminded Kang Hyuk:

'The Jeju Island incident was edited with the president's and Arena Guild masters' approval before going public.'

Even with buffs from Lee Hyun-wook, a mere D-rank taking down a warlord defied logic—even for S-rank talents.

So they'd concealed and altered details on purpose.

'No loss for me. I didn't need more attention than this. But...'

Kang Cheol-woo had apparently kept it in mind.

He'd gone all out to match that value.

"We can't block it or top it. But that's why we must secure you. Korea has lost countless talents to other countries already. Losing you would mean losing our future."

"......"

"So after consulting the president and National Assembly, we approved lending you a Legendary item. You delivered beyond-common results... so we offer beyond-common rewards."

Kang Hyuk bowed his head.

"Thank you, President."

"I should thank you—for protecting Lee Hyun-wook and our Association hunters on Jeju. And..."

Trailing off, Kang Cheol-woo smiled.

"My daughter too."

Kang Hyuk smiled back.

"Kang Na-eun handled that on her own."

Kang Cheol-woo nodded and stood.

"Alright, let's go."

Kang Hyuk's eyes sharpened.

"The Lv. 4 warehouse, opening after 17 years. To that secret place."

They passed the Lv. 2 warehouse from before, then the Lv. 3 holding Unique items.

"......"

Passing the Association's deepest Lv. 3 meant there was nowhere left to go.

So Kang Cheol-woo and Lee Hyun-wook led Kang Hyuk underground.

Countless security protocols followed.

Kang Hyuk felt a surge of emotion.

'...Even as president, I only came here three times. To think I'd reach it this soon.'

The significance was immense.

Any item from this warehouse would be unparalleled firepower now.

'No— it would awaken power beyond my current rank. That's the realm of A-rank "superhumans."

His heart raced uncontrollably.

The ultimate treasure every hunter dreamed of was about to be his.

He already knew what to choose.

'...Originally meant for Raymon Kim, the Million Summoner.'

A smirk tugged at his lips.

'This time, I get it first. This is sheer luck.'

Kang Cheol-woo halted ahead.

A massive iron door blocked their path.

"Second time facing this 'Gate of Myriad Changes' since taking office."

He held the golden key up to the door.

A tongue extended from the gate, swallowing it.

The doors groaned open.

Kang Cheol-woo stepped aside.

"This is as far as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠we go. It's up to you now."

Kang Hyuk nodded.

Kang Cheol-woo smiled.

'Normally I'd advise him, but Team Leader Kang? He's probably already researched every item inside.'

He stepped back.

Kang Hyuk entered, and the doors slammed shut.

Bang!

Left behind, Lee Hyun-wook and Kang Cheol-woo murmured.

"What do you think he'll pick?"

"Most would go for one of the top swords, the 'Cloud Seven Sword.' But..."

Lee Hyun-wook offered his guess.

"Team Leader ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Kang doesn't use swords, so maybe the Overlord's Bracelet."

"Oh? The Overlord's Bracelet?"

"Yes. Grants mountain-shattering strength just by wearing it. Perfect for him, right?"

Kang Cheol-woo countered.

"I see it differently. He prioritizes efficiency. His strength already blew away a warlord—why pick more power?"

"...Then?"

"Eden's Shoes, I'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bet. For balance."

Lee Hyun-wook was impressed.

"Ah, right—I forgot those. From the A-rank gate in Goheung, dropped by the harpy king that wrecked the area. They let you fly without speed limits, I hear."

"Exactly. Tricky to handle—massive mana drain, hard to sustain speed."

Kang Cheol-woo's eyes sparkled.

"That's why it suits him. Items with a 'taming' challenge are the most valuable."

Arms crossed, he grinned.

"...Our guesses might be wrong anyway. Doesn't matter—which ever he picks upgrades him further."

Lee Hyun-wook nodded—

"...But that's not it, is it?"

"...What?"

"The Cloak of Ten Thousand Layers."

Kang Cheol-woo's eyes widened.

As the two stared uneasily at the door, Kang Hyuk inside marveled.

"Jackpot."

Not shoes, not bracelet.

Not even a sword—an old cloak.

"A 'Mythic-grade' item. To obtain it like this."

Kang Hyuk couldn't hide his excitement at the tattered cloak.

'To get this item so early.'

As he reached for it carefully—

His eyes flashed at the message.

'Curses... Rare latent abilities on extremely uncommon items.'

Cursed items were shunned by hunters.

'Obviously—no one wants a curse over a blessing. Mess up, and it consumes you.'

This cloak was dangerous, grade aside.

Unclear curses meant anything was possible.

Yet Kang Hyuk smirked undeterred.

'That's why it's the best. A curse means lost original value.'

Old memories surfaced—from 30 years ahead.

'When I became president. The world erupted... a shocking secret revealed: "Mythic" grade above Legendary.'

Unbelievable.

Legendaries were the pinnacle until then, elevating hunters beyond norms.

Now something superior.

'Issue was, they weren't dropped or crafted normally.'

Cursed Legendaries.

The curse was the key to Mythic.

'Sealed value due to curse—release it, regain true power. Not surprising: Legendary even cursed means higher unsealed.'

Countless attempts followed.

Most failed.

'If solvable, it wouldn't be cursed.'

Few succeeded despite efforts.

'But this cloak is different.'

He smirked.

'In the future, it reaches Mythic alongside Europe's "Hermes' Sandals."'

He knew how to unseal it.

No reason for anything else.

'Unique to Legendary is huge. Mythic to Legendary? Indescribable.'

Eyes gleaming, he uttered its true name.

"Yggdrasil."

The cloak fluttered.

Grinning, he said,

"I'll accept the trial. The trial of Ten Thousand Layers."