A New Holy Artifact Emerges
Novatech's final verdict on the artifact codenamed Polaris Beacon was EX grade. In other words, beyond classification.
"Ah, that means..." Monica sat at the table, calmly sipping her coffee. "An Abyss relic too sacred to measure by grade—a holy artifact, right?"
"......"
Good grief. I'd refused it just to avoid the hassle of holy artifact management.
I held up the shrunken staff to the fluorescent light and muttered, "Who would've thought a holy artifact would come to me of its own accord."
What? Holy artifact? Well, yeah, I'm something like that. Even just my Secret Transmission Dynamics could pass for one.
"That damn Secret Transmission Dynamics again. What even is it that you keep bringing it up?"
The staff hummed and vibrated once more.
Not some primitive substitution like magic—it's tech that uses ether itself as the energy source.
"So, is that good?"
Minimal loss rate, so theoretically over 100 times the output of magic with the same ether... but...
The light inside the staff flickered faintly.
With you right now? Three times would be pushing it.
"......"
Three times—that'd be just enough to collapse a roof with my old Ether Shot.
"Feels like I turned it on for nothing. Guess you were using that Secret Transmission Dynamics even when it was off."
At that, the staff's circular light morphed into a semicircle. It was pissed, apparently.
Hey, kid, you could only use it because I helped you.
"What? You were awake?"
Of course. You wouldn't shut up about how fresh cream cake is the best, or how these days soufflé pancakes are this and that... for five hours while you ate...
"Uwaaaah! Ugh! How do I turn this off? There's no button! I beseech thee, o staff near at hand! Speak truly..."
Easy, kid, calm down.
"Call me not 'kid'."
You called me a staff first.
"......"
I furrowed my brow and patted the staff.
"Pang?"
The worst. Worst name anyone's ever given me.
"......"
Indignant, I pouted my lips.
"I've never named one before. What was I supposed to do?"
Don't kids usually name their dolls? How'd you grow up?
"Well, quite harshly."
Sigh, whatever. Guides like you always have tragic backstories—lost parents, living in sewers, scavenging trash...
I couldn't bring myself to say it wasn't that bad, so I just glared at the staff.
"How about Janggil, then?"
A bit corny for a kid's naming sense.
"It means an auspicious and fortunate staff that spreads righteousness."
[......]
The thing fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
Eh, whatever. Pronunciation's just superficial anyway.
"Wise words, unexpectedly."
I've lived over a hundred times your years, kid.
"Hm..."
I wanted to retort but held back, instead swinging the staff with a whoosh.
"Then let's go, Janggil."
As I turned to leave Novatech, researcher Seongjin called out to me with a panicked look.
"Uh, if it's a holy artifact, you have to register it with the state..."
"Ah."
I glanced at Monica in surprise, and she shrugged.
"Told you it'd blow up."
The tower lords gathered at the Magic Tower Alliance were all grins. A new holy artifact—and a staff, no less. They couldn't help but smirk, itching to try it out.
"With a new holy artifact added, clearing floor 36 should be no issue now."
"Indeed. And a staff? I'm thrilled."
"Heh heh, let's keep order. As lord of Cheonsung Tower, I'll test it first and report back."
"Haha, then it's my turn?"
They entered the massive conference hall all smiles—only to be met with shocking words.
"The staff belongs to this lady."
A 7-year-old junior mage stood boldly on the circular podium, claiming ownership of the holy artifact.
"Thus, this lady recognizes no national claim or such nonsense."
And to top it off, Lee Haryeong, president of the Magic Tower Alliance—who ought to scold such impudence—nodded along.
"Yeah, that makes sense..."
The mood clashed utterly with their expectations, so Cheonsung Tower's lord stepped forward.
"I—we cannot accept that! Last time with the holy artifact, Cheonsung Tower surrendered its find to the state!"
"Exactly. It's unfair."
Lee Haryeong nodded at the tower lords' protests.
"I get why you're upset, but..."
She shrugged helplessly.
"That one came from a communal Abyss. This is from a personal Abyss—big difference, right?"
"......"
"Plus, Cheonsung 'discovered' it, but other towers contributed to reaching that point, didn't they?"
True—a solo clear from a personal Abyss was on another level.
"That's all there is to it. No ulterior motives."
The other lords furrowed their brows at Haryeong's words.
"Still, we have established rules!"
"Then should we cough up all artifacts and spells from personal Abysses?"
The lords shouted that holy artifacts were different. Tension mounted in the awkward atmosphere.
Then Monica Newell, the 7-level mage standing beside Yu Eunha, spoke up.
"Everyone, this holy artifact is a staff. User proficiency matters most. State custody would create handling issues."
As some lords faltered at Monica's words, Yu Eunha stepped forward.
"Why hesitate? Think of it as an investment in the future. You need a star to lead the industry, do you not?"
Her speech, unbecoming of a 7-year-old; her unflinching confidence; her dazzling achievements that made the boldness seem mere poise. It all lent weight to her arrogance.
"Entrust it to me. I'll usher in a magic renaissance so grand, you'll forget the artifact even existed."
The tower lords, speechless before the little girl, could only cough awkwardly.
It was a hassle securing the holy artifact, but I gained something from it. The pink twintail alliance president said wearily,
"Well, a dedicated team will handle its management and maintenance."
"Oh... splendid, it is."
"Experts will visit occasionally for checkups and repairs—cooperate, yeah?"
"Understood, it is."
Free maintenance? Not bad.
"Oh, and you know you can't use it in tournaments, right?"
"A-grade artifacts and above are banned, so a holy artifact goes without saying."
"Don't get caught sneaking it in."
"Hah, as if. Even without the staff, I could take a 4-level mage."
"......"
Lee Haryeong fell silent, so I glanced at her.
"...Scary how that might actually be true, kid."
Faint ether waves rippled around her.
"Sometime, come to my foundation."
"Huh?"
A thick, sticky killing intent oozed forth.
"If you're that confident, you won't die, right?"
"Still, she's just 7... A child is but a sprout..."
Her eyes widened at my words.
"After Foundation League ends, I'll invite you officially. Can't have you missing it because of me."
"......"
Monica, genuinely alarmed, glared at Haryeong.
"If you kill my precious kid, I won't let it slide?"
"Won't kill her. Promise."
"Uh..."
They're talking kill or no kill like it's training, right? That's what you mean?
Lee Makum, a 4-level restoration specialist mage, clicked her tongue.
"How the hell does a perfectly restored training ground get totally wrecked again?!"
She slammed her massive artifact hammer into the ground.
"Gotta see this Yu Eunha—or whatever her name is—myself."
Monica gave a wry smile at her words.
"She's right next to me."
Makum scowled.
"Sis, you joking? This 7-year-old wrecked the whole giant training ground?"
The bold kid pointed at her own face.
"Am I not famous, then?"
"Makum doesn't watch news or TV. She's always holed up researching magic. That's how she became a master of restoration and construction spells."
"Th-that's why she can fix massive disasters."
Makum slung her hammer over her shoulder and eyed the ruins.
"Haa... This one's gonna cost, huh?"
She made a circle with her fingers, and the kid flinched.
"Like last time?"
"What're you talking about? Last time just the floor was busted—pillars and roof were intact."
Makum smacked her lips, surveying the damage.
"From the collapse, I'd say 100 to 200 million at least?"
"Guh..."
The kid fidgeted with her tiny fingers, counting.
"Liquid funds under 100 million... Who knew I'd burn through all those collateral loans."
"Yeah, last restoration spell ate a ton..."
Monica patted the kid's head.
"If you're short, borrow from Monica Bank. Just 20% annual interest."
"Isn't that the legal max? There's a limit to your ruthlessness..."
Makum, overhearing, pointed at the kid in bewilderment.
"Wait, this little one really did it? What'd she do to trash such a sturdy training ground? 6-level spell?"
"1-level Ether Shot, it was."
"...?"
Makum burst out laughing.
"Ahaha! I can cast a 1-level Ether Shot too. Where's the lie coming from?"
"Truth, it is."
The kid looked dead serious, so Makum giggled indulgently.
"Haha. If it's true, I'll fix it for free this time."
The kid's eyes sparkled.
"For real?"
"Huh?"
"Promises must be kept, yes?"
"Wh-what? It was a joke? Huh?"
"Follow me, and I'll show you."
"Wha—huh?!"