Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Cursed Armor
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However, it wasn't until three days later that Jeong-hyeon could finally step out of the house.
"Argh... why is my body so frail?"
The backlash from overexerting himself in the "Merrillium Mine's Gems" had lingered all this time.
Of course, Jeong-hyeon thought of himself as weak, but anyone who had seen him collapse would be amazed that he was up and about after just three days.
In any case, the first place Jeong-hyeon headed to after leaving the house was, naturally, Vice Guild.
"Welcome."
He had let them know via Min-ji that he would stop by today.
Perhaps because of that, Geun-hwa himself had come out to the guild headquarters lobby to greet Jeong-hyeon.
"I hope you've been well?"
"Of course. Thanks to you, the toothache that's been plaguing me is gone, and I feel so refreshed."
Geun-hwa's complexion was far better than one might expect after just three days.
It must have felt like he had been pushed to the brink and only barely pulled back at the last moment.
And as promised with Jeong-hyeon, Vice Guild had loudly announced their clear of the Mission Gate.
People were first surprised that a crafting guild like Vice Guild had tackled a Mission Gate.
They were second surprised that HJH Gate Office, a newbie outfit, had conquered a gate that even famous gate offices couldn't.
But the most decisive part was something else.
'He practically took down two Grand Mantises by himself, so of course they're shocked.'
The press release from Vice Guild explicitly stated that the president of HJH Gate Office had made a major contribution to subduing the two Grand Mantises.
Considering how guilds usually try to hide outside help to protect their image, this was ripe for exaggeration.
And indeed, it was exaggerated.
In any event, everything from the conquest fee to the publicity had proceeded smoothly, and the reason Jeong-hyeon was visiting Vice Guild today was to receive the final contract item: equipment.
Geun-hwa led the way as he spoke.
"This way. The guild warehouse is underground."
As a crafting guild, their warehouse must be packed with equipment that no other could rival.
"So all the products made by Vice Guild are stored underground?"
Jeong-hyeon asked out of sudden curiosity.
Even if the headquarters was quite large, the volume they handled was enormous.
Geun-hwa chuckled and replied.
"Of course we can't store everything here. Most are kept in external warehouses. Only custom-order level gear or high-value materials make it to the headquarters basement."
Ah.
That made sense.
Trying to store even mass-produced, lower-value items underground would be a problem of both space and accessibility.
When they arrived at the path leading underground, Geun-hwa scratched the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry, but from here on it's a secure area. Outsiders are required to wear blindfolds... Is that alright?"
"That's fine."
Jeong-hyeon nodded readily and accepted the blindfold from the security guard.
With valuables worth hundreds of billions gathered here, this level of security was only appropriate.
Besides, though he couldn't tell Geun-hwa, Jeong-hyeon could already forgo his sight at will if he wanted.
He could read the terrain and presences around him with his other senses just fine.
Wearing the blindfold was a courtesy to the other party.
"Now, please hold my hand and follow me."
Pretending not to know, even grabbing Geun-hwa's hand.
'It must be pretty deep in.'
It was quite a trek to the warehouse.
They went down several times, turned corners, passed checkpoints—thankfully, traveling with the vice guild master meant few stops.
When he sensed a massive door, Geun-hwa halted.
"We're here. You can remove the blindfold now."
When Jeong-hyeon opened his eyes, a truly enormous door loomed before him.
This must be Vice Guild's warehouse.
"Do you have a preferred type of equipment? The interior is quite spacious."
That would normally be a happy dilemma, but unfortunately not today.
Jeong-hyeon answered Geun-hwa's question immediately.
"I need armor. Mine got pretty wrecked last time."
"Ah, I see. This way."
Geun-hwa nodded.
The warehouse door opened with a heavy rumble right on cue.
The interior was brighter than expected.
Treasure vaults always had a dark image in his mind for some reason.
Doil's workshop wasn't particularly bright either, which might have reinforced that bias.
But Vice Guild's warehouse didn't feel crammed with items.
'It feels like a museum.'
Each piece was displayed on elegant pedestals of premium materials, encased in anti-theft glass.
As Jeong-hyeon followed Geun-hwa, he pointed to a longsword nearby.
Its red blade and ornate hilt screamed high quality.
"How much would something like this sell for?"
"Hmm... Items here are auctioned off, so no fixed price, but that one would easily fetch 30 billion."
"......!"
Jeong-hyeon was stunned by Geun-hwa's casual response.
He had thought the security overly lax until now, but he was forced to change his mind.
'At this level, they should have lasers and CCTV on every item!'
The guards they passed also seemed too weak.
Could they even stop an S-Rank Hunter determined to infiltrate?
Hearing that a single longsword—not even particularly standout among the gear—cost 30 billion made Jeong-hyeon tread more carefully.
"The armor is mostly over here. Feel free to browse."
'So, everything here is at least 30 billion...?'
Unlike Geun-hwa's affable smile, Jeong-hyeon swallowed hard as he entered the armor section.
30 billion per piece.
Wasn't that more expensive than his own worth?
He wondered if he'd even dare wear it into a gate.
Still, with his Demi Drake armor in ruins, he had no choice but to find new armor.
Jeong-hyeon slowly examined the items, heart pounding.
"What's this one made of?"
"Bandle Orc leather. Excellent material."
"Gasp!"
He had asked because the pattern looked unusual, and it turned out to be top-tier from the start.
Bandel Orcs were upper 6th-level, sometimes even 7th-level gate dwellers.
Their leather was special: mana flowed along unique spiral patterns despite being hide.
That made it superior for mana enchantment and raw durability compared to other leathers.
But Jeong-hyeon didn't hesitate long before moving on.
'Even if I have to go naked, I'm never wearing orc armor again.'
It was revenge against orcs.
He had worn cave orc leather before out of necessity, but it always felt off.
'Bandel Orcs are around that level anyway.'
The Nagran Orcs that killed his parents.
They were rated similarly to Bandel Orcs.
Mostly appearing in 6th-level gates.
Jeong-hyeon had decided to mainly run Mission Gates, but he planned to hunt Nagran Orcs regardless.
'Tsk. Thinking about it just sours my mood.'
As they ventured deeper, their question-and-answer continued.
"What's this one made of?"
"Let me see... This is made from laterun. Shall we go with this?"
One thing he noticed was how it felt like they had every material in the world here.
Asking about similar textures often revealed entirely different premium stuff.
This laterun, for instance, was the mineral Ye-rin used for her greaves.
Using it as a main material—even if not full plate—must cost a fortune.
'I'm really glad I took Vice Guild's commission...'
Browsing the armors naturally brought that thought.
Even if Vice Guild's reward was lower than others', the difference wouldn't buy half of these.
It was a condition only Vice Guild could offer.
"Then..."
He felt a strange affinity since Ye-rin used laterun gear, and was about to choose it.
Then another set caught his eye.
An armor set tucked in a corner.
It had a unique form.
Primarily tough black leather, but with ash-gray metal plating the chest, abdomen, and joints.
What truly drew Jeong-hyeon was the eerie aura emanating from it.
'What is this, some horror flick...?'
Not the feral hostility of a monster, nor dynamic mana flow.
Just a sinister, damp chill persistently wetting his skin.
"What's this?"
"Ah, that one..."
Geun-hwa, who had answered smoothly before, trailed off.
The unfamiliar reaction piqued his curiosity more.
"It's Cursed Armor. We call it the 'Cursed Armor' in full within the guild."
"Cursed?"
Jeong-hyeon tilted his head as if hearing nonsense.
Cursed? Like something out of superstition.
Seeing his skepticism, Geun-hwa elaborated.
"The leather is from a Black Griffin, but the metal is the issue."
"The metal?"
"It was melted down from a Dullahan's armor."
Dullahan armor.
Material fitting the name "Cursed Armor."
"Who would even..."
"It wasn't meant for sale, really. We wondered if we could forge monster armor into gear. Especially a Dullahan's."
"Hmm..."
That made sense upon reflection.
Dullahan were born from powerful curses.
A craftsman might be curious, but attempting something so perverse?
Still, did that mean zero demand? Not really.
Niche products always had their enthusiasts.
But Geun-hwa smiled bitterly and added.
"That said, I don't recommend it."
"Why? Performance issues?"
"No, the performance is top-notch. Black Griffin goes without saying, and our analysis shows the Dullahan armor is made of a mineral never seen from gates before. Strength and mana conductivity are flawless."
That made it even more baffling.
If it was that good and rare, few hunters would pass due to a creepy feeling.
"The problem is, it's not just named Cursed— the Dullahan's Curse lingers for real. Wearing it applies an A-Rank debuff trait."
"Ah."
Now he understood instantly.
"Damn, a debuff trait. First time we've seen one during testing."
Geun-hwa looked regretful.
It was natural for guild leadership to lament an unsold item of such value.
"So what exactly does the A-Rank debuff trait do?"
"Varies. Below A-Rank, your traits vanish while worn. Even A-Rank and above weaken significantly, plus physical issues like chills or stomach pain, and mental attacks like auditory or visual hallucinations."
Jeong-hyeon nodded as Geun-hwa explained.
The Dullahan's Curse must have carried over via the system to the gear.
"So we can't in good conscience recommend it. Shouldn't, really."
Geun-hwa dismissed it.
He turned to move to other items.
Watching him, Jeong-hyeon made up his mind.
"Then I'll try it on."
To ease one of Geun-hwa's worries.
"?"
Geun-hwa's expression was priceless, as if Jeong-hyeon had offered to take unused appliances.
Try it on? What?
That armor with the A-Rank debuff trait?
"P-President, you might have misunderstood, but an A-Rank debuff trait—"
"I heard you clearly."
"Then why...?"
He's utterly incomprehensible.
Suddenly, Geun-hwa recalled testimonies from party members who cleared the gate with Jeong-hyeon.
Someone you stop trying to understand and just accept.
A re-awakener using Throwing Skill and Magic Enchantment simultaneously.
Absurd from the start.
Jeong-hyeon grinned.
"Let's just try it on first and decide."
Cursed Armor?
System curse?
An A-Rank trying to mess with him? He'd see about that.