Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Plundered the Demon God's Warehouse
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Soldier with Golden Crown. One of the 72 Demon Kings who ruled right below the seven Demon Gods symbolizing the Seven Deadly Sins.
It was the 28th-ranked Demon King, Berith.
'Berith?'
Se-woon had thoroughly researched the constellations of evil while investigating Mammon's warehouse, so there was no way he wouldn't know about Berith.
'Duke of Hell, commanding 26 legions.'
Of course, he couldn't compare to a Demon God in stature, but claiming the 28th position among the 72 Demon Kings symbolized an immense level of power in itself.
Such a constellation had begun to take an interest in the old man before his eyes, Go Chang-seok.
'Well, Berith would take interest.'
Many thought of Berith as a battle maniac because of his image as a soldier riding a red horse, but Berith's true power lay in alchemy.
He was known to be so skilled in alchemy that he could transmute nearly all existing metals into gold. In particular, his skill in handling iron was said to rival Hephaestus, one of the Olympian Twelve Gods.
'No, when it comes to weapons, he's even superior.'
While Hephaestus focused on overall balance and beautiful aesthetics, Berith poured his efforts into 'destruction' itself.
The equipment he crafted, prioritizing raw power above all means and ends, was coveted even by the righteous gods.
Just then, Go Chang-seok, who had been about to start tanning the hides, tilted his head as he checked a message.
"What's this?"
"It's a constellation."
"Constellation? What's that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like—a divine being. Transcendents residing at the top of the tower."
"Why would a god take interest in me? Must have nothing better to do. And how do you know about it?"
"I'm receiving attention from other constellations myself."
That should explain it.
As Se-woon pondered, he racked his brain.
Go Chang-seok's skills were impressive, but a single sharpening session on the whetstone wouldn't be enough to draw a constellation's gaze.
Yet Berith had appeared.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Constellation 'Hungry Prince' wishes you would stop fiddling with things it can't eat and go hunt new prey. -Constellation 'Raven with Bowed Head' gazes down indifferently. -Following the gaze of the two Demon Gods, the 72 Demon Kings begin showing interest in this camp. 'So that's what happened.'
The gazes of the two Demon Gods accompanying Se-woon—Mammon and Beelzebub—seemed to have drawn the attention of the other evil gods here as well.
Well, that made sense.
Constellations on the level of Demon Gods weren't the type to casually take interest in just anyone.
With not one but two such Demon Gods watching Se-woon, it was only natural for the Demon Kings to grow curious.
"So what now? Should I put on a show?"
"Just keep doing what you were doing. They're not harmful. In fact, if their interest grows, it'll be a huge help."
"Huge help?"
"Like how I handled the flames."
"Ho, that's tempting."
There were many negative views about evil gods in the world.
Unlike righteous gods, contracting as an apostle or receiving their power would steal your soul, stripping away your will and purpose—or so they said.
But after diligently researching evil gods, Se-woon knew those were all misconceptions born from demonic prejudices.
Evil gods were no different from righteous ones. They took interest in players and granted power if pleased.
Of course, greater power came with greater restrictions, but that applied to righteous gods too.
Moreover, the difference between receiving a constellation's attention as a player and not was enormous.
For both Se-woon and Go Chang-seok, Berith's interest was anything but bad.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Don't worry. I'd rather do this than swing a stick at monsters anyway."
Se-woon gave a short bow and left.
Having a professional handle his gear was more than welcome.
He couldn't be certain yet, but if Go Chang-seok even contracted with Berith...
'At least gear won't be an issue anymore.'
As Go Chang-seok's skills improved, he would easily surpass most blacksmiths encountered in the tower.
That was the magnitude of a constellation's power.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Tutorial First Floor – Adaptation] -Time remaining until the fourth Monster Wave: 3 hours 21 minutes. Now, Se-woon's task was to make the most of the time before the next wave.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As per his pre-planned strategy, Se-woon focused on creating his dantian for the remaining time.
Magic could be handled with mana circles, but for swordsmanship or physical movement, internal energy via the dantian was most efficient.
Simply opening the dantian would greatly amplify the power of all his body techniques used so far.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Opened Treasure Vault of Greed. ⚔ SKILL ACQUIRED ⚔ [Three Essences Art] A foundational mental art known as the most basic among various internal energy cultivation methods. It observes all creation through the three fundamentals of heaven, earth, and man. Most safe for establishing a foundation, but efficiency lags far behind other arts.
Three Essences Art.
Despite its grandiose description, it was the most basic mental art among internal energy cultivation methods.
Called the safest technique for building a foundation, but its efficiency was drastically lower than others.
It was similar to the Azure Pagoda's training method he had used to create his mana circle.
Naturally, he chose Three Essences Art among countless others for the same reason. He planned to build the foundation with it, then switch to a more efficient art to grow his dantian.
"Hoo..."
Se-woon regulated his breathing while pondering the intricacies of the Three Essences Art.
Perhaps because their goals aligned, there were quite a few overlaps between the Three Essences Art and the Azure Pagoda's method.
The difference was guiding mana—not to the heart, but to the dantian in the lower abdomen.
And unlike forming a circle, this time he had to 'open' the rigid, hardened dantian.
Thud!
The mana—no, internal energy—moved at Se-woon's command and knocked on the dantian's door. Getting no response, it struck harder and faster.
Calmly steadying his breath at the unexpectedly rigid dantian, Se-woon compressed his internal energy into a battering ram and slammed it fiercely.
Bang!!
Soon, a shock rippled through his body.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Successfully opened the dantian through the Three Essences Art. -Dantian opened; now able to wield internal energy within the body. -All martial arts efficiency increases according to internal energy level. -Outstanding achievement accomplished. -Gained 1,000 points as reward. Se-woon's dantian had fully opened.
In less than two hours, he wiped away the light cold sweat from succeeding.
As if sensing it somehow, the constellations who felt his internal energy began flocking once more.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Constellation 'General in Splendid Armor' is astonished by your ferocity! -Constellation 'Fierce White-Haired Elder' marvels, claiming this is not ferocity but profound wisdom. -Constellation 'Great General Hunting Reverse Ghosts'… It was only natural.
Just like mana circles, opening the dantian was known to take at least several months.
Even geniuses took weeks at best, days at shortest.
A case like Se-woon's—under two hours—was deemed impossible without forcibly shocking the dantian.
The constellations who knew this swarmed, trying to message him.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Constellation 'Raven with Bowed Head' lifts its previously lowered treasure once more. -Constellation 'Fierce White-Haired Elder' asks to wait just a moment… -Constellation 'Raven with Bowed Head' has blocked all communications from lower-ranked constellations. The same happened again. Mammon's action blocked all other constellation messages.
Of course, even Mammon couldn't block communications from equals.
But as a supreme god among evil gods, few divinities could approach Se-woon.
Looking up, about an hour remained.
Heading to the rocky mountain felt too tight on time, so as he closed his eyes to accumulate more mana—
Thud.
Three items appeared before Se-woon.
A sleek gray cloak glistening smoothly and a crude white dagger atop it.
The items he had entrusted to Go Chang-seok.
"Finished quicker than expected."
"I wanted to find a proper abrasive, but good luck with that here. Did what I could: tanned them fully and shaped them wearable."
"This dagger..."
"Just sharpened the edge. Decent material, but no proper tools, so whetstone brute force. Was tough."
Despite saying it was tough, Go Chang-seok's face beamed brightly.
Amid the chaos of the new world and monsters, returning to his craft must have been a joy.
Se-woon immediately appraised the items with his skill.
⚔ ITEM ⚔ 📦 Classification: Cloak ⭐ Grade: D 📜 Description: Hide of the Gray Wolf that ruled the Brown Wolves in Wolf Forest. Processed cleanly by a skilled craftsman, preserving maximum original power. 💪 Abilities: 1. Intimidation – Grants charisma to allies and fear to enemies as a leader's qualification. 2. Wind's Blessing – Movement speed +10%. First, the cloak.
The only change was a slight movement speed boost, but Se-woon could tell: the tanning had toughened the hide without hindering motion.
This alone would improve defense while making movements even smoother.
⚔ ITEM ⚔ 📦 Classification: Dagger ⭐ Grade: D+ 📜 Description: Tusk of the 'Boar Digging the Hill' that reigned over the mound. Edge and form shaped solely by whetstone, drawing out extreme potential power. 💪 Abilities: 1. Reckless Charge – Thrust attacks gain up to 20% attack power and cutting force. 2. Sturdiness – Inherits lifetime strength; durability greatly increased. "What do you think? To your liking?"
"Yes, really."
"Haven't worked like this in ages; shoulders are stiff."
Go Chang-seok rotated his shoulders as he spoke.
Yet Se-woon's eyes remained fixed on the dagger.
'Raising the grade to D+ with no tools whatsoever.'
It was boss monster material, sure, but no forge or even basic equipment.
Se-woon hadn't expected much, but this exceeded expectations by leaps.
Even if the whetstone was premium from a boss, still.
Berith hadn't taken interest in Go Chang-seok for nothing.
"Made this roughly from leftover hide. Can't carry two weapons everywhere."
"Thank you."
Go Chang-seok handed over a leather belt.
Se-woon had been worrying about carrying weapons; this solved it for now.
"And from now on, instead of frontline fighting, please manage the camp's gear."
"...You sure? More combat power is always better."
"No. You making good gear will help far more."
"Hm. It's my trade, so sure, but."
"Don't worry. I'll make up for it with extra effort."
"If you say so, I trust you."
He seemed hesitant but not opposed. Crafting suited him more than fighting anyway.
Se-woon sought Yoo Seo-ah to discuss Go Chang-seok's new role.
Even without that, he had something else to say.
About an hour until the fourth wave.
This battle would differ in difficulty from the previous three waves entirely.