Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: A Misunderstanding Gone Awry
'How on earth did things end up like this?'
In truth, Han Yu Seong's plan had been perfect.
From the start, nothing had deviated much from his blueprint.
Stealing the Grimoire initially went off without a hitch. He'd even gotten official ownership recognized through the Climber Association Chairman.
Then, after meeting Moon Byul, he'd secured a promise.
Sure, fulfilling his tough request had nearly broken the guild's back, but it was fine.
Because he'd keep his end of the deal and clear the 62nd floor's 'Frozen Ice Wall'.
He might even keep receiving help going forward.
Everything seemed to be flowing exactly as planned.
It started with the press conference.
The reaction was explosively positive, just as expected, and none of the other guilds or climbers he worried about caused any disruptions.
But for some reason, he couldn't enter the tower with the Grimoire in hand.
When he confronted Moon Byul about it, the guy dodged responsibility. He wouldn't even explain why a non-climber like him lacked the qualifications to enter the tower. (He did.)
After unilaterally breaking the contract like that, he hadn't returned even 40% of the magic stones.
'Damn that Grimoire!'
And just like that, an S-rank climber like him ended up buried in debt overnight.
He'd poured every guild fund and personal asset into buying those magic stones.
Having bought them at a premium, he naturally couldn't sell them back at his desired price.
So, he decided to sell the Cosmic Grimoire.
The Grimoire was a special artifact that couldn't be traded on the regular artifact market.
There were too many eyes watching.
With America coveting it too, any mishandling could spark a diplomatic dispute.
The whole world already knew who had the Cosmic Grimoire, making it hard for him to escape responsibility.
So, he consigned it to the black market. Said he wanted to sell the Grimoire.
Even if some unawakened rich fool bought it, the Association Chairman would just reclaim it.
All he had to do was take the money and run. Simple as that.
Clear the debts, climb the tower again, restore his reputation—it should've been straightforward.
But then some insane thief stole the Grimoire?
And that wasn't all? The Wolverine Guild somehow tracked him to the auction house and caused chaos.
Even on reflection, his plan had no flaws. So why was everyone...
'Getting in my way one after another?'
What had he done to deserve this?
From the moment the thief appeared, a proper auction was impossible. And now, even Moon Byul had shown up.
He'd been tricked by a mere tool, lost his entire fortune, credit, and reputation.
It wasn't some fable about greed leading to ruin. All his actions stemmed from a 'greater good'.
Someone had to keep climbing to maintain the peace. He'd given everything for that, so why this outcome?
That's when he spotted it rolling on the floor—a middle top hat banded with gold.
'Helm of Hades.'
Moon Byul looked different from before.
Previously, he'd exuded boss-like pressure from some tower floor, but now he seemed no different from an ordinary non-awakener.
He didn't think he'd lose even if they fought right then. Had he lost his power?
Or, as the Grimoire's delusions claimed, had he truly become human?
Gazing at the Helm of Hades, Han Yu Seong had a brilliant idea.
If Moon Byul really was the Grimoire's master, what happened to a masterless Grimoire?
If he became its new master, wouldn't everything resolve? Moon Byul wasn't even human anyway.
He'd grow strong, climb the tower, save the guild, solve the money issues.
As if possessed, Han Yu Seong picked up the rolling Helm of Hades and donned it.
The moment he put on the Helm of Hades, the world turned black-and-white, and all sounds cut off.
Even those meddlers chatting seemed to have forgotten his existence.
"I-It’s all because of your deception!"
None of this would've happened if that Moon Byul guy had just kept his promise from the start.
If that thing hadn't deceived him.
He shouted, but with the Helm of Hades on, no one could hear his voice.
And he aimed at Moon Byul's neck, gathering mana in his hand and sharpening it to a blade.
Sure enough, with the Helm on, no one noticed him—not even Moon Byul.
The razor-sharp mana blade flew toward Moon Byul's neck.
But it failed due to Iru Ri's interference.
It only severed Moon Byul's arm.
Confidence surged in him. He really could kill Moon Byul.
The severed arm rolled on the floor. If he could take that monster's head, becoming the Grimoire's master wasn't a pipe dream.
He gathered mana in his hand again to attack, sharpening it even keener.
So he could strike Moon Byul's neck even if someone interfered.
But Moon Byul suddenly vanished from sight.
Without a trace, formless.
Bewildered, looking around, he felt eyes from above. Looking up, it was mist shaped like eyes. Their gazes met.
It was mist, but definitely eyes. A mere swirl, yet clearly peering into him.
The mist dispersed, and Moon Byul reappeared.
Only then did he realize: the one who'd pierced him moments ago was Moon Byul.
As expected, with a mere hand extension, Moon Byul took the Helm of Hades and slowly approached him.
The whole sky aglow with light.
He said something, but it didn't come through clearly. Still, he knew it was directed at him.
Each word felt like someone squeezing his heart.
"Is this your answer?"
Snapping to, the voice finally rang clear. It was less a voice than a proclamation.
Not waves entering his ears, but words piercing his skin.
He wanted to flee, but his legs wouldn't move.
His upper body straining to escape while his lower half stayed rooted, he lost balance and collapsed.
Moon Byul still approached slowly.
Desperate, he bowed his head to the ground as best he could.
"I'm sorry! Spare me! Please! Please!"
For the first time in his life, he begged. He kowtowed, slamming his forehead to the floor in fervent plea.
Clinging to the shallow hope of mercy.
"Please! I'm begging like this! I was wrong!"
He didn't want to die yet.
Didn't want to die? To express this feeling, different from mere death...
Yes.
He didn't want to cease existing yet.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'I have to step in.'
So Seori couldn't move, but she could speak. She just lacked the courage.
After his arm was severed, Moon Byul's aura had flipped 180 degrees.
From harmless human to something untouchable.
And that energy and pressure kept intensifying.
'If I don't speak up now...'
Han Yu Seong seemed about to be killed by Moon Byul.
But her mouth wouldn't open.
No voice came out.
Not a single finger joint would budge.
Even if she despised humans, she didn't want to watch one die before her eyes. Especially considering Korea's combat strength.
So she had to intervene. Tell him not to kill.
But her lips stayed sealed. What if she spoke and...
'That rage turned on me?'
That terrified So Seori.
"You can't kill him!"
The sudden voice shattered the heavy atmosphere.
It was Iru Ri.
Moon Byul, turning, smiled warmly at her.
"As if I would."
Snap.
He flicked his fingers, and Han Yu Seong, crawling and begging on the floor, folded into a cube.
A human folding like paper was grotesque, but at least he wasn't dead.
Moon Byul picked up the cube that had been Han Yu Seong and approached So Seori.
"This is our first time meeting face-to-face, I believe. I'm Moon Byul."
The pressure was still immense, but the shifted mood let her finally speak.
"So Seori."
"So Seori, I have a favor to ask."
Moon Byul handed her the cube. Since it'd unfold to release Han Yu Seong, he asked her to handle it properly, pointing to his own arm and Iru Ri's shoulder.
Meaning, hold Han Yu Seong accountable for his violent actions.
Afterward, he needed to return to the Grimoire to fix his arm, so please take care of the Grimoire too.
"Hold onto this for a moment. Given my condition, I'm asking you."
"I... understand, Moon Byul."
The grueling conversation, overcoming the pressure, ended.
"And Aka Sik."
The white-haired woman who'd introduced herself as Aka Sik still stood there, frightened.
To her, Moon Byul said that if she could take him along while he was in the book, he'd go up to the 90th floor.
"However, it might violate the tower's laws and prove impossible, so if feasible, I'll come find you."
"Moon Byul, wait!"
"Sorry, but I'm out of time."
Iru Ri called out, but Moon Byul pointed to the fainted people in the audience seats.
Then he caressed the black hand sprouting from his severed arm.
Black something kept leaking from the hand.
"In this state, they might be in danger. I'll see you again soon."
Understanding Moon Byul's words, Iru Ri nodded.
Moon Byul entered the Grimoire, and the magic circle blanketing the sky vanished.
It had felt like a nuke was about to drop, but in the end, nothing happened.
The people barely breathed there, grateful the catastrophe they'd imagined hadn't come.
Meanwhile, the Association Chairman arrived like a ghost.
"Phew, is everyone alright? I thought I'd die of shivers."
"......"
"Huff huff."
That old geezer came late on purpose.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Afterward, the Association Chairman cleaned up the auction house.
All black market hosts and clients were arrested by the Association. Hosts would face heavy punishment, but clients would likely get fines—though some were sent to hospitals.
Aka Sik said her goodbyes to So Seori holding the Grimoire, promising to return.
She took the sprawled mermaid and chanted a spell right there, vanishing. Probably back to the tower.
Once sorted, the Association tossed the cube to release Han Yu Seong.
For some reason, Han Yu Seong was extremely cooperative with the Association. Slightly different from before.
All procedures would follow the Chairman's lead.
In truth, he hadn't done anything major. Using the black market, deceiving the Association, attempted murder?
The Chairman would handle exactly as warranted.
The Cosmic Grimoire would be held by Iru Ri for now, as the person Moon Byul treated most favorably.
No objections.
Once everyone left, the Association Chairman handed So Seori something.
"Moon Byul's new identity."
"Why this?"
What the Chairman gave was a new identity allowing Moon Byul to operate in Korea.
"Made one. Seemed necessary."
"Is it?"
"Can't lock him up anyway, right? Might as well, at this point."
Ah, this doesn't seem like a good idea.
"How about having him climb the tower under guild affiliation?"