Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Constellation Gallery EP.16
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Time rewound a bit, to when I checked the 'Random Weapon Box' in my inventory.
I summoned the box onto my palm.
What appeared was a small box the size of my hand.
'A weapon fits in this?'
The ghoul's dagger would be bigger than this.
"Whoa! What's that?"
"No idea. About to check now."
Tulip's eyes sparkled from the side.
She waited impatiently for my hand to move, as if urging me to hurry.
I obliged her expectations, picking up the box with one hand and opening the lid.
Woooong-
In that instant, an intense crimson-black light burst from inside the box.
The light shot toward the sky, taking form, gradually condensing into a more defined shape.
"Whoa! Mister, are you a wizard?"
"It's neither magic nor tricks."
A moment later, as the light faded...
The box vanished without a trace, leaving a single sword floating before me.
"...A sword?"
The blade had a rough texture somewhere.
Faint patterns glimmered over it like they were breathing.
And at the blade's edge and the hilt's end, a bizarrely engraved crimson-black gem was embedded.
Grave of Ten Thousand Demons The abilities sealed within the sword are locked. The sword's grade changes upon achieving specific achievements. Durability does not deplete.
(Grade: Rare)
I gripped the sword.
It was lighter than expected.
But the moment I held it, a strange sensation washed over me.
As if I were holding something that was holding its breath, glaring at me.
'This feels kinda off...'
To be precise, it leaned toward unpleasant.
Still, no way was I handing over a rare-grade item with infinite durability to someone else.
I swung the sword.
Shoooook-
The blade sliced through the air smoothly.
It was far easier to handle than anticipated.
No, it fit my hand so perfectly it was almost weird.
'It said it binds immediately, but nothing's changed.'
Or did 'upon use' mean something like striking with it?
As I pondered that...
"Whoa! Looks like a pretty decent sword!"
Tulip said, eyeing the sword in my hand.
"...Dunno."
I checked the sword's description again.
'Changes grade upon specific achievements?'
Meanwhile, the Constellation Gallery was exploding with reactions.
Scam this, balance broken that.
Why the fuss?
Is it that good?
I had no clue what achievement or how to get it, or what changed upon achieving it to make them freak out.
As I was about to post asking...
I trembled with rage.
'Goddamn it, share the info, you bastards.'
Whatever it was, it seemed good for sure.
Constellations who knew about this weapon were split from those who didn't?
One wrong contract and I'd never get the info.
'Once I become an incarnation, no info on this sword will ever post.'
Fuck, nice timing whoever it was.
No way to find out?
Asking directly wouldn't fly.
Then another post popped up.
Why are these idiots fighting?
Anyway, I'd been delaying the contract due to untrustworthy ones, and now they call it smart.
'Rushing won't help anyway.'
Even without that, now with this sword I needed extra caution.
Should've contracted when clueless.
I shook my head.
No. Imagine contracting some cheapskate constellation like me. Some just eat your divinity and ditch without rewards.
"Still, this sword feels super sketchy."
I stowed the sword back in my inventory.
The instant bind and vague unease...
Head cooled a bit, so I changed my mind on testing blindly.
'Frying pan's reliable anyway.'
Grabbing the frying pan again prompted a post.
I shook my head at the Constellation Gallery.
Idiots. Bickering over useless shit.
'Fanservice it is then.'
I drew the sword again.
Not ditching the frying pan though.
"Mister... you gonna walk around like that?"
"Yeah. Know what dual-wielding is?"
"...Huh?"
"Never mind. Let's forage for food."
I stowed the sword again.
Tulip kept giving weird looks.
"Already looted here too, huh."
I sighed, scanning the supermarket's empty shelves.
Dust on shelves, floor littered with torn wrappers and smashed displays.
Someone had stripped it clean.
'Why buy the apocalypse hype so hard.'
Prepped in advance apparently.
Yeah, shit hit about a month ago.
I'd stockpiled enough food fearing shortages.
But just for a week.
Figured everyone'd shrug it off tomorrow and get back to normal.
"What now?"
"What else? Eat ghouls to survive."
"Eww! No way!"
"Me neither. So hit the mart or buy food with precious gold."
She gulped dryly, face crumpling.
I wasn't thrilled either.
Marts probably looted too.
Still, I searched again.
In this mess, sellables mattered as much as edibles.
Luck struck: I found something.
"Oh! Luck's with us today."
Tulip perked up and rushed over.
"Found food?"
"Nah, smokes."
Her face fell in disappointment.
"Guess kids like you skipped 'em."
I grabbed the last pack.
Never thought cigs would survive this.
"You smoke, mister?"
"Nope."
"Then why bother?"
"Sell to smokers."
She looked baffled.
"Money's useless now."
"Trade for food maybe. More precious than meals to them."
Her eyes sparkled again.
Then...
"Hey, bro."
Unfamiliar voice.
A rough-looking guy stared at us.
At my hand precisely.
"Don't wanna die? Put that down nice."
I glanced at my hand.
'Store in inventory.'
The cig pack vanished smoothly.
"...Wh-what?"
"What?"
"Sleight of hand? Gimme back now! Let me smell it!"
I eyed Tulip.
"Tulip."
"Yeah?"
"They think frying pan guy's easy prey, huh?"
She glanced warily between him and me, then nodded.
The guy drew something from his coat.
Click-
A folding knife unfolded before me.
Not long, but nasty up close.
"Think I'm a joke?"
I stared blankly.
"Hey. That ain't that dangerous. Put it down."
"Still clueless and cocky? Your getup screamed psycho."
He sneered.
"No laws protect you now."
I nodded slowly.
"True."
He smirked confidently, stepping closer.
But I continued.
"Applies to you too."
"What, asshole?"
"Grave of Ten Thousand Demons, summon."
The sword materialized in my hand.
Blade glowing crimson-black.
"Wh-what trick is...!"
"Trick? You threatened me with a knife."
His face paled.
I tapped the blade lightly.
"Which looks riskier to you?"
The guy swallowed hard.