Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Sword Upgrade and Reunion
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"Writing it down, so I couldn't see your face."
"What the hell do you even know?"
"What?"
"Alright, enough. We'll look into that later. For now, let's check the items."
As the mood heated up, Ska clapped his hands to cool things down.
"Yeah, let's check the items. First, this is the item I secured from him."
Natasha pulled out the 'Broken Black Sword' from her bosom and placed it on the central table. A small cheer erupted as the halved black sword appeared.
"Finally, his item..."
"Still regretting not getting Hephaestus's hammer, even now."
Jin muttered to himself while looking at the broken black sword.
If it were that hammer capable of reviving lost mysteries, it could have restored some of the power of the broken black sword, 'Black Heaven.'
"It's fine. Don't worry about it. There are other relics that can revive mysteries."
Jin nodded at Bert's words.
"Yeah, that's true."
"But who has the mana core?"
"I do."
Bert took out a glowing orb from his subspace magic tool.
"So this is the holy relic, the mana core."
"It's as impressive as the rumors say. The mana aura is visible to the naked eye."
"Let's test it right away."
Bert carried the mana core deep into the cave.
Inside, a massive cannon-like device covered in intricate magic engineering components came into view.
This cannon was called the 'Archmagic Purification Cannon.'
It was a mysterious item recorded as humanity's worst magical weapon, possessing destructive power incomparable to ordinary magic.
Bert inserted the mana core into a small slot behind the Archmagic Purification Cannon.
Wooooong.
At the same time, intense light rippled from the mana core, and a terrifying energy began emanating from the cannon.
It was absorbing the infinite mana stored in the mana core at a rapid rate.
"It's working."
Bert grinned deeply as he watched.
He wanted to test the ancient magic weapon's destructive power right then, but firing it into the air risked detection by the association's mana sensing system, so he held back.
Still, watching the mana being absorbed into the weapon gave Bert certainty.
Its destructive power would surpass their wildest imaginations.
With this, Jaun had taken one step closer to their ultimate goal.
Though they had lost one comrade, the sacrifice of the few for the many was something they had already resolved.
Early in the morning, I headed to a famous equipment shop in the city to find a weapon for the ladle that holds mysteries.
S-Rank or higher weapons were usually obtained through auctions or bartering, but A-Rank or lower ones could occasionally be found at regular weapon shops.
"Hello. Looking for a weapon?"
As I entered, a clerk greeted me.
"Yes."
"What kind are you looking for?"
"A sword. A-Rank."
I had a B-Grade sword obtained from a demon during my mercenary experience.
Since it required the same type of weapon but different rank, I needed an A-Rank sword.
"An A-Rank sword?"
"Yes."
The clerk gave me a strange look.
Swords were the most common weapon in the mage world, and A-Rank ones sold for at least 4 billion.
He was probably sizing me up, thinking only a famous mage would buy something that expensive.
"For purchase?"
"Yes, of course."
"Understood. Follow me. A-Rank weapons are displayed separately."
I followed him.
Walking along the path, we arrived at a place showcasing numerous weapons.
I looked around.
"All the swords here have been appraised as A-Rank. Check the quality certificates below for performance details."
In this world, items needed appraisal at an appraisal center for quality certification.
Of course, I had the outsider's perks, so it didn't matter to me.
"Hmm."
Thanks to the outsider's perks, everything matched the performance listed on the quality certificates.
Proof they were all genuine. As expected of A-Rank weapons, the performance was solid.
After browsing, I picked up one sword.
"I'll take this one."
I paid 5 billion and bought the A-Rank sword. Then I moved to an empty stairwell in a building.
I looked around and drew the newly purchased sword.
Shing.
[Azure Moon Sword (A)]
Type: Sword
Description: A sword that holds moonlight.
[Passive Effect]
►Piercing Power
Deals 30% additional damage to enemies enveloped in mana.
Increases mana amplification by 15%.
Durability: A
Attack Power: B
It boosts mana amplification by 15% and deals 30% extra damage to enemies wrapped in mana.
Being wrapped in mana means enemies defending with protective aura or mana barriers take 30% extra damage.
It seemed to pair well with my current sword, so I chose it. Above all, the options were versatile and reliable.
Next, I examined the sword from my mercenary experience.
[Scattering Blades (B)]
Type: Sword
Description: Mana-activation sword.
[Active Effect]
►Blade Separation
Injects mana to separate the blade into 10 pieces that float in the air.
The blades move according to the user's will.
Increases stamina and strength by 5.
Durability: A
Attack Power: B
The weapon options were just as I thought. I'd been wondering how to use it, and the day had finally come.
"Let's do this."
I took out the ladle that holds mysteries.
Infusing it with mana caused a brilliant light to emanate, and an unknown power surged.
I brought it to the Azure Moon Sword. White smoke-like substance then poured out from the sword and into the ladle.
That smoke must be the 'mystery' contained in the sword.
Amazed at being able to see the mystery with my own eyes, I brought the ladle to the Scattering Blades.
Wooooong...
A blindingly bright light.
Soon, the mysterious smoke in the ladle flowed downward and into the Scattering Blades.
['Mystery Crafter' achievement unlocked.]
[Reward: 6,000 points acquired.]
Seeing the message confirmed the mystery transfer was successful.
I immediately checked the sword.
[Scattering Blades (A)]
Type: Sword
Description: Mana-activation sword.
[Passive Effect]
►Piercing Power
Deals 30% additional damage to enemies enveloped in mana.
Increases mana amplification by 15%.
[Active Effect]
►Blade Separation
Injects mana to separate the blade into 10 pieces that float in the air.
The blades move according to the user's will.
Increases stamina and strength by 5.
Durability: A
Attack Power: B
"Perfect."
Success.
I had hoped combining A and B effects would make it S-Grade, but no such luck.
Still, not bad.
A sword with two such unique abilities was probably extremely rare.
I stood up. One goal achieved; time for the next step. I headed to the item appraisal center.
Late at night.
As soon as I got home, I accessed the auction site 'Yuday' on my smartphone.
Clicking favorites brought up the sword I listed.
Current bid: 3.2 billion.
Seven days until auction end.
"Hmm. Hope it sells for over 7 billion."
I bought the Azure Moon Sword for 5 billion; 30% profit sounds right.
With that thought, I checked my account.
About 3 billion left.
Pondering how to use it over the next seven days, I decided on stocks, as always.
The plan I had wouldn't start until the weapon sold anyway, so I had time.
HanSeong Group's stocks had dipped due to the Pioneer's Night effect. Buying now wouldn't lose money.
"Ah, market's closed."
Tch. Nothing to do but wait for morning.
As I blankly set down my phone, it vibrated.
[Yuday]
[Message received.]
[Hello, seller. I love the item so much. Can I buy it directly?]
It was a request for direct trade instead of auction. Apparently common online.
People contacting sellers to buy auction items cheaper.
I replied immediately.
[Buy it at auction.]
I'd cancel the auction for direct sale if they matched the price plus fees, but that's nearly impossible.
And I expected the auction to go high.
I put away my phone and grabbed a beer from the fridge. It vibrated again.
[How much?]
Persistent.
[No direct trades. 10 billion maybe.]
[10 billion works?]
"Huh?"
10 billion?
Stunned, staring at the screen, another message.
[I really want to see the weapon in person.]
"Huh."
10 billion.
[Fine. Date?]
The trade was set for Thursday, four days later.
Buyer needed time to gather cash.
Coincidentally—or not—Thursday was the Mage Academy's opening day. We scheduled for after classes, when free.
Anyway, I was quite idle now. The deals had pushed my plans back a week.
So, four days before school.
Near Bukhansan, I met a familiar face after a long time.
"Seonwoo!"
Yoon Hayoung ran to me with her unchanged bright smile from the past month.
"You doing well?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Me too."
It was time to start looking after Yoon Hayoung.
Post-Pioneer's Night, Jaun episodes paused, and demon-related ones began.
In the original, she awakened her demon-slaying power in her second year, second semester.
"Dungeon after so long."
Yoon Hayoung murmured nostalgically.
"One month."
"Hey, a month is plenty long."
"Is it? Oh, right. Did you train hard during break?"
"Yeah, roamed the monster fields non-stop. Gained tons of combat experience."
She boasted proudly.
"Monster fields?"
"Our house is in Gangwon-do. Lots of monster spawn areas nearby."
"Oh."
Gangwon-do was famous for its mountains, monster fields, and dungeons.
Dense natural mana enveloped the mountains, causing frequent mana disasters like 'Nightmare Mist.'
Safe civilian zones existed separately, so her home was protected from monster attacks.
"But you didn't go alone, right?"
She blinked at my words.
"Yeah? I did."
I frowned.
Is she insane?
"What? Are you crazy? Who trains alone in monster fields?"
"Uh, huh?"
She looked flustered as I got serious.
She clearly hadn't expected this reaction.
It was a bit pitiful, but this needed addressing.
"What if you got hurt?"
"N-No, it wasn't that dangerous."
"Not dangerous? Where in Gangwon-do fields is safe?"
"W-Well, that's true, but..."
"Haa."
I sighed.
Gangwon-do's monster fields were notoriously high difficulty.
Even pro mages avoided them solo. Imagining her training alone there made my heart sink.
If something happened to her... Unthinkable.
Probably another butterfly effect from helping with her training.
I looked straight into Yoon Hayoung's eyes.
"I get training's good. But do it in safe environments."