The Skull King's Shield

"The Heavenly Demon War once broke out. He protected the entire Forma Continent from its aftermath. Of course, I've never seen him in person. I've only experienced it indirectly through memory storage orb videos. But even that was enough to make me truly appreciate how incredible Lord Valsian's achievements were. He was alone, yet with his army of summons, he was a guardian deity safeguarding the continent. That's when necromancers came out into the open, but Lord Valsian found it bothersome and lived in seclusion. Then the black mage incident happened, and necromancers, being part of the black magic lineage, were shifted to white magic. Oh, that reminds me of something. Didn't he play a key role in the incident with the black mage Zikera?"

"Ah, yes."

He couldn't hear the rest.

Guardian deity?

That stubborn old man?

Of course, he already knew the man was the real deal in terms of skill. Still, hearing it from the princess made it feel strangely fresh.

"But what was the Heavenly Demon War...?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"It was a war between those bastards from the heavenly and demonic realms here in the mortal world, the intermediate realm. Damn them. We bore the full brunt of the damage from their fight."

"And minimizing that damage was..."

"Right. Thanks to Lord Valsian. Though he wasn't the only outstanding one—there were others too."

"I see."

This was history Mu-hyuk had never known.

No one had ever told him.

He wondered why this information hadn't spread.

"I don't think it was in the library either."

"It's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not a pleasant memory. They minimized the traces."

"Hmm."

Still, something felt off.

Is there something more?

For now, he filed it away in his mind.

No, more importantly...!

A sudden question popped into his head.

If he'd been active 50 years ago, just how old was his master?

He couldn't even begin to imagine.

He's even older than I thought.

"That's why I was curious. About the skill of you, Lord Valsian's disciple."

The princess's voice cut through ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his stray thoughts.

"Ah..."

He quickly refocused and looked at her.

"I was very satisfied, and I'll grant a reward befitting that."

"I look forward to it."

"You should. You're looking at it right now."

"Pardon?"

He ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠turned to where the princess was gazing and saw a warehouse.

"Ah..."

Mu-hyuk's involuntary exclamation wasn't from disappointment but awe. The warehouse itself was made of gold, dazzling just to look at.

As the princess approached, a shadow rose from the ground.

"Open the door."

"Yes, Princess."

It seemed to be her personal warehouse; the door opened easily.

"Look around as much as you want and take just one."

"Understood."

"I don't like waiting, so I'll go ahead. You can report later."

With that, the princess turned and left.

She's really leaving?

Well, the shadows would guard it anyway.

"Whew."

Mu-hyuk turned and entered the warehouse.

The visible items were a single longsword, a skull-shaped shield, and a full-body armor with a lion emblem embedded in the center. That was all.

Only three, but he wasn't disappointed.

Saves time. Perfect.

This was the princess's treasure vault, guarded by extraordinary individuals. Items here couldn't be ordinary. Even if few, their quality would be exceptional.

He started with the full-body armor.

Placing his hand on it, he checked the options.

"Whoa..."

Mu-hyuk stood frozen, speechless and motionless for a while.

Only after a long pause did he shake his head and mutter.

"Damn, that's insane."

What kind of options are these?

Physical and magic defense both over 100.

He'd never seen options like this before. Factoring in the extras, he could confidently call it the finest defensive gear in existence.

It might even remain unmatched for the next year. Still, he couldn't choose it.

Would feel wrong to switch.

His current Grokion's Armor was a set item.

Giving up Wind Step and Storm Burst wasn't feasible yet.

Grokion's armor itself was top-tier, with no regrets. Plus, each piece he acquired evolved, with options growing astonishingly.

It can more than hold its own.

With that confidence, he set the armor aside.

Shield or sword, then.

The sword first.

He gripped the thin, long longsword with its pristine white blade.

Not sure how many could meet the requirements, but anyone who could would crave it.

Even if not, these options would tempt heavy investment in knowledge and wisdom.

I meet them, though...

He couldn't help but covet it.

What if enhanced to +8?

It would shred enemy lines with monstrous damage.

Yeah, no transformation needed.

Just get a good bow.

Then...!

His imagination soared, scenes making his lips twitch, but he reminded himself one item remained.

Right, gotta check it.

His heart was set on the sword, but the shield's options intrigued him too. Lifting it, he checked.

Mu-hyuk's gaze lingered in the air.

For a long, long time.

Sword fantasies faded like a blank page, replaced by visions with the shield.

All options were great, but one—the final special—struck his heart. His pulse raced, excitement flooding his body.

If it applies to all...

He needed to test it.

"Hmm."

Gauging the height, deeming it sufficient, he summoned the Poison Ogre.

Grrr.

He opened its status window.

Equipping the Skull King's Shield on it, he checked again.

The stats had changed.

Yes...!

The special option applied a 5% stat boost.

But is it just this one?

To be sure, he summoned an Armor Knight, Armor Archer, and Armor Mage.

Comparing before and after confirmed the special applied to every summon.

"Ha..."

Only then did Mu-hyuk truly feel the Skull King's Shield's value.

A moment later.

With the shield equipped on his left hand, he exited the warehouse.

A shadow appeared.

"Please wait a moment."

"Ah, yes."

The shadow entered and returned.

"I'll inform her you chose the shield."

"Yes."

Mu-hyuk replied and left the palace.

He headed straight to the auction house.

"Ah, you've arrived!"

A staff member approached and led him.

"I've been waiting. Most of your consigned items sold. The black longsword is last, so watch from here leisurely. Call if you need anything!"

"Thanks."

Alone, Mu-hyuk watched the auction through the translucent glass.

"Participant 21, 500 gold! 22, 550 gold! No more? Three calls then sold. 550, 550, 550! Congratulations to 22!"

Hardly registering.

Something feels off.

That morning, he'd seen on the Illusion homepage about top guilds colluding to snag his sword cheaply.

Unlikely, but possible. He pondered countermeasures but found none.

Bribing shills? No applicants.

Higher pay? Same. No one wanted top guild heat.

Couldn't ask acquaintances.

Watch for now.

If the price dissatisfied, pay 50% commission to reclaim it—a noble perk.

"Thank you for waiting!"

Mu-hyuk cleared his thoughts.

Coming out?

A single sword appeared.

The black longsword.

"Finally, the item we've awaited! Last of today's public auction: the Black Longsword! Options first, before starting bid!"

A massive hologram rose in the auction center.

Many first-timers shot up from their seats.

"Can't see!"

"Ugh, sit down, annoying."

"Yeah, sit."

They sat again.

"Whoa, insane."

"What options...!"

Some gripped their placards tightly.

Kwachak.

That shocked.

As all fixated on the hologram, many exchanged glances and nodded, smirks curling.

"Starting bid: 1,000 gold! Auction begins!"

The battle for the Black Longsword ignited.