Grokion's Bracelet
The sealed item in his hand.
A bracelet.
It was the item dropped by Heukrang.
"Ha, haha…."
He couldn't help but laugh.
It was the Grokion set item he'd been searching so desperately for.
◈ Durability: 50/50
Guild recruitment invitation.
Declined.
Then PK.
A ridiculous chain of events, but as they say, you never know what the world will throw at you.
Just when he thought bad luck was all there was, overcoming it brought something good right away.
Now he had to unseal the bracelet.
Clear the quest.
And the Black Guild.
He had no intention of letting them off easy either.
First things first: the seal.
This was an empire-related quest, after all, so there was a high chance it tied in. For now, unsealing the bracelet to boost his power even a little was the priority.
Conveniently, the unsealing location was right here in the Weibra Empire.
A place lined with countless job guilds. But even here, the rich were getting richer and the poor poorer.
The large, grand warrior guilds teemed with users, while the small, shabby ones had only a handful peeking in.
The skills cost the same to learn everywhere. Yet people flocked to the bigger crowds, the cleaner, wider halls.
"Let's learn the skill and bounce."
"Yeah. But why's it so packed?"
Mu-hyuk headed for the mercenary guild, buzzing with users of the most diverse classes.
At level 50, you could join the mercenary guild and start taking quests suited to your abilities, gaining not just experience but extra rewards too.
"Welcome!"
Today, he'd come to join the mercenary guild and unseal the bracelet.
"Looking for something specific?"
The receptionist at the entrance asked.
"Yeah, signing up as a mercenary first."
"Oh, fill out those forms over there and take them to the counter. They'll issue your ID based on your abilities."
"Thanks."
"Haha, sure thing. Good luck!"
He filled out the forms as instructed.
Scribble.
After jotting down the basics, he headed to the counter. With so many users lined up, he had to wait his turn.
"Damn, it's crowded."
"Means it's essential, right?"
"Yeah."
He let the users' chatter flow past one ear.
Hmm.
After about 20 minutes, it was his turn.
"What can I do for you?"
"Mercenary signup."
"Application form."
He handed over the papers, and the NPC at the desk pulled out a strange device.
"Hand here."
He placed his hand on it. A red light flickered from a small hole—on, off, on—then turned steady blue.
The NPC checked something linked to the machine, eyes widening slightly as he looked at Mu-hyuk.
"Hmm… All done."
"Uh, thanks."
That odd stare felt pretty heavy.
"Pick up your ID over here!"
A man to the left called him over.
He bypassed the front NPC and took the wooden plaque offered.
"Your ID."
You have acquired the 'Mercenary ID (C-rank)'.
As expected, C-rank.
Normal users started at D-rank.
But Mu-hyuk's stats were abnormally high, letting him skip straight to C-rank, something that usually required clearing tons of D-rank quests.
With the ID secured, he took the stairs to the third floor.
The guarding NPC asked,
"Excuse me. What brings you here?"
He showed the bracelet.
The NPC flinched, face hardening.
"This…."
He quickly composed himself and bowed.
"P-please, follow me."
They walked down a corridor to a massive door far at the end. Inside, a middle-aged man looked up from his work.
"Captain."
"Hm? What is it?"
A gruff voice hit his ears.
"We have a guest."
"Guest?"
"Yes, please go in."
He passed the guide and entered the office.
The man called captain couldn't just sit; he stood and approached.
"Haven't had a guest in ages—feels weird. Sit, anyway."
The casual tone felt natural, not off-putting.
Mu-hyuk sat, and the middle-aged man sat across, eyeing him steadily.
"So, what kind of guest are you?"
"Not hard to figure out."
He showed the Grokion bracelet.
Did he recognize it instantly?
"Mm…."
The man let out a strange groan.
"You've finally come."
"…."
"Follow me."
They retraced their steps.
No stairs this time—an elevator-like machine took them underground.
Stepping off, he touched the wall, and light flooded in. They passed a dungeon-like passage and stopped at a door.
"No long speeches since you brought the bracelet. To unseal it, pass this trial. I don't know what it'll be, but it's dangerous for sure. Hope you make it through."
"Thanks."
He reached out and opened the door.
Creeeak.
Dust swirled with the grating sound. He waved it away and stepped in.
The door slammed shut with a thud.
You have entered the 'Chamber of Trials'.
Skill and item effects do not apply.
One thing alone remained.
Title effects weren't nullified.
Step.
He moved to the center.
A statue came into view.
Just like before.
Touching it made the bracelet glow.
'Grokion's Bracelet' reacts.
The light enveloped the statue.
Bearer of Grokion's relic. I shall test your worth. Do you accept?
He nodded.
Confirming your level (51).
Statue adjusted to matching level.
A plain sword and shield with no special abilities are granted.
A sword and shield appeared in his hands.
He'd have to beat the statue with these.
Prove your worth.
The fight began.
*
It was a brutal, no-holds-barred brawl, but in the end, Mu-hyuk emerged victorious.
With his title-granted stat advantage from the start, winning was inevitable.
You have passed 'Grokion's Trial'.
The 'Bracelet' and 'Document' react.
The seal on 'Grokion's Bracelet' and 'Secret Document' is released.
He checked the bracelet immediately.
◈ Use Restriction: Those who have passed Grokion's Trial
Like the ring, it boosted knowledge and wisdom.
The raw stats were lower than the ring's, but the recovery rate was even higher.
Without the restriction, it'd be worth tens of millions.
But that one line made it valuable only to Mu-hyuk.
Sure, someone else might pass the trial someday, but he had no plans to sell it.
Then it hit him.
Ah, right—it's a growth item.
After equipping the bracelet, he checked both items again.
◈ Use Restriction: Those who have passed Grokion's Trial
◈ Use Restriction: Those who have passed Grokion's Trial
The bracelet gained +1 wisdom and +5% MP recovery. The ring got +1 wisdom and +15% recovery.
"Whew."
All he could do was marvel.
He had to take these all the way.
Why?
Each option was incredible on its own, but something even better existed.
The set effect.
The reason he'd ditched step skills at 50.
Slip.
Equipping the bracelet triggered it.
'Grokion Set Effect (2)' activated.
He checked the set effect quickly.
A smile crept across Mu-hyuk's lips.
Wind Step…!
Grokion.
He'd been an exceptional knight.
So why the wisdom and knowledge focus?
His skills guzzled MP.
His step moved like the wind, dodging all attacks and slipping into unblockable positions in an instant.
That was Wind Step.
Set effect restriction or not, he had no plans to unequip, so it was as good as a new skill.
First, details.
Wind Step
The step used by Grokion, named for its wind-like grace. Costs 50 MP to activate; 20 MP per second sustained.
Cooldown: 60 seconds
Wind Step alone was this good.
A full minute burned 1,200 MP.
No wonder the ring and bracelet prioritized wisdom, knowledge, and recovery.
Burdensome, but…
For Mu-hyuk now, it was essential.
He'd started relying on the bow, making a step skill a must.
A pure archer would shred foes with various steps, but he wasn't one.
Dodging or kiting with raw movement was tough.
Breath control works too.
Stay protected by skeletons normally, use Wind Step only in crises—turn danger into opportunity.
One trump card secured.
What was the third effect?
He only knew up to Wind Step.
Each option was outrageously strong; two pieces unlocked Wind Step.
But the third? Unknown.
Intriguing.
Made him greedy for more.
Before the empire quest, he'd visit the library's curator.
Time to hear the map analysis progress.
Turn.
He left the trial chamber.
The door opened.
"…!"
The mercenary guild captain waiting outside met his eyes.
"You… passed?"
"Yes."
"Ah…."
The man closed his eyes briefly.
After a long moment, he opened them and extended a hand to Mu-hyuk.
"Too soon now, but come find me later."
"Pardon…?"
What was this?
Mercenary Guild Captain 'Krakshu's Hidden Request
📍 Reach level 70, then visit Krakshu.
🎁 Rewards: Experience, Fame, Linked Quest
Mu-hyuk stared blankly at the hologram before snapping back.
Mercenary captain, Krakshu.
He nodded at the man.
"Will do."
"Thanks. Let's head up."
"Sure."
Back to the third floor together.
A few words exchanged, then down to the first floor like nothing happened. He left the mercenary guild.
Step.
Straight to the library.
The curator, mid-work, spotted him and stood.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah, in the area for business and it came to mind."
"Perfect timing."
"Pardon?"
The curator smiled softly.
"I think it'll help a bit."
"Ah…!"
He clenched his fist.
The map left from Grokion's relic.
Analysis complete.
Slide.
The curator handed over the map.
"These markers show relic locations. After poring over countless books on the terrain… it's here."
His words rang in Mu-hyuk's ears.
"Somewhere in the Yabbe Mountains."
Mu-hyuk's brow furrowed instinctively.