The Secret Vault's Temptations
Welcome to the new world.
Mu-hyuk, who appeared near the castle entrance, pushed through the bustling crowd and headed straight for Count Kairon Baekjak's mansion.
He spotted knights and aspirants emerging from inside the mansion—evidence that they had already met with the count.
The aspirants approached him.
"Squad leader!"
He wasn't their squad leader anymore, but whatever.
If they were glad to see him, that was enough.
"You're early."
"Yeah, we met with Count Kairon Baekjak first."
"Good work."
"You did all the hard work, squad leader."
"We really owe you one."
Their sincere gratitude warmed his heart.
Then the butler approached.
"The count wishes to see you."
"Ah, sure."
Mu-hyuk glanced at the aspirants.
"See you later, then."
"Come find us anytime."
"Don't forget you said that."
"Of course not!"
After parting with the aspirants, he followed the butler to Count Kairon Baekjak's study.
I wonder what kind of reward he'll give.
Of course, since we didn't clear the 7th floor, it won't be anything extravagant.
But we leveled up all the aspirants and saved them, so it should be decent.
"My lord, I've brought him."
"Come in."
The butler opened the door.
Kiiik.
He stepped through the open door and sat in the chair indicated by the count.
"When I saw your urgency yesterday, I thought the situation was dire, but it turned out better than expected."
"Thank you for saying that."
"I heard from the aspirants. They're not the type to make up stories, so I trust their account."
A smile crept across Mu-hyuk's face unbidden.
The aspirants' faces flashed in his mind.
"You seem close to them."
"Yes, they've grown on me."
"I see. Well done, in any case. It must have been tough, so I'd like to offer a fitting reward. I thought long and hard before you arrived, but I realized I don't need to decide for you."
Mu-hyuk looked up.
His heart pounded.
Excitement bubbled up unexpectedly.
"I have a collection of rare treasures in my secret vault. Choose whatever you can within the limits of your abilities."
Quest 'Empire's Hidden Secret 4' cleared.
Massive experience gained.
Level up!
Weibra Empire 'Contribution Points (850)' acquired.
Mu-hyuk cheered inwardly.
Contribution points: 850!
That brought his total to 950.
Who else has stacked up this much at this stage?
Perfect. Time to blow it all.
"Understood. But when you say 'choose freely'..."
"Take as many as you like."
"Ah...!"
Of course, only if his contribution points allowed it.
"Butler, take him to the secret vault."
"Yes, my lord."
"Oh, and come back once you've chosen. I'm curious what you'll pick."
"Will do."
"Good, off you go."
Mu-hyuk followed the butler through the mansion's long, winding corridors. The place was so vast it took quite a while.
After navigating what felt like a maze, they finally reached the secret vault.
It looked like an ordinary iron door, but magical wards protected it, and two elite knights stood guard—hardly an easy entry.
"State your business."
"Here by the count's permission."
The butler showed them a token from his pocket.
The knight inspected it, relaxed his stance, and bowed.
"You may enter."
The other knight used a scroll to dispel the door's magic.
Kiiik.
The door creaked open with a metallic groan.
"Please go in."
This was as far as the butler went.
"Thanks."
Mu-hyuk stepped inside cautiously.
*
The moment he crossed the threshold, a different world unfolded.
Treasures of gold and silver lined the walls on both sides.
Swords and shields embedded everywhere, scattered armor, hidden rings and necklaces.
The exquisite craftsmanship alone marked them as extraordinary items.
"Whoa..."
He had to choose from these.
Contribution points: 950.
Pick the best single item his points allowed, or several lower-point but valuable ones.
Thud.
He started with a nearby sword.
◈ Attack Power +155
◈ Additional Attack Power +35
◈ Attack Speed +5%
◈ Reaction Speed +1%
◈ Agility +7
◈ Durability 300/300
◈ Requirements: Strength 60, Agility 50
◈ Required Contribution: 1,000
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened.
Insane...
Attack power 155.
Additional 35.
Even attack speed, reaction speed, and agility.
But it required 1,000 contribution points.
"..."
Just 50 short.
Damn it...!
He startled himself with the surge of greed.
There was no time limit anyway—he should take it slow and deliberate.
Yet his eyes nearly rolled back from desire; that alone spoke volumes about the sword's value.
"Hoo."
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Lots of items. Take it slow.
After calming himself, he scanned the surroundings again.
Curiosity struck: the oddly shaped gold coins scattered on the floor—could those be bought with contribution points too?
He picked one up.
Item description.
A hologram appeared.
◈ Holds the value of 5 gold.
◈ Required Contribution: 1
5 gold for 1 contribution point.
Using all 950 would yield 4,750 gold.
A hefty sum, but oddly, he felt no strong urge this time.
Items over money, huh?
He was earning plenty of gold already.
He set the coin down and pulled out rings, bracelets, and necklaces from Treasure Tower hides to inspect them one by one.
◈ Attack Power +15
◈ Attack Speed +3%
◈ Movement Speed +3%
◈ Strength +7
◈ Durability 190/190
◈ Requirements: Strength 45, Vitality 50
◈ Required Contribution: 700
◈ Magic Attack Power +30
◈ Magic Defense +20
◈ Knowledge +5
◈ MP +150
◈ Durability 210/210
◈ Requirements: Knowledge 45, Wisdom 45
◈ Required Contribution: 700
Each one had jaw-dropping options.
Haa...
But contribution points were the issue again.
He could afford them, but...
They felt just a bit too pricey, and the requirements were high.
How many more did he check?
He grew numb to average options.
Swords, spears, daggers, axes, shields, armor, accessories—he examined countless items.
Lost in the zone, perhaps.
Ah, already...?
He'd reached the end of the vast vault.
Time to choose.
He recalled the standouts.
Among what he could afford...
Three came to mind.
First: Vulcan Leather Armor.
Boosted attack, strength, vitality, defense substantially.
Required: 900 points.
Second: Shrine Maiden's Helmet.
Boosted knowledge, wisdom, MP, and MP recovery rate.
Required: 880 points.
Third: Exploding Steel Armor.
Boosted vitality, defense, movement speed.
Required: 930 points.
He'd pick one of these three.
Mu-hyuk backtracked, gathered Vulcan Leather Armor, Shrine Maiden's Helmet, and Exploding Steel Armor, laid them out, and pondered.
The helmet tempted him sorely with his MP recovery shortage.
But...
His real firepower now was Armor Archers, Mages, and two Enhanced Bone Assemblies.
Bone Swords were just cannon fodder, taking two or three hits at best.
Dismiss a few, and MP wouldn't be an issue.
Vulcan Leather Armor felt iffy too.
Truth was, his arrow damage was weaker than two Armor Archers combined, slower without rapid fire, and accuracy was laughable.
Maybe 1.5 archers at best.
Powerful Arrow Shot did decent damage, but not worth more investment.
That left Exploding Steel Armor.
◈ Defense +25
◈ Vitality +8
◈ Additional Defense +15
◈ Movement Speed +5%
◈ Durability 320/320
◈ Requirements: Strength 45, Vitality 40
◈ Required Contribution: 930
Against players, defense mattered most.
Handle offense with summons.
Key was Mu-hyuk surviving.
Defense, vitality, movement speed.
Optimized for evasion and endurance.
Pair with a high-absorption shield?
He'd be a zombie player with a necromancer class.
Black Guild lingered in his mind too.
He'd killed users they'd sent.
They wouldn't let it slide.
Of course, he had no intention of just taking it.
Exploding Steel Armor.
Perfect for me right now?
"..."
His heart leaned that way.
Yeah, this one.
Will you use 'Contribution Points'?
[Yes/No]
He selected Yes.
'Contribution Points (930)' used.
Remaining Contribution Points: 20
'Exploding Steel Armor' acquired.
An armor he'd use for at least two years was now his.
*
He showed the armor to Count Kairon Baekjak.
"Ho, that's the one?"
"Yes."
"Impressive choice."
"Thank you."
"No need. Well done. Hope to see you again."
Mu-hyuk wanted that too.
To rack up more contribution points.
"This way."
He left the mansion with the butler.
Once outside the castle, Mu-hyuk headed straight for the temple.
He addressed the priest at the entrance.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, yes. What brings you here?"
"To claim a reward for achievements."
The priest's eyes widened.
"Th-this way, please."
"Sure."
As he followed her inside, watching players wore puzzled expressions.
"Reward for achievements?"
"Yeah. Isn't that the high priest's office?"
"Nah, there are other places."
"Still..."
"Maybe cleared a quest."
"Hmm, ask?"
"Don't bother. Who'd tell?"
"Tch."
By then, Mu-hyuk had reached the high priest's study.
"High Priest, it's Avara."
"Avara?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"A guest is here. Wants a reward for achievements."
The door opened immediately.
The high priest himself.
He eyed Mu-hyuk intently.
"You?"
"Yes."
"Come in. You're dismissed, Priest Avara."
"Understood."
Mu-hyuk faced the high priest.
The priest poured him tea.
"Make yourself comfortable."
"Ah, yes."
It smelled divine.
A sip, and the priest spoke.
"You want a reward for achievements?"
"Yes."
"May I verify?"
"Of course."
"Your hand."
The high priest grasped Mu-hyuk's offered hand and murmured unintelligible words.
Pure white holy light emanated from him, gently enveloping Mu-hyuk.
The priest's eyes snapped open.
"You've achieved a hundred feats."
Probably meaning 100 achievement points.
"Follow me."
The priest pushed aside a bookshelf in the corner.
A hidden space appeared.
"Enter there."
"Thank you."
Mu-hyuk smiled and stepped in.
Nothing but darkness.
Grung.
The door sealed shut.
Brilliant light filled the space as a hologram appeared.
Items listed below.