Kkeut (2): The Stolen Relic and the Sword Graveyard
The Relic Management Association. A place that stores and guards the highest-grade relics. Each one, from 1st Grade to Transcendent, possesses the power to alter a nation's fate.
Especially the "Transcendent" ones—they embody laws that influence the entire world.
But recently, one of the "1st Grade relics" housed here was stolen.
The culprits? Naturally, the criminal syndicate Kkeut.
An elite organization of a handful of extraordinarily talented individuals, so exceptional it begs the question of how they even stay together.
And if you had to pick the most outstanding among them? Hands down, the Leader.
"Cough..."
The Relic Management Association's muscle, nicknamed the "Hunting Dogs"—a top-tier elite unit where every member is at minimum a 2nd Grade hero.
Crunch!!!
"All taken care of."
"I could've sat this one out!"
"Nah, couldn't have."
The gap between ranks widens dramatically the higher you go. What starts as a small step becomes an insurmountable mountain—the essence of rank differences.
A 1st Grade hero can barely keep up with the toe of a Transcendent hero.
And within Kkeut, the three most dangerous figures are those who've stepped into Transcendent territory.
The Leader, former Transcendent hero and the so-called Worst Hero.
The Clown, whose exact rank is unknown but who single-handedly massacred an entire major guild.
And finally...
"Hurry up already!"
Melian shouted at the blind swordsman, Baek Jin.
"Doesn't seem like we need to rush..."
"Wait for me!!! I'm coming with you!"
Yeon-woo yelled desperately, chasing after Melian and Baek Jin in the distance.
****
Orbis Academy's clubs offer plenty of perks, like participating in events and activities tied to the club.
A travel club means actual trips; a cooking club hosts tasting events, and so on.
But this is Orbis, so most students join clubs related to their weapons—swordsmanship, spearmanship, archery—rather than hobbies like cooking or travel.
After all, your clubmates are heroes in the same class, so building connections is a no-brainer.
"Everyone here?"
Ki Ryu Rena, the 2nd-year president of the swordsmanship club. Tattoos covering her from the neck down might raise eyebrows for a student, but her trait makes it a non-issue—everyone turns a blind eye.
Basically, a legal full-body tattoo case.
Ki Ryu gave the headcount a quick once-over and headed for the portal.
"The Sword Graveyard, huh..."
Seo Ji-ho's face lit up with anticipation. No wonder—thousands of relics embedded in the ground? Even I was curious what it'd feel like up close.
They say you can tell a relic's grade at a glance. Higher grades exude a distinct aura that's impossible to miss.
Feels like heading to an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Tyrbing murmured telepathically. Of course, actually chowing down would be a bad idea.
The relics in the Sword Graveyard all belong to the Baekya Guild.
They run it like a tourist spot since no one can pull the swords out, but security and maintenance are top-notch.
Individuals can only own up to 2nd Grade relics. Most top heroes bend that rule, but there's a reason for the limit.
From 1st Grade on, even a 1st Grade hero can't fully control them. Unstable or not, those relics are threats in their own right.
And at the heart of the Sword Graveyard sits one particular relic.
Impossible to measure precisely due to its law, but rated at least 2nd Grade—teetering right on the Relic Management Association's cutoff line.
But I knew its true grade.
If accurately appraised, they'd summon a team to retrieve it immediately.
'Fragment of Unbreakable Glory.'
Or, in other words, Excalibur.
Aside from me, the only ones who know this sword's identity...
'Probably just the Baekya Guild master and the Leader.'
The head of Kkeut and the infamous Worst Hero.
The Leader once stormed the Sword Graveyard personally for Excalibur.
Of course, that's late-game content. She dispelled the law but couldn't claim the sword.
Because of its rule: 'Only one who possesses the Fate of the Stars may draw it.'
A Transcendent relic's law—no artifact can override it, no matter how powerful.
Wooong—!!!!
With a faint ripple, I arrived in Cheongan. Korea's second capital, geographically where North Korea once stood.
For reference, this place fell after failing to stop the North Korean Red Gate incident. They begged neighboring countries for aid right before collapse, but everyone was in their own shitshow crisis—no one could help.
In the end, it worked out great for Korea.
Lost in those thoughts, Arima Kanna approached me.
"Hey, let's stick together."
Her brother, Arima Ki-sho, was with her.
They definitely resembled each other, but with key differences. Ki-sho had awakened his golden eyes, giving him irises like molten gold; Kanna hadn't, so hers were obsidian black.
That's when it happened.
Step, step.
"Hello there?"
A woman in a beige coat, jeans, and low-heeled shoes.
Whispers of awe rippled around: "Whoa..."
Kim Su-jeong, Baekya Guild's 4th Grade hero.
One of the hottest rising stars lately—rumors said she'd hit 3rd Grade soon.
And insanely popular, thanks to her stunning looks.
"Since you're Or