Envy's Capture and the Tutorial's End
“Kuh... Damn it, damn it all!”
Seven Deadly Sins: Envy.
The boy was a total wreck. His tattered clothes were soaked in blood, one arm twisted halfway off. There wasn't a single inch of him left unscathed.
Heavy injuries that would have felled anyone on the spot.
Gabriel. Blue Dragon. And the returner, Ho Young.
Envy had been utterly crushed by the three of them. Beaten to dust in the pouring rain.
The apostle meant to bring apocalypse to this world had been pounded like a dog. Trembling with humiliation at the fact, Envy shook.
He could understand the apostles, but what the hell was that human doing there?
And that guy wasn't even Mumyeong.
“Tch. Damn it.”
Spitting out the clot of blood pooled in his mouth, Envy dragged his feet onward. He had to escape, even if it meant crawling.
Slipping out of the Apocalypse Temple without catching Mumyeong's eye, he bolted straight from the SS-rank gate.
He didn't even know which country he'd fled to.
He'd just run for his life.
I can't die like this. How could I go out feeling this wronged? A Seven Deadly Sin toyed with by a single human...
Envy suddenly looked up.
Delay the descent of Envy, the Seven Deadly Sin.
Memories from Sloth, who met his end at Mumyeong's hands, flowed in.
Delay the descent?
“Damn it.”
He hated to admit it, but it was the most rational choice left.
Already, the second Seven Deadly Sin had fallen.
Humanity's doom accelerated. Perhaps today or tomorrow, the tutorial would end.
The restrictions on the present world would loosen once more.
Delaying the descent would let the Seven Deadly Sins manifest in this world with even greater power.
“Damn it all!”
In a rage, Envy slammed his head into a tree. Thud!—The tree crumpled and toppled.
Now he had to watch out for Mumyeong of all things?
With Sloth dead, the authority to summon the Seven Deadly Sins had passed to Envy.
“...Me, a Seven Deadly Sin, forced to hide like a bug.”
Dawn was breaking.
From the forest's shadows emerged a cloaked figure.
“You again, prophet.”
“Yes. You remember me.”
Star of Prophets. The present world's seers.
The blonde woman in an eyepatch, Elise Grainzer, tilted her head as she spoke.
“I told you not to provoke Mumyeong.”
“Ha, as if I'd listen to a human.”
Dragging his battered body past her, Envy passed the prophet.
Or so he thought—next moment, Elise sat atop a boulder. In her monotone voice, she said,
“Had you heeded the prophecy, you could have avoided the worst outcome.”
“Shut it, human. Your yapping's annoying!”
Boom!
Envy's magic slammed into the boulder. No trace of Elise remained.
She reappeared from the opposite woods.
“Whatever the case, it's too late now. Mumyeong can no longer be stopped by your power.”
Drip.
A vein bulged on Envy's forehead.
“Prophet, if you're so damn smart, tell me. How could I have taken down Mumyeong?”
“I don't know. Mumyeong is an irregular. No prophecies form around him.”
Unknown.
When transcendent power is granted to one human, what path will the world take?
The Star of Prophets had sought to delay the Seven Deadly Sins to find that answer. But now, it was meaningless.
Pride and Sloth were dead. Mumyeong had become the world's undeniable current.
Ha, lecturing me when you know nothing? Get out of my sight while I'm being nice.
Envy's voice carried rank and authority.
But Elise didn't back down. She even took a step toward him.
“That's not possible. Your role is over. I can't just stand aside.”
Her dry voice reached Envy's ear.
“What? You humans dare mock a Seven Deadly Sin? No matter how injured I am, trash like you...”
Rustle.
Morning sunlight pierced through. Darkness lifted, and prophets cloaked in black began emerging from the forest.
Not just one or two.
Dozens advanced on the Seven Deadly Sin, Envy.
“You bastards...”
Magic bullets formed in the air and fired at the prophets. But they merely shimmered like mirages, unharmed.
They weren't truly here. Yet they wielded magic from this place.
Dozens of prophets raised their hands in unison.
Aaaah—.
Their chanting voices spread through the woods.
Clank!
Golden chains erupted from thin air, binding Envy's arms. He thrashed to break free, but it was futile.
Envy had already expended most of his power in battle.
Clank, clank!
“Gaaah!”
Golden rune chains bound his limbs.
“Me... to humans, not even Mumyeong...!”
Envy dropped to his knees, collapsing to the ground.
“What the hell do you want from me?!”
“Nothing at all.”
Elise Grainzer, leader of the Star of Prophets, stepped forward. She gazed down at Envy impassively.
They wanted nothing more from him.
The situation had changed.
“We're handing you over to Mumyeong.”
If Mumyeong was now the world's flow, they would ride that current.
The Apocalypse Temple had collapsed. Conquering the ensuing SS-rank gate was a breeze.
Half a day later, America joined.
“Melissa's a ma-in?”
“There's some misunderstanding...!”
“Yeah, no way Melissa, who's worked the hardest so far, is a ma-in...”
Sa Choiheon's anti-demon power revealed her true form.
“Gaaah! How the hell did you figure it out?!”
America, Japan, Korea. Hunters from all three nations were already gathered.
No chance for a lone ma-in to act.
“...It was true.”
“We misjudged.”
“Sorry.”
Japan had gone through a similar ordeal before executing their ma-in. Amid the commotion,
Korea, Japan & America have cleared the 5th stage.
The three nations receive benefits.
All hunters belonging to the nations receive a 2% stat increase.
The 5th stage was cleared.
Lucifer, Gabriel, Blue Dragon, and the returner Ho Young.
Kaboom!
After smashing a Seven Deadly Sin, an SS-rank gate posed no issue.
The late-arriving American hunters gaped at the boss room.
“Kahaha! Does Korea just breed monsters?”
America's Rank 1, Hero Derek, laughed heartily. He was genuinely impressed.
He hadn't seen Mumyeong fight, but the wyverns littering the floor told the tale. They were overwhelming.
The 5th stage was the SS-rank gate's finale.
With the wyvern boss slain, the gate was fully cleared.
SS-rank gate cleared.
The nation with highest contribution receives benefits.
• Number of Awakeners increases.
• Luck: Low chance for reward upgrades.
Whoooosh!
The exit gate formed. Returner Ho Young dashed out without grabbing loot.
“This can't be real.”
“Clearing an SS-rank gate this easily...”
“Mumyeong Hunter-nim, if you're ever in America, please visit our guild.”
As hunters from each nation marveled,
Derek smacked his lips in regret once more.
“What a shame. I wanted to see Mumyeong in action with my own eyes. Would've been great to raid together.”
“...”
Japan's Hayato eyed Derek with weary eyes.
Raiding with Mumyeong?
Ignorance talking. Mumyeong was beyond that now.
Even world-class Japanese hunters could only hope not to trip him up.
Hayato gave Sa Choiheon a pitying look.
Korea's hunters have it rough too.
From now on, everything would be compared to Mumyeong.
Sa Choiheon, of course, couldn't care less.
He was already plotting the next steps.
Two Seven Deadly Sins down.
Tutorial end in at most two days.
Thanks to Mumyeong, they'd felled the Sins, but doom's timeline sped up inescapably.
Sa Choiheon helped collect the wyvern corpse with the other hunters. Its materials would craft high-end items.
Finishing up, he stood.
“...Bulmyeol will head out first. Mumyeong, I'll contact you soon.”
He wanted to plan countermeasures now, but too many eyes around for details.
Sa Choiheon exited with his guild. Cheongmyeong, including Cheon Iryeong, followed, along with American and Japanese hunters.
“Mumyeong! I'll come visit soon!”
Derek declared boldly.
“We'll meet again shortly.”
Hayato added. Hunters passed Mumyeong and exited the gate.
Envy, awe, fear, admiration, curiosity... A mix of emotions in their eyes.
Mumyeong's aura had grown stronger. No one dared speak easily.
Only after all hunters left did the apostles relax.
“Phew, finally gone.”
Lucifer flopped to the floor. It hadn't been easy. Damage from the Dream Fog realm lingered.
“Maintaining the pose was exhausting.”
Gabriel sprawled out flat. The fight with Envy had been no joke either. Victory, but costly.
“No need to pose that hard.”
Gabriel shook her head at Joo Kanghyeok's words.
“Image is everything these days.”
“Indeed. In the new era ahead, Master's stature will rival the heavens.”
Blue Dragon chimed in.
“Whatever...”
Their choice.
Joo Kanghyeok eyed the system message. He'd waited for the hunters to leave for one simple reason.
To check rewards quietly.
Slaying Seven Deadly Sin Sloth yielded Myth+ clearance.
• 【Myth+】 Box of the Apocalypse
• 【Myth】 Ultimate Reset Scroll
• Fragment of the Seven Deadly Sins (★) x1
• Soul of Seven Deadly Sin Sloth (UR)
• 3,000,000 Coins
• Legendary Emblem x5
Familiar lineup.
Three Fragments of the Seven Deadly Sins now. Enough for one use.
Test it at home.
Even an Ultimate Reset Scroll.
Cooldown over 444 days now. Only reset scrolls work.
Used Instant Death on Sloth. Two unique skill resets left.
Unlocking ultimates eases the burden.
Plus a new Myth+ item.
◈ Insert an item to enhance it once.
◈ Can enhance up to Myth+ or Holy Relic+ grade items.
◈ Disappears after one use.
Black box exterior.
“Wonder if exclusive gear can be enhanced.”
“Unfortunately not. Exclusive gear counts as Star-grade.”
What classification was that? Usage was clear anyway.
“Enhance the Immaculate Soul Lantern then.”
Gabriel shook her head vigorously.
“P-Putting a holy relic in the Box of the Apocalypse feels...”
“Tsk, what does it matter if Master gets stronger?”
“The white item would vanish...”
Items in the box change color or properties, apparently.
Blue Dragon shrugged at Joo Kanghyeok's glance.
Holding back in front of seniors, maybe.
Enhancement works, though. Test at home.
Next, system feature additions.
• Myth+ rewards unlockable upon Myth reward acquisition
• Daily level-up limit increased by ~33%. (15 → 20)
• Coin Exchange trade scope expanded to 'Multiverse'.
Constellation Otherworld Discipline's eyes sparkle.
Constellation Master of the Black Star scratches their cheek.
Level-up limit now 20. Significant boost.
Current level 143. Max achievable 175. Grinding hard, full level in two days possible.
Max level already...
Enough to sweep regular mobs in SS-rank gates.
Barring abnormally high-level bosses, no equals.
Next list item.
• Coin Exchange trade scope expanded to 'Multiverse'.
Coin Exchange got an upgrade too.
Constellations reacted. Multiverse scope—what did that mean?
Joo Kanghyeok opened the Coin Exchange experimentally.
Search Scope: Multiverse
Please search for desired items.
Oh.
Different from before. Last time it was empty; now it prompts for searches.
“Gabriel, that heavenly white bread. Name one ingredient?”
“Leaf of the Celestial Laurel.”
He typed it in exactly.
Ting!
◈ Seller: 9th Rank Celestial Angel Ryu El (Heavenly Realm)
◈ Desc: Extremely hard to obtain.
The listing appeared.
Aha.
Multiverse meant this. Exchange wasn't limited to the present world.
“Heavenly Realm—where you used to live, Gabriel?”
“Yeah. Oh, restrictions loosened a bit.”
Gabriel sounded surprised at her own answer.
But 5.5 million coins? Way over the line.
Sloth netted 3 million. He had just shy of 6 million now.
“9th Rank's the lowest angel tier. 5.5 mil? That punk's greedy.”
Lucifer, sidling up, clicked his tongue. Apostles could see his system windows.
“...No way to contact them.”
Gabriel trailed off apologetically.
No need to apologize.
She wasn't a constellation anymore. And maybe that's the fair price.
“Could reach out via Heavenly Realm constellations, assuming any exist. But...”
Blue Dragon tilted his head mid-sentence.
“Why not just buy it? Million coins is about 100 mil won here.”
5.5 mil coins = 5.5 billion won.
“5.5 bil for a leaf...”
“Right? Short-sighted of me.”
Then Lucifer snapped his fingers with a flash of inspiration.
“Cheon Iryeong's tuition's due soon-ish.”
Gabriel shook her head.
“This guy's a real devil.”
Even Gabriel didn't object.
...Table it for now. Conscience won't allow fleecing 5.5 bil.
“Money's coming soon anyway.”
Jeju Island and SS-gate payouts. Substantial sum.
Search more items, find options.
Exchange itself intriguing. Acquire unavailable items early.
“Rewards checked, roughly...”
One last thing.
“Lucifer, item from Sloth?”
“Of course.”
Lucifer pulled a gem from his pocket and handed it over.
◈ Magic Power Lv.5, Perception Lv.5, Hyper-Senses Lv.5
◈ Skill range +100%
Simple, but potent.
Ooh.
Perception and Hyper-Senses invaluable.
Spot foes, Instant Death them. Perfect fit.
Not all. Skill range boost too.
Instant Death: Weakling Extermination range increased. (200m → 400m)
Felt a bit short before. Now breathing room.
“Whew.”
Rewards sorted.
Some enhancements and uses left, but home's fine.
Stretching, Joo Kanghyeok stood.
Exhausted. Not intense fights, but energy drained various ways.
“Grab Kero right away outside.”
“I'll prep dinner first thing.”
“Then I'll help Lucifer-hyung.”
Lucifer donned his bread bag mask. Gabriel veiled her face in white light. Blue Dragon shrouded his with white mist.
With his apostles, Joo Kanghyeok headed out of the SS-rank gate.
Vmmm.
Scenery warped, vision flipped. Familiar cityscape appeared.
Click, click!
Endless flash barrage. Reporters ready to pounce.
“I-It’s Mumyeong!”
“Mumyeong Hunter-nim! A word, please!”
“Heard you had an incredible showing—care for a comment?!”
Security desperately held them back.
Good thing for the mask.
He looked up at the sky.
Sun high on entry; now night sky.
Storm clouds swirled ominously overhead.
...
Unsettling. More foreboding than before.
As he stepped from the gate,
Crackle, fizz!
24 Hours until Tutorial End in the Present World.
“Tutorial ending...?”
Joo Kanghyeok's eyes narrowed.
Apostles exchanged glances. The expected had arrived.
Tutorial's end.
A single sentence, but its global ripple immense.
Until now, mere tutorial.
Now the real start.
The system declared it so.