Capturing Envy and the Tutorial's End
Back home, he took a day to rest.
'Everyone worked hard.'
Despite talk of preparing meals, Lucifer collapsed the moment they arrived. Gabriel and Blue Dragon looked utterly exhausted too.
The battle against Sloth and Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Compared to Pride, it had been easier, but far from a walk in the park. He hadn't pushed his body to the limit, but even he felt drained.
'Thanks to Sa Choiheon, it wrapped up smoothly.'
With intel on the Apocalypse Temple, he'd crushed Sloth without a hitch. Even the Dream Fog domain had been a breeze to breach.
'And now I can see death energy.'
It wasn't visible now that the limit break had worn off.
'Still, being able to take down non-living monsters is huge.'
Golems, puppets, and even undead.
His Weakling Extermination and Instant Death could now handle non-lifeforms beyond mere organisms.
'That's one major weakness of Instant Death patched.'
This SS-rank gate raid had been a solid stepping stone for growth.
The path ahead might shift dramatically.
After that, they recovered with delivery food—ordered in bulk to celebrate Blue Dragon's arrival.
No worries about the bill these days, even with massive orders. They ate and drank their fill.
And so morning came the next day.
"Master, the internet's blowing up with stories about us."
Gabriel scrolled through her smartphone on the sofa.
As usual, Lucifer was prepping breakfast. The savory aroma of doenjang jjigae and sizzling spam wafted from the kitchen.
Blue Dragon was checking the TV news.
Subtitles scrolled below the anchor.
SS-rank Gate First Clear: Korea Claims World #1
Thanks to this clear, Korea reaped massive benefits.
EXP gains, drop rates, recovery amounts, rewards boosted—plus more Awakeners.
"Mumyeong Hunter's brilliant performance propelled Korea past the world to claim first place. Hunters who joined the raid showered Mumyeong with praise."
Interviews with other hunters flashed on screen.
"Your fame's soaring in Korea, Master. Global stardom's just a matter of time."
Blue Dragon watched the news with utmost seriousness.
No mentions of the Apocalypse Temple or Seven Deadly Sins.
Events inside gates rarely went public. Especially SS-rank ones—raids were guild secrets.
The internet was on fire.
Korea taking world-first on the first SS-rank gate was huge.
But...
13 hours remain until the Tutorial of the Present World ends.
The tutorial end message floating before Awakeners worldwide was trending online too.
It hit him harder than the rest.
No one knew the answer.
Speculation topped out at "a bit tougher." Some figured death waves or world bosses.
Joo Kanghyeok looked up.
"What happens when the tutorial ends?"
The apostle constellations would know. Info restrictions seemed lifted.
"The true phases begin. Myths and legends descend on the Present World, bringing trials humanity can scarcely overcome."
Blue Dragon's expression was grave.
"That's the gist for now. More details once phases start."
Nods all around.
Gabriel nodded too from the side.
"Way tougher than now, huh."
"Yes."
Knowing didn't mean much prep.
Then—
Terminal notification received.
'Oh.'
Settlement for Jeju Island and the SS-rank gate.
Items including the Annihilation Sword: about 4.4 billion won.
160 billion from Jeju, 8.9 billion from the SS-gate. All from selling magistones and drops.
Total: 29.3 billion.
4.4 billion from item sales hit his account. A grin spread across his face and wouldn't fade.
"Insane amount..."
4.4 billion was wild enough—another 25 billion incoming.
Money he'd never dreamed of amassing.
Reality felt detached.
"Breakfast's ready, Master. Something good happen...?"
"Money came in. 4.4 billion."
"Congrats! Pocket change compared to what's coming. Earth's basically yours anyway."
Lucifer said it stone-faced.
He had no such ambitions.
Breakfast was top-notch.
Doenjang jjigae, spam, fried eggs. White rice too.
Gabriel portioned some into Kero's bowl.
As he ate, he addressed the apostles.
"First, secure heavenly white bread."
Post-tutorial, he'd need it more for him and the apostles. No collapsing from hunger mid-fight.
Celestial laurel leaves were key—the rest was easy to source.
Problem: 5.5 billion per leaf.
55 million coins.
"Those angels are money-grubbers, gotta give 'em that."
"Cheap, considering."
Gabriel narrowed her eyes at Lucifer's words.
He pondered, then spoke.
"I can sell my stuff on the exchange, right?"
"Yes."
"Legend Emblem. What's it worth?"
For future constellation trades. He had plenty, no immediate use.
"Wait, the price on this..."
Searching the exchange: 50 million coins each.
'This pricey?'
No stock—sellers couldn't keep up.
"Sell one."
Five per Sin killed anyway.
"Should be fine. But avoid cash trades."
"Why?"
"...Their value skyrockets later. Currency crashes hard."
Blue Dragon trailed off. Post-tutorial stuff.
Note to self.
He listed one Legend Emblem.
Listing 'Legend Emblem x1' on the Exchange.
Sale completed.
55 million coins credited.
"Fast."
Sold instantly, even 10% over market.
Now he could buy the laurel leaf.
"One leaf makes 10 loaves."
Ten...
"Should've got seeds."
"Grows only in heavenly soil. But just 300 years."
Bread issue mostly solved.
Buy with cash later anyway. Money flowed easy.
"Other ingredients payable too."
Then teach Cheon Iryeong baking and hand over the recipe.
He paused before buying the leaf.
"But 5 billion per loaf...?"
"Heavenly specialty. Nowhere else."
No listings on exchange.
Blue Dragon nodded too.
"No substitutes. Heavenly bread's special—we feel full when you eat it. Compression ratio's insane."
Worth the price.
"Lucifer-senpai uses dark magic, Gabriel-senpai holy power, me dragon arts. Only that bread refills all at once."
Normal food worked, but efficiency worlds apart.
Lucifer spamming weapon powers, all apostles unrestricted and rampaging—bread enabled it.
"Stock up, then."
Money regenerated fast.
13 hours remain until the Tutorial of the Present World ends.
He checked the system window again.
Breakfast done—time for yesterday's rewards.
Fragments of the End and Chest of the End.
"Using rewards?"
"I'll watch."
Lucifer and Blue Dragon crowded in eagerly. Gabriel peeked from her game.
First, the fragments.
Fragment of the End (★)
Usable item. (3/3)
Collect to partially lift system restrictions.
Two from Pride, one from Sloth.
He fused the three.
Shaaa—!
Black energy formed and seeped into him.
No outward change, but...
'Oh, I see it.'
Death energy visible now—even without limit break.
'This is huge.'
Limit Release Rate
0.02 [Normal]
"Limit Breaker maxes at 0.1. Fragments give 0.02—20% up."
Lucifer explained smoothly.
"Our power's boosted too."
Apostles stronger too.
Impressive specs.
Best: constant death energy sight.
Srulk.
He toyed with the visible death energy. Faint, but usable.
'Test it out later.'
Next: Chest of the End. He placed the black box on the table.
"Exciting."
"What to enhance?"
All apostles focused on him.
Item decided.
His lifeline lantern.
Gabriel's gifts had all been gems.
"Thanks, Gabriel. Used it well."
"Ugh, a white item..."
She fidgeted but couldn't stop him.
Lucifer looked thrilled.
"Item colors matter that much?"
"Yes. Pulls in same-color items/skills. Broadly affects people, future too."
Blue Dragon explained.
Whatever—black route locked in.
Use the Chest of the End?
He placed the lantern inside. Effect immediate.
Kwaaa—!
Fierce darkness engulfed the box. Cracks formed—white light leaked from within.
Like a creature hatching, the shell peeled away.
Fragments powdered and scattered.
Revealed: a bizarre lantern blending black and white.
◈ Consumes souls to create world rifts.
◈ Rift: Grants Mythic rewards + generates extra items.
Similar to old description.
Rewards up a tier, plus extra items.
Multiples at once?
Lucifer eyed it intensely.
"...Master. This one's a jackpot."
"Jackpot?"
"Yes. Let me explain."
Lucifer tapped the lantern.
It vibrated. Another tap—harder.
Woof! Woof!
Kero barked suddenly from afar. Just barking, scared stiff.
Lucifer grinned up.
"Ego item. Has a will. Sweet-talk it right, maybe get what you want."
Gabriel peered closely.
"...Gives miracles too. Chaos works."
That explained miracles.
Needed vs. wanted.
Performance? Test to know.
Item cleanup done.
Fragments: spec boost.
Chest: item upgrade.
Well spent.
He stood.
S-rank now.
Gear solid, ultimate reset scroll ready.
Clear task.
"Gotta hunt that escaped Envy quick."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
Lucifer and Gabriel nodded.
Another Sin summon would suck.
Worse: no one else could handle it.
Eliminate before innocents die.
"With magi source nearby, it might stockpile and strike. Better hit first."
Agreed.
"But instead of just killing..."
As he started pitching to apostles—
Message received.
From Sa Choiheon.
Captured Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins. Can you come to Bulmyeol?
Envy caught.
Seoul's heart, Bulmyeol Guild HQ.
"Untie me, you bastards!"
Envy thrashed behind glass.
Golden chains bound it tight. Sa Choiheon's sealing item locked limbs.
Escape impossible.
"Mumyeong's coming soon."
Sa Choiheon stroked his chin. Beside him: Elise Grainzer, Star of Prophets leader.
"Thanks for cooperating. No link to Mumyeong was a hassle."
"Pretty bold for 'hassle.'"
"..."
Elise stayed silent.
Sa Choiheon hid his surprise.
'Drained or not, capturing a Sin...'
Prophets rarely flexed muscle. This power at this stage? New intel.
"Really handing it to Mumyeong?"
"Yes. Star of Prophets sides with him."
Sa Choiheon frowned.
True or not? At least, friendly with Mumyeong.
Then—
"That kid's a Sin?"
Cheon Iryeong, rushed in on urgent call. Mumyeong's reply: summon her. She bolted to Bulmyeol hearing he wanted her.
"Looks don't matter. Like your hidden strength, young as you are."
Elise answered for her. Her gaze lingered on Cheon Iryeong, then away.
"You're hunting a scarred-face ma-in."
"...?"
Cheon Iryeong froze.
"What're you?"
"Star of Prophets. Prophet group."
"Ah..."
She got it from Sa Choiheon's explanation.
Scarred ma-in.
Her family's killer. Vengeance target.
Ma-in denied knowing—regens with magi, no scars possible.
But prophets...
As her mouth opened—
"Capturing a Sin? Sa Choiheon, you finally did something useful. Excellent. Keep it up."
Auto-door slid; Lucifer entered. Mumyeong and apostles too.
Lucifer strode to Cheon Iryeong, stopping short.
"Hey, kid. Time to head out."
"Head out?"
"Learn top baking skills."
"Huh? B-baking?"
Her eyes shook like an earthquake.
Mumyeong passed them, approaching the glass.
Envy truly captured.
"...Star of Prophets caught Envy."
Sa Choiheon's explanation.
"Figured you'd seek it. Up to you now."
As Elise said. True prophet—contact right as he planned to hunt.
Mumyeong stepped closer. Thrashing Envy froze.
"M-Mumyeong...? He's here?!"
One-way glass, soundproof. But it sensed his presence.
Mumyeong stared, then spoke.
"Could kill it now, no issue..."
An idea struck.
Summoning Sins ain't easy.
Even ma-in needed End Keys. Cheon Iryeong learning magi? Time unknown.
Then...
Why not use Envy? It could easily call others.
Sins were dangerous, sure.
Built temples, summoned calamities for apocalypse.
So he'd blocked them till now.
But things changed.
Click.
Mumyeong hit the mic.
"Envy, I have a deal for you."
Now they hunted Sins.