A Lavish Gift and the Stars' Descent

A 30-story high-rise building right in the heart of Seoul.

"Whoa... what the hell."

It was beyond glamorous—practically glittering. You had to crane your neck skyward just to see the top.

The reinforced glass exterior was supposedly safe from all sorts of disasters and monsters.

"This makes that initial offer of 120 billion feel like pocket change."

Lucifer alternated between his smartphone and the building, a grin creeping across his face. And yet he'd haggled it down to 40 billion.

"Sa Choiheon? That guy's drowning in money, so no need to worry about it. Didn't he say you could pay later anyway?"

"Yeah."

Gabriel nodded in agreement.

"No, that's... a bit much."

After all this generosity, it felt right to pay up sooner rather than later.

Plus, they'd mentioned fortifying the building or something. Thinking back to Sa Choiheon's hideout packed with all sorts of gear, this must've cost a fortune.

A person has ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to have some conscience.

"I agree—better to delay payment as long as possible. Sa Choiheon's personal wealth is probably astronomical anyway."

Even the Blue Dragon chimed in from the side.

...These guys had been saying similar things lately.

I could guess where this was going.

I narrowed my eyes at Lucifer.

"You're planning to stiff him if the world goes to shit, aren't you?"

"As expected of Master—your insight is unmatched... No, no, it's not like that."

Lucifer shook his head quickly, but it sure felt like it.

"You never know. Money might turn into scrap paper."

The Blue Dragon gave a wry smile.

"Well, that's only if the world ends. Anyway, not something to discuss here. Let's head inside first."

I hefted the subspatial pouch full of moving boxes and stepped into the building. The apostles followed behind me.

"Ooh."

Gabriel let out an exclamation. The first-floor lobby was just as sleek and stylish as the exterior.

Four elevators, too.

"Our place is the top-floor penthouse, right?"

I pressed the button for the 30th floor.

Woof-!

Kero, nestled in Gabriel's arms, barked excitedly.

The old hideout had been great, but with more apostles and family coming, we needed something bigger.

Ding!

The elevator stopped at the 29th floor. The doors opened to reveal Sa Choiheon carrying a cardboard box.

"You're here. Check out the top floor."

I was wearing my robe and mask. No real need to hide my face from him anymore, but no reason to show it either.

Lucifer's eyes narrowed instantly.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I told Mumyeong."

Come to think of it, I'd forgotten to mention it to the apostles.

"I'll be living on the lower floors. I'll pay rent, too. It wasn't originally built for residents, but I've divided each floor into suites, so it'll be fine for living."

"No, why the hell are you living here?"

Sa Choiheon straightened up from his bent posture at Lucifer's question.

"Where do you think is the safest place on Earth right now?"

"What? Obviously where Master i—"

Lucifer paused mid-sentence and smirked.

"Heh, you get it. Yeah, right here with Master—that's the safest spot. Fine, I approve."

Lucifer patted Sa Choiheon's shoulder. Sa Choiheon shrugged impassively.

So he'd finally figured out how to handle Lucifer.

Sa Choiheon looked at me and spoke.

"Go tour the top floor first. Your family's on their way."

Right. I'd called my mom and sister here, too.

Better check out the place and unpack before they arrived.

The elevator doors closed again.

The Blue Dragon raised a finger.

"Nice. Having Sa Choiheon as a resident will boost property values."

"Sa Choiheon's not the point. With Master here, all of humanity will swarm this place."

It was an exaggeration, but not entirely implausible.

...Gotta keep this quiet.

The elevator reached the top floor, and the doors opened to a vast entryway.

"Wow."

The sheer size drew an involuntary gasp. Tasteful, luxurious furniture filled the living room and kitchen without excess.

Pat pat pat.

Kero dashed around the living room like it was his own bedroom.

The TV was on another level. How many inches? Biggest I'd ever seen.

Beyond the living room windows lay a garden and pool. The garden had antique plants and bonsai; beside the pool, even a barbecue setup.

"Master, there's a game room here... and a manga cafe...!"

Gabriel, who'd dashed into a room down the hall the moment we arrived, poked her head out.

I wandered over casually to check—and the scale was insane.

"For real."

Another hallway inside the room.

Left side: game room. Right: a library stuffed with manga.

Not ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just manga—shelves full of all kinds of books.

I stepped back out and surveyed the building's structure again.

No way facilities like this fit in here...

"Expanded with magic, huh. Impressive."

"Master, this place is amazing! Endless ingredients. No more grocery runs."

Lucifer's excited voice echoed from the kitchen. A massive pantry stretched on like something out of a movie, stocked with veggies, ham, meat, cans, ramen boxes—everything.

"There's a greenhouse for growing food, too."

"This isn't a house; it's a full facility. Can we even maintain it?"

"Of course. Leave it to me. I'm the pinnacle of black magic, after all. Cleaning's child's play—even with my eyes closed."

Pinnacle of black magic reduced to cleaning spells...

Black magic must be weeping.

I left the gleeful Lucifer and exited the pantry into the kitchen.

"What the hell kind of building did Sa Choiheon give us..."

We could survive the apocalypse for decades here.

Just then, the Blue Dragon passed by, shirtless in swim trunks with a white towel over his shoulders.

"..."

"Ah, found the hot springs bath, too. Wanna join, Master? It'll melt away your fatigue."

"Nah, I'm good. Relax."

Today we'd taken down a Seven Deadly Sin, cleared the labyrinth, maxed my level. No more plans.

Just wait for the tutorial to end.

And yet, nothing was missing.

They really went all out.

I knew Sa Choiheon wasn't ordinary, but this...

I flopped onto the living room sofa. This was enough for me. It soothed my mind and eased fatigue.

Too comfortable, even.

"Hm?"

Just to check, I focused my gaze, and the message popped up.

This is from Workshop El.

The world's most famous item forge, 'El.' This sofa was a lavish piece handcrafted by their artisans.

I tapped my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠smartphone.

...300 million.

This one sofa cost 300 million.

I looked around.

Luxury furniture-packed living room, state-of-the-art kitchen appliances and endless pantry, expansive garden and pool, hallway vast enough to explore for days.

"And the whole building for 40 billion."

Practically giving it away.

Not like he handed it over without a thought.

I opened the massive window and stepped onto the balcony. Leaning on the railing under the gloomy sky.

A wind laced with unknown energy blew. Sparks crackled around the tangled storm clouds.

I gazed down at the streets below.

Seoul's roads stretched out at a glance. People still bustling about.

...Was planning to retire on building rent.

Now, just collecting rent would sustain me forever. More than sustain.

Real rich.

I could live leisurely, savoring life. Quit being a hunter on the spot.

"..."

But after coming this far, how could I not see it?

The apostles' reactions.

Sa Choiheon's preparations.

The Seven Deadly Sins intel.

All pointing to one thing.

The world was hurtling toward destruction.

The Star of Prophets' vision of a ruined world.

Still vivid in my mind.

A future of shattered civilization, vanished humanity. One misstep, and it could happen.

I had to stop that future.

Not for some grand reason.

No noble mission like Sa Choiheon.

No grand plan like the Star of Prophets.

Just...

I don't want it to end.

If humanity falls, no buildings, no rent payers, money and real estate turn to trash.

Utterly selfish reasons.

"Until the world stabilizes... guess I'll work hard."

With that thought, I looked up.

* * *

"Mom, when did bro awaken again?"

"Hmm, about two weeks ago now."

Joo Kanghyeok's mother, Yoon Isoon.

And his younger sister, Joo Kangyeon.

The two arrived in Seoul, dragging suitcases.

"Hmmm, but does an E-rank hunter make this much?"

"That's what worries me. Hope he sent the full signing bonus."

Ten million won.

Possibly Joo Kanghyeok's signing bonus.

"...And I think he gave the wrong address."

Joo Kangyeon double-checked the map on her phone. The building was huge. Bro lived here?

Not dissing him—it just didn't make sense.

She'd looked up E-rank earnings en route.

How could her bro, awakened just two weeks ago, afford this...?

Moving from a one-room to a high-rise?

What if he's tangled with bad people?

Come to think of it, she'd spotted black-suited guys lurking lately.

Like they were watching.

They vanished if she approached. Super suspicious.

Maybe they were threatening him using family.

As Joo Kangyeon pondered, her mom pointed at a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bakery.

"Hey, look—huge line there."

The queue stretched endlessly.

"Kanghyeok loves bread. Should we grab some?"

"We'd never make it inside today."

Joo Kangyeon's eyes narrowed. Why so many people? Then she spotted the massive poster on the wall.

- The bread bag from Mumyeong's colleague! This is the place.

Ah, that bread bag.

Joo Kangyeon got it.

She knew Mumyeong well—biggest name online lately.

Especially the bread-bag guy, one of his colleagues, way beyond S-rank.

But bread that popular?

She shook her head and nudged her mom.

"Gotta hurry. Tutorial's ending soon. Who knows what'll happen. Why are these people so chill?"

The tutorial end message had appeared, but nothing major changed.

It only showed for awakeners, and no one knew what it meant exactly.

Some monsters in forests or mountains, but city security held.

Still, Joo Kangyeon felt uneasy.

Bro urging us to come quick. Maybe rumors among awakeners.

That's why they'd packed heavy.

College student, working mom—supposed to stay just the weekend, but who knows.

"Address is right... Can we just go in?"

Joo Kangyeon called Joo Kanghyeok from in front of the building. After rings, his familiar voice.

- I'll come down. Wait.

Voice normal.

So many questions.

Soon, Joo Kanghyeok appeared on the first floor.

"You two made it. Mom, tough trip?"

"Hmmm..."

"What's up?"

Joo Kangyeon scanned his outfit. Normal clothes, but pigeons and crows on his shoulders.

"Magician powers?"

"Nope."

"Animal tamer? Got it—druid!"

"...Complicated to explain."

Looking closer, a loach clung to him too.

"Weird. Super weird..."

"Shut up and come on."

Joo Kanghyeok beckoned them to follow.

Their floor was 28. Not penthouse-level, but luxuriously designed.

Joo Kangyeon's jaw dropped. Mom gawked around in disbelief.

"Stay here for now. Need anything, text this number—they'll handle it. Bodyguards when you go out."

"No way. What guild treats you this good?"

Joo Kanghyeok scratched his cheek at his sister's question.

"Bulmyeol."

"B-Bulmyeol? Bro joined Bulmyeol?"

"Not joined exactly—more like collaborators."

No one in Korea didn't know Bulmyeol.

"M-Mom, why are you crying?"

Tears streamed from her eyes. Flustered, Joo Kangyeon dabbed them with a handkerchief.

"Just so proud. You've done so well. Really."

Her perennial job-seeker son collaborating with Korea's top guild. Pure joy.

Joo Kanghyeok sat at the table, chatting briefly with family.

"College? On leave now. Bro, you're OP. Show some animal magic?"

"No."

Building might explode.

"Mom, no more money worries."

"Still..."

"For real."

Just rent from this place feeds three generations.

"Few days ago, black-suited guys lurking. Thought you did something bad."

"Probably..."

Hunter Association bodyguards.

I'd requested protection.

Caught up on recent events.

Told a summarized version of mine.

Scouted by Bulmyeol for talent.

Something like that.

Didn't mention being Mumyeong.

That name draws too much heat.

No need to endanger family.

"Met Mumyeong?"

"...No."

"Still E-rank, huh. Tough. Get his autograph if you do."

Cheon Iryeong and everyone obsessed with autographs.

"I'll sign mine."

"Don't need bro's."

"You'll regret it later."

"Then I'll get it then."

I chuckled.

Seeing family after so long calmed me. I stood.

Time to head up.

"I'm upstairs. Call anytime you need."

"Be careful. Don't rush into danger."

I nodded at Mom's words.

"Any chance of Sa Choiheon's autograph?"

My sister asked seriously.

* * *

I donned my robe and climbed to the rooftop observatory.

"Family settled in okay?"

Sa Choiheon waited there.

I nodded.

The penthouse was top floor, but this observatory sat above it.

Great for surveying Seoul.

Couldn't see our building from here.

Magic wards, probably.

Apostles back to true forms.

"Master's an animal tamer..."

"Pigeons fine, but loach? Nah."

"Seniors, big misunderstanding. Not a loach—mini dragon."

"If that's a dragon, I'm a phoenix."

I joined the apostles gazing skyward.

The edge of a black sphere peeked through the heavy clouds. Massive black lightning gathered around it.

"Tutorial ends, new phase begins."

Sa Choiheon explained.

"Phase 1 splits into multiple trials again."

"Awfully detailed for prophecy powers. Suspicious."

"Our restrictions lift soon, too."

Apostles interjected. Lucifer propped a foot on the railing.

"Before the first trial, big event."

Lucifer pointed at Sa Choiheon—or rather, the dozen or so starlights orbiting him.

Then—

Krurrr—!

The air hummed electrically. A roar echoed as the dark sphere hidden in the clouds descended.

Less a sphere, more an egg.

Hummm—.

Building-sized. Floating over Seoul, its mass could flatten the area if it fell.

Whoosh—!

The gloomy clouds vanished in an instant. Dark night sky revealed, stars twinkling above.

The dozen lights around Sa Choiheon blazed brilliantly.

"Constellations seek humans to represent their names."

"Avatars to boost their fame."

Lucifer and Gabriel said.

"Tutorial was appetizer. Now the real competition begins—on earth and in the heavens."

The Blue Dragon extended fingers toward the sky.

Familiar names hit first.

But it didn't end there.

Shooo—!

Countless starlights in the night sky converged on me. Thin beams rained down like light.

Innumerable stars streamed toward me. Like a blocked path suddenly cleared.

72 messages arrived.

They showered me with fervent calls.