The Mountain Deity's Gaze
The random box did not simply pop open to reveal its contents the moment the lid was lifted. It seemed the description’s claim that “an item you need right now will definitely appear” required some form of processing.
‘Wait. If that’s the case…’
Jang Lee-hyun suddenly recalled something and pulled out the Golden Arhat’s Mask.
Opening Random Box (SR).
Preparing an item suited to the user based on accumulated achievements and records.
“Why are you suddenly pulling that out for no reason?”
Sun Wukong made no effort to hide his displeasure, but Sa Oh-jeong looked at Jang Lee-hyun with warm eyes, pleased that his apostle was carefully preserving the sacred relic he had given him. Thanks to the additional reward [Skull Owner’s Favor], the way he regarded Jang Lee-hyun now practically dripped with honey.
“Have you thought of a use for it?”
“What I learned before was that curses aren’t only meant to harm enemies. Am I right?”
“Katkatkat. Depending on the combination, they can be used in all sorts of ways.”
Jang Lee-hyun nodded. It seemed the lessons from the curse sorcerers had not been wrong.
Activating Sacred Relic: Golden Arhat’s Mask. Listing various curse incantations.
‘Right now I can maintain three curses simultaneously. If I consider that…’
Activating Sacred Relic: Hwaan Geumjeong. Closely examining the Golden Arhat’s Mask.
Selecting curse incantations suited to the user’s current intention.
Having inherited much of Sun Wukong’s karma, the function of Hwaan Geumjeong had greatly improved. Thanks to that, it could now perform rapid calculations like a computer. Using this, Jang Lee-hyun was able to pick out noticeable ones from among the tens of thousands of curse incantations.
‘This is it.’
Applying the curse incantations “Misfortune Amplification,” “Designated Reversal,” and “Convective Expansion” to the Random Box (SR) in sequence.
Three curses have been applied to the Random Box (SR).
The result is changing.
Misfortune Amplification artificially increased unfortunate factors. Designated Reversal flipped them around. Convective Expansion greatly amplified the flow. It was the same principle as double negation turning into affirmation.
“Katkatkat! It seems, Senior Brother, our apostle is far too clever! He utilizes sacred relics so brilliantly!”
“He’s my apostle, not ours, you fool!”
As a result—
◈ Origin: Myth “Wheel of Fortune”
◈ The two dice the Goddess of Fate dropped after covering her eyes with her own hair. Silhouettes of the coming future remain on the ground where they roll. The fate determined by the sum of the numbers takes on a different appearance each moment.
Two small dice fell onto Jang Lee-hyun’s palm. Sun Wukong and Sa Oh-jeong scurried over beside him.
“This is…?”
“Katkatkat! Senior Brother, it seems our apostle has drawn something truly remarkable! A sacred relic, no less!”
Sa Oh-jeong laughed the loudest. Jang Lee-hyun was equally surprised.
“Katkat. Why is the apostle so surprised? Was that not the intention when you applied the curse incantations?”
“It was, but… I didn’t expect such a jackpot.”
The dice were both perfect cubes. Their total ranged from 2 to 12.
“A divination-type sacred relic… I thought only prophets could possess something like this.”
Among the countless hunters, one profession was treated with special favor: those who inherited prophecy or fate. It was only natural, considering the unpredictable nature of dungeons. The Fate Weavers, who inherited the Goddess of Fate Moira, enjoyed tremendous popularity worldwide. Yet Jang Lee-hyun had obtained one outright.
“Katkat. Fate is something permitted only to those who turn its wheel. Everyone may possess the wheel, but because they cannot turn it, they can neither see nor shape their own destiny.”
Sa Oh-jeong smiled gently.
“In that sense, perhaps this result appeared because our apostle strives to turn that wheel no matter what. Katkatkat!”
Jang Lee-hyun felt grateful to Sa Oh-jeong for the kind words. Taking the opportunity, he rolled the two dice. There was no need to blindly trust the divination results, but using them as reference could prove greatly helpful in the future.
Clatter.
The numbers that appeared were 3 and 6.
“Huh?”
“Now that I think about it, the description said the sum of the dice numbers determines the fate to be divined… but if we don’t know what each number means, isn’t it all for nothing?”
Sun Wukong and Sa Oh-jeong belatedly realized the blind spot they had overlooked and let out awkward laughs.
“No. I think I can figure it out.”
Jang Lee-hyun spoke while activating Hwaan Geumjeong again.
“How?”
“By asking very simple questions and gradually inferring the meanings. ‘Sun Wukong has a very gentle personality.’”
Clatter.
The dice showed 1 and 2.
“What the hell are you doing, dragging my personality into this out of nowhere…!”
“A total of 3 seems to carry a negative meaning.”
“Katkat. Indeed it does.”
“You bastards!?”
Jang Lee-hyun conducted a few more experiments with the two dice. With Hwaan Geumjeong’s analysis included, the meanings gradually became clear.
1. The combination of numbers holds no great significance. The total is what matters.
2. Low totals (2–7) carry negative meanings, while high totals (8–12) carry positive meanings.
3. Divination results are never absolute.
…
Though he had not yet uncovered the exact meaning of every total, one thing was certain.
‘For the time being, the number of fate I will receive is 9.’
No matter how many times Jang Lee-hyun rolled, the total was always 9.
‘9 means… results with two sides. Both choices may be right, or both may be wrong.’
All or nothing. There was no middle ground.
‘That’s the result I like the most.’
If it had given definitive outcomes, it would have been boring.
‘In that case, shall I check the remaining two rewards right away?’
[Piper That Bewitches People]
A reward obtained from the dungeon. As proficiency increases, it can cast mental interference magic or curses on larger crowds.
- Type: Magic Tool. Two-handed weapon.
- Origin: Fairy Tale “The Pied Piper”
*Currently broken and unusable. Repair required.
[Water Demon Art Skill Book]
A skill book containing the old abilities of the water yokai ■■■ who lived in swamps and sandy deserts before meeting his master. Can activate various water-related magic and curses.
- Type: Skill Book.
- Origin: Myth “Journey to the West”
‘I’ll take the pipe to Elder Docheol, and the skill book…’
Would you like to acquire the Water Demon Art Skill Book?
“Katkat! There’s no need to worry about my feelings. It doesn’t suit the apostle’s attributes.”
Sa Oh-jeong naturally assumed Jang Lee-hyun would refuse the skill. But Jang Lee-hyun wore a subtle smile.
‘There’s no reason to give up the chance to become a water goblin. Besides, it’s the genuine article with confirmed effects.’
This was different from the Samadhi Divine Wind skill book.
Skill book acquired.
Would you like to add Water Demon Art (A) to the skill slots?
‘No.’
Water Demon Art (A) was not created.
Water Demon Art (A) has been dismantled, and its components have been absorbed into the auxiliary function “Ice Jade Heart” of the Mana stat.
The function of Ice Jade Heart has been enhanced. The nature of the mana circuits has been strengthened, and the quality of stored mana has increased.
Mana has increased by 5.
…
The bond with Sacred Relic: Golden Arhat’s Mask has been strengthened. The relic’s functions can now be used in more diverse ways.
…
With the addition of the water attribute, the narrative dwelling within the mana has become clearer.
“Katkatkat. So that method existed! Strengthening the nature of mana! And even enhancing the curse incantations!”
“Damn it! What do I need a thieving ability like that for…!”
While Sa Oh-jeong nodded with satisfaction, Sun Wukong continued to grumble.
‘It seems the meaning of 9 really is luck.’
Jang Lee-hyun smiled faintly and turned his gaze toward Sun Wukong. There was something he wanted to ask him separately.
“Great Sage, if possible…”
It was at that moment.
Creak.
A pair of human eyes appeared through the small opening above the iron door of the solitary cell.
“Manager Jang Lee-hyun.”
“Has my disciplinary hearing concluded?”
Jang Lee-hyun swallowed his question for a moment. The owner of the voice shook their head calmly.
“No. The hearing is still ongoing. However, before reaching a conclusion, there is someone who wishes to meet you first.”
Someone who wanted to meet him?
Jang Lee-hyun’s eyes gleamed slightly.
* * *
“Please follow me. If you attempt to escape, the security team may shoot on sight, so please be careful.”
Wearing mana-suppressing handcuffs, Jang Lee-hyun followed behind the hunter. The corridor leading deeper inside was longer than expected.
“Hmm?”
Sun Wukong, who had at some point climbed onto Jang Lee-hyun’s head, tilted his head in confusion.
‘What’s wrong?’
“This is… No. Let’s go first. Then it’ll become clear.”
‘……?’
Jang Lee-hyun tilted his head, sensing that Sun Wukong had suddenly become unusually sensitive. It felt as though he was on high alert for something.
‘Something that even the Great Sage would be wary of?’
The Sun Wukong Jang Lee-hyun knew was arrogant enough to speak down even to chief gods like the Jade Emperor or Zeus. Even now, after being cast down from heaven. For someone like that to be this on edge?
He had assumed it would be nothing more than a simple interview before the disciplinary decision, or perhaps the biological father of Team Leader Jeong coming to see him. But maybe that wasn’t the case after all.
Sa Oh-jeong, too, had his lips pressed tightly together, his eyes flashing sharply. It was the first time Jang Lee-hyun had seen such an expression on the usually smiling face.
‘This person doesn’t seem to be just a warden or security team member managing this place either.’
Wearing a sharp suit and sunglasses, the figure looked more like a bodyguard for someone important. The aura they exuded was no less imposing.
‘A+ rank, or perhaps even a ranker… If they’re using someone of this caliber as an errand runner, then who exactly…?’
Just as Jang Lee-hyun’s curiosity deepened—
“By the way, what were you about to say earlier?”
‘Ah, I was wondering if you also knew Indra’s techniques.’
“Indra?”
‘Yes. Since I’ve gained the attribute anyway, I thought it would be good to make use of it.’
“You’re always so greedily ambitious… You haven’t even fully awakened Zeus’s Diovis yet, and now you’re eyeing that too?”
‘I’m not saying I’ll learn it right away. I just want to reference how to utilize it. There’s no need to discard something I’ve obtained, is there?’
“Hmph…”
‘Don’t tell me you don’t know it?’
“Who says I don’t know it! I just don’t see the point in learning something so useless!”
A light probe, and it had worked perfectly. Jang Lee-hyun was no longer surprised that Sun Wukong treated even Indra, one of the foremost warrior gods of Deva, as inferior.
“If you’re going to learn something, learn it properly! Learn Shiva’s. At least that’s worth referencing.”
For a moment, Jang Lee-hyun’s eyes sparkled.
Shiva was one of Deva’s three chief gods, governing destruction, famous for the myth of destroying the world multiple times. Naturally, his rank was several levels above Indra’s.
“Katkatkatkat. Senior Brother, even while grumbling, you really do give everything you can, don’t you? Are you perhaps anxious because this junior is trying to tempt the apostle with a sacred relic?”
“That’s not it, so be quiet! Anyway, it’s called Mahakala. Do you want to learn it?”
‘Will it work well with Indra’s lightning?’
Sun Wukong’s lips twisted.
“What’s there to worry about compatibility? In the end, all those guys’ techniques originated from Shiva anyway.”
‘……!’
Jang Lee-hyun clenched his fists. If Sun Wukong was right, then all of Deva’s warrior gods were nothing more than Shiva’s disciples. He could acquire the original source.
‘If you’ll teach me, I’ll learn it.’
“I really don’t know if this was the right choice. Teaching flight methods to someone who can’t even walk yet…”
Fortunately, Sun Wukong showed no intention of taking back his words. He must have judged that it wouldn’t conflict with what Jang Lee-hyun had already learned.
Just as a faint smile formed on Jang Lee-hyun’s lips—
“We’re here. You may enter.”
The agent stopped in front of a door at the very end of the corridor. Their hand moved cautiously as they opened it. When Jang Lee-hyun stared at them, the agent shook their head. It meant they were not permitted to enter.
Jang Lee-hyun was truly curious about who was inside. He slowly stepped into the room.
“Come in. So you’re the Jang Lee-hyun who caused quite the incident this time, I take it?”
Inside sat someone Jang Lee-hyun knew well. No, anyone in Korea would recognize this person. They were a celebrity whose face appeared on mass media whenever things were slow.
A face that looked only middle-aged despite being over eighty. A phoenix hairpin twisted into her hair. A hanbok flowing beautifully like a celestial maiden’s robes. The Mountain Deity, Mo Jeong-gyeon, master of White Burn and one of the Nine Heavens, sat with a long pipe in her mouth.
Just as Jang Lee-hyun was about to bow his head—
“What the hell is this!? Is that really a human!?”
For some reason, Sun Wukong growled with clear anger. Sa Oh-jeong, who had followed behind, was equally stiff. Jang Lee-hyun could read “wariness” in their expressions.
…Something that made even the gods of Journey to the West tense up?
Jang Lee-hyun could only stare at Mo Jeong-gyeon in surprise.
“What’s wrong? Got something on my face?”
Mo Jeong-gyeon asked, twisting one corner of her mouth.