The Halo of Karakum
Turning back time, we return to the moment when Lee Shin persuaded Chief Kim Mi-young.
Having even mobilized the vicious rumor mill to announce the impending disaster of Xenocrates, Lee Shin spoke to Kim Mi-young just before departing.
“Time to collect on all those debts.”
The astronomical sum spent on promotional events to boost league viewership, the clean resolution of the Hae-mu Guild scandal that nearly shattered the Korean league’s credibility, the consistent PR campaigns that drove Korean league viewership to record highs, the rebuilding of the Mets Guild that doubled as overseas promotion… and so much more.
He had scraped together every single contribution, even the ones from the lower leagues. When you added the fact that he had stepped forward to stop this very Xenocrates invasion, Lee Shin could confidently say he had done more for this league than any representative in history.
And now, it was finally time to cash in those favors.
“Right now? Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying no. I’m saying that if it’s within reason, I can use my discretion to support you. After everything you’ve done for our Bureau…”
“It’s probably going to be difficult.”
“Just tell me. I have some authority too.”
“It’s one of the items managed in Sector 51.”
“!!”
The world was full of all kinds of traits.
From the most common reinforcement-type traits to miraculous ones that defied common sense like Super Intuition or Heavenly Eye, and even dimensional traits like Gate Transport.
If traits could be like that, who was to say there weren’t items related to gates?
For the Bureau, whose top priority was maintaining gate order, this was a critical matter. That was why they had strictly controlled all gate-related items.
The place where they were kept was known as Sector 51.
And inside that very Sector 51 lay the final card of Park Su-bin: ‘Karakum’s Halo.’
“How do you even know about Sector 51…?”
“If we had time, I’d love to sit down and chat, but we’re in a bit of a hurry, aren’t we? So, is it possible or not? From what I can guess, it should be right on the edge of what you can approve.”
“…Just a moment. Can you wait just a little? Really, it’ll only take a second!”
Kim Mi-young dashed off in a hurry.
Lee Shin leisurely pulled out a magic cigarette and lit it.
He had learned of Sector 51’s existence purely because of Park Su-bin.
The story itself was simple.
He had collected four pieces of Karakum’s set, yet no matter how thoroughly he searched the game, the final piece was nowhere to be found.
It made no sense.
This was during Lee Shin’s prime. Back then, he spent more than half his day thinking only about game mastery. For him not to know about it?
That went beyond “nobody knows” and was practically the same as saying it had never been implemented.
So he casually sent an email to the nerds. Hey, you guys have an unimplemented set item, don’t you?
The reply that came back was:
— We do not create unimplemented set items.
It was an incredibly simple answer, but the moment Lee Shin read that email, he instinctively knew.
These bastards have a secret treasure vault!
A place where they stored precious items that couldn’t be obtained with ordinary currency like money.
And it would naturally be accessed through a special method.
For example…
Merit points.
A common system in online games. Accumulating merit points from completing various quests rather than a single one, then exchanging them for items.
Once he confirmed that much, it wasn’t difficult for Lee Shin to figure out that the place this logic pointed to was the Bureau.
Kim Mi-young returned at just the right moment.
“Access permission granted. To view the item list, we need to go to the administrator. Shall we head there now?”
“Perfect. Let’s go!”
“You look incredibly happy.”
“Of course I’m happy.”
I managed to rack up the merit points that would normally take several seasons of steady work in just one major season.
Lee Shin swallowed the words and grinned brightly.
“I won’t ask how you knew. But there are a few conditions you must absolutely follow. Complete confidentiality, and no selling of the item is permitted.”
“Understood.”
“Also, items can only be searched by keyword. If you can’t find it, there’s no retry. And most importantly, the items are stored at headquarters. Choosing one doesn’t mean you get it today.”
“You’ll take all the necessary precautions, I assume. That’s fine. Just give it to me as quickly as possible. I’ll send my private jet.”
“Now I’m genuinely curious. What kind of item could make you want it this badly?”
“You’ll be impressed.”
After passing through various checkpoints and descending underground, they arrived at a place where magical devices glowed brightly.
Passing by magic circles, magic circuits, all kinds of solutions and pipework, an orb at the center came into view.
Kim Mi-young spoke softly toward the orb.
“Administrator.”
The moment she spoke, the crystallization of humanity’s salvation created by Jamal Popper opened its eyes.
Its pupils blinked once, then scanned both Kim Mi-young and Lee Shin.
“Kim Mi-young. Level 2 Mage. Outsider, identity confirmed as Lee Shin. Mir Guild representative. Authentication complete. State your query.”
“I want to see the Sector 51 item list.”
“Sector 51 item list, confirmed. Access permission…”
The administrator’s pupils shifted through various colors.
“Confirmed.”
In an instant, holograms filled the entire space.
“Ah, right. This is your first time seeing the administrator, isn’t it? It might be hard to navigate then.”
“I roughly know how to use it.”
In truth, it was a lie. He didn’t just roughly know.
Although this was his first time seeing it in reality, he had seen it to the point of nausea in 2D.
Naturally, he knew exactly how to handle it.
Lee Shin placed his hand on the holographic keyboard.
Starting with…
His fingers moved with practiced ease.
#Vision#Thought#Calculation…
Every time a keyword was completed, items were filtered from the list. As he watched, old memories suddenly surfaced.
That broken time long ago, when GM was his only friend. The time he faced a character that seemed utterly hopeless.
A character everyone had given up on.
Out of a hundred playthroughs, ninety ended in sunfish bad endings, nine couldn’t even reach its full potential, and only one managed to be average.
A character with gloomy illustrations, trash stats, and trap-card traits.
So everyone mocked it as a worthless piece of garbage.
Lee Shin had raised that garbage character no one else would touch.
There was only one reason.
「???」
The question marks sitting in the trait slot.
Lee Shin continued typing keywords.
#Analysis#Result#Derivation…
His older brother, who used to play with him, had once asked.
Why are you playing such a bad character?
Young Lee Shin had casually answered, “I’m just curious,” but the real reason was that he couldn’t stand those question marks.
Back then, the entire world looked like nothing but question marks to him.
Why did his parents have to get into that accident?
What did his grandmother do wrong to suffer so much?
What terrible sin had his kind older brother committed to cry alone every night?
The world only showed young Lee Shin question marks. And he hated it with a burning passion.
So he wondered if this garbage character felt the same.
This character, this Park Su-bin, surely hadn’t asked to be born with sunfish-like traits and question marks.
Finally, Lee Shin typed the last keyword.
…#Spatial Awareness.
The reason Lee Shin had raised Park Su-bin wasn’t out of pity like with Griff, nor out of sympathy like with Kim Jong-pil.
It was pure spite.
He simply hated the question marks and wanted to get rid of the eyesore as quickly as possible.
And so, the curiosity born from young Lee Shin’s stubbornness eventually bore fruit after a full three years.
The moment the hated question marks disappeared from the trait slot.
The character named Park Su-bin bloomed brilliantly like a lotus flower rising from the mud.
And at that moment, Lee Shin had smiled with genuine joy.
Just like the bright smile reflected on the last remaining hologram before him.
·
·
◈ The relic left behind by the orc hero and fanatic ‘Karakum’ upon his death. It is the halo of enlightenment he obtained upon becoming the god of the orcs. Upon consumption, it gathers all of Karakum’s scattered traits and allows one to reach their True Name.
* * *
Effect activated.
Reached True Name.
·
·
“……”
Park Su-bin opened his eyes.
Complete darkness. He tried to move his body, but there was no resistance. It felt as if he were floating.
The only things he could do were look around and speak.
“Where… am I?”
He had definitely blocked Belphegor… and then Yu Ri-ra had put something in his mouth and said,
“It’s time… answer the voice.”
At that moment.
The world began to shake from beyond the darkness.
It was a voice.
Rumble——!
――――― wishes to see you — delighted —.
“Ugh. That startled me.”
Just the voice alone made the entire world vibrate.
Park Su-bin frowned slightly at the intense vibration and ringing in his ears.
“Ah, hello. But what did you say? I can’t hear you well!”
Boom——!
――――― is pleased to see you.
“Ugh, could you speak a little quieter? My head hurts so much.”
Rumble—
――――― finds it amusing. You are the first human capable of hearing my voice.
“Huh?? Normal? Human?”
――――― laughs.
“Laugh? You mean you’re laughing?”
――――― finds this guest extremely amusing and laughs.
“Guest? So I’m a guest then. Thank you.”
The conversation continued in parallel lines.
Even so, Park Su-bin could guess a few things.
This unknown being was enormously vast and omnipotent. The fact that it could make the entire world tremble with nothing but laughter proved it.
Another thing: fortunately, this being seemed to hold goodwill toward him. The reason was probably…
“Excuse me, are you the Voice? The one who has been watching over me since long ago.”
That was right. The voice that had reached him at some point.
The owner of that voice, who had encouraged him and ignited his will at every crucial moment like a benevolent guardian, must be this very being.
As expected.
――――― affirms your words.
The moment the will confirming his guess reached him, the world flickered.
Everything vanished as if the power had been cut. When Park Su-bin opened his eyes again, he was standing in a completely different world.
“Whoa…!”
Creak, creak. Gears were spinning busily.
Hoooo— Pipes were spewing smoke.
It was a colossal mechanical device intricately intertwined like a living organism.
The massive fans covering the walls were like lungs constantly circulating air. The belts connecting various devices and transmitting power were like blood vessels. The hydraulic systems and giant pistons resembled various organs.
“Is this your house, Voice?”
――――― confirms.
“It is? Amazing…”
Park Su-bin looked up at everything with enchanted eyes.
It was overwhelmingly majestic. Dynamically awe-inspiring.
As he stared in a daze, his eyes caught a cluster of light. The thing covering an entire wall was none other than a monitor.
The monitors were connected like nerves, sparkling brightly.
Park Su-bin walked toward it as if possessed. When he stood in front of the monitors, he was shocked.
“Huh? Huh? This… is me?”
Indeed.
Everything being broadcast on the monitors was Park Su-bin.
From the scene of him clashing with the Heavenly Sword Emperor in the Asia League finals, to the moment he lifted the trophy with the fan club president after winning the domestic league. Even the scene of him bowing to the cheering fans after securing the regular season number one spot.
A smile naturally formed on his face.
“Those were really good times.”
A little later, scenes of him with Yeon-woo appeared.
His first friend.
The ridiculous on-air banter they had together, eating tteokbokki at Yeon-woo’s family shop after training, even the awkward moment during the opening video shoot where they both flipped the middle finger.
“Hahaha.”
It had been fun.
He felt joy when he first met Hwa-rang, and happiness when they cleared the Level 8 Gate during the overseas training camp.
He was moved seeing Mountain King’s youthful appearance, teared up watching himself cry after promotion, and burst into loud laughter while clapping at his first meeting with Yu Ri-ra.
Then, suddenly, as if by magic, the laughter vanished.
“…You recorded that time too.”
On the screen was a small child. A dark, gloomy child who was always alone.
It wouldn’t have been strange if he had broken at any moment.
Everything around him felt like hell, yet his body and mind had been so fragile that he couldn’t ask for help from anyone.
Looking at it now, he could feel it.
That child would have shattered. Far from the future he had now, he would have been torn to pieces without ever seeing a single ray of light.
“If I hadn’t met Hyung, that’s exactly what would have happened.”
The footage stopped on one particular screen. A truck parked in front of the school.
Cheesy sound effects, terrible acting, and cheap lighting. A man appeared.
“Young man, are you in despair?!”
“I, Lee Shin, have come to save you!”
It wasn’t a reminder not to forget his original intentions.
It wasn’t leaving behind some profound message.
The monitors — the owner of the voice — were simply showing Park Su-bin the path he had walked, plainly and honestly.
The good days, the sad days, the hopes that came like gifts, and the terrible despair.
Park Su-bin had existed through all those moments.
He had endured, overcome, grown, and succeeded.
Park Su-bin felt like he understood what the owner of the voice wanted to say.
“Are you saying I did well?”
The moment the question reached it, the surroundings vibrated.
All the screens turned off. The mechanical devices stopped. For a brief moment, everything became silent.
Finally, the scattered voice rang out clearly.
You have suffered unfair trials simply because you were connected to me by fate.
There was no fault of his own in that fate.
Yet he still had to endure it.
Those trials were by no means easy. Your body was frail, your mind was precarious, and your environment was lonely.
“But I endured it.”
Correct. You have endured all of it admirably. You overcame it, grew, and have now reached me. Just as you said, I find you admirable and commendable.
His frail body had grown strong. His precarious mind had become resolute. And finally, he had filled his surroundings with good people.
It was by no means an easy feat. You have accomplished something great and moved me.
This colossal being was proudly acknowledging Park Su-bin, who was no more than a speck of dust compared to itself.
“……”
At that acknowledgment, faces flashed through Park Su-bin’s mind.
Mountain King, Yu Ri-ra, Hye-jung, Yeon-woo, Yu Shin-hyung, Mal-sook…
And finally, Lee Shin-hyung, who had given him all of this.
Perhaps because of that, Park Su-bin boldly spoke in front of the enormous being. Just as he had learned from Lee Shin.
“Well, that’s because I’m just that awesome.”
The ultimate weapon acknowledged by Hyung is me.
The Lee Shin who declared himself the one and only truth had proclaimed that I, Park Su-bin, would become the strongest being to rule as the apex of this world.
Therefore, I am the best.
The moment Park Su-bin proudly declared it to the world.
The world shook. As if it could not contain its laughter, it made the entire world tremble.
Correct answer, Contractor.
Finally.
The being of the voice revealed its true form.
* * *
Rumble rumble rumble——!
“??”
“??”
“??”
At the mysterious vibration, the fierce battle came to a sudden halt as if it had all been an illusion.
“What the hell?”
“What is this pressure?”
The charging Chang-gwi and Sword Master turned their heads.
“…What is this?”
“Huh?? Su-bin???”
Cross and Yu Ri-ra, who had been guarding the rear, also turned around.
“Sunfish, you—!”
“No way…!?”
Even Baek Yeon-woo and Belphegor, who had been exchanging blows at the front line, simultaneously looked at Park Su-bin as if they had planned it.
Park Su-bin rose into the air.
It began with Karakum’s steel belt melting and being absorbed into him. Then the pendant, the gauntlets, and finally even the black mink coat that symbolized him were all drawn into his body.
At that moment.
The floating Park Su-bin stood upright, and a circular halo formed behind his head.
Oooooooong——!!
The shining halo began to burn.
What had been a small cluster of light grew larger as it consumed its surroundings, continuously expanding its presence in this world.
“Everyone, protect that thing!!”
“!!”
At Baek Yeon-woo’s signal, the expedition team moved to guard Park Su-bin.
On the other hand, Belphegor unleashed all his power and attacked Park Su-bin.
Even amid that fierce battle, Park Su-bin’s halo continued to grow.
Command System
?? ??? machina
It grew larger.
Mechanic
Deus ??? machina
And grew even more.
Finally, when the halo rose like a small gate.
Advent
Deus ex machina
Crack—!
A hand burst through the sun.
A hand made of steel, pistons, pipes, and gears — the hand of a giant machine — grabbed the halo.
And tore it open!
―――――!
A mechanical giant tore through dimensions and revealed itself.
The natural enemy of magic.
The destroyer of truth.
And this was—
“Catch him.”
The fist shot forward at the command of Park Su-bin, who had opened his eyes at some point.
The fist that instantly shattered the truth Belphegor had boasted about grabbed the demon and slammed it straight into the ground.
[The ‘God of Mechanical Devices’ laughs at the vulgar seed of evil.]