Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Chapter 23: Gathering Information (2)
Translation: godtl
Had the Philosopher's Stone also changed the information about the mithril ore?
"O-oppa. How did you know this was an entry item?"
The kid's voice came through faintly trembling.
It couldn't be helped.
[Doria's Mithril Ore]
Ownership: Kim Si-mun
Grade: X
Mithril ore from the Doria mountain range, once sacred ground of the dwarves.
- When used during Arena matching, grants entry to 'Nightmare of the Heated Mine'.
- Maximum participants: 1.
Even just being mithril ore was astonishing enough.
"I didn't know at first either."
Who could've guessed it was an entry item for a Special Arena?
'Just mithril alone would've been a jackpot, but an entry item? This is hitting the absolute jackpot.'
An entry item.
An item that allows entry to Special Arenas outside the standard matchmaking set by the Galaxy Arena.
Naturally, the clear rewards were on a completely different level from regular Arenas.
Si-mun gazed at the two floating selection options before him.
'So that's why they included option 2.'
Had the system not included option 2, he wouldn't have even suspected anything.
But it was precisely what caught the attention of Si-mun with his past life's memories.
'And moreover...'
Si-mun looked again at [Doria's Mithril Ore].
'X-rank... I had no idea items like this existed even back then.'
X-rank.
The world commonly believes SSS-rank to be the highest grade.
That's not entirely wrong.
Unless we're talking about Mythic-grade equipment bestowed by the Constellations themselves.
After all, the highest existing grade right now is SSS.
But based on his past life's knowledge, in about two or three years, X-rank items would begin appearing in the world.
The difference between X-rank and SSS-rank was singular.
'X-rank is essentially a unique grade. Proof that the item is one-of-a-kind.'
Just like unique stats.
Items marked with X-rank were literally unique—the only one of their kind.
For such a grade to be attached to an entry item meant only one thing.
'The difficulty of the Special Arena it grants access to must be extraordinary.'
But that wasn't too much of a concern.
Since it dropped during the Placement Test phase, it likely wasn't scaled for high-rank difficulty.
'And my current level is already above Gold-rank anyway.'
Si-mun's abilities were already a full tier ahead of players at his level.
With the Placement Test concluded, all he needed was to run Arenas to level up—there shouldn't be any real obstacles.
The real issue was...
'The condition that locks out entry...'
Though not stated in the information window, he could roughly guess.
Considering how the system specifically attached the 'Silver-rank assignment' condition to option 2...
This [Doria's Mithril Ore] would likely become unusable the moment he progressed beyond Silver-rank.
Si-mun rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
'If it's an Arena that only requires brute force, I could just spam Astrapē to clear it.'
Who in this tier could possibly withstand a barrage of Mythic-grade weaponry?
It'd be quite a waste of Achievement Points, but...
Calculating the rewards an X-rank entry item could provide, it wouldn't be a loss.
'But Special Arenas are never that straightforward.'
Recalling memories from his past life...
Special Arenas always mixed at least two different types of Arena objectives.
'For now, the best approach would be to maximize my specs and enter before promoting to Gold...'
Conversely, securing the entry item's rewards early...
And using the enhanced specs to quickly push through Silver-rank wasn't a bad idea either.
Moreover...
'From a broadcasting perspective, it's even more advantageous.'
Special Arena broadcasts were always premium content—the kind viewers would kill to see.
Especially if he tackled a Special Arena during the Abyssal phase, it would bring multiple broadcasting benefits.
After wrestling with the decision for a while...
"Sigh. Alright."
With newly composed eyes, Si-mun stored [Doria's Mithril Ore] in his inventory.
Then he raised his head—
And selected option 2 from the floating system window.
[You have selected option 2.]
[Player Kim Si-mun has been assigned the Silver-rank.]
[Due to measured MMR, a penalty reducing experience and rewards by 30% will be applied. This penalty is only active while in the 'Silver' rank.]
[Achievement 'Rank Assignment' has been completed.]
[500 Achievement Points have been acquired.]
A state-of-the-art TV that clashed with the shabby office.
Inside it, famous MC Choi Gang-yeop was engaged in lively discussion with a professional Arena commentator.
—......Really? That's incredible, isn't it?
—Absolutely. This year's graduating class from the Academy is just brimming with monstrous talent, don't you think?
—That's right. Among them, two have already risen to become Rankers who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with players who dominated the Arena for over a decade.
—A great blessing for our country. I'm incredibly excited for the next National Tournament.
—Indeed. Everyone is predicting a shift in Korea's national rankings. The upcoming National Team Selection Tournament will prove it all!
National Representative Arena, the highest-rated TV program in South Korea—
Commonly referred to as National Arena, or Guk-A for short—had, since the emergence of the Galaxy Arena,
secured its place as the nation's top program, dominating Channel 1 regardless of region.
—Kim Si-hyeok's broadcast the other day, where he single-handedly took down a raid boss, was absolutely overwhelming.
—It was! The views on GalaxyTube alone have already surpassed 500 million.
—500 million? But the broadcast was just a few days ago, wasn't it?
—Well, Kim Si-hyeok is a Ranker who's caught the world's attention! Thankfully, I got to watch that moment live.
—Ugh! I'm so jealous! If only my schedule hadn't been packed......
MC Choi Gang-yeop's exaggerated reaction followed.
Watching this, a rough-looking man smirked and turned his head.
"Hey, hey, they're talking about you again on National Arena."
"Senior, you don't have to point it out. I can hear it just fine."
A voice as refreshing as his appearance—
One that perfectly matched his looks—came back weakly.
"Brat, you don't even flinch anymore."
The rough-faced man grinned mischievously.
"Haah..."
The owner of that refreshing appearance let out a sigh.
"Senior, this is one of my rare breaks. Please don't disturb me."
"That's my line, punk."
The rough-faced man set down the glass he was holding onto the table,
then glared at the refreshingly handsome youth sprawled across the cheap sofa like it was his own bed.
"Why the hell are you taking your break in my office?"
"I'm your client, Senior."
"Oho, so our Kim Si-hyeok knows how to throw his weight around now, huh? Hey, punk! Just because you're a client, does that mean anything goes? Huh?"
"Hehe, cut me some slack. I've got nowhere else to rest but here."
Even though he was a grown man,
that innocent face of his, paired with his whining, could soften anyone's heart—regardless of gender.
And it wasn't just because of his looks.
"Well... you do have a damn miserable life."
As his senior from the Academy,
and as a close friend who knew exactly what kind of life Kim Si-hyeok led, it was only natural.
The rough-faced man, Park Jin-uk, slid a cup of coffee toward the sulking Kim Si-hyeok.
Glancing at it, Si-hyeok spoke up.
"If you're giving me one anyway, why not make it the same as what you're drinking?"
"Why the hell would I?"
"I was just asleep until a minute ago, Senior. Does coffee even make sense right now?"
"That's why I'm giving it to you, brat. Wake the hell up and get out."
Park Jin-uk curled one corner of his lips upward.
Combined with his sharp, angular face, it gave off an overwhelmingly threatening vibe—
"Hah! Then I just won't drink it and go back to sleep."
Kim Si-hyeok simply flashed his signature refreshing smile.
Even setting aside appearances,
just comparing them as Players, Park Jin-uk stood no chance of being a threat to Kim Si-hyeok.
And it seemed he knew it himself.
"This little punk... Getting all high and mighty just 'cause you're hot stuff these days, huh?"
Park Jin-uk pouted like a sulking child—an expression that clashed hilariously with his rough exterior—and stuck out his lower lip.
"Yes. Being with you always makes me laugh."
"Damn it all!"
Park Jin-uk clenched his fists tightly at Kim Si-hyeok's carefree demeanor.
'Ah, fuck! Should I just close my eyes and throw a punch?'
Tension coiled through his shoulders, his muscles tightening with the force of his grip—but then, with a sigh, Park Jin-uk shook his head.
'Tch, whatever. It's not like this bastard would even bother dodging.'
If anything, Kim Si-hyeok would probably just take the hit and then latch onto him, whining about how much it hurt or some other nonsense.
After all, his opponent was a monster who could easily pretend to be hurt by a punch from a Diamond-rank like him.
So instead of lashing out in anger, Park Jin-uk decided to pull out the most efficient weapon to drive this insufferable junior away.
"Here."
Clenching a cigarette between his teeth, he flicked something toward Kim Si-hyeok.
"What's this?"
"What do you think? It's what you asked for before."
An ordinary document envelope, the kind you'd see in any office.
But the look in Kim Si-hyeok's eyes was anything but ordinary.
"You already found this?"
"Listen here, even if some smug little Ranker treats me like a dog, I've still got my own reputation in this field, you know?"
Whoosh.
Hazy cigarette smoke curled toward the dingy office ceiling.
With his rough features and the thick haze in the air, the scene could've been straight out of a noir film—
"Ah, come on, why say it like that? When have I ever treated the Night Hunter, Park Jin-uk, like a dog?"
"Then pay up, you brat! Stop making requests and file a damn commission!"
But his words had no effect on this shameless junior.
"You've got plenty of money, you little... Honestly, the way you act is just too much."
"You're hurting my feelings saying that. Didn't I pay you in full with AP last time?"
"Don't play dumb."
Park Jin-uk stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and stared out the grimy window.
"I prefer cold, hard cash over AP. If I liked AP, I'd still be grinding in the Arena instead of doing this shit."
Was it because it was still January?
Or was it because his breathing had grown slightly ragged?
Before he knew it, a thin layer of frost had formed on the window in front of him.
"......"
Kim Si-hyeok, who had been silently watching him, finally spoke.
"Senior. Like I said last time, my offer still stands."
"Drop it. Associating with trash like me will only ruin your reputation."
"Senior."
"Enough! Some things just aren't happening, kid."
At those words, the light in Kim Si-hyeok's clear eyes dimmed slightly.
"......If anyone talks, we can just get rid of them."
Pfft.
"What, are you planning to wipe out the entire Korean Association or something?"
Park Jin-uk let out a dry laugh at Kim Si-hyeok's words.
"Brat, you're still the same as ever—your personality doesn't match your looks..."
But that laugh was fleeting.
In an instant, Park Jin-uk's expression hardened.
His sharp gaze locked onto the refreshingly handsome young man before him.
He could sense it—something was off about Kim Si-hyeok's eyes.
"Hey, don't tell me you're actually—"
"Why so surprised? I'm just taking back what was originally mine."
Kim Si-hyeok shrugged nonchalantly.
It wasn't a lie.
No—it was the truth.
And because Park Jin-uk knew that all too well—
"......"
He couldn't say a word.
Rustle.
Kim Si-hyeok was already flipping through the documents he'd been handed.
His expression was calmer than before, but Park Jin-uk knew better.
That perfectly natural, picture-perfect smile?
That was when Kim Si-hyeok was at his most dangerous.
And as if to prove it—
"Senior, is this all you could find?"
"Yeah."
"Ha. Well, at least we caught an unexpected big fish."
A cold sweat began to form in Park Jin-uk's palms.
This wasn't just nerves.
A top-tier Diamond-rank.
A so-called 'Ranker'—was this what it meant to stand in the presence of someone like that?
'This bastard... He's really planning to take on the Association.'
Just the sheer pressure radiating off him was enough to make Park Jin-uk, a Diamond-rank Player himself, break out in a cold sweat.
If he'd been an ordinary person, he probably would have been trembling uncontrollably by now without even realizing it.
"You mentioned having an uncle backing you, but... the Seongsam Guild?"
Park Jin-uk cleared his throat, circulating his aura to shake off the tension before continuing.
Ahem!"Well, as expected of Seongsam, their cleanup was so thorough that further investigation was impossible."
"How incompetent. Even with all the leads I gave you, all you could dig up was a single line about Seongsam's involvement?"
Hey, you little bastard! Why don't you try doing it yourself!
Instead of saying that, he barely managed to reply,
"At my level, even uncovering that much is an achievement. Like I said—their cleanup was flawless."
Then he downed the shot of tequila in his glass in one go.
"Still, since it's related to Seongsam, wouldn't Yu-jeong know something if you asked her?"
"She knows nothing."
Kim Si-hyeok's reply flowed out—
Clear, yet cold as a winter spring.
"Neither then nor now."
"I don't get what you mean, but knowing Yu-jeong's personality, she'd probably be digging into things on her own, right?"
"Probably. But judging by how she hasn't acted any differently..."
Kim Si-hyeok idly shook the documents containing the intel.
"It means she has no idea Seongsam was involved in that incident."
His face was filled with subtle irritation.
"—And for our first news segment on 'This Week in Arenia'— Wow! Is this for real?"
"I can't believe my eyes either. A fake Constellation broadcast? What in the world is going on?"
"Broadcast managers claim three Constellations were impersonated. Let's take a look at the footage."
The absurd news about a fake Constellation broadcast, reported by the National Arena Program, didn't even register in his ears.
Kim Si-hyeok carelessly tossed the documents onto the table.
Park Jin-uk scratched the back of his head.
"Damn. Since when did you two get so distant?"
"Dunno. Feels like it's always been this way."
Then—
Whoosh.
Kim Si-hyeok's expression stiffened as he turned toward the back.
"Hyung, do you have a meeting scheduled for today?"
"What? You're so paranoid about exposure that I always mark your visits as closed for busin— Huh?"
Park Jin-uk, who had been shaking his head, also froze instantly.
His senses had picked up on something.
"Seems like the legendary Night Hunter himself has been tailed, huh?"
Kim Si-hyeok let out a small scoff as he pressed himself against the wall beside the door.
Despite merely leaning against it—
'This bastard's hiding his presence even better than last time.'
Apart from sight, not a single trace of Kim Si-hyeok's presence could be felt.
Considering Park Jin-uk was also a Diamond-ranked assassin, this level of stealth was downright chilling.
'Is this what a top-tier Player is like...?'
They were on a completely different level.
No words could better describe the current situation.
Creeeak.
"Anyone here?"
The door opened without warning.
"Is this Mr. Park Jin-uk's office?"
As the man stepped inside, Park Jin-uk flashed his trademark smile.
"My apologies, sir, but we're closed today."
"Ah! I see. Didn't realize it was your day off."
With an utterly clueless expression, the man scratched the back of his head.
Park Jin-uk's gaze grew even colder.
'His expression control is top-notch. Who is he? A tracker from Seongsam? Or an assassin?'
To tail the infamous Night Hunter and remain this composed—
His suspicion toward the unidentified man deepened.
Swoosh.
Park Jin-uk's hands, casually resting under the table, now held sharp hidden weapons.
"Sorry to bother you, but since I'm already here, could you take on one request?"
"A request?"
"Yes, it's simple. I'm looking for someone."
Looking for someone?
No doubt it was Kim Si-hyeok.
'Definitely an enemy. First, I'll sever his limbs—'
The man's words turned Park Jin-uk's suspicion into certainty.
Just as his arms tensed to strike with the hidden weapons—
Park Jin-uk froze without realizing it.
He couldn't help it.
"This can't be...!"
Kim Si-hyeok, who always wore his signature refreshing smile and composure—
This was the first time Park Jin-uk had ever seen him so shocked.
But his astonishment didn't end there.
"H-Hyung?"
"Kim Si-hyeok? What are you doing here?"