Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Awakening After Three Days
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“……Where the hell is this?”
After his encounter with Cheok No-sa, Choi Shin-hyeok—who had been showered with gifts—woke from his blackout and opened his eyes.
What greeted him was an unfamiliar ceiling.
Of course, it was merely unfamiliar; there wasn't a single uncomfortable thing about it.
The bed cradling his body was plush and soft, the room's interior was impeccably neat and satisfying, and the sunlight pouring through the window was delightfully warm.
But the crucial question was why he was here.
Fortunately, the ones to resolve his doubts soon made their appearance.
“Son, are you alright?”
“Shin-hyeok!”
“How's your body feeling?”
Shin-hyeok's father, Choi In-gyun, and his sole friend, Han Su-ah.
And finally, Bang Se-jin, with whom he'd recently rekindled ties after his regression.
They slid the door open with a rattle, and Shin-hyeok was the one who ended up startled.
“Dad, Su-ah, even Brother Se-jin? What's all this about?”
He'd simply woken from a sound sleep to find the three of them hovering with faces like the world had collapsed. It was only natural he'd be shocked.
But their explanations that followed made Shin-hyeok's expression turn grave.
“It's been three days since you passed out.”
“Three days ago, right after the broadcast cut off, they found you fainted in your room!”
“I was in the middle of hammering at the workshop when your dad and Su-ah called—I dropped everything and rushed over.”
“……I've been out for three whole days?”
Three days.
The span of time Shin-hyeok had lain unconscious.
That realization hit him with the absurdity of everything he'd just endured.
‘……I met a Constellation face-to-face. Before my regression, it happened during my Challenger days, so I didn't fully grasp it then…… but even that alone wrecked my body in its current state. And with Overload on top, turning everything to mush? Fainting for three days isn't surprising at all.’
Constellation. War God.
His meeting with Cheok No-sa had been monumental beyond words.
Even after the man had toned down his aura to ease the pressure, the damage to Shin-hyeok's body and mind spoke volumes.
But there was no room for dwelling on it.
The three who had rushed to his side in worry demanded immediate soothing.
The trio departed after Shin-hyeok's persuasion convinced them, more or less.
Of course, he said nothing about his encounter with Cheok No-sa.
He brushed it off vaguely as exhaustion from recent fatigue, then grabbed Se-jin, who was the last to leave.
“Brother Se-jin.”
“Yeah? What's up?”
“Got some new rewards this time. Wanna take a look?”
“……You're the guy who just woke up from passing out, and now—”
“So, you don't wanna see?”
“No, show me.”
Suddenly offering rewards right after fainting? It was odd, no doubt.
But Se-jin was certain it was anything but ordinary. He turned on his heel and sat back down.
Shin-hyeok chuckled at the Heavenly Blacksmith's reaction and pulled the Demonic Steel from his inventory.
“……What's this?”
“Demonic Steel. Steel infused with demonic energy.”
“Demonic Steel? That's what villains and demonkin use for weapons, right? The state's pretty strict about permitting demonic energy gear……”
“Getting approval's a breeze. You haven't forgotten what family I come from, have you?”
“Ah……”
Shinwa Group.
One of the colossal pillars upholding South Korea.
Securing permits for demonic weapons? Child's play.
Se-jin himself was the master of Shinwa Workshop, after all.
If he put in a request to the state, they'd approve without much fuss.
Once more, Se-jin realized he still hadn't fully grasped their positions. He scratched his head with an awkward grin.
“Only one reason you showed me this, right?”
“Yeah. I want a weapon made from it.”
“The sword I forged for you?”
“That's great too, but you know I don't stick to one weapon.”
“Fair point.”
New weapon production.
Shin-hyeok already possessed Bang Se-jin's Well-Crafted Holy Sword.
The one lost in his clash with Cheok No-sa had returned safely to his inventory.
Still, he craved something fresh.
“Sword again?”
“Nope.”
“Then?”
“A spear.”
“A spear…… Not a bad choice. But why?”
“The skills I'll be using going forward tie into spears.”
The weapon Shin-hyeok desired was a spear.
With his swordsmanship at mastery level, another blade would have been logical.
Yet he opted for the spear.
The reason was straightforward.
‘Divine Spear. Or Spear God. And the title embracing it all: Heavenly Demon. His techniques demand a spear.’
Before regression, the War God had passed down Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style.
The Heavenly Demon had granted Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Thus, Shin-hyeok intended to channel demonic energy from the Demonic Steel to unleash it.
And beyond that—
‘Hope I can meet him again this time too, old timer.’
Before regression, he'd met the man only once—but he'd treasured Shin-hyeok immensely.
Recalling him, Shin-hyeok smiled softly and rose.
“Up already?”
“Rested three days—time to get moving. Gold's just around the corner.”
“……Not even a month and a half since placement exams, and you're the first to eye Gold already.”
“Not settling for mere Gold, that's how.”
“Alright. Let me know when materials are set.”
“Thanks, Brother.”
“Save it. I'm the grateful one. Rest up properly.”
“Will do.”
Expressing thanks for Se-jin's concerned tone, Shin-hyeok swapped the hospital gown for clothes on the bedside table.
The gown's airy comfort was nice, but not for condition checks and training.
Shin-hyeok paused, however, upon spotting the figure outside the room en route to the training grounds.
“……Grandfather.”
“Kekeke, good, good. Heard you were up, but the others beat me here, so I waited in the director's office. Got a moment to chat?”
“I'll make one, even if not.”
“Fine lad. Cleared the director's office—let's head there.”
“Yes, sir.”
Choi Cheol-ho.
Chairman of Shinwa Group. Shin-hyeok's grandfather.
He claimed the hospital director's office like personal territory, as expected.
Shin-hyeok minded little.
‘Hospitalized at Shinwa Hospital, whose director's Grandfather's man. No issue.’
Shinwa's reach meant Choi Cheol-ho's domain.
The director's office was no outlier. Shin-hyeok walked beside him there.
“That guy from last time's gone.”
“Kekeke, dove back into Dimension Arena after you thrashed him.”
“……Might let him off next time.”
“Not vowing to hunt him to the death?”
“Can't claim what ain't true.”
“Kuhahaha! That's my grandson!”
Shin-hyeok's instincts had pierced the presence from Cheol-ho's study—spotting its absence today thrilled the old man.
Cheol-ho heartily slapped his back in delight as they entered. Shin-hyeok sank into the plush leather sofa.
Naturally, Cheol-ho claimed the director's seat.
“What happened?”
“……”
The blunt query hung.
Shin-hyeok recounted it all: hidden stage clear, Cheok No-sa encounter—everything.
Not even family or friends had heard this.
One reason for telling Cheol-ho:
“Drew a Constellation's eye? Skills and titles too?”
“Yes.”
“Outstanding. You could pull it off. Korea's rep. Hell, Shinwa Group's banner!”
Cheol-ho buzzed with excitement.
To monopolize it utterly.
Verification complete—Shin-hyeok's Constellation feat, prizes gained—Cheol-ho settled, antsy rear stilled.
“What do you want?”
‘Exactly this.’
Cheol-ho: rewards and punishments, crystal clear.
Merit earned bigger prize.
Fault? Harsher penalty.
Shin-hyeok had awaited these words.
“Rare and Rare+ grade materials.”
“Easy enough…… sufficient?”
“Precisely: to evolve my growth item to Rare+.”
“Vast quantities.”
Perfect timing—Shin-hyeok laid it out.
Grow Armor of Absorption to Rare+.
Amounts no solo could amass.
“Shorts Shinwa Workshop supply.”
Not for Cheol-ho.
But Se-jin—Shin-hyeok's man—would pay.
Shin-hyeok smiled at the jab.
“Workshop shortage? Fine by me.”
“Why?”
“Redirect trash-makers' shares to Brother Se-jin. That's my ask.”
“……Hohoho, sly fox. Trim others, bulk your own. Love it. Done.”
“Thank you.”
Se-jin snags other smiths' hauls—no shortages.
Coveting rivals' to swell his own? Cheol-ho ate it up.
Shin-hyeok claimed it all.
“Off I go. Pests hound this old coot—no rest.”
“I'll escort you.”
“Kekeke, kind, but not decrepit yet. Attendants swarm outside. Mind one thing.”
“……”
“Shinwa reigns supreme. Show the world.”
“……Yes.”
All smiles vanished—chilling decree dropped. Then grin returned; farewell.
Alone, Shin-hyeok shook his head, sighing deep.
“Shinwa Group's numero uno—no sweat for Grandfather. Though then, owner won't be him.”
Resolve unvoiced to Cheol-ho, Shin-hyeok strode to Shinwa's player training grounds.
“Time to check these new gains.”
Gifts from War God, Cheok No-sa.
To inspect them.