Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Chungmugong's Bow and a New Wager
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Even after her heart was pierced, Elise kept pressing Shin-hyeok for several minutes.
It was the combination of Blood Berserker and Mad Blood that allowed her to overcome even death for a short while.
But the end was no different from what had been predetermined.
No matter how much of a berserker she was, it was impossible to live forever with a pierced heart.
Of course, that might change later if she grew her class to Legend.
Or even Mythic grade. But for now, at least, it wasn't possible.
"...You're really strong."
"You were plenty strong yourself."
Elise knelt before Shin-hyeok, her body covered in wounds and drenched in blood.
Shin-hyeok was the same in that regard, but he had no real injuries.
And moreover, all the blood on him was hers, which made a world of difference.
"It really feels like a game when you see it like this. Well, it's all just a ploy to make Dimension Arena feel like a game."
Messages that truly resembled a game.
But Dimension Arena was closer to a tool for invading dimensions.
As such, Shin-hyeok couldn't laugh or rejoice at the game-like message windows.
Because many had been deceived by that game-like facade, treating Dimension Arena as a mere game, leading to massive casualties later on.
And considering the villains and demons who went on rampages thinking reality was a game too, he couldn't be happy about it even if he tried.
"This part, I like."
The fact that he had achieved so many feats in the promotion match.
That meant the rewards he would receive were plentiful, so Shin-hyeok crossed his arms with a satisfied expression and quietly waited for the tally.
How many minutes passed like that?
"...!!!"
Achieving 23 feats was surprising enough, but the reward that followed was even more shocking.
'A Legendary Weapon Draw Ticket. Even before regression, I've never seen one, no matter how random it is.'
Legendary weapons were rare even before his regression.
Thanks to the Bang family, dubbed the Hands of God—and Se-jin now—he had encountered fabricated ones, but never like this. Shin-hyeok had never obtained one this way even once.
So, he didn't hide his excitement, which surged after so long.
"I'll use the Draw Ticket."
Unable to contain his pounding heart, he used the ticket immediately. A treasure chest appeared before Shin-hyeok's eyes.
The lock on the dazzling treasure chest clicked open and it began to unlock on its own.
Inside the revealed chest lay a single bow.
"A bow? Nice."
Currently, Shin-hyeok had a holy sword for swordsmanship and a demonic spear for Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
In contrast, for archery, he was using a plain Rare-grade bow.
A mass-produced one he'd bought off the shelf, not even made by Se-jin.
So, a Legendary-grade bow was perfect for him.
But if the options were poor, it would be meaningless, so Shin-hyeok immediately checked the bow's status window.
And he was stunned.
"...Chungmugong's Bow. This is something else."
Chungmugong.
Shin-hyeok couldn't hide his shock at the name no Korean could be unaware of.
And every single option attached was sweet honey for him. As expected of Legendary grade, the attack power was top-tier.
Moreover, it came with three unique skills, each one a dream for any archer.
Hundred Shots, Hundred Hits: Arrows fired for a set duration were guaranteed to hit.
Focused Shot: The more concentration, the stronger the arrow.
And finally, Clarity of Mind: It ensured unshakable focus in any situation.
For Shin-hyeok, it was a weapon worthy of being a family heirloom.
Of course, as a vital combat asset, that would only happen after his death.
"Halfway there, I guess."
For now, it was time to enjoy his promotion to Gold.
Bang!
"...What's this?"
"Congrats on hitting Gold!"
"Congratulations, Shin-hyeok!"
"I knew you'd really take first place."
Returning to his room after the game ended, Shin-hyeok was greeted by fireworks exploding in his face.
Startled by the sudden burst, he looked around in surprise to find everyone dear to him there.
From his parents to his one and only friend Su-ah, and the ever-reliable Se-jin.
They were all sincerely celebrating his Gold promotion.
"...You're all busy, but thank you for making time."
"It's the day my Shin-hyeok promotes to Gold. Of course we'd make time."
"Exactly."
"Alright, today's a feast!"
A bountiful table spread out.
Happy times with the people he loved most.
In the midst of that joy, Shin-hyeok's phone rang.
[Grandfather]
"It's Grandfather. I'll take this and come back."
"Sure, go ahead."
"Okay."
He didn't like the interruption of their happy time, but Shin-hyeok promptly stood and headed to a quiet room.
"I've got the phone, Grandfather."
-Good. I saw you aced the promotion match. No injuries?
"I'm not so frail as to get hurt in a fight like that."
-Kahahaha! Right. Silver's for rookies. Don't forget—the real deal starts at Gold.
"I know. I'll repay you by taking first in every promotion match ahead."
-Good lad. Sorry to call while you're celebrating. Come to the Pyeongchang-dong estate tomorrow morning. We'll talk properly then.
"Yes, good night, Grandfather."
-Alright.
Click!
Shin-hyeok glanced at the ended call before pocketing his phone and leaving the room.
His meeting with Choi Cheol-ho was surely important, but not enough to sacrifice this happy time.
The next morning.
Shin-hyeok headed to the Pyeongchang-dong estate early at dawn.
He was to have breakfast with Choi Cheol-ho, so he donned a neatly pressed uniform.
With his towering height and handsome looks, that was more than enough.
Riding the luxury limousine with the personal driver sent by Choi Cheol-ho, he arrived at the estate and was surprised to see Choi Cheol-ho sitting alone, waiting.
"No Uncle or Little Uncle?"
"Why invite those fools to your celebration? Just you and me is fine."
"...True enough."
"Sit. I'm hungry."
"Yes."
With even Choi In-seok and Choi In-ho—the ones who always guarded him like statues—absent, Shin-hyeok sat beside him with a more relaxed face.
Clink-clink—
The meal began quietly.
Without much conversation, it ended quickly.
Setting down his empty bowl and sipping warm rice punch, Choi Cheol-ho finally spoke.
"Well done."
"...!"
Sometimes, one word outweighs ten.
This was such a moment.
The impact was huge coming from Choi Cheol-ho, who rarely praised anyone.
As Shin-hyeok looked at him in surprise, Choi Cheol-ho chuckled.
"What? Weird that I'm praising you?"
"...Just surprised."
"Saying well done to someone who did well isn't strange. In that regard, you did plenty well, Shin-hyeok."
"Thank you."
Choi Cheol-ho's acknowledgment.
It was worth as much as Legendary gear, so Shin-hyeok smiled in satisfaction.
"So, what reward did you get?"
"A Legendary Weapon Draw Ticket. Random, though."
"Ho! There are fewer than ten Legendary items in the world, and my grandson owns one."
"It just happened that way."
"Mind showing me?"
"Not at all."
Legendary weapons lived up to their name.
With fewer than ten in the entire world, that said it all.
Even the great Choi Cheol-ho had only seen a few, so his curiosity was natural.
For the curious Choi Cheol-ho, Shin-hyeok readily pulled out Chungmugong's Bow.
"Heh. A bow like this. Among the Legendary gear I've seen, it's top three."
"Thank you."
"Here, keep it safe. Good things always attract trouble. Well, you should handle it fine, Shin-hyeok."
Unable to hide his amazement after checking the status window, Choi Cheol-ho returned the bow with a word of caution.
As Shin-hyeok nodded vigorously,
"So, you beat Ho-seok, huh."
"It wasn't much of a win, so I'm embarrassed."
"Kahahaha, you should've seen Yong-jae's face when we met. All thanks to you, Shin-hyeok."
Choi Cheol-ho smirked, casually calling the Oseong Group Chairman "Yong-jae," then asked with a meaningful smile.
"You're Gold now, and you've got a Legendary weapon. Want to fight a Diamond player again?"
"...You mean?"
"Man-seok."
"Yes, Chairman."
"...Hm, your presence is even fainter than last time."
A rematch with a new Diamond player.
It was none other than Choi Cheol-ho's shadow, Hong Man-seok.
Shin-hyeok's face stiffened slightly at Man-seok's stealth skill, revealed by a single word from Choi Cheol-ho.
He knew he was there, but couldn't pinpoint the exact location.
It was incomparable to their first meeting, so his stiffness was brief.
"What do I get if I win?"
"...Ho?"
Choi Cheol-ho grinned at the confidence that dismissed defeat.
"Got the guts to win?"
"Yes. Feels winnable."
"No physical restrictions this time?"
"Even so... I think I can manage now."
Seeing a Gold player talk of odds against a Diamond, Choi Cheol-ho smiled in satisfaction.
"What do you want?"
"Aunt seems burdened. I'd like to take some of that load."
"...Targeting the department store and hotel?"
"Precisely the department store. As reward, let me take that burden from Aunt."
"Hahaha, using distribution as a springboard to devour one of Shinwa's cash cows, the department store? Fun. Fine, but remember: I'm only giving permission. Devouring it is on you."
"I know."
"Good. Let's go. There's a nice training hall underground."
"Yes."
Grinning slyly at Shin-hyeok offering to shoulder his aunt Choi Hwa-yeon's department store burden, Choi Cheol-ho headed to a hidden door leading underground.
Man-seok and Shin-hyeok followed into the basement darkness.