Chapter 73
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Action (2)
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Ancient Artifacts, out of nowhere.
So random.
You don't need them?
No. I do need them, but...
It was just so unexpected that I was flustered.
Did you hear that, sis?
...?
Right. We can use that for the Great Labyrinth case.
What did she mean?
Seoyul, you don't want to leave any records of purchasing or possessing Ancient Artifacts, right?
Yes. That's right.
I had secretly asked for the Gauntlets of the Fierce Tiger, and I had also requested they be smuggled during my deal with the Collector. It was only natural for Yuhwa to come to that conclusion.
And since Id told her beforehand that I wanted Ancient Artifacts, she would have known that already.
Is there a way?
Was there some incredible method to obtain Ancient Artifacts without leaving a record?
There are plenty of ways. There are probably a few on the Korean underground route. And if you're willing to spend a lot of money, you could smuggle them in from overseas.
That was a method I had considered as well.
But if I keep buying them like that, isn't there a high chance my information will eventually leak?
Theres no such thing as a secret that lasts forever.
Even if the transaction is kept secret and off the books, the seller who accepted the deal still obtains some information.
It might be fine with one or two people, but if the number of sellers increases with each transaction, the secret will eventually cease to be a secret.
That's right. If you keep buying them, it's highly likely to become a situation where only the government doesn't know.
That was why I wasnt too hung up on money. Given my position as a mere cadet from an orphanage, I couldnt officially purchase expensive Ancient Artifacts.
And if I were to act as the broker, rumors would spread that the Bihon Guild is collecting Ancient Artifacts for some purpose.
Thats true.
For now, the underground merchant I bought the Mana-Engraved Fang from seemed trustworthy.
Secretary Jang knew him personally, and he said the merchant was known for his reliability.
Well, nothing is absolute. He'd probably talk if a knife was at his throat.
Anyway, for these reasons, I had broadly categorized my sources for Ancient Artifacts into [Direct Acquisition] or [Trading with an individual who possesses numerous Ancient Artifacts (the Collector)].
There was also acquiring them through trustworthy people like Yuhwa or Jia.
No matter how I think about it, purchasing them is the worst option. I appreciate the thought, but...
You punk. When did we ever say we were going to buy them for you?
Huh?
Meiden scoffed.
This is Meiden you're talking to. The Dungeon Creator. A woman who makes money hand over fist just by sitting around.
The five dungeons owned by Meiden Keuritineseu literally raked in money.
It was probably an amount so vast my meager imagination couldn't even comprehend it.
What does being rich have to do with Ancient Artifacts?
Didn't you say it wasn't about buying them?
I have a few Ancient Artifacts I picked up from ruins or dungeons that I never bothered to register and just tossed in a warehouse.
...What?
I had no intention of doing something as shitty as going through the annoying registration process, finding a buyer, and then dealing with an even more annoying transaction, all for chump change.
Meiden chuckled.
So I secretly stashed them away. In my house's warehouse.
Isn't that illegal?
The registration of Ancient Artifacts was mandatory.
Don't you know that saying in Korea? It's illegal if you get caught. Legal if you don't.
...
I couldn't deny that.
Anyway, the important thing is that there are Ancient Artifacts sleeping deep in my basement warehouse. To be honest, I don't know how many there are. I've never been interested in those useless antiques until now.
And you're saying you'll give them to me?
Yep. All of them.
...My god.
But I have one favor to ask.
A favor?
Meiden's voice wavered with a playful tone.
This Saturday. Keep your schedule open. Let's go out for a bit, just you and your big sis.
* * *
I made plans to meet Meiden at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
She said she'd hand over the Ancient Artifacts then.
How could I be this lucky?
Right, Geumho?
*Purrrr.*
It was currently 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
I was rolling around on the bed with Geumho before going to sleep.
I wonder which race's artifacts I'll get.
I was excited.
The tattoos currently engraved on my body were from six races: Elf, Beastkin, Angel, Spirit, Dragon, and Giant.
All of them were green, except for the Angel's.
It didn't matter what I got.
Bring on anything~
It was then, while I was grinning foolishly to myself.
*Vrrr-*
My phone vibrated.
I thought it would be Jia, Siyeon, or maybe Ms. Yuhwa.
An announcement?
For once, it was a school announcement.
[To all first-year cadets. Tomorrow's classes have been replaced with a practical combat session. Please attend class tomorrow wearing combat gear, not training gear.]
Ah.
It was a message saying that Thursday's practical session had been moved up to Wednesday.
* * *
Wednesday morning.
There was no training with Instructor Pi Jinho today. It was his iron rule not to waste energy unnecessarily before a real combat situation.
First, I will explain about the Yeoncheon Field.
Today's practical training was a field hunt, just like last time.
Last time it was the Gangwon-do Field, but this time it was Yeoncheon in northern Gyeonggi-do.
The Gangwon-do Field was the easiest in terms of difficulty, but it had been completely sealed off since Mephisto's appearance, so they must have chosen this place instead.
This place was pretty easy too.
The terrain is a mountain range. The monsters that appear are all beast-type...
I was lost in other thoughts while listening to the instructor's TMI.
Seoyul. What's with the carrier case?
Ha Siyeon, who was also only half-listening to the instructor, whispered to me.
My secret weapon.
Secret weapon?
Remembering the Mephisto incident, I brought the Beastkin artifact just in case. The Promosium Dagger.
It was an artifact I kept as insurance, so I brought it as insurance.
I brought it just in case, but I probably won't have to use it. My main weapons are...
I touched the Horn of the Latent Dragon at my waist and the Elysium Bow on my back in turn.
These two, as usual.
You're not using the spear?
Nope.
I didn't bring the long spear today.
Since I brought the carrier case, it was too much to bring the long spear as well.
Are you two showing off that you're on the same team?
Jia chimed into our conversation.
Ah. It's Jia, who got assigned to a different team all by herself.
Ha Siyeon smiled playfully.
...
At those words, Jia's eyelid twitched in annoyance.
This practical exam would be conducted in teams of six, as usual.
Ha Siyeon and I were on Team 2, while Jia was alone on Team 1.
It is strange. I'm ranked 37th now, yet I'm teamed up with Siyeon, who's 2nd.
I rose to 37th place after getting bonus points from the chairman's commendation.
Somehow, I kept getting paired with Siyeon whenever teams were assigned.
It's unfair.
Jia's cheeks puffed out a little.
She must have been feeling something akin to jealousy.
Jia was quite attached to me, after all.
Looking at Jia, Ha Siyeon started teasing her.
Isn't it all because I'm usually so well-behaved?
She poked Jia's cheek and smiled brightly.
...
Her annoyance flaring, Jia suddenly poked Ha Siyeon in the side without any warning.
Aack! Jia, you cheat!
Seeing this, it was clear the two of them had gotten really close.
But you shouldn't be shouting!
...You two over there.
Just as I expected, Instructor Pi Jinho noticed.
No, he probably knew we were goofing off from the start and was just pretending not to see.
I don't mind you not paying attention. However, do not disturb the cadets around you.
...Yes, sir.
We're sorry.
The two of them lowered their heads.
I knew this would happen.
Their ears were red, so they must have been quite embarrassed.
Now, I will conclude my briefing by explaining the restricted area within the field.
Instructor Pi Jinho said with a serious expression.
Everyone, open the map of the Yeoncheon Field that was distributed to you.
The area in northern Yeoncheon, towards the armistice line, was colored red.
As you all know, this section bordering North Korea is a restricted zone. Be careful not to enter it under any circumstances. It will become an international issue.
The Yeoncheon Field is connected to the Jangpung County Field in North Korea, across the armistice line.
In this world too, North and South Korea were at war, so crossing the armistice line would become an international issue.
And one more thing.
Also, a disaster-class monster resides within this red area.
The disaster-class monster, Tyrant Drake.
It was a monster that had made its lair right on the armistice line, spanning both North and South Korea.
Because it had settled between two countries that were in a truce, neither could send a subjugation team.
Whether North Korea or South Korea sent a team, the other side could easily interpret it as a declaration of war.
In fact, there was an incident where North Korea formed a superhuman subjugation squad, claiming they were going to hunt the Tyrant Drake, but then crossed the armistice line under that pretense.
The Tyrant Drake is a monster that causes no harm as long as you don't invade its territory, but it is merciless to intruders. Do not enter under any circumstances.
Yes, sir!
Of course, the paths leading to the restricted zone were thoroughly blocked, so it would be difficult to cross even if one wanted to.
Then, in five minutes, we will begin the field hunt practical training. Gather with your teams and prepare. Dismissed!
With those words, the surroundings instantly became noisy.
The instructor is just trying to scare us. It's blocked off anyway, so we couldn't go even if we wanted to.
Apparently, it happened once. A cadet who forced their way through the barrier to prove their strength and entered the Drake's territory.
Whoa. There was a psycho like that?
I heard there was one, ten years ago. Because of that cadet, the Yeoncheon Field was supposedly removed from the list of practical training sites for a while.
Seoyul. What should we do?
Team 2, including Ha Siyeon, gathered around me.
Before that, let me confirm one thing. Does anyone have a problem with me being the team leader?
Everyone was quiet.
Judging by their expressions, it seemed no one really had any complaints.
Even if it's just practical training, our grades are on the line. Who would complain?
Yeah. If anything, we're lucky.
Getting orders from Seoyul is a huge plus.
Hearing the undeserved praise, I gave a faint smile.
Okay. Then I'll be the team leader.
I unfolded the map.
Then I pointed to a spot.
We're going to target this area.
...Isn't that a place famous for frequent elite monster appearances?
That's right.
The Yeoncheon Field would normally be bustling with all sorts of superhumans, but this elite monster zone would be even more crowded.
The reason was simple.
It's where Honey Bears appear.
To hunt Honey Bears.
To be precise, to obtain the honey they carried inside their bodies.
So you're saying we should go for the Honey Bear's honey?
Yep.
Honey Bear honey is an elixir.
A supreme elixir at that, one that's nearly impossible to find.
Normally, it would be packed with pro superhumans, but today, we first-years have the whole place to ourselves, right?
They had reserved the entire field for our practical training.
So we have 492 competitors at most.
Not every team will come rushing here.
Not every team would be aiming for the Honey Bear, so at most, it would probably be around 150 people.
Of course, considering the Honey Bear's appearance rate, there's a 99% chance we won't even see one. But we have nothing to lose.
...It certainly wouldn't hurt to try. Elite monsters are strong, but with you two, it shouldn't be a problem.
A male student said, pointing to me and Siyeon in turn.
Elite monsters give a lot of points by default. So even if it's not a Honey Bear, it's still a gain.
I'm in.
Me too.
Everyone agreed.
Alright. Then Team 2 will aim for elite monsters, and if possible, the Honey Bear.
* * *
The heart of the restricted zone on the armistice line connecting Yeoncheon, South Korea, and Jangpung County, North Korea.
There, a man and a woman were marveling.
Wow. It's worthy of the name Tyrant Drake, isn't it?
Geomryeong.
Oppa. Look at those teeth. One bite and you'd be dead.
Gwuiryeong.
They were villains from the Seekers of Truth, under Maestro.
The two of them stood before the master of the Yeoncheon Field, the Tyrant Drake, laughing repeatedly.
Its size itself wasn't that large.
Roughly twice the size of an elephant.
However, the oppressive aura from its eyes, the thrilling killing intent emanating from its entire body, all declared that this was a being that could never be defeated.
And yet, such a being stood there dimly, the light gone from its eyes.
Little sister. If we fight it, we'll obviously lose, right?
Yep. One bite, gulp. Chomp chomp. Don't provoke it out of some misplaced fighting spirit. It'll start moving immediately.
They knew better than anyone that while their superior, Maestro, might be able to handle it, they themselves could not win.
Like I'd fight it. I'm not an idiot.
You had a brain, Oppa?
This little bitch?
But the two of them hadn't come here to fight in the first place.
Anyway, little sister. I'm counting on you.
Leave it to me.
The younger sister, Gwuiryeong, took a step forward. At the same time, a chilling energy descended.
Spirit Possession.
Simultaneously, the body of the drake, which had been standing majestically, froze.
Gwuiryeong's special skill was to possess a specific target with a spirit and control it.
However, it couldn't be used on targets with a strong will, like humans.
Just as Maestro said. Its inner psyche is too strong, so I think I can only perform simple cognitive manipulation.
That's more than enough. We just need to take advantage of the chaos when it goes wild and kidnap Shin Jia.
Geomryeong twisted his lips into a smirk as the eight swords on his back floated into the air.
Possession Control. Cognitive Alteration.
A cold, ghostly energy flowed from the drake's body.
Territorial Recognition Range: Modify.
A sharp light gleamed in Gwuiryeong's eyes.
All of Yeoncheon.