Manager (2)
Yun-seok now understood how the Wish Auction system worked. In a way, it was similar to mercenary work. The wish was the commission, and WP was the compensation. Through the auction, he could accept a commission from one of the top seven highest bidders.
But choosing solely based on the commission and pay would be foolish. The unique powers available for purchase with that compensation varied depending on the client.
It's frustrating not knowing how much WP a decent power costs...
Of course, there was the option of not contracting at all.
Will you contract?
If he just shook his head here, the whole thing would end as a mere incident. But Yun-seok nodded.
"I'll do it."
Though it was just a hunch, most challengers probably signed the contract first and asked questions later. Even though the fifth floor had pitted him against a massive demon beast, the Duel Trial had always been fundamentally about competition between challengers. Skipping a contract meant falling behind in growth—like finishing the tutorial in a game but refusing the job-change quest out of spite.
However, Yun-seok had demanded the chance to ask one question before committing, and the clown fairy had permitted it with a grin.
"What happens if I don't intend to fulfill the wish?"
He wasn't asking about failure. He was curious about what happened if he simply made no effort. There had to be some restriction.
As if peering right into Yun-seok's rapidly turning mind, the clown fairy smirked.
There are no fixed penalties, but the manager may impose one. Is that answer sufficient?
Yun-seok nodded, and the clown fairy moved on to the next step.
Please select the manager to contract with.
1. Liberation Witch.
2. Heavenly Martial Artist.
3. Leader of Light.
4. Heart of the Little Giant.
5. Incarnation of Hatred.
6. Battlefield Madness.
7. Arbiter of Karmic Flames.
The moment of choice had finally arrived. Yun-seok pondered carefully until the very end.
Judging by the powers alone, his heart leaned decisively toward Heavenly Martial Artist. Though the bid was second place, the difference between 3 million and 3.7 million WP felt negligible to him. Moreover, the wish wasn't bad. Becoming strong enough to have no equal in the world was exactly what he desired.
"......"
Yet there was one reason he hadn't chosen it yet.
It was the glance Heavenly Martial Artist had sent toward the Liberation Witch when the spotlight fell on her—a look that said, You have no wish but you're participating in the auction?Heavenly Martial Artist had worn a similar expression.
That gaze had sparked Yun-seok's suspicion. At first, he'd thought simply that Heavenly Martial Artist wanted to nurture a promising martial artist. It had been a naive, vague assumption.
WP seemed to hold significant value even for them. If it were infinite, they wouldn't hold an auction like this in the first place.
What do they gain if I become strong?
The wish wasn't frivolous. Give and take. If he became the supreme, something would come back to Heavenly Martial Artist.
The conditions were alluring enough to tempt him, but the sense of hidden motives made him wary. Well, the Liberation Witch was no different.
No wish? What could the intent be?
Yun-seok glanced at the Liberation Witch, but her face was still shrouded deep under her robe. His brow furrowed as his deliberations deepened.
If I can't discern the intent anyway, better to pick the most helpful one.
With his decision made, Yun-seok's fingertip slowly crossed the air. It pointed toward the epithet of Heavenly Martial Artist.
The faces of the watching entities shifted. Thick regret. Meanwhile, Heavenly Martial Artist, realizing he was chosen, beamed with joy.
But then.
The Liberation Witch has used 200,000 WP to request temporary access to a portion of her power for Challenger Choi Yun-seok.
Request approved.
Selected power: Foresight.
Doubt flickered in Yun-seok's eyes for only a moment.
"......?"
He was swept into a sensation like falling into a deep sleep. When he came to, he was no longer in the circular arena. Instead, he found himself in a space resembling a movie theater, with a massive screen on the front wall.
And on that screen was himself.
A blood-soaked plain. A dual-wielding swordsman waging war alone against thousands—tens of thousands—of foes. His gear, hair color, and very aura were starkly different from now. His face bore the weight of added years and experience.
Yun-seok immediately realized it was him.
What... what is this...?
He was strong. Impossibly so—strong enough that trying to gauge it felt pointless. The him on screen didn't stop until he'd slaughtered every last enemy.
Time passed, and when only he remained amid the crimson battlefield, the scene shifted.
Keriksis...?
This time, the familiar circular arena. There stood Steel King Keriksis, who had handed him his first defeat.
"In the end, we meet again."
"......"
"I've heard the rumors. That matter, I regret as well..."
"Shut up."
The on-screen Yun-seok fought him in a battle that rent heaven and earth. The survivor was himself.
The battles continued endlessly. One ended, and the next opponent appeared. Humans, beastkin, fairies, demons—even a giant hydra in one overwhelming match. But they all shared one trait: transcendent strength, as if beyond fate itself.
The on-screen self overcame them all.
"On that day, this lady knew it would come to this."
"......"
"Yes! What need have martial artists of words? Let us begin!"
The toughest foe was the young woman at the end. She wielded a single sword, its grand arcs in the air eerily reminiscent of Cheonma's style.
Once even she fell, a change came to the endless parade of battles.
Heavenly Martial Artist's wish has been fulfilled.
As if entranced, Yun-seok watched until he finally grasped the situation. This was his future if he contracted with Heavenly Martial Artist.
The background shifted again. This time, an unfamiliar space—a serene mansion with a pond in the front courtyard.
—Well done. You've truly reached the pinnacle.
"Cut the crap and hand over the WP."
—Hahaha! Only once more remains—why so anxious?
"......"
Yun-seok stared silently at Heavenly Martial Artist. His eyes brimmed with distrust.
"If you've been deceiving me all this time, I'll take your head first."
—...That's the most chilling warning I've ever heard. Worry not! You'll soon achieve your desire.
"......"
Yun-seok made no reply. But then.
A vile madness gleamed in Heavenly Martial Artist's eyes.
—Hahahaha! No lies. Indeed, no lies! You've worked hard. Rest now! I'll fulfill your wish in your stead!
Something flashed—and with that, the vision ended.
All that lingered in Yun-seok's eyes was an inexplicable unease. Even while speaking with Heavenly Martial Artist, he had been constantly on guard for some reason. It allowed him to predict something foul happened at the end.
But what?
What the hell? If you're gonna show it, show the end. What are you trying to say?
As he grumbled inwardly, white light filled the screen. Dazed, Yun-seok looked around. He was back in the circular arena.
He gazed toward the Liberation Witch.
Her choice was his alone; no more words were needed, it seemed. Only one sentence returned.
—I don't want to see you regret it.
Acting? Sincerity? The earnest tone made Yun-seok's hand falter.
Then Heavenly Martial Artist shouted.
—What Foresight? What did you show the kid?!
A desperate cry.
—Don't trust anything! She's the suspicious one! Pouring 3.7 million WP with no expectations? Of course there's an agenda—
But Heavenly Martial Artist's shout cut off midway. By the clown fairy's doing.
I didn't expect those who know the Wish Auction customs to intervene like this at the last moment, even expending precious Wish Power.
As host, I will tolerate no further interference.
Foresight, addressing the challenger—though a commotion had already occurred, such additional persuasion before the choice was apparently forbidden.
If you'd stayed silent, I might have chosen you...
Heavenly Martial Artist's slander against the Liberation Witch boomeranged right back on him. Like a thief yelling "thief!"—admitting he'd invested 3 million WP expecting a return?
Foresight... How much could he trust it?
His mind was in turmoil. He couldn't even tell if what he'd seen was truth or fabrication. But the low cunning in Heavenly Martial Artist's final gaze and shout lingered vividly.
Soon, Yun-seok steeled himself and selected an epithet with his finger.
Contract established between Challenger Choi Yun-seok and the Liberation Witch.
Furious shouts from Heavenly Martial Artist echoed.
—Even ashes on a done meal have some use! Invalidate it! He was going to pick me! If that crazy bitch hadn't cheated, it would've been!
The shout held half-truth. He had intended to choose him, and the Foresight had made him stop. But self-inflicted wound? Heavenly Martial Artist's final cry had been the decisive factor.
I acknowledge the commotion. However, I cannot invalidate an established contract.
The clown fairy's firm response only fueled his rage further. The seven swords strapped to Heavenly Martial Artist's back unsheathed in unison.
—If you're to be my enemy, I'll kill you here!
The seven blades floated midair as if bound, then surged toward Yun-seok.
The clown fairy paled, caught off guard by the extremism. The other candidates watched with intrigued eyes, entering spectator mode. Only the Liberation Witch, now contracted with Yun-seok, reacted differently.
Before Yun-seok could even move, measures were taken.
—Don't worry. No one here can harm you.
A soft sensation pressed against his back. Only then did Yun-seok realize the Liberation Witch had appeared behind him, pulling him into a tight embrace. And that without it, his head would have been severed moments ago.
Whoooosh!
The seven swords whipped through the air, their trajectories barely visible. Yet Yun-seok felt no threat. He realized a barrier centered on him had completely sealed them off.
Unlike the warm whisper earlier, the Liberation Witch now glared at Heavenly Martial Artist with a chilling voice.
—You once shone brighter than any, yet time has twisted you into this pathetic form.
"Y-yes! Please do!"
—Wait! You won't let her escape—!
Snap!
The Liberation Witch flicked her fingers. All noise vanished from his ears.
When Yun-seok blinked, he was in an ordinary home.
"Shall we have some tea, then?"
The Liberation Witch asked in a gentle tone. Yun-seok nodded cautiously.
He felt no regret for not choosing Heavenly Martial Artist. Drawing swords like that confirmed the man was inconsistent and volatile.
But that was separate from this. Could this woman truly be trusted?