Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Mjolnir
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"By the way, why does it sell so well?"
"Why do you think? Pride."
Hanna said it like it was pathetic.
"Pride?"
"It's the bluff of newbie hunters. The design is slick, too, and it strokes their egos into thinking that kind of weight is no big deal."
It was a weapon that sold more than half on looks alone.
Less pride, more like no red-blooded man could resist it.
The maker had nailed men's psychology.
It wasn't too much for an Awakener to swing in combat, but this wasn't a greatsword just for fighting.
To hunt monsters, you had to move around—and carry it the whole time.
It was a weapon that'd drain you dry before you even started hunting.
But with my Inventory, it was a non-issue.
At the same time, curiosity sparked.
"Does this company make other weapons?"
"No way... You're not thinking of buying Manz gear, are you?"
"I'll look first, then decide."
'Yeah. First, I'll look.'
I lightly ignored both of them and turned to the clerk.
"Ah... That's the only one on display. You'll find more weapons over in the Manz section. Shall I show you?"
"Yes, let's head there."
Surprisingly, the Manz store wasn't in the basement—it was on the 10th floor.
"This is the Manz store. I'll head back now."
The clerk bowed politely and left.
My eyes involuntarily followed her swaying hips.
"Sorry to see her go?"
Hanna asked teasingly, misreading my gaze.
We'd only met briefly today—what was there to miss?
It was pure instinct.
Hanna had come all the way here with me.
She was the CEO, yet she had time to spare, apparently.
Well... she had her expectations, so it made sense.
And she was a beauty.
Her company wasn't half bad.
No reason to shoo her off unless she got annoying.
The store was packed.
Especially with kids, more than anywhere else.
"Whoa... Mom, look at that hammer! It's huge~!"
The kids were thrilled by the massive weapons.
It was noisy and lively.
The oversized weapons made for a striking display.
I could see why the comments suggested one for home decor.
Next door, the Manz merch shop sold toy weapons aimed at kids.
"Aigoo, hello. I'm Kim Ha-seong, Manz Korea Branch Manager."
A balding man in a suit, shiny pate gleaming in the middle, greeted us.
"I hear you're interested in our gear."
"Yes. Mind if I look around?"
"Aigoo, of course not."
I learned the greatsword was named Excalibur.
'Big Fucking Sword feels catchier.'
Aegis, a massive shield that looked like it could squash Hanna flat.
Gungnir, a spear over three meters long.
Parashu, an axe rivaling the greatsword in sheer intimidation.
The displayed weapons were... impressive.
"...So many legendary weapons."
Hanna sounded overwhelmed.
Honestly, the designs were beyond reproach.
Men would lose their minds over them.
"First time here?"
"Yeah, first time. Still, it's quite the spectacle."
I'd thought the greatsword extreme, but the hammer was next level.
Mjolnir
The ostentatiously named hammer dwarfed a person's torso in size and girth, utterly dominating anyone who approached.
In the store's center, they'd built a small hill for dramatic effect, the massive hammer embedded at a slant.
And it was swarmed by dads trying to lift it.
Of course, none could.
"Is that thing meant to be used?"
Hanna asked, baffled.
"Of course it can be used."
The branch manager replied.
"Has it sold?"
Hanna pressed.
"Of course."
The branch manager answered confidently.
'It sold?'
"To an Awakener?"
Hanna eyed him suspiciously.
"......A civilian."
Just sold as decor, then.
The stage setup for lifts explained the crowd.
"Is that for decoration?"
Men took turns straining at the central hammer, shaking their heads and stepping back—I had to ask.
"No, it's a real weapon on display."
The branch manager watched the spectacle fondly.
He seemed to quietly enjoy it.
"Mind if I give it a try?"
"Pardon? Are you... sure? It's heavy."
The branch manager looked concerned.
Not like I was the first Awakener to try, so was he worried I'd bruise my pride?
Failing in front of all these people would sting a bit.
"Handle won't snap or anything?"
The grip looked sturdy, but the head was so massive, it unnerved me.
"Aigoo, never. When it comes to durability, Manz! Manz's top engineers crafted this masterpiece. It won't break."
As I approached, the uncle straining with both hands sheepishly backed off.
The crowd murmured.
"Oh, an Awakener?"
"Might actually lift it."
"For real?"
"Nah, couldn't before. Some Awakener tried and it didn't budge."
"With that build, maybe a twitch."
"Hm. Has potential."
All eyes on me.
The crowd buzzed with event-like excitement.
'Damn, feel like a zoo monkey.'
I gripped the thick handle with both hands and heaved.
"Hup!"
First time since awakening my muscles really strained.
The massive hammer rose slowly.
The balding branch manager's pupils dilated.
"Wha... what?"
"Whoa! Dad! Dad~! That uncle lifted the king hammer!"
The crowd stirred in shock, awed faces all around.
The hammer crested slowly over my head.
"Woooaaahhh!!!"
Cheers erupted.
"Thor!"
Someone yelled something weird.
"Thor! Thor! Thor!"
The chant spread.
"Thor! Thor!"
Even the kids joined in excitedly.
I was just baffled hearing it.
'Have they all lost it...'
The insane weight pressed down hard.
Felt like I'd need another Body Strengthening level-up to wield it easily.
Or... some Inventory trick might work.
"Insane! Impossible!"
The branch manager's cry was pure disbelief.
Like lifting this behemoth was inconceivable from the start.
But to use a weapon, you gotta lift it first, right?
Making something you can't even pick up—what were they thinking?
The branch manager wasn't all there either.
'Wonder what the destructive power would be if I slammed it down.'
A dangerous thought flashed.
I tamped down the surging urge to destroy and carefully set the hammer down.
Hanna approached, flushed and swept up in the excitement.
"Incre... incredible!! You looked just like Thor incarnate!"
"Isn't the real Mjolnir way smaller?"
In my memory, the hammer from those hero movies was much smaller.
"Haha... Congratulations. Never dreamed anyone would lift Mjolnir..."
The branch manager approached, looking dazed.
"Congratulations?"
What random congrats was this?
"Ah! You didn't know?"
"......?"
I didn't, but Manz was running an event for D-Rank and below Awakeners.
Lift Mjolnir, get it free.
And I was the only success worldwide.
Thus, I scored the legendary weapon Mjolnir for free.
I also bought the massive shield Aegis, the giant spear Gungnir, and the greatsword Excalibur I'd eyed from the start.
Filling my Inventory with legendary gear felt reassuring.
Inventory made buying a breeze, but my bank balance shrank in seconds.
Wanted the axe too, but no funds.
"Really... you sure? No returns unless defective."
The branch manager warned anxiously.
"Why buy so many? They're burdensome for anyone."
Hanna looked baffled at me grabbing multiples of these monstrosities.
Couldn't say Inventory.
"Secret."
Too lazy for excuses, I brushed it off.
"Hmm."
She crossed her arms, curiosity lighting her cute expression.
Her compressed chest formed a deep valley.
'Bigger than expected...'
The bob-haired secretary beside her caught my glance and shot me a death glare.