Chapter 61
The dungeon where Quegnae appear was just as Yu IlHan had expected.
The mutated species dungeon at least had a variety of animals and a variety of levels so he did not get tired of it, but in the Quegna dungeon, ash grey colored monsters with dark faces that looked like they were from Munch's pictures, were walking around stiffly.
Quegnae stored their magic power in their metallic bones, and had the ability to spit the stored magic power towards their enemies.
They moved around slowly at normal times, but once they noticed an enemy, they screamed their lungs out to call for their allies, and attacked their enemies by endlessly shooting out magic bullets. They really were a paint to hunt.
However, there was an element that made them even more violent, and that was that one had to end the fight quickly when fighting against them.
The moment they notice their enemy, they pull out magic power from their bones to fling it at their enemies, so when one fighted them for a long time, their bones would gradually run out of magic power. Naturally, the quality of the bones would become lower, and in the end, they would even become useless.
The only usable part of Quegnae, which, despite their low level, were incredibly tough to fight against, were their bones. As such, those who did not have the confidence to hunt them fast with a large amount of firepower, did not linger around the dungeon even if they found it. Such was Erta's explanations.
Obviously, these things were all meaningless to Yu IlHan.
[You have earned 335,989 experience.]
[You have earned the record of Lv 54 Quegna.]
No monsters in this dungeon could see through Yu IlHan's concealment. As such, all Yu IlHan had to do was to leisurely enter the dungeon and sever their life. Was there anything easier and more comfortable than this?
However, there was a limit to that. Although he liked labor, he was a perver who hated unproductive labor. Looking at the 523rd Quegna that just fell down due to his surprise attack, Yu IlHan muttered.
"This won't do. I cannot waste any more time doing something so meaningless."
[It's because your growth is too fast. These things should originally be a suitable level of hunting material for you.](Erta)
The reason Yu IlHan had come here was in the end, to procure materials to make Kang MiRae's magic weapon. That objective was over from the moment he killed the third one, so if his objective was not experience, then no one would say anything even if he went back.
However, since he decided to do it, he wanted to make a good weapon.
"Isn't there a boss?"
[You're not thinking that boss-tier monsters exist in every dungeon, right?](Erta)
"I think I will be able to make a legend rank weapon if I have its bones though..."
She did say that the price would different according to the ability of the finished artifact, so the money was worth looking forward to. However, Erta shouted in fright.
[Are you planning to pull her roots out? No, she might even request marriage saying she will pay it back all her life!](Erta)
"Damned media ruined our Erta."
[I'm extremely normal!](Erta)
If this was a game or a fantasy novel (T/N: It isn't?) then bosses that decorate the final part of the dungeon would appear. A sudden crisis! The main character who burns in passion amidst of shock and fear!
The problem was that the ones who get burned to death due to the main character's courage was not the main character himself but his friends who become touched and charge with him, but anyway, shouldn't dungeons be like that, where main characters grow in such method?
However, reality was cold. If there were no mutated monsters, or the dungeon had insufficient mana, boss monsters were not born. It might in a long time, but at least right now, there was none in this dungeon.
Mostly, people do not want to meet high ranking monsters inside a dungeon, so the fact that there's no boss monster was usually a good news.
Let's say that there's a level 50 restriction dungeon. 'Normally', the people who enter such dungeons are limited to those around level 60. Those above that level would look for another dungeon for experience efficiency.
However, when bosses appear in these kind of dungeons, level 80 was normal and if unlucky, level 90, and although very improbable, even a 3rd class might appear, which Yu IlHan had experienced already.
Well, if they killed the boss, then they would be able to take a lot of experience and spoils of war, but no jewels in the world were more precious than life. As such, people never approach bosses. They only pray that they would not get noticed by the bosses and run.
As such, boss monsters did not exist for people to hunt them.
They existed for people to run away the moment they see them!
[I'm saying that the probability of a boss monster appearing is supposed to be very low. Do you understand now?](Erta)
Thanks to Erta's easy explanations, Yu IlHan nodded helplessly, but somehow, there was a word in her explanation that weighed on his mind.
"Why did you emphasize the word 'normally'? Are there times where high level people have to go to a lower level dungeon?"
Dungeons were no different from monster-specific traps made by using the power of Heaven. The fact that people could hunt monsters on their level safely was all thanks to that.
But how?
[Ah, if you went to another world, then you would've known.](Erta)
"You're trying to pick a fight with me right? Just wait next to me until I become a higher existence."
[......It will be alright before Earth experiences its 2nd Great Cataclysm. I will explain it to you then.]
Whether it's the 2nd Great Cataclysm or the third, he didn't mind unless he became a loner again. Yu IlHan just nodded his head and mindlessly slashed at a Quegna nearby. At that moment, a small change occurred.
[You have earned 359,998 experience.]
[The skill, Death Collector, has become level 10. You are now able to understand the dead's thoughts remaining in the power of life.]
The Death Collector skill was the sole skill that Yu IlHan acquired after becoming Rookie Reaper, and it only collected the power of life of those Yu IlHan had killed, and was meaningless otherwise.
Collecting the power of life didn't mean his stats nor his magic power would increase. He just acquired a strange artifact that absorbed faint white smoke that appeared when he killed things, it had no other uses.
He only predicted that it would become helpful when he becomes a full reaper in his 3rd class, and learn an active skill after becoming able to use mana. There was no harm in gathering them, and it was a passive skill, so he had no means to stop its activation so he just left it alone
However, the moment the skill levelled up to 10, Yu IlHan's thoughts had completely changed.
[Kueeeeee]
[Kwiik, Kwiiiii!]
[Kaoooaaaaa!]
"Kuhk!"
He couldn't win against the sudden screams and shouts that echoed in his head, so Yu Ilhan grabbed his head and ended up tumbling on the ground.
[Kiiiiiiiik!]
[Kua, kuaaaaa!]
[......Killed, me...... world.......]
[Kikuuuuaaaa!]
[Damned maggot!]
[Yu IlHan, what is it? Yu IlHan!]
"Fuck, I don't know either!"
This was only happening within his brain, so Erta could not understand the situation. She just wished that he would be able to endure.
[Kuuuuuuu]
[Request......, ......'s blood......]
[How dare a puny Earthling do this to the great me, Dakié Von Illastra!]
Enduring the flood of noise that flooded his soul itself, Yu IlHan clenched his teeth. He wandered for a moment due to it being so sudden, but each of these voices were no more than the thoughts of the dead.
'Calm down Yu IlHan, dead things are dead anyway.'
They were the dead who Yu IlHan had severed their lives of anyway. Moreover, they were no more than the thoughts that was attached to the power of life as a bonus.
It was just a little noisy, but there was no need to fear that.
[Kuiiiiiii!]
[Please......world......sav......]
[The empire will definitely not......]
'Just shut up!'
He felt like he would go crazy if he listened to any more of that mage's voice so he inwardly screamed.
However, the moment he screamed to nowhere, the noise all stopped.
[The skill, Death Collector, has become level 11.]
"What the..."
It seemed that the noise torture he just experienced was some kind of ceremony that all people who had Death Collector had to go through. He should've known from the time when he saw the word 'reaper', this really was a class for the weirdest of the weird.
[You've heard the thoughts of those you've killed? To think you've endured that with pure mentality......are you alright?](Erta)
"They are dead anyway."
Just why was this useless skill given to him! For now, they've calmed down, but thoughts were things that would go nuts unless they were completely erased. Thinking to that point, he got annoyed again.
He even thought that he may had to regularly shout in his brain, and that the skill called Death Collector maybe a penalty, if anything, that was given to a Rookie Reaper, who had strong power.
However, the next moment, he had to take back that thought.
[Can you hear...... my voice?]
"......"
hearing the softly vibrating, clear woman's voice, Yu IlHan became silent for a moment. When he saw Erta, who was floating in the air after leaving the top of Yu IlHan's head, she, unlike her usual self, turned away to avoid his gaze.
[It's not that(T/N: In JP, this would be 'Betsu ni') I was worried about you. I only asked since the thoughts of the dead were usually violent and you may have gotten some permanent injuries!](Erta)
"Yeah, thanks for worrying about me."
[Kuuuuuuuu.](Erta)
Of course, he knew that Erta wasn't the culprit.
Someone that he killed, that spoke human tongue, and one that had a beautiful (T/N: ???) young woman's voice – he could only think of one.
[I request, of you. Please just once......]
"Phew."
Heaving a grand sigh, Yu IlHan checked that there were no monsters in his surroundings, and sat down at a safe place before opening his mouth.
"What is it that you're asking me to do, Reta Kar'iha?"
[What did you just say, Yu IlHan?](Erta)
While Erta's eyes widened, inside Yu IlHan's brain, a soft vibration could be felt again. The contents were quite violent unlike the voice.
[Those I could not block even with my entire body......please take revenge to the race of dragons in my stead!](Reta)
The moment when the Rookie Reaper Yu IlHan and the Breaker Reta Kar'iha had a destined rendez-vous, Heaven was punishing the low-rank angel that concealed a dungeon.
[Suspension of Activity for 5000 years. Isn't this enough?]
[Execution!]
The one to object to the chairman angel's loose punishment was Lita.
[It wasn't a simple dungeon concealment. If we did not find it, the world may have collapsed.]
[That's a heavy sin.]
[Just why did you do that? What's good on Earth? Did you hide some snacks or something?]
Seeing that many angels were agreeing with LIta's words, the chairman groaned.
[However, it's not wise to reduce the manpower of Heaven's Army. Each and every one of our angels are precious.]
[We need to cut the rotten parts out. Before everything else rots as well.]
It was another angel and not LIta. It was a woman who had a more mature appearance than Lita, and in her hands was a spear that emitted light as if it would pierce the sinner's heart at any moment.
[He committed a sin that go against us angels' activity rules. Just because we're lacking manpower, are we going to free a guy with a bomb amidst our forces?]
[However.]
[Are you also a traitor?]
This angel's firm voice had no emotions in it whatsoever. If the chairman nodded in mistake, then her spear would strike the chairman's heart immediately.
The chairman shook his head.
[Please refrain from the dichotomic reasoning. Your rashness does not fit with a higher existence.]
[It's better than losing everything after being relaxed. Moreover, in judging good and evil, whether it's a higher existence or a lower existence, there's no difference.]
The angel aimed at the sinner's heart who was bound on the central pillar. when Lita clapped at that, some angels glared at her, and some even giggled.
[Don't kill me! Don't kill me!]
The bound angel cried out. He looked at the chairman for one last time, but the chairman only shook his head with a sigh.
[You should blame yourself for being foolish.]
[Ah, no. This is...... There's no way this is possible! It should have ended quickly, they said tha......]
The angel with the spear of light swung her arms lightly to shoot the spear. The spear pierced the sinner's abdomen.
[Kuhuk!]
[Speak, traitor.]
The female angel that threw the spear approached him while emitting an overwhelming aura, and pushed her flawless beautiful face against his. However, as the sinner was in tremendous pain, there was no room for him to admire her beauty.
[Who is behind you? Is it the Destruction Demon Army? Is it the Garden of Sunset? Or is it the Brilliant Army of Light?]
[Kuhk....Kahk!]
The bound angel couldn't win against the pain and frothed blood from his mouth. However, at some time, perhaps he had realized that he would not live anymore, as he spat out the spit mixed with blood at the female angel and shouted.
[You retards, you chess pieces who only follow orders of a calculating machine, you maggots! Heaven will fall! Those damned principles and restrictions, they will lead you to your destruction!]
[I received it well.]
Despite the unbearable insult, the angel just firmly nodded.
From the beginning, she did not expect to get any useful information. It was fine with figuring out that this wasn't a fallen angel who just became crazy, but someone that was moving under orders of someone else.
The angel grabbed the spear struck in the male angel's abdomen and slashed upwards.
[Kahak!]
[......You were sacrificed. Even though you're laughing at us so much, you did not realize your position until the end.]
The sinner could not answer anymore, because the upper part, starting from the abdomen, had been clearly split apart.
[Kyak.]
[How clean of a strike.]
[Spiera! How could you, on your own.....!]
Some angels rejoiced and some, including the chairman, became shocked. However, the angel, Spiera, only declared with the 'black and white' blood covering her.
[I only disposed a traitor of Heaven.]
[He still had the wings of an angel! Could we really not save him!]
[Lita, accept your orders.]
The angel did not listen to the chairman and turned around. Meanwhile, Lita, who was called, replied back while tilting her head.
[Why? I need to go back down quickly with IlHan's reward.]
[The dam of karma that was piled up for a long time started breaking apart. A big battle is coming......As such, from today onwards, you will undergo a special training for your advancement.]
Lita was known for her strong physical power even amongst the angels. She was originally strong, but after she got caught up in missions relating to a world with a distorted time axis, her powers had grown massively as well. Spiera didn't call her out for nothing.
However, Lita couldn't care less about any of that.
[I'm in a romantic business so no!]
Special training? She was busy stealing Yu IlHan's heart, and if she did something sweaty like that, then she might be left behind by Erta!
Lita backed out, but Spiera approached even faster and grabbed Lita's back.
[Yes.](T/N: As opposed to 'no' above)
[Uaaaaaaa. IlHannnnnnnnnnnnn!]
Lita's return just got delayed, but of course, Yu IlHan and Erta did not know of this fact.
Author's notes
1. Erta hid it well!
2. Yu IlHan was right!
3. Angels will appear a lot from now on. They aren't just for simple advices and support. Sorry? You knew it?
Chapter 62
[The race of dragons!?](Erta)
Erta shouted in shock. Yu IlHan was instead shocked by her.
"You can hear her?"
[Although I had to take out the angel's ring, yes.](Erta)
The moment Yu IlHan said the words Reta Kar'iha, Erta realized that the situation was not normal and immediately took out her angel's ring to bring the communion with Yu IlHan to the limits. Only after that could she hear in in their conversation.
[The weapon Yu IlHan made did say its abilities would increase when fighting against dragonkin, but to think it would actually refer to dragons...](Erta)
"Dragonkin aren't dragons?"
[The word 'dragon' doesn't refer to simple dragonkin.](Reta)
Reta Kar'iha's thoughts continued.
[Dragonkin innately have a strong power, and dragons are those that are born with extremely strong bodies made made with the extremities of matter and magic even amongst dragonkin. They lord over all dragonkin.](Reta)
Honestly, Yu IlHan had met neither dragonkin nor dragons so it wasn't anything surprising. However, Erta was already sighing.
[Dragons are at least 3rd class, moreover, the ones who lived for a long time are even 5th class, who are treated as higher existences. You would not know how horrifying a higher existence is at full strength.](Erta)
"Yeah, you guys are all about rules and laws and can't use your strength properly!"
She wanted to retort, but as Yu IlHan seemed a little frustrated, Erta couldn't do anything. Instead of her, Reta Kar'iha's thoughts kept speaking.
[Our continent was one where elves and humans harmonized peacefully. However, from some time, strong monsters started rapidly appearing on the continent. Not long after, many Great Cataclysms occurred at once. This only happened within 50 years.](Reta)
"Hey, higher existence."
[I think there was a mistake there too.](Erta)
This was a mess. He did think that they screwed up on operating Earth, and they had a precedent! If there really was someone called God, he even wanted to go and complain, to change the manager of Earth.
[The Army of Heaven realized the abnormality and started focusing on our world, but it was too late by then. This was because the race of dragons that enjoyed killing and violence, were already rampaging around.](Reta)
Reta Kar'iha's following words were tearfully tragic. The alliance of elves and humans, meticulous defense of the land, treachery, etc. Listening to the story that would probably make an 8 book series, Yu IlHan sympathized with her.
She chatted so well, so how did she endure until now?
[The point when Heaven abandoned us was when there was not a single country left on the continent. Dragons massacred humans and elves without even realizing that they were stepping on their own potential to evolve.](Reta)
Reta Kar'iha's voice trembled. Despite the fact that her real body had scattered after becoming ash, Yu IlHan could clearly imagine her wrathful face.
[I, who was fatally injured after hundreds of years of battle, thought that I could not end everything like this and used a last resort.](Reta)
Last resort, meaning becoming a Breaker.
[A foolish choice.](Erta)
Erta declared. Her eyes even had a trace of rage.
[Breakers are no different from monsters, moving instinctively. No matter what emotion you had in your heart, the moment you fell into a Breaker, you've lost your possibility for revenge forever!](Erta)
[As you may know, I had a deathgod category class like the one that killed me.](Reta)
That much could be deduced from the options of the items that she was using. Rookie Reaper, the class that Yu IlHan acquired, was a unique class, but it wasn't like there were no similar classes like it until now. However, Reta Kar'iha also seemed to think the same thing.
[As such, I thought that not everything would end even if I become a Breaker. Before I became one, I imbued my thoughts into the robe and the scythe using my powers that could tamper with the soul. Even if the one who kills me is not a deathgod, I waited for the day that someone who has a similar ability to me to come......](Reta)
"Aha, that's why such things happened when making the spear."
However, not once did the thoughts in the scythe and the robe do anything.
Yu IlHan, who brought out all his strength in the battle with Reta Kar'iha, miraculously acquired the Rookie Reaper class, and was able to acquire the biggest thought fragment that was in her body.
[Although I did think that there wouldn't be anyone other than me left on the continent, I could not stop myself from doing those foolish things.](Reta)
[Even though you know it's foolish, how!](Erta)
Just as Erta was about to get more enraged, Yu IlHan spoke in a helpless voice.
"And that Abandoned World got connected with Earth like this."
[As a result, fortunately, I have acquired this opportunity to pass on this truth to someone else.](Reta)
[That's true.](Erta)
Erta was just about to corner her when she became dejected. However, she then blamed it all on Yu IlHan.
[If you're not such an OP character.](Erta)
"If not, then I wouldn't even be here, listening to this talk."
Calming Erta, who was feeling both joy and despair at the unfair reality, down, Yu IlHan spoke back to Reta Kar'iha.
"I know how frustrated you must be, but I'm very weak right now. Meaning, I don't have any ability to fight against those dragons and shit."
Yes. That was the point. He did understand how frustrated and angry Reta Kar'iha must be, but he himself wasn't that strong yet. He might be able to kill a 3rd class dragonkin if he fought to death, but that was it.
Yu IlHan liked new things and new adventures, but he declined in betting his life. He was just going to ignore the dead's thoughts as just thoughts.
[However, Daréu has already been connected to Earth. If we do not sever the connection, people of Earth would have to face dragons eventually.](Reta)
Shivering, Yu IlHan spoke to Erta.
"The defendant may answer to the judge's question. What has become of the dungeon in the Gra..."
[It's true. The seal cannot be permanent, and that doesn't mean we can erase the dungeon itself.](Erta)
Before he had even finished asking, the answer came back to him. He sighed.
[Lita already said, didn't she? They will request the people of Earth using Heaven's Quests.](Erta)
"Oh yeah, that's true."
Thinking back to Lita's sorry face back then, Yu IlHan asked Reta Kar'iha.
"Is it that urgent?"
[Of course, it may be alright right now. the probability that the existences inside Daréu have found the connection with Earth, is very low. However, if the 2nd Great Cataclysm occurs......](Reta)
Stopping there, Yu IlHan thought back to what Erta talked about a while ago.
Didn't she say that high level people would have to go inside lower level restricted dungeons when the 2nd Great Cataclysm occurs?
He instinctively realized. Yu IlHan was about to hear what he didn't hear back then.
"What happens then?"
[The concentration of mana on Earth would rise and the probability of a Dungeon Break occurring rises as well, so at that point, they would be able to come over to Earth.](Erta)
"Explain what a Dungeon Break is first."
He was annoyed with all the new proper nouns. Realizing how he was feeling, Erta obediently explained this time.
Dungeon Breaks refer to the phenomenon where the Traps of Destruction break down due to the high concentration of mana after the 2nd Great Cataclysm. It would explode if unlucky, so it would be good if you cleaned it out beforehand.](Erta)
That itself was something he had heard before. Even in other novels and games, when one left dungeons alone for a long time, then the overflowing monsters caused accidents.
"Can't you make it sturdy from the beginning?"
[As I already said, all dungeons naturally break down, so you cannot trust in dungeons. Dungeons only exist as a delay.](Erta)
Yes, she definitely said that on the day Yu IlHan asked about that to her.
Truly damned.
[It is not that we can't make a sturdier and a longer-lasting dungeon, but naturally, it would require more precious materials. Heaven doesn't have an infinite amount of materials. Meaning, we can't distribute them to all worlds equally. Moreover, if we scattered strong Traps of Destruction, then overflows occur. Overflows are worse than Dungeon Breaks.](Erta)
If the attraction force of the Traps of Destruction is too low, then monsters would simply ignore it, and if it's too strong, then an overflow occurs and mutated species are born... And even if it's properly made, then it was unknown when it would explode, and needed regular cleaning.
"Can't we just not make dungeons?"
[That's easy for us, but humans would all die, right?](Erta)
That's true, such a tiresome matter.
Anyway, Yu IlHan now knew of the full situation. First, the sealed dungeon was still connected to an Abandoned World, and horrifying dragons were everywhere there.
Earth would definitely go against them sometime.
"Can we not know when the 2nd Great Cataclysm would occur on Earth?"
[Unlike the 1st Great Cataclysm, the time of the 2nd Great Cataclysm is very dynamic. Earth's 2nd Great Cataclysm was originally set in 150 years after the first, but during the two months after the first Great Cataclysm, that time has changed tremendously.](Erta)
"How many years?"
[50 years left.](Erta)
"Wao!"
100 years were reduced in 2 months, so using simple calculations, there was one month left.
[It's not!](Erta)
"Hey, don't read my mind again."
[I can't help it since it's all readable! Anyway it won't be one month. Moreover, we sealed it using the power of Heaven so it wouldn't burst out quickly.](Erta)
However, the more Erta assured him, the more worried he got. At least, it was clear that there was room for him to not care at all.
"Do I have no choice but to hurry a little?"
[It becomes possible to use the skill, Angel's Support, in an Abandoned World. You would become at least 1.5 stronger than now.](Erta)
"Even so, unless I can use mana, it will be impossible for me to go against 4th class. It might be somehow possible to go against 3rd class, but it's not like I can pick them out to fight."
[That.](Reta)
Reta Kar'iha, her desperate thoughts interfered as if to answer Yu IlHan. With a desperate voice as if she had waited for this moment.
[I can help you.](Reta)
As the situation was like this, Yu IlHan took the bait without hesitation.
"......Shall we hear more of that?"
Reta Kar'iha's following explanations were very simple.
During the last stages of the war between the continental alliance and the dragons, she acquired control of the elven empire's magic formation which spread throughout the entire world of Daréu.
That was an OP magic formation was able to see through all the levels and the races of those who step on the ground, and enabled the user to teleport anywhere on the continent. The reason why Reta was able to do a guerilla battle over the long years was all thanks to that magic formation as well.
[It's a magic formation that was created with the spiritual techniques unique to elves created over tens of thousands of years. Those that aren't elves cannot even notice the formation. It was passed down to generations of successors of the empire, but they all died and I've gained control of it.](Reta)
[There's such an OP formation, but why did they lose to dragons?](Erta)
"Did you even see a life going as planned?"
Yu IlHan's criticism made Erta pout and Reta Kar'iha's thoughts giggle. That was because he had said the exact words that she wanted to say.
"So now, I'm able to kill them after I pick them out?"
[Correct](Reta)
"I'm human though, can I use that formation?"
[As long as my power of life resides within you, it's possible if you have enough magic stones.]
"Is that so..."
Yu IlHan thought for a moment before he tapped his cheeks. It did make him complex now that he had heard so many things at once, but organizing the stuff that he should do, the conclusion was very simple.
Going inside the dungeon with Reta Kar'iha, find the easy ones, and kill them. Simple.
And if he hurried before the 2nd Great Cataclysm arrived, then that would be for the best.
"Let's do this alone as far as possible. If I find that it's too hard, then it won't be late to spread it around at that time."
[Why, Yu IlHan? We don't want you to bear such a heavy burden by yourself. Moreover, a catastrophe would occur on Earth if it goes wrong, so even if you just have to tell the ones with guardian angels!](Erta)
"No, I can't do that."
Yu IlHan replied with a laugh.
There were two reasons.
First, the returnees were still too weak. Even if the told them this fact right now, he would only be sacrificing future battle power. Telling them should come later.
And second.
"Dragon's skin should be awesome right? I cannot give such leather to anyone other than myself!"
[......]
[......]
This was the moment when Reta Kar'iha realized that the one who killed her was a huge pervert.
Author's notes
You can just take it that starting from 5th class, they are higher existences. Of course, becoming one is extremely hard. Even 4th class are treated as national power.
Special training does not end in one or two days, so Lita is planned to go back and forth Earth and Heaven for the time being. There were a lot of you that thought that Lita went away permanently again......
(Untranslatable reference)
Erta already said in the beginning that dungeons aren't permanent. This is the reason why they cannot relax even when the dungeon was sealed with Heaven's power.
It's not that Yu IlHan would go kill dragons immediately. There's still quite a lot left before that.
Chapter 63
Lita said she would come back soon, but she didn't come back even until when Yu IlHan went to sleep after he left the dungeon and came back to Korea.
When she didn't come back even though it was the afternoon, Yu IlHan started being worried about her.
"Did something happen?"
[......Wouldn't she come back alive and well when it's time?](Erta)
Erta said in a slightly dissatisfied voice. She wouldn't want to admit, but she was currently jealous of Lita. She didn't think that Yu IlHan would slightly panic just because Lita came back one or two days late.
"It was alright when I thought I wouldn't be able to meet her again, but now that she's not here when she's supposed to, it feels slightly weird."
[Do you like Lita?](Erta)
"Yeah, I like her."
Yu IlHan replied immediately without hesitation.
"She's the only non-family member who cherishes me without any ulterior motives."
[......Oh, really, now...](Erta)
Yu IlHan was having a huge misunderstanding. If Lita didn't have any ulterior motives, then the men who gather at clubs in Gangnam were daoists. Lita's figure of busying herself with just that one feeling of hers without any regard for pride and arrogance of a higher existence, was a marvel.
Erta really wanted to tell him that, but she was afraid what he would do after she did so, so she couldn't say it out aloud.
'To think that my emotions are being swayed by confronting a mere human, I'm disqualified as an angel. The biggest problem is that I'm thinking it is alright to do this. Aah, this is making me crazy.'
Heaving a small sigh, Erta obediently lied on Yu IlHan's head. She just wished that this ripple wouldn't last long.
At that moment, Yu IlHan said in a bland tone.
"Erta, you too. You always make me enjoy myself. I'm thankful for that."
[Wh, what's this all of a sudden? I have a lot of ulterior motives for doing that! You're misunderstanding quite a lot.](Erta)
"What the hell are you saying?"
Due to the panic of Yu IlHan's sudden surprise attack, Erta said whatever was on her mind.
Immediately after that, she realized the meaning of her words and screamed silently while rolling on Yu IlHan's head, but he, who had talent in reading foreshadows, but had none in interpreting a woman's words, just thought that they were jokes and laughed.
"Well, then. Shall I go about creating the weapon to sell to the Empress?"
He was still worried about Lita, but he couldn't not work right now. His stamina returned while exchanging jokes(only he thought like that), so now it was time to start working.
[I'm home!](Lita)
But Lita just had to come back at that moment. It was more annoying since she said that in a bright voice.
[This isn't your home, Lita.](Erta)
[The place where IlHan is my home!](Lita)
It was frustrating since it actually sounded quite reasonable. However, while Erta was thinking up of about 20 lines that made angels go crazy, that Yu IlHan said in the two months without LIta, Lita embraced Yu IlHan.
[I'm sorry I'm late, IlHan!](LIta)
"!@##$%&#*@."
As she normally refrained from such direct skinship, it was more sudden. Moreover, the breathtaking, rich, elastic, good-feeling......Eeeei! (T/N: This is not the translator's whim. It says that in the raws)
"It's embarrassing!"
[No, I won't let go until I charge up!](Lita)
Yu IlHan pushed Lita away with a red face, but Lita, unlike usual, was very clingy. Heaven and hell assaulted Yu IlHan alternately.
In contrast, Erta thought that there was a reason to why Lita suddenly became like this and asked her with narrowed eyes.
[What happened, Lita?](Erta)
[I'm going to get busy again.](Lita)
"Even though you just came down?"
[Yeah, that damned angel. I need to prepare for an advancement.](Lita)
Yu IlHan's resistance momentarily stopped.
That was true. He had completely forgotten due to the story of the Abandoned World he heard from Reta Kar'iha, but a gate to another world opening in a dungeon was definitely not a normal matter.
"So? What was actually up with that? You can explain, right?"
[Yeah. I will explain it to you after just 48 more hours.](Lita)
[If you do not get apart after 48 seconds, then I will report it above.](Erta)
Even while gritting her teeth, Lita obediently left Yu IlHan at Erta's knife-like declaration. After she clung to him for exactly 48 seconds more, that is.
[I think there's someone behind him. He seemed to get scared after we said we'll kill him so he blabbed on about that.](Lita)
[Behind? Do you mean a transcendent group?](Erta)
[Probably.](Lita)
Yu IlHan expected that much. That angel was not insane, why would he do something that would screw him over if he got found out? And alone too.
"So? Who is that 'behind' person?"
[Dunno.](Lita)
"Ah, got it."
[Oooooooooouch.](Lita)
Coincidentally, Lita was human sized right now. Yu IlHan commenced noogie'ing Lita. Lita suffered while flapping her wings.
[But we really don't know!](LIta)
[There's no way a higher existence would open his mouth with mere torture. He didn't even say anything even with Lita's 3000 air combo.](Erta)
"Isn't that because he was in too much pain to speak?"
However, just because they didn't know who was behind him, it wasn't like they could do nothing in preparation. Increasing the ratio of higher ranked angels dispatched to Earth, and managing the dungeons more strictly would be able to prevent most situations before they got too big.
[This is all thanks to IlHan.](Lita)
"I was just lucky."
They were just coincidentally walking nearby and Lita noticed a dungeon concealment. If Yu IlHan did anything that was killing the mage before he could do anything. Just that.
[There's a lot to do. Cleaning up Daréu, and severing the connections with other worlds... If we think about how this all happened because we sent the humans of Earth to other worlds, I can only sigh. There probably won't be another case where we prepare another world for a Great Cataclysm like with Earth.](Erta)
[Probably, right? Well, I'm not gonna complain since I got to meet with IlHan thanks to that......but what? Daréu?](LIta)
Erta and Yu IlHan told her that they talked with the thought of Reta Kar'iha. When they talked about how an Abandoned World was connected with Daréu completely, and that dragons were all over the place in that world, Lita asked back while blinking.
[So? Why did it get connected to Earth?](Lita)
"Dunno."
[Hey.](Lita)
Yu IlHan's counterattack saw light.
[It seems she couldn't understand to that point. In my estimation, as the Earth, which was static for 1000 years, got connected to numerous other worlds, the backlash due to that caused a chemical reaction in dungeons, which can be called a separate space despite belonging to Earth, and as a result, a path to another world was created.](Erta)(T/N: Such a long sentence dammit...)
"Shortly."
[Earth was really unlucky. You will have to suffer a lot in the future too.](Erta)
"Good, it makes me angry, but that's much more direct."
Erta summed it up and Yu IlHan accepted. Lita resolved to learn to shorten everything clearly and directly.
[Oh, yeah. Get your rewards, IlHan.]
"Oh, yes, that happened."
Lita embraced Yu IlHan's head again. Erta did wonder if she really had to give him the reward that way, but didn't interfere this time.
[Heaven's Quest, Guarding Earth, complete!]
[All status has increased by 4. Magic increases by an additional 10.]
[The skill, Superhuman Strength, has become level 20. The duration of the skill increases.]
[The skill, Critical Hit, has become level 20. The probability of critical hits activating increases.]
[The skill, Leap, had become level 20. You can do a single additional leap in mid air.]
The reward was 26 status points and a massive level up in a portion of his skills. This should be similar to when he acquired the superhuman strength skill, where his abilities were amplified using the power of the records from the monsters he killed.
Not to mention the stats, the skills enhanced were all that influenced battle so he was very satisfied. The fact that his enemy was a 4th class mage probably increased his reward.
Especially, even though the Leap skill was something he had acquired relatively recently compared to other skills, it was also increased to level 20 at once like the others. The fact that a new ability was added in that process was more wonderful. Now he could leap again without the use of mana.
As the leap skill was derived from superhuman strength, he only predicted that the abilities of the monsters he killed were realized through this skill.
"So, do you need to go back to Heaven, Lita?"
[Not immediately, I'm just going to be away for a few hours a day until I advance for real. I will definitely follow you when you're going to dungeons so don't worry!](Lita)
That was the solution. He was nervous for a moment thinking that he wouldn't be able to meet her again. With a lightened heart, Yu IlHan took out a magic stone from his Cross Bag before flicking it. The Eternal Flame in the furnace flickered its tongue and swallowed it.
"Then I should start working now."
Earth's environment was already so cruel but it was becoming even harsher. He did need to suffer, but he wouldn't suffer alone even if he died. All people of Earth had to suffer together fairly.
The important thing in order to do that was to bring up their battle power! The first step was creating Kang MiRae's equipment.
Quegna's bones were materials that were extremely hard to handle, but since Yu IlHan had a previous career of making Traps of Destruction using harkanium, it was no different from goblin hunting.
As soon as he found out that it was possible to reshape them by melting them despite being bones of a monster, Yu IlHan went into work like a fish that met water.
"The flaw is that it's a little too soft. Hm, alloy?"
Since he had used the hearts of Metal Hearts here and there, he really didn't have much left. It wasn't like Kang MiRae was going to beat the monsters up with this by swinging it around, so it would be possible to increase enough hardness by mixing other metals.
Taking care so that the characteristics of Quegna's bones would not be damaged, Yu IlHan tried alloying a number of times, and as he didn't have a master level blacksmithing for nothing, he could make a staff with the best hardness and the best magic power amplification ability. Erta and Lita did not try to retort anymore.
"And a 3rd magic stone to finish."
[Aah, our IlHan does not know what he's doing.](Lita)
[If he tries to sell that at 10 billion won (8.5 million USD), then Lita, you should restrain him, got that?}(Erta)
The staff was a unique rank item even before the mana crafting. Its value was already over 10 billion won at that point, but now he was about to proceed mana crafting with a 3rd class monster's magic stone, even though no other person on Earth would dare fight against such monsters. He would have to see the result to realize.
'Lightning magic ability amplification. And magic cool time reduction. The Empress told me of the hero. Let's imagine that figure.'
Kang MiRae's useless chatter actually became useful. Imagining the figure of a hero that was in her story, Yu IlHan focused on mana crafting as much as possible. If some lame weapon came out, then the place she could suffer in would be limited. As strong as possible! As strong as possible!
Light appeared. A storm of brilliant golden light, befitting of the Empress who wielded the power of lightning, covered Yu IlHan's workshop! Lita and Erta, who already predicted what the outcome would be, closed their eyes and prayed that the Empress had enough money.
And green text appeared on Yu IlHan's black colored retina.
[Lightning God-Blessed Heavenly Lightning Excitement Bone Staff was completed!]
[The skill, Mana Crafting, has become level 31.]
[Lightning God-Blessed Heavenly Lightning Excitement Bone Staff]
[Rank – Legend]
[Attack Power – 1,900]
[Magic Attack Power – 3,100]
[Options – 40% increase in all lightning magic, 60% decrease in casting time, 30% decrease in lightning magic cool time, special skill, Excitement, usable once a week.]
[Excitement – For 5 minutes, all casting time, activation time, cool time of all magic disappears, but the mana used increases by 2 times. Only applicable to user, and after the duration ends, all abilities decrease by 30% for one hour.]
[User restrictions – 200 Magic or above, lower level lightning magic Lv 50 or above]
[Durability – 2,800/2,800]
[A staff that was completed by transcending the limits of the materials, by the best smith across all worlds, using low level materials that did not fit him, with all his soul. The wielder would be able to destroy mountains.]
Yu IlHan read down the descriptions of the item, and muttered composedly.
"Wao."
Bullshit 'composedly'.
[I knew this would happen.](Lita)
[I think this is better than the staff that the legendary hero in that story used, what do we do now?](Erta)
Yu IlHan pondered for a moment, but he shrugged his shoulders and spoke.
"Well, she'll give me even if she has to pull her roots out."
Quegna's bones, which had mana inside them, and were preserved at their best conditions due to Yu IlHan's fighting method, was useful for making all kinds of weapons and not just staves.
Thinking that it was fortunate that he had killed about 1000 of them since he was bored, Yu IlHan made other gear and lastly, made a robe that Kang MiRae would use.
The robe, made with the leather of the Giant Thunder Bird that died most normally, and several 2nd class magic stones, fortunately stopped at unique rank.
"Well, then. Let's go pull the Empress' roots out."
[I'm quite curious of her reaction if you show her even the black mage's coat.](Erta)
[She wouldn't ask for marriage saying she would pay back in her lifetime, right?](Lita)
With the two angels who were tainted by the ridiculous Korean media, Yu IlHan finished preparing to go meet the Empress. This was the moment when the weapon made by the best blacksmith across all worlds, appeared in the world.
Chapter 64
"......"
The scheduled place was the previous tea house. Kang MiRae met him again with her mask off, and as such, Yu IlHan could see the change in her expression as she was reading the stats of the staff.
"Mr. Yu IlHan?"
"Yes."
"Just what...... No."
Kang MiRae couldn't let go of the staff in her hands so she kept touching it and eventually placed it on the table and looked at him. His face was hidden from the nose to the forehead, but his eyes could be seen.
"Was this really made after I gave you the request?"
"Yes. I think that the options that miss Kang MiRae wants are all there."
"Yes, they sure did. All of them......A little, too much."
With a sigh, Kang MiRae wrapped her head with her hands.
"You have a connection with a smith that can make such artifacts? He's much better than my imagination. I'm really...... pathetic."
Kang MiRae bit her lips very slightly.
Along with appreciation that Yu IlHan had got her an artifact that was more than perfect, a mix of jealousy, inferiority, curiosity and an unknown feeling was making the Empress' expression collapse emptily, despite the fact that no other fact was able to do that in quite a long time.
"It's not my ability but the smith's, so there's nothing great about me."
"The fact that you have a connection with an artifact craftsmen that has an ability make an artifact of this level is already amazing. You can even request that person an artifact for an another person as well. You really are...... really."
Kang MiRae closed her eyes. She tried her best to calm down her frustrated heart, and she seemed to succeed as as she open her eyes after calming down her heart. Her eyes were emitting violent light.
"First, I think I should fix something that you might be misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?"
"How much do you think this weapon is worth?"
"Around 20...... 40 billion?"
Yu IlHan was about to say 20 billion but as Kang MiRae's brows twitched, so he instantly puffed up the price by two times, but Kang MiRae shook her head with a face that looked like an icy mask.
"In the last 10 years, people of Earth experienced numerous things themselves in other worlds, and some of them managed to acquire amazing artifacts using tremendous luck. However, I can declare that none of those can surpass this staff. How? Do you think the capabilities of the people of Earth are too low?"
"......Are you trying to say that there's no other artifact at the same level as this staff in other worlds?"
"There shouldn't be none. There should be several tens of them, even."
Several tens across that many worlds. There was no way such things would come in the hand of a person of Earth. Kang MiRae was saying that.
"How is a value of an item decided? Using supply and demand right? Then I'll ask again. What should be the price of this staff?"
"As much as I want."
"Correct."
The Empress lightly smiled. Then she pushed the staff towards Yu IlHan's side. She did this without hesitation.
"As such, I cannot buy this. It seems I was a little too greedy."
"Hm."
She could be more shrewd – Yu IlHan thought.
Yu IlHan was no idiot. He knew that his skills were exceptional, and knows that this artifact has a tremendous ability. No matter how well Kang MiRae lived, she wouldn't have any money to buy anything of this level.
However, the reason he was trying to sell this to Kang MiRae was to increase her battle power. Money was only secondary. She could have just closed her eyes this once and accepted, but she truly was strict.
She was strict with herself as much as she was with other people. She was an steel like girl who would not accept dishonesty. Disregarding the matters between man and women, he couldn't help but have a good impression of her.
"How about 100 billion?"
"Not enough at all."
"I'm saying that I will give it to you for that price."
"I refuse."
Kang MiRae's expression turned a little ugly. Yu IlHan realized that he had made a mistake seeing her uncomfortable expression, but he had to say what he had to.
"You've talked about my ability a moment ago."
"I did, and what does it have anything to do with this weapon?"
"If the fact that I have connections with an amazing smith is my ability, then shouldn't the fact that you, miss Kang MiRae, can buy this weapon cheaply from my hands, your ability?"
"How is that my ability?"
"Miss Kang MiRae had enough magical power to inflict a fatal strike to the shadow leopard even when you had a low level. The reason I thought to take a request from you was also because I thought that you had the qualifications to use a better weapon. As such, shouldn't it be that you've acquired this weapon with your ability?"
Yu IlHan's following words made Kang MiRae's expression loosen a little. Her inferiority lessened a little after she knew that Yu IlHan was also conscious of her.
However, she turned to her prim expression and asked Yu IlHan.
"I think you're twisting things a little. Are you thinking of something else? Do you have anything that's forcing you to sell this weapon to me?"
That didn't work...
Yu IlHan licked his lips. Now that it had come to this, there was no choice but to reveal his real intentions a little.
"I want miss Kang MiRae to become stronger faster."
"Why?"
"The people of Earth are too weak right now. I'm worried that the world may end at this rate."
"......"
Kang MiRae became speechless. She really wanted to retort at his exaggeratedly arrogant words, but thinking back to his unbelievable power that he showed while fighting the shadow leopard, she had no choice but to accept it.
"You do know that the status of Earth right now isn't that good, right? It's already annoying that everything's changing so quickly, but now, external factors are interfering as well. The only ones I can trust in are the people of Earth, but they're too weak too. However, I think that miss Kang MiRae would become sufficiently strong with a suitable weapon. That's why I contacted you."
"Pfu."
Kang MiRae let out a weird breath. Yu IlHan thought she was practicing some weird breathing techniques, but it was his misunderstanding – the next moment, Kang MiRae let out a laugh."
"Pu, Pufufufu."
"Are you alright?"
"Pufufffufufufufu!"(T/N: It sounds weird in Korean as well)
It seems she was not alright at all. Just as he was thinking if this woman had gone crazy and that he needed to run away, leaving her behind, Kang MiRae stopped laughing.
Then, she placed her hands on the staff and pulled it towards her.
"Okay, I will buy it for 100 billion. I will snap my useless pride, and obediently accept your good will."
"Really?"
"However, remember this."
Kang MiRae took the staff and lighting sparked in her eyes. Her face became red and Yu IlHan barely realized that she was getting angry.
"I will definitely become stronger than you. Definitely, stronger, than, you. Much, much stronger, so that you cannot say something like that to me again. At that time, you will have to catch up desperately. Do you get that?"
"Yeah, well. It doesn't really matter."
It seems this was a declaration of a lifetime for Kang MiRae, but Yu IlHan could even say 'hooray' with all his might, not just welcoming it. How comfortable would it be if Earth became safe without the need for Yu IlHan to do anything as Kang MiRae became strong?"
In the first place, the things Yu IlHan pursued was different to the one that Kang MIRae was pursuing. One was boiling and one was cold.
Perhaps, that was why Yu IlHan had become a stimulant for Kang MIRae. Yu IlHan didn't know of this fact, but he just smiled brightly as the transaction was successful.
Then, he took out a robe from his Cross Bag and spoke to her.
"Then would you like to have a look at the robe too? Fortunately, this stopped at unique."
"......"(T/N: LOL)
Kang MiRae became stiff with her declaration posture and eventually, she extended her hand to check the information on the robe that Yu IlHan had taken out. Then, she said in an ant-like voice.
"I'm sorry, but can I call for a friend? I don't have enough money."
"Go ahead."
Yu IlHan nodded in understanding. He wouldn't have said that if he knew who the friend was that she was calling, but unless he knew everything, there was no helping it.
And the one that appeared in less than 10 minutes was none other than Na YuNa.
"How!"
"Ah, it's IlHaaaan!"
"I said don't call me like a friend."
Yu IlHan retorted at Na YuNa while frowning after seeing her waving her hands with a bright smile. He did know that there was a friendly relationship between Na YuNa and Kang MiRae, but to think that the friend she called to borrow money from was her!
While Yu IlHan had become depressed, Kang MiRae mercilessly pulled Na YuNa from getting into contact with Yu IlHan and made her sit next to herself.
"Don't act like a child, Na YuNa."
"But Miraeee. You said you didn't know Mr. Yu IlHan when I asked you."
"I became to know him somehow."
"Liiiies. Are you two dating? That's no good."
"I became to know him somehow."
When Kang MiRae repeated herself while making lightning on one of her hands, Na YuNa shut her mouth while laughing. Kang MiRae quickly explained her situation, and Na YuNa immediately checked on the abilities of the staff and the robe.
Then, she shouted at him while emitting stars from her eyes.
"Please make mine too!"
"That's why I said too, go procure some holy stones."
"Uuu, okay. That quest is hard though."
Na YuNa obediently nodded her head and went into thought while biting her fingers like a kid. Then she said this.
"Wouldn't it do as a deposit to give him 150 billion and a building?"
"Where?"
"There's one that grandpa is saving up in gangnam reinforced area, but he would probably give it to me if I give him a kiss."
"Ah, that's definitely..."
Seeing the mentally distant conversation between Kang MiRae and Na YuNa, Yu IlHan just decided to stop thinking.
It was easy for him to think that they were different people to him. Returnees and a dropout. Quite clear, right? The fact that they were born with the biggest diamond spoons in their mouths, had a perfect outer appearance, and even had exceptional capabilities, made Yu IlHan frustrated, but he kept it down.
"You said you'll make mine and HaJin-oppa's too, right? Then I need to give you more."
"That's enough. I'm not trying to do business here."
"It seems you are really well off. I thought my house was the best in Korea."
"No."
The transaction ended on a clean note.
With a few calls from the two women in their twenties, a bank account with 150 billion won was made, and it was decided that he would gradually receive the building. He thought that this was the end, but Kang MiRae made a finisher while hugging the staff.
"Don't worry about tax. We'll take care of it."
"......Is that so."
Left hook, right hook, straight, and a perfect finish. It was more frustrating that she did all this unintentionally. Even Erta, who was watching, momentarily pulled on Yu IlHan's hair strongly.
However, Yu IlHan just.
Thought that he should smile.
After the transaction was successful, Yu IlHan left and the big room only had Kang MiRae and Na YuNa left. Kang MIRae was still hugging the staff, and Na YuNa was looking in the direction that Yu IlHan had left.
Just then, Na YuNa suddenly asked.
"Do you like IlHan? Is it finally your first love?"
"No way."
Kang MiRae immediately denied it.
"That person is my rival. I will definitely surpass him in the future."
"So that's iiit. Well, he's really an interesting guy, but I do think we should watch him for the time being."
"......You're interested in that person?"
"A littlllle? I think he fulfills the requirement of his grandson-in-law. Um, just a little though!"
"Okay."
Kang MIRae nodded with a calm expression. Na YuNa started blowing on her hot coffee to drink with an innocent face, but Kang MiRae didn't know what she was thinking.
Na YuNa was like this from the past. Nobody knew what was inside her heart.
'But that person's no good, YuNa.'
Kang MiRae thought,
She didn't really lie to Na YuNa. Liking Yu IlHan? She believed that there was no affection between them since they just fought together twice and met with each other for business matters.
However, Yu IlHan had more talent than anyone else she had met until now. Despite the fact that he had sufficient, no, overflowing ability, he proceeded without stopping, did not get full of himself, and most importantly, his firmness and leisure could be seen from his actions.
Confidence that didn't go overboard, ability befitting that confidence, and even charm. Only that was a man worthy of Kang MiRae's conquer.
'He's a man fit for me. Perhaps, he's bigger than what I can have.'
Kang MiRae wanted to acquire Yu IlHan. She couldn't help but want to have him when she looked at him.
The first desire for possession for a person. People said blood cannot be faked, and it seemed that she was similar to Kang HaJin in regards to this.
However, she did not believe in love. Excluding the family-like relationship with Kang HaJin and Na YuNa, she thought that all other relationships between humans were that of trading.
As such, to acquire Yu IlHan, she needed to put herself on the line. Only then would it become a fair trade. If she thought that she was insufficient, then she would try to acquire him after bringing up her own value. Growing like how he wants, no, even more than that, so that he would accept her while nodding his head.
Never, could she let Na YuNa steal him.
Of course, she would never know that her greatest enemy was not a mere Na YuNa.
Chapter 65
Yu IlHan, who had first come home, became stupefied by the flood of photos that came through his mobile messenger, which came from Na YuNa, because his mobile messenger app automatically added her as a friend the moment they exchanged numbers.
The photos contained information on the building inside Gangnam reinforced district, that he was supposed to take over. At the end of the message, there was a curse message, saying that she would contact him frequently. He really wanted to delete her number immediately, but for his aims, there was a need to keep in contact with her.
Na YuNa also knew this, so this may have made her send cute and annoying emojis, trying to become closer to him.
More than that.
"What do I do..."
Somehow, he now had become an owner of a building. And this was no ordinary building, but one inside the Gangnam reinforced district where many ability users, hired by various VIPs and those in power, were keeping strict security!
[Loan them out for rent, and you'd become filthy rich.](Lita)
[It's kinda funny how they're bragging about 'reinforced district', when the ones protecting them are only around level 40, but it is for sure that this would become the center of Korea for a while. It's no loss owning it, right?](Erta)
That was true; by selling a staff and a robe, Yu IlHan had instantly entered the center of Korea.
Just having a lot of money didn't allow one to enter the Gangnam reinforced district. Above all, the ones with the vested interests would not allow it to happen.
However, somehow, Yu IlHan now had a connection with Kang MiRae, who was one of the top-runners in both the ones with vested interests, and in financial power. As a result, he could enter the center of Korea too easily.
The problem was that Yu IlHan didn't find that fact that helpful.
"This kind of building is doomed with a stomp from a monster, though?"
In the current world, there was nothing more false than visual treasures. Of course, Yu IlHan had no such greed in money in the first place, but the world as it is right now was like that as well.
Do they know? That the land that they're desperately guarding, is just a delusion that would collapse with the appearance of a single shadow leopard.
"i wonder if they don't know, or they can't do anything even if they know; since they've been to other worlds and all."
[Strong people over level 50 are not that common.](Erta)
[Humanity's growth rate is exceptionally fast. Wouldn't the guarding forces become stronger as well?](Lita)
Yu IlHan truly wished that it would become so. And he was moving around for that objective as well.
At that moment, Lita clapped her hands and spoke to Yu IlHan.
[Perhaps, that woman, may have given IlHan the building in order to draw him to her side?](Lita)
"Yeah, that's probably it."
Yu IlHan also expected that much. She may have thought that Yu IlHan would do something if Gangnam was in danger, even if to protect his own assets.
Thinking that Na YuNa was the one to bring it up, he judged that she wasn't such a klutz.
"20 billion was fine too."
"Of course, that would only work against people who were greedy for money. Yu IlHan only wanted to enhance the Empress' power in the first place, so there was no way he would become obsessed with protecting the building; he couldn't care less.
He couldn't care less, but he thought that he might be able to achieve something he wanted to do with that building.
"That building would receive everyone's attention."
[Well, it is in the yolk part of the commercial center of Korea.](Erta)
[So, there were some famous brand stores but some left this time. Well, the Great Cataclysm shakes the original standards.](Lita)
Yes. A developing industry might start to regress, and a completely unattended industry might develop as well. Earth, which was advancing and making different standards to other worlds, was making a society unseen anywhere else, after the Great Cataclysm.
However, there was one industry that would never collapse as long as monsters existed in the world.
The arms industry.
"That's good. I'll just sell here."
[You're quite optimistic?]((Lita)
"Well, anything would never end if you hesitate. I should get this over with quickly and do something else."
[Work again without rest!?](Erta)
Playing soccer in physical education class in middle school was like that. He didn't want to play but he needed to at least pretend he was playing, but the ball won't come his way; he would get treated like an invisible man, and to just leave, he was scared.
And as such, he felt the time until the end of the class was so long. If there was a room of mentality and time, then it was probably there. (T/N: No idea what this means)
[Whoa, there are 14 floors too!](Lita)
[There are 5 floors underground as well. Until B3 is a parking lot, but 4th and below seem to be locked.](Erta)
[You should contact a management company.](Lita)
[This jewelry looks really nice.](Erta)
[IlHan, give this noona a necklace.](Lita)
These angels, despite looking like they had no desire for worldly items, were being delighted after looking at the details of the building. It seemed like women were the same whether they were higher existences or not. Rather than that, they sure did talk when they were talking about how this was all Na YuNa's scheme and whatnot just a moment ago.
However, Yu IlHan didn't stop them. In his head, another plan was already forming. Enhancing the people of Earth, with this building as the center!
"Let's decide on a brand name."
[How about Angel Love?}(Lita)
[Let's go with Unique.](Erta)
Rejecting Lita's nonsensical suggestion, Ertaa suggested. However, Yu IlHan shook his head.
"I'm embarrassed so no."
[How about Y&L?](Lita)(T/N: One of the reason why I changed Rita to Lita)
[I can see your intentions clearly in that name. Then let's go with Savior.](Erta)
After that Angelove, Hammer of Hephaestus, Feather Wing, God Hand, and such embarrassing and exaggerated suggestions came out, but Yu IlHan ignored them all.
"Let's go with Vanguard."(T/N: Zhan Long, anyone?)
Vanguard, the front most soldier of the battlefield. This name contained Yu IlHan's desperate wish to fall behind, as he was unintentionally at the front most of the people of Earth.
As soon as he decided to act, Yu IlHan moved quickly. First, he cleared up the problem regarding the transferring the rights to the building, and had a meeting with the people related to the building. The wolf skull mask was too well known as a sign of Sungdaein Bolt, so he used another mask.
The people never seemed to have imagined that the owner was the strongest ability user in Korea. The tenants all finished talking with him, and the only fact they were able to get was that their new owner had a grade 8 syndrome.
And some, left the building with sufficient compensation.
Yu IlHan bought an apartment near the building he received. Once, this apartment boasted the greatest price in Korea, and now, it became even more expensive due to being within the Gangnam reinforced district, but since Yu IlHan had 150 billion won, he bought out the entire top floor. tens of billions flew away like that, but he didn't mind.
[My IlHan spends his money so well too. So cool.](Lita)
[That's because he doesn't have any desire for money.](Erta)
Never did he manage a building in his life, so he hired a management company, like what Kang MiRae had advised, and decided to not care anymore about it.
The only thing important to him was the space for himself to use and manage.
He also moved his workshop to the 5th underground floor of the building. Angels helped him out in this one. Somehow, only the males were summoned, but they all had good impressions towards Yu IlHan.
[Aha, so this is the promising guy?]
[I think you might be able to become an angel some day.]
[No, we can't give him a cast of an angel to this kind human.]
[That's true.]
All the things in the workshop was moved to the 5th underground floor of the building in Gangnam, and while they were at it, they also enhanced the protective magic on it. On the building, and on some of the floors too! Thanks to the fact that Yu IlHan had become an Angel's Partner, he could receive some minor help like this in everything he did.
"Good environment."
Looking at the underground workshop that kept its silence due to the soundproofing magic, and the eternal flame that burned strongly within a bigger, new furnace, Yu IlHan smiled.
"Then should I start?"
He didn't go through mana crafting. Using the byproducts from monsters between level 30 and 40, which he had a pile of in his Cross Bag, he made swords, spears, axes, hammers, shields, breastplates, shoulderplates, shinguards, boots, gauntlets, etc.
As he didn't use the byproducts from Metal Hearts or Quegnae, they were mostly made of bone or leather, but even so, their performance was truly vicious to the point that they couldn't be seen easily in other worlds as well. For example, there was something like this.
[Frightening Hard Leather Gauntlet]
[Rank -Rare]
[Defense – 1,900]
[Options – 10% increase in attack power in close combat.]
[Durability – 1,500/1,500]
[A mass produced armor that the world's best smith had made using low quality materials. Other smiths would curse on their own ability upon seeing this.]
Such weapons with nonsensical performance were produced in units of tens per day. Because Yu IlHan didn't put his heart into it? Yu IlHan had never not put in his heart in anything, and even if he did, there was no way a single blacksmith would produce tens of weapons per day.
Yu IllHan's work had already escaped the range of an ordinary person's reason. He looked like he wasn't moving fast, but despite that, swords and shields and breastplates kept popping out.
[I don't think he's at a point that's possible by just hammering on metal for a few hundred years. He isn't even using metal either.](Erta)
[Did you just realize that it was strange?](Lita)
Yu IlHan thought that now was the most important time for him. Earth had gone crazy, and it seemed like the 2nd Great Cataclysm, planned 150 years in the future, may arrive at any moment. Reta Kar'iha was nagging him to grow fast, and it was unknown what other forces may be targeting Earth from another world other than dragons.
Even so, he kept hammering away.
He had to live a very long time when the Earth was stopped, and during those years, he had learnt to live correctly and not quickly. Being hasty would make things fail, and trip over a stone.
Yu IlHan thought that now was the time, that he had been announced the shocking news from Reta Kar'iha, to walk on the right path.
Endlessly, truly endlessly he hammered away and raised his techniques beyond perfection, raised Eternal Flame, tried to feel mana by sticking as close to the angels as possible, tried to listen to other souls than Reta Kar'iha, and checked on the skills that he had learnt.
He reconfirmed his titles, saw the limits of his status points, looked back to the techniques engraved in his body, not the skills, and rechecked on his equipments.
Then he thought not about the ones he had to do, but the ones he could do.
The worst villain appearing in an anime once said something nonsensical that great responsibility followed great power, but Yu IlHan thought that power that's swung around by responsibility would never become strong.
To Yu IlHan, power was not something to protect today, but the ability to make tomorrow.
While Yu IlHan was working, a lot of things happened outside as well.
There was an interior reconstruction in the 13th and 14th floor of the building, a corporate was formed, the brand, Vanguard, was registered, Lita did her special training, and the interior construction in the top floor of the apartment had ended. He hired people to work in his shop, and made a passport.
2 weeks flew past like that. Just as Yu IlHan was about to rest after making a spear, a few green lines of texts appeared on his retina.
[From a dimension far away, the God of Smithing, ???, has discovered you.]
[The God became shocked at your ability to make miracles without the power of miracles. He wants to give you a blessing.]
[If you fulfill two more tasks, the blessing of the God of Smithing, ???, would descend upon you. The contents of the tasks are......]
Becoming dizzy at the hook that came from a direction that he had never imagined, Yu IlHan read down the text again.
However, he had neither read wrong, nor was it an illusion. He didn't know who the God of Smithing was, but it was true that he wanted to give blessings to Yu IlHan so suddenly, when he was just working. It seemed like this God truly had a lot of free time.
"Erta, it says here that the God of Smithing will give me blessing after I do some homework."
[......Heh, I am not surprised at all.](Erta)
Erta, who rolled off from the top of Yu IlHan's head, said that in mid air with her legs trembling. Calmly placing her on his palm, he asked.
"Is this God of Smithing and the God you follow the same guy?"
[No.](Erta)
"Are they existences on an equal level?"
[Not at all. Lord God is a unique existence across all the worlds, but they aren't like that.](Erta)
"That means that they aren't unique, right? Are there like hundreds of the same God of Smithing?"
[No, it was ½ probability, but unfortunately, you guessed wrong.]
Erta replied with a small smile.
[God of Smithing, God of Warriors, Goddess of Beauty...... They are each unqiue, but they do not exist.](Erta)
"Oh my."
Yu IlHan became shocked.
He didn't even ask and Erta gave him a simple answer!
[I think you're imagining something very rude right now.](Erta)
"I thought you were pretty."
[So it was something rude.](Erta)
Yu IlHan said a lie that wouldn't work at all, but Erta replied coyly while touching her black hair. (T/N: So Erta had black hair... I thought all angels were blond...) She seemed to become slightly happy even though it was a lie. With a faint smile, she continued.
[They don't exist for real. They are only false egos that were born after countless records of a specific field had gathered. They could be called a byproduct of the Akashic Record.](Erta)
"Such nonsensical things are possible?"
[Why are you able to live and breath here right now?](Erta)
Yu IlHan lost his words. So he asked something else.
"The blessing he wants to give me?"
[What can an ego made of records give out? Of course, records. What's different about a blessing is to the rewards of the Heaven's Quest is that we add our power into a record that you already have, but they process a completely new record to give you.](Erta)
"Why?"
[Because more records related to smithing would pile up the more you progress as a smith.](Erta)
All records and achievements by Yu IlHan as a smith would enhance the abilities of the God of Smithing. He wasn't sure what that blessing would be about, but it should probably enhance his smithing abilities.
So, putting it in an old-fashioned way, it was a win-win scenario.
He accepted that point, but there was something that he still couldn't understand.
"If a God is only a false ego, then what the hell is holy power? The power that Na YuNa wielded; healing injuries and strengthening the body."
[I will explain about that to you next time, so just know that it is a type of mana for now. Anyway, if it's you, there won't come a time where you would use holy power of the God of Smithing, so don't get your hopes up on that.](Erta)
"Quick-witted as always..."
Yu IlHan inwardly imagined himself doing tanking, dealing, and healing all by himself, but his expectations had been completely shattered. Just as Yu IlHan was stretching himself with a sigh, Erta asked while tilting her head.
[So, what are those tasks? You said that he didn't give the blessing out for free?](Erta)
"Not telling."
[Are you picking a fight?](Erta)
"No, not that."
Yu IlHan ended up laughing. However, his laugh contained unconcealable rage.
"That fucker isn't telling me what the tasks are."
[......]
It was fortunate that this God was a false ego beforehand.
If he didn't, then he would have wandered around several worlds looking for this God of Smithing, to smack him, in vain!
Author's notes
1. There was a reader who asked about God some time ago. I hope your questions were alleviated a little.
2. Thanks for the passionate reactions. It should be better for me to not say whether it is harem or not. I'm scared that I might be led by the majority. There is an ending I'm thinking of, but it might become different according to the progression, so I won't give you a clear answer from now.
What I can tell you now is that because Yu IlHan has no interest in romance (Because he's busy surviving) it would take a long time before romantic details appear, and the opposite sex he feels the closest with is Lita, but he is thinking of her as a family, not the opposite sex. The path our IlHan has to walk is 90 thousand li, so you don't have to focus on just Lita! Of course, I find Lita cute as well, though!