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Chapter 65: Star, The Meeting (3)
Chapter 65: Star, The Meeting (3)
Chapter 65: Star, The Meeting (3)
‘What should I do?’ Chang-Sun wondered for a moment.
He had actually considered the possibility of being threatened like this someday, since he was planning to hog Celestials’ attention as much as possible. He also thought some deities might even try to pull a trick to get him, so their original followers were bound to stay vigilant against him.
‘I’ve already experienced this a lot.’ Chang-Sun calmly thought. He had met such followers and deities in Arcadia many times, so this was nothing new to him.
[The ‘Tiger Kill’ intensely threatens you!]
[The Skill ‘Beast Senses’ has been activated, assessing the situation to be very dangerous.]
“I’m Lee Chang-Sun.” Chang-Sun introduced himself.
Using [Tiger Kill], Munseong intimidated Chang-Sun, as if he would kill Chang-Sun any minute. Through [Beast Senses], Chang-Sun saw how dangerous the situation was and realized that he had to get out of here. Plus, Munseong was black when Chang-Sun looked at him with [Viper Eyes], so he knew he could not spend a second more in this place. Despite everything, Chang-Sun calmly greeted him as if he didn’t care, and didn’t break his gaze from Munseong’s two shining eyes for a moment.
“You don’t seem nervous around me.” Munseong said, surprised.
Chang-Sun shrugged. “It’s interesting to meet one of the Nine Swordsmen.”
“Interesting?” Munseong repeated.
“Yes, until a few months ago, I never thought I'd visit here.” Chang-Sun said.
He wasn’t lying, since he had been in the Underworld until a few months ago, but Munseong didn’t know that. Therefore he would understand Chang-Sun differently—as an alcoholic that had spent his days drinking until a few months ago, who had never thought he would become this famous.
If Munseong understood Chang-Sun this way, that would mean he was convinced of two things: That Chang-Sun had become famous overnight, and that a man of Munseong’s position didn’t need to remain vigilant against such a rookie. Both would hurt Munseong’s pride.
Chang-Sun planned to proceed depending on Munseong’s reaction. If Munseong lowered his guard, he would just retreat. If Munseong took action, he was going to counterattack right away. Of course, he couldn’t beat Munseong since his level wasn’t even in the 40s. Munseong’s was over 90, the highest among the known high rankers.
‘But I’m not alone.’ Chang-Sun thought.
Pabilsag, who was obsessed with Chang-Sun, Jörmungandr, Mephistopheles, Minerva, the Celestials that silently watched him even though they didn’t send any messages… There were many Celestials that were interested in Chang-Sun.
For those Celestials, the <Management Bureau> had even made a manual. If Chang-Sun was killed, or if Heoju claimed Chang-Sun all for himself, it would definitely make the other Celestials react negatively. Due to the casualty, they may not have been able to influence this world directly, but they had a way to indirectly interfere to a similar level if they put their minds to it. To sum up, Chang-Sun thought of the Celestials watching him as his backup.
‘Even without backup, I’m sure I can escape somehow.’
Although he was stuck in Heoju’s land, it didn’t mean he had no way of escaping. Ordinary Players would never be able to think of a way out, but Chang-Sun was certain that he could come up with something.
He hadn’t earned his divine name ‘Divine Twilight’ in a poker game, so it didn’t matter if Munseong himself chased after Chang-Sun. It wouldn’t be difficult to shake him, unless Chang-Sun was forced to battle him head to head. Of course, the White Tiger Clan Members would still chase after him to silence him for good… but he could think about how he would react later.
‘What’s his plan?’ Chang-Sun thought about what to do next while also sharply observing Munseong to see his reaction.
[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ slyly smiles, wondering how you will react.]
He still couldn’t tell what Heoju was thinking, but…
“I see.” Munseong nodded and turned in the opposite direction. “I’ve heard that our Guardian has promised you a gift, so I shall entrust the matter to Shi-Hwan. Pick it up on the way out.”
[The exit has opened!]
‘…What?’ Chang-Sun thought.
Holding his hands behind his back, Munseong went deeper into the flower garden, as if he had lost interest now that their business was complete. A new portal opened up in the spot where Munseong had stood, signaling Chang-Sun to leave.
Chang-Sun was dumbfounded. Munseong wasn’t staying on guard, ostracizing Chang-Sun, or even looking at him. He didn’t care who Chang-Sun was. Since his Guardian had taken an interest and decided to present a gift to Chang-Sun, Munseong figured he should at least meet Chang-Sun once, as Heoju’s apostle. That was when Chang-Sun realized he had judged the situation wrong.
‘Munseong isn’t staying on guard because he’s sure he won’t be abandoned by Heoju. He believes their link isn’t weak enough to be affected by me.’ Chang-Sun analyzed.
The ‘link’ wouldn’t be something metaphorical like trust or faith, he thought. It should have been mutually beneficial, and thus would have a definite form.
‘Their link is [Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan].’ Chang-Sun realized.
Based on the star object that the White Tiger Clan coincidentally acquired, the Clan had grown rapidly in the past decade. A Celestial’s power came from faith, so Chang-Sun concluded that Heoju must have become stronger. In other words, Heoju wouldn’t easily give up Munseong, who had provided him with such great power, even if he wanted Chang-Sun.
Then what could Heoju give to Munseong? It seemed Heoju wouldn’t just bestow blessings or authority, because Munseong would never be satisfied. There was only one, simple possibility.
‘[Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan] again? In return for Munseong increasing the number of followers by resting the Ghost Soldiers and the Gildal, Heoju could…interpret the divine scroll.’
That meant…
‘[Viper Eyes].’ Chang-Sun activated the skill as he infused a profound amount of magic into his eyes.
[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ supports you after reading your mind, as your plan seems interesting!]
[Skill Level increased!]
[Printing information about the Player ‘Munseong’.]
Chang-Sun’s magic mixed with the Eon Fire was so efficient that he could dig into the black-colored Munseong to find out more information about him using [Viper Eyes]. The black turned even darker, and Chang-Sun felt like he could see vicious fangs beyond the blackness.
Kiehhhh!
[He is swarming with the very thick Hohwan Mama!]
‘He has more Hohwan Mama than the Gildal…!’ Chang-Sun noticed.
At that moment, Munseong stopped in the middle of the flower garden, and Chang-Sun could no longer see the blackness in him. After it cleared up, Chang-Sun could see Munseong looking at him with a more nonchalant gaze.
“I hope you’ll stop peeking.” Munseong said.
“I’m sorry.” Chang-Sun slightly bowed. He thought he shouldn’t provoke Munseong without a good reason.
Munseong began to go on his way like nothing had happened, but Chang-Sun’s head was more fogged up than ever.
‘The Gildal wasn’t the endgame. There’s at least one—no, two more steps left…but he only revealed the Ghost Soldiers to his subordinates.’ Chang-Sun thought, still in shock.
It seemed Munseong had already decrypted [Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan] to some level, but he had hidden it from others and ordered his subordinates to only manufacture the Ghost Soldiers for one reason.
‘He wants to have all the power to himself.’
If Chang-Sun’s guess was right, then he could see why Munseong had insisted on staying in the dungeon instead of focusing on running the Clan. He was busy cultivating his own power. Heoju had divulged the secrets of [Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan] to Munseong, and Munseong had increased the number of Heoju’s followers like a crocodile and a crocodile bird. There was no clear-cut symbiotic relationship.
‘Heoju just wanted to see my reaction, so Munseong chimed in.’
That was why Chang-Sun had to see Munseong in a different light. It looked like Heoju had acquired a ‘sword’ that he didn’t deserve, and that ‘sword’ was very sharp.
‘Munseong has something bigger in mind, but what could it be?’ Chang-Sun wondered.
* * *
[You have exited the Dungeon.]
“Clan Leader is a difficult person to deal with.” Executive Director Oh shook his head as they exited the Dungeon.
However, Chang-Sun didn’t miss the faint traces of fear, greed and jealousy in Executive Director Oh’s eyes.
‘He has no idea what Munseong is holding inside his body.’ Chang-Sun thought as he clicked his tongue in his mind. ‘Executive Director Oh must think that he had ‘an ace in the hole’ named Gildal, but in reality, even the Gildal was meaningless compared to Munseong. Maybe he already knew what Executive Director Oh was up to behind his back, too. Well, Executive Director Oh isn’t a person who would go down easily, either.’
Whatever happened in the future—Munseong acting like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth or Executive Director Oh preparing to stab Munseong in the back—Chang-Sun could just silently watch from the side and fish in the troubled water by interfering when he needed to.
Chang-Sun nodded in agreement. “Yes, he looked like a person from a different world.”
“He certainly acts like one. I still have trouble figuring out what’s going on in his mind.” Executive Director Oh replied.
Trembling, Seo Jeong-Gwon, who had been waiting outside, shook his head. “I’m begging you, please do not take me to the Clan Leader’s office with you anymore. Gosh! I can’t stop shaking every time I visit the office.”
Jeong Gwon always ran amok as if he was scared of nothing in this world, but even he feared Munseong.
“Anyhow, what’s this gift you’re going to give me?” Chang-Sun said, changing the subject.
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ pompously claims that nothing will be a better gift than her bonus reward.]
[The Celestial ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl’ pays close attention.]
“Oh, the gift.” Pressing the elevator button, Executive Director Oh unfolded two of his fingers. “The Guardian has given you two choices.”
Chang-Sun looked at Executive Director Oh curiously.
“T-two? Wow! Can you give one of them to me?!” Jeong-Gwon exclaimed, continuing to make a fuss.
Glaring at him, Executive Director Oh continued, “One is access to the armory, and another is access to the library. You can access up to the Tier 2 facilities for both.”
“T-tier 2…?!” Jeong-Gwon loudly yelled in shock, not noticing Executive Director Oh’s death glare.
Even the executives needed permission to access the library and the armory beyond Tier 2. Although it was only one level higher than Tier 3 facilities, there was a big difference. They didn’t have a reputation as ‘treasure houses’ for no reason. As the White Tiger Clan had spread across the world, they had gathered up and saved all kinds of skill books and artifacts in the Tier 2 facilities. They also held treasures that the Clan members had made using the best of their abilities.
Since the Fierce Tiger Library wasn’t Jeong-Gwon’s favorite place, he rarely visited it, but the armory was a totally different story. Thanks to Executive Director Oh, Jeong-Gwon had visited the Tier 3 armory, but he had never seen Tier 2. Now, such a privilege had been granted to a new employee, so how could Jeong-Gwon not be surprised? Yet, Chang-Sun, the one actually making the choice, was calm, making Executive Director Oh curl up one corner of his mouth. “You saw it coming, didn’t you?”
Ding!
The elevator arrived before them and opened its doors wide. Entering the elevator, Executive Director Oh pressed the button for the eighth floor, and Jeong-Gwon pressed the button for the sixth floor, where the Attack Department was located. All the while, they both fixed their eyes on Chang-Sun.
“No, I’m surprised to hear this.” Chang-Sun shook his head.
“You’re lying through your teeth. Who would believe you when you’re so calm?” Executive Director Oh lightly scolded, but he was laughing.
“Considering how I’ve finished the quest given by the ‘Calamity Tiger’ and cleared the Dungeon, I just thought he wanted to give me a big present.” Chang-Sun explained.
“Well, in that case, I understand.” Executive Director Oh nodded and looked up at Chang-Sun, who was much taller than him.“So, have you made your decision?”
Chang-Sun nodded. It had been obvious from the start. He already had [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth] and [Yuchang Sword] as his weapons, and Choi Bu-Yong could build him defensive equipment. On the other hand, Chang-Sun had to find [Descent Walk] left by the ‘Saggitarius’ in the library, so he could benefit more from the Tier 2 library.
“I want to look for more skills, and I heard there’re many new catenas…” Chang-Sun began.
“I knew you’d say that.” Executive Director Oh nodded with a satisfied look on his face.
Cling!
After rummaging through his inner pocket, Executive Director Oh brought out a bundle of keys. Jeong-Gwon looked at them with shining eyes, as those keys led to the White Tiger Clan’s most valuable facilities.
Executive Director Oh was about to throw an unusually short key to Chang-Sun, but he suddenly came to halt. His eyes were focused on something else, as if he was looking at a system message. Then, he suddenly opened his eyes wide and curled up one corner of his lips again. “Come to think of it, I heard you haven’t chosen your Guardian yet, am I right?”