Chapter 12

Chapter 12

 

Unknown-grade artifacts usually cost tens of billions of won. If that was the case, what would be the appropriate price for an Incomprehensible-grade one? Everyone likely expected it to exceed one hundred billion. However, the problem was that the first person to bid was Ha-kyung.

Whispers could be heard from behind him.

"He is starting out quite strong, is he not?"

"It is not that I do not have spare cash, but since the opponent is Lee Ha-kyung…"

"Ahem! That, that is true."

Everyone was hesitant to bid. It was only natural. They all considered Ha-kyung to be their savior. In the first place, the raid would have failed if it had not been for him. The guest members likely did not have that kind of capital, so the only ones who could potentially challenge the bid were the guilds that had participated in the raid.

Choi Hyun-ki, the Master of the Raiders, spoke as he looked at Ha-kyung.

"He is meticulous."

"That is an asking price that makes it difficult to intervene."

"True. I expected as much, but this is a bit troublesome."

"What are you going to do, Master?"

At his subordinate’s question, Choi Hyun-ki looked around. Yoon Chang-ho of Black Water, Jeong Cheol-jin of Iron Heart, and Do Hyun-ah of Globe Amaranth—the other guild masters—did not seem to have any intention of bidding. It looked as though they were trying to show Ha-kyung some courtesy.

Choi Hyun-ki smacked his lips.

"Hmm! It is not like I have a good image to protect anyway, but I do not want to go out of my way just to get cursed at."

Ultimately, the Raiders Guild also gave up. Silence lingered in the hall for a while. The auctioneer, who had appeared at some point, encouraged further bidding.

—Is there no one for 110 billion?

In that brief moment of stillness, someone slowly raised their hand. The people began to murmur.

"Oh? Wait. Did that person participate in the raid as well?"

"I suppose they entered while hiding their identity this time too."

"The Great Sage… No wonder the care for Team 1’s healer was so incredible."

The Great Sage. An Awakened who operated while concealing their identity, they were quite famous in the industry—for their eccentric behavior. They were demonstrating it even now, intervening in an auction that the guild masters had already abandoned.

A picturesque curve formed beneath the white fedora pulled low over their face. Ha-kyung’s expression remained unchanged, even though the situation might have been flustering.

"150 billion."

He simply raised his hand nonchalantly and stated the price. The auctioneer shouted with a slightly excited expression.

—150 billion has been called! Is there no next bid?

Now, everyone’s gaze turned toward the Great Sage. There was only one person continuing the auction against Ha-kyung. Sure enough, the Great Sage spoke with a light gesture.

"I will go with 160 billion."

But right at that moment, before the auctioneer could even shout, Ha-kyung’s hand went up first.

"200 billion."

"..."

The audience fell into an instantaneous silence. The Great Sage was bidding in increments of 10 billion, while Lee Ha-kyung was bidding in increments of 50 billion. The outcome of this battle of wills was as clear as day.

Soon, the Awakened began to buzz with excitement.

"200 billion? Even if it came from an Incomprehensible-grade dungeon, do you not think that is a bit expensive?"

"Still, it is an artifact with the Fusion Tyrant’s recovery power. It will probably be worth more than the price."

"True. With that, even a melee DPS could potentially tank. If so…"

"He will become an all-rounder Awakened who does everything alone."

The auctioneer, having regained his senses, grabbed the microphone again.

—Is there no one for 210 billion? 210 billion? Then I shall close the bidding. 200 billion, 200 billion, 200 billion. Sold! Congratulations.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Applause began to pour in from all directions. Everyone was congratulating Ha-kyung on winning the auction.

'I just bought it with my own money, so is this really something to be this happy about… Oh, wait, it is.'

The auction proceeds are shared among the raid members. This was why competition was usually somewhat fierce; even if the auction price went up, they would receive a portion of it back.

Ha-kyung finalized the auction procedures. He paid the 200 billion won through the Association’s guarantee system. Now, the Tyrant’s Bracelet belonged entirely to Ha-kyung. He stepped out of the Association headquarters, only to find someone wearing a white fedora standing on the street. It was the Great Sage.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lee Ha-kyung."

"Thanks to you, I bought it at a high price."

"It is slightly higher than the standard price, but it is an item that is worth it."

They were not wrong. The guild masters had stepped back out of consideration for Ha-kyung; it was normal for it to go over 150 billion. Ha-kyung offered a light greeting and intended to pass by. However, a single remark from the Great Sage made him stop in his tracks.

"I heard you are looking for Abyss dungeons of Unknown grade or higher."

"I am."

"I have received some quite good information. Would you like to hear it?"

It was an enticing offer. High-grade dungeons were very rare, and the organizations that discovered such places did not always recruit guest members. Furthermore, they usually tried to form raid teams consisting only of acquaintances, as the environment forced them to keep the possibility of betrayal in mind.

Ha-kyung began to look at the Great Sage seriously.

"I am listening."

"It is an Incomprehensible-grade dungeon. But the location is a bit difficult."

"Where is it that you are hesitating so much?"

"...The Void."

Anyone would have been puzzled at this point. It was normal for most people to be unaware of even the existence of The Void. However, Ha-kyung looked at the Great Sage with an interested gaze.

'One more reason to go to The Void has been added.'

***

A few days later.

Although he had spent a fortune of 200 billion won, Ha-kyung’s life did not change much. At home, he stayed confined to the training ground. He intended to enter the Abyss as soon as his condition recovered. Ha-kyung brought up his Awakened information for a check-up.

'Shall I see how much has changed?'

<Awakened Information>

Name: Lee Ha-kyung

Refinement Rank: 2

Skills: Wall-Walking Steps (A), Soul-Sever (S), Abyss Refinement (S), Kin-Eater (S), Soul Brand (EX), Distortion (Authority)

Owned Artifacts: Reactive Magic Armor, Cloak of Command, Tyrant’s Bracelet, Ultimate Abyss Key (1/3)

Surprisingly, his Refinement Rank had changed to level 2. It seemed to be because he had absorbed a large amount of Abyss energy recently. The difference between level 1 and level 2 was simple. A haze-like form was level 1. From level 2 onwards, it took the form of a proper weapon.

Ha-kyung recalled the scene he had witnessed in the Fusion Abyss.

'The blade that sprouted from the karambit did not have any haze. It happened like that as the Refinement Rank entered level 2.'

The skill he newly obtained this time, Kin-Eater, was actually S-rank. His uncle, Seo Kang-min, used to grumble that the rank was pointlessly high. However, for Ha-kyung, it was a skill that displayed effects beyond the S-rank.

'It is thanks to the synergy with Soul Brand. Anyway, shall I head out now?'

Ha-kyung headed straight for the gate. Normally, he should have been sweeping through the pits of the Abyss, but this time, his destination was quite different. Ha-kyung recalled what Ma Do-hyuk had said.

'He said to obtain the qualification first, right?'

To enter The Void, there was a rite of passage. One had to conquer the Tower of Judgment located in the middle of the Abyss. Of course, it was a place Ha-kyung knew well.

'It has been there since a long time ago.'

The reason he had not gone out of his way to clear the Tower of Judgment was simple. The difficulty was surprisingly high, and the rewards were poor. Perhaps because of that, there was not a single person who visited this place. As he entered the Tower of Judgment, text appeared before Ha-kyung’s eyes.

[You have entered the Tower of Judgment]

[Prove your qualification by clearing every floor]

[You may escape at any time if you wish]

[Grade: Low]

[Reward: Crafting Materials]

There was not much to see from the 1st to the 10th floor. It was at the level of defeating a few monsters commonly encountered in the Abyss. Ha-kyung swung his karambit with indifferent eyes.

Whoosh! Swish—!

His Abyss Refinement had grown to three meters in length. Thanks to entering level 2, the power seemed to have more than doubled. The monsters died without even being able to scream. However, the atmosphere changed completely from the 11th floor.

Traps exploded in unexpected places. Furthermore, the level of the monsters that appeared rose absurdly.

"Graaaah!"

A group of giant skeletons rushed forward while letting out monstrous shrieks. Their names were Bone Brutes. They were undead monsters in the shape of troll bones. Their bodies were made of a metallic material, characterized by being incredibly hard.

However, in front of level 2 Abyss Refinement, they were just like soup bones. Ha-kyung moved forward while slicing through the Bone Brutes.

Slash! Crackle!

'They are a bit tougher than I thought.'

He could definitely feel that the difficulty had increased. The resistance felt in his grip was significant. Just as he was about to pass by after crushing the Bone Brutes.

A grating sound reached Ha-kyung’s ears.

Clatter-clatter!

"Kekekeke?"

Looking back, the Bone Brutes were standing as if they were perfectly fine. It was a somewhat surprising sight. He had definitely almost ground them to pieces. Ha-kyung quietly examined his surroundings.

'This is an unbelievable recovery power. It is absolutely impossible with the Abyss energy they possess.'

The power possessed by a Bone Brute was meager. It made no sense for them to have recovery power at the level of the Fusion Tyrant with just that much. If so, a third party must have been involved. Ha-kyung heightened the senses of his Soul Brand.

Soon, he felt a minute flow from the wall. He immediately threw his body.

Thwip! Smash!

As he thrust his Abyss Refinement into it, he felt as if something had been cut. Immediately after, the movements of the Bone Brutes stopped in an instant. This was because the Abyss energy had been cut off. Shrugging his shoulders, Ha-kyung turned his body.

"It is simple once I know the trick."

Most Awakened probably would have given up here, tired of the Bone Brute horde that kept rising indefinitely. Ha-kyung was able to move on to the next floor with ease. The pattern was similar after that. Everyone fell over just by him swinging his Abyss Refinement.

Having broken through to the 14th floor, Ha-kyung gave a bitter smile.

'Normally, I would have struggled quite a bit too.'

It was a subtle feeling. Soul Brand was a wound that could not be erased. It was a skill obtained through the sacrifices of his father and uncles. But his thoughts had changed now. It felt as though he was with his comrades. It meant that Ha-kyung had matured mentally.

A moment later.

He set foot on the 15th floor. However, he felt a presence quite different from before.

"Oh? Wh-who are you?"

Ha-kyung tilted his head at the sudden question. A group of Awakened were huddled together in a corner. To be honest, he was the one who wanted to ask that more.

"What are all of you doing here?"

"We are resting for a bit. But, are you not a candidate for the Raiders Guild entrance exam?"

"I am not."

"Then why did you come here?"

"To clear the Tower of Judgment."

"Pardon? Why?"

"There is no particular reason."

"..."

At Ha-kyung’s answer, the Awakened looked as though they were at a loss for words. Why on earth would anyone climb the Tower of Judgment, which provided no money and was only difficult? Of course, Ha-kyung had a clear goal. However, there was no need to tell those people. So he gave a vague answer, but everyone looked at him as if he were a madman.

Ha-kyung let out a smirk.

'I suppose that makes sense. There would not be many people who come all the way here just to enjoy the danger.'

But a question suddenly occurred to him. Did those Awakened not just say something? They asked if he was a candidate for the Raiders Guild entrance exam. Ha-kyung tossed out a question.

"Does the Raiders Guild hold entrance exams in a place like this?"

"Yes, you can only have an interview after passing up to the 15th floor."

It was not that absurd of a task. There were places that held exams in the form of catching specific monsters. However, the difficulty was higher than imagined. Ha-kyung shrugged his shoulders.

'Is the exam so difficult that they even recruit ex-convicts?'

Whatever the case, it was not his business to get involved. Soon, Ha-kyung stepped forward alone. The trial of the 15th floor was a skeleton made of a deep blue metallic material standing in the center. Its appearance was exactly like an evolved form of a Bone Brute. This time, Soul Brand did not react.

Ha-kyung smacked his lips.

'The amount of its own Abyss energy is quite high. I will not be able to win this easily.'

The only thing left was a head-on confrontation. As he approached, the opponent showed an eerie movement. It stood up in a jerky manner, just like a monster in a horror movie.

[You have encountered the guardian of the Abyss dungeon, the Bone Breaker]