Round 132

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Han Seok-jun received the item from Kyu-seong with a serious expression. It appeared to be an ordinary tiger pajama set on the surface.

[Tiger King’s Full Armor (Legendary)]

However, upon seeing the item window appear before his eyes, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“Hmm…”

It was unmistakable proof. It was truly a legendary item. The item’s grades were divided into common, advanced, rare, unique, and legendary, with no higher grade known. Therefore, legendary items were considered the highest grade currently known, and only 11 of such items existed in Korea. 

Han Seok-jun couldn’t help but chuckle thinking about how nonchalantly it had been worn.

‘As expected of a legendary item.’

Although a smile briefly appeared on his face, it quickly faded as he looked at the effects listed below the description.

‘To see percentages so openly stated…!’

– Reduces physical damage and shock by 35%.

If asked if this was surprising, he could answer a hundred out of a hundred times that it was indeed surprising. The system was unkind, and this phrase had become a popular saying due to the vague explanations given by the system. Clear sentences or numbers were rarely used to describe quests, rewards, and various item descriptions provided by the system.

‘For example, this.’

– Increases strength.

– Increases temperature resistance.

Both effects were attached to the Tiger King’s Full Armor. However, no one knew how much strength or temperature resistance was increased. One could only find out through direct testing and experience. But to have a clear description like “Reduces physical damage and shock by 35%”? Not only was the precise description surprising, but the effect itself was also eye-opening.

Kyu-seong, cautiously observing Han Seok-jun’s varied expressions, eventually spoke up awkwardly.

“They gave me something a bit excessive. Ha. Ha.”

At Kyu-seong’s words, Han Seok-jun immediately questioned him.

“What happened during the two days and one night?”

“Nothing special. On the first day, I attended a bizarre food party and visited various guild sites. The second day was just more guild visits.”

“You didn’t offer anything in return?”

“No. When I said the gift was too much, they insisted it wasn’t enough and told me to ask for more if I wanted. But I had already received so much that I couldn’t ask for more shamelessly.”

At that moment, Ara, who had been listening, spoke up with a bright smile.

“It means you’ve become friends! A friend gave you a gift!”

“Friend?”

“I am now friends with Sonogong!”

“Sonogong?”

As Han Seok-jun tilted his head, Kyu-seong added an explanation.

“On the first day, they treated us to a meal. The food was… quite unique.”

“Yes, Guild Leader Ryu Wang-jin’s peculiar tastes are well-known. You must have had a hard time.”

“No, thanks to Ara, it was no trouble at all. She ate everything by herself.”

“It was delicious!”

Seeing Ara’s proud expression, Han Seok-jun nodded in understanding. He could also guess why they were now calling Ryu Wang-jin a friend.

“Considering all the eccentric things he does, it makes sense for him to give such gifts. It was also a form of gratitude for treating Ryu Cheon…”

“Thanks to your kind consideration.”

“Alright, then. Please accept the item.”

Returning the full armor to Kyu-seong, Han Seok-jun spoke seriously.

“Legendary items are extremely rare. Even our Ara Hongryeon guild owns only one. Please use it well.”

“Guild Leader, but this isn’t the only gift.”

“Not the only one?”

Han Seok-jun, who could no longer be surprised, asked with a rather fearful expression. Seeing this reaction, Kyu-seong scratched his head and took out a wooden box from Bokkeum.

“Wait a moment, Kyu-seong.”

“Yes?”

“Is it something dangerous?”

“No!”

“In that case, you don’t need to show it to me. Legendary items are so precious that it’s good for us to know about them in advance for any unforeseen situations, but anything else is your personal belonging, and there’s no need to report it.”

“Oh! Understood.”

As Kyu-seong put the wooden box back, Han Seok-jun watched Ara don the armor again. Seeing the armor fit her perfectly, he spoke to Kyu-seong, who was packing his things.

“You must be tired after returning from China. Why don’t you head in for now? I look forward to hearing more details next time.”

“Thank you. I’ll be going in then.”

After finishing the conversation, Kyu-seong and Ara left. Han Seok-jun, left alone in his office, watched their retreating figures and then sat back down.

‘Who would have thought that Korea’s 12th legendary item would end up in Kyu-seong’s hands?’

Of course, a guild as large as the Skyscraper Guild likely owned more than five legendary items. Given their vast territory and numerous dungeons, it was expected. There were over ten such colossal guilds, showcasing their immense power. Despite this strength, China was not satisfied.

‘The Seven Deadly Sins…’

The first attempt to subdue the Seven Deadly Sins dungeon. An event that gathered renowned awakeners from various countries to conquer the Dungeon of Greed. There were rumors in the industry about the existence of mythic items, spread like ghost stories. The plausible theory that mythic grade items could only be obtained from the Seven Deadly Sins dungeons emerged. 

Although the first attempt ended in a massive failure, several awakening superpowers had not given up on the Seven Deadly Sins dungeons. Instead, they were more meticulously preparing, claiming that they had gathered more data.

‘As early as next year, the European Union will attempt the second subjugation of the Seven Deadly Sins. The target is the Dungeon of Wrath.’

Greed, Wrath, and Lust. These were the three discovered Seven Deadly Sins dungeons so far. The Dungeon of Wrath, among them, was already thoroughly investigated and prepared for conquest. 

Thinking of the impending massive storm, Han Seok-jun also steeled his resolve.

***

“I thought I would die not seeing our Ara for two days.”

Returning to my parents’ house after the trip to China, Seon-ah couldn’t let go of Ara. Seeing Ara in the full armor for the first time, my sister’s eyes practically rolled back in awe. It seemed she planned to keep hugging Ara for a while.

“By the way, what a great sense! How did they think of giving such a gift? Is she a fan of our Ara? Ryu Cheon’s sense is really…”

“Yes, yes.”

The legendary item’s identity was only revealed to the Guild Leader, not to anyone else. There was no particular reason to share it.

Anyway, while sharing stories about what happened at the Skyscraper Guild with the family after two days:

“Brother, have you thought about it?”

“Thought about what?”

“What do you mean what? You got a call from Iron Blood Entertainment!”

“Oh, that?”

Before leaving, I vaguely heard from Seon-ah about the offer. They wanted Ara to be a child actor and model for various advertisements.

‘Iron Blood is an entertainment agency under the Ironblood Group. It would be good to talk to CEO Baek first…’

Honestly, I wasn’t very interested, but the idea of Ara becoming an actress seemed intriguing. Given my connection with CEO Baek, meeting and discussing it wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“I’ve already left a message for CEO Baek Tae-seop. Once he replies, we can talk and then decide.”

“CEO Baek Tae-seop? Brother, you even know his personal contact?”

“Of course, I treated Baek Seung-hyun when he awakened, so naturally, I have his contact.”

As I watched Seon-ah’s exasperated expression, my father spoke up.

“Work starts tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

I nodded, having heard something from the guild earlier.

“Should I send the money in advance?”

“Send it to me, and I’ll handle it.”

The mountain with the dungeon was now entirely mine. With the help of Ara Hongryeon, my proactive father had immediately taken on the construction work. The guild even resolved the complex administrative processes while I was in China.

I realized once again how wise it was to join the guild.

“We’ll level the ground based on your house and lay a new road. It won’t be asphalt, but a sidewalk block type. If you pay more, we can make a gravel path or other interiors too.”

“Money isn’t an issue, so please do what you think is best. I’ll leave it all to you.”

“Leaving it to me, huh? You just don’t want to deal with it, right?”

“Hehe. That’s right, Father.”

Honestly, what do I know about this? My father, who is an expert in this area, would handle it better. It’s always best to leave such tasks to those who know what they’re doing to avoid any confusion.

Of course, I planned to check the work and help my father if he needed it.

“Shall we get going?”

“Already leaving?”

My mother, disappointed that we wouldn’t stay the night, looked at Ara with eyes full of honey. It wasn’t that she was sad about me leaving; she was sad that Ara wouldn’t stay.

“I have things to do. That’s why I couldn’t stay long in China and returned early.”

“Then how about letting Ara stay for a day?”

“I can’t be without Ara.”

Ara, too, was getting ready to leave, making Seon-ah and my mother look wistfully at her.

“Sigh, when will we see our Ara again?”

“Ara, don’t you want to stay with us? Can’t you stay just one night?”

“Ugh…”

Ara looked troubled, thinking deeply about their clinginess. Her expression was so adorable that Seon-ah and my mother ended up hugging her.

“We can’t let you go! No! You can’t leave!”

“Kyu-seong, you’ll have to go alone. Ara will stay with us for the night. Right, Ara?”

“Do I have to go…?”

Oh, why are they doing this?

I lifted the distressed Ara and firmly defended her from their clutches.

“Feel free to visit us when you have time. Or you can come with us now.”

“If it weren’t for school! Why this trial for me!”

Recently starting school, Seon-ah waved to Ara with teary eyes, looking resentful.

“I’ll definitely come on the weekend, Ara!”

“Yes!”

My father and mother planned to visit tomorrow. My father needed to be on-site for the construction anyway, so my mother decided to accompany him. After finishing a delightful dinner and conversation, I returned home to find the slimes greeting me as usual.

“Squish~!”

I petted each of the happily welcoming slimes and glanced around the fields. As expected, the fields were well-maintained by these creatures skilled in farming.

Ah, it’s about time to let them know.

“Guys, you’re all moving to the Dungeon of Gluttony soon.”

“Squish?!”

Maybe the announcement was too sudden. The slimes, who were working—no, playing in the fields, looked at me in surprise.

“We’re going to empty these fields and let you play in a bigger and better area.”

“Squish squish?”

One slime moved as if asking for an explanation. It seemed they had grown attached to this place.

“We’re starting major construction, including this interior area. I’m planning to keep this as my living space and move all the fields to Gluttony.”

I planned to leave a small vegetable garden since Ara was here and could manage it. After all, we usually slept in this slime dungeon. The Dungeon of Gluttony consumed mana depending on the time we spent there, so it made sense to transform this place completely into a living space and relocate all the fields. If we ever had an abundance of resources, we could even solve our living needs within the Dungeon of Gluttony.

‘Maybe completing a quest could stop the mana consumption too.’

If that happened, I would consider building a nice house in the Dungeon of Gluttony.

“Squish!”

The slimes nodded as if they understood. Most of the slimes here were Rookies who hadn’t experienced the Dungeon of Gluttony yet, so they had no idea how great it was.

“Look forward to it, guys.”

“So, let’s go to bed early tonight.”

“Yes! We need to wake up early!”

Tomorrow was finally the day when the last leaf Frey mentioned would fall. Therefore, we planned to go to bed early and wake up around 3 AM to visit Gluttony. We needed to enter early and prepare.

‘Frey’s awakening… Will I finally see her use the wings on her back to fly?’

“Beep beep beep!”

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