Yuto, who always had a poker face, seemed somewhat shaken. It wasn’t just because of Riko’s abrupt death.
“I couldn’t even react?”
The sword laying untouched in its scabbard. His hand hadn’t even reached the hilt of the sword.
In other words, it meant he didn’t even notice the movement of the small girl.
“I can’t believe this…”
There was no need to delve into the fact that Riko was a nimble assassin in the shadows. It was truly incredible speed.
“No, it might not be speed. It could be abilities like teleportation or illusion-based tricks…”
But there was no luxury to assess the situation.
“Oh, right.”
The girl pushed away Riko’s body like a broken doll, whose neck had been torn, spewing blood.
“Did you see it, big brother?”
As the girl with red liquid on her cheek looked at him.
“Um… What should I do?”
The girl seemed deeply contemplative. With a very serious expression, she muttered to herself.
“Elders should always be treated with care, according to unni…”
“Unni?”
Yuto couldn’t help but question the incomprehensible babble.
And then, “Yep! Unni!”
Like a child sharing some significant secret.
“Sister and I are appa’s, so we can secretly whisper to each other! Hehe! Appa still doesn’t know, right?”
With a bright and mischievous face, she whispered softly while placing her hands on her mouth. Presumably, if it weren’t for the sharp nails with bloody and golden scales, and the remnant of Riko’s. One might have mistaken the child for whispering secrets.
“Oh no! Unni told me not to say this either.”
The existence of a sister seemed so terrifying.
“Shiyeon! You silly, stupid idiot!”
Shiyeon stomped the ground in frustration, gripping the golden, reptilian hand that was now a third of her body size. Yuto’s expression grew even darker. Not because of the unsettling appearance of the child.
“Is there… another like her?”
Moreover, wouldn’t the sister most likely be stronger than the child before him?
Immediately, “It won’t work. Handsome oppa, sorry, but…”
Shiyeon sighed deeply, reverting back to her clear and innocent smile from before.
“Please die.”
Whispered into Yuto’s ear.
Thoughts, cognition, judgment –
Nothing descended, and there was no need for it.
Swish.
Yuto instinctively drew his sword, following his SSS-Rank trait, Sword Mastery.
Clang.
Accompanied by a ringing noise in his right ear.
“Urgh!”
A hefty thud reverberated from his wrist through his arm. Yuto staggered backward from the impact.
“Wow.”
Followed by a small gasp. The elongated nail that seemed to clash with his sword. Shiyeon alternated her gaze between her nail and the sword Yuto had unsheathed.
“Oppa, you’re fast, huh?”
In Shiyeon’s blinking eyes, there was the characteristic innocence of a child’s surprise.
“Hmm. If this is all, I can’t nicely kill you…”
Briefly clasping the golden-scaled hand, Shiyeon kept her smile as she stared at Yuto.
“Can’t you just die peacefully? I’ll make you die without pain by simply rupturing your heart.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
It seemed absurd. Hmm. Yuto, shrouding his slender Japanese sword in a bluish aura.
‘She neutralized my sword strike with just her nails. That means her deformed hand possesses power similar to my sword.’
Of course, other parts could be covered with golden scales as well.
‘Conversely, if it were another part, I could easily cut through.’
The little girl couldn’t be like the top-ranked Drake known to be impervious to sword strikes. His sword aura, reaching close to perfection, was arguably the best at this level. Even if deformed, it would always be vulnerable when struck.
“Die, monster,” he said. Yuto thought.
“Ha ha ha! Got you.”
With astonishment in his eyes, Yuto continued, “Wha-what!”
One.
With a thud, Shiyeon, who had exposed her neck, immediately grabbed Yuto’s wrist holding the sword and swiftly pulled it towards her. Crack. Her golden reptilian hand pierced through Yuto’s heart.
“….”
Not a single scream escaped. From the astonished Yuto’s lips, a red liquid flowed freely.
“See, it doesn’t hurt this way, right?”
Like a cherished doll, gently laying down the person in his arms.
“Now, handsome oppa, go to sleep~?”
He closed his eyes.
***
In the black space, where it wasn’t dark at all, Shimun approached a nearby altar. Astonishingly resembling an ancient Greek stone sculpture, the stone altar was both grand and rough.
On it lay a book made of a thicker magic than when Lemegeton was activated. Strangely enough, each time Shimun blinked, the book morphed into a key shape and back again.
“This is it.”
As if proving Shimun’s words, 『Constellation nods satisfactorily, “Hm.”』
『Constellation Heavenly Demon makes a surprised expression, “Did you really not expect Baal to consent to that again?”』
『Constellations Zeus, Odin, and Black Goat nod slightly.』
The Constellations each sent their own responses in a row.
‘He’s giving this to me.’
The legacy of Constellation. Obtained under the condition of handling all the arriving angels. Baal promised to grant his legacy as compensation. Shimun reached out for the object on the altar.
As Shimun’s hand touched it, the object dispersed softly, as if touching a gaseous form. However, despite dispersing, the substance was still separate. Guided by Shimun’s hand, it detached from the altar. Shimun checked the information panel of the object.
『Ars Getia』
Grade – Mythic
The first chapter of Lemegeton, consisting of five pieces and serving as the key.
When all five are collected, one can obtain Lemegeton.
Simultaneously.
“Crazy!”
His sharp pupils widened like a flickering flame.
It was no small matter.
“The first piece of Lemegeton?!”
The first piece. In other words, it meant the original Lemegeton. Yet, to obtain such an item directly, without any random generation?
– “-What’s that? Show us!”
– “This is the first time I’ve seen him so surprised.”
– “Is this an insane item?”
– “Mister Kim, we have the right to know your item too.”
– “I’m extremely curious.”
Although most of the chat showed doubt at the unexpected astonishment, that was it. In the first place, Kim Shimun didn’t check the chat during the Arena matches.
『Achievement ‘Mythic-Grade Item Acquisition’ achieved.』
『Obtained 5,000 achievement points as a reward.』
Wasn’t 5,000 achievement points a huge reward?
Moreover.
『Completed the mission of Constellation Baal.』
『Obtained 5,000 achievement points as a reward.』
『Obtained Baal’s Legacy ‘Ars Getia’.』
『Constellation Baal is registered under the title ‘Chosen by the Constellations’.』
『Conditions of the title ‘Chosen by the Constellations’ have been updated.』
With the completion of Constellation Baal’s mission, another 5,000 achievement points earned.
And even the title ‘Chosen by the Constellations’ was updated as well.
“Does this mean all stats +5?”
From Zeus, Black Goat, Heavenly Demon, to Odin, and now Baal. Although the actual stat increase was still +4 due to even numbers.
“Another solid sponsor added to the list.”
With the genuine interest from the top-rank Constellations, it was indeed a very fruitful outcome.
Furthermore.
“It seems like all the angels have been dealt with.”
With the completion of Baal’s mission, it seemed all the angels outside were likely to have been dealt with.
As Baal’s mission conditions were ‘the acquisition of legacy’ and ‘annihilation of the appearing angels’.
Perhaps by now, they might be wiping out the players vigorously.
“Then let’s properly check this out after the Arena ends.”
Kim Shimun stored the original Lemegeton, 『Ars Getia』, in his inventory.
Then turned around and left the space.
* * *
Krrr.
The distinctive rumble of the dimensional whirlwind could be heard. The residual effect of the Constellation Hermes’ shoes still in effect. Carried by the Talaria, Kim Shimun landed on the small island where Shiyeon had been.
Heading towards the bunker Shimun left Shiyeon in, Kim Shimun looked around, puzzled.
“Shiyeon?”
Inside the bunker. Yet, there was no sign of anyone around.
“Shiyeon!”
A sinking feeling in his chest. Kim Shimun called out, scanning the surroundings. Fortunately.
“Appa?”
Had she been wandering around the surroundings for a while? Shiyeon shook off her hands at the edge of the ground and shouted,
“Appa!”
She rushed over and hugged Kim Shimun tightly. Along with that.
『You have completed the Constellations’ mission.』
『You have earned 10,000 Achievement Points.』
With the Constellations’ mission completed,
『You are the last survivor.』
『The winner of the Platinum Rank debut match has been determined.』
『The Platinum Rank debut match is now over.』
A message announcing the end of the debut match appeared.
* * *
『Drama! The Winner of This Platinum Debut Match is a Korean?!』
『Only Two Participants, and a Miraculous 1st and 2nd Place Finish』
『Second Place Choi Jinsu: ‘I Did Nothing’ – All Thanks to the Influence of the First Place』
『Kim Shimun, a Domestic Player? Night Hunter Says ‘Absolutely Not’』
『The World is Watching Kim Shimun, Might He Immigrate?』
『Kim Shimun, receiving worldwide attention, could she possibly immigrate?』
『Germany’s top young talent Faust’s controversial statement, “Kim Shimun is a bug player,” stirs discussion』
News constantly being uploaded.
Broadcast, internet, everyone was pointing out one person as the headline.
-Did you watch the broadcast? Seriously, he’s a monster.
-It looked like he spawned alone in the Middle East and just swept through everything, lol.
-His domination over demons was amazing. Then that psycho Faust lost his cool, lol.
-I was amazed when the demons kneeled down. My brother is Diamond, replaying that scene over and over on the TWC channel.
From Galaxy Arena exclusive communities to general ones. All were filled with issues regarding this Platinum debut match and the winner, Kim Shimun.
-Where did those guys who called them a small fish go?
-They’re probably unconscious, lol.
-If those promising domestic talents are X, is Korea the strongest country?
-For real, just watching Kim Shimun’s broadcast once makes you unable to say that.
Originally, there were only two Korean participants in this Platinum debut match. Even though Shimun was flying high as the winner of the Gold debut match, there weren’t high expectations.
Because overall, other than the first-generation players and the current Diamond ranks, the players’ overall level wasn’t that high. Even though the top ranks in Platinum had made somewhat of a name for themselves, that was it.
Ultimately, looking at the results, they were just players who couldn’t surpass the Diamond wall. That was the general public’s perception. However, this time in the Platinum debut match, from one individual’s power to demon domination, Shimun’s overwhelming performance shattered that perception, causing quite a stir.
-But doesn’t Kim Shimun have a personal channel? Why is everyone going to TWC?
-That guy only does broadcasts and doesn’t have a separate channel. Maybe he’ll create one this time?
-Another ranker is coming out. Indeed, a country that specializes in producing rankers.
– True, and he’s on the level of the Sword Saint or the Iron Wall Saintess. Different quality.
-Exactly.
Constantly popping up posts.
And.
“Hoo.”
A man watching it in real-time let out a deep sigh. He nervously turned off the monitor.
“What happened? Did you find it?”
A 2-meter-tall man standing like a statue in front of him. He asked Golem Choi Changwook. Choi Changwook nodded lightly.
“Yes. Surprisingly, there’s a facility related to the materials in Korea.”
“In Korea?”
A somewhat surprised Kim Muyeol questioned. Choi Changwook nodded once again.
“It’s in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province.”
“Cheorwon?”
“Yes. I’m not sure if it’s a research facility or a production facility, but there is a facility related to the ingredients used in the Zhang Liqiu’s serum.”
Kim Muyeol’s sharp eyebrow raised slightly. As the President of the Korean Association, Kim Muyeol knows all overseas facilities. However.
“Why haven’t I heard of this before?”
To his knowledge, there were no facilities related to awakening in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province.
Or rather, there were no facilities related to any awakeners in the first place. This is something not even found in the association’s records.
“That…”
Choi Changwook subtly shifted his gaze. Kim Muyeol’s expression hardened.
“You couldn’t have failed to find out, could you?”
“I’m sorry. We have no information in that direction…”
“Then how did you find out that there’s a facility in Cheorwon?”
“Some information came from the mainland group.”
“The mainland group?”
Kim Muyeol’s eyebrows raised again. This time, not only his eyebrows but his whole expression rose noticeably. One thing.
“Not Zhang Liqiu, but the mainland group?”
Asked Kim Muyeol, who had been carefully choosing his words.
“Perhaps it’s the moderate faction representing the mainland?”
“Yes.”
Kim Muyeol stroked his chin.
‘Information from the moderate faction….’
Originally, he should have had at least some doubts.
‘Currently, the moderate faction is in a power struggle with the Zhang Liqiu’s faction.’
Looking at the situation of the current mainland group, the story was different.
As he reached that realization, “Damn it.”
Kim Muyeol muttered under his breath, thinking of his troublesome nephew. Watching him, Choi Changwook cautiously asked, “Should we keep this from Kim Shimun?”
“No, as agreed, let’s pass on the information to that guy.”
“But he probably already knows, right? President-nim said he had already joined hands with Seo Wiryong.”
“That’s right.”
Kim Muyeol stared sharply at the blackened monitor screen. The face of his annoying nephew involuntarily came to mind.
“He destroyed Kang Hwawi and had quite a conversation with Seo Wiryong.”
After removing people from the Zhang Liqiu’s faction and finalizing the contract with the moderate faction, there was little room for doubt. However, using the adjustment of the loan fee as an excuse, “The sly guy wouldn’t have casually called Seo Wiryong, the representative of the moderate faction, for no reason.”
“But President-nem, couldn’t this be an overstretch? The Shimdrasil Guild is owned by the Korean ranker Kim Shihyuk.”
“Choi Changwook, after spending years with me, do you still not know these guys?”
Kim Muyeol chuckled and shook his head.
“Kim Shihyuk strictly follows Kim Shimun’s words. Even if it’s something he doesn’t want. Therefore, all of this comes from Kim Shimun, that sly guy.”
“But… I’m sorry.”
Choi Changwook couldn’t help but interject. It was natural. Even if they were close brothers. Kim Shihyuk is a ranker considered a national treasure of South Korea.
And he follows a novice, no, a novice who has just entered Platinum? Nevertheless, Kim Muyeol didn’t show any significant reaction.
“I understand your doubts. But it’s certain. There’s even a possibility that the master of that guild is Kim Shimun. Kim Shihyuk is just a scarecrow.”
If he’s as sly as he is, that would be enough. Muttering to himself, Kim Muyeol asked, “What about DS?”
“… I’m sorry, we’re investigating from every angle… but as there was an exchange of information with the moderate faction this time, we’re currently inquiring in that direction.”
Kim Muyeol took a deep breath as Choi Changwook bowed his head.
“Phew. Find out as soon as possible. We must know any side effects of DS.”
In order to prevent the nullification of the characteristics displayed by that troublesome nephew.
“I’ll go now.”
“Yes.”
Watching Choi Changwook leave with a farewell,
Snap.
Kim Muyeol lit up the strongest Arena brand cigarette and put it in his mouth.