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.
Author's notes
Looking up the dictionary, the word 'ulterior motive'(T/N: '사심', look in TL note) has quite a lot of meanings. What 'ulterior motives' is Erta's?
Noogie : Also called 'spinny-spinny attack'. It's the technique that Shin-chan's mother does to Shin-chan. It's very painful so let's not imitate it.
Translator's notes
For those that know CN or JP, '사심/ulterior motives' can be written as 私心/死心/邪心/捨心, all pronounced 'sa-shim' in Korean. Obviously, I can only choose one to translate to.
Translator : Chamber
Sponsored chapter
"..."
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.
Author's notes
1. He must have it good, he got a building after selling the weapon and the robe…..
2. Of course, this weapon is not about superiority complex stuff, so I didn't give him a building for nothing.
3. I think you might be saying this in the comments in this chapter, so I'm saying this before hand, but… It's not harem!!(T/N: This statement is retracted in the next chapter)
Translator's notes
FYI, MC can make Traps of destruction better than the smiths in heaven (and faster), so there's your answer to why he's the best smith across all worlds'.
Translator : Chamber
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!
Translator's notes
Romantic details do appear… That's like… in X more chapters though…. (X is censored due to being a spoiler)
Translator : Chamber
The start of the brand, Vanguard, was very simple.
Of course, no one would describe a brand starting in the Gangnam reinforced district as 'simple'.
However, it might not be wrong to say it's simple since Vanguard, that appeared out of nowhere, started with just a sign board without any advertisements.
Moreover, that brand, despite using the 13th and 14th floors of a building, had locked away the 14th floor entirely. Even a person who had business in other floors questioned that fact.
"Is it a storage room? No, it shouldn't be. The rent here is huge."
That didn't matter since the brand owner was also the owner of the building.
"Just with what confidence did someone hang a poor looking sign in the middle of Gangnam? At least they could tell people what they're selling. Debt and stock must be piling up soon."
That didn't matter since the owner had a lot of money.
Of course, the other people didn't know of those circumstances. The majority laughed awkwardly upon seeing it, and some laughed in loathing.
The rest of the people, came to the 13th floor to ask what kind of store it was.
And they could understand that the brand Vanguard meant what the word really meant.
"Welcome to Vanguard."
The two employees that Yu IlHan had picked out after personally interviewing them, greeted the customers. One guide, and one at the counter. He thought about just taking one, but he decided on two after thinking about it.
However, the customers weren't ready to receive the welcomes of the employees. They had become absent minded after seeing the weapons in display.
"Just what is…"
"What are these, weapons? There are finally these kind of stores?"
Strictly speaking, it wasn't that there were none of these stores until now, but none of them were as accessible as Vanguard. Well, there was no helping it, because despite the fact that blacksmiths existed on Earth, they did not have the ability to make better products than the artifacts in other worlds. Not to mention, factory produced weapons.
"If you want, you can check the information of the products by grabbing them, but you are not allowed to swing them."
"I wondered what was up. It looks okay on the outside. Let's go back. There's no way they are better than those in other worlds, right?"
"But they look cool. Let's just look at the information. I can check this one, right?"
"As you wish. However, if you step outside with a product that you haven't purchased, then the sensor would activate so be careful."
The employees were only warned of 3 things from Yu IlHan.
First, Vanguard would only operate once a week, on Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They wouldn't be able to enter on other days.
Second, one customer may buy up to 2 products.
Third, merchants are not allowed.
Unlike the companion that wanted to go back after thinking that only the outside looked pretty well, the man who could somehow check that the blade of the sword was at least very straight and sharp, grabbed the bastard sword as soon as the employee's permission fell.
This man had hunted quite a lot both in another world and on Earth, so his level was 22. He was long past the time he would sway due to the weight of the weapon.
"Wow."
As such, he knew as soon as he picked up the weapon; how perfect the balance of the bastard sword was, and how good the grip was.
Even if the performance of this weapon wasn't that good, he would be satisfied; he could feel the sincerity of the crafter.
Despite that, he could only get frightened after seeing the text appearing on his retina.
[Sharp Wolf Bone Bastard]
[Rank – Rare]
[Attack Power – 1,950]
[Option – The wielder can cut apart those with higher defense than the attack power of this sword.]
[A mass produced weapon made by the world's best smith, using low quality materials. Despite the fact that its power does not lack, this bastard was made with common materials and it shows the path that mass produced weapons must go.]
"Just, what is…"
"It's trash, right? So let's go to somewhere else."
"Yes. You can go all you want."
Kicking his colleague that was speaking nonsense, the man asked the employee.
"Is this sword I grabbed coincidentally this powerful? It's not, right?"
"Of course it isn't. It's Vanguard standard."
"Vanguard standard…"
An exceptional product that even the 2nd class, the top of the Earth's ranking right now, would receive without hesitation, was the brand's standard. The man could only laugh awkwardly/
"Oh my god. Just what is happening on Earth?"
"Why are you being so annoying! Huh?"
The colleague couldn't stand the man's hype, and picked up a dagger nearby and ended up screaming. The dagger's attack power was a staggering 1,300 despite the fact that it looked like it was carved from a bone at most. He didn't want to believe his eyes, but he knew very well that he couldn't not believe it.
They exchanged glances. Then asked the employee with one mind.
"How much is it?"
The employee replied with a clean smile.
"All Vanguard's standard weapons are 100 million won each, sir customer (85,000USD). You can also buy them with suitable monster byproducts."
The thing Yu IlHan thought about the most while making weapons was of course, the price. Honestly, he wanted to give them out for free to give everyone an opportunity, but he knew very well that opportunity was called opportunity because it could not go in everyone's direction. There was no way he would be able to make weapons for all the people of Earth.
As such, it was 100 million. A margin between what could prove his value, and what other people could afford. Yu IlHan thought that margin as 100 million.
Like how Yu IlHan did not know of all the circumstances of all the people, he knew the fact that there would be people who wouldn't be able to buy these weapons despite their sufficient qualifications and talent, and that there would be people who would buy these weapons despite the fact that they had neither motivation nor ability to move forward. However, who would be able to calculate everything? Didn't even God fail?
As such, he thought that this was the best he could do. If he was wrong, then he would change it later.
"No way, such a good weapon only costs 100 million!? People would line up even if this was sold at 5 billion!"
"However, we don't even have that 100 million."
"That's true."
The first customers could not buy the weapons so they left helplessly.
Like modern people who liked to gossip, they started chatting about Vanguard on mobile messengers and various SNS, and as they had expected, that information grabbed a huge amount of attention almost instantly.
[Anyone heard of Vanguard?]
[I think it's a lie though.]
[I just bought a breastplate and a warhammer. I won't make this long. Anyone that has money should run there right now. Just think that you're deceived and go. It's a waste of time just waiting.]
[Ah, shit. It's definitely a lie but it keeps nagging on my mind.]
[We sold our house and bought weapons for my little brother and I. I don't know who the owner is, but thank you so much.]
[You bought a weapon after selling your house? It looks like that guy is really well off.]
[Wao, things turned out like this!](T/N: Guess who)
Nothing was sold in the first 2 hours of the store opening, but on the third hour, 2 were sold at once, and 50 more on the two hours after. Then, the store closed.
Not even one week had passed, only half a day had passed and the gossip had spread around to many people, and they all wanted to buy the items, but the employees who were instructed strictly by Yu IlHan, had locked the store as soon as it became 5 p.m.
There were some who tried to force their way in, and those who tried to sneak in and steal, but they all failed just before they could succeed. The magical protection that blocked them, top be exact, the angels' protective magic, was the reason.
"It's obvious, but it is no ordinary store."
"Just what the hell is it? Is this prepared by the one called God?"
"Wouldn't he give out quests rather than asking for money?"
The people asked the employees who were leaving work, but since they were only hired by Yu IlHan, they could not answer the questions.
There were only 3 that knew how things worked right now, excluding Yu IlHan. Kang MiRae, Kang HaJin, and Na YuNa. On a round table, they were talking about the situation that happened after they gave out the building to Yu IlHan.
"Just what is that person… fuu. It's tiring to just say it. He shouldn't have taken the smith here to Earth, right?"
"You know very well that that's impossible, oppa. It's his ability. He would be supplied from another world, and release them on Earth."
Kang MiRae replied in a cold tone after looking at the performance of the shoulder plate and the boots that Kang HaJin had bought himself. After realizing that he was feeling the same emotion as the one that his little sister was feeling, Kang HaJin just made a bitter smile.
"Yes, that must be true. It's not that his own ability is good. I thought he was a quiet kind of guy, but he had an unbelievable connection like this. Just what did he do to receive total support from such a smith?"
"I don't think it would just end with 'such a smith'. It says the best across all worlds. ALL WORLDS."
Na YuNa pointed out Kang HaJin's error. All worlds, it couldn't be said lightly, but the item's info was as such, so there was no helping it.
So, this meant that the crafter that made this shoulder plate had a better ability than any of the smiths in other worlds. It wasn't a level that could be reached just by hammering away for hundreds of years, but only Yu IlHan himself didn't know that.
"It's a good thing for Earth. It's unbelievable, but this business of his is only an extension of the trade he had with me. He really is an upright person."
Kang MiRae concluded. She had a face that had non-acceptance written on it. SHe was feeling slightly touched, and a bigger rage; faint hope and deep despair.
"Fuf, Fuffhi."
Suddenly, Na YuNa made a weird laugh. The siblings thought that she put on a stone mask, (T/N: Google tells me stone mask is "Ishikamen" from JoJo) but it wasn't that. She just found this situation too funny.
"Puhi, puhihihi."
"Na YuNa, did you get inflicted with mental magic or something?"
"Puhhh, Nooo. Just, huhu. I just understand."
Na YuNa made a nonchalant wink that didn't fit with her idiotic laugh. Naturally, Kang MiRae asked back, stupefied.
"What do you understand?"
"A little, more than MiRae though."
"Nonsense."
Kang MiRae's brows twitched. Kang HaJin, who realized that she had become enraged, tried to stop Na YuNa, but stopping here was not worthy of Na YuNa's name. She kept laughing and touched the shoulder plate in front of her eyes.
"How funny. How can this be? It's so interesting."
"What a coincidence, I also think it would become much more interesting now."
In Kang MiRae's two hands sparked golden lightning. If Kang HaJin didn't stop her, either Na YuNa would have blown up or the office would have blown up.
"Should I tell you what's so interestiiiing?"
"Shut up."
"MiRae's so cute when angry too!"
"Stop."
Kang HaJin smacked Na YuNa's had while sighing. Leaving her, crying while stroking her forehead, he took back the shoulder plate and the boots before placing a pile of paperwork on the table.
"Enough about Mr. Yu IlHan. Us moving won't really help anything, but I'll do something about it. Shall we go onto our work, Clan Master?"
"Fuu."
Clan was something that both Kang MiRae and Kang HaJin had once offered to Yu IlHan. It referred to an group of ability users based in Korea.
Kang MiRae was the master while Kang HaJin was the vice-master, and Na YuNa was just an ordinary member. The clan members were just those three.
Until now, that is.
"The number of clans that officially made themselves known numbers in the hundreds just until now. There are some small scale groups that made themselves known in Korea too. Delaying anymore would make this half-hearted. To bring your name up, we should start doing activities after receiving members."
"Yes, we should."
Kang MiRae nodded obediently. Her expression was still complex, but the words from her mouth were very clear.
"Let's start recruiting the members of the 'Lightning God' clan."
"It'll be better if we change the name though…"
"Shut up."
Meanwhile, Yu IlHan, who had unintentionally made the executives of the Lighting God clan chaotic, was…
[You have earned 2,989,744 experience.]
[You have earned the record of Lv 93 Dark Shadow.]
[Killing a 2nd class with concealment in one strike with a surprise attack 1/3,000]
"Ah shit. How is this any 'easier'!"
[Well maybe it was killing a 4th class in one strike with a surprise attack before.](Erta)
[Zzzz.](Lita)
…currently training alone to evolve his concealment skills in the most dangerous dungeon in the world.
Author's notes
1. I wanted to convey the feeling that people were adapting and changing to the world after the Great Cataclysm in a viewpoint other than the main character. How was it? Did I convey it well?
2. Since he hadn't set up Vanguard to earn money, the standard weapons will end at 100 million won! Well, there's no price for the materials so he would still profit.
3. Concealment skill evolution criteria doesn't end with just that.
Translator's notes
Enjoy~
Translator : Chamber
Now that Yu IlHan's objective to enhance the people of Earth was now on a smooth start thanks to the launching of the brand, Vanguard, his next objective was of course to go to Daréu and beat up all the dragons.
His motivation died down instantly since the objective he was facing was way too grand, but even so, as this was the most urgent matter, he had no choice. And, after thinking what the most important element in fulfilling that objective would be, he concluded that he should evolve his concealment first.
Concealment was the only innate ability he had, and at the same time, his strongest ability.
Of course, as he couldn't use mana, he couldn't deploy it of his own will, but thanks to the title that made his concealment passive, there was no big hindrance in bringing out that ability.
If a problem was that the concealment would wear off after attacking once, then its solution would be ending the target in a single strike.
Moreover, he also had another reason why he tried to evolve his concealment first: the skill evolution conditions had become easier after he had gone through the first and second class advancements. And the 'easier' conditions were the following:
[Killing a 2nd class with concealment with a surprise attack 398/3,000]
[Killing a 3rd class with concealment with a surprise attack 1/300]
[Acquiring a high ranked title related to concealment 1/1]
[2nd class magic stone 132/1,000]
[3rd class magic stone 0/100]
"I might just die if it had got 'easier' once!"
[Even to me, it looks quite impressive. Skills with bullshit evolution conditions like this should be rare. But it's fortunate that you don't have to kill it at once, no?](Erta)
"Isn't it the same since concealment becomes meaningless after one strike?"
[Well, to you, it is.](Erta)
[Zzz.](Lita)
If he became able to wield mana and use active concealment, then it wouldn't be impossible for him to go into concealment after an attack and do a surprise attack again.
Of course, since Yu IlHan could not use mana yet, the chance to do a surprise attack was as good as gone when his concealment wore off.
[Do your best. As far as I know, all dragonkin have concealment abilities as their basics, so if you kill 299 3rd class dragonkin, then that's one condition done.](Erta)
For reference, the '1' in the requirement to kill 300 3rd classes was referring to Reta Kar'iha. Although he had killed the Shadow Leopard, if counting 3rd class monsters with concealment ability, it didn't die in a surprise attack, so it didn't count. Truly a damned world.
"Wow, that's consoles me soooo much, alright."
[Zzz.](Lita)
In the end, doesn't this mean that he wouldn't be able to evolve his concealment until he went inside the dungeon connected to Daréu?
Well, of course, as it had tremendous ability even before the evolution, he did expect that evolving it wouldn't be easy, but he couldn't help his sighs.
[You have earned 3,090,850 experience.]
[Killing 2nd class with concealment in a surprise attack 399/3,000]
[You have become level 67. 1 Strength, 2 Agility, 1 Health, 1 Magic increases.]
Of course, he didn't look for dungeons only to evolve his concealment. Although the dungeon he found was one where monsters had concealment, at the same time, it was also the dungeon with the highest level monsters accessible on Earth right now.
[You have earned 3,112,002 experience.]
[Killing 2nd class with concealment in a surprise attack 400/3,000]
[Level requirement 90… Just how did such a dungeon come about, after only such a short period of time had passed since the Great Cataclysm? This dungeon is also where 'migrants' appear too.](Erta)
"Didn't I say to not ask me? Just renew the dungeon information properly. I killed all the low level monsters so the average level of the monsters are about to rise."
[It's alright. There should be no other human than you, who would want to enter this dungeon! This is all Lita's fault.](Erta)
[Zzz.](Lita)
The time Lita had brought this information was 3 hours after the plan to beat up the God of Smithing was annulled. As soon as Yu IlHan had said that he wanted to evolve his concealment, she seemed to fly to the skies before coming back with information in no time at all.
Erta had a feeling of rejection in releasing the information on dungeons like that, but Lita was different. This should mean that she trusted in him that much. He honestly didn't feel that bad about it.
That didn't mean that he was disappointed in Erta. She should have her own set of standards. One that's a little tight and one that is wrong frequently.
"If the 2nd Great Cataclysm happens in a month's time, then this dungeon might explode and crisis may erupt on Japan. They should thank me if I clean it up beforehand."
[I said it's not one month!](Erta)
This dungeon was located in the Kantou region of Japan, and it was good since Japan was easier to enter than China.
Yes. Yu IlHan had, for the first time in his life, bought an airplane ticket and entered Japan officially! And the dungeon waiting for him was worthy for him to spend his time crossing the sea.
It was good that the monsters in this dungeon all had concealment abilities which helped him fulfill the evolution conditions of the concealment skill, and also, as expected of the most difficult dungeon on Earth right now, his levelling speed was fast as well.
There were several who couldn't acquire their 2nd class in their lifetime, but currently, Yu IlHan was levelling at a pace of about 1 level per day.
Of course, this was because Yu IlHan had the ability to fight monsters way above his level like nothing, but it was also due to the fact that the monsters were shadows that had concealment abilities, and he could also sweep them in quite easily.
The problem he had encountered was also that: the fact that his enemies were shadows.
[You have earned 3,455,767 experience.]
[Killing 2nd class with concealment in a surprise attack 1,349/3,000]
"This thing doesn't leave behind a body either."
Muttered Yu IlHan with a dark expression. In his front was the figure of a shadow monster that became particles of mana and scattered into the air after its life ended and it had lost the ability to coagulate its body.
What was left was only a 2nd class magic stone emitting black light, similar to the characteristics of the shadow monster.
"It should be fine to leave me with a little!"
[I already told you that it's an existence that would lose its corporeal body and scatter since it was born from the shadows.](Erta)
There were two problems due to that. First, it had become impossible for him to earn any byproducts from them and make equipment, and the second was that he couldn't cook with their bodies.
[Uuum, Should I bring the food?](Lita)
At that time, Lita, who just woke up from her sleep, asked him while rubbing her eyes. Hearing the news that he could use the meal delivery service that he never imagined he could use while being with only Erta, Yu IlHan asked, seemingly delighted.
"Really?"
[Yeah, just give me 5 minutes.](Lita)
However, the next moment, Yu IlHan changed his expression before snorting and shaking his head.
"But I refuse."
[What!!?](Lita)
"One of the work this Yu IlHan likes the most is cooking with monsters that I've killed myself."
[Kuhk, to think that I will lose to a mere monster cooking, this is the greatest insult of my lifetime as an angel!](Lita)
[You two can sure play around.](Erta)
The harmony of a thousand years wouldn't go anywhere. Yu IlHan and Lita were overcoming the boring dungeon with their strangely harmonic conversation trained through numerous years!
Meanwhile, Erta, who had no confidence in joining in on their harmony, grabbed Yu IlHan's phone and regularly checked the SNS. That Erta, who hated SNS to the bones, due to some circumstances unknown to Yu IlHan, was!
[They're complaining about why you only open on Mondays.](Erta)
Of course, what she was reading was about Yu IlHan, to be exact, the brand Vanguard, since it could be said that the current hottest topic in Korea was Vanguard.
No, to be exact, while Yu IlHan had spent his days in the dungeon, stories about Vanguard had even spread through the SNS to other countries as well. Major TV companies and newspaper companies all talked about Vanguard at least once. Honestly, this result was more amazing than he had imagined, but Yu IlHan just firmly replied.
"That should be, since that's how to get them all riled up."
[The effect was a little too excessive. Right now, it's even going out as the top news in a foreign major TV company.](Erta)
"Oh, it looks like foreign people would visit next Monday."
No matter how great the power of media was before the Great Cataclysm, it would be hard for a single store to surface in less than a week.
However, not now.
Vanguard wasn't simply a store a little amount of weapons and armor, but a blessed place where it sold swords and shields and the like that could save several lives, depending on the situation, at a cheap price of 100 million won.
[Honestly, it's way too low quality considering that you made it, but considering the ratio of price to performance, it should be the best across all worlds. The interest in Vanguard would only increase if anything, but not decrease.](Erta)
"Yeah, that should be true. Although, I don't know since I never went to another world."
Yu IlHan replied while shrugging his shoulders, but Erta was more worried if Yu IlHan had understood the current situation properly or not.
[Yu IlHan, you're laughing right now, but soon, your identity will be leaked. Well, you have absolute power so you would be fine unless a nuke drops on you, but at that time, your parents might get caught up in this too. You shouldn't look down on human greed.](Erta)
"No, it should be alright."
Honestly, Yu IlHan didn't have such a deep filial piety. However, it wasn't that he was unfilial. Rather, he had more affection for them, and wanted to do more for them, since he couldn't see them for 1000 years. The problem was that his parents didn't accept.
However, there's no way he could raise his head in front of them, when he got them caught up in this when he didn't do anything for them, right?
Yu IlHan asked the two angels, who, despite having 'transcended' emotions, liked jewels and got angry quite well.
"Human greed, you say. I know very well. Well, then. who, at this point, knows the value of Vanguard the best? And those that would desperately want to hide this?"
[Excluding you?](Erta)
[Me! IlHan's metalworking is the world's beeeeeeeeest!](Lita)
"Excluding you two too."
[Ah.](Erta)
Hearing Yu IlHan's words, Erta realized the correct answer before laughing and replying.
[There was the Empress. I was a fool.](Erta)
"Bingo. I guarantee that she would do something herself. No, there's a possibility that she would do better than I expected."
In the first place, that building was owned by Na YuNa's grandfather before. Although the era had changed, if someone had the identity where they could give out such buildings like that, they should be the core personnel even within those with vested interests, with both political and financial power.
Before, they were hateful existences who took without giving back, but having them as allies were very reassuring.
[So there was a reason why you were so daring to act like that.](Erta)
[He's just using them like how they tried to use him, aren't they? It's a give and take.](Lita)
Yu IlHan had all the abilities to survive on a changed Earth while they had the abilities that worked even after society had changed. They had only exchanged those things.
At first, he didn't think up to this point when telling Kang MiRae his number, but during the time he sold the staff, he thought that there should be a time when he would receive help from her. And it actually became like that as well.
Although, they were probably protecting him not to help him, but in order to prevent the artifact he's creating from going into the hands of the wrong people.
[So on Earth, a dropout adapts better than returnees.](Erta)
"Hah! That's like installing father in boiler's house."
Yu IlHan flicked his spear with a nonchalant reply to pierce the shadow monster that just shot out from the floor.
[You have earned 2,876,019 experience.]
[Killing 2nd class with concealment in a surprise attack 1,350/3,000]
"It should be god if 3rd class monsters appeared as normal mobs."
[Don't talk about horrifying things and go inside.](Erta)
He pouted after hearing Erta's words. Reality couldn't be avoided just by averting the eyes. It was something to face head on!
"What horrifying, I can just fight it head on if that happens."
[No, IlHan. It's not a problem solved by just fighting them.](Lita)
"Please explain, Litawagon."
Lita explained in place of Erta, while smiling.
[3rd class monsters appearing as boss monsters and appearing as normal monsters are two completely different things. Boss monsters may appear if they're exceptional, but normal monsters evolving to 3rd class means that the concentration of mana, at least in the Kantou region of Japan, has increased to the point that it's not at the level of a 1st Great Cataclysm.
The average difficulty of the dungeon would increase, and it would become easier for Dungeon Breaks to occur as well. In other words, it would become a problem that's not only related to this dungeon alone.](Lita)
"So they're like cockroaches, eh? If 1 appears, then I have to kill the 29 left after flipping over the entire place, right?"
[How clever.](Lita)
Lita stroked Yu IlHan's head like he was cute to her. Erta sighed at Lita's speech, and Yu IlHan became dejected while feeling her hand.
He had already foreseen the future now that their conversation had reached this point.
"Yes, I should install a Kantou region in insecticide's house."
Yu IlHan muttered while sighing.
And just as he had expected, it became reality after 3 weeks he had entered the dungeon.
{kiiiii!}
{Record, to, thicken, my, shadow, deeper.}
{*muffled breathing*}
In the core parts of the dungeon were tens, no, hundreds of monsters that breathed roughly like Darth Vader.
From their auras, they seemed to have similar levels to the Highland Troll Boss that was around Lv 100, and looking at their forms, they looked like it hadn't been a lot of time since they were generated.
In other words, there were 3rd class monsters everywhere.
Yu IlHan looked at Lita while gripping on his spiked spear.
"What was that about Kantou region again?"
[I said it's doomed.](Lita)
"You will give me a quest if a Dungeon Break occurs, right?"
[Yes, sir.](Lita)
[No, it will be alright. It should not be occurring.](Erta)
And exactly 2 days later, Yu IlHan cleaned up all the monsters inside the dungeon and exited after becoming Lv 75.
However, in Kantou region, a large scale Dungeon Chain Break, a.k.a a Dungeon Wave was occurring.
Author's notes
1. Erta said that Dungeon Breaks would not occur unless the 2nd Great Catclysm arrives, but that's a lie!
2. Many people say that switching around words in a sentence is Russian humor.
Translator's notes
Enjoy~ Regular chap for yesterday(Sunday)
Translator : Chamber
Although the opinions would differ from person to person, generally, Kantou region was historically, politically, commercially the center of Japan.
As such, the Dungeon Break that started in Kanagawa prefecture without any signs one day made numerous Japanese people shocked. Not just the Japanese, it was the same with all the other people on Earth.
It was shocking that a mix of 1st and 2nd class monsters had appeared out of nowhere, but it was more shocking since everyone believed that Dungeon Breaks would not occur unless the 2nd Great Cataclysm arrived.
This was the moment when their knowledge learnt in other worlds had popped like a soap bubble.
If a Dungeon Break ends as a Dungeon Break, then there would be no problems. However, the monsters freed from the dungeons not only try to kill humans, but they also try to free other monsters by destroying other dungeons. This was because they knew that their forces were insufficient.
And that didn't end unless they forced all the humans into submission and kill them on the land they could step on. As a result, that land would only be left with monsters, and the monsters would repeat the Dungeon Break by going over to another piece of land.
If that covered the whole world, then that was the end of the world.
Moreover, the monsters on Earth had high intelligence on average, so their movements were very meticulous and evil.
As a result, in just a single day after the Dungeon Break had occurred, all dungeons in Kanagawa prefecture broke down, and the damage and casualties in Kanagawa prefecture was tremendous as well.
At that point, no, the moment they realized that a Dungeon Break had occurred, Japan requested SOS to the world. A pan-national organization, which was prepared for such cases, were dispatched as well.
Of course, other countries didn't just sit back and relax because it was happening in another country; they knew that this monster wave wouldn't just end in Japan if they did not take care of the situation beforehand.
Japan being an island wouldn't change the fact that it was dangerous. There were several dungeons in Japan where flying monsters were trapped in. If they assaulted at once, then that would really be the end.
Other countries first checked the possibility of Dungeon Breaks occurring in their own countries, and they only sent reinforcements to Japan after making their elite forces on standby next to the highest level dungeon in their country.
Although they could be seen as selfish, there was no helping it. What good would it be if their own country was doomed while helping Japan?
Hundreds of thousands of ability users headed to Japan. The lowest level among them were above level 20, and they were those who could be called 'elites' – such people had gathered in Kantou.
Amongst them, 20% had died on the first day in the chaotic fight, and the scale of the damage was increasing.
{*Screeech*}
"Shit, it's a flying-type monster!"
"The JSDF, where's the special forces of the JSDF! If we don't stop them here, even Shizuoka would be in danger!"
"Go to the rooftop and shoot those monsters down! Block them in area A-1!"
The first thing they should do was to prevent the proliferation to other areas. The people all wanted to finish the crisis within Kanagawa prefecture, but only half succeeded.
They could somehow prevent the proliferation to Shizuoka prefecture, which was towards the inland, but the roads towards Tokyo had been broken through.
{*Chirp*, there are a lot of our friends here.}
{There are a lot of humans. Breathing humans, many records!}
"Shit, block them!"
Was it a coincidence? Tokyo had the more dungeons than any of the cities in the world. Not only that, it had a lot of facilities, and most of all, people.
That made the situation even worse.
"E, escape, escape to other worlds!"
"Shit, I just came back.... N, no!"
Blood and flesh scattered around everywhere, buildings collapsed, and cars caused explosions. There were a lot of casualties on the ability users' side as well. Every one of them, who had gathered with different minds at the same place, were fairly meeting death.
The Japanese, who had to pay a cruel price in blocking the initial monster violence during the initial stages of the Great Cataclysm, had installed strong defensive measures on buildings above a certain scale, but as the scale of this wave was too big, they couldn't bring out any effect either.
If they were 1st classes, then it would somehow be plausible to block them with modern firepower, but for 2nd classes, it wasn't possible unless they poured missiles at them. They had to be blocked by the ability users somehow.
And as such, an environment where clans formed with high level elites can act freely, was being formed. Amongst them was the Lightning God clan of Korea that had answered the request for help from Japan.
"Na YuNa, buff!"
"Make oppa's shield much, much bigger!"
"Ah, can't you do something about that chant!"
{Kiiiik, block the magic!}
"Block the monster behind us! Protect the master!"
"Master, not yet?"
"Soon!"
The composition of the members of the Lightning God clan was very strange. The Empress, Kang MiRae, was located in the middle, and next to her was the priestess, Na YuNa. The one protecting them at their front was the holy knight, Kang HaJin, and other than them, 7 members that they had picked were standing in a protective formation to guard Kang MiRae and Na YuNa.
"Chain Lightning!"
{Kwaaaaak!}
{B, brave orc's, Kahak!}
Shouted Kang MiRae while holding a luxurious-looking staff with both of her hands. The lump of lightning that sparked above her head spread throughout the area and struck the 2nd class orcs, and it didn't only end at that and spread around to other monsters and killed them.
That stacked and stacked more to kill 70 2nd class monsters in a single chant. She seemed amazed at the destructive power of her own attack before she hugged the staff and rubbed it with her cheeks.
"What a lovely staff."
"You might marry that staff at that rate... They're coming from another direction, next magic chant!"
"Make MiRae's next magic super duper strong!"
"Like I said, that chant!"
However, Empresses must always stand at the top. She wasn't at the point where she was satisfied with herself.
Kang MiRae opened her mouth while staring at the tens of 2nd class orc elite squad.
"Who has the best reactions?"
"Metal Knights of England and Magia of Italy are becoming famous."
"Magia? That's quite blatant."
Magia, the Italian word for magic. It wasn't quite the words that Kang MiRae should say, considering she used 'Lightning God' for her clan name, but Kang HaJin didn't retort and silently blocked an orc's axe.
"Even so, it will be us who will go ahead."
Kang MiRae muttered while lighting sparked in her eyes. On top of the staff, lightning was reacting even more strongly.
This staff, that not only enhanced the power of magic, but also decreased the casting and activation time, had a shocking ability to make her, who had just gone past level 60, to look like a 3rd class mage. She thought to herself while looking at the staff.
'He gave me this spear because he trusted in me. I will show him that his trust isn't wrong, no, that I'm above his calculations.'
In fact, she wanted to show him this herself, and tried to request him to accompany them to Japan since there was no more helpful ally than him, but somehow, she couldn't contact him. Even though they had contacted once or twice after Vanguard opened its doors. She even bought high quality products of Vanguard first due to their relationship.
She never thought that he hadn't come here. In her knowledge, Yu IlHan was more good-natured than anyone to the point that it pricked her.
Unless he had unavoidable circumstances, he should be here. He was probably making great contribution in a place unknown to her. Their competition had already started.
"Fufu."
A smile appeared on Kang MiRae's lips. That shivering made the people around her flinch, but she didn't care. She only shouted while holding up the staff that had gathered enough power.
"Thunder Spear, Triple!"
This place where mass-extermination is possible, in this place I will overwhelm him! Her magic rippled according to her elevating emotions, and the members of the Lightning God clan swept around the battlefield following the berserk Empress. This was the start of a legend.
Meanwhile, Yu IlHan, who couldn't care less whether Empress was burning her rivalry against him, was laughing at the scene of disaster that could be seen as soon as he came out.
No matter how optimistic Yu IlHan was, he wasn't a psycho who would laugh in delight when people were dying and buildings were exploding.
He ended up laughing since he found it absurd that the situation that the angels were worried about was happening, no matter how high the concentration of mana had become.
"Do Dungeon Breaks happens this easily normally?"
[Just receive the quest already.](Erta)
The expressions of the angels were as rotten as it could get.
In fact, due to their angel rings, they already knew that a Dungeon Break had happened.
However, if Yu IlHan didn't clean up the dungeon, then this dungeon would collapse as well, and then, 3rd class monsters with concealment abilities would proliferate and cause the greatest calamity in history, so they kept their mouths shut.
Yu IlHan took out the atlatl from his Cross bag. After retouching it and repairing regularly, the attack power had increased slightly from the beginning.
[Rough Moonlight Bone Atlatl]
[Rank – Unique]
[Attack Power – 3,000]
[Options – 50% increase in attack range, 40% increase in attack power and accuracy under the moon.]
[Durability – 1,778/1,850]
[A spear throwing device that was made to throw a small spear by slotting a small spear on the hook. The result differ tremendously according to the abilities of the wielder.]
Lifting his head up, he found that coincidentally, the full moon was up tonight. It was the perfect time to rampage. The bone atlatl was a good weapon even during the day, but at night, it would turn into a monstrous weapon due to the effect of the moonlight from the beta option.
He had prepared enough throwing spears as well. However, just as he was about to position himself to throw after slotting the throwing spear with nimble hands, he demanded the angels.
"Pay the quest rewards up front a little."
[Well, if it's you, you will handle most of the things properly so ok. What do you want?](Erta)
"Add two more options to the Cross Bag. One is additional spatial expansion. And the other one is."
Yu IlHan swung his arm with all his might to shoot out the throwing spear.
The throwing spear which shot through the air as if to slash apart the air under the moon sky, flew through the sky to pierce two flying type monsters that were butchering a human by shooting out their feathers.
[You have earned 540,857 experience.]
[You have earned the record of Lv 66 Iron Wing.]
[You have earned 514,334 experience.]
"Remote collecting of possession."
With this, it would become possible for Yu IlHan to collect the throwing spear AND the monsters skewered by it.
[Oh my, your imaginations are becoming horrifying by the day.](Lita)
"You will do it, right?"
Yu IlHan shot the second spear using the Atlatl.
This time too, two flying type monsters met their deaths after being skewered by the spear, and the people who were fighting on the ground became shocked after seeing that the flying type monsters that killed them so easily were meeting their deaths so easily.
However, what was more shocking was that they did not know where the throwing spear had come from.
[Of course, we'll do it even if we have to pull Heaven's roots out.](Erta)
Amidst that, Erta firmly replied.
[So don't worry about anything and rampage all you want.](Erta)
"Of course."
Yu IlHan grinned with a short reply and firmly walked towards the middle of the battlefield where no one found him. This was the start of the horror.
Author's notes
1. Since the accident happened in Japan, I had a little hard time learning the area names of Japan. You might ask me why I didn't use Korea, but I don't know about the area names of Korea either…T^T.
2. Both rampage, one's a legend, and one's a horror.
Translator's notes
Enjoy~
Translator : Chamber