Artifact-Devouring Player

Chapter 188: Eyes on Me - (1)

"Interesting."

"What did you think?"

"Dokgo Yoon, that bald guy, isn’t someone who can express things that smartly. But he really summarized it well. 'Unmeasurable.' That’s accurate."

"I never imagined Ma Dongho would be completely overwhelmed. Wasn’t the whole setup originally his idea?"

"Exactly. He laid all the traps himself. And then he walked right into them. How stupid do you have to be to do that?"

"Do you think Joo Eunhye might have been involved in this too?"

"Obviously. I’m pretty sure she even got approval from higher-ups. Most likely, the Sun Guild will make her take responsibility directly."

"What kind of responsibility?"

"What else? Revenge."

"Would that even be possible?"

"Ma Dongho isn’t the one who got humiliated this time. It’s the Sun Guild. Anyone can see he had backing."

"That’s true, but still..."

"Anyway, those idiots really blew it. This will be a lifelong disgrace."

At that moment, a woman who had been watching the death match between Sanghyun and Ma Dongho on TV wore an expression full of conflicting emotions.

Ttak. Ttak. Ttak.

Long fingernails painted with black nail art tapped the desk at regular intervals. It was a habit.

Sword Saint Jeong Heeseon.

If you were to name the top five swordsmen in Korea, she’d definitely be on the list.

She also ran a highly secretive guild, veiled in mystery—The Cherry Blossom Guild.

Her conversation partner, known as her bodyguard to the public, was Jeong Yunhak.

Although they themselves didn’t know it yet, based on the future Sanghyun was aware of—

Jeong Yunhak would someday sacrifice his life when Dokgo Yoon came to kill Jeong Heeseon.

This was also the reason why Dokgo Yoon and Jeong Heeseon became mortal enemies, fighting each other to the death for life.

Regardless, she was also one of Korea's most well-known swordsmen.

That’s why she took an interest in the death match. She had heard plenty of things about Sanghyun.

But since the opponent was Ma Dongho, she thought it might end in a draw. Even if she was being generous.

Because death matches weren’t fought endlessly—they were limited to one hour.

However, the battle ended in the early stage with an overwhelming difference.

"Yunhak, what do you think? A defense-type swordsman close to level 500 was taken down by someone barely over level 200. He killed him."

"May I speak frankly?"

When Jeong Heeseon asked for his thoughts, a change flickered in Jeong Yunhak’s otherwise calm gaze.

As a swordsman himself, he had felt quite a bit watching the match.

"Yunhak, have you ever not been honest with me?"

"Of course not."

"Then tell me. Today’s death match had a lot to unpack. It was quite meaningful."

"To start, I don’t think I could take on the player Shin Sanghyun."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"Even in that short time, the variety in his skill usage was overwhelming. There’s no consistency."

"That’s a compliment, right?"

"Yes. It makes him unpredictable. Who would expect lightning to fall during a swordsman’s attack?"

"That surprised me too. It was a bolt from the blue, just like you said—no way to respond."

"If I were caught off guard, I probably couldn’t react either. Honestly, it’s frightening."

"Players aren’t invincible, after all."

"Yes, that’s true."

Jeong Yunhak cleanly acknowledged the difference in skill.

Even though he was a player over level 300, he didn’t look down on Sanghyun at all.

He actually felt fear.

Not only was Sanghyun capable of turning his opponent’s intentions against them, he had numerous viable options at his disposal.

In fact, there was so much hidden about Sanghyun that he desperately wanted to know more.

Jeong Yunhak asked,

"What did you think, Master?"

"If we don’t properly study this player Shin Sanghyun, even I can’t rest easy."

"Can’t rest easy."

If any ordinary player had said that, it wouldn’t have meant much. It’s something anyone might say.

But because it came from her—someone who had never spoken negatively before—Jeong Yunhak couldn’t take it lightly.

Considering how she had harshly criticized Dokgo Yoon’s swordsmanship as “cheap and obvious,” and dismissed Kang Boah’s as “a flashy but hollow sword dance,”

Her saying she couldn’t feel safe around Sanghyun was, in effect, an acknowledgment of his skills.

"That’s probably why Hyunjung Corporation reached out to him first."

"Honestly, I’d like to recruit him into our guild myself. But a tiger wouldn’t walk into another tiger’s den, right?"

"Most likely not."

"I should’ve seen it when Park Jungmin first covered him in an article. I was too arrogant."

Jeong Heeseon looked visibly regretful. It wasn’t the first time Sanghyun’s name had been mentioned, after all.

The so-called semi-celeb players she was acquainted with were all aware of Sanghyun’s existence.

But they had ignored his potential and talent.

After all, how much could a swordsman really stand out when the class lacked diversity?

Now, that belief had proven false.

By now, 99.9% of people regretted not having built a connection with Sanghyun.

The remaining 0.1% were people like Jeong Heeseon, who beat themselves up in frustration. Sanghyun’s value had skyrocketed.

On a hunch, she tried calling his number, but as expected, the phone was turned off.

She wasn’t the only guild representative who must’ve had the same idea.

“Do Kyungsoo, Dokgo Yoon, So Hyeongjun, Kang Boah. Just studying those four took me several months.”

Jeong Heeseon let out a deep sigh.

For someone as prideful as her, being treated as equal in rank to those four bruised her ego.

So she had spent quite a bit of time collecting information on them, both publicly and secretly, and had already completed a thorough analysis.

She had even planned to send an invitation or an official challenge in the future to settle the rankings.

But now, a new rival named Shin Sanghyun had entered the picture.

No matter how she looked at it, a swordsman with skill on par with hers had appeared.

Her mind grew more complicated.

It wasn’t just her—every semi-celebrity who had been keeping an eye on Sanghyun felt the same way.

The upheaval had already begun.

The balance of the five-way rivalry had collapsed.

On the way home.

Sanghyun glanced at the pile of Ma Dongho’s artifacts in the back seat and let out a dry laugh.

The saying “Though the body may die, the artifact lives on forever” wasn’t wrong.

Ma Dongho’s death itself had brought Sanghyun no material gain.

But by claiming the artifacts he had used, Sanghyun had acquired enormous real-world benefits.

Just the greatsword Ma Dongho used was Epic grade.

Considering how most swordsmen tend to keep multiple spare weapons, it was definitely a valuable piece.

“Good thing I turned down the interview.”

Right after defeating Ma Dongho.

Sanghyun had looted his spoils and left the scene immediately.

He could’ve done the interview if he wanted to, but there was no reason to.

It was also meant as a subtle message to the mystery figure who had sent the invitation.

He was saying, “I only used the stage you set up—I wasn’t dragged into this.”

Sure, part of it was simply because interviews were a hassle.

But also, he knew that by staying quiet, he could attract even more attention.

After all, today’s match had likely caught quite a bit of interest overseas, and it was a strong appeal.

Refusing an interview added a layer of mystique and gravity—just the right seasoning.

“Maybe I should take a break.”

That thought suddenly crossed his mind.

It wasn’t that Sanghyun didn’t roar or cheer after beating Ma Dongho because he wasn’t happy.

It was because his body and emotions had been worn thin from repeatedly pushing himself to the brink.

The natural emotional fluctuations one feels simply faded away. He’d become expressionless.

Once he went abroad, he’d have to face enemies stronger than now and dungeons with mind-boggling difficulty.

Korea really was just a small pond.

There were countless dungeons that would make even the large-scale raid with Do Kyungsoo’s Sword Demon-Sword God team look like child’s play.

Dungeons that required a thousand players to tackle—could anyone even imagine that? And those weren’t rare.

Given Sanghyun’s personality after regression, once that time came, he probably wouldn’t be able to rest even if given the chance.

Even if his body wanted it, his mind would resist. Because it would feel like an immense loss in itself.

“Three days. Let’s rest for just three full days.”

Sanghyun made up his mind.

It would likely be the first and last rest he’d allow himself, free from the obsession with growth.

“I’ve got to sell off the stuff too.”

Among what he had taken from Ma Dongho, there wasn’t a single item Sanghyun could actually use.

They were all either slightly lower in grade or options than what he already had, or lacked synergy.

So he decided to sell everything.

Even the greatsword he took from Ma Dongho focused heavily on defense stats—he figured it was worth more sold than used. There were plenty of defense-oriented swordsmen like Ma Dongho. The demand was there.

And frankly, the fact that it was Epic grade meant it would fetch a high price when liquidated, which played a big part in his decision not to consume it. Skills and stat inheritance could be done later anyway.

About ten minutes after sending the basic option info of the artifacts to Han Hyunjeong—

Dding.

A notification came in.

Since their communications, like with Shin Taeri, were through private contacts, there was no confusion.

[Just sending the rough appraisal. There’s no chance the price will be off by more than 10%.]

Her message was as sharp and precise as her personality—she didn’t do lazy estimates.

[If the process of selling everything goes quickly, it’ll take two days. At most, a week. The estimated total value is 350 billion won.]

“Not bad.”

Sanghyun nodded.

350 billion won.

That was the price of taking down one man. Of course, the more important reward was the recognition.

Adding in the money he’d saved up before, he could now consider purchasing a Legendary-grade artifact.

It would be perfect to secure one before venturing overseas—just the kind of tier he needed.

“I’m good on weapons. The Sage Armor is fine for defense. Maybe I’ll go with talismans instead?”

Sanghyun’s thoughts went in a direction totally unlike common logic.

Most swordsmen crave swords or armor.

That’s because main weapons and defense tools are essential for swordsmen.

But—

Sanghyun thought of talismans.

Specifically, one so rare and powerful it could appraise at over 600 billion won.

“Berserk Charm.”

A talisman that could activate the traits of a Berserker. He was calculating the worth of the Berserk Charm.

A destructive option that allowed him to draw out extreme power the more health he lost!

Sanghyun was already preparing for a much higher world—one where people like Ma Dongho were nothing but stepping stones.