NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: Star, The Test (2)
Chapter 31: Star, The Test (2)
Choi Bu-Yong explained, “As you can see, the spear is still missing a few things. I’m still creating the other five blades and devices.”
The spear Chang-Sun had requested needed to be capable of changing into various forms; he had to be able to use his magic to transform the blade into a hoko yari, a dagger-axe, a glaive, and more, depending on what he needed.
If an incompetent blacksmith created the spear, it would just look complicated and be sloppily put together, but Bu-Yong did not need to worry about any such thing. The blueprints drawn by Chang-Sun had been perfect, and Bu-Yong was confident in his talent. Besides, he had felt certain he was worthy of inheriting his father’s name when he saw the result. The only thing he lacked at the moment was time.
“So it’s incomplete,” Chang-Sun said as he skillfully spun the spear.
“Right, so I need more time,” Choi Bu-Yong replied with a nod.
“How much time do you need?” Chang-Sun asked. He readily agreed to give Bu-Yong more time, because he was more than satisfied with the current spear. The fact that it could not immediately be used in actual combat was disappointing, but he did not need it immediately.
“Half a year,” Bu-Yong said, holding up six fingers.
“What?” Chang-Sun asked with a frown when he heard the response, because he had previously given Bu-Yong a six-month deadline for the shield.
“I’m saying that because there are some parts of the spear I want to improve in my own way. How does that sound…?” Bu-Yong quickly added, as if he were making excuses. Judging from how he trailed off, it seemed he was cautious around Chang-Sun.
This time, Chang-Sun was the one to be surprised; he had not even considered editing the blueprints, thinking the designs were already perfect. However, they could potentially become better with Ou Yezi’s touch, so Bu-Yong’s offer naturally intrigued Chang-Sun.
‘Maybe I can achieve [Spear Ocean] faster,’?Chang-Sun thought as he looked at Bu-Yong.
No matter how proficient he was in handling various weapons, it was possible that he was being too greedy by asking for another weapon, considering how he already had weapons like [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth] and the [Yuchang Sword], which he had not yet unlocked the hidden abilities for.
Nevertheless, Chang-Sun had a good reason. Just as several conditions needed to be met to achieve the [Impervious Body], Chang-Sun had to fulfill several hidden conditions in order to achieve the [King of Weapons] trait. He had to unlock titles that could only be gained by mastering each weapon, such as [Saber Mountain], [Sword Forest], [Spear Ocean], [Fist Wind], [Poison Cloud], and [Whip Fire].
That was why he needed a special spear; he could not carry too many spears at once.
“I was actually shocked when I first inspected the blueprints using my skills. They looked like designs for mere toys at first glance, but the closer I looked, the more realistic and practical they appeared to be, making me feel more motivated as a blacksmith. I want to make this even more perfect because I feel as if I can produce a masterpiece for the first time,” Bu-Yong said brightly.
Chang-Sun could feel Bu-Yong’s passion at that moment, burning as hotly as the Divine Fire Furnace.
“You can take the spear you’re holding right now, since it’ll be quite practical in combat, but bring it back to me every month or two. If I finish upgrading the spear three times, I guarantee it’ll become much better than you could have expected,” Bu-Yong said, clenching his fists.
As Bu-Yong was suggesting that course of action directly, Chang-Sun could hardly refuse. He nodded, making Bu-Yong smile. Judging from the man’s expression, Chang-Sun was convinced Bu-Yong had not been lying when he said he had been motivated as a blacksmith.
Click, swish!
After skillfully retracting the blades built into the spear, Chang-Sun separated it once again into two batons and put them back in the drawing tube. It was finally time to check out the other weapon, which looked like a twisted bracelet.
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ urges you to quickly check out the weapon.]
[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ flicks his tongue.]
The bracelet was the whip Chang-Sun had previously asked for. Just like the long spear that could be assembled, Chang-Sun had asked for it to look like an ordinary object when not in use. Wondering how well it would satisfy him compared to the previous weapon, Chang-Sun tightly gripped the bracelet.
* * *
A taxi arrived at the White Tiger Clan’s head office, which was located in Teheran-ro.
“It’s 22,000 won,” the taxi driver recited in a monotone.
With the rattling drawing tube on his shoulder, Chang-Sun got out of the taxi, muttering to himself, “…There are too many people.”
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ nods in agreement with you.]
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ tilts her head in confusion because she is unsure why you are here.]
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ advises you to leave this place, as it is a bad-tempered monster deity’s home base.]
Just as Chang-Sun had said, the vacant lot in front of the building was packed full of people. All of them looked different; some were covered with expensive-looking pieces of equipment, while others dressed plainly, only holding swords or spears. There was also one person sitting in the lotus position, meditating. They were all Players who had applied for the White Tiger Clan’s job posting.
‘Well, becoming a Player was one of the few chances people had to begin turning their lives around even before I left,’?Chang-Sun thought with a shrug.
Considering that, joining the White Tiger Clan would mean someone had already begun to change their life for the better.
‘Most people don’t know it’s a starting point, though,’?Chang-Sun thought.
Unlike other Clans that operated more like closed religious groups, the White Tiger Clan was more like a group of mercenaries, allowing Players with Guardians other than Heoju to join their ranks.
From Chang-Sun’s perspective, most of the gathered Players were mere small fry. If they ended up in Arcadia, they would be eaten by monsters, unable to last more than a few days. Only a few of them had caught his eye; a mere three or four seemed to have useful or promising talent, leading him to assume that they would be the ones who were ultimately hired.
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ awaits your answer.]
‘Will there be strong people in the Clan?’?Chang-Sun thought.
Woo Yeong-Geun, whom he had met a month prior, came to mind. The White Tiger Clan was a bigger Clan than the Sword of Ohsung Clan, which meant it had to have stronger people.
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ is mad because you keep ignoring her!]
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ angrily asks whether you are planning to reject her offer and become another deity’s apostle.]
In the meantime, Pabilsag had lost her temper after belatedly realizing Chang-Sun’s plans. She had been wooing Chang-Sun in order to make him her apostle for the past month, but Chang-Sun had not budged. Thus, she naturally felt that it was unfair to see him visiting another deity. The other deities’ reactions were no different.
[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ asks why you are trying to befriend a low-ranking monster deity.]
[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ awaits your answer.]
[The Celestial ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl’ says she will cheer you on until the end, even though she is saddened by your choice.]
Unlike the short-tempered Pabilsag who was throwing a tantrum, J?rmungandr assumed Chang-Sun was plotting something, as he had been unable to figure out what Chang-Sun was up to the entire time. Mephistopheles still seemed to be indifferent to Chang-Sun’s intentions, on the other hand. Minerva quietly cheered for Chang-Sun as if they shared blood. At this point, Chang-Sun was amazed by the fact that such different deities were all watching him.
‘Anyway, where’s the Daedong Building?’?Chang-Sun thought as he looked around.
[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ is depressed because you are not listening to her.]
Still ignoring Pabilsag, Chang-Sun was about to search for the interview venue when a woman carefully approached him and asked, “Are you… Are you Mr. Lee Chang-Sun?”
“…?” Surprised, Chang-Sun looked in her direction. He saw an unfamiliar woman in her early twenties with a short hairstyle that suited her well.
“You seem to be Lee Chang-Sun… You’re him, right?” the woman asked as she cautiously observed Chang-Sun.
“Yes, I’m Lee Chang-Sun, but who are you…?” Chang-Sun asked.
“Wow! Woah! I never thought I would meet the T-Tyrant here! I’m so glad to meet you, as a fan of yours!” the woman shrieked, sounding like any fan who had met their idol on the street.
Chang-Sun smiled bitterly. If there was one thing he had been unable to get used to in the past month, it was the fact that quite a few people recognized him when he walked through the streets. It had been a long time since he was a professional gamer; he remembered very little of those years, partly because he had tried to forget the terrible end his career had come to. However, to the people on Earth, his retirement had been a mere year or two prior, which meant that the people who recognized him were very glad to meet him.
‘That was why I wore a hoodie, but maybe I was too complacent,’?Chang-Sun thought as he pulled down his hood. He hated interacting with strangers who pushed their unwanted sense of nostalgia on him.
Perhaps Chang-Sun’s reluctance showed on his face, as his fan noticed that something was wrong and calmed herself down. She covered her mouth, mumbling carefully, “Did I make a mistake…?”
“The first test is about to begin! Move to the appropriate sector in accordance with your interview number, which we have distributed online in advance!” a White Tiger Clan staffer called out.
“I see the test is about to start. I wish you luck in your interview,” Chang-Sun quickly said.
“Pardon? Ah, yeah! I hope you also get hired, Mr. Chang-Sun!” the fan replied, holding her hands together.
“Thank you,” Chang-Sun replied, nodding slightly in the fan’s direction before walking away. His interview number was 1,031, which meant he had to go to Sector C.
* * *
“What’s up with that prick? I can tell from his white face that he’s never fought in his life, but why does he look so confident?” a man remarked with a look of disdain.
“Hey! Don’t insult my oppa! He may look that way, but he has many emotional scars…!” his female twin replied, fervently defending Chang-Sun.
“Oppa? Opppaaa? You always call me ‘you’ or ‘hey’ even though I’m actually your older brother!” her brother replied.
The leader of Team ‘Adios’, Kim Hyeong-Jun, frowned as he watched his twin team members. Shin Eun-Seo, the female twin, had never shown any interest in him even though they had gone on several raids, had drinks, and eaten together; and yet, she had suddenly begun to display an interest in another man.
“If you want me to call you oppa, then be handsome like him! You look like a piece of dried squid that somebody chewed and spat out,” Eun-Seo retorted before looking away.
“What? Dried squid? Are you kidding me?” her brother exclaimed, standing up from his seat.
“I’m serious! What about it?!” Eun-Seo shot back, glaring at her twin.
“You’re one to talk. You look as if you’re holding a stuffed bun in each cheek,” the male twin retorted, poking Eun-Seo’s forehead with a finger.
“Hey! I told you not to talk about my cheeks!” Eun-Seo protested, slapping her brother’s hand away.
“Well, I didn’t hear you,” her brother said, sticking his tongue out.
“Ugh! I’m going to kill him…!” Eun-Seo grumbled, standing up from her seat as well.
“Woah, woah! Why don’t you two both stop fighting? By the way, do you know that man who showed up just now?” Hyeong-Jun asked Eun-Seo after trying to calm the pair down as gently as possible, wanting to find out the man’s identity.
“Ah, are you talking about my oppa?” Eun-Seo replied with a smile after sitting back down.
“Your… oppa?” Hyeong-Jun asked gently, although he was gritting his teeth.
“Do you not know him? The Tyrant from STband?” Eun-Seo asked in surprise.
“Ah! He was a professional gamer, right?” Hyeong-Jun asked, belatedly realizing who Chang-Sun was.
Unlike most ordinary men, Hyeong-Jun was uninterested in games, but he knew who Chang-Sun was. Although he was unsure how good a professional gamer Chang-Sun had been, Chang-Sun had shot many commercials due to his looks, as he was more handsome than most actors; thus, he had garnered many female fans around the world.
However, Chang-Sun had created many scandals due to his self-righteous personality and nasty tongue. Thus, it was no surprise that he looked somewhat familiar to Hyeong-Jun, who wondered why such a person had shown up.
“I was really worried about him because I heard he became really dejected after his team was disbanded and he was forced to retire,” Eun-Seo said as she leaned back in her chair.
“Hey! Worry about our parents like…! Arrrrgh!” Shin Geum-Gyu, the male twin, began to tease Eun-Seo, but she stomped down hard on his foot.
Eun-Seo continued, “Anyway, I never thought I would run into him like this! He’s clearly been preparing to become a Player. He’s definitely my Tyrant! He never gives up!”
“Ah, she became a lunatic again. Hyeong-Jun, don’t mind her. She’s always a sucker for handsome men. She’s one crazy fan. Aren’t you, Crazy? Arrrgh! Stop stepping on my foot!” Geum-Gyu yelled.
Although Hyeong-Jun smiled at the bickering Shin siblings, he was seething with anger.
‘His name’s Lee Chang-Sun, right? How dare someone who spent his life just playing games in his room just apply for the White Tiger Clan like this? I’ll teach him a lesson so he can know his place,’ he thought, quietly clicking his tongue.
If Hyeong-Jun demonstrated that he was overwhelmingly stronger than Chang-Sun in the Player tryouts, Eun-Seo would surely look at him in a different light. He clenched his fists at the thought of it.
Just then, Hyeong-Jun coincidentally saw Chang-Sun approaching a magic testing device, which could classify people based on the amount and output of their magic.
‘It hasn’t been long since he retired as a professional gamer. Then, there should be no need to…!’ Hyeong-Jun thought, but he was suddenly interrupted.
Right as Chang-Sun put his hand on the machine and released his magic…
Booooom!
…the device immediately exploded with a loud bang, filling the room with clouds of smoke and an acrid smell.
“...!”
“...!”
“...!”
Everyone present, from the supervisor and the applicants who were taking the test all the way down to Hyeong-Jun, received the shock of their life.
1. a region in Seoul.
2. The term literally means ‘older brother’, but Koreans often call attractive men ‘Oppa’ as a term of endearment regardless of age.