Report
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 15
Vrooom.
The taxi headed towards the public housing complex on the outskirts of Seoul.
I slumped in the backseat like a corpse, my head resting against the window.
My great Constellation roared in my ear.
【"Are you crazy? You almost got yourself killed just a few days into this new chapter of your life!"】
【"It seems like you're suffering from various status effects, including excessive ego, due to the shock of your death. How about going to the hospital and seeing a Healer?"】
【"That Lee Eunwoo guy is also a High Ranker you raised, isn't he?"】
That’s right.
Lee Eunwoo was Rank 7, a High Ranker among High Rankers.
He was strong enough to send someone like me in my current state to the afterlife with a single bullet.
Moreover, unlike other high-Ranking Awakened who were a bit loose, he was a very calculating and rational person.
【"Using a combo like 'Flame Arrow' and 'Descent from the Crimson Flame' in front of him? Were you dying to get caught?"】
【Your Constellation 'Sunny' is tearing her hair out!】
I retorted in my mind.
No, but I couldn't just stand by and watch Seongnam City turn into a den of ghosts, could I?
My Constellation, reading my thoughts, said—
【"I don't know why I'm more worried about your life than you are."】
So I continued the conversation in my mind.
It's because you're more worried about my life than I am that I can climb the Tower and close Gates without worry, isn't it?
If no one else looked out for me, I'd have to do it myself, but I have you, my Constellation.
【"Should I be grateful or angry right now?"】
In the distance, I saw Hong Ilha's house.
I paid the taxi fare and went inside.
"I'm back."
Wolha was studying at the living room table.
An online lecture was playing on an old tablet, and textbooks, reference books, and notebooks were spread out next to him.
"Hyung, you're back?"
He scanned me up and down.
"Why are you in such a state? Did you get into an accident or something?"
"Ah."
As Wolha said, I was a mess.
'Explosive Recovery' was a skill that repaired damage to the body, not to clothes.
Considering I had been brutally trampled by hooves, it was fortunate that only this much was damaged.
"I'm fine."
"How can you be fine?! You look like you got seriously hurt!"
Wolha stood up.
I blurted out whatever came to mind.
Years of press conferences had honed my improvisation skills.
"I was walking on a mountain trail. The dirt is from helping someone who fell, and my clothes got ripped on some thorns."
But Wolha seemed to be smarter than reporters.
"Stop talking nonsense! Where would there be such big thorns?"
There was no helping it.
I changed the subject.
"What were you looking at?"
"Huh?"
"Preparing for the civil service exam? Right now?"
Wolha let out a deep sigh.
"You said we should. I thought it wasn't a bad idea either. While you were out, I signed up for online lectures and went to the bookstore to buy some textbooks."
"You could have had them delivered."
"I need to start as soon as possible. Later on, even an hour will be precious."
I inwardly clicked my tongue.
His ability to take action was impressive.
Wolha, still looking at me suspiciously, said—
"Don't go out tomorrow. We need to go to the Gate where we used to work and terminate our employment contracts. Go wash up and rest. You must be tired."
"Alright."
I went into the bathroom to wash up.
I heard Wolha muttering behind me.
He probably thought he was speaking softly, but with my heightened senses, I could hear him clearly.
"He went for a walk? Hyung hates walking though."
I see.
I'll keep that in mind.
* * *
Lee Eunwoo watched as the seal was re-established around the outskirts of the 'Ghost Princess's Castle.'
"It's done!"
The 'Artificial Samdocheon' flowed freely.
The thick fog and green smoke couldn't escape beyond the Samdocheon.
Thanks to the timely intervention of the unidentified Hunter, they were able to annihilate the ghost knights.
Immediately afterward, Hunters from the Magic Tower and the Holy Church joined in, successfully containing this emission.
However, their combined strength wasn't enough to close the Gate completely, and the Iron Blood Legion Hunters had also suffered significant losses, so they settled for simply restoring the seal.
The full conquest would be carried out later, after thorough preparation.
From beyond the control line, a child looked towards them and bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
Lee Eunwoo felt a sense of guilt, as if he had stolen the cheers that should have gone to another Hunter.
"..."
It wasn't him who had killed the Champion of the Ghost Princess.
The true hero of the day was the unidentified Hunter with the red halo.
Lee Eunwoo had experienced a similar feeling towards Baekya before.
The Lich whose defenses were shattered by Baekya's Law of Light and whose Life Vessel was half-burned, leaving it paralyzed—
All Lee Eunwoo had done was put a bullet in its head.
But it was Eunwoo who was known as the Hunter who defeated the Lich and saved the people.
They say a teacher's grace is like the sky, the more you look up, the higher it seems.
Even in death, Baekya seemed to be looking down on him.
'This is irrational suspicion.'
Lee Eunwoo opened his status window, accessed the Aitel System, and checked the rankings.
+
【Server: South Korea / Ranking】
NO 1. Archmage / ■Vassa
NO 2. Fairy King / Na Jeongwon
NO 3. Sword Saint / Cheong Siyeol
NO 4. Fist Demon / Joo Suhyeok
NO 5. Seven Star Saintess / Joo Ye-eun
NO 6. Mr. Pistol / Lee Eunwoo
.
.
.
+
Everyone had moved up one spot.
【Server: South Korea / S-Rank】
【11】
The number of S-Ranks in Korea had also decreased from 12 to 11.
'The Sun of Humanity,' Baekya, had definitely died by Cheong Siyeol's sword that day.
'My emotions must have clouded my judgment in the midst of the crisis, leading to irrational thoughts.'
Lee Eunwoo lightly bit his lower lip.
Baekya was the idol of many Pyromancers.
Espers using the 'Flame Arrow' and 'Descent from the Crimson Flame' combo were now everywhere.
Unlike Cheong Siyeol, who still admired Baekya, Lee Eunwoo was different.
In his mind, Baekya was nothing more than an irrational terrorist who burned the world without any purpose.
He acknowledged that Baekya was once a great teacher and a hero, but that was all.
So, even if he saw a Hunter with a similar fighting style, he shouldn't have suspected that Baekya was alive.
It was irrational to be emotionally attached to someone who, from a utilitarian perspective, had to die. It was also disrespectful to compare a hero who acted anonymously with a mere terrorist.
'Huh?'
At that moment, Lee Eunwoo's eyes caught sight of something that he shouldn't have been able to see.
【Server: South Korea / Achievements】
【Collapse/Expand】
【First Climber Retains】
【First to Clear the 10th Floor Retains】
【First to...】
'Why are these still here?'
He hadn't paid attention to these because they were usually found deep within the system.
When an Awakened climbs the Tower and achieves a feat, the entire country benefits in various ways, such as an increase in the number of tutorial participants.
Some of these benefits persist even after the achiever is gone, while others require the achiever to remain active.
Let's take Baekya's achievements, 'World's No. 1' and 'First Climber,' as examples.
Even after Baekya's death, the fact that he was the first to climb the Tower doesn't change.
Therefore, the benefits from the 'First Climber' achievement still remain with South Korea.
However, 'World's No. 1' requires the holder to be the current world's number one, so it has now passed to a Ranker in the United States.
What Eunwoo saw were these 'Retains' type achievements, starting with those two.
【First Climber Retains】
【First to Clear the 10th Floor Retains】
【First to Clear the 20th Floor Retains】
【First to Clear the 25th Floor Retains】
【First Archdemon Slayer Retains】
These achievements were activated because the achiever was alive and active on the server.
If Baekya was dead, they should have been crossed out.
'What's going on?'
Uncharacteristically flustered, Lee Eunwoo stopped in his tracks.
His second-in-command looked up at him.
"Is something wrong, sir?"
He didn't even hear her question.
'There are two possibilities. Either Baekya is alive, or there's an error in the Aitel System. Which one is more irrational?'
'It's... right to assume that the Aitel System can't have errors. At least, that's how it's been so far, so we can reasonably expect it to continue that way. But... someone who was thought to be dead could be alive.'
'This might work in our favor.'
His thoughts raced.
Lee Eunwoo had argued that from the beginning.
'Are you saying we shouldn't climb the Tower just because he's dead? He trusts us. We should use what we can! From a rational perspective, his power is useful.'
He didn't understand concepts like good or evil, nor did he particularly want to.
There were only interests and gains and losses.
And Baekya was still an Awakened whose benefits to this world outweighed his harm.
Lee Eunwoo shifted his gaze.
National Assembly members, the mayor, the chief of police, and others were crowding inside the control line, taking pictures as if they had done something.
"Chief!"
"Ah! Mr. Eunwoo."
Swish.
The chief, slightly nervous at the approach of an S-Rank Hunter, offered his hand for a handshake.
Lee Eunwoo spoke in a commanding tone, without even looking at his hand.
"I'm looking for someone. A young adult male, tall, and Awakened. His halo is either a white ring or a red disc. I request that you check all the CCTV footage in the city today."
'It would be good to find an unknown hero, but if it's Baekya who has returned... even better. Even after his supposed fall, that incomprehensible man continued to fight against the Gates.'
A look of embarrassment and humiliation flashed across the chief's face.
"Why... are you looking for that person?"
"Are you curious?"
Lee Eunwoo sneered.
His halo, two overlapping diamonds of blue and black, pulsed lowly as if reprimanding the chief.
Hum!
The chief was reminded once again that he was facing an S-Rank Awakened.
"...No, sir. I'll find him right away."
* * *
I locked the door, closed the curtains, sat in front of the full-length mirror, and opened my status window.
Once again, I zoomed in on the important parts.
+
【Status Window】
2. Class: Pyromancer (C-)
7. Stats:
[Strength 195] [Agility 220]
[Health 230] [Mana 260 → 265]
+
My mana had increased by 5 points, without me even knowing.
In just one day, I gained 25 points.
In the past, I had to burn monsters all day long for months to barely gain 1 point.
I didn't know whether to be happy about the absurdly fast growth or sad that I was still weak.
I got two decent skills.
+
【Skill (Passive): Underdog (C+)】
【Attack power and armor penetration are increased by 10% against enemies 2 or more ranks higher.】
【Skill (Active): Dullahan's Gaze】
【The knight Dullahan, who carries its head under its arm, has a wide field of vision. Using this skill creates a burning eye that functions as an 'Observer.'】
+
'Underdog' is passive, so I don't have to worry about it, and 'Dullahan's Gaze' seems useful for situations like today.
It'll be quite handy for me in my current situation, where I can't show myself openly for a while.
But the real prizes of this expedition were these two.
I carefully unwrapped the sword that had been wrapped in newspaper.
【Champion's Sword (Rare)】
【A sharp longsword of a ghost knight. It is imbued with dense spirit energy.】
【Mana +10, Strength +15, Health -5】
I had obtained the artifact that Hong Ilha had so desperately wanted.
It was imbued with dense spirit energy, so the blade should hold up well even when I use the Radiant Sword Sword skill.
I'm willing to accept the Health -5 penalty for the sake of the other two stats.
But the real star of the show today was this.
A white handkerchief embroidered with green thread.
【Ghost Princess's Handkerchief (Heroic)】
【A handkerchief bestowed upon her Champion by the Ghost Princess. It possesses the power of concealment, making what should be seen unseen.】
A Heroic grade item was something even my former self would consider quite useful.
I checked it over and over with the help of my Constellation, but there was no mention of it being unusable by the living or any hidden penalties.
With a trembling heart, I picked up the handkerchief and tied it around my wrist.
In the mirror, my reflection remained the same.
A handsome man with black hair and a white, ring-shaped halo.
It wasn't that the handkerchief wasn't working.
【Flame Arrow】
I summoned a Flame Arrow onto my hand.
The halo above my head was still a white ring.
It was a success.
I inwardly let out a cheer.
It worked.
It actually worked!
If Wolha wasn't out there studying, I would have shouted for joy, dignity be damned.
A thrilling shiver ran through my entire body.
Even my Constellation spoke in a tone of acknowledgement.
【"You've done well."】
【"Now you can use your skills freely outside without being suspected of being Baekya."】
My strength left me, and I collapsed onto the floor.
Originally, it was impossible for an Awakened to hide their halo.
Only someone like me could change its shape when not using abilities.
From S+ High Rankers to F-Rank porters, all Awakened display their halos 24/7.
It means playing the hidden powerhouse game was fundamentally impossible.
Now, I'm the exception.
No matter what happens at the Gate I'm going to tomorrow, or any Gate or Tower I enter in the future, I won't be mistaken as Baekya!
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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