Artifact-Devouring Player Chapter 162

162
“And one more thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“I would like to expand my network with other players overseas. I know that the Master has a lot of connections.”

“Oh! Is it now difficult to be satisfied with just domestic products?”

“In order to broaden my horizons, I think it would be a good idea to pursue activities both domestically and internationally.”

“That’s true. Each country has different player tendencies, and they have different characteristics and strengths to learn from.”

“I think so too.”

“There are various directions. We can also look into the suppression of North Korea. Kaesong is a field that our country can resolve independently, but in the case of Hamgyeong-do, we cooperate with China and Russia.”

“I guess you’re saying that we can make contact with players in the East Asian region.”

“That’s right. Since the Hamgyeong-do area is so difficult, there’s a lot to learn from only the best players.”

“Oh.”

Sang-Hyeon had no connection with Chinese or Russian players in his previous life.

There were also prejudices against the two countries, and above all, there was no reason to associate with them.

But now that the stock price is skyrocketing by the day, there is ample reason to form a relationship at any time.

“Besides, there are many interesting places overseas. I don’t know if you know, but the pyramid dungeons in Egypt are famous, right?”

Egypt, pyramids.

This is a keyword that anyone with even a little common sense would know.

As Han Hyun-jung said, the Egyptian pyramid dungeon was a famous dungeon that attracted the attention of many players.

It goes without saying that the internal structure is implemented in a completely different form for each player who enters.

Although it is not officially acknowledged, there are stories that it is connected to the ‘dimensional planes’ of the constellations.

That is, it was an open secret that this would become a stage for appealing to the constellations.

Anyway, there were many more interesting elements abroad than domestically, so Sang-Hyeon was also interested.

“It’s not hard to find out and arrange a place. It’s actually better for the sponsoring guild.”

“If there is a difference, it can also be used sufficiently as an advertising element or for future achievements.”

“That’s right! But what I want to ask Mr. Sang-Hyeon is, if this continues, will you end up turning your back on the association?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not part of the association, so it doesn’t matter at all. The decision is mine.”

“Haha. Okay. It’s right to go at Sang-Hyeon’s pace. I thought that would be the case.”

“You don’t have to worry at all.”

“Okay, then I’ll try to get in touch with overseas as well. Are there any countries you’d like to focus on in particular?”

Han Hyun-jung asked a crucial question. Of course, the thought had already been completed.

“The United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Russia. These four countries would be good. They have so many talented people.”

“Okay, I’ll look into it!”

Preparations for overseas expansion were complete. With Han Hyun-jung’s connections, there seemed to be nothing to worry about.

* * *

The next day.

“Wow… … I really just slept for a full 12 hours. I’m not the type to sleep this deeply, but was the fight with Werther too much for you?”

It was only after the sun had risen high in the sky that Sang-Hyeon woke up.

Sang-Hyeon’s routine was to wake up naturally around dawn, feeling the sunlight.

It seemed that he was in such a deep sleep that he didn’t even notice the sunlight shining directly on his face.

Of course, it was refreshing.

Since the gate attack that was supposed to be done with Do Kyung-hye was postponed by one day by agreement, there was no schedule.

“I think it would be better to go to the Blood Tower first. Before Valentin strikes first… … .”

Sang-Hyeon stroked his chin.

Blood Tower is a quest dungeon that you absolutely do not want to give to others in terms of growth.

Especially if it’s Valentin Schneider, the Constellation Predator who will surely turn into a villain later on…

It was also a future that could not be taken away. This was the only future that had to be overturned.

Ding dong.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Unlike houses where regular people live, Player Town is not accessible to just anyone.

Only authorized personnel are allowed, unless the security system has been disabled like when Tori came before.

That means there had to be exactly one person who rang that bell.

The person who Sang-Hyeon allowed to approach was Do Kyung-Hye, a friend he had become close with recently and also his downstairs neighbor.

“Kyung-hye? What’s going on?”

“I made some rose tteokbokki. I was thinking of you, Sang-hyun, so I made a bigger portion. Would you like to try it?”

“I like it. Rose tteokbokki! I guess you’re really into cooking these days?”

“It’s fun. It’s so delicious to eat, and there’s someone who enjoys eating it too… … .”

“Did you eat well, Do Kyung Soo?”

“Well, that’s right. Haha.”

“Oh my, why are you talking so long on the screen? Come in! I’ll open the door for you.”

The door opens.

Do Kyung-hye carefully came in with a bowl and tray containing rose tteokbokki.

It was so nicely decorated that anyone who looked at it could tell that they had put a lot of thought into the dishes.

In my previous life, the place where I was always used to being alone was my home.

Now, it has become a space where someone is there sometimes.

Sang-Hyeon and Do-Kyung-Hye, who were sitting across from each other at the Irish table, immediately started tasting.

Mumble, mumble. Yum yum.

Sang-Hyeon, who put the rice cake in his mouth in a combative(?) manner, said while savoring the unique fragrance of rose rice cake.

“It’s really delicious.”

“Really?”

“It’s so delicious that it can’t be compared to ordering it. Did you buy it somewhere?”

“No way! It’s made by me, Made in Do Kyung-hye!”

“It’s so delicious that it immediately makes me think of beer. Isn’t there anything that Kyung-hye makes that isn’t delicious?”

“Haha, is that what you say to make people happy?”

“I told you before. You can’t just say empty words to make someone feel good. It all shows on your face.”

Sang-Hyeon ate tteokbokki while moving his chopsticks without stopping.

And he looked at her intently. It didn’t seem like she had come just to let him taste the food.

Sang-Hyeon started to cry slightly.

“Is something going on?”

“As I said, the gate gun that we were going to go together has been rescheduled for two days later. I also happened to purchase some decent artifacts.”

“That’s great. I’m sorry I had to postpone it for my own personal reasons.”

“It’s a concept that can definitely push towards mana, so I think it will be a great help in battle.”

“It’ll be fun. Team play with the named buffers. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Hey! It’s the team play of the buffer that asks the named inspector! We need to think differently.”

“ha ha ha.”

“Well, actually, there’s something I’m a little worried about. I’m not sure if it’s something I should bring up to Sang-Hyeon.”

“I have a tight mouth.”

“After my brother went on a large-scale attack with Mr. Sang-Hyeon last time, he went into the personal training room in Gapyeong.”

“When it comes to Gapyeong… … .”

“It’s my brother’s own space, completely isolated from the outside world. Once you go in, you won’t be able to hear anything for more than two weeks.”

“Are you losing contact?”

“Let’s hang up. Oppa.”

“… … .”

So-called closed-door training.

This is also the position that the newly launched named inspector, So Hyeong-jun, held until recently.

“I think Sang-Hyeon lit a fire. It felt like he ignited my brother’s fighting spirit, which had been slightly in a rut.”

“Because of this large-scale attack?”

“Yes. I owe you a lot, Sang-Hyeon. While my brother was recounting the battle to me, he talked about Sang-Hyeon a lot.”

“I really appreciate your generous and deep recognition.”

“He doesn’t show it much, but he has a lot of pride. I think he got a lot of stimulation this time.”

If it was the Do Kyungsoo that Sanghyun knew, then his current actions would be completely understandable.

While acknowledging the truth.

You will never want to repeat the same mistake again, feeling like you owed me more than I deserved.

It was likely that he would go through arduous training, pushing himself to his limits.

“And one more thing.”

Do Kyung-hye added to the topic.

I thought the main story would be about Do Kyung-soo, but it seemed like there was more to it than that.

“hmm?”

“Do you know of any players who eat the opponent’s constellation, that is, steal contracts?”

There was no way I didn’t know.

Wasn’t the Tori that fought in front of Sang-Hyeon’s house one of the Constellation Predators?

But I never expected that Do Kyung-hye would know about the Constellation Predator.

This is because it will be quite some time before their true identity is revealed to the public.

“Can you tell me why you are asking?”

Sang-Hyeon changed the question.

The issue was too sensitive to say that I knew it right away. I wanted to find out what she was thinking first.

“I recently received intelligence that a large number of constellation predators have been illegally entering the country from overseas. This is reliable inside information.”

“It’s inside information… … .”

What she means is that there are ‘insiders’ within the predator network who are cooperating with them.

‘Was there a predator who entered the country illegally during this time? Well, I guess. In my previous life, I was busy just making a living during this time.’

Even if the constellation predators had passed by in my previous life, I would not have been aware of their presence.

But now it’s different.

Haven’t you been targeted by them once?

If they had come to South Korea, there would have been a possibility that they would target Sang-Hyeon again. In fact, there are many of them.

“I can’t tell you the route or the informant, but my brother has known about the existence of the constellation predators for a long time.”

“Are you already fighting them?”

“Yes. As much as I hate them, the predators hate you too. Because there are quite a few predators that die at your hands.”

“It must be the number one target for elimination.”

“That’s right. In fact, the invisible blood war has been going on for a long time.”

‘I thought nothing happened during this time in my previous life. No, things were already happening. It was just a hidden secret.’

Sang-Hyeon’s gaze deepened.

This is not an ordinary story.

Maybe the disappearance of a promising young player that was reported on the news two days ago was also their work.

In my previous life, I just thought I had died in a dungeon and passed over it as if it were someone else’s business.

But in this life, these are things that can never be passed over lightly.

“This. It’s one of the gifts my brother gave me before. He gave me two, one is for me and… … .”

What Do Kyung-hye carefully held out from her bosom was a necklace with a purple gem deeply embedded in it.

It was a pretty size that was easy to hang around the neck and carry around in a pocket.

She added.

“I told you to give the remaining one to the person you think is most important. And I’m going to give the necklace to that person now. Oh, and by the way, this necklace has the ability to detect constellation predators.”

“A necklace like that for me?”

Sang-Hyeon asked back in surprise.

Because I felt that I had not yet given her the confidence to think that she was an important person.

Of course, there was a time when he saved her from an incident where she almost lost her Baekseon.

I wonder if it was really that important to be given a necklace like this.

“I’ve thought about it a lot. Who would be the perfect prey for the constellation predators, but at the same time, the person you absolutely don’t want to lose?”

“… … .”

“That person is none other than Sang-Hyeon. He is someone who should never be sacrificed in vain.”

Do Kyung-hye’s voice was firm.