Artifact-Devouring Player Chapter 19

19
Sang-Hyeon checked the status of the skill that he had been steadily increasing.

It’s a level of ductility that doesn’t rise very easily, to the point where people say it’s really gross, but once it rises, the pleasure is that much greater.

Depending on the coefficient linked to the system, as the stage increases, the duration or destructive power changes accordingly.

『Demon Bash』

■ Skill Level: Stage 2 (35.3%)

■ Skill Introduction: Causes a 2.2 second stun state to monsters or players exposed to attacks.

Demon Bash has gained one level, and its stun time has increased to 2.2 seconds. With the 10% increase effect of the title, it becomes about 2.4 seconds.

Assuming that a monster or player is hit by Demon Bash, it is possible to inflict a status effect for a whopping 5 seconds.

“You have to train diligently. High-level players and monsters have high resistance, so you won’t be affected easily.”

Sang-Hyeon’s thoughts were always focused on the future, not the present. If you don’t steadily raise your skill level, it will become a useless skill later on.

There were countless skills that were neutralized like that in my past life. Looking back, it was a sad thing.

『Two-handed sword training』

■ Skill Level: Stage 2 (0.1%)

■ Skill Introduction: Considerably increases adaptability to all swords except daggers and one-handed longswords.

“Quite a bit has been added. Anyway, the puns… … .”

Sang-Hyeon chuckled at the word ‘quite’ added to the introduction of the two-handed sword training skill as it reached skill level 2.

Anyway, it was definitely a huge gain since the weight of the skill changed with just that one word.

Aside from the two skills, the remaining skills have not yet been developed enough to progress beyond stage 1.

Of course, even just this much was a huge step forward.

This is because raising skill level isn’t something that can be done in a day or two.

It was a long-term plan that required at least several months of thinking. However, thanks to Sang-Hyeon’s hard work, it went up quickly.

“Now, it won’t be difficult to handle a one-handed longsword.”

Sang-Hyeon caressed the longsword placed alongside the greatsword in the middle of the living room.

A light longsword purchased while training to develop the one-handed sword skill.

I bought it for a relatively cheap price of 5 million won as a bronze-grade artifact. This is because its appearance was very plain.

“I also got another smartphone for work, so I can filter and answer calls.”

On the sofa, there was a separate smartphone for coordinating dungeon and gate schedules, rather than just using it for work.

It was a smartphone that I would only use when I was contacting people who had enough value, like reporters Kim Mi-so and Park Jeong-min.

It was also a means to utilize the work of Sang-Hyeon’s one-man guild that was created the day before yesterday.

Meanwhile, the official name of the one-person guild was SH. It was named after Sang-Hyeon’s initials. It had also been officially registered.

Except that there was only one member, the guild was equally recognized in all public affairs.

“I’m shaking for no reason.”

Sang-Hyeon let out a nervous sigh as he recalled the schedule for the Chunui Station Gate raid, which had finally arrived on the day.

It is true that all information within the gate is visible, but there are variables.

Team members who will be joining us right away.

It was a variable, not a constant, in Sang-Hyeon’s calculations. Their capabilities were quite important.

“If only our hands and feet fit together well… … .”

The outlook is certainly positive, but we cannot let our guard down. Sang-Hyeon has decided not to let down his guard.

Before going to meet Kim Mi-so and her team members, there was one scheduled event that had to be completed.

It was a meeting with Park Jeong-min, a reporter for The Player newspaper. It was a meeting that Kim Mi-so had strongly recommended.

* * *

“You are handsome.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard of such a thing.”

“Are you saying that no one says that Mr. Shin Sang-hyun is handsome? They must be quite jealous!”

“I know it’s empty words, but it still makes me feel good.”

“No! I’m quite honest. I’m not the type to flatter, so Kim Mi-so likes me.”

“Anyway, it’s nice to meet you.”

“It was me! The first time I found out about Mr. Shin Sang-hyun was through the Jamsil Station Quest Area incident. And now there’s another scoop?”

“I heard that.”

Sang-Hyeon also knew very well that the video that taught Choi Young-Cheol the truth this time had become a popular video on YouTube.

It is partly because Choi Young-cheol’s karma has piled up, but more than anything, it is because the story’s development and conclusion were perfect.

Moreover, it became an even more impactful issue because it ended with Choi Young-cheol’s great humiliation.

“According to our investigation, player Choi Young-cheol is still receiving treatment. However, there are also rumors that he is not leaving the hospital at all, using treatment as an excuse.”

“Your wrist won’t be okay.”

Sang-Hyeon said calmly.

I didn’t feel even a gram of guilt or regret. Rather, I thought I had purified my emotions a lot.

If now were a chaotic time like 2040, Choi Young-cheol would have died long ago.

It’s just awkward because we live in a world where it’s still taboo for players to openly threaten each other’s lives.

“Let’s stop talking about other people and move on to Shin Sang-hyun’s story. Did you know that he’s currently ranked #1 in searches in the player community?”

“I heard about it vaguely, but I didn’t look it up.”

“Popularity is no joke! Don’t players usually rank by level?”

“Yes.”

“But Mr. Shin Sang-hyun broke the level mold. He threw a wrench into the familiar hierarchy built with levels and numbers!”

“That was my intention… … .”

“No, you didn’t! I know! What’s important is the phenomenon. Everyone is starting to believe that they can overcome their limits without being tied down by levels.”

As expected from a reporter, he spoke fluently.

I thought I knew what it meant.

Don’t be discouraged by your low level. Don’t think of your limits in advance. Don’t think of it as a tree you can’t climb!

This was the message that Sang-Hyeon had given him the basis and topic for thinking in this way. Park Jeong-Min continued speaking.

“There is fierce competition around the world these days to get hold of talented players early, you know?”

“Yes. Player prospects are worth calling, right?”

There was no way Sang-Hyeon didn’t know.

In the past, when I saw the prices of promising players on the news, I was shocked and stuck out my tongue. A few billion won was just a small beginning of bargaining over the price.

“According to what I have learned through the secret service, there are already four guilds in Korea that are trying to approach Mr. Sang-Hyeon.”

“One place would be Eden… … .”

“The other three places are also places that everyone knows just by hearing their names. And there are as many as five of them overseas.”

“yes?”

“It’s not just a matter of ordinary interest. I’ve submitted a formal application for identity verification to the Korean Players Association.”

“… … .”

If this information is true, it means that Park Jeong-min’s information supply line also reached the executive level of the Players Association.

Sang-Hyeon also expected the interest of various guilds. It is natural to be interested in players with unique abilities.

However, the identity check to confirm the player’s qualifications was unexpected, as a notification is sent within three days after the check is conducted.

“You’d better be very careful from now on. Many people will come looking for you with the guild name on them.”

Sang-Hyeon nodded silently. He could guess what the picture was without even having to be told.

“Okay! Now, shall we begin a full-fledged interview about Mr. Shin Sang-hyun’s dreams and ambitions?”

Park Jeong-min, a reporter specializing in breaking news for The Player. The way he looked at Sang-hyeon was shining with an unusual light.

The hands of stars that create stars.

His attention was focused solely on one person, Sang-Hyeon.

* * *

After finishing the interview with Park Jung-min, who lost track of time, Sang-hyun headed straight to the Chunui Station gate.

I arrived at the place where Kim Mi-so and her team were supposed to meet 30 minutes earlier than scheduled, but she was already there.

In addition, an unexpected figure appeared before Sang-hyeon while he was drinking tea with Kim Mi-so.

‘Shin Tae-ri… … why?’

It was unexpected.

Shin Tae-ri is an assassin and named person who is evaluated as a top-level skilled person in the Eden Guild, just like Jo Jin-ho.

He was also an expert in strategy who had mastered the North Korean Gate strategy, which later became a chronic headache for the Korean Players Association.

The only time I saw her up close in my previous life was when we lined up before departure for the large-scale gate assault in 2045.

Since she was a player who lived in a completely different world, Sang-Hyeon had no chance to become friends with her. However, since she was famous, he knew her face very well.

She, who is like that, appears on the scene with Kim Mi-so and looks at herself.

It didn’t seem like we were going to go through the gate together. Considering the level restriction, she didn’t fit the criteria at all.

“hello?”

Sang-hyeon cautiously greeted Kim Mi-so and Shin Tae-ri. Then, Kim Mi-so took a seat between Sang-hyeon and Shin Tae-ri and continued speaking.

“Sister. It’s the Shin Sang-hyun I was talking about. Shin Sang-hyun? It’s Shin Tae-ri, a famous person in our Eden Guild. We’re so close that I talk to her informally!”

“Oh, nice to meet you, Shin Tae-ri.”

Sang-Hyeon greeted him politely.

If Kim Mi-so, who was called the Goddess of Massacre, was a player who always stimulated Sang-hyeon’s curiosity in her previous life.

Shin Tae-ri, who was called the shadow assassin, was the object of Sang-hyeon’s admiration.

A restrained tone of speech. Charisma that can be felt in every step and movement. A murderous spirit that overwhelms the solemnity.

If I may add a little selfishness, she seemed like a walking pictorial.

It felt like a dream to see someone who was like a celebrity to the players up close like this.

‘I guess I’ll have to live my life again to see it.’

I really felt that way. I’m actually living my life again.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot from you. Miso was always talking next to me.”

“Sister!”

“You’re not making things up.”

Despite Kim Mi-so’s blushing reaction, Shin Tae-ri’s expression remained unchanged, like a mirror.

Although she was just in her thirties, if you look at her face alone, she looked much younger than Kim Mi-so.

It seemed to be because of the cute bangs that matched the eyebrow line along with the short hair with a slight curl at the ends.

She was the first to offer a handshake, and Sang-Hyeon took her hand.

Unlike her appearance, which gave off a delicate feeling, her palms were covered in calluses that could not even be compared to Sang-Hyeon’s.

It felt like he was shaking hands with someone wearing gloves. It also meant that he had trained to the limit with a dagger.

“… … .”

Shin Tae-ri quietly looked into Sang-hyeon’s eyes for a long time.

If Sang-Hyeon felt a unique strong energy from Kim Mi-So, he felt an intense cold energy from Shin Tae-Ri.

“I see the trials, tribulations, and storms in Mr. Shin Sang-hyun’s eyes. He resembles me.”

“yes?”

“I see another me.”

Shin Tae-ri’s seemingly indifferent words cut deeper into Sang-hyeon’s heart than he had expected.

It hit the nail on the head.

Can you see it?

This is the sorrow and hardship of an ordinary player that had to pile up until the moment of regression.

“Sang-Hyeon, my sister is a bit of a jokester. Don’t take it too seriously. Haha.”

“Oh, no.”

“My sister wanted to see Sang-Hyeon. That’s why I stopped by here for a bit. I can’t stand being curious.”

“It is an honor to meet you.”

Sang-Hyeon bowed his head again.

When meeting someone for the first time, it is not excessive to be polite two or three times.

Sang-Hyeon wanted to build a good relationship with Shin Tae-Ri if possible. She was a player who had a lot to learn from as she was a person who took good care of herself.

“Before I leave, there’s one thing I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

Unlike Kim Mi-so’s words, Shin Tae-ri’s words seemed to seep into my bones, each and every word cold.

Even Sang-Hyeon was startled for a moment. Shin Tae-Ri was definitely a capable person with overwhelming skills even now.

“Can we just exchange five numbers briefly?”

Shin Tae-ri’s unexpected proposal!

It seemed like only yesterday that I had been educating Choi Young-cheol, but now it seemed like I was getting the opposite.