Chapter 10 · 22 min
Chapter 10
I Became a Newbie Favored by the Transcendents Chapter 10
=====
<Management Bureau Basic Equipment Set+>
-Grade: Legendary
-Required Level: 5
-All Stats + 10
-Appearance Concealment Function
-Absolutely Indestructible
-Set Effect: Blessing of Nidavellir
* Blessing of Nidavellir: Deploys a barrier that reflects a curse once
=====
“Was she an alchemist rather than a blacksmith?”
She turned shit into gold.
I don’t know how many times I doubted my eyes while reading the item description.
Just by adding a single plus sign to the item name, its grade had risen from ‘Standard’ to ‘Legendary’,
and its performance had also been massively enhanced to match.
‘What is this, an Iron Man suit? Just putting on one piece of armor boosts my stat points by 10 each...’
Originally, it only increased them by a measly 1 each, but now it was a full ten times greater.
But there was another part that truly sent a shiver through me.
‘If it says all stats, does that mean Luck is included too?’
Namely, the fact that ‘Luck’ was among the stats being increased!
If it wasn’t, it would have said ‘Luck excluded’ in parentheses afterward.
It was officially established that the information provided by the system never had errors like omitted content, so there was no doubt.
‘Just what kind of magic did she work on the armor to make even Luck increase?’
Yeah, this was practically in the realm of magic.
Armor that made you luckier just by wearing it?
I had never even heard of such a thing.
‘On top of absolutely indestructible durability... and the Blessing of Nidavellir?’
According to the description, it could reflect a curse once.
...That’s good, isn’t it?
For reference, curses always ranked within the top three when Players listed the attacks they hated most.
Slow, near-death, blackout, sensory disruption, hair loss, stun, mana backflow, and so on...
Because they inflicted effects on the target that could threaten their life after just one hit.
There were two ways to stop a curse.
Use an item for dispelling curses, or remove it with holy power.
However, curse-dispelling items were expensive,
and holy power was a unique force only certain classes like ‘Priest’ or ‘Paladin’ could wield.
‘But this means I can block a curse even without either of those.’
It was a little unfortunate that it was one-time use, but still, that was more than enough.
It was an ability that could become an extra life for me in a dangerous situation.
‘Lastly, the appearance concealment function... Is this what I think it is?’
To verify it, I immediately equipped the armor and silently muttered ‘conceal appearance.’
At that moment.
“Oh...!”
The armor whose designer’s intelligence I had questioned instantly turned transparent.
As a result, the me reflected in the mirror merely appeared to be wearing ordinary sweatpants.
But in reality, I was still wearing the armor, so the item effects were applied without issue.
‘So instead of changing the design, she added this.’
Right.
Rather than going outside wearing something unnecessarily flashy and attracting attention, this was much better.
Next, I checked the information for the sword and shield.
The result?
I was completely satisfied with these too.
‘They didn’t gain special effects like the armor, but their performance increased massively.’
In the sword’s case, its attack power had increased fivefold from before,
and in the shield’s case, its defense had increased fivefold from before.
Judging purely by performance, they were almost comparable to ‘Legendary-grade’ items in the level 20 range.
“Grrr... I can’t hold it in!”
This overwhelming gratitude I feel toward ‘IMadeExcalibur.’
I need to vomit out this faith of mine onto the gallery right now!
And while I’m at it, I can let ‘IMadeExcalibur’ know how completely satisfied I am.
=====
[Title: As of today, I withdraw my support for IMadeExcalibur]
Author: Anon (111.111)
(Photo of me wearing the armor)
Starting today, I am leaving behind our relationship of support
IMadeExcalibur and I shall become one body and one entity
Any attack against IMadeExcalibur will be regarded as an attack against me
=====
-What the fuck, so you traded with Excalibur in the end?
-Ah fuck
-AnvilMutt) lol Excalibur’s skills are insane though~
-IMadeExcalibur) It is I! Excalibur!
-ChiefBlacksmith) Newbie, next time can you please trade with me? The Curse of Oblivion has been getting worse lately, and now I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast today...
└That’s just forgetfulness, sir... Please go to a hospital
“I feel a little better now.”
I had obtained equipment that could practically be called balance-breaking compared to my level.
And I had properly conveyed my worship toward ‘IMadeExcalibur.’
There was nothing more satisfying than this result.
‘...To think I achieved this much with garbage equipment mixed with a bit of Mana Crystal.’
I thought it was a worthless penny stock, but it turned out to be a jackpot stock.
In fact, wasn’t the greatest thing I gained through this trade not equipment, but information?
Namely, the information that Pantheon’s residents went crazy over Mana Crystals.
‘They looked ready to hand over their liver and gallbladder if it meant getting Mana Crystals.’
After hearing their circumstances, it made perfect sense.
Because only Mana Crystals could weaken the Curse of Oblivion they suffered from.
Well.
If I gradually forgot who I had been when I was alive, I’d get desperate too.
After learning their circumstances, those guys who had only seemed like people with infinite free time suddenly started to seem pitiful.
‘Pitiful is pitiful, but business is business.’
So if I just provide Mana Crystals from my side, that means they might give me anything from theirs, right?
...Maybe I could use this as a pretty decent business opportunity.
Mana Crystals seemed to be some legendary mineral in Pantheon, but not on Earth.
If I wanted them, I could obtain as many as I needed.
Whether by mining them from Gates or buying them with money at the Player Market.
‘The labor costs of elite personnel who are literally Transcendents are just Mana Crystals?’
Cheap!
And thanks to my recent experiences, I had become extremely confident in the skills of the guys in the gallery.
Just look at ‘IMadeExcalibur.’
She spent three hours working and turned free equipment into Legendary-grade items, didn’t she?
My interest suddenly exploded beyond control.
The Pantheon Gallery was a community where Transcendents who surpassed the level of humans gathered.
Then wouldn’t there be incredible things here that I still hadn’t discovered?
‘The gallery... The gallery is the answer.’
I opened the gallery window again and looked through the tabs at the top.
The first one that caught my eye was the ‘Shop’ tab.
I knew something like this existed, but I hadn’t taken a close look before.
When I checked what was there.
=====
Moonlight Blade – 50,000GP
Great Axe of Freezing – 200,000GP
Purified Rotting Sword – 120,000GP
World Tree Wand – 200,000GP
Lion God Set – 250,000GP
Heavenly Demon Divine Art Secret Manual – 350,000GP
...
=====
“Oh.”
Just from their names, the place was lined with weapons, armor, and items that looked at least ‘Rare’ grade.
While marveling, the impression I felt was.
‘Fucking expensive.’
There was a sort-by-price option, so I selected it.
The cheapest item, called ‘Elixir of Shock Immunity,’ cost 5,000GP each.
For reference, the GP I currently possessed was 5,100.
Meaning I’d be completely broke after buying even the cheapest item in the shop.
‘Wait, what if I register Mana Crystals in the shop and earn points?’
...My business idea was immediately crushed.
[You currently do not have permission.]
“Ah.”
When I selected the register-item button, this message appeared.
No permission. Is it because I just entered the gallery and I’m still a newbie?
Then how am I supposed to earn points?
‘From what SaviorOfTheEmpire said before, there seems to be a sponsorship system too...’
But the guys in the gallery didn’t seem likely to easily sponsor me out of pity for my circumstances.
Of course, there was one more standard way to earn GP with Mana Crystals.
‘I can exchange Mana Crystals for GP through the trade system.’
The guys in the gallery would go crazy for Mana Crystals, so they’d gladly hand over points.
The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like an excellent business.
Now I just needed to prepare plenty of Mana Crystals to serve as seed money.
While I was busily drawing up blueprints by myself.
[‘SaviorOfTheEmpire’ requests a trade.]
“Huh?”
A trade request suddenly came from my spiritual swordsmanship teacher.
What is it?
Did she contact me because she wanted to teach me another overpowered swordsmanship or cultivation method?
SaviorOfTheEmpire) Thank you for accepting the conversation, Benefactor.
Me)?
The title she used for me had changed to Benefactor.
SaviorOfTheEmpire) (Emoticon of a green ghoul smiling wistfully while shedding tears)
SaviorOfTheEmpire) Thanks to the Mana Crystal craft you gave me before, I was able to recover some of my lost memories. Thank you. I sincerely express my gratitude for your kindness. The points I sponsored earlier were merely a small token of appreciation
Me) Ah lol It’s nothing
SaviorOfTheEmpire) So, about that...
Me)?
SaviorOfTheEmpire) Do you have any more?
Hmm.
I had a feeling she’d say that.
Me) T_T What should I do. The one I gave you back then was all the Mana Crystal I had on hand...
SaviorOfTheEmpire);_; Is there no way you can obtain more?
Me) I can get more for you?
SaviorOfTheEmpire) I-is that really true!
She was so happy she even made a typo.
As I expected, Mana Crystals were like light and salt to the Transcendents of the gallery.
Me) Was the craft item I gave you back then not enough?
SaviorOfTheEmpire) Hmm, honestly, it was not enough. The memory I recovered was only a very brief moment from the past.
Me) Then can’t you just keep touching it?
SaviorOfTheEmpire) If that worked, would I be asking you for more?
That’s true.
Even I think that was a stupid question.
SaviorOfTheEmpire) Perhaps its efficacy was exhausted, because when I touched the craft item again, nothing happened.
Me) Okay, I understand what you mean. Then how much do you need?
SaviorOfTheEmpire) Quality seems more important than quantity. For now, I believe a single Mana Crystal containing a large amount of densely condensed, pure mana should suffice.
“A Mana Crystal containing a large amount of densely condensed, pure mana...”
If that was what she wanted, then only a Mana Crystal freshly taken from a Gate would do.
Normally, Mana Crystals circulating on the market had somewhat lower mana concentration and freshness due to the passage of time.
Think of it like sashimi-grade fish.
Me) I think I can get one...
SaviorOfTheEmpire) Of course, I am not asking for it empty-handed. Since this is a trade, I must also give you suitable compensation.
Me) Sorry
SaviorOfTheEmpire)?? Why are you suddenly apologizing? I do not know what discourtesy I committed, but please forgive me just this once...
Me); I’m asking you to make an offer
SaviorOfTheEmpire) I will trade one hundred thousand GP.
“!”
My mouth fell open.
‘With one hundred thousand GP, I could comfortably buy several decent items from the shop...?’
But immediately saying yes just because I liked the offer would make me an amateur.
SaviorOfTheEmpire was clearly desperate right now, but capitalism was cold.
I should negotiate and squeeze out even more...
SaviorOfTheEmpire) If it were up to me, I would give you more, but that is half of my entire fortune... I truly mean it, so please believe me...
Me) Whew, let’s go with one hundred thousand
My resolve immediately weakened.
If it was half her entire fortune, I had to give it to her.
I ended the conversation after telling her I would contact her as soon as I had it prepared.
‘If what she wants is the freshest Mana Crystal possible, then there’s no way other than running a Gate.’
I immediately installed a Player-related app on my phone.
Then, after setting the search filter so I could only see Gates accessible within my current level range?
“They’re all full, damn it.”
...Every Gate in the low-level range I could enter was completely booked.
The reason was obvious.
Guild teams specializing in reservation proxying had already claimed them long ago.
‘How do Gate reservations fill up this fast in a country with such low Contribution...’
Was this why most Players operated under guilds rather than solo?
If you had a guild’s supporters, at least you wouldn’t suffer the absurd situation of being unable to enter a Gate because there were no openings.
‘...Hmm?’
While endlessly scrolling down, thinking this was a problem.
I found exactly one Gate that still hadn’t been reserved by anyone.
=====
<Detailed Information>
Name: Mouth That Spews Calamity
Required Level: 5-15
Required Personnel: 1-5
Appearance Location: Gangnam District
Contamination: √
=====
“<Mouth That Spews Calamity>...”
The accessible level range was broad, it could accommodate up to five people, and the location wasn’t bad either.
Then why had not a single person reserved it?
‘So that’s what it was. A Contaminated Gate.’
A Gate with a checkmark beside contamination status was called a ‘Contaminated Gate.’
Simply put, it was a Gate that emitted contaminated mana within a 100-meter radius centered on its appearance location.
What happened if a person was exposed to it?
‘Their mind rots.’
As though they had inhaled some strange gas, a person would go insane.
Hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, vomiting from dizziness, indescribable headaches, mental confusion...
In severe cases, there were even instances where people completely lost consciousness or descended into madness.
In other words, being exposed to contaminated mana was practically the same as having your mind contaminated.
For that reason, forget clearing the Gate, simply entering it was already an enormous ordeal.
‘There are two methods. Receive the blessing of the <Saintess>, the only one in Korea...’
Or simply leave it alone.
The reason it could be left alone was because all Gates naturally disappeared after one month from the time they appeared.
Then, on the first of every month, new Gates were summoned again in each region.
Contaminated Gates were the same.
Since they disappeared on their own after one month, if clearing them was impossible, people simply left them alone until they vanished.
‘They say the <Saintess> can only use her blessing once a month, so leaving most Contaminated Gates alone is the best choice.’
And as far as I knew, this month’s blessing had already been consumed to clear another Contaminated Gate.
In other words, the reason no guild had reserved this Gate called ‘Mouth That Spews Calamity’ was because they were deliberately avoiding it.
Why would anyone pay attention to a Gate that rotted your mind just by approaching it?
‘But if I succeed in clearing it...’
I could obtain far greater rewards than from an ordinary Gate.
And Mana Crystals containing highly pure mana.
Contaminated mana might be called contaminated.
But in reality, it simply meant mana whose concentration far exceeded the standard level.
In other words, the Mana Crystals obtainable inside would inevitably contain extremely dense mana as well.
‘Wouldn’t that be exactly the kind of Mana Crystal SaviorOfTheEmpire is looking for?’
The conclusion was made.
<Mouth That Spews Calamity>.
I would make this place my debut Gate.
But wasn’t entering a Contaminated Gate itself impossible?
It was fine.
Because I had―.
‘Wait. But I can only go if the management bureau issues my license, right?’
In the middle of confidently steeling my resolve, reality suddenly hit me.
Without license verification, I couldn’t even register a reservation.
And that wasn’t all.
Even these absurdly overpowered pieces of equipment IMadeExcalibur gave me were nothing more than pretty decorations.
Wow, shit. What do I do?
Just as impatience began creeping in.
[♪♬♩]
My phone ringtone sounded.
When I checked who it was,
“!”
It was Director Kim Hyeonuk.
I answered the phone at light speed.
“Hello?”
[Hello, Player Park Junbeom. This is Director Kim Hyeonuk. Is now a good time to talk?]
“Ah, yes.”
[I am calling regarding your license.]
The instant I heard the word license, my heart started pounding like crazy.
Please...!
[After internal review, we have concluded that your license can be issued without issue.]
“...!”
Whew.
I thought I had lost ten years of my life worrying they might say no.
“Ah, yes. That’s a relief. Then what about my Player grade?”
[S-rank.]
“What?”
My mind suddenly went blank.
Did this man just say S... S-rank?
“My grade wasn’t even clearly measured, and you’re saying I’m S-rank?”
[Yes. It is the conclusion we reached after sufficient internal review. Please do not feel burdened and trust our judgment.]
How am I supposed to not feel burdened, man!
Until a few days ago, I was just an unemployed young man, and now I’m apparently the Republic of Korea’s seventh S-rank!
Wasn’t this something to be happy about?
When something overwhelmingly huge suddenly happens, people naturally lose their sense of reality.
[And regarding that, Player.]
“Um, yes.”
[Would you have any interest in signing a VIP contract with our Player Management Bureau?]
I knew that was coming.
The moment my license review passed, he brought it up as though he had been waiting.
Honestly, Director Kim had probably already made up his mind the moment he saw my tutorial ranking.
‘That VIP contract only S-ranks are offered...’
Signing a VIP contract was practically the same as becoming part of the Player Management Bureau’s absolute elite.
A-rank wasn’t enough. Only S-ranks.
[Player, are you perhaps currently in contact with or planning to join any particular guild...?]
I could hear Director Kim Hyeonuk’s inner plea of please say no all the way through the phone.
“No, I’m not.”
[...! Then, I beg of you, please lend your strength to the management bureau—no, to the nation! Once you hear the terms, you absolutely will not regret it!]
Is this guy about to cry?
I had heard rumors that the management bureau was just as passionate as guilds when it came to recruitment...
But this was practically begging.
And it wasn’t even some ordinary senior executive. The head of the entire management bureau was personally pleading with me.
Just what the hell did they discuss during that internal review?
[We’ll offer you an annual salary of 20 billion won, provide a private aircraft and a top-tier residence in Hannam-dong, and fully exempt your income tax! In addition, you will be allowed to use the secret room operated exclusively for VIP Players at the Player Shop directly managed by the bureau!]
“...”
While listening to the director, I diligently searched the VIP Player contract terms with ChatGPT.
Normally, contract terms like this were supposed to be strictly confidential, but this was the great Player era, right?
They had become public knowledge, so all it took was a quick AI search to find everything.
According to ChatGPT,
‘...It says the salary has been inflated to almost double, and normally there’s no income tax exemption or private aircraft provided?’
At this point, what the director was talking about wasn’t a VIP contract but practically a VVIP contract, wasn’t it?
Why were they going this far?
I was still a Player with zero accomplishments who hadn’t even cleared a Gate once.
“Hmm, these terms are almost excessively good.”
[Not at all. Not-at-all! They are not excessive. Player, you are more than qualified to receive treatment at this level!]
“They’re good. Even <Golden Dragon> probably couldn’t offer terms this outrageous...”
[Exactly. So, please join us―.]
“But those aren’t the only conditions, right?”
[Excuse me?]
Every contract in the world had light and darkness coexisting within it.
This guy was subtly trying to leave out all the darkness.
“VIP or not, as far as I know, Players affiliated with the management bureau are subject to mandatory clauses.”
[Hmm.]
“I don’t know the details, so what exactly are those mandatory clauses?”
[...Haha, as expected, I can’t get anything past you, Player. Of course, I intended to explain that part honestly as well.]
The director calmly explained them one by one.
[Players affiliated with the management bureau must clear a certain number of Gates each quarter to raise the Contribution quota designated by the system, and when the international competition known as the ‘Arena’ opens, they are obligated to participate.]
Judging from the fact that he said nothing more, it seemed I wouldn’t be exempt from those clauses either.
In short, VIP or not, once you joined the management bureau, you had to devote yourself to the nation.
There were S-ranks who joined major private guilds instead of the management bureau specifically because they disliked this.
More precisely, of the six S-ranks, a full half belonged to private guilds.
‘I can honestly understand why.’
Whether you liked it or not, regardless of your own wishes, you had to run Gates and participate in the Arena...
It was practically a shackle, wasn’t it?
Exaggerating a little, it wasn’t that different from a Constellation contract.
Of course, VIP Players of the management bureau were respected by the people and enjoyed great honor,
but does honor put food on the table?
‘Still, if not for those mandatory clauses, these terms are good enough that I’d sign immediately...’
I sank into thought.
Perhaps to give me time to think, the director waited quietly too.
And after a long period of deliberation,
I impulsively threw it out there.
“I’ll join the management bureau, so remove the mandatory clauses.”
______________
The next morning.
Somewhere in Gangnam District.
“Hoo...”
Kim Hyeonuk exhaled cigarette smoke while feeling the chilly dawn air.
Every time he recalled the conversation he had with Player Park Junbeom yesterday, he found it impossible to resist the urge to smoke.
-“R-remove the mandatory clauses, meaning... both of them?”-
-[Yes.]-
Kim Hyeonuk’s soul nearly left his body.
The duty of a Player affiliated with the management bureau was to devote themselves to the nation.
And he wanted to remove that duty while keeping only the benefits?
Wasn’t he basically asking to enjoy pleasure without responsibility!
When he heard Gye Sohui’s reasonable analysis, he had made a firm resolution deep in his heart.
No matter what, even if the world collapsed.
He would make Park Junbeom a Player under the management bureau.
The first Player in history who might possess the potential to oppose the Evil Dragon!
If that was true, Park Junbeom was a treasure of humanity, not merely of the Republic of Korea.
A VIP contract?
Not enough.
They had to present benefits so extravagant that an ordinary VIP contract looked like a normal contract.
Double the salary. Give him a private jet and a house too, exempt his income tax...
He had even resolved to shower him generously with all sorts of small forms of support not written into the contract.
But even so.
He wanted exemption from his duties too?
-“N-no, Player... No matter what, that would be somewhat... difficult...”-
If they exempted him from his duties?
He could receive an annual salary worth tens of billions without clearing a single Gate or participating in the Arena, all while living comfortably in an expensive home.
It was hard to imagine Player Park Junbeom actually going that far, but.
Still, impossible was impossible.
-“Please reconsider. The mandatory clauses are the price the management bureau asks in exchange for granting you preferential treatment...”-
-[Of course, I’m not asking for something this unreasonable for nothing.]-
-“Excuse me?”-
-[Would you like to make a bet with me?]-
-“...A bet? What kind?”-
At the abrupt proposal to make a bet, Kim Hyeonuk was bewildered.
-[If I clear one Contaminated Gate, remove the mandatory clauses from the contract.]-
-“!”-
Kim Hyeonuk asked again, wondering whether he had misheard.
-“A-a Contaminated Gate... you said?”-
-[Yes. In exchange, if I fail to clear it, I’ll sign the contract with the mandatory clauses included without complaint. How about it? It’s not a terrible deal, right?]-
-“No, that... With a Contaminated Gate, clearing it doesn’t seem like the issue...”-
How was he supposed to do that when his mind would be destroyed before he even entered?
-“Player. I’ll tell you in advance, but the Saintess’s blessing has already been used this month...”-
-[I know. I don’t need her support.]-
-“...”-
That was roughly the conversation they had yesterday.
For reference, he had accepted the bet for now.
Because he accepted, he was standing in Gangnam District at this early hour before the sun had even fully risen.
‘Impossible.’
He had no idea what gave Park Junbeom the confidence to challenge a Contaminated Gate without even receiving the Saintess’s blessing.
Even veteran Players over level 50 couldn’t so much as enter a Contaminated Gate without the blessing.
Because this fundamentally wasn’t an issue of whether one’s level was high or low.
‘No matter how extraordinary Park Junbeom’s potential may be, in the end, he too is a Player with mana.’
The more mana that flowed through a human body, the more vulnerable that person was to contaminated mana.
In the worst case, it could go beyond mental damage and cause the mana circuits to overload, resulting in death from shock.
Park Junbeom could not possibly be completely free from that danger.
‘Separate from Dr. Gye Sohui’s analysis, I did need to verify his actual ability, but it didn’t have to be done like this.’
Maybe he should have persuaded him to make a different bet.
While Kim Hyeonuk was belatedly regretting his decision.
“Ah. You arrived first, Director.”
Junbeom appeared from behind with leisurely steps.
Kim Hyeonuk quickly stubbed out his cigarette and turned toward Junbeom.
“You’re here. Playeeer...?”
Just as he was about to bow in greeting.
Kim Hyeonuk saw Junbeom’s appearance and couldn’t continue speaking.
Because Junbeom was wearing an ordinary gray hoodie and sweatpants.
Anyone looking at him would think he was a wholesome young man who had come out for an early morning run.
“Um, Player? The equipment we gave you yesterday...?”
“This is more comfortable.”
“What exactly do you m-mean by that?”
“I took first place in the Tutorial Battlefield wearing this too.”
“...”
Kim Hyeonuk’s mind completely broke at the utterly novel sophistry.
Of course, that reaction was only possible because he had no idea that Junbeom was currently concealing the armor he wore with its ‘Appearance Concealment’ function.
While Kim Hyeonuk was at a loss for words, Junbeom quickly asked.
“By the way, who are those people?”
In fact, Junbeom and Kim Hyeonuk were not the only people at the scene.
In front of the boundary of the contaminated mana zone.
Around five management bureau agents were standing there, each holding something like a rope fitted with a hook.
“They’re an emergency safety team we hastily assembled in preparation for a dangerous situation.”
“A dangerous situation?”
“...If we determine that you cannot withstand the contaminated mana, Player, the safety team will rescue you using special equipment.”
If Junbeom showed even the slightest sign of weakening?
They would immediately hook him and drag him out of the mana zone.
‘We can’t possibly come here without preparing anything!’
Park Junbeom was number one in the Tutorial World Ranking and a valuable asset who might one day be capable of killing the Evil Dragon.
But if something happened to him here after being eroded by contaminated mana?
...Kim Hyeonuk would have to resign.
“That’s reassuring, Director. Well then, I’ll start heading in―.”
“B-before you go, take this!”
Kim Hyeonuk hurriedly forced a rolled-up scroll into Junbeom’s hand.
“It’s a Return Scroll. Even if you manage to enter, another dangerous situation may occur inside, so if that happens, tear this and exit the Gate.”
“That really is reassuring...”
Junbeom suddenly remembered his grandmother, who had force-fed her grandson with generous affection.
Well, the possibility of a crisis occurring inside was an entirely reasonable concern.
Step, step.
Junbeom advanced toward the boundary.
As though a different photograph had been composited over the scenery, even the color of the air beyond the boundary had an ominous violet hue.
The violet color composing this layer of air was all contaminated mana.
If he advanced several dozen meters through this fog-like contaminated mana.
Only at the end of it would he finally encounter the Gate.
“...”
Gulp.
Kim Hyeonuk swallowed nervously.
The safety team agents also took positions in advance, ready to throw their hooks.
Then, just as everyone sharpened their senses.
Step!
Junbeom finally crossed the boundary and stepped into the contaminated mana.
And.
[Activating ‘Ernia-style Mana Cultivation Method’!]
[You become completely immune to mental-type attacks!]
At the system messages that appeared the instant he accepted the contaminated mana.
Junbeom clenched his fist.
‘As expected!’
The ‘Ernia-style Mana Cultivation Method’ didn’t merely increase physical abilities.
It was a cultivation method that erected an impregnable fortress around the mind itself.
He had predicted that with this, he would easily be able to resist contaminated mana.
And now, that prediction had proven correct.
Junbeom continued forward without hesitation, walking lightly as though he had merely come out for a stroll.
And that sight.
“...?!?!?”
Kim Hyeonuk could only watch while screaming soundlessly.