Chapter 20 : Chapter 20
Chapter 20. The Preparations are Complete
The incident of selling the items for a pittance.
For the black market merchant Pierre, it was like a nightmare.
The rookie human gladiator who had brought about that nightmare.
He was a being he should never have encountered here.
‘…What? Did I come to the wrong place?’
Pierre rubbed his eyes and checked the nameplate outside the door again.
Rookie Lodging.
He had come to the right place.
“Wh-Why are you here!”
“You’re the one who came to someone else’s lodging, so what am I supposed to say when you ask why I’m here?”
“This is your lodging…? A Ro-Rookie? Does that even make sense!?”
“What’s not to make sense about it.”
“You’re a rookie who hasn’t been here for long….”
“Do you want to get beaten up by a rookie?”
As Hyunwoo casually placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, Pierre snapped back to his senses.
The human was a Rookie.
Even if he were to stab him a few times, there would be nowhere to complain.
The law would not protect him, and the sword was right in front of his eyes.
So he had no choice but to remain silent.
“……”
As Pierre lowered his gaze, Hyunwoo let out a small laugh and patted the bed he was sitting on.
Tap, tap—
“Sit here. Why are you standing so stiffly between us?”
“Between… us?”
“Yeah. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”
“What on earth is… between us?”
Pierre glanced at Hyunwoo’s sword again and quickly corrected his informal speech.
He was a man with excellent social skills.
“What’s between us is… something we’ll build from now on. Don’t you think?”
As Hyunwoo spoke, he held a ‘business card’ in his hand and waved it.
A ‘business card’ with a flashy border, clearly belonging to a demon.
As the card waved, Pierre’s pupils also trembled.
“…It seems you’ve received a sponsorship offer?”
“Ah, this? Someone gave it to me just a little while ago. I refused. Was his title a Baron?”
“…You refused?”
“The conditions weren’t that great.”
“Why are you showing it to me?”
Flick—
Hyunwoo casually tossed the business card into a corner.
Pierre’s gaze followed the flying card and landed in the corner of the room.
“……”
The business cards of demons that Pierre had been trying to get from all over to secure deals.
They were scattered in the corner of the room like trash.
The fact that the human in front of him was a Rookie hit him anew.
“Are you in the mood to talk with me now?”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Let’s hear it?”
“…Please, tell me.”
I still didn't like the look in Pierre’s eyes, but it seemed we were at a point where we could talk.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“Tell me what you need, and I’ll bring it to you.”
“No. Not that kind of deal. Let’s make a real ‘deal’.”
“A real… deal?”
“Yeah. A trade between my ‘future value’ and your ‘dream’.”
“Hah, what is this nonsense… What a waste of time.”
Pierre’s attitude changed as quickly as flipping his palm.
His ever-changing attitude, depending on the situation, was amusing.
“It’s a bit of a loss for me… but I’ll do it specially for you.”
“Never mind your future value. Do you even know what my dream is to be spouting such nonsense?”
“A market shop owner.”
“……!”
“Am I wrong?”
There was no way he was wrong.
Pierre’s expression clearly showed his bewilderment.
The only reason he stayed near the Arena and claimed to be a black market merchant was for that.
‘To be officially hired by the Arena and obtain the right to open a market shop.’
The ultimate goal of the black market merchants was obvious.
Hyunwoo had touched on that point.
“Think about it. Becoming a market shop owner in the Arena? When do you think that’ll be possible with the few pennies you’re earning?”
“Someday….”
“Ah, right. It’ll be possible someday. Maybe if you pass down the black market business to your child’s child’s child?”
“……”
At Hyunwoo’s words that hit the mark, Pierre was at a loss for words.
He was right.
Even if he lived his entire life as a black market merchant, getting a single shop here was next to impossible.
“But.”
Hyunwoo stared intently at Pierre.
“If you invest in me, getting you a market shop. It won’t be that difficult.”
“What makes you say that….”
Hyunwoo waved the business card.
“No one knows who my sponsor will be yet. But does it seem impossible for me to make you a market shop owner?”
“Bullshit….”
Pierre’s eyes, which trailed off at the end of his sentence, trembled uncontrollably.
He was almost convinced.
“Me, who became a Rookie in my Bronze debut match. And you, who might not become a shop owner even if you roll in the dirt as a black market merchant your whole life. Which one has a higher probability?”
As Hyunwoo held out his hand,
Gulp—
Pierre swallowed.
It was an uncertain future.
A bleak future with no possibilities.
A lifeline had been lowered to him.
He didn't know if it would be a lifeline to save him, or a rotten one.
But.
He couldn't not take his hand.
Because at this rate, his future would just rot away anyway.
Pierre, with an awkward expression, clasped Hyunwoo’s hand.
“What… should I do?”
Hyunwoo smiled faintly as he saw him using formal speech again.
The black market merchant, Pierre, who quickly changed his attitude depending on the situation.
He didn't see his opportunistic nature in a bad light.
It was just amusing.
“Good thinking, friend. From now on, we’re in this together.”
Whether a heavenly harmony resounded in that place, or a fiery pit of hell awaited.
From now on, the two were a community of fate.
Shudder—
Meeting Hyunwoo’s gaze, Pierre felt a chill seep deep into his heart.
“……”
Looking at their tightly clasped hands, it seemed it was already too late to back out.
* * *
I was able to get the items I had requested from Pierre right away.
Lightning scrolls.
And an item called a ‘Lad’ that would act as a lightning rod.
The lightning scrolls were divided into five small cylindrical containers, and the ‘Lad’ was an item shaped like a harpoon.
‘I didn’t expect him to get this too… He’s more capable than I thought.’
I had asked Pierre to get me a ‘Lad’, but I hadn't expected much.
In terms of acquisition difficulty, it was a much harder item to get than the lightning scrolls.
Next to it was a note with a short phrase written on it.
—P.S. This contains my entire fortune. From Hyunwoo’s friend, Pierre.
Pfft—
A small laugh escaped as I naturally pictured him agonizing.
I could see the traces of him rewriting the phrase several times, worrying over what to write.
The statement that he had poured in his entire fortune was probably not an exaggeration.
‘Is all that’s left is swordsmanship proficiency?’
Hyunwoo organized the items he had received from Pierre and immediately headed for the market’s sewer.
There wasn't much left to do with the swordsmanship either.
⌜Skirma Swordsmanship (2-Star)―97%⌟
The Skirma Swordsmanship, which he had learned not long ago, was already on the verge of being mastered.
‘There’s no such thing as ‘good enough’. I will definitely master it before the match.’
The ‘Rookie’ title and the ‘Swordsmanship Genius’ trait.
On top of that, the ‘Master System’.
The synergy of these three made the speed at which proficiency increased go crazy.
It was a much faster pace than the Sabla Swordsmanship, the 2-Star swordsmanship he had learned first.
Among these, the most effective one was, of course, ‘Swordsmanship Genius’.
‘If I had made it like this, I would have had to nerf it right away.’
Although I had fallen into this damn Demon World, it was fortunate that I had a cheat trait that would have definitely been nerfed.
As I walked while thinking about my abilities, I soon arrived at the sewer.
As usual, the Frogman was waiting for me.
As I warmed up, the Frogman’s nagging continued.
The longer we spent together, the more talkative he became.
Today, it seemed to be a history lecture.
“It is said that the Frog King who created the Skirma Swordsmanship parted the sea and created a whirlpool.”
“Is that so? That’s truly amazing.”
“Amazing indeed. If we were to go over the achievements he accomplished one by one….”
Hyunwoo nodded, letting his words go in one ear and out the other.
Since I was the one who had created all those settings, it wasn't a very interesting story.
“…The level that he, who left such achievements, reached only in his later years was the state of a master. No matter how much of a genius you are, it will be impossible for you to become a master. Absolutely!”
“…Yeah, yeah. Well, it’ll take a little longer.”
“A little longer? Just a little longer!”
“No, I mean, if you keep practicing swordsmanship, you’ll eventually reach the level of a master, won’t you?”
The Frogman’s body trembled.
At that moment, his wrinkled skin seemed to regain its elasticity as it vibrated.
“Just because you caught up with me in no time, you think being a master is a joke…!”
By now, I was well aware of the true nature of his emotions.
It was a complex emotion that was hard to put into words.
Jealousy of Hyunwoo’s overwhelming talent.
And on top of that, there was impatience.
The last bit of pride that he couldn't bow down to a human who had surpassed him overnight.
He looked at me with eyes that contained a subtle emotion, a mixture of all these things.
‘To think a frog’s expression could be so varied. Is he a toad? Anyway.’
Well, I didn't need to be considerate of his inner thoughts while training.
Splash—
Hyunwoo jumped into the puddle as if he didn't want to hear anymore.
If it weren't for the Master System, he was a guy I would have stopped seeing long ago.
Besides the system, the key points he pointed out were also helpful.
Hyunwoo went deep into the water.
It’s been about a week, but still….
It hadn’t gotten any better.
The sticky feel of the filth was still vivid, and the stench that pierced my nose was terrible.
Nevertheless, I continued to visit this place.
‘The effect is… undeniable.’
WHOOSH—!
Hyunwoo thrust his sword in the water.
From the terrible smell to the feeling of foreign substances obstructing his sword.
He continued to thrust his sword with the intention of cutting through all the unidentifiable debris.
If there was a hesitant posture, the Frogman would point it out from above.
By now, it had been a long time since Hyunwoo had surpassed the Frogman’s swordsmanship.
Although his position as a master was just an illusion, he was trying hard to protect his pride.
Perhaps he also wanted to see the master of this swordsmanship?
⌜Skirma Swordsmanship (2-Star)―99%⌟
The master level was not far off.
“You’re still far from becoming a master. With that much effort…!”
I thrust my sword, using the Frogman’s nagging as background music.
I thrust, and thrust again.
Just as the waves created by Hyunwoo’s sword bloomed in various parts of the dark water.
‘…Huh?’
I felt a sense of dissonance as my body felt like it was floating.
A familiar sensation now.
‘Master Event!’
The stopped world changes in an instant.
As the thrusting sword seemed to tear through the puddle, a green swamp unfolded before my eyes.
I felt bumpy protrusions on my body.
It was the source of the dissonance I had felt.
I had somehow become the Frog King.
Hyunwoo, who had become the Frog King, was seized by a desire to escape the swamp.
The lifelong wish of the Frog King who roamed the swamp.
‘Freedom.’
The sword, yearning for freedom, advanced.
CHWAA—!
‘I have to get out.’
Only one thing dominated his mind right now.
Freedom!
The desire to escape the narrow swamp endlessly surged.
As if a powerless individual was struggling to overcome the vast nature.
He pierced through the obstacles, again and again.
He continued to move forward without knowing his destination.
When the speed at which he cut through the sticky swamp became faster than the speed at which it piled up.
‘Ah!’
With a small gasp, the blue sea began to appear.
Finally, the swamp that filled all directions was parted by the tip of his thrusting sword.
Like a frog in a well ascending to the sky.
His body soared into the sky.
CHWAAK—!
Beyond the parted swamp, the blue sea was fully revealed.
The moment the blue sea was reflected on the tip of his advancing sword.
The blueness of the sea was torn to shreds and returned to the green sewer.
“Ah….”
A gasp escaped Hyunwoo’s lips.
The gasp was filled with deep regret.
Even after the Master Event had ended, its lingering effect remained in his heart.
‘Freedom….’
It was a little different from the previous Master Events, where everything except the sensation of the sword felt meaningless.
Instead of the sensation being engraved in his mind, it felt as if his emotions were dominating his body.
The master of Skirma Swordsmanship.
It contained the Frog King’s yearning for freedom.
Hoo—
Hyunwoo let out a deep breath and broke away from the lingering feeling.
Now it was time to check the mastered Skirma Swordsmanship.
⌜Name : Kim Hyunwoo
Title : Rookie
Skills : ■Sabla Swordsmanship (2-Star)―70%, ■Skirma Swordsmanship (2-Star)―100%(M), ⊠
Innate Traits : Swordsmanship Synthesis, Master of Copy, Swordsmanship Genius, Pain Tolerance
General Traits : PhysiqueⅠ, Swiftness I(New!)⌟
‘Oh…!’
Not only had he mastered the swordsmanship, but a trait he had been looking forward to had also appeared.
From 2-Star swordsmanship onwards, a trait was created upon mastering it.
⌜Skirma Swordsmanship (2-Star)—An ancient swordsmanship used by Frogmen who inhabit the swamps. The all-piercing thrust can contain even greater power when performed in water.
Proficiency : 100%(M)
Trait : Swiftness I(New!)⌟
⌜Trait : SwiftnessⅠ
Description : ‘Are you ready to run faster than light?’
Reaction speed and movement become faster. You can produce explosive movements in an instant.⌟
I moved my body to check the mastered swordsmanship and the new trait.
As Hyunwoo slowly took a stance, the Frogman opened his mouth.
“Huh? Something feels strange… Are you really trying to use Skirma Swordsmanship right now?”
He had good intuition.
Although I had only taken a stance, it seemed he had felt something.
Ssk—
Even though I only moved the sword slightly, large ripples formed in the water.
I felt as if I could control the flow of the water at will like this.
‘Not with the feeling of launching the sword, but with the feeling of moving forward together.’
WHOOSH—!
The swordsmanship, performed in an instant, penetrated the stagnant puddle.
The moment the deeply pierced sword reached the bottom.
CHWAAA—!
An awl-like thrust performed in the water!
A whirlpool gathered around Hyunwoo’s sword and then spread out in all directions.
A moment later, only the cracked bottom of the puddle remained.
Hooo—
The Frogman, who had been watching the scene, let out a sound like deflating air.
In his awe-filled gaze, there was no room for any negative emotions to intrude.
“…I can’t even pretend to be a master anymore.”
Hyunwoo bowed his head towards the Frogman, who had a forlorn smile.
Leaving behind the stunned Frogman, Hyunwoo escaped the disgusting sewer.
‘Finally.’
All the preparations were complete.