Chapter 12

‘Skill cards’ was the one way to sharpen one’s skills

according to the norm.

Unique skills could be produced by amalgamating them.

“What is this … …?”

The Sword approached him.

[These are primary weapons]

“What happened to this?”

[what?]

“Skills can be obtained by winning cards; what is the use of this?.”

[That’s the universal law.]

“Really?”

[In my world, the sheer practice of martial arts involving weapons was required to master it. You should learn the archaic Sword first before moving on the better weapons.]

“This old fashioned monolithic Sword? Why is that?”

[Starting from the basics and moving on step by step will help you.]

“Why?”

[ Work on the spirit in the body and practice martial arts so you can learn Neogong. The Dokgogu Sword is a fraudulent ball with many internal organs implanted in its body just by memorizing, well, before that, you don’t even seem to know its conditions either]

“Of course, I don’t know, and I don’t have a clue of it.”,

He needed to acquire a particular skill.

That was common sense

, and his common sense was collapsing.

[To master the Dokgogu sword, relying on skill cards isn’t enough. The Sword lies somewhere between magic and your abilities.]

He still couldn’t comprehend it.

Then the Sword said,

[Are you still confused?]

“Yes?.”

[Your common sense has obliterated, but ultimately your goal was to get stronger, wasn’t it?]

Right!

He knew what his end goal was.

But, common sense had been destroyed before, like in the case of uncle octopus

because of the existence of legendary grade Items and Skill cards.

“That’s right; I want to get stronger.”

[Once you acquire strength, then you can get an answer.”

“I see, then I’ll just have to work harder.”

Kang Jin-woo raised the Sword again.

“What should I do next?”

[Keep practicing. You’re still learning the foundations.]

“Understood!.”

Jin-woo started wielding the Sword again.

* * *

The relationship between guilds and players, everything the player does, and the Items they leave behind could be used for business.

Videos and broadcasts were just the beginning.

The events, character goods, merchandise, and others contributed a lot to a guild’s profit.

That’s why Guilds invest a lot of money on recruiting famous players.

People talk about players, especially when they’ve recently done a heroic act.

The public did not hesitate to compliment them or discuss them.

-The people sometimes wondered what Kang Jin-woo was up to in recent times.

-Didn’t he have a contract a guild or something?

-Two months ago, I remembered seeing a video of him on the top floor of a dungeon.

-After that, no more videos followed.

-What do legendary skill holders have that makes them so strong?

-I think it’s a combination of strength and skills.

-I’m getting tired waiting for updates about him.

-I wonder if he had trouble with the Taewang Guild?

Two months ago, Kang Jin-woo had been in the limelight.

But suddenly, he disappeared.

In his absence, the cheers he once received, have now turned into gossip and various accusations.

He didn’t care, but there were other problems.

[Taewang Guild’s Executive Meeting

]

“A request from the Korean government to subjugate the C-132 dungeon has arrived.”

Jin Sung-kwang asked for Han Yu-ra’s report.

“I heard Runnulus started attacking C-132.”

“Because the two guilds ahead of Runnulus failed, it seems that they’re preparing emergency measures.”

“Phuh! They can’t even show results but are already preparing for failure.”

“If anything happens, leave the rest to us.”

“What can we do? The Korean government has no money.”

Director Jin Sung-kwang remarked while laughing,

The Korean director’s comments made the Chinese representatives uneasy.

It was then that Tae-Seong Park sat down and corrected his posture.

That was enough to make Director Jin Sung-kwang’s shut up.

“If a request is officially made, accept it.” Said Park Tae-sung to Han Yu-ra.

“Okay.” She replied

“Next.”

Director Jin Sung-kwang, once again, spoke up.

“I would like to discuss Kang Jin-woo.”

Park Tae-sung leaned against his chair, which meant they could proceed with the topic.

“Hmm, hmm! Kang Jin-woo signed a contract with our guild, it’s been two months since the dungeon quest, and it hasn’t done anything else. He’s been stuck inside his house the whole time.

“Huh! Then aren’t we losing a lot of money because of that person?”

“He shouldn’t be paid such a large amount. He’s damaging our guild!”

Negative opinions about Kang Jin-woo dominated the meeting.

The other party couldn’t speak up since what they were saying was true.

At that time, Park Tae-sung opened his mouth.

“Get straight to the point.”

“Hmm!”

Jin Sung-Kwang showed discomfort since Park Tae-sung was younger than him.

“The shareholders are quite uncomfortable about the situation.”

The purpose of the first guild was to gather three to five members to subjugate dungeons.

As time passed by, the heroic tales and great rewards attracted more people to join, and soon guilds became quite profitable.

Guilds continued to expand, and player-related jobs have become more common, money began to circulate.

As profits increased, so did expenses.

Naturally, guilds started experiencing financial problems.

By this time, the guilds have now developed into systematic organizations, and rewards from dungeons weren’t exclusive to the adventurers anymore.

Even the top guilds followed these new systems.

Instead, as more funds were compiled in the top guilds, various interests became entangled.

The Taewang Guild was the same.

Jin Sung-kwang was a consignee from the Chinese capital.

He came down to check out the most influential guild’s master, Park Tae-sung.

Jin Sung-kwang saw Kang Jin-woo’s absence as an opportunity to prey on the guild.

It was Park Tae-sung’s influence over the masses that allowed him to recruit Kang Jin-Woo.

Jin-woo tried to force Tae-sung back into a corner.

Jin Sung-kwang felt confident about his argument, and he had a cocky smile on his face.

Park Tae-sung did not seem affected by Jin Sung-kwang’s expression.

Tae-sung simply opened his mouth and said,

“so.?”

His voice showed no sign of being intimidated.

Jin Sung-kwang was also a dominant player at level 33.

Nevertheless, Tae-sung remained calm as ever.

“In conclusion?”

“fire… … Kang Jin-woo.”

Sung-kwang was the one giving the command, yet his lips trembled when he did

Kururung-!

The atmosphere was icy.

The people inside the meeting room avoided eye contact by staring out the window.

“That’s what I think you should do… “

The pressure continued to rise.

“Why?”

Suddenly an emergency alarm rang.

“I understand there’s a situation.”

Park Tae-sung gave orders.

“Yes.”

The meeting ended with Han Yu-ra’s answer.

* * *

The events happened fast.

“Runnulus failed to conquer the dungeon.”

“Why is that?”

“It seems that the monster inside the dungeon was popping out while the gate was malfunctioning.

“Shhh!”

It’s happened a few times before.

People’s actions are unpredictable after-all.

In particular, people in the state of shock won’t know how to act.

“What kind of monster was it?”

“It was a giant snake with a bell on it.”

“How unfortunate.”

‘Giant Snake.’

It was a monster belonging to the giant species. A monster can only be classified as a giant if it’s over 15 in height.

The most extensive snake known was over 30cm long.

“How long?”

“It was 20m, the level is measured at 300.”

“Level 300?”.

Although it was a high-level monster, it was not impossible to capture.

But the problem was the giant Snake itself.

The guy was classified as a monster that is very difficult to attack because of its tentacles.

Tentacles poured out of its dense body attacked from all angles. If it catches you, you’ll be preyed upon.

The humans that fell under its power became zombies, attacking anyone that approaches them.

Only the elites were confident enough to face monsters like that.

Another way to defeat it is to gather a large number of people and attack it simultaneously.

But in a city, it was a different story.

“This is a direct order, send an emergency call to all players above level 300.”

Park Tae-sung commanded.

“Okay. Who’s leading the party?”

“I’ll be directly leading.”

“That’s impossible.”

Jin Sung-kwang suddenly interjected.

“The fact is we’re not a charity, so why are you wasting valuable manpower into something that won’t benefit you?”

“People are dying.”

“That’s the government’s problem. Once they send a formal request, then we can act!”

“But when that happens….”

“What? You’re just a secretary what makes you think your opinion matters ?!”

After Jin Sung-kwang said those words, Han Yu-ra bit her lips.

“And another thing…”

At that time, Park Tae-sung opened his mouth to speak.

“Do you think you are in a position where you can raise your voice in front of me?”

“Ugh…!”

Again, an unpleasant atmosphere arose from the two.

Jin Sung-kwang hurriedly pulled out his smartphone with his trembling hand.

“Stop that.”

A hologram of a woman appeared from the LCD screen.

The video call was already connected.

It means that he planned this from the start.

“Lin…”

“Tae-sung, you are the master, but Jin Sung-kwang is my agent. So be polite.”

Lin Xiao.

She was the eldest daughter of the Lin family, the largest conglomerate in China.

The Lin family was one of the significant shareholders of the Taewang Guild and held a 12% stake.

It was close to the 15% stake Park Tae-sung had.

“In this case, the Taewang Guild will not participate until a formal request comes from the Korean government; only then will we proceed.”

“Then, people will die.”

“Our members could also die.”

Their eyes shot daggers at each other.

It was an unexpected outcome that managed to stop the two from fighting.

“excuse me…”

Said Han Yura.

“Master, Kang Jin-woo …”

“Say it.”

“I received a call saying he entered the war zone. He was caught by the camera of one of the news stations.”

Park Tae-sung turned on the TV.

All channels were broadcasting the Giant Snake emergency.

– Once again, we are reporting that Kang Jin-woo, known as the first legendary skill holder, has entered the war zone. However, there is still no sign from the Taewang guild, which is casting doubt on their abilities.

The camera zoomed and focused on a man. It was Kang Jin-woo, who disappeared for two months.

“Damn it! What’s that crazy guy doing there alone?”

Two months ago.

Kang Jin-woo was only at level 60.

Back then, even if he leveled up alone and took all the points, he still wouldn’t reach level 100

No matter how legendary the skill, facing a giant monster alone seemed like a suicide mission.

Park Tae-sung also agreed with Jin Sung-kwang.

“Stop him!”

“Y-yes.”

But there was no way to stop him this time.

Park Tae-sung tried to contact all the members because he knew how difficult this battle would be.

Jin Seong-kwang was forced to bite his tongue.

Park Tae-sung was about to follow him, but the Kang Jin-woo pulled out his Sword and began moving forward.

* * *

[You have one target.]

The Sword, invisible to others, rose from his shoulder.

[It’s in front of my eyes.]

“I have faith in you.”

In response to Kang Jin-woo’s answer, the Sword smiled.

[Let’s show off the result of our training.]

“Yeah!”

The Sword kicked the air in excitement.

Kang Jin-woo, who was by himself, began moving forward.

Giant Snake could be seen in the distance.

He also moved his body, waving his tongue like it was taunting Kang Jin-woo.

“Aaargh-!”

“Grrr-!”

The people that got caught by Snake’s tentacles, similar to marionettes, started attacking like zombies.

Taang-!

Then the head of one of the zombies exploded loudly.

When he looked back, he saw a group of people approaching.

“Hey! Don’t come to me. You might die! Fall back!”

Based on their uniform, they seemed to be from the Rennulus Guild.

They came to avenge their name.

Clang!

“I said, fall back.”

He masterfully held the Sword as he ran forward.

Everything was being filmed on camera and broadcasted across the whole country.

Is he going on a suicide mission?

└Did his head get too big just because he finally got the taste of a legendary skill?

└ No matter how legendary the skill, a player who has not reached level 100 cannot defeat the Giant Snake.

└ Has he gone mad?

└ Maybe he went crazy because of what people kept saying.

└Power has ruined another person.

└I know right, he’s lost his mind.

└ But what will the Taewang Guild do about it? Fire him?

There were dozens of hundreds of comments.

More than 90% were negative.

Skills and Items allowed him to jump over levels.

But, there were limits.

No skill and Item would overcome the 200-level gap.

That was considered common sense in this world.

Woo-oh!

Then the Sword began trembling.

[Let’s get started.]

A smile could be seen on the swordsman’s face as hi watched the figure from a distance.

Kang Jin-woo took a step forward.

“Kiee-aeek!”

Kururung!

At that moment, the Giant Snake made its move.

The buildings surrounding it collapsed as the Giant Snake rushed towards Kang Jin-woo.

It recognized him as an enemy.

Kang Jin-woo raised the Sword.

[Put everything in one blow.]

Ji-ing!

Red energy emanated from the Sword.

[As well as your physical strength, put your entire heart into one attack.]

[Place your complete trust in the Sword.]

“Kyahat!”

Giant Snake raised his body. It’s shadow consumed Kang Jin-woo as if a mountain blocked the sun.

[There is nothing you cannot slash.]

Wedge-!

The Sword fell.

At that moment, a red flash enveloped the city, then, in a flash, it disappeared.

While filming, the camera caught the Giant Snake standing entirely still, as if it was frozen.

Crrrckkk!

They heard a cracking sound.

From head to tail, the Giant Snake’s body split into two perfectly split halves.

Kuung!

The Giant Snake’s body was divided and fell to the left and right sides of the ground.

A smile appeared on Sword’s face.

[That’s the first month of the Moon’s Red Moon Method, the actual moon, Ta-da!]

Kang Jin-woo raised his Sword and looked at it cheerfully.

“Oh, no!”

[What is it? What is it ?!]

He smiled as he heard the Sword shouting.

Then he saw a reporter running from a distance.

“I’m going to an interview now.”

[men and horses! It’s crumbled! Are you crying ?!]

Kang Jin-woo continues to ignore the screaming Sword.