Chapter 56:

Chapter 56:

Chapter 56

Handing over the key was tantamount to surrendering the entire armory. This meant not only the Jeon Eodo but also other crucial items would fall into Seo Gangrim's hands. Because of this, Gong Joo tone was resolute when he said, "This key won't do. Choose something from within the room."

"You did say, 'Choose anything from inside the room,' didn't you?"

"That's..."

Though he had indeed said that, he couldn't readily agree. There was no way he would let Seo Gangrim strip all the weapons from the armory like picking berries.

Gong Joo could just hand over the key and then remove all the weapons, but that would have been a great loss because this armory space was also a valuable item. He couldn't afford to give up the armory to Seo Gangrim. Even if his pride were hurt, he still had to change the terms. Just as he was considering this, Seo Gangrim spoke, "If I can freely use the weapons here, wouldn't it be beneficial for you as well?"

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"Isn't Zone Two supposed to outperform Zone One?"

The moment he heard those words, a faint light flashed through the puzzlement in Gong Joo's eyes.

Seo Gangrim met his eyes and continued, "For you to personally contact me in the Fifth Stage, and even go so far as to offer your assistance... I'm sure Team Leader Gong Joo is looking forward to our performance."

The fact that he would contact a mere trainee like Seo Gangrim meant that he was quite impatient. There's no one more desperate than someone who's impatient. Seo Gangrim continued speaking quietly, "During the fight against Zone One, I felt that it wasn't so much the difference in individual skill as it was the disadvantage in weapons. We managed to win this time, but if I could borrow the weapons here..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Gong Joo understood what he was getting at. There were indeed many useful weapons here, even excluding the Jeon Eodo. If they were made available to the trainees of Zone Two, they could undoubtedly surpass Zone One.

'My collection that I've gathered with my own money... to hand them over so easily...'

When he hesitated, Seo Gangrim spoke again, "I don't intend to take anything. I'd be satisfied as long as I can just borrow them."

In response to his words, Gong Joo pressed his lips together and maintained his silence. In his mind, calculations were rapidly taking place. For a moment, the armory remained in a static silence. Then, Gong Joo let out a sigh.

"Alright, but with a few conditions."CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

"Conditions?"

"I can't simply give you the key as is, because I need to use it too. I'll provide a duplicate. The functionality will be the same."

Seo Gangrim readily agreed, for it was the armory that he wanted, not the key itself. With a slightly contorted expression, Gong Joo continued his explanation, "Furthermore, only two items per person per day can be taken out, and a record will be kept."

"Understood."

"In addition, if any items are lost or damaged, I'll ask for three times their value."

Seo Gangrim nodded in agreement to this condition as well. Gong Joo scrutinized Seo Gangrim closely. To lend a hand exchange for a potential victory over Zone One was not a bad deal.

"Alright then. I'll have a duplicate of the armory key made for you. It will take about three days."

"Understood."

"Deputy Annaby, please guide him to the training facility."

Annaby nodded in acknowledgment and motioned for Seo Gangrim to follow her. Soon, they both left the office.

Alone in his office, Gong Joo sank deep into his chair.

"Phew..."

He had nearly lost the entire armory, but in the end, it concluded with a deal to lend the weapons. It was indeed an incredible privilege for Seo Gangrim, but ultimately, it would be beneficial for Gong Joo as well. Gong Joo soon summoned Joo Seongtae, and not long after, Ju Seongtae entered the room, looking somewhat bewildered as he surveyed Gong Joo's face.

"Team Leader, did you call for me?"

"Yes. Go and make a copy of this."

When Gong Joo tossed the key of the armory, Ju Seongtae received it with a slightly bewildered expression. He wanted to ask why he needed to make a copy, but Gong Joo didn't look pleased. He cautiously inquired as he took the key.

"Today, you mentioned calling Seo Gangrim, right? Does he have precognitive abilities?"

'First, I shouldn't rely too much on my stats.'

While having high strength and agility had various advantages, it wasn't everything. Depending on how one used ones abilities, an Insect-class could surpass a Spirit-class. The moment he got complacent about his stats, he might become vulnerable to others.

'I should research more on how to use the cards I have.'

Seo Gangrim gazed at Qilin with a somewhat calculating look. At that moment, a message arrived.

['Gong Joo' has sent 'Armory Key (Replica).']

Seo Gangrim did not enter the Sixth Stage for two main reasons. One was to raise the Qilin, and the other was to wait for the armory key. 'Now that both are prepared, there's no need to wait any longer,' he thought to himself. Seo Gangrim lifted the Qilin, which was contentedly squirming with a full belly, with one arm. He then descended to the lobby with the Qilin in tow, and he saw several people waiting there. Shin Sooah, Yoon Bom, Yoon Geoul, Father Yohan, and even Dokgo Jun were all sitting in the same table.

Yoon Bom eagerly stood up. "Oh, Master! You've finally come out! We've all been waiting."

Seo Gangrim wore a puzzled expression upon hearing that they were waiting for him. Yoon Bom then turned her attention to the Qilin. "Master, who is this? So cute...!"

"It's a Qilin. My spirit beast."

"Can I touch it?"

Seo Gangrim glanced at the Qilin who approached Yoon Bom first, nuzzling her head against her. She smiled warmly and gently petted her.

"Where did you find it?"

"It's a long story..."

"Then, what's its name?"

He realized he hadn't given the Qilin a name. After a brief pause, he replied, "Qilin."

"Why Qilin?"

"It's because its species is a Qilin."

"...Isn't it a bit uninspired?"

"In that case, how about 'Linnie'?"

"Isn't it a little too much?"

"Linnie, then."

Before Seo Gangrim realized, the others had moved closer and surrounded the Qilin. They were curious to see the beast for the first time.

Dokgo Jun, with a glint in his eyes, remarked, "You disappeared for a few days, and you brought something like this. We did well to wait."

"...You were waiting too?"

In his past life, Dokgo Jun would immediately enter the stage as soon as it opened. He replied with a bright smile, "Well, you hadn't gone in yet. So, I was waiting."

To others, it might seem like they were close friends. Seo Gangrim glanced at the people around him, thinking, 'I want to maintain some distance, but it seems like everyone is starting to follow me.'

Not only Dokgo Jun but also others appeared eager to accompany Seo Gangrim. He decided to give up trying to discourage them and entered the Demon World.

The people who followed him took a look around.

"Wow, what is this place? A lake...?" Yoon Bom asked, surveying the surroundings.

The Sixth stage was entirely filled with water. There were numerous wooden bridges extending across the water, making it impossible to tell if it was a lake or the sea. The door was placed on one of these bridges. As people gathered on the bridge, Father Yohan, who stood at the back, looked at the notification window and said in a puzzled tone, "But... this time, the assignment seems a bit strange, doesn't it?"

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