Chapter 11: Star, Tutorial (4)

Chapter 11: Star, Tutorial (4)

After hearing Hye-Bin’s story, many troubling thoughts crossed Chang-Sun’s mind. ‘This brand... This is too high quality. An amateur would never be able to create something like this.’

On top of that, imitating a symbol of Minerva was far out of an amateur’s league. Marks and seals were never simple drawings. They were a kind of relic, infused with faith and divine power. Considering Minerva’s divine class, it was impossible for a being of mediocre status to imitate her symbol and edit it as they pleased. It would take at least a star to achieve such a thing.

If this was a demon, however, it would have to be...

‘A great devil at the demon king level...!’

However, it seemed unlikely that a powerful being would do such a thing that only low-rank devils ordinarily did. High-rank devils did not pretend to be elegant nobles and try to save face. In fact, most of them were not interested in the Saha World in the first place.

There were only two possible scenarios remaining.

‘One is that Jeon Choong-Jae might have such supreme talent that even a great devil has its eyes on him.’

However, in that case, one thing would make no sense. Chang-Sun was in this Dungeon, so it made no sense to show interest in Choong-Jae over him. Of course, Jeon Choong-Jae could be an exceptional genius; still, it was hard to assume he could surpass Chang-Sun, who had once become a star.

‘Then it has to be the other scenario...’

Chang-Sun stopped thinking about it. Whether a great devil had appeared because of the first scenario or the second, it would not harm him in any way. Even though he had found out what was going on, he had no intention to go and save the people who were in danger.

In the end, they had chosen Jeon Choong-Jae, who had given them false hope, over Park Hae-Seong the soldier, of their own free will. It was the same whether one was in Arcadia or inside a Dungeon: People had to take responsibility for their decisions. Although it was cruel, that was reality.

Above all, Chang-Sun had to conquer the second sector. He could not spare time to attend to other matters.

‘Now, the problem is, what to do with this kid?’

Chang-Sun quietly watched the shocked Woo Hye-Bin, who did not even have the strength to sob any longer. Although he had no intention of saving the people who were with Choong-Jae, Hye-Bin was different. After all, she had informed him of new developments pertaining to the current situation in the Dungeon, and she was right in front of him. No matter how coldhearted he was, he was not so cold as to abandon a child before his eyes without a second thought.

Still, that did not mean he could carry the child around, as she would be a burden to him. He tried to think of the best answer. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.

‘Hold on. There’s a role that even this child should be able to perform,’ Chang-Sun thought silently, his eyes shining.

Just then, Hye-Bin looked up, having felt Chang-Sun’s gaze on her. She quickly wiped her eyes. Afterward, the look on her face was completely different, having become one of ferocious tenacity.

‘She’s changed,’ Chang-Sun thought. Such a change normally meant one of two things: The person was either desperate or determined.

It seemed that Hye-Bin had chosen the latter, as she said in a low voice, “Help me.”

“Saving you from the Flame-Patterned Bear should have been enough, right?” Chang-Sun replied.

“Yes. I know. So please, ask me to do anything. Cleaning, laundry, cooking... I can do anything. In return, help me get stronger,” Woo Hye-Bin desperately continued.

Hye-Bin was asking for Chang-Sun’s help to get stronger, not for him to kill Choong-Jae? From the looks of it, she had no intention to ask Chang-Sun to lend his assistance. She wanted revenge for her friends herself.

Chang-Sun chuckled without realizing it. It was not only Hye-Bin’s mindset that had changed; she looked like a totally different person now. He replied, “That’s not necessary in a Dungeon.”

“Then what do you want me to do? If you need...!” Hye-Bin exclaimed. Biting her lower lip, she grabbed the hem of her top.

His expression stiffening, Chang-Sun bent over and batted away her hand, saying, “Don’t do anything stupid. But there happens to be a job you can do. Are you sure you’re really willing to do anything?”

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ has a question about your plan.]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ is amused, saying you look like a sly devil when you persuade someone.]

Without hesitation, Hye-Bin nodded as she answered, “Yes, anything.”

Chang-Sun also nodded, then pulled out something small from his inventory.

[Equipped ‘Flame Goat Collarbone Dagger’!]

“Let’s begin modifying the brand,” Chang-Sun said.

Not ‘erasing’, but ‘modifying’? Hye-Bin realized the hidden implication of Chang-Sun’s words and nodded heavily, gritting her teeth.

This was going to hurt a lot.

* * *

[The cursed Player ‘Shin Jin-Gwang’ has died.]

[Due to the ‘Stigma Brand’, their remaining life force now belongs to you!]

[The cursed Player ‘Kim Min-a’ has died.]

[Due to the ‘Stigma Brand’, their remaining life force now belongs to you!]

...

“Shiiiiit!” Choong-Jae swore, his face contorting with rage.

‘I lost again!’ he thought, and he swore and swore without end.

However, at that moment...

[The second sector of the Dungeon Quest: ‘Pioneer’ has been successfully conquered.]

[Compiling a temporary ranking.]

Choong-Jae’s eyes widened. The carcass of the boss monster was still lying there. However, why would the message about conquering the sector show up only then? That meant Chang-Sun was still around!

“G...!” Choong-Jae began, but he was unable to finish his sentence.

As if the system had encountered an error, new messages had begun showing up unceasingly.

[The third sector of the Dungeon Quest: ‘Pioneer’ has been successfully conquered.]

[Compiling a temporary ra...]

[Canceled.]

[The fourth sector of the Dungeon Quest: ‘Pioneer’ has been successfully conquered.]

[Compiling a temporary ranking.]

...

[A grand achievement has been unlocked!]

[??? deities currently viewing Dungeon Channel KR-9,721 have gotten fired up about the Player ‘Lee Chang-Sun’, who is passing the Tutorial with overwhelming success.]

[The number of viewers keeps increasing.]

[The current number of viewers is ???.]

...

“W-What the...?”

It had not been long since the second sector was conquered. However, what were the odds of the third and fourth also being conquered in a row? On top of that, Choong-Jae had no idea what the message meant by ‘Dungeon Channel’ or ‘Tutorial’, which gave him even more of a reason to be dumbfounded.

However, one thing was for sure. The supreme beings often called gods were showing interest in Chang-Sun, not him! Choong-Jae could not help but glare in the face of the unbelievable situation.

[The Celestial ‘### Pie## ###’ lightly chuckles.]

[The Celestial ‘### #rcin# ###’ slyly shows an enigmatic smile.]

‘Twilight-Piercing Owl’ reacted as if she had known what would happen, rather than being angry.

[Dungeon Ranking]

First place: Lee Chang-Sun (29,550 Points)

Second place: Jeon Choong-Jae (1,230 Points)

Third place: Park Hae-Seong (550 Points)

[Different rewards will be given out based on performance.]

[Different rewards will be given out based on rank.]

...

[The Celestial ‘### ##ing ###’ murmurs that she can make this more interesting.]

Just then, a warning message appeared in front of Choong-Jae, who was left speechless for a moment.

[The Celestial ‘### ### O##’ admonishes her subordinate, saying that she will never forgive him, the representative of her divine name, if he continues to sully her honor.]

“...!” Choong-Jae’s expression stiffened.

[The fifth sector has been opened.]

[The Celestial ‘### ### #w#’ warns her subordinate that this is his last chance.]

[The Celestial ‘### ### ##l’ looks forward to the performance of her subordinate.]