Episode 2: A Lucky Day (2)

―The Aesir System has shut down.

―Unable to summon the status window.

“Seriously, it’s not working.”

Despite several attempts, the result was always the same.

‘The status window won’t open.’

―Some files are damaged.

―Attempting to recover the program in Safe Mode.

The system tone echoed in his head once again as the program reboot began.

‘Damn… What in the world is going on?’

Jaehyun couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

In the 17 years since he became an Awakener at the age of 10, the system had never once shut down.

Nor had he ever had to recover the system with reboots and the like.

‘The voice I heard… it’s likely connected to the system shutdown.’

It was a reasonable conclusion.

The system definitely mentioned an ‘unknown aberrant presence’ infiltrating the system.

‘But why?’

At this point, he had nothing concrete to go on.

The ‘unknown aberrant presence,’ the downed system, the mysterious message to follow the light—it all raised questions.

Jaehyun tried to maintain composure as he focused on the white light leading him on.

‘I’ve never seen any posts about the system shutting down on the Awakeners’ forum. Could it be… the Aesir System is undergoing some sort of change?’

The Aesir System was a kind of bio-system based on mythology.

Referring to the gods of Asgard, including Odin and Thor, it was presumed the system took its name from the Aesir (Æsir). It was humanity’s last hope and bastion in the face of despair.

Twenty years ago, in the year referred to as the disaster year of 2011.

A colossal tree of indiscernible height grew from the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Overnight it sprouted, reaching heights enough to cover the sky in just 9 days.

Some called it a sign of Earth’s apocalypse, others a blessing—this tree, Yggdrasil, was like the world tree from mythology.

And on the ninth day, when the tree had fully grown.

The tragedy began.

Unprecedented disasters called ‘monsters’ began to emerge across the world.

Giants, dragons, and all manner of beasts from mythology became a reality—a truth humanity realized in short order.

Half of humanity was lost, and another half succumbed to famine and plague.

Monsters created more corpses than any disease or war before it.

Humanity resisted fiercely, but the monsters were overwhelmingly strong. All scientific achievements, including firearms, became ash, and most national militaries were annihilated by monsters.

Then, at that moment.

A glint of hope emerged for humanity, plummeting into despair.

‘Awakeners’ with the powers of gods appeared.

Awakeners began to defeat monsters, powered by the ‘Aesir System.’

The most powerful weapon wielded by these heroes, the raiders who hunted monsters, was their dignity as Awakeners.

The origins of the system, who created it, or when—all remained unknown.

That was Aesir.

But…

‘If changes are occurring to the Aesir System? It’s hard to look at this in a positive light.’

Just as Jaehyun was sorting out his thoughts, he abruptly stopped.

The wandering light had settled in place, capturing his gaze.

Jaehyun raised his head to look straight ahead and was instantly struck by shock.

“A giant… door?”

In front of him stood a colossal iron door, rusted and imposing.

An old and mysterious mural was carved into the door that exuded an inexplicable pressure.

“Could it be…?!”

Jaehyun’s lips curled into a smile, spreading across his face.

“It’s a Treasure Gate!”

* * *

Treasure Gate.

A room hiding treasures with a very low probability of appearing in high-level dungeons. It usually contains special items or ingredients that act as panaceas.

‘A Treasure Gate item should be worth at least over a hundred million won, right? Maybe?’

In a gleeful daze, Jaehyun laid his hand on the door and took a deep breath.

‘If an A-rated item or better appears here… I can say goodbye to this miserable life right this moment!’

An A-grade equipment item’s price easily soared beyond a billion won. More than enough to afford a decent leasehold house in South Korea and live comfortably for the rest of one’s life.

“Please… if there is a god. Let there be A-grade equipment or better in here…”

As Jaehyun exerted force on the rusted door, it began to open.

Creeeaaak…

The interior of the Treasure Gate came into view through the partially opened door.

Jaehyun cautiously stepped inside.

“A space like this in a dungeon… the urban legends blared on TV aren’t myths after all.”

Flames lighting the walls and a mysterious altar of unknown origin.

Atop the altar shimmered a small sphere, emitting a radiant light.

“It seems that must be the item.”

Jaehyun’s grin stretched helplessly.

“Well then. Shall we see just what kind of amazing item is hidden here?”

Without hesitation, he approached the altar.

Whirrrr…

A sound reminiscent of a motor came from the rotating transparent sphere of light. Taking a small breath, Jaehyun reached out toward the orb.

The moment Jaehyun’s hand touched the sphere, a refreshing message rang out.

―Successfully restored some of the system’s functions.

―New equipment item acquired.

―Would you like to check the information on the acquired item?

“Things are conveniently falling right into place.”

Even the system recovered at a convenient time. Do good things really come all at once?

With an excited heart, Jaehyun began to check the status window that had appeared.

Then…

“Wait, what?!”

His pupils constricted as he read the item’s description, and his expression was immediately tinged with surprise.

Jaehyun rubbed his eyes and blankly stared at the status window hovering in the air.

[Equipment Item]

Name: Odin’s Lost Eye

Grade: Mythic

The one eye Odin sacrificed at the Well of Mimir to gain knowledge.

Upon equipping, it enables the understanding of runes and allows for the reversal or destruction of magic.

*A unique mythic-level item in the entire world.

*Warning! It becomes bound upon equipping!

[Effect]

1. Acquires the skill [Absolute Calculation].

2. Complete understanding of runes enables the use of full-powered magic without casting.

3. Consumes a blank card to copy an opponent’s skill.

*When copying a skill, the penalty does not apply.

*However, a blank card is consumed with each skill acquisition.

Current blank cards: 1

A mythic-level item, the only one of its kind in the entire world.

An item of inestimable value, it was now in Jaehyun’s hands.

With a dumbfounded look, Jaehyun muttered.

“…Is this for real?”

No matter how many times he checked, the description remained the same.

―Grade: Mythic

‘The highest-grade item that ever appeared at an auction was S-grade, which was immediately bid for billions of won upon being listed. Especially for magic-related items, one could name any price… But a mythic-level item?! And the only one in the world?’

“Ha… Haha…”

Laughter escaped from Jaehyun’s lips.

“No more grueling life for me. No more being ignored by other guilds or becoming a meat shield in dungeons! I can have whatever I want to eat, whatever I desire can be mine!”

Elated, Jaehyun looked at [Odin’s Lost Eye] with a beaming smile.

Spring had finally arrived for him.

Calmly collecting himself, he stored the item in his inventory.

Then, an idea struck him.

“Considering what I got, maybe I should try it on for once? …Yeah. When else will I get to wear a mythic item?”

It was only natural for a raider to crave high-level items.

Higher grade equipment was a matter of pride for raiders, ensuring their survival in dungeons.

Resolute, Jaehyun began manipulating the status window to equip the item.

That moment…

―Warning! Upon equipping [Odin’s Lost Eye], it becomes bound to you. Do you wish to proceed with the equipping?

“No, no! Cancel! Cancel now!”

Jaehyun hastily pulled back, his heart racing after being entranced by the prospect of a mythic item and failing to read the reminder.

“Whew… That was close. Nearly tossed away the mythic item I just got.”

He wiped the sweat from his brow and returned [Odin’s Lost Eye] to the inventory.

“There’s no reason for me to wear it. Just by selling it, I could make more than enough in the billions.”

It was, after all, a mythic item. What need was there to actually wear it?

Jaehyun had been a raider for seven years, facing countless enemies. He’d been ensnared by fear, had near-death experiences, but being a raider was never more than an unavoidable choice; it wasn’t out of attachment that he pursued this path.

Therefore, he had absolutely no plans to wear [Odin’s Lost Eye].

‘A large house, an imported car… Now, anything I want to do can be done!’

Jaehyun left the Treasure Gate with a light heart.

It was time to return.

* * *

“Seriously, where did Min Jaehyun go? We’re about to start the raid soon.”

“He should be here soon. Probably just went to the bathroom or something.”

Lee Myungho desperately made excuses.

“Ah… this is really something.”

Squad leader Park Chanhyuk glanced at his specially-treated wristwatch, revealing his impatience.

They were already short on guild finances and personnel; losing one person would mean a substantial loss of power.

Especially since those at the rear were mages vulnerable to close combat.

If monsters closed the distance even a bit, the formation would surely crumble in chaos.

“Just wait a bit more… Ah! There he is. Jaehyun! Hurry up. We’re about to start the raid.”

“Sorry I’m late.”

With an embarrassed nod, Jaehyun apologized. Park Chanhyuk sighed and admonished him.

“It’s problematic to go off on your own like this. Try to avoid this kind of situation in the future.”

“Yes. I’ll be careful.”

Jaehyun apologized once more.

Fortunately, Park Chanhyuk didn’t dwell on it further and left.

“Hey, Jaehyun. Don’t feel too bad about it… Huh?”

“Haha, no worries, hyung. I’m fine. And I’ll buy the soju tonight. Can’t keep getting treated all the time.”

“Oh? Uh…”

Confused by the unexpected response, Lee Myungho tilted his head.

‘Did he finally snap at the age of twenty-seven?’

Holding onto his shield as he fell into rank, Jaehyun’s expression seemed somewhat bright.

‘Whew… Looks like I got through that situation.’

Jaehyun didn’t mention anything about the Treasure Gate.

This was a dungeon.

Anything could happen inside, and no one would be any the wiser outside of this lawless land.

Announcing a valuable item finding here was akin to signing your own death warrant, and Jaehyun was no fool.

‘There’s no rush. I can sell the item after completing the dungeon raid.

It’s most important not to arouse any unnecessary suspicion for now.’

Lee Myungho, puzzled, gave up on understanding and grabbed his own shield to join the formation.

The squad leader, now reassured by the restored formation, checked for any fractures before shouting.

“Now that our line is back in order, let’s resume the raid…”

Boom! Bang! Boom boom!

An intense explosion that ripped through ears marked the next moment.