Mandra

The Demon King’s Army (마왕군).

The cruelty and brutality of their misdeeds are indescribable. Though slightly off-topic, the 8 heroes representing South Korea earned their honor through combat against the Demon King’s Army. Their heroic tales mostly spread through battles against the army.

‘In other words, the Demon King’s Army possesses enough power to be a worthy opponent for those heroes.’

At any rate, being the action-leader of the Demon King’s Army essentially means they had done every imaginable atrocious act, though not yet.

“Hello there? I didn’t realize a senior was present.”

Seo Joo-Hwan greeted me with considerable politeness. Though unexpected, I was quick to understand why.

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Disposition: Pretentious

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There was a clear pretense mixed in. He wore a friendly expression, but I decided not to let my guard down.

“The monsters on the way to the 7th fork were already dealt with. Did you do that, Senior?”

“Yes.”

I glanced at Ma Sang-Hyeon. He blinked at me, looking quite shocked.

“…Alive…”

I interrupted him.

“Pleased to meet you. You are the famous Ma Sang-Hyeon, known as the Tutorial Concluder. I saw you on TV.”

“Tha… that… ah… yes. No. Yes. Thank you. That’s too kind. I don’t know what to do with such praise.”

Ma Sang-Hyeon was momentarily flustered by my greeting, but soon became modest. ‘It’s too kind.’ He seemed to sincerely think so.

But the look in his eyes when he saw me wasn’t simple. It burst with friendliness. It felt almost like admiration, a feeling so strong it was nearly tangible. Ma Sang-Hyeon’s sincerity. It seemed fitting to call him ‘a magpie that returns favors’.

Seo Joo-Hwan began to speak.

“We came to provide support. Let’s join forces.”

I looked at Seo Joo-Hwan.

“Well, haven’t you checked all the other forks?”

Most of the monsters at the forks had been dealt with. The remaining ones were unnecessary, so they were left behind. Seo Joo-Hwan seemed temporarily at a loss for words.

“…That’s true. You seem quite capable on your own.”

“Yes.”

“But wouldn’t it be easier to clear this place with our help? Besides, nobody owns this dungeon anyway.”

“Owner,” he says. He’s beating around the bush, but he means, ‘you’re not the owner, so you can’t force us out.’

‘Seo Joo-Hwan was among the first to claim that dungeons had owners.’

Eventually, dungeons became the possessions of various guilds. They imposed arbitrary taxes on dungeon-derived items and coins, simply because they ‘owned’ the dungeon. Later, they would even wage wars over dungeons. The Demon King’s Army committed murder without a second thought.

I said,

“We should each just play on our own. However, there is one item I’m looking for. The guardians seemed to want it.”

Selling out the guardians.

[‘The Nameless Observer’ expresses suspicion.]

[‘The Lady of the Scales’ shows disappointment.]

[‘The Whispering Demon’ enjoys it.]

Guardians don’t appreciate their names being traded. However, I had no choice. I couldn’t carelessly give off the impression that I ‘know everything.’ This was the easiest way.

‘Is the Whispering Demon a pervert?’

It enjoyed my actions even though they were usually disliked by guardians.

“I would be pleased to join you as well. However, if an item connected to the name ‘Rakhtultla’ emerges on this route, please transfer it to me. I’ll reward you generously, of course.”

Ma Sang-Hyeon and Seo Joo-Hwan seemed interested in the item I mentioned. Seo Joo-Hwan asked,

“An item named after Rakhtultla? Have any items like that appeared on other routes?”

I had anticipated this conversation even before entering here. It was all part of my plan. No need to lie, for lies would soon be caught at the next gate. There was no reason to lie.

“They have. I’m on a quest to collect 7 of them.”

“There’s a quest like that? We haven’t received it.”

I had predicted this situation, thus my response was prepared in advance.

“It’s a quest given at first entry.”

“Aha.”

Seo Joo-Hwan seemed to accept the explanation.

“The items are probably not of much use. They don’t really have any better effects than what the store offers.”

They too had surpassed level 15 and had access to the store.

“If someone else does acquire that item, I’ll offer a higher price than what the store would.”

* * *

At the 7th fork—Rakhtultla’s Path—Black Yaks and Purple Yaks coexisted.

Ma Sang-Hyeon punched with a loud kiai.

“Uratcha!”

One Black Yak fell.

“Provoke!”

Above the Purple Yak’s head, ‘!!!’ symbols appeared. It meant the aggro was successfully drawn. Two Purple Yaks shot their horns, and while they were occupied, Seo Joo-Hwan and his three companions approached and hunted the distracted Purple Yaks. Watching them, Kang Sun-Hwa felt curious.

‘These people are survivors of the tutorial…’

Another one.

‘And that man with the fist is the famous Tutorial Concluder.’

Surely, he must be one of the most famous players in the world right now.

‘But why…’

I don’t know if it’s a misconception.

‘Why do they seem…’

I don’t really know why.

‘Weak?’

I couldn’t tell the reason, yet they felt weak. After pondering briefly, Kang Sun-Hwa realized the reason.

‘Compared to Brother.’

Whether it was Tutorial Concluder Ma Sang-Hyeon or the nimble-looking Seo Joo-Hwan, although their movements were quick and concise,

‘Still, compared to Hyuk-Jin Brother…’

They seemed to be severely lacking. But what’s strange is that Kim Hyuk-Jin isn’t exhibiting his full power.

‘Brother’s movements are much slower and clumsier.’

Whether it was on purpose or due to fatigue was unclear. At any rate, based on this condition, the skills of Kim Hyuk-Jin, Ma Sang-Hyeon, and Seo Joo-Hwan seemed comparable. Although their play styles varied, the important thing was that 14-year-old Kang Sun-Hwa was reading their movements quite accurately. However, Kang Sun-Hwa didn’t realize that her ability to do so was anything significant. She was oblivious.

The person who obtained the item was none other than Seo Joo-Hwan.

“I’ve obtained an item.”

“That’s so.”

“It’s Rakhtultla’s earring. There’s no defense or durability, it’s nearly destroyed. There are also no special options. Are you sure you want this?”

“Yes. It’s a quest item, so I do.”

Seo Joo-Hwan nodded.

“I’ll just give it to you. It’s a favor to you, Senior.”

Seo Joo-Hwan smiled. A friendly smile, but Kim Hyuk-Jin did not find that smile very pleasing. Once again, Kim Hyuk-Jin activated his sensory skills.

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Disposition: Evil/Pretentious/Cruel

Summary: A cruel pedophile

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It definitely wasn’t out of goodwill. Even if it currently was, I did not wish to accept it. Kim Hyuk-Jin said,

“No, I appreciate it, but I will not accept favors without a reason. I’ll take the sentiment, though.”

“Ah, Senior. Why do you say that? What if I insist on not selling it?”

For a moment, Seo Joo-Hwan’s eyes narrowed. Although they quickly returned to normal, Kim Hyuk-Jin didn’t miss it.

At first, he must’ve thought highly of our power.

‘But after fighting with us, he probably felt it was nothing special.’

I didn’t use my full strength on purpose. I matched my power with Ma Sang-Hyeon and Seo Joo-Hwan’s skills. It didn’t take long for their true nature to reveal itself. Although the expression was still ‘Senior’ and the attitude courteous, it seemed as if there were venomous fangs hidden behind.

‘You’re not just a hunter of monsters; you’re more specialized in hunting players.’

Seo Joo-Hwan laughed heartily.

“It’s just a joke, a joke. The item is useless to me anyway. I’ll sell it for 500 COINS.”

500 COINS. That’s the amount of currency one would get for hunting around 40 Black Yaks. For reference, the ‘Beginner’s Iron Sword’ in the shop costs 500 COINS. If you were to sell ‘Rakhtultla’s Earring’ in the shop, you’d probably get around 150 COINS. It wasn’t particularly expensive or cheap; just an ambiguous amount.

“Deal.”

The trading system doesn’t activate within the dungeon. So, like a real trade, Kim Hyuk-Jin took out 500 COINS from his inventory and handed them over, and in exchange, Seo Joo-Hwan gave ‘Rakhtultla’s Earring’ to Kim Hyuk-Jin. The transaction was complete.

“Let’s move.”

The group led by Ma Sang-Hyeon and Seo Joo-Hwan naturally came under Kim Hyuk-Jin’s lead. It just happened that way.

* * *

I breached the 7th fork with Ma Sang-Hyeon and Seo Joo-Hwan.

‘After the 7 forks, the statue of Mandra.’

Past the 7th fork, a clearing appeared.

[You have arrived at ‘Mandra’s Plaza’.]

An underground cavern. Far ahead, a statue stood.

[The ‘Statue of Mandra’ has opened its eyes.]

The statue blinked open its eyes. Sun-Hwa, who seemed frightened, clutched the hem of my clothes tightly. A grave voice that was neither male nor female echoed through the cavern.

[Who dares to awaken my slumber?]

I walked toward the statue bearing the name ‘Mandra’.

[Those without qualification shall not escape punishment.]

The cavern started to quiver threateningly. Rocks began to fall from the ceiling.

“I’ve come to certify my worth.”

Seoul Station’s dungeon is a ‘beginner level’ dungeon. It doesn’t contain complex, bizarre tricks or solutions. One merely needs to clear it with stubborn and straightforward methods.

[Prove your qualification.]

Like being targeted by a laser pointer, a red light emitted from the eyes of the statue of Mandra and touched my chest. If I make a mistake here, I will die from a pierced heart. Before entering the dungeon, I had studied it thoroughly, repeating simulations hundreds of times in my head.

‘One by one.’

A mistake would mean death. Before the guide was known, the Seoul Station dungeon was considered virtually impossible to clear within the beginner level.

‘If I make a mistake, I’ll die.’

But I will not make a mistake. I recalled the sequence once again in my mind.

1. The Path of Nephalas.

2. The Path of Dugo.

…

…

7. The Path of Rakhtultla.

The items have to be equipped on the Statue of Mandra in order. An inventory window appeared before my eyes, likely visible only to me. Like a player equipping items, I needed to drag the items with my eyes to that inventory window.

‘It’s exactly the same.’

It was just like the videos I had been watching on YouTube. 7 questions were asked.

[Would you like to transfer Nephalas’ Ring? Y/N]

…

…

[Would you like to transfer Rakhtultla’s Earring? Y/N]

And I chose ‘Y’ for all 7 questions. The ‘Statue of Mandra’ wore each of the items one after another. The red light emanating from the statue’s eyes vanished. The shaking in the underground cavern stopped as well.

[Your qualification has been certified.]

[Brave one, what is thy name?]

Finally, the question I had been eagerly waiting for emerged.

‘At last.’

I had gathered the 7 items just to receive this question.

“My name is…”

Kim Hyuk-Jin. But it is not my name I give. If I say my name, I will receive an ordinary reward. I decided to give the answer Mandra was seeking. I chose to use the greatest strategy, discovered by the great explorer ‘Jackson’, before anyone else.