Chapter 166 – An Unexpected Luck (2)

Changseong, leading the way, began to talk nonstop.

“The Hero Association’s Seoul branch is the second largest in the world. Why? Because Korea plays a central role in the world of heroes. It may not have vast territory, but its influence is no small thing. And I’m personally fond of Korea. Wasn’t I a Joaquin student too? Anyway, fitting its size, the Seoul branch stores nearly half of the world’s artifacts. And one of them is the Monolith you’re looking for.”

Kang Geom-Ma looked at his back and thought that for such a big body, he had an even bigger mouth. He talked more than most teenage girls. At first, Media seemed fed up with Changseong’s chatter but eventually let him speak—it was more tolerable that way.

“We’re here.”

At last, they stopped in front of a door so massive it covered an entire wall in height and width. It was made of processed titanium, designed to block unauthorized access.

Changseong gave a chin-nod to one of the accompanying agents. The agent quickly placed his thumb on a fingerprint scanner.

Ching—

The titanium door split open as if it were cleaving in two. Changseong gave the agents a command:

“You all, wait outside.”

Walking heavily, Kang Geom-Ma glanced inside. Various objects were displayed behind glass cases. Just looking at them, it was clear these were rare treasures.

‘It feels very sci-fi.’

A chemical-smelling mist spread across the floor. According to Changseong, it was specially treated oxygen to prevent damage to the items.

Kang Geom-Ma nodded vaguely while Changseong proudly explained, smiling with satisfaction as they walked deeper.

After about five minutes, they arrived at what looked like a giant dolmen.

‘…That’s the Monolith?’

For a rock, it was undeniably imposing—but still, just a rock. Kang Geom-Ma couldn’t hide his confusion, and Changseong immediately noticed.

“Ha ha ha! Just like I thought. Didn’t Director Sung tell you? From the outside, it looks like just a rock.”

“He did… but I thought it was a metaphor. It’s kind of baffling that it’s literally a rock. Hard to believe it’s an artifact.”

Kang Geom-Ma commented, and Changseong replied:

“Don’t worry, it’s been confirmed. Association researchers studied it for years before reaching that conclusion. Don’t be too disappointed. Look here—see these charcoal drawings? They show how our ancestors lived.”

Sure enough, getting closer revealed carvings on the stone. They depicted scenes of primitive life.

“And that’s not all. The one who drew them was the only ancient surviv—”

Changseong cut himself off when he noticed Media’s stare.

Her green eyes, cold as ice, locked onto him. She said nothing, arms crossed.

Changseong coughed heavily and changed the subject, clapping Kang Geom-Ma on the back.

“Well, this is where my tour ends. Media and I are heading up to the meeting room. If you need anything, just call an agent with that intercom over there.”

Kang Geom-Ma was taken aback by the sudden kindness. Not that he minded—in fact, he appreciated it—but it still felt odd. Why was Changseong being so helpful?

Was it, as Media said, an attempt to coax him into joining the Association? But from Kang Geom-Ma’s perspective, it didn’t seem that way.

Even looking at his face for clues, all he saw was an honest, straightforward smile.

Now that he thought about it, Changseong hadn’t even asked why he wanted access to the Monolith. A topic anyone else would have deemed critical.

How could they leave him alone in a vault full of magical artifacts with no supervision? What if he suddenly decided to steal something?

Just before the two left, Kang Geom-Ma called out to Changseong’s broad back:

“This is the first time we’ve met—why are you doing all this for me? Even if it’s meant as a reward, how can you be sure I won’t do anything with all this?”

Changseong turned his head slightly, a heroic smile on his face.

“A weak man shouldn’t question the actions of the strong. You’re stronger than me, so I’m just acting on my beliefs.”

“……”

“I know what you’re thinking. How can anyone trust someone enough to leave them alone in a room full of treasures? But so what? Compared to the thousands of lives you saved, these things are worth nothing. So go do what you came to do. Us old folks are out of here. Ha ha ha!”

His laugh echoed off the titanium walls until his silhouette vanished into the shadows.

Once the two Seven Star members were gone, Kang Geom-Ma silently stared after them. Then he turned back toward the Monolith and approached to look more closely at the carvings on the stone.

“An ancient mural showing a hunting scene, huh…”

Kang Geom-Ma frowned. The more he looked at the image, the more he felt it wasn’t just a simple mural.

The hunter and the prey were eerily similar. The only visible difference was that the hunter had wings sprouting from his back while the victim did not. It was deeply unsettling.

After a moment’s hesitation, Kang Geom-Ma extended his hand. Despite his confusion, there was a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.

‘Will the status window appear again like it did with “The Swordmaster’s Longing”?’ he thought, just as his palm touched the stone’s cold, rough surface.

========

[NEW! Emergency Mission Activated.]

You are about to witness the memories of someone from the mythical era.

[※ You can obtain the second Memory Fragment of 【???】. Total collected (1/7).]

[※ This mission is completed just by viewing.]

[※ However, moving will prevent you from receiving bonus rewards.]

========

Would you like to accept the mission? (Y/N)

[???? Time remaining to accept – 0:03]

========

He stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the pop-up window. ‘You complete it just by watching?’ Last time, he had to duel himself with swords. Compared to that, this was sheer luck… a real steal.

Rrrrraaaaarrrrr…

But immediately, a gut-wrenching emotion surged from his fingers to his ears. A muffled voice, like a resentful lament.

By reflex, Kang Geom-Ma shook his head in confusion. The emotional weight felt like needles piercing his spine.

…!

He almost pulled his hand away in shock. But before he could, his consciousness faded faster than he could think.

(Y/N)
▲

***

Reception Room – Seoul Branch

“For now, our Academy will present it to the press like this… Annoying to think those reporters won’t have any trouble getting news for a while.”

“In return, the Hero Association will handle everything else. Just hang in there until then.”

Changseong replied seriously to Media’s words.

Media, who had left a stack of documents on the table, let out a short laugh.

“Gorilla, since when did you get so smart? Are you really the same guy who used to be involved in shady business back at the Academy?”

“The human brain is also a muscle! If you train your body constantly, intelligence increases naturally too!”

Media shook his head. He was far too exhausted after several sleepless nights to respond properly.

“…My fault for asking. By the way, earlier you nearly mentioned my ancestors, didn’t you?”

“A-ah, sorry. It just slipped out. I’ll be more careful going forward.”

“Forget it. I never planned to keep it secret forever anyway. Most people around me already know. Still, I wanted to tell Geom-Ma myself.”

“……”

“That I am a descendant of humanity that received divine punishment.”

***

Whooosh.

A gentle breeze blew. The golden rice swayed like waves. People dressed in tanned hides were in the middle of harvest.

They held crude tools, cutting rice with what they considered swords.

From a modern point of view, they were more like a cross between a sword and a sickle, but to the ancients, they were simply swords.

Swords brought convenience to the ancients. They made harvesting easier and improved the quality of the hunt. Thanks to this, the problem of survival was resolved.

This progress was granted by the sword. Until a few years earlier, the ancients had bowed to the sky begging for rain, worshipping celestial beings. Their lives were trapped in an endless cycle of prayer.

The sword freed them from that mundane cycle. Now they could sustain life with their own hands, and for that, they never stopped smiling with satisfaction.

They no longer needed to beg the sky.

Their passive outlook on life became active. And thus, the celestial beings quickly began to vanish from human memory.

It didn’t take long for them to realize that would be the beginning of the end.

·
·
·

A little girl was braiding flowers. She carefully made a crown for her father, who had gone hunting.

“Daddy’s going to love this!”

Having prepared her surprise gift, the girl looked around. The harvest was in full swing, the adults gathering the rice with their tools.

“Hehe, we’re having rice with meat again today~.”

Just the thought of it made her feel full. A smile spread across her face.

…Boom!

A thunderclap rumbled through the clear sky. The girl quickly looked up. Her wide eyes sparkled with surprise.

“Hm?”

Someone floated in the cloudless sky. How could they be floating like that? Then she noticed something else—this person was walking majestically through the air, shedding white feathers.

On the figure’s back was a pair of wings made of pure white feathers. Suddenly, she remembered something her grandmother had told her: that back when she was a child, there were still beings people sought after, and occasionally their emissaries would appear…

“It’s an angel!”

She exclaimed with excitement, clapping in awe. She never thought she’d actually see an angel! She was too shocked to even question if it was real—too young to judge it properly. She decided to remember the image clearly.

“Wow, so beautiful.”

She murmured in bliss. The more she looked, the more enchanted she became.

Then, suddenly…

Swish, swish, swish.

The number of angels began to multiply rapidly. Five, six, seven… The girl stopped counting once they surpassed her fingers. She could only stare, stunned, as they multiplied endlessly.

Soon, the angels’ shadows covered the entire plain. The sky filled so heavily that the adults finally looked up.

“W-what is that…?”

The village elder shouted, his face paling with terror, and fear shook the cane in his hand.

The girl tilted her head in confusion when a voice echoed in her mind. She grabbed her head from the sudden pain.

「How pitiful.」

The voice came in fragments. They were emissaries of the stars—a single voice, yet all voices at once.

「In the end, this generation too has failed, drowned in the corruption of Evil.」

Doong!

A trumpet blared. The angels lowered their stances.

「O stars.」

Countless white wings stirred in unison.

「We shall carry out divine punishment in your name.」

The ivory feathers radiated light before scattering swiftly. They tore across the land at speeds invisible to the eye. In an instant, the golden field was dyed deep red.

The girl looked around in confusion.

The heads of women harvesting rice fell like seeds. The men returning from hunting were gutted in seconds. The angels’ wings hung heavy, soaked in blood.

She knew she would soon share the same fate.

“……”

A pair of crimson wings spread out in front of her. The girl dropped the flower crown she had been holding. The winged being spoke:

「You are young. But do not fear. The stars have promised not to interfere with the next generation.」

The angel raised a hand drenched in blood and viscera.

「Close your eyes in peace, little failure.」

The girl did not cry. Her eyes shone blankly, like porcelain.

Tsk!

Just then, someone clicked their tongue behind her. She turned to look.

“How am I supposed to sit still watching this? You expect me to endure even an illusion attacking a little girl?”

A man with dark hair and strange clothes. He was the only shadow of darkness in this white hell. Slowly, he drew a short sword.

“Also, you call yourselves angels? Ridiculous. You’re just pigeons pretending to be divine messengers.”

Click! Steel rang out, and all the angels frowned. Every gaze locked onto Kang Geom-Ma.

The blade roared with fury. Kang Geom-Ma closed and then opened his eyes.

The sword was the will to live forged into iron—a tool of humanity imbued with a pioneering spirit.

[The Blessing of the God of the Sword manifests.]

And also a weapon made to kill enemies.