“So this is it.”
“No, I said give me a proper ID!”
“And I said this is my ID!”
Igeon slammed the desk in frustration, the sound echoing sharply.
In truth, he had come to the Sacred Artifact Exchange at Gangnam Station. It was the largest exchange in Korea, after all.
Of course, the reason Igeon was here was simple.
It was because of what had happened earlier that day in the sanctuary of the Singungjwa Seat.
It was probably just a few hours ago.
“Hey. Oh Taek-su.”
“No, don’t pay any attention. And don’t even think about wanting that bromide.”
At Hyugo’s words, Igeon had turned his head in disbelief. Honestly, what was with that guy fidgeting like that since yesterday?
Even the way he was oddly hiding his family photos was suspicious.
So Igeon answered with a kick instead.
“Forget that, you idiot. You said you found out about the bastard who stabbed me.”
“Ah.”
At that, Hyugo immediately brought something flopping over.
It was a fish.
“The culprit isn’t me—this thing will tell you.”
“What? That ugly little shit?”
At those words, Yang Wei, who had been turned into a monkfish, screamed.
“I can’t believe I lived to hear Igeon trash my looks?!”
That was it.
The monkfish was none other than Yang Wei.
Igeon had stuffed Yang Wei’s soul into the fish he’d bought for dinner.
And at Yang Wei’s outburst, Igeon sneered.
“Even without being stuck in a fish, you’re the ugliest bastard anyway. What are you on about?”
Yang Wei was furious.
Of course, Hyugo had been famous as Terius of the 12 Seats in his prime, and even now he looked like a well-groomed Hollywood actor, so that was one thing.
But Igeon was different.
‘He was the ugliest of the thirteen!’
It wasn’t for nothing that they used to mock themselves as hideously ugly men.
‘And Igeon was even balding!’
It was a mystery why he was so popular.
But that wasn’t what mattered right now.
“So. You know the culprit who stabbed me?”
“!”
At Igeon’s words, Hyugo also narrowed his brows as he looked at the monkfish.
In truth, Yang Wei’s voice as a soul should have been inaudible, but they could hear him now.
It was because of the yellow ribbon tied on Yang Wei’s head.
C-rank
- A cord imbued with the skill ‘The 13th Sense’.
Those who bear goodwill toward the Snake Lord Seat may temporarily receive its grace. The effect fades when away from the sacred artifact.
-Skill ‘The 13th Sense’ applied: Hear the voice of souls.
It was something Igeon had made as a test while crafting accessories, and since it turned out well, he had tied it prettily like a ribbon on the monkfish’s head.
And at Igeon’s words, Yang Wei turned his head away.
“I-I don’t know. I really don’t know about the culprit who stabbed you.”
When Yang Wei tried to change his tune, Hyugo’s eyes immediately flashed.
“You... if you think you can weasel out with that half-assed attitude...”
A murderous magical force radiated from Hyugo’s eyes. It was the power of a sage. The floor shook heavily.
Boom!
Yang Wei recoiled in terror at the ferocious magical force.
Hyugo might be the most useless among them now, but in terms of ability alone, he was a high-ranking Seat.
“It’s true! Why would I lie in another guy’s sanctuary! After that bastard died, the very next day, our warehouse and ledger were looted, and the damage was enormous!”
“You think a lie like that will work...!”
“Enough, it’s not a lie.”
“!”
Igeon lightly tapped Hyugo’s shoulder. At the same time, the Jagyeolsajuin’s enraged magic scattered peacefully.
So Hyugo was inwardly astonished.
The power of his ill-tempered sacred god had been pacified this quickly.
But Igeon, as if it were nothing, waved a paper around.
“He’s got a clause that the moment he lies, he’ll be possessed by maggots.”
It was a lifelong contract sacred artifact that he had made Yang Wei sign.
“Then...!”
“This bastard’s ledger is a sacred artifact. If it’s disappeared, there’s a high probability it’s the Thief Seat.”
“That’s right! I don’t know anything. So... Heok!”
As Igeon moved to gut the monkfish as though preparing steamed monkfish, Yang Wei screamed.
“N-Now that I think about it, that dagger! I think I saw one just like it a few years ago! The pattern was exactly the same!”
At those words, Igeon narrowed his brows.
The pattern on the dagger.
It was a unique pattern that even he had never seen before, which was why it bothered him most.
It certainly wasn’t common.
If they pursued the pattern, they’d be able to identify the culprit.
“Where did you see that dagger?”
“!”
Hyugo was surprised.
“That’s the world’s largest auction. If it’s an item worthy of appearing there, the appraiser who worked on it would definitely be SS-rank.”
This meant the scope of the investigation was significantly narrowed.
“An SS-rank appraiser?”
“They’re directly under the sages. Well, there is a famous one, but he’s currently missing, so...”
At that, Igeon glanced at the sacred artifacts he’d made and smiled.
‘An appraiser, huh.’
And now, in the present.
Having arrived at the Sacred Artifact Exchange like that, Igeon grinned.
‘Well, it worked out as a bonus, anyway.’
Indeed.
The Sacred Artifact Exchange was a large-scale commercial district. As a place where sacred artifacts were bought and sold, they said it was a field teeming with appraisers.
Of course, he couldn’t guarantee there would be an SS-rank appraiser here, but that didn’t matter.
Why?
‘How high a grade would the items I made get here?’
Igeon, who had always been in perpetual debt, had his eyes sparkling.
It was a good opportunity to find out the level of his weapons these days anyway.
‘Didn’t they say even A-rank weapons are treated as rare, let alone S-rank?’
That wasn’t all.
He intended to sell Yang Wei’s stolen treasures to multiply his money.
It was to fund the creation of a temporary weapon. Because to handle those bastards directly, he needed at least an S-rank weapon.
‘They say you can sell them for more after going through an appraiser, right?’
And once he’d sold everything, he planned to visit the auction house here.
‘Because he needs a witness.’
Igeon smirked like a terrorist.
His ultimate goal was the sages. Yang Wei was currently useless, and he needed another one.
Of course, because of Yang Wei’s incident, those bastards might hide themselves even more, but that didn’t matter.
‘Let’s kidnap a subordinate they cherish.’
Didn’t they say those bastards’ subordinates frequent the shops here a lot?
‘If I grab one hostage, they’ll come crawling out on their own.’
Even if he failed to lure the bastards, it would still serve as a good card for him.
Well, while it was certainly the most reliable and best to find an SS-rank appraiser in many ways, since the location was unknown, he’d sell Yang Wei’s treasures first and look for a suitable target.
But there was no way his by-the-book friend would tolerate something like that.
So he’d kept it a secret from his friend and came to the Sacred Artifact Exchange, which was all well and good, except...
“So I’m telling you, that merchandise doesn’t grant you entry to the exchange!”
“......”
Holding his passport, Igeon wore an expression like he was chewing on a tire.
What he’d presented as identification was his passport.
Apparently, Hyugo had been keeping it ever since Igeon had abandoned it 20 years ago.
It had expired, but he’d brought it just in case it would be useful.
“To enter the Sacred Artifact Exchange, you absolutely must have a badge. Your identity is important.”
“Still, that Igeon merchandise of yours is really well-made. Would you sell it to me?”
“......”
So he’d said it wasn’t merchandise, but even so.
Of course, realizing it seemed to be an identity verification issue, he had seriously stated that he was Igeon, but what good did that do?
“Mister.”
“?”
“I appreciate the effort, but Igeon-nim wasn’t as handsome as a student.”
“......!”
In the end, faced with the employee who was apologizing and saying ‘sorry’ while blocking him, Igeon grew somber.
Damn it, being too handsome is a problem too, isn’t it!
Besides, apparently hundreds of impostors had come to the exchange today claiming to be Igeon.
‘Igeon must be quite popular. Still, he’s the most handsome among them.’
Hadn’t the guard even waved and said he did great impressions and handwriting imitation?
Stupefied, Igeon let out an empty laugh as he made a call.
And the moment the phone he’d stolen from the Singungjwa Seat connected, Igeon spat out curses first.
“Hey. What’s this badge thing? What the hell is it that a person can’t even sell stuff? You want me to smash your house to pieces or what?”
At the barrage bombarding him instead of a greeting, the person on the other end was briefly flustered before letting out a hollow laugh.
— What the hell. You said you were going to capture the Twin Seat, but you went out to sell stuff?
It was Hyugo.
“Forget that, I’m asking what a badge is.”
At that, Hyugo chuckled playfully.
— Yeah, so even the mighty you got blocked there too, huh.
“Just answer quickly.”
— A badge is like an identification card for sacred cities. There are places you can only enter with one, and you can store rental skills on it. The form varies with each Seat.
“In short, it’s a license-type sacred artifact?”
— That’s right.
“How do you get one?”
— Obviously, you have to take an aptitude test.
In that instant, Igeon’s expression turned odd.
“A test?”
— Yes. A test to see if you’re qualified to handle power, recognized by the sacred gods.
At that, Igeon, who had been making a face like why the hell should he take that, sneered.
“What, if it’s something like that, it’s super easy. You just beat up the sacred god, right?”
Hyugo was dumbfounded.
— Hey, does that even mak...
But he soon stopped talking. Because with Igeon, it really felt like he might be able to do that.
And sure enough, Igeon snickered.
“Alright, then I’ll just go beat down some nearby god from the Singungjwa Seat and...”
Hyugo cut him off firmly.
— Well, if that were possible.
“?”
— These days, with so many sacred city aspirants increasing, they say the government does the first-round screening. You have to take that first.
“......!”
Then in the end, that meant he had to take the exam?
— Well, I could make you a simplified one.
Igeon’s face brightened.
“Oh, thanks. Then just one...!”
But for some reason, Hyugo snickered.
— It doesn’t just come out free, though. Even a simplified one requires you to take the test. I need something to put on record. At least this, even the mighty Igeon can’t avoid.
“......”
Igeon’s eyebrows twitched.
It was a voice that said he was having the time of his life, a rare occurrence. An excited voice that suggested when else would he ever dare to toy with Igeon?
— Then how about the simplified test is right away tomor...
“Forget it.”
— Huh?
“I said I don’t need a damn test.”
Hyugo laughed smugly.
— Really? But without it, you can’t get a badge...
“Why should I take something like that?”
— What?
Igeon smiled brightly.
“What’s stopping me from just stealing a license from someone nearby?”
Silence flowed.
At the same time, a truly flustered voice burst out.
— Wh-What?! No, what did you just say...!
“I was only going to use it briefly anyway, but if it stores rental skills on it too, that’s even sweeter. Alright, you’re probably busy, get to work. Adios.”
— No, Igeon! No! I misspoke! I’ll just make it for...
Click.
The call ended.
“......#$*&!”
Hyugo slammed his head against the wall.
It seemed he really was an idiot.
* * *
And 30 minutes later.
“What? You can’t buy the item?”
3rd Floor Appraisal Office of the Sacred Artifact Exchange.
Having conveniently stolen a badge (?), Igeon was frowning.
Of course, he hadn’t just stolen a badge from anyone.
He’d spotted a duo obviously trying to swipe the bags of exchange customers, thought it was a lucky break, and beaten them down.
Of course, after that, some foreigner with a righteous look showed up, spouted nonsense like “What, you’re with them too?” and lunged at him, so it was also satisfying to send that idiot flying as well.
In the end, he’d obtained a legitimate consolation reward (?) and a badge, which allowed him to enter the Sacred Artifact Exchange.
And it was all well and good that he’d come to the Appraisal Office to sell his items, but...
“So why can’t you buy them?”
“As I said, even if a sage came personally, it would be impossible.”
The young appraiser pointed at the treasures of the Baegyang Seat.
“I can offer you 30 million won for these items in total. They’re low-grade, but good quality. However.”
The young appraiser looked at the carved wooden figurine mixed among the sacred artifacts and sighed.
“It’s not even an item certified by the 12 Seats, and paying money for this kind of...”
That was it.
What was troubling the appraiser was precisely the items Igeon had made.
Of course, they weren’t anything particularly amazing. He’d made them just for fun while watching dramas.
“Still, at least give it a proper appraisal. It shouldn’t be worthless.”
“Oh dear, it’s not from the Crafting Seat which has a 1st-priority competition rate, and even street-level C-rank awakeners don’t buy this kind of thing.”
Yet two beings at the sage level had been going mad with desire for it.
“Above all, the design is so niche that it raises concerns about the sense, and the ability is air purification? Just use a household air purifier instead.”
‘The world’s gotten better. Even household air purifiers exist now.’
In the end, Igeon frowned as if troubled.
In truth, he had intended to participate in the auction called
He was going to submit items and also gather information.
‘They said S-rank or higher appraisers are attached to the Great Auction.’
If he was lucky, he might meet the SS-rank appraiser he’d been looking for.
Anyway, so that's how he tried to get that admission ticket.
‘To think he wouldn't even get paid.’
In the end, it was as Igeon pouted and turned away.
“If you really insist, you could also open a new phone line.”
“Phone?”
“Yes. From the looks of it, your phone is an older model too. Actually, we’re partnered with a telecommunications company that specializes in awakened beings. We’ll give you the latest phone for awakened beings for free, and we’ll appraise your items at a higher price. That wooden carving of the muscular female warrior will also be around 400,000 won.”
“Oh.”
For something made as a pastime, it’s a decent unearned income.
‘Well, if it’s real.’
Igeon checked the contract terms. For now, there didn’t seem to be any major issues. Anyway, a cell phone was something he needed.
Perhaps reading his expression, the young appraiser smiled and held out the phone and contract.
“If you like it, please sign here….”
But that was when.
“Where do you think you’re pulling a scam right now?”
“!”
He looked beside him and saw an incredible beauty standing there. But she had a familiar face.
That was only natural, since for some reason, she was the person on the bromide that Hugo kept snatching away.
And.
“That TKBM phone. Far from being free, it’s a problematic phone that people return even if you give it to them. Surely they were all recalled?”
At the woman’s words, the appraiser’s face contorted.
“Moreover, those sacred items, at a glance, their market value would be over 300 million won. And that wooden carving. If it really is an air-purifying sacred item, it would be a rare commodity that even Holy Order masters would seek out?”
“……!”
The appraiser looked at Igeon and broke into a cold sweat, and whether he did or not, the woman said to Igeon:
“This is indeed an appraisal complex, but the majority are just resellers and scammers. Truly skilled appraisers have to go to the Integrated Exchange.”
“Integrated Exchange?”
The woman kindly pointed to a map on the wall and turned around.
A great labyrinth spread out in the exchange’s basement.
It seemed to be a world-common exchange that could be accessed through teleporters in this building.
When Igeon finally shot the appraiser a glare, the appraiser shouted.
“Fine, go ahead! But since you won’t be able to enter there today anyway.”
“?”
“That saintess has appeared at the Integrated Exchange, they say. Everyone at the exchange has probably flocked to her.”
“Saintess?”
Igeon snorted.
Did something like that pop up?
There wasn’t one when I investigated.
“Obviously she must have business with the SS-grade appraiser there.”
“!”
Igeon’s gaze changed.
“Oh. An SS-grade appraiser is there?”
As Igeon showed interest, the appraiser sneered.
“Hah, a guy like you couldn’t even go. Even saint-level beings get turned away at the door by that stuck-up fellow.”
And when Igeon seemed about to go to the basement, the young appraiser snorted.
“You look like an amateur, but I wonder if you even have the money to go to the Integrated Exchange. I thought I’d found a rare sucker….”
Bang!
“Ack!”
Igeon blocked the exit door with his foot and smiled menacingly.
“Pick one of the two.”
“What?”
“Inside or outside.”
Wh-what?
(To be continued in the next episode)