Artifact Devouring Player-Chapter 31: Do Kyungsoo, the Sword Demon - (3)
Chapter 31 - Do Kyungsoo, the Sword Demon - (3)
[Chapter 31]
'For now, Do Kyungsoo is both my role model and a goal I must surpass.'
The terrifying thing about Do Kyungsoo wasn't just that his level was high now, but that his growth rate would continue to be fast.
The scene unfolding before my eyes was proof of that.
He always led an elite team and attacked dungeons far above his level.
Sword Demon—Sword God.
Do Kyungsoo's uniquely named team constantly challenged trials and hardships and always succeeded.
It was only natural that reporters and fans gathered in droves around him.
Click, click!
Camera flashes went off everywhere.
Passersby turned their smartphones toward Sanghyun to record him.
Suddenly caught in the spotlight while sitting in the driver's seat, Sanghyun gave an awkward smile.
Rolling up the window to hide his face seemed excessive, and honestly, he didn't dislike the attention.
"Wow! Is this like a battle between someone who has it all and someone fighting to take it?"
"Hey! Is Shin Sanghyun even in the same league as our Kyungsoo Oppa? It's like comparing Mount Everest to a neighborhood hill!"
"Don't be so harsh—Kyungsoo was a challenger two years ago too, right? He changed after killing Park Gwanghyuk in the Life-and-Death Battle."
Various voices echoed around him.
Sanghyun accepted even the harsh comparisons between himself and Do Kyungsoo.
There was no room for jealousy.
It was crucial to see reality clearly and recognize one's own level—especially when life was on the line.
Knowing your limits kept arrogance and conceit at bay, reducing the chances of facing death.
"Didn't Kim Miso praise Shin Sanghyun a lot? If even she acknowledges him, he must be impressive."
"Hey, maybe he's her secret boyfriend or something."
"Don't be ridiculous. Anyway, didn't he toy with Choi Youngcheol last time?"
"Yeah... and after that, Choi Youngcheol went completely silent. No updates on social media, and he hasn't even shown up at the guild."
"Would you show up? He got completely humiliated and probably soiled himself."
"Just in case, I should snap a picture of Shin Sanghyun. Might be worth something later."
While naturally accepting the stares directed at him, Sanghyun kept his eyes on the most important person.
The Sword Demon, Do Kyungsoo.
Do Kyungsoo, standing amidst the crowd, was also staring directly at Sanghyun.
'Do Kyungsoo, I'll catch up to you. In my past life, you were a mountain I couldn't climb—but this time, I'll surpass you.'
As if reading Sanghyun's determined thoughts, the corners of Do Kyungsoo's lips curved upward.
His eyes, fixed on Sanghyun, gleamed as well.
"Do Kyungsoo is smiling at Shin Sanghyun!"
"What? Did he sense something familiar about Sanghyun? They say a master recognizes another master."
"Or maybe he's just mocking him because he thinks Sanghyun's beneath him?"
Sanghyun also smiled.
Setting someone as a clear goal to surpass lifted a certain weight off his shoulders.
Until he overcame him, all he had to do was focus on that target and run toward it relentlessly.
Soon, Do Kyungsoo's Sword Demon—Sword God team began entering the dungeon.
The previously clogged road cleared, and Sanghyun could continue on his way.
It was a short yet intense first encounter with Do Kyungsoo—one that became an indescribable source of motivation for Sanghyun.
Time passed, and while Sanghyun was speeding toward Sillim Station, his foot pressing the accelerator, a call came from Kim Miso, who hadn't contacted him for a while.
Since she'd said she would call if there was anything important, he couldn't help but feel a little excited about the unexpected call.
"Hey, Miso."
"What do you mean?"
"Know him? I was just driving out to head for a dungeon and happened to get caught on camera in front of Gangnam Station."
Kim Miso seemed to think there was some connection between Sanghyun and Do Kyungsoo.
It made sense.
Sanghyun's appearance on the broadcast had left just as strong an impression as Do
Kyungsoo's.
Hadn't he even been the main feature on The Player's Journal's official YouTube channel during the Bupyeong Station Rift incident?
It wasn't strange for Kim Miso to think that way since Sanghyun kept showing up at major events.
"Do you think I have the connections to set something up with Do Kyungsoo?"
"Hey, didn't we agree to speak casually? You're really hitting below the belt here."
"Fair enough. Anyway, what's up? I doubt you called just because of the broadcast."
"Where is it?"
"Black Gate?"
Sanghyun paused, deep in thought.
The Black Gate—it was definitely tempting.
The expected loot was significant, and more importantly, the boss monster was almost certain to drop an Epic-grade Artifact.
No one had cleared it yet.
In his previous life, this gate had been conquered by the renowned player known as the Conductor of Blades, Kang Boah, and her boyfriend.
That had been much later than now, and the level cap had been set much higher at the time.
She had successfully cleared the gate and obtained an Epic-grade Artifact.
But she lost something more important—her boyfriend, who had sacrificed his life for her during the battle.
It was a tragedy born from pushing forward recklessly without proper teamwork.
'The synergy between two people needs to be perfect. It's not enough for your teamwork to just be "good."'
Sanghyun reminded himself to be cautious.
Of course, giving up wasn't an option.
He had studied the strategies shared by Kang Boah afterward and remembered them well.
"Ah, sorry. I'll join the Black Gate raid. But let's make sure our teamwork is flawless."
"I'll contact you right after I finish this dungeon."
"Silent Ground at Sillim Station. I'll call you when I'm done."
The call ended.
The Black Gate couldn't be cleared solo, no matter how strong Sanghyun was.
But with Kim Miso, it felt like a challenge worth pursuing.
It was also the ideal combination of sword and bow.
Meanwhile, after hanging up, Kim Miso immediately pulled up information about the dungeon
Sanghyun was heading to on her monitor.
Silent Ground.
"This place has a recommended level of at least 120. And it's even tougher to solo."
According to the data, no matter how tightly planned, an additional person besides Sanghyun was needed.
That was how terrifying the silence inside was.
Once trapped in the swamp of silence, players often died without even getting a chance to use a skill.
"What exactly is this guy?"
A man who ignored things like levels and forged his own path.
A man who, after just one night, would appear again with a new issue, his popularity skyrocketing.
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Kim Miso, who considered herself a fast grower, couldn't shake the feeling that Sanghyun was catching up to her.
Sanghyun's growth was relentless, and in every move he made, he left a mark.
"Should I meet with my dad? If I want to sway Oppa's heart toward our guild, maybe my dad's financial—"
Healing is the answer.
Money knows no rivals.
Jo Jinho and Shin Taeri, both skilled members of the guild, didn't want to let Sanghyun roam freely now that he had started attracting attention.
She immediately made a call.
It was to her father, the chairman of Shinseong Biotechnics, a leading domestic conglomerate and sponsor of the Eden Guild.
Though it was near Sillim Station, an ominous wind blew around the deserted entrance of Silent Ground.
Unlike Jeonju, there was an association staff member stationed here despite it being a remote location.
In the Seoul metropolitan area, dungeons almost always had association staff or outsourced managers stationed at their entrances.
This was to prevent crimes like "dungeon ambushes."
CCTVs could track movements, but they couldn't immediately help players in emergencies.
"Thank you for your hard work. I'm from the SH Guild, here for a raid application."
"Ah, right. But are you alone?"
"Yes, I am. It's a solo guild."
"Wow! You're soloing this difficult dungeon? That's incredible. Though, I'm honestly a bit worried."
"I completely understand your concern. I'm preparing to enter with full focus."
The staff member's worry wasn't overstepping—it was reasonable.
Sanghyun could understand it.
There were many status ailments that could trouble a player, but silence was undoubtedly the most dangerous.
To enter a dungeon alone, where monsters frequently inflicted silence, wasn't something an ordinary person could handle.
The most fatal thing was that if danger struck while silenced, there would be no one to help.
"I'm a fan! If you don't mind, could I get your autograph? Shin Sanghyun, you're a role model for players like me who started from nothing!"
The staff member shyly handed him a piece of paper.
Another staff member nearby also subtly held out a sheet, showing equal interest in Sanghyun.
Without openly expressing it, this staff member's admiration was no less than the other's.
Scratch. Swish. Swipe.
Sanghyun signed swiftly with the pen handed to him.
It felt strange.
Hadn't he just been at Gangnam Station, burning with determination after seeing his own role model, Do Kyungsoo?
And now, here he was, receiving admiration from two association staff members who also happened to be players—people who saw him as a role model.
He had forgotten.
To someone out there, Sanghyun himself might be a light to chase or a dream to reach.
"I'll do my best."
Sanghyun spoke sincerely to the two staff members.
It was both a promise to his fans and a vow to himself.
"We'll guard the entrance, so don't worry and focus on your raid! We're rooting for you!"
"Me too!"
They seemed like rookies who had just joined the association—there was a fresh eagerness about them.
Their levels were probably still in single digits.
"Thank you for your support."
Sanghyun bowed politely and headed straight into Silent Ground.
"Wow, that greatsword is amazing."
"I wish I could wield a sword like that too."
The Fighting Spirit Greatsword resting on Sanghyun's broad shoulders gleamed with its distinctive blue glow.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the dungeon.
Thud!
"...Ugh?"
Sanghyun let out a faint groan after taking an unexpected hit from an unseen angle.
Fortunately, it was just a light punch.
It seemed like a weak Ghoul lurking nearby had noticed Sanghyun and lazily took a swipe at him.
◎ Silence
◎ You cannot use any skills for 0.45 seconds.
But silence took hold immediately.
Even though it was just an ordinary Ghoul, a basic monster in Silent Ground, and Sanghyun's evasion and defense stats were fairly high,
The first attack triggered silence as if it were a guaranteed effect.
"Wow... I really need to stay sharp."
In this dungeon, he couldn't afford to allow even a single attack to land.
Silence—an express ticket to death.
Sanghyun tightened his grip on the Fighting Spirit Greatsword with both hands, ready to face the battle ahead.
