Artifact Devouring Player-Chapter 42: Breathing – (2)

[Chapter 42]

Late at night the next day.

Jo Jinho and Shin Taeri were still waiting for the two people who hadn't come out of the special training ground.

If possible, they had planned to make an impression and maybe even have dinner together, but there had been no news at all.

"They're still not out?"

"Yeah, the door is completely closed, and the internal CCTV screens are all turned off. I have no idea what they're doing."

"Miso is really giving it her all."

"Yeah. She's eating inside, sleeping inside. She's always been dedicated to training, but never to this extent."

"She always got like this whenever she wanted to catch up to someone."

"That's right. That's how she was... even before she lost that kid."

"Unlike what you might think, Chairman, I don't think she has any personal feelings involved. I just think Miso highly values Shin Sanghyun's skills."

"I agree that he has skills worth betting on."

"It wasn't an actual fight, but he was the first person besides you who could cleanly handle my attacks five times in a row."

"I've always taken pride in being the first. And I guess Shin Sanghyun is next in line."

The fact that Kim Miso was so deeply immersed in training meant that her determination and drive were extraordinary.

And it wasn't just solo training—this was a team exercise with two people. That meant she trusted her partner greatly.

"They said they're heading to a Black Gate together. It's an unknown gate, so I'm worried."

"You're worried?"

"If it were my own issue, I wouldn't care, but it's different when it's Miso. She carries a lot of pain."

"You can worry, but don't show it. Miso really hates that."

"I know."

"Let's trust in Sanghyun and Miso's teamwork. They'll do fine. Don't worry too much."

"Nothing bad will happen, right?"

"You always act like an emotionless block of ice, but in moments like this, you're softhearted."

"I just don't express it well. It doesn't mean I'm cold inside, Oppa."

"Let's just eat dinner together. Forget about those two. They'll figure out their own meals, whether they burn it or cook it inside."

"Alright."

Jo Jinho and Shin Taeri, who had been waiting in front of the training ground, finally gave up and turned away.

Though they felt disappointed at losing their chance to talk, at the same time, they were also looking forward to it.

Just how skilled was Sanghyun to make Kim Miso this obsessed? Had he improved even further?

"Haa... Haa... I give up. Two days of nonstop training is my limit. Haa... Oppa, I need to rest."

"Phew. I'm exhausted too. Let's lie down for a bit."

"Haha. Ahahaha."

"Why are you laughing?"

"I'm exhausted and worn out, but I'm having fun! It's like an exhilaration that comes with extreme fatigue."

"That's a good kind of exhilaration."

"The fact that you agree with this nonsense just proves that you really are on another level, Oppa."

"I won't deny it."

Lying down with their heads facing each other but their bodies in opposite directions, Sanghyun and Kim Miso exchanged smiles.

The extreme training they had endured over the past two days had been incredibly effective. Most importantly, they had synchronized their movements.

Of course, there would still be shortcomings and weaknesses that only real combat could reveal. That was an inevitable trial-and-error process.

But even considering that, achieving this level of synchronization in just two days was impressive.

There was no need to determine who was superior. Both had given their all and pushed themselves to the limit.

That was why both Sanghyun and Kim Miso were smiling in satisfaction as they wrapped up their training.

"Puuu..."

"Already?"

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Despite laughing just moments ago about how she found pleasure in extreme exhaustion, Kim Miso soon let out a soft nasal sound and fell asleep.

It had been a training regimen worth collapsing from.

Sanghyun had gradually increased the intensity and speed of their training—so subtly that it wasn't noticeable.

Since she had to keep up with the constantly rising tempo without any breaks, her body had to be completely drained.

Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Sanghyun checked the status of the skill he had just created.

『Crushing Blade』

■ Skill Level: Stage 1 (0.0%)

■ Skill Description: Uses 90% of the user's mana to pierce a designated target point with tremendous force.

If the user's mana does not exceed 50% of the maximum capacity, Crushing Blade cannot be activated.

'I used this often to land the finishing blow in the past. There was no better option when I needed a decisive strike.'

In his past life, he had created the Crushing Blade skill when he was nearly fifty years old.

Yet now, he had managed to create it in just a few days.

Why had it taken decades back then, when it only took days now?

Once again, Sanghyun felt grateful for all the "impossible things" he could now achieve thanks to his regression.

'Just one more.'

Sanghyun forced his exhausted body to rise again.

Sensing movement beside him, Kim Miso, who had briefly dozed off, opened her eyes.

"Oppa, where are you going?"

"Just one more check."

"Is there something else to do?"

"I realized I missed something."

Sanghyun immediately gripped his greatsword and charged toward the virtual target.

『Acceleration』

He activated the acceleration skill.

For ten seconds, this skill allowed him to move and maneuver three times faster than usual.

"...?"

Kim Miso was startled when Sanghyun suddenly disappeared from her sight, causing her to rise to her feet in surprise.

She was well aware, thanks to Jo Jinho, that the greatsword was the heaviest among weapons.

Yet, even while wielding such a heavy weapon, Sanghyun moved faster than Shin Taeri in an instant, which she found unbelievable.

Even if he had been holding a toothpick instead of a greatsword, his movements were so fast they defied imagination.

Shiiiik! Thud!

Swoosh! Slash!

In the blink of an eye, Sanghyun slashed through two distant virtual targets with his greatsword and passed by them.

Kim Miso didn't actually see Sanghyun's movement path.

She had only belatedly traced the wounds left on the targets he had already cut through.

"What the hell? That came out of nowhere...."

A newly updated ability of Sanghyun.

Like an inexhaustible spring, the more one dug, the more abilities he revealed, leaving her in awe.

Could a player really add abilities and acquire skills this easily?

For Kim Miso, it was something difficult to comprehend. But for Sanghyun, it seemed effortlessly natural.

After taking a full day of rest, approximately 27 hours later, the Black Gate raid was approved.

Since Kim Miso had arranged for the porters to join the later group through Eden Guild, Sanghyun took charge of preparing the potions.

So, after purchasing a generous amount of potions and returning home—

Just as he parked in the ground-level parking lot of Player Town and stepped out of his car—

A woman, who had been standing at a distance from him in advance, cautiously spoke.

"Shin Sanghyun?"

"Yes, that's me. And you are?"

It had become increasingly common for people in the residential complex to recognize or greet him.

So Sanghyun accepted her greeting without much suspicion. However, her reaction was a little different.

"To avoid any misunderstandings, let me be clear about my affiliation. I am Igah Hee, a staff member of Scout Team 4 at the Korean Player Union."

'So, it's the Union.'

He had suspected as much, and his guess was correct.

It was strange that among the players who recognized him in the complex, none had been from the Union—until today.

She wore a long oversized T-shirt with short shorts, giving the impression of missing lower clothing.

Her boldness was further accentuated by her heavy smoky eye makeup.

Her outfit and appearance reflected a player's personality rather than the formality of a Union staff member.

"I see."

"I live in this town too. Seeing where you parked, I assume we both live in the Bronze Building."

"Nice to meet you."

"Would you mind chatting for a moment?"

"As much as you'd like. But should we move? Standing here in front of the cars doesn't look great."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Shall we move to that bench?"

Following Sanghyun's suggestion, they changed locations.

Moving from a corner of the parking lot to a more open space made her appearance clearer.

After a brief pause, the conversation resumed with Igah Hee speaking first.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

"I might not answer depending on the question."

"I understand. I completely respect your decision, Shin Sanghyun."

"Go ahead."

"I heard you founded a solo guild. Why didn't you join an existing guild?"

"If I say it's because I'm confident I can handle things alone, would that be an acceptable answer?"

It wasn't entirely untrue.

Of course, there were situations, like the upcoming gate raid, where strategic cooperation was necessary.

However, as long as he collaborated with guilds in an alliance-like manner, there was no problem.

"As you may know, the Player Union has been heavily investing in nurturing promising talents recently."

"So I've heard."

"Perhaps you haven't received an official proposal yet, so you might not have had the chance to respond. What are your thoughts on the Player Union?"

It was a good question.

The Player Union was certainly one of the viable options.

In any case, special approval from the Union was absolutely necessary for dungeon and gate raids related to North Korea.

Even Eden Guild, which had a solid corporate sponsor, and Kim Miso were cautious of the Union when it came to North Korean matters.

If Sanghyun could turn the Union into a perfect ally rather than just a supporter, he could easily enjoy various benefits.

'The problem is that they're too transparent.'

This was what Sanghyun found most uncomfortable.

The Union meticulously assessed the abilities of its members, expecting them to perform at 100%, or even 200%, of their potential.

Because of this, they scrutinized and examined abilities almost under a microscope. There would be no secrets.

The real issue would arise two years from now.

The databases of all Player Unions worldwide would be hacked.

It would be the work of a criminal organization based in West Africa.

As a result, the data of numerous promising players and powerful individuals would be completely exposed, making them targets for the organization.

Sanghyun was wary of that possibility.

That meant he could become a victim at any time.

After all, the Union was a human-run organization, and flaws were inevitable.

"It's an organization essential for maintaining national order, but I've never considered being part of it."

"Even if you don't officially join, establishing at least a cooperative relationship would grant you quite a few privileges."

"I'll consider it."

What Igah Hee referred to as a 'cooperative relationship' meant forming an alliance as needed.

A temporary ally that could return to neutrality when the conditions changed.

Since the Union had shown interest first, Sanghyun felt that he held the upper hand.

However, unlike the Union's usual aggressive recruitment approach, she seemed rather cautious.

Was this her strategic approach?

At that moment—

Igah Hee cleared her throat a few times and then, in a lowered voice, asked Sanghyun a question.

"This isn't an official inquiry from the Union but a personal and rather impertinent question. By any chance, is your ability related to copying or stealing skills?"

"...!"

It was a surprisingly sharp and direct question.

In that instant, Igah Hee, who had seemed like an ordinary scout staff member, appeared in a completely different light.

How much did she know?