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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
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Chapter 16
Three days before Noryang Gate’s collapse, the Dawn’s Constellation was like a house in mourning.
They had attempted the raid four times, each one a failure.
Victory seemed impossible.
The special fire attribute of the monsters inside Noryang Gate was the issue.
‘Regular water-attribute relics won’t work.’
The flames surrounding the monsters could instantly evaporate all but the strongest water-based artifacts.
At the very least, they needed a rare-rank or higher water-attribute relic.
But relics of that rank weren’t something you could just buy.
There were rare water-attribute relics overseas, but renting them was nearly impossible. Even if they managed to borrow one, it would never arrive in time to stop the gate collapse.
That’s why their last resort was relics from the Imjin War.
Artifacts from that era were particularly effective against the monsters tied to it.
If they could find an Imjin War relic imbued with a water attribute, that would be ideal.
‘But finding something like that is a pipe dream.’
Even just finding an Imjin War relic in Korea was nearly impossible.
Most historical artifacts from that era had been smuggled overseas, leaving only a handful within the country.
‘If only the person who conquered Myeongnyang Gate would appear…’
Myeongnyang Gate had been closely linked to Admiral Yi Sunsin.
And Yi Sunsin was an Imjin War hero with both water and war-related attributes.
His relics were the key to conquering Noryang Gate.
If someone had cleared Myeongnyang Gate, there was a chance they had obtained Yi Sunsin’s relics.
But the mysterious raider of Myeongnyang Gate had vanished without a trace.
Despite the entire nation keeping watch over Myeongnyang Gate’s entrance, the raider had never emerged.
Ha Jinwoo, however, didn’t care if the raider never showed up as long as he could get his hands on Yi Sunsin’s relics.
He wasn’t even hoping for the legendary Twin Dragon Sword, an artifact rumored to exist but with no historical proof.
All he needed was a fragment of anything linked to Yi Sunsin.
Because if Kim Hayoon had even that, Ha Jinwoo was certain she could conquer Noryang Gate.
‘The problem is… we have nothing.’
He had posted ads everywhere, desperately searching for a suitable relic.
But the chances of finding one were slim.
If even the government had failed to secure one, what were the odds that a random individual would have one lying around?
Ha Jinwoo could only sigh in frustration and then.
BZZZT.
His phone vibrated.
He answered it without much hope.
But then.
─Team Leader! We found it! An Imjin War water-attribute relic!
“What?! Where?!”
Ha Jinwoo jumped to his feet.
His voice was so loud that everyone in the guild turned to stare.
With an ecstatic expression, he shouted.
“Hayoon! We found it! An Imjin War water-attribute relic!”
“Really?! Where is it?!”
“The General Store in Yeoksam-dong!”
“!”
At the mention of the General Store, Kim Hayoon’s eyes widened.
***
As soon as they got the tip, Ha Jinwoo and Kim Hayoon rushed to The General Store.
A young shopkeeper greeted them at the entrance.
“Are you Choi Seojun, the one who called?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“We’re from Dawn Constellation. Where is the relic you mentioned?”
“Here it is.”
“…Hmm.”
The moment Ha Jinwoo laid eyes on the relic Choi Seojun handed over, he felt a wave of disappointment.
It was a rusted, chipped, and worn-out sword.
‘Figures.’
After searching so desperately, could they really find the key to saving Korea in a random neighborhood shop?
Even if it truly was a relic from the Imjin War, it was in terrible condition.
Noticing their reaction, Choi Seojun scratched his head awkwardly.
“Yeah… it’s pretty old, huh?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure if it’ll be usable. But we’ll have it appraised.”
Ha Jinwoo gestured for the appraiser who had accompanied them.
But in his heart, he had already dismissed the relic as worthless.
‘We might need to give up on the raid and focus on damage control instead.’
His mind was already racing, trying to figure out how to handle the disaster that would follow when Noryang Gate collapsed.
“Hayoon, you stay and talk. I need to step outside to call the Guild Master.”
“Understood.”
Just as Ha Jinwoo was about to leave
“W-Wait!”
The appraiser, who had been carefully examining the relic, suddenly shouted in a trembling voice.
“This is an Imjin War relic!”
Ha Jinwoo froze mid-step and turned back.
“…Is it water-attributed?”
“Yes! It has water attributes! But that’s not all… This is a Joseon Navy Commander’s hwando!”
“!!”
A Hwando used by the Joseon Navy?!
Both Kim Hayoon and Ha Jinwoo were stunned.
The Joseon Navy had been instrumental in defeating the Japanese during the Imjin War.
Even a nameless soldier’s blade would be a rare-rank relic of incredible value.
But what if this didn’t belong to just any soldier?
‘This… this is huge.’
Swallowing hard, Ha Jinwoo asked with growing excitement.
“…Who was the user?”
“Hmm… The user was… H-Huh?!”
The appraiser, closely examining the blade with his skill activated, suddenly gasped.
Growing impatient, Kim Hayoon pressed.
“What? Who was it?!”
The appraiser’s voice shook.
“Ahn Wi!”
“…Ahn Wi?”
Kim Hayoon’s voice rose in shock.
“Wait… Are you talking about Ahn Wi, Admiral Yi Sunsin’s right-hand man?”
“Yes! That very same Commander Ahn Wi!”
Oh, my god.
Ha Jinwoo’s mouth fell open in shock.
Who was Ahn Wi?
He was Yi Sunsin’s right-hand man, one of the key figures of the Imjin War, and the decisive force in the Battle of Myeongnyang.
Later, he rose to the prestigious rank of Pyeongan Defense Commander, equivalent to a Grand Admiral in the Joseon Navy.
‘Ahn Wi’s Hwando…’
And it was this old, battered sword?
No, wait.
The wear and tear don’t matter.
Was it really that important if it was rusty?
This was Ahn Wi’s relic.
Ancient relics are supposed to be worn out.
If anything, finding one in perfect condition would be more suspicious.
‘Tch, I’ll just polish it up and use it.’
It might not last forever, but just having it was already a miracle.
If this sword could help them overcome the Noryang Gate crisis, then Ha Jinwoo felt as if he had just met his savior.
With a brightened face, he asked;
“What’s its rank?”
“It’s… Epic-rank!”
“Hahahaha!”
Laughter burst out of him before he could stop himself.
Jackpot!
This wasn’t just a jackpot, this was history being made.
***
‘What’s with him?’
I stared at Ha Jinwoo in confusion as he laughed like a madman over this old, rusty Hwando.
From my perspective, even if Ahn Wi’s sword was Epic-rank, its durability was nearly gone meaning it wouldn’t last long.
Since I had no idea what the inside of Noryang Gate was like, I couldn’t understand why he was so thrilled.
But then his next words made me freeze.
“I’ll buy it for 4 billion won.”
“…4 billion?”
My eyes nearly popped out of my head.
“Ah… Is that too low?”
Ha Jinwoo misread my reaction and looked embarrassed.
Judging from his expression, I could probably raise the price even higher.
Should I go big and say 10 billion?
‘Should I risk it?’
A gambler’s heart pulsed in my chest.
No, if I went too high and he refused, I’d be screwed.
“O-Okay… How about 5 billion?”
“Done. I’ll buy it immediately.”
“…?”
Wait, that worked?
‘Damn it, I should’ve asked for more.’
Just as I was about to regret my decision, Ha Jinwoo spoke again.
“Since it won’t last long, I hope you understand that we can’t offer more than this.”
“Of course, I totally understand.”
I could understand it a hundred, no, a thousand times over.
Right there on the spot, Ha Jinwoo transferred the 5 billion won into my account.
[5,000,000,000 KRW]
[Sender: Dawn Constellation]
‘Holy sh— It’s real.’
Seeing the numbers on my screen, my mouth fell open.
I never imagined I’d get 5 billion won just for selling a one-time-use sword.
My hands shook as I held my phone.
That’s when Kim Hayoon, who had come with Ha Jinwoo, suddenly spoke to me.
“By any chance, do you use guns?”
My heart nearly stopped.
But I kept my face calm and answered smoothly.
“No, I’ve never used a gun before.”
“Hmmm.”
Hayoon gave me a knowing smile.
“If you say so.”
‘…Wait. Does she know?!’
A sudden chill ran down my spine.
No wonder I had crossed paths with her at Hangang Park before.
The Udamhwa I took down with Napoleon’s Rifle everyone thought Kim Hayoon was the one who killed it.
If she knew the truth that would be a problem.
Even if I wore a mask while hunting, as long as I carried Napoleon’s rifle, she’d recognize me instantly.
Then, she dropped another bombshell.
“You were kicked out of Samdocheon, weren’t you?”
“…So you knew. Yeah, I was recently forced to resign.”
“You sure that’s what really happened?”
“…What?”
“Never mind.”
She just shook her head and flashed a bright smile.
“Anyway, thanks. You just saved us. I’ll put this to good use.”
With that, Kim Hayoon took Ahn Wi’s Hwando and walked out of the shop.
“…?”
What the hell?
‘Is she just… weird?’
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
Join our Discord for release updates!
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