Chapter 87 – The Deal

Se-yun was surprised by the unexpected words.

‘The ancient tablet?’

The ancient tablet was a collectible he’d given up trying to figure out how to use.

‘I tried combining it with other items and entered the Progenitor Bird dungeon several times but…’

He couldn’t discover the tablet’s use.

‘And Do-jun says he knows?’

Se-yun asked skeptically to confirm.

“Do you really know that item’s use?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe it.”

Min Do-jun smirked as if expecting this.

Then he manipulated his inventory and suddenly equipped an item.

*Swoosh*

It was the ancient armor he’d stashed away due to low durability.

“Have you seen armor like this?”

Though the worn-out armor might look like an F-grade item at first glance, Se-yun didn’t miss the faint mana emanating from it.

‘Seems at least B-grade or higher?’

Even for him with his strong interest in items, this was unfamiliar armor.

When Se-yun reached out to subtly touch it, Min Do-jun unequipped it as if saying “not a chance.”

Min Do-jun slightly raised his lip corner seeing Se-yun’s disappointed expression.

“This is armor obtained using the ancient tablet. When you know how to use the tablet, you can get things like this.”

“Seems like no ordinary armor… what are its options?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Then at least tell me its grade. B-grade? A-grade?”

“I’ll tell you right away if you give me the skill book. Including how to use the tablet. Until then, I won’t reveal any information.”

“…”

While others might not care, Se-yun was different.

‘W-what should I do?’

His curiosity about both the long-sought tablet usage and the unfamiliar item plunged him into contemplation.

‘Ah… I want to know so badly!’

Though he wanted to satisfy his curiosity by giving the skill book, he’d lose his justification for recruiting Min Do-jun.

‘I boasted to uncle that I’d take responsibility and recruit him…’

If he agreed to the deal, Min Do-jun’s recruitment would be impossible.

As the deliberation dragged on, Min Do-jun pressed.

“Will you do it? Or not?”

“…”

“Forget it if you don’t want to. I have absolutely no intention of joining the guild anyway. I can get the skill book through overseas channels even if it takes time. But the tablet’s use? Who knows how many years it’ll take unless I tell you.”

Though it was information that would be released in a month, not years, Se-yun had no way of knowing that.

“If you’re going to keep thinking, I’ll leave first. I’m busy.”

“W-wait!”

When he started to rise, Se-yun urgently stopped him.

“I’ll make the deal! But I’ll give you the skill book after hearing the information.”

“Give me the skill book first, then I’ll tell you.”

“Do-jun, please consider my position too. We don’t know if that armor really came from the tablet or not.”

“Someone who looks after their own interests isn’t considering the position of someone forced into an unwanted deal because of skill books?”

“I apologize for that. But I can’t hand over skill books trusting uncertain information. I need to see something with my own eyes.”

Se-yun’s words made sense.

All he’d seen was armor of unknown origin, so it would be hard to believe.

“Alright. I’ll concede.”

“Thank you!”

“So you’re accepting the deal?”

“Yes! After you prove the information first!”

“Then let’s clear the Progenitor Bird dungeon first. We need to enter the dungeon to use the tablet.”

“Ah… of course!”

Se-yun clenched his fist in excitement.

The clue being in the Progenitor Bird dungeon matched his thinking.

“Where is it? The place to use the tablet?”

“I can’t explain in words, I’ll guide you directly. Contact me again after securing the dungeon.”

When Min Do-jun tried to stand, Se-yun stopped him again.

“Wait. Let me check if it’s possible now.”

Se-yun left the office and soon returned with an excited face.

“There’s a dungeon available within 30 minutes. Is now good for you?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go!”

Min Do-jun smiled wryly at Se-yun taking the lead.

‘Must have been quite urgent.’

Soon after, Min Do-jun headed to the dungeon in Se-yun’s Ferrari.

Heavy silence filled the car during the ride.

Min Do-jun couldn’t view Se-yun favorably after trying to force guild membership through dirty methods, and Se-yun knew this, keeping quiet.

Either way, their relationship couldn’t improve anymore.

This would likely be the last time they moved together.

‘Given the situation, I should at least get the tablet information.’

Se-yun decided to be brazen about it.

Since the plan to recruit Min Do-jun to the guild had failed anyway, he’d at least satisfy his personal curiosity.

“We’re here. Let’s get out.”

The two arrived at the Red-beaked Progenitor Bird dungeon and waited with their equipment on.

Soon the portal turned blue and people emerged.

“Oh? Isn’t that…”

“It’s Hunter Lee Se-yun!”

“It really is!”

The emerging hunters recognized Se-yun and approached.

“A-are you Hunter Lee Se-yun?”

“Could we take a picture together if you don’t mind?”

“Yes, of course.”

Se-yun smiled brightly and took pictures with the hunters.

‘Just like last time…’

Min Do-jun shook his head and naturally stepped aside.

‘Taking pictures so shamelessly even in this situation.’

How would people react if they knew Se-yun’s true nature?

As he thought it was impressive in a way, Se-yun approached.

“Shall we go?”

The two entered the portal and disappeared in light moments later.

* * *

Unlike the dusk outside, inside the dungeon was bright as day.

“This way.”

Min Do-jun took the lead with Se-yun following.

*Screech!*

When a Red-beaked Progenitor Bird appeared midway.

*BOOM!*

It exploded like fireworks after taking Min Do-jun’s Fire Blast.

‘W-what?’

Se-yun watching from behind was quite surprised.

‘How strong is he to make it explode?’

He already knew Min Do-jun was a magic swordsman.

He’d entered the Progenitor Bird dungeon with him before like today.

‘Back then he just roasted them…’

Now he was so strong the bird shattered to pieces.

‘To think he’d become this strong…’

Though he didn’t want to make him an enemy, it was already too late.

‘I made the wrong judgment.’

Instead of threatening with skill books as leverage, he should have approached as respectfully as possible.

Thinking the end justified using dirty methods was his mistake.

‘He’ll completely turn away after this deal.’

He saw the trees but missed the forest.

It was all his own doing.

Se-yun, following Min Do-jun with a bitter expression, suddenly stopped.

Because Min Do-jun had stopped walking.

“Do-jun? What’s wrong? Why aren’t you…”

“The skill book.”

Min Do-jun turned around and spoke with sharp eyes.

“I should receive the skill book first just in case. I’ll guide you again after that.”

“We agreed I’d give it after confirming the information.”

“Would I hide information after coming this far? Conversely, what if you just take the information and wash your hands of it? I’m relatively weak and couldn’t oppose someone strong like you.”

‘Though he seems stronger than me…’

The words rose to his throat, but instead of arguing, Se-yun showed a friendly smile.

“I won’t do that. Trust me.”

“Given your actions so far, I don’t trust you at all. What should we do?”

“Hmm…”

Faced with Min Do-jun’s firmness, Se-yun nodded as if having no choice.

“Alright. Then I’ll trust Do-jun and give you the skill book. Since I was the first to break trust.”

Se-yun took out the skill book from his inventory without hesitation and handed it over.

[Skill – Magnum Burst]

-Grade: A

-Effect: Area attribute damage

-Damage: 150% weapon attack + 400% magic power

-Usage restriction: Level 1,500 or above, requires Enchant Sword

-Description: Skill only usable with Enchant Sword on weapon. Deals area damage based on attribute.

Though he received the desired skill book, Min Do-jun felt no gratitude.

‘Getting this only now because of that b*st*rd…’

He only felt like cursing.

He could have gotten it much earlier if Se-yun hadn’t bought them all.

‘Learn.’

The skill book in his hand disappeared in a flash of light.

“Oh? You learned it already?”

“Yes. Since you might change your mind and ask for it back.”

“Haha, that won’t happen if you properly tell me about the tablet.”

Min Do-jun turned away as if disgusted by Se-yun’s awkward laugh.

“Do-jun, then as promised, please guide me to where we can use the tablet.”

“It’s here.”

“What?”

When Min Do-jun cleared away some bushes, a small cave appeared.

“You can enter here.”

“Ah… it was here.”

Se-yun examined the cave and went inside.

Min Do-jun followed.

The narrow cave only wide enough for one person forced them to enter in single file.

“Do-jun, there’s a dead end here.”

“Place the ancient tablet against it.”

When Se-yun followed the instruction, the tablet disappeared and a door opened.

*Rumble*

‘This is incredible!’

To think the ancient tablet that never reacted to anything would be used like this.

It was a fresh shock for Se-yun who hadn’t known its use.

But it was too early to be surprised.

“T-this…!”

Items were displayed in the hidden space as if saying “take me.”

It was the ancient armor Min Do-jun had shown.

‘The tablet was a key to get the armor?’

Se-yun touched the armor while looking at it with moved eyes.

“Ooh.”

He couldn’t help but admire seeing the armor’s information in his inventory.

‘All stats 25 plus additional defense equal to durability…!’

While Se-yun was absorbed in the armor, Min Do-jun showed murderous eyes behind him.

‘Now’s the chance.’

He couldn’t kill him at the guild office due to many risk factors, but here with no evidence or witnesses left, he could kill freely.

Min Do-jun harbored killing intent while looking at Se-yun’s back of head.

[Revenge trait doubles damage.]

[Hunter Killer trait doubles damage.]