Chapter 126 : Chapter 126

Chapter 126 - Entry (1)

So, I had successfully managed to give Darien the demonic weapon.

But there was still one ingredient left that I had extorted from Batan.

And it was perfectly suited to be used as the final ‘process’ before entering the ordeal.

“The processing has all been handled by Daeshinjeon, so you just need to follow the proper dosage instructions.”

I said, handing the medicine to Mr. Seo Jin-seong.

“She’ll probably come to her senses in a month or two...”

“…”

And upon seeing it, Mr. Seo Jin-seong expressionlessly looked back and forth between me and the bottle.

His reaction was a bit more dry than I had expected.

‘...Then again.’

The sight of it writhing madly inside a container that had been created by a barrage of purification rituals from all sorts of support-type climbers, including Sepia, wasn't exactly pleasant.

If someone told me this was going into my family member's body, even I would probably have a rather appalled reaction-

[ One of target ‘Seo Jin-seong’'s Skill Share slots will be opened! ]

“Thank you.”

As I was thinking that, Mr. Seo Jin-seong bowed his head 90 degrees.

“...Pardon?”

“I will never forget this kindness. No matter what happens.”

Having said that, Mr. Seo Jin-seong offered me his sheathed sword.

It wasn't the featureless blade he usually used; it shone as if its blade was made of mana.

The hilt towards me, the tip towards his heart.

“...Will you accept it.”

Mr. Seo Jin-seong's voice as he did this was perfectly calm, but I, watching him, was the one freaking out.

This. From what I knew, this was an item used to make an ‘Oath’ in the original story.

An Oath was a vow made by a vanguard-type climber who had reached a certain level, staking their ‘heart’ on it.

Naturally, its binding force was absolutely absolute.

“No, no, no. It's not too late to think about this after Ms. Han Si-yeon has fully regained her senses, you know?”

“You recognized this right away? The Oath is a practice that was lost a long time ago... You truly are a man of endless depths.”

Mr. Seo Jin-seong said with a faint laugh, but this was more important than I thought.

“What are the contents of the Oath?”

“The Oath of Impenetrability. And for the duration of the Third Ordeal... I will obey any command you give. That is its content.”

“…”

Was this man in his right mind?

The same went for what was called the Oath of Impenetrability.

It meant that if I seemed about to die, he would block it, even by throwing his own body.

In short, it meant that for the duration of the Oath, he would keep me alive no matter what.

It didn't end there, and there was no need to even explain ‘absolute obedience to commands.’

Ms. Han Si-yeon wasn't even fully cured yet, and he was trying to hand over all his rights, including the right over his life and death, to me. There was no way I wouldn't be flustered.

“...I think I need to hear the reason.”

No, no matter how much I was the type to let things slide, saying what's good is good.

If something this terrifying came flying my way, I thought it would be best to at least check the before and after.

“In terms of ability... Mr. Kim Gyu-sik, you have proven in a short time that you are someone worthy of me offering this Oath. You lifted a curse in an instant that I couldn't even dream of touching, despite clinging to it for years.”

“…”

Right.

It was true that I had solved it by sipping some potions while sitting down, but in any case, it was true that I had done something great.

But even acknowledging that, it wasn't a reason for this person to throw his body at me.

Considering the circumstances, the most likely reason was...

“...Is it because Lancester is here?”

Instead of answering, Mr. Seo Jin-seong returned a fierce smile.

“I’m not the type to just take a beating lying down.”

Well, I wholeheartedly agreed with that sentiment.

The Lancester Guild was the very party that had cursed Ms. Han Si-yeon and given the Seo sisters deep trauma. It was only natural for Mr. Seo Jin-seong to be sharpening his blade.

“If you know what an Oath is, then you must also know its effects.”

Of course, I knew.

In exchange for offering the caster's heart as collateral, the Oath-maker receives a dramatic stat boost while carrying out the ‘vowed task’ with the contractor.

In other words.

It seemed Mr. Seo Jin-seong had concluded that forming an Oath with me was the most suitable means to land a blow on Lancester, who would be participating in this ordeal.

“Mr. Kim Gyu-sik’s goal is to get first place in the ordeal anyway... in which case, friction with Lancester will naturally arise. I just need to be able to crush that bastard's smug face there. Then, I will let you move the rest as you wish.”

Mr. Seo Jin-seong continued in a resolute voice.

“...It's a goal I can't achieve alone. But I feel it will be possible with you.”

He then grinned and offered me the hilt of his sword.

“Will you accept it? Please, I look forward to working with you.”

“…”

Hmm.

Well, since my goal was to get first place in the ordeal, screw everyone over, and monopolize the rewards, what this person was saying was correct.

“...You’ll regret it.”

“Pardon? What did you say?”

“No. It's nothing.”

I muttered and grabbed the hilt.

Well, this person himself bowed his head and pleaded with me.

That meant I didn't need to feel guilty about what was to come, right?

***

“...It’s bloodthirsty.”

On the day of the ordeal.

Mr. Seo Jin-seong muttered as he looked around at the faces gathered around the tower.

“Even if you gathered an all-star team of climbers, it would be less glamorous than this.”

Indeed, it was just as he said.

The prize offered by the Guardian, the ability to freely command the Round Table, seemed to have been tremendously attractive.

The people I could scan around were teeming with skilled individuals, to a degree incomparable to the second ordeal where all sorts of riff-raff had participated.

It seemed like a much bigger upgrade than the people who had gathered at the preliminary meeting before.

“...But, don't we seem a bit modest?”

“Pardon?”

“Everyone around us has brought almost a whole division, but it's just the two of us. Our equipment is almost non-existent, too.”

Ah, that was true.

In fact, we were already drawing criticism from those around us.

“Look at that guy. No matter how well he's been doing lately, isn't he being too arrogant?”

“Leave him be. He's asking for trouble.”

I heard such words, but I just shrugged my shoulders without showing any particular reaction.

In reality, compared to those around us who were decked out in all sorts of lavish equipment, we were at the level of showing up to a high-class social party in a tracksuit and slippers.

But, well.

“All that stuff will be useless anyway.”

“Pardon?”

“Those people all brought that stuff assuming ‘a team of 10 people,’ right? If even one is missing, a pretty big hole will open up.”

“...?”

Mr. Seo Jin-seong tilted his head as if to ask what I meant, but I just gave him a smirk.

Well, just you wait and see.

-Ah, has everyone gathered?

Just before the portal to enter the ordeal was created, the Guardian, who had appeared by tearing through space, looked around and said so.

-Then, shall we begin the ‘roster registration’? Please list the people you will take with you first, in order.

“...Wait a minute. Take with us first?”

-Yes. That is correct.

“…”

The surroundings instantly fell silent.

“Hey. So you mean we can't take everyone at once?”

A climber with a pale face asked haltingly.

It was a natural reaction, as their initial plans had just crumbled with that one phrase.

-I mentioned ‘points’ before, didn't I? That you can score them by hunting the demonic beasts you meet inside the ordeal. One of the recommended uses for those points is the right to bring in additional ‘initially registered members.’

“D-don't be ridiculous! You never said anything like that!”

-Then have I ever said that you could take all 10 people?

“…”

The climber who had been arguing immediately shut his mouth.

It seemed he quickly realized that no matter how logically he argued here, the one who set the ‘rules’ was that side anyway.

“...Did you know this beforehand?”

“Who knows.”

I smirked and turned my gaze away.

Well, that was the situation, so I hadn't called the others and had only brought Mr. Seo Jin-seong for now.

It was better to power up those guys a little and have them join later. It would probably be quite tough inside here.

-Conquerors who are ready, please step inside this portal. The ‘zone’ assignment will be done automatically.

“Wh-what? The zone assignment is random too?!”

“This is crazy...!”

Letting the voices from my surroundings go in one ear and out the other, I strode forward with Mr. Seo Jin-seong.

Compared to the others who were flustered, wondering what to do in this situation, my action undoubtedly stood out.

“We're ready. May we enter right away?”

“…”

“…”

Well.

The others seemed to be trying to figure out the most efficient solo combination somehow.

But I had brought the all-rounder, Mr. Seo Jin-seong, as my initial member from the very beginning. So I didn't need to worry about it.

It didn't matter if I could take one person or if the zone was random.

‘That’s what I mean...’

Why did you all prepare so diligently?

I'm just going to crush you all and monopolize everything anyway.

-...I see.

The Guardian, whose eyes met mine, smiled faintly and guided me into the portal.

-Then, as a benefit for being the first to register, I will give you an initial 100p. Congratulations.

“Wh-what? There was something like that too?”

“Damn it, I should have done it a little sooner...!”

At the same time as frustrated voices flowed from the surroundings, Mr. Seo Jin-seong next to me looked at me with eyes that said, 'Don't tell me you knew this too'.

No.

I didn't know this either.

There was no such system in the game.

Wondering what was going on, I looked at the Guardian, and I saw him give me a wink.

“…”

Huh.

Wait a minute.

Don't tell me this is.

-A surprise gift. You have to make it fun this time too, okay?

I smirked at the Guardian, who mouthed those words.

Heh.

Heheh.

That rascal.

You're a Guardian. Shouldn't you proceed fairly?

If you do something like this for me, then I.

“...Won't disappoint you.”

Am truly grateful.

Muttering that, I stepped into the portal.

“...Hah, my goodness. I did offer the Oath, but Mr. Kim Gyu-sik is indeed... a man whose depths cannot be fathomed. The more I think about it, the better a decision it was.”

“Is that so.”

I gave an awkward smile to Mr. Seo Jin-seong, who was looking at me with admiring eyes.

“Yes. No matter what happens, I will trust you in there.”

“…”

Right.

Like I said before.

I'm not confident I won't make you regret that.

***

In reality.

Not even an hour after entering the portal.

Mr. Seo Jin-seong died in my place.

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