Chapter 420

However, what concerned him wasn't the petty rumors, but the possibility of legal trouble.

'Especially since this is a foreign country, I need to keep an even lower profile so I don't end up getting sued.'

Having made that resolution, Kim Giryeo took another step forward.

***

Just getting all the way to this summer's special artifact auction must have been quite an ordeal. Befitting a place known for handling truly remarkable items, the interior of the building exuded luxury. Above all, the extensive use of glass throughout the structure created a sense of openness that had a major impact on the overall atmosphere.

'The architectural design lets in an incredible amount of sunlight. For an Alphauri, though, this would probably be more of a burden than a benefit...'

Of course, not every visitor could praise every aspect of the interior design.

'But Seo Esther keeps exclaiming in admiration and saying how neat it is, so by ordinary standards, this must really be an impressive building.'

Step, step.

A man named Kim Giryeo mulled over various thoughts while briefly surveying the surroundings of the place he had just entered.

'My impression is that it's kind of like an enormous department store.'

A completely different architectural style greeted him the moment he stepped abroad. Since the scale was entirely unlike the item auction houses back in Korea, Kim Giryeo looked around with a sense of unfamiliarity, as though he had entered another world altogether.

'Where did they install the air conditioning? It's not hot at all, so I guess the temperature must be controlled from over there...'

For reference, the auction was being held in a city in Switzerland. Yet merely moving this short distance across such a small planet made the atmosphere feel completely different. And so, just as the alien archmage was marveling at the dry summer—

'There are more ordinary people inside than I expected.'

“Ah, yes.”

At last, the companion beside him spoke.

“They barely take any commission on high-grade artifact trades in order to attract participants. I suppose they planned from the start to make their money elsewhere.”

“By selling low-grade tools, which even non-Awakened people can handle safely, at high prices?”

“In other words, they're also picking the pockets of ordinary tourists. Still, since they aren't charging twice the normal price or anything, I suppose it's reasonable enough as a souvenir.”

Judging from what he had seen in Japan, the 'campaign to reduce aversion toward dungeon items' didn't seem to be limited to a single country.

“Hmm.”

For some reason Esther didn't understand, the blond man reacted with mild displeasure around this point.

“Then shall we go upstairs first and find our seats?”

Moreover, Kim Giryeo wasn't exactly the type to show much reaction, either physically or emotionally. The woman, whose hair was dyed entirely in her favorite color, spoke casually as though she hadn't noticed anything unusual. She explained that specially invited S-rank hunters like them had reserved seats where they could settle in comfortably.

“If you don't want to bump into people unnecessarily, it's perfectly fine to stay in the VIP room until the auction is over.”

“._.”

“First, take this. I brought a pocket Wi-Fi in advance.”

But for now, she was using such an ordinary excuse...

'Maybe it's because you're still a young sorcerer. You can't lie as naturally as breathing yet.'

Tuk.

Kim Giryeo held the small router she handed him and thought.

Seo Esther was probably worried about his health. But she couldn't exactly say to his face, “You outdated person should just go recuperate at your mansion on the East Coast.” That was likely why she hadn't flatly rejected his suggestion to accompany her abroad.

'Even though she agreed to bring me along, maybe she's worried that a fellow countryman might collapse somewhere national health insurance doesn't apply.'

Kim Giryeo's thoughts continued.

'But if she openly treated me like a patient, I might take offense. So she suggested that I sit down in a way that would naturally keep me away from the crowd...'

In the early days after his reincarnation, he had often interpreted even the smallest things sarcastically.

'I'd like to learn some delicate expressions like Esther's. I suppose even a primitive person can teach me something.'

At this point, shouldn't it be fair to say that he had become fully Earthling?

A moment later, Kim Giryeo nodded to himself, satisfied with the progress he had made in interpreting his own emotions. However, that gesture didn't mean he intended to head for the VIP room.

“Hunter Esther, where do you plan to go from here?”

“Huh? Me?”

From the perspective of someone who had thoroughly taken advantage of a tumor diagnosis, he felt guilty in more ways than one—but in truth, there was absolutely nothing wrong with his body.

“Well... since I'm already here, I was planning to look around at some of Switzerland's specialty items. J, just for a moment.”

“Then let's go together.”

“Yes?”

“I'll come with you and explain the items as we go.”

Wasn't this exactly why the guild had brought an [Appraiser] along?

After Kim Giryeo explained himself, Esther accepted, though she still looked somewhat bewildered.

“No, really, you don't have to worry about me. If it's troublesome, Giryeo-ssi, you can just rest.”

“I'm tired of checking the news on my phone anyway. It's always the same kinds of incidents.”

“Yes?”

“Alright, let's go look at the items.”

For reference, there was still some time before the Epic-grade auction, the highlight of the entire event. Come to think of it, this was the perfect opportunity.

'I need to make a golem. I should see if there's anything here that could be used as material.'

The two S-rank Awakened from South Korea began exploring the venue.

.

.

.

[Sturdy Boots]

“It's an artifact that literally provides defensive benefits. From an ordinary person's perspective, it would probably feel almost indestructible.”

[Sharp Metal Arrow]

“This has a defense-piercing attribute, but what does the star symbol in front mean?”

“Judging from the translated description below, it seems to be an enchanted item. It's only sold to hunters ranked C or higher according to international standards.”

“Only to C-rank or higher?”

[Sharp Knight's Longsword]

“But even so, the moment they step slightly outside surveillance, everyone would break the rules anyway.”

“Yes?”

“It's nothing. The one beside it has the same defense-piercing attribute.”

Step, step, step.

The footsteps of the two echoed through the lobby.

“Why don't they just write some basic ability information alongside it...”

What began as something resembling a complaint gradually turned into a brief conversation between the two South Korean hunters.

No—let me correct that.

More precisely, one was an active hunter, while the other was a retired hunter who had yet to regain his license.

They spent quite a while examining the nearby items—

“As expected, this civilization is a little advanced for Earthlings.”

Sshk.

For no particular reason, Kim Giryeo checked the item that had caught his eye two or three more times.

A magical property that hindered mana users from establishing barriers, much like the relationship between bacteria and penicillin.

Piercing.

When dealing with enemies with thick hides, there was hardly any magic more useful than this—but the problem had always been that humans didn't use artifacts solely against beasts.

'Items like this should be rarer, but the Osiminche released far too many of them.'

Even so, these "absolute hit" items were still rampant throughout the world.

Looked at from another angle, however, one could also imagine a solution through the very example he had just thought of.

'Calling an Earthling bacteria feels kind of rude, though...'

Just as antibiotic-resistant bacteria emerge, all kinds of mutations would naturally appear over time and eventually overcome these tools.

In other words, once the Gates disappeared, even these miniature tools of crime would eventually be overtaken by technological progress.

Kim Giryeo briefly imagined Earth's future, then fell silent.

'Still, defeating the Osiminche isn't something you can just decide to do on a whim.'

For the moment, set aside the position of a sorcerer forced to lead alone.

Here was an alien who, before anything else, worried about the Earthlings who would be affected by each of his actions.

“Ah! Damn it!”

It happened at just such a moment.

Whether she knew about the Archmage's complicated feelings or not, the woman who had been browsing the display cases beside him suddenly swore.

“No wonder it's been so quiet.”

“What?”

“Apparently, that troublesome Awakened person's kid just got on a plane? A foreign news article just came out.”

“So he hasn't been at the venue at all until now.”

“Ugh. I'm already worried about what kind of nonsense they'll spout if we run into them.”

However, it wasn't really a serious problem.

'If anything happens, I can just stop it...'

The Korea Magic Tower Guild Master's main concern was a conflict escalating between hunters of equal rank.

But standing beside her was someone capable of intervening even in a dispute between S-ranks.

'The only dilemma is which one I should restrain—the person claiming to be [Cursed], or Seo Esther.'

He put the concern aside for the time being and continued exploring the venue.

[84,628 US$]

Everywhere he looked were prices he could never have imagined back when he worked as a deliveryman.

Yet Kim Giryeo felt no interest even when he saw those numbers.

He had been pretending to be fine until now, but he still hadn't fully recovered.

'Phew.'

He felt sad.

'Maybe it's because I'm an old soul. My emotional resilience isn't what it used to be.'

Lost in such deep thought, Kim Giryeo failed to notice the people approaching him.

“Wow! Hunter Esther!”

But it wasn't too late to hear the voice.

'What is that? That voice from before the translator kicked in... It sounds familiar.'

When he belatedly turned his head, he saw a woman with bright blue short hair.

Beside her, a lanky man with a matchstick-like frame bowed awkwardly.

'They're Japanese.'

That very simple impression came to mind immediately.

The people greeting the Korea Magic Tower Guild Master were none other than the Awakened members of the Imabari Guild.

“Hello!”

“Oh my. Oh my, what a surprise to see familiar faces here.”

“I heard you're putting Epic-grade items up for auction! We came here to sell a few things too, but either way, it's good to see you!”

A small wave of excitement spread through the surroundings.

As the S-rank hunters gathered and began talking, the atmosphere around them changed in an instant.

“R, Ranker Kim Giryeo, it's been a long time since we last met. Haha.”

“I don't have a ranking anymore.”

“Th, th, then... may I call you Mr. Kim?”

“Kim isn't my first name. It's my surname...”

Standing beside him, Esther wore a peculiar expression.

To explain it more precisely, it was a sign that she had come to regard Kim Giryeo with renewed admiration.

Whenever dealing with the neighboring country, she had often noticed that Japan's S-rank hunters seemed unusually uncomfortable around one particular blond Awakened.

Unaware of the truth behind the Kagoshima raid, Esther began exchanging greetings while entertaining all sorts of assumptions.

Yet she wasn't the only one whose thoughts had wandered elsewhere.

'What the... they're wearing it openly now?'

A massive greatsword with a distinctive texture, as though it had been carved from matte marble, came into view.

It was Japan's only legendary item, obtained when the Black Dragon King was slain.

'So that's why you were so wary of me.'

Moreover, that item had nearly caused a bloodbath in the past.

Kim Giryeo showed no change in expression and merely stared quietly at the sword in front of him.

The Japanese hunters, on the other hand, were so flustered that cold sweat trickled down their backs.

'It looks like they added something over it to hide its exact shape...'

At first, they were merely idle thoughts.

But as he continued examining the legendary weapon, a sudden thought occurred to the Archmage.

'Hmm?'

An Alphauri-style tool equipped with various functions for the user's convenience.

In other words, a [sword with consciousness].

Using it directly as a weapon was practically useless. Its AI was extremely crude, and its usefulness was limited in many respects.

But the crucial point lay elsewhere.

“Huh, wait.”

A storage device capable of recording an enormous number of commands.

And along with it, a high-strength core capable of withstanding even some of modern Alphauri's magical output.

Come to think of it, the weapons known as legendary swords were nothing more than collections of extraordinary components like these.