Chapter 12

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The Golden City of Arcana

Seoyeon Kim's face turned red with irritation as she sat alone in the cafe.

'I don't understand what he's thinking.'

It had been like this from the beginning.

Even though they were sitting face to face, it felt as if his soul was somewhere else.

Unlike the past when he used to focus solely on her, the current Hyunmyeong seemed to be ignoring her words.

'He even cut his hair.'

He had changed his long hair to a short cut. She had spent two hours trying to find clothes that would suit him, but he didn't even mention it.

A drastic transformation. There was no way he couldn't have noticed.

-He doesn't seem interested, does he?

-Can I get up now?

Moreover, he even declared that he would get up before her.

It wasn't just a declaration. He wasn't pretending to get up. He was really trying to leave.

An attitude that she had never seen in the old Hyunmyeong.

His eyes, which used to look at her with emotion, now held none.

It was as if he was looking at someone else.

'After all, we haven't always been together, right?'

During their five-year relationship, they had broken up more than five times. But even after breaking up, he always held on to her.

This time was different.

Despite traveling a long distance to see her, his attitude was incredibly cold.

This had never happened before.

'How can he act like this in front of me?'

Sure, she could somehow understand the previous issues.

After all, they had said harsh things during their breakups.

What really infuriated her was that he was looking at another woman in front of her.

-We are not, in any way, related.

He strongly denied it in front of her.

Not at all. Not in any way related.

He gave her his number, took her business card, and even made a date. Right in front of her, as if to show her.

"Park Hyunmyeong, you... If only Hanah was ugly, I wouldn't have cared at all. I would have cheered for you two, blowing my nose and all."

But Hanah was revered as a 'goddess of justice' on YouTube.

A goddess of justice. It was absurd. What could a woman like that see in Hyunmyeong? They would probably just have a cup of coffee and part ways.

Hyunmyeong, who had nothing going for him.

He wasn't rich, didn't have a decent job, and wasn't particularly handsome or tall.

Was he in good shape? Was he funny and entertaining?

Who would want to date a hikikomori who only played games at home, except for work and dates? She was the only one who would date him.

Drrrr!

At that moment, her phone rang.

The name 'Jinwoo Oppa' appeared on the screen.

Seoyeon smiled at the name.

A man who was 180 degrees different from Hyunmyeong. Everything about him was the opposite.

Though not a regular employee, he was rich from a successful business, handsome, and tall. He was in good shape, funny, and active, with no flaws.

Except for one thing.

"Hello? Jinwoo Oppa? What? You want me to forgive you? No more secrets? You even hid the fact that you can 'transform.' How can I trust you? You looked like a completely different person, and it scared me. You won't do it again? Hmm, okay. This is the last time. If it happens once more, it's really over, over. So come pick me up. Here's the address... "

*

"Hey, Kim Won, the highest authority of our station. You're in trouble again, huh?"

"... It's Kim Hana. Please don't call me Kim Won."

Hana Kim sighed deeply and slumped into her seat.

She was exhausted from frequent visits to the police station.

She had been called in again the next day for additional questions.

Seungah Seo, sitting next to Hana, turned her chair and asked.

"Who is it this time?"

"The head of a plastic surgery clinic."

"With so many beautiful people, why did he do that?"

"I don't know."

"Well, our goddess of justice, Kim Won, is naturally beautiful."

"Stop it. I feel like I'm going to die."

She really felt like she was going to die.

After being hired as a regular employee, she had enjoyed a happy life for a while.

But after 'that incident,' her workload at the station increased tenfold.

"The chief assigned this to you while he's on a business trip?"

"What? Ah... "

Hana Kim closed her eyes and sighed deeply as she received the file.

"Isn't Gracia American? Why me?"

The file contained information about a person called Gracia.

A superhero who appeared and destroyed ten monsters at once, splitting a mountain.

The video was impressive, almost like a real movie. The scene where she combined thousands of sword-shaped flashes into one and fired it was especially breathtaking.

She defeated monsters that couldn't be killed by guns or bombs with one strike.

Why did such a person suddenly come to Korea?

"He wants to meet you."

"Me? Why?"

"He fell in love with you at first sight."

"Stop joking."

"I don't know. Anyway, it's causing a big fuss. They say it's a level of reception higher than a state guest, as they are closely monitoring the situation in the U.S. too."

"...... I don't really want to do it."

There was no way a newly hired regular employee like her could handle an interview with such a big figure.

The most prominent person in the world right now.

Rumors spread that even other dimension warriors respected Gracia.

The ultimate boss suddenly visiting Korea and wanting to see her.

"Then, how about your boyfriend?"

Seungah pointed at a photo on Hana's desk with her chin.

The photo showed a man.

To be precise, the back of a man.

A muscular warrior who had instantly subdued a monster and disappeared. Hana had taken the photo of his back.

Hana pouted and scolded Seungah.

"He's not my boyfriend. He's just a lucky charm."

After that incident, everything went well. To Hana, that man was like a lucky charm.

She didn't know his name, where he lived, or anything. All she had was that one photo, but that was enough.

"You seem to be quite attached to it, though."

"Are you saying I dust it off every day?"

Seungah chuckled.

Hana was a junior who could take a hit.

"I'm going to have a drink with the entertainment reporters tonight. Want to join?"

"I have plans."

"A date?"

"Yes."

"Oh, the male reporters will be disappointed, disappointed."

Seungah shook her head, genuinely disappointed.

But she was curious. The legendary Kim Hana, who had never accepted any of the countless love calls, suddenly had a dinner date with a man?

Regardless, Hana focused on her work.

If she didn't clear some of it while she still had the energy, she would be overwhelmed.

*

"Kill the traitor!"

"Kill the wicked snake princess!"

When I opened my eyes, I saw Isabella, covered in blood.

The bodies around her were all soldiers of Faisalmere.

The battle was still raging.

Turning my head, I saw the warp was active.

We could have escaped long ago, but Isabella had stayed to protect me and maintain our trust.

'The Queen's Royal Guard.'

A pursuit team including Great Warriors.

If I had been a little late, we would have been dead.

"Is the 'Communication with the Stars' complete?"

"Yes."

Fortunately, the Queen was not in sight.

If she had come herself, Isabella wouldn't have lasted long.

It was a stroke of luck.

But we couldn't rely on luck forever.

"I will clear the way."

Dozens of Great Warriors blocked the path to the warp.

Isabella was exhausted.

【Lv.6】

The Great Warriors' level was nearly 6.

If Isabella were in her normal state, killing them wouldn't be difficult, but she had been holding out for half a day.

She had endured indefinitely while protecting someone.

It would be too much to ask her to clear the way.

'Scratch the Stars.'

The main skill I gained as the successor of the stars.

I had never used it before, but it finally activated.

<<All 'Holy Power' is consumed.>>

<<Duration: 41 seconds>>

Countless starlights seeped into my fist, and sharp blades sprouted, as if I were wearing a claw made of starlight.

For a moment, I felt like Wolverine.

'Scratch the Stars' was a wide-area skill that could scratch even the stars. While it could be used as is, the duration was too short.

"Kill the wicked traitor and the heretic of disbelief!"

"It is the will of the great Queen!"

The wicked traitor was Isabella, and the heretic of disbelief was probably me.

I punched the Great Warriors blocking the path to the warp with all my might.

At that moment.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion occurred, and a pillar of fire rose. However, the pillar was made of starlight, not real fire.

The Great Warriors inside the starlight had all evaporated.

"......"

"Go."

I told Isabella, who was speechless, staring at the star pillar.

If fired immediately, the star pillar would last for 41 seconds.

'Scratch the Stars' consumed all holy power to block and destroy intruders in a wide area for the duration.

It was an absolute domain.

'Even more impressive than I imagined.'

I was honestly surprised.

Though a one-time skill, a level 1 skill could have such an effect.

I couldn't even imagine how powerful it would be if it evolved at level 10.

"Follow me. Those blessed can cross this 'Pillar of Stars.'"

I crossed first, and Isabella, swallowing hard, followed.

But the other Great Warriors couldn't cross and evaporated with their bones.

After more than ten Great Warriors died, they finally gave up the pursuit.

Now, all that was left was to cross the warp.

Isabella's eyes started to tremble violently as she looked at the activated warp.

"Isabella. If you want to turn back now, I won't stop you."

The freedom she had longed for.

She had always prayed and wished to cross the warp and go to another continent.

But as she was about to leave the desert where she had spent her life, a mix of emotions crossed her mind.

Still, even so.

"...... No."

"Then, this is the moment of liberation. Be happy."

"Yes."

Isabella chose freedom.

With an awkward smile.

《The 'Warp' has been activated.》

《The 'Warp' from 'Starting Point' is free.》

《'Isabella's' 'Curse of Limits' has been nullified by 'Blessing of the Stars.'》

《There are 12 connected cities for warping from 'Kaltzmann Desert.'》

《'Arcana' has been selected.》

《Warping begins.》

*

《You have warped from 'Kaltzmann Desert' to 'Central Continent.'》

《Welcome to the Golden City 'Arcana.'》

《Tip: 'Arcana' is a city of extreme materialism. If you don't have gold like a tycoon, it's recommended not to enter.》

As I crossed the warp, I saw many people.

People wearing golden turbans and riding golden carriages were moving around.

The next warp location connected to Kaltzmann Desert was the large city of Arcana.

'One of the large cities connected to the Starting Point.'

The Starting Point is connected to many cities.

Arcana was the wealthiest among them.

'A place the Queen can never follow.'

The Queen's pursuit team wouldn't give up. She might even chase us herself to kill Isabella and me.

But Arcana, a desert city, had a very bad relationship with Faisalmere.

If the Queen and her Royal Guard entered, it would likely spark a war.

It was ironic that the warp was connected.

"The city is...... very splendid."

Isabella looked around, mesmerized.

She was overwhelmed by the tall buildings and the surrounding style.

It was a natural reaction, as it was her first time in a city outside the desert.

"Arcana is a place where gold is everything."

"I have some gold."

Isabella took out a leather pouch.

By the weight, it was about 300 gold.

She had gathered it to move to the Central Continent.

"300 gold will be enough for one night's food and lodging."

While it was a considerable amount for a beginner, in Arcana, it was barely enough to survive.

Isabella looked at me in disbelief.

"T-That can't be. In the desert, 300 gold can buy ten slaves......"

That's because Kaltzmann Desert is a Starting Point.

In the desert, barter is the main form of trade. The only slaves that can be bought with gold are hunting slaves.

"Look over there."

I pointed to a sign in front of a bakery.

"A loaf of bread...... 50 gold?"

"It's made from the finest wheat presented to the king. That's why they advertise it as a bargain at 50 gold."

"I can sell my dagger."

A dagger with a pumpkin inlaid. It would fetch tens of thousands of gold if sold.

Her willingness to sell her beloved dagger was admirable, but I shook my head.

"No need. We can multiply 300 gold."

"...... Multiply? Do you mean you want to start a business with this money?"

"Gambling den."

"...... What?"

Blinking in disbelief, Isabella looked at me.

I repeated.

"We're going to a gambling den."

"...... What......?"

Isabella stared at me in shock.

To multiply money through gambling. It was insane!

Most of all, a devout holy knight gambling?

That's exactly what her eyes said.

But I had a reason to believe.

It was 【Blessing of Gold】.

One of the 13 hidden traits!

"I'm quite lucky, so don't worry."

"......"

Isabella looked at me with a worried expression, as if she was about to die of concern.