Chapter 120

Chapter 120 Legendary - (1)

Buuuuung!

As Sanghyun moved toward the promised meeting place with Han Hyunjung, he unconsciously put extra pressure on his right foot.

"I'm nervous. I even ended up speeding."

As a result, he had gone over the speed limit.

Considering the densely installed CCTVs on the road, he would likely receive a speeding ticket soon.

It was only natural to feel nervous.

If he combined an Epic-grade sword with the Blood-Drinking Sword, he could obtain a Legendary-grade sword.

When combining items of the same type, he could freely choose their classification.

In other words, he didn’t have to create a greatsword just because he was combining two swords.

"A Legendary item... something I never even held in my past life."

That was why his heart kept pounding without rest.

Would the title be given without reason?

Legendary.

It meant something so rare and incredible that its very existence was hard to believe.

Only someone like Do Kyungsoo, after countless challenges, could barely obtain such a grade.

And that was if he was lucky.

Even named figures like Jo Jinho and Shin Taeri from the Eden Guild had no Legendary-grade artifacts at all.

"If you say it like that, you'll make me nervous too. But at least this is guaranteed, so I feel a little more at ease."

There was no chance of losing an artifact due to a failed combination.

The only question was what kind of options would appear when it was reborn as a Legendary-grade artifact.

The core aspect of the combination process was inheriting most of the advantages from both original artifacts.

However, unexpected hidden skills or stats could also emerge in the process.

Sanghyun was nervous because he had no way of knowing what unforeseen features might appear.

"I wonder how it would feel to be fully equipped with All-Mighty-grade items. Would it feel like becoming a god?"

Just imagining it made his heart race. It was certainly beyond human limits.

After some near-acrobatic driving, Sanghyun arrived at the HJ Corporation Center near Yeoksam Station.

It was a building owned by Han Hyunjung, serving as both a research facility and a training ground.

Due to its high security, many players used it as an official location for direct artifact exchanges.

Following the staff's guidance, Sanghyun moved through a VIP-exclusive route.

This path was reserved only for distinguished guests and protégés visiting Han Hyunjung.

Since there was only one security checkpoint, only highly trusted individuals could use this route.

At the end of the path, he arrived to find Han Hyunjung already inspecting the artifact she had brought in advance.

"You're here?"

"Yes, I came straight away."

"This item came from Japan. The seller is scheduled to return home after today, so I had to grab it quickly before they left."

"Oh, I see."

"You said you were fine with any type of sword, so I didn't specifically look for a greatsword."

"That’s fine."

"It’s a longsword. The name is the Black Sword of Execution. It's an Epic-grade artifact. Do you want to hear the price first or check the options?"

"Let’s check the options first."

"The sale isn't finalized yet, so make sure to wear protective gloves. The seller is quite particular."

"Understood."

Following her instructions, Sanghyun put on protective gloves and carefully examined the Black Sword of Execution.

The options were quite decent.

In particular, the hidden skill attached to it caught his attention the most.

No one can defy the law of death in the face of dimensional judgment.

'An instant kill if their HP drops below 2.5%, no matter how they struggle?'

It was an extremely terrifying skill.

Of course, it came with the premise that he had to reduce the enemy’s HP to that threshold first.

Boss monsters, in particular, could often cling to life even with just a sliver of HP left and use it as an opportunity to recover.

However, with Cursed Execution, such miraculous comebacks would likely be impossible.

'And this skill will be guaranteed to carry over into the combination. My expectations just skyrocketed.'

The stats were also just as excellent as those of the Blood-Drinking Sword.

At this level, even paying well above the average market price would be completely reasonable.

"How much is it?"

"Do you like it?"

"I’ll buy it. Right away."

Sanghyun made his decision instantly.

Since he planned to combine it into a higher-grade item anyway, as long as it had appropriate stats and options, it was good enough.

Finding an Epic-grade sword in the first place was no easy task.

"I've already negotiated the price. No haggling. It's 140 billion won, fixed. No more, no less."

"So it's a finalized amount."

"That's right."

"I’ll take it."

Sanghyun nodded.

It was actually about 5 billion won cheaper than he expected. Han Hyunjung’s negotiation skills had clearly played a role.

At this price, he had no complaints about paying.

More than anything, the stats and options were solid.

The transaction proceeded smoothly.

He immediately transferred the 140 billion won payment and also deposited 1.4 billion won as Han Hyunjung’s commission.

Since she received commissions from both parties, she effortlessly earned 2.8 billion won from this deal.

Sanghyun couldn't help but think that Han Hyunjung might be one of the easiest money-makers in the world.

In the blink of an eye, his account balance dropped to 47.2 billion won, but the future ahead excited him just as much as the money spent.

Since he planned to perform the combination quietly at home, he was ready to leave immediately.

Just then.

"Sanghyun, the large-scale raid with Do Kyungsoo is next week, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"After the raid, let’s head to the gate that our corporation plans to clear."

"Is it part of my contract obligations?"

"Yes, the contract is in effect. Hoho."

If it was a contract obligation, participation was mandatory.

Since he had already received a hefty sum, he had no intention of backing out, so he readily agreed.

"Which gate is it?"

"It’s a gate with a first-clear reward. The difficulty is high, but the rewards seem worth it."

"Does it have an official name?"

"Yes. The Labyrinth of Tranquility. Just by looking at the entrance, it seems like paradise itself."

'Now I finally understand why Han Hyunjung had almost no external activities during this time in my past life.'

Sanghyun’s eyes gleamed sharply.

It was known as the Labyrinth of Tranquility.

But in the future, its name would take on a different meaning.

The Labyrinth of Death.

This place was a labyrinth-type gate where the internal structure changed every time one entered, making it extremely difficult to grasp.

Moreover, the maximum number of people allowed inside was restricted to two, so bringing in a large force with high firepower was not an option.

'At this point in time, they sent Hyunjung Corporation's players into the Labyrinth of Tranquility. The sacrifices must have been great.'

The puzzle that had puzzled him in his previous life was coming together. Around this time, Han Hyunjung had been strangely inactive in external affairs.

She had probably lost key personnel while attempting to conquer the labyrinth gate and was too busy dealing with the aftermath.

'This place won’t work without me.'

A firm thought settled in his mind.

In this labyrinth, movement routes were important, but dealing with the special monsters inside was even more crucial.

Status effects? Absolutely necessary.

Brute-force strategies relying on sheer damage might work elsewhere, but not here.

However, he had no intention of sharing the information he alone knew with Han Hyunjung.

Until the time came for him to enter himself, it would remain strictly confidential.

"Understood. Let’s go."

"Great! I’ll organize the secured data and send it to you. Any additional information will be shared as well."

"Chairman."

"Yes?"

"You can dismiss this as you wish, but there’s something I’d like you to take to heart."

"Go ahead."

"Starting today, approach the internal exploration with extreme caution. There are already casualties."

"......"

Han Hyunjung's expression darkened.

How did Sanghyun know a fact that had been kept strictly secret? Was it just a wild guess?

"I hope you remember that this is not a gate that can be overcome with instinct and intuition."

"......Understood."

At this very moment, two players had already entered the labyrinth.

Determined to claim the first-clear reward, they had ventured inside with fire in their eyes.

Neither Sanghyun nor Han Hyun-jung expressed it openly, but both inwardly hoped.

That this concern would turn out to be nothing more than an unfounded worry. That it would all just be a harmless incident.

One hour later.

After returning home, Sanghyun placed the Blood-Drinking Sword and the Black Sword of Execution crossed on the center of the living room floor.

"Look at that color."

The two swords exuded a sinister aura as their crimson energy intertwined, creating an eerie atmosphere.

"I hope mixing these two doesn’t end up creating some kind of demon king’s offspring."

Sanghyun scratched the back of his head.

There was no way that fusing two weapons radiating such ominous energy would result in a bright and cheerful-looking sword.

"Hesitating won’t change the options. Let’s do this."

He immediately began the fusion process.

"Got it, let’s go!"

He pressed the fusion button.

Immediately, a pinkish energy surged in from somewhere, swiftly enveloping the two swords.

It was an aura overflowing with the fragrance of flowers, unmistakably a blessing from the Goddess of Fortune.

"Impressive."

As Sanghyun watched the two swords disappear, a fleeting sense of unease crossed his mind.

Just in case, by some minuscule chance—

What if the swords vanished into thin air during the fusion process due to some unknown error?

"That would be a complete disaster."

The mere thought of it was horrifying.

It might even make him wish for regression again. Not that it was possible.

At that moment—

Paaah!

A burst of crimson energy erupted, filling the entire house in an instant.

Simultaneously—

"Oh!"

A newly fused greatsword artifact appeared before Sanghyun’s eyes.

Wrapped in a swirling vortex of energy, the sword rotated 360 degrees mid-air, completing its dramatic entrance.

What more needed to be said?

Before Sanghyun’s eyes—

A rare greatsword, with an average market price soaring beyond 625 billion won, stood tall in all its glory.

The Madness Slayer Blade!

Sanghyun’s fingertips trembled uncontrollably as he reached out for it.