Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even Hastily Made Ones Keep Stacking Up as EX-Rank (23)

Damdo-ja’s Maze

Meanwhile, at the indie booth ‘Damdo-ja’s Maze,’ a man conducting final inspections straightened his back for a moment and recalled the events from the day before yesterday.

―…You want me to recommend a pseudonym for you to use at the expo?

Lee Si-hyeok.

This was how he came to have the pseudonym ‘Damdo-ja.’

After completing the creation of 〈Hollow Trace〉, Lee Si-hyeok had briefly stopped by Termion Security to inform Deputy Representative Lim A-yeon of his intention to participate in the expo under a pseudonym.

At that time, Lim A-yeon had said this with a bewildered expression.

―Why, though?

―Why what?

―I mean, why participate under a pseudonym? Lee Si-hyeok. Those three syllables would have far more impact than any pseudonym, wouldn’t they?

She had a point.

From the moment Lee Si-hyeok stopped hiding his awakening, the value of the name Lee Si-hyeok had become enormous. He’d even heard that imposters had recently started appearing.

―I have my reasons.

When Lee Si-hyeok spoke calmly nonetheless, a mysterious sense of anticipation flickered in Lim A-yeon’s eyes.

―If I participate under my real name? Then people will inevitably develop preconceptions.

―Preconceptions?

―Yes. The preconception that ‘this artifact was made by an EX-rank awakener.’ And that would naturally cloud people’s objectivity.

―Ah.

―Don’t they say that when you become famous, people applaud even when you take a dump? I don’t want that.

It was actually a personal desire.

The GateTech Expo was a dream Lee Si-hyeok had cherished for many years. If that was the case, he wanted to blend in naturally at that place, not have other factors interfere unnecessarily. He simply wanted to be evaluated objectively.

Well, he also had to keep Chronos in check….

‘I can do that at Stage Zero.’

Since Lee Si-hyeok planned to reveal his identity at Stage Zero tomorrow anyway, there wasn’t much need to worry.

Besides, he was confident he wouldn’t lose even competing with artifacts alone.

―I understand. Since our business advisor feels so strongly about it. So you asked me to recommend a pseudonym?

Lim A-yeon pondered for a long time.

―’Damdo-ja ‘. How about Damdo-ja?

―Damdo-ja?

―Yes. ‘Dam ‘ as in ‘calm,’ ‘Do ‘ as in ‘blueprint,’ and ‘Ja ‘ meaning ‘person.’ Literally translated, it means ‘one who calmly draws blueprints.’

―Why do you recommend that?

―You’re the type who focuses solely on the essence of magical engineering itself, rather than other superficial things, aren’t you? Always quietly, wherever you are. That’s why I suggested it.

However, Lee Si-hyeok hesitated a bit.

―Isn’t that too grandiose? It seems like I’m trying too hard to be cool.

―Then what would you like to go with?

―Well, I was originally thinking of ‘Handyman’ or ‘Repair Guy,’ or maybe ‘Assembly Assembly’….

―….

At this point, Deputy Representative Lim A-yeon let out a deep sigh.

―…Just go with Damdo-ja. Pseudonyms are all like this originally. If you think about other hunters’ nicknames, this level isn’t even trying to be cool, is it?

That’s how it ended up happening.

Actually, since the concept of the booth Lee Si-hyeok was planning to run needed to have some gravitas, the name Damdo-ja didn’t seem bad either.

Tap, tap.

“The maintenance is all finished.”

Now he just had to wait for visitors. The time was exactly 10 o’clock. Since the expo had just opened, people would start coming in soon.

Lee Si-hyeok calmly waited while reviewing the visitor response manual once more. After a few minutes had passed like that, people began to appear from one side.

Damdo-ja’s Maze was located about halfway through the row of indie booths.

People were stopping by booths in order from the entrance….

“Wow, this place is really interesting.”

They finally arrived at Lee Si-hyeok’s booth.

 

* * *

 

“What the hell….”

Song Hyeon-gyu let out a hollow laugh and slumped down on the table.

It had been an hour and thirty minutes since the expo started. Since quite some time had passed, visitors had come flooding in. There were so many it seemed like a swarm of ants.

A swarm of ants. Yes, a swarm of ants.

But why was his booth attracting not even ants, just flies buzzing around?

‘…Why isn’t anyone coming to our booth?’

Maybe 10 people had come so far?

The confidence he’d had before starting felt completely shattered. Such was the cold reality…. No matter how much he tried to attract customers, people wouldn’t even give him a glance. It was fortunate if the promotional materials he handed out didn’t end up rolling around on the floor.

“….”

Song Hyeon-gyu sighed and glanced at his older sister.

Whether she was equally frustrated, she was just staring blankly into space. Until the beginning, she had chattered endlessly about how they should enjoy themselves and whatnot, but now she seemed to have lost even the energy for that.

As he sat there dejected, the booth across from them caught his eye.

“What on earth did they prepare over there….”

Unlike this side, that booth was absolutely bustling with activity.

Even though indie booths had limited space compared to corporate booths, people didn’t seem to care as they formed lines in the cramped space, waiting to participate in the booth.

The waiting line even stretched so long that it was about to encroach on this side’s booth, which was absolutely infuriating.

What’s so different about us?

“This won’t do.”

Song Hyeon-gyu, who had been pondering, suddenly stood up.

“Older Sister, I’m going to check out that booth.”

“What? Then what about running our booth?”

“Nobody’s coming anyway! I’ll be back soon, so just wait a little.”

At that irritated tone, Song Chae-ah’s voice became quite cold.

“Hey, Song Hyeon-gyu.”

“…What’s wrong.”

“Don’t cause trouble for no reason, just look around and come back. It’s a nuisance.”

Song Hyeon-gyu nodded obediently.

His older sister really had changed a lot since that grade evaluation. In the past, she wouldn’t have cared whether it was a nuisance or not.

Song Hyeon-gyu, who had rushed out like that, also joined the long line. Why was the waiting time so long?

Song Hyeon-gyu was shocked once again by the fact that people who wouldn’t even glance at his booth were willing to invest this much time waiting.

Finally, Song Hyeon-gyu’s turn approached.

As he approached while swallowing nervously, the booth operator, ‘Damdo-ja,’ handed him an elegant letter envelope.

‘What’s this?’

He just handed over this one thing without any explanation? He tried sending a questioning look, but the operator only responded quietly with a smile.

…Extremely unfriendly.

Usually, expo booths have staff or operators who rehearse and guide visitors as if serving them.

Since they’re there to promote the artifacts they’ve developed, it’s natural to try to leave the best impression possible. That’s why not only indie booths but also corporate booths are friendly to the point of seeming desperate.

But what was this perfunctory guidance?

‘And this place is still popular?’

Song Hyeon-gyu tilted his head and opened the letter envelope.

Then, the moment he took out the letter paper,

―Flash.

 

[「Damdo-ja’s Maze」]

[Explorer. You have now reached an unknown labyrinth beyond a closed door.

The labyrinth whispers for you to enter.]

[Will you accept the invitation?]

[Yes / No]

 

A message window suddenly appeared before his eyes.

What a unique concept. Song Hyeon-gyu clicked the ‘Yes’ button slowly, though he was flustered.

 

[「Pale Artist’s Command」 has arrived.]

[The labyrinth is a dangerous place where you cannot see even an inch ahead. But even such a labyrinth has mercy. The labyrinth permits weapons.]

[You cannot take even a single step with bare hands.]

[Mission: Choose a weapon from the display stand on the left.]

 

‘…Ah, it feels like a game.’

Literally message windows and guidance text that would appear in games. The operator of this booth was pushing visitors into a virtual world like a game.

Swish. He picked up a weapon from the display stand as instructed.

 

[The inscription of 〈Hollow Trace〉 is activated.]

[Artifact Name: Hollow Trace

Classification: Dagger-type Magical Artifact]

[A sword that illuminates the path in darkness, an awl that cuts through the labyrinth. Spatial Penetration Strike.]

 

Then an arrow appeared before his eyes, guiding his movement.

Straight ahead, right turn, left turn, straight ahead. Despite being a cramped indie booth, they had thoroughly separated the spaces.

But as these movements gradually accumulated, somehow… he faintly felt like he was ‘exploring’ for some reason. More precisely, it created the illusion that he was moving to some other space.

That wasn’t all.

The booth’s design itself intensified the unique atmosphere. Unlike other neatly decorated booths, this Damdo-ja’s Maze had quite a rough feel.

The lighting was dim and the surrounding props were deliberately arranged with worn-out items. Just like a real labyrinth.

‘…The immersion is considerable.’

Song Hyeon-gyu arrived in front of a small secret room arranged in one corner of the booth.

 

[Enter the labyrinth.]

 

Clunk.

As he entered the secret room, the dark interior greeted Song Hyeon-gyu.

But that was only momentary, as holograms soon began projecting on the walls of the secret room. The hologram itself had such meticulous circuit design that there was no sense of incongruity at all.

A message appeared again.

 

[〔Selector〕 reveals itself.]

[Before you, the labyrinth’s gatekeeper ‘Selector’ has appeared. The Selector distinguishes those who bear arms.]

[Mission: Hide the traces of your weapon. Camouflage the Hollow Trace.]

 

Eerie music played as a virtual monster appeared before his eyes with a thud.

A terrifying build. Even knowing it was a hologram, Song Hyeon-gyu stepped back at the tremendous sense of intimidation he felt.

‘Camouflage the weapon?’

How? As soon as he had that question, another message window appeared.

This time it contained detailed instructions from how to channel mana into the weapon to how to camouflage the dagger.

The content was clear enough that even Song Hyeon-gyu, who wasn’t a combat-type awakened, could easily follow along.

Whooom! Song Hyeon-gyu made the dagger transparent following the guidance.

 

[Success!]

[You have evaded the Selector’s surveillance.]

[You gain 100 points!]

 

‘It worked!’

So this is how it operates? A faint smile played around Song Hyeon-gyu’s lips.

By the way, what are those points used for? Are there rewards too? Then the more you collect…

…Wait a minute.

Why am I so excited about this?

Hadn’t he come here with the intention of thoroughly investigating the identity of this booth? But when did he become so immersed?

He couldn’t even remember.

The background music echoing in surround sound, the labyrinth’s atmosphere, the messages and missions that added to the immersion… he had fallen deeply into it without even realizing it.

‘Rather than experiencing a booth… it feels like I’ve really entered another world.’

Is this how hunters feel when they enter a Gate?

Song Hyeon-gyu completely forgot about his earlier irritated grumbling and immediately moved on to the next stage.

 

[Entering the 「Corridor of Echoes」.]

[The labyrinth’s walls absorb sound waves…]

[Success! You gain 200 points!]

[Entering the 「Fusion Experiment Zone」.]

[Flames swirl before you…]

[Success! You gain 150 points!]

 

Despite the limited space, they had made excellent use of the secret room’s characteristics.

Using holograms, they had created a way to experience diverse experiences all in one location.

Even though he hadn’t moved a single step, the atmosphere of the space itself kept changing rapidly, making him psychologically feel the sensation of ‘exploring.’

‘And above all…’

The missions he had cleared so far.

It turned out they were all missions introducing the artifact’s functions.

Camouflage Exterior Function, Noise Blocking Function, Heat and Impact Resistance Protection, etc.

Rather than explaining the numerous functions built into the dagger with words, they made him directly ‘experience’ them by using them in stages.

It was the most effective method of any.

Song Hyeon-gyu was impressed once again.

Now only the final mission remained.

 

[You have reached the 「Heart of the Labyrinth」.]

[The ‘Mist Watcher’ has appeared before you. But oh no, a transparent wall blocks the path between you and the watcher. What should you do?]

[Mission: Defeat the Mist Watcher.]

 

Song Hyeon-gyu naturally crossed his arms again.

The habit of thinking for himself about how to clear missions when they appeared had become ingrained in his body.

In front was a transparent glass wall as the message had said. Beyond it, he could see the virtual boss mob called the watcher.

However, in the current situation, there was no proper way to attack that watcher.

Of course, he could break the glass wall, but…

‘That’s probably not what they intended.’

Then there must be another method.

At that moment, a clue flashed through Song Hyeon-gyu’s mind.

—Spatial Penetration Strike.

It was a sentence he had seen earlier in this dagger’s description.

At first he thought it was just text meant to create a deep atmosphere, but could this have been a hint?

Whoosh! Without hesitation, he swung the dagger through the air.

Then he felt mana drain from his body, and soon a long wound was carved into the watcher’s chest.

Keeeeeeek!

With a realistic scream, the creature collapsed with a thud.

“Wow, insane.”

Is this even possible? Song Hyeon-gyu was shocked.

Though he wasn’t yet deeply versed in Magical Engineering, he knew clearly from learning while following his Older Sister.

That the strike just now was truly an absurd technique.

 

[Success!]

[Mission Complete. You have received the Pale Artist’s recognition.]

[You gain 500 points!]

[Escape from the Labyrinth and receive a reward suitable for the Pale Artist.]

 

As he stood there dazed for a moment, a message appeared before his eyes.

Song Hyeon-gyu clicked his tongue in regret, feeling deep lingering emotions as he exited the Labyrinth… no, wait.

He exited the Secret Room.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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