Tearing the Gate Apart - Chapter 59

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 59.
The next day.
Jung Tae Won arrived with the artifact inventory list in hand.
Thanks to that, Ha Gyeong could browse at leisure.
“You must have worked hard investigating all this?”
“Not at all. For the Association’s holdings, the exchange listings, and Public Auction items, I simply pulled the lists. I just sent a formal request to each guild.”
Sure enough, the three categories he’d mentioned earlier had yielded little of value.
Everything was either top-tier or just manufacturing equipment.
Artifacts weren’t actively traded commodities in the first place.
Especially not long swords, which had many interested buyers.
Still, there was something worth salvaging.
From the final list.
Among what the guilds had sent, there was a weapon Ha Gyeong could actually use.
“But of all people, it’s something the Raiders Guild has?”
“So I was torn about it, but I thought it best to let you decide, so I included it anyway.”
“If I ask for this, what do you think Master Choi Hyun Gi will say?”
“Well……”
Jung Tae Won hesitated to speak right away.
Ha Gyeong made a quick reassuring gesture.
“It’s just speculation anyway. Speak freely.”
“Would it be alright if I did a direct impression?”
“Go ahead, whatever’s comfortable.”
“Ahem! ‘That rotten bastard’s asking for an artifact? Securing a seat and now his arrogance pierces the heavens. If he’s got time for nonsense, he should install some sense in that thick skull of his.’ Something like that, maybe?”
……
Ha Gyeong found himself momentarily speechless.
Calm on the surface, yet clearly a screw or two loose.
This man didn’t seem entirely normal either.
Of course, Ha Gyeong had no choice but to agree.
“It’s like he’s shouting directly in my ear. Very realistic, and quite good actually.”
“Thank you. That was my first vocal impression, and it seems it succeeded.”
Jung Tae Won’s face showed satisfaction.
Ha Gyeong shook his head slowly.
‘He’s as out there as Kang Woo Jin.’
In any case, the Incomprehensible Grade artifact the Raiders Guild had.
The Blizzard Sword seemed difficult to obtain.
Unless the Association requested it, they’d put it up for an internal auction.
Still, just in case, Ha Gyeong issued an instruction.
“Let’s give it a shot anyway.”
“Then I’ll send a formal request. If they ask who’s going to use it, what should I say?”
“They might try to find fault with us later. Just answer honestly.”
“Understood.”
“We’ll leave that for now. The second choice… this would be better.”
What Ha Gyeong selected was the Crimson Edge.
The fourth major guild, with whom there had been almost no contact.
It was an artifact owned by Sharp Force.
A guild composed primarily of Ranged Dealers.
Their personnel composition was even more extreme than Raiders.
All other positions were filled exclusively with Guest Members.
That’s why they held Public Auctions fairly often.
At Ha Gyeong’s request, Jung Tae Won immediately picked up his phone.
“I’ll ask if they’re willing to transfer it to the Association.”
“Tell them I’ll add a premium. They’ll be happier if we buy it for more than market rate.”
“An excellent choice, Councilor.”
After some time passed.
Jung Tae Won hung up the phone.
Then he relayed the contents of the call.
“Sharp Force has agreed.”
“Oh, really? How much are they thinking?”
“The Crimson Edge is a weapon specialized in Defense Shatter. Since it’s in machete form, demand is quite high. They’re asking about seventy billion.”
“That’s not bad.”
“However, there’s another reason they quoted that price.”
“What is it?”
“The guild master of Sharp Force would like to meet you. He suggested doing the transaction in person.”
When Ha Gyeong simply stared, Jung Tae Won shook his head.
Why he did so.
He apparently hadn’t explained his reasons.
Ha Gyeong silently nodded in agreement.
“Nothing too serious, I imagine? Let’s go and come back. What of it.”
“Then I’ll set up an appointment.”
“Yes.”
Jung Tae Won made another call,
and soon informed Ha Gyeong of the revised schedule.
Before long, Ha Gyeong made his way to the meeting place, wreathed in questions.
* * *
“Hey, bro. You’re telling me this is really the meeting spot?”
“That’s what they said.”
“Ha! You gotta know when to dial back the concept. What’s the guild master, some mob boss?”
Kang Woo Jin let out a bewildered laugh.
In truth, Ha Gyeong shared the sentiment.
The meeting place Jung Tae Won had indicated.
It was an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
As Ha Gyeong stepped inside, men with sharp, keen eyes stood waiting.
“The Master is waiting. Please come this way.”
The atmosphere was ominous, but they committed no rudeness.
It was impossible they wouldn’t recognize Ha Gyeong’s face.
Eventually, he was guided to the front of a burning drum barrel in a secluded corner.
But the person waiting was unexpected.
A middle-aged man with a sinister expression.
The master of the Raiders Guild.
Violet Magnum, Choi Hyun Gi.
He also seemed surprised to see Ha Gyeong.
His face showed clear displeasure.
“Hmph! What is this about?”
He spoke while looking at the man with glasses sitting beside him.
This man was none other than Sharp Force’s master.
Cold Optic, Ryu Jung Hwan.
His sharp eyes swept across Ha Gyeong and Kang Woo Jin from head to toe.
He made no response to Choi Hyun Gi’s question.
Though their ages seemed similar,
it appeared Ryu Jung Hwan held the upper hand.
Ha Gyeong met the man’s gaze impassively.
Soon, Ryu Jung Hwan offered him a seat.
“Let’s sit and talk for a moment.”
“Of course.”
“I hear you want to purchase an artifact?”
“Yes, my weapon broke during combat.”
“It’s rare for one to break completely. You must have faced quite a strong opponent.”
“I did. But why did you call me here? If we’re trading, wouldn’t it have been better to do it at the Association Headquarters?”
Ryu Jung Hwan gestured with his head toward Choi Hyun Gi.
It was merely a gesture, but Ha Gyeong grasped the general situation.
‘He knows I sent a formal request to Raiders too.’
That much he’d figured out, but he still hadn’t heard the real purpose.
As Ha Gyeong simply watched, Ryu Jung Hwan posed a question.
“Between the Blizzard Sword that Raiders owns and the Crimson Edge we have, which would you like to buy?”
He spoke indirectly, but the crux was clear.
The Blizzard Sword was an Incomprehensible Grade weapon.
The Crimson Edge was an Unknown Grade weapon.
Naturally the former was superior, but there was the obstacle of Choi Hyun Gi.
A complex situation.
This was to see what choice Ha Gyeong would make.
‘What kind of interview question is this.’
He wondered what in the world they were doing.
Still, he had no intention of dodging the answer.
What was there to be afraid of?
Was he going to run away like some coward?
Ha Gyeong stared at Choi Hyun Gi with emotionless eyes and spoke.
“I’ll buy both.”
“What if I won’t sell?”
“You asked what I wanted to buy, so I answered straightforwardly. If you don’t like it, so be it.”
“Hah! What the…? I’ve known from long ago this is what you’re like. I said it before, didn’t I? Working with someone like you gets you stabbed in the back.”
Sensing the moment,
Choi Hyun Gi began spouting harsh words freely.
Then Ryu Jung Hwan slightly raised his left arm to stop him.
“Interesting. You grasped the true nature of the question perfectly. I wasn’t asking about your ability, after all. Thank you for the answer regardless.”
“So will you sell, Master?”
“That’s why we met, so of course. Let’s start the transaction.”
“As I mentioned earlier, I’ll add a premium to the price. Shall we say one hundred billion?”
……
Ha Gyeong’s words had quite an impact.
For a moment, silence fell.
Even Choi Hyun Gi seemed quite shocked.
No matter how well Awakened Ones earned, thirty billion was a considerable sum.
Ryu Jung Hwan also spoke with a slightly surprised expression.
“That’s considerably higher than market value, isn’t it?”
“Seeing as you’re going out of your way to help without a Public Auction, I thought this much was appropriate, didn’t you?”
“Ha ha! We’re grateful if you say so.”
As the transaction proceeded smoothly, Choi Hyun Gi’s eyes changed.
He hadn’t expected Ha Gyeong to buy at such a premium price.
‘What’s this? He wasn’t completely against selling?’
It seemed money was more important to him than grudge.
Or perhaps he simply treated artifacts as artifacts,
and kept emotion separate.
In any case, the conversation seemed to be wrapping up.
But then Ryu Jung Hwan opened his mouth again.
“Actually, the premium isn’t necessary. Let’s trade at seventy billion.”
“Really?”
“In exchange, I have one favor to ask.”
“If it’s not too difficult, I’d be happy to oblige.”
Thirty billion had just been saved.
What couldn’t he agree to?
But Ryu Jung Hwan’s request was quite unexpected.
“We’ve discovered a general-scale Incomprehensible Grade dungeon in the Bottomless Abyss. I’d like to assemble only the best talent. Could you join us?”
“Guest Member offers are always welcome, but…”
“By the way, Raiders will be joining too.”
……
For a moment, Ha Gyeong was at a loss for words.
It had been only a few months since Choi Hyun Gi stabbed him in the back,
and now he was supposed to give him another chance?
Of course, this time Sharp Force was taking the lead.
Still, it felt unsettling.
But Ha Gyeong quickly regained his composure.
‘The ill will is actually stronger on their side. I’ve had my revenge plenty.’
By defeating Kim Tae Kwang, the Great General, he’d turned Raiders into a laughingstock,
and trampled them thoroughly in the Ranking Battle too.
The current score was 3-0.
For this reason, Ha Gyeong was often called the “Bandit Slayer”
because he’d beaten Raiders so many times.
He nodded with a composed expression.
“I don’t mind.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“If they stab me in the back again, I’ll execute them on the spot. So what.”
When Ha Gyeong bluntly threw out those words, Choi Hyun Gi’s face twisted.
His expression looked like he might explode at any moment.
Of course, Ha Gyeong quickly redirected.
“You understand, right? I was joking.”
“Ha ha ha! Of course. If someone’s normal, they wouldn’t backstab anyone, and they wouldn’t retaliate either.”
It was a remark clearly aimed at Choi Hyun Gi.
Subsequently, Ryu Jung Hwan gave detailed information about the team composition.
Fortunately, Raiders Guild was providing only Healers,
while the Ranged Dealers were all coming from Sharp Force.
This meant there was little to worry about.
Ha Gyeong recommended Kang Woo Jin and several other Awakened Ones.
“If schedules allow, these individuals would be good options. They’ve experienced Extreme Grade Medium Dungeons before.”
He was referring to the Proliferation Abyss, which he’d explored with Kang Woo Jin.
Ryu Jung Hwan readily nodded.
“Specialists of that caliber are always welcome. I’ll discuss it among ourselves and contact you separately.”
“Very well. Let’s finalize the transaction.”
Ha Gyeong transferred seventy billion won through the Association’s guarantee system.
Then a Sharp Force member brought out the Crimson Edge.
A weapon with a blade that was bright red, as if stained with blood.
The Crimson Edge’s function was Shatter.
It had the ability to easily break through defense and protective barriers.
This was why it was said to be worth one hundred billion even at that price.
It was a highly effective option for a Melee Dealer.
Ha Gyeong secured the Crimson Edge
and bowed to Ryu Jung Hwan.
“Thank you. I’ll see you on the day of the conquest.”
“Yes, please be careful going in.”
As Ha Gyeong stepped outside the abandoned factory,
suddenly someone followed behind him.
It was Choi Hyun Gi, master of the Raiders Guild.
“Wait, just hold on a moment.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I have something to say, so wait!”
“If you mumble like that, nobody can understand you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. An Awakened One should be able to hear that just fine.”
“That’s right. I actually heard you.”
“Are you serious?”
“So what is it you wanted to say?”
As Choi Hyun Gi bristled, Ha Gyeong moved straight to the main point.
Perhaps because he’d lost the moment to get angry,
his face merely flushed red and purple.
Eventually, Choi Hyun Gi had to start speaking.
“That Blizzard Sword we have. Can you buy it for two hundred fifty billion?”
The Curse Breaker, also Incomprehensible Grade, had been one hundred fifty billion.
Even accounting for high demand due to it being a weapon,
the fair price would be around two hundred billion.
Though it was a five-billion-won premium, the Blizzard Sword was worth it.
It had versatile form and excellent options.
After brief consideration, Ha Gyeong answered coolly.
“I don’t want to.”
……
Gate Ripped Open
Author |
Morae Top
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(주) Samyang C&C
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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