You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 119
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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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119
[Stage 2 has been cleared for the first time.]
An announcement echoed throughout the entire dungeon.
“Finally… I succeeded.”
I slowly walked out of the explosive dust.
I don’t know how many times I failed.
What kind of gunpowder is so picky about container types…
And my case was even worse.
Was it because I came up from Stage 1 with multiple correct answers?
I had to find containers that matched 5 different types of gunpowder.
The fortunate thing was that I could test multiple performances at once.
This was only possible because I could survive chain explosions,
but it would be an unthinkable method for ordinary tourists.
By the time my whole body was stained with acrid gunpowder, I was able to succeed at Stage 2.
As I walked out, the constable cleared the way for me.
As if that door was the entrance to Stage 3.
When I opened the door and entered, my vision flashed brightly and the space changed.
The place I arrived at was on top of Highland Hill.
Along the ridge, Singijon waiting to be loaded were lined up in rows,
and behind them, an enormous number of parts were prepared.
“…”
I had somewhat expected that Stage 3 would also involve repetitive labor.
I found gunpowder in Stage 1, and made gunpowder containers in Stage 2.
Now all that was left was to assemble the parts and test fire them.
However, if there was one thing I had overlooked…
“I didn’t know you liked the aesthetics of repetition this much.”
I let out a hollow laugh at the number floating before my eyes.
[Singijon Projectile Assembly (0/100,000)]
“One hundred thousand rounds…”
But there was something the Great King had overlooked.
I was already someone who was sick and tired of, yet accustomed to grinding.
I settled into position and reached for the gunpowder container.
***
“Tsk…”
I clicked my tongue but didn’t stop my hands from assembling the projectiles.
Behind me, projectiles were already piled up high.
Making them wasn’t as difficult as I thought.
However, the problem was—
If they weren’t even slightly uniform, they wouldn’t count.
‘I’m starting to get confused whether I entered a Training Manual or a dungeon.’
Does Golden Fragrance have industry standards too?
The Training Manual caught even the slightest differences in muscles,
and here it was catching even the angles of the gunpowder containers.
Here, they were even capturing the angle of the powder keg.
Contrary to my complaints, my body was more diligently assembling projectiles than anyone else.
Contrary to my complaints, my body was more diligently assembling the projectile than anyone else’s.
Before I knew it, Fire Eyes had opened in my eyes.
Before I knew it, a flower garden had opened in my eyes.
Come to think of it, when had I ever given up because something was difficult?
Come to think of it, when have I ever given up just because things got tough.
Even though I complained and grumbled, I had never quit without even trying.
Wasn’t it this persistence of hammering away until success that brought me this far?
Before obtaining Golden Incense, and even after obtaining Golden Incense…
‘Still, after about 50,000 times, my body moves on its own.’
My body, trained through repetition, became like a machine part and began automatically finding the flow.
My hands moved between gunpowder and metal tubes, moving more mechanically than a machine.
[Singijon Projectile Assembly (65,536/100,000)]
[Singijon Projectile Assembly (68,635/100,000)]
Once I could check uniformity with just my fingertips, the numbers began rising faster.
[Singijon Projectile Assembly (76,635/100,000)]
[Singijon Projectile Assembly (81,890/100,000)]
[Singijon Projectile Assembly (98,304/100,000)]
And—
The last one was placed in position.
[Singijon Projectile Assembly (100,000/100,000)]
A voice echoed throughout the dungeon once again.
[Stage 3 has been cleared for the first time.]
There was no movement to the next stage.
Instead, the Constable who had been guarding my side simply pointed toward the horizon.
[Prepare for the final trial.]
At the far end, dust clouds were rising as if something was approaching.
“Right, it would be anticlimactic to end without even firing after all that hard work.”
Wasn’t all that suffering for this final shot?
Before I knew it, a fuse was in my hand.
And watching the targets rushing forward, unaware of their fate, I smiled at the future that was about to unfold.
I lit the fuse with Karmic Fire.
The moment the fuse, burning rapidly with a sizzling sound, reached the detonation device,
Kuguuguung―!
One hundred thousand Divine Machine Arrows fired simultaneously.
“… What a spectacle.”
Streams of flame cutting through the sky, thunderous roars like lightning.
It looked like watching one hundred thousand meteors ascending against the sky in reverse.
It was the moment when the Divine Machine Arrows that had risen so high came crashing back down to the surface.
“…”
The phrase “heaven and earth shaking” must have been meant to describe this very scene.
As if an earthquake had struck, the ground trembled, and the air-rending sound like tearing drums filled the sky.
I stared at it blankly for a while.
They say explosions are art.
The scene unfolding before my eyes right now is exactly that art.
Along with that came a question.
‘If they had Divine Machine Arrows, why couldn’t Joseon unify the world?’
At that moment, a message once again echoed throughout the entire dungeon.
[Congratulations.]
[The 4th stage has been cleared for the first time.]
[Armored Hwacha Manufacturing Manual will be provided.]
Two books appeared before my eyes.
This seemed to be the manufacturing method for the Improved Divine Machine Arrow.
It’s already powerful now, but how much stronger would its firepower be in a modified state?
A Universal Cart equipped with these Singijon on both sides…
I was already getting excited.
After expressing my gratitude toward where the sun was rising, I was about to leave the dungeon.
[First Clear Reward will be granted.]
“First Clear Reward…?”
With a thud, something covered in cloth fell in front of me.
“…What is this now.”
When I carefully pulled away the cloth, what appeared was a massive mechanical device.
It had a cold silver luster and was equipment with a Metal Plate Mold for stamping out something.
Though it seemed like an unexpected reward, anyone who had passed all the dungeon’s trials could recognize what it was.
It was Automatic Production Equipment for Singijon Projectiles.
“I made a hundred thousand for nothing.”
My words scattered into the air over the desolate land.
Instead of an answer, another message came.
[You have cleared the dungeon.]
***
[Namgo Fortress Dungeon First Clear? The conqueror is a Hunter?]
[First success in ten years… Let’s investigate their identity.]
[Jeonju City, dungeon cleared but no problems with usage… Quick statement]
While news headlines were pouring out, a text from the Association President arrived.
– Was it you?
He’s quick to catch on.
Even with the Recognition Interference Spell cast, how did they find out…
I casually ignored the Association President’s message and threw myself onto the sofa.
The extreme modification of the Universal Cart was already complete.
Perhaps curious about it, Hae-in came and helped with the installation even though I didn’t call him.
The exterior didn’t change much, but one button was added to the driver’s seat.
And when that button is pressed, the trunk at the front of the Universal Cart splits open with a ‘click’ sound.
Hydraulics push to both sides as the metal frame unfolds,
and from within, two Armored Divine Machine Arrows slowly emerge.
I even gave it a name: Siege Mode.
Hae-in shook his head when he saw it, but what can you do.
The Divine Machine Arrows aren’t a constant feature but an emergency function used when pioneering paths or when firepower is needed.
There was no need to reveal our firepower unnecessarily.
At my answer, Hae-in shook his head, saying I missed the point.
And the automatic production machine installed in one corner of the garage was running smoothly.
At regular intervals, it spat out projectiles with a rhythmic ‘hiss-thunk’ sound.
Steel plates are pressed and shaped, then gunpowder is injected.
The finished projectiles are neatly stacked in boxes and moved to one side of the garage.
I wondered why there were two books, but one turned out to be a user manual.
Beyond convenience and design, the most important thing was the actual user reviews from Guild Members.
No matter how powerful a weapon is, if the users don’t rate it well, then it’s a failure.
Naturally, the feedback coming in was overwhelmingly positive.
We used the Divine Machine Arrows to carve through mountains to open supply routes, and emergency supply time was cut in half.
Even when there are monster colonies along the way, we can now go straight through.
And so on.
It was worth the two days of staying up all night working hard.
‘Should I just rest my eyes for a bit?’
I closed my eyes, thinking to take a brief rest.
Just as my eyelids were half-closed, I heard whispering conversation from one corner of the office.
“Rui, try drawing it a bit straighter. It’s all crooked there.”
“Magic circuits need to be handled very precisely.”
“…”
I sighed and got up from my seat.
“What are you two doing here?”
I looked at Yoon Yi-seo and Rui who were drawing a magic circle in the office.
Well, well? I thought they were just fooling around, but there was a broken crystal orb placed on top of the magic circle.
“Uncle, you’re awake? It’s nothing much, I just asked Rui to help me draw some circuits.”
I know, anyone can see that’s what it looks like.
For Yoon Yi-seo, this is studying and work.
But why are you doing it in my office?
“Why are you doing it here though?”
When I even prepared a personal practice room for you…
“The underground training ground is crowded with people because they’re updating the training manual. And restoring crystal orbs requires large-scale magic circuits too.”
Ah, was the update day today?
I vaguely remember receiving a message from Blurred Arrow saying they would be updating.
There was also the Purple Finger incident, so they said they would strengthen security with this opportunity.
“Still, just a little…”
Suddenly, something I had been missing in my conversation with Yoon Yi-seo came to mind.
‘Wait, she’s going to restore the crystal orb?’
“Do you know what that is?”
“Huh? This is in the grimoire you gave me, Uncle.”
Instead, Yoon Yi-seo looked at me as if wondering why the person who gave her the grimoire didn’t know.
It seemed like the investigation that had briefly stalled was about to pick up speed again.
‘Looks like I’m done sleeping for today.’
***
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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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