You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 161

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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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161

 

Jun Hao was a lucky man.

 

Perhaps even more so than Noh Hyun-seong who reached S-rank with Gungnir…

 

An ordinary young man born in Anhui Province, China, who envied Awakened Ones as he watched them,

 

came to join China’s Largest Sect through a connection that began like coincidence.

 

A national-level sect that would turn Ordinary People into Martial Artists even without Awakening.

 

There, Jun Hao achieved results far faster than others.

 

He had talent, but more importantly, good compatibility.

 

He became an inner sect Disciple immediately, without going through the outer sect.

 

It was the first time an Ordinary Person who wasn’t a Hunter became an inner sect Disciple.

 

Jun Hao, who had always harbored longing for Martial Arts, was overwhelmed just by entering the martial world, but what truly made his heart race was something else.

 

The fact that he could occasionally encounter S-rank Hunters who could be called his Senior Brothers in the inner sect, and that he could learn Martial Arts from the sect master.

 

Would this be the feeling of a Child receiving teachings from the hero they admired in childhood?

 

With that joy added, Jun Hao’s Martial Arts improved day by day.

 

As if acknowledging his dedication, he was even provided with elixirs for Internal Energy, making Jun Hao’s days feel like a dream.

 

Around that time, an order came down from the sect master.

 

To retrieve a Divine Artifact located in Korea.

 

Though it might have been burdensome to travel to a distant foreign country, Jun Hao felt the opposite.

 

The eastern nation.

 

The tomb of the Divine Being.

 

Goryeo.

 

It was quite a distance for his first foreign journey,

 

but for him who admired martial arts novels, recovering a master’s legacy was quite an enjoyable adventure.

 

Jun Hao, who had the highest seniority, infiltrated Korea disguised as a porcelain smuggler.

 

He maintained perfect Disguise by excavating Goryeo celadon while waiting for his Junior Brothers to enter.

 

And when all his Team Members had gathered,

 

they held a simple welcome ceremony with convenience store snacks before heading straight to Amtae Island.

 

Jun Hao felt regret at the fact that the path leading to the Dungeon Entrance wasn’t even managed.

 

‘It seems they’ve developed safety insensitivity from the peaceful times continuing.’

 

No matter how much it was a Dungeon where monsters didn’t appear, leaving it neglected like this was complacent thinking.

 

At least if they had conducted proper investigation, things would have been different.

 

If they had done even a bit of historical research, they would have approached the fact that it was the tomb of a Goryeo Divine Being.

 

‘Perhaps it’s better that the legacy falls into our hands.’

 

It would be better than continuing to be forgotten and neglected.

 

The Dungeon almost matched the information.

 

A trial proving minimal qualifications, like a fitness test.

 

Jun Hao stepped forward first, befitting his position as Senior Brother.

 

He placed the empty bar of the Smith machine on his shoulders.

 

At first, he had room to spare.

 

200 reps, 400 reps, 500 reps…

 

“Senior Brother, are you alright?”

 

“This much is easy. Don’t worry.”

 

Around 600 reps, his breathing became labored.

 

After surpassing 800 reps, his thighs began trembling, and now he had reached the stage of supporting the bar with mental strength beyond physical.

 

Would it be easier if he just collapsed?

 

But he didn’t give up.

 

Though he didn’t look back, he could hear the rough breathing of his Junior Brothers behind him.

 

Since his Younger Sisters were also working hard, he as the eldest couldn’t give up.

 

If he collapsed, his Younger Sisters would collapse together.

 

‘I can’t fail the sect master’s first mission before it even begins.’

 

Jun Hao somehow pushed the bar up.

 

But it wasn’t something possible just by willing it.

 

At the point where he could see the summit beyond 900 reps, Jun Hao’s legs suddenly began to give out.

 

It was the moment he was about to collapse right there.

 

The staff had become lighter.

 

‘Why…?’

 

It wasn’t his imagination.

 

It wasn’t the same weight as before.

 

Jun Hao gritted his teeth.

 

As expected…

 

The Divine Being’s trial was about overcoming oneself.

 

He thought to himself.

 

‘I’ve overcome the trial and grown once again.’

 

Despite it being a difficult trial, a smile formed on Jun Hao’s lips.

 

‘As expected of Senior Brother… he even enjoys such trials.’

 

‘I need to work harder too.’

 

Whether it was intentional or not, fire lit up in his brothers’ eyes as well.

 

Of course, Han Sang-in, who had been holding up the staff, was momentarily flustered by the Smuggler Quintuplets suddenly showing motivation.

 

Anyway, since they finished the trial faster, it was a win-win situation for everyone, wasn’t it?

 

With the qualification proof complete, the door to the Burial Mound opened.

 

***

 

“Don’t try to defeat them!”

 

Jun Hao shouted as he deflected a Training Dummy’s sword.

 

“Trust your brothers! We just need to look ahead and break through their formation to escape!”

 

His Junior Brothers nodded at his cry.

 

Swords flew from all directions, but none of them strayed from their assigned position.

 

Why? Because Jun Hao told them to trust each other.

 

And just as he said, they were barely able to pass through the Forest of Scarecrows.

 

“Phew…”

 

Jun Hao exhaled deeply and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

 

Though he appeared calm on the outside, there had actually been several crises.

 

Since he was at the front and had to break through the swords first,

 

he bore the heaviest burden of attacks.

 

However, whenever a fatal attack was about to land, the Training Dummies would look up at the Sky for some reason, giving him openings to exploit.

 

Jun Hao swept his gaze over his brothers who were reorganizing.

 

Though they looked disheveled, their eyes held an emotion that hadn’t been there before.

 

Trust.

 

‘So this is why they send brothers on outings together.’

 

Just by overcoming difficulties together, the camaraderie between the brothers had grown stronger.

 

And the next trial was the Labyrinth.

 

Jun Hao pulled out the old Map that the Sect Leader had prepared for him.

 

And once again, taking the lead, he was the first to enter the Labyrinth.

 

However, the Map and terrain were subtly different.

 

Only after circling the same places several times could he discover the text in the Corner of the Map.

 

– The Labyrinth’s terrain changes periodically.

 

– If the terrain doesn’t match the Map, go to the marked location and put your hand into the Wall.

 

– If you pull the Lever inside the Wall, it will change to the terrain shown on the current Map.

 

After confirming that text, Jun Hao turned back toward where he had come from.

 

But as Jun Hao turned around, something strange caught his eye.

 

The direction of the grass and traces on the Wall.

 

Though very subtle, he felt an unsettling sense that something had changed.

 

‘…Is someone following us?’

 

Jun Hao immediately sent a Sound Transmission.

 

– We’re being tailed.

 

At the sudden Sound Transmission, his brothers hesitated for a moment.

 

But they quickly hid their expressions.

 

– I’ll open the path, so follow right behind me.

 

With those words, Jun Hao executed his Movement Technique.

 

He quickly moved to the location marked on the map.

 

– Stay behind me.

 

After sending the Sound Transmission, Jun Hao thrust his hand into the grass wall.

 

Past the tree branches, he felt an artificial object.

 

The moment he confirmed the Junior Brothers had entered—

 

Jun Hao pulled the lever’s handle.

 

Thud—!

 

Walls rose up in front and behind.

 

‘I’ve shaken them off.’

 

Jun Hao shouted triumphantly toward the risen wall.

 

“Did you think we wouldn’t notice we were being followed?”

 

But when no answer came, Jun Hao was momentarily flustered.

 

‘Could I have been mistaken?’

 

But he quickly composed his expression and spoke mockingly.

 

“Let’s see how quickly you can escape the labyrinth without a map.”

 

With those words, he stepped toward the newly opened path.

 

Of course, he didn’t know.

 

The fact that the direction he had shouted toward wasn’t where his pursuer had been.

 

***

 

The moment they exited the labyrinth, blinding light burst forth.

 

Through his squinted eyes, a man with a sturdy build was walking toward them.

 

‘Divine Being…?’

 

This blinding light appeared to be his divine aura.

 

Jun Hao quickly dropped to one knee.

 

‘Now I can see the end of the mission.’

 

In Jun Hao’s downcast gaze, he could see the Divine Being’s feet.

 

“We have passed all the trials you set. Since we were the first to prove our qualifications, please grant us the appropriate reward.”

 

After a moment, a deep voice filled the space.

 

“Raise your head.”

 

Jun Hao slowly lifted his head.

 

Though he squinted due to the divine aura, once the confirmation was complete, he would be able to obtain the Divine Being’s relic.

 

The Divine Being examined Jun Hao’s face from various angles, then raised the corners of his mouth.

 

‘Why is he smiling like that?’

 

The Divine Being’s smile visible through his squinted eyes felt somehow eerie.

 

It was clearly a smile, but somehow it was a rotten smile.

 

“You…”

 

And then the Divine Being’s deep voice continued.

 

“You’re a barbarian, aren’t you?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

It was a word that shouldn’t have been heard.

 

But before Jun Hao could even process an answer,

 

the Divine Being’s death punch—no, powerful straight punch—struck Jun Hao’s face hard.

 

Thwack!

 

“What is this…?”

 

Jun Hao couldn’t even finish his words before he collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

 

***

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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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