You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 163

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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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163

 

– There’s no time to dawdle. We must finish this before that barbarian fully awakens.

 

I looked up at the sword floating in midair.

 

It was oddly fascinating how urgency could be conveyed from a mere sword.

 

– Hurry―

 

I reached out and grasped the sword.

 

‘Shall I test its performance?’

 

Compared to the Heavenly Demon Sword, it naturally wouldn’t amount to even a drop in the bucket, but seeing how loudly it was shouting, it seemed quite confident.

 

‘First, I should test the Ghostly Energy.’

 

As a test, I channeled Ghostly Energy into it.

 

The blade vibrated subtly.

 

At that sight, the corner of my mouth slightly rose.

 

‘It resonates.’

 

After all, compatibility between a sword—no, a weapon—and its user was quite important.

 

There was a reason why custom-made weapons were used.

 

When I infused Ghostly Energy, the edge became sharper and began emanating a fierce aura.

 

‘Quite a fine sword.’

 

Though it was in the form of a sword, the Divine Being’s surprise was evident.

 

Well, it wasn’t ordinary Ghostly Energy but the aura of a King.

 

The Divine Being, who had been dazed by the pure negative energy, suddenly snapped to attention.

 

– We must attack immediately… is it already too late…

 

‘Aside from being noisy, I like it.’

 

I looked down at the Head Smuggler, who had already fully awakened and was emanating menacing Killing Intent.

 

‘Shall I test if it’s actually true?’

 

I lightly raised the sword and slashed downward.

 

From the sword swung in a semicircle, dark-colored sharp Ghostly Energy flew toward the Head Smuggler.

 

The Head Smuggler swung his claws at the incoming Sword Energy.

 

The Sword Energy simply sliced through his claws.

 

Blood splattered in midair.

 

A long gash was carved across the Head Smuggler’s chest.

 

It wasn’t fatal.

 

But from the unexpected pain, a death-rattle-like groan burst from the Head Smuggler’s mouth.

 

“Kugh…!”

 

Though he had gone berserk, he was still making human sounds.

 

‘The power has been amplified.’

 

It was the result of a lightly thrown probing attack combined with the sword’s enhancement.

 

That was what compatibility with a weapon meant.

 

This time, I channeled Karmic Fire instead of Ghostly Energy.

 

– What is this scorching energy…!

 

The Divine Being let out an agonized scream.

 

“Endure it.”

 

If it couldn’t even endure this much, it should give up the title of Divine Being.

 

Golden flames blazed up along the blade.

 

I had thought it was specialized only for Ghostly Energy, but it had quite good reactivity to other energies as well.

 

I launched Sword Energy at the Head Smuggler once more.

 

Though there was a slight delay, the Head Smuggler flinched in surprise at the follow-up attack.

 

Then, unlike before, he chose evasion rather than blocking.

 

“Do you think dodging will suffice?”

 

I launched Sword Energy once more.

 

This one was faster than the previous one.

 

The Head Smuggler who kicked off the ground and evaded into midair no longer had the option to flee.

 

Therefore, he made his choice quickly.

 

After pouring energy into both hands, he swung rapidly toward the incoming Sword Energy.

 

With a bang, an explosion occurred in midair.

 

‘Is it instinct? Or does he retain some rationality even while going berserk?’

 

I evaluated the Head Smuggler’s instant response.

 

If he were a Hunter who had gone berserk from Gemstone Weapon implantation, he wouldn’t have shown the trace of behavioral patterns the Head Smuggler displayed.

 

He would have only retained his attack instincts, choosing only to attack rather than evade from the beginning.

 

‘A berserker transformation that can maintain rationality…’

 

Though it didn’t seem perfectly controllable yet, it was certain that realization wasn’t far off.

 

‘I’ll need to prepare countermeasures.’

 

This could become quite troublesome in future battles with the Cult.

 

– You… no, what exactly is your identity?

 

The Divine Being’s attitude changed.

 

“Your attitude suddenly changed.”

 

It was different from when he was talking about being allies.

 

– Goblins are energy that can only be wielded by those of Korean bloodline. Moreover, if that’s the energy of a King, even more so…

 

He returned to informal speech, but his attitude was respectful.

 

Though it was clearly the form of a sword, I could guess he was quite surprised.

 

‘It is a famous sword, but… it falls considerably short compared to Galmu.’

 

The Divine Being’s sword belonged to quite good swords.

 

If it went to the Cheongram Trading Company Auction House, it would naturally be S-grade merchandise.

 

It was just that Galmu’s class was different.

 

– Are you perhaps still not satisfied?

 

When I made an indifferent expression, he flared up as if his pride was hurt.

 

At those words, I burst into a chuckle.

 

“Really? Then experience this too.”

 

I raised my sword high.

 

Then I poured in Ghostly Energy without controlling it.

 

Dark-colored Ghostly Energy shot up as if to pierce the sky.

 

It wasn’t ordinary Ghostly Energy.

 

It was the void of my Master Hyeonmu-wol.

 

I brought the sword down toward the Head Smuggler just like that.

 

– Wait, wait a moment—

 

I heard the Divine Being’s urgent voice, but it was already too late.

 

The power of the void that erases existence struck the world directly.

 

***

 

– What exactly is your true identity…?

 

The Divine Being spoke with an incredulous expression.

 

I silently looked at the Dungeon that had been pierced through.

 

The scent of the sea drifted in the wind.

 

It seemed the void’s energy had penetrated all the way outside the Dungeon.

 

– It was the sensation of existence being erased. If it had gone just a little further, I might have been completely annihilated.

 

His expression showed he couldn’t believe he had survived.

 

“That’s why I stopped before you were annihilated.”

 

I spoke as if it was nothing, grabbing the unconscious Head Smuggler by the scruff of his neck.

 

– He didn’t disappear…

 

The Divine Being continued speaking with a hollow tone, looking at the Head Smuggler who still existed despite being swept up in the void.

 

I had no intention of killing the Head Smuggler from the beginning.

 

I still needed to interrogate him about the Ghost Stone Elixir Pills.

 

What I had erased was only the ghostly energy that was going berserk after consuming the innate true energy.

 

I threw the Head Smuggler to the side.

 

Geumja, who had been waiting, caught him.

 

It seemed she had requested reinforcements from Sadangpae.

 

Behind Geumja, Goblins were binding the remaining unconscious smuggler brothers.

 

– So you weren’t just a king in spirit alone…

 

It was a sword that talked more than I expected.

 

– Just who exactly have I ended up serving as master…

 

I could sense him shaking his head.

 

However, there was one thing wrong with his words.

 

“When did I ever say I’d become your master?”

 

– What do you mean…?

 

“Your master is someone else.”

 

I stopped listening to the Divine Being’s words and handed the sword to Geumja.

 

Geumja received the sword with both hands, bowed her head, and disappeared into the shadows.

 

‘When I have a Divine Artifact, there’s no need to use a famous sword.’

 

I stroked Galmu’s handle once and walked toward the exit.

 

***

 

“You want me to use this?”

 

Park Ju-yong, holding the Divine Being—no, Guiseon—asked back with a bewildered expression.

 

“I picked it up on the way. Use it as you see fit.”

 

When I first unleashed Ghostly Energy, I had decided this sword’s owner.

 

‘Nothing suits the martial arts of a sword ghost better than this.’

 

A sword that becomes sharper the more Ghostly Energy it absorbs.

 

It had excellent compatibility with the Broken Bow Severed Love Sword that Park Ju-yong had learned.

 

According to what I investigated on the way here, Guiseon was a sword used by the Divine Being.

 

The reason he knew Bi Hyeong-rang was also due to a connection from over five hundred years ago.

 

Of course, I’m not sure if this should be called a connection.

 

According to Guiseon, he had challenged Bi Hyeong-rang without knowing anything, got beaten nearly to death by a Goblin beside him, and was sealed in the sword.

 

I’d say it was a one-sided connection.

 

After that, Guiseon came into the Divine Being’s hands,

 

and guarded the Divine Being’s tomb until finding a new master.

 

The reason Divine Power could be felt was because the Divine Being was revered, and that worship came to dwell in him.

 

Since I already had the Heavenly Demon Sword, feeding it to Galmu wouldn’t have much meaning.

 

If it were made of some special mineral that would be different, but aside from having a long history imbued with Divine Power, there was nothing particularly outstanding about it.

 

Moreover, the same went for the Divine Power.

 

If I absorbed the mosquito’s worth of Divine Power, Guiseon’s ego would be destroyed.

 

Then it would truly become just a relic fit for museum display.

 

The cost-benefit didn’t match up to turn it into a relic just to absorb that meager Divine Power.

 

– Do you think I’ll obediently become this brat’s sword!

 

Guiseon, freed from my hands, thrashed about wildly.

 

“If it breaks while I’m taming it, will you repair it?”

 

Park Ju-yong, lightly ignoring Guiseon’s words, asked with an innocent expression.

 

“Among my connections is the world’s greatest Blacksmith. Even if you turn it to powder, I can have it rebuilt.”

 

“I see.”

 

Park Ju-yong looked down at Guiseon with the clear eyes of a madman.

 

My judgment was accurate.

 

No one was more suited to be Guiseon’s master than Park Ju-yong…

 

– Even in your hands, I would shine sufficiently— Gack!

 

Guiseon tried to make some evasive maneuver, but couldn’t finish his words before getting slammed into the cliff of Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

 

Because Park Ju-yong had hurled him straight at the cliff.

 

“Taming one’s weapon is also part of skill, so good luck.”

 

After saying that, he walked toward the Investigation Hall.

 

I thought I heard something about “Your Majesty,” but I decided to just let it be at this point.

 

Upon entering the Investigation Hall, what I saw were the bound Smuggler Quintuplets.

 

I had found the owner for the sword issue and captured the prisoners, so now I just needed to resolve my remaining questions.

 

I slowly sat down on the throne.

 

Then I looked down at the Head Smuggler and opened my mouth.

 

“What were you trying to do with the Divine Being’s sword?”

 

***

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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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