00458 Choice: The Great Hero or the Magna Carta? ------------------------------------------------------------------------

“No way! I swear I won’t use it! The Sword of Oath? Don’t make me laugh! I’m never using it! No, no. Just wait and see. When the miracle returns, I’ll reset everything to the beginning, so just you wait!”

“Calm down, Ansol. You’re supposed to be the savior, after all. This behavior is…”

“Savior, my foot! Let go of me, will you? Why is everyone so eager to grab my arm today? Huh?”

“Uh, oh dear.”

Ansol’s resistance was fierce. Her words and actions were so intense that even the usually unflappable Heo Jun-young had to take a few steps back.

Finally shaking off the hands that held her, Ansol began to frantically search her waist, her breath coming in angry huffs.

Watching Ansol burn with rage, I tilted my head in confusion. I was the one who was flustered, so why was she the one getting so angry?

But the moment I heard her next words, a chill ran down my spine.

“It’s my brother’s kiss! And not just any kiss, his first kiss! Do you think I raised my luck for nothing? Huh?! I had hundreds of plans to steal it first!”

What? First kiss? Hundreds of plans?

Hearing that, I immediately recalled an annual event.

One day a year. A day when Ansol and I would clash frequently, almost excessively.

The situations that arose were so perfectly timed that I never said anything about it… but now I wondered if it had all been part of a plan. Considering Ansol’s luck stats, it made sense.

Yet, caught in her extreme anger, Ansol seemed unaware of what she was saying. She pulled out the Sword of Oath, which she had vowed to cherish, and began to hit me with her tiny hands.

Thump, thump, thump!

“Bad! Bad!”

Despite her teary eyes and trembling voice, it seemed she was genuinely upset.

Instinctively, I glanced at those who had shared several kisses with me.

Da-eun and Hannah. The two women exchanged guilty looks with Ansol before turning away and whistling innocently. Hanbyul shot them a suspicious glare.

The situation changed rapidly. The noise around us was giving me a headache, so I pulled out a cigarette to clear my thoughts.

Just then, as I was about to light it, Shin Jae-ryong approached with a wry smile.

“Ansol is truly Ansol, isn’t she? I was really worried when she first joined the fortress, but now I think we don’t need to worry anymore.”

“Indeed. But why the bitter face?”

“Your face isn’t much different, Clan Lord. Hahaha.”

”…Perhaps it’s a sign we’re thinking the same thing.”

Yes, that’s just like Ansol.

The taste in my mouth was bitter, and I quickly exhaled the smoke. When I offered a cigarette to Shin Jae-ryong with a glance, he calmly shook his head.

“I’m fine. Oh, Clan Lord, congratulations. We’ve rescued the clients and conquered the dragon’s lair. The Northern Continent will be in for a surprise when we return.”

I nodded. Personally, I thought it was a bit premature, but the clan members, unaware of the full situation, probably believed it was nearly over.

“Hmm. How are the rescued users? They don’t seem to be waking up.”

“They’ve been unconscious for a long time. We’ll have to wait and see, but their physical condition is stable. Just in case, I’ve collected some of the unknown substance. If they don’t wake up, we plan to study it to create a cure.”

“Thorough as always. Well done.”

“It’s what needs to be done. Haha…”

Watching Shin Jae-ryong’s awkward smile, I let out a thin sigh. Why can’t that one do what’s necessary?

I wanted to ask seriously but managed to swallow the words.

After clearing his throat a couple of times, Shin Jae-ryong spoke in a calm voice.

“By the way… Clan Lord, what do you plan to do next?”

At his question, I carefully examined the ochre walls surrounding the open space. Simultaneously, I recalled the man’s words.

‘Once you finish your business on the first basement floor, there’s a path to the second basement floor.’

He hadn’t specified where exactly. This implied there was likely a passage to the second basement floor in this location.

As I surveyed the surroundings, I began to organize my thoughts.

The second basement floor is where the dragon was sealed. The dragon emerged from the second basement floor. Therefore, the place should be further below the hole we entered through.

With that thought, I looked upward.

The spot where we stood just before descending by levitation. Looking down from there, I could see it clearly. I flicked away the half-smoked cigarette.

“Clan Lord?”

“User Shin Jae-ryong, gather the clan members.”

After responding lightly to his puzzled question, I moved without hesitation.

As I approached the wall, it became more apparent than it had from a distance. Pressing my hand against it and rubbing, I felt it.

The wall had a slightly protruding rectangular shape. It seemed to have been designed as a sliding door, but time had solidified it.

I forced my fingers into the narrow gap I found. The gap was so tight that even my fingertips barely fit, but I managed to get a grip. Applying force, I pushed sideways, and a cracking sound echoed.

It was sturdier than expected. Well, after thousands of years, it wouldn’t be easy to open with mere strength.

With that in mind, I channeled magic into my right arm. With enhanced strength, I pushed the door with all my might.

Crack! Crack!

Screeeeech!

The wall began to split along the frame, and with a loud noise, it started to move to the right. As I pushed the door completely open, a dark space and a descending staircase were revealed.

The commotion in the open space had subsided. Behind me, I could hear the varied breathing of the clan members, indicating that Shin Jae-ryong had followed my instructions.

I was momentarily concerned about the rescued users, but since they were all asleep, I figured we could quickly return. I spoke quietly.

“It seems there’s another area left. We’ll leave the rescued users here for now and proceed inside.”

With that, I took the first step forward.

The path to the second basement floor was deeper than expected. Even after about 30 minutes since we first stepped onto the stairs, we were still descending.

Of course, we were moving slowly to prepare for any traps or unforeseen situations.

But perhaps it was finally coming to an end. At some point, the floating light orb ahead seemed to hit an obstacle and stopped moving forward.

I paused for a moment. Enhancing my vision, I focused on where the light was shining, and saw a pitch-black color.

As I moved closer to inspect, I found a large iron door covered in heavily rusted geometric patterns. I checked for any trap magic with my third eye, but found nothing unusual.

I quietly raised my hand, curling four fingers forward, signaling everyone to prepare for any situation as I opened the door.

Fortunately, the iron door had a round handle. Counting silently, I grabbed the rusty handle. On the count of three, I stepped back and pulled the door open in one swift motion.

Creak! Creak!

There was some resistance, but eventually, with a heavy metallic sound, the door creaked open.

And with that, the interior of the second basement floor, the place where the Magna Carta was sealed, was revealed.

The inside was surprisingly well-lit. Looking up, I saw a massive hole and the blue sky beyond. As expected, this was where the Magna Carta had broken through.

Lowering my gaze, I saw an interior almost as large as the open space above. The Magna Carta had caused quite a ruckus, and though the ceiling was completely destroyed, the surrounding walls were made of gray bricks, giving the impression of a grand hall.

And the magic circle on the floor was enormous.

Seven circles overlapped like Olympic rings, filling the entire hall. Countless symbols were engraved within, though I didn’t recognize any of them.

Da-eun scanned the interior with narrowed eyes and spoke in a cool voice.

“It feels like… a summoning chamber.”

She was right. The seven stone pillars spread across the hall, and the grand magic circle centered around them were different, but the high altar in the center resembled a pedestal for an angel.

Another intriguing detail was the two orbs, one emitting a black light and the other a white light, floating silently above the altar.

I watched the hall for a moment before slowly making my way toward the altar.

“Kim Soo-hyun. Be careful.”

“Don’t worry, just stay on standby.”

I instructed Heo Jun-young to wait, despite his warning.

One of the reasons I hold a solid position in the Mercenary Clan is because I always step up when dangerous situations arise.

In reality, I verify everything with a third eye before making a move, but to the uninformed clan members, it might seem different.

When I finally reached my intended destination, I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion. The chill that emanated as I approached was one thing, but the altar was so tall it nearly reached my chest.

Or was it not an altar?

Upon closer inspection, I noticed a long line etched into the surface, as if sliced with a sharp blade. It looked like a lid, suggesting something might be inside if I were to open it.

That wasn’t all. The top of the altar was peculiar too.

There were small indentations where two spheres hovered, and seven small beads were neatly arranged on the central surface. The beads, about the size of a fist, emitted a faint green glow, exuding an ominous energy.

Touching them carelessly would likely lead to trouble.

Lastly, there were two concave sections on the lower central surface. They resembled human hands, each pointing in different directions, like fan shapes. The directions they pointed to were precisely where the black and white spheres hovered.

I quietly observed the hand-shaped impressions on the altar.

Then, calmly, I placed my hands into the impressions, aligning them to fit. I waited for a reaction.

’…’

But nothing happened as I had anticipated.

I paused to think, then gathered my magical energy. I channeled it through my body and into my arms, projecting it into the wall.

After about ten seconds of steadily channeling my energy, a change finally began.

Vroooom!

Whoooosh!

Suddenly, my palms felt as if they were on fire, and a bright light burst from the impressions, flooding my vision with white.

Instinctively, I tried to pull my hands away, but I quickly reconsidered and calmly closed my eyes.

A moment later, as the light that had been pressing against my eyelids began to fade, I cautiously opened my eyes.

And in that instant, I saw it.

The world before my eyes had completely transformed.

---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=

Lately, I find it hard to meet the midnight deadline. I started a bit late today due to some errands, but it’s still a bit disappointing. Haha.

Oh, there’s a fan art of Go Yeon-ju by BrokenFan in my yard that keeps catching my eye. It perfectly captures not only the Go Yeon-ju I imagined but also my ideal type of woman. Truth is, I have a thing for older women. (__ )*

As for the reward… I think it will be quite unique compared to what I’ve offered so far. Hahaha. :D

PS. To everyone who has given recommendations, comments, and coupons, I am always sincerely grateful. Thank you. (__)