Adanta the Archwizard.
Adanta the Great Phantom Thief.
He had spent thirty years living a double life—an esteemed Archwizard in proper society by day, a notorious villain lurking in its shadows at night. Not belonging to any nation or kingdom, he worked as a mercenary, stealing numerous treasures across the continent.
"Oh, this is Alengsia's Iris Maiden!"
"Would you like to take it for yourself?" Kim Ki-Rok proposed to the spirit admiring the painting.
"A-Alengsia's work is worth at least a thousand gold, CEO Kim," the spirit stammered.
"On Earth, it's just a regular painting."
A painting by an artist from a different dimension was once auctioned, but it did not fetch a high price because no one knew who the painter was, and the painting's artistic value was ambiguous at best. The price of an artwork is determined by its history and artistic value, after all.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you very much! I will be happy to provide any information for future Gates that appear, should I happen to recall them," the spirit offered in return.
"That sounds great. Thank you," Kim Ki-Rok responded and went back to treasure hunting.
Although he already knew all the information related to upcoming Gates, there might be some off the beaten path that he wasn't aware of yet.
Suddenly, one of the spirits exclaimed, "Found it! It's for our Ji-Hee!"
Kim Ki-Rok stopped searching and examined the staff that the spirit was pointing to.
[The Black Staff of Marcus (A)]
Description: The staff belonging to Marcus the Spiritualist
Effect 1: Increases Spiritualism Skill by one class
Effect 2: Increases Spirit Contract Skill by one class
Effect 3: Mana consumption reduced by 10%
Although the staff was black, the color gave it a sophisticated touch rather than an ominous one.
"There are still two more."
The spirits cheered as they searched for more fitting treasures, while Kim Ki-Rok stored the staff and resumed his search as well. "Let's see. Where could it be... Ah."
He picked up an ice weapon that suited the fourth sibling, Lee Ji-Ah.
[Orb of the Ice Queen (B)]
Description: A magical orb used by an archwizard who was known as the Ice Queen
Effect 1: Increases ice-related skills and magic by 30%
Effect 2: Reduces mana consumption of ice-related skills and magic by 20%
Adanta had no need for subspace pockets. As an archwizard, such an item was not even considered a treasure when he could simply use spatial magic himself.
As such, there were more treasures here than the party could take back. Although it was possible to store more if they gave up on taking back the body of the Ogre, there weren't that many treasures that were valued higher than the Ogre's remains, as it was a high-level material.
Kim Ki-Rok had originally sought out equipment for Kim Ji-Hee, Lee Ji-Yeon, Kang Woo-Hyuk, and the Five Siblings of Mapogu. He also secured equipment for the other Hunters in his guild, dwarven tools for Kang Woo-Hyuk, and various treasures coveted by the spirits. After securing the massive amount of items, Kim Ki-Rok took out the spirit mana stone, recalled the spirits, summoned Aeple, and left the treasure warehouse.
[You have discovered the treasure trove deep in the Labyrinth of Adanta. The Gate will be destroyed once you exit.]
A message appeared, confirming that the Gate had been cleared.
[You have cleared The Labyrinth of Adanta. Additional rewards will be given.]
[You have destroyed the traps of the labyrinth. Additional rewards will be given.]
[You have vanquished all the monsters in the labyrinth. Additional rewards will be given.]
[You have overcome a severe level difference and defeated the most dangerous monster, Shark Fishfolk (Chimera). Additional rewards will be given.]
[Awakened Kim Ki-Rok has cleared The Labyrinth of Adanta and will receive rewards and additional rewards. Among the five rewards—]
"I want to combine my rewards!" Kim Ki-Rok shouted before the message completed itself.
[Combining clear reward and additional rewards. Awakened Kim Ki-Rok will be given the opportunity to obtain a created skill.]
A skill creation reward.
Kim Ki-Rok read the message that appeared before him and said, "The skill I want is Discernment."
[Please confirm the skill, Discernment.]
Description: The user can appraise in more detail compared to Appraisal
Effect 1: Check Gates for additional reward conditions and additional rewards
Effect 2: Check Awakened for sealed abilities and the conditions to unseal
Effect 3: Check monsters for mana and weaknesses
Kim Ki-Rok clenched his fist.
[Do you want to create the skill, Discernment?]
[Discernment (?) has been created.]
[All Awakened remaining inside the Gate will be forcibly expelled after the Hunter who cleared the dungeon has escaped.]
Two quiet days had passed by in the DG Guild since Kim Ki-Rok had entered the Gate.
"Maybe it's because Guildmaster isn't here."
"You're right. Just seeing Guildmaster makes me smile."
"Our Guildmaster has a really nice personality."
The front desk staff chatted about Kim Ki-Rok.
"And the employee benefits? They're so good."
"Just good? You mean excellent."
"The salary is great too."
"And not having to work?"
Yoo Min, the front desk staff who looked good in her short hair, and Chae Ji-Na, the staff with brown hair down to her waist, both burst into laughter at Yoo Min's words.
"But things are going to pick up very soon. Our guild will grow quickly."
"That's true. The only reason why our guild feels small is that we have fewer members than other guilds."
Seven or eight out of the ten new members who had joined already heard of DG Guild. That was just how well-known they were. Of course, part of their reputation relied on having strong Awakened members, but it was also famous for their good relations with larger guilds.
They had plenty of funds, and the Awakened members were also quite skilled. The front desk staff were gossiping about Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok and the other members, but suddenly felt a gaze coming from somewhere.
They slowly turned their heads to see the owner of the gaze, Kim Ji-Hee, standing behind the front desk, hugging a stuffed rabbit tightly in her arms.
The front desk staff stooped down to match Kim Ji-Hee's eye level. "Ji-Hee, are you going to the convenience store?"
Kim Ji-Hee had gained a lot of weight compared to before. However, since she was still thinner than her peers, the grandparents, or rather spirits, had been in such an uproar.
"Is mister here yet?"
"He said he would be coming today..."
It was 5:00 p.m. Yoo Min and Chae Ji-Na knew that Kim Ji-Hee was visiting the convenience store every hour because of Kim Ki-Rok.
Yoo Min patted her head. "Guildmaster always keeps his promises with us, doesn't he, Ji-Hee?"
"So he will definitely be here before Ji-Hee falls asleep."
Kim Ji-Hee nodded her head.
Somewhere, the lyrics to a soulful rock song could be heard.
"Tired!" another voice chimed in.
Yoo Min, Chae Ji-Na from the front reception, Kim Ji-Hee, the store owner, and Jeong Man-Kook, who had also been busy with "clearing" the convenience store, all turned their heads.
"I haven't slept a wink~♪"
Kim Ki-Rok walked in singing while Aeple chanted along to his verses.
Kim Ji-Hee ran toward him with a bright smile. "Mister!"
"Oh! If it isn't it our Ji-Hee!"
Kim Ki-Rok lifted Kim Ji-Hee high up with a smile.
"What shall we do today," he playfully asked.
"Who shall we bring happiness to?"
Kim Ki-Rok spun around in place singing the theme song of a cartoon, and Kim Ji-Hee laughed and repeated after him [1].
The Five Siblings of Mapogu, Lee Ji-Yeon, Kim Ji-Hee, Kang Woo-Hyuk, and even Jessica all gathered in the Guildmaster's room.
Kim Ki-Rok had requested that all the guild members gather here, aside from the two Elementalists who had not been approved for membership due to citizenship issues. After making sure everyone was present, he took out a treasure from the subspace pocket.
"And this... this is for our Ji-Hee!"
"This is also for our Ji-Hee!"
Kim Ji-Hee was more excited to feel the warmth from sitting on Kim Ki-Rok's lap than receiving all those high-grade equipment. She smiled from ear to ear without even checking the equipment she received.
Kim Ki-Rok pulled out the next treasure. "What do we have here? Next one is for our Ji-Ah!"
"Oh, thank you. Appraisal," she said stiffly.
Lee Ji-Ah felt awkward receiving the item in such a playful atmosphere and instead focused on appraising the Orb of the Ice Queen.
"Uh, G-Guildmaster? I, I don't have money to buy this."
"That's what our installment plan is for!" Kim Ki-Rok replied, still in song.
Puzzled by the overly simple solution, Lee Ji-Ah stared at the item and fell into contemplation.
"Next up is Mr. Dong-Wook."
Unlike Lee Ji-Ah, Nam Dong-Wook accepted the item and immediately bowed his head. "Thank you! Guildmaster! Appraisal!"
[Blue Oak Longbow (B)]
Description: A longbow used by an elf warrior from the Blue Oak Village
Effect 1: Increases attack speed by 20%
Effect 2: Strength +3
Effect 3: Increases movement speed by 10%
Although the bow didn't have any skills attached, the item had additional stats and increased the user's attack speed. After unintentionally swearing, he reread the item description in a daze, much like Lee Ji-Ah had.
"Next up... is Ms. Seh-Eun."
Yoo Seh-Eun got a B-Class Longsword with additional effects for her stats and support magic.
Jeong Man-Kook received a B-Class hammer with three additional stat effects.
Kang Seh-Hyuk was given a giant shield that increased Vitality and Strength stats, along with a 10% damage reduction effect.
Lee Ji-Yeon received a flame magic bracelet with two effects, which was slightly inferior to the Orb of the Ice Queen.
Kang Woo-Hyuk got a dwarven tool to assist in equipment crafting.
Finally, it was Jessica's turn.
"Unlike Ji-Yeon, Sica is a pure Elementalist. So, the fire-based equipment you get is slightly inferior to what Yoo Seh-Eun uses," Kim Ki-Rok explained.
"Y-you have something for me as well?" Jessica stammered.
"You can purchase it on installment."
"Oh, no, it's not about the money..."
A or B-Class magic equipment were things one couldn't buy even with money. Jessica looked at Kim Ki-Rok with a confused look, but Kim Ki-Rok's smile didn't fade.
In the end, Jessica just accepted the weapon. "Th-thank you," she blurted.
"All you need to do is put your efforts into working for the Guild. Oh, the price is the average price of magic equipment sold at the auction house, though there will be a 10% discount for guild members, of course. It can be paid in installments with no interest for twenty-four months. Renting it would be possible, too. Oh! And our Ji-Hee!" Kim Ki-Rok announced to the Guild members while patting Kim Ji-Hee's head as she sat on his knees. "As for our Ji-Hee!"
"Yeeess!" Kim Ji-Hee answered.
"And with that, you have no debt toward me!"
Despite the bewildered reactions of the people, Kim Ki-Rok and Kim Ji-Hee expressed affection for each other like a father and daughter.
"Can I take the equipment for free if I give you a kiss as well?"
"Haha. The moment you kiss me, the price will double," Kim Ki-Rok spoke in a very serious tone, his expression deadpanned.
1. the song is from an old anime by the name of Kaitou Tail. ☜