Translator: Seven
Editor: Ana_Banana
The best sushi restaurant in Japan was not an easy place to even make a reservation.
Nevertheless, for the second time, three people had reserved the restaurant that was always filled with customers.
It was an unspeakable luxury.
“I’m glad I got another chance to treat you properly.”
Kim Woo-jin, who was wearing the Isaac Ivanov mask, did not immediately respond to Miyazaki Sakura’s words.
In addition, his expression was not good.
His face was stiff and his eyes were cold.
The same was true for Lee Jin-ah who sat beside him.
Both of them looked at Miyazaki Sakura with cold expressions.
It was clear that they didn’t want to be there.
“Honestly, I don’t want to enjoy this kind of relaxation.”
And if that still wasn’t enough to express his displeasure, Kim Woo-jin spoke in English.
“The only reason I’m here is to confirm the deal. There was an accident, but I cleared the dungeon as promised. And now it’s the Sword Saint’s turn to keep his promise.”
After saying that, Kim Woo-jin immediately addressed the main subject.
“I would like to receive the Aegis Shield.”
At those words, Miyazaki Sakura took a sip of the tea in front of her, as if she was trying to avoid giving an immediate answer.
Tension filled the room.
Of course, Kim Woo-jin’s inner thoughts weren’t tense.
There wasn’t even a sliver of tension anywhere in his body.
‘I’m in control.’
The situation was clear.
The Sword Saint had promised to give them the Aegis Shield, but he didn’t actually have the Aegis shield.
In the end, the only thing he could do was pay a price that was equivalent to that.
‘And since they can’t avoid it, it’s better to finish the calculations quickly.’
Moreover, the price wasn’t something that they could avoid just because they wanted to.
In other words, they would have to negotiate, and Kim Woo-jin was the one who held the reins in this negotiation.
That was why he had no need to be nervous.
“First, I’ll start with an apology. The reward that was promised at that time, the Aegis Shield, could not be provided due to unforeseen circumstances.”
The situation went exactly as Kim Woo-jin predicted.
“Then I’d like to receive an item of equivalent value.”
Miyazaki Sakura directly started the negotiation with a clear request rather than idle remarks.
“What item would you like to have instead?”
“What items do you have?”
“I can’t reveal that information. If there is any item you desire, we will see if we can adapt accordingly.”
Of course, she still intended to reduce the losses as much as possible during these negotiations.
This also meant that she was preparing for a long negotiation.
“Shall we discuss while eating?”
As soon as she gave the signal, the door opened and a platter of sushi that was clearly crafted by an artisan, appeared.
At that moment, Lee Jin-ah’s eyes shook.
It was then.
As the staff member stepped forward to place the platter on the table.
As Lee Jin-ah’s mouth became filled with saliva.
And as Miyazaki Sakura began simulating a scenario in which she would be able to give their least valued legendary item to Isaac Ivanov.
Kim Woo-jin spoke.
“I want Solomon’s Ring.”
…
Solomon’s Ring.
Kim Woo-jin first learned of its existence about a year after the war with Japan had ended, and the Messiah Guild had become a transnational organisation.
“Kim Woo-jin, these are items you need to look out for.”
Park Shin-hye had come to visit him and she had brought a list of items with her.
“I don’t think I need to explain the Aegis Shield, but do you know about Solomon’s Ring?”
“This is my first time hearing about it.”
“It has the ability to control monsters below the user’s level. It doesn’t matter if they are a boss monster or not. Even Dragons could be controlled as long as they are a lower level than the user.” (TL: Woah…)
“It’s an amazing item.”
“That’s exactly why I’m asking you to look out for it. It would be very dangerous if an item like that were to fall into the King of Undead’s hands.”
That was the first time he’d heard about Solomon’s Ring.
And that was also the last memory he had concerning Solomon’s Ring.
Regardless of what Kim Woo-jin tried, he hadn’t been able to find Solomon’s Ring, he couldn’t even find a trace of it.
‘The Sword Saint has Solomon’s Ring.’
It would be strange if he didn’t choose that item after learning that the Sword Saint had it.
Moreover, Kim Woo-jin didn’t just ask for Solomon’s Ring because he coveted its ability.
He definitely wanted it for its ability, but there was another reason that was just as important as that one.
‘And that fact is only known to those close to the Sword Saint.’
Only a few people, including the Sword Saint and Bow God, knew who had Solomon’s Ring.
No one else knew.
Not even the Messiah Guild.
‘In such a situation, just by bringing Solomon’s Ring up…’
What would he think if the name of this item came from Kim Woo-jin’s mouth?
The answer was obvious.
‘It might cause some internal strife.’
Who the hell gave him the information?
He would definitely pale at that question, and all sorts of suspicions and doubts would form in his mind.
Just like Miyazaki Sakura in front of him.
For a moment after hearing Kim Woo-jin’s request, Miyazaki Sakura didn’t react.
It was a very sudden situation that left her stunned and speechless as if she had been hit by some random stranger as they passed by.
That was how confused she was at that moment.
‘What should I do?
Should she tell him she would give it to him?
Should she deny that they had it?
Of course, it had already passed the point of no return.
‘Ah…’
No matter which she had chosen, she shouldn’t have hesitated.
Realising that fact, Kim Woo-jin continued speaking as her expression changed.
“Solomon’s Ring would be sufficient. Naturally, I know that the Sword Saint has it.”
At Kim Woo-jin’s resolute words, Miyazaki Sakura only had one option.
“That’s not something I can decide.”
With that, she gestured at the employee who had just placed down the sushi platter, to pick it up once more.
Surprised by that fact, they turned to make eye contact with Miyazaki Sakura.
It was only after receiving Sakura’s eerie glare did the employee understand the seriousness of the situation and move forward to pick up the platter.
“I’ll have to arrange another meeting. I’m deeply sorry for the poor hospitality.”
Kim Woo-jin kept his thoughts to himself as he watched Miyazaki Sakura leave after saying those words.
Lee Jin-ah watched the sushi be carried out with dead eyes.
It was clear that the meal had ended.
…
-Ay, I bet it went well.
When he heard Oh Se-chan’s words, Lee Jin-ah’s facial expression crumpled.
“No, it didn’t go well at all.”
Oh Se-chan was slightly surprised by Lee Jin-ah’s words.
-Well, that’s the beauty of negotiations, it’s a push and pull. But what happened? Why do you say that?
However, he hadn’t expected Lee Jin-ah to talk about the negotiations in this way.
Of course, his surprise didn’t last very long.
“Dammit, in the end, I still didn’t get to eat any sushi! Dammit! Shit!”
Oh Se-chan clicked his tongue as he heard Lee Jin-ah’s absurd complaint.
-Hey, man. How come you like free stuff so much now? Huh? Grow up. You’d probably even drink lye if it was free.
“What did you just say?”
This time, it was Lee Jin-ah who made the strange expression.
Was the person talking to him on the phone about receiving free stuff really Oh Se-chan?
-What about Kim Woo-jin?
At those words, Lee Jin-ah turned to look at Kim Woo-jin who was beside him staring blankly at the air.
“I think he’s looking at his status window.”
It was true.
Kim Woo-jin was currently checking his stats.
[Kim Woo-jin]
– Level: 108
– Halo: Emissary of the Underworld.
– Stats: HP (326+755) / Stamina (2+319) / Magic Power (3+632)
– Achievements: 91
– Extra Points: 0
As he looked at his stat window and ran simulations in his head, Kim Woo-jin’s expression was not good.
‘I’ll be difficult.’
Lee Jin-ah approached him and handed the cellphone to him.
“The bald guy wants to talk to you.”
As Kim Woo-jin accepted the phone.
-Hey, you bastard! Just wait till you get back to Korea, I’ll shave all your damn hair off! Bastard!
He heard Oh Se-chan’s angry shout.
Kim Woo-jin frowned.
“That’s an ominous threat.”
-Huh? Ah, sorry. I wasn’t talking to you.
“Get to the point.”
-I heard the news. Did you really ask for Solomon’s Ring? Will they give it to you?
“What do you think?”
-Of course, they won’t. They’ll arrange for a negotiation somehow. But there’s something I want to ask you. How did you know the Sword Saint had Solomon’s Ring? Even I didn’t have that information.
“I can read the memories of the dead.”
-Huh?
“Lee Jin-ah must’ve told you that I talk to corpses. That is when I’m using Anubis’ Eyes.”
This was the first time that Kim Woo-jin was revealing the effect of Anubis’ Eyes to anyone.
“What did you say?”
-What did you say?
Of course, both Lee Jin-ah and Oh Se-chan were surprised.
Then Oh Se-chan once again shouted over the phone.
-Hey, Lee Jin-ah! Why didn’t you report such important information to me?
“Th-, that…I just thought Kim Woo-jin was a pervert who likes to play with corpses.”
-I really can’t believe I trusted such an idiot to help me fight the Messiah Guild.
Silence fell after their short skit ended.
-I have a rough understanding now.
Then, it was Oh Se-chan who broke the silence.
-So that’s how you made your plans. Then you must have confirmed that the Sword Saint has Solomon’s Ring this time which is why you requested it…
“Exactly.”
-If so, then there is a high chance that the Sword Saint will really give you the ring. It would be more important to deal with the problems.
Thanks to Oh Se-chan, who was able to grasp the situation immediately, Kim Woo-jin didn’t need to explain it in detail.
-In return, the Sword Saint will sincerely try to kill you from now on.
The moment Solomon’s Ring was mentioned, Kim Woo-jin and the Sword Saint’s relationship could never be reconciled.
As Oh Se-chan said, the Sword Saint would put Isaac Ivanov at the top of his hit list.
“Isaac Ivanov’s strong supporter will serve as a shield.”
Of course, before he could get to Isaac Ivanov, the Sword Saint would have to deal with his strongest supporter, Park Yong-wan.
-Absolutely. And that strong supporter will probably even give you Osiris’ Ring as a welcoming gift.
The moment Osiris’ Ring was mentioned, Kim Woo-jin smiled.
“Did they make an offer?”
-At the moment Park Yong-wan is meeting with government officials. Among them is the chief secretary of the Blue House. Given the circumstances, I strongly believe that they will give Isaac Ivanov a free pass and more.
In other words, they are making preparations to recruit Isaac Ivanov into the Phoenix Guild. And As you know, they usually give a down payment, don’t they?
“They need to pay a transfer fee.”
-This is why I like you.
“So what did you request as the transfer fee?”
-Golden Dragon’s Gastric Juices. I looked for it and found that Park Yong-wan had purchased some from the Dragon Hunter not long ago.
At that moment, Kim Woo-jin sent his status window away and instead opened his inventory window.
There were now well over 100 squares in the inventory, yet Kim Woo-jin’s eyes were drawn to one item.
[The Cursed Sword.]
‘Now I can get Soy Sauce.’ (TL: slightly childish, but I promised a reader the next ‘Ganjang’ would be ‘Soy Sauce’…it’ll return back to ‘Ganjang’ from now on.)
The moment when Ganjang and Makya, the two legendary swords that no one in the world had managed to acquire at the same time, would finally be able to reveal their true power.
‘This should be enough.’
Kim Woo-jin no longer needed to run simulations in his head.
It was then.
-Huh, give me a second.
Oh Se-chan, who had just been excitedly talking on the phone, suddenly stopped talking.
The silence lasted a long time.
“What’s going on, Se-chan?”
Lee Jin-ah who was listening to the phone call, couldn’t help but ask.
“Did you go take a shit? Why did you suddenly go silent?”
-I’m back.
When Oh Se-chan, who had been silent for a while, came back, Lee Jin-ah let out a laugh.
“Hyung, let’s keep some manners when we talk on the phone. Do I need to listen to you take a dump?”
Lee Jin-ah started a quarrel, but this time there was no skit.
-The Messiah Guild came out of the 7 Floor dungeon.
It was a moment when the world order had been shifted yet again.