The Player Who Can't Level Up

“I see,” Gi-Gyu spat dryly.

Go Hyung-Chul was creeped out by Gi-Gyu’s tone, but before he could say anything, Gi-Gyu ordered, “So the Caravan Guild has had a hand in events since the start. All right. Get up now.”

“What?” Go Hyung-Chul was confused.

Ignoring him, Gi-Gyu announced, “I said you need to get up now. I need to know why you were in Suk-Woo’s hospital room and how the Caravan Guild made you, so…”

Gi-Gyu grinned and added, “Let’s go talk to someone from the Caravan Guild.”

“...!” Go Hyung-Chul’s eyes widened. He quickly stood up and stared at Gi-Gyu.

Lou muttered,

-Idiots.

***

“W-Where are we going?!” Go Hyung-Chul asked in a trembling voice. All the major players in Brunheart’s gate had gathered in one spot. Old Man Hwang and Gi-Gyu were at the forefront, followed by Botis, Hal, and the other creatures Gi-Gyu owned. So, it was understandable that Go Hyung-Chul felt nervous.

Botis swung its tail and glared as it ordered Go Hyung-Chul, “Be quiet. We’re in the presence of the grandmaster…”

“...” Go Hyung-Chul became silent, but he couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Just where is he taking me?’

The more they walked, the more anxious he became. Then, he felt unfamiliar energy—something unique that was warm yet ominous—seeping toward him from somewhere.

‘Could it be…’ Go Hyung-Chul couldn’t help wondering if Gi-Gyu was just about to kill him. He didn’t fear death. He lost interest in life when he had learned that he had been artificially made.

But…

He was curious about why he was created and for what purpose.

‘And it was not too long ago that I finally found a clue!’ Go Hyung-Chul decided that he couldn't die like this. He clenched his fists and looked around. Not all of his power had returned, but he was definitely in a better state than before.

‘Maybe I can escape now?’ He considered the possibility despite knowing it wouldn’t be easy since many beasts surrounded him. However, if he were going to die anyway, what harm could an escape attempt do?

“Hmm…” Old Man Hwang made a small noise.

It made Go Hyung-Chul flinch, but nobody noticed him.

They were in front of the Old Man Hwang’s workshop now. When everyone stopped walking, Go Hyung-Chul screamed, “I don’t want to die like this!”

Go Hyung-Chul had finally made his last escape attempt. Unlike when Gi-Gyu saw him shoveling earlier, Go Hyung-Chul transformed into smoke much more quickly.

“D-dammit!” Botis, who had been busy watching the workshop, finally noticed Go Hyung-Chul and yelled. Unfortunately, it was too late. Botis began to panic. He needed to catch Go Hyung-Chul before it was too late, or else his grandmaster would be disappointed in him.

Suddenly, a loud explosion occurred.

Boom! 

Then, something heavy fell to the ground.

Thud!

Botis, as well as everyone else, turned toward it.

Botis whispered, “What was that…?”

To everyone’s surprise, Go Hyung-Chul had fallen to the ground. Half of his body was in the form of smoke, and this part was tied up with something like a chain.

A chain that could catch smoke.

Creak.

The workshop door finally opened, but no one appeared from inside. Only Gi-Gyu could see the faint energy connected to the chain from inside the workshop.

“Greetings… to the master…” a slow, gloomy voice came from the workshop.

It belonged to Hwang Chae-Il.

***

“S-save me! No! Just kill me! Kill me now!” Go Hyung-Chul pulled out his hair with his hands as he screamed.

“Hmm.” Gi-Gyu ignored him. After a short silence, he wondered, “His basic attributes are incredible. How could this be? Is it because I used that Injection skill to create him?”

Lou suggested,

-Maybe it’s because of your secondary job change.

“You think so?”

El replied,

-I agree with Lou. I also think it has something to do with your secondary job change, Master.

Gi-Gyu nodded and ordered, “You can let him go now.”

Go Hyung-Chul was dropped to the floor immediately.

Plop.

Botis grabbed Go Hyung-Chul’s legs with his tail and brought him to Gi-Gyu.

Go Hyung-Chul hurriedly apologized, “Haa… Haa… I’m sorry… I… I apologize! I won’t ever try to run again!”

Gi-Gyu nodded and ordered, “Let him go.”

“Yes, Grandmaster.” Botis unwrapped his tail.

Go Hyung-Chul stood up quickly and offered, “What can I do for you?”

Go Hyung-Chul had all of a sudden turned docile. Gi-Gyu glanced at Hwang Chae-Il, who was standing next to a blank-faced Old Man Hwang. Go Hyung-Chul’s obedience was all thanks to Hwang Chae-Il.

‘A skill that can damage your opponent’s shell…’ Gi-Gyu was in awe. It appeared that this amazing skill was reawakened when Hwang Chae-Il became his new Ego. Of course, the repercussions of using this skill were just as great as its effectiveness.

Gi-Gyu saw and heard the crackling flame. So he asked, “Are you sure this is okay? This isn’t really necessary…”

“It’s… fine,” Hwang Chae-Il replied. As for Old Man Hwang, he remained quiet.

Gi-Gyu called out to the blacksmith, “Sir… Would you like to talk to him first, or…”

“You go ahead and talk to him first. I will have plenty of time with him later,” Old Man Hwang answered.

Gi-Gyu nodded.

There had to be much to talk about between Old Man Hwang and his son, Hwang Chae-Il. Gi-Gyu tried to be considerate by giving them some private time, but Old Man Hwang shook his head with a small smile.

Had the blacksmith finally come to terms with what his son had done?

Hal announced, “We will take our leave too, Grandmaster.”

Hal was here to witness Hwang Chae-Il’s birth. Now that it was done, he was ready to get back to work since he had been swamped lately.

Gi-Gyu remembered Hal telling him about how he wanted to help around more. This was why Hal had been training diligently. Gi-Gyu was told that the knight’s order and Hart had all joined Hal in becoming stronger. Because they were undead, they were tough and had incredible stamina. Gi-Gyu was proud of his creatures but also a little worried.

Gi-Gyu replied, “All right. But please don’t push yourself too hard. You need to get plenty of rest too. I know you guys get mentally tired too.”

“We’re so grateful for your generosity, Grandmaster,” Hal and Botis announced and left. Only Old Man Hwang, Go Hyung-Chul, and Hwang Chae-Il were left with Gi-Gyu inside the workshop.

Hwang Chae-Il’s face was currently burning.

Gi-Gyu asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Every time Hwang Chae-Il used his power, he would suffer a cruel penalty.

Blaze!

The punishment he suffered for using his skill was the burning of his face.

‘How could he endure such pain?’ Gi-Gyu wondered, unable to keep his face from cringing. A burn was one of the most painful injuries a human could suffer. And it appeared that Hwang Chae-Il would be forced to endure such pain regularly.

Hwang Chae-Il’s face was crumpled, but he replied, “I’m okay.”

His expression turned a little more peaceful as he continued, “After all, what I did to my father… and my son…”

Hwang Chae-Il turned toward Old Man Hwang, but the blacksmith looked nonchalant.

‘I can tell that he’s in pain too.’ Because Gi-Gyu and the elderly man shared a sync, he could sense how Old Man Hwang was really feeling right now. The sight of his son’s burning face was actually making the old blacksmith suffer.

Hwang Chae-Il explained, “This is nothing compared to what I did. This will be my atonement. Honestly, burn injuries aren’t as painful for me as for other humans. After all, I’m Paimon’s kinsman.”

Gi-Gyu nodded. It was time to change the subject, so he called out, “Go Hyung-Chul.”

Go Hyung-Chul had been suffering pain inside his shell because of Hwang Chae-Il’s skill. Hearing his name, he jolted and stammered, “Y-yes!”

Go Hyung-Chul was no longer the cold, powerful player he once was. Gi-Gyu announced, “We’ll talk now. This man used to have a close tie to the Caravan Guild. Mr. Hwang Chae-Il, do you remember everything?”

“Yes… I remember most of it.” Hwang Chae-Il frowned as if just the act of remembering was causing him pain. Gi-Gyu looked at Hwang Chae-Il for a moment before turning toward Go Hyung-Chul.

“Answer me. Why were you in Suk-Woo’s hospital room, and why do you think…” Gi-Gyu’s eyes glowed, believing that Go Hyung-Chul’s secret would be an important piece of the puzzle.

“You were artificially created?” asked Gi-Gyu.

Go Hyung-Chul and Hwang Chae-Il’s eyes met. It was only for a brief moment, but Go Hyung-Chul felt like he had returned to his old self.

The cold man whose eyes were always filled with anger.

***

“I wanted to find my parents. I was an orphan, but I thought my parents must still be alive somewhere. After I became strong and got a good job, I began looking for them and answers. Why do I have the eyes of a demon? Why did they abandon me?” It seemed that Go Hyung-Chul had forgotten about the deep pain inside his shell. He answered Gi-Gyu’s question obediently, but his demeanor had returned to the way he was before.

Gi-Gyu no longer tormented Go Hyung-Chul. Hwang Chae-Il and Old Man Hwang also paid close attention to Go Hyung-Chul’s story.

Go Hyung-Chul continued, “Then, one day, I found a clue. I learned about the one who placed me in the orphanage.”

“Who was it?” asked Gi-Gyu.

“It doesn’t matter.” Go Hyung-Chul smiled as he answered, “Because he is dead.”

“...”

“By the time I found him, he was dead. All I learned from him was that he was the one who gave me my name and that he belonged to some religious organization.” Go Hyung-Chul’s voice sounded bitter.

“The Caravan Guild…” Gi-Gyu mumbled.

Go Hyung-Chul replied, “That’s right. The Caravan Guild. This was the only name I got from this search. My instinct told me this was important information because I felt it had something to do with my existence. Or perhaps, I was being stupid… Keke.”

“I doubt you were being stupid.” Hwang Chae-Il shook his head and murmured, “You were a successful player paparazzo. This job requires a good instinct regarding information, so it’s clear you have good intuition. You were definitely onto something.”

It appeared Hwang Chae-Il knew something as well.

Go Hyung-Chul resumed, “Anyway, I began chasing the Caravan Guild. But dammit… This group was so strange. I am the best of the best, yet I couldn’t find any solid information on it.”

Go Hyung-Chul looked like his pride was hurt. “But in the end, I found it. I raided a couple of their offices and spent all of my money to get it.”

Gi-Gyu was impressed. Good instinct and the ability to gather information were a paparazzo’s assets, but the most important quality of a paparazzo was…

‘Persistence!’ Gi-Gyu suspected Go Hyung-Chul was one of those men who never gave up.

“Project…” Go Hyung-Chul glanced at Hwang Chae-Il nervously. But Hwang Chae-Il remained blank-faced. He didn’t even have any legs, yet he was standing perfectly still. His many arms danced around threateningly at Go Hyung-Chul. Hwang Chae-Il was silently telling Go Hyung-Chul to hurry up.

In the end, Go Hyung-Chul murmured, “Adam.”

“Project Adam?” asked Gi-Gyu.

Hwang Chae-Il replied, “The very first being created by God.”

Everyone turned to Hwang Chae-Il. It appeared that Go Hyung-Chul didn’t know the details of this project.

Hwang Chae-Il explained, “That’s the name Andras was going to use for his greatest weapon.”

gomi's Thoughts

Gomi’s thoughts: And I thought Go Hyung-Chul wasn’t afraid of death…