Chapter 47
Opening the Gate (4)
Boom!
Gate Opening.
The phrase had two dictionary meanings.
First:
To open a nation's markets, allowing other countries to freely conduct trade and economic activities.
Second:
To leave the gates open so that anyone may enter and leave without restriction.
Judging from what was happening now...
Both meanings applied perfectly to this world.
Even now, strange creatures calling themselves pioneers were entering freely, while an alien merchant guild had suddenly appeared to conduct business.
None of this had been approved by humanity.
When the majority of people agreed to the proposal, all they had intended was to do something about the world's collapse.
"But... how did it end up like this?"
Yeongwoo blankly watched the large stone crate scraping loudly across the ground.
Grrrrrk...
When it finally stopped at his feet...
The lid suddenly burst open with a loud crash.
BANG!
Startled, Yeongwoo instantly drew his spear.
The trio watching from nearby also flinched and assumed fighting stances.
But the creature that emerged was...
"...Krok."
A tiny goblin carrying a sack almost as large as itself.
Its skin was golden.
"W-What is...?"
As Yeongwoo instinctively pointed at it, the goblin looked back at him.
"Ke?"
A status window immediately appeared.
Golden Goblin — Unique Slave
Stores items in subspace.
Picks up valuable objects automatically.
Simply making eye contact had established ownership.
The Golden Goblin was now Yeongwoo's slave.
A Unique-grade slave.
"Is this really an item? It looks completely alive..."
Meanwhile, the goblin was rummaging through the shattered remains of the stone crate with its tiny hands.
Then—
It found something.
Holding it up proudly...
It revealed:
Kekidamite — Heroic Gem
Slot Effect: +10% Ability Resistance
The very gem Yeongwoo had purchased moments earlier.
A small black gemstone about the size of a human thumb.
"Kik!"
After confirming ownership had transferred, the goblin opened the mouth of the huge sack slung over its shoulder.
It held the gem near the opening...
Then looked back at Yeongwoo.
"Kik?"
"It's asking permission before putting it away..."
"So that sack really is some kind of dimensional storage."
Curious, Yeongwoo nodded.
The goblin tossed the gem inside.
The instant it disappeared...
Whoooosh!
The inside of the sack transformed into something resembling outer space.
Just one glimpse...
Was enough to make Yeongwoo feel dizzy.
He instinctively stepped backward.
"What... was that?"
When he looked again...
The goblin had already tied the sack shut.
"Ka-kak!"
It stared sharply at him.
Although no one translated...
Yeongwoo somehow understood.
It was warning him.
Never look inside while the dimensional space was open.
"Kik!"
The goblin then picked up Yeongwoo's final purchase.
The Ancient Tome.
Despite its name, it wasn't a book.
It was a massive gray stone tablet.
Morning Star — Ancient Tome
Activates while Gate Opening is active.
It was nearly the size of an open encyclopedia.
Yeongwoo had to receive it with both hands.
"Huh...?"
Ancient pictographs were deeply carved across the stone.
Naturally...
He couldn't read a single one.
Nor did any explanatory window appear after taking ownership.
To all appearances...
It was simply a giant rock.
Yet it had cost 80,000 Karma, and even the Snake of Greed had considered it exceptionally valuable.
The only description was:
Activates while Gate Opening is active.
He had no idea what it was...
Or how to use it.
He even secretly tapped the corner of the stone.
Nothing happened.
"Maybe it activates automatically under certain conditions?"
Unfortunately...
Even after waiting until the Jeong family's SUV arrived...
He still couldn't figure it out.
The SUV approached noisily before gradually slowing down.
Only then had they noticed the enormous pillar of light.
"Mr. Myeongwoo?"
As always, Myeongho stopped at a safe distance and leaned out the driver's window.
"Are... are you alright?"
Meaning:
Would he and his mother be safe?
Yeongwoo glanced once at the trio still standing nearby before walking toward the SUV.
"Kik-kik!"
Immediately...
The Golden Goblin grabbed its sack and hurried after him.
To the three onlookers...
The sight was unbelievable.
"J-Jeong Myeongwoo!"
One of them even rushed forward while holding the commemorative coin bearing Yeongwoo's face and name.
"...?"
Turning around...
Yeongwoo found the same people who had been hostile only minutes earlier now bowing respectfully.
"What are you doing?"
The tall man who appeared to be their leader bent deeply at the waist.
"Please take us in!"
"...What?"
People had asked him for help before.
Or temporary protection.
But never...
To "take them in."
"I don't recruit companions or subordinates."
As he answered, memories of parting ways with Yechan resurfaced.
Just as Yechan had predicted...
Party play simply didn't suit Yeongwoo.
Ordinary people needed numbers just to fight monsters.
But Yeongwoo had already become the First Sword.
His true enemies weren't ordinary monsters.
They were evolved beings...
And the First Swords of other regions.
Unless someone was strong enough to help in battles against those opponents...
They would simply become a burden.
Or worse—
A weakness.
"Forget that idea. Focus on surviving on your own. Your chances will actually be higher that way."
But the tall man refused to back down.
"No! We're stronger than we look! Of course we're nowhere near your level, but we can at least follow behind and learn—"
"Learn what? You'll all be dead by tomorrow."
It was like a tutorial-level player insisting on following someone into an endgame dungeon.
Yeongwoo turned back toward the SUV.
Then—
The tall man suddenly pointed at the vehicle.
"What about them?"
"...?"
"They're traveling with you, aren't they? Are you saying they'll all be dead tomorrow too?"
That...
Was a difficult question to ignore.
Slowly, Yeongwoo turned around.
"Yes."
His voice was quiet.
"One of them has already died."
"We're planning to split up soon."
The three were visibly shocked.
But the tall man still persisted.
"Then let us stay with you until you part ways with them."
For the first time...
His companions objected.
"Why go that far?"
"He already said it's dangerous just following him."
Unlike their leader...
They weren't willing to beg.
The three of them had survived quite well together so far.
They weren't strong enough to hunt evolved beings...
But ordinary monsters weren't a problem.
If they continued like this...
They believed they could survive.
That was exactly why Yeongwoo had refused them.
But the tall man was looking much farther ahead.
"Do you really think we'll ever get another chance to observe someone like him?"
"We need to understand how the world works if we want to survive."
Then he pointed toward the SUV.
"If we join them, we gain transportation too. There's no downside."
"What if they don't want us?"
"We'll see."
He shrugged.
"Who doesn't want to survive?"
"One person's already dead, and Mr. Myeongwoo won't stay with them forever."
"...I doubt they'll refuse."
The constant use of "sir" felt awkward.
Yet...
His final argument caught Yeongwoo's attention.
After all...
Once they separated in Chungju as planned...
The Jeong family would effectively be left defenseless.
This was admittedly selfish...
But it would ease his conscience.
"Fine."
"You may travel with us."
"But only until I leave them."
The tall man's face lit up.
The other two, however, frowned.
"I'm not interested."
"This just means becoming babysitters."
"If he can't guarantee our lives, there's no reason to follow."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The group of three was no longer united.
The tall man remained determined.
"I want to know how that man fights."
"How he thinks."
"If you two stay here..."
"I'll go alone."
"What?"
"Then we're done."
Apparently...
They weren't family after all.
Yeongwoo found himself somewhat interested in the man.
But there wasn't time to waste.
"I'm leaving now."
"If you're coming..."
"Decide immediately."
He resumed walking toward the SUV.
The tall man adjusted his backpack...
And followed.
Behind them...
His former companions spat insults.
"Idiot."
"Don't regret it right before you die."
When they reached the SUV...
Yeongwoo opened the rear door.
"We have room for one more."
"He'll ride in the front."
"O-Of course..."
Myeongho answered automatically.
But his eyes weren't on the newcomer.
They were fixed on the Golden Goblin happily hopping into the back seat behind Yeongwoo.
"Mr. Myeongwoo..."
"What exactly is that?"
From the opposite window...
Myeongmae shrank back in fear.
"W-What kind of monster is that?"
Yeongwoo handed the Ancient Tome to the goblin.
"My slave."
"It can carry my luggage from now on."
But—
"Kik!"
The goblin refused to accept it.
"...What's wrong?"
He tried again.
No response.
Then—
Just as the tall man finished climbing into the passenger seat...
The answer revealed itself.
Fwoooosh...
The gray stone tablet suddenly emitted white smoke.
Then...
It began breaking apart.
Crack.
"No way..."
Realizing something...
Yeongwoo immediately stepped out of the SUV.
The stone rapidly crumbled into powder in his hands.
Then...
It scattered into the sky.
"What...?"
Myeongho watched from the driver's window.
The tall newcomer leaned forward to see.
Myeongmae remained frozen in terror.
As everyone stared...
A new notification appeared.
Achievement Unlocked: Advertising Model
Grade: Unique
Rank: First
"Advertising Model...?"
Yeongwoo looked up at the countless particles disappearing into the sky.
"What exactly did I advertise?"
Before he could think further...
A black timer appeared at the top of his vision.
Advertiser Arrival: 04:30:00
Then...
It immediately began counting down.
Advertiser Arrival: 04:29:59