Chapter 71
It made no sense.
Even if that man was the supreme, pure, transcendent being beyond ultimate truth, the origin of all things, nearly omnipotent, right now he was acting in a human body.
Yes. A human.
A resident of Earth, a planet that had only recently come into contact with the Abyss.
‘The human race is the species with the most pitiful bodies.’
A body at the very end of inefficiency. Miserable talent!
Sephiro was enjoying this game in a human body that lacked anything remarkable.
On top of that—
‘The human body is at rock bottom for productivity or efficiency.’
Humans need to eat and drink every day.
If they go even a few days without food or water, they could die.
They constantly need rest and sleep to maintain their strength.
Go without sleep for a single day and their efficiency drops below half.
To Dagon, humans were truly a cursed race.
They needed too much just to live, and in the end, were a tragic group who could do nothing alone.
Park Chan-woo was the same.
‘…I did his laundry, his meals, even his bedding. Park Chan-woo’s body is definitely that of a human.’
He’d cared for him himself enough times to be sure.
On Earth, and even in the Tower of Arrogance, Dagon personally looked after Park Chan-woo.
The soul of a giant like Sephiro might dwell within, but the body was undoubtedly that of a human named Park Chan-woo.
But [Reputation] was something that accumulated in the body.
There was no way this human body was Sephiro’s original form.
So reputation would not be shared.
Meaning, for Park Chan-woo to already have a reputation score far over ten thousand was not just improbable, but impossible.
‘Unless time flows differently only for him…!’
Dagon had watched part of Park Chan-woo’s life story up close.
He’d achieved amazing feats one after another, but still, Park Chan-woo spent time the same way as any other human.
He simply managed and used that limited time better than anyone.
But even that had its limits.
It had only been a little over two months since Park Chan-woo awakened.
He hadn’t even explored ten Abysses yet.
A mere sixty days or so—a very brief period.
He’d only cleared a handful of Abysses, so accumulating over ten thousand reputation? No way.
‘…He conquered Arrogance. He achieved feats even the Twelve Progenitors never did. But still, it’s impossible!’
The only variable was the [Tower of Arrogance].
He didn’t know Park Chan-woo’s exact level, but he had certainly experienced things far beyond his level.
But even if a level 1 experienced what a level 100 would, the reputation reward wouldn’t reach four digits.
He thought Park Chan-woo’s reputation, at most, would be about 3,000.
Seventeen thousand?
He’d never even imagined it.
Even for Abyss demons, it was a number out of reach.
You’d need to be the lord of a minor faction to rack up that much reputation.
‘…He’s testing me. Sephiro, that capricious king, is definitely checking my composure in this situation.’
Yeah. He must be.
He was baiting him to see how he’d react.
Dagon forced his pounding heart to calm.
Breathing slowly, he tried to stop his wildly shaking eyes.
No matter what happened, a merchant had to treat a customer calmly.
A merchant must act like a merchant.
Dagon did his best to speak calmly.
“Th-there are o-other g-great items too. Why don’t you l-look around a b-bit more…!”
…Failure.
There was no way to be calm.
He knew this was no ordinary customer.
Who was Sephiro?
All the flowery language in the world wouldn’t be enough—the Dragon God, the lord of magic.
A being like that wouldn’t speak nonsense as a joke.
Every word, every line would carry authority and power.
Even if he played as a human, that essence wouldn’t change.
Park Chan-woo answered.
“These three will be enough for now.”
For now?
Did that mean he might buy even more later?
“Ah, yes, customer. Shall I… ring you up?”
The final test remained.
The calculation.
If he didn’t have enough reputation, the sale wouldn’t go through.
With trembling hands, Dagon placed the three items on the counter.
[Trajectory of Divinity], [Ultimate Gauntlets].
And [Masterpiece Map]!
‘But how did he know he could buy a Masterpiece Map here?’
The Abyss of the Second Night.
There are twelve shops in this Abyss.
Every shop has different merchandise, including hidden goods.
But the shopkeeper can never mention the hidden goods.
Unless the customer says the item’s name, it cannot even be offered. That’s the rule.
In other words, it was the shop’s ‘hidden piece.’
Moreover, the [Masterpiece Map] was the very top hidden piece.
An Abyss participant could never know it existed, and even if they did, it was out of reach—a pie in the sky.
How did Park Chan-woo know about it?
‘Don’t doubt him. He’s Sephiro.’
If it’s Sephiro, it’s possible.
That name said it all.
To doubt that name would be blasphemy against an omniscient god.
“Proceed with the purchase.”
“…Yes. I will…”
Fwoooosh!
Dagon activated his merchant authority and started the calculation.
Both his hands began to glow.
[‘Trajectory of Divinity’ purchase complete.]
[3,500 reputation points consumed.]
[‘Ultimate Gauntlets’ purchase complete.]
[3,500 reputation points consumed.]
The calculation proceeded one by one.
By now, Dagon’s eyes were rolled so far back only the whites showed.
He had still half-doubted, but it was true—Park Chan-woo had more than enough reputation.
But one item still remained.
The [Masterpiece Map] that required a full ten thousand reputation.
Those first two items couldn’t compare.
‘Can this one really go through too?’
…Can it?
With 7,000 reputation spent, Dagon’s results already overflowed.
But if he added 10,000 more…
He’d be a lock for number one among all the shops and merchants in the Abyss of the Night.
With so many top merchants participating, Dagon—always a perpetual loser—would shine all the brighter as first place.
His merchant rank would rise and he’d be able to stock even more goods.
Whiiirrrr!
[‘Masterpiece Map’ purchase complete.]
[10,000 reputation points consumed.]
“Kh…!”
It was done.
It had really happened.
Dagon just stared at Park Chan-woo.
“I’ll be back again.”
As soon as he received his goods, Park Chan-woo left the shop without looking back.
Dagon’s vision grew blurry as he watched his departing figure.
Demons do not dream, but it felt like a dream.
Slowly, Dagon bowed his head to Park Chan-woo.
“Thank you, customer.”
All praise to you, Lord Sephiro.
—
All preparations were finished.
Far beyond his original plan.
Leaving the shop, Park Chan-woo gave a faint smile.
‘Dagon. He really has a discerning eye.’
He was definitely different from other devil merchants.
Every other merchant he’d met didn’t sell people what they needed—they forced them to buy things they didn’t.
Preparing something a customer might want in advance?
Unthinkable for a devil merchant.
They had no eye for real value.
They just thought high rank meant good.
But Dagon was different.
Even among items of the same rank, he knew exactly what Park Chan-woo needed.
He had a perfect grasp of the customer’s needs.
He never imagined Dagon would be running the [Reputation Shop], but he could understand why he hadn’t tipped him off in advance.
If a merchant spilled the secrets of an Abyss created by another Creator, he’d risk annihilation.
And if that Creator was the [Master of the Moon, Ahheta], the entire merchant association could be wiped out.
‘Thanks to you, I had a very satisfying shopping trip.’
Thanks to Dagon, he was able to pick up two more essential pieces of equipment.
Park Chan-woo began to equip the items he’d purchased.
[‘Demonic Armor (-98Lv, Epic)’ unequipped.]
[‘Trajectory of Divinity (-89Lv, Legendary)’ equipped.]
Immediately, related info appeared before his eyes.
Name: Trajectory of Divinity
Level: -89
Rarity: [Legendary]
Description: Armor made of holy power. The trace of a holy being’s power remains on the armor.
Equipment Slot: Armor
Defense: 50
Durability: 5,000
Unique Options:
(1) Defense +100
(2) Defense +100
(3) Defense +100
Options that raised only defense.
With just this armor, his defense rose by 350.
That unique option was the reason he’d bought the [Trajectory of Divinity].
The most important option for armor was defense.
It was already time to replace the [Demonic Armor] from the First Night.
‘It looks pretty good.’
As the name implied, the Trajectory of Divinity had a lightning-shaped scar across the front.
Even someone who didn’t care about style had to admit it looked impressive.
Next, Park Chan-woo put on the gauntlets.
[‘Demonic Gauntlets (-98Lv, Epic)’ unequipped.]
[‘Ultimate Gauntlets (-89Lv, Legendary)’ equipped.]
Name: Ultimate Gauntlets
Level: -89
Rarity: [Legendary]
Description: A masterpiece created by the legendary blacksmith Elemoore, who strove to surpass the god of blacksmiths, Agzos, but failed.
Equipment Slot: Both hands (Gauntlets)
Defense: 40
Durability: 5,000
Unique Option:
(1) Strength +5 for each equipped [Legendary] or higher item
Only one unique option.
But with that alone, they were classified as [Legendary].
It was an absurdly good option.
‘Right now, I have six [Legendary] or higher items equipped.’
Star of Arrogance, World Tree Staff, Frost Han Helmet, Golden Mystery of the Arahan, Trajectory of Divinity, Ultimate Gauntlets!
In total, he was wearing six ultra-high-grade items.
With just this equipment, he could supplement a lacking 30 strength. Could there be a richer option?
Unlike others, most of Park Chan-woo’s equipment was of outstanding grade, making this item irresistible.
‘Status window.’
With all his equipment swapped, the next step was to check his changed stats.
Soon, the status window appeared before his eyes.
Affiliation: Earth / Human / Republic of Korea
Name: Park Chan-woo
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Height/Weight: 180cm / 67.4kg
Reputation: 12,000
Level: -89
Stats:
Strength: 43 (1+42)
Stamina: 23 (1+22)
Agility: 18 (1+17)
Intelligence: 13 (1+12)
Magic: 37 (1+36)
Status: [Weakest], [Frail], [Feeble], [Nonexistent], [Terminal], [Immune to all poisons]
Total Attack: 615 (415+200)
Total Defense: 851 (651+200)
Magic Crit Rate: 32%
Magic Double Casting Rate: 25%
Magic Effect: +25%
Mana Regeneration: +322%
Active Auras:
Golden Aura: (Attack/Defense x2 according to coin count)
The Seeker’s First Step: (All stats +1 for every 10 coins)
Class: Magic Swordsman (11Lv)
Available Magic:
[Reflection] (Great Magic, Unique),
[Heaven’s Wrath] (Lightning Magic, Unique),
[Super Regeneration] (Passive, Unique)
Class Hidden Traits:
(1) [Eternal Sword] – ???
(2) [Annihilation Magic] – Destroys a race’s ‘fundamental magic’
Remaining Class Level Points: 0
Equipped Items:
Star of Arrogance (∞Lv, Quarter God, Final Relic Necklace)
World Tree Staff (-98Lv, Eternal, Staff Weapon)
Frost Han Helmet (-95Lv, Legendary, Helmet)
Trajectory of Divinity (-89Lv, Legendary, Armor)
Golden Mystery of the Arahan (-89Lv, Ancient, Shoulder Guards)
Ultimate Gauntlets (-89Lv, Legendary, Gauntlets)
Chwik Belt (-95Lv, Unique, Waist Belt)
Hermes’ Shoes (-92Lv, Ancient, Shoes)
—
After checking the status window, Park Chan-woo nodded.
‘Maybe because my class is Magic Swordsman, raising Strength increases my attack a lot.’
Compared to before, it was an incredible transformation.
He hadn’t leveled up in the Tower of Arrogance, but it was enough to call it a complete upheaval.
He was now many times stronger than before the Tower of Arrogance.
‘One thing left.’
Park Chan-woo’s gaze shifted to the map.
The Masterpiece Map.
Why did he use 10,000 reputation just to get this map?
The options on the map made it obvious at a glance.
Name: Masterpiece Map
Unique Options:
(1) Reveals all quests existing in the ‘Second Night.’
(2) All quest rewards x10.
(3) All qualification-based ‘contribution’ rewards x10.
Simple, yet awe-inspiring effects.
The reason he had to get the Masterpiece Map could be summed up in these three options alone.
‘All rewards x10!’
And not just quests.
The benefits of the [Stealthy Betrayer] qualification.
While normal fugitives earned 100 points for rescuing a prisoner, [Stealthy Betrayer] gained 400 points for destroying a fugitive’s mark.
That, too, was multiplied by 10, resulting in 4,000 points each time.
Ten times, but in reality, forty times as much.
Park Chan-woo looked up at the crimson full moon in the sky.
‘It begins now. Ahheta.’
The [Master of the Moon, Ahheta]—the preparations to bankrupt him were finally complete.