NOVEL NEXT C7
In an instant, there was a change so subtle that I wouldn’t have noticed it if I hadn’t been staring at his face. I inwardly laughed.
“The dimensional storage is one of the most strictly managed areas by the Intergalactic Union.”
The top floor was the most secure part of the building.
It was the most vulnerable area to attack. The fact that the branch manager insisted on taking me there only made me more suspicious.
Those Intergalactic Union guys. They never deviate from my expectations, not even by a gram.
It was even better that their intentions were so obvious. He was practically laying his plans out for me.
*Heh heh heh.*
The identities of Intergalactic Union VIPs were kept strictly confidential.
I’m sure he must be thinking deeply about this.
“I apologize, Customer. I’ll take you right away.”
With the branch manager leading the way, I leisurely followed behind.
Passing through the lobby, I came across a store selling Hunter equipment.
*[Black Mithril Greatsword]*
*[Bone Giant Blade]*
*[Hellfire Sword]*
Artifacts worth hundreds of millions of won were lined up on display.
Weapons imbued with powerful magic.
Each one gleamed with an extraordinary light.
“If there’s anything you like, please let me know. We’ll give it to you as a gift for your visit.”
A sound that would drive any Hunter crazy.
*Hmph*, I snorted in contempt.
I responded curtly.
“Is this what you call a ‘gift’? To flaunt a yawn as if it’s something special? Now I understand the level of the Intergalactic Union’s Yongsan branch.”
Although these were top-tier artifacts that would be hard to acquire even for hundreds of billions on Earth, to me, they only looked like shiny but worthless objects.
“Those Intergalactic Union guys don’t sell expensive goods in low-level dimensions.”
They buy resources from low-level dimensions at bargain prices and sell goods at inflated prices.
They then process these purchased resources and sell them again to higher-dimensional races.
A few Hunters who had come out gave the branch manager a sideways glance.
“Isn’t that Martan, the branch manager? He never shows his face unless it’s a major deal.”
“Who’s the person behind him? I’ve never seen that Hunter before.”
“No idea. I’ve never seen him either.”
The branch manager of the Intergalactic Union.
His name was as well-known as the three major Hunter guilds representing South Korea.
Business deals, mercenary work, and he also served as a diplomat representing the races of the Federation.
So it wasn’t surprising that the Hunters were shocked to see such a high-ranking figure leading me.
“This way, please.”
The branch manager led me into a hidden space.
Downstairs.
This was the true location of the dimensional storage.
The light gradually faded.
I blinked a few times.
As the afterimage on my retina cleared, the surroundings came into focus.
Beyond the rough-looking door, I could clearly feel the powerful mana pulsating.
“VIP, we’ve arrived at the dimensional storage.”
“Ah, we’re here.”
Dimensional storage.
An artificial dimension created by linking countless spatial pockets across various universes in parallel.
Anything stored in the dimensional storage can be retrieved from any dimension or branch instantly.
Normally, crossing dimensions consumes a massive amount of time and resources.
While resources can be replenished, shortening the time it takes is difficult.
Dimensional storage overcame this gap, allowing real-time exchange of items.
It was the pinnacle of the Intergalactic Union’s technology.
The branch manager kept glancing at me.
*‘He’s probably curious about who I am.’*
To activate the dimensional storage, a special mana code belonging to an Intergalactic Union executive or a VIP was required.
Activating the dimensional storage consumed an enormous amount of mana.
It was a premium service granted only to a very select few.
I still hadn’t shown any indication that I was a VIP.
If I couldn’t activate the storage, the branch manager would likely change his attitude and attack me immediately.
*‘Don’t worry.’*
That won’t happen.
I placed my hand on the gray door.
*Please input mana pattern.*
*Wooom!*
I activated the celestial energy system.
Stars in the astral plane emitted their power, creating a chaotic flux.
The VIP code issued during my time as Gladiator Deimos.
I used the chaotic flux to draw a mana pattern on the part of the door that made contact with the energy.
*‘I have to finish the pattern before the chaotic flux runs out.’*
The mana pattern was more complicated than I thought.
It was similar to making shapes with string, but using mana instead of thread.
This was why I couldn’t immediately retrieve my weapon from the dimensional storage.
I’ve come this far, but if I can’t open the dimensional warehouse because I don’t have enough mana, it’s all for nothing.
[Chaos energy is consumed: 1.] [Chaos energy…] The system alerts continue to buzz in my ears.
I know, damn it.
I ignored the voice and focused on drawing the mana pattern.
Five minutes passed.
When my chaos energy, which was at 490, dropped to around 50…
Checking mana pass…
VIP identified.
“Dimensional warehouse access granted.”
Phew.
That was close.
I wiped the sweat that had formed on my forehead, making sure the branch manager didn’t see it.
The item entrusted to the dimensional warehouse is one.”
Tsk.
If I had known about the reincarnation, I would have stored more valuables.
“Take it out.”
I said with a bitter smile.
“Understood. Initiating dimensional transfer.”
Woosh—!
Beyond the door.
The parallel-connected second dimension started to operate.
A bright light leaked through the crack of the door.
“The item entrusted by you has been transferred to your own dimension.”
“Would you like to use the dimensional warehouse again?”
“No. That’s all I needed.”
“Thank you for using the dimensional warehouse. We hope you continue to use the Intergalactic Union services.”
The heavy door creaked open.
A rough stone, the size of a baseball.
Its appearance was unimpressive, but to me, it shone brighter than any gem.
I gently pressed my upper lip with my teeth.
My lip cracked, and blood began to trickle out.
I wiped the blood with my thumb and smeared it on the stone.
“Now, awaken.”
[The Dark Star recognizes the new master.]
Boom!
The black stone erupted with brilliant light.
The stiff surface of the stone softened as if it were melting.
Like water soaking into a sponge.
It melted into my palm.
A sharp pain pricked the back of my hand.
This was the process of the Dark Star recognizing its user.
After a brief sting, a bracelet appeared on the back of my hand.
[Synchronization with the user complete.]
[As the master has changed, the accumulated karma in the weapon has been reset.]
[Dark Star]
Grade: Common
Type: Weapon
Durability: 100
An all-purpose weapon forged from the essence of a dying star. It can replicate many myths and legends.
When deactivated, it exists as a bracelet.
When activated, it can transform into any weapon according to the user’s will.
Each weapon’s characteristics will enhance the user’s abilities.
The Dark Star is indestructible.
This artifact is sealed. To unlock it, the user must accumulate appropriate karma.
“Just as I expected.”
I had anticipated this outcome.
The Dark Star, a mythical-grade artifact. Its power depends on the user’s accumulated karma.
As for my current self?
Weaker than a growing demon race. My accumulated karma is pitiful.
“But the most important function is still here.”
I smiled.
“30 cm in length, 5 cm in width, one side’s shape, 15 cm for the handle.”
I envisioned the weapon’s shape in my mind.
Swoosh—
The bracelet on my wrist vanished.
At the same time, a black dagger materialized in my hand.
The exact shape I had imagined.
I quickly thought of another weapon.
The dagger in my hand was enveloped in black energy and stretched into a spear.
The Dark Star didn’t stop there.
Axe, mace, spear, whip…
“With the ability to take on thousands of forms, this is a weapon for all purposes.”
The ability to materialize whatever the user imagines.
That’s the core function of the Dark Star.
Of course.
The performance of each weapon varies.
[Dark Star – Mongoose]
Increases Strength Lv3
Increases Agility Lv4
[Dark Star – Halberd]
Increases Strength Lv10
Decreases Agility Lv2
“Only someone like me, who has mastered many martial arts, can fully utilize this artifact’s capabilities.”
In my previous life, I had learned countless martial arts.
Depending on the situation, I could change weapons and use the appropriate martial art to maximize destructive power.
The Dark Star was truly an artifact made for me.
“Customer, is everything to your satisfaction?”
“Yeah. That’s all I needed.”
A weapon that could utilize various martial arts.
With this, even the Hunter License exam would be nothing.
At the top floor of the Intergalactic Union building.
Martan sat with his legs crossed, staring intently at the CCTV screen.
Knock, knock—
“Come in.”
“Did you call, Branch Manager?”
A beautiful woman entered the office, her short bob haircut brushing her neck, and her form-fitting suit making an impression.
Martan turned the monitor toward her.
On the screen was Mincheol, just leaving the building.
“Ellie, take a look at this.”
“He’s human. Tall, handsome, but should I introduce him to you?”
“This face. Have you seen it before?”
Ellie wiped the smile from her face at Martan’s question.
She had worked alongside him long enough to recognize his serious tone and demeanor.
After staring at Mincheol on the CCTV, she replied, “No, I’ve never seen him. He’s not a celebrity.”
“This guy knew the VIP code.”
“VIP code? But he doesn’t look like someone who could know that. Was it a fake?”
“Do you think I’d miss that? He didn’t just show a code, he also used the dimensional warehouse.”
“Shall we investigate? Or should we silence him?”
Martan shook his head.
“Ellie, you still have a lot to learn from me.”
“Didn’t you call me here for the investigation?”
“The VIP code can’t be granted to low-tier humans on Earth. If he used it, then his identity is obvious.”
“A clone… an avatar of a high-tier spirit?”
“Exactly. A high-tier spirit is hiding its true identity on Earth, using a clone to keep its power hidden.”
“Interesting.”
Ellie admired with a glint of respect in her eyes as she looked at Martan.
Martan, a dwarf master, was just over 300 years old, yet he had risen to become the head of the Earth branch of the Intergalactic Union.
Earth.
Since the appearance of the ‘Tower,’ the world had drawn the attention of higher beings.
The position of branch manager for the Seoul branch, so close to the Tower, could not be earned by mere ability.
Martan’s ability had earned him recognition and success within the Intergalactic Union.
His sharp insight was never wrong.
“If we subtly help this guy while he’s hiding his identity, what do you think will happen?”
“It would bring great benefits to the Union… and to you, Branch Manager.”
“I smell a big opportunity.”
Martan sniffed the air.
“Branch Manager, what should we do?”
“Let’s observe for now. If we start investigating, our relationship will break.”
“We’ll just watch. Understood.”
“This must not leak. Other branches would interfere.”
Martan had many enemies even within the Intergalactic Union.
Ellie, glancing back at Mincheol on the CCTV, spoke up.
“Branch Manager, what if his identity is from Pandemonium?”
“What are you worried about? Whether it’s Elysium or Pandemonium…”
Martan’s thumb and forefinger formed a circle.
“It’s all about the money.”
“Your materialism hasn’t changed, huh?”
“You should learn too. It’s less tiring for me if I have capable subordinates.”
“Hehe, I’ll keep an eye on that customer’s actions.”
“I trust you, Ellie.”
Ellie.
A woman with the bloodline of a ‘noble’ from the Canine race.
Her reconnaissance and investigative abilities were unparalleled in the Seoul branch of the Intergalactic Union.
Martan leaned back in his chair.
“By capturing this customer, I will rise higher in the Intergalactic Union.”
His clenched fist tightened with determination.