Ch.4315. New Ancient Gear (3)

The hunters blocking the two had serious looks in their eyes.

They weren’t carelessly flaunting their energy, yet their intimidating presence was palpable. A sign of skilled hunters.

‘This is supposed to be a VIP exchange, so even the security guards must be different.’

At that moment, Soso’s demeanor changed.

“Anyone? Then I suppose someone who isn’t just anyone should be allowed. I must enter. Step aside.”

There’s something I always told her to awaken her Cheonma Divine Technique: A Cheonma must always be dignified. And no one should stand in a Cheonma’s way.

“What do you mean by that?”

The one who appeared to be the leader of the security guards spoke calmly, but his expression was incredulous.

A woman in a gray dress with a light cardigan. Long black hair flowing down to her waist. Her beauty was remarkable, but to the hunters, she was just a young woman.

For such a woman to dismiss them so casually—it was bewildering.

“Why aren’t they moving aside?”

“This young woman has lost her mind already. This isn’t a department store! If you want to visit luxury shops, go somewhere else! There are many famous department stores in Pyongyang.”

“You talk too much. If you don’t step aside, I won’t hold back. If you don’t want to get hurt, it would be best to clear the way for me.”

The leader of the security guards was silently observing Soso, but the other staff couldn’t contain themselves.

“How dare this green little girl!”

One staff member drew his weapon.

A Hunter Sword, a common weapon among hunters. Made with high-strength alloy using modern smelting techniques, mixed with monster byproducts. It was a standard blade with exceptional cutting power.

The sword gleamed sharply. A Hunter Sword infused with mana was threatening.

But Soso didn’t even blink.

– And those who stand in a Cheonma’s way must always pay the price.

That was the principle of Cheonma I had taught Soso during my time as Ains, but truthfully, the security guards’ reaction was correct now.

This VIP exchange was indeed not a place where just anyone could enter.

“You’ve drawn your sword before me. Then I assume you’re prepared to pay the price.”

And Soso recited those words I had taught her, without missing a single word. In that instant, her aura transformed.

“W-what the!”

As if a whirlwind was forming around her, a sudden gust of mana erupted. Soso’s mana acceleration technique—in Muguk terms, the internal energy method known as Cheonma Divine Technique.

‘Cheonma Divine Technique. With that level of energy… she’s already reached the realm of 6 stars.’

I already knew this from her combat records, but experiencing it firsthand was far more impressive. The only daughter of Yeon Sehwi of the Five Great Celestial Stars.

The Cheonma blood flowing through her, the absolute bloodline that rules martial arts, was already in full bloom. Yeon Sehwi, the Cheonma who had reached the pinnacle of the Cheonma Divine Technique, was at 9 stars.

But even with her lesser mastery of the Cheonma Divine Technique, it was enough to intimidate all the hunters present.

“Do you have anything more to say? If so, I won’t remain still either.”

Soso’s hand moved to her waist. Though wearing a dress, she had a sword attached to her belt. Not an S-grade gear, but an A+ grade martial sword.

As her hand touched the sword handle, intense killing intent began to spread along with the mana pressure. I could see the security guards breaking into cold sweat.

However, the leader, who maintained his composure despite his tense expression, spoke. He bowed his head.

“I apologize for not recognizing you sooner. You must be the young mistress of the Cheonma Divine Sect. Please forgive our rudeness.”

At the leader’s words, the other hunters began murmuring among themselves.

The Cheonma Divine Sect. The name alone was enough to rival the Hunter Association and the Snow Field Knights Order of the Slavian Kingdom.

“Young mistress… of the Five Great Celestial Stars… the daughter of Cheonma Yeon Sehwi?”

Though it might be hard to believe from Soso’s appearance alone, the hunters who had physically felt her pressure had a different reaction.

They all bowed their heads along with their leader. Especially the hunter who had drawn his sword, who bent completely at the waist. I could see drops of nervous sweat falling to the floor.

The outcome of the confrontation was already decided. Soso glanced at me briefly, then removed her hand from the sword handle.

“As long as you understand. I’m here on business. I don’t wish to cause any more commotion. Let the two of us pass.”

But the leader’s expression remained troubled.

“I wish I could. However… this VIP exchange, even for renowned hunters, mere qualification alone is insufficient…”

“Insufficient?”

Soso’s expression grew cold again. As the air around her began to change once more, I stepped in front of her.

“Team Leader Yeon. Just a moment. Let me handle this.”

***

All the security guards turned their attention to me.

Just moments ago, they clearly remembered what happened when they blocked Soso’s way.

Yet I casually stepped in front of Soso. And when I did, the flowing mana currents instantly disappeared.

Like a gentle lamb, Soso quietly waited for me to speak. The other security guards looked utterly bewildered at this dramatic change. The leader, wearing an equally perplexed expression, spoke.

“Excuse me, companion of Young Mistress Yeon, what were you saying…”

“You misunderstand. We’re from the Flame Guild.”

“Flame? I know Flame. We’re hunters registered with the Association too. I know Flame is an S-grade guild. However…”

“Even with an S-grade license, one cannot enter this exchange. Is that what you’re saying?”

“You understand. This isn’t an exchange for individuals. The prices of items traded here are beyond imagination. And it’s not just about private transactions—the trade and distribution of high-grade gear is connected to corporations…”

In short, only transactions between corporations and the exchange were possible. It was a matter of credit. He briefly took out his smartphone and entered something.

“The distribution company for Flame is Korea Dongsan Distribution. They’re a first-tier partner of Manseong. Unfortunately, they don’t meet our exchange’s standards…”

“Wait. That information seems outdated. Flame’s distribution partner has recently changed.”

“Changed? To which company…”

And at that moment, a man’s voice came from behind me.

“Oh my. The flight was delayed. Sorry, Minsu. Excuse me, security guard. Please let these people in. As he just said, Flame has changed its distribution company.”

The leader glanced at the man. He recognized the ID card hanging around the man’s neck.

“Pyotr Kim…? You’re a director at Solaris.”

“That’s right. From now on, we’ll be distributing what Flame acquires. And since Solaris is certainly qualified to access this exchange, there shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

The leader nodded. As Pyotr Kim said, while Solaris might be struggling to enter the Far East market against Manseong and other Korean companies, it was still a first-class European conglomerate. Its creditworthiness was sufficient. This was precisely why I had chosen to partner with Pyotr again.

With a company that had sufficient capital and offered the lowest commission rates, there was no reason not to join hands.

“I understand. I’ll inform our headquarters to raise Flame’s credit rating at the exchange. I apologize for not checking in advance.”

The leader bowed to Soso and me once more. The other security guards followed suit.

“Let’s go, Team Leader Yeon.”

“Y-yes, alright.”

The three of us finally passed through the security guards and entered the VIP exchange. Soso, walking beside me, glanced at me nervously.

‘She overdid it because of me.’

Perhaps Soso wanted to act like a Cheonma in front of me. It was typical of Soso, who had decided to become a Cheonma for my sake.

‘Well, I’m fortunate things ended as they did in the archives this morning.’

Even without being Blood Demon Soso, if she set her mind to it, she could imprison me and keep me immobile. It felt strange that such a formidable Soso was now watching my reactions anxiously.

‘That was a close call.’

Actually, I had already crossed some lines with Soso, but I wanted to believe that was beyond my control and forget about it.

Pyotr, who had casually put his arm around my shoulder, whispered in my ear.

“By the way, that scary young lady is Yeon Sehwi’s daughter? She turns into a gentle lamb at your word. Are you two involved? Last time, the Grand Duke Andrei’s daughter was giving you strange looks too. How did you manage to captivate two daughters of the Five Great Celestial Stars? You’re quite the ladies’ man.”

As Pyotr mentioned, not only Cheonma Yeon Sehwi but also Grand Duke Andrei Tarkovsky, Yuri’s father and master of the Snow Field Knights Order, was among the Five Great Celestial Stars.

“I haven’t captivated anyone. We’re just colleagues. It’s purely business.”

I answered in a very low voice, but Soso seemed to have heard. Her expression turned gloomy. I pretended not to notice and fully entered the exchange.

A vast and luxurious space awaited inside.

***

The atmosphere inside the VIP exchange was unique. Rather than an exchange, it felt more like a banquet hall in a luxury hotel.

“I’ll have vodka. What about the others?”

“Bamboo leaf liquor for the lady. And just barley tea for me, please.”

We sat at a table, and a staff member naturally approached to ask about drinks. Though one shouldn’t drink alcohol during work, Pyotr was from the Russian Federation, and Soso was an A-grade awakened one for whom any strong liquor would be meaningless. So it wasn’t an issue.

“You’re not drinking?”

“Let’s think with common sense. I’m working.”

“Tsk. Korean men lack spirit. Well, I also have Korean blood, but men in the Russian Federation or Slavia consider vodka essential while working.”

At his words, Soso suddenly glared fiercely at Pyotr. Intimidated by her killing intent, Pyotr quickly averted his gaze.

“W-well, I suppose Korean culture is different. Anyway… since we’re working.”

His quick change of tone showed he was truly a businessman. Then I asked him:

“Pyotr, you’ve prepared the ammunition as I mentioned, right?”

“Of course. Enough to sweep away everyone in this banquet hall.”

Obviously, the ammunition wasn’t bullets but money. And bullets wouldn’t work on hunters anyway.

“Flame has provided 1 billion as support for Ancient Gear, and they said they could provide an additional 500 million if the reason for use is justified.”

Meanwhile, I received a message with the approximate estimated price of the item I had requested for appraisal.

“And if I dispose of the four B+ grade gears I’ve had appraised here, that’s another 800 million. So we can spend 2.3 billion from our side.”

“That’s not a small amount. It should be enough to buy a decent A-grade gear.”

“But the gear I want to buy is A+ grade. Plus, it’s being auctioned here today. We’ll need more support from Solaris.”

A+ grade gear. Unlike the B+ grade gears I received as rewards, to withstand Hongok’s pressure, I needed gear of that high grade.

And not just the grade—considering compatibility with Hongok’s flame attribute, I absolutely had to acquire the gear coming up in this auction.

“I hope there’s no unnecessary competition. The less money spent, the better.”

“Save money elsewhere. Support this fully. You won’t lose out.”

“Hmm… Alright. If it’s your business, I won’t doubt it. You’ve connected me with quite a few guilds before.”

Pyotr answered surprisingly readily. Though he might seem frivolous, he was a businessman to the core.

‘But I’ve already proven myself to him.’

During the recent intern program business trip, many independent guilds came to side with Flame due to the results.

All the items acquired from that A-grade dungeon conquest, where Flame and the independent guilds gained ownership—Pyotr’s Solaris took charge of distributing all those acquisitions.

‘So he must have calculated that this won’t be a losing deal.’

There was still some time until the auction began. Then, from another table, I noticed someone staring at our table.

A foreign man. But uniquely, instead of modern attire, he wore an old-fashioned magician’s robe.

I recognized the pattern embroidered on that robe.

‘From the White Magic Tower. And now affiliated with the Snow Field Knights Order.’

The man abruptly stood up and approached our group. Looking at me, he spoke in the language of the Slavian Kingdom.

“Well, if it isn’t Lee Minsu.”