Chapter 1: Cursed Object
Living as an orphan is no easy feat, but the country doesn't exactly leave you to die.
Once you come of age and leave the orphanage, you are given a one-time settlement fund of 10 million won.
It’s not a small sum, but once you pay the security deposit and cover some living expenses, it vanishes in the blink of an eye.
Our director knew this all too well.
"Gaon, why don't you save your allowance?"
"But then I won't be able to eat at Hamdaria."
"This is called a 'Stepping Stone Savings Account.' It’s a great system where the government triples the savings of children like you."
"Is it any good?"
"When you grow up, you’ll be able to buy two Hamdaria burgers every single day. You could eat two hundred instead of just a hundred."
"Wow! You mean Hamdaria burgers can be duplicated?!"
It was a system where, if a child from a vulnerable social group saved 50,000 won a month, the government would match it with an additional 100,000 won.
They say the world has gone to ruin, but I’m glad I was born in a country decent enough to maintain such a heartwarming system.
Especially since that 50,000 won allowance was just money coming in from monthly sponsorships anyway.
"Yes, yes, you’ve thought it through well. This place has a cheap deposit and the monthly rent isn't too bad."
"Yes, then I’ll go to the bank and make the deposit."
"Go to the bank? Just use mobile banking."
"I don't have a phone..."
Anyway, a 5 million won deposit and 450,000 won in monthly rent... It’s a dizzying expense, but in the middle of Seoul, this is definitely a bargain.
"Hey, you student! This is a hazard management zone! Step back!"
"Ah, sorry."
Soldiers were blocking off the middle of the neighborhood’s main road, shooing away anyone who approached.
Behind them, as they stood guard with grim expressions, a sinister wave of light rippled in the air.
A Gate.
They say it’s an entrance connected to another world.
It’s a peculiar phenomenon that has been appearing and disappearing all over the world for about a decade now.
I wonder what the Hunters are doing. Why don't they get rid of things like that quickly?
"Customer Yoon Gaon, how may I help you today?"
"Please deposit the money into this account, and I’d like to open a Youth Hope Savings account."
After depositing the security deposit and rent for the landlady and setting up the 100,000 won monthly contribution for the savings account, I had 4.65 million won left from my settlement fund.
But I also had my Stepping Stone Savings Account, where I’d been putting away 50,000 won every month since I was four.
With the government adding 100,000 won each month, I had saved 9 million won of my own.
But the actual total was 27 million won! Including the 4.65 million won left from my settlement fund, I had a total of 31.65 million won!
If rent is 450,000 won, food is 200,000 won, and transportation plus other miscellaneous expenses come to 150,000 won... that’s about 800,000 won a month...
Okay. I can survive for three years and three months.
Once I find a job and have a steady income, I’ll be able to live even more comfortably.
Living in this world is easy!
Bang!
"Hands up, everyone! Before I kill you all!!"
"Oh."
A man in a mask holding a sword. It was a bank robber.
"Oh, oh!"
The bank security guard was flustered, but his movements were swift.
As crime has increased, armed security guards have become a mandatory fixture in banks.
Which meant he was loaded with live ammunition.
The guard pulled the trigger at the sword-wielding robber.
At that moment, the masked robber made a move.
Was he trying to slash with his sword?
I wondered why he was acting up with a sword, but it turned out he was an Awakened!
Awakened individuals who gained magical power after the Gate incident.
They say Hunters who defeat monsters in the Dark Zone and explore the world beyond the Gates have transcended human limits.
If they were Awakened like that, they might even be able to deflect bullets.
Bang!
The bullet fired from the muzzle, and at the exact same moment, the masked robber swung his sword.
Silence.
As everyone held their breath and stared at the robber, the man’s mouth opened.
"Your gun... is pretty fast."
Thud!
The robber fell backward. On his forehead was a hole that looked like a popped, giant pimple.
"..."
"..."
As expected, guns are the best.
【You pathetic wretch. To be this weak.】
Then, a voice that sounded like it was rising from a deep abyss.
I looked around, wondering if I’d misheard, but I wasn't the only one who heard it.
"D-did you hear that just now? What was that strange sound..."
"I heard it too. Where did that voice come from?"
It wasn't just me; everyone heard that voice. And the owner of the voice continued to send out ominous echoes.
【Grasp me. Grasp me.】
I knew exactly where the source of the voice was headed.
The sword the masked robber had dropped as he fell.
The voice was flowing out of that sword, which was overflowing with a sinister aura.
Instinctively, I realized it.
That thing was dangerous.
【Grasp me! I shall grant you power! Take blood, accumulate Karma, and become the strongest existence!!】
The voice grew stronger.
Those who heard it felt an instinctive repulsion.
"Ugh, ugh... N-no! If I touch that sword..."
"Ms. Park Bok-rye! You have to hold on! Stay in your seat!"
"E-everyone, hold on! It looks dangerous no matter how you look at it! Don't be seduced by the voice! Y-you mustn't!"
Just as the security guard said, we began to resist the sword’s temptation.
One second. A time as long as a thousand years passed.
"Hyun-soo! Close your eyes tight and count to 100!"
"Mom! I’ll try my best!"
Two seconds. A fleeting moment felt like an eon.
"Our Father who art in heaven, lead us not into temptation!"
Three seconds. I’ve held out long enough.
"Urrghhhhhhh!!"
Four seconds. I did my best.
*Dash!*
"H-hey, student?"
"Oh! Stop that student! Someone grab him!"
"Y-you brat! You can't do that! Oh! Oh my goodness!!"
"Hyung! You can't do that! Waaaaah!"
After clearing away the obstacles, I dodged the tackle of the security guard—the final gatekeeper—with a mistimed movement.
"Argh! N-no!"
Even as the security guard let out a final cry, I threw my body forward and snatched the sword the masked robber had been holding.
And the moment I grasped the sword.
【Kwahahahaha! My new host! If you wish to become the strongest swordsman, offer up your most precious thing!】
Offer up... my most precious thing?
I looked at the people while holding the sword.
People flinched.
Really?
I have to offer up my most precious thing?
【Yes! That which you love. You must be willing to give it up for power! Offer your Karma to me!】
The voice of the sword urging me on was incredibly intense.
An overwhelming impulse that I must accomplish it.
I trembled, thinking of the price I had to pay.
【Hehehe, are you resisting? What great willpower. But don't you want it? The power to look down upon the world. The power to stand above ten thousand, where no one can look down on you!】
I want it!
I want it so badly!
Isn't it every man's dream to be born, rise up, and stand in a position of supreme authority?
If I have to offer something precious for that...
I strode forward and pulled a number ticket.
It wasn't my turn, but it didn't matter. I had the Cursed Object now.
"Bank teller, miss."
"Y-yes, yes...!"
The bank teller flinched.
The fear flowing from her pretty face made me feel good.
I willingly offered up the most precious thing I possessed.
"31.65 million won. Please donate it to Immanuel Orphanage. The account number is—"
I had offered up my entire fortune.
It was a truly terrifying price to pay.
【?????】
As if it had read my resolve, the sword’s voice also trembled.
0 Comments