Chapter 76

After returning to the Clan House, we put a lot of effort into a massive promotional campaign. Naturally, the world went wild when we created and distributed a strategy journal about the Library of Records.

A place where you could receive rare-grade rewards just by visiting, without even needing to fight monsters. Of course, everyone was bound to take notice.

While large clans only showed mild interest, the attention from small to medium-sized clans and party-based adventurers exploded.

The rewards weren’t overwhelmingly high, but the fact that you could get decent rewards without risking your life was a pretty big merit.

‘And… the market price of rare-grade items plummeted.’

The reason for the drop in rare-grade item prices was, of course, due to the excessive supply of rare-grade items flooding the market because of the Library of Records’ rewards. Fortunately, as soon as I returned to the clan, I suggested selling off our rare-grade items, so our clan ended up making a huge profit.

Naturally, our clan’s standing also improved.

Of course, we didn’t suddenly rise to the top ranks, but we showed potential. We successfully shifted our image from a declining clan to one with growth potential.

And we still hadn’t opened the treasure chests we received as rewards. We’d been too busy since returning.

‘Still, it’s a relief that Lee Jae-hyo got his act together. Without him, it would’ve taken even longer.’

Thankfully, while we were away on the expedition, Lee Jae-hyo had taken care of various tasks.

I remembered how Lee Jae-hyo had greeted us with a happy face when we returned from the expedition. He seemed genuinely worried about us.

He was especially shocked when he heard about our encounter with the outlaws. At first, he was surprised that we’d been attacked, but later, he seemed amazed that we all came back unharmed.

Anyway, today was the day to open the treasure chests. When I went down to the first floor, everyone was already gathered. I guess I was the last one.

“Looks like everyone’s already here.”

“Hyung!”

“You’re here, Lee Yun-seong-nim.”

“I’m a bit late. Had some work to take care of…”

“No worries, Yoon Seong-ssi.”

Turning my gaze, I could see the chests placed on the table.

The clan members all had expectant looks on their faces. Of course, the thrill of not knowing what you’ll get from a random draw is exciting. No wonder random boxes and gacha content were so popular back on Earth.

‘Honestly, I’m excited too.’

The treasure chest description said there was a high chance of getting high-grade items, so it was natural to feel excited.

Yoo Hyun, with sparkling eyes, spoke up.

“Yoo Ju noona, should we open them now?”

“Sure, then…”

“Wait a second.”

I cut off Seo Yoo-ju and spoke up. I had something to say.

“Yes, Yoon Seong-ssi. Go ahead.”

“I think… it might be better if the person with the highest Luck stat opens the chests.”

“Ah… that makes sense…”

You never know. Even though the treasure chest description didn’t mention anything about Luck stats affecting the outcome, with randomness involved, it might still play a role.

The clan members also seemed to agree, realizing they hadn’t thought of that. There’s no harm in letting the person with the highest Luck stat open the chests, so it was worth a try.

And so, the chest-opening team was decided. Since one person couldn’t open all the chests, the three with the highest Luck stats were chosen: Lee Jae-hyo, Wi Ho-yeon, and Yoo Hyun.

Lee Jae-hyo, looking nervous, spoke up.

“…Alright, I’ll open it now.”

I could understand why he was nervous. If he opened it and a rare-grade item came out, it would be a disaster.

‘At least a Hero-grade item should come out. A Legend-grade item would be the best.’

A Legend-grade item would be the ideal outcome. Hero-grade items aren’t exactly common, but they’re not so rare that they’re impossible to obtain.

In contrast, Legend-grade items are extremely rare in this world.

Even Wi Ho-yeon, who’s been active in this world for quite some time, only has Hero-grade equipment. That alone shows the prestige of Legend-grade items.

Even the clan masters of large clans barely have Legend-grade items.

‘Please… a Legend-grade item…’

Then, Lee Jae-hyo opened the chest, and a brilliant light poured out as an item appeared.

I immediately checked the item’s information.

[Gloves of Magic Absorption (Hero-grade) – Can absorb up to Hero-grade magic once per day. Increases Resistance by 3 when equipped.]

‘It’s not a Legend-grade item, but it’s still good.’

Being able to absorb magic once a day, even if it’s limited to Hero-grade, is a huge advantage. Of course, there’s the condition that it only works up to Hero-grade, but it’s still a reasonable condition.

The others also seemed disappointed that it wasn’t a Legend-grade item, but after reading the item description carefully, their eyes widened in surprise.

Hyeon-jin spoke up.

“…It’s not a Legend-grade item, but these gloves are pretty good, right? Yoo Ju noona, isn’t this a decent item?”

“Yeah, it’s definitely good.”

Lee Jae-hyo looked relieved, probably because a decent item had come out.

“…Next is me.”

Now it was Wi Ho-yeon’s turn. When she opened the treasure chest, light poured out again, and an item appeared.

[Gauntlets of Ruthless Destruction (Hero-grade) – Gauntlets designed solely for destruction. Increases Strength by 5 when equipped.]

‘…Ugh.’

This time, the result wasn’t great. While the gloves from earlier were a high-tier Hero-grade item, these gauntlets were a low-tier Hero-grade item.

‘Damn… only one left.’

Looking around, the others didn’t seem too pleased either. Wi Ho-yeon looked downcast and spoke up.

“…I’m sorry.”

She seemed to feel responsible, looking anxious. Honestly, it wasn’t her fault, so I tried to comfort her.

“Ho-yeon-ssi, don’t blame yourself too much. If someone else had opened it, we might’ve gotten a rare-grade item. Just getting a Hero-grade item is still a relief, so don’t stress too much.”

“…Thank you, Lee Yun-seong-nim…”

The others also seemed to notice her downcast mood and started comforting her.

“That’s right, Ho-yeon unnie. Don’t blame yourself. It’s still a good item.”

“You’re right, noona.”

“Thank you, everyone…”

It was a heartwarming scene, but honestly, I couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter. Greed, I guess.





I had a little hope that maybe I could get two Legend Grade items.

‘…It absolutely has to drop from the last box.’

Even three Hero Grade items would be a great result, but if possible, getting a Legend Grade item is the best. I couldn’t help but cheer for Yoo Hyun, who was up last.

‘Yoo Hyun, I believe in you…!’

Yoo Hyun seemed to notice the expectations of the others and hesitated with a nervous expression.

“Hyung…”

“Yoo Hyun, don’t feel pressured. No one will blame you no matter what comes out. Got it? Just open it without any pressure. Even if it’s a Rare Grade item, it’s fine, so don’t feel burdened.”

Honestly, if a Rare Grade item came out, it would be terrible, but I said it to consider Yoo Hyun’s feelings.

‘Please… please…!’

Since Yoo Hyun has the highest luck stat among the clan members, I didn’t think it was impossible.

“I’ll… open it now…”

As soon as Yoo Hyun opened the box, a brighter light poured out compared to before.

‘…This is…’

What came out of the box was a sword. The unusual thing was the sword’s appearance. The blade wasn’t visible, only the hilt existed. Where the blade should have been, there was a strange form with ink-colored smoke flowing out.

[Intangible Sword (Legend Grade) – A sword whose blade is invisible. Only the wielder can see the sword’s true form. Additionally, it consumes a large amount of the wielder’s mana to temporarily pass through objects without colliding. When equipped, Strength increases by 3, and Agility increases by 5.]

‘Insane.’

The item that came out was, in one word, insane. A top-tier weapon that any swordsman would dream of.

Yoo Hyun was looking at the result he achieved with disbelief in his eyes.

“Waaaaah!”

Soon after, everyone started shouting. It was such an unbelievable result, so it was only natural. Especially Wi Ho-yeon and Hyeon-jin, who were swordsmen, seemed mesmerized by the sword.

I patted Yoo Hyun’s head and praised him.

“You did well, Yoo Hyun. Really well.”

“Hehe…”

I felt like I wanted to give him a ride on a plane.

Seo Yoo-ju also seemed quite satisfied with the result, smiling broadly as she spoke.

“The result is very good. Now, let’s decide on the ownership.”

The gauntlet is practically excluded. Since none of us use gauntlets, we’ll sell it. The problem is who will own the gloves and the sword.

Kang I-seo raised her hand and shared her opinion.

“I think the old man should get the gloves.”

Certainly, since the gloves increase resistance, it’s a good choice for Ho-won to receive them.

However, before Seo Yoo-ju could respond to Kang I-seo’s opinion, Ho-won declined.

“No, I don’t think I should receive it.”

“Old man, if you feel burdened…”

“No, that’s not the reason. There’s another reason.”

Seo Yoo-ju asked with a curious expression at the mention of another reason.

“Hmm… Could you tell us what the reason is?”

“Of course. The reason I’m declining the gloves is simple. Although it’s a burden, magic can be blocked with a shield as well.”

“I see…”

“I think it’s better for another frontliner to receive it.”

It was a valid reason.

“Uh… Then, how about Yoo-ju noona receiving the gloves?”

“…No. I think Hyeon-jin should receive them.”

“Me, me?”

“Yeah. You haven’t received an item even once yet. It’s right for you to receive it this time.”

As Seo Yoo-ju said, Hyeon-jin had never received an item before.

“Rather than me, Yoo-ju noona should use them…”

“I’ve already received a lot. This time, it’s right for you to receive them. I don’t think anyone else would object to you getting the gloves.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Hyeon-jin eventually received the gloves.

“…Then, I’ll gratefully accept them.”

‘Now, the long-awaited sword.’

The ownership of the Intangible Sword would essentially be decided between two people since there are only two swordsmen in the clan.

As it was the first time deciding the ownership of a Legend Grade item, everyone fell silent.

When no one voiced their opinion, Hyeon-jin spoke up.

“…I think Ho-yeon noona should receive the sword.”

At the suggestion to yield the sword, Wi Ho-yeon, surprised, opened her mouth in a fluster.

“No. I haven’t been in the Eternity Clan for long. I think it’s too much for me to receive it.”

“No. Honestly, even if I received that sword, I wouldn’t be able to use it properly.”

It was true, though I felt sorry for Hyeon-jin. Honestly, if Hyeon-jin received the Intangible Sword, he wouldn’t be able to bring out its full potential.

“But…”

“No matter what anyone says, my opinion won’t change. I… don’t intend to receive the sword. The gloves are enough for me.”

‘He’s firm…’

Hyeon-jin seemed to have no intention of changing his mind. Although his gaze occasionally drifted to the sword, suggesting he did have some desire for it, he seemed to have judged objectively.

‘Is it because he recognizes that he wouldn’t be able to use it properly even if he received it?’

As a swordsman, it was impossible not to desire that sword. He must have judged that the Sword Monarch using the sword would be more beneficial to the clan.

Seo Yoo-ju, realizing Hyeon-jin’s firmness, spoke to Wi Ho-yeon.

“It seems… the sword will go to Ho-yeon. Congratulations.”

“…If that’s the case… although it’s too much, I’ll gratefully accept it. I’ll strive even harder.”

Given Wi Ho-yeon’s personality, the fact that she stopped refusing and accepted suggested that she also had a desire for the sword.

I’m not blaming her. If I were in her position, I would have felt the same desire.

Rather, it’s a good sight. She’s not the type to betray our clan, so it will definitely benefit the clan in a positive way.