“It’s amazing; how’d you grow up like that in a year?”


  “Are you kidding me? I can’t believe I lost like this……”


  Ebiger Hammer’s representative descended from the stage, the same blonde beauty (She looked like a mature woman in her twenties, but considering her participation in last year’s contest, she was still in her teens) they had seen before. She bared her teeth in response to Lee Na-hee.

  “No, just pure admiration? Last year it was C-rank, but this year’s work was S+ rank.”


  “That’s…… Because I received support in many ways.”


  When Lee Na-hee heard that, she looked behind her, but there was no one there. Their team name was the same, but she was the only one who had come up to the stage. The fact she received support seemed related to materials…… Lee Na-hee turned her gaze to the black colored sword they had made.

  “I want to ask you in detail about that, but I’m in a hurry now, so later.”


  “.……I have something to ask you too.”


  Lee Na-hee climbed the platform at that. The object revealed along with her appearance was none other than a pendant, and an impressive one with multiple layers of square-shaped rings at that.

  “Everyone has been waiting for it, Shinyoung’s artifact produced by Kang Shin-hyuk, the Death Puppeteer……oh, there was a teamname of this work is called the Infinity Moon! Completed with an SS-rank rarity. It is a ridiculous artifact comparable to the work of the former Great Chief Lee Manwoo. Oh, by the way, Kang Shin-hyuk……?”


  “I focused on this work, so I decided to explain it myself.”


  Lee Na-hee responded calmly to the moderator, who seemed a little embarrassed she had come up alone. But at this point, everyone was already aware. That there was one more work to be announced, and that it was probably Kang Shin-hyuk’s team’s work.

  “I see! Then may I ask you to explain it?”


  “Sure.”


  Lee Na-hee accepted the artifact from the moderator and hung it around her neck. Lee Na-hee had been making accessories for several years, so while the performance itself was good, it was also incredibly well designed. The moment the moderator asked a question, she disappeared from the spot. The next moment, the presenter saw Lee Na-hee’s hand on their shoulder and shouted.

  “Ah?!”


  “The artifact’s ability is simple. It is a spatial movement.”


  Lee Na-hee explained with an elated smile as the moderator shouted in surprise.

  “Spatial movement!”


  “Of course, it could only travel very short distances. But it is capable of doing so continuously and allows for the ability to walk in the air for a short time. Its most important feature, however, was its activation time, which allowed for practical operation. As Lee Na-hee demonstrated its function, amazement sounded out throughout the hall. The face of the moderator also gradually changed.

  “Spatial movement-related artifacts were rare items only available at gates, unable to be reproduced by human abilities!”


  “Yeah. Although the announcement was made before. In fact, the production was successful thanks to the collaboration between the Alchemist Claire Boyle and Kang Shin-hyuk.”


  In fact, it was gradually known that the top rankers had the means to move through space. Since their mobility had drastically increased after acquiring those communication devices, it was inevitable someone would notice. In particular, their appearance while solving the situation a little while ago was especially noticeable. Since the timing was good, they announced the existence of the spatial movement artifact. Of course, requests for them flooded in, but all of them were rejected by saying that they would accept reservations in order of world ranking as they weren’t easily made. But such an artifact appeared here!

  “Is that so……?”


  “Yeah. The Alchemist was also here today……”


  When Lee Na-hee pointed to where Kang Shin-hyuk was originally, Claire waved back at her. It had been all planned out in advance.

  “Oh my god! The invitation must’ve been sent secretly!”


  “Yeah. In fact, our team has a close relationship with the Alchemist……”


  Lee Na-hee briefly explained that she had studied with Claire on how to create the spatial movement artifact. Of course, that was also true, but such artifacts could only be produced when technology and the source worked together. In other words, they required the materials Kang Shin-hyuk processed with all his power.

  “If so, will this artifact also be sold to high-rankers?”


  “Oh, this is what I made to use.”


  “Yes, I see.”


  The artifact contest was a place for artisans to advertise their work, not to sell it. However, it wasn’t surprising to see many were disappointed by Lee Na-hee’s reaction, as it was rare for artisan craftsmen to use their own goods on the battlefield.

  “The spatial movement artifacts for high rankers will continue to be led by thesupplied to the Shinyoung Guild, which is based in Shinyoung, a superhuman training school in Korea.”


  “Shinyoung Guild……? Aha!”


  The moderator’s eyes widened as he noticed it. Why was she talking about Shinyoung here? Yes, it was to increase the value of its name and clearly reveal their merit so that those who belonged to Shinyoung couldn’t be easily taken away.

  “I know that the Shinyoung Guild hasn’t yet revealed its debut to the public, yet after all, it was reorganized with a focus on Korea……?”


  “That’s a good question, but no.”


  It was unexpected, but the moderator was strangely matching Lee Na-hee’s words. It really looked like this place was designed to promote Shinyoung! Of course, that was the result of Lee Manwoo’s preparations. Kang Shin-hyuk didn’t want to admit it, but the influence of Lee Manwoo on the industry really was extraordinary.

  “Shinyoung Guild is accepting everyone who wants to join. Since the new guild name, the recruitment for Masked Bacchus is also being made.”


  It was like a comedy that had been planned in advance, but it wasn’t at all funny from the perspective of those watching. Everyone listening decided that this was dangerous. The Death Puppeteer Kang Shin-hyuk, No. 1 in the world, was staying in Shinyoung. Their quality was already high, but they had such artifacts too? They weren’t just an influential guild; they could easily become vicious predators that steal the elites from each country!

  “Not this……”


  “This…… Still, spatial movement……”


  Surely, who would’ve known that this team would’ve come under the name of that school and announce a spatial movement artifact? At this point, even if they hadn’t made the grand prize, she and Shinyoung were the main characters on the stage. Kang Shin-hyuk thought just having a high rank would be enough to dazzle them, but Lee Na-hee had clearly seen what artifacts might stimulate the peoples’ hearts.

  “I heard it well. Maybe it’ll make headlines around the world today.”


  “Then, let’s move on to the announcement of the grand prize.”


  “I think everyone’s expecting it, so shall we?”


  It wasn’t rehearsed; the moderator and Lee Na-hee worked off each other perfectly. From the start, they grabbed and pulled down the white tablecloth that was draped over the table in the center of the stage. What was below it was a pure white shield without a single spot.

  “Wow, it’s beautiful. However, this isn’t just beauty. Everyone, you will probably be surprised. The rarity of this work is a whopping SSS- rank!”


  “.……What?”


  “SSS- rank……?”


  “What?!”


  “It’s said there is a minus, but how is it that high……!”


  It was a really good response. Perhaps Lee Manwoo had even planted a person in the crowd? Lee Na-hee thought that as she saw the response bursting out from the crowd. At the same time, she saw Kang Shin-hyuk appear and walk up to the stage. All of his business had been concluded in that short time, and now her lovely partner had returned.

  work, Athena! It’s a bold name that upholds the name of the goddess Athena, but it isn’t arrogant at all being at a whopping SSS- rank!”


  The moderator praised it with all his might and nodded satisfied when he saw Lee Manwoo give him a thumbs-up. However, they had originally planned to complete this artifact at the rank of SS+. Kang Shin-hyuk pledged to do so but failed in the final adjustment because his light mastery had grown steeply over the past few months. However, he didn’t have enough time to create a new work, and he didn’t think that the SSS-rank was great enough to need hiding.

  “Now, Kang Shin-hyuk is coming up! May I ask for an explanation of the work?”


  “Sure.”


  Kang Shin-hyuk nodded heavily as he approached the center of the stage and hefted the shield in one hand. Countless people were paying attention to him. In particular, Wilford’s gaze was strong, as if to ask why there hadn’t been reports of Olivia’s death.

  “This shield, Athena, is the result of sublimating light into the will to protect everything. It possesses strong light and sacred attributes and effectively reduces the power of distorted beings, typically demons.”


  “Wow! Are you talking about an artifact specialized to fight demons? You created it with your own strength?!”


  “It depends on the material, but it is possible. Everyone knows that Jormungand has been raiding us lately. It was created with the desire to defeat the demons that lead them.”


  “If so, this work also……?”


  “It’s not this work specifically, but I’m indeed thinking of making attributed weapons to distribute to Shinyoung.”


  “Unbelievable!”


  Unlike Lee Na-hee, Kang Shin-hyuk quickly realized the moderator was speaking to them, but it wasn’t bad.

  “Then, Kang Shin-hyuk, is it possible to demonstrate?”


  “Yeah. The right target is in front of us, so I would like to demonstrate the power of light purification the shield possesses.”


  “Yes?”


  The moderator didn’t seem to understand, but luckily Wilford did. Kang Shin-hyuk laughed at him, looking at him with wide eyes. Then he held the shield forward and shouted loudly.

  “Uncover and purify all distorted things! Light purification!”


  Of course, there was no need to shout, but it was unavoidable anyway.