Level 4 Human in a Ruined World

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Chapter 302: The Successor (1)

≪|l||I- A “Myth” has appeared on Earth.≫

The appearance of a myth on Earth.

This phrase, appearing for the first time since the reset, carried significant meaning.

'What? There was no such announcement when I received Bastard.’

Didn’t that notification mean that the system overseeing this reset had recognized the influx of a myth onto this planet?

But why wasn’t there an announcement for the “Bastard,” a myth that had arrived on Earth early on?

‘Does that mean Bastard wasn’t an official appearance?’

Yeongwoo could only think of it this way.

‘But I paid taxes, and even the president paid a transfer tax, as far as I know.’

Of course, the circumstances of receiving Bastard and the holy relic of the Redfoot Orcs were different.

The former had been provided as a piece of equipment through a formal service contract, while the latter was technically more of an ‘incident.’

‘That's right. The holy relics were more coincidental, so why…?’

Yeongwoo pondered this while stroking the surface of the relic that was within his reach.

As he did, the whispers of the Redfoot ancestors residing in the relic gradually faded, and soon, a tooltip for the equipment appeared.

Flash!

「Aratubank」 - Mythical Shield

【Immunity】

【Coffin】

【Shared Pain】

‘Hooh. The shield itself is named Aratubank.’

It was the first mythical equipment he'd obtained since Bastard, and his first mythical armor.

In a way, it was also the first myth Yeongwoo had obtained on his own.

Though the Redfoot Orcs had forged this myth, it was only through Yeongwoo’s peculiar, fateful call that the myth had crossed dimensions to arrive on Earth.

Whether it was thanks to Yeongwoo’s heart effect or pure coincidence was uncertain.

【Fate Roll】

| Whenever you reach a pivotal moment in fate, the lowest possible probability is applied with a 3x multiplier.

【Stubborn】

| The difficulty of all problems increases. All surprises increase.

What was certain, however, was that if someone like Jeong Yeongwoo didn’t exist on Earth, Aratubank would never have appeared in this place.

‘Ah, is that why the system reacted? Because, from a cosmic perspective, this myth is the only natural occurrence…?’

It was still difficult for him to comprehend things from a cosmic perspective, being just a mere creature in the grand scheme.

“……”

Yeongwoo stopped pondering and turned his attention to the detailed tooltip of the new myth, Aratubank.

‘Let’s see how impressive the effects of a mythical shield are.’

There were three unique effects in total, and the first effect already surpassed expectations in a ‘mythical’ manner.

【Immunity】

| This shield cannot be destroyed and can block most non-physical damage and mental attacks.

‘What? Seriously, ancestors…!’

Yeongwoo re-read the detailed tooltip for ‘Immunity’ with a look of awe.

Generally, a shield was meant to block physical attacks, and with a bit of imagination, it might even block something like a dragon’s breath.

But this shield could block most non-physical damage and even mental attacks.

‘The Devourer's influence must also count as a mental attack.’

Had his brothers used this relic, could they have avoided losing their homeland to Mara?

“……”

Yeongwoo didn’t think so.

Only one person at most could use the shield’s effect, and his brothers lacked the firepower to kill void creatures in the first place.

‘You shed far too much blood to reach me.’

Yeongwoo wiped his dry eyes and shifted his gaze to the next tooltip.

【Coffin】

| You can place blood relatives into the coffin. Special effects are granted depending on the phase and condition of the stored targets. (0/2)

‘Huh…?’

This was an effect he found hard to believe for different reasons.

‘Place blood relatives… in a coffin? This shield, really?’

No matter how he interpreted it, that’s what it seemed to mean.

It implied that by storing his blood relatives in the shield, he could gain special effects.

What’s more...

‘Depending on their phase and condition… Phase I get, but what exactly does condition mean?’

Various thoughts swirled in Yeongwoo’s mind.

The word “condition,” in the context of the tooltip, left room for multiple interpretations.

‘Does it mean whether they’re alive or dead?’

Yeongwoo scratched his chin.

What else could it mean?

‘It’s not like it’s talking about their health condition.’

There was also a decent chance it referred to the type of race.

After all, in this world, where the reset was ongoing, members of the same bloodline could belong to different races.

Like his mother, who would return as a dragon one day, or his second uncle.

‘Either way, it's insane. Why on earth would you carry your blood relatives’ corpses in your shield?’

It was a dizzying thought, but one more effect remained.

【Shared Pain】

| The Redfoot ancestors will bear half of your pain. Your pain will be significantly reduced, and emotional suffering such as guilt and sorrow will also be alleviated.

‘What kind of crazy equipment did these guys make…?’

Yeongwoo, now baffled, glanced back at Master Bang, who had been watching him closely and flinched.

- How is it? Aratubank, our myth.

Yeongwoo let out a long sigh in response.

“It seems like incredible equipment.”

- …But? Is there something wrong?

“It feels like it’s turning me into a total psychopath.”

The Shared Pain effect, which took away half the pain, was excellent.

Thanks to his Berserker Amulet, he was already in a state where a certain level of pain was completely ignored.

So Aratubank’s final effect would greatly mitigate the pain that the Berserker couldn’t suppress—pain that was either too intense or too insignificant.

However…

“They say the ancestors will take away feelings of guilt and sadness. Like some kind of worry doll.”

- Worry doll…?

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“…It’s a thing.”

Yeongwoo chose not to explain further.

“In any case, it’ll help me draw blood without hesitation.”

As he finished speaking and pulled Aratubank out of the relic case, the nearby orcs let out groans.

- Ahhh…

- So, it ends like this.

- The holy relic!

- Aratubank!

For them, wouldn't it be as if their nation's treasure had fallen into the hands of an alien?

Of course, Yeongwoo was also recognized as a member of the Redfoot Orcs, but there was a clear difference.

‘I can’t stuff my brothers into this shield. I’m not a real orc, and I don’t share their blood.’

So, while he could understand the feelings of the Redfoot Orcs, that didn’t mean he had any intention of returning this sacred artifact.

Because...

Flash!

[Mythology Catalog]

〔2〕

Just now, the number of collections in the Mythology Codex had increased by one.

‘I can’t unlock the effects with just two. Do I need to gather three?’

Then a warning appeared, just like with the Bastard Sword, stating that Aratubank wouldn't activate its effects unless equipped directly.

[There are 3 inactive effects.]

|Subject: Golden Trail, 「Bastard」, 「Aratubank」

|Reason: Bound Effects

‘Of course, since I need to carry the bloodline.’

After some thought, Yeongwoo inserted a Void Flesh into the codex and then grabbed the shield directly with his left hand.

Clang.

The mythical shield Aratubank was a large shield with a diameter of 1.5 meters, big enough to almost cover Yeongwoo’s entire body.

It was designed to have a special function called "coffin," and it actually resembled a massive iron coffin, a detail Yeongwoo found quite satisfying.

‘It looks just like the chairman’s ship.’

Anyway, he had obtained his second mythological item and secured two legendary defeat records, so his business in Australia was essentially done.

“I guess it’s time to head back.”

When Yeongwoo said this, looking toward the Korean Peninsula, a previously gloomy Bantubangtong brightened and asked eagerly,

- You're finally leaving?

“Yes. Soon, mutants will fall upon Seoul.”

It was time to collect the payments.

Moreover, with his new shield, he could now confidently claim to be invincible against the mutants.

Even if his mother were to return today as a mighty dragon, he would be able to give her a good beating.

‘If she sees how much her son has grown, Mother might not be too displeased.’

Shh.

Yeongwoo gestured towards Negwig, signaling that it was time to return.

Then Master Bang cautiously approached and whispered,

- What about the money…?

“You should start preparing. Once I’m done dealing with the mutants, I’ll be back to collect the 380 million.”

- 3.8 billion…?

“Yes. The promised 3 billion, plus the 800 million you were supposed to pay today.”

- …….

“Don’t make that face.”

Yeongwoo was about to say more, but he wondered if Aratubank’s pain-sharing ability was already in effect, so he decided to be generous.

“I’ll collect the 1.8 billion no matter what, but as for the remaining 2 billion, I’ll take it when the number is complete.”

Shh.

Yeongwoo pointed to the rescue count displayed at the top of Darwin City’s gate.

[3,682/15,000]

While Yeongwoo was coveting the sacred artifacts of his brothers, refugees continued to pour in from the sanctuary, and now 3,682 brothers had been saved.

“If no more brothers show up, keep the portal open until I give further instructions. We need to catch the gluttonous ones if they appear again.”

- What? Then until you return, we…

“Wouldn't it be wise to keep the area around the portal clear? If something happens, send a dispatch to Seoul.”

In a way, it was a blessing in disguise.

Like Yeongwoo, the brothers could use the high-speed travel routes, meaning, in theory, they could call Yeongwoo in just a few minutes.

At least, in theory.

“I hope you’ll be able to reunite with as many brothers as possible. And don’t forget to prepare the 1.8 billion. Now that I only feel half the guilt, who knows what I might do.”

After scanning his brothers in Australia one last time, Yeongwoo climbed onto Negwig.

Swoosh!

The Redfoot Orcs' eyes helplessly followed the sacred artifact held in the hands of the Littlefoot.

- Littlefoot, will we ever be able to reclaim our sacred artifact?

Master Bang pleaded on behalf of his brothers, and Yeongwoo thought for a moment.

“Hm… By the time I return it, something might be inside the artifact.”

Whether it would be his father, or perhaps his mother or uncle, he hadn’t thought about it yet.

What was clear was that from the brothers’ perspective, they would feel their sacred artifact had been tainted when it was returned.

But if they still wanted it.

“If the day comes when I no longer need even mythological items, I promise to return it.”

Even though Yeongwoo’s promise was vague, the Redfoot Orcs’ faces lit up.

- Is that… truly possible?

“Of course. But you'll have to grant me one more favor.”

Yeongwoo raised a wicked finger, and Master Bang’s expression hardened once more.

-…What kind of favor?

“Come with me to Seoul now and submit some of your defeat records.”

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