Episode 69: Reward (4)
The confirmation of the remnants was complete.
Fortunately, it was just as I had expected.
‘The remnants of an Evil God.’
This place would likely become a space I’d frequently visit with a certain woman.
Leaving behind the underground chamber where the remnants were located, we took the elevator up to the uppermost floors.
The Association’s Reception Room.
This space was only opened for major international transactions or negotiations with important figures.
Previously, when dealing with Iano’s relic, we had entered a conference room instead. Even then, we had not been allowed into this particular room.
Now, that very room was being opened.
— Click.
As the door swung open, a luxurious fragrance spread through the air.
The elegant interior of the Association’s highest-level reception room came into view.
I casually glanced around the room before shifting my gaze.
Someone was already seated.
A woman dressed neatly in a gray suit, her hair tied back.
Despite her age, she exuded a dignified aura, with sharp eyes that gave off an imposing presence.
She was the Vice President of the Association.
As she looked at us, a slow smile formed on her lips.
“You must have had a long journey. I am Park Seo-hee, Vice President of the Korean Hero Association.”
Her composed voice had a calming effect.
Perhaps this, too, was part of her ability.
The old man silently took a seat, and I naturally settled in beside him.
He would handle most of the negotiations, given his extensive experience, while I would only intervene at key moments.
Sion was not accompanying us.
Although she was involved, she seemed reluctant to participate in the meeting herself.
‘Haein, I’ll leave it to you.’
Sion had entrusted everything to me.
After saying that briefly, she had headed to the café on the first floor.
In the end, the negotiations would be handled solely by the old man and me.
Park Seo-hee took a quiet breath before she spoke.
“Before we begin, I would like to sincerely apologize once again regarding this matter.”
She stood up and bowed deeply.
“The unforeseen variables that occurred during the mission to eliminate the demonic horde in Hamgyeong-do were beyond the Association’s expectations.”
Raising her head, she met our gaze and continued.
“Therefore, the claims that this incident was a political scheme to endanger Vanquisher are simply unfounded…”
I let out a smirk.
A political scheme?
As if they had the luxury for such things.
“We understand.”
The old man cut her off.
His calm voice caused a subtle flicker in Park Seo-hee’s eyes.
“Failing to predict an entirely irrational situation is no reason to unjustly accuse or blame the Association.”
With his fingers interlocked, the old man lightly tapped the table.
His low voice resonated throughout the room.
“What truly matters now is how the Association responds.”
Park Seo-hee nodded solemnly.
“I have no objections to that. Nor do I intend to offer excuses.”
She then opened the documents she had prepared.
“First, regarding the compensation for the participation of Arcadia’s Paladins, the second squad of the Lord’s Vanguard, and Blue Wind Squad.”
As she organized the documents, she spoke in a composed tone.
“Normally, the team that accepts the request is responsible for hiring additional mercenaries if necessary. However, the Association acknowledges that their participation was essential in this battle. Therefore, we have determined that covering the participation fees of these forces is the appropriate course of action.”
A neat resolution.
It wasn’t uncommon for a hired team to bring in extra mercenaries to help handle difficult missions.
But now, the Association had officially recognized their involvement as a necessity and was willing to cover the costs.
The old man showed no particular reaction.
I remained silent, waiting for her next words.
“…And secondly.”
Park Seo-hee hesitated slightly before continuing.
“This concerns compensation for the Association’s mistakes, as well as rewards related to your achievements.”
The pen in her hand trembled faintly.
“However, before we discuss compensation… I would like to first address the matter of rewards.”
She hesitated slightly as she pointed to a specific page in the documents.
“This part… To be honest, was a bit difficult to understand.”
Curious, I turned my gaze toward her.
The document she presented contained the list of participants submitted by Blue Wind Squad, Arcadia, and the Lord’s Vanguard.
“After verification, Paladin, Blue Wind Squad, Alliance Leader… Every participating faction has included Jung Haein as a meritorious contributor eligible for rewards.”
She turned her gaze toward me and pressed her temple slightly, as if nursing a headache.
“Me?”
I asked in response.
Slowly, I scanned through the document.
My name was written four times.
Listed as a reward recipient by each faction.
“Yes… We contacted them all directly to confirm….”
She nodded slowly.
“And they all affirmed it. They argued that including Jung Haein as a reward recipient was justified based on the record of bidding for you during Gaon’s auction.”
The old man chuckled, and I let out a dry laugh as well.
What did that mean?
It meant that four different organizations were vying to recruit me, and to win my favor, they were trying to offer the most generous rewards possible.
“I believe Jung Haein understands best what this implies.”
According to the system, once a student is bid on during Gaon’s auction, the winning faction is granted official negotiation rights with that student.
It seemed that all the factions had assessed my abilities quite highly.
I understood why.
After all, I was the one who drove a spear into the Apostle’s heart, something no one else had managed to do.
Of course, they were unaware of the peculiar nature of the Fragment.
Park Seo-hee flipped through the documents again and continued speaking.
“Therefore, we have determined that it is necessary to consolidate the rewards allocated to Jung Haein and assess them separately, respecting the positions of all involved factions.”
The vice president of the association spoke cautiously.
“After an internal review, in recognition of Jung Haein’s achievements, we have decided…”
She held out a transparent cube containing a crimson key.
“To grant Jung Haein access to Bulgaraam’s Forge.”
I tried.
The moment I saw the key, I tried my best to suppress the smile creeping onto my face.
But inside, only one thought filled my mind.
‘They’re really trying to sell this, huh?’
The old man, too, had a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
Perhaps he was thinking, “Really?”
However, his interpretation of the situation was likely different from mine.
He might have thought the association was offering an exceptionally generous reward.
I touched the cube with my fingertips and smirked.
“Oh… Not bad.”
Park Seo-hee, maintaining her composed voice, added,
“Considering the significance of this incident, we deemed it a fair reward. Additionally, separate compensation and monetary rewards will be provided.”
Her expression remained calm.
However, there was a subtle hint of ease, as if things were unfolding precisely as they had planned.
Bulgaraam’s Forge.
It was the final workshop of Bulgaraam, the last great blacksmith of Korea, who perished in the battle against the evil gods.
Bulgaraam (不伽藍).
The place where his final creations rested, sealed away.
Of course, I already had a rough idea of what was inside.
However, the forge had been sealed alongside his last will.
Only the association, using the key Bulgaraam entrusted to its first founder, had the authority to open it.
Even then, access was rare.
It had remained closed for twenty years since the last hero attempted entry.
Because this forge was more than just a workshop.
It was a sanctuary created by a blacksmith who challenged the domain of the gods.
But the crucial point was this:
The forge wasn’t just a blacksmith’s workshop.
It was a place of trials, imbued with Bulgaraam’s soul.
In other words, the association wasn’t simply handing out weapons.
Only those chosen by Bulgaraam’s lingering will could claim his creations.
Fail the trial, and you leave empty-handed.
So far, only one person had ever been acknowledged by Bulgaraam.
And could I pass the trial?
Without a doubt.
In the original story, no matter what method was used, access to Bulgaraam’s Forge was allowed only once.
And that happened in the latter half of the story.
Bulgaraam’s sole criterion for acknowledgment was one thing:
Possession of a Fragment (片鱗).
Meaning, even though this moment was in the early part of the story, I could already pass.
I was sure of it.
But I feigned indifference and kept a nonchalant expression.
Then, I casually threw out a comment.
With an air of disinterest, as if saying, “And what if I fail?”
“But what if… I’m not confident?”
Park Seo-hee’s brows furrowed slightly.
“What?”
She fiddled with the temple of her glasses, pausing for a moment.
It was understandable.
The Bulgaraam’s Forge was not just a simple reward.
It was an achievement that would leave a mark on history.
The moment it opened, a notification would be broadcast across the global system.
[Where flames devour blood and molten steel strikes the heart, the Bulgaraam’s Forge finally tests its new master.]
The moment this message appeared in the minds of heroes worldwide, the Association would immediately announce the chosen challenger.
And with that, all eyes would turn toward them, celebrating the event.
In other words, the Hero Association would essentially be declaring the rise of a new star to the world.
Thus, there was no downside for the Association.
The birth of a sacred hero who delivered the final blow to the Apostle—this was the perfect marketing opportunity for them.
Right now, they would do anything to place this key in my hands.
The finest weapon.
The greatest trial.
And the one person destined to claim it.
A story that would set the hearts of heroes ablaze.
Even if I failed, it wouldn’t matter.
The mere act of challenging it was an honor in itself.
But the problem was…
That kind of heroism had absolutely nothing to do with me.
I was nowhere near the kind of person who felt pride or ambition in being a hero.
They probably thought I would be thrilled just at the mention of the Bulgaraam.
They were sorely mistaken.
Tilting my head slightly, I asked,
“Vice President, may I ask something? When was the last time the forge was opened?”
“Twenty years ago. It was the previous Hero. A moment of great honor…”
“Did they succeed?”
“…No, they did not.”
“What about before that?”
“The same result.”
I smirked indifferently and threw out a casual remark.
“Then what exactly can the Association guarantee me with this key?”
Park Seo-hee’s expression twisted slightly.
She didn’t answer.
No, she couldn’t.
The Bulgaraam’s Forge—what happens inside is completely beyond the Association’s control.
All they could do was open the entrance.
They had nothing to guarantee me.
Even the old man seemed caught off guard by my reaction.
After all, this was supposed to be the opportunity that every hero dreamed of.
Under the table, he nudged my side lightly.
‘Isn’t this good enough?’
That was his signal.
I let out a light chuckle and casually pulled the cube toward me.
Then, tossing it into the air, I caught it with one hand.
“I’ll take this. I don’t know if I’ll succeed, but I’ll give it a try.”
However, I had no intention of letting them settle my worth with just this.
The Association had far more reasons to keep me on their side.
And that meant they would have to meet my demands.
I hardened my expression and spoke.
“But as a reward for killing an Apostle…”
After a brief pause, I added firmly,
“This feels a bit lacking.”