Chapter 28
But I wasn’t in a position to criticize Jeok I-geon’s actions.
After all, the one million nyang wasn’t my money, and if he wanted to spend his own fortune, what could I do?
People often say that the rich spending money keeps the economy going.
I’m not sure if that applies to this situation, but either way, I decided to leave it alone.
But now, does this mean that thief will target us?
Ugh, I suddenly feel bad for him.
In the original story, the thief managed to pull off the heist with impressive agility, but this time, the opponent was Jeok I-geon.
If he gets caught, it’s obvious he’ll meet a gruesome end. Just thinking about it makes me uneasy.
Sure, stealing is wrong, but even a thief has their reasons.
I liked that character—a bit peculiar but sincere and chivalrous at heart.
Why did the Rainbow Loop have to fall into Jeok I-geon’s hands?
Poor guy. Such rotten luck.
Maybe it’s because the story has changed again.
I told myself not to think about it, but my mind was entirely consumed with the Rainbow Loop.
“Now, the final and most anticipated item of the night: the legendary Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword!
I’m sure everyone has been eagerly waiting for its appearance. What more needs to be said? Let us reveal the Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword!”
The highlight of tonight’s black market auction.
The Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword made its entrance, and the air in the room shifted instantly.
As soon as the host finished his elaborate introduction, the fierce bidding war began.
“Two million!”
“Three million!”
“Four million!”
It was a legendary divine weapon, so the starting prices were in a different league.
Everyone here had essentially come for the Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword.
I remembered enjoying this part when I read the novel.
No one knew when it was made, who crafted it, or even if the legends were true.
Yet martial artists were willing to stake everything for it because of one legend:
“The one who wields the Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword shall rule the world!”
That over-the-top phrase was tied to a man named Sword Emperor Dam Cheon-hak.
Born the son of a poor farmer in a small rural village, Dam Cheon-hak became the world’s greatest martial artist with nothing but a single sword before reaching the age of forty.
He had no resources, no formal education.
Many attributed his rise not only to natural talent but to the mystical aura of the Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword.
Apparently, during his lifetime, people climbed over his fences daily, hoping to steal the sword.
He must have led a difficult life.
Then one day, he vanished without a trace, causing an uproar in the martial world.
Despite mobilizing thousands to search for him, no one found Dam Cheon-hak.
Years later, an herbalist discovered a mysterious sword, and experts determined it was the Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword.
This part always made me laugh.
What proof did they have that it was the same sword used centuries ago?
Of course, not everyone believed the legend.
If the entire martial world had bought into it, tonight’s auction wouldn’t even exist—it would’ve been all-out war.
As someone who knew the original story, I could speculate that Jeok I-geon’s unification of the martial world was due to the Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword.
But honestly, I believed it was all thanks to Jeok I-geon’s unparalleled abilities.
Not that he would see it that way.
“Five million!”
The bidding had hovered around one million, but in an instant, it shot up to five million nyang.
As you’d expect, the one who made that outrageous bid was none other than Jeok I-geon, sitting right beside me.
Everyone, previously engrossed in calculating and shouting bids, turned to stare at him.
Though their faces were covered, I could feel their scorn and hear the curses clearly.
Some even snapped whatever they were holding in frustration.
“Five million going once! Any other bids?”
The host sounded utterly ecstatic.
And why wouldn’t he be?
The item’s expected sale price was around one million, but it had jumped fivefold.
His share of the profit would undoubtedly be substantial.
Honestly, I couldn’t even comprehend the number five million nyang.
Roughly five billion won, maybe? That was just a guess.
“Going twice! Final call. Sold!”
Unlike the Rainbow Loop, the Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword ended up in Jeok I-geon’s hands, just like in the original story.
Having purchased two high-value items, Jeok I-geon received VIP treatment from the black market.
We were escorted to a private room for the transaction, where a feast awaited us.
But none of us touched the food.
Who knows what might be in it?
Eating here would’ve been the height of foolishness.
“Your documents have been verified. Thank you for your business.”
The transaction was minimal—just a brief exchange of paperwork and items.
The Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword and Rainbow Loop were now right in front of me.
Even though I’d watched the entire auction, it still felt surreal.
Up close, the Rainbow Loop looked even more beautiful.
Its red hue would suit Jeok I-geon’s pale complexion well.
“Do you want it?”
“…Excuse me?”
For the sake of privacy, the room currently only had Jeok I-geon, Cheon Gang, and me.
I was admiring the Rainbow Loop after momentarily removing the bothersome veil when my ears caught something I couldn’t believe.
“Wasn’t that something you wanted?”
“…Me?”
“You seemed especially focused on it.”
Wait, is he saying he bought the Rainbow Loop for me?
For a hundred thousand nyang?
Is this one of those “blessed protagonist” moments? I thought I had good taste, but I had no idea this was the direction things were heading.
Rendered speechless, I could only blink in confusion.
Then, Jeok I-geon took the Rainbow Loop out of its box and fastened it around my wrist himself.
The unexpected physical contact froze me in place, leaving me incapable of rejecting it.
Still in a daze, I stared blankly at the Rainbow Loop now adorning my wrist.
The bracelet was as beautiful as ever.
My pale skin complemented its red hue nicely.
But why did it suddenly feel like a shackle?
Just moments ago, I’d admired the Rainbow Loop, but the second it touched my wrist, an inexplicable unease took over.
“It looks good on you.”
His words jolted me back to my senses.
I didn’t know what Jeok I-geon was scheming by giving this to me, but a strong thought crossed my mind: I must not accept this.
“P-Please remove it! I can’t possibly accept such a precious item!”
“Don’t women usually like jewelry?”
“Well, yes, but this is far too extravagant for me. What if I lose it? Please, take it back.”
“It’s just a bracelet. If you lose it, I’ll buy another.”
How could he speak so casually about spending a million nyang?
Is this how the wealthy think?
“Or… do you not like it?”
“…?”
“Did I misunderstand? If so, just throw it away. I don’t need it.”
“Throw this away…?”
“Hmm, no. Someone might pick it up. Breaking it would be better.”
He was dead serious.
The determined glint in his eyes made it clear he’d smash the Rainbow Loop the moment I took it off.
Is this what it means to deal with a psychopath? His behavior was utterly baffling.
“No! That would be unacceptable! It’s far too valuable for me, but if you insist, I’ll accept it gratefully.”
In the end, I chose to keep the bracelet to protect it, willingly shackling myself with this “chain.”
I felt uneasy knowing it rightfully belonged to someone else, but if this was destiny, I decided to accept it with grace.
“It’s time to move.”
While Jeok I-geon and I were bickering, Cheon Gang approached cautiously after surveying the area, urging us to depart.
“The pests are already starting to swarm.”
“It was expected.”
“We need to leave the city immediately.”
Jeok I-geon glanced down at me as if to ask if I was ready.
“Yes. I’ll do my best to keep up.”
The moment he mentioned “pests,” I, too, could sense it.
This was in line with the original storyline.
Those targeting Jeok I-geon to steal the Heaven-Cleaving Divine Sword.
Imagining the impending chaos made me frown instinctively.
Jeok I-geon must have mistaken my expression for fear because he reassured me with a pat on the back.
He’d been touching me a lot more lately.
Was I just imagining it?
“Let’s go.”
There wasn’t time to dwell on it.
As soon as the door opened, Cheon Gang dashed out, and I sprinted at full speed to follow him.
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