Episode 240 Epilogue:
Aftermath.
With the hidden quest completed and the contract regarding the Eye of Calamity bound to Sanghyeon,
the Eye of Calamity was dragged to the Dimensional Order's 'Altar of Good and Evil' against its will.
This is because it is destined to come here if the contractor changes or a new contractor is created.
Had the situation been reversed, the God of Storms would have been dragged there
instead. In any case, the Eye of Calamity, having been forcibly summoned, was disarmed by the God of Storms, along with the Divine Thrones and Constellations.
Everything he had planned was exposed in detail and came to nothing.
Because he failed to put the final 1% finishing touch on his plan, even though 99% of it was complete, the Eye of Calamity's scheme ultimately became a failure.
Furthermore, they located and rescued the late-blooming, model student Constellation who had been relentlessly pursued, and also
rescued the Dimensional Order's 'Mediator,' who had been forcibly restrained and confined by the Eye of Calamity.
The traitorous Black Royal Guard was also wiped out as the Constellations and Divine Thrones joined forces to eliminate them.
No matter how elite the Royal Guard was, they were no match for the Constellations, who outnumbered them far.
Meanwhile, the moment Upper Hyun confirmed Luca's death, his memory completely vanished. It was because he had endured all pain, hardship, and mental strain, suppressing them solely for the single
determination to kill Luca . Upper Hyun had displayed such superhuman will and strength that he hadn't perceived any problems during the actual fight. However, once the battle ended and all tension was released with victory, his body had finally presented him with an overdue bill. Of course, since the situation was settled, nothing significant happened to Upper Hyun. On the contrary, it felt like he had finally slept soundly to his heart's content for the first time in a long while. He had a happy and joyful dream, and in it, Upper Hyun was smiling. The world was entirely rosy. * * * Much time passed since then. The operation of the Predator Network had ceased with the death of Luca Violet. Having lost their most important focal point, the network's predators had significantly reduced their activity compared to the past. Some of them engaged in violent individual actions, only to have their identities exposed and face punishment. Classified as the worst of the worst, the World Player Association severely punished them with the death penalty. With special laws already enacted several times, there were no procedural issues or public backlash. In any case, once it became known that the player who died while attempting to kill Sanghyeon was Luca Violeiza, a Constellation Predator, the World Player Association launched a massive global investigation and discovered Luca's hideout. All data from the Predator Network found there was exposed in detail, without a moment to be discarded, and a global frenzy swept across the world. They began apprehending Constellation Predators—mutants created by the system who held misguided beliefs. It was a change moving in the right direction. No one objected to the World Player Association's actions. Hyunjeong Corporation consistently emphasized the fact that Sanghyeon was at the starting point of this whole affair. Thanks to this, Hyunjeong Corporation's popularity soared day after day, and Han Hyunjeong hit the jackpot. It was a magnificent return on investment, making every penny of the sponsorship money paid for the contract with Sang-hyun worthwhile. Meanwhile, Sang-hyun completely relocated his base of operations to the United States. This was because he had received a direct offer from Frederic Villain. The proposal essentially offered to provide him with all of the Nobility Guild's infrastructure, suggesting he grow there. This infrastructure naturally included the Endless Dungeon, and he was promised a chance to enter it again once it became available. For this reason, Sang-hyun no longer needed to operate domestically. As he moved his base of operations to the U.S., public interest in Sang-hyun regarding the Top 5 Swordsmen gradually faded. Furthermore, the interest shown by executives, including Yoon Gun-chang, the top leader of the Korea Player Association, also diminished. Sang-hyun had already become a global star, guaranteed comprehensive support from the outstanding player Frederic. There was no way for the Korea Player Association to keep him once he had gone to the big leagues. While they might be able to win the battle of capital, the real issue was infrastructure. They were no match for the Nobility Guild. Although Sang-hyun was not a member of the Nobility Guild, he continued to grow under the support of Frederick. In fact, he enjoyed his current life, fading from people's memories without any issues. Meanwhile, he secretly set out with Frederick to find 'Mystery,' an unidentified entity and another mastermind behind everything. He believed Mystery was the culprit who would wreak havoc on the Player World even more than Luca Violet. After all, it had been the same in his past life. Since he was a fellow whose identity was never revealed in his previous life, it seemed he would have to put in a tremendous amount of effort. However, having already crushed Luca, Sang-hyun was not particularly afraid of Mystery. He would rather face him head-on. If Mystery’s tail were ever stepped on, he intended to crush him completely. Justice prevails. Evil is bound to be met with punishment and consequences. He was no exception.
* * *
“The world is still the same. Yeah, that’s right. It’s just that one bad guy died. I wish everyone would just think that way.”
Sanghyun was waiting in front of the dungeon for the person who would accompany him today. This
was not just a simple raid partner; it was someone who would now stand by his side as a colleague and a lover.
While waiting for that person, Sanghyun recalled the people with whom he had formed a bond.
Do Kyungsoo and Do Kyunghye.
The siblings still get along well, bickering with each other.
He keeps in touch with Do Kyungsoo regularly every month and they agreed to raid dungeons together if necessary.
Do Kyunghye, too, had become someone he encouraged by exchanging updates on their lives.
Shin Yunhyeok still video-called Sanghyun at the beginning of every month or visited in person to receive instruction.
Each time, Sanghyun was surprised by Shin Yunhyeok’s improving skills, yet he pushed him even harder to train him.
This was because Shin Yunhyeok’s progress was so noticeable that even as a teacher, he felt a sense of ambition. He
planned to go to the dungeon together once he had grown enough. He was worthy of it.
In his previous life, Sang-hyun had never taught anyone anything.
However, in this changed life, he became someone's mentor, and that fact brought him immense pride.
He donated the most expensive artifact he had acquired after killing Luca to Ham Ji-yeon's orphanage.
The amount was confidential. However, it was no secret that thanks to this, the orphanage's scale had grown tens of times larger than before.
Sang-hyun promised continued support. As long as he continues his life as a player, the children at Ham Ji-yeon's orphanage will always be able to smile.
Kim Mi-so is still working hard, sweating profusely, determined to surpass Sang-hyun.
Although she has made truly unbelievable growth, she has fallen behind in relative evaluations because of Sang-hyun, who has achieved growth beyond imagination.
However, Sang-hyun was convinced that if she continues to grow at this pace, Kim Mi-so will soon rise to a rank higher than that of a "Named" player.
As she has firmly established her own power base outside the territory of the Eden Guild, he looked forward to seeing her become more mature and developed than before.
Han Hyun-jung is practically begging Sang-hyun day after day to sign a new sponsorship contract.
Of course, Sang-hyun hasn't agreed.
This is because he no longer has any particular attachment to money.
If he set his mind to it, he could easily get his hands on money, as if he were printing it.
So, he felt no greed for the money that would come from a sponsorship contract. Rather, he felt only a sense of responsibility.
However, even at this very moment, messages were arriving from Han Hyun-jung.
She was the type of person who would write a heartfelt handwritten letter at least once a day, then take a screenshot and send it to him.
Of course, he would never sign a sponsorship contract with another place. If he were to sign one, it would undoubtedly be for Hyun-jung Corporation.
He wondered if he should sign the contract out of consideration for her extreme devotion, but a sense of annoyance—wondering if he really had to—took precedence.
However, given that he only had good memories of her, it seemed there was room to consider a more positive outlook for the future.
And right beside him.
“I’m late, aren’t I? Sorry.”
The companion who will enter the dungeon with Sang-hyun has arrived.
They arrived slightly later than the appointed time. Perhaps that is why she bows her head with an apologetic expression.
“It’s okay. It was nice getting some fresh air. You’re all ready, right?”
“Yes. I’m ready.”
“Let’s make it a bit harder today. Since we’ve cleared this dungeon many times, let’s set a time limit. How about it? Deal?”
“Yeah, sure. I think I’d be happy doing anything if I’m with you.”
“I feel the same way. As long as I’m with you, anytime…”
Sanghyun gripped her hand tightly.
They used to speak formally to each other, but they decided to drop the formalities after becoming lovers. It
was still awkward, and sometimes a different title would slip out, but everything was good simply because they were together.
Sanghyun stepped into the dungeon with her.
Shin Taeri.
She was the companion who had entered the dungeon with Sanghyun.
Just as always, today they would conquer the dungeon, acquire loot, evaluate the results, and grow.
Sanghyun prayed that the precious bond by his side would always be peaceful, today and tomorrow.
To do so, growth was essential!
It seemed like today would be no different from yesterday. Tomorrow will be the same.
Sanghyun recalled the phrase he had written in his diary to start the morning before setting out to conquer the dungeon today.
I am strong.
I have become stronger than anyone can easily gauge, and I will become even stronger in the future.
And just as I always have, I will devour artifacts to my heart's content.
Until there are no more artifacts left to devour.
Until the day I can no longer grow! I will devour them all. Because
I… … am an artifact-eating player. Because that is me. Because I am Shin Sanghyun.
=The End=
