MTLNOVEL Chapter 18
“Yi Sun-sin’s Helmet?”
After confirming the quest clear reward, my eyes widened.
If this was the helmet used by General Yi Sun-sin, it definitely wasn’t an ordinary artifact.
Though not as famous as the Twin Dragon Sword, I was pretty sure it was at least Epic tier if not Legendary.
Moreover, the difficulty rating was surprisingly low.
Not even D-rank but E-rank! Considering Myeongnyang was D-rank, this was practically free.
‘The helmet as a reward suits me fine.’
With the Twin Dragon Sword and Napoleon’s Rifle, I could take out C-rank monstrosities in one hit. And Shadow Dash let me move quickly.
Still, my physical abilities were lacking.
Using Shadow Dash left my legs jelly, and my defenses were paper-thin.
That’s why I avoided challenging anything above D-rank despite having Legendary artifacts – one wrong hit and I’d be dead.
In that sense, Yi Sun-sin’s helmet was exactly what I needed.
I refrained from rushing into the quest immediately though.
Things were different now compared to when I went into the Noryang Gate empty-handed.
I had 50 billion won from selling the Hwandou!
More than enough to buy top-tier magical equipment.
No reason not to.
Since you never know what might happen inside a gate, thorough preparation was essential.
“Let’s go shopping.”
I headed to a high-end magical equipment shop in Cheongdam-dong via taxi.
Our curio shop had some equipment, but what I wanted was far more expensive stuff.
Time to flex.
“Welcome, is there something you’re looking for?”
“I’m here to buy a mithril anti-magic vest.”
Mithril was the most sought-after material for armor among hunters – tough, good magic conductivity, and most importantly, could block monstrosity attacks.
“That’s lucky, we only have a few mithril vests left.”
“How much?”
“The price varies based on the mithril content. Low-grade is 5 billion, mid-grade is 15 billion, and high-grade is 20 billion.”
Twenty billion for just a vest… seemed excessive, but worth it for peace of mind.
And I could always resell it later – mithril gear was always in demand.
“I’ll take the high-grade one.”
Closed my eyes and splurged on the 20 billion won vest.
“No point skimping on something that protects your life.”
“Cash or installment?”
“Do you have interest-free installments?”
“Up to 24 months.”
“Let’s do 24 months then.”
*
Equipped with the mithril vest, I returned to the shop and entered the Noryang Gate immediately.
==
Entering special gate Noryang.
==
Hwarrak─
Intense heat enveloped my entire body.
While the Myeongnyang Gate was underwater, the Noryang Gate was a sea of fire in all directions.
Tadak, tadak.
The burning Japanese fleet illuminated the night sea, and the ground was full of flames.
‘Glad I came prepared with the mithril vest.’
The coolness of the mithril countered the incoming heat.
Keeek─ keeek─
Burning skeletons wearing different naval uniforms wandered around.
Judging from their lack of Japanese armor, they seemed to be from the Ming and Joseon navies.
Makes sense since I heard the Ming participated in the Battle of Noryang.
Uuung.
The Twin Dragon Sword resonated.
‘Does it want me to go that way?’
Following where the sword led, I walked casually.
Hwarrlek─!
The burning flames parted left and right in response to the sword’s energy.
Keeek─
When a wandering burning skeleton approached, I raised the Twin Dragon Sword.
But it just kept going on its way.
‘Seems like they don’t have souls.’
This was an alternate space crafted by the gate based on memories of the Battle of Noryang.
Either these burning skeletons never had souls to begin with, or they achieved enlightenment during the first clearance.
They simply instinctively stepped aside upon seeing the Twin Dragon Sword.
Following where the sword guided, I crossed the fiery sea and boarded a sunken panokseon ship on land.
Inside the hull revealed a spacious interior.
At the center stood a burning black skeleton general.
Seeing it, I stopped in surprise.
Keeek─
Turning its skull head, the black skeleton general stared at me with tiny black flames in its eye sockets before losing interest and turning away.
“…Scared me.”
Judging from the uniform, it was a Ming general.
Seemed to have judged me as an allied Joseon general due to the Twin Dragon Sword.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I continued forward.
The Twin Dragon Sword pointed beyond the black skeleton general.
Approaching where the sword indicated, I tilted my head in confusion.
“What’s supposed to be here?”
There was nothing but an empty wall.
Curious, I reached out my hand, which passed straight through the wall.
“Huh?”
Surprised, I extended my other hand with the same result.
“Ooh, so it’s an array. Cool.”
I’d heard stories about such mysterious techniques used by ancient Chinese array masters.
Though they all disappeared after the Tiananmen incident and hardly anyone knows how to use them now.
Passing through the wall revealed a dusty small shelf inside.
The Twin Dragon Sword pointed to a rusty helmet sitting atop the shelf.
Picking it up brought up the status window.
Ding!
– You have obtained Yi Sun-sin’s Helmet.
==
「Yi Sun-sin’s Helmet」
Artifact Rank: Ancient
-A helmet used by the renowned Joseon general Yi Sun-sin during the Battle of Noryang.
Defense: 1800
==
“Whoa.”
My eyes lit up at the Ancient rank helmet before scrunching up in distaste.
“Man, this needs cleaning.”
It smelled awful from disuse.
*
The day after news of the recovered Hwandou spread across South Korea.
“Are you ready, Ha-yoon?”
“Yes, I can enter anytime.”
Kim Ha-yoon stood at the entrance to the Noryang Gate, holding the Epic-ranked artifact Hwandou.
“You don’t have to clear it all at once. Don’t overexert yourself.”
“I’ll definitely complete it and return.”
Responding to Ha-jinwoo’s encouragement, Kim Ha-yoon entered the Noryang Gate with ten Water-element hunters.
Hwarrlek─
Intense heat immediately enveloped Kim Ha-yoon upon entering.
Though her mana blocked the heat, she could only endure for up to three hours maximum.
She had to clear the Noryang Gate within that time.
Divided into 12 sectors, she didn’t need to clear them all at once but naturally had to break through as many as possible.
‘I hope this works.’
Though the Hwandou was Epic-ranked, it couldn’t be blindly trusted.
Her Water-element attacks weren’t very effective against the burning skeletons either.
Only way to find out was to use it directly.
Gripping the Hwandou handle tightly, Kim Ha-yoon looked up.
“Let’s go.”
“Understood.”
Led by Kim Ha-yoon, the group of ten hunters entered the blazing land of Noryang.
Keeek─
A burning skeleton spotted Kim Ha-yoon and charged.
It felt like a ball of fire was rushing toward her.
But strangely, it wasn’t hot at all.
Just like a regular skeleton charging.
‘Is this the effect of the Hwandou?’
Surprised internally, Kim Ha-yoon ran straight toward the burning skeleton.
Hweeaaaa…
An A-rank Water-element skill activated, creating a water whirlwind around the gripped Hwandoo.
Kim Ha-yoon swung the water-whirlwind Hwandoo forcefully down at the burning skeleton.
Chiiiiii!
Steam filled the air as the water met the flames.
And then…
Fwoosh!
The burning skeleton’s flames were extinguished effortlessly.
Kwadek─!
Its skull split open and it collapsed.
[You have defeated a Burning Skeleton.]
“!”
Kim Ha-yoon stared in shock at the fallen skeleton.
The wet bone fragments were soaked with water.
‘Could it really be this easy?’
It was hard to believe.
How much effort had she put into defeating even one burning skeleton until now?
She had to expend considerable mana to extinguish flames that would reignite repeatedly.
And often had to retreat without being able to defeat several.
Yet swinging the Hwandoo extinguished the skeleton’s flames effortlessly.
It was hard to tell if there had been any flames at all.
‘This is an incredible artifact.’
The Hwandoo given by Choi Seo-joon was truly broken.
With this, clearing the Noryang Gate wouldn’t be difficult at all.
‘Good.’
Regaining confidence, Kim Ha-yoon charged into the flames wielding the Hwandoo.
And then…
[Sector 1-1 of the Noryang Gate has been cleared.]
The success message rang out in less than 10 minutes.
*
[Sector 1-1 of the Noryang Gate has been cleared.]
[Sector 1-2 of the Noryang Gate has been cleared.]
[Sector 1-3 of the Noryang Gate has been cleared.]
[Sector 1-4 of the Noryang Gate has been cleared.]
Consecutive success messages echoed through the Noryang Gate control room.
“This is it!”
“Done! We did it!”
It was natural for the hunters watching anxiously to erupt in cheers.
Clutching their fists, they stared at the large screen with bated breath.
On the other side of the screen, Kim Ha-yoon was breaking through the Noryang Gate with unstoppable momentum.
-Kagageok!
-Kageok!
Every time she swung her Hwandoo, burning skeletons crumbled helplessly.
“Haha! As expected from Ha-yoon!”
Ha-jinwoo grinned widely.
Kim Ha-yoon’s gate clearance was being broadcast live nationwide via bodycam.
“The community is going crazy about Team Leader Ha-yoon! There are five million concurrent viewers on Neetube!”
“Haha! That’s how it should be!”
The situation room, no, all of South Korea was in a festive mood.
Watching the World Cup final was nothing compared to the whole nation watching Kim Ha-yoon’s Noryang Gate clearance.
Of course, there was someone feeling anxious amidst this.
Lee Tae-joon, who had teamed up with the Chinese Communist Party.
‘When the hell is Wang Wei getting here!?’
With each clearance message from Kim Ha-yoon, Lee Tae-joon’s face grew darker.
If things continued, there would be nothing left for him to do.
Since Kim Ha-yoon would likely clear all the sectors.
Fortunately, Kim Ha-yoon seemed tired after clearing Sector 1-5 and exited the gate.
Around that time, Wang Wei arrived with Chinese water-element hunters.
Unable to sit still any longer, Lee Tae-joon jumped up.
“Wang Wei Ambassador! You’re late!”
However, unlike Lee Tae-joon’s impatient heart, Wang Wei calmly greeted Ha-jinwoo first.
To Wang Wei, the important thing was Yi Sun-sin’s helmet, not clearing the gate.
Letting Kim Ha-yoon handle the clearance while he took the cream – that was Wang Wei’s plan.
Thus, he could afford to be calm.
From the Dawn Star Constellation’s perspective too, there was no reason to refuse Wang Wei’s help.
Had they known Kim Ha-yoon would clear it so easily, they might have declined, but now it was too late.
“Let’s go in, Tae-joon.”
Wang Wei entered the Noryang Gate leisurely with his water-element Chinese hunters.
The inside was already quiet after Kim Ha-yoon’s clearance.
“Ugh, it’s hot. Let’s finish quickly and get out.”
Both Wang Wei and Lee Tae-joon sweated profusely.
Though they possessed water elements, it wasn’t their specialty, making it difficult to endure Noryang’s flames.
“Once we defeat the semi-boss level general inside the sunken ship, you’ll have something to say, Tae-joon.”
“Hmph, though I don’t like it, I have no choice.”
Lee Tae-joon was dissatisfied but had to settle for scraps with his plans disrupted.
Of course, to Wang Wei, defeating or not defeating was irrelevant.
His real goal was the helmet behind the general black skeleton.
Thanks to Lee Tae-joon’s earlier entry confirming the array was still intact, Wang Wei remained calm.
Sure enough, upon entering the hull, the array-covered wall appeared.
“There it is! It exists!”
Wang Wei grinned revealing his teeth.
Kikigeek─
“Take care of that guy.”
Leaving the general black skeleton to his subordinates, Wang Wei approached the array.
His extended hand passed straight through the wall.
“Hmm.”
Wang Wei’s heart raced excitedly like a child about to unwrap a present.
But then…
“?”
There was nothing in his grasp.
Flick flick-
He swirled both hands inside but still only grasped air.
Eventually, Wang Wei inserted his whole body into the array.
Revealed was an empty shelf.
The middle of the dusty shelf was unusually clean, as if someone had just taken the helmet.
It looked like they hadn’t been gone long.
Shaking fingers trembling, Wang Wei shouted in anger.
“Which bastard was it?! ───────────!”