Chapter 97: The Door of Space

"The cursed crown of Einkel."

After speaking out loud, Yong-Ho put down the brochure he had received from the auction house. He naturally looked at the crown.

There wasn't much information in the brochure.

The name and origin of the crown and an outline of the legend behind it.

The first owner of the crown was King Einkel, who was said to be from the eastern part of the demon world.

There was a legend that said that anyone with the crown at their bedside would be visited by nightmares. Unlike tinnitus, it was a legend, not a definitive curse, since there were those who did not receive nightmares, despite having the crown on their bedside.

According to the Dungeon Market's brochure, some people may not even have nightmares at all, while others who did, would only have a couple of them.

It was like a child's toy. It could be dangerous if one had a 'fatal' nightmare, but that wasn't necessarily going to be the case. Although it differed person to person, it would probably only cause one to recall the most shameful things in life.

It was a crown that reminded him of one of the penalties of the lower floors of Mammon's arena.

Yong-Ho carefully lifted the crown. He could definitely feel the mana, albeit weakly. It wasn't something that Greed would covet.

However, Yong-Ho didn't give up easily. Although he was a major in computer engineering, he decided to experiment with a variety of methods.

Yong-Ho concentrated mana into both of his hands. There was no response from the crown.

Yong-Ho repeatedly invoked the power of evolution. He closely looked at the crown, but no letters of light appeared.

It was too early to give up. Yong-Ho aroused Greed.

As always, smoke, that was only visible to Yong-Ho, appeared. Greed began to stretch out in all directions as if searching for a place to go, and soon began to raise its voice.

It was just like in the auction house. Except there was one thing that was different.

The crown was now in Yong-Ho's hands. It wasn't far away, like in the auction house.

Greed headed towards the crown. The smoke wound around Yong-Ho's hands as well as the crown.

What happened next was purely instinctual.

Yong-Ho instinctively aroused his mana. Green mana, blooming like flames, began to concentrate in both of his hands.

Greed and mana became one. Yong-Ho infused his mana into Greed.

It was a combination he had never even thought of trying. The results of such a combination were truly magnificent.

His mana had been amplified. However, it didn't stop there, his mana was being tempered. Greed elevated Yong-Ho's mana to a higher level.

Yong-Ho breathed out roughly. The flow of mana was too fast. Moreover, it flowed roughly. Like the galloping of a wild horse.

It was clear that if it had only been a few days ago, Yong-Ho would not have been able to control it. But that wasn't the case now. Experience from the auction house, now made it possible.

Yong-Ho took the reins of the galloping wild horse. He turned the runaway horse into a race.

And instinct dictated: Yong-Ho infused the new mana into the crown held in his hands.

The crown did not explode. It didn't even melt into the unruly mana.

The crown responded. It accepted Yong-Ho's mana as if it had been waiting.

Store. Amplify. Respond.

Yong-Ho recognized the true essence of the crown. The current reaction wasn't because of some special magic on the crown. It was the power of the metal itself that made up the crown.

It was only then that he understood. Greed wasn't craving like usual. Instead it was 'resonating' with the metal that made up the crown.

How could this be?

What kind of metal resonated with Greed, one of the Seven Deadly Sins?

Yong-Ho put aside the currently unsolvable questions and exclaimed at the idea that suddenly came to his mind. He yelled.

"Catalina!"

"Master?"

At Lucia's call, Catalina rushed towards Yong-Ho and blinked at the sight of the cut crown.

It was Yong-Ho who cut the crown. Instead of explaining to Catalina, Yong-Ho returned Aamon, who was currently emitting a high temperature, to his bracelet form and handed one of the pieces of the crown to Catalina.

"Hold it."

For a dungeon spirit, the order of the owner was absolute. Catalina faced Yong-Ho, holding a piece of the crown.

Yong-ho took a step back. After opening up a reasonable distance from Catalina, he gave her another command.

"Arouse your mana."

Catalina bit her lips, but soon did as Yong-Ho ordered. Black mana arose.

Yong-Ho felt Catalina's mana. Realizing the connection between owner and spirit, he also aroused his own mana.

It wasn't his ordinary mana. Greed and mana covered the fragment of the crown in his hands. Soon, a strange reaction occurred that Yong-Ho was hoping for.

The piece of the crown held by Catalina suddenly responded. Despite not touching Yong-Ho's mana, it showed the exact same reaction as the piece held in Yong-Ho's own hands.

And then again as expected.

Catalina's mana was amplified. The power of Greed partly infused with Catalina's black mana.

Catalina was stunned at the sudden amplification of her mana. But that wasn't the only thing that surprised her. She felt Yong-Ho within her amplified mana.

Catalina focused. She controlled the mana that began to run wild and made it her own. She had also experienced the auction house, so she too was able to control it.

It was like a well-forged blade. The attributes of Catalina's black mana also became stronger.

Yong-Ho understood. It was originally just a crown, so there was no connection between the two pieces.

Instead it was himself and Catalina who were connected. The current phenomenon occurred because he, the owner, was conscious of his connection with Catalina, the dungeon spirit.

Catalina did not possess the power of a sin.

But Yong-Ho was able to use the power of the crown to amplify his own sin. The power of sin that was amplified was then transmitted to Catalina, and the crown piece that Catalina was holding reacted to that power, inducing Yong-Ho's desired response. Store, amplify and respond!

Still, the identity of the metal was unknown. However, the use of the metal was not. All that remained was to find a more efficient way to utilize it.

"Catalina."

"Yes, Master."

Catalina looked at Yong-Ho, anticipating an explanation. However, Yong-Ho said something entirely unexpected.

"Let's go find Burgrim."

Catalina was unable to ask any questions. Since she was busy chasing after Yong-Ho, who had swiftly exited the room in the blink of an eye.

***

Yong-Ho wasn't the only one in Mammon's dungeon with glistening eyes.

After recovering some of his mana, Burgrim began to make magical gear like crazy, as if to show what the madness of a craftsman was really like.

Of course, his mana was still too weak. There was no shortage of materials that would digest his mana.

But still, Burgrim utilised his mana. He had begun to make new dishware for the kitchen. Strong spoons and forks had been mass produced. The knives and ladles could even temporarily be used as combat weapons.

Burgrim, who was currently making iron chopsticks for Yong-Ho with all his heart and soul, suddenly jumped up from his seat. It was a sudden visit, but he graciously greeted Yong-Ho without a hint of reluctance. For Burgrim, Yong-Ho wasn't just his master, but his lifesaver - no, even more than that.

Yong-Ho asked Burgrim, while handing him the pieces of the crown.

"Could you melt these and make something like a ring or bracelet?"

Yong-Ho's eyes twinkled in anticipation. There was no way Burgrim could decline facing those eyes. Fortunately, he was good at making jewelry.

Nodding his head in acceptance, Burgrim carefully reached out to take a look at the crown pieces.

Yong-Ho quickly handed over the crown pieces to him. Burgrim tapped the crown pieces with his finger. It seemed as if he was listening to its sound, as at the same time he closed his eyes and began to feel them.

[Some of the great esteemed dwarves are said to be able to hear the sound of metal.]

[Perhaps it's better to say that they can interact with the metal itself?]

[Burgrim is most likely trying to figure out the strength and ductility of the metal that makes up the crown pieces.]

Lucia explained to Yong-Ho. Yong-Ho was pleased with the fact that Burgrim was an esteemed dwarf and was delighted that he was working with a smile upon his face.

After smiling at Yong-Ho, Burgrim took out a small blackboard and chalk that lay in the corner of the workshop. He asked Yong-Ho a question in poor demon language.

<What should I make?>

<Please choose the type and quantity.>

Yong-Ho looked around Catalina. Catalina ears began to droop with embarrassment as she drew Yong-Ho's attention.

After examining Catalina's ears, neck and wrists, Yong-Ho soon made his decision. He thought of the rest of his spirits and then spoke to Burgrim.

"Two rings, one for a man and one for a woman. One bracelet for a man and one anklet for a woman. And... finally a necklace. That one's for a man. If there's any metal left, just keep it."

The rings were for Yong-Ho himself and Catalina, while the bracelet and anklet would belong to Eligor and Ophelia respectively. While, finally, the necklace was for Skull.

Upon hearing Yong-Ho's order, Burgrim pondered for a moment and quickly wrote a new question on the board.

<Is it for a wedding?>

<A sign of solidarity...>

Burgrim gaze alternated between Yong-Ho and Catalina, causing Yong-Ho to quickly speak out.

"No, nothing like that. There are just items to be given to some of the spirits. I'll wear one of the rings, while the rest will belong to Catalina, Eligor, Ophelia and Skull respectively. You know who they are, right?"

He almost emptied out all the air from his lungs.

Yong-Ho didn't look back at Catalina. For some reason, after they had visited the auction house, he kept thinking about it.

After looking around the room for a moment, he quietly spoke to Burgrim.

"But... it would be nice if you made them look pretty."

<I'll make a pair of rings and bracelets.>

Burgrim responded with a hearty grin, which Yong-Ho couldn't object to.

[Thump thump?]

[Throb throb?]

[Flutter flutter?]

Lucia spoke very quickly, and Yong-Ho fanned his face to cool off. He also asked Burgrim, while ignoring the fluttering noise from behind his back.

"By the way, do you know anything about this metal?"

<I've never seen this before.>

<It's basic nature seems similar to silver.>

It was clear that Burgrim was an outstanding blacksmith, but he wasn't born in the demon world.

He wasn't used to using the metals of the demon world.

Yong-Ho asked another question.

"If you're not going to use all of the crown, could you cut some off?"

<Okay. I think around three quarters will be enough.>

The crown wasn't that big in the first place, but it was far larger than a bracelet or ring.

Burgrim broke one of the crown pieces in half again and handed it to Yong-Ho.

"Okay, then please start work right away. I don't want to push you, but how long will it take?"

<I'll finish them by tomorrow.>

Burgrim's answer was very refreshing. Yong-Ho patted him on the shoulder and took the piece of the crown. Yong-Ho then left the workshop, alongside Catalina, who had now regained her calmness.

"Let's go to the arena."

Originally, he had planned to explore the stairs leading to the next underground floor. But he had changed his mind. For now, visiting the arena was more urgent.

It was a metal that even Burgrim didn't recognize, perhaps if it was Aamon or Gusion, they might know. No, it was more likely that both of them would just know it as a metal that responded to the power of Greed, and nothing else.

'Also.'

It was now time to challenge the arena again. Thanks to Agares's spirit, he had strengthened, not only his mana, but his physical ability as well. Moreover, he also wanted to test out his new found power - the mana of Greed.

Yong-Ho hurried his steps. He headed to the arena.

***

Yong-Ho's arrival was the same as usual, as the man in the beast mask led the way.

However, when he physically arrived at the arena, there was something different.

"Gusion?"

Although Yong-Ho had only visited a few times before, Gusion had always been there early. He always stood with his back facing the entrance as if he was 'pretending' that he never waited. He only turned around after Yong-Ho greeted him.

Only

This time, however, he was facing Yong-Ho from the front. As soon as Yong-Ho passed through the corridor, he seemed to know.

Furthermore, it didn't end there.

"I have something to tell you... No, I have a favor to ask."

Yong-Ho squinted at the unexpected words. Catalina eyes widened in surprise.

Gusion scratched his cheek. It seemed that it was difficult for him to make a request.

"Talk to Kaiwan. That is my favor."

Yong-Ho's expression became even more subtle.