NPLLD 09

Chapter : 09

Yellow Belt

‘There’s no particular presence I can sense.’

After activating the Silent Wave, he tried using every detection skill he had, but he still couldn’t find a suitable spear to hold.

In the end, Seoyul focused his senses and began touching each spear one by one.

Watching him, Lee Jeonghye spoke to the weapon shop owner, Na Hongchil.

“Still, since this is a place recommended by the master, there must be something special here, right?”

“I can’t exactly deny that… but the only reason that old man recommended this place is because he knows I have a good eye.”

Na Hongchil then handed Seoyul one spear.

“Try this one. It’s suitable for low-ranking hunters to use right away.”

[Danmok Spear, Pierce]
Grade: Rare (Uncommon)
Attack Power: 45
Durability: 60/60
Required: Level 10 user

[Unique Effect]
Restores durability at the cost of reducing overall durability by 5.

[Options]
Attack Power +5%

“I’ll try it.”

Na Hongchil nodded, and Seoyul gripped the spear tightly before thrusting it forward like a shot.

Fwoosh!

The air split with a tearing sound. The spear, Pierce, let out a faint vibrating noise.

When he checked again, its durability had already dropped by more than 2.

Seoyul narrowed his eyes, disappointed.

On paper, the unique effect wasn’t bad, but the weapon itself was too fragile to start with.

“This is going to be difficult.”

“Hey! I thought my ears were going to burst! Why are you suddenly using your master’s spear technique like that?!”

“…Hmm.”

Jeonghye shouted in shock, while Na Hongchil looked at Seoyul with a more serious expression than before.

“Are you really D-rank? This… is beyond that.”

“I never hid it.”

“No. You need to think of it as higher. What about this one?”

Na Hongchil threw another spear.

This one had a distinctly Eastern aesthetic.

[Silver Tiger]
Grade: Rare
Attack Power: 105
Durability: 70/70
Required: Level 20+ user

[Unique Effect]
A spear said to contain the spirit of the divine beast Silver Tiger. When the user’s rage reaches its peak, there is over a 70% chance of inflicting stun on the enemy.

[Options]
Attack Power +30%, Defense +10%

Seoyul swung it without hesitation.

Shk!

The chilling pressure of the air made Jeonghye shiver.

Seoyul seemed satisfied for a moment, then slowly lowered the corners of his mouth.

‘What? Why is he suddenly looking depressed?’

Jeonghye tilted her head.

Then Seoyul asked the most basic question.

“How much is this?”

“22 million won.”

“…Ah.”

Just by hearing the price, Jeonghye understood his expression.

It was not something a low-level public official could casually afford.

Na Hongchil clicked his tongue.

“You’re short on money for your level.”

“I’ll look for something cheaper.”

Seoyul smiled faintly and decided to choose for himself.

After walking around for a while, something caught his eye.

It looked extremely ordinary—dull color, blunt edge, no noticeable traits.

But at that moment, it was not just a normal weapon.

[UNKNOWN]

Even the system could not properly identify it.

Seoyul slowly approached it, drawn by an unknown feeling.

“What is this?”

“It’s a research object. No one knows what it is. The system doesn’t display any information. I thought it was strange too, so I kept it. Nothing special—just an odd piece.”

“Let’s take the earlier one instead. I’ll even lend you the money.”

“Wait.”

Seoyul looked straight at Na Hongchil.

“Have you set a price for this one?”

“Hey, Seoyul! Don’t be a sucker!”

Jeonghye tried to stop him, but Na Hongchil smiled, amused.

“If you don’t buy any other weapon, I’ll give it to you for free.”

It was a challenge disguised as generosity.

Most people would have backed down—but Seoyul was not most people.

“Fine.”

“…You really are insane.”

Jeonghye grabbed her head in frustration.

Seoyul grabbed the spear.

The moment he held it, it felt unbelievably light.

The blade was thin yet solid. The shaft curved delicately.

And strangely—it felt like it was breathing.

[Silent Wave activated.]

To identify the source of the sound, he used his detection skill.

Then another skill followed.

[Explorer-exclusive skill: Code Decoding activated.]

Finally, clear text appeared before his eyes.

[My… name… is Ro… ga.]

Seoyul read it aloud.

“Roga.”

The spear responded.

Vmm.

It vibrated softly, as if answering him.

Na Hongchil’s eyes widened in shock.

“What…?!”

The spear began to change.

Its blade slowly turned red, its shape subtly shifting as if responding to Seoyul’s will.

Dust fell away, revealing a deep blue-black shaft and a refined silver blade.

[Evolution Spear, Roga]
Grade: Common
Attack Power: 40–60
Durability: 50/50
Requirement: Spear skill user, and one who resonates with Roga’s will

[Unique Effect]

• Can evolve into a form that adapts to the environment and the user’s will.
• Once evolved, it can be stored as a skill and reshaped when used.

[Options]
Attack Speed +7%
Attack Power +5%
Critical Rate +10%
Accuracy +8%

Despite being weaker in raw stats than Silver Tiger, its potential far exceeded it.

Seoyul spun the spear.

Whoosh! Fwoosh!

The air was sliced cleanly, dust scattering—without damaging the spear’s durability.

Na Hongchil stammered.

“W-wait!”

But Seoyul smiled.

“You know the saying—no take-backs.”

He placed Roga on his shoulder and turned away.

After obtaining Roga, Jeonghye returned to work, leaving Seoyul alone at the park bench.

‘Yeah… this is what resting feels like.’

Just as he was enjoying the rare peace, his phone rang.

Caller: Lee Jinsu

His landlord.

“…Is he calling about rent again?”

He answered.

“Yes, sir.”

—Seoyul! It’s Yoonhee… Yoonhee!

His expression changed instantly.

“What happened to Yoonhee?”

—She disappeared in the Yellow Belt…

Seoyul froze.

Yellow Belt.

A sealed-off zone where failed dungeon-break areas were isolated and dangerous monsters were contained.

A place even trained hunters rarely entered safely.

And now—a civilian girl had gone missing there.

“Why would she go there?”

—We don’t know… but she was reportedly taken there by a student named Park Jin-tae…

“…Of course.”

A familiar pattern.

He ended the call immediately.

“I’m going.”

At the Yellow Belt entrance, numerous hunters had gathered.

Guild hunters dominated the scene, while only a few from the Management Bureau showed concern.

Seoyul stood quietly.

‘It’s fine. I’ll handle it.’

He made a call.

—You’re on vacation. Why are you calling me?

“Can you open a route into the Yellow Belt?”

—That’s illegal.

“Just this once.”

—…Send the coordinates.

A moment later, the barrier in front of him rippled.

A narrow passage opened.

Seoyul stepped inside.

“I really do love connections.”

And the barrier closed behind him.

He entered the Yellow Belt.