novelraw Chapter 39 : Louvre Museum (3)
Chapter 39 : Louvre Museum (3)
Chapter 39: Louvre Museum (3)
Uh. Hmm.
This was bad.
Not just a little—honestly, he had turned it into something close to a mismatched mess.
It was the kind of moment that would make Leonardo da Vinci break out of his coffin in the afterlife—an act of treason against all of human history.
Rumbleeeee!
The paintings hanging around began to tremble.
[The great paintings in the room activate a curse ritual!]
“Instead of just reading books, maybe you should’ve studied art too!”
“You said you were confident in makeup, but what’s with that right eyebrow? Honestly, I could draw it better.”
“T-that’s because! I’m pretty even without makeup!”
To think she could say such a thing out loud without a hint of shame.
Even if she was beautiful, that level of confidence was on another level.
But right now, the priority was to stop the paintings that had gone berserk.
“Sambok!”
“Hehe... perhaps... we chose the wrong master after all...”
“Huff, huff!”
“It’s not perhaps, you definitely chose wrong this time!”
Sambok poured out a mass of black clouds.
Fwoooosh!
The prints that touched the flames burned up instantly.
It was regrettable to destroy priceless pieces of art history that had lasted for centuries, but what could he do?
If this failed, humanity itself might cease to exist.
“Kyaaa! Liberty! Equality! And Brotherhood!”
“Beware your dreams! The ghosts of the Seine will come for you!”
The burning paintings screamed for vengeance as they turned to ashes.
Using that brief opening, everyone escaped into the corridor.
＊
“The museum outside the Tower is truly incredible. I heard humans spend their childhoods in places like this—honestly, it’s even more intense than our Coming-of-Age Ceremony.”
Scarlett’s face was filled with awe and reverence.
What was she even talking about?
If this were a normal museum, the guards protecting it would have to be world-class powerhouses.
And the children visiting here? They’d probably have to take down three monsters at once before they turned seven.
Still...
“Tch. If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve spent an episode or two learning makeup or art-related skills.”
Unfortunately, he couldn’t obtain “Tear of Mona Lisa,” the item that would boost his fame and authority.
It would’ve been useful in several ways—what a shame.
Still, that was the only failure. Everything else had been a success.
Most notably...
‘The Statue of Nike of Samothrace.’
True to her title as the Goddess of Victory, the method of acquisition required telling a story of great triumph.
If the story had been mediocre, the statue would have attacked instantly.
But the tale of shattering three hundred Japanese warships with just twelve vessels—
even the Goddess of Victory had shuddered in awe.
—Ooh! Not since the Trojan War—since Hector and Achilles—have I felt such emotion! Very well. Just once, I shall fight for you.
Nike transformed into a small statue and fell into Yohan’s hand.
A predictable result.
It was, after all, one of the most legendary naval battles in history.
He had also secured “The Coronation Crown of Louis XV” and “Charlemagne’s Sword.”
Just a few more relics, and he’d be done...
He was thinking exactly that when—
Something approached from the opposite hallway.
“No way...”
Yohan’s pupils quaked.
He hadn’t expected to meet this guy here.
＊＊＊
Step.
Yohan stared at the figure walking toward him.
Covered in dust—but still annoyingly handsome.
So this was what they meant by someone who shone with a halo.
“I never thought I’d meet you here. Seems our fates are intertwined more deeply than I realized.”
Seo Changhee smiled as if he were genuinely pleased.
“That’s my line. Weren’t you supposed to be fighting the Orc Tribe at the Rock Cave?”
Hidden Piece – Fragment of Dawn.
Since its location changed randomly over time, a special compass was needed to pinpoint it.
The “Waterdrop Compass” obtained from Running Rabbit fulfilled that role, and it pointed toward the Rock Cave occupied by five Orc Tribes.
So of course, he had assumed Seo Changhee would be there.
Then why was he here?
“I already obtained the Fragment of Dawn.”
Ah, so that’s how it was.
He’d gone in alone, retrieved the Hidden Piece, and come back out.
It was all summed up in one short, casual sentence—
as if he’d just taken a leisurely stroll.
Yohan had often teased him for being a troll of a protagonist, and for a moment he’d forgotten—
This guy was, after all, the main character of this world.
Naturally, he carried the kind of luck blessed by the world itself.
Meanwhile, someone else was struggling through a 999th round of experience... disgusting.
‘Still, if he’s fully awakened, there’s plenty I can make use of.’
Let’s see how strong he’d gotten.
Eye of the Prophet scanned Seo Changhee.
[Seo Changhee]
Class: Spirituality (靈性)
Constellation: 2nd Moon (月), 1st Star (星)
Unique Ability: Equivalent Exchange with the World
Strength: 18
Agility: 20
Magic Power: 31
Physical Defense: 60
Magical Defense: 65
Traits: [Blessing of the World Tree], [Dawn]
The reason Seo Changhee could be so absurdly powerful as a protagonist—
was because of that very trait, [Blessing of the World Tree].
It guides one’s instincts to pursue opportunities and the best possible outcomes.
By rank, it was SSS-grade— one of the top three most broken traits in existence.
The second trait, Dawn, was also among the highest-tier abilities of the holy attribute.
Two solid core meals’ worth of power, really...
No wonder he’d reached the 1st Star of the 2nd Moon in the very first episode.
“Sir Yohan. Do you know this man?”
“Ah, right, I forgot to introduce you. This is Scarlett. Hmm... she’s a freelance Hunter affiliated with Europe. And this cute puppy here is my summoned beast, Sambok.”
“My name is Seo Changhee. Most people call me a savior or hero—choose whichever you prefer.”
“I am Scarlett de Juliard. Pleased to make your acquain—ouch! Pleased to meet you.”
Scarlett rubbed her side, taking a crash course in the Confucian etiquette of the Korean Peninsula.
These were the companions who would join him through the grand journey spanning thirty-three episodes.
Especially Seo Changhee—he was the most important card to be milked to the very end.
‘The start isn’t bad, but there’s still a long way to go.’
It was true that the latter half of the episodes would require powerful allies.
The problem was—
Which ones should he choose?
The stronger they were, the more serious their personality flaws or other defects tended to be... sigh.
His head already started throbbing.
If he recruited Japan’s Sword Demon Ito Ryuhei, driven by capitalism, or America’s Valentina, the overall balance would become quite solid.
Even the Saintess, if not for her fanatical personality, might’ve been a serious candidate for an ally.
But unless he was into torture or execution as a hobby—that was a hard pass.
On the other hand—
‘There are also those I’ll need to eliminate in advance.’
As countless potential variables danced through his mind, his headache worsened.
‘Let’s think about that later.’
For now, winning the bet with Kim Geunsik and cleaning up the Orcs took top priority.
“Anyway, if you’ve already completed your Awakening, why are you here? Is there some item you need?”
“I heard that this place suffered great damage. I came to prevent further casualties. I have no other motive.”
Eyes steady and unwavering.
The heroic spirit of someone determined to save humanity radiated from him.
As expected of Seo Changhee—such a typical answer.
Well, since it had come to this, working together with Spirituality wasn’t a bad idea.
Their goals were the same, and he might even earn some points in the process.
Yohan made his decision.
“All right. I’ll help.”
“Are you serious?”
“It’s not like we just met today. Instead, if I ever get into an extremely, extremely, extremely troublesome situation, you’ll help me out. How’s that sound?”
“So, you mean we’ll cover each other’s backs, hmm? Do you realize that my help and yours don’t exactly weigh the same on the scale?”
“Oh, come on, don’t you dare—how could the great Atarax—mff!”
Yohan gently covered Scarlett’s mouth, giving her a very sincere “thank you” look.
“Of course, I know that. That’s exactly why I’m asking. Helping someone in trouble—that’s a hero’s duty, isn’t it?”
“Heh. At least you understand the difference in our ranks. Very well. I shall assist you once, no matter the circumstance.”
Without realizing he’d just been swindled, Seo Changhee accepted the offer gladly.
Moments later, Yohan learned from Seo Changhee that the situation inside the museum wasn’t good.
There were quite a number of civilians inside.
Although an emergency evacuation had been ordered, with how globally popular the museum was, it hadn’t been possible to get everyone out.
They were probably being held captive by the Orcs.
Smart creatures—they likely understood the value of their hostages.
And, of course, how to use that value to their advantage.
The problem was—
“I’ve searched the area as best I could, but it’s too vast. I can’t locate where they’re being held. Nor can I fight every Orc patrol. It’s a tough situation.”
“Don’t worry about that part. I have a way to handle it.”
With that, Yohan walked straight toward the nearby information desk.
＊
A chair, dripping with blood.
An empty counter.
Torn pamphlets scattered across the floor.
It hardly looked like a place where any information could be found.
But then—
“Excuse me. I’d like to buy an admission ticket and a guidebook, please.”
Yohan suddenly spoke up.
Naturally, there was no answer.
Regardless, he continued the one-sided conversation as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
“Ah, here’s the payment. Don’t worry, I’ll look around quickly and leave before closing time.”
A single gold coin rested on his palm.
He’d taken it from the pile Scarlett had thrown around back at the restaurant.
“Sir Yohan as well...”
“Hehe... to converse with the abyss—you’re one of my kind, it seems.”
“Huff, huff. Shaking. Head. No.”
“Sigh... I could really use a glass of milk right now. To think my master’s such a fool.”
Scarlett and Sambok both squinted suspiciously.
Seo Changhee, too, looked completely baffled.
Well, talking into empty air like that—there was no way it looked normal.
But at that moment—
—Thank you for visiting our museum.
A strange voice echoed from the empty air.
—For a single gold coin... we shall provide you with a VIP pamphlet. Please, enjoy your visit.
Thunk.
A large piece of parchment dropped at Yohan’s feet.
[Louvre Museum Guide Pamphlet]
Acquisition Difficulty: CC
Contents: A complete map of the museum. Displays real-time movement of every living being within.
On the three-dimensional map, countless arrows hovered in motion.
Each arrow displayed a species and name.
‘Knowing the acquisition method really is everything. My acting’s flawless as always, so that part’s perfect.’
It was, in essence, a kind of roleplay.
To obtain this pamphlet, one had to act like a paying visitor entering the museum.
And the higher the payment, the better the pamphlet’s grade.
Considering a normal entry ticket would cost about 30,000 won, a single gold coin—worth far more—was enough for VIP treatment.
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
“Incredible. How did you even know this would work?”
Scarlett and Seo Changhee both exclaimed in awe.
“I used to visit museums a lot when I was younger.”
Yohan brushed it off casually and examined the pamphlet.
Let’s see now—
Where were the Orcs gathering in force?
Not the Medieval Hall. Not the Egypt or Greece exhibits either.
Then...
Found it.
An overwhelming number of arrows were clustered in the Prehistoric Hall.
It had transformed into a fortified zone due to the influence of a Sacred Relic.
He had vaguely expected as much—but damn it.
Of all places, they had to choose the most troublesome one.
At least the civilians taken as prisoners were still alive. That was some relief.
“So you’ve finally found them. Shall we depart right away?”
“Before that, there’s one more place I need to stop by.”
There was one last thing he had to do— a finishing touch to complete the grand finale.