“They’ve even forgotten their history of defeat, and have given in to the desire for human artifacts,” Balzark repeated.

“What kind of objects, for example?” Kim Jin-Woo asked.

Seeing Kim Jin-Woo’s strong interest, Balzark started talking excitedly. From his stories, it seemed that the items of interest were nothing but junk. It was absurd to think that their labyrinth’s defenses were deteriorating because they were paying high prices for such glorified pieces of trash.

But this new information seemed to have sparked an idea in Kim Jin-Woo’s mind. Unlike the other inhabitants of the Underworld, he was a human. He could buy as many items from the surface as he wanted. All he could see was money.

“Hmm…”

Balzark stopped his monologue when he noticed that Kim Jin-Woo had fallen into deep thought.

“Good. Very good…”

Balzark had no idea what Kim Jin-Woo was talking about, but he nodded in agreement regardless.

***

“Are you all prepared?” the Black Merchant asked.

Kim Jin-Woo nodded at the Black Merchant’s prompt and turned around. He left behind a few orders to Dominique, and others who had come to greet...