There are 8 tiers of Armytems:
Common, Rare, Unique, Epic, Legendary, Mythic, Maternity, and World.
Among them, the highest tier, World, was no different from a non-existent Armytem. This was because only an extremely small number of Eyes of the Lord possessed such items.
In truth, the de facto highest tier was Maternity.
And the Mythic tier was the step just below that.
"Answer, Scales of Justice — are you saying that human's life isn't even worth a Mythic-tier Armytem?"
Armytems of the Mythic tier either possessed immense power or had unique effects that couldn't be replicated by any other Armytem.
The Feather of Oath was one such item.
Naturally, that meant they held tremendous value. It doesn't mean they're worthless — not even worth the price of a single human life.
[Yes]
"What kind of ridiculous bullshit is that?! He's human, Scales! Even if he has some talent, he's still just a human! Are you saying that such a human is worth more than a Mythic-tier item? Worth enough to steal from a Lord of the Eyes?!"
[Once again, yes. That's exactly what I'm saying.]
The Scales spoke in a flat, emotionless voice.
Only upon hearing that voice did the Eye of Knowledge begin to feel the weight of it.
The Scales of Judgment were the most impartial being in existence when it came to measuring value.
If it had measured something that way, there had to be a reason behind it.
Just what could that reason possibly be?
"State your reason, Scales. Convince me."
And so, the Lord of Knowledge asked.
[The victim, Han Yuseong—this being was destined to become a Lord of the Stars. Therefore, it is only right to value him accordingly.]
The Scales gave its answer.
The Lord's eyes widened as if they were about to burst.
He simply couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"What do you mean, a Lord of the Stars...? That's... the Grand..."
It's not impossible for a human to become the Eye Lord of a star.
Even among the current Eye Lords, there were those who were once human.
But the number of humans who can achieve that is extremely small—
So small that maybe one in countless stars, if even that.
And now…
You're saying that one is this human?
"Hohm..."
The Lord of Knowledge looked at Han Yuseong with eyes full of disbelief.
Han Yuseong was deep in thought, stroking his chin.
That was because what the Scales of Order had just said gave him a lot to think about.
But now was not the time to worry about that.
"Is there really a need to tell me something like that? Seems like unnecessary information."
[That is a valid point. Once this compensation is complete, the Eye of Knowledge will forget the fact that Han Yuseong became a Star Lord.]
The Lord of Knowledge let out a hollow laugh.
He was so dumbfounded, he couldn't even speak properly.
And whether he spoke or not, the compensation would continue to be delayed.
"First of all, I want to ensure that the Eye of Knowledge cannot interfere with me in any way for the next six months. Is that possible?"
[It is possible. The balance of the Scales has not yet been tipped.]
The scales had wavered, but they were still leaning toward Han Yuseong.
This meant he could demand more compensation.
"Second, hmm… coins would be nice. How about 80,000 of them?"
[That is possible. The balance of the Scales has not yet tipped.]
["That's insane! You're saying that's still not enough?!"]
The balance tilted ever so slightly more toward Han Yuseong.
This would probably be his final demand.
He couldn't ask for more after this.
At that moment, a fitting request came to mind.
"Some Epic-grade equipment usable by a martial artist—no level restrictions—and one Epic-grade recovery potion. That'll be the last of it."
[The balance of the Scales has tipped.]
Only then did the Scales find perfect equilibrium, no longer leaning in any direction.
The Eye of Knowledge said nothing.
Or rather, could not say anything.
Unfathomable events were unfolding one after another.
In that situation, there was nothing the Lord of Knowledge could do.
[Executing the compensation.]
Fwoooosh!
The Scales of Order emitted a brilliant light.
That light engulfed the Lord's eyes, and from the screaming Lord, the compensation was forcibly extracted.
He handed it over.
Three artifacts emerged, cutting through the air.
Iron-plated boots, a ring, and a feathered pen.
[As compensation, you have obtained 'Thunder Shock,' 'Ring of Might,' 'Troll Lord's Blood,' and 'Feather of Oath.' Additionally, 80,000 coins have been transferred.]
Along with that, 80,000 coins.
Han Yoosung looked at the feathered pen floating right in front of him.
It was made of an unknown metal, yet radiated a variety of brilliant colors like mother-of-pearl.
[Feather of Oath (Mythic)]
· Slot: None
· Magic Power +15, Magic Damage +30%, Magic Cast Speed +50%.
· Form a vow inscribed on the soul by designating the other party.
· The vow can only be formed when both parties offer balanced conditions. Once formed, it cannot be broken by any means.
If the vow is destroyed in any form, the destroyer will be annihilated.
"At a glance, someone might wonder what's so special about a mythic item like this."
It's a question anyone might ask.
However, the essence of this feathered pen lies not in its magic power or spell damage options—but in the vow itself.
"You can form a vow even with an Archon, a promise that even lords cannot nullify."
Han Yoosung had not formed a contract with an Archon.
It was because he intended to make a vow with a lord powerful enough to dominate even the Archons.
Of course, a player cannot put a leash on an Archon.
They are not beings weak enough to be bound by humans.
It would take a miracle that could only occur under extremely rare circumstances and conditions.
"This is the first fragment of the miracle."
Even the 80,000 coins were one of those fragments.
Han Yoosung clenched the feather pen tightly in his hand.
At that moment, the pen melted away like it was dissolving and was absorbed into his body.
Seeing this, the Eye Lord of Knowledge was struck with a tremendous sense of humiliation.
[The Eye Lord of Knowledge trembles with rage and humiliation.]
[He declares: He will never forget what happened today.]
"Even if you don't forget—what can you do? You won't be able to interfere with me for the next six months, and you'll forget why you even gave me this compensation."
Gnash!
Somewhere, the sound of grinding teeth echoed.
Six months was enough time to prepare for whatever tricks the Eye Lord of Knowledge might try to pull.
The bastard would be unable to do anything meaningful.
[The compensation is complete.]
[Eye Lord of Knowledge, may this serve as a lesson for why even the Lords of the Stars must not break the rules.]
[This session is now dismissed.]
His vision shifted.
When he opened his eyes again, Han Yoosung was standing in a familiar one-room apartment.
He chuckled, thinking of the Eye Lord of Knowledge, who must be seething with rage by now.
"Whether in my past life or this one, 'Lord of Knowledge' really doesn't suit that guy at all."
The Eye Lord of Knowledge is one of the more emotional among the Lords.
He was notorious for it in Yoosung's past life.
Han Yoosung had wondered if he could use that emotional nature to make him break the rules—
But to think it would be this easy.
"This is the fearsome weight of the rules."
Even the Lords are extremely reluctant to break the rules.
The penalties are so severe that the backlash is unbearable.
That's why Lords try not to create things like formal rules or contracts lightly.
They prefer to lure players through other means.
"Thanks to that, I got some nice items."
Han Yoosung checked the items he had received from the Lord of Knowledge:
A pair of boots, a ring, and a potion.
[Ring of Might (Epic)]
· Slot: Ring
· Strength +3, Attack Power +10%, Critical Hit Rate +5%
· Empowers the next used attack skill. (Cooldown: 60 minutes)
[Thunder Shock (Epic)]
· Slot: Feet
· Defense: 15
· Agility +2, Speed +5%
· When using leg- or foot-based skills, emits an electric shock.
The damage of this shock scales with the wearer's Magic Power stat.
[Troll Lord's Blood (Epic)]
A potion imbued with the regenerative power of a Troll Lord.
· Heals wounds at an incredible speed.
· If the user is in a near-death state, it continues healing until they recover from that state.
These were quite fitting items for Han Yoosung's current state.
Though their stat boosts were a bit low for epic-grade items—since they had no level requirement—they each had powerful, useful special effects.
It would be useful for a while.
"The Eye Lord of Knowledge… he really was like a tree that gives without holding back."
As a starting opponent, he had been one of the toughest.
Han Yoosung stretched and stood up from his seat.
The outside had grown dim—night had fallen without him noticing.
He leaned against the window and looked up at the sky.
Countless stars were shining. Looking at them reminded him of the conversation from earlier.
[Han Yoosung, this being would have become a Star Lord.]
Those were the words spoken by the Scales of Law.
Not "was meant to become," but "would have become" a Star Lord.
A subtle difference—but one that made Han Yoosung fall into deep thought.
"The Lords don't know I've regressed."
Just looking at the Eye Lord of Knowledge's behavior made it obvious.
If he had known Han Yoosung was a regressor, he wouldn't have acted that way.
But the Scales of Law had been different.
"It felt like it knew I had regressed."
Han Yoosung had killed Mi Sooho and obtained the "Qualification of a Lord."
If he had used it, he would've become a Star Lord.
But instead, he gave that up and chose to return to the past.
It seemed the Scales of Law knew about that choice.
"So those higher than the Lords… they know I've regressed."
"The Lord of Stars is obsessively collecting coins.
He uses them to increase his power, with the ultimate goal of transcending even the Lord of Stars himself and becoming a higher being.
Judging by this, it's clear that there are beings with a higher status than the Lord of Stars.
Like the 'god' who designated this world as a place of trials.
'Am I the only one who used the Lord's Qualification to regress, or…?'
Is there another regressor?
Han Yuseong shook his head after a brief moment of thought.
'If that were possible, Lee Suho would have regressed first.'
Lee Suho was someone qualified to become a Lord.
He was on the verge of transcending, but Han Yuseong ambushed and killed him.
If regression using the Lord's Qualification were possible for others, Lee Suho would have chosen to regress at the moment of his death.
But he didn't. He died on the spot.
'Even among the Lords, I've never heard anything about regression.'
If regression using the Lord's Qualification were truly possible, those who had ascended and become Lords of Stars would have known about it.
But none of them ever mentioned it. No one ever spoke of it.
At least according to what he remembered from his past life.
"Am I really the only one who regressed?"
If so, why?
Han Yuseong frowned.
And at the same time, he realized that no matter how much he pondered this question, it wasn't something he could solve right now.
A question that could only be answered someday in the distant future,
"All I can do is wait for that time to come."
Han Yuseong decided to set aside his thoughts about regression for now.
No matter how much he thought about it, it would only give him a headache without yielding any results.
What mattered now was getting stronger.
"Now that I've mastered the footwork, the next thing is…"
Han Yuseong looked down at his fist.
Soon, that thorny challenge would be resolved.
"Because soon,
Countless players would gather to hunt the Lords.
He needed the strength to fight and win against them. And to do that, what did he need?
It was simple.
"Maybe I should go retrieve the martial art technique I used to use."
A skill book that appeared in a hidden quest left by a Lord for their oath-bearer.
It was time for Han Yuseong to reclaim the martial art he had used in his previous life.