Report
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 55: Rising to Prominence
Even after conquering the Iron Tomb, the collaboration between the two teams with differing goals continued.
[Paracelsus' Magic Cylinder]
Rank: Unique
Category: Alchemy Tool
Durability: 50/50
A cylinder created by the legendary alchemist Paracelsus to compress mana to its limits.
◎ Mana Compression Rate - 523%
After defeating the boss monster in the Gate that opened in Chuncheon, they acquired this alchemy equipment.
[Infinite Pouch]
Rank: Unique
Category: Miscellaneous
Durability: 100/100
A pouch inscribed with subspace magic. It can store up to 1,000kg.
◎ Capacity: 0/1,000kg
As a reward for conquering the [Twisted Pit], they obtained a subspace pouch with a capacity of 1 ton.
And what happened to the Arhan raid team Hunters?
"..."
"..."
The condition of taking loot based on contribution remained in effect for the remaining two Gates as well.
Yoojin unleashed the necromancy he couldn't use in the [Iron Tomb] without holding back.
He created an undead army on the spot, robbing Arhan of any chance to participate.
【Hehe. This is so satisfying.】
Fafnir laughed in satisfaction, seeing the dumbfounded Arhan raid team Hunters.
"It's not enough to be satisfied with this."
【Is that so?】
"The real revenge hasn't even begun."
He had succeeded in provoking the Vice President who orchestrated this whole thing, but...
From the perspective of the largest guild in Korea, this was just a minor incident.
"Their pride must be hurt. They'll retaliate in some way."
【Is that also within your calculations, Master?】
"That's right. As I weaken their forces and grow stronger through this, the day will come when I can stab a knife into Arhan's heart."
Yoojin spoke resolutely.
He had already done this before his regression.
He was becoming stronger much faster this time, so there was no reason why he couldn't do it again.
【I'm indebted to you, Master.】
"If you're going to talk about debt, just focus on eating mana stones."
Yoojin retorted bluntly.
"I've learned a lot."
After closing the last Gate, Song Myeongseok returned to using honorifics.
"I'm glad you learned something."
"Next time, I'll show you what I can do."
"If you have the skills to do so."
Of course.
He wasn't sure when they would meet again, but until then, Song Myeongseok could sharpen his teeth.
'The stronger he is, the more useful he'll be when I turn him into an undead.'
Even Jo Seungchul, a 7 Star Hunter in the original timeline, was now just a Skeleton Mage.
If he strengthened the bones and changed the materials composing the body, he might be able to achieve comparable abilities.
But still...
'If possible, I want to avoid the hassle.'
Modifying existing undead was such a chore.
He had to fit in the reinforcing materials without disrupting the balance between the assimilated corpse and soul.
And he had to consider the wavelengths and synergy of the items and materials.
'So get stronger. Quickly.'
A glint of desire flickered in Yoojin's eyes.
Song Myeongseok met his gaze and involuntarily stepped back.
"Ah, don't forget to send the scrap metal."
"Should we deliver it all to the Paju workshop?"
"23.5 tons. If even a little bit of the weight is off, I'll hold Arhan accountable."
"That useless... Anyway, that won't happen."
Those Arhan guys...
It seemed they had investigated the [Scrap Metal Imbued with Lingering Attachment] while raiding the remaining two Gates.
〔This is troublesome. Now those small humans know your aim.〕
'Do you really think so?'
〔Wouldn't there be alchemists in an organization like Arhan?〕
'That's right. They're probably more skilled than Shin Joonseok, too.'
Shin Joonseok had awakened about two years ago.
Even as the future Grand Alchemist, at this point in time, he was just a craftsman with good dexterity and intuition.
This meant there were many alchemists who were more skilled in terms of skill proficiency and mana application.
〔If they find out how to use the scrap metal, they might not hand it over so easily.〕
'Even if the alchemists of Arhan died and came back to life, they wouldn't know.'
Let them investigate and analyze all they want.
They might get chills, but they wouldn't figure out how to use it.
The [Scrap Metal Imbued with Lingering Attachment] was a metal more attuned to necromancy than alchemy.
'It can be used to strengthen bones or create undead like the Steel Specter.'
Its uses were truly endless.
It wasn't common for inanimate objects like iron to be imbued with resentment, so it was a mineral that even Yoojin had struggled to obtain.
'20 tons is enough for me to use for several years.'
He was really lucky.
If Arhan Guild had taken the entire [Iron Tomb], he wouldn't have even had this opportunity.
This scrap metal would greatly aid in strengthening his forces in the long run.
"Hyung, you really did it."
"Are you guys alright?"
"We're a bit tired, but we're not seriously injured."
"Not that. You've made an enemy of Arhan."
At Yoojin's question, Lee Seongmin's eyes widened, and he cried out—
"Why did it turn out like this?!"
"Arhan was the one who proposed the joint raid, but in the end, they got screwed."
"You didn't know that, junior?"
The twins patted Lee Seongmin's shoulder.
As expected, those two had already figured it out.
They seemed clueless at first, but they were quite perceptive.
The future Mirror Hunters were indeed different.
"It's alright. If we hadn't met you, Hyung, we wouldn't have had this opportunity."
"I learned a lot thanks to you too, Oppa. We really got them good when Hunter Song Myeongseok was flustered!"
Kang Minyeong, with an ecstatic expression, seemed unable to forget the thrill of that moment.
Reading Fafnir's senses through Synchronization.
And coolly taking down the Steel Specter with a single arrow.
The two of them were already addicted to the taste of growing stronger.
"Let's postpone the distribution of profits from this raid."
The owner of Paracelsus' Magic Cylinder was already decided.
However, since it was an artifact obtained while working with the Little Runts team, he had to pay them a fair price.
Even Yoojin found that level of expenditure burdensome.
His main source of income, mana stones, now had to be fed to Fafnir.
"Understood, Hyung."
"And Seongmin, you take the Infinite Pouch."
"Who? Me?"
"Observing the pouch's magic will increase your understanding of your unique ability."
"Th-thank you!"
Lee Seongmin's eyes welled up with tears.
There's no need to cry like that.
"I thought I was no longer needed because of the artifact!"
"...You could barely carry a few kilograms to begin with. If I was only going to use you as a pack mule, I wouldn't have brought you along."
"I will continue to devote my loyalty!"
Alright.
Work your bones off from now on.
You guys have a lot to do.
〔Tsk tsk, it seems like selling their souls to an Evil God constellation would be better.〕
Kronos clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
＊ ＊ ＊
Crack—
The armrest shattered into pieces.
Baek Seonghyeon glanced at the remains of the chair, now reduced to hundreds of fragments, a moment too late.
"I've lost my composure and gotten excited, which is unlike me."
Perhaps he saw himself reflected in the pulverized armrest.
The secretary, who had just finished his report, turned pale.
"What did Hunter Song Myeongseok say?"
"He said... if only there had been prior information, the result wouldn't have been like this..."
"How pathetic."
Baek Seonghyeon cut off the secretary's words and habitually reached for the armrest, only to click his tongue in frustration at finding empty space.
'I expected the two of them to clash, but I didn't expect a one-sided defeat.'
He had long since seen through Song Myeongseok's ambition.
Song Myeongseok might have thought he was hiding it well, but it was difficult to escape Baek Seonghyeon's eyes.
Summoning him to the Vice President's office and instructing him to recruit Yoojin was also part of the plan.
'Why did it turn out like this?'
Song Myeongseok's defeat was an unexpected variable.
Not only was his unique trait, Heavenly Bone, remarkable, but his combat senses and ability to handle mana were on par with Guild Leader Lee Shinwoo.
Song Myeongseok was skilled enough to compete equally with a 4 Star martial arts Hunter, provided they didn't use aura.
And yet...
He was utterly defeated.
"This is quite troublesome."
The secretary's eyes darted from side to side at Baek Seonghyeon's murmur.
"Ah, I wasn't talking to you."
"My apologies."
"I have some things to think about, so you may leave."
Creak—
Left alone in the Vice President's office, Baek Seonghyeon calculated in his head.
'The chances have decreased because of this incident, but it's become clearer.'
A talent who even defeated Song Myeongseok.
Yoojin had to be brought into Arhan's fold.
If they failed to recruit him...
'We have no choice but to eliminate him before Phoenix or Dawn makes a move.'
A chilling murderous intent flickered in Baek Seonghyeon's eyes.
＊ ＊ ＊
After settling the distribution of loot from the Gate raid, Yoojin and his party returned to the Paju workshop.
"Oppa, are we in the right place?"
At Kang Minyeong's question, Yoojin shrugged.
"There are so many people."
"Maybe the alchemist moved his workshop?"
Shin Joonseok's workshop was usually deserted, but today was different.
Dozens of people were camped out in front of the fence.
"Master Alchemist Shin! We're from Osung Corporation!"
"Here's an investment proposal from Jeil Corporation..."
"This time..."
Dressed in suits as if they had coordinated a dress code, they raised their voices.
It was a good thing Shin Joonseok's workshop was a bit out of town.
Otherwise, they would have received complaints from the residents.
"Maybe we should have worn suits too."
"Should we prepare them now?"
"I'm kidding, so please bear with me."
Yoojin waved his hand dismissively and pushed past the crowd gathered in front of the workshop.
"Let's go in."
"Hey, who are you to just barge in?"
Despite the light shove, the people were pushed back easily.
Thanks to his strength stat, which was comparable to a martial arts Hunter of the same rank, it was easy to get through.
Though he did get some curses thrown his way in the process.
"Wait, are you by any chance Hunter Cheon Yoojin?!"
"It's Hunter Cheon Yoojin!"
"Didn't he do a joint raid with Arhan?"
"I heard he overwhelmed Song Myeongseok."
Murmurs arose.
The representatives from various corporations and guilds recognized Yoojin.
He had consecutively closed three long-unconquered Gates.
Even though Arhan had restricted information, they couldn't completely prevent rumors from spreading.
"Yes, yes, I'm Cheon Yoojin."
As Yoojin casually replied and moved forward, the Little Runts team hurriedly followed behind.
"Excuse us, we're with him."
"Oh, I participated in that raid too! I'm Kang Minyeong!"
"Senior, I'm embarrassed."
After a small commotion, the group safely entered the workshop.
Shin Joonseok, trying to figure out the bustling situation outside, made eye contact with Yoojin, who had just entered the fence.
"My business partner!"
"Wow, you've become popular while I haven't seen you."
"It's all thanks to you, Yoojin... but that's not important right now!"
"There are so many people who want to invest. That's good, isn't it?"
Yoojin said nonchalantly.
"Didn't I tell you I rejected Arhan's investment offer too?"
"Ah, did you?"
"You're acting like it's none of your business!"
Shin Joonseok spat out a curse and took his frustration out on the ground.
He was as grumpy as ever, both in the past and present.
〔Isn't this incident a result of your mistake?〕
'Why are you suddenly bringing up mistakes?'
〔Didn't you give that small human's information to Arhan while promoting the intermediate potion?〕
'Shut up, I don't know anything about that.'
Shoo, shoo.
Go away.
Pushing Kronos' thoughts aside, Yoojin patted Shin Joonseok's shoulder.
"But isn't the potion supply issue mostly settled?"
"I'm only handing over the initial production to Arhan."
"Ah, you're talking about the next production."
"And the investment."
"Cheer up. Your skills have been recognized."
"My skills? It's all thanks to what you taught me, partner."
Self-doubt clouded Shin Joonseok's face.
Yoojin choked back a groan at the sight, something he hadn't seen before his regression.
'Is it because I told him the potion ratio?'
He had shared a bit of his future knowledge to find a useful em— no, a business partner.
He hadn't expected this kind of side effect.
〔See? The repercussions of twisting causality are starting to show one by one.〕
Oh, you're enjoying this, aren't you?
'If you spout any more nonsense about hardship or trials, I'll leave your pocket watch behind.'
〔Is there something wrong with my statement? It's time to admit it.〕
'Watch closely and see how I resolve this.'
Yoojin beckoned Lee Seongmin, who was standing behind him.
"The Infinite Pouch?"
"Yeah, take out what we got from the Toy Factory."
A red hydraulic cylinder.
As he subtly presented it to Shin Joonseok, the alchemist's cloudy eyes regained their focus.
"P-Partner, what is this?"
"There was this legendary alchemist named Paracelsus. This is something he used."
"How could I not know that name! But why are you giving me this precious item...?"
"Because you're the most skilled alchemist around me."
Shin Joonseok's face brightened at Yoojin's praise.
"Partner!"
"Research that and let me know the results and how to use it."
"Of course! I'll figure out everything from the operating principles of this cylinder to the construction magic and report back to you!"
See?
He cheered up quickly after just a few words, didn't he?
〔That small human is so fickle.〕
'Where did the constellation who was just talking about causality go?'
The pocket watch in his pocket vibrated and then remained silent for a long time.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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