The white golems were moving busily.
Keukeuk.
The mithril golems were neatly positioned on one side of the laboratory as if measured by a ruler. And as each mithril golem took its place.
Thud.
The movement stopped as if time had frozen. Gradually, as all the mithril golems ceased their operation.
“Phew.”
Shimun breathed out deeply.
“With this, all the connections have been cut off.”
Production golems. Although thanks to the material mithril, once the action patterns were input, there was no need for separate control, but continuous infusion of energy was required for operation.
Having cut it all off, Shimun quickly verified the surging energy and turned around. There floated a flask in the air.
– Oppa, the golems have all stopped functioning?
The Philosopher’s Stone orbited around a metal model.
“Yeah, the energy will be fully charged soon.”
– Okay. When you’re ready, come over here. I’ve already drawn the energy array.
The Philosopher’s Stone in the flask pointed to the energy array drawn on the opposite side of the metal model.
Nodding, Shimun walked towards the energy array.
‘An energy array… It’s been a while since I used it.’
After encountering the Philosopher’s Stone. Shimun had never used the energy array. And rightfully so, with the perfect energy method that only required a flick of a finger.
Why bother using an energy array that needed to be drawn out one by one? But today was different.
Rustle.
From the inventory, a potion containing a crimson liquid. Taking out the Dragon Serum, Shimun placed it in the center of the energy array. The reason was simple.
“Are you ready? I’ll say it again, replicate the power to the maximum before activating.”
“Got it.”
The power needed for the operation of the fabrication golem. It was to efficiently energize it as much as possible. More accurately.
‘It should be called replicated energy.’
Philosopher’s Stone’s speculation. The energy from the Dragon Serum was extremely potent and pure, but. It wasn’t plentiful, as he had mentioned.
Naturally.
It was a dangerous power that could be a primary cause of arena diseases like circuit reversal. Using it in large quantities. Even creating elixirs with energy equivalent to a dragon’s would turn it into a poison, not an elixir.
‘I sincerely wonder how they refined it.’
After returning to the lab, Shimun had also examined the Dragon Serum with Odin’s Eye and Insight, but he couldn’t figure out the manufacturing process or structure.
Anyway.
‘If the Dragon Serum’s power is copied to the maximum extent, it will provide enough energy for the operation of the production golem.’
If the Dragon Serum’s power is used as a base for replication and alchemy. He could obtain enough energy that was lacking for operation.
‘Well, there is also a way to energize all the inadequate power without DS…’
The cost was outrageously high. Creating something completely new and replicating something existing had a significant difference.
Of course, replicated energy had its limitations. It was less than creation, ultimately requiring achievement points. Due to the nature of energy, if there was no vessel to contain it, it would lead to annihilation.
But that was only a general situation.
“As long as you use it immediately after replication, it doesn’t matter.”
At this moment, such drawbacks were irrelevant.
– Oppa, is it done? Shall we begin?
The cheerful voice of the philosopher’s stone snapped the distracted Shimun back to reality. Shimun nodded, taking his place in front of the Philosopher’s Stone.
In an instant, a transformation occurred. Shimun’s body twisted and contorted, becoming more robust. Golden scales slowly emerged from exposed flesh.
Dragonification—the activation of superior genetic traits than any other species achievable through the transformation of a human body.
Then, Shimun extended his hand.
『Your Alchemy Energy is insufficient to proceed with the alchemization. To establish the necessary equivalent exchange with the Philosopher’s Stone, 20,000 achievement points are required. Will you accept? (Yes/No)』
“20,000 points…”
Even mythic alchemizations like the Obsidian Tablet, Heavenly Demon Divine Arts, or the Seed of the World Tree had never required over 20,000 achievement points. Yet, Shimun felt no regret.
The true value of a production golem would rely not only on the materials used, but also on the growing achievement points.
With the increase in one’s own stats, it was only natural for the cost of alchemization materials supporting them to rise.
Without hesitation, Shimun chose “Yes.”
A surge of energy equivalent to 20,000 achievement points gathered in his fingertips. And the moment he unleashed it, a brilliant light exploded from Shimun.
Was it due to Dragonification or Shimun’s nature as an alchemy master? The deep crimson light filling the laboratory was not dazzling at all.
Eventually, the crimson energy reached its peak as the Dragon Serum’s power was replicated to the maximum.
– Oppa! Now!
With a snap, Shimun flicked his finger.
Swish!
The crimson energy was immediately drawn into Shimun’s body.
“Kuegh!”
A small groan escaped Shimun’s lips. Despite maintaining full condition to the extent of halting the automatic production of cures.
“My body… feels like it’s going to burst!”
Like a balloon expanding endlessly, the engulfing energy continuously filled Shimun’s body.
“Grrrt!”
Veins protruded from the toughened body adorned with golden scales, shimmering subtly.
Shimun gritted his teeth, extending his arm as if it might burst any moment.
“Creaaak!”
With a fierce battle cry, he flicked his finger, propelling the energy forward. The crimson energy, once within Shimun’s body, shed its red hue and transformed into brilliant golden streams, pouring toward the creation golem.
“Ah….”
Is this the pleasure of expulsion?
Even though a tremendous energy that filled his body as if it would burst was escaping in an instant. Shimun involuntarily sighed with relief at the overwhelming sense of liberation that came over his whole body.
On the contrary.
Crackle! Sparkle!
Golden streams.
Receiving the mana unleashed by Shimun, the thing they created roared with triumph.
Sparks flew from its entire body. It was the elasticity spark that occurs when performing high-level alchemy.
“Ah! Look at that! It’s constantly consuming an enormous amount of mana! It’s starting to recover!!”
The Philosopher’s Stone in the flask, observing the situation, also looked at the thing they created in amazement.
At that moment.
Piiiik.
A muffled, indescribable sound could be heard from behind. Alchemy was a very meticulous and sophisticated act.
“Hmm?”
– Huh?
Shimun and the Philosopher’s Stone, who were nervous, naturally turned their gaze to where the sound came from.
More precisely.
“Huh!”
– What, what’s that!
They tried to turn around. A white bead.
The 『Queen’s Egg』 they had received as a reward from the previous arena passed before them.
“Oh, no!”
Shimun and the Philosopher’s Stone couldn’t even imagine that the Queen’s Egg would move. However, before they could take any action. The Queen’s Egg pierced through the waves of mana and plunged into the thing they created.
Crackle…
Blur!
It swallowed up all the dazzling mana sparks and let out an indescribable sound.
And with that.
Kwaahhh!!
A tremendous explosion engulfed the laboratory.
* * *
In the warm and humid jungle filled with unknown insects. Through the dense foliage.
“Die!”
A woman in leather armor leaped out brandishing a dagger. A surprise attack at a speed even seasoned players would find hard to react to.
One.
“You die instead.”
With a cynical reply, the target punched straight at the woman with the dagger.
Thud!
The target’s fist hit the woman’s face holding the dagger.
At first glance, it appeared as though the woman with the dagger had brought her face into the fist due to the fast speed, but.
No, any player with some skill couldn’t help but notice. The force behind that punch was that strong.
“Ha, haeun!!”
“That monster!”
A woman and two men who seemed to be her companions shouted urgently.
One.
“Stop shouting and come at me.”
Smirking, she unleashed her punch. Go Malsuk kicked the lifeless body aside.
“After all, you guys are the last ones, right?”
With a relaxed look, she glanced at the two men and one woman.
Soon.
“No. You’ll just run away again, so saying come at me makes me crazy.”
With a scratch of her head, Go Malsuk started walking.
“I’m just going over there.”
“Oh no! Be careful! That technique again…”
The man with the shield quickly raised his shield.
Kwoong.
“Crack!”
“Oof!”
As if being crushed by something heavy. Not only the man with the shield but also the woman in the robe behind him staggered and sat down.
“It’s these bastards that should’ve died sooner running around instead. Well, it wasn’t a bad strategy. Thanks to that, you’ve survived until the end, right?”
Marching leisurely towards the two immobile individuals, Go Malsuk couldn’t help but tease, “Well…!”
Was it because she was a combat class?
Or maybe because she had the highest level among the three?
The man used his shield as a crutch and strained to get up against the pressure pushing him down.
“Is this ability cheating…?!”
“Cheating? Do you think this looks like cheating?”
“Then using combat… techniques is cheating! Isn’t it?!”
Seemingly struggling to speak, the man managed to say with a strained voice, veins popping on his neck and face.
“You’re delusional with that nonsense.”
Without realizing it, Go Malsuk had approached the man.
She cynically extended her palm towards his face.
Then.
A formidable energy rapidly condensed.
“You really haven’t met a true cheater yet, have you?”
With those words,
Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Wave Annihilation Cannon.
The man’s vision went dark.
* * *
Arena, the channel boasting the highest ratings in South Korea, national Representative Arena.
-“Ah! The last survivor, Cheetah Guild, is falling!”
The main MC of the popular show ‘Guk-A,’ Choi Kangyup, sighed.
On the other hand,
-“Wow! That’s truly amazing!”
The commentator Song Jaekyung beside him exclaimed.
– “By using the previous skill as bait, she even managed to deal with Eunji, the player behind! It’s truly an efficient attack.”
– “That’s right. With this, the sole survivor is Go Malsuk! The winner of this Gold Rank debut match is determined!”
『The winner of the Gold Rank debut match has been decided.』
As Choi Kangyup finished speaking, the system message popped up.
-“The solo winner is the same as the last season’s winner, Kim Shimun!”
-“Truly remarkable! Even if the rookies this season are less skilled than the last, winning as a solo player is never an easy task!”
-“That’s right! Thus, another legend of our country, south Korea, emerges…”
Amidst the fervent commentary by Choi Kangyup and Song Jaekyung, innocent-looking Lee Yujeong watching Guk-A.
Click.
Lee Yujeong immediately turned off the TV without hesitation. Even though the TV abruptly turned off, Kim Shihyuk and Park Jinwook, who were watching together, showed no signs of discontent.
Instead, their gazes shifted towards the door in the living room.
Bang!
“Dammit, nonsense.”
Accompanied by rough swearing, a woman entered. With sharp eyes, Go Malsuk irritably scratched her head.
“Congratulations on getting first place, Malsuk.”
“Congratulations.”
“Malsuk-ssi, I enjoyed watching the match.”
Three people sending their congratulations. But there seemed to be some dissatisfaction.
“Thank you everyone.”
She sat down next to Lee Yujeong with a sulky expression on her face like a grumpy child. Lee Yujeong chuckled softly and asked, “Why are you so upset even though you won the match? Is it because the Cheetah Guild kept running away until the end?”
“They’re not even worth the attention. It’s just something that suits their incompetence.”
With that reply, Go Malsuk gulped down the tea offered by Iyujeong.
Was it because it was an expensive Elven tea?
Go Malsuk, feeling slightly calmed down, wiped the corners of her mouth with her sleeves and said, “I’m just annoyed by their weakness.”
“Their weakness? Ah.”
Lee Yujeong chuckled, then sighed lightly.
“Oh, you’re talking about the participants.”
She accurately pinpointed the cause of the annoyance.
Kim Shihyuk bolstered Lee Yujeong’s words, “Are the promising players weaker compared to when my brother participated?”
“Of course!”
Did he hit the nail on the head?
Go Malsuk stood up from her seat.
“They’re supposed to be the promising players of the top guilds in the country! They used to soar high in Silver! Then why are they weaker than the bastards that bastard met!”
Seeing Go Malsuk infuriated, the three of them chuckled softly.
“Malsuk, I understand your feelings, but it would be shocking for other participants to hear that, right?”
“There’s nothing we can do about it. The debutants my brother faced were exceptionally strong.”
Led by Choi Jinsu of the Myth Guild.
The Scorpio Guild, led by the Yu siblings, known as the rising stars of the mage class. And other reputable guilds as well. Overall, the players were of a high standard.
Being a Gold debut match, with a high proportion of magic, it was still gaining a lot of views even now.
“Goodness! If I had met that perverted Constellation a little earlier! I would’ve participated in the debut match with that bastard…”
As Go Malsuk clenched her fist, about to burst into anger.
Kwaaah!!
An explosion that should never have happened in Ranker’s Palace occurred.
“What, what’s happening!”
Go Malsuk was startled by the sudden explosion.
The three people, excluding her, exclaimed, “This explosion!”
“It’s coming from Shimun-nim’s lab!”
“Orabeoni!”
Kim Shihyuk, Park Jinuk, and Lee Yujeong rushed out of the room in an instant.
“Wait! I’m coming too!”
Malsuk, regaining her senses, hurriedly headed towards Shimun’s room.
However, even as the winner of the Gold debut match, catching up with the speed of two rankers and a Diamond player was impossible. After a while, she finally arrived at Shimun’s lab.
And then…
“Huh?”
She widened her eyes in astonishment. An enormous explosion. Contrary to the intense explosion that seemed like Ranker’s Palace was crumbling, even the entrance to the lab was intact.
She passed through the open entrance of the lab. She made her way to Shimun’s research lab.
“Hey! Kim Shimun! What in the world is this…”
She could see. The three people who arrived first, looking taken aback, and…
A child who seemed to be the cause of this explosion.
“Appa?”
An unidentified child.
TL’s Corner:
Shimun a father. New Title: The Regressed Genius is a Peerless Dad.