In front of them, two people collapsed.
“Sniffle!”
The angelic child simply blinked her eyes, gazing at Shimun. Shimun, too, seemed indifferent to the fallen two.
“Sigh….”
He touched his forehead and let out a deep sigh. Understandably so. Just as he was dealing with one player not long ago, wasn’t Shiyeon, who had been quietly behind him, suddenly gone?
“You said you wouldn’t stray far. I didn’t expect you to come this far just because I took my eyes off for a moment.”
It was only for a minute, perhaps even just 30 seconds. In that short moment, the child who was behind him disappeared like magic. How could he not be surprised?
“Well… luckily, we’re connected somehow thanks to the imprint or bonding process.”
Perhaps due to the imprint and bonding process, even with his eyes closed, Shiyeon’s location could be known, allowing him to catch up quickly. Or it could have been a real disaster. However, Kim Shimun hesitated to dwell on that thought.
“Wait, was it really a big deal?”
Kim Shimun’s gaze turned towards the teary-eyed child. Considering the materials put in during training, it wouldn’t be a challenge for most Platinum ranks. It was the same during the previous battle.
“It was definitely around 30 seconds.”
No matter how skilled the participants of the Platinum rank debut match were, they couldn’t match Kim Shimun’s current strength. He had decisively overwhelmed them, and it took about 30 seconds. The fact that the child had moved this far within those 30 seconds…
“Perhaps it means Shiyeon’s basic capabilities are extraordinary?”
It seemed quite fitting, didn’t it?
Kim Shimun, furrowing his brow thoughtfully. Was he misunderstanding Kim Shiyeon?
“Sh-Shiyeon, I’m sorry….”
Even more tears welled up in Shiyeon’s round eyes.
“Huh? Oh.”
Kim Shimun, startled by her sudden move, let out a small sigh and lowered his body.
“Shiyeon, I’m not mad. Come here.”
With a gentle smile, Kim Shimun opened his arms. And then, “Appa!”
Shiyeon, tears streaming down her face, rushed into Kim Shimun’s embrace. Held lightly in his arms, Shiyeon.
“Hmm? If her basic capabilities are high, there should be quite a shock coming, shouldn’t there?”
While mentally preparing for the shock, Kim Shimun tilted his head, but that was all.
“Shiyeon doesn’t want to go alone! She will stay with Appa!”
As the child shook her head back and forth while nestling into him, any doubts he had melted away.”Sure, what’s the point of all this cuteness.”
It was just so adorable. In that moment, Shimun felt a faint sense of guilt even towards himself for picking on such a cute kid based on basic specifications or whatever reasons.
He slightly shook his head and gently ruffled Shiyeon’s hair that was nestled in his arms.
– Ah… so cute!
– Look, Shiyeon is crying ㅜㅜ. I want to give her some candy, Uncle!
– Uncle… then I might get in trouble…
– Shimun-nim! Why are you making our kid cry like that!
The chat window was filling up with comments as Shiyeon appeared.
It hadn’t been long since Arena started, and already fans enamored with Shiyeon were emerging.
Naturally.
– Shiyeon’s mom is on fire.
– By the way, can a kid participate in Arena? Isn’t the minimum age for participation 15 years old?
– That’s right. But she doesn’t seem like a kid.
– Just now, I saw her with Shimun-nim and she called him Dad. Maybe she’s his long-lost daughter?
– Seriously, she was just shown above. Arena is restricted to 15 and under, how can she be his daughter, lol
– Anyone saying she’s his daughter needs to leave.
There were more and more doubts about the sudden appearance of the child.
– Could she be some kind of summon?
– Right. Sometimes, summons refer to their owners as dad or mom.
– Really? Mister Kim summoned a golem last time. Could it be that?
– So, is she a golem then? Oh my god… She looks human no matter how you look at it?
– She’s not a golem. Have you guys never seen a golem? They can’t express emotions like that.
– Agreed, hyung. I have a golem too, but they can’t make such gestures.
Various opinions on whether Shiyeon was a summon or not were being discussed due to the influx of foreign viewers.
But Shimun shut down the chat, signifying the end of the discussion.
However…
『Constellation Black Goat gazes at Kim Shiyeon with affectionate eyes.』
『Constellation Black Goat wishes to play with Kim Shiyeon.』
『Constellation and Heavenly Demon look down on Odin with disdain.』
The continuous attention from the Constellations unmistakably showed their interest. It was instantly apparent. Taking a deep breath, Shimun cleared the Constellations’ messages. It wasn’t just because their reactions were annoying.
“I wanted to safely hide Shiyeon somewhere and end Arena if possible…”
Where could be a safe place in the Chaos Realm? Unless battles between Constellation and Demonics happened elsewhere, creating a bunker or something to hide would have been sufficient. Yet Shimun couldn’t do that.
Being with Shiyeon was for a different purpose altogether.
『Mission』
– Four Constellations show strong curiosity towards Kim Shiyeon you’ve summoned.
Achieve 1st place in the Platinum Rank debut match with ‘Kim Shiyeon’ in this upcoming Arena. Reward: Achievement Points 10,000
Mission right away.
It was because of the mission of the Constellations that popped up immediately after meeting Shiyeon, who participated together before debut.
“I didn’t want to do this kind of mission unless I had to…”
Shimun had already experienced a significant drain on his achievement points due to Shiyeon’s summoning. Furthermore, due to the increasing cost of summoning, the reward of 10,000 points was something he couldn’t easily pass up.
So, he planned to create a bunker or a similar fortress, hide Shiyeon safely, and then sweep through the debut match. So, he alchemized a bunker or a fortress equivalent. The plan was to safely hide Shiyeon and sweep through the debut match.
『”This mission must be done ‘together with Kim Shiyeon.'”』
Whether he had already seen through Shimun’s thoughts from the beginning. The Constellations hoped that Shiyeon and Shimun would debut together. Shimun lightly touched his forehead.
“To win first place with a child in the debut match.”
If he set his mind to it, he could probably do it, but for Shimun, who wanted to save as many achievement points as possible, it wasn’t a very pleasant condition.
“Of course, from a general perspective, winning first place with Shiyeon is actually an easy task.”
It was a production golem heavily influenced by materials. And each unique ingredient that went into crafting made it so that Shiyeon excelled. If the external appearance had originally been made with parts from others, he would have swept through the debut match long ago.
He gazed down at Shiyeon nestled in his arms with a peculiar look.
“Clearly, if the Constellations are considering this, Shiyeon must have some kind of ability…”
The four top-ranked Constellations were not fools. They might already be aware of an ability of Shiyeon’s that they hadn’t seen. So, they gave him a mission like that.
“Well, even if Shiyeon doesn’t have any special abilities, 10,000 achievement points are a reward worth the hardship.”
Despite feeling regret for the materials used. He didn’t want to use such an adorable child for battles. Being much more intelligent than a Mithril Golem, isn’t it enough for her to assist in research tasks like making healing potions?
“If I need a combat golem, I can always make another one.”
Nodding resolutely, Shiyeon patted Shiyeon’s head and said, “Shiyeon, you can go around freely. Just make sure to stay near Dad, okay?”
“Yes! Okay!”
Shiyeon, gripping her small hand tightly, nodded vigorously. Looking down at the head of the child, Shimun gazed right at the center of his chest.
“By the way, when will the Philosopher’s Stone wake up?”
After creating Shiyeon’s connection. Whether it was due to the side effects of the connection. Or perhaps because the grade that was D had risen to C. The Philosopher’s Stone had remained in a dormant state. But he wasn’t overly worried.
“As long as I can create mythic-grade weapons without her.”
Having risen to grade C. Shiyeon was now able to craft mythic-grade weapons without the help of the Philosopher’s Stone.
“There was also a title that had grown.”
Kim Shimun opened the title window and checked the option for ‘Pioneer of Alchemy.’
『Pioneer of Alchemy』 – Growth Type
A title given to an alchemist who has mastered all mythical alchemical creations.
– Usually receives bonuses related to alchemy.
– Alchemy consumes 25% less alchemy energy.
– The potency of alchemy increases by 15%.
The small alchemy bonus is usual.
The alchemy energy consumed ranges from 15% to 25%. The newly added alchemical potency ranges from 5% to 15%. It seemed like Shiyeon’s alchemy had been quite significant.
Unlike the 5% growth rate so far, the title ‘Pioneer of Alchemy’ had grown by 10% overall.
“Now, even without the Philosopher’s Stone, I should be able to finish the debut match smoothly.”
Nodding satisfactorily, Kim Shimun called out, “Shiyeon, come here.”
“Yeah! Coming~!”
“Do I need to hold you tight?”
“Yeah!”
He hoisted the skipping Shiyeon onto his back and lightly patted the ground.
* * *
The world-renowned arena channel TWC.
– Ah! Southeast Asian players are being eliminated in large numbers!
– It can’t be helped! Over half of the European players have already allied together!
The channel was heated up by the enthusiastic hosting of Caster Michael and commentator Jonathan.
– Although Southeast Asians have formed teams of two or three as well, they have suffered too many individual defeats.
– That’s why the spawn locations in the Platinum debut match are crucial. No matter how strong you are, if you’re outnumbered, there’s no way out, right?
The two of them lamented endlessly. And it was understandable, given the screen they were watching. Players with perfect formations from the Chaos Realm.
“Splurt!”
“Cough!”
They were slaughtering those who couldn’t keep up.
“Run away, first secure your own survival!”
“You’re wrong! The barrier is up!”
“For goodness’ sake! Break it quickly!”
Individuals or teams of 2 or 3. Southeast Asian players formed small groups, but…
“The barrier has been set!”
“They can’t run now. Kill them all!”
“Don’t let a single one escape!”
“Eliminate them right here!”
They were no match for the groups of over 10 players from Europe. Although there were differences in individual abilities. In the end, weren’t they all players competing in the Platinum rank debut match?When similar beings gathered together, it was natural for the side with greater numbers to emerge victorious.
“Break! Just break already!”
“Damn it! Why is this barrier so tough?!”
A barrier erected by a European player, perhaps even a magic-based player. The semi-transparent black barrier didn’t yield even after numerous attacks from Southeast Asian players.
In the end…
“Argggh!”
“No, please! If we die here…”
The Southeast Asian players were gradually taken down, blocked by a wall of lamentation. Only after all of them were defeated…
“Haha! Sacrifices are piling up nicely. Good.”
A pale-skinned man with dark circles under his eyes chuckled as he strolled out, looking disheveled. Jonathan sighed as he saw him.
-Oh! So this overwhelming barrier belongs to Faust!
-If it’s Faust, isn’t he one of the top players in European magic classes?
-That’s correct. He’s practically a top player if the conditions are met!
-Jonathan, now I’m really curious about what those conditions might be?
When Michael asked with a twinkle in his eye, it wasn’t just to pass the conversation over to Jonathan, but out of genuine curiosity about the skills of a player himself, being a platinum-class player.
Whether Jonathan sensed Michael’s sincerity or not…
-Haha! Oh, so Michael is also into mage class? It’s definitely intriguing.
He responded cheerfully, understanding that sincerity added shine to any broadcast. As Faust’s grim face lit up on the screen, Jonathan spoke up.
-As some of you may know, Faust is an excellent dark mage. And he also has a demonic energy stat, allowing him to use demonic magic.
-Wow! He even has demonic magic in addition to dark magic?
Michael’s eyes widened in disbelief. Demonic energy and dark energy. Weren’t they both rare stats?
Seeing Michael genuinely surprised, Jonathan chuckled once more before continuing.
-That’s right! Therefore, he can sacrifice even the dead to the unique ritual of demonic magic for sacrifices.
-Wait a minute, Jonathan. You don’t mean…?
Was there something Michael suddenly realized? He looked at Jonathan with a gaze full of distrust.
-Yes, you’re correct. Faust can sacrifice all those just-deceased Southeast Asian players, all of them, as sacrifices…
As Jonathan looked straight into the camera with a grave expression.
-As an outstanding dark mage, he can summon demons through a ritual sacrifice. And that’s in the Chaos realm!
And as those words ended…
“Answer me!!”
With Faust’s maniacal shout, a piercingly eerie magic poured out as the air ripped apart.