Shimun arrived home.
Welcoming him was…
『Congratulations on achieving 1st place in the Platinum Rank Debut Match.』
『Due to overwhelming performance and unprecedented achievements, clear rewards have increased.』
『The attribute ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ has received a certain amount of experience points.』
『Your level has increased by 10.』
『The Philosopher’s Stone level has increased by 8.』
『You have obtained a ‘Special Random Box’ as a clear reward.』
These were the rewards from the Platinum Debut Match. Before confirming the rewards, Shimun murmured to himself, “Nice!”
Watching his daughter, Shiyeon, escape from his arms and run around the room.
“Shiyeon, be careful playing since Appa has some finishing up to do.”
“I want to play with the golems in the lab!”
“That’s fine, but no running there.”
“Okay!”
Shiyeon nodded vigorously. After letting Shiyeon go, Shimun turned his gaze back to the messages that kept coming up.
“So, they distribute the experience points decisively.”
Even if they were shared with the Philosopher’s Stone, it was an 18 level-up. Considering that the required experience points for leveling up increase as your rank and level rise, it was indeed a significant amount of experience points.
Following that, Shimun opened his inventory.
“Let’s see what comes out as a reward.”
In Shimun’s hand was the familiar box he had received as a reward from the previous Gold Rank debut match, a ‘Special Random Box’.
“Usually, it gives me things I need.”
Shimun pondered for a moment. What he needed right now.
‘Another chapter of Lemegeton, or achievement points?’
Unfortunately, both seemed a bit unlikely to appear from the random box. It’s called a special random box. Wasn’t it a method where Galaxy Arena would determine what the player needed and provide it?
The mythic-grade artifact, the a chapter of Lemegeton, was too expensive for a debut match reward. On the other hand, achievement points seemed unlikely to be given by the Special Random Box.
Of course, if they gave a few tens of thousands of achievement points, who knows, but that seemed unlikely.
‘What exactly does Galaxy Arena think I need at this point?’
With eyes filled with some expectation, Shimun opened the special random box.
『You have opened the Special Random Box.』
『Searching for the item to be provided…….』
With the familiar system window,
Rrrrumbble.
A familiar sound effect was heard. Shimun stared into the black interior of the box, which seemed deep like a void.
“Surely I won’t have to make a separate request again, right?”
As the silence grew longer, Shimun instinctively felt a sense of foreboding.
『An appropriate item for the current player Kim Shimun could not be found.』
『Expanding the search scope.』
The ominous feeling seemed to be inescapable.
“Damn…again?”
The forced chuckle spontaneously escaped Shimun. However, he couldn’t blame Galaxy Arena entirely.
“I don’t really need anything the way I am now,” he thought.
Where else would it be other than now?
In fact, he had already acquired most of the things he needed through alchemy. When Shimun needed something he created it by paying achievement points.
Of course, Galaxy Arena couldn’t figure out what or how to give in return.
“They can’t give away the original Lemegeton. Are they going to give out achievement points in the end?”
It was like saying, “Well, I’ll give you money, so buy what you want”.
Well, it wasn’t bad. Since it was given in random boxes, it wouldn’t just stop at a mere 10,000 or 20,000 points. From the Black Goat’s Quest and Heavenly Demon’s 4th-level of Heavenly Demon Divine arts, to a rise in growth buff with Fragment of the World Tree’s seed, and so on.
Because they could be used quite effectively. However.
“It’s a shame.”
Special random boxes mainly contained items that couldn’t be obtained normally. Of course, where would there be items that are a shame for a verse specializing in upgrading mythic-grade equipment?
Not even Shimun with memories from past lives could know about all the items.
Like Chronos’ Hourglass or Paracelsus’ Flask.
Then.
– Hyaam! Had a good sleep.
A familiar voice echoed.
“Philo!”
It was the Philosopher’s Stone. The Philosopher’s Stone also seemed delighted by the pleased expressions on Shimun.
– Oh yeah! I’m here!
The Philosopher’s Stone replied with an even more elevated tone. Normally, Shimun would have brushed it off lightly.
“Yeah, you woke up just in time. How are you feeling? Are you okay?”
The verse welcomed it warmly.
– Of course!
Even though Shimun knew clearly why it was accepting the reply warmly.
“I upgraded to Rank C this time. Now my achievement point return rate has increased, and additional options have been added.”
The Philosopher’s Stone listed the events that had happened to it mechanically.
Shimun’s eyes widened slightly as it tried to listen to the information. It was natural.
“What? Achievement point return rate has increased? Additional options?”
What the Philosopher’s Stone said was a piece of information that Shimun couldn’t easily pass off.
– Of course. Don’t you remember? I told you before, to increase the return rate, you have to at least reach Rank C.
“Come to think of it….”
The end of Shimun’s sentence faded. When Astrophe was used and disappeared in the past. The Philosopher’s Stone minimized the rebound and returned 50 points, equivalent to 10%.
– Do you remember now? Right. It used to be 10%, but now it’s 20%. So, if you spend 500 points according to Astrophe’s standards, you get 100 points back, not 50.
“This is amazing!”
An exclamation involuntarily burst out from Shimun. It was natural. As the rank rose and he started to frequently alchemize mythic-grade equipment.
From 50 points to 100 points. With the payback doubling, there was no reason not to be pleased.
“I should check the options right away.”
The verse immediately opened the Philosopher’s Stone’s status window.
『Philosopher’s Stone』
Owner: Kim Shimun
Level: 76
Grade: C
Attributes:
Obsidian Tablet, Dragonification, World Tree
A mythic-grade creation of alchemy.
With equivalent exchange, it can alchemize anything.
-Receives absolute adjustments in all aspects related to alchemy.
-Self-regenerates through equivalent exchange.
-The duration of alchemized substances increases.
The status window of the Philosopher’s Stone, greatly transformed compared to its initial state.
Kim Shimun’s focus is on the last line among them.
‘The duration of alchemized substances increases.’
Then he asked,
“If the duration increases, does that mean the duration of Astrape and Laevateinn also increases?”
-Yes, that’s correct.
The Philosopher’s Stone replied in a cheerful voice.
-As you know, even though mythic-grade artifacts are typically disposable, their durability is constantly consumed in real-time.
“That’s right.”
Notably Astrape and Laevateinn. Without separately expending their powers, after a certain time, they would vanish automatically.
-This adjusts to make them last longer. And this applies to other alchemized items as well.
“For example, like a golem?”
-Exactly. Even ordinary alchemized items last longer with less alchemy energy.
In other words, the duration of ordinary alchemized substances increases.
“Ah….”
A short sigh escaped. Shimun, who was briefly touching his forehead, “Precious fellow! You’re truly one of a kind! You’re the best!”
He tightly embraced the Philosopher’s Stone and patted it enthusiastically.
Of course, outwardly it seemed like he was embracing his chest, but it appeared as though he was stroking the space between them….
-Ahaha! I’ve been whisked away to the embrace of excellence as soon as I woke up!
The Philosopher’s Stone’s happy sound had no effect at all on Shimun, who heard it in real-time. After showering affection on the Philosopher’s Stone for a while,
“Right! This is not the time for this.”
Recalling the previous situation, he quickly corrected his posture.
“The moment you were sleeping, the Platinum debut match was on.”
-I know. I saw it all.
“Eh? You saw it all?”
-Yes. I’m attached to you, so even though I was in slumber, I could see everything you were doing.
“I see.”
Nodding at the Philosopher’s Stone’s words, before Shimun could speak again,
-So I know what you want to ask. It’s about the special random box, right?
“Exactly.”
The Philosopher’s Stone accurately understood what Shimun wanted to ask.
-Umm… just a moment.
If there was something to think about, the Philosopher’s Stone fell into silence for a moment.
Only the sound of the roulette of the special random box filled the room.
Shortly after,
– Oppa, there’s nothing you urgently need right now, right?
The Philosopher’s Stone awoke from its silence.
“Nothing?”
– Yeah. Since Oppa is a regressor, he knows a lot of good items even if they’re not Mythical-tier.
“That’s true.”
Shimun that lived until only the last two countries remained. Of course, it was Shimun that had been stuck in the lab, working while watching all kinds of broadcasts.
He knew a lot of good items.
“But I don’t really need anything right now.”
– Hehe! I just asked out of courtesy. Let’s ask for this again this time.
“This?”
– Yeah. Why is that…..
The Philosopher’s Stone whispered something to Shimun.
“Oh, there was more of that?”
The Shimun’s eyes sparkled.
“Think of it as a kind of series. Since the grade is ambiguous, it’s perfect to receive it as a special random box. Since we can’t use them, they’re just for show.”
“I see. Got it.”
There must have been a record of having received it before.
Without hesitation, Shimun raised his head and said, “Galaxy Arena, don’t make it difficult. Just ask for the reward of the special random box from this side.”
Upon hearing that, 『Expansion Exploration paused.』
The system stopped exploring as if waiting. In response, Shimun smiled and said, “I now request the items of the long-gone ancient Constellation, Paracelsus.”
He asked for the same demand as the previous gold-rank random box. And just like that time, 『Under discussion…』
Galaxy Arena immediately went into discussion.
Perhaps because there was a previous record?
『Discussion has concluded.』
『Player Kim Shimun’s request is accepted.』
The discussion in Galaxy Arena didn’t take as long as before.
“I want the cylinder among Paracelsus’s belongings.”
Shimun immediately stated the requested reward.
『The reward of the special random box will be given as Paracelsus’s cylinder, as requested.』
He confirmed Galaxy Arena’s message with a warm face.
Drzzz.
The vibrating box became slightly heavier.
When he checked inside the box, the endless void-like darkness had vanished.
An arm-thick cylinder.
A item that could resemble a syringe.
“This is it.”
Shimun checked its information window.
『Paracelsus’s Cylinder』
Grade: (Former) Mythic
A creation of the vanished alchemy god Paracelsus. It can be used, but since the creator is gone, the usage method remains unknown.
The same information window as the 『Paracelsus’s Flask』 he had received before.
A small smile crept onto Shimun’s lips as he read the information window.
“Even though it says the usage method is unknown, it’s meaningless to me.”
An item of a grade like (Former) Mythic and with an unknown method of use. It was not just a simple aesthetic item. It truly meant that even Galaxy Arena didn’t know how to use it. So, it should be possible to receive rewards through the special random box.
However.
“Do you know how to use it Philo?”
– Of course~.
Just like with the flask. The Philosopher’s Stone knew how to use Paracelsus’ creations.
“Then let’s go to the lab and figure it out slowly.”
– Sounds good. It’s a bit complicated to use, so I’ll need to do some emotional work separately.
In response to the Philosopher’s Stone, Kim Shimun nodded and took out another item from the inventory.
Oh.
Pure magic potent enough to even make demons wary. Condensed in the form of a book and a key.
– Hehe, it looks new again. Baal, will you unlock the Lemegeton again?
The Philosopher’s Stone murmured as it looked at it. Although intrigued by the somewhat mysterious tone, Kim Shimun did not ask further about it.
“I probably won’t get any information or explanations.”
Having experienced it a few times before, Shimun immediately knew by instinct: this was something he couldn’t reveal due to causality. So,
“Let’s see. If I do this…”
He would have to use one of the precious original copies of the Lemegeton. Shimun brought the 『Ars Getia』 up to his left eye and activated Odin’s Eye.
Keyyyying!
“Uh.”
The intense ringing unique to Odin’s Eye intensified even more. The Ars Getia, brought close to Shimun’s left eye, vanished like smoke into a ventilator. It was sucked into Kim Shimun’s eyes.
“Ars Getia reacts and merges with the Lemegeton, now becoming a mythic grade.”
“The options of the Lemegeton are changing.”
Kim Shimun immediately opened the Lemegeton’s information window.
『Lemegeton』
Grade – Mythic-grade
Currently owned (1/5)
-Ars Getia
The creation of the vanished Constellation Solomon. Contains knowledge and abilities related to demonology. Split into five parts, its abilities increase with completion.
Kim Shimun’s gaze shifted straight upwards.
“Mythic-grade….”
Mythic-grade.
A real mythic grade, not just a mock-up like he had crafted before. Although Hermes once allowed his hat, Petasos, as a one-time thing, that was it. As someone who had never actually obtained a real mythic grade item, Kim Shimun looked down.
“I guess I have to collect all five after all.”
With the number “1/5” and the mention of increasing abilities based on completion. Besides, it wasn’t properly stated what abilities it possessed. But the smile never left Kim Shimun’s lips. The reason was simple.
『The growth of Lemegeton enhances your Demonic Eye.』
Accompanied by the pleasant message appearing before his eyes,
Saahhh…
Like a kind of trait, the intense primordial demonic energy swirled in his corrupted left eye.
“Aah…!”
The abilities of Lemegeton, not listed in the information window, were engraved into Shimun’s mind.