Chapter 137.
Could it be because he used a staggering 50,000 achievement points?
Ssshhhhhhh!!
Void filled the laboratory, evoking an inexplicable sense of dread just by its presence.
In reality,
Thunk.
Under the command of the Philosopher’s Stone inside a flask, the mithril golems, who were busy with the packaging process for the cures, all simultaneously halted.
It appeared the exceptional material, mithril, had become a bane.
Creak, creak…
Creak!
Despite supposedly being emotionless, the mithril golems shivered incessantly and clung to one another as if gripped by a severe chill.
Then,
Whooooosh!
The dense, dark purple void, reminiscent of a poisonous mist, surged like a violent storm. It started to vortex around a central point. And from that center, a handsome man began to float.
“Oh…”
The void was rapidly drawn towards Kim Shimun’s chest. Was it about ten seconds later?
The void was absorbed into Kim Shimun in an instant. Yet remnants of the turbulent force still lingered. Floating effortlessly in mid-air as if drifting in space, Kim Shimun did not descend to the ground.
And the residual force was intense enough that, “Ugh, ugh! Ahhh!!”
He trembled violently, constantly emitting ecstatic moans.
Plop.
Slurp!
A moist and slippery sound reminiscent of tentacles accompanied the scene.
* * *
For a while, the laboratory was filled with intense heat. Was it because of the sweat?
The handsome man, with his slightly damp bangs, looked at the floating flask with half-lidded eyes.
“Are you serious?”
He glared at the large eye within the flask.
-Yes, seriously! I’m not a god; how could I intentionally inject pleasure while altering circuits?
“Hmm…”
Despite the Philosopher’s Stone’s fervent excuses, Shimun couldn’t easily dispel his doubts.
In response,
-No, Black Goat-unni! Say something! I’m going to get blamed for this alone!
The Philosopher’s Stone urgently cried out, staring into the void.
『Constellation Black Goat nods in agreement.』
The reaction appeared right before Kim Shimun.
-See, see? Even Black Goat-unni acknowledges it. It’s not intentional; that’s just how it is.
Yet, even with the support from Constellation Black Goat…
“That near-violation level of… pleasure?”
Doubt lingered in Kim Shimun’s eyes and wasn’t easily erased.
-Yes, seriously! When you first got the Obsidian Tablet. You did synchronize it once back then, but that was that time. Now, it’s at a 60% completion.
The Philosopher’s Stone bombarded Kim Shimun with rapid-fire words in response.
-To produce a 60% output, I have to rewire the corresponding circuits.
“Is that so?”
Although Kim Shimun’s doubt wasn’t fully quelled by such effort, “Alright, I got it.”
Kim Shimun decided not to press the issue and nodded. Not only had Constellation Black Goat sent a direct response, ‘Pain or this… better this, right?’
Though he had some lingering questions, pleasure was preferable to pain, wasn’t it?
Especially when working on circuits, which are sensitive in many ways, and even with related elixirs, there often came an accompanying pain. In comparison, the sensation of circuit synchronization offered by the Obsidian Tablet at 60% completion was practically heavenly.
‘Although it feels like I’m gradually descending into somewhere I shouldn’t know…’
Being engulfed by void and dark energy, leading to corruption, would this be the feeling?
The unimaginable pleasure as a human was extremely captivating, yet the never-ending aspect also made it somewhat fearful.
‘Void is indeed dangerous. Let’s keep our wits about us.’
The resonance of the Obsidian Tablet was still lingering in the flesh, yet Shimun raised his head with determination, clenching his fists.
“Phew. Shall we start by completing the quest then?”
Despite being a significant improvement, the reason for raising the completion rate of the Obsidian Tablet to 60% initially had its own purpose.
Shimun promptly opened the quest window and completed the quest.
『You have completed the quest ‘Forgotten Homunculus Knowledge’ from the Constellation Black Goat.』
『You have been granted the ‘Homunculus Crafting Recipe’ as a reward.』
Swoosh.
The air in front split open lengthwise.
An abyss so profound that an ordinary person would become mentally disoriented just by looking into it.
But for Kim Shimun, it was a cozy void, within which a vivid purple beam shot forward.
It precisely penetrated the center of Kim Shimun’s chest.
-Heuek! The lost knowledge has been engraved once more!
Simultaneously, both the Philosopher’s Stone in the center of Kim Shimun’s chest and the one inside the flask trembled sporadically. A small gleam appeared in Kim Shimun’s eyes.
‘Hoh, I thought it would come in the form of scrolls or books. So it can be transferred like this too.’
A remarkably unique method of knowledge transmission. However, there was no time to marvel at the delivery method. A very unique way of transmitting knowledge. However, there was no time to be surprised by such a delivery method.
‘Wow… this is truly incredible!’
The knowledge of homunculi being engraved into his mind through the Philosopher’s Stone elicited an involuntary exclamation of awe and astonishment due to its grandeur.
‘Creating life of my own… this is practically the realm of gods.’
At the same time, it also made sense.
‘So this is why human alchemy is forbidden in alchemy.’
Why human alchemy is taboo and why the method of creating homunculi has been lost to practice.
‘It’s essentially the pinnacle of human alchemy… but depending on its use, it could become a catastrophe.’
Even the mere concept of cloning evokes countless debates and arguments. The knowledge now embedded in his mind was no different.
-Now you understand? Why I was so hesitant about alchemizing the Obsidian Tablet.
“Yeah.”
Beyond the relationship of trust between him and the Philosopher’s Stone,
“This is knowledge that should not exist in this world.”
The knowledge of Homunculus. As he delved deeper into the knowledge of human alchemy, enhanced to 60% completion…
It gave him a firm conviction that this knowledge should never be revealed to the world. If some mad scientist—or even someone with a tragic story—
Anyone with a wish related to life were to acquire this knowledge…
‘The thought alone is horrifying.’
Although he didn’t have a definitive stance on human morality, scenarios surpassing unethical behavior and verging on the horrific scenes from movies flashed through Kim Shimun’s mind.
At the same time, a warm feeling blossomed in a corner of his heart.
“And yet, Philosopher’s Stone, you allowed me access to this.”
It reaffirmed the Philosopher’s Stone’s trust in him. Of course, our dear Philosopher’s Stone said,
-Naturally. You’re amazing, aren’t you? As they say, no good-looking guy ever turns out bad… I think! Hehe!
“…”
That warm sentiment was quickly doused with figurative fire. Before Kim Shimun could even say a word,
『Constellation Black Goat scoffs, ‘She’s something else. Even after ending up like that, she’s still spouting nonsense.’』
The Black Goat interjected first.
‘Like that?’
Kim Shimun briefly wondered, but only for a moment.
-Youuuu!!
The Philosopher’s Stone’s immediate outburst quickly chased away his curiosity.
-I can’t believe it! Is that something you should be saying to me right now?!
『Constellation Black Goat shrugs, ‘Why not? Unlike you, I had my fun, got pregnant, and became the Matriarch of the Beyond.’』
-… You bitch…
Cursing directly at the Matriarch of Beyond?
Kim Shimun’s eyes widened in shock, but surprisingly,
『Constellation Black Goat chuckles, ‘Such vulgarity. Why did you do it then?’ her derision clear.』
-Ahhhhh!!
The Black Goat went a step further, mocking the Philosopher’s Stone.
‘It seems like… there’s some history between them?’
Indeed. It must be so. Otherwise, the Black Goat wouldn’t maintain her composure and laugh off such an insult. But.
‘I don’t want to know. I very much don’t want to know anything.’
The thought of wanting to know never crossed his mind. Kim Shimun lightly tapped his forehead and shook his head.
‘Anyway.’
He then turned his attention to the Philosopher’s Stone in the flask that was still trembling with fury.
‘I can’t create a homunculus like that right now anyway.’
It wasn’t for moral or ethical reasons. Homunculus creation, which could arguably be seen as the pinnacle of human alchemy, required an equally elevated caliber of ingredients.
‘Without high-level materials my current level won’t suffice, not even for the lowest homunculus.’
The creation of a homunculus demanded intricate alchemical and alchemy skills. Although the feeling was overwhelming, he also felt grateful.
‘The Black Goat really intended to give me the knowledge of homunculus creation for free.’
This was the Obsidian Tablet at 60% completion, albeit a counterfeit. Only because it was at 60% completion, was it possible for him to understand the knowledge to some extent.
If the quest had simply provided the formula for creating homunculi without requiring the Obsidian Tablet to reach 60% completion, it would have been an albatross around his neck, unusable and endlessly troubling.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Kim Shimun nodded slightly towards the void.
『Constellation Black Goat, who had been cruelly mocking the Philosopher’s Stone, now smiles contentedly.』
The Black Goat responded with a smile. The Black Goat responded with a smile.
-“Ugh… To think I called someone like that ‘Unni’.. ahem!”
The Philosopher’s Stone inside the flask coughed impatiently as he stared into the void with a sharp gaze. He looked at Kim Shimun with audacity in his eyes.
– So, what are we going to do now? Oppa knows too, but with the current level, even the lowest-level Horomunculus is impossible.
“Yeah. Unless we have remarkable materials. It’s still quite difficult.”
Still being the keyword. There was no need to rush or feel regretful.
“However, there is a solution, right?”
Kim Shimun pointed towards the makeshift bed in the corner where the unreleased goggle-type Arena Access Device given by Lee Yujeong was lying.
“Indeed. Unless we go to the Special Arena and obtain valuable materials.”
“Well, that’s true. Since production cannot ignore the need for materials.”
When he put on the goggles, the Philosopher’s Stone, who had approached him unnoticed, asked, “Speaking of materials, are you planning to enter the Special Arena?”
Kim Shimun simply nodded.
“It’s a bit disappointing that I couldn’t upgrade Paracelsus’s Cylinder, but at least my human alchemy skills have improved significantly. My specs should be sufficient.”
“True. That should not be a problem.”
The upcoming Special Arena featuring the Black Forge should be manageable.
– Still, be careful. It’s not just any place; it’s the Black Forge.
“Understood.”
– Oh, right! Oppa, are you not taking Shiyeon with you?
“Shiyeon?”
Kim Shimun took off his goggles at the sudden mention of his daughter.
“Why would I take Shiyeon with me?”
– It’s the Black Forge. Despite her appearance, she’s quite useful. How much material do you think we’ll need inside?
“Well, that’s true but…”
After a moment of silence, Kim Shimun shook his head.
“No. I don’t want to see Shiyeon fighting and getting hurt.”
– Huh? Well… I mean, when you were in a special match, Shiyeon was extremely excited. You heard about her antics, right? She was all bouncing around, making noises!
“I know. That’s why I can’t take her.”
What kind of situation would it turn into if he brought his daughter?
– But Oppa…
“Enough. It’s not that my specs are lacking. If it’s not a regular Arena, Shiyeon won’t be accompanying me.”
With a firm stance, Kim Shimun put his goggles back on.
– Sigh… Well, I understand your thoughts, oppa.
The Philosopher’s Stone replied with a strange tone of voice.
***
“Welcome to Galaxy Arena.”
The familiar message appeared. Underneath it, a series of messages popped up.
『Entering the Special Arena ‘Black Forge’ using the entry item.』
『Entry item ‘Slave Chains of the Black Forge’ has been used.』
The entry item received from the NPC Dark Elf Dayna in the ‘Poisoned Supply Route.’ Beyond the message confirming its usage.
Clang!
The dark sky rumbling with thunder spread above.
“What a breathtaking sight….”
It wasn’t an empty phrase. Even from a considerable distance, the tall grayish-black structure stood like a fortress. It resembled a fortress carved out of a mountain rather than a smelting forge. Moreover.
“It’s like a midsummer night’s temperature.”
Even though it was quite a distance away, a warm breeze could be felt. As one got closer to the black forge. That warmth would soon turn into a cruel heat. A scene reminiscent of a fortress situated in one corner of hell.
Gazing at that black forge, Kim Shimun quickly scanned his surroundings.
“I want to move straight away, but… I need to talk to the viewers first.”
Since he had just finished a special match, it was a bit difficult for him to immerse himself in the arena right away as usual. Kim Shimun swiftly opened a constantly flickering channel on one side of his vision.
– Bang bang! Open the door!
– Oh oh oh! He’s here!
– The hero of South Korea!! Kim Shimun and his peers~ are cheering for you!
– Hyung! Did you see the news? The world is going crazy!
– Aha! National pride is soaring!
– Sihaha~!
The chat window was flooding with messages. Then.
『Supporter ‘Gold’ has donated 10,000 AP.』
= Hyung! The special match was amazing. I can’t calm down.
『Supporter ‘PossibleBug’ has donated 50,000 AP.』
= Aaaah! Totally possible!
『Supporter ‘DeepSeaAnnihilator’ has…』
The wave of donations continued.
– Oh? Gold and PossibleBug are here after a long time haha.
– Welcome PossibleBug~.
– Nice to see you PossibleBug~!
“Thank you for the support. It seems like many of you have donated a lot of AP. The donation amounts seem to be higher than before.”
– Thanks to you, we scored big time haha.
– Man, someone among the viewers must have bet against us, right?
– Shut up.
After communicating with the viewers for a while, Kim Shimun was about to start the arena.
『Achievement unlocked: ‘Surpassing 700,000 viewers’ goal.』
『You have received 7,000 achievement points.』
『Achievement unlocked: ‘Surpassing 1,000,000 viewers’ goal.』
『You have received 10,000 achievement points.』
Before the messages kept appearing in front of his eyes. Kim Shimun’s eyes widened.
No wonder.
“A million viewers? All of a sudden?!”
After surpassing 700,000 viewers, achieving a million viewers in an instant was an achievement indeed.
Although he gained 17,000 achievement points, at the moment, the viewer count was more intriguing than the rewards.
Kim Shimun quickly checked the viewer count.
“This is insane…!”
His mouth hung open.
– ?? Why the sudden reaction?
– Seriously.
– Oh! Did this guy check the viewer count?
– Oh what’s up? We crossed a million, right?
– Really? Holy cow! Are there really a million people watching this backyard broadcast?
The reason was simple.
『1,151,271 viewers watching.』
Even after surpassing a million.
『1,241,278 viewers watching.』
『1,378,412 viewers watching…』
The viewer count kept refreshing continuously.