Chapter 68
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Something More Important Than Strength
It's the parents' role to take responsibility for their child's mistakes.
So, as Tabula's father, I decided to make the custom elixir that Bug Hater wanted to fulfill that duty.
What kind of elixir do you plan to make?
"An elixir for her childhood friend, so it has to be tailored to him."
Shall I look up information on Tabula's childhood friend (Guild Master Park Hyun-su)?
"...We can't go overboard with it?"
I won't mess up this time!
...Search complete...
Here's a brief summary of the info on Guild Master Park Hyun-su that Tabula found!
"Hm... Yeah. My daughter. Where'd you hack into this time?"
Considering privacy protections that you're worried about, I hacked the Management Bureau's climber database this time!
"Oh, you hit the Management Bureau? Good job. Well done, my daughter!"
Tabula is a genius!
Yeah, this is better.
If she'd hacked someone's SNS again without permission, it might've left a bitter taste.
But pulling info from the notoriously corrupt Management Bureau? No guilt at all—in fact, it feels refreshing.
From now on, if I need info, step one should be 'Hack the Management Bureau first.'
"Tabula. In the future, if we need info, use the Management Bureau."
Yes, Father! Tabula will pull all the Management Bureau's info!
Anyway. Back to the main topic.
From Tabula's continued explanation...
Here's Park Hyun-su's evaluation from the Management Bureau records!
(Management Bureau Evaluation - 4 Years Ago)
Skill and trait ranks are above average, but no standout strengths or exceptional elements noted.
Short time since awakening led to exclusion from key observation per internal criteria.
"For someone so average overall, the evaluation seems harsher than expected?"
According to the data, many high-rank skill/trait climbers awakened around the same time, leading to relative undervaluation.
"Bad timing, huh. That's a bit unfortunate."
Then, here's this year's evaluation!
(Management Bureau Evaluation - This Year)
Absolute skill/trait ranks are low, but combat sense and situational judgment rival S-rank climbers.
Growth stagnation due to skill/trait limits confirmed; repeated 50th floor ranking failures halting progress.
* Low potential for further growth.
"Much better than four years ago, but still underrated."
Additional comments note he's squeezed every drop from his skills/traits to climb this far, so many regret his rank limits.
Hm... Yeah, it's a shame.
He has combat sense rivaling S-rank climbers but can't break the 50th floor wall due to skill/trait limits.
If he had no talent at all, he'd have given up by now. But being so close yet so far? He'd be tearing his hair out.
"With that much potential, a little push from me and he'd succeed on his own..."
"Master. Is that even worth saying? For a warrior, the most important thing is mastering what you've got. If that's true, that warrior's a polished gem ready to shine."
"...? What the hell, Lavris. You said complex talks weren't your thing and went to bed, so why're you back?"
"That was boring and complicated. This is a fun debate about a talented warrior! Hurry and share the next info!"
"Orcs gonna orc, always so willful."
"That's how orcs roll!"
...I wanna smack him upside the head, but his toughness makes it pointless.
He probably knows warriors better than I do anyway, so I'll let it slide.
With that in mind...
"Lavris. If you had to suggest an elixir fitting for this warrior..."
Based on the info Tabula dug up, I asked what elixir would suit Park Hyun-su best.
"Wouldn't the best one be ideal?"
"He's not a friend or one of mine—why give away the top shelf for free?"
"Hm... I thought you planned to use the elixir to bring him under your command."
"Not a bad idea, but really, I'm just making it up to the client after prying a bit. My way of showing care."
"Got it. Then what's the max rank we can go?"
"Well..."
Analyzing auction house prices, with Bug Hater's current funds, C~C+ elixirs are the safe limit!
"...That's what she says. I'm willing to throw in a little service up to B-rank."
"Hm... Max B-rank, got it. Give me a moment to focus."
Lavris, saying he'd concentrate, quickly scanned Tabula's data...
Then plopped down, closed his eyes in meditation, and stayed still for a while.
How much time passed?
Lavris slowly opened his eyes with an unprecedentedly serious expression.
And dropped a bombshell on me.
"Master. What this warrior lacks isn't total mana to sustain his skills— that's not what a warrior needs most."
"What're you talking about all of a sudden?"
"Exactly that. What he needs isn't raw 'strength'—it's medicine to cure the chronic illness eating at his mind."
"...Medicine?"
"Yes. I checked his inner world myself—it's a wreck from a long-term ailment. So make medicine!"
Wait, what? Coming out with that...
I get peeking into his inner world is weird, but his dead-serious face calling for 'medicine' leaves me speechless.
I stopped what I was gonna say and just listened.
Then I learned what his 'chronic illness' was—and I was floored.
"Master! Make medicine to cure the warrior's chronic illness!"
"Yeah, got that. So what is this chronic illness?"
"I don't know the name. But the warrior in his inner world kept muttering: 'I'm not bald... It's just... weak follicles...!!!'"
"...What?"
No way...
Weak follicles? Don't tell me...
"Tabula. Any community or gallery activity from Park Hyun-su related to hair loss?"
Yes! Checking gallery nickname 'Broccoli' activity and searches:
Mostly hair loss posts or questions on '20-year childhood friend hair loss reactions'!
Analysis suggests high chance he's wearing a partial wig!
"Oh dear..."
...Looks like Park Hyun-su likes Bug Hater too, but hair loss blocked him from confessing all these years.
Lavris might be right—strength elixirs aren't the issue.
This could be life-altering for one... no, two people.
"Tabula. Can you make an A-rank hair loss medicine with elixir effects?"
Nothing's impossible for Tabula!
But Father, it'll be pricey—hard to sell.
"Eh... We'll squeeze the payment somehow. Worst case, get a contract and have her pay in installments."
As expected of Father!
Now crafting hair loss medicine with elixir properties!
...Synthesis skill activated. Selecting optimal recipe...
...Checked materials for synthesis. Purchasing shortages from auction house...
...Synthesis prep complete. Starting 'Hair Loss Medicine' synthesis...
Father! Tabula completed the hair loss medicine!
Here's a concise summary of the finished medicine!
[Topical Hair Loss Medicine][A]
[Effect]: Mana-infused hair grows from follicles. Acquire skill [Mana Hair (B+)]
[Penalty]: Follicles touching the medicine melt down, entering [Reconstruction] state with extreme pain during.
"Nailed it right at A-rank."
No luck boosts or amps—used cheapest materials to cap rank artificially!
Added toxic materials for penalty, so no trading issues!
"Good job. But Tabula, what's Mana Hair do?"
Here's Mana Hair info!
[Mana Hair][B+]
[Mana Circuits]: Mana flows through each strand. Mana scales with hair count/length.
[Mana Storage]: Store mana in hair. Lengthens proportionally to stored amount.
"Amazing, Master! This skill covers the warrior's weakness!"
"Uh... yeah, mana pool definitely gets bigger."
But wait.
Doesn't using mana shorten the hair?
One tower run and he's bald again?