Chapter 74
Chapter 74
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Imperfect Immortality Elixir
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as I stepped out of the Abyss portal, a stifling air hit me, nothing like the Teraium's freshness—it was the scent of Earth.
"Sixteen days, huh."
I hadn't expected it to take this long. But somehow, it had.
The incident's coming up soon.
That was why I'd given up chaining Mythic quests and returned to Earth.
Monster Wave. The phenomenon where monsters poured out from North Korea, dubbed the Demonic Realm.
The cause was the calamity-grade monster residing on Baekdu Mountain: the Imoogi. It was a creature that had cultivated for ten thousand years, yearning to ascend into a dragon. The problem was the vicious method it used to build its power.
Every ten years or so, it emerged, commanding monsters across North Korea and parts of China—centered on Baekdu Mountain—to unleash massacres.
That was what they called the Monster Wave. But why was I fixating on this one?
For some reason, the Imoogi itself appeared mid-Wave, only for China's Changje and our Dangun Cheonje to step in and slay it.
This was the last Monster Wave. Not that I was joining just because it was the finale.
The calamity-grade Imoogi, felled by two SS-rank hunters, left behind a single dungeon upon death.
The Tower of Ascension! A rare special-type dungeon infused with the Imoogi's lifelong dream of ascending as a dragon. And not a one-time deal—it was permanent.
It was also the dungeon that, in the future, helped hunters the most.
I didn't know how many floors it had or what exact monsters lurked inside. But given that every hunter who entered grew at least a step stronger, there had to be something worthwhile within.
That's why I planned to join this Monster Wave. Those who dealt sufficient damage to the Imoogi received special additional benefits.
Of course, I didn't know the details. Back then, freshly awakened, I was slaving under those corporate bastards—no time to care about such things.
But it was definitely tied to the Tower of Ascension privileges.
I'll just use Longinus.
Calamity-grade or not, if Longinus activated to even 30-40%, one strike would end it. Sure, reaching 30% would take days minimum, so impossible. With time acceleration, maybe 10% startup would do.
That should deal decent damage. Even accelerated, it'd take hours to charge, though.
No one else knows the Imoogi's showing up anyway. I'll handle some Wave monsters, slip away, and charge it up.
The issue was exposing my power to everyone... Even hiding to throw Longinus wouldn't conceal it perfectly.
Raids publicized contribution rankings upon success for reward distribution.
A nickname generator could handle the name, but my identity... Anyway, I'd spend the remaining week figuring that out.
From memory, Prosperity Guild was joining this Wave, along with a few S-rank enemies of mine.
I couldn't reveal my full strength to them. I grabbed a taxi waiting by the Abyss and headed straight for Miracle Guild.
"Oh! Long time no see. Looks like you dove into the Abyss. Any satisfying gains?"
Ki So-young, the guild master I ran into upon entering Miracle Guild, smiled and asked. I nodded in response.
Perfect timing—I needed to talk to her anyway.
"Busy? I've got things to discuss. A favor, a proposal, that sort."
Her eyes widened at my words. With a gesture, she dismissed the healers behind her and led me to her office.
"Tea? Juice? Coffee?"
"Water's fine."
She set down her coffee, handed me a bottle of mineral water, and sat across from me.
"So! What does our honorary director want? What're you proposing?"
"Recovery skillbook. Sell me your best if you've got one."
Her eyes bulged. Leaning back on the sofa, chin in hand, she eyed me and chuckled.
"What makes you think we'll sell cheap?"
"I can match most prices."
"Won't cut it. What if I refuse to sell our highest-grade one?"
I chuckled back, mockingly, and fired off a retort.
"Even a Legendary-grade skillbook? I can buy it. Don't worry."
True story. The second Golden Auction would've ended by now. Trillions more in my coffers.
This time, they unveiled 100% pure mithril too. Combined with leftovers, at least 7 trillion.
No skillbook in existence I couldn't afford. Doubt Miracle Guild had anything that rare, though.
Reading my confidence, the slightly flustered Ki So-young uncrossed her legs, dropped the teasing, and nodded.
"I'll consider it. Guild skillbooks aren't easy to export. You're honorary director, but... it's nominal, no real achievements shown yet."
I chuckled again. Perfect.
"Then show achievements? Second proposal: I'll impart tech and knowledge. In return, Miracle Guild ups my royalties and shares."
The first thing that came to mind was my sister, naturally. A chance to free her from that frustrating, device-dependent capsule.
Next: business. This drug and knowledge were priceless, worth any fortune.
Knowledge from a transcendent who'd risen to archmage, contracted a demon and fallen angel throne to become a warlock.
Imperfect immortality knowledge. And the imperfect Immortality Elixir.
Compared to true immortality, utterly pathetic. The old man had flashy names masking mere life-extension tricks.
Still, it connected to immortality—not fully escaped death, but half-succeeded in extending life.
That's why the system allowed those absurd names.
If it were real immortality power...
Probably an Authority. At least Tower of Gold level.
Anyway, my point: if Miracle Guild used this to extend lives for those who craved it?
Not infinite like the old man's dreams—just 10 years? Totally doable. It'd sustain comatose bodies like my sister's, preventing frailty.
A business transcending humanity. Enough to rocket Miracle Guild from Korea's top healer guild to the world's.
Caution needed, though. This knowledge was poison and fruit alike.
"The knowledge I impart—no one else learns it. Just you, Guild Master Ki So-young, and Min Chorang. No more."
Acquire this, and they'd become targets. Power-hungry elites craving extra days; fading hunters desperate for more Abyss time.
Yeah, this knowledge rivaled—or surpassed—pure gold or 100% mithril.
Ki So-young listened intently to my grave, firm words.
"The knowledge I'll give extends life."
"Holy shit!"
She jolted up, shocked. That serious.
"Don't worry. I'll install safeguards. Just a tiny fragment of knowledge."
Ultimately, the Immortality Elixir was essential for true extension. Core of the warlock's research: crafting it.
Ingredients won't be easy, but...
The old man's vast stock, plus extra rewards, meant no need to remake anytime soon.
I watched her freak out, waiting for calm. Soon, back in guild master mode, she fired questions. I answered earnestly.
"So, without my elixir supply, the life-extension tech's half-baked. Replicate it? Doubtful. Impossible without system help—beyond Earth's capabilities."
She nodded, understanding, pondered long, then spoke.
"Can't decide alone. Need to consult key execs. They'll probably approve. Issue is... we'll attract enemies."
"Request Dangun Guild's help."
Her eyes narrowed, as if probing what I knew.
"I know. Dangun Cheonje's got a crush on you."
Shockingly, this beauty was the object of affection for Korea's top hunter, head of the premier one-man clan: Dangun Cheonje.
Dangun Guild dispatching members to Miracle? All his favoritism.
"Use that fact, but pay fairly. We'll earn insane money and connections anyway. Enough for global expansion. I could introduce contacts... but can't fully trust them. Dangun Cheonje's shield enough for now."
I hesitated, then added the last bit.
"And don't you like Dangun Ji-hyeok too?"
Not far off: they'd announce dating, get engaged in six months, marry soon after. By my regression, kids and happy.
Ki So-young stared silently. Her gaze held multitudes.
I hadn't planned exposing future secrets like this, but business demanded it.
Knowing that, she wouldn't reproach me.
"Sorry for spilling your secret. Think it over. If this eases my sister's suffering even a bit, I'm satisfied."
Money mattered, but sister's well-being most.
With that, I left her to her thoughts, checked on my sister, then headed to the black market.