Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Mad Black Mage's Tower Strategy
Chapter 65
Seo-jin first picked up the Antique Golem's core.
The core material that would become the magical power source for the new robe.
He carefully drew up his mana and began to flow it into the core.
TSUZSUZS-.
When the Reverse Heaven's mana accumulated in Seo-jin's upper dantian touched the core, blue light began to flicker violently in resistance.
It was as if a living creature was rejecting external intrusion.
'Not easy. Being an ancient power source, it has a strong ego.'
Hyeon-wol's voice echoed in his head.
Seo-jin bit his lip slightly and concentrated even more on controlling his mana.
Rather than forcibly suppressing the core's resistance, it was an attempt to gently soothe and synchronize with the core's mana.
A delicate and dangerous process.
If done wrong, the core could run wild or be destroyed, but for Seo-jin, who had already mastered handling different types of mana through his training in Primordial Unity Technique, it wasn't difficult.
CHAREREUL-.
The opposing mana gently merged, and dark blue mana rippled at Seo-jin's fingertips.
The violent resistance subsided as if it were a lie, and the core accepted Seo-jin's mana, transforming into a state that was easy to refine.
"Phew."
The first button was well fastened.
Seo-jin moved on to the next step without delay.
Seo-jin slowly poured the dragon's scales melted in the furnace's heat onto the crafting table.
A normal furnace wouldn't be able to melt the scales, but it was possible because he had imbued the furnace with black magic properties that ignored defense.
From afar, the sound of So-yul's heartache could be heard as she watched.
AGEUJAG- AGEUJAG-.
So-yul bit her nails as if she didn't know what to do.
Melting those precious dragon scales to use as materials - her insides must have been burning up.
She had agreed to his words about hunting and bringing them later, but she might have been crying bloody tears inside.
"HUT."
Seo-jin chuckled and carefully poured the liquefied dragon scales onto the core.
JEUREUREUK-.
The black liquid rippled like a living creature before wrapping around the core entirely.
This alone would give the robe tremendous durability and magical resistance comparable to a dragon.
But if he finished it like this, unexpected situations could arise where it would arbitrarily escape the wearer's control.
What was needed at this point was precisely Arachne's thread.
The material to control the ferocious dragon nature that remained in the scales.
Seo-jin began to weave the thin glowing silver-white thread with his mana.
The silver-white thread drew complex and precise mana circuits on the core as if finding its own path.
The final process was Star Dust.
When he sprinkled the powder emitting brilliant light over the circuits, each material began to shine and assimilate into one.
The blue core, jet-black scales, silver-white thread, and brilliant starlight came together to create a mana storm.
KWAAAAAA-!
The entire workshop shook and the mana stabilization device screamed.
At the center of that mana storm, a robe slowly took shape.
A robe that looked like stars scattered across a jet-black night sky.
A core emitting blue light was embedded in the chest.
"Woooow."
So-yul, who had been watching the process through reinforced glass, unconsciously let out an exclamation.
At first, she was half-believing, half-doubting.
No matter how much it was Seo-jin, she thought he couldn't possibly combine those extremely dangerous materials to create a meaningful result.
But the delicacy of taming the core and the precision of fusing the materials far exceeded her common sense.
It was like witnessing magical engineering technology hundreds of years ahead of its time.
It was an exclamation filled with pure admiration.
The moment the robe was completed, all the mana measuring devices in the laboratory broke through their limits and sounded loud warning alarms.
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP-!
"Th, this is!"
The robe before their eyes was quiet.
But the mystery condensed within it far exceeded the limits of the measuring devices.
Contrary to So-yul who was jumping around, Seo-jin silently gazed at the scene before him.
A notification window appeared before him.
[Please set the name of the artifact.]
It was the proper noun setting window that only appeared when crafting an S-grade artifact.
Seo-jin pondered for a moment and then spoke.
"Tears of Siyul (Time's Law)."
An artifact containing fragments of authority for one who controls time.
Since it was made through So-yul's tearful sacrifice, he matched the rhythm of the name.
Seo-jin picked up the completed robe, Tears of Siyul.
Though it looked like an ordinary robe, the weight and density felt the moment it touched his hand were on a different dimension.
[Tears of Siyul (時律)]
Grade: S
Classification: Robe
Work of Black Mage Lee Seo-jin
A masterpiece completed through an excellent mage. Possesses powerful protective abilities and mana amplification effects.
Mana + 10
Agility + 10
Unique Effect: [Dragon's Scales]
Reduces all damage by 25 percent.
Unique Effect: [Mana Amplification]
Final damage of all magical attacks increases by 10 percent. Effect is amplified when striking enemy weak points.
Seo-jin smiled with satisfaction after checking the result.
Thanks to the scales used as materials, damage reduction was solid, and the magical power was greatly increased thanks to the mana circuit woven with the golem's core and Arachne's thread.
Moreover, there was even an agility increase that helped with close combat and martial arts.
It was truly an all-weather item.
It could withstand at least up to the 50th floor, so even in its current state, it was close to a divine artifact.
But it wasn't finished yet.
The effects the robe currently possessed were far from the name Seo-jin had given it.
Seo-jin placed his hand on the robe and said.
"I will use Achievement Points."
[An additional slot will be created through Achievement Point consumption. Please select the work.]
A selection window appeared before his eyes.
[Grant Lower Memorize Slot]
Achievement Points consumed: 1
[Grant General Characteristic]
Achievement Points consumed: 3
[Install Additional Material Slot]
Achievement Points consumed: 5
Memorize granted artifacts the ability to remember magic.
It was usually used to grant useful Haste or Shield magic for any situation, but it wasn't what Seo-jin desired.
General characteristic granting was the same.
Since it wasn't a unique characteristic but a general one, good options couldn't be attached, so the efficiency wasn't very good.
Seo-jin's purpose was the last option.
"Install Additional Material Slot."
[Confirmed. Please select the slot's location.]
Seo-jin selected the golem core embedded in the center of the robe.
CLICK-.
What would go into this material slot was the fragment of the [Time Distortion Magic Book] he would obtain later.
When equipped with this, he could use the ability to control time's law as the robe's name suggested.
Moreover, if used in the additional material slot, it could later be separated and used to craft the Stone of Return.
Though precious Achievement Points would be consumed, it was worth it.
[Item enhancement completed.]
The robe shining brilliantly in golden light.
When he wore the robe, it fit his body perfectly as if it were part of his body.
Warm and powerful mana flowing from the core in his chest spread throughout his body.
Preliminary motions or concentration needed for casting magic felt unnecessary.
Seo-jin lightly gestured toward empty space.
PAJIJIJI-!
A condensed mana sphere was created at his fingertips without incantation or magic circle.
A mass of mana maintaining perfect spherical shape without any sign of instability.
Speed, stability, and condensed power incomparable to before.
Even before, he boasted speed incomparable to other mages, but now he had reached a level where he could adequately respond even against rankers skilled in physical combat.
"Not bad."
"……."
So-yul, who had been staring blankly at this sight, swallowed her saliva.
It was amazing and admirable. But the emotion that came across more clearly than that was just one thing.
Relief.
So-yul could be certain of this.
That he was an ally was truly fortunate for herself and Taebaek.
***
The splendid banquet hall of the International Mage Tower Association.
An official dinner was arranged before the formation of the Great Cavity investigation team.
Representatives from each country, guild leaders, and selected investigation team members gathered, creating a gorgeous but tense atmosphere.
Unlike officials from other countries who clinked glasses and chatted, So-yul sat quietly at Taebaek Guild's table.
'Uncomfortable.'
The dress was awkward, and for So-yul, who was naturally a mage, such banquets were quite uncomfortable.
She would rather be holed up in a small room doing research than dealing with politics or socializing, which was too difficult.
JJALLANG-.
Seo-jin also quietly sipped his drink at a table slightly apart from her, not mingling with other figures.
Seo-jin hadn't come to chat, but to personally assess the figures from each country participating in this expedition.
That's when it happened.
Along with approaching footsteps, a familiar yet unpleasant voice reached So-yul's ears.
A man approaching with a fishy smile.
It was Kang Jin-tae.
"Well, well, who do we have here? Isn't this Taebaek's guild leader Han So-yul?"
Kang Jin-tae was wearing Chinese-style modified clothing instead of a tuxedo.
So-yul cursed him internally.
'What a shameless bastard.'
"……."
But engaging with such a guy would only result in her own loss.
'Ignore him. Ignore him. Ignore him.'
So-yul tried to control her mind as if brainwashing herself, trying not to respond.
When So-yul didn't even give him a glance and ignored his words, he came closer and continued speaking as if for everyone to hear.
"You must have ruined the mage tower and now your ears are rotten too."
"……."
Kang Jin-tae blatantly provoked So-yul without caring about his surroundings.
"By the way, I guess Taebaek is nearing its end too? The guild leader sits alone and pitifully at the table, and other researchers are nowhere to be seen. Well, it makes sense since you lost a talent like me."
'Right. A talent indeed. A human disaster (人災).'
'A walking calamity, that's what he is.'
So-yul cursed him internally while not responding at all. So-yul's patience was being well exercised.
However, he finally crossed a line that shouldn't be crossed.
"Han Kyeong-cheol, that gentleman is also pitiful. How could he have known his daughter would make Taebaek like this? Tsk. So……."
TUK-.
At the mention of her deceased father, the sound of her patience snapping could be heard.
Then So-yul glared at him with cold eyes and warned.
"Don't you dare mention my father's name, you traitor."
Her voice was low and quiet, but the chill contained within seemed like it could freeze the surrounding air.
However, Kang Jin-tae, having succeeded in his provocation, shrugged his shoulders leisurely.
"Traitor? I just moved to find better conditions."
So-yul cut off his words and stared directly into Kang Jin-tae's eyes.
"That's what you call a traitor. A son of a bitch who spent his whole life eating the country's salary for research, then ran off to another country with all the research results and team members."
"What? What bitch?"
Kang Jin-tae's face twisted viciously.
The tense atmosphere flowing between the two drew attention from their surroundings.
"Are you done talking now?"
"I'm far from finished. Why? Want to have a go with me? I'll roast you deliciously."
There was none of So-yul's usual round and gentle demeanor.
She could tolerate betraying Taebaek and even provoking her now.
But she couldn't tolerate that filthy mouth insulting her father.
So-yul glared at him fiercely and drew up her mana.
With the resolve to resort to force if necessary.
Just as the atmosphere was about to turn dangerous.
TTUBUK-.
Someone blocked Kang Jin-tae's front and intervened between the two.
Kang Jin-tae glared at the man who suddenly intervened and asked.
"What are you?"
Under the banquet hall's brilliant lighting, his shadow cast long over Kang Jin-tae.
Sharp eyes and unwavering posture clearly visible despite being covered by a robe.
The aura emanating from the man before him was extraordinary, so instinctive crisis sense put his nerves on edge.
"……."
Instead of answering, he just stood tall and looked down at him silently.
Sensing danger, Kang Jin-tae hesitantly stepped back and asked So-yul.
"Wh, who is this person?"
So-yul, who had been pondering briefly, averted her gaze and said.
"……Our team's porter."
She couldn't reveal his identity outright, so she brushed it off as a porter.
Moreover, the Great Cavity investigation team's personnel was already full.
Seo-jin would be accompanying them as a porter for the Republic of Korea investigation team, so it wasn't a lie.
At the word porter, Kang Jin-tae let out a hollow laugh and looked Seo-jin up and down.
"Huh, a porter."
Then he deliberately raised his voice as if putting on airs and spat out insulting words.
"Good build and tall - looks like he'd be good at manual labor. Seeing you brought a mere porter to the banquet hall, he must be your hidden lover or something?"