Chapter 341
Chapter 341
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 341
Chapter Title: New Turf (2)
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“Six million, huh...”
I slowly stroked my chin, eyes gleaming.
It was an incredibly satisfying result.
This was more than enough to finally push forward with the decision I’d once postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.
『Dimensional Barrier Mitigation (6,000,000)』
It was an option that reduced discrepancies between dimensions and eased the restrictions imposed on Awakeners.
Before, with karma just a bit short, I’d fallen to the irresistible lure of the ‘random draw’ and had no choice but to delay...
‘Perfect timing—the points line up exactly.’
At this rate, it had to be fate, right?
Nothing was holding me back now, no need to hesitate any longer.
‘Strengthening my unique skill further will take more time anyway. Nothing else I need urgently...’
With a light exhale, I gave in to that peculiar impulse I’d felt once before and immediately selected the second 『Dimensional Barrier Mitigation』.
The instant I did, those six million points—which had gladdened my heart just to behold—vanished in a flash.
“Hmm.”
I could instinctively sense something enveloping my body shift.
A strange sensation, like some unnoticed presence wriggling in response.
But just like the first purchase, it faded swiftly.
‘...That’s it?’
Same as before.
I knew something had changed, but grasping what or how much? No clue.
I’d anticipated it, knowing the first time was the same, yet it still left a subtle aftertaste.
‘Jeez, and here I am, a customer dropping six million in one go.’
A flicker of dissatisfaction rose, but what could be done?
The eager buyer had to grin and bear it.
‘Still... the existing functions have clearly been bolstered.’
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Wooong— I stared at the shimmering platinum glow hovering over my hand, then gave a small nod.
The same power, yet its output was markedly stronger than before.
This from just a sliver of energy; the greater the scale, the more pronounced the difference.
‘Yes, this might help resolve the dragon child issue.’
As I understood it, 『Dimensional Barrier Mitigation』 was essentially a hacking tool—or an Easter egg ability.
It granted bypass privileges for parts of the universal laws binding all Awakeners.
Its very existence in the system’s Karma Shop was absurd.
‘Well, that’s why it was tucked away out of reach.’
The perk 「Karma Shop Ver.2 Update」 required over ten million unused karma.
Amassing that was feat enough; how many would hoard it without spending?
And the option itself cost five or six million...
‘No way just anyone gets this. ...Pointless musing now.’
What mattered was its future utility.
Solving things with Hunter World-approved abilities alone seemed tricky.
As I probed the changes, I closed my eyes and clenched my fists tight.
“...A sacrificial lamb, predestined from before birth...”
Thinking of them soured my mood again.
An inexplicable irritation surged—reason unknown—and I sighed roughly.
‘Damn, it’s grating too much. The Hunter World’s my new turf now. Can’t just watch.’
With that, I doubled down on my vow.
Dragon God’s designs or whatever—none of my concern. I’d upend it all my way.
Truth was, if I went all-in, odds were high.
Heinrich, pinnacle saint of holy power; Hans, Immortal King atop impure mysteries like black magic; Horus, dragon born under heaven’s blessings.
High Elf Harris, nature’s proxy; True Blood Vampire Heinz 2nd; Harley, now with yokai bloodline—and more luminaries, all under my wing.
How could I, their leader, sit idle and quit?!
‘Might as well double down on Hunter World. Swallowing the Demonic Cult mirrors Outerica’s setup. Good rehearsal for my home turf conquest here first.’
And test the second 『Dimensional Barrier Mitigation』 changes.
Six million points meant more than amplified prior effects.
Priority: catalog my assets fully.
‘Or so I thought...’
But wholly unexpected.
One added effect of 『Dimensional Barrier Mitigation』 revealed itself sooner, in the unlikeliest spot.
The dwarf artisan hammering diligently in time tenfold Earth’s pace.
At Dwarf Howard’s fingertips.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Howard’s daily routine as the workshop’s earth-bound spirit was simple.
Clang—! Claaang—!
Hammer metal, eat, hammer more, rest with meals and drinks, tinker with gems or non-metals occasionally, hammer till bedtime.
A rigidly monotonous loop.
Yet Howard never found it dull.
‘Of course! I craft anything my way—boredom’s got no foothold.’
Not solely his dwarf body’s doing.
Or maybe hugely so... but he was thrilled regardless.
‘Best hobby ever.’
Making things? Hardly rare pastime.
One workshop corner showcased Howard’s hobby fruits aplenty.
Sleek round shields with central stars; impractical arms sans real use; accessory designs screaming IP theft.
Movie- and game-perfect replicas abounded.
‘Flashy looks, but packed magic metals and rares—solid performance.’
Not pure whimsy.
Prime goal: his designed all-purpose combat suit, ‘Titan’.
But tougher than envisioned.
Limbs done somehow; linking torso and head controls dissatisfied.
Sensing limits, he honed basics for growth—and it snowballed here.
Thud—! Thud—!
Current project: visually ferocious two-hander greatsword.
Blade dwarfing adult women in length and breadth.
Treasure wrought with Hunter World meteorite iron for utmost density, heft.
Claaang—!
Suddenly.
‘Hm?’
Unfamiliar rebound jolted his fingertips.
Caterpillar brows twitched; pause brief. He hefted hammer, struck anew.
Instinct triggering ingrained skill, 「Craft Revolution」.
Claaang—! Claaang—!
Rhythmic clangs rang as if no hitch.
His heart? Far from serene.
‘...What? No way?’
Odd feedback at tips.
Unlike prior meteorite—mere physics, no mysteries.
‘The metal’s embedded mystery awakens...?’
Cause guessed, acceptance lagged.
‘Accept or not, it’s real. So this means...’
「Craft Revolution」 tweaked other-dimensional item frameworks.
Hitherto, mere fractions of magic tools; core foundations? Unthinkable.
Mind tangled, body—honed habit—flowed seamless.
Reheat in forge, hammer on.
Whoosh—!
「Tuner of Flame and Metal」 peaked forge to blue blaze.
Heat melting custom magic forge bits; ignored trifles.
Hubert’s conglomerate deemed such forges chump change.
Irrelevant now.
‘Must verify. Outcome potential.’
Dimensional laws: world’s magic tools inert elsewhere.
Foundations mismatched.
Raw materials with mysteries too. Qi-core Hunter items flop in mana-Outerica.
Yet now?
‘Impossible’ unfolded.
‘If finished product retains...’
Sweat-soaked from inferno, Howard pressed unrelenting.
Revolution.
Common sense-shattering birth imminent; dwarf zeal commandeered him.
Clang! Sizzle—
Forging, quenching, honing.
Fluid procession.
Finally.
“Huh... Haha!”
「Superhuman Strength」 swelled arms; Howard hefted torso-spanning greatsword two-handed.
Monstrously vast, thick, heavy double-edger.
Childhood comic’s dragon-slayer reborn at his hands.
Outerica-impossible mysteries intact.
“Never dreamed this feasible.”
Blank stare lingered.
Not 『Dimensional Barrier Mitigation』 alone’s miracle.
Awakener refiner providence-adjacent; wielding property-tweaking 「Craft Revolution」; fusion mastery of dueling worlds’ stuff—synergy born.
‘...Dimensional-transcending magic tool.’
Narrowed gaze pondered masterpiece.
Outerica-exclusive? Nay.
Hunter World trek now: full prowess, otherworldly mysteries aboard.
Then.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Roar— Fierce forge flames shuddered wildly.
A flame tendril lashed out.
Whirled him thrice, dispersed airborne.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The entity has met conditions and grows. Skills 「Metallurgy」 and 「Precision Forging」 merge into special skill 「Golden Hand」. “...The forge’s blessing.”
Howard’s third.
Fire-and-metal god surely awed by this.
Greatsword in grasp, he steeped in rare emotion.
First blessing: dwarf ‘artisan’ baseline.
Third: ‘master craftsman’ credential.
Master Jaonic held it; Howard, scant years in craft, matched perch.
‘Skill gap persists, obviously.’
His pace? True mastery neared.
Deep breath quelled thrill; greatsword eased down gingerly.
Gaze drifted to displayed kin.
Prior paragons of pride...
“Tch.”
None satisfied now.
Hand claimed prior: lightning-infused short-hammer.
Once treasured; now mere style-over-substance dud.
“Remake.”
Quiet mutter.
Not solitary.
All hobbies, and...
Eyes fixed on mannequin’s metal suit.
Done limbs; torso, head unfinished.
‘Turtleback plastron there, Yeouiju core...’
Pent inspirations exploded.
Sensation certain.
Completion imminent.
Hunter World debut harvest? Exceedingly gratifying.