The Artisan's Enhancement
Time passed more boringly than expected.
Your summon has entered Kuba Village in the northern F13 zone.
You can change your starting zone to Kuba in F13 zone.
Would you like to change it?
[Yes/No]
In the meantime, the skeletons he'd sent to the Demon Realm had triggered village changes a total of three times.
Already F13 zone.
What the hell are these guys doing?
His curiosity grew day by day, but time didn't stop, and finally today, through the Skull Snake's vision, he spotted the Phoenix Guild arriving at the final hall.
"Huh? Statues."
"R-real?"
"Yeah."
"Hah, is it finally over?"
"It was boring. Right?"
"Super boring."
"We've been wasting time for over a week."
Now it was time to claim the reward for their patience.
"Touched the statue."
"Please, spawn."
Fortunately, the messages appeared.
The statue reacts.
Checking accumulated results so far.
Cursed...
The curse weakens.
The energy suppressing the statue is largely resolved.
Quest 'Artisan's Island Purification' completed.
The statue's seal is released.
Everyone wore expressions of relief.
"Ahh, thank goodness."
"For real."
"I was worried it wouldn't clear."
"Oppa, what now?"
Mu-hyuk described the visible situation.
"The statue looks like an older guy, talking to the guild leader. Thanking him. Oh, looks like he's about to give rewards?"
"Nice, wonder what we'll get this time."
The moment anticipation swelled—
The artisan's energy analyzes the character system.
Dort's power infuses the system.
The artisan's energy will always be with you.
Acquired skill 'Artisan's Soul'.
Skill 'Enhancement' merges with it.
Skill 'Enhancement' evolves to 'Artisan's Enhancement'.
A hologram popped up.
Artisan's Enhancement.
The new power Mu-hyuk had gained.
*
This time, each got different skills.
"I got a buff skill...!"
"Oh, buff!"
"I got an attack skill!"
"What about you, oppa?"
"Uh, enhancement skill for me..."
"Eh? Enhancement?"
"Yeah, it evolved into Artisan's Enhancement."
Mu-hyuk's expression was pure satisfaction.
Ye-rin, now curious, asked.
"How does it work, oppa?"
"Items have extra options, right?"
"Like strength or agility?"
"Yeah, it boosts those higher or adds brand new ones."
"Whoa...!"
"Crazy!"
Just the explanation showed it was an incredible skill.
Seeing it in action?
It might give chills.
Gotta try it once we're out.
Mu-hyuk checked the Phoenix Guild through the Skull Snake's vision. After more talk with Dort, they headed to the dimensional gate at the back.
"They're all out. Let's go."
"Okay!"
"Oppa, but you don't know where they went, right?"
"Yeah, can't hear the talk."
"Hmm..."
"Just in case, I'll chat a bit when we get there."
"Got it."
He summoned warhorses and hurried to the exit.
Soon, they found the unsealed statue, Dort.
"Hm?"
Dort seemed to spot Mu-hyuk and his group too.
"And you are?"
"We helped our party from behind and just arrived."
"I see."
"Yes."
Dort's eyes narrowed briefly.
"Indeed. You helped a little."
"Of course."
His heart skipped, but he kept cool.
"Your comrades went ahead."
"Oh, really?"
"Catch up."
"We will. Thanks. Do you know which way they went? Feels like they left first."
"They went to Grakan Continent."
"Pardon...? Grakan Continent?"
"Nothing more to gain on Kaion Continent. Head to the summit of the Frozen Mountains at the southernmost tip of Grakan Continent."
Kaion Continent's hidden power seemed fully unlocked. And luckily, he'd gotten the location.
"Ah...!"
Not expecting much, the achievement felt even sweeter.
"Hurry."
"Thank you."
Mu-hyuk inwardly cheered as he rushed with his group to the dimensional gate. Emerging outside, the four exchanged looks.
"Wooooh!"
"Incredible!"
"Oppa, you're the best!"
"A-amazing."
They unleashed their pent-up joy.
*
While riding warhorses—
"Huh? That's them, right?"
"Yeah."
"Kinda stings, oppa."
"Me too..."
"It's fine, it's fine."
Mu-hyuk and his group spotted the advancing Phoenix Guild. Ignoring conscience pangs, they sped up to catch them.
"Hm?"
The lead Phoenix Guild leader recognized Mu-hyuk.
"Oh, isn't this Mu-hyuk-nim?"
"Ah, yes."
"Nice to meet like this. I'm RealMan, Phoenix Guild leader. Don't misunderstand—it's my character ID."
Mu-hyuk smiled back at the grinning man.
Well, grateful anyway.
"Phoenix Guild's famous. Nice to meet you."
"Haha, what. You seem in a hurry."
"Ah, yes. Heading to Grakan Continent."
"Oh? Grakan?"
"Yes."
"We're going there too..."
RealMan pondered, then continued.
"Anyway, since we met, friends?"
"Sure, why not."
RealMan sent the request first.
User 'RealMan' has sent a friend request.
Accept?
Hitting yes brought an immediate chat.
Chat ended.
"Hm."
RealMan pondered, then proposed.
"We're heading to Grakan too."
"I see."
"Join us?"
"Sure."
Mu-hyuk agreed readily. The path would be rough.
Soon after.
During a short break, he bought a decent greatsword.
Attack power 250.
Strength, agility, stamina +5 each.
Artisan's Enhancement.
Using the skill brought red and blue dots.
Oh, two dots?
First, filled red to 90%, blue the rest. Attack rose 23, stats unchanged.
Again, Artisan's Enhancement.
Red 50%, blue rest.
◈ Strength (+5+2) Increase
◈ Agility (+5+2) Increase
◈ Stamina (+5+2) Increase
◈ Durability 550/550
◈ Requirements: All Stats 130+
Attack rose less, but stats +2 each.
This is good?
Quick math: Profitable. Next, blue 80%, red 20%.
"Ho."
Stats +1 each.
Attack +10 too.
Nice.
Truly satisfying.
Clang, kaaang!
Focused enhancement after ages.
Enhancement successful.
... (repeated)
Succeeded up to +6 in a row.
"Whew, wanna see?"
"Done?"
"Yeah, here."
Sung Min-woo's eyes widened checking it.
◈ Strength (+5+11) Increase
◈ Agility (+5+11) Increase
◈ Stamina (+5+11) Increase
◈ Durability 550/550
◈ Requirements: All Stats 130+
Stats skyrocketed.
Attack solid too.
"Insane. What is this?"
"Good, right?"
"Good? This is beyond..."
"Me too, me too!"
Ye-rin and Kim Ji-yeon checked next, equally stunned. Their reactions sparked curiosity—Phoenix leader approached cautiously.
"Looks fun."
"Ah, yeah."
"Mind if I see? Looks like enhancement..."
Mu-hyuk pondered.
Reveal?
Quick decision.
Not yet.
No sales planned now.
"Nothing much. Just high enhancement success after ages."
"Ah, I see."
Casual farewell, stowed the sword. RealMan returned, looking disappointed.
*
Three-day trek hunting level 200 monster packs. Finally, warp gate to Grakan Continent. Phoenix went first, Mu-hyuk's group followed.
"Good work."
"We just tagged along."
"Nah. You and your comrades are one-man armies—we had it easy. See you if fate allows."
"Yeah."
"Then."
RealMan turned to his guild.
"Alright, resupply first!"
"Yes!"
Confirming them head to inn, Mu-hyuk's group quietly warped to southernmost kingdom, then Krakan Village.
Quick resupply, mounted warhorses southward. Phoenix destination clear—strike first.
"They're many, so slow."
"Yeah, but can we clear in time?"
"If hidden spot, maybe."
"Hm."
"Public spot, tough."
"Find it first."
"Yeah. Then decide enter or wait."
First goal: confirm.
6 hours nonstop riding, Mu-hyuk halted.
"Hunger down, rest then go."
"Okay!"
Ate, resumed.
4 more hours.
No destination—logout for tomorrow.
Next day.
Morning to evening on warhorses, finally spotted hazy mountains afar. Clearly frozen—blanketed white even from distance.
"Whew, found it."
"Summit there?"
Closed in energetically.
"Ugh, chilly."
Close enough, warmth fled, cold bit skin. At entrance, shivering hard.
"Wear coats from village first."
"Yeah!"
All donned leather coats from inventory.
"Oh, warm."
"Really."
"Better than expected."
Summoned spirit fire—cold gone. Relaxed, advanced.
Soon, Frozen Mountains monsters appeared.
Path to summit no smooth sail.