Clash of Permafrosts
A faint red glow emanated from it.
Proof that it was a Unique-grade box.
"Kinda disappointing it's not Legendary."
-Legendary boxes are something 99% of players never even glimpse before quitting the game. You think those things are just lying around everywhere?
"I know reality's like that, but..."
The problem was that his standards had gotten way too high lately.
Especially after that Legendary box opening contest at the Magic Tower not long ago, where he'd even seen Epic-grade boxes.
"Sigh. The human heart, huh... There was a time when hearing 'Unique' made me gasp in awe."
-You get used to the stimulation, so that's inevitable... my ass. I bowed every time I saw a Unique for ten whole years!
"You're right. I've been too arrogant lately. Gotta keep that beginner's mind, always."
Carpe placed his hand reverently on the Unique box.
"Unlock."
Unlock has been activated.
With a sharp click!, the Unique box's lock sprang open.
Carpe carefully pried it open, revealing a fist-sized red orb inside.
◈ Classification: Magic Material, Consumable
◈ An essence rarely produced by spirits of Highest-Grade or above. Contains powerful natural energy.
◈ Can imbue equipment with abilities through processing.
◈ Consuming it greatly increases fire resistance, but failure to neutralize the flames results in high chance of death.
"This is it."
-Yeah. Mix it into a weapon for a fire-attribute extra strike skill, or armor for fire resistance. Top-tier magic material.
Not only that, but using it in crafting massively boosted the chances of upgrading the item's grade itself.
A treasure any crafter would kill for—but Carpe had different plans.
"Got the engine core now."
Not for item crafting, but homunculus creation.
The flame spirit essence was the material for the energy core of the fourth relic, Steel Royard.
The moment Carpe picked up the essence—
A ding.
An unexpected alert window popped up before his eyes.
Skill Magic Engineering reacts to specific material.
Compatible materials exist in inventory.
"...Huh?"
-Whoa. Again?
It was the same message from when he'd synthesized the Elder Snake's inner core and White Tiger's inner core in Ramark.
Carpe hurriedly opened his inventory and spotted a blinking item in the corner.
◈ Classification: Magic Material
◈ Chilled essence condensed over ages. Known as Ice Crystal, it's extremely dangerous but holds immense icy power.
◈ Aura of an untouchable being once lingered, but has vanished due to unknown forces.
"Right, this was here!"
From the event boss Servant Lord's Fragment in the Elf Forest.
He'd been saving the White Ice Crystal without a use in mind—until now!
When Carpe grabbed the White Ice Crystal in his other hand, another alert appeared.
Compatible materials for synthesis. Synthesize now?
"Whoa, hitting the jackpot again."
-How long does this freebie luck last? The world's unfair, sure, but this is ridiculous!
"But is it safe to synthesize as-is? Won't it ruin the engine if I do?"
-Should be fine? Royard's core doesn't have to use Highest-Grade Flame Spirit Essence specifically.
Elise had said after seeing Royard's blueprints:
'Young heir, to fully realize the design, you need at least Highest-Grade spirit essence or equivalent mana condensate. Anything lower won't output properly.'
In other words, any mana condensate at Highest-Grade or above would do.
Carpe had come to Ant Hell Dungeon because it was the closest spot for materials—not because he needed this exact essence.
-Worst case, if it doesn't work for the core, swap it out later.
"Yeah. Do first, think later. When have I ever overthought it?"
He suddenly recalled his first synthesis of acorns in the beginner city.
Cheonma had warned that clashing items could destroy everything, but he'd done it just because it seemed fun.
"Beginner's mind. Gotta hold onto that."
No room for the weak choice of 'don't synthesize'!
Proceed with synthesis?
"Proceed!"
Carpe placed the two magic materials in the synthesis window and confirmed. They spun wildly, merging into one.
A ding.
Suddenly, a new orb rested in Carpe's hand.
One half blazed with fire, the other frozen solid—a paradoxical sight.
A ding.
◈ Classification: Magic Material, Catalyst
◈ Unknown substance where two incompatible energies coexist in harmony. Rich in pure natural power.
◈ As a summoning catalyst, it will draw immense interest from Highest-Grade fire and ice spirits.
"That's right. Legen—"
-Total trash game...
That night.
A new video went up on the channel Cheonma TV.
Now infamous enough that everyone knew it, countless subscribers had notifications on. The moment it uploaded, RaSe IpVen flooded with related posts.
The new video was the shortest ever on Cheonma TV.
Just three minutes.
But its content was anything but small.
Like all Cheonma TV vids, it was first-person POV.
A vast clearing impossible to identify.
The protagonist was locked in combat with one opponent.
Boom!
It opened with an ice shield clashing against a fireball.
Blurred on purpose, maybe—but her identity was obvious.
Blue bob haircut, robe. Glasses, probably. And the shield was Kate's signature Chilling Shield.
Viewers confirmed it was Kate.
Reactions were even fiercer than the Silver Lion fight.
Because the opponent was world rank 6.
Ambushing Silver Lion's rear was one thing—this was symbolic warfare.
And the hype only grew.
Steam billowed from the fireball and Chilling Shield clash. The opponent played her trump card.
Shhhk!
The ice wave hit, and viewers gasped in unison.
Kate unleashed Permafrost; Fist Demon countered with his own.
Crack!
The two Permafrosts collided, vying for dominance.
RaSe communities exploded at the highlight.
But against expectations, no result came.
The video cut right as the Permafrosts clashed.
As viewers wailed in confusion, a new comment fanned the flames.
As RaSe blew up in real-time—
Carpe was deep in serious thought with Cheonma.
"Bro, I've been thinking."
-...Prologue's got me uneasy already, but spit it out.
"I think I'm weaker than I thought."
-What bullshit? Why?
"You said beating that Flame Golem Guardian is like 10% winrate, even with all summons."
-Yeah.
"But Gunter soloed it. I'm way behind."
-...Weaker than rank 1, so I'm weak?
"Exactly."
Five hundred million players became weaklings in that instant—but Carpe was dead serious.
"Need to power up more."
-That sorts itself with levels, right? Hit 100 and you can take Gunter.
"Levels matter, sure, but gotta strengthen other ways too."
Carpe gazed at his gauntlets with resolve.
"Time to enhance gear."
The 10-Star Player's Lucky Draw