Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Sand Barrier
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The Platinum skill I had just acquired, Sand Barrier.
A simple skill that created a protective barrier around the user.
But its scale far exceeded my imagination.
“...Is it because my mana is too high?”
It was a reasonable deduction, considering that the power of most magic skills was influenced by mana levels.
Either way, using it as-is was too much.
It consumed a ton of mana, and above all, it completely blocked my vision.
“But adjusting the mana output every time to control it would mess up the timing.”
This had to be a skill for defending against ambushes.
Calculating the required mana for every sudden attack would definitely make me miss the timing.
It was starting to feel more like a construction skill, which could have various uses later, but right now, I needed something to block ambushes.
“Still, if I tweak it right...?”
I pulled out the Legendary Robe I'd taken from the magic-cutting youth and slipped it on.
It was still way too big for a kid like me.
The dragging hem was annoying, but now wasn't the time to care.
I applied the robe's sole skill to Sand Barrier.
“Alright, let's do this.”
I focused my mind.
The sensation of the robe's Artificial Mana Core skill combining with Sand Barrier.
Not creating a massive wall like before.
Instead, a thin, transparent layer of sand coating my body.
As the skill took effect, the huge wall in front of me crumbled on its own.
Just then, the transparent dark elf was nocking another arrow.
Its finger released the bowstring.
Shwick-!
A sharp sound accompanied the flying arrow.
I didn't dodge.
No need to.
Shhhrrk!
From the ground, the invisible sand barrier rose up on its own to protect me.
Automatically, without my command.
It was much thinner than the previous massive barrier.
But plenty enough to block a light arrow.
Above all, the activation speed was incomparably faster.
Ting-!
The arrow bounced harmlessly off the thin sand barrier.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Success.
Just as I'd hoped. A perfect automatic defense system was complete.
“...Should I test it a bit more aggressively?”
I closed my eyes.
Trusting only this auto-defense skill, committing my body to it.
Thump thump thump thump!
My heart pounded like mad.
Eyes closed, but through Insight, I could sense the enemy's movements.
Confirming the arrows weren't working, the dark elf observed me for a while.
Seeing me with eyes shut and not moving a muscle, it finally crept forward stealthily.
Maintaining stealth, the dark elf closed in rapidly.
The mana presence drawing ever closer.
The hairs on my body stood on end.
‘Kinda scary...’
I could feel the enemy right in front of me.
I swallowed hard.
And finally, it thrust its blade.
A sharp dagger plunged toward my back.
That was the moment.
Kclang!
Once more, the sand barrier blocked the attack.
This time, the impact was much stronger than before, but the barrier didn't break.
Magic activated regardless of my will.
Now I was completely convinced.
“Nice. Perfect.”
I slowly opened my eyes.
In front of me stood the dark elf, stealth dispelled, face etched with shock.
An expression that couldn't believe its ambush had been thwarted.
I grinned at it.
“Does this work too?”
I manipulated the sand barrier still enveloping me.
At my will, part of the barrier deformed into sharp spikes.
Then I shot them forward.
Pshk!
The dark elf had no time to react as the sand spikes pierced its chest.
It collapsed without even a scream.
Looks like the sand barrier's shape could be freely customized.
“Hmm, worth the Platinum rating.”
I nodded in satisfaction.
Now, time to test the barrier's durability.
I set the auto sand barrier skill to protect not me, but sand clone Unit-01.
The other clones filmed the whole thing with cameras.
I conjured a sand bullet in midair.
Fired it at the clone.
Ting-!
The rising barrier deflected the bullet easily.
Defensive power as expected.
Now, what about my maximum attack power?
I transformed my entire right arm into a massive sand stake.
The strongest single blow I could muster right now.
I launched the completed stake at the barrier.
With a roar tearing through the air, the huge stake flew at terrifying speed.
Kwaaaang-!
The moment it hit the sand barrier, a massive shockwave erupted.
Sand winds blew, obscuring vision.
“Ugh...!”
The next moment.
Crack-!
The barrier shattered like glass.
But at the same time, my max-power sand stake lost its form, scattering into a handful of sand.
“Tch, can't withstand this level, huh?”
Still plenty satisfying.
This was a technique for assassins and ambushes anyway.
Such a big attack would always have warning signs.
I'd have time to prepare then, and just erect a thicker barrier.
Time to leave the tower.
I had the clones hunt the trash mobs and recover the treant's fruit.
The routine I'd grown used to on the 10th floors.
Feed the treant's fruit to the World Tree seed, eat the leftovers myself.
No growth sensation like before from eating the fruit, but too wasteful to toss.
“But this thing... fully grown now?”
I eyed the World Tree seed curiously.
Now the size of a pumpkin.
Hard to even call it a seed anymore.
Getting tough to hide while carrying it around.
Fortunately, it had stopped growing.
When was that? Around the 16th floor? Growth seemed to halt then.
“Gotta fully grow it before the 20th floor to satisfy the hidden piece...”
Looking forward to floor 20.
I cradled the seed in both hands and headed home.
***
Today's experiment was a huge success.
Felt like I had a solid insurance policy now.
Floor 20 was just around the corner.
Just 18th, 19th, and 20th floors left.
Clear those, and I'd join the ranks of Korea's ten A-rank Hunters.
“Well, heard they don't automatically certify A-rank just for clearing floors...”
But I was confident.
My abilities should qualify for A-rank easily.
One problem remained, though.
My identity.
Turned into a girl, I was basically a ghost right now.
Obvious I couldn't register as a hunter in this state.
“How to solve this...”
Go to a broker? Ask Dung Beetle?
No point agonizing over it now.
Head hurting, I decided to brag about today's gains in the gallery instead.
Back home, I habitually opened the Mage Gallery.
Edited the experiment footage lightly.
Uploaded the short clip to the Mage Gallery.
[Title: Made an Assassin Counter Skill. Insane.]
Poster: Anon (G11.111)
Fun countering assassins as a mage~
(GIF of barrier auto-generating.wedp)
My post's reactions were slower than usual.
Views were climbing, so everyone was probably rewatching the clip multiple times.
Comments started trickling in after over five minutes.
> Magic is Firepower: What kinda broken skill is this? Eat another Rainbow or what?
> Anon (G11.111): Nah, just tweaked a Platinum one casually.
> Magic is Firepower: Ugh, how do you always pull this off with 'just tried it casually'?
> Fridge: Analyzed the video closely. Interesting.
> Anon (G11.111): Oh...? So, self-proclaimed super-genius researcher's verdict?
> Fridge: Told you not to call me that in the gallery.
“Who usually hates being called that in real life more...?”
Anyway, this guy's not normal either.
Am I the only sane one among mages?
While I fretted over the nation's future, Fridge posted his analysis.
> Fridge: Average human reaction limit is 0.2 seconds. But this magic's reaction speed nears 0.1 sec.
> Fridge: Delay converges to zero. True auto-defense.
> Dung Beetle: Constant activation skill? So it works while sleeping or unconscious too?
> Magic is Firepower: Where do skills like this even come from...
The flood of praise had my shoulders rising.
But their admiration didn't stop there.
Fridge organized his thoughts and commented.
> Fridge: Everyone's missing the point. It's basic defense now, but apply the principle...?
> Fridge: If skill automation works forward too... auto-attack on enemy sight, auto-potion on damage? Possible?
The gallery fell silent at Fridge's analysis.
Overwhelmed by the insane possibilities.
Even I was.
“R-Really?”
Pointing out something I hadn't considered.
So satisfying.
Grinning, I hammered the keyboard.
> Anon (G11.111): lol you guys think this is all???
> Magic is Firepower: (GIF of punches to the face alternately)
> Fridge: Can't hype this kid even a little.
While the bickering dragged on.
pKkatchu left a comment feeling totally different from usual.
No playfulness at all. Dry and serious.
> pKkatchu: Can you cast this on allies too?
Feeling the shift, I replied curiously.
> Anon (A55.555): Hmm, used it on my sand clone... Not sure about people. Clone's part of my body after all.
Even to my vague answer, pKkatchu pressed on.
> pKkatchu: That's fine. Tell me how. I really need this skill.
No trace of her usual playfulness.
Felt a subtle desperation even.
After a moment's thought, I spilled the truth.
> Anon (A55.555): Honestly, it's all item carry. Picked up a Legendary Robe.
> pKkatchu: That robe from before? The one only from Extreme?
> Anon (A55.555): Yeah...
After my reply, pKkatchu went silent.
Her next comment came much later.
> pKkatchu: Ah. Legendary item... Got it. Can't do it then...
> pKkatchu: Understood. Sorry for bothering you.
“What's with her?”
I tilted my head at her final comment.
Normal pKkatchu would've raged with "Bickering kills!"
For the first time, I grew curious about the pKkatchu beyond the monitor.