Chapter 137
Chapter 137
Translation: godtl
Was it because he had spent a whopping 50,000 Achievement Points?
Swoooooosh—!!
The Void that filled the research lab evoked an indescribable terror just by being near it.
In fact.
Click.
Under the command of the Philosopher's Stone inside the flask, the Mithril Golems—which had been busy packaging the medicinal remedies—all froze simultaneously.
Perhaps the exceptional material that was mithril had ironically become their poison.
G-g-g...
G-g-g!
They shouldn't have been capable of feeling any emotion.
Yet the Mithril Golems clung to each other, trembling ceaselessly as if struck by an unbearable cold.
Soon.
Whoooosh—!
The thick, dark-purple Void, which had hung in the air like poisonous mist, surged forth like a violent storm.
It began swirling around a single focal point.
And at its center, a handsome man floated upward.
"Ah...!"
It was sucked rapidly into Si-mun's chest.
Had ten seconds passed?
In an instant, the Void was absorbed into Si-mun.
Yet remnants of the turbulent energy still lingered.
As if drifting through space.
Si-mun, floating weightlessly in the air, did not descend to the ground.
And the remnants were intense enough that—
"Ugh! Aaah!!"
He shuddered violently, unable to stop the feverish moans escaping his lips.
Squelch.
Sluuurp!
Accompanied by a wet, slippery sound reminiscent of tentacles.
For a while, the research lab remained thick with heat.
Perhaps from sweating?
The handsome man's bangs were slightly damp as he stared dazedly at the flask floating before him.
"Really?"
He glared at the large eyeball inside it.
-Yes, really! I'm not a god, how could I deliberately inject pleasure into the circuit changes?!
"Hmm..."
Despite the Philosopher's Stone's fervent defense, Si-mun remained unconvinced.
-No, Sister Goat! Say something! At this rate, I'll be the only one taking the blame!
The Philosopher's Stone inside the flask hastily shouted while glaring into the air.
[The Constellation Black Goat nods in agreement.]
A response appeared directly before Si-mun.
-See? Even Black Goat agrees. It wasn't intentional, that's just how it is!
But even with the Constellation Black Goat's support—
"That borderline... humiliating pleasure, you mean?"
The suspicion in Si-mun's eyes didn't fade easily.
-Yes, yes! When you first obtained the Obsidian Tablet, we synchronized once, but that was then. Now, the completion rate is a full 60%, you know?
The Philosopher's Stone fired off rapid words at Si-mun.
-To output at 60% completion, the circuits had to be completely rewired to match.
"Really?"
Of course, despite its efforts, Si-mun's doubts didn't dissipate.
"Fine, whatever."
He nodded, deciding not to press further.
After all, the Constellation Black Goat had personally responded.
'Well, this is better than pain... right?'
Though he still had some doubts, wasn't pleasure preferable to agony?
Especially since circuit-related adjustments were inherently sensitive—even consuming Spirit Elixirs often came with accompanying pain.
Compared to that, the pleasure from synchronizing with the Obsidian Tablet at 60% completion was practically heavenly.
'Though it does feel like I'm gradually sinking into something I shouldn't...'
Would this be how it feels to be corrupted by the Void or Demonic Energy?
The pleasure—so intense it was unimaginable for a mere human—was undeniably alluring.
But because he couldn't see an end to it, part of him was also afraid.
'The Void really is dangerous. I need to stay sharp.'
The lingering resonance of the Obsidian Tablet's synchronization still hadn't faded from his flesh.
As if to shake it off, Si-mun clenched his fists tightly and raised his head.
"Phew. Shall we complete the quest now?"
While reaching 60% completion of the Obsidian Tablet was certainly a significant achievement,
his original purpose for elevating the tablet's completion rate to 60% had been different.
Si-mun immediately opened the quest window and completed the quest.
[You have completed the Constellation Black Goat's quest 'The Forgotten Knowledge of Homunculus'.]
[You have been rewarded with 'Homunculus Creation Method'.]
Ssshhhk—
The empty space before him split open lengthwise.
An abyssal void so profound that an ordinary person would have their mind shattered just by glimpsing it.
But to Si-mun, from this supremely comfortable abyss, a deep violet ray of light came flying.
It pierced precisely into the center of Si-mun's chest, and—
—Heeuung! The lost knowledge is being carved into me again!!
Simultaneously, the Philosopher's Stone embedded in his chest and the one within the flask intermittently trembled.
A glimmer of fascination appeared in Si-mun's eyes.
'Hoh. I thought it would come in the form of a scroll or book. So this method is possible too.'
An extremely unique way of imparting knowledge.
But there was no time to marvel at the delivery method.
'Whoa... this is truly—!'
The knowledge of homunculus being engraved into his mind through the Philosopher's Stone.
Its sheer magnificence forced out gasps of astonishment.
'Creating life of my own... this is practically divine territory, isn't it?'
At the same time, understanding dawned on him.
'So this is why human body alchemy became taboo.'
Why human body alchemy was forbidden, why homunculus creation methods were lost to time.
'It's essentially the pinnacle of human body alchemy... but depending on how it's used, it could become a catastrophe.'
Just look at the endless debates surrounding human cloning, for instance.
The knowledge now etched into his mind was no different.
-Now you understand? Why I hesitated so much when you proposed creating the Obsidian Tablet.
"Yeah."
Setting aside the trust between him and the Philosopher's Stone—
"This is knowledge that should never see the light of day in this world."
The knowledge of homunculus.
And the enhanced human body alchemy knowledge from reaching 60% completion.
The deeper he delved, the more certain he became that this should never be revealed to the world.
If some mad scientist—
No.
Even someone with tragic circumstances wouldn't matter.
If someone with desires related to life itself obtained this knowledge...
'Just imagining it is horrifying.'
Though he didn't have strict standards about human nature,
transcending mere ethics, all sorts of atrocities straight out of horror films flashed through Si-mun's mind.
Yet at the same time, a part of him warmed.
"And yet, Philosopher's Stone. You still permitted me to have this."
Because it made him reflect anew on the stone's faith in him.
Of course, our dear Philosopher's Stone—
-Obviously. Oppa is amazing, right? Since ancient times, there's never been... well, probably never been a bad guy among handsome men... Hehe!
"......"
It promptly extinguished that warm feeling with a fire extinguisher.
Before Si-mun could even retort,
[The Constellation Black Goat sneers, 'What a damn bitch. Even in that state, she dares to spout such nonsense.']
Black Goat made the first move.
'That state?'
A brief moment of confusion, but nothing more.
-Unniiieeeeeek!!
The Philosopher's Stone's immediate shriek quickly blew the thought away.
-How dare you! Is that any way to talk to me right now?!
[The Constellation Black Goat shrugs, 'What can't I say? Unlike you, I enjoyed myself thoroughly and became the Great Mother over there, didn't I?']
-...Fucking bitch.
How dare she openly swear at the Mother of the Other Side?
Si-mun's eyes widened in shock, but astonishingly—
[The Constellation Black Goat sneers,"Heh. How vulgar. But then again, why would I expect anything else?"]
-AAAAAHHH!!
Black Goat only laughed harder, further mocking the Philosopher's Stone.
'There must be... some history between them.'
Right.
That had to be it.
There was no way Black Goat would just laugh off being cursed at otherwise.
But.
'I don't want to know. I vehemently, desperately don't want to know anything about it.'
Not a single shred of curiosity stirred in him.
Si-mun pressed a hand to his forehead and shook his head vigorously.
'Anyway.'
His gaze shifted to the Philosopher's Stone trembling with rage inside its flask.
'There's no way I can create a homunculus in that form right now.'
Not for moral or ethical reasons.
The creation of a homunculus—arguably the pinnacle of human transmutation—lived up to its reputation.
'Without high-grade materials, even the lowest-tier homunculus is beyond my current level.'
Homunculus creation demanded advanced alchemy and human transmutation techniques.
The gap felt insurmountable, yet he was also grateful.
'Black Goat really intended to give me homunculus knowledge for free.'
Even if it was just an Imitation-grade Obsidian Tablet with 60% completion.
Only because it had reached 60% completion could he barely comprehend it at all.
Had the quest simply handed him homunculus creation techniques without requiring 60% completion of the Obsidian Tablet first,
it would have become nothing but useless clutter tormenting his mind—something he couldn't even discard.
"I appreciate the consideration."
Si-mun gave a slight nod toward the air.
[The Constellation Black Goat, who had been viciously mocking the Philosopher's Stone, breaks into a pleased smile.]
Black Goat responded with a smile of his own.
-Ugh... To think I called that my sister... cough!
The Philosopher's Stone in the flask, grinding its teeth while glaring into space, suddenly let out a forced cough.
It then turned its shameless gaze toward Si-mun.
-So, what now? You know as well as I do that even the lowest-tier homunculus is impossible at your current level.
"True. Unless I get my hands on exceptional materials, it's still far beyond me."
For now, that is.
There was no need to rush or feel impatient.
"But there is a solution, isn't there?"
Si-mun turned toward a makeshift bed in the corner.
There, Lee Yu-jeong's unreleased goggle-type Arena Access Device lay.
-Well, it's a problem that'll solve itself once you grow stronger anyway.
"Plus, who knows? I might find rare materials in the Arena."
-That's true too. Crafting does rely heavily on materials, after all.
As he put on the goggles, the Philosopher's Stone, who had somehow sidled up next to him, asked:
-Speaking of materials... You're not thinking of jumping straight into a Special Arena, are you?
"Yep."
Si-mun nodded lightly.
"It's a shame I couldn't upgrade Paracelsus' Cylinder further, but my human transmutation stats have skyrocketed. My specs should be more than enough."
-I suppose. That should do the trick.
This Special Arena, featuring the Black Smeltery, should be manageable.
-Still, be careful. It is the Black Smeltery we're talking about.
"Got it."
-Oh! By the way, Oppa, aren't you taking Si-yeon with you?
"Si-yeon?"
The sudden mention of his "daughter" made Si-mun pause and lower the goggles.
"Why would I take Si-yeon?"
-It's the Black Smeltery. She's more useful than she looks. Do you know how much went into making her?
"That may be true, but..."
After a brief silence, Si-mun shook his head.
"No. I don't want to see Si-yeon fighting and getting hurt."
-Huh? No, but... um... well! When you were in the Special Match, Si-yeon got super excited. I heard it from the young master! Bang bang bang! Kuru-rung! That's what she did!
"I know. That's exactly why I can't take her."
What kind of place did he think the Black Smeltery was?
What kind of state would she end up in if he took her there?
-But, oppa.
"Enough. It's not like my stats are lacking. Unless it's a regular Arena, I have no intention of bringing Si-yeon along."
Having firmly drawn the line, Si-mun put his goggles back on.
-Hmm... Well, I get where you're coming from.
The Philosopher's Stone replied in an odd tone.
[Welcome to the Galaxy Arena.]
A familiar phrase.
Beneath it, messages flew in one after another.
[Due to your entry item, you are entering the Special Arena: 'Black Smeltery.']
[Entry item 'Slave Chain of the Black Smeltery' has been consumed.]
The entry item he had received from Dayna, the Dark Elf NPC from the 'Poisoned Supply Route' quest.
Beyond the message announcing its consumption—
Kuru-rung!
A dark sky, rumbling with thunder, unfolded before him.
"Quite the sight..."
It wasn't an empty remark.
Even from a considerable distance, the towering black-gray structure loomed like a mountain.
Carved straight out of the rock, the place looked more like a fortress than a smeltery.
And more than that.
'The temperature feels like midsummer night.'
Even from this far away, a warm heat radiated toward him.
But the closer he got to the Black Smeltery,
this warmth would undoubtedly turn into a cruel, scorching blaze.
A fortress-like landscape, as if plucked straight from one of hell's domains.
As Si-mun took in the sight of the Black Smeltery, his eyes swept over his surroundings.
'I'd like to move right away, but... I should talk to the viewers first.'
Having just finished the Special Match,
it would be a bit much to dive straight into the Arena as usual.
Si-mun opened the chat window, which was incessantly flashing in the corner of his vision.
-Bang bang! Open the door!
-Ooooh! He's here!
-The hero of Korea!! Kim Si-mun..., cheering you on with~ my fellow~ peers~!
-Bro! Did you see the news? The whole world's going crazy!
-Kyahaha! National pride surging through me!
-Si-ha~!
The chat scrolled up in a flurry.
And then.
[I Am Gold has donated 10,000 AP.]
=Bro! You killed it in the Special Match. My underwear didn't survive.
[PossibleChung has donated 50,000 AP.]
=Haaaang! Freaking insane!
[DeepSeaSlayer has donated...]
A line of donations followed.
-Huh? Gold and Possible are back after so long lol.
-Welcome back, Possible~.
-Good to see you, Possible~!
"Thank you for the donations. Seems like everyone's been saving up AP. The amounts are bigger than before."
-It's all thanks to you, bro. Everyone made bank on the reverse bets lol.
-Facts. Doubt there's any traitorous betters left in this chat.
-Shut it.
Si-mun exchanged a few words with the viewers before preparing to start the Arena.
That was, until message windows began popping up one after another before his eyes.
[Achievement 'Surpass 700,000 Viewers' has been accomplished.]
[7,000 Achievement Points have been acquired.]
[Achievement 'Surpass 1,000,000 Viewers' has been accomplished.]
[10,000 Achievement Points have been acquired.]
Si-mun's eyes widened.
And for good reason.
'A m-million?! All of a sudden?!'
First 700,000, and now, in the blink of an eye, he'd surpassed a million viewers?
Though he'd earned 17,000 Achievement Points, right now, the viewer count interested him more than the rewards.
Si-mun hurriedly checked the numbers.
"Holy...!"
His jaw dropped.
-?? What's with him all of a sudden?
-Wtf.
-Ah! I think he just checked his viewer count?
-Huh? What? It's over a million?
-For real? No way! A mere fledgling stream hitting a million viewers?
The reason was simple.
[1,151,271 viewers currently watching.]
Even after breaking a million,
[1,241,278 viewers currently watching.]
[1,378,412 viewers currently...]
The number kept climbing without pause.