Chapter 172
Chapter 172
Chapter 172: One Arrow, Two Birds (5)
Translation: godtl
Creak.
Familiar mechanical noises reached his ears.
"You go here! You go like this!"
Not far away, Si-yeon was diligently moving the golems about.
Chin resting on his hand.
Kim Si-mun, who had been blankly watching Si-yeon's efforts, felt a presence approach.
-Oppa. Are you okay?
The Philosopher's Stone within the flask floated closer.
Si-mun gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged.
-Liar.
The Philosopher's Stone's eyes grew hazy.
"I'm fine."
-Fine my foot. Who sits frozen like that for hours if they're fine?
"It's just... Now that I've confirmed the truth about that day, I feel a bit dazed."
Si-mun continued staring vacantly at Si-yeon, who was energetically conducting her rhythmic movements.
So the culprit behind that incident ten years ago was Chairman Lee Sun-cheol after all.
But why?
That particular question didn't even arise.
He probably found Yeong-hui Eomoni irritating. Ten years ago would've been her prime.
Do-hu Lee Yeong-hui.
A first-generation ranker globally recognized as a combat-class player.
But that wasn't all.
Seongsam Bio, Arena access devices—
She pioneered numerous Arena-related industries in Korea, building Seongsam into what it is today.
A perfect blend of player and executive.
Naturally, Chairman Lee Sun-cheol, who had a poor relationship with his own daughter, must have found her particularly grating.
I already heard some of this from Lin, and with Kim Jong-jun's confession video, it's not exactly shocking that Chairman Lee Sun-cheol is the culprit...
Si-mun's eyes narrowed slightly.
Even though he'd long suspected the truth about the incident from ten years ago, now that the real perpetrator was confirmed—
His chest felt uncomfortably tight.
The reason was simple.
Why did Uncle try to guarantee my safety?
Kim Mu-yeol, his uncle who had something of a partnership with Chairman Lee Sun-cheol.
He certainly wasn't the mastermind behind the terror attack—
But the fact that he'd tried to protect Si-mun's safety was what bothered him.
I honestly thought he might have orchestrated the attack together with Chairman Lee Sun-cheol...
But instead, he tried to save me?
A completely unexpected twist.
What was even more absurd—
He didn't give a damn whether Si-hyeok lived or died.
He hadn't demanded any guarantees for Si-hyeok's safety.
Well, that part wasn't hard to understand.
For an uncle who despised the family's legitimate heir, Si-hyeok's existence must have been a thorn in his side.
But still.
Why the hell did he want to keep me alive?
It wasn't just about letting me live, either.
He went a step further—
He tried to secure my safety from Desperado, even offering illegal entry as a bargaining chip.
Why?
Si-mun's gaze deepened.
Right... Now that I think about it, that bastard who gave me Mana Block was acting weird too.
The masked terrorist who had tried to attack his two younger siblings.
And Si-mun himself, who had taken the killing move meant for them.
At the time, the pain had been so overwhelming that he couldn't properly observe the terrorist's reaction, but—
Fuck, fuck! Why did this bastard take the hit?!
He distinctly remembered the terrorist swearing in a panicked voice.
As if Si-mun getting hurt was somehow problematic.
Looking back now, Uncle definitely demanded my safety.
There's no other explanation.
Why else would a guy who had no hesitation attacking kids panic just because someone else took the hit?
Lost in these thoughts, Si-mun was abruptly pulled back by—
-See? You should've just used Death Eye to find out back then.
A cheerful voice snapped him out of it.
-Oppa's Dragon Power stat must be over 100 by now. You could've forced a confession.
"I was going to, but..."
Si-mun smiled bitterly and ran a hand through his hair.
"I just had a feeling I shouldn't dig any deeper."
Hmm. I see. You're worried the current dynamic might collapse, aren't you?
"Yeah."
Si-mun nodded.
"Uncle needs to keep working as Association President exactly as he is now, following my lead."
Keeping Kim Mu-yeol in the position of Association President was solely for maintaining the Association's influence in politics, finance, and other sectors—
To ensure all those tedious, complicated matters could be handled smoothly.
Right.
To put it bluntly, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was a tool for dealing with dirty, troublesome work.
But—
If you found out why the Association President demanded your safety... you think your feelings toward him might waver, don't you?
At the remark that pierced straight through his emotions,
Si-mun responded with a bitter smile instead of words.
I get it. Our Oppa's heart is a little soft, isn't it?
The Philosopher's Stone nodded knowingly, as if she understood him all too well.
Oppa has a tendency to get swept away when someone shows him even a little kindness. It's better not to hear it at all.
"Hyun-ah. You've got the wrong idea. I'm not that easy."
Nyeh nyeh~. Sure, sure! Let's just say that! Being kind isn't a crime, after all.
"Hey."
The Philosopher's Stone shrugged her mechanical arm mischievously before turning back to the workbench.
Anyway, you did well. Oppa, think back to Kim Mu-yeol from your past life. If your heart softens, we're in big trouble.
With those words, she headed toward the workbench.
Si-mun let out a quiet chuckle.
'Right. If I think about Uncle from my past life... this is the right call.'
Kim Mu-yeol, who had become a slave to the Continent Guild due to the Dragon Power of the DS.
Hadn't he stubbornly played the role of their lackey, even as he was branded a traitor?
And hadn't he targeted Si-hyeok under Jong-ri Chu's orders?
'It's already enough that I pulled Uncle out of that hellish future.'
There was no need to get any closer.
Nor any reason to distance himself further.
The current dynamic between him and his uncle was just right.
As Si-mun shook off his thoughts and stood up—
Sluurrk.
A soft, silken sensation coiled around his finger.
Si-mun lifted his right hand.
'Ah, right. I forgot about this.'
A thin, delicate ring woven from dark violet thread.
If not for its color, it would have been hard to believe it was even there—so fine and transparent it seemed almost unreal.
'The ring I got as a reward for capturing Dr. Choi Woo-seok.'
True to his promise of a reward for catching Choi Woo-seok,
The Weaver of the Boundary had gifted him this ring—spun from the same spider-silk as the bracelet he'd given before.
Si-mun examined the thread ring coiled around his pinky, turning it this way and that.
But no matter how much he looked—
"Still no info window."
Unlike other Arena items, no information window appeared.
'Come to think of it, the DS Seo Wi-ryong brought was the same.'
It was a trait of items not officially permitted within the Galaxy Arena.
Not that it hindered their use in any way.
After all, when the Weaver of the Boundary had handed him the thread ring—
'He said I could expend this to summon one of his familiars for a limited time, right?'
He'd explained its function and abilities in full.
'A familiar given as a reward... Just how strong is it?'
Oppressed by the Black Goat or not,
The Weaver of the Boundary was an existence whose mere presence could reduce an upper-level Dragonkin to minced meat.
A familiar of such a being was undoubtedly no ordinary entity.
Moreover—
'Now that I've surpassed Level 100, Paracelsus' Cylinder has grown too.'
Si-mun's gaze shifted to Paracelsus' Cylinder attached to his left arm.
[Paracelsus' Cylinder]
Grade: (Old) Mythic
A creation of Paracelsus, the lost god of alchemy.
It contains transmutation circles, allowing them to be manifested at will.
The options vary depending on the wearer's level.
The original capacity of three Transmutation Circles had increased to four.
And just as the Philosopher's Stone had foretold, Dual Manifestation had now become possible.
'With this, I can summon roughly 400 Demonic Beasts.'
Since each Demonic Beast Summoning Circle could call forth 100 beasts.
On top of that—
'The Dragon Emperor's Relic used by those three Upper-level Dragonkin. I gained 10 Dragon Power from it.'
Since Dragon Power was a Bound Stat,
the 10 Dragon Power naturally converted into 5 Transmutation Power.
Thus, his pure Transmutation Power alone now stood at a staggering 207.
'Adding the +5 from the Kings' Pick, the total Transmutation Power becomes 212. If I use this to summon Golems as well...'
If he focused solely on quantity, he could transmute up to 50 Golems.
Combined with the earlier Demonic Beasts, he could command a total of 450 summons.
Having thought this far, Si-mun let out a hollow laugh.
"Well... I wouldn't be out of place calling myself a Summoner at this point."
He might even be able to rival Necromancers, who boasted the highest summoning numbers in their field.
Yet Si-mun's expression remained far from bright.
'But in the end, they're just summons. If I face enemies stronger than myself, I'll be helplessly crushed.'
Just like those three Upper-level Dragonkin he'd encountered on Silmi Island.
'The Demonic Beasts I can summon now are only mid-tier. Against Upper-level Dragonkin or stronger, they'd be meaningless.'
Therefore—
"Guess there's no choice but to level up..."
The most fundamental growth method.
There was no other way but to improve his own specs.
"Well, I'll have to keep grinding the Arena anyway."
Rising from his seat, Si-mun checked his accumulated Achievement Points.
'27,000 points...'
Even after spending 10,000 points on the World Tree Seed Fragment earlier,
a considerable amount of Achievement Points remained.
Si-mun glanced down at his chest.
"Hyun-ah."
It wasn't the flask working in the distance, but the Philosopher's Stone within his chest that responded.
"Last time, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's 4th Star required 20,000 Achievement Points, right?"
"Yeah. I don't have anywhere else to spend the points right now, and my Demonic Energy stat is already over 100."
As expected of a Constellation's martial art, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art demanded an enormous amount of Demonic Energy.
Especially—
"Right."
Among the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's techniques, the Wave Form, with its high Demonic Energy consumption, was the main feature of this 4th Star upgrade.
As the Philosopher's Stone spoke—
[Insufficient Transmutation Power to fulfill the required transmutation.]
[The Philosopher's Stone will compensate for the lack of Equivalent Exchange by requesting 20,000 Achievement Points.]
[Do you accept? (Yes / No)]
A familiar message window appeared.
Without hesitation, Si-mun selected "Yes" and flicked his finger.
Snap.
Sssss—
Dark Demonic Energy gathered before—
Flutter.
—coalescing into a single aged sheet of paper, floating before Si-mun.
Carefully, he grasped it and pressed it against his chest.
Slither.
Like melting snow, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art seeped into his body.
Then—
Huuuuum!
Mana rapidly expanded outward from the Philosopher's Stone.
Si-mun swiftly crossed his legs and continued circulating his energy.
About thirty minutes passed like this.
"Haa..."
Exhaling deeply, Si-mun opened his eyes.
His once clear and bright pupils now seethed like black ink, but that was all.
"Good."
With a short but satisfied reply, he didn't bother hiding the smile that naturally formed.
'Before Uncle contacts me... I should run a few Arenas.'
Si-mun put on his goggle-type Arena Access Device.
[Welcome to the Galaxy Arena.]
[The arena mode for this match is 'Siege Warfare,' with 200 participants.]
[The arena will begin once all players have appeared.]
A familiar message window greeted Si-mun.
"Hoh? Siege Warfare, huh?"
The mode in particular—Siege Warfare—unusually caught Si-mun's attention.
And for good reason.
'200 players isn't exactly large-scale, but it's still one of the biggest team battles you'll see in Platinum.'
Above all else.
'The rewards for Siege Warfare are substantial.'
As befitting one of the arena's rare large-scale modes,
the rewards for Siege Warfare were quite juicy.
'Especially the EXP portion, I mean.'
It was the complete opposite of the stingy EXP gains from Promotion Matches, you could say.
He was already feeling the frustration from the suddenly inflated EXP requirements as it was.
By now, he'd reached a point where only explosive leveling would suffice.
Perhaps he wasn't the only one thinking this way.
"Whoa. Siege Warfare?"
"Jackpot! This is my first time in one!"
"I've only done it once before. Back then, I leveled up like ten times at once!"
The moment they were matched, players burst out in exclamations.
Some were even in parties, murmuring among themselves about Siege Warfare.
Then—
"Huh? It's Kim Si-mun!"
"Kim Si-mun? Where?"
"No way—it's really him!"
The gazes of the matched players instantly converged on Si-mun.
"Kim Si-mun's Magic Class, right? This arena's gonna be a cakewalk for him."
"Finally matched with him, and it had to be Siege Warfare!"
"Be glad it's not Survival. At least here, there's a 50% chance we'll be on the same team."
"Ah! Please let me be on his team! Please!"
The stares of over seventy people—
especially the desperate, pleading looks from those hoping to be on his team—were almost enough to make him uncomfortable.
But...
'People are gathering steadily.'
Si-mun remained perfectly composed, brushing off their gazes without a second thought.
'I should turn on the stream.'
Si-mun opened Arenia.
Bam bam! The door op— Oh! It's open!
Sigh~.
Finally here. It's been days;-;
Bro! You alive? You good?
He's fine, stop overreacting lol
The chat flooded in the moment the stream went live—
viewers who'd been waiting all along.
Si-mun tilted his head as he skimmed the messages.
'I did take a while to stream again since I had to go from Cheorwon to Silmi Island... but why is everyone reacting like this?'
It was true he hadn't streamed in a while due to his recent travels,
but the chat treating him like he was on death's doorstep was baffling.
It didn't take long for him to understand why.
[IamTheBest has donated 10,000 AP.]
=Knew you'd be fine, bro!
[HeavenlyBlade has donated 40,000 AP.]
=Desperado's full-on insane. If anything seems off, report it ASAP.
[FingerCouncilRep has donated 100,000 AP.]
=Mr. Si-mun. Our Finger Council petitions the Association daily for your protection. Please rest assured.
'Ah. It's because of Desperado.'
From sums in the millions to over a hundred million won,
donation messages concerning his safety poured in one after another.
'Well, not that it's surprising.'
They were the kind of guys who'd even terrorized the White House before.
Given that he'd clashed with a member of such a Villain organization,
their concern wasn't entirely unwarranted.
And having people worry about him was always a pleasant feeling.
"Haha! Thank you all for your concern. I'm always careful, so no need to worry too much."
Si-mun responded with a warm smile.
Holy... look at that face.
Hnnng!
Is this... visual ecstasy?
[PossibleChad has donated 20,000 AP.]
=Absolute fucking legend.
Possible's here lol
Just as the chat erupted into chaos again—
[All participants have been matched.]
The message announcing the arena's start floated before Si-mun.
But what followed wasn't exactly welcome.
[Player Kim Si-mun cannot be fully matched even with the current MMR pool.]
[To ensure a fair arena, Siege Warfare's player distribution will be adjusted.]
Then—
Poof.
One by one, the surrounding players began vanishing into light.
At a terrifying speed, the players disappeared until finally—
"Wha—?!"
"N-no way...!"
"This can't be... right? This isn't how Siege Warfare works...?"
Only ten players remained—Si-mun among them.