Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Chapter 29: Special Arena (4)
Translation: godtl
'Who would've thought the [Powerless Mine Core] would be useful here.'
A Powerless Mine Core.
It only seemed special because the situation happened to align perfectly.
-No way, was that item meant to be used here?
-Shit! I've been throwing those away every time I got one!
In truth, Powerless Mine Cores were extremely common material items.
In other words, they were considered junk items.
-It's only useful here. It's meaningless to us.
-Yup. You can only use it if you have the entry item for this place.
-For real. But how does this guy always have the perfect items on hand?
-Just dumb luck. The Galaxy Arena's been pulling this crap forever.
Si-mun glanced at the chat window and nodded slightly.
'Yeah, this really was just my luck.'
Powerless Mine Core.
True to its name, it had lost its power.
Unless processed through special methods, it was worse than an F-rank material item—just another piece of junk.
But for those like Si-mun, who could perform such special processing, it was an item that could still be put to use.
If anything, it belonged to the category of mana stones.
'That's why I held onto it instead of discarding it, thinking I'd use it later...'
Who knew it'd be an item for the Special Arena?
Si-mun watched Marnel, who was tightly clutching the [Powerless Mine Core] in her small hands.
She kept turning the mine core over in her hands, examining it closely, before finally letting out a deep sigh.
"Benefactor, this is strangely similar to the mine cores used in the core section... but I don't think we can use this."
Si-mun responded in a tone that suggested he already knew the reason.
"Because the mine core has no mana, right?"
"Exactly. Well, not mana—earth power. Mine cores are crystallized earth power."
"Ohhh? Really?"
That was news to him.
Normally, [Powerless Mine Cores] were refined based on replenishing mana.
'Earth power? Then if I infuse it with energy related to the earth, I could unlock its true potential as a mine core.'
-WTF! It's not mana but earth power?
-Holy shit! The price is gonna skyrocket for a while lol.
-Si-mun-nim... are you really just giving this info away for free?!
The viewers seemed just as shocked, as chat notifications flashed nonstop.
But Si-mun felt no regret about revealing the mine core's secret.
'Because I'll gain even more.'
Wasn't this kind of intel exactly why Special Arena broadcasts were so popular?
Si-mun glanced at the viewer count.
[8,546 viewers]
The number, which had been around 2,000 at the start of the broadcast, had now surpassed 8,000.
Not only that, dozens of new viewers were pouring in every few seconds.
'In exchange for sharing information, I can earn various rewards from the broadcast and clear achievements.'
Moreover, having once been in those viewers' shoes in his past life,
Si-mun was already familiar with most intel from Special Arenas.
In other words—
'I have nothing to lose.'
Smiling faintly, Si-mun waited for the incoming donations.
Right on cue.
[I Am Gold has donated 2,000 AP.]
=Si-mun-nim... Thank you for sharing the info. T_T
[Abyssal Slayer has donated 10,000 AP.]
=Was saving up for gauntlets but just donated it all! Thx for the intel!
[Possibility Addict has donated 500 AP.]
=Bro! I'm really feeling the possibilities now!
[dlrjfclrpTdj has donated 700 AP...]
Donations poured in one after another.
From 10,000 AP down to 100 AP.
A flood of donations in varying amounts.
Calculating it all would surely amount to a significant sum.
But that wasn't all.
[Production Class Association has donated 100,000 AP.]
=Thank you for sharing the material item info. Please visit the Association sometime!
As expected, a major faction had appeared, sending both a donation and an invitation.
The Production Class Association had made their move.
Si-mun's eyes widened slightly at the amount.
'100,000 AP? That's bigger than I expected.'
Though he had anticipated their donation,
the figure of 100,000 AP was completely unexpected.
'Is a Mine Core really worth this much?'
Normally, even after purification, a [Powerless Mine Core] could only be used as a substitute for an E-rank mana stone.
Considering the Production Class Association's past sponsorship patterns,
information about a material item worth 100,000 AP should correspond to at least a C-rank or higher item.
Once his thoughts reached that point,
'I see.'
Kim Si-mun nodded.
'Someone from the Production Class Association must have been watching the stream in real time and verified it immediately.'
And they must have realized that a Powerless Mine Core could be transformed into a C-rank item, hence the notification.
[Achievement 'Receive 100,000 AP in Sponsorship' has been completed.]
[You have earned 500 Achievement Points.]
[Achievement 'Surpass 10,000 Viewers' has been completed.]
[You have earned 1,000 Achievement Points.]
A series of achievement windows lined up before Si-mun's eyes.
Among them, the phrase '10,000 viewers' made him check the viewer count in surprise.
[11,846 viewers currently watching.]
'What? It's already past ten thousand?'
Was it because of the information about the Powerless Mine Core?
Before he knew it, the number of viewers had easily surpassed ten thousand.
'As expected, the Special Arena really is something.'
The continuously rising viewer count was like a skyrocketing stock—hard to look away from.
'Get a grip, Kim Si-mun! You're still in the middle of the Arena.'
Shaking his head vigorously, Si-mun approached Marnel, who was slumped in despair.
Then, he placed his hand over the Powerless Mine Core she was clutching.
"Benefactor?"
"Marnel, there's still a chance."
"But Benefactor! With this Mine Core...!"
"I can fully restore it. Don't worry."
"R-really?"
Marnel stared at Si-mun with wide, startled rabbit eyes.
Restore a Powerless Mine Core?
But without further explanation, Si-mun simply said,
"Yeah. So, can you take care of that? To use the Mine Core, we'll need that device anyway."
He only pointed at the broken structure.
Marnel blinked her teary eyes, alternating between the broken structure and Si-mun, before—
"O-okay! The Earth Power Engine isn't completely destroyed, so I can at least repair it!"
She had already regained her usual bright demeanor and nodded energetically.
Clang! Clang!
While Marnel repaired the Earth Power Engine with a hammer and tools she'd procured from who-knows-where,
'Philosopher's Stone.'
Si-mun asked the Philosopher's Stone.
'You knew, didn't you? That the Powerless Mine Core operates on Earth Power, not mana.'
-Uh-huh! Of course. And don't ask why I didn't say anything. I was gonna tell you when you needed to use it!
'I'm not blaming you. I just had a feeling you'd know.'
The Philosopher's Stone knew everything about transmutation.
But judging by some of the things it said, it seemed to possess knowledge beyond just alchemy.
-Hehe! I told you, didn't I? I'm an intellectual girl.
'Yeah, yeah. Anyway, can this be restored?'
-Of course! If you use Transmutation Power to synthesize Earth Power and recharge it, it'll regain its original form in no time.
'Synthesize energy with Transmutation Power? That's possible?'
-Not all energies, but common ones like Earth Power are doable.
At that, Si-mun let out a dry laugh.
This might just—
'Turn that "Fingerémon" joke into reality.'
Shaking his head at the silly thought, Si-mun gathered his Transmutation Power.
'Then let's begin.'
-Uh-huh! Earth Power's structure is super simple! You'll get it in no time. Here!
Just as he had originally known,
Si-mun exhaled softly at the structure of Earth Power flowing into his mind.
'It really is the energy of the earth itself.'
Perhaps because it was energy?
He couldn't quite put it into words, but understanding Earth Power wasn't difficult at all.
Guided by that sensation, he channeled his Transmutation Power.
Huuuum...
The Powerless Mine Core in his hand began emitting a faint resonance.
Earth Power was starting to fill it.
Gradually, it took on a yellowish hue, then deepened into a rich color like a ripened fruit before the resonance ceased.
Si-mun immediately checked the information window.
[Mine Core]
Grade: C
A crystallized form of Earth Power. Possesses self-healing capabilities through dwarven engineering.
'Self-healing... So that's why they use it as a power source.'
In the dwarves' domain, minerals were akin to water sources.
It was an incredibly efficient energy source.
Si-mun approached Marnel, holding the revitalized Mine Core.
Though her small stature—even for a dwarf—made her seem more like a child.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Huff!"
As if to prove her dwarven heritage, she wielded a hammer twice the size of her hand as if it were a toy.
"Oh? Savior, is there something you need help with?"
Noticing Si-mun, Marnel wiped the sweat from her brow with a quick swipe.
Instead of answering, Si-mun raised the Mine Core, now glowing a vivid yellow.
"You've already fixed it?! Just wait a moment!"
Her face brightened instantly, and her movements became even faster.
Then—
KWA-KOOM!
"Done! Now all we have to do is insert the Mine Core!"
With a deafening clang, Marnel hopped down from the fully repaired Earth Power Engine, now restored to working order.
Watching her, Si-mun couldn't help but think:
"With strength like that, she could probably take on Drakan..."
"Huh?"
"Ah, never mind. Where should I put the Mine Core?"
"See that groove in the center? Slot it in there, and it'll automatically feed into the engine's core!"
Nodding, Si-mun immediately placed the Mine Core into the designated slot at the heart of the Earth Power Engine.
Rrrrrrr...
The interior must have been sloped, as the sound of rolling stones echoed from within.
The engine began to tremble faintly, then rattled like a boiling kettle.
Then—
HISSSSS!
A powerful burst of white steam erupted from the upper section of the engine.
Marnel's eyes sparkled as she bounced up and down excitedly.
"Thank goodness! It's working properly!"
No sooner had she spoken than—
GRRRRRRRR...
A massive tremor rippled outward from their location.
Given the intensity, the entire mine was likely shaking.
Then—
CLANK!
The main gate and surrounding walls shifted, revealing metallic objects jutting out from their surfaces.
"Those are..."
Si-mun's eyes widened.
"Cannons?"
"Defensive turrets, to be precise. This is a critical area housing the Earth Power Engine, after all."
"But I also see something like sawblades..."
"Close-range cutting devices for intruders the turrets can't handle. They're always installed in pairs with the turrets."
If Si-mun was reminded of an overenthusiastic engineer—or perhaps an engineering fangirl—he wasn't mistaken.
"And those are ultra-high-temperature blades! Even a tough troll would be sliced in one hit with—"
Marnel began rattling off explanations for defense mechanisms and technologies he hadn't even asked about.
The higher her pitch climbed, the more violently the Earth Power Engine vibrated.
"...and once all the defense systems here are fully activated! The entire mine's defenses will come online too!"
With a bright, cheerful smile, as if wrapping up a presentation—
Clap!
"They'll attack all unregistered individuals, got it?"
She finished with an enthusiastic round of applause.
Would the defense systems activate as flawlessly as she claimed?
SCREEEEEECH!
CRRRRRRK!
The agonized shrieks of what could only be dragonkin echoed through the mine's vast expanse.
Likely, the turrets and blades installed throughout the tunnels were already dismantling the intruders.
With those screams as the finale—
[You have cleared the Special Arena Nightmare of the Heated Mine in an unimaginable manner.]
[The fate determined by this Arena's clearance has drastically shifted.]
[Due to the aftermath of this clearance, all Abandoned Mine-related maps will be deleted from every Arena.]
The system notifications scrolled before Si-mun's eyes.
The most striking detail was the map deletion.
'The Abandoned Mine maps are being deleted?'
It made sense.
Even though Si-mun had lived until Earth's destruction—
He had never once experienced a map deletion.
Well, actually, there had been one instance.
'Wasn't it when Si-hyeok cleared that forest-related Special Arena?'
The notorious map 'The Withered Forest'.
This vast woodland was one of the worst maps, featuring not only inexplicably erratic weather patterns that defied common sense, but also corrupted spirits, beasts, elves, and other powerful monsters.
'Normally, getting matched there meant you were as good as dead.'
But his younger brother, one of the top players, had eventually eliminated the main targets—the Dragonkin and their source—wiping the 'The Withered Forest' map from existence entirely.
However, that had happened years after the regular Arenas had begun.
Now, even the regular Arenas hadn't started yet.
'But a map deletion already...? This feels a bit cheap.'
Si-mun sensed something unusual.
[The Galaxy Arena is convening an emergency meeting.]
[The Council requests a final decision regarding Player Kim Si-mun's longstanding case, using this incident as justification.]
[A majority of council members agree.]
[Upon clearing the next Arena, the results of the ongoing deliberations will be announced.]
The system displayed messages that only heightened his unease.
And that wasn't all.
[The Constellation Black Goat bursts into laughter:"Kyaha! Finally, my baby made something happen! Those damn reptiles must be foaming at the mouth!"]
[The Constellation Heavenly Demon expresses concern:"This isn't purely a matter for celebration. What if they make a move?"]
[The Constellation Black Goat sneers:"Those cowards? As if!"]
[The Constellation Zeus nods:"Indeed, those bugs who only rely on cheating wouldn't have the courage anyway."]
Three high-ranking Constellations were exchanging ominous words about this clearance.
[The Constellation Black Goat smiles eerily:"I wish they'd muster some courage. Then causality would be granted to us."]
[The Constellation Zeus and Heavenly Demon laugh cruelly:"That day would mark the end of the Dragon Realm.""Indeed. Huhu! Let's hope they go mad!"]
'Causality? Dragon Realm?'
Si-mun tilted his head at the incomprehensible terms, but he could be sure of two things:
'This incident might make me a target of the Dragon Emperor.'
And, because of this "causality" thing, they couldn't act freely.
Not that it didn't feel cheap, but that was beside the point.
'Anyway, I've already resolved to fight the Continent Guild and that crimson eyeball.'
Since he had already set his sights on formidable enemies, one more like the Dragon Emperor didn't bother him.
More importantly—
[The Constellation Black Goat licks her lips while looking at you:"This confirms it. This one has potential."]
[The Constellation Heavenly Demon smiles in satisfaction:"I agree. Huhu! I look forward to seeing him ripen."]
[The three Constellations express immense satisfaction with your performance.]
[The three Constellations donate 5,000 Achievement Points.]
'5,000 points!'
Financial therapy—no, it should be called "Achievement Point therapy"—the Constellations' sponsorship blew away even the slightest tension.
Then—
"Benefactor!!"
A frantic voice reached Si-mun's ears as he basked in contentment.
It was Marnel.
"Wh-what's happening? Your body...!"
Her face was distraught, unsure what to do, and Si-mun immediately grasped the situation.
'Even though the Arena ended, the situation hasn't stopped.'
Was this because it was a Special Arena? Unlike regular Arenas, the scenario continued progressing even after the Arena concluded.
Si-mun replied calmly,"It's nothing. Just returning to where I should be."
"That's...! No, no. I suppose that makes sense."
Marnel nodded with a self-deprecating expression.
The Benefactor's appearance had been as sudden as the Dragonkin's ambush. It wouldn't be strange if he suddenly vanished.
But—
'I'm a dwarf. Dwarves never forget their debts!'
The spirit ingrained in dwarven blood moved Marnel's lips.
"Still, Benefactor, please at least tell me your name."
Si-mun nodded and answered,"Si-mun. Kim Si-mun."
"Kim Si-mun..."
"Then, Marnel, take care."
Now barely visible, Si-mun disappeared with a final farewell.
Clank, clatter!
Only the Defense System's clamorous machinery echoed.
In this cold, hard place filled with nothing but steel—
"Kim Si-mun... Kim Si-mun..."
The twin-tailed girl repeated the name over and over.