Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Translation: godtl
"Well then, everyone, I'll be signing off now!"
-Nooo! Don't go!
-Today's stream was packed with great content!
-Thank you so much for the info, Si-mun.
-Shi~ba! (Not a curse, just saying goodbye.)
Leaving behind countless chat messages behind—
"Whew!"
Kim Si-mun removed his goggles and exhaled deeply as he straightened up.
'Having so many viewers makes it tough to respond to each comment individually.'
Coming from a background of being a viewer himself,
he had unconsciously tried to acknowledge every single greeting from the audience.
'Now I understand why streamers with more viewers pay less attention to the chat.'
Trolls and troublemakers?
After all he'd been through, they couldn't faze him.
But responding individually to this flood of messages was genuinely exhausting.
Well, it couldn't be helped.
'Who could've predicted peak viewership would hit 18,000...?'
When he checked the viewer count after clearing the Arena, the number had stunned him.
Even for a Special Arena, this was still just a Deep Sea Rank broadcast,
and considering information about the [Powerless Mine Core] only came out in the latter half, it was an astronomical number.
One.
'If anything, responding to each comment seems to be drawing even more viewers...'
Expectation and reality always differ.
After finishing the Arena,
dealing with such massive viewership in real time was incredibly taxing.
Therefore.
'Regrettably, I'll need to tone it down going forward. I should prepare sign-off BGM and backgrounds soon.'
Having resolved this, Si-mun quickly opened the system window he'd pushed to the corner of his vision.
[You have cleared the Special Arena 'Nightmare of the Heated Mine' in an unimaginable manner.]
[Achievement 'First Clear of Special Arena' unlocked.]
[1,000 Achievement Points acquired.]
[As this was cleared through an unanticipated method, rewards are being recalculated to match.]
[Please wait a moment.]
Si-mun's eyes slightly drooped as he read the message.
Aside from the achievement clear reward,
no other compensation had come through yet.
Still, it wasn't like they wouldn't give any rewards at all.
'An unimaginable manner?'
Si-mun calmly examined the system window.
'That phrasing suggests they never anticipated the intellect engine being restored...'
The corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile as he tapped the screen with his finger.
'So keeping Marnel alive was indeed the right choice.'
Special Arenas are designed to offer greater rewards the more of their predetermined clear conditions you fulfill.
But even the mighty Galaxy Arena
couldn't have predicted Silver Ranks would eliminate the Drakan so swiftly.
Naturally, they wouldn't have accounted for a scenario where Marnel the dwarf survived.
'Had Marnel not survived, we wouldn't have even known about the intellect engine's existence.'
The intended scenario was likely for entering Players to encounter freshly killed corpses and be traumatized.
That was probably the outcome the Galaxy Arena had envisioned.
Alternatively—
'Special Arenas might be outside their usual scope of arbitrary adjustments.'
This was a highly plausible theory.
Because if they'd disliked his clear method,
they would've intervened as they occasionally did in normal Arenas.
As if sensing Si-mun's thoughts—
-Honestly. Oppa, you have no awareness of your own capabilities.
A clear chime resonated from his chest.
It was the Philosopher's Stone.
"What do you mean?"
-Think about it. In this Arena, you didn't just achieve the predetermined outcome—you created an entirely new clear condition.
"So?"
-Wow! Listen to this guy!"So?" he says! How do you even perceive this clear, Oppa?
"Just... a creative clear, I guess?"
-See? You really lack self-awareness.
Was it exasperation?
The Philosopher's Stone let out a hollow laugh.
Si-mun immediately caught on.
"Philosopher's Stone, you know something about this Arena, don't you?"
-Of course. But I can't tell you.
"What? Why?"
-It's complicated because it's related to causality... Ouch! To put it simply, the moment I mention it, the other side benefits from the structure.
What an absurd answer.
But.
'Come to think of it, the Constellations mentioned causality too.'
Remembering the Constellations' earlier conversation, Si-mun nodded without further questions.
-By the way, you haven't received your reward yet, right?
"Yeah. They said it's being adjusted."
-You know... This clear is a much bigger deal than you think? So what I'm saying is...
The Philosopher's Stone trailed off.
Then it whispered in a sly voice.
-How about you demand your reward first?
"Me first?"
Si-mun's eyes widened.
How could they not?
The very idea of demanding a reward from the Galaxy Arena first was something he'd never even considered before.
Probably even those high-and-mighty celestial players up there hadn't tried it either.
-Yup. Normally it might be impossible, but you've achieved something now, haven't you?
"Listening to you..."
That actually makes sense?
He'd certainly never seen the Galaxy Arena make such a fuss in his past life either.
-Just throw it out there. They'll probably jump at it eagerly.
"You think so?"
-Absolutely! Right about now, they're definitely thinking,"Is this too little? Is this too much?" They're more tight-fisted than they look, those bastards.
At the Philosopher's Stone's words, Si-mun slowly nodded.
Definitely.
'If they're struggling this much with the reward, they might just grant my request.'
Seeing things from this new perspective, Si-mun wanted to make his demand to the Galaxy Arena immediately, but...
"Hmm..."
He changed direction, propping his chin on his hand.
The reason was simple.
"What should I ask for?"
After all, Si-mun didn't even know what the original reward for the Special Arena was.
Moreover, no matter how special it was, it was still just a Silver-rank Arena.
Even if he got greedy, he had no idea how much or to what extent he should push.
Then.
-No need to agonize. You know that thing, that thing.
"That thing?"
Si-mun tilted his head.
Then.
-We're in a mine anyway, and there's that thing we were originally supposed to use.
"Ah!"
Something seemed to click at the Philosopher's Stone's explanation.
Si-mun clapped his hands together.
'Now that I think about it, that was a thing.'
No need to agonize.
From an alchemist's perspective, it was a versatile item that could be used for everything.
Si-mun immediately looked at the system window before him and spoke.
"If the reward hasn't been decided yet, I'd like to request a specific reward."
[Adjustment temporarily paused.]
The system window responded as if it had been waiting.
'As the Philosopher's Stone said, they must have been really struggling with this.'
With a small smile, Si-mun answered immediately.
"I'd like mithril as my reward. After all, it's a mine map, and it was the entry item too, wasn't it?"
A brief silence fell.
A few seconds passed.
[Player Kim Si-mun's request has been accepted.]
The expected response came.
But.
[As the reward for this Special Arena...]
"Also."
Si-mun didn't stop there.
"I'd like the mithril to be provided in a refined form rather than ore. Preferably in bar form."
[Request accepted.]
'Clean and simple.'
Actually, requesting refined mithril was a bit of a gamble.
Fundamentally, the refining process for special ores like mithril was extremely tricky.
The process inevitably involved significant loss of pure mithril.
Naturally, a stable refining procedure was required, and the cost was far from negligible.
Well, it's not that difficult for me, though.
After all, it had been one of the ingredients for the Elixir.
In his previous life, despite being a Level 1 with Mana Disability, Si-mun had refined mithril entirely on his own.
Now, with the Philosopher's Stone in his possession, he could always burn through his Achievement Points if necessary.
[Special Arena 'Nightmare of the Heated Mine' rewards are being distributed.]
[The bound trait 'Philosopher's Stone' has received a portion of the experience points.]
[Level has increased by 10.]
[Philosopher's Stone Level has increased by 8.]
[Acquired 'Mithril Bar' as a clear reward.]
[Acquired 'Dragon Blood' as a clear reward.]
Messages scrolled up one after another.
Reading them, Si-mun's jaw dropped.
Even though my level was low, a 10-level jump in one go...?
And that was after splitting the experience with the Philosopher's Stone!
If I were a normal Player, this would've been at least 18 levels—maybe even close to 20.
Even considering it was a Special Arena, the numbers were staggering.
In all his past lives, Players who had experienced such an explosive level-up could literally be counted on one hand.
And on top of that—
Dragon Blood?!
Though not as valuable as mithril,
Dragon Blood was still a high-grade material with excellent mana conductivity—and he got it as a bonus!
"Heh heh!"
Si-mun grinned in satisfaction at the generous rewards.
Then, right by his ear—
-Oppa! Check the mithril bar right now! How do we know if these bastards messed with the purity, huh?!
The Philosopher's Stone's urgent voice rang out.
Si-mun's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Philosopher's Stone, you didn't ask for mithril just because you wanted to use it, did you?"
-Huh? Wha— Ohoho! Oppa, really! As if I'd do that!
"Really? I don't have any immediate use for mithril right now."
-Tch! It's all for the future! Listen, listen—
Did the Philosopher's Stone know?
-Mithril is so versatile! From alchemy support to tools, boosting, and even golems once you hit Platinum! You can use it for anything!
Since it resided within Si-mun's heart, even the slightest tremor of the Philosopher's Stone's excitement was palpable to him.
So its true intentions were crystal clear—but still,
"Well, mithril is practically a universal ingredient in alchemy."
-R-right? Exactly! Just wait. You'll never regret listening to me.
"Yeah, yeah."
Si-mun decided to let it slide.
After all, he hadn't been able to think of a better reward anyway.
It was prepared for me, after all.
Even the Philosopher's Stone's obsession with mithril was ultimately for his sake, wasn't it?
-Oh my! Look at this color! 100% purity, no doubt, 100%!
And then—
-Ugh! If I had a tongue, I'd lick this thing until it withered away...!
Si-mun, who had taken the mithril bar out of his inventory, made a conscious effort to control his mind.
"What do you mean, disappeared? Suddenly?"
Like that of a tiger,
A deep, thunderous voice resonated, thick enough to tense muscles just by hearing it.
The voice was laced with fury, brimming with menace.
-That's... We truly don't know the cause either! Half the dwarves working suddenly vanished—
CRASH.
A massive orb—
No, the Communication Orb linking to the lower-level smeltery—was shattered by the man as he exhaled roughly.
Whoosh.
His massive frame matched his ragged breath, sending fragments of the destroyed orb scattering in all directions.
His temper demanded he throw a few more punches somewhere, but—
"My, my~ Sargas, your temper hasn't changed a bit."
At the unpleasantly sticky voice, Sargas lowered his fist and instead bowed in courtesy.
"...What brings you to such a humble place, Lady Defina?"
Contrary to his words,
Sargas looked at the woman who had called his name with eyes brimming with discomfort.
Given his muscular, hulking frame and menacing face,
it was a situation where most women would have been terrified—
"Fufu, you don't seem very welcoming, do you? Well, I suppose that's natural, given the trouble that's arisen."
Defina merely laughed with effortless ease.
"It's not a matter worthy of your esteemed attention."
"My, my, 'not worthy of attention,' you say? Wasn't that report just now about the Black Smeltery?"
"Lady Defina. The Black Smeltery is under my jurisdiction, and I serve the Third Dragon Emperor."
"And the Black Smeltery is Lord Nidhogg's property. Have you forgotten?"
At those words, Sargas' square jaw clenched tight.
Defina swayed her dark hair and waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't be so tense. Do you think I came here because I wanted to?"
Sargas' stern eyes twitched.
As she said—
'That cunning wench wouldn't come here without a reason.'
This was even more certain when he recalled that Defina was the Fifth Dragon Emperor Nidhogg's messenger.
Before her noble status as a Dragon,
a messenger conveying a Dragon Emperor's will never acted without purpose.
Which meant—
"Don't tell me! The Dragon Emperors already...?"
"Indeed. They are fully aware of the Black Smeltery's troubles."
Sargas' eyes widened.
His other eye, hidden behind an eyepatch, likely did the same.
How could it not?
'The dwarves only just disappeared—I just received the report...'
How could the Dragon Emperors have noticed and sent a messenger already?
"Sargas. You're a Squama One, yet you still don't understand them?"
As if savoring Sargas' shocked expression,
Defina, who had been smirking, stretched her hand toward the floor.
Then—
Whoosh.
As though time was rewinding,
the shattered fragments of the communication orb, reduced to dust and swirling in the air, instantly restored to their original form.
"Nothing escapes the Dragon Emperors' notice. It's only natural for beings who have reached the realm of gods."
Sargas nodded silently.
Unless they truly possessed the power of foresight,
there was no way Nidhogg's messenger would have arrived at this precise moment otherwise.
"The Dragon Emperors are displeased with the current situation. Lord Nidhogg in particular is deeply vexed that such an incident occurred within his own domain."
Sargas' thick Adam's apple bobbed.
It was an expected reaction for anyone familiar with Dragon Emperor Nidhogg's temperament.
"Fufu, why so tense? None of this is your fault, is it?"
In other words,
it was a warning that he would be held accountable for what was to come.
Mocking Sargas' contorted expression,
Defina tossed the restored communication orb back to him.
"Don't look so grim. Someone else has been assigned to handle the root of this incident. Consider yourself lucky."
"Someone else?"
"Indeed. So all you, the facility manager, need to do is replenish the missing dwarves."
Defina retrieved a small orb from her sleeve.
Inside it, what appeared to be a shrunken terrain was densely packed.
"Here—a list of likely locations where the missing dwarves might be."
Sargas frowned as he examined the small orb.
"There are more than I expected."
"What can I say? Digging escape tunnels everywhere is in the nature of those little earth-rats."
"Still, with Lady Defina narrowing it down like this, it shouldn't take too long."
"It had better not. Request additional forces if needed."
Having seemingly delivered all she came to say,
Defina lazily waved her hand and turned to leave.
"Will you not be joining us, Lady Defina?"
"What, will you miss me? Alas, I can't help it. There are others I must meet besides you."
"The 'someone else' you mentioned earlier?"
"Indeed. It just so happens the source of this incident belongs to a district currently under operation."
Defina's red lips curled slightly as she licked them.
"Suddenly, things are falling into place quite nicely."