Chapter 122
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Shadow Bone Armor
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Spellcraft Department Main Building.
Robert Perry's voice echoed through the classroom where Barrier Composition was taught.
"If other techniques unfold mental images into reality, barriers fix them in place. Only by understanding this difference can you construct more advanced barriers..."
Tedious theory poured from Robert's mouth, and as Lee Se-hun listened, he mulled over last night's events.
'Namhwa-dong...'
The Vermilion Bird's eyes—three pairs, only six in the entire world. A legendary-grade item, and considering its rarity and effects, an incredible material. That made it all the more suspicious.
'They used that as bait.'
Nothing less than a legendary-grade material as bait.
Most people would be shocked, but to Lee Se-hun, it wasn't that surprising.
During the war with the Myriad Demons' Mire before his regression, he'd used legendary-grade materials as one-offs more than once or twice.
'Because killing a big shot that way would yield another legendary-grade material.'
It wasn't like he didn't feel the waste, but the situation didn't allow for sparing them, and the returns justified it, so he'd used them without hesitation.
But the Dream Demon's attitude this time was a bit different.
'The transporter, Amir, is barely B-rank. The so-called escorts were three A-ranks at most, mostly B-ranks.'
Far too lax for transporting a legendary-grade material. And what stood out most was that the Dream Demon hadn't cared at all even after the item was stolen.
'It's not about luring and catching the enemy... They deliberately let it get stolen to uncover their identity.'
So, who did the Dream Demon assume the culprit was, to throw around a legendary-grade material so freely?
Lee Se-hun recalled the words that had elicited reactions during his conversation with the Dream Demon.
'Proficient in spatial magic. Crazy enough or powerful enough to raid the Ten Evils. And possibly connected to 'Offering.'
Did anyone fit that description? Without much trouble, two names came to mind.
'Ludwig... and Kim In-cheol?'
The authority on spatial magic, a Summit Climber who feared neither the Ten Evils. And the blacksmith rumored to have ties to the Observer in the past.
The latter was only confirmed through Dream Demon accounts, so it wasn't certain, but the former matched no one but Ludwig.
'In other words, the Dream Demon thought Ludwig would attack them...'
Before his regression, Ludwig—like most Summit Climbers—had been indifferent to worldly affairs, focused only on running Babel.
The Myriad Demons' Mire knew this too, so they avoided provoking him, resulting in almost no clashes with the Ten Evils.
But if the Dream Demon was wary of Ludwig, it meant that unspoken understanding from before the regression had effectively broken down.
'This might be my fault.'
Destroying the 'Molting' lab hidden in Silver Moon Mountain, attacking the puppeteer after the Black Lotus flood, and now raiding the Dream Demon to steal their item.
He was mostly the cause, but from the outside, it looked like Ludwig was showing hostility toward the Myriad Demons' Mire.
'Things just got complicated.'
The Ten Evils might fall short of Summit Climbers, but that didn't mean victory was guaranteed.
And Ludwig wouldn't need to target individuals directly; striking Babel would suffice as retaliation. Realizing this, Lee Se-hun's eyes narrowed.
'A bit risky, but if I prepare properly...'
This could be a chance to deal a major blow to the Ten Evils.
With that thought, he recalled what he needed to do first.
'Check if Kim In-cheol's involved this time, absorb the Pure Land Stone to gain my third attribute mana, and figure out how to use the Namhwa-dong...'
As tasks piled up in his mind by priority, the bell rang, and Robert wrapped up.
"That's it for today. Do your assignments without fail. There's a Magic Engineering Expo at Borsippa's exhibition hall next weekend, so if you're interested in barrier tools, check it out. Dismissed."
Robert left a brief message and exited first. Hearing this, Lee Se-hun looked intrigued.
'Magic Engineering Expo... Perfect event for sneaking something in from outside.'
Babel wasn't that sloppy, but with the Ten Evils on alert, extra caution couldn't hurt.
As his attention shifted there—
Tug tug.
His sleeve pulled to the left. Turning, he met Erika's blank stare.
"..."
Her expression protested as if asking what he'd forgotten. Only then did Lee Se-hun remember.
'Oh, right.'
He'd promised to make it this time, nearly delaying again. Clearing his throat, he asked,
"Ahem. Next class? If not, let's make your armament..."
"None. Let's go."
Erika stood as if she'd been waiting. Seeing her urgency, Lee Se-hun chuckled lightly and rose.
"Then let's buy materials first."
"Okay."
As they exited, cadets waiting at the entrance—Erika's underlings—rushed up.
"Miss! Next class... you don't have one, right? We'll head out first!"
They spoke energetically, then paled and fled. Lee Se-hun glanced at Erika.
"What's that about?"
Her face was perfectly neutral, as if nothing happened. He gave a wry smile.
"Never mind. Let's hurry."
She wasn't showing it, but she was clearly pissed.
Thinking he needed to fix this quickly, Lee Se-hun headed straight to Borsippa's shopping district with her.
"Where to buy?"
"Got a recommendation before. Heading there."
Recalling the shop from Rebecca during his visit to Lea, Lee Se-hun veered into an alley.
Deeper in, amid dingy shops that barely seemed operational, he found his target at a dead end.
[Alipes Wholesale]
A shop piled with junk outside.
It looked messy, but the atmosphere gave off a mystical vibe.
"Let's go in."
"Okay."
Inside, Lee Se-hun scanned the place.
Unrefined ores, dented armaments, unidentified powders and trinkets scattered on shelves—like a dump, not a store.
'What a concept...'
As he stared in disbelief—
"Hmm. Celebrities visiting."
The old man at the counter glanced up from his newspaper.
A black man with wave tattoos on his face and neck. Elderly, slight build, but his eyes and demeanor spoke of experience—he wasn't to be underestimated.
"As you see, just junk here. For something special, go right alley from here to Teris's wholesale."
He spoke flatly and returned to his paper. Lee Se-hun replied,
"Professor Rebecca recommended you."
"...Figured as much, but to think she'd send cadets."
The old man chuckled dryly, folded his paper, and stood.
"Follow me."
Navigating junk, they went deeper. He pulled a decorative cord on the wall.
Swish.
The wall parted like curtains.
He stepped into the dim interior; Lee Se-hun and Erika followed.
Whoosh.
A spatial shift, and a new scene unfolded. Lee Se-hun was impressed.
'Not bad.'
Unlike the messy exterior, it was neatly organized.
Rare materials filled sections—hard-to-find stuff aplenty.
"Browse. If missing, come out for custom order."
The old man left briefly. Erika looked intrigued.
"This is a 'Mercator' branch."
"Yeah."
A VIP wholesale guild selling only to the renowned, powerful, and skilled.
Membership-based, needing top referrals—strict entry. Thanks to Rebecca, easy access.
'Before regression, only after meeting Master.'
Feeling his rapid growth anew, Lee Se-hun turned to Erika.
"I'll list 'em; grab what you see."
"Got it."
They selected, filling four boxes, then exited.
"Payment..."
"Use this."
Erika handed over her card before he could respond. Black with gold foil—the old man grinned.
"Unlimited card... Good friend you got."
He tapped the calculator, swiped, and returned it.
"First visit, 10% off. Come again."
After paying, Lee Se-hun pocketed the boxes in sub-space and asked,
"How much?"
"Dunno. No alert, so pocket change."
"..."
Even roughly, billions—pocket change?
His balance was solid too, but her mindset was dizzying.
'Well, she burned cash like nobody's business at the exchange meet...'
As he thought getting closer to her might be fine—
"Where to make it?"
"Where for crafting?"
"Anywhere without eyes..."
"My dorm then."
Casual invite. Another might hesitate, but after a moment, he nodded.
"Sounds good. Lead on."
Whatever her intent, it revealed her character.
They walked silently into Ur Dormitory.
"Uh... huh?"
"Wait a..."
Cadets gawked as they walked side-by-side upstairs. Some approached startled.
"Miss! Jus... passing through!"
They brushed past casually. Observing, Lee Se-hun eyed Erika again.
"What's with them?"
Utterly normal face. He stroked his chin.
"Show me the look you gave them."
"This is it."
"Seemed fiercer."
"Nope."
Definitely glared murderously, yet denying it.
He smirked and followed to her top-floor room.
"Hmm..."
Immaculately tidy.
Not Jake's obsessive clean, but spotless.
'And loaded with stuff.'
Subtle barriers lined the entry hall to living room—fortress-like.
As he surveyed, Erika explained calmly,
"Targeted outside sometimes. Precaution."
"Makes sense. Your family's status."
Prestige bred enemies and rivals.
Erika normal; Jake negligent.
"Drink?"
"Nah. Let's start."
They sat opposite on the sofa. Erika asked,
"Need anything?"
"Call your crow. Better to watch."
"Okay."
She glanced aside; a door creaked open.
"Caw."
The crow flew gracefully to the table. Watching, Lee Se-hun noted,
'Eye signals for seamless control—full mastery of her techniques.'
Testing her skill? Pondering her intent, he unpacked materials.
"Beginning."
Two types from Mercator: Shadow Matter, black ore like clumped shadows; and flying monster byproducts.
"Humming Shadow and Thunder Falcon bones. Storm Vulture feathers. Main materials."
Black-and-yellow bones, dull silver feathers—all potent with mana.
"Frame from bones, coat in Shadow Matter. You'll see how."
He drew White Light Dagger, carved bones, engraved runes.
Scrape scrape.
Fluid motions. Erika watched, asking,
"Blueprints?"
"In my head."
"No cross-check?"
"Wouldn't take commissions otherwise."
Hands never stopped; materials processed and lined up swiftly.
Finished prep, he assembled the frame seamlessly.
Click!
Bones interlocked perfectly; he infused verbal engravings between.
"<Transformation>, [Attribute Harmony], [Mana Conduction]..."
Hum.
Mana purified the frame. Confirmed, he affixed Storm Vulture feathers to wing bones.
Shhh!
Feathers aligned alive-like. Erika's eyes widened.
'Activated the materials...'
Two byproduct methods: reshape raw power, or recreate monster's living force.
Re-creation more efficient, but complex—mimicking bio-circuits was a headache, prone to inefficiency.
Terrifying for most, but Erika looked fascinated.
'Talent in bio-armaments too.'
As she watched intently, he attached all feathers, then raised Moon Shadow mana with Shadow Matter.
Drip.
It spread shadow-like, sleekly coating the frame.
Instant black exoskeleton. Inspecting, he called the watching crow.
"Here."
"Caw."
It hopped over; he mounted the exo on its back.
Crackle!
Shadow Matter molded to the body—wings, chest—bones snapping into place.
Crow's mana linked seamlessly.
A master blacksmith poured their ingenuity into this armament! The intricate interlocking structure is tricky to use but holds boundless potential once mastered.
Judgment Result: 'Shadow Bone Armor' Grade - Hero
Shadow Bone Armor 影骨裝甲
Grade: Hero | Quality: Medium
A special exoskeleton tailored for crows.
While mana circulates internally, it enhances flight and redirects impacts to feathers.
Special mana paths allow stored transformation.
• Flight enhanced during mana circulation.
• Redirects wearer impacts to feathers during mana circulation.
• Skill: 'Phantom Shadow Armor' usable.
Lee Se-hun glanced indifferently.
'Paid off the materials.'
Shadow Matter alone Hero-grade; others rare A-rank byproducts. Expected without half-assing.
Thoughts that'd enrage peers aside, he checked details.
'Perfect.'
Done inspecting, he turned to Erika.
"Finished. Check it."
"...Okay."
She beckoned the crow, examined exterior, then info window.
Subject 'Inoue Erika's' evaluation has increased.
Subject 'Inoue Erika's' Bond Stone has been created.
His eyes lit up.
'As expected. Human side doesn't matter much.'
If Erika valued holistic traits, this alone might fall short.
But she raised her eval right after confirming performance, creating Lv.2 Bond Stone.
Her criteria: pure blacksmith skill.
'Not bad focusing on ability, but... drier than pre-regression Ryu Eun-ha.'
Can someone compartmentalize that extremely? As he watched with mixed expression—
"Can I try?"
Erika asked intrigued.
"Sure. Know how?"
She nodded.
"Roughly. Watch."
Crow on hand, she headed to the balcony; he followed.
'Info says tricky, a bitch post-mastery... Curious her limit.'
Shadow Bone Armor: user-dependent effects—convenience ditched for potential.
All on Erika's prowess. Eager, he watched.
"Wind Draw"
⟨ 風引 ⟩
Hum.
Her whisper infused silver mana; the armor activated.
Shhh!
Wing exo expanded; silver mana formed massive wings.
Natural, unlike prior flat buffs. Satisfied, she flicked her wrist, sending the crow out.
Roooar—
Fierce winds trailed it.
Ominous air currents. Crow whipped by gales—impressive.
'She's good.'
Storm Vulture feathers adapted—potent for offense/defense. High completion for first try.
'Mastered, even more... Huh?'
As he praised inwardly, the crow U-turned, circling.
Winds followed, spiraling fiercely. His eyes widened.
'No way...'
Another step? Tough for first go.
The thought flashed—
"Mad Gale."
⟨ 狂風 ⟩
Armor reshaped: wings splayed wildly. Crow accelerated, silver storm forming.
Kaboom!
"Wh-what?!"
"Demon?!"
"Dunno!"
Savage storm shredding all. Winds raged to the balcony; panicked yells below.
Erika silently pointed at a nearby hill.
Boom!
Mad Gale pulverized it—trees ripped, massive gouge like a beast claw.
"..."
Stunned beyond expectations, as Erika turned slowly.
"Perfect."
She nodded, utterly satisfied.