Chapter 93
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Raven Reinforcement
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“Hoo...”
After finishing the intermediate refining session with Ryu Eun-ha, Lee Se-hun returned to his dorm, took a quick shower, changed clothes, and flopped onto his bed.
“Did I overdo it a bit...?”
He had originally planned just to do some light polishing, but Ryu Eun-ha seemed to be getting really into it, so before he knew it, he'd gone all out and even tapped into his attribute mana to treat her right.
A languid heaviness throughout his body contrasted with his unusually sharp mind. In this awkward in-between state where moving or resting both felt off, Lee Se-hun decided to check his condition for the first time in a while.
Unique Skill:‘Blacksmith of Bonds’
Attribute Mana:Crimson Flame (D+), Moon Shadow (D+)
Skills:Heavenly Insect Sword (S), Spirit Link Divine Magic (S), Dream Storage (A), Projection (A), Dual Kill Technique (A), Flame Artisan (C), Word Enchantment: Grant (C), Awakening Dream (C), Black Spirit Thread (D)
“Hmm... not bad...”
His physical stats were still around Babel's average, but his attribute mana and skill lineup had grown considerably.
Especially notable were the new skills he'd never picked up before his regression. As he skimmed through their details, Lee Se-hun stroked his chin.
‘It's great to have techniques I never learned before, but... they feel a bit disorganized.’
Before his regression, Lee Se-hun had built his strength around Spirit Link Divine Magic, acquiring various attribute manas and leveraging them effectively.
His talent for martial arts or straight magic had been lacking back then, and that approach had suited his style perfectly.
‘But this time, something feels different.’
He'd mastered secret sword techniques from Ma Gwang-su in one go, including Dual Kill Technique and Projection. Even word enchantments and spells came naturally now.
No choice but to conclude that he'd gained real talent for martial arts and magic.
It was baffling, but with things as they were, he had only one path forward.
‘Guess I need to learn properly first.’
If there's usable material at hand, use anything and everything.
Recalling his master's teachings, Lee Se-hun pondered his growth path.
‘First things first... time for my third attribute mana.’
Spirit Link Divine Magic truly shone once he had three attribute manas.
What to learn next and how to proceed could wait until then.
‘Let's see... who can I ask for this...?’
After a moment's thought, Lee Se-hun picked up his phone and fired off a message to a suitable contact.
He was just about to turn off the screen and wait for a reply when—
[Inoue Erika]
A call came in instead of a text.
‘She's quick...’
Coincidence that she was looking at her phone? Amused, Lee Se-hun answered promptly.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Oh, nothing major. Just wondering if you could get me some ‘Pure Earth Stone’.”
A mineral infused with pure earth-attribute mana, capable of purifying lands corrupted by demonic energy.
Not impossible to obtain, but supplies were prioritized for eroded areas like Myriad Demons' Mire or cultivation facilities, so good quality required connections.
“What grade?”
“At least Rare. Compensation including middleman fees, properly—”
“No. I don't need money.”
Erika cut him off matter-of-factly.
“I want the armament you promised to make.”
“Ah, right. I did say that.”
After finishing the Radiant Light Sword, he'd gotten sidetracked with raid prep and cleanup, letting it slide.
‘Strictly speaking, Yeom Seong-ha and Louise come first, but... estimating a quote shouldn't hurt.’
She was sourcing materials too—might as well show some sincerity. Decided, Lee Se-hun replied.
“Want to meet now? We can start with the quote...”
“On my way. Entrance lobby.”
Click.
She hung up before he could respond. The urgency beneath her flat tone left Lee Se-hun flustered, then chuckling.
‘She must really want it.’
Considering she'd eyed his talents for recruitment before, it made sense.
He got up and headed downstairs.
“Hey.”
“Caw.”
Erika had beaten him there, greeting him calmly.
White knit top, brown long skirt. A crow perched naturally on her shoulder, her flawless poise drawing a wry look from Lee Se-hun.
“Were you nearby?”
Maybe out for a walk? At his questioning glance, Erika shook her head.
“No. Flew here.”
“Caw.”
The crow flicked a wing proudly. Intrigued, Lee Se-hun eyed it closer.
‘Teleportation spell? From Ur dorms to here in under two minutes—that's impressive speed... wait.’
Examining the crow on her shoulder, he narrowed his eyes at something off.
“Did your last crow die?”
It looked identical at first, but the vibe felt different.
Hard to pinpoint—a gut feeling. Half-doubting, he asked. Erika stared silently, then nodded slowly.
“Yeah. Died fighting the Black Lotus Flood.”
“Hm. Guess a normal crow couldn't hack it after all.”
The monsters were one thing, but Divine Tree roots must've been too much.
‘This new one's ordinary-looking too... maybe craft her something useful instead.’
Recalling the Mythic-grade armament Erika wielded pre-regression—tied to crows—Lee Se-hun sketched a design in his mind.
“This way, quick.”
He led her to a nearby park, settling on a secluded bench and extending his hand.
“Lend me the crow for a sec.”
“Okay.”
At her glance, the crow glided lightly onto his palm.
“Caw.”
“Let's see...”
Activating Projection, Lee Se-hun scanned the mana flows within the crow's body.
Vmmm!
Violet mana thinly coating its form, silver mana embedded like bones. Fascinated by the structure, he murmured appreciatively.
‘Simplified spells etched in, compressing buff casting time... tough setup.’
Like sketching a moving subject nonstop from a sketchbook, ready to ink at any moment.
One slip, and the spells could warp the crow's mana—tricky. Yet Erika handled it effortlessly.
‘With the skeleton already there, it's straightforward.’
Pinpointing the simplified spell's core, he placed his hand on it.
‘Black Spirit Thread.’
Vmmm—
Threads extended from his fingertips, linking across the crow's body. Erika watched, intrigued.
“Linking the simplified spells into one?”
“Exactly. More like syncing them... palm out.”
“Okay.”
Examining her right palm, he connected threads to key points.
“Here... no, bit more to the right...”
Aligning with faint mana flows, he carefully withdrew.
“Channel mana now.”
“Like this?”
Erika eyed the threads skeptically.
‘Not bad setup, but... efficiency's iffy.’
Compared to her method, only about 80%.
She glanced questioningly; Lee Se-hun grinned.
“Just try it.”
“...Okay.”
Nodding, she infused mana. The crow's body gradually silvered over.
Vrrrrm.
Silver mana engulfing it head to toe.
Clumpy and smeared from the unusual channeling, but Lee Se-hun nodded approval.
“Good. Hold the output steady.”
Summoning Moon Shadow to his right hand, he gently stroked the crow's mana sheath.
Shhh.
The mana molded like clay under Moon Shadow. Satisfied, he nodded.
“Mm. Spread your wings.”
“Caw.”
As time passed, the silver mana refined under his touch, soon taking a wholly new form.
“Caw!!”
Sharp silver mane bristling like blades across its body.
More eagle than crow now. Erika blinked puzzled.
‘What's the point...?’
That mana could've boosted raw power 30% more if used her usual way.
Reading her doubt, Lee Se-hun grinned wider.
“Make it fly up high.”
“Okay...”
Dubious but compliant, she commanded it upward.
Bang—!
Silver flash pierced the air from his hand, rocketing skyward.
“...?!”
Overwhelming acceleration—beyond her old buffs. But Erika focused on details.
‘Instant accel at least double. Mane interlocks for piercing...’
Old attacks just pecked; now, passing grazes shredded surroundings for sure damage.
Stunned by the superior result, she stared wonderingly.
“How?”
“Crows aren't built for combat. Buffs and spells don't fix inherent inefficiencies—so I optimized.”
She'd perfected crow reinforcement, but not for ‘battle’ forms.
Pre-regression, her ace ‘Ghost Raven Armament’ spell suggested talent, not disinterest—just no need before.
“I'll make you an auxiliary training armament. Experiment with applying this.”
“...Okay. Got it.”
Intrigued now, Erika nodded seriously, then asked:
“When's it done?”
“Well, two ahead of you...”
Yeom Seong-ha's materials ready—could start piecemeal today. Louise lacked materials and needed word enchantment practice anyway.
“Some leeway, so by end of week...”
Vibrate.
Phone buzzed. [Yeom Seong-ha].
‘What's this guy's deal...’
Mad Dog calling out of nowhere spelled trouble. Hesitating, Lee Se-hun sighed to Erika.
“Gonna take this.”
“Sure.”
As he answered:
“Spear done?”
“Not yet.”
“Tch.”
“...”
Two words, and irritation flared. Breathing deep, he calmed.
“What? Something up?”
“Urgent need. How long from now?”
“...Five days, generous.”
Plan set; tight schedule could finish this week. Silence, then flatly:
“Four days.”
Click.
Hung up abruptly.
Some might rage at the rudeness, but Lee Se-hun fixated elsewhere.
‘Something's up with him...’
Yeom wasn't one to beg, even barehanded.
As he debated calling back, Erika spoke.
“Probably tomorrow's event.”
“Event?”
“Flame Blade Sect invite: new project reveal and Yeom Seong-ha's Seven Wheel Ascension.”
“...Things are kicking off, huh.”
Explains the rush. Grasping it, he looked at her gratefully.
“Thanks for the heads-up.”
“No biggie.”
Her confident poise drew a soft smile. He stood.
“Armament'll have to wait, though.”
“...?”
“Yeom was first dibs—four days now. Tight to juggle.”
“...”
Her face blanked. Sheepish under the chill aura, he added:
“Next one's yours for sure! Just a bit!”
Harsh after hyping her, but Yeom booked first.
“See ya!”
He bolted back to his room. Alone, Erika stared after him from the bench.
“Caw!”
Whoosh!
The crow landed triumphantly post-flight, eyeing her expectantly.
“Does he hate me...?”
“...”
Folding wings quietly, it turned away from her grim mutter.