Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Birth of the Ultimate Bow
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“Ugh, my stomach feels off...”
“For some reason, that sounds like a line that'd deal 2 damage to the enemy on death.”
“Anyway! How are we gonna work on the bow?”
The special fatigue recovery potion's effects were incredible!
Feeling vitality surge back into their exhausted bodies after the ambush and grueling work, the two began refining Chungmugong's Bow.
“The core I had in mind is 'Compression' and 'Giantification'.”
“Runes, huh. Like with the Spear of Slaughter?”
“Yeah, that seems best. Chungmugong's Bow is powerful, but as a bow, it's hard to use multiple times.”
“Even with Invisible Hand?”
“Yeah. Once I dive into close combat for real, it won't be easy to wield properly. At best one or two shots, so we need maximum efficiency in that window.”
“Compression and Giantification runes aren't a bad combo for that. Maxing out attack power, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Weight's gonna skyrocket, though. You cool with that?”
“Super Strength stat can handle it.”
“Alright, we've got our plan. Let's do this.”
With the discussion on reinforcing Chungmugong's Bow wrapped up quickly...
Shin-hyeok selected the necessary materials via his inventory options.
“Compression and Giantification runes. Ogre-reinforced tendons for the bowstring. And diluted World Tree sap to strengthen the frame. Anything else?”
“Nah, that should do it. We can fill in the rest with Unique-grade stuff from the forge.”
A total of four Legendary-grade materials.
Plus countless Unique-grade ones.
Preparation for reinforcing Chungmugong's Bow was complete.
Fortunately, it took less time than with the holy sword.
Kkiiigigigigik!
“That's tight.”
“It's ogre tendons soaked in ogre blood for reinforcement. Most players couldn't even draw it.”
“Urghhh! Yeah... You gotta string this one.”
“Got it.”
Kkaduk!
First, they replaced the string with the ogre-reinforced tendons.
The tension was so intense even mechanical tools struggled, but Shin-hyeok fitted it effortlessly by hand.
A benefit of his Strength stat converting to Super Strength.
If it hadn't, he'd never have dreamed of using ogre tendons as a bowstring.
After restringing, they coated the frame with diluted World Tree sap.
Diluted or not, it was sap from a tree sustaining an entire world—perfect synergy with wooden materials.
“Can't waste a single drop.”
“It won't seep into your skin?”
“That's why we coat it all first. Hurry up!”
“Me, doing this kinda work...”
They smeared the sap on meticulously, even dipping fingers when brushes soaked too much.
Two grown men fingering sap onto a single bow looked ridiculous, but they worked in silence afterward.
Soon, they'd spread the entire vat of diluted World Tree sap across Chungmugong's Bow.
“Flame, Silairon. If you would.”
-Leave it to us.
-May the World Tree's essence infuse your bow.
Hwarrrrr! Whoosh!
The spirits of fire and wind enveloped the bow, ensuring the sap soaked in properly.
Confirming the dried sap fully infused, they carefully drew the two runes.
“Giantification and Compression. Neat combo. Opposite effects on one item to max efficiency.”
“No need to overthink. Let's inscribe.”
“Yeah. Hammer 'em in.”
Kiiiiing!
No sooner said than done—they embedded the runes simultaneously with perfect timing.
A brilliant glow erupted as they showered the bow with polishing agents.
Expensive, rare items to fuse the runes seamlessly, but they spared none.
As millions vanished per minute...
Their hands stopped in unison.
“Done.”
“Success?”
The two runes perfectly infused into Chungmugong's Bow.
A radiant brilliance burst forth.
Hwaaaaa!
“...What the?”
“What's going on?”
“No clue. First time seeing this.”
Stunned by the sudden glow, Se-jin and Shin-hyeok exchanged bewildered looks.
“Constellation!”
“Figures. Reinforcing an item tied to a constellation triggers this.”
“More like surpassing its original form.”
The power of its original owner—a constellation—infused Chungmugong's Bow.
Though startled at first to witness a constellation's power embedding directly...
“So... Shall we check it out?”
“Whew, I'm ready.”
“Alright, let's go.”
They opened Chungmugong's Bow status window.
[Chungmugong's Bow]
* Legend+ Grade
The legendary bow said to have been used by Chungmugong.
A peerless treasure any archer would covet.
* Strength, Stamina, Mana +186
* Attack Power: 9,893
* Unique Skill: Perfect Accuracy
* Unique Skill: Concentrated Fire
* Unique Skill: Clarity of Mind
* Rune Skill: Giantification
* Rune Skill: Compression
* Constellation Skill: Turtle Ship Summon
“...Perfect. Feels like the world's one-and-only bow just got born.”
“Agreed. No way two of these exist. If they did, it'd be bug exploitation backlash. This is already bug-level.”
“Whew, I'm beat. For real.”
Nearing the 10,000 attack power cap for Legend grade.
Two rune skills plus a never-before-seen Constellation skill.
The birth of a bow with six skills total—unprecedented.
Tension finally easing, Shin-hyeok and Se-jin slumped like seaweed in water.
But no long rest.
“Check your status. You've upgraded three items to Legend or Legend+. Gotta see the changes.”
“Honestly curious too. Let's take a look.”
With all three reinforcements done, it was time for Shin-hyeok's updated status.
Checking alongside Se-jin, Shin-hyeok smiled contentedly.
(Stats)
(Traits)
1. Versatile
2. Predation
3. Observant Eye
4. Invisible Hand
5. Mana Circuit
6. Late Bloomer
(Skills)
Necromancy [A], Magic [A], Comprehensive Weapon Arts [A], Mana Detection [C], Metallurgy [A], Spirit Arts [B], Heaven-Shattering Annihilation Style [B], Tai Chi Divine Art [A], Heavenly Demon Conclusion [A], Heavenly Demon Divine Art [B], Hyper Sense [D], Kin Summon [D], Assassin's Handbook [C]
“Jackpot. No rivals for me in Diamond now.”
“For real?! Even Cheonoecheon?”
“Cheonoecheon... Just wait. I'll have 'em kneeling at my feet soon.”
“Oho, big talk? Fine, I'll hold you to it. Gotta equip my gear first. Hm!”
His status was incomparable to before the upgrades.
Raw stats hadn't jumped much, but factoring in massive attack/defense boosts and new weapon skills, he was nearly twice as strong.
Honestly, against Cheonoecheon's royalty tier, he could win assuming he used all remaining rewards.
With everything checked...
Shin-hyeok glanced outside and chuckled dryly.
“...Bro, why's it still dark out?”
“Ha, haha. Looks like we burned a full day.”
Armor of Absorption, True Holy Sword, Chungmugong's Bow.
Reinforcing all three had eaten a full clock cycle.
Realizing this, Shin-hyeok saw his neglected phone scorching hot and swallowed hard.
“Screwed. Mom, Dad, Su-ah, Hyo-rin. Dozens of missed calls?”
“...Fighting?”
“This is your fault! Come explain with me.”
“...No idea what you're talking about.”
“Whoa, playing dumb?”
“Ahem, wiped out from all-day work. I'll crash here on the cot. You head home first—parents, Su-ah, Hyo-rin must be worried.”
“...Hah.”
Feeling like Caesar stabbed by Brutus as Se-jin wormed into the cot, dumping all blame...
Vrrr!
“Damn. Another one. I'm out.”
“Survive, yeah?”
“I'll scribble your name before I die.”
“Oof, harsh.”
Phone buzzing again, Shin-hyeok bolted from the forge.
Left alone, Se-jin dozed off in the still-toasty forge, furnace barely cooled.
Sleep after sending his brother to the wolves(?) was pure bliss.
“...My ears are still ringing.”
“They were really worried.”
“Didn't say that?”
“I did. But hearing it direct vs. secondhand is different.”
“...Sigh, gotta be more careful.”
The day after finishing the reinforcements.
Shin-hyeok met Manager Hong again, recounting yesterday with heavy sighs.
“Ready?”
“Yeah, no biggie. Already said my piece up front.”
“Right. Head on up.”
Shin-hyeok and Manager Hong stood backstage at a podium.
The reason was simple.
“Player Choi Shin-hyeok! Is it true you were kidnapped for naturalization and ambushed by assassins from China?!”
“Rumors say your health's at risk! Any injuries?”
“Word is the Myth Forge Master was targeted too. Is he safe?!”
“Player Choi Shin-hyeok...!”
This was the press conference to reveal the kidnapping, naturalization attempt, and assassination by China.
Facing the barrage of questions, flashes, and thrusting recorders...
Shin-hyeok's response was straightforward.
“Nearly died thanks to those Chinese bastards.”
“...!!!”
Confirming every leaked rumor as fact—the attack, the damage—flipped the room into chaos.
“Uh, in an official setting, shouldn't you avoid such harsh words for another country?”
“Hey, reporter. China pay you off?”
“N-no!!! My bad!!!”
One reporter timidly spoke up, only to shrink under glares from peers, no ground regained.
Silencing the rest with that sacrifice, Shin-hyeok calmly gripped the mic and unloaded.
“I'll smash China for trying to kidnap and naturalize foreign players, then assassinate on failure.”
“Huh? What do you—”
“How exactly do you plan to smash China?!”
“Declaring war? Ridiculous!”
Nailing China's scandals and boldly vowing to crush them left reporters agape.
Shin-hyeok shook his head.
“No need for full war. I'll enter the National Championship.”
“...Ah!”
National Championship.
He'd compete in the global national showdown and crush China.
Reporters nodded in realization.
“Choi Shin-hyeok could definitely shine there.”
“He'd devour the opening matches stacked with Platinums.”
“Korea finally pulling weight in Nationals!”
“Eh, just opener level. Can't compare to real mains qualifiers...”
Amid the cheers, some scoffed at opener feats meaning little.
Shin-hyeok dropped the nuke calmly.
“What're you saying? I'm entering the main bracket.”
“Pardon?”
“Players in the National Championship mains... Wanna qualify for mains? Beat me first. Good luck.”
“...!!!”
Scoop.
A mega-scoop from Shin-hyeok's mouth.
Fresh Platinum declaring mains entry—not just that, but lording over all existing mains qualifiers.
Reporters went berserk, hammering laptops as Shin-hyeok silently stepped down.
'Gotta clear remaining rewards before Nationals qualifiers.'
Wandering Merchant Summon, Legendary Trait Creation, Mythic Material Draw.
To handle those, Shin-hyeok slipped away from the frenzy alone.