Chapter 118 : Chapter 118

Chapter 118 - Hunting (1)

“Here. Blow, please. Blow.”

I brought a handkerchief to the nose of Seo Hye-in, who had been crying her heart out for a long time, and said that.

At this, Seo Hye-in obediently went honk and blew her nose.

“...”

No, she actually did it when I told her to.

There were times I couldn’t believe this person was older than me.

I could see even Lee Si-yeong's expression beside her turning aghast.

Regardless, after sniffling a few more times, Seo Hye-in finally started rubbing her eyes and surveying the situation.

“...First, Kim Gyu-sik seems to be okay. And mother...?”

“Well, the curse was transferred to me and dealt with, so she should be fine. However...”

I looked at Han Si-yeon, who was lying on the floor.

Lying on the floor outside the incubator, she didn't look conscious in any way.

“She won’t regain consciousness for a while. She’s been under the influence of several spells for a very long time.”

Considering that she was subjected to all sorts of devices that twisted normal bodily functions, plus a top-tier spell that extremely slowed down time, it was a miracle that her bodily functions were continuing normally at all.

As for why, well.

“...”

I carefully examined Han Si-yeon’s hair, which was spread out on the floor.

White hair, characteristically similar to the Seo sisters.

This, considering the lore, meant she was a descendant of a certain race.

‘Hmm.’

Therefore, considering that.

It meant I could receive something substantial related to that when this person regained consciousness later.

“...”

“...”

And two pairs of stinging gazes flew and landed on me as I carefully examined Han Si-yeon, who was collapsed on the floor.

I looked to see what it was, and it was Lee Si-yeong and Seo Hye-in.

“...What?”

“No. Surely not. I hope not, but you.”

“Yes. I also think it’s probably not.”

“...What is it? What’s the problem?”

When I said that with an aggrieved voice, Lee Si-yeong shot back with narrowed eyes.

“You’re not trying to drag in a married woman too, are you?”

“...”

Shut up.

I didn’t know what she meant by dragging in, but please just shut up.

“...In that case, it means the curse on my mother has completely disappeared, doesn’t it. I really don’t know how to thank you, Kim Gyu-sik...”

“Ah, please hold the thanks for a moment.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s true that I’ve finished the resolution, but there’s one last thing to do.”

There was a reason I didn’t contact Seo Jin-seong right after succeeding in the resolution.

There was still one measure to take with Han Si-yeon.

And only by doing that would the quality of the reward I'd receive when this person woke up increase tremendously.

On top of that.

Even now, it wouldn’t be strange for Seo Jin-seong to rush over and bow his head to the ground in thanks for the grace I’d shown him, but if I did that too, he’d have no choice but to roll as I said.

“...Hey. Your face. Control your face. If you’re going to have lewd thoughts about someone else’s family, at least don’t show it.”

“...”

Right. Si-yeong-mon.

Thanks for the advice.

***

And the first step to creating that situation.

Was to find the item I had entrusted.

“Ectoplasm case, hard-coated with Orichalcum that has undergone magitech compressing, and I’ve engraved arcane pictograms on each chain for smooth mana flow. Honestly, I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve made such a masterpiece.”

The Master of the Magic Tower said all that with a constant smile.

He said it was completed right around this time, so I came to receive the modified Gnosis’s Heart, and seeing him explain and present something with such confidence, it seemed something had gone well.

That was my impression.

Until I actually saw the item and scanned it.

“You seem to be quite fond of it. To be staring at it so intently.”

Those words came from across the desk, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the luxury to respond properly.

Hey, this.

Is this for real?

[ Gnosis’s Heart: Modified / Grade: Special ]

[ A rare biological tissue that can produce its own mana. It has been delicately cultivated by a highly skilled magus, resulting in greatly enhanced abilities and overwhelming mana dominion.

When worn, Mana stat +100 ]

[ Arcane Burst: Modified / Unique Active Skill]

[ For 5 minutes, restores 3% of total mana every second. When the skill is used, it is temporarily amplified three-fold during its duration. ]

[ Mana Dominion / Unique Passive Skill ]

[ Upon successfully hitting with a mana spell, you can temporarily neutralize a unique skill held by the opponent for one time. A 30-second cooldown is applied to the same target. ]

Oh... wow...

Looking at the feast of skills lined up, my tongue automatically clicked.

Actually, all I was aiming for was the Mana Dominion at the very end. This insane basic stat boost and the enhancement of Arcane Burst were things I hadn’t even thought of.

And this was probably more due to the effort put into the ‘necklace’ part he had been rattling on about just now, rather than the modification of the Gnosis’s Heart itself.

“Thank you. An incredible item has been completed.”

“Don’t mention it.”

So, it would be normal to express my gratitude honestly in this part.

This person, honestly, my first impression was a bit off because he seemed dark inside. But if he gave me an item of this level, even such a person would inevitably be seen in a new light.

I put on the necklace with slightly trembling hands.

And as soon as it touched my body, I felt a level of mana that expanded my senses envelop my entire body.

[Kim Gyu-sik]

[Lv.38] [Guardian Angel Buff (x2) active]

[ Strength: 20

Agility: 20

Endurance: 20

Stamina: 20

Luck: 1

Mana: 12(+100) ]

Oh my.

A mana of 112 was a terrifying number that could put me on equal footing even with an average B-rank climber.

Considering I had a slew of skills with a fuel efficiency that drew out several times my raw stats, this alone meant I had reached a level where I could honestly beat down up to an A-rank climber even without all my various tricks.

On top of that, considering the effect of Arcane Burst written here.

Although it was just an absolute amount of mana that didn't affect attack power or the suitability of spells, it meant I could temporarily exceed a mana stat of 300.

‘Even while playing the original, I don’t remember ever exceeding 300 mana...’

Cornelius, who could rub shoulders with the strongest in the world in terms of stats alone, had an average of around 200-300.

And most of that was concentrated in physical abilities; exceeding 300 ‘mana’ was not just a stat issue but an unprecedented feat in the human realm.

‘In that case...’

With a stat of 300, you know.

There was another way to amplify the rewards I could receive through Han Si-yeon later in a spectacular way.

That ‘queen’ over there was very sensitive to such things, so if I bluffed well-

“...So, about that necklace.”

As I was continuing those thoughts, the Master of the Magic Tower spoke to me, still with a constant smile.

“You haven’t perfectly modified it yet, have you?”

“Pardon?”

“It seems the final stage remains. I heard you contacted Han Si-yeon of the Hunting Alliance a while ago.”

Heh heh.

Well now.

It was good that he made an item like this.

But it was a bit much for a person’s head to work so fast for no reason.

“That... ‘life tissue’ you’re wearing right now. It is believed to be very closely related to the spirit world. It feels like an important item, enough to not have just made a statement about the King of Flies for no reason.”

So wasn’t that why you contacted Han Si-yeon, the Master of the Magic Tower subtly hinted.

Well, certainly.

If you were to dig through Han Si-yeon’s family tree, you would find the word ‘spirit’ a lot.

Considering that the word ‘spirit’ was often used as the antithesis of ‘demon’ in the Conqueror world, it explained very well why Han Si-yeon was one of the top support-type climbers.

“That item. If it’s completed, how far will it grow... even I can’t quite fathom it. How far are you looking, Kim Gyu-sik?”

“...Well. I’m not sure.”

Honestly, I had a rough idea, but I wasn't going to tell you.

I refused to leak unnecessary information to a shady person. I didn't know how it would come back to harm me later.

However.

Still, I had to get the help I needed.

“I do know one way to see that result a little faster.”

“Meaning?”

I replied with a smirk.

“Please investigate some information for me. For a region where disappearances of men in their 20s, mainly of Asian descent, occur frequently. If I narrow down the range roughly... would it be around the coast of Western Europe?”

“...A disappearance case. Is there something you’re aiming for?”

If you received an item, you have to try it out.

It wasn't the final version yet, but if it was modified this much, it was possible to get a taste of the final version's performance.

And around this time, a guy good for trying it out would appear.

“There’s probably a guy who wants to hunt me...”

Raven.

The mastermind of the demon faction who appeared throughout the story.

Considering how cunning he was, it was probably around the time he entered practical testing before seriously rolling out the ‘experimental products’ he had created.

Then, well.

“...I have to show them that there are people they shouldn’t touch.”

There was no reason to wait until those guys were all grown up.

I had to pull out the roots for sure from the start.

***

As expected of the Master of the Magic Tower.

It took less than a day to organize and specify the location I had specified.

He would make a very good combo if I put him with Seo Ji-an later.

So now I was on a boat heading to the destination, a quiet rural village. It was a leisurely trip after a long time, so my heart was at peace.

It would have been even more so if not for the person next to me.

“So, a demon hunt, is it?”

“It turned out that way, Cornelius.”

I shrugged at the giant man laughing heartily next to me.

When I explained exactly what I was trying to do to the Master of the Magic Tower, he attached this person as a companion.

Honestly, this man was someone who could crush an average demon with his bare hands alone, so it was reassuring.

“And. You know the young lady next to you, right?”

“Don’t act friendly, human. Before I burn you to a crisp.”

“Oops.”

And on the other side was Evangeline.

As expected, when it came to anti-demon warfare, these two were the most efficient.

Of course, Cornelius aside, Evangeline didn't seem to have any intention of cooperating as a team.

But if a demon appeared, she would surely do her part, so I had no complaints.

“...The wind is cold. I’ll be inside for a moment.”

Evangeline, who had only spat out those words sullenly, soon disappeared inside the boat.

Seeing her looking very dissatisfied, Cornelius tilted his head and asked me a question.

“She never seemed like a friendly young lady, but she seems particularly in a bad mood right now. Did something happen?”

“Ah, that?”

I scratched my head and searched for words to explain.

Hmm.

Honestly, when the location came out as here, even I was a little startled.

It was a place that could come up, but from Evangeline’s perspective, it would be a very awkward place.

“It’s near her hometown.”

“Hmm? If it’s her hometown, is there a reason to be in a bad mood?”

I agree.

Usually.

But Evangeline’s hometown was not an ordinary neighborhood.

“That would be the case if the entire village hadn’t tried to kill her, right?”

“...”

Cornelius immediately shut his mouth.

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