Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

『You have successfully cleared the Arena ‘Barbarian Fortress’.』

『You displayed overwhelming performance during the siege.』

『Clear rewards have been increased based on your performance.』

『The bound trait ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ has received a portion of experience points.』

『Your level has increased by 12.』

『The Philosopher’s Stone level has increased by 10.』

『You have received the ‘Barbarian’s Shackles’ as a clear reward.』

Messages scrolled up rapidly.

Kim Shimun whistled softly.

“Amazing.”

What caught his eye the most was the level increase.

“Twelve levels?”

After surpassing level 100, gaining levels had become a slow process. Even with exceptional performance, the required experience points were so high that leveling up usually happened in single digits.

‘Including the Philosopher’s Stone, that’s a total of 22 level-ups….’

An astounding total of 22 levels, indeed.

“As expected of a siege battle. The experience points are phenomenal.”

Siege battles were known for their excellent experience point efficiency in his previous life.

-It was a fitting reward for such a battle.

In comparison, “The item reward is the Barbarian’s Shackles, effective against beast-type enemies… tch, just A-grade materials.”

He inspected the item reward retrieved from his inventory. The Barbarian’s Shackles were a solid item for a Platinum rank, essentially an average tier item.

Nonetheless,

“Philo, can you store this in the warehouse?”

-Got it~.

For Kim Shimun, who also specialized in production, it was an item that could be useful in various ways. He tossed the intricately inscribed shackles carelessly.

Click.

An arm, seemingly with eyes, caught the shackles from the surrounding work area. Without giving the Barbarian’s Shackles another glance,

“Let’s allocate all 12 stat points to Alchemy Energy….”

After investing all 12 remaining stat points into Alchemy Energy,

“Time to check the real rewards.”

He looked at the next set of rewards.

『You have become the first to defeat a hidden boss related to the Main Arena.』

『You have received 10,000 achievement points as a reward.』

『You have solo-killed the hidden boss ‘Nemean Lion Cub’.』

『You have received ‘Nemean Lion Cub Hide’ as a reward.』

“Ooh!”

A spontaneous exclamation.

And for good reason.

“It must be the first clear reward. They gave me 10,000 achievement points even for a hidden boss.”

First kill of a hidden boss related to the Main Arena.

True to Galaxy Arena’s penchant for rewarding firsts, they granted a whopping 10,000 achievement points.

“Let’s see, adding this… the total becomes 31,300 points from my previous 21,300.”

Kim Shimun couldn’t help but smile. Of course, he did.

‘Even after refining the Fragment of the World Tree’s Seed, I’ll have 20,000 points left. I can comfortably use Ars Magna too.’

Achievement points were directly tied to his growth and combat prowess.

Both crucial assets.

‘With the Semi-Arena Arena opening soon, I might have the luxury to aim for the 5th Level of Heavenly Demon Divine Art.’

Nodding in satisfaction, Shimun checked the item rewards.

『Nimean Lion Cub Hide』

Grade: X

The hide of a Nemean Lion Cub.

Using this item for Arena matching allows entry into the Main Arena ‘Nemean Valley.’

Only those of Diamond rank or higher may enter.

Processing this item grants ‘SSS-Rank fixed options.’

Processing this item removes the ‘Main Arena entry’ option.

“Hmm. As expected….”

Kim Shimun nodded as he scanned the options.

‘Just like Malsuk said in the past.’

In his previous life, Go Malsuk had tackled the Main Arena’s ‘Nemean Valley’. Although she wasn’t close to anyone and didn’t share much, only Kim Shimun knew about the ‘Nimean Lion Cub Hide’ entry item.

And just as she had said back then, ‘I expected a valuable hide, but this entry item’s option is ridiculously useful.’

Entry items had unique option frameworks.

“An item that requires choosing between its entry capability and its material value.”

A Nemean Lion Cub’s defenses were impenetrable unless the attack involved divinely empowered strikes or similar potent forces. The hide rewarded for defeating it naturally retained that efficacy. Indeed, it even boasted ‘SSS-Rank fixed options’.

However.

“If you process it, you ‘lose the main arena entry option’…….”

It was practically implying not to process it.

‘Anyway, if I catch the Nemean Lion, I can get a higher-grade leather than this.’

Knowing all the rewards in advance due to his previous life with Go Malsuk, Shimun thought.

“What kind of leather is this? I can’t be satisfied with just a cub lion’s leather.”

It was like killing the goose that lays golden eggs just to get meat immediately.

“Let’s store this carefully until I get to Diamond.”

Kim Shimun carefully placed the cub lion’s leather back into his inventory. Just then.

Knock, knock.

“Kim Shimun-nim, are you there?”

Park Jinwook knocked on the door of the lab.

*

The penthouse of Ranker’s Palace. The living room was spacious enough to host a party, befitting its value.

“You’re all here.”

For some reason, seeing the people sitting made the room feel less spacious.

“Kim Shimun-ssi. You’ve arrived.”

“Hehe. I had some expectations when you called at this late hour… and it’s as expected.”

Secretary General Choi Changwook, assistant of the Ironwood King, and Rin, the owner of the black market.

And even Park Jinwook, the Night Hunter. Kim Shimun looked at the notable players.

“I believe you all know the reason I called you urgently at this hour.”

Everyone nodded at Kim Shimun’s words. Rin, who approached at some point, asked with a sly smile.

“Is it because of the announcement on the new system?”

She brushed Kim Shimun’s shoulder subtly.

“That’s right.”

Without flinching, Shimun nodded while waving his hand in the air.

“You’ve all checked the MMR announcement since it pertains to you, but please display it again.”

『Only the top 10% of MMR holders in each rank can participate in the temporary regular arena.』

『Eligible players can choose whether to participate.』

『Warning! Once chosen, participation decisions cannot be changed.』

“Click. Not interesting.”

Rin clicked her tongue and returned to her seat, displaying the announcement. Kim Shimun confirmed that everyone waved their hands in the air and checked the notice that appeared before him.

Temporary Regular Arena.

Because it was temporary by nature, in his previous life, it was also called ‘Semi-Arena’.

“Since the name Temporary Regular Arena is long, I’ll call it Semi-Arena.”

Kim Shimun adopted this name immediately.

“Semi-Arena?”

“The meaning fits, and it sticks to the tongue.”

“It’s convenient because it’s short.”

The three people sitting nodded approvingly.

Just then.

“If our VVIP has even designated the name of the Temporary Regular Arena like this…….”

The only woman among the three, Rin, rested her chin on her hand and looked at Kim Shimun.

“It makes me even more curious as to why you’ve gathered us?”

Kim Shimun chuckled softly.

“If you’re the owner of the black market, you might have already gotten an inkling. Don’t you think?”

“Oh~ I didn’t expect you to rate me so highly.”

Rin smiled leisurely. Kim Shimun responded with the same smile.

“If you truly haven’t caught on, shouldn’t you step down?”

“Haha. Just joking. Really, Kim Shimun-ssi, you’re unbeatable.”

Rin raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. She continued.

“The secretary general of the Association Leader and the Vice-Guild Master of Shimdrasil. Since you’ve called two such close entities at this timing, the content must be obvious.”

“Despite that, you seem to have some questions?”

“Oh~ How well you understand a woman’s heart. That’s right.”

She nodded with a sly smile. Soon after.

“Why did you call me then? Of course, we aren’t that distant, but… I don’t think I compare to the presence of these two.”

Her lips still curved upwards, but her eyes sharp and observant. A clear question and doubt were visible in her eyes. Kim Shimun met her gaze calmly.

“It’s simple. I want the information we’re about to discuss to reach the big players in the black market.”

“What?”

Even after hearing the answer, Rin’s doubt deepened. And understandably so.

“The big players, you’re probably referring to the top guilds of each country…”

The big players in the black market. Aren’t they referring to giant guilds such as American Dream, Continental, and Holy Trinity?

One could even say these guilds represent their respective countries.

“You want the information to reach them?”

Therefore.

“You have information related to Semi-Arena, and you’re just going to release it? That doesn’t make sense to me.”

Her suspicion was quite reasonable in the context. Kim Shimun chuckled heartily.

“You’re misunderstanding something. I never said I would just release it. Naturally, there has to be compensation.”

“Compensation?”

Rin tilted her head in question. Shortly after.

“Oh, so you want me to act as an information broker?”

She let out a small exclamation. Kim Shimun nodded his head.

“There’s nowhere in the world that the black market’s reach doesn’t extend.”

Of course, thanks to the growth buff of the World Tree, communication with the top guilds of each country was possible through the Shimdrasil guild.

‘That would make things troublesome for me in many ways.’

From Kim Shimun’s perspective, it would become quite a hassle.

“Hmm~.”

Rin hummed as she tapped her chin.

“So you want to ensure that your information reaches the big players, meaning it must reach them?”

“As expected, you’re quick to understand.”

Kim Shimun, nodding, then immediately began to speak.

“As you know, the key issue in Semi-Arena is the death penalty, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Facing the same death in reality as in the arena…….”

Rin looked at the announcement displayed in front of her.

『‘Temporary Regular Arena’ is a procedure to help participants adapt to the dimensions before entering the regular arena.』

『Therefore, participants will receive the same rewards and penalties as in the regular arena.』

『If you meet death in the arena, you will meet the same death in reality.』

Upon confirming the announcement, Rin laughed.

“Unless someone has nerves of steel or is simply foolish, it’s a burdensome penalty, right?”

Even the same manner of death as faced in the arena. The deaths in the arena, filled with weapons, magic, and bizarre monsters. Were rarely clean. The brutal realism caused some to avoid participating in the arena altogether. If that became reality. Nothing more needed to be said.

But.

“What if we could eliminate that death penalty?”

Kim Shimun’s follow-up question.

“What?!”

“K-Kim Shimun-nim, what are you talking about!”

Choi Changwook and Park Jinwook, who had been quietly listening, were startled. Rin, who had been conversing, also looked at Kim Shimun with a momentarily stunned expression.

Soon enough.

“Is what you said… true? No, it can’t be.”

Rin shook her head, laughing in disbelief.

“You’re not one to spout nonsense. In fact, you tend to make those statements come true.”

The seriousness in Rin’s eyes gave way to her usual sly expression.

“I won’t ask why you want to spread this information to other guilds. But, if what you say is true…….”

She flashed a cunning smile.

“I’ll sell it with all my might, under any conditions, putting everything I have on the line.”

She licked her lips.

*

Clatter.

Creak.

The sound of work, akin to white noise, sporadically filled the air. Kim Shimun entered the lab and headed to his place. Following behind.

– Oppa, what are you thinking?

The Philosopher’s Stone in the flask trailed behind.

“Me? I’m not thinking anything special.”

– Nothing special, really!

Clearly curious.

– You have the Shimdrasil guild. Is there a reason to disseminate information through the black market?

The Philosopher’s Stone glared with its large eyes.

Then.

“That’s what you’re curious about?”

Kim Shimun let out a chuckle.

“If I handle everything, I would get all the benefits from the information.”

He gently stroked its head.

“But chasing profits alone would mean losing too much.”

– Losing something? Ah!

Did it sense something?

The mechanical arms around it clapped in unison.

– You mean you’d be burdened, right?

“Exactly.”

Kim Shimun nodded toward the Philosopher’s Stone.

“First of all, if I use the Shimdrasil Guild, I will lose everything in my current life.”

How did I come to know of such information?

Independent investigations into Korean guild members. The top guilds in each country would try to find out through their own intelligence networks. Beyond the branch of the American Dream, various guild branches would be established in Korea.

Naturally.

‘The fact that I am the source of the growth buff would eventually be revealed.’

There is no such thing as an eternal secret in this world. Then, not only would there be hundreds of scout offers pouring in daily. It was obvious that even the foreign media would get involved.

When that happens.

“It will probably become impossible to even step out of the ranker’s palace.”

-Indeed, even now, there are so many people who recognize you.

“Exactly. Moreover.”

Decisively.

“For the preservation of Earth’s power, it’s necessary to release some essential information.”

The small regular arena training ground only accessible to the top 10% of each rank’s MMR. At a glance, it might seem like a method that only supports the elite. But Shimun, who already experienced it in a past life, knows.

‘We need to keep promising talents and skilled individuals alive as much as possible.’

How dangerous this regular arena training ground actually is. A slight mistake, and.

“Skilled players who need to shine during the regular arena could be ruined prematurely.”

In fact, on Earth in a past life, places like the Vatican and Monaco. These small countries lost their top players during the standard training period. And ended up destroyed before even starting the regular arena. So to prevent such incidents. Information on fatal penalties like death penalties had to be disclosed in advance.

-Hmm~ So you plan to use that cunning woman to see a long-term and steady approach?

“…… To release information steadily and securely, I’m going to use the black market from the beginning.”

Shimun answered, his eyes twitching.

Then.

“Hey Philo, what have you been watching lately that made you so mouthy? Do you want to be punished?”

Shimun shook the flask vigorously.

– Ah! Oppa, I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!

With her big eyes tearing up, Philosopher’s Stone declared surrender. Only then did Shimun let go of her.

-Tsk! Anyway, the first step is important for that.

“Yeah, if I use the black market, it won’t be known that I’m the source of the information.”

-That cunning… no! The black market owner would also strictly keep the source of information to fulfill her own desires, right?

“Exactly.”

Shimun glared at the Philosopher’s Stone who hastily corrected herself and nodded.

-So, Rin is essentially a meat shield? No matter the black market, they will demand to know the source of the information, right?

“That’s why we pay a brokerage fee. Rin knows this and agreed to the deal.”

From the very start, Rin would have realized this when entrusted with intermediary information about the regular arena training ground. She’s not the black market owner for nothing.

-Okay, Rin is handled. But why did you inform Choi Changwook?

“The Korean Association needs to know too. Once the regular arena starts, national rankings will be assigned.”

-Ah! Even though it’s still the regular arena training ground, you’re going to start managing the national affiliations now?

“This incident significantly boosted the Association’s reputation. Aunty will also completely dominate Holy Trinity.”

Other than the three major guilds, there are few who can stop the association president or the head of operations.

“If they work together to form public opinion, most awakened individuals in Korea will be cautious.”

Even if the recommendations are somewhat forceful. The number of rogue Korean players will considerably decrease.

“With that alone, domestic deaths due to the regular arena training ground can be reduced by more than half.”

-Ooh~ Seems all the hard work paid off?

“Indeed.”

-But, oppa.

Philosopher’s Stone jabbed his side.

-Selling the information that an amulet of death avoidance will be released in the achievement shop in a week—isn’t that too sneaky?

“It seems sneaky to us because we know; currently, I’m the only one on Earth who knows this.”

-Well, fewer people knowing the information makes it more valuable.

“And it’s a matter of life and death.”

-Hehe! That’s true!

Philosopher’s Stone nodded, a broad smile on her face.

-So, oppa. Let’s ask for some Orichalcum and Adamantium as our information payment!

“I was thinking of accepting rare materials instead of money. We don’t need cash that much.”

-Yay! I’m so excited!

Philosopher’s Stone hopped in the air. Shimun, who patted her head lovingly, suddenly tensed up.

‘But the regular arena training ground is supposed to open in January next year… Why is it opening now?’

The regular arena training ground had been advanced by six months compared to his past life. He wondered what caused this change. Shimun, who was contemplating for a moment, slightly shook his head.

‘What’s the point of worrying about something that’s already happened? Anyway, it’s an advantage for me.’

The growth stagnation zone, Platinum.

But with the rewards from the regular arena training ground, he could aim for rapid growth, like during Bronze, silver, and Gold.

Shimun picked up the goggles that were in their place.

-Huh? What? Are you going to run the regular arena training ground now?

“Of course.”

Shimun turned back, smiling broadly at Philosopher’s Stone’s question.

“Most players’ entries got delayed by a week. I need to go and claim the first achievements quickly.”

With those words. Shimun, who had put on the goggles, vanished from sight.

-I didn’t see it before, but… isn’t oppa seriously a sly one?

Only Philosopher’s Stone’s mutterings lingered in the air.