Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Brrr, brrr.

His phone kept vibrating non-stop due to the incoming calls and messages.

“Were they all just staring at the buff window? How did the news spread so quickly?”

Shimun chuckled at the thought. He touched the vibrating phone screen.

Just as he was about to answer his younger brother’s call,

『The spirit of the World Tree slightly grows.』

A series of messages appeared before his eyes.

Whmmm.

A clear resonance emanated from the center of Shimun’s chest, where the Philosopher’s Stone resided. Following this,

『With the World Tree’s growth, access to ‘Elvenheim’ is now possible.』

『The High Elf Ernen, designated as the caretaker of the World Tree, requests a meeting in Elvenheim.』

『Do you accept? (Yes / No)』

Unexpected messages continued to appear.

“Ernen?”

High Elf Ernen. It had only been a few months, yet it seemed like ages since he heard that name. After blinking at the name for a moment, thud.

Shimun tossed the phone onto the sofa and quickly selected ‘Yes.’

Like vines creeping and growing,

Shhhh.

A dense green light enveloped Shimun.

*

As Shimun transported to the new location,

“Wow…!”

He couldn’t help but exclaim at the sight before him. An endlessly sprawling vast plateau. The vegetation growing atop it resembled a green sea. The sky was as blue as the ground, merging with the horizon.

At the center stood an enormous tree, so immense it was hard to describe. Shimun recognized it immediately. That gigantic tree was

“Shimdrasil…”

His companion, the World Tree.

In response to Shimun’s words,

Sing.

A refreshing resonance tickled his ears.

It wasn’t just the resonance.

Surr, surr,

The grass and earth beneath his feet,

And the sky above, all seemed to be moving towards him, wrapping around him. In an instant, Shimun found himself standing in front of the colossal tree that couldn’t be captured in a single glance.

Blinking in surprise, a fresh voice greeted him, “Welcome.”

Shimun turned his head towards the voice.

“It’s been a while, benefactor.”

A voice as refreshing as the sunlight, coupled with platinum hair that seemed to hold the sun itself. Green eyes like melted nature, and skin as white as fresh snow.

“It’s been a while, Ernen.”

Kim Shimun responded with a smile to Ernen, who exuded the essence of nature just by her appearance.

“I suppose I don’t need to ask if you’ve been well.”

Ernen also replied with a heartwarming smile.

“Is it because you are a player? You seem to have become much stronger since we last met.”

“Haha! Do I?”

Shimun chuckled, scratching the back of his head. The last time he met Ernen, he was at the Gold Rank. Despite various growth spurts since then, they met before he experienced the growth phase of 101 stats.

For her, Shimun’s growth must feel particularly significant.

Thinking about it this way, “But Ernen,”

“Yes, benefactor?”

Shimun’s gaze towards Ernen turned curious.

How should he put it?

“Somehow… It seems like you’ve also become stronger. Is it just my imagination?”

An indescribable subtlety. But the sense that she had indeed become stronger made Shimun narrow his eyes slightly.

“Huhu, you truly have the discerning eye of a companion of the World Tree.”

Ernen smiled radiantly and raised one hand. With her delicate, jade-like hand,

Whishhhh.

A gentle breeze gathered into the shape of a sphere.

“I haven’t regained even half of my power yet, but thanks to the grace you’ve shown, I’ve managed to restore some of my strength.”

Ernen gently waved the breeze sphere. The stunning scenery around her and her exquisite beauty combined to create a truly breathtaking sight.

But seeing the sphere made of wind, Shimun’s face hardened.

“… You haven’t even regained half your power?”

However, “Yes, as a High Elf, I am significantly influenced by the growth of the World Tree, more so than my fellow kin.”

Interpreting it with a different meaning, “Oh! There’s no need for concern. I’m just very grateful that you allowed me to stay by the World Tree, benefactor.”

Ernen expressed her gratitude with a fresh smile. To that, “No, it’s just that…”

Shimun tried to deny it but found himself at a loss for words.

‘Ah, this is something else.’

Swallowing his words, he looked at the sphere of wind dancing around her elegant fingers.

‘That’s what she means by not even regaining half her power?’

Any top-rank Diamond rank or ranker-level player would immediately recognize it. That sphere of wind, despite its tranquil appearance, ‘If it were to be unleashed, it could easily exhibit the power of at least a 7-star spell…’

The condensed power within it was truly formidable.

-The bigger issue was, ‘And she gathered that power without even a spirit, purely by herself?’

When one thinks of the Elf race, spirits are typically inseparable. But she created that solely using her own strength, without the aid of any spirit.

And she did it effortlessly. Shimun chuckled wryly.

‘Even though she’s a High Elf, is this even possible?’

He considered himself an irregular being, yet he felt ordinary next to the High Elf, Ernen.

At the same time, ‘It’s fortunate that Ernen is on our side.’

He felt satisfaction in having a powerful ally. Shimun laughed heartily and asked, “Ernen, do you not use… I mean, do you not join with spirits?”

Shimun slightly amended his question midway. Noticing his small gesture of consideration,

“You’re ever so thoughtful, benefactor.”

Ernen smiled softly and, like releasing a petal into the wind,

Shwoosh.

She sent the sphere of wind floating into the air.

Then,

Bang!

A blast radiated in all directions.

Shimun’s expectations were spot on.

Whooooosh!

Gusts of wind, equivalent to 7-star magic, spread in all directions. However, perhaps she regulated the power, the wind scattered the nearby petals and leaves instead of showing any aggression.

Amidst this, “Since I narrowly escaped death thanks to you.”

Ernen’s voice could be heard.

“While rebuilding Elvenheim, I tried to reconnect with my old companions.”

Her face, usually serene, now appeared somewhat melancholic. Shimun quickly realized the reason.

“But strangely, none of them responded.”

“They didn’t respond?”

“Yes.”

“That’s odd. I recall that Earth’s spirit summoners had no issues with their spirit summoning.”

To Shimun’s question, Ernen nodded with a warm smile.

“You’re right, benefactor. Ordinary spirits fortunately responded to the summons.”

With that, Shimun realized who Ernen’s friends were.

“Could it be… Are those friends of yours Spirit Kings?”

Ernen responded with a smile instead of words.

“Heh.”

This time, Shimun couldn’t suppress a chuckle. It was no wonder, ‘Even though she’s a High Elf, is she really contracted with the Spirit Kings?’

Spirit Kings are entities on the level of angels, aren’t they?

If she had contracts with such beings, it was essentially no different from a player having a celestial backing them.

‘The more I learn, the less ordinary Ernen seems.’

Ernen clearly wasn’t an average elf. Regardless, “It seems like there’s some trouble with the Spirit Kings.”

Shimun was certain that the Spirit Kings were facing some issue. The reason was simple.

‘In my past life, no player ever contracted with a Spirit King.’

It wasn’t just about the contracts.

‘It was chaos because the Spirit Kings wouldn’t even show the slightest interest.’

As a result, despite being part of the mage class, summoners had a lower potential. Many high-level summoners were in constant despair. Without the backing of angels, it was difficult to reach the top tiers.

At that moment, “It seems like,”

With her characteristically clear High Elf eyes,

“You’re quite certain that something has happened to them, benefactor.”

Ernen, who had been quietly observing Shimun, spoke.

‘Oops.’

Shimun, realizing his slip, responded naturally.

“It’s obvious. Ordinary spirits can be summoned, but the Spirit Kings are missing.”

Whether she found it convincing,

“That does make sense.”

Ernen nodded and briefly looked at Shimun before taking something out of her pocket.

“I have a request for you, benefactor… Could you hear me out?”

Following that,

『High Elf Ernen requests a quest.』

A quest notification popped up before Shimun’s eyes.

“Of course.”

As Shimun nodded,

Shwoosh.

The small crystal in Ernen’s hand disappeared.

『The item ‘Fragment of the Spirit Realm Key’ has been added to your inventory.』

A message appeared before Shimun’s eyes.

He immediately checked the quest window.

『Traces of the Spirit Kings』 – Linked Quest

High Elf Ernen is worried about the unresponsive Spirit Kings. Discover the ‘Trace of the Spirit King’ in the special arena ‘Cradle of the Spirit Kings.’

Entry Restriction: Platinum Rank or higher, regular Arena.

Reward: Spirit Energy Stat, 20,000 achievement points, connection between the World Tree and the Spirit Realm.

Shimun’s eyes widened. It was for a simple reason.

‘A linked quest?’

A linked quest, as the name suggests, progresses in a linked manner. The difficulty generally increases as it progresses.

‘Given the entry conditions, the difficulty must be significant.’

Platinum Rank or higher in the Regular Arena. The difficulty would certainly be high. Shimun’s eyes narrowed as he read the quest requirements and glanced at the reward.

‘But what does the connection between the World Tree and the Spirit Realm mean?’

Even as a regressor, it was a type of reward he had never seen before. His thoughts were interrupted by Ernen, “Did the quest register properly? Huhu, it’s been so long since I requested one, it feels a bit unfamiliar.”

“I’ve checked and confirmed it.”

Shimun quickly gathered his thoughts and nodded.

“Oh my, look at me. I didn’t summon you just to ask for such a request.”

Ernen laughed softly and extended her hand towards the towering tree beside her, the World Tree.

Then,

Swish.

The ground, where the World Tree’s roots were deeply embedded,

“Thanks to you, the spirit of the World Tree has grown significantly…”

Water gathered at its base and flowed towards Ernen’s hand.

“As its main body also grew, it produced a small byproduct.”

She collected the water in a large leaf that had flown in from somewhere.

“I thought it might help you as an alchemist, so I invited you here.”

She offered it to Shimun. Water so clear it seemed to be an emerald mirror.

Shimun looked at his reflection in it.

“Heavens!”

Upon checking the information window that appeared, Shimun’s mouth fell open in astonishment. It was no wonder. It was the first byproduct he obtained from Shimdrasil.

The information window read:

『Spring Water of the World Tree』

Grade: X

This spring water is created exclusively under the main body of World Tree.

Depending on its use, it can permanently increase specific stats.

The effect ‘Permanent Stat Increase’ was prominently displayed.

*

After the introduction of this Semi-Arena, the conference room of the Global Awakened Alliance was busier than ever. The reason was clear.

“It nullifies the death penalty?!”

“Once a week, no less. Just by receiving the guild buff, such effects can be enjoyed.”

“There’s already a commotion among the rankers. They are demanding immediate entry into the Shimdrasil Guild.”

Shimdrasil Guild. Also known as The Sword Saint’s Guild, it gained sudden attention due to its new buff options.

“Even our rankers in Serbia are clamoring.”

“Of course, it’s already known through Leoni Wolf that the Semi-Arena rewards are outstanding.”

“Indeed. With no conditions, her trait advanced by one level, right?”

“Is that true? We’ve heard nothing of that in Thailand…”

“The same for us in Libya.”

Following the heated discussion, all eyes turned towards Milla, the representative of Germany. With a sigh, Milla nodded her head.

“It’s true. Leoni Wolf’s S-rank trait advanced to SS-Rank.”

Then, “Valtenberg Guild disclosed this to us confidentially, but it seems many of you already knew?”

Milla questioned with a smile. Her words had an edge.

“….”

“Ahem!”

Those who mentioned the trait advancement turned their gazes elsewhere, feigning ignorance. Seeing this, Milla pressed her temples.

‘It’s clear they paid for this insider information. Cunning snakes!’

There was no doubt about it. Those who mentioned the trait advancement were from powerful countries and guilds like the US and China.

Regardless, “And the trait advancement was a reward for the first achievement. It’s unlikely to be obtained again.”

Since the information had already leaked, Milla swallowed her irritation and continued.

“But still, the basic rewards must be significant.”

“Exactly. Since the first reward is that grand, the clear rewards will be substantial too.”

“It’s understandable why the rankers are so desperate.”

“They need to risk their lives to clear it. The returns will obviously be high.”

The heated discussion continued about the rewards of the Semi-Arena. Amidst the voices of the representatives, “It seems everyone realizes the importance of this buff.”

A powerful voice cut through, and the conference room fell silent immediately. It wasn’t just because his voice was loud.

“I, Yuan Hong, have something to say on this matter.”

In the conference room arranged by national power, it was possible due to the Chinese representative who sat in the very front row.

Seemingly satisfied with the attention, “As you know, shimdrasil Guild’s buff has the potential to completely disrupt the existing arena system.”

A light smile spread across Yuan Hong’s face.

However, “The Semi-Arena involves the lives of valuable awakened, especially the global upper echelon talents.”

He soon erased the smile and wore a serious expression.

“Hence, I formally propose a motion to the alliance.”

He dropped a bombshell in the conference room.

“Let’s designate Shimdrasil’s guild buff as a ‘global public resource’ for the development and security of Earth.”

And, “Of course, under the leadership of our World Awakener’s Alliance, following ‘just and appropriate procedures.’”

A significant bombshell, indeed.