Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

An elegant and sophisticated stone building. At the center of what could be likened to an ancient god’s temple, there were five thrones.

On one of those thrones.

“This can’t be!!”

A furious voice burst forth. Hovering above was a pair of green-gray eyes, as agitated as the voice itself. Her elongated pupils continuously contracted and dilated in agitation.

It was not hard to understand why.

“Etra failed! Not only failed but didn’t even return!!”

Ancient Dragon Etra. The great matriarch of the dragonkin and the second envoy of the Second Dragon Lord.

Not only had she failed, but she was also missing in action. In essence, even without official news, everyone here knew that she likely met her demise.

And. Among the three eyes silently watching the Second Dragon Lord’s fury.

“Grandmother, you need to calm down.”

A pair of calm, dark brown eyes. The third Dragon Aphophis-nim spoke in a composed voice.

“Etra’s failure is indeed shocking, but shouldn’t we be focusing on other matters right now?”

To say that an Ancient Dragon fell to a mere human. Such a statement alone would rock the entire dragon realm, but. The immediate concern for the Dragon Lords, the rulers of the dragon realm, lay elsewhere.

In response.

“Apophis is right. Mother, there’s chaos inside the Galaxy Arena right now.”

A pair of dark purple eyes. The fourth Dragon Lord Vrtra nodded resentfully.

“Most of the officials we had connections with through this guild war on your behalf are at risk of being exposed.”

She spoke discontentedly as she glanced at the green-gray eyes of the Second Dragon Lord, Echidna.

Apophis questioned Vrtra.

“Are you saying your associations are being revealed?”

“Yes. From the upper council members who were entertained at the Cradle of Indulgence, to the lower council members ensnared by my control. Over 90% are involved and are being purged.”

“Even upper council members are being purged?”

“Of course. With even the administrators getting involved, do you think the upper council members will be spared?”

Though Apophis had no part in the wrongdoing. Vrtra’s sarcasm was evident. She couldn’t afford to outright confront the Second Dragon Lord, Echidna, her mother and the matriarch of the dragonkin.

Understanding this well.

“The administrators getting involved… it means the situation is more severe than I thought.”

He continued without any rebuttal.

“If the administrators are purging them, those council members can’t be reinstated, right?”

“Indeed. Once expelled for disgraceful conduct, they can never return to the council.”

“Hmm…”

Apophis’s sigh deepened.

“To think we lost support even from those benefitting from the Cradle of Indulgence. All purged…”

“Thanks to this, we couldn’t recover any capital or influence. Not to mention the loss from the lower council.”

Pure deficit. That was the current situation for Vrtra.

“So for a while, I won’t be trying to contact any council members, no matter how low-ranking they are.”

“A wise choice. It would be best to refrain from any behind-the-scenes work for now.”

Apophis nodded in agreement with Vrtra’s opinion. However, his expression remained grave. The reason was simple.

“The damage on the council side is already significant…”

The current crisis had repercussions beyond those previously mentioned. Apophis turned his attention to the dark blue eyes that had remained silent.

“Nidhogg. You received the official letter from the Galaxy Arena, right?”

He addressed the fifth Dragon Lord, Nidhogg.

“Yes, I already shared it with everyone.”

“I know that. I was asking if they left any additional messages besides the official letter.”

“Nothing except… well, there was one thing.”

Was it too absurd to believe?

“As Vrtra mentioned, it seems an administrator got involved.”

“Does that mean…”

“Yes. The letter was sent by an administrator. They even included a personal warning.”

Nidhogg let out a bitter laugh, his voice tinged with annoyance.

“‘I didn’t expect you to act so recklessly. Thank you for finally giving us an excuse.’ That’s what they said.”

“Ha.”

Apophis also let out a chuckle.

“So they plan to use this incident as a pretext to impose sanctions on us?”

“Probably. Having prior offenses makes a significant difference.”

“Hmm. Which administrator was it?”

“I don’t know. It’s not like they always reveal their identities.”

“True.”

Apophis sighed. He looked towards the center where the five thrones were gathered. There.

Flash.

A golden-decorated official letter from the Galaxy Arena appeared. Apophis focused on the top of the letter.

Then.

“Permanent 10% reduction in awakening rate for dragonkin players, and 10% decrease in the emergence rate of high-grade traits.”

As he read the contents, his gaze slowly moved down.

“Additionally, for the next 6 months, experience points and rewards across all rank tiers in the dragon realm will be decreased by 20%, the power of all abilities and traits will be reduced by 10%, and the sale of Resurrection Tokens in the achievement shop will be suspended…”

Apophis’s voice grew fainter towards the end of the letter.

“This is outrageous.”

Nidhogg’s cynical voice followed. And it was understandable.

“There will be a lot of discontent among the players.”

For the next 6 months, they would have to endure long-term penalties in terms of experience points, rewards, and the effectiveness of all abilities and traits.

“Obviously. Especially the top players will be in uproar.”

Such penalties would be particularly devastating for high-ranked players, where even small changes had significant impacts.

Moreover.

“Vrtra, this is also a severe sanction for lower-ranking players.”

“Of course. With the suspension of Resurrection Tokens’ sale for 6 months, it will feel like walking on thin ice.”

The suspension of Resurrection Tokens, which guaranteed security of life, meant that…

The lower-ranking players, who didn’t have much to begin with, also faced significant restrictions on their growth. And all of this.

“So, what do we do now? Should we completely ban them from the arena for six months?”

It applied to all dragonkin players from the dragon realm. Before even discussing the overwhelming number of affected individuals.

“That’s a foolish notion! The reconstruction of the Black Forge is still far from complete. If we also prohibit arena participation, how will we secure supplies?”

“Oh my~ Such temper. I’m just saying. And if we continue the arena without Resurrection Tokens? Should we just let all our precious ones die?”

The byproducts from the arena, circulated by dragonkin players to the dragon realm. That supply chain would receive a significant blow. This significantly impacted the dragon realm.

“How you managed to become one of the Dragon Lords is beyond me.”

“One would think you’re the emperor of some great empire. So, Nidhogg, what’s your ranking again?”

“You wretched…!”

Crackle!

Vrtra and Nidhogg, well-acquainted with each other, immediately clashed. And as always.

“Enough. This is not the time for us to be fighting among ourselves.”

The third Dragon Lord Aphophis intervened to stop their quarrel.

“We have no choice but to release the Resurrection Tokens ourselves. As for the other penalties, we must open the Armory and compensate with high-grade item loans.”

He proposed a solution. Vrtra’s eyes immediately narrowed.

“That’s absurd. Do you think we can just print Resurrection Tokens? What about the cause and effect involved?”

“Moreover, even if we loan high-grade items from the Armory, we can’t guarantee 100% recovery, can we? There will be those who die in the arena. What about the lost items then?”

Nidhogg also voiced his dissatisfaction. Apophis took a moment to calm his emotions.

“This situation arose due to our mistake. It’s unavoidable. And moreover…”

He replied with a steady gaze.

“The earlier aspects can be recovered somehow, but the permanent penalties are irreversible.”

A permanent 10% reduction in the awakening rate for dragonkin players. Additionally, a 10% decrease in the emergence rate of high-grade traits.

As long as they continued to participate in the Galaxy Arena.

“We have lost a part of our future.”

This was nothing short of a major blow to the future of the dragonkin.

“So, let’s not make a fuss over the immediate six-month penalty.”

Whether in agreement with Apophis or not.

“Tsk.”

“Sigh.”

Nidhogg and Vrtra sighed and suppressed their emotions. Of course, both of their gazes turned to the silent green-gray eyes. Casting a disapproving glance at the Second Dragon Lord. At that moment.

Flash.

A pair of crimson-black eyes appeared above the last empty throne.

“The First Dragon Lord.”

“The First Dragon Lord.”

The three Dragon Lords greeted with short but formal salutations.

The First Dragon Lord, Cruach, glanced at them indifferently.

“Mother. You’ve committed a reckless act.”

He immediately turned his gaze to the Second Dragon Lord, Echidna.

“If you were going to defy my command, at least succeed.”

“I have no words. It’s all my fault.”

Echidna lowered her gaze. Cruach observed her silently for a while.

Then.

“As a response to this penalty, from the causality rate required for producing Resurrection Tokens to the items that will be loaned out.”

In an exceedingly business-like manner.

“You will be responsible for all of it. Second Dragon Lord.”

With a monotonous voice, his son continued.

“…Understood.”

Her green-gray eyes closed weakly.

*

Ranker’s Palace.

Having returned home after the guild war schedule.

“Hyung! Are you okay?!”

Shimun had to deal with his concerned younger brother for a while.

Fortunately.

“I talked to senior Jinwook, and he gave me a rough idea. The Galaxy Arena told you to keep quiet, right?”

It seemed he had already been in contact with Park Jinwook.

“But tell me whatever you can. I heard Ivan Ivanov was assassinated too?”

Since he had a rough idea of the incidents related to the guild war, he refrained from excessive questions.

“Uh, Malsuk? There’s a message for you…”

“A message?”

“Yeah.”

“Strange? If anyone needs to contact me, they should call me directly. Who is it from?”

“You’ll have to come out and see.”

At the unexpected message, as Yujeong signaled to take Go Malsuk outside.

“Good job. You probably can’t explain everything in detail, so just go and rest.”

“Well done, Shimun-nim. I will submit the report on this guild war as soon as it’s done.”

After briefly chatting, Kim Shihyuk and Park Jinwook also left.

Left alone, Shimun.

“Whew!”

He threw himself onto the bed in his lab. The light luggage he had packed for the short guild war period.

“Hey, Philo.”

-I’ll take care of unpacking. You just rest.

“Thanks.”

The Philosopher’s Stone quickly tidied everything up with its mechanical arms. And as if waiting for this moment.

“Appa!”

Kyung!

Shiyeon and Kyung jumped onto the bed. Shimun embraced the two adorable ones.

“Shiyeon, were you playing nicely? What about Kyung?”

“Yup! Kyung and I were playing Healing Potion Creation!”

Kkyuuu~.

He rolled around on the bed with his two adorable ones for a while. Then.

“Kyung, let’s go play hide and seek at Shimdrasil!”

Kyung!

As Shiyeon and Kyung ran off to burn off their excess energy.

“Phew! Now, let me check the guild bonuses.”

Stretching, Shimun opened the reward window that he had put away while traveling back home.

『Congratulations! You have won the guild war.』

『You have achieved the accomplishment of ‘First Victory in a Guild War.’』

『You have received 3,000 achievement points.』

The achievement points granted for winning the guild war.

‘I spent 50,000 points on synthesizing Kyung. This is quite nice.’

The birth of the Faerie Dragon. Shimun had used 50,000 achievement points for the alchemy process.

Of course, the rewards he received were more than worth it, excessively so. Considering that achievement points were essentially Shimun’s combat power, it was a very fitting reward.

Shimun checked his achievement points.

‘So, my total achievement points are 13,300 now…’

The cost of Ars Magna, which used to be 5,000 points, has now dropped to 3,000 points. If an urgent situation arises, he has enough points to handle it.

Then.

『As a reward for winning the guild war, you receive Guild Bonuses.』

『The Guild Bonuses will last until the next guild war ends.』

『The effects of the Guild Bonuses are tripled.』

『The number of guild members that can join is increased to 90.』

『Guild members’ item acquisition rates are increased by 15%.』

As promised.

The effects of the Guild Bonuses were tripled. Shimun read through the details carefully.

‘Originally, achieving just one victory would grant any guild an additional 30 members and a 5% item acquisition rate boost… so tripling that is perfect.’

Moreover.

‘An increase of 90 members. I saved my achievement points well!’

Unlike other players. For Shimun, whose achievement points were as vital as blood and flesh, an increase of 90 members was a significant benefit.

From the beginning, when he was invited to the guild war as the Korean representative. He participated aiming to get the basic reward of an additional 30 members.

Additionally.

『As a consolation reward, you are given a ‘Mysterious Sacred Artifact.’』

Along with the tripled reward. Compensation to replace the divine artifact from the Weaver of Boundaries was also provided.

Shimun immediately opened his inventory to check it.

『Mysterious Sacred Artifact』

Grade: ?

A masterless divine artifact created at the request of Player Kim Shimun.

Only Player Kim Shimun can assign an owner to this artifact.

The grade was not displayed.

The description was concise, merely a plain platinum stone fragment.

『Constellations Black Goat and Heavenly Demon, and Baal are covetously eyeing the artifact.』

『Constellations Zeus, Odin, and Ra are staring intently at the artifact.』

The immediate reactions of the Constellations watching Shimun were apparent.

‘The performance is definitely assured.’

Shimun smiled contentedly and put the artifact back into his inventory. Soon after.

‘By now, the penalties should be hitting the dragonkin hard, right?’

His satisfied smile turned into a sly grin.

‘Debuffs applied to all rank tiers of dragon realm players for half a year, and the prohibition of Resurrection Token sales. They must be losing their minds.’

Especially the ban on Resurrection Token sales, which Shimun had insisted on as the top priority.

‘This means the Dragon Lords will have to expend their power to produce and distribute the tokens themselves. The damage will be substantial.’

Therefore, the prohibition of Resurrection Token sales was an immediate and significant blow.

Moreover.

‘And the most critical permanent penalty has been imposed.’

A permanent 10% decrease.

Applying this kind of reduction to any sector—whether it’s food production, economy, population, or anything else—at a national level would have a colossal impact.

And imposing it on the entire dragonkin?

‘This is like beating the dragonkin without lifting a finger.’

The resulting damage would be tens or hundreds of times greater than what Shimun could inflict in his lifetime.

“Ah, just thinking about it makes me feel full.”

Shimun’s face melted into a blissful expression.

Then.

“By the way, isn’t autumn coming soon?”

A memory flashed in Shimun’s mind.

‘Wasn’t it this fall? The incident in Chernozem.’

Starting from southwestern Russia, passing through Ukraine, and extending to Eastern Europe. Chernozem, the world’s largest grain-producing region since ancient times, would soon face a significant event.

“Hmmm…”

Shimun softly sighed. Then.

‘Well, there’s still time until then. And I’ve established contact with Nikolai.’

Entering Chernozem wouldn’t be too difficult.

“I’ll think about this later…”

After sorting his thoughts, Shimun got out of bed. He reached for the connection device nearby. At that moment.

-What? Are you going to Arena right now?

The Philosopher’s Stone, working nearby, approached him.

“Yeah.”

-Seriously? You just got back from the guild war a few hours ago!

“So what? The guild war was an event arena, not my regular arena.”

Meaning your stats haven’t increased, right?

To the reasoning Shimun provided, the Philosopher’s Stone just shook its head.

-Good grief. You’re an arena addict.

“Call me a diligent hero who works hard for the world.”

-… Oppa. Did you eat something weird in Russia? What are you talking about all of a sudden?

“…”

Faced with the Philosopher’s Stone’s genuinely serious question. Shimun couldn’t bring himself to say, ‘I was just joking…’ and instead swallowed his words, putting on the connection device.

『Welcome to the Galaxy Arena.』

The familiar message greeted the slightly embarrassed Shimun.

However.

『Player Kim Shimun’s skill level cannot be adjusted using the current MMR system.』

『You are assigned to the Diamond Rank Promotion Match.』

『Although you belong to the irregular arena dimension, you are currently participating in the regular arena.』

『Would you like to be assigned to the promotion match in the reguular arena? (Yes / No)』

The continuing messages were entirely different.