Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Chapter 23. Inquiries (2)

TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader

Could it be that the Philosopher’s Stone too recognized the changed information of the mithril ore?

“Oh, oppa. How did you know this is an entry item?”

His voice came faintly trembling.

It couldn’t be helped.

[Doria Mountain Mithril Ore]

Bound to: Kim Shimun

Grade: X

Mithril ore from the Doria mountain range, once the holy land of Dwarves.

-When used for Arena matching, you enter the. ‘Fervent Nightmare Mine’.

-Limited to one person.

It was surprising enough being mere mithril ore.

“I didn’t know at first either.”

Who could have guessed that it was an entry item for a special arena?

“Getting mithril alone was a jackpot, but an entry item? This is a tremendous windfall.”

Entry item.

An item that allows entry into a special arena outside the matches set by the Galaxy Arena.

Naturally, the rewards for clearing it were on a completely different level.

Shimun gazed at the two selection options floating in front of him.

“So this is why they made option 2.”

Had the system not included option 2, he would have had no suspicions.

But it got caught by Shimun, who had experiences from his previous life.

“And furthermore….”

Shimun looked back at [Doria Mountain Mithril Ore].

“Grade X, I didn’t know it appeared during this time.”

Grade X.

The world commonly knows that the highest grade is SSS.

It’s not wrong.

Unless it’s a mythic weapon bestowed by the constellations.

After all, the highest existing grade is SSS.

But by the standards of his previous life, about 2 or 3 years from now, Grade X will make its appearance in the world.

The difference between Grade X and SSS is simple.

“Grade X is a kind of unique grade. Meaning, it’s evidence that the item is one-of-a-kind.”

Just like unique stats.

Items tagged with Grade X were indeed unique, one-of-a-kind.

That such a grade was attached to an entry item meant.

“The difficulty of the special arena I’m to enter must be quite significant.”

However, that wasn’t too much of a problem.

Given it dropped during the placement test section, the difficulty wouldn’t be of high rank.

“With my current level being above gold rank…”

Shimun’s capabilities were already a step above players of the same level.

Moreover, with the placement tests completed, leveling up in the arena as much as possible shouldn’t be too hard.

The issue was.

“The conditions that make entry impossible….”

Although it wasn’t shown in the info window, he had a rough idea.

Considering the system specifically added. “assigned to Silver rank” as a condition in option 2.

[Doria Mountain Mithril Ore] would become unusable once advancing beyond Silver rank.

Shimun leaned his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

“If it’s an arena that merely requires brute force, to put it bluntly, I could just unleash a barrage of Astrapes.”

Who could fend off a mythical weapon’s onslaught at this level range?

Though it would be a bit of a waste of achievement points.

The reward from using the Grade X entry item seemed too good to miss.

“But special arenas won’t be that simple.”

Recalling his past life’s memories.

Special arenas would incorporate at least two or more types of arena events.

“I should maximize my specs as much as possible and enter before advancing to gold rank, but….”

Conversely, obtaining the entry item rewards early on to rapidly push through Silver rank with improved specs wasn’t a bad idea either.

Additionally.

“Especially when considering its value for broadcasting.”

Special arena broadcasts are content that’s sorely missed when unavailable.

Especially if a special arena is conducted in the deep zones, it would have several benefits from a broadcasting perspective.

After much deliberation, Shimun.

“Phew. Alright.”

Calmly stored the [Doria Mountain Mithril Ore] into his inventory.

Then, raising his head,

He selected option 2 from the system window floating in front of him. [You have selected option 2.]

[Player Kim Shimun has been assigned to the Silver rank.]

[Due to measured MMR, a penalty resulting in 30% reduction of experience points and rewards will apply. This penalty is exclusive to the. ‘Silver’ rank.]

[You have completed the achievement. ‘Rank Assignment.’]

[You have earned 500 achievement points.]

* * *

A state-of-the-art TV set, strikingly out of place in a shabby office.

Inside it, a famous MC, Choi Kangyup, was engaging in conversation with an expert player.

-“… Incredible, isn’t it?”

-“Right. The graduates from the academy this year are exceptionally remarkable, aren’t they?”

-“Indeed. Among them, two have become rankers, standing shoulder to shoulder with players who have dominated the arena for over a decade.”

-“It’s a great blessing for our country. The anticipation for the upcoming international competition is through the roof.”

-“Correct. Everyone is forecasting a shift in Korea’s national ranking. The upcoming selection for the national team will prove everything!”

‘The National Representative Arena,’ the most-watched TV program in South Korea, commonly referred to as. ‘NRA.’

Since the emergence of the Galaxy Arena, regardless of region, it took the number one channel spot, becoming a national favorite.

-“The broadcast where Kim Shihyuk single-handedly defeated a raid boss was truly overwhelming.”

-“Absolutely! The views on Galtube have already surpassed 500 million.”

-“500 million? The broadcast was just a few days ago, and it’s already reached 500 million?”

-“Well, Kim Shihyuk is a ranker who’s gaining global attention! Luckily, I saw that scene live.”

-“Ah! I’m so envious! If only. I didn’t have a schedule to stick to….”

Following was MC Choi Kangyup’s reaction.

A rugged man chuckled and turned his head upon seeing it.

“Hey, they’re talking about you again on. ‘NRA.'”

“Senior, I’m listening even if you don’t point it out.”

A visage that perfectly embodied the word. ‘refreshing.’

A voice resembling his appearance faintly echoed.

“Kid, you don’t even bat an eyelid anymore.”

As the rugged man smiled teasingly,

“Ah.”

The owner of the refreshing visage sighed.

“Senior, this is one of my rare breaks. Please don’t bother me.”

“I should be saying that, kiddo.”

The rugged man, while putting down his drink on the table,

Glanced over at the young man with the refreshing appearance, sprawled on the cheap sofa as if it were his own bed.

“Why are you looking for your break in my office?”

“I’m a client of yours, senior.”

“Oh, look at Kim Shihyuk, knows how to pull rank now, huh? Hey, kiddo! Does being a client give you the right to do anything, huh?”

“Hehe, give me a break. I have nowhere else to rest, you know.”

Despite being a grown man,

Such a pure smile could soften even another man’s heart.

It wasn’t just his looks.

“Indeed… Your life has been quite a pain in the ass, hasn’t it?”

As a senior from the academy, and as a close brother, well aware of the life Kim Shihyuk has been leading, a sympathetic reaction was natural.

The rugged man, Park Jinwook, slid a cup of coffee towards the smiling Kim Shihyuk.

Looking at it, Kim Shihyuk remarked,

“If you’re going to offer something, why not the same thing you’re drinking?”

“Why would. I?”

“I was just about to sleep, you know? How does coffee make sense?”

“That’s why I’m giving it to you, brat. To wake you up so you can get lost.”

Park Jinwook’s corner of the mouth twisted up in a half-smile.

His rugged facial features, intensified by the smile, seemed menacing.

“Hit! Then it’s settled. I won’t drink it and just sleep more.”

Kim Shihyuk simply smiled his distinctive, refreshing smile.

Beyond appearances, even considering only their capabilities as players, Park Jinwook posed no threat to Kim Shihyuk.

Aware of this fact,

“This brat? Thinking you’re hot stuff lately, you see seniors as a joke?”

Park Jinwook, uncharacteristic of his rugged look, puckered his lips in a sullen manner.

“Yes. Being with senior always makes me smile.”

“This son of a–!”

Watching Kim Shihyuk sniggering, Park Jinwook clenched his fist tight.

‘Damn it! Should. I just close my eyes and punch him once?’

Tension traveled from his clenched fist up to his shoulders, but soon, Park Jinwook sighed and shook his head.

‘Tsk, forget it. Not like he’d dodge a punch anyway.’

If anything, he’d probably get hit, then cling on more annoyingly, claiming damages and whatnot.

After all, he was dealing with a monster capable of merely. ‘pretending to be hit’ by the punch of Park Jinwook, who was himself, ranked quite high in the diamond rank.

Therefore, instead of expressing his anger, Park Jinwook decided to pull out an effective weapon to chase away this pretentious monster of a junior.

“Here.”

While taking a cigarette, Park Jinwook tossed something towards Kim Shihyuk.

“What’s this?”

“What else? It’s what you asked for before.”

An ordinary document envelope that could be seen in any office.

However, the look in Kim Shihyuk’s eyes upon seeing it was anything but ordinary.

“You figured it out already?”

“I mean, even if I’m being treated like a dog by some snotty-ranked punk, I have my own ways around here.”

Woosh.

Clouds of cigarette smoke spread towards the shabby office’s ceiling.

Enhanced by his rugged looks, it seemed like a scene straight out of a noir film.

“Hey, don’t talk like that. When have. I ever treated you like a dog, the night hunter Park Jinwook?”

“Then, man! Make it a request, not a favor! A request!”

This pretentious junior was unaffected.

“Having so much money and yet… it’s always those who have that want more.”

“Would you be upset if. I said that? Last time, I settled the payment in AP for you.”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

Park Jinwook, looking out of the stained window while pressing out his cigarette in the ashtray.

“I prefer cash over AP. If. I liked AP that much, I would’ve kept running in the arena instead of doing this.”

Was it because it’s still January?

Or perhaps because his breathing became a bit rough.

Before long, the window in front of Park Jinwook had fogged up.

“…”

Watching him quietly, Kim Shihyuk spoke.

“Senior. As. I mentioned before, my offer still stands.”

“Whatever. Hanging out with a guy like me will only ruin your image.”

“Senior.”

“Enough! It’s not happening, man.”

At those words, Kim Shihyuk’s bright gaze darkened slightly.

“…”

“If there’s someone causing problems, just getting rid of them works, doesn’t it?”

Chuckling.

“What, are you planning to wipe out the Korean Association or something?”

Park Jinwook let out a mocking laugh at Kim Shihyuk’s words.

“Kid, you’re different from how you look, your personality is still the same…”

But that laugh was momentary.

Park Jinwook’s face quickly hardened.

A refreshed young man reflected in his gaze.

Kim Shihyuk had an unusual gleam in his eyes.

“Hey, don’t tell me you’re…”

“What’s so surprising? I’m just trying to take back what was originally mine.”

Kim Shihyuk shrugged nonchalantly.

He wasn’t wrong.

In fact, he was right.

Knowing this all too well…

“…”

Park Jinwook was left speechless.

Rustle.

Kim Shihyuk began to examine the document he had received.

Though his expression had improved from before, Park Jinwook knew.

When he wore that effortlessly natural smile, that was when Kim Shihyuk was most dangerous.

Proving this point, he said,

“Senior, is this all you could find?”

“Yeah.”

“Ha. Still, caught a big fish unexpectedly.”

Sweat began to form in Park Jinwook’s hands.

It wasn’t just a figment of his mood.

Within the top ranks of the Diamond league, a ‘Ranker’ had indeed made a different kind of impact.

‘This kid… Is he really thinking of going against the association?’

Merely the vibe was enough to make Park Jinwook, a Diamond player, sweat.

Had it been a commoner, they likely would have been trembling unknowingly.

“I knew there was someone backing them… Holy Trinity, was it?”

Clearing his throat, Park Jinwook managed his aura to shake off the tension and continued.

“Cough! As expected of Holy Trinity, the cleanup was so thorough that it was hard to investigate further.”

“Incompetent. With such a clue given, and all you got is this line saying Holy Trinity is involved?”

“Hey, you son of a bitch! You try it!”

Instead of these harsh words, Park Jinwook managed to reply with barely suppressed irritation,

“It’s because I’m this skilled that. I managed to find out even this much. Haven’t. I told you? I’m clean with my finishes.”

After saying this, he downed the tequila in his glass in one shot.

“Still, since it’s related to Holy Trinity, wouldn’t Yujeong have some information if you asked her?”

“She doesn’t know anything.”

Kim Shihyuk’s reply flowed out as clear yet as cold as a winter spring.

“Back then and even now.”

“I don’t quite understand, but knowing Yujeong, she’s probably conducting her own investigation, right?”

“That’s likely. Yet, seeing her act no different than usual.”

Kim Shihyuk idly twirled the documents filled with information.

“It means she’s completely unaware that Holy Trinity is involved in this case.”

His face was filled with a subtle annoyance.

-… So, the first news about. ‘this incident in Arena’ is… Wow! Is this true?

-I can’t believe it even with my own eyes. A broadcast pretending to be the Constellations? What’s happening here?

-The managers of the broadcast impersonated three Constellations. Let’s look at the footage together.

Kim Shihyuk carelessly threw the documents on the table, the ludicrous news of a broadcast impersonating Constellations barely registering to him.

Park Jinwook scratched the back of his head.

“Geez. Since when did you guys become so adversarial?”

“I guess it’s always been this way?”

Then.

Swish.

Kim Shihyuk’s expression hardened, and he turned around.

“Bro, do you have a meeting scheduled for today?”

“What? You’re so averse to exposure that. I always make it a day off when you’re coming… Huh?”

Park Jinwook’s face, initially shaking his head, hardened in an instant. Something had tickled his senses.

“Looks like we’ve been tailed the Night Hunter, huh?”

Kim Shihyuk, with a small smirk, pressed his body next to the door. Merely leaning against the wall, yet…

‘This guy, he’s concealing his presence even better than before?’

Other than visual cues, Park Jinwook couldn’t feel any presence from Kim Shihyuk, an impressive feat of stealth, especially since Park Jinwook himself was of diamond rank in the assassin hierarchy.

‘This is what a ranker-level player looks like…’

The difference was clear. There could be no more fitting description for the current situation.

Creak.

“May. I come in?”

The door opened suddenly.

“Is this Park Jinwook-ssi’s office?”

With that question, a man entered, and Park Jinwook donned his characteristic smile.

“I’m sorry, sir. We’re closed today.”

“Ah! I see. I didn’t think about the day off.”

Genuinely unaware, the man scratched the back of his head with an innocent expression. However, Park Jinwook’s gaze on him turned even colder.

‘His facial control is top-notch. Who is he? A tracker from Holy Trinity? An assassin?’

To tread on the tail of someone known as the night hunter and to remain so composed… The mystery man’s identity became an even deeper puzzle.

Swish.

Laying relaxed under the table, Park Jinwook’s hands had already grasped sharp hidden weapons.

“I’m sorry, but since you’re here, could you possibly take on just one request?”

“A request?”

“Yes, it’s simple. I’m looking for someone.”

Looking for someone? It was obviously going to be Kim Shihyuk.

‘The enemy is confirmed. I should start by cutting off his limbs…’

This train of thought turned Park Jinwook’s suspicion into certainty. Just as he was about to make his move with the weapons in hand, Park Jinwook involuntarily froze. And for good reason.

“Impossible…!”

Seeing Kim Shihyuk, who always maintained a refreshing smile and composure, showing such surprise was a first. But Park Jinwook’s astonishment didn’t end there.

“Hyung.”

“Kim Shihyuk? What are you doing here?”