Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Chapter 30. Beginning (1)

TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader

“Well then, everyone, I’m going to end the broadcast here!”

– No way! Don’t go!

– Today’s stream was awesome!

– Thank you so much for the information, Mr. Shimun.

– It’s not a swear, it’s a farewell.

Leaving countless chats behind,

“Phew!”

Kim Shimun took off his goggles, let out a deep breath, and got up.

‘It’s hard to respond to each and every viewer because there are so many of them.’

Having been a viewer himself in the past,

Without realizing it, he responded to each of the viewers’ greetings.

‘I can see why people don’t pay much attention to the chat when there are more viewers.’

Trolls and troublemakers were nothing to him.

Having been through all sorts of situations, Shimun wasn’t significantly affected by them.

But, responding to each and every chat was definitely not an easy task.

Well, it couldn’t be helped.

‘Who would have thought that the maximum number of viewers would reach 18,000…’

He was surprised when he checked the viewers count after clearing the arena.

Even though it was a special arena, his broadcast was still in the deep ranks.

Considering that the information about [The Depleted mana core] was only revealed in the latter part, it was an incredible number indeed.

However,

‘It feels like the more. I respond to each chat, the more viewers come…’

Expectations and reality are always different.

After finishing the arena,

It was indeed overwhelming to deal with so many viewers individually.

Therefore,

‘I guess. I have to be more reserved from now on. I need to prepare the ending BGM and background quickly.’

With that resolve, Shimun quickly opened the system window he had pushed to one side of his view.

[You have cleared the special arena. ‘Fervent Nightmare Mine’ in an unforeseen manner.]

[You have achieved the achievement. ‘First Clear of a Special Arena’.]

[You have earned 1,000 achievement points.]

[As you have cleared it in a new form, not predetermined, the rewards are being readjusted accordingly.]

[Please wait a moment.]

Reading the content, Shimun’s eyes slightly drooped.

Apart from the achievement rewards, no other rewards had come in. But since it’s not that there were no rewards at all.

‘An unforeseen form?’

Shimun carefully examined the system window.

‘That means they never anticipated the intelligence engine being repaired…’

Tapping his fingers, a smile curved on Shimun’s lips.

‘As expected, saving Marnel was the right choice.’

The structure of the special arena was to increase the rewards as more set clearance conditions were met.

But, even for the fancy Galaxy Arena, they probably didn’t expect a silver rank to deal with the drakans so quickly. And they certainly wouldn’t have anticipated the scenario where the dwarf named Marnel survived.

‘If Marnel hadn’t survived, I wouldn’t have even known about the existence of the intelligence engine in the first place.’

The players entering and encountering a freshly dead body, recoiling in shock. That must have been the scenario Galaxy Arena desired. Or,

‘Special arenas might be an area they can’t adjust as freely as regular arenas.’

It was a highly credible speculation. Because if they didn’t like the way he had cleared it, they would have. ‘intervened’ like they sometimes do in regular arenas.

Perhaps sensing Shimun’s thoughts,

– Honestly, you are lacking self-awareness.

A melodious tinnitus resonated from his chest.

It was the Philosopher’s Stone.

“What do you mean?”

– Think about it. In this arena, you didn’t achieve a predefined result; you produced a completely new outcome.

“And?”

– Oh my! Look at you! What do you mean. ‘and’? How exactly do you view this clearance?

“Just a… creative clearance, I suppose?”

– See. You really lack self-awareness. Is it unbelievable?

The Philosopher’s Stone let out a hollow laugh. Sensing something immediately, Kim Shimun asked,

“Philosopher’s Stone, do you know something about this arena?”

-Of course. But. I can’t tell you.

“What? Why?”

-It’s a bit complicated because it’s related to cause and effect… Ah! To put it simply, mentioning it now would benefit the other side.

A ridiculous answer.

Yet.

‘Now that. I think about it, the Constellation did mention cause and effect.’

Remembering the conversation of the Constellation, Kim Shimun nodded without further questions.

-By the way, you haven’t received the reward yet, have you?

“Right. It’s being adjusted.”

-You know, considering what you achieved, this clear was a big deal. So, what if…

The Philosopher’s Stone trailed off.

In a whispering tone, it suggested,

-How about you take the initiative and ask for the reward?

“Me first?”

Kim Shimun’s eyes widened in surprise.

That was a thought he had never entertained before.

Likely, even the heavenly-tier players above would think the same.

-Yes. It might be impossible normally, but you’ve achieved something now, right?

“Now that. I listen to you…”

It seemed quite plausible.

After all, Kim Shimun had never seen the Galaxy Arena make such a fuss in his previous life.

-Try mentioning it. They’ll probably leap at the offer.

“Really?”

-Yes! They must be wondering, ‘Is this too little to give? Is this too much?’ They are quite stingy, you see.

Upon hearing the Philosopher’s Stone’s words, Kim Shimun slowly nodded.

Indeed.

‘If they are so worried about the reward, they might accept what. I ask for.’

Seeing things in a new light, Kim Shimun wanted to make his request to the Galaxy Arena right away.

“Hmm…”

But he paused, stroking his chin.

The reason was simple.

“What should. I ask for?”

Kim Shimun didn’t even know what the standard rewards for the special arena were.

Moreover, though it was a special arena, it was still at the silver rank level.

He had no clue how much or to what extent he should be ambitious.

Then.

-There’s no need to fret. You know, that thing.

“That thing?”

Kim Shimun cocked his head in confusion.

Following,

-Well, it’s a mine, and it’s something we were originally going to use.

“Ah!”

As if something clicked due to the Philosopher’s Stone’s explanation.

Kim Shimun clapped his hands together.

‘Right, there was that item.’

There was no need to think further.

It was a versatile item that an alchemist could use in various ways.

Kim Shimun immediately looked at the system window in front of him and said,

“If the reward has not been decided yet, I would like to request a specific reward.”

[Adjustment pauses for a moment.]

The system window responded as if it had been waiting.

‘As expected, they were indeed worried, just like the Philosopher’s Stone said.’

With a small smile, Kim Shimun promptly replied.

“I would like mithril as a reward. It’s a mine map, after all, and it was also the entry item, wasn’t it?”

A moment of silence descended.

How many seconds passed?

[Player Kim Shimun’s request is accepted.]

The response was as expected.

However.

[For the special arena’s reward…]

“However.” Shimun didn’t stop there.

“I would prefer the mithril to be provided not in ore form but as refined bars if possible.”

[Your request is accepted.]

‘That was smooth.’

In truth, requesting refined mithril was somewhat of a gamble.

Refining special ores like mithril is notoriously difficult.

It was unavoidable that some of the pure mithril would be lost in the process.

Therefore, it required a stable refining process, and the cost was not trivial.

‘Well, it’s not that difficult for me.’

After all, it was one of the ingredients for the Elixir.

In his previous life, Shimun, who had been a Level 1 mage incapable of using magic, had managed to refine mithril on his own.

Now, with the Philosopher’s Stone, he could even dip into his achievement points if necessary.

[You are awarded the. ‘Frenzied Mine Nightmare’ special arena reward.]

[A designated amount of experience is allocated to your. ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ trait.]

[Your level has increased by 10.]

[The level of your Philosopher’s Stone has risen by 8.]

[You have acquired a. ‘Mithril Bar’ as a clear reward.]

[You have acquired. ‘Dragon Blood’ as a clear reward.]

Message windows scrolled up one after another.

Shimun gaped in surprise as he read them.

‘I knew my level was low, but to level up by 10 in one go…’

And that was even after sharing some of the experience with the Philosopher’s Stone.

‘Any normal player would have gone up to at least level 18, nearly 20.’

Even considering it was a special arena, the amount was staggering.

Players who had leveled up this fast were really few and far between across all their lifetimes.

And then,

‘Dragon Blood, of all things!’

While not quite as versatile as mithril,

to snag an item with good magic conductivity like Dragon Blood as a bonus.

“Hehe!”

Shimun grinned contentedly with his reward.

Then, a hurried voice reached Shimun’s ears.

-Hey! You better check that mithril bar quickly! Who knows if they’ve messed with the purity? Huh?!

Shimun’s eyes narrowed slightly at the Philosopher’s Stone’s anxious tone.

“Philosopher’s Stone, did you have me ask for mithril just because you wanted it?”

-Uh, um? Ohoho! Brother, come on! Why would. I do that?

“Really? I have no immediate use for mithril.”

-Come on! It’s all for the future! Listen, do you realize?

-How versatile mithril is? From alchemy enhancers to tools, boosting, even to platinum golems! It can be used anywhere!

Shimun could feel every little tremor in his chest, where the Philosopher’s Stone lay.

Thus, the Philosopher’s Stone’s real intention was crystal clear.

“Well, mithril is indeed a panacea in alchemy.”

-Right? See? Trust me, you’ll never regret listening to me.

“Sure, sure.”

Shimun decided to let it go without further comment.

After all, he couldn’t think of any better reward on the spot.

‘It’s given to me for my sake, after all.’

His obsession with mithril, in the end, was for his own benefit, wasn’t it?

-Oh my! Look at this quality! The purity is indeed 100%!

-Oh! If only. I had a tongue, I’d lick it till it’s worn out…

Pulling the mithril bar from his inventory, Shimun struggled to keep his composure.

* * *

“What do you mean it just disappeared?”

A voice as threatening as a tiger’s, pulsing with anger filled with threat, rumbled deeply.

-That is… Truly, we do not know the cause ourselves! Suddenly, half of the dwarves working vanished…

Bang.

A massive globe—

Specifically, the communication orb linking to the refinery below was shattered by a man exhaling ragged breaths.

The fierce breathing suited his large frame, scattering the fragments of the destroyed orb.

He felt like throwing a few more punches somewhere, propelled by his temper, but. “Oh my, Sargas, your nature remains unchanged.”

At the unpleasantly sticky voice, Sargas chose to bow instead of making a fist.

“…What brings you to such a humble place, Lady Defina?”

Despite his words.

Sargas looked at the woman called Defina with eyes full of discomfort. Considering his muscular, enormous body and fierce face. It was a situation that would scare off most women.

“Hehe, not exactly the welcoming look, is it? Well, there’s a problem, so perhaps that’s to be expected?”

Defina merely chuckled leisurely.

“This is not a matter that should concern someone of your stature.”

“Oh dear, to say it’s not a matter of concern. That report just now, it was about the Black Forge, wasn’t it?”

“Lady Defina. The Black Forge is under my jurisdiction, and. I serve the Third dragon emperor.”

“And the Black Forge belongs to our Lord Nidhogg. Have you forgotten?”

At those words, Sargas’ jaw clenched tight.

Defina flipped her black hair, waving her hand.

“Don’t be so tense. Do you think. I came here by choice?”

Sargas’ stern gaze twitched.

Just as she said.

‘This troublesome woman wouldn’t have come here for no reason.’

Especially if you consider that Defina serves as a messenger for the Fifth dragon emperor, Nidhogg.

Before even mentioning her noble status as a dragon.

A messenger conveying the will of a dragon emperor would not make movements without reason.

That means.

“Could it be! The dragon emperors already know…”

“Yes. They are aware of the issue with the Black Forge.”

Sargas’ eyes widened.

Likely, his other eye covered by an eyepatch did the same.

No wonder.

‘The Dwarves disappearing was a matter. I had just been briefed on…’

How could the dragon emperors know this fact and have sent a messenger so promptly?

“Sargas. For someone who is a member of Squama One, you still don’t understand them?”

As if enjoying Sargas’ shocked face.Defina extended her hand towards the ground. .Then.

Whoosh.

As though time was rewinding, the dust fragments of the communicator instantly reformed back into its original shape.

“There’s nothing the dragon emperors aren’t aware of. They have reached the realms of gods, after all. It’s only natural.”

Sargas silently nodded. If the dragon emperors weren’t truly prescient. Then the message from Nidhogg’s emissary arriving at this moment couldn’t be a coincidence.

“The dragon emperors find the current situation bothersome. Lord Nidhogg, in particular, is quite displeased that such an event occurred within his territory.”

Sargas’ throat tightened. Knowing Lord Nidhogg’s temperament, that was the expected reaction.

“Hehe, no need to be so nervous. This matter wasn’t your fault in the slightest.”

In other words. They would hold him accountable for what happens next. Mocking Sargas’ distorted face, Defina tossed the repaired communicator in front of Sargas.

“Don’t fret so much. The source of this problem has been assigned to another for resolution. This is fortunate for you.”

“Another?”

“Yes. So, as the manager, you only need to refill the positions left by the Dwarves.”

Defina pulled out a small orb from her bosom. Inside the orb seemed to be a miniature landscape filled with locations.

“Here lies a list of where the disappeared Dwarves might be.”

Sargas examined the small orb, frowning.

“There are more than. I thought.”

“What can we do? Creating escape routes everywhere is a specialty of those small earth-dwellers.”

“Still, since Lady Defina has pointed them out, it won’t take long.”

“That’s the spirit. If you need additional forces, make a request.”

Having said everything she wanted,

Defina lazily waved her hand, turning to leave.

“Aren’t you coming with us, Lady Defina?”

“Why, going to miss me? Can’t be helped, though. You’re not the only one. I need to see.”

“The ‘other’ you mentioned before?”

“Yes. The source of this predicament happens to belong to the jurisdiction of the Earth I’m currently working on.”

Defina slightly licked her red lips.

“This mess will turn out quite well after all.”